The Detroit times., 1909-02-06
Gnu RICHES PREPARE
FOR OBSERVANCE
Of LENT
PROTESTANT DENOMINATIONS
WILL HOLD UNION SERVICES,
WHILE CATHOLICS WILL HAVE
USUAL SPECIAL OEVoTioNs.

The various religious denominations
OF Detroit, both Catholic aud Prot
estant. are marking preparations TO
observe the approaching season OF
Lent in an especial manner this year.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday.
Feb. 24. and continues forty days. this
period not including the Sundays.
Five OF the principal Protestant d.
nominations have arranged for a
series of MONDAY services 10 be held
In the Detroit opera house, beginning
Monday. March l. and continuing
throughout the season. the services 10
be In charge of a representative N
one OF these churches each week.
Bishop Charles ID. Williams is chair
man of the committee in charge OF
these meetings and was instrumental
In bringing the subject before tho
other churches OF the city. Hereto
fore. the congregations OF the Episco-
pal churches OF the city have hell
union services in some down town
meeting place and prominent rectors
were in charge. The Rev Reuben A.
Torrey conducted series OF eyangel-
istic meetings during the lenten sea-
son last year in the Light Guard arm
DRY. with special noon-day services fer
men in the Avenue theater. and during
holy week the Rev. Lee ) McCollester.
d. d.. or the Church OF Our Father.
had MONDAY meetings in mis- church.
under the auspices or several promin-
ont denominations.
These meetings. however. in many
instances, were not as successful. As
far as the numbers attending were
concerned. as 1t had been hoped an
expected they would be. so this year
representatives OF the Episcopal. Con
gresational, Presbyterian. Methodist
and Baptist churches will unite in
MONDAY services in the Detroit opera
house. II is believed by those inter
ested that this will serve as a means
of bringing these churches into clostr
relationship and strengthen the Chris
tan spirit among the members OF
these denominations. as we'll as others
who in all probability will attend sery-
ices In a public place
Tht Catholic churches. as usual. are
preparing for the I.enten devotions on
sunday. Wednesday and Friday even
lngs. also for missions and retreats
for the congregations.
In IS. Peter and Pauls Jesuit
church, beginning with the first Sun
day in Lent the missionary Fathers
Boarman and Johnson, will begin a
two weeks mission. and on the sam.
date four Jesuit fathers Will open a
mission in St. Vincents church.
The idea OF Lent is an imitation OF
the forty days spent by our Lord in
the wilderness. said the Rev NJ |.
Stritch. S. j.. in referring to the all
vent Of the penetential season. There
were times when He lived among the
people and lived as a thoroughly good
n an. but with no austerily nor per-
ance. Then. at times. He returned 10
the wilderness TO do penance and pray.
While He did not need 10 do this. He
sought by His example and this extra
ordinary means. 10 show His rever-
ence for God, His devotion for the
higher things, in order that those who
need to do SO would emulate Him.
AS other denominations have spe-
CiaI missions and REVEALS in order TO
renew their spiritual life. no objec
ton can be brought against the policy
Of the Catholic church in appointing
certain seasons for a deeper consider
alton OF the teachings OF Christ and