The Detroit times., 1909-02-08
CHURCHES PREPARE
FOR OBSERVANCE
Of LENT
PROTESTANT DENOMINATIONS
WILL HOLD UNION SERVICES,
WHILE CATHOLICS WILL HAVE
USUAL SPECIAL DEvoTiONS.

The various religious denominations
OF Detroit. both Catholic and Prot
estant, are marking preparations %
observe the approaching season III
Lent In an especial manner this year.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday,
Feb. "a. and continues forty days. this
period not including the Sundays.
Five OF the principal Protestant d.
nominations have arranged for g.
series OF MONDAY services 10 be held
In the Detroit opera house, beginniI <
Monday, March /. and continuing
throughout the season, the services to
be In charge OF a representative II
one OF these churches each week.
Bishop Charles d. 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.
Iorrey conducted a series OF evangel-
istic meetings during the lenten sea-
son last year In the Light Guard arm
DRY, with special MONDAY services for
men In the Avenue theater and during
holy week the Rev. Lee S. McCollester
ID. d.. OF the Church OF Our Father,
had MONDAY meetings in mis- church,
under the auspices OF several promin-
ent denominations.
These meetings. however, In many
lf,L
far as the numbers attending were
concerned. as il had been hoped an
expected they would be. so this year
representatives OF the Episcopal. Con.
gregational, Presbyterian. Methodist
and Baptist churches will unite In
MONDAY services in the Detroit opera
house. IL 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 serv-
ices in public place
Tht Catholic churches. as usual. are
preparing for the Lenten devotions OF
Sunday, Wednesday and Friday even
lngs. also for missions and retreats
lOT the congregations.
In SIS. Peter and Pauls Jesuit
church. beginning with the first Sun
day In Lent. the missionary Fathers
Boarman and Johnson, will begin
two weeks mission, and on the same
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. l.
Stritch, s. j., in referring to the adj
vent OF the penetential season There
were times when He lived among the
people and lived as a thoroughly good
man. but with no austerity nor pen
ance. Then. ar times, He returned 10
the wilderness 10 do penance and pray.
While He did not need to do this, He
sought by His example and this extra
ordinary means, TO show His rever-
ence for God, His devotion for the
higher things, in order that those who
need TO do 80 would emulate Him.
AS other denominations have spo-
tiai missions and reviyals 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
an effort 10 initiate and follow His
ways OF life more closely.
An advantage OF Lent IS that Cath
Ulics make satisfaction 10 God by en-.
tering upon a course Of penance, anu
Lesides the atonement idea, they fire.
Quent the sacraments, making mis-
sions, FAY down basis for new life,
form new habits and practice the
Christian life in a more energetic
manner than they would without Lent.
The ways in which this Is done is
usually by series of sermons on
Wednesday, Friday and Sunday even.
iEss; by the devotion OF the way Of the
cross, which is TO impress strongly
upon the people the nature and extent
OF the Sufferings and sacrifices that
Christ made for our redemption. and
To give them an opportunity OF show
ing what they are willing 10 do In re-
turn.
The criticism made against Cain
olcs for observing special seasons like
Lent. is not reasonable. The severe
austcrities of Lent are not required
by the commandments OF God. They
are something over and above the re-
quiIements. If. over and above these
requirements that hold through the
whole year, the church chooses spe-
cha. seasons for penitential exercises
and notifications, this is only an
effective way OF reminding the people
OF the sacrificing spirit OF Christianity
in its higher phases. The effects OF
the Sc have been noticed as very bene-
fetal TO sustaining and advancing the
Christian life.
We who are subjected TO the critic
ism have some reason to suspect that
f. is not the unreasonabeness Of the
custom. but the difficulty of initiating
e. that Is objected to. Ii non-Cath-
olics will try this themselves in the
same spirit they will And out that in
stead OF IL being practice that IS
reprehensible. IL will have a very ele-
waiting and spirituaiZing effect in their
own lives.
THE Catholic church holds Ii TO
be the very essence OF Christianity TO
be willing to make these sacrifices and
make them under the rational direc-
ton OF that particular guidance that
Christ established Tor His people. IL
! Lent were a season appointed 10 make
atonement FOR q loose. lax and sinful
| life, freely permitted at other times,
then the criticism might be well
grounded. but at all times Catholics
are required TO live up to the com
n andments OF God The special ex-
ercises OF Lent are introduced 10 raise
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