Catholic Bishop Richard Malone has asked Christians to refrain from celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year with green beer and merriment.

That’s because it coincides with Holy Week, which begins March 15 and leads up to Easter Sunday. March 23.

Malone, himself an Irishman, understands how joyous St. Patrick’s Day traditions can be. His father was 100 percent Irish. His grandfather immigrated from County Limerick in Ireland to Hamilton, Mass., where he worked as a blacksmith.

Growing up in Hamilton and Beverly, Mass., Malone’s family participated in the wearing of the green. He’d don a green tie or sweater. They ate the traditional boiled dinner. He and his sister looked forward to cupcakes or cookies with green frosting or sugar.

St. Patrick’s Day took on more meaning when Malone was at St. John Seminary in Boston, since St. Patrick is the patron saint of the archdiocese of Boston. “There was always a large church celebration which would include Mass at the cathedral with Irish music.”

But Holy Week trumps all that.

“We are commemorating Christ’s final days on Earth. Holy Week leads up to His resurrection at Easter, the central belief upon which the faith is built.”

– Bonnie Washuk