Eureka weekly sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1887-1902, 1898-02-19
LENT AND ITS OBSERVANCE.

and on mex Wednesday gay fashion must
lay aside its bright plumsge and don the
sombre sackclsth and ashes Of penitence.
The day before Ash Wednesday is called
Shrove Tuesday, because Of the custom
once followed by the faithful In confess
Ing and being shriven on that day In
preparation for the 40 days fast.
Opinion differs a. to the origin Of this
Springtide fast. Roman Catholic theo-
iosisns and many Prstestants agree in
maintaining that il lie Of apostolic origin,
but the majority Of Protestants believe il
TO be Of ecclesiastical institution. How.
ever that may be, 10 seems 10 be common
ly agreed that II Was established as .
preparation for the great anniversaries Of
Christ's crucifxion and resurrection, and
In remembrance Of his fast Of 40 days In
the wilderness.
In the early ages the keeping OF the fast
was very rigid, but the rigor Of Its OBJ
servance has gradually become more re-
laxed. The Church Of England and the
Protestant Episcopal Church recognize
the season with appropriate services and
certain regulations, but the Roman Catho-
lie Church probably observes the Lenten
fast more strictly than either. In the
latter church, in the United States, the
use OF flesh meat is allowed several times
a week in accordance with the rules made
by each bishop for his diocese. the general
rules being modified TO suit the condi.
tions Of climate and occupation.
Bishop Seaman Of the Salt Lake diocese,
Of which Eureka is part, has prescribed
the following regulations:
ALI the faithful who have completed
their t~wenty-frst yssr are, unless legiti-
mately dispensed, bound to observe the
fast of Lent.
All days Of Lent, Sundays excepted, are
fast days Of obligation on one meal.
By dispensstion granted August Sd,
1887, for ten years, flesh meat 10 allowed
at the principal meal on all days of Lent,
except Wednesdays. Fridays. Ember Sat
urday and the Saturday OF Holy Week.
The use OF flesh meat and fish is forbid.
dea al the same meal, even on Sundays.
At the collation. il Is permitted to use
bread. all kinds Of fruit, vegetables and
fish, and. by dispensation granted Feb
ruary 9th, 1887, for ten years. the use Of
butter. cheese, milk and eggs is also per-
mitted.
The use Of lard is permitted in prepar-
ing food on all days throughout the year.
When the principal meal cannot be
taken ct midday il may be taken in the
evening. and the collation. In the morn
ing.
All persons under twenty-one years or
over sixty years Of age, those who are en-
gagged in hard labor, the sick and CON
valescent and those who cannot fast with
ont injury 70 their health, are exempt
from the obligation Of fasting.
Those who are not bound 10 fast may
use flesh meat more than once q day, on
which its use Ia permitted.
Those who have any reasonable doubt
ss to their obligation TO fast or 1sbstain
should consult their oonfessor.
The time for fulfilling the preospt OF
OF Easter Communion extends from the
first Sunday In Lent to the end Of th 9
Octave OF Pentocost.
The Reotors Of the diocese are requested
to have Lenten devotions in their churches
on the Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
evening OF each week.
By a special indult dated March 18th,
1895, our Holy Father. Pope Leo XIII,
has empowered for ten years the Bishops
of the United States 10 dispense the work
ing classes from abstinence on all days Of
the year except Fridays. Ash Wednesday,
Holy Week and the Vigil Of the Nativity.
In accordance with this induls such
9 dispensstion is hereby granted TO the
laborins classes; with Q further proviso.
that when the head OF she family makes
use Of such dispensation, his entire
household Ia considered o. included In the
permission.
Besides working people there are no
doubt many others whose occupations are
sufficient to justify them In seeking and
obtaining dispensstion from the law Of
abstin moe.