Out of pastoral solicitude, Bishop Daniel Thomas has formally dispensed the faithful of the
Diocese of Toledo from the obligation to abstain from meat on the Memorial of Saint Patrick,
Bishop, which will be observed this year on Friday, March 17. Those who choose to partake of
meat on that day are encouraged to undertake another penance that day in the form of a corporal
or spiritual work of mercy. In this way, a faithful Catholic still keeps the penitential spirit of a
Friday in Lent and unites oneself more closely with the suffering Christ and His Church.