The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-02-12
Today Marks the Cessation of Social
GaietieS for Forty Days,
THE OBSERVANCE WILL BE GENERAL
"A Season Of Sackcloth and Ashes--Sore
OF the Ceremonies that VIII Be Held
in the Churches.

Today, Ash wednesday. is the beginning
Of the Lentcn season. season OF fast
and self.abnegation that extends over a
period OF forty days exclusive Of the sun
days and which concludes with Easter
Sunday, March 30.
The season Of Lent was first introduced
into the church calendar in the middle Of
the Second century, It being instituted by
Phosphorus. bishop OF Rome. II was not,
however, until the year COO A. D. when
its beginning was fixed in that year
Pope Gregory declared the Lcntcu season
10 begin on Ash Wednesday, lie really
began Lent at noon on Shrovc Tuesday
and preceded the fast by three days
festival during which time nearly every.
tRing that was prohibited u Lent was
tndulged in TO an excessive degree. This
custom finds its observance today through.
out Europe and IN n number Of the cities
throughout the United states. The Sew
Orleans Mardi Gras is the most elaborate
eRempuhcauon OF the custom iu the United
States and the rcycrics OF Che season are
INDUCED in there TO almost as great an
extent as they were in the oldeu times
In the old country.
~
Modern Lent IS observed principally IA
the Roman Catholic and Tine Episcopal
churches by services similar 20 tursc Ia
use la the early days oil the church, TO
the person not strictly religions Lent means
only the dead social season tho break of
forty days in the whul of parties. balls
and entertainments, season ~ cuuu,
broken only by tho most commonplace
events which are considered mere 1HHu'
and stretches, and au ab.uuWcn irum
maBt--uuless perhaps, physician has made
certificate that meat D. absolutely essen
fial 10 life. One, even though NOT church
man, would be iu n sense committing SOCIAL
suicide 10 give nn elaborate party duyius
the fasting season Tor tne custom has $50
thoroughly taken hold OF the world cha.
A. is observed from a social point ~ Wow
tho world over. The Leuten regulations
prescribed for observance by the tathults
are as follows.
l. Every day I'm Lent except Sunday7.
IS fasting ~ obligation
q The use Of flesh meut so allowed OF
fhe principal meal ON ulI days, except
Wednesdays and Friduvs. aud except SAT
uIday. the Embor DAY, aud Ga" saturday
3. they who arc dispensed from fastuc
may eat desh meat ~ "cty meat on days
Flesh meat and Sch are NOT allowed
70 6e used al tho game meal uot even on
:. Only ono FUN meal ia Tho day, after
midday, or near &c.. s allowed
6 A small collation. may he taken lu the
evening ct which hsh, butter milk 1at
meal can not be taken at midday, tine ore
der may he reversed nui the collation.
may be taken In tho morning. The uunci-
pal mea; Ia the evening. lu the prrulfu-
lion Of food, the use Of liri ga allowed.
I. In the n ornlng the drinking OF conce,
tea or chCc0jnie is lot forbidden, but there
Is no permission 20 eat, unless IL be so lt.
tie that the aw Is not presumed TO notice
s. The law Of abstinence from meat ia
binding on all from the age OK Z years
.. Al persons q years Of age age bound
70 fast, unless lawfully exempted. II is
advisable, in case OF doubt, TO consult the
cOnfssscr.
Lent Is pre-emiueutIy the season Of pen.
ance. II IS the time set apart by the
church Tor special oycrtou n fasting,
prayer, aims deeds and self denial the
church In memory Of the Lords forty
drys' fast In the dcear' dou- tho ror'.o
tial gayb, sprinkes the ashes OF mortality
IN one grand appeal 10 tho Throne Ut
Mercy that for another year God may be
rcconcIlcd 10 Ills people
The season Will Doe strictly observed by
tho Catholic aud Episcopal churches iu
liouSton the following hclug the program
for Observance as issued hy the Church OF
the Annunciation;
Lent-A fast of forty DAYS Immediately
preceding the feast OF Enstcr
This fast is after the example OF the
forty days fast of Moses, ELIAS and, above
oil, the fast OF our Lord Jesus Christ HIN
self
The intention OF the church is, by fast.
Ing, prayer, aims deeds aud other good
works, to prepare the faithful Tor "A
worthy Easter; TO enable them by pei
te1ttal work, seif-deniul aud earnest np.
peals TO God TO rise TO a new life OF -rlce
on the anniversary OF Chrsts glorious
resurrection from tho dead
In the first ages Of the church. Lent was
truly a season OF good works. peuuuce aud
humble petitions for Gods bounteous mercy
TO man, and the most extended mercles OF
men toward their fellow men.
Slaves were given freedom criminals par.
doned--bountcous aims distributed 60 the
poor--a time Of serious meditation Public
festivities were forhlddro ava tNa boI-
mortified according 10 tho teachsLs OF