The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-03-02
LENTEN INSTRUCTION.
The Season Of Special Prayer and ser-
 Vice Begins To- Morrow

vice Begins To-Morrow.
 Lent begins tomorrow, and in the Roman Catholic and Episcopal church es the regulation for the annual season of special service and prayer will he observed. There has been no circular Lenten letter Issued by the bishop Of the Episcopal church for this diocese, but most of the rectors have published leaflets containing the services and much matter that is appropriate to the time.
 The following circular regarding the observance of Lent, issued by Bishop Tierney, was read in all the Roman Catholic church Sunday:
 Episcopal Residence
 Hartford, Conn.,, Feb. l, 1897.
 Rev. Dear Sir-The regulations of Lent for this diocese continue the same as formerly, viz:
 1-All the week days of Lent are fast ing days of obligation on one meal only; custom, however, has authorized the use of slight collation. in the eve ming and a cup of tea or coffee, etc., in the morning. Though the fast also inn plies abstinence, yet by dispensatlon the use of flesh meat Is allowed at all times on Sundays, and at the principal meal on Mondays, Tuesdays Thurs days and Saturdays except the second and last Saturdays of Lent.
 "A established custom has tol- erated the use of eggs, butter and cheese at the collation., provided the laws of quantity be observed.
 3-Besides lard, the fat rendered from any kind of meat may be used on any day in Lent, and this dispensation is extended to the days of abstinence and fast days throughout the year.
 4-Flesh and fish are not allowed at the same meal, even on Sundays.
 5-Women, pregnant or nursing, the sick, the aged and feeble, children un- der tWenty-one years of age and those whose employment is of 8 laborlous or exhausting character, are excused from the obligation of fasting, and may use flesh meat more than once on the days when it is allowed, but must abstain on Wednesdays, Fridays and the sec ond and last Saturdays. ..
 6-By virtue of a late fndult or the Holy See, working people and their families are permitted the use of meat more on all the days of Lent, except Fridays, Ash Wednesday and Wednes- day and Saturday of holy week. This dispensation, however, allows the use of meat but once @ day to those who are obliged to fast.
 1.-The faithful should be reminded that they enjoy these dispensations by the favor of the Holy See, and that even the use of meat on Saturdays throughout the year is not according to the common law of the church, but a relaxation of it's rigor, demanding on their part a corresponding increase ot zeal and charity.
 The usual evening exercises of Lent consisting of the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin or Stations of the Cross, Sermon and Benediction of the Blessed Sacra- ment, are recommended.
 You will exert every effort to inspire your people with a, penitential spirit urging them to fly from sin and it's oc- casion, particularly to abstain from in- toxicating drink, and to consecrate this holy season to prayer, charity, works of piety and the Augmentation of the sacraments. without which the observ- ance of the fast would be of little profit
 MICHAEL, Bishop of Hartford.
 JAMES P. DONOVAN, D. D.,
 Chancellor and Secretary