The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-27

The season Of early morning chufch-
Going and sclf-denial from all woriSly
pleasures Is near. -,
The usual good music and services W.ll
be heard In the Episcopal and Caahouc
churches throughout the city.
Rcy. Dr. Barr. of Monumental churca,
DIN reference to the Lcntcn season, says:
..Iio-morrow will be- the first day OF
Lent, commonly known as Ash Wecnes-
day The day was instituted an the sixth
century, and got its name from the TACT
that upon that day conseccated ashes
were sprinkled upon The heads OF the
pcnttents.
..At a very early date a period of forty.
DAYS was set apart ley the Church to be
observed each year in comrnemoraflon
of The forty days fast OF our Lord in
the wilderness. Until the sixth century
this period began with the first Sunday in
Lent. Inasmuch. however. as sunday
was invariably used as feast day. and
therefore could not be counted among
the days OF fasting that preceded Easter.
st was determined TO begin the Lenten
season with the preceding Wednesday.
so as to gain forty days exclusive OF
Sunday.
..The Sundays that fail during this
period are consequently designated as
sundays in Lent. but are NOT reckoned as
days OF Lent.
a SSyASuStlJ s9fL.ASp.>.
This sacred season is observed by all
the great branches of the historic church
throughout The world. 1t is used as a
time in which the faithful are to strive
TO draw nearer ITO God. AS means 10
This end the services of the church are
multiplied during this season. We are
1auglrt to forego such social engage
merIts appropriate at other times) as
will interfere with special retirement and
to- Satr I'D N'.,l11
tary and special acts of self-dcnial are
employed TO remind us that for success
ful Christian living must deny our
selves and take up the cross. Our read
ing is 10 be of devotional Character.
In short, all means within reach are TO
be used 10 quicken our realization, in
The midst of our ordinary activities. that
while in the world We are not to be OF
At: that after all we are pilgrims and
strangers here, and that we seek a city
which hath foundations whose builder
and maker is God.
Brightly employed the Lenten season
is a rich means of grace. :tEd no ohjec-
lions that can be made TO Il On account
of its abuse can in the least alter The
experience of ages as 10 the besseoness
of its conscientious use"
HOW CATHOLICS OBSERVE.
The regulations of the Catholic
churches in regard 10 the observance
of the Lenten season are, in part, as
follows:
i. All the faithful. who have COM
pleted their twenty-first year. are unless
legitimately dispensed. bound tc observe
the fast OF Lent.
q They are 10 take but one meal a
day. excepting Sundays.
g. The meal allowed on fast days is
not to be taken till about noon.
a small rcfrcSt,rent commonly call
ed collation., is permitted in the even
ing.
s. The following persons are exempt
from the obligation OF fasting: Persons
under 5twenty-one years Of age: the SICK;
nursing women: those who are Obliged
to do hard labor. and those who. through
weakness, cannot fast without great
8 prejudice TO their health.
G. The faithful are reminded that, be-
sides the obligation OF fasting imposed
by the Church. this holy season of Lent
should be, in an especial manner. "a time
OF earnest prayer. OF sorrow for sin, OF
seclusion from the world and its amusc-
1nents and of generous alms-giving.
Z. The Paschal time extends from the
tirst Sunday in Lent till Trinity Sunday:
during which time all Catholics who have
attained fitting age are bound to re-
ceive worthily the Holy Communion.
Observe Ash Wednesday,,
The first day Of Lent, Ash Weenes-
day falling on tomorrow. viii be gene
rally observed in the Episcopal and
Catholic churches throughout the city.
Services VIII be held at Monumental
s st. Pauls. All Saints, Holy Trinity,
Grace. and other Episcopal churches
early in the anorring. while the Catholic
churches will begin the observance o.
-, dow 1,,.f Is ,i1,-- a