The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-02-08

of his household may likewise use it.
The church does not wish to impose
upon the household the Inconvenience
of double cooking. But in cases of
this kind, the members of the house.
hold who are bound by the precept
of fast, are allowed the use of meat
only at their principal meal.
The Sovereign Pontiff exhorts all
who make use of the privileges of the
Indult to be still mindful of their duty
to practice self-denial; and he coun-
sells that instead of the abstinence
from meat some other sacrifice of bod
lily comfort be practiced, the Sover-
eign Pontiff himself suggesting as
such sacrifice abstinence from intoxi-
eating drink.
Days of fast and abstinence occur
ring outside the Lenten Season dur
ing the year 1902 are the Ember days
nd the Vigils of Holy days. The En-
Der days will>be Wednesday. Friday
and Saturday. May 21st. 23rd and
oath: Wednesday, Friday and Satur-
day, September 18th. 10th and 2Gth:
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. De
cember 18th. 10Th and Goth. The Wig
ills will be: The Vigil Of Penticost,
May 18th; that of the Assumption,
August 18th: that of All Saints, Octo-
her 31st; and that of Christmas, Dc
cember oath.
All Fridays are. of course. days of
abstinence.
The Pontitical Indult, of which we
have spoken. eXempts working peo-
pie" from abstinence OH Vigils and
Ember days. except when such Vigils
and Ember days fall OH Friday; and
on such days the Indult also eXempts
from abstinence. in the same condi-
lions as for the Lenten Season, the
members of the household of the
wage-earner.
Pastors will make to their flocks in
the usual terms due announcements of
approaching Ember days, and Vigils-
adding to such announcements a state
ment of the privileges given by the
Indult to working people"
When doubt exists as. to whether
ones condition or circumstances allow
exemption from the precept of fast
and abstinence. counsel should he
asked from confessors or pastors. who
are the authoritative interpreters of the
law. and who are even empowered, in
special cases. for good and sufficient
reasons, indicated in Catholic theol-
Ogy. to commute the precepts of fast
and abstinence to other penitential
| works.
In elljoining upon the faithful fast
and abstinence, Holy Church makes a
practical application of the cvangeli.
cal law of self-denial, of which the
Savior and his apostles were. by eX-
ample and by word. such eminent
teacllers. Without self-denial there is
no Christianity. Indeed. without self.
denial there is no natural morality.
The man who has not acquired by
habit the power of self-restraint will
not he victorious over sin. amid the
storms and temptations of life which
all men must encounter. r -;' 49,
The observance of the fast and alb
stinence prescribed by the Church is
taken by the world as Il public and
fearless profession of Catholic faith.
He who, without sufficient and obvi-
GUS reasons, eats meat or takes his
usual meals when abstinence or fast
is enjoined, is not accepted as n practi-
cal Catholic. :.
Let Catholics have the courage of
self-denial for the sake of Christ and
of their own souls, and, be on their
guard lest by their acts scandal be
given, and the fair name of their re-
ligion be dishonored. ........
During Lent pastors will hold mt ap-
pointed times in their several churches
appropriate exercises of devotion, and
will give to the faithful instructions of
n practical nature upon the articles Of
the creed, the commandments and the
Sa craments.
The devotion of the Way of the
Cross will be observed, when possible,
in all churches and chapels, on the
Friday evenings throughout Lent.
JOHN IRELAND,
Archbishop Of st. Paul.
ST., Paul, January "a, 1902.