The Irish standard., 1913-02-01
OBSERVANCE OF LENT
Clear and Adequate Instructions on
Sacrament Of Matrimony Urged
By Bishop McGolr;ek.

SiSdr ara NoOQuato INSTRUCTIONS OF
Sacrament Of Matrimony Urged
BY Bishop MeGolr;ek.
In the Lentcn regulations, under the
head of General Remarks" Rt Rev.
James McGolrick of Duluth says:
Pastors will mako to their flocks> in
the usual terms due announcements
Of approaching Ember days and Wig
ils-adding to such announcements q
statement of the privileges given by
the 1ndult to working people,
| When doubt exists as to whether
ones condition or circumstances all
low exemption from the precept. of
fast and abstinence, COUNSEL should
be asked from confessors or pastors,
who are the authoritative Interpreters
Of the law, and who o.e even empow-
cred. in special cases, for good and
sufficient reasons, Indicated in Cath
Ole theology, to commute the precepts
of fast and abstinence, to other peni-
tential works.
In cnjoining upon the faithful fast
and abstinence, Holy Church makes
a practical application OF the evan
gelical law of self-lenial, Of which the
Saviour and His apostles We're, by
example and by work. su,h eminent
teachers. Without self-den!al there
is no Christianity. Indeed, without
self-lcnial there is no natIral moral
ity. The man who has not acquired
by habit the power of self-restraint
will not be victorious Yer sin,~amid
the storms and temptations of life
which all men must encounter.
The observance of the fast and alb.
stinencc prescribed by the Church is
taken by the world It's public and
fearless profession of Catholic faith.
He. who, without sufficient or obvious
reasons, eats meat or takes his usual
meals when abstinence or fast is en-
Joined, is not accepted IS n practical
Catholic.
! Let Catholics have the courage of
self-denial for the sake OF Christ and
of their own souls, and be on their
guard lest by their acts scandal be
given and tho fair name of their reli-
gion be dishonored.
During Lent, pastors Will hold at
appointed times in THEFT several
Churches appropriate exercises of de-
votion, and will give to ,+le faithful
instructions of a practical nature
upon the articles Of the creed, the
commandments and the sacraments.
The crying evil OF divorce is a
growing evil il these United States
and in no small measure in the state
of Minnesota. While members OF the
Catholic Church are not usually
found in the divorce courts Yet there
, are here and there a few who appear
to be totally ignoran. OF the nature
of the Holy Sacrament of Matrimoay.
This is particularly true of Cath
olics who in large numbers join i'll
mixed marriages. The number of dis
pensations asked for these marriages
is increasing at Il serious rate, and
we have every reason to look with
anxiety to the future of tire Catholic
party to each marriage as well as to
the family born from cac!, uniol.
| We beg our clergy, during this holy
season of Lent, to give clear and ade-
quate instructions on the Sacrament
of Alatrimony; on the nature of the
/, bond OF marriage, and the fact that
the Christian family is the foundation
of society. The law Of the Church as
! to mixed marriage is the Divine Law
i which places the danger -" the loss
OF faith above eli other dangers and
shows the misfortune Of profaning
the great Sacrament Sad experience
shows the grave loss to the Church
among the children born Of such I'M
Ions. While here and there one can
point to the few mixed marriages that
have proved happy, It is true to say
IAdI lie \CIS luISe NUMBER OIL THESE
have caused indifference ana disre-
gard for the duties and requirements
| of our holy religion.
At the same time it will be well to
explain the happiness Of a thoroughly
Christian marriage with all it's bless
ings both to husband and wife and it's
divine aid to the family With MUCH
| hope in the Jealous care of the pas
tors to whom is entrusted the saliva
! ton of souls we look forward to the
lessening of the misfortune of mixed
| marriages.
Should the evil continue, we, at all
| events, will have done our duty both
il warning and instructing our people.
A Pious German Custom.
The following account of Il pious
| German cnS4c,n ;s. fol.o, ,,o,.> +Ln