Fargo, North Dakota – During the season of Lent, Catholics are instructed to abstain from eating meat on Fridays. However, on Friday, March 17, they will be exempt from certain requirements, and the specifics of this will depend on where they live.
This year, the bishops of the Fargo Diocese and the Crookston Diocese have decided to dispense with the order in order to allow Catholics to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the traditional manner, complete with corned beef and cabbage. Having said that, there is a catch.
Bishop John Folda of the Diocese of Fargo states that Catholics who consume meat on Saint Patrick’s Day are required to abstain from eating meat on any other day until March 23.
During the third week of Lent, Catholics who live in northwest Minnesota and who are interested in taking advantage of the offer are encouraged by Crookston Bishop Andrew Cozzens to carry out a charitable act or some other kind act of service to their community.
There is no hope for Catholics living in the Diocese of Bismarck. Bishop David Kagan has indicated that he will not be granted a dispensation of the same kind.
