Cardinal Joseph Tobin grants Catholics dispensation from obligation to abstain from meat on Friday, March 19, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph
March 2, 2021
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, has granted Catholics in the Archdiocese of Newark a dispensation (an exemption) from the obligation to abstain from meat on Friday, March 19, 2021, the celebration of the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
One of the obligations imposed upon all of us during the season of Lent is the observance of abstinence from eating meat on all Fridays of Lent, as well as on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday. The law on abstinence binds all those who have attained the age of fourteen.
Every year our Lenten austerity is interrupted by one or two solemnities, feast days of the highest rank that celebrate a mystery of faith such as the Trinity, an event in the life of Jesus, his mother Mary, or another important saint. The Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is commemorated on March 19th and, this year, that celebration falls on a Friday. What is more, last December, Pope Francis announced a special "Year of St. Joseph" to be celebrated from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021.
Some of the faithful have asked me to dispense the Archdiocese from abstinence from meat on Friday, March 19, 2021. I am happy to grant that dispensation to all as part of the celebration of this Solemnity during the Year of St. Joseph.
A most fitting way to celebrate the Solemnity is a festive meal with your household and a gift to one of our food pantries or soup kitchens to ensure that the poor will eat as well.
Sincerely yours in Christ the Redeemer,
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R.
Archbishop of Newark
* Please click here for Spanish *
March 2, 2021
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, has granted Catholics in the Archdiocese of Newark a dispensation (an exemption) from the obligation to abstain from meat on Friday, March 19, 2021, the celebration of the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
One of the obligations imposed upon all of us during the season of Lent is the observance of abstinence from eating meat on all Fridays of Lent, as well as on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday. The law on abstinence binds all those who have attained the age of fourteen.
Every year our Lenten austerity is interrupted by one or two solemnities, feast days of the highest rank that celebrate a mystery of faith such as the Trinity, an event in the life of Jesus, his mother Mary, or another important saint. The Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is commemorated on March 19th and, this year, that celebration falls on a Friday. What is more, last December, Pope Francis announced a special "Year of St. Joseph" to be celebrated from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021.
Some of the faithful have asked me to dispense the Archdiocese from abstinence from meat on Friday, March 19, 2021. I am happy to grant that dispensation to all as part of the celebration of this Solemnity during the Year of St. Joseph.
A most fitting way to celebrate the Solemnity is a festive meal with your household and a gift to one of our food pantries or soup kitchens to ensure that the poor will eat as well.
Sincerely yours in Christ the Redeemer,
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R.
Archbishop of Newark
* Please click here for Spanish *
Returning to Grace:
A Pastoral Letter on the Eucharist
from Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R.
The pastoral letter identifies and reflects on important questions that many in our
archdiocese are asking today about worship and the Eucharist amid the ongoing pandemic.
It also offers Cardinal Tobin’s reflections, personal stories and some thoughts shared
with us by Pope Francis during this challenging time.
You can download the full text of Cardinal Tobin’s pastoral letter
in English or Spanish by clicking the files below:
archdiocese are asking today about worship and the Eucharist amid the ongoing pandemic.
It also offers Cardinal Tobin’s reflections, personal stories and some thoughts shared
with us by Pope Francis during this challenging time.
You can download the full text of Cardinal Tobin’s pastoral letter
in English or Spanish by clicking the files below:
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You can likewise check the Archdiocese's website and view his introductory video: (www.rcan.org/cardinal-joseph-tobin-pastoral-letter).
The 2021 Annual Appeal
Your contribution to this year's Annual Appeal supports
the many ministries of the Archdiocese of Newark.
For more information about the appeal and the Archdiocesan programs and ministries,
please watch the videos on the link below:
https://www.rcan.org/video
Your contribution to this year's Annual Appeal supports
the many ministries of the Archdiocese of Newark.
For more information about the appeal and the Archdiocesan programs and ministries,
please watch the videos on the link below:
https://www.rcan.org/video
2021 Lenten Regulations
(from the Archdiocese of Newark)
The days of both Fast and Abstinence during Lent are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. The other
Fridays of Lent are days of Abstinence.
On a day of Fast, only one (1) full meal is permitted, and two (2) smaller meals, which, if added together, would not exceed the main meal in quantity.
Those between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast.
On a day of Abstinence, no meat may be eaten. Those who have reached the age of 14
are obliged by the law of abstinence.
The obligation to observe the laws of Fast and Abstinence "substantially", or as a whole,
is a serious obligation.
The Fridays of the year, outside of Lent, are designated as days of penance, but each
individual may substitute for the traditional abstinence from meat some other practice
of voluntary self-denial as penance.
The time for fulfilling the Paschal Precept (Easter Duty*) extends from the
First Sunday of Lent, February 21 to
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, May 30, 2021
*Canon 920, §1. All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist,
are bound by the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year.
January 25, 2021
Office of the Vicar General
If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. The other
Fridays of Lent are days of Abstinence.
On a day of Fast, only one (1) full meal is permitted, and two (2) smaller meals, which, if added together, would not exceed the main meal in quantity.
Those between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast.
On a day of Abstinence, no meat may be eaten. Those who have reached the age of 14
are obliged by the law of abstinence.
The obligation to observe the laws of Fast and Abstinence "substantially", or as a whole,
is a serious obligation.
The Fridays of the year, outside of Lent, are designated as days of penance, but each
individual may substitute for the traditional abstinence from meat some other practice
of voluntary self-denial as penance.
The time for fulfilling the Paschal Precept (Easter Duty*) extends from the
First Sunday of Lent, February 21 to
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, May 30, 2021
*Canon 920, §1. All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist,
are bound by the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year.
January 25, 2021
Office of the Vicar General
You can visit the website of the Archdiocese of Newark for more news
and other important messages at https://www.rcan.org/
and other important messages at https://www.rcan.org/
