The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-03-16

Was President Taft Catholic be-
fore he was elected president and
then became a Freemason?
No, President Taft is, and always
has been, a Unitarian.
I. Should a Catholic accept invi-
tations to meals during Lent? z. Is
Il against the rules Of the Church to
make social calls during Lent?. 8.
Are Catholics permitted to dance on
St. Patricks Day. If SO, why
given this privilege, when it is re-
quired that a Catholic should deny
himself all such enjoyment during the
Lenten season7 q. Is it a sin to
play a social game Of cards on Sum
day? Is 1t sin to make social calls
on Sunday 5. If Catholic should
attend a Protestant meeting should
he rise with the others during the
prayer and song service or remain
sitting during the whole meeting? If
he rises, does that not indicate that
he is taking part in the meeting?
/. A Catholic may accept invita-
tons to meals during Lent provided
he observes the rules of fast and alb
stinence which bind during this holy
season. 2. The Church does not
prohibit the performance of social
duties during Lent; but these purely
social functions should be reduced to
the minimum as Catholics are expect
ed to withdraw themselves as much
as possible from their usual worldly
distractions, no matter how innocent
they may be, during the Lenten per-
Tod. 8. The Church does not make
any exception in favor of st. Pat
rick's day. It is the same as any 9TH
er day of Lent in this regard. 1t would
seem, however, that the custom of
tolerating certain kinds of amuse-
ment on ST. Patrick's day has grown
up among us. In the beginning, no
doubt, this was a quasi concession
made in favor of those who have a
very special claim upon St. Patrick
and who, if the strict regulations in
regard to Lenten amusements were
observed, would have no opportunity
Of showing their love for this great
Saint in any other than purely re
ligious way. Other people have TAX
en- advantage of this and St. Patrick S
day is now regarded somewhat in the
light of breathing-spell given to
those who otherwise are observing the
strict requirements of the Lenten sea.
son. 4. The Church does not prohibit
innocent amusement and social
intercourse even on Sunday If PEG
pie confined their Sunday enjoyment
to social calls and innocent games
there would be less justifable com
plant about the manner in which toe
many people make the Sunday a day
of dissipation. 5. A Catholic is not
allowed to attend Protestant meet
ing for the purpose of participating
in the religious exercises. If he goes
there merely to fulfil a social duty
as, for instance, to attend a wedding
or funeral, there would be no great
harm in his accommodating himself
to the general attitude of the congre
cation in order not to make himself
conspicuous.
I. Can the poor souls in PurqatorI
be helped more by lighting candles
In Church on every Sunday or saving
that money and having a Mass reas
for them? z. Should a prayer bool
or prayer beads be used without bein.
blessed7
l. No prayer or good works Cal
assist the poor souls in Purgator,
nearly SO much as the Holy Sacrific
of the Mass offered in their behalf
The former have merit and value &C
cording to the intention and disposi
ton of the person who perform
them; but the latter has an efficac
that is beyond human comprehension
because of the fact that it is offere
by the Son of God himself Our bes
effort on behalf of the suffering soul
are as nothing when compared to tn
value of even one Holy Mass. 2.
is customary to have prayer boo
and prayer beads blessed for tn
benefit of those who are to use them
Prayer beads must be blessed in OF
der that the person who uses them i
the recitation of the rosary may gal
the many indulgences that are a
tached to that excellent devotion.
If person attending Mass in hi
Parish Church takes a prayer book b
mistake and forgets to return it, an
after while gives 1t to another pei
son, what would be the proper thin
to do with the book7 Would Il b
all right to have the book blesse
again and use It?
The proper thing to do in this cas-
would be to return the book to tn
owner IL he be known, or to the prizes
in charge of the church from which
was taken, stating the circumstance
and asking him to make an announc
ment Of the fact in order that it ma