2023 St. Patrick's Day Dispensation

On February 24, 2023, Bishop Barron sent a letter to the priests of our Diocese that stated:

"It is an important Lenten practice, that on the Fridays of Lent, the Catholic community abstains from eating meat and meat products, as an act of penance. I am aware however, that this year, the Feast of St. Patrick, March 17, 2023, falls on a Lenten Friday.

I realize that many parishes and organizations may have planned corned beef dinners and other social events along with family dinners and celebrations of St. Patrick's Day. So that all can freely celebrate, I grant a dispensation from abstinence from meat and meat products to all Catholics on March 17, 2023, in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. I encourage however, that those who take advantage of this dispensation, engage in another act of penance or charity on that day."