It's not quite a miracle, but many Catholics around Northeast Ohio are probably giving thanks for it:
As our partners at the Akron Beacon Journal and Ohio.com report, Bishop Daniel Thomas, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Cleveland, has issued “a dispensation to the faithful from the obligation of abstinence from meat for the memorial of St. Patrick.”
GUIDE: Cleveland St. Patrick's Day 2017
Catholics are not entirely off the hook, though. The Bishop is strongly advising they "also partake in 'another act of penance'" on March 17.
MORE: Read the full story at Ohio.com
Why do Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent?
"Since Jesus sacrificed his flesh for us on Good Friday, we refrain from eating flesh meat in his honor on Fridays. Flesh meat included the meat of mammals and poultry, and the main foods that come under this heading are beef and pork, chicken and turkey. While flesh is prohibited, the non-flesh products of these animals are not (like milk, cheese, butter and eggs)." Catholicdish.com
RELATED: 5 great NE Ohio Irish pubs for St. Patrick's Day, selected with help from Yelp Cleveland
Can't make to the Cleveland St. Patrick's Day Parade? We invite you to watch our live stream here starting at 1 pm!
