Go forth and share the good news, Philadelphia Catholics! Despite Saint Patrick's Day falling on a Friday during Lent this year, you can eat meat guilt-free.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Thursday that Archbishop Charles Chaput has officially granted a dispensation to the city's Roman Catholics.
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The faith's season of Lent began Wednesday and will last 40 days. During that time, Catholics have the obligation to abstain from eating meat on Fridays as a gesture of penance. The code applies to all Catholics fourteen years of age and older.
But, this year's March 17 is a Friday and that causes problems for Irish Catholics, who traditionally eat corned beef and cabbage to celebrate the life of Saint Patrick.
Chaput considered the circumstances and did not force Irish Catholics to decide which obligation to fulfill.
"However, if a Catholic makes the choice not to abstain from meat, then some other penance of choice is to be observed in honor of the passion and death of our Lord on the cross," the Archdiocese reminded devout Catholics.
So that means you still have to give something up.
Remember, Chaput didn't say anything about gluttony being OK that day so you can't give up "being sober."