MAYNOOTH, Ireland, JULY 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Permission has come from Rome to celebrate St. Patrick's Day two days earlier next year.
The decision to move the Irish patron saint's feast day came about because the traditional March 17 festivities will clash with Monday of Holy Week, the Irish Times reported.
Under the Church's General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar, St. Patrick's feast day does not rank as high as the Monday before Easter, and therefore, will be moved.
The last time St. Patrick's Day was moved was in 1940 when it coincided with Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week.
ZE07071904 - 2007-07-19