Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1920-02-18
TODAY FIRST DAY
lENTEN SEAS.aN
Forty Days Of Penance Commemor
ative of the Fast Of Christ.
Observance Less Rigid Than
DAYS In the Past
RULES IN MIDDLE AGES
HAVE BEEN MODIEIED
In EarIy Centuries of Christianity
This Same Time of Modification
Was Held but Same Number
Days Not Observed.
Lent begins today, Wednesday.

lSCul bCi1tho NoNuJs '~NhNSNN~''
Lent, a Teutonic word is used to
denote the forty days preceding East
er. In the Catholic church they are
commemorative of the forty days and
nights fast of Jesus Christ before his
entrance into public life.
In the early centuries of Christian
ity this same time of modification
was held, but not everywhere were
the same number OF days observed.
In the year ell and again in BAL
the Popes and councils of the church
ordained that everywhere, through
out the entire church uniformity
should be observed in the commence
Iaent aud duration of this time of
penance. With this object in view,
forty days, or including Sundays Ton
which, however, no fast is Observed
forty-fsix days, we're appointed
This season commences on Ash
wednesday which this year is Feb.
IS, on which day man is reminded
lnitL NC Is COnlpOocu VI uuSb, W thS
words of the priest as be signs the
forehead with ashes, Remember
man that thou art dust and unto dust
thou shall return"
The church has set aside two PEE
rioSs-Advent and Lent--in order To
eall to mind things concerning spirit
sight of and at times entirely lost
sight OF and at times entirely for
.zosten in the mad rash for business
and pleasure. Eternity and tho four
great things upon which man should
rneditate--death, Judgment, Heaven
and Hell--are brought home in stir
Iing themes appropriate for this oc-
,oassion. Especially the meditation on
Dhrist's life is in harmony with this
season,
These days are usually observed
by fast on the part of the elders and
abstinence by minors, abstinence not
oRly from edible but any sort Of
amusement. Many children have
been taught the pious custom of max
ing a spiritual boquet of these acts
OF self-danial and presenting them to
tire risen Saviour on Easter morn.
The rigidty or the Lenten season
mas declined with each generation.
In the middle ages this time consist
ed OF forty fast days, including Sun
days, and during this entire time no
fiesh meat was allowed. People par
took OF no sustenence until after the
noon hour. Eggs, butter and cheese
were also prohibited. Gradually these
rules have been modified until today
rjsh aud flesh meat are allowed at
the same meal. These were the regu-
Iations during the past year and In
Ill probability will hold good this
year. A person may enjoy a very
Eight refreshment in the morning, a
TulI meal at noon and one-fourth OF
his MONDAY meal in the evening.
A man engaged In hard manual
labor may obtain dispensation from
bis pastor. His work calls for great
amount OF strength and necessitates
MS eating heartily. This dispensat
iGn also applies to his wife and min.
ar children.
Circumstances may render thf
etange Of these rules necessary and
therefore it is left in the hands Of
the bishop to modify or enforce tn,
regulations in his diocese as he see:
1T.