Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1885-02-18

TN E31aM S&AooA
Elk Point, Oak. Ash Wednesday
Feb. Is, 1ss5.-To the. Catholics q
the unhedlparishes Of Elk Point and
Vermillion:
the Lenten season of 1885 is Al.
ready upon US. 1t il a time mol
only Of abstinence from some kinds,
and the usual quantities, of food, but
for a general renewal of our spiritu-
al affairs. By prayer and medita-
ton we seek to cleanse our inner na-
ture and to draw nearer to God.
Lent in the church has it's paral-
lei in worldly matters. Periodic
commemora.ions Of great men and
great events are quite usual, as in
Thanksgiving day and other holi-
days Of the United States. They
are found useful in refreshing the
peoples memories with glorious cir
cumstances Of their country's histo-
ry and thus inspiring them to imi-
tate those whose transcendant abili-
ties or unwavering patriotism con-
ferred such boons on their fellow.
men.
Likewise, Lent is set apart by the
church for modification, for prayer
and for special meditation on the
life Of the Savior, who began the
custom Himself. It is not sufficient
that we obey the letter of the law,
though it he the beginning. To alb
stain from meat on certain days, TO
fast on other days-these are not
the sum Of our duties. A man
might do this with sin and darkness
in his heart. For these acts are, to
some sxtent, symbolic only Of the
inner cleansing and humbling of the
spirit. We must try to cast out all
Anglers, iealousies, and littlenesses,
and conform as near as we can to
the divine Model who has set Him.
self before us
If we keepsLent thus, the results
will lie felt to the remotest period of
our lives. W. shall end the forty
days with lightened hearts and dis
burdened consciences.
The special regulations are as fol-
lows:
/. All the days Of Lent, except
Sundays, are fast-days Of precept.
2. The precept Of fasting implies
the abstaining from food. except at
one meal in the day, excluding also
therefrom the use of fesh-meat.
3. By dispensation, however, the
use Of nesh-meat is allowed in this
vicariate at the one meal on all
days except the Wednesday and
FRIDAY of each week, the Saturday
of Ember week and the last four
days of Lent. 1t is by u special in.
dult ofthe Holy See that the Use Of
tiesl,-meat lis allowed this year OH
the Saturdays of Lent, as also on
the Saturdays throughout the year.
4. Both fish and tesh-meat are
not TO be used at the same meal
5. Necessity has authorized the
use of lard in preparing food.
6. A collation. not exceeding the
fourth part Of an ordinary meal is
allowed in the evening; fish, butter
cheese and eggs may be used at the
collation.. Custom permits also .
cup of coffee, tea or thin chocolate
with a small morsel Of bread to be |
taken in the morning.
7. The precept of fasting is bind
ing under pain ofgrievous sin. For
special reasons the following classes
OF persons are exempt from the OBJ
legation of the fast on one meal: Let.
All who are under the age of twer :
ty-one; End, the in6rm; 3rd, those
who are engaged in hard labor or
exhausting duties; 4th, women who
are in a state Of pregnancy or nurs-
ing children.
Those who excuse themsel, en-, or
seek exemption from this obligation
should satisfy their consciences that
their indisposition to fasting is ow-
ing to real inability and not to q
spirit Of self-indulgence. In all ca
ses Of doubt they should advise
with their pastor; and all who are
exempt, should endeavor to supply
as far as they can for the non. OBJ
servance Of the fast by other peni-
tential restrictions, and should in
with others devote them
selves to prayer and recollection and
to acts Of sorrow and conjunction
for sin, agreeably with the spirit Of
the church in this holy eason
D. v. COLLINS, Pastor.
&Yw IN n L
AChuoA Rev,
A Vally City dispatch to the Fargo
Argus Of the 9Th irst. said Is fol-