Bishop Gainer has granted a dispensation from the obligation to abstain from meat on Friday, March 17, 2023. Saint Patrick is the principal patron of the Diocese of Harrisburg and the patron of the Diocesan Cathedral which places this feast day in a unique and important relationship to the Church of Harrisburg. This is a day of rejoicing within our Diocesan Church and a fitting occasion to break from the penitential nature of the Lenten seaon. Therefore, on Friday, March 17, 2023, all Catholics of the Diocese of Harrisburg, no matter where they may be (i.e. even if they are travelling outside the Diocese), and all other Catholics actually present in the Diocese on that day, are, by the authority of the Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainer, dispensed from the obligation to abstain from meat (can. 87 §1). It is not required that Catholics make use of this dispensation. Catholics who voluntarily choose to avail themselves of this dispensation are encouraged to abstain from meat on some other day as part of their penitential practices during Lent.