The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-03-12


Joyce's first marriage. My friend
claims she was married in Catholic
Church the second time.
Once more we answer this question.
Miss Alice Joyce was married to
Thomas Moore in Florida in 1914, be-
fore Notary Public They were both
Catholics. Since Easter, 1908, mar
riages between Catholics are not rec
ognized by the Church as valid unless
entered into before priest and two
witnesses. Therefore the Moore
Joyce marriage was invalid in the
eyes of the Church. Miss Joyce was
divorced from Mr.. Moore in Kings
County, n. Y. Thereby she became
free in the eyes of the State. She was
married to Mr.. James Regain by Father
Lynch in Holy Innocents Church.
Manhattan, n. Y.
Would you advise Catholic, whose
work prevents him from hearing Mass
on Sunday, TO give up that position
and look for another?
There is a vast difference between
the precept of the Church and the
counsel advanced by priest. The
Church commands us TO hear Mass on
Sunday and holidays of obligation,
but at the same time teaches that
necessary work excuses from the Sun
day observance. Hence, if a man has
to work on Sunday and cannot get to
Mass, he commits no sin. However,
every, Catholic ought to be willing to
do more than that which is command
ed under the pain of sin. Hence, We
would advise a man whose work pre-
vents his attendance at Mass, to look
around for another position. and when
lie has obtained the position that per-
mits his going to Mass, to give up his
former occupation. The Mass is the
Catholics greatest act Of worship, and
no ordinary difficulty or inconvenience
should be deemed sufficient reason
for neglecting Mass. 1t might be I'M
just 10 ask him 10 give up his posi-
ton and then look for another posi-
ton: it is not unreasonable to try
to obtain a position that will afford
him the opportunity of prastieing his
religion.
Why are the "MiddIe Ages" some.
times called the Ozark Ages" Is
this true? Give a reason for your an
sWer.
Only the ignorant and uneducated
called the Middle Ages the Dark Ages.
Get a copy of THE Catholic Mind"
for February %, 1915. from the Amer.
lea Press, SO East Eighty-third street.
New York, and read Sixty Historical
Don'ts.' by DR.. Walsh.
We have space for but one quota.
ton John Fiske, the great historian
in his introduction to beginnings of
New England" writes: 1T is hard to
find words to express the debt of graf
itude which modern civilization owes
to the Roman Catholic Church"
What days in Lent are days OF alb
stinence? -
The Wednesdays and Fridays, En-.
Der Saturday, and the forenoon OF
Holy Saturday,.
Is it true that if a person have thir.
ty Masses said for a deceased person
that soul will be admitted into heaven
immediately? ...
You probably refer to what are
called the Gregorian Masses. Pope
st. Gregory the Great in the sixth cen
tury originated this custom of HAVING
Mass said on thirty consecutive days
for a certain soul in purgatory. The
Saint informs us that the person foI
whom these Masses were said appear
ed afterwards and declared that he
had been freed from purgatory at the
end OF the thirtieth Mass. We have
no guarantee, however. that this takes
place always; but it is the pious be
lief of the faithful that such prob
ably is the case.
"A Catholic girl was married to {
Catholic man by Catholic priest
The man in question goes to the war
returns and his wife refuses to live
with him. She then seeks and obtains
civil divorce. Has such a persor
any right to receive the sacrar1ents
especially Holy Communion?
The teaching of the Church is thai
a Catholic marriage ratified and con
summated cannot be dissolved by any
human power. Only death can fires
the surviving party from this bond
In the above case, therefore, general
ly speaking. such a person cannot
marry again within the lifetime o
her lawful husband. There may bt
reasons, however, recognized by the
Church, that will enable this woman
to obtain legal separation and tt
continue to receive the sacraments
While the Catholic Church does no
permit, cannot permit, the divorce
and re-marriage of Catholics, excap
in case of the death of one of them
she does at times permit this lega
separation for good and sufficient rea
sons. Hence, in a particular case on
should always refrain from judging
such a matter
Is it allowed in the Catholic churc
for third cousins to marry?
Third cousins are related in TIL
fourth degree of kindred. Formerl
it was forbidden for persons relate
within the fourth degree of kindred t
marry. According to the new Cod
of Canon Law, however. the prohib
fion for ro1atiVna TN marry nvtpud