BRIGHTON -- Though St. Patrick’s Day falls during Holy Week this year, Boston still plans to honor and mark the life and ministry of its patron saint on March 17.

Due to this year’s unusually early date for Easter Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day falls on the Monday of Holy week, preventing its liturgical commemoration. In the Church’s liturgical calendar, the celebration of Holy Week takes precedence over the feast of a saint.

Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley wrote in his Feb. 22 blog posting that he will celebrate a noontime Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross March 17 and the homily will focus on St. Patrick’s life and missionary work.

“We will celebrate the liturgical Mass, with its readings and prayers, of the Monday of Holy Week, but at the Mass we will reflect on the life and ministry of St. Patrick.”

“As usual, we will bless and distribute the shamrocks, which St. Patrick used so effectively -- as a symbol of the cross and as a symbol for the Trinity,” the cardinal said.

In his blog post the cardinal also encouraged all Boston Catholics to attend the Mass.

“Just like every year, we hope to have a nice group of priests and laity joining with us as we honor St. Patrick. We expect people to come to the cathedral wearing green in honor of the patron saint of the archdiocese. And I always remind people that they should celebrate his feast day whether they are Irish or not. After all, St. Patrick was not Irish.”

In a letter sent to priests of the archdiocese, Vicar General Father Richard M. Erikson, also explained the conflict of dates and invited priests to “acknowledge the life and example of St. Patrick within the context of the celebration of the Monday of Holy Week liturgy” in their own parishes.

According to the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat of Divine Worship, St. Patrick’s Day “will not be commemorated liturgically in most U.S. dioceses” this year.