The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-05-25

Is there anything in the marriage
laws of the Catholic Church forbiddfng
two brothers from marrying two
sisters?
No, unless the two brothers are
related to the two sisters within the
forbidden degrees of kindred, in which
case a dispensation must be obtained
Will you please advise me where
the head office of the Daughters Of
Isabella is located?
At Utica, New York. A letter
addressed to the National Secretary
of the Daughters of Isabella, Utica, N.
Y, will reach headquarters.
1. Is it mortal sin to break pledge
of temperance from intoxicating
liquors? 2. Is it wrong for ladies to
assume male attire in plays or the
reverse? 3. Is it possible that priest
by his attitude in public could show
that he remembered a penitent's sins?
If it be, how is it just that he may,
since some have much greater temp
tations than others? q. Is it ones own
fouIt that he has many temptations
and cannot clearly distinguish between
right and wrong? 5. Unless one is
certain that sin is grievous is he
bound to mention it in confession?
1. AS a general rule it may be said
that the pledge to abstain from
intoxicating drinks does not bind
under the penalty of mortal sin.
Hence, it is not a grievous sin to
break it. If person takes the pledge
with the intention of binding himself
to keep it under penalty of grievous
sin then it is a grievOus sin for him to
break it. 2. Much will depend upon
circumstances. The character, of the
play and the opportunity it affords,
for unbecoming conduct must be taken
into consideration. If the play is clean
and the requirements of modesty are
observed there can be no great harm in
a young woman's taking the part of a
man or a man that of a woman.
D. SAAS
manner herein suggested. A priest
who would show by word or deed
that he remembers sins confessed
by penitent would be guilty of a
serious sin. The question of the
greater or lesser temptations on the
part of the penitent does not affect
the case in any way. The priest must
not, under any circumstances, show
in any way that he remembers the
sins of a penitent, whether mortal or
venial. The seal of the confessional
requires him to act towards the
penitent as if he knew nothing of the
sins confessed. In the majority of
cases when a priest has heard con-
fessions for considerable length of
time he does not, as a general rule,
remember the confession of any par
ticular person in detail. f. It is no
sin to have temptations. The sin lies
in yielding to them. Our Lord Him
self was tempted, but He did not in
any way yield to the temptation. Con-
science is the practical guide which
enables each one to distinguish be-
tween right and wrong. When one
follows it's dictates he is safe. 5. If
a person is not sure of having COM
mitted sin he is under no obliga-
ton to confess it; but if he does con-
TESS it, he must add that he is not
sure of having committed it. A
penitent is bound to confess only the
mortal sins of which he is conscious
A state of doubt as to mortal sin pro-
duces no definite consciousness of
mortal sin but only fear that he may
have committed it. If the doubt arises
from want of determination then
it can be usually removed by a proper
examination of conscience. Even after
such an examination a doubt may exist
as to whether or not one is guilty OF
a certain sin. If this doubt is honest
and positive there is no obligation tC
confess the sin as long as the doubt
lasts. In practice, however it is we'll to
mention in confession that one doubts
whether Or not he has been guilty OF
such and such sin. 1t brings peace
of conscience and removes a possible
source of future uneasiness and worry
Why are six candles kept burning
beside the casket during the funeral
services in church?
The use of candles at a funera
dates from the earliest times. They
are symbolic of belief in the resurrec
ton for those who, during life, were
guided by the light of faith. The
number of lighted candles is largely
matter of custom.
1. What is the reason that flower.
are not allowed to be put on the
casket at church at Catholic funerals
What supposed harm should flower:
make in such case? 2. IL the Cath
Ole Church against the Degree Of
Honor and Workmen Lodges?
l. From the point of view of the