Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-02-19
The Lenten Season.

To-day is Ash-Wednesday, the beginning
of the Lenten season, which continues until
Easter-forty days exclusive of Sundays Of
of which there are siX.) 1t is fasting time
observed by various churches, and is certain
ly of very ancient, if not even of primitive
institution. The earliest illusions to it speak
of it as an established usage handed down
from the Fathers. The forty days. period,
as commemorative of our Lords forty days.
fast, or of the similar perfunctory fasts of
Moses and of Elias, commences with Ash
Wednesday, between which day and Easter
Sunday, (omitting the Sundays on which the
fast is not observed), forty clear days inter-
vene. The rigor of the ancient observance,
which excluded all flesh, and even the So
called 'white meats" is now much relaxed;
but the principle of permitting but one meal.
with slight rejection or collation., is every
where retained. In Spain, during the Cru
sades and the wars with the MoOrs,a practice
arose of permitting, in certain cases, the sub
stitution of contribution to the holy war
for the observance of the Lenten abstinence;
and although the object has long since ceas-
ed, the composition is still permitted, under
the same title of the Cruzadd. In the Greek
Church, the ante -paschal fast is As days; but
it is only one of four similar fasting periods
observed in that church. In the Anglican
Church, Lent is retained as a church season
of the calendar, with special service, and
proper collects and prayers; but the observ-
ance of the fast is left to the discretion of
each individual.
To Catholics, who observe Lent strictly,
the following rules, published in the city pa
pers, 1--WE presume, by authority, will be of
interest: Every day ia Lent, except Sunday,
is fast day, that is, but one full meal can
be partaken of, and meat cannot be eaten
except at one meal day, and then only on
the days when not especially forbidden. Fish
and meat cannot be eaten ut the same meal,
except on Sunday. Wednesdays, land Fridays
are not only fast days, but also days of alb
stinence; that is, the use of meat is entirely
forbidden. The second week of Lent, being
Ember week, there are three days of fast and
Observation-Disclosures Fridayland Satur-
day. During Holy Week there are four days
of fast and abstinence-W ednesday, hurs-
day, Friday and Saturday. During the sea-
son special services are held in the various
churches, called Lenten services. These US
nally consist of Lenten Instructions, on Sum-
day and Wednesday evenings, and on Friday
evenings, the ceremony of the Way of the
Cross, followed by benediction.
MARRIED. At the Catholic Church in
Iron Mountain, NO., on Thursday, February
18th, 1885, WILLIAM O'BRIEN, of Granite
willie, No., to Miss MINNIE DARMoDY, of
Iron Mountain.
The happy couple start out in welded life
with bright prospects, and we trust the
future is stored with happiness and good
luck for them. They have our heartfest con-
CALCULATIONS.
Ed. Register-The assault upon me in your
last issue, by "McC," was SO uncailed for
that had expected retraction ttis week (;
bnt owing to "McC's" illness, have con.
ciuded to deter . reply through the Courts,
awaiting his recovery.