St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-02-16
FOR LENTEN OBSERVATIONS.
New Rules for Members OF the
Catholic Church.

Yesterday, Ash Wednesday, marked
the beginning of the Lenten season.
Masses were said at all the Catholic
churches throughout the city, and the
ceremony of blessing and distributing
the ashes was performed. Services
were held at the Episcopal churches.
Services began at the cathedral at 10
a. IN. After the blessing of the ashes
by Bishop Ireland in his robes, the
faithful of the cOngregation-men,
women and children-paSSed up the
middle aisle and knelt at the
altar railing. The bishop, as
sisted by Fathers Stanley, Glib
bOnS and Fitzpatrick, passed along
and. dipping his thumb in the ashes, i'm
pressed the sign of the cross on The
repeating in Latin the words, Thou art
dust and unto dust thou shalt return"
After the distribution of ashes mass
was said by Father Stanley. Father
Fitzpatrick preached the sermon of the
day on the subject, death" He
spoke of the certainty of death and the
short time allowed for preparation.
During Lent all Catholics are expected
10 conform TO certain regulations of the
church. Fasting and prayer are the
principal ObServanceS enjOined by the
church, though many take this occasion
to deny themselves the qualification of
other pleaSurable indulgenceS. Here
tOf0re the Lenten regulations have not
been uniform i'll the Catholic churches
of this country. Special remiSSiOnS and
local variations were granted and Or
dered by the several bishops, and this
lack of uniformity in discipline had be-
come the subject of critical comment
among the clergy, as well as laity. Ac-
cOrdingly the subject was conferred
upon at the late council of Baltimore,
and it was there agreed to seek the
apostolic sees sanction of
\ UNIFORM SCHEDULE,
and Cardinal Gibbons drew up the fol-
lowing rules:
First-That the use of flesh meat.
eggs. and white meats be allowed at
every meal on Sundays, as well as at the
principal meal on all Mondays, Tues
days, Thursdays and SaturdayS-Sat-
urdays of the Ember days and holy
week excepted.
SecOnd-LikewiSe, that the use of
white meats and eggs be tolerated on all
the days of Lent at the evening COLA
ton and at the principal meal on those
DAYS Oh which the use of flesh meat is
forbidden.
Third-That in the morning a small
piece of bread be allowed with a cup of
coffee, tea, chocolate, or some similar
drink.
FUurth-That when the principal meal
cannot be taken at noon, the order may
be inverted, and the collation. taken in
the morning and the dinner in the even
ing.
Fifth-That lard or grease, commonly
called fat may be used in preparing the
lawful victuals.
SiXth-That those of the faithful who
are exempt from the obligation of fast
ing can, on the days when the use of
flesh meat, eggs and white meats are
permitted to all the faithful, be allowed
to use them several times a day, as on
Sundays of Lent, when the obligation
to fast is not binding.
These were amended by the pope and
then approved in these words:
The use of both fiesh-meat and fish
together at the same meal is forbidden
during the whole of Lent. The practice
of eating white meats and eggs,
also tolerated, and the requests
iii third fourth, fifth and sixth
are granted. The time for making
the Easter communion extends from the
first Sunday in Lent until Trinity Sun
day, inclusive. All those who neglect
to make the Easter communion violate
law of the church, which binds under
pain of mortal sin. The transgressors
of this law are moreover subject to ex-
communication, and, should they die, to
priyation of Christian burial. The
church excuses from the obligation of
fasting tbut not of abstinence from
flesh meat, except in special cases of
SicknesS) the infirm, those who are
attaining their growth, those whose
duties are of an eXhausting or labori-
Gus character, women in pregnancy OF
nursing infants and those who are en-
feebled by old age. Those who are ex-
empt from the precept of fasting car
partaSe of flesh meat at every meal
during the day when by special indul,
flesh meat is permitted at the principal
meal.
AS thus prescribed the Lenten disci
pline is everywhere and permanently
binding upon all Catholics in the United
States.
Banquet to George Thompson.
This evening, at the Merchants hotel
a hannupt will no rivan in honor N