The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-03-03
LENTEN RULES
LETTER ISSUED

Rt. Rev. Bishop. NJ j.. Hoban has is
sued his annual ct statement. relative to the
observance of lent in the Scranton do
ccse, which includes this county. The
season, which is one of fasting and alb
s,inenca amoiIgN Catholics all over the
world, begins on Ash Wednesday and
ends with Easter Sunday.
This year Ash -Mednesday fell OH Feb
ruary nth, and services appropriate to
the daI were held in all the Catholic
churches. The old custom of blessing
the ashes was followed.
The Bishops circular, Which is not un-
like thosG iyshed ih previous years, is as
followSs-G 81 "e -'"i e" i -
RULES iros rffk oBsERvAxcE OF LENT.
ALI the faithful who have completed
their twenty-first year are bound to OBJ
serve the Fast Of Lent upless, dispensed
for legitimate reasons. . ~ "
2-O9Iy one meal day is allowed, ex-
cept on Sunday, ,...,. -.....
3-This meal is not to be taken until
about noon.
4-On those days on which permission
is granted to eat meat; both meat and
fish are not to be used at the same meal,
even by way of .condiment. ..
5-A collation. or partial meal is allow
ed in the evening. The general practice
of pious Christians limits it's quantity to
the fourth part of an. ordinary meal
6-Bread, butter, cheese, fruit of all
kinds, sPlads, vegetables and fish, are
permitte4 at .fhe colIadoniU MilA and
eggs are also permitted.
7-Custom has made 1t lawful to drink
in the morning some warm liquid, such
as tea and coffee, or thin chocolate made
with water. .....--.t ...T. .....e
S-Necessity and custom have author
lied the use of lard instead OF butter in
preparing fish, vegetables, etc. .
9-The following persons are not bound
to observe the Fast, viz: All under twen-
ty-one years of age, the sick, pregnant
women and those giving suck to infants
those who are obliged to do hard work,
and all who through weakness cannot
fast without injury to their health.
10-By dispensation, the use of flesh
meat will be allowed at any time Oh Sun
day, and once day on Monday, Tues
day, Thursday and Saturday, except on
the second Saturday in Lent and Holy
Saturday. ."
ll--Persobs exempt from the obligation
of fasting by age or laborious occupation
are permitted the use of meat at any
meal on those days on which its use is
granted by dispensation.
12-By an indult of the Holy See,
granted March 10, 1885, for ten years in
favor of workingmen, the bishops of this
country may dispense the former from
the more rigid law of abstinence in view
of certain difficulties that may exist in
their diocese. In virtue of this indult,
workingmen, together with their entire
households, may eat flesh meat on the
abstinence days of Lent, OF Ember days
and on the vigil OF these feasts, except
on Fridays, on Ash Wednesday, ON the
days OF Holy Week, and on the vigil OF
Christmas. As flesh meat, however, is
permitted by indult Of August 3, 1897,
on all Mondays, Tuesdays and Thurs
days of Lent, Wednesday, Friday and
Saturday are the only days remaining in
Holy Week on which the use of flesh
meat is not permitted; those who are
obliged to fast, however, can avail them
selves of this dispensation only at the
principal meal.
l3-Those who have any reasonable
doubt as to their ability to fast or alb
stain should seek the advice of their
pastor.
l4-On the first Sunday OF Lent a col
lection shall be taken up in all churches
of the diocese for the Negro and Indian
Missions OF the United States, for the
Propagation of the Faith, and for Home
Missions, and the proceeds sent to- the
Reverend Chancellor, 3l5 Wyoming Ave
nue., Scranton.
l5-The pious practice OF contributing
small amount on Good Friday to the
support of the sanctuaries OF the Holy
Land, should be encouraged. Only q
tritie-from one to five cents-need be
given, and the proceeds OF the collection
should be sent to the Reverend Chan
cellor. MICHAEL JOHN HoBAN,
Bishop of Scranton.
\. J. BRENNAN,
Bishops Secretary. 'a'.