In the Catholic faith, eating meat is generally not allowed on Fridays during lent, but bishops across the area are making an exception this Friday because it's St. Patrick's Day.

The holiday is typically celebrated with corned beef. Dioceses in Springfield and Worcester are issuing Catholics a dispensation, allowing them to have the traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal.

Traditionally, Catholics refrain from eating meat on Fridays during lent as a way to recognize Jesus' sacrifice, who, according to the Catholic faith, died on a Friday. Instead, Catholics will typically eat fish on Fridays during lent.

Meanwhile, the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island is making no such exception. Bishop Thomas Tobin said in a statement he “believes it's important to remind the faithful of the importance of our lenten disciplines.”