Bishop Nickless issues decree relating to St. Patrick's Day

Feb. 21, 2008

DECREE

The weekdays of Holy Week, Monday to Thursday inclusive, have precedence over all other celebrations. This is so, because the purpose of Holy Week is the remembrance of Christ's Passion, in a profound way. In these days, we walk with Him toward the Cross: from His royal entrance into Jerusalem, to His institution of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, and leading thence into the great paschal mystery of the Easter Triduum. Thus, the days of Holy Week have a special, most solemn liturgical movement.

Therefore, it is the venerable tradition of the Church to allow for the transfer of other solemn feasts that might fall within Holy Week, so that these celebrations of the Faith may be observed. In this way, the needs and desires of the faithful are met, without detracting from the solemn, paschal character of Holy Week itself.

For this year, throughout the whole world, the Holy See has therefore already transferred the Feast of Saint Joseph, patron of the Universal Church, and notably of our own Diocese of Sioux City, from March 19 (Wednesday of Holy Week) to Saturday, March 15, 2008.

In the same way, I, Walker, by the grace of God and the favor of the Apostolic See Bishop of Sioux City, do hereby transfer for this year the Optional Memorial Feast of Saint Patrick from March 17 (Monday of Holy Week) to Thursday, March 13, 2008. Celebrations by the faithful in memory of this revered saint and bishop within this Diocese should occur on this date.

Please note that I have transferred this feast to Thursday, rather than to Friday, in order to permit both the full range of traditional customs, and also the norms of fast-and-abstinence of a Lenten Friday. The faithful are encouraged most strongly to observe these norms every Friday of Lent, which practice the spiritual wisdom of the Church over many centuries recommends for our spiritual health, and from which no special dispensation is granted beyond the universal dispensations pertaining to age and health.

Given from Sioux City, at the Chancery of the Diocese of Sioux City, on this 20th day of February in the Year of Grace 2008. In witness whereof:

Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City

Dr. David A. Lopez, Ph.D.
Chancellor