Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1907-02-15
THE LENTEN SEASON
COMMENCES TODAY
ASH WEDNESDAY, MARKS BE-
GINNING OF SEASON.
Usual Rules are Issued For OBJ
ServanCe During Penitentidl
SedSOn-ArCh Bishop MeSSmer
Issues Customary Regulations
Bishop Webb Also Gives Rules.
(From Wednesdays DailyD


Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the
beginning of the forty days of alb
stinence, which each year is observed
by Catholic. Episcopal and Lutheran
churches.
1t is the purpose of both the Catho
lie and the Episcopal churches, as
well rs the Lutheran, not so much to
impose a set of restrictions upon their
congregations in y material way, or to
specify Certain forms of abstinence, but
to lead them along the lines of con-
central ted meditation and prayer, and
to urge them to do nothing which will
| interfere with their religious devotion.
! Archbishop S. G. Messmer has
issued the customary regulations gov
erning fasting during the Passion sea-
son, and as usual flesh meat is allowed
| only at the principal meal on week
days, except on all Wednesdays and
Fridays and on Saturday in Ember
week. Feb 20, and in Holy week,
Mrach "a. In cases where such fasting
is morally and physically impossible,
or when it would entail serious diff
culties, Catholics are excused from
the observance. On fast days flesh
meat and fish of any kind are not al
lowed at the same meal.
''Some Good Rules for Lent" have
been issued by Bishop w. W. Webb
from All Saints Cathedral for the
benefit of Episcopalians. The series
is as follows:
To be present at a celebration of
holy eucharist every Sunday, and at
least once during the rest of the week.
To receive holy communion every
week, after careful preparation, and
before.
To abstai frommeat on Wednesdays
and Fridays. and on other days of
abstinence, as noted in the book of
common prayer
To avoid all social gatherings and
entertainments, and all places of public
amusement.
10 read each day some portion of
the holy scripture.
To pray fol- others, especially for
the conversion of sinners; and for
yourself, for steadtastenss in the faith
and greater reverence for God, and
for all holy places and holy things.
To abstain from all needless expenses
that you may save money for the
Easter offering, which will represent
your self denial.
To make a careful preparation for
your Easter communion.
To reconcile yourself to any with
whom you are at variance.
The strive for charitableness in
conversation; seeking to speak good
of others, and not evil.
In the German and English Luther
an churches special Lenten services
will be held. AS considered by this
denomination, Lent is the season
when special attention is paid to medi
tation upon the Passion history, and
at all of the special services this
subject is exclusively considered.
Following the Custom of Centres,
special attention is also paid to the
preparation for confirmation OH Palm
Sunday.
To the Lutherans the forty days
before Easter is season to be used
for meditation and prayer, and specifi
cations are not made as to hastings
or abstinence from worldly pleasures,
the main desire of the church being
that members do nothing which will
interfere with the self-sacrifice and
religious devotion.