The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-06
Bishop Allen Asks for contri-
 buttons for Missions
SHOULD OBSERVE LENT
Father coyle Also Reads the Rules
 for Observing Lent According to the Apostolic indult of 1887.

| church and our Lady of Sorrows yes
 terday the rules for observing lent were
 read by the pastors, and also letter
 from Bishop Edward P Allen, bishop of | Mobile, asking that the faithful respond liberally In their contributions during lent and that sel.-denial be practiced. The | letter Is as follows:
 l The Reverend Clergy and Devoted Laity Of the Diocese of Mobile:
 By decree of the third plenary coun- | Gil of Baltimore |. collection is to be taken l up on the first Sunday in lent for the nome and foreign missions We ask your sympathy and earnest cooperation in be- half of this worthy cause. The mission
 ary spirit, by the grace of God, is spread ing among our people from year to year. This is shown by the increasing support
 given to the society of the propagation of the faith and to the missions for our non-Catholic brethren. These contribu- tions, though generous already, would, we feel confident. be greatly augmented, could all be brought to fully realize the importance of the divine command, GO teach all nations
 In every part of our beloved country, there are sincere and conscientious souls unaffiliated with any religious body, who are anxious to know the truth and will ing to accept 1t when made known them. Our Saviour died for all these souls, and many of US allow them to live and die without making any special effort to en- tighten them. They aro entrusted to our care no less than those who have the gift of faith Should we not show more interest in their spiritual welfare? The Church is their true home, for there re- lieved of all doubts and misgivings, they find peace and rest. In the sacraments, they will find life hope and strength along with the grace to combat their evil inclinations.
 Love of Neighbor.
 Our love for our neighbor is said to be the best test of our love for God, and. If this be so, it Is our duty to impart to our separated brethren the knowledge of that faith which Is the source of our strength and our abiding confidence in God. Zeal for souls Is the characteristic Of every true Catholic. Inasmuch as he prizes his religion above All things, he desires to have It's blessings enjoyed by others.
 How many among us. brethren, are wanting in that zeal, How many among us waste in foolish and perhaps sinful pleasures money. which if given for mis- sionary purposes, would mean the means of salvation to immortal souls?
 We appeal to you. brethren, to be gen erous Give us from your resources the means to support our jealous missionar- les and at the same time develop our missions. The Father of Mercies will shower Ills blessings on all who take pity on His stray sheep and help to save them.
 During the Lenten season we are called upon to practice self-deniaI. Not only should the law of fasting and abstinence enjoined by the church be faithfully ob- served but we should bear in mind that something more Is required for the due observance of the penitential season to render 1t acceptable to God and of bene- fit to our own souls The church at this time restricts us in regard to the na- ture and amount of food we are allowed to eat, but she is far more solicitous about the spiritual benefit we should de- rive from our lasts We will obtain It, tie fruit from them. if we do not refrain from other habits of self-indulgence, and accordingly absent ourselves from those places of amusement wherein the spirit of vanity, feasting and hilarlty is in- dulged without restr:ction. What at other seasons might be considered harm less gaiety Is not. as a rule, in keeping with the spirit of penance or the tradi- tions of the church for this time.
 Church Admonishes. The church begins the penitential sea- son by admonishing us, as she puts ashes on our head Remember man that dust thou art and into dust thou shall re- turn" This plain but too commonly for gotten truth should be brought home to us during this foly season and induce us l to think more Of our immortal soul and | It's welfare. The season calls for more | regular attendance at the public exercises | of religion, daily mass whenever particu- | ble. the frequent hearing of the word of | God the fervent reception of the sacra- | ments of penane and holy eucharist and | alms-giving
 | It is the wish of our holy father, Plus l x. that the invocdtion: Most sacred heart of Jesus. have mercy on us" ! should be recited three times alternately | with the people after the usual prayers | at the end of low masses We hereby require the recitation of the aspiration in | future. The holy father has attached an l indulgence of seven years and seven quar- | antines for the recitation of these pray CTS.
 The grace and favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen. EDWARD F. ALLEN, J. w. SAW. Bishop of Mobile. Secretary
 Feast of the Holy Passion of Our Lord Jpsts Christ February 2s lnO5