The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-12
THE LENTEN SEASON.
The Regulation for its Observance Will be
Read Today in the Catholic Churches.

The season OF fasting and penitence
begins Wednesday. In the Catholic
churches the observance of Lent is
most rigorous The regulations by
which Catholics will be governed will
be read in the churches of that demo-
mination at every service today. The
regulations are relaxed from previous
years in some instances, especially as
they apply to workingmen and their
families. There is no restriction on
them regarding the number of times
they use meat on the ordinary day of
the Lenten season. They are not al
lowed to use meat and fish at the
same meal, and on Fridays, Ash
Wednesday and the Wednesday
and Saturday preceding Easter
they are bound to abstinence as are
all others. There will be special de-
votional services during the Lenten
season. The regulations sent by Rt.
Rev. Thomas D. Beaver, D. D., bishop
of Springfield are as follows:
l. All the days of Lent, except Sun
days, are fast days of obligation.
2. By permission of the holy see, the
use of flesh meat is allowed once day
only, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thurs
days and Saturdays in Lent except the
Saturdays in ember week and holy
week. The use of meat on Sundays is
not limited as to the number Of times.
3. Lard and fat of any kind, as well
as butter, may be used in preparing
food on any day in Lent. The dispen-
sation is extended also to the days of
fast and abstinence throughout the
year.
4. A collation., not exceeding the
fourth part of an ordinary meal, is
allowed in the evening, at which eggs,
fish, butter, cheese and milk may be
used.
5. In the morning a small piece of
bread is allowed with cup of coffee,
tea, chocolate or some similar drink.
6. When the principal meal cannot
be taken at noon, the order may be
inverted and the collation. be taken in
the morning and the dinner in the
evening.
z. The use Of flesh and fish at the
same meal is not allowed, even on
Sunday.
s. Those who are excused from fast
ing are not restricted as TO the number
Of times they wish to eat meat on the
days on which meat is allowed.
8. BY virtue OF an indult, working
people and their families are released
from any obligation Of abstaining from
the use of flesh meat at any time, eX-
cept on the Fridays of the year, Ash
Wednesday, the Wednesday and Satur-
day of holy week and the vigil of
Christmas. Those who are bound to
the obligation of fasting and permitted
on certain days of Lent to use flesh
meat at one meal only, are, during
Lent. even under the above indult, not
allowed the use of flesh meat oftener
than once during the day.
10. The following persons are ex-
empted from the obligation of fasting
All under q years of age and those
of advanced age, the sick, those who
cannot fast without grave injury to
their health. women in pregnancy or
nursing infants, and all OF those whose
duties are of very laborious or ex-
hausting nature.
BY order of the Rt. Rev. Bishop.
E. S. Fitzgerald.
Springfield, Feb, z, 1899
N. Bit is the desire of the RI Rev.
bishop that during the holy season of
Lent. the reverend clergy would incul-
cate on their hearers the Importance
and necessity of entering into the
spirit Of the church at this time: and
exhort them to mediate frequently on
the life and sufferings of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. Devotions should
be held in the churches once at least
during the week. at which an instruc-
ton can be given; or the way Of the
cross or some other pious devotion
performed.
PERMISSION is granted to have bene-
diction of the blessed sacrament once
in the week besides Sunday. during the
holy season of Lent