Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1912 — LENT BEGAN WEDNESDAY; LASTS UNTIL EASTER [ARTICLE]

LENT BEGAN WEDNESDAY; LASTS UNTIL EASTER

Season of Fasting and Denial Followed by Catholic Churches—Regulations of the ,<Chnjreh. • --V— 4 ■■ ~ 'Regulations for the observance of lent, which began Wednesday, were read in all Catholic and Episcopal churches the Sunday before. The observance this year be much the same as in former years, and the regulations differ little or none from the last year. Beginning last Wednesday all social functions of prominence will be a thing of the past for six weeks, if the teachings of the church are carried out The penitential period of lent, which lasts 40 days, were ushered in Wednesday. Self-denials prayerß and fasting are required of members of churches observing lent, although the period of six weeks is not intended to be a period of dullness, but rather a time for diligent cultivation of the soul. Roman Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran churches observe lent, the first day of which is known as Ash- Wednesday, and is marked by services of a special and of an important character.

In the Catholic churches ashes wgre blessed and distributed early Wednesday morning as a symbol of penitence. The ashes ceremony was followed by a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. following are the regulations read in all churches of the Catholic diocese of Fort Wayne as issued by Bishop Alerding: “In accordance with faculties granted by the Hojy See, the following are the regulations for lent for the diocese of Fort Wayne. “1. All the faithful, over twentyone and under sixty years of age, are, unless legitimately dispensed, bound to observe the fast of lent. “2. They are to take only one full meal a day, Sundays excepted. "3. The full meal allowed on fast days should be taken about noon, but, if for any good reason, the principal meal cannot be taken at noon, it is ,’perm.itted to take the collation at noon, and to put off the full meal till evening. “4. Both fish and flesh are not to be used at the smae time, not even On Snnrtaya “5. A refreshment, commonly called a collation, Is allowed in the evening. No general rule as to the quantity of food permitted at this time is or can be made; but the practice of the most regular Christians is never to let it exceed one-fourth of au ordinary meal. ”6. On account of the existence of Buch custom the church tolerates the use of bread, butter, eggs, cheese, milk, and all kinds of fruit, salads, vegetables and flsh at a collation. “7. For the same reason It Is permitted to take in the morning warm liquid as tea, coffee, or thin chocolate, with a little bread and a cracker, or a small piece of bread. “8. Necessity and custom have authorized the use of lard instead of butter in preparing fish, vegetables, etc:

“9. By dispensation the übb of flesh meat is allowed at any time on Sundays, and once a day on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, excepting the second and last Saturdays of lent. “10. The following are exempt from the obligations of fasting: Those under twenty-one and those over sixty years of age, the sick, pregnant and nursing women, those who are obliged to labor hard, and all those who through weakness cannot fast without Injury to their health. “11. Persons dispensed from the obligation of fasting are not bound by the restriction of using meat at only one meal on days on which its use Is granted by dispensation.

“12. By virtue of an indult of the Holy See, granted Feb. 25, 1905, for ten years, we permit workingmen, and their families, the use of flesh meat once a day—and more than once a day in the case of those who are dispensed from fasting—on all the fast days and days of abstinence throughout the year, with the exception of all Fridays, Ash Wednesday and Saturday of holy week and. the eve of Christmas. Those who avail themselves of this dispensation are not allowed to eat fish and flesh at tbe same meal, and they are exhorted to perform such other act of mortification, such as reciting additional prayers (the rosary, for example), abstaining from intoxicating drinks, the use of tobacco, foregoing pleasures, amusements, etc. ; ■ —“We recommend that the faithful, If at all possible, observe the rigorous abstinence at least on Good Friday. “The Pascal time during which every practical Catholic is obliged-to confess his sins and receive holy communion, extends from the first Sunday in lent, Fobruary 25, to Trinity Sunday, June 2, both inclusive. “The annual collation for the Indian and negro missions is to be taken up on the first Sunday in lent A plenary indulgence is granted by the Holy Father to all that contribute, if they receive worthily the sacraments of penitence and the blessed euchar-

ist on the Sunday on which the collection is made, and offer prayers according to his attention.”