By special permission of the Sacred
Congregation of the Council, granted
Jan. 14. 1919, the people of the United
States are allowed to substitute the
Wednesdays m Lent for the Saturdays
as days of abstinence. The special
indult In behalf of the laboring class
continues In force, allowing the use of
meat on all days of the year except
Fridays, Ash Wednesday, Holy Satur
day morning and Christmas Eve.
According to St. Paul, mortification
lis the characteristic of all true Chris
' liana, "Always bearing about in our
bodies the mortification of Jesus, that
the life also of Jesus may be made
manifest In our bodies, for we who
, live are always delivered unto death,
for Jesus sake. That the life also
of Jesus may be made manifest in our
mortal flesh," H Cor. iv. 10-11. The
external practice of mortification is
intended by the church to be both a
help to Interior sanclty and an ex
pression of the -virtues governing those
' who imitate Christ. It should be
found associated with a spirit of
prayer," reverence for the Holy Name
of God, respect for His law, love for
our neighbor, caring for the afflicted,
purity of heart, and devotion to
Mother Church and her practices.
Whoever observes these principles
manifests in his mortal flesh the .life
also of Jesus.
But such observance is possible
only for those who seek the grace of
God at the fountain of the sacra
. ments, and use it to strengthen their
wills in living the life of Christ.
