Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-22
POPULATIONS FOR THE OBSERVANCE
OF THE HOLY SEASON OF LENT

create new temperance associations
wherever such do not exist in the d.
Geese and thus use all means in our
power to- wipe out this great re-
proach.
During the holy season of Lent,
extra devotional services will be held
at least twice every Week-on We'd
nesdays and Fridays A all parish
churches and also in submissions on
other days selected by the pastors.
The usual devotion on Wednesdays
consist in the recitation Of part of
the rosary, a short, but practical in
struction and benediction of the most
blessed sacrament; on Fridays the
beautiful devotion of the stations. or
Way Of the Cross" will be appro-
PIRATE.
The attention of the pastors is most
earnestly directed to the decree Of the
Holy Father, Plus x, on the daily re-
ception of the holy eucharist. The SUI.
ipreme pontiff in this decree emphat-
fcally declares the spirit of the church
with regard to the reception of daily
holy communion.
His holiness proclaims unbounded
liberty and manifests an intense de-
sire to see not only the religious but
all the faithful, approach most fire.
quently-even daily-to holy commun-
ion, to see the children Of the church
gathering around the altar railing
every day. ~
The recent decree Of the sacred
congregation OF the discipline of the
sacraments as to the age of those to
be admitted to first holy communion
e,,Io tn 80
diocese, and a copy of said decree has
been furnished to every pastor.
In holy obedience to the command
OF our Supreme Pontiff, Plus X. all
pastors, and chaplains to religious
houses. colleges and academies will
publish this decree yearly at Easter
time in the vernacular language, and
explain its full Significance to the
faithful.
Pastors and teachers are admonished
to explain in thorough manner the
decree regarding daily holy commun-
ion for children.
Daily holy compunion for the lit
tie ones is not merely an academic
question. It is intensely practical
The holy father has absolutely de-
cided this question, and there is no
room for contrary opinion. To the
question proposed to the holy father,
Ought daily holy communion be rec
commended to the children, ETC., the
answer is plain and unequivocal, yes,
they ought not to be hindered, but on
the contrary exhorted thereto. The
contrary practice anywhere prevail
ing being condemned. To use the
words of the decree: Because lit Is
absolutely necessary that children
should become~ennited with Christ be-
fore their passions get the start Of
them, and that they may thus have
the strength to reject with greater en-
ergy the assault Of the devil, and of
their internal and external foes.'
Dearly beloved fathers in Christ.
let us listen to the words Of our holy
Father, Plus x, who has declared that
he depends especially on us.-his
priestly sons,-that Jesus, the great
est treasurer in paradise, the greatest
of the benefits, that our poor human
ity has received, shall not be coldly
or ungratefully abandoned. We must
never forget that we are the appoint
ed guardians of the adorable sacra-
ment, the dispensers of the mysteries
of God, and that it is our blessed
privilege to unlock the treasure
house of the blessed eucharist, and
to distribute Gods graces to the faith
full children of the church.
Among the many excellent societies
of our church, now helping to draw
souls to the service of God, the Holy
Name society is one of the most i'm
portant This society is above all
things. strictly religious, and is a
powerful means in holding the men Of
our congregations in line by urging
them to a frequent reception of the
holy sacraments. 1t is with genuine
pleasure that we learn of the estab-
lishment of the society in several
parishes of this diocese, and we hope
and pray that it may soon be found
in every parish of our diocese. A
general permission to establish this
society in their parishes is hereby
given to all the pastors of this do
cese, who will, in their zeal, exhort