The Washington times., 1911-03-01
LENT OBSERVANCE
BEGUN IN CHURCHES
Catholics and Episcopalians
Hold Impressive Services
This Morning.

With solemn masses, at which num-
bers of penitents received ashes front
the hands of the priest, the observance
of Lent was begun this morning by the
Catholic churches of the city.
According TO the old church custom
from which Ash Wednesday received its
name, the brows of repentant church
members were marked by ashes saved
from the burning of palms following
the Palm Sunday services of last yeaI,
the priest as he conferred the ashes
uttering the solemn words:
Remember, man, that dust thou art,
snd unto dust thou shalt return"
Lenten services in the Episcopal
churches of Washington were inaugu-
rated by Bishop Harding at Christ
Church, Georgetown, at II O clock. There
a large class was confirmed, the bishop
being assisted in administering the sac
rament by the Rev. James Blake, reC-
tor of the church.
Penance and Prayer.
By all Catholics and Episcopalians.
and by the devOut of many other de-
nominations, Lent will be observed with
penance and prayer. The social life of
the Capital will be suspended for a
after Easter for a few weeks before the
annual summer flight of the smart set
begins.
Ember days, falling this Lent on
March 8, 10, II, and the Wednesday and
Saturday of Holy Week, are among the
Lenten fast days observed by both
Catholics and EpiscOpalianS, and in
churches of the latter denomination
prayers are offered on these dates for
men about TO he ordained into the
ministry.
Passion Sunday, April >. ushers in Pas
sion week, which is followed by Palm
Sunday, April .. On this date, COM
memOrating the triumphal entry of
Jesus into Jerusalem, the sOlemnity of
masses in the Catholic churches will be
somewhat lightened by the singing of
Dubois %'SeVen Last Nuris ,.G..u
Sunday ushers in Holy week, the most
solemn of the Lenten season. During
these days, there is an absence of mu-
sic and flowers in the churches; the
altars are draped with black, and the
shadow of the cross broOds over the
Christian world.
Holy Thursday.
Maundy Thursday, so-called from an
old word meaning command, and used
I'm this Connection to commemorate the
institution of the Holy Communion by
our Lord, will this year come on April
13. The day is commonly ilnown as
Holy Thursday, and is followed by
Good Friday, on which the Cruciflxion
is solemnly COmmemorated.
Many Catholic and Episcopal churCht
Of the city will during this Lent con-
duct missions. In all Catholic churches,
the stations of the cross will be held
every Friday afternoon and evening
throughout Lent. Lectures and sermons
are Also being arranged for in many
of the churches. i
Priests from the Catholic Mission
House. at the Catholic University, viii
give a series of sermons in Baltimore,
and will also deliver a course of six
sermons each at St. Teresa's, St. Vim
cent de Pauls, and st. AnthOny's.
At St. Pauls Church an elaborate pro-
gram of Lenten services has been ar
ranged for by the Right Rev. Mgr.
Mackin. At St Patrck's Catholic
Church an elaborate program has also
been arranged.
Will Confirm Class.
This evening at Grace Episcopal
Church Bishop Harding will confirm
large class.
Under the auspices of the Church
mans League a course of lectures will
be given at st. Johns Church, Six
teenth and II streets northwest every
Tuesday during Lent, the Ri Rev.
Robert Strange opening the series on
March : with a lecture on Church
Unity" Other speakers during the
series will be the Rev. Floyd w. Tom
kins, of Philadelphia; the Rev. Arthur
S. Lloyd, DR. William Meade Clark, the
Rev. DR.. George Mcclellan and others.
April 16 will be Easter Sunday On
this day all signs of mourning will dis
appear from the church. Affairs will
blossom with the sweetest flowers of
spring Anthems of praise will rise
from every throat. and Christians re-
joce in the triumph of their resurrected