The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-12
RIGORS OF LENT LESS SEVERE.
TIM CHTRCH HAS MADE MANY
f\THPTIONS IN LATE YEARS.
Ycuns Folks and Old Folks, Soldiers and
sailors, the SICK and the ConNalescent'
iiay Now Eat Mcat-icNer fasi
Da,S FOR Al Catholics Than Of Old.

Inaa the Catholic churches last Sunday
the regulations governing the fasts Of the
lerton season were read to the people.
By their Hborality it may be seen that the
rtrors If the old fashioned pentential
eea-on have been practically abolished.
through the Apostolic Delegate the
hierarchy have received from Rome an eN-
tension Of the ten year special induit per
hitting workingmen and their families 10
eet meat on all days Of the year except
Fridays. Ash Wednesday, the abstinence
DAYS Of Holy Week and Christmas eve
This. with the dispensations which ex
ce1ted from the Lenten rules those under
q years Of age. those over co, the sick
md conynlescent, the needy poor prisoners
and soldiers and sailors. leaves only
small minority Of the faithful who cannot
plead legal excuse for exemption.
II il remarkable change that has come
about with the developments of the closing
year Of tho last half century. Improve
ments IN foods and creature comforts
aud the contentious Of science that we eat
too much. and especially too much meat
might seem 10 tend to the encoura cement
Of old-time Ienten ri gors, but the contrary
appears TO have been the result, and the
pl1Is practices Of former generations in
this refpect IRE being minimlzed con
SANITY Within the memory OF the present
generation especially Of Catholics OF Irish
descent such license in eating a. il now
permitted would be regarded "a no Lent
al aN and some scrIpulous old people
sf' TO the black fasts and frequent
4. .aenae rllc- e their youth.
r9yl fp ,ht middle Of the sixteenth
century tine rules were so strict that even
King and Emperor+ had 10 obtain -peclal
lease for -l.'Ciont reason from the Pope to
break the laws Of fasting and abstinence,
and then they We-1 obliged to eat these
meat meals ia private SO as not to encourage
scandal
As now ordered. all the days OF Lent, ex
Opt sunday are fast days on which those
bound bv The regulations ara not 10 eat
more than ole full meal. Meat is allowed at
any lime ou Sunday. and once day at the
principal meal on Monday, Tuesday. thurs
DAY and SATURDAY. On "Wednesday and
Friday meat caEuot be eaten. Flsh and
meat cannot be eaten at the same n.eal at
ar iirur during Lent. Soup made of meat
Hud Vegetables cooked with meat are not
allowed except on the day ard at the meal
a. which meat can be taken.
In addition 10 the one fullmeal the fast can
h' broken In the morning by q warm drink
tee coffee oTsthin chocolate and about
Two ounces G a n Sbread. There Is no fast
or LIQUIDS tc'ul ate thirst, but u IS not
allowed - imhi- a Triple that IL long
tur- and square meal at the same time,
hence milk and chocolate made with milk
are hare. outside Of meaitimc.
Dor evening refrcshment not more than
eEli ounces Of solid food Is permitted
f'-h vegetables, eggs. fruit. nut not meat
on be Included in these eight ounces.
which may be ashed down with such
hLNd- 7s e1ch desires.
Tie Catholic Church orders this long
foSt as p prera ration for the great feast
~ fHsier; because fasting Is means to
fnhdre Tho flesh, to strengthen The will
which experience shows is fortified by n
GENIAL ~ otherEisc Legitimate plea sure
sn7 10 atone for sin The Church enforccs
tthe law Of fasting under penalty OF NOR
II is sin therefore 10 eat meat on the
GAYS on which II is prohibited il the amount
eaten is oIullto one ounce IN weight. lit
no Ten ~ that amount severnl tmesa dav
eacn time is . separate sin. II food 10 the
amount NJ four ounces above the pre-
tcnne1 quantity Wa eaten on any fast day
u Is hnl' m be = sin. If by inadverience
., ''h"rwi meat he eaten on day of
h1''lre1oe IL cannot be eaten again on
,Ie same dav on the excuse that the fast
h'l already b"ea bro'ten.
Wien an amount Of food equal 20 four
oI1oa- hrs Teen taken in the morning in
ta7ion 20 me pre~cribed allowance. this
must 10 considered equal 70 either Of the
mus to reduced IN quantity accordin gly.
me time for taking the full meal is sup
''~cl ~ he M noon, but II can be changed
10 -ui individual convenience. In the
hfr' ~ faith a fast from even water and
VINE wa observed and the ono meal Of
Dread. salt and vegetables was not taken
Nin sunset No flesh Of any kind and no
90 utter or milk were talten at al.
ie He forty DAYS Of Lent
ne eoerrtion Of soldiers and sailors
Tom tie leulen laws does not apply TO
,.'r Officers. as the latter provide their
un mess while tho former have 10 eat
i'"Nef Is provided for them,
'ie"| Catholic, observe a much longer
II"H. man those Of the Latin rite. During.
.|ni itey abstain from the use Of white
.'iis that is. eggs. butter, cheese and
Ht aS vol rs from fe~h neat
n1nng Lent no marriages can le solem-
slnl except by special dispensation. The
Ithony may then take place, but il j.
NIX lea Of an pomp and extra detail out