The Washington herald., 1908-02-29
CATHOLIC CHURCH NOTES.

Lent. the holy season Of prayer. morti-
fcation. and abstinence instituted by the Apostles
in memory Of the forty-day fast Of the Saviour. be
gins next week with Ash Wednesday.
Through her Lenten liturgy. the Catholic Church
proposes to her ehildrens meditation the drama of
the Passion Of Christ. and each week she follows.
step BY STEP the Development Of the deicidal con
spiracy.
The Epistles and Gospels Of this time with their
numerous instances Of mercy. give to the Ienitent
oonhdence-the insepsrabc accompaniment Of par
don
The blessing and distribution OF the
ashes will take place In all Catholic Churches We'd
nesday morning.
This ceremony. ike many other ceremonies Of the
church. has down from the earliest ages.
Il is probable that it was introduced BY converts
from Judaism. at least in imitation q some
what similar practice in vogue among the chosen
people
gone certain minor changes before assuming its
present form.
The ashes made from the palm branches blessed
on Palm Sunday Of the previous year. are a symbol
Of death, which man has merited through sin. and
are intended 70 incito % penancc. Hence the
priest, while putting the ashes on the forehead.
says: Remember. man. that thou art dust. and
unto dust thou shalt return"
But beside this sadness. the church has placed
hope. The sign of the cross. made On the brow
with the ashes is a reminder that death has been
conquered through the Culcihxion; that through
Calvary, the dust has become for the redeemed
man the cradle Of a life glorious and immortal
Rev. Father William T. Russell will
preach his Introductory sermon IN St. Patrick 5
Church at the high mass, II, a. m. tomorrow.
Rev. Father William J. Kerby. s. T. L.. q the
Catholic University. viii preach at the Tesper se-T
ice. 80 p. m.
The luncheon rendered BY the pupils Of St. Pat
rick's Academy ON Wednesday last WAS the occa-
sion Of much enjoyment 10 Rev. Father Russell in
whose honor i given. and served as a happy
informal introduction Of the students TO their new
pastor.
Rev Father Charles E. Boone has re-
turned to Washington much improved in health
and this week resumed his duties as assistant pas
tor Of the Church Of the Holy Comforter
He viii this morning conduct the saturday in
struction cass for those preparing for First Holy
Communion. and oficiate at the last two masses
IN the Holy Comforter Church tomorrow.
Rev. Father ]. 2. MCGEE will preach
at the high tomorrow in the Shrine Of the
Sacred Heart
Miss Mabel C. Latimer. soprano soloiSt Of the
choir, will sing "Agnus Del. by Bizet at this
mass, with violin accompaniment by Miss Mary 4.
King. contralto soloist Of the Sacred Heart choir
Thirty-seven candidates were received into the
sodality Of the Blessed Virgin Mary last Wednes-
day evening by Rev Father Echenrode, spiritual di
rector Of the sOdality.
Fathers from the Dominican House of
Studies. Brookland. viii conduct a course Of Len
ten sermons in St DOminic's Church the Church
Of the Immaculate Conception. and the Church Of
the Holy Comforter. and preach occasionally in ST
Joseph's Church and the Church Of the Holy
Name.
Very Rev. Father j. p. Kennedy. o. p.
prior Of the Dominican House of Studies. will
preach in St Matthews Church. Ash Wednesday
evening at O'Clock.
The following Wednesday ReT. Father Kennedy
will begin a series Of sermons in the Church Of the
immaculate Conception.
The theme selected for each "Wednesday evening
Is as follows:
March u-''New church laws on betrothal and
marriage
March B-"Hasty marriages and mixed marriages"
March 3-'' Marriage and divorce %
April 1.-The Sacrament Of Penance.
April S-'The Holy Eucharist"
A Iridium for the Colored Sodalitr of
the Blessed Virgin Mary Of St. Dominics Church,
conducted by Rev. Father A. c. O'Nei o. p. Of
the Dominican House Of Studies. began Wednesday
eTening and viii conclude with general communion
at the early mass tomorrow.
the ferv0r and devotion manifested by the members
at every gathering Of the sodaty plainly reflect the
great and active interest taken in this organization
BY the spiritual director, the Very Rev. T. p
O'Rourke. o. p, prior Of St. Dominics whose
jealous labrs in behalf Of the colored people under
his care have brought aOOut such gratifying results
The distribution Of ashes in ST. Alloy
sius' Church viii take place at the $50 O'Clock
mass Wednesday morning.
NOVena Of Grace. in honor Of St Francis
Xavier Will begin Wednesday evening at 80
O'Clock.
There will be solemn reception Of Promoters Of
the League Of the Sacred Heart next Friday even
ing
The mission TO close tomorrow in ST. Aloysius'
Church has been Of the most successful and
we'll attended ever held in the District.
The edifying attendance Of the men this week has
been gratifying TO the Fathers Of the parish and
70 the priests conducting the mission The seating
capacity On the spacious ediice overtaxed each
evening.
The distribution of ashes in st. Domi-
MICS Church viii take place Wednesday at 80 A.
m, and 73o p. m. and for the children at $50 in
the afternoon.
Special Lents- viii be preached every
Sunday at the high mass. II a. m and al the YES
per service, 80 D m.
A short instruction each wednesday evening at