Even though St. Patrick's Day falls on a Friday in Lent this year, parishes and families in the Archdiocese of Boston planning their festivities can keep corned beef on the menu, thanks to a special dispensation granted by Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley. In an email sent Feb. 7, Father Bill Joy, assistant vicar for administration and special assistant to the vicar general, announced the cardinal's decision and noted that St. Patrick's Day is the patronal feast of the archdiocese. "Given the importance of this feast in the life of the archdiocese and in the lives of many Catholics, Cardinal Seán is granting a dispensation from the Friday Lenten abstinence on March 17, 2023, to those who wish to take advantage of this opportunity," Father Joy said.