Catholics granted dispensation to eat meat on St. Patrick's Day during Lent.
The Diocese of Fort Wayne and South Bend has announced that Catholics can celebrate St. Patrick's Day with corned beef by attending Holy Mass, reciting the rosary for intention of peace in the world, or spending 30 minutes of prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament instead of abstaining from eating meat during Lent. This commutation is meant to preserve the penitential spirit of a Lenten Friday while also allowing for the celebration of a great saint.