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To: Priests, deacons, brothers, sisters, principals, men and women religious, parish communicators and chancery staff
From: The Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv.
Official Decree
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 archdiocesan website.
Given at the Chancery March 11, 2021
+Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv.
Archbishop of Atlanta