Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-02-03
CANDLEMAS FEAST
Observed in the Roman Catholic
Churches in Rock Is
land Yesterday.
CANDLES FOR YEAR ARE BLESSED
Regulations for Lenten Season as
Promulgated by Bishop
Spalding.

The Feast of Candlemas was oh
served in ST. Joseph's, st. Mary's and
Sacred Heart Catholic churches YES.
terday. All candles that are to be
used during the year for ecclesiasti-
cal purposes have an emblematicaI
reference to the prophecy of Simeon
| that the child Jesus should become
"a light to Tighten the Gentiles. "
After high mass the candles were
distributed tothose whowished them.
to be used in case of illness and other
times of danger.
The institution of the Feast of
Candlemas dates back to the reign
of Justininn, and the year 542 is;
sometimes fixed upon as that of it's
first celebration. 1t * supposed to
have grown out of early festivals
held in February, the word itself de-
noting publication. February being
in olden times the month i'm which
the publication of the people took
place.
Lenten Regulations.
Rt. Rev. J. L. Spalding. bishop of
the Catholic diocese of Peoria, has is
HAiNh MS dhliAl lNltNl W iDt Nflli-
municants of his diocese. Joining
on them proper regulations for the
governing of their conduct during
Lent. They are as follows
l. Ash Wednesday falls on the 18th
day of February.
=. All the days of Lent are fast
days, except the sundays.
;. All persons who have completed
their 21st year. unless legitimately
are obliged to keep the
fast. Custom allows a cup of coffee,
tea or chocolate. with a small piece
of bread to he taken in the morning.
In the evening a collation. not exceed
ing the fourth part ofaan ordinary
meal is allowed.
4. BY dispensation. the use of flesh
meat is allowed at the principal meal
on Mondays. Tuesdays. Thursdays and
Saturdays, except the Saturday IN
lmber week and the Saturday of Holy
week.
). The use of fish and flesh meat is
not allowed at the same meal during
Lent.
6. All under 21 years of age, those
who are engaged in hard work, the
sick ana convaIescent and persons
who cannot fast without injury to
health are exempt from the fast.
Persons excused from fasting on ac-
count of tender age. hard labor or
sickness, are not restricted the use
Of flesh meat at only one meal ON
the day on which il is allowed. Those
who entertain any reasonable doubt
about their obligation to fast or alb
stain ought To apply to their pastors
for advice or dispensation.
2. The time for fulfilling the Pas
chaI duty is extended i'm this diocese
from the first Sunday in Lent to
Trinity Sunday.
In virtue of special faculties given
in letter of the Sacred Congrega-
ton of Propaganda to the Or,iinarics
If the United States ON the 18th day
pf March. 1895. for 10 wears. | hereby
grant to all laborers i'm this diocese
permission to eat meat at one meal
on days Of abstinence.
From this permission, however, are
excluded all Fridays in the year, Ash
Wednesday. Wednesday, Friday and
of Holy week and the Wig
Il of Christmas. II should also be re-
marked that ON those days on which
The use of meat is thus allowed fish
and flesh cannot be eaten at the same
meal.
This permission to eat meat on
certain days of abstinence extends
not only to the laborcrs themselves. |
but also to their family, so that
very member of their family par
icipates in the privileges of the in
lult.
Those who make use OF this dis
are earnestly eNhortcd to
perform some other work of penancc
ln those days.
The best modification for Lent is |
20 abstain from the use of intoXicatl
ng drinks i'm honor of the Sacred |
Thirst and Agony of our Lord on the |
ross. Because drunkenness is such |
/ whitening scourge and counts its
-ictims by thousands ON it's eNtirpa- |
ion depends the blessings of health.
he happiness of homes and the sal
alton of many souls.
Hence the choicest seIf-denial for
he Holy season is to make in your
leart and to carry out in practice the
ollowing promises:
1. TO abstain from all Intoxicating
drinks during Lent.
.. TO keep out of the saloon.
.. TO say one Our Father and
three Hail Marys every day
for the suppression of intern
perance.
When YOU want a phvsic that is