Can Catholics eat meat on St. Patrick's Day? This year, the holiday falls during Lent

With St. Patrick’s Day less than a month away, it’s time to start figuring out how you want to celebrate. Traditionally, most people are all about the green beer and corned beef, but since the holiday falls during Lent, it doesn’t necessarily mean everyone can partake. Can Catholics eat meat on St. Patrick’s Day, or is it something they have to abstain from?

In case you’re not up on your traditions, during Lent, Catholics don’t eat meat on Fridays — instead choosing to consume fish or another meatless dish — and it’s all as a symbol of sacrifice. Fortunately, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, which means Catholics will have no problem eating corned beef (or other meat), guilt-free, to celebrate if they so choose. Unless, you know, someone gave up all meat for Lent, at which point they might choose to skip out on it anyway.

In the past, the church has made exceptions for the holiday. Last year, when St. Patrick’s Day fell on a Friday, many Catholic dioceses made the call that eating meat on that particular Friday would be okay, according to the New York Post. Many priests decreed that instead, parishioners could find another way to sacrifice or perform service that day. It also helps that St. Patrick’s Day is technically a feast holiday in the Catholic Church, which means meat is supposed to be consumed.

This year, though? There’s absolutely no conflict with meat on a Saturday, so chow down if you want to. Live your best life. And don’t forget to wear green.