Can Lent Fasting Be Relaxed On St. Patrick's Day?

Faith Mysticism

oi-Priya Devi

By Priya Devi

Thursday, March 17, 2011, 18:22

St. Patrick's Day is observed on the 17th of March every year, commemroating the death anniversary of St Patrick. St Patricks's Day falls during the 40 days of Lent period, where abstinance and fasting is observed by every devout Christian, mourning the crucification of Christ, until Good Friday, when He resurrected.

A feast calls in for celebration, however since St.Patrick's Day falls during the period of Lent, it is often deliberated if fasting and abstinence can be relaxed on the day.

Devout Christians maintain that the rule cannot be relaxed as the season of lent is meant for prayer, fasting and giving away of alms and that it is not appropriate to break the Lent fasting.

However it is maintained, that if St.Patrick's Day falls on a Friday, meat can be taken if the Pope allows it.

Some Christians opine that it is a matter of one's own conviction or conscience.

St Patrick, an English or Scottish missionary made it to Ireland, following one of his visions of an angel, took up the task of converting the Pagans in Ireland to the Christian faith. It is a fact to be considered that St.Patrick, advocated certain Irish beliefs while imparting Christianity such as using bonfires in the celebration of Easter, the introduction of the Sun on the cross, which is an important Irish symbol, termed as the Celtic Cross etc.

Irish thus celebrated their Saint by dancing, drinking and partaking of the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage. However, bacon was substituted by Corned beef by the Irish immigrants to America owing to unaffordability.

While there is a difference in the opinions, remembering Christ and His sacrifice, whose life in itself is a big teaching, and abstaining oneself from evil tendencies by leading a life worth living is what demands more importance. Trying to inculcate Christ's message of unconditional love which branches out into kindness, sacrifice etc is what marks the qualities of a true Christian.