Photo By Michael Alexander

ATLANTA–In a March 10 decree, Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., lifted the day of abstinence for Friday, March 19 as it is the Solemnity of St. Joseph. The decree follows:

“The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. Abstinence obligates one to abstain from all meats and meat products. It applies to all Catholics who have reached the age of 14.

This year, the Solemnity of St. Joseph falls on Friday, March 19. The Holy Father, Pope Francis has declared this to be the Year of St. Joseph and so a dispensation is hereby granted to all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Atlanta from the Discipline of Abstinence on March 19, 2021.

The Archdiocese will celebrate this special year in several ways. For more details on the celebrations, including our Mass and consecration to the intersession of St. Joseph, visit the archdiocesean website.”

A Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King will kick off the Year of St. Joseph. The Mass will start at 12:10 p.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the King, in Atlanta, and will be broadcast on Livestream and Facebook pages. During the Mass, Archbishop Hartmayer will consecrate the archdiocese to the intersession of St. Joseph.

The faithful are invited to pray the Litany of St. Joseph as a novena starting on March 10. The novena may be downloaded on the archdiocesan website.