UR Holy Mother, the Catholic Church, does not leave her children without guidance, and to their own devices, in this important matter; she tells them not only when but how to fast and abstain, and the rules she has established are those inspired by her heavenly wisdom, and shaped and fashioned by centuries of practical experience. Every Catholic is bound to

keep these mild and gentle rules first of all before any other form of bodily mortification can be worthily undertaken. If these are wilfully neglected, no amount of self-imposed austerity can ever make up the loss, or atone for the disobedience.

The Law of ABSTINENCE affects only the kind of food, and has no reference to its quantity. On Abstinence days the faithful are obliged to abstain from flesh-meat only; the number of meals and the amount of food may be the same as on other days.

The Law of FASTING includes that of Abstinence, and adds special requirements of its own; it affects both the kind and the quantity of food. On Fasting-days, besides the obligation of abstaining from flesh-meat, the number and quantity of meals are restricted. Only one Full Meal is allowed, to be taken about noon or later. Besides this full meal a collation of eight ounces is allowed. If the full meal is taken about the middle of

the day, the collation will naturally be taken in the evening; if the full meal is taken late in the day, the collation may be taken about noon. Besides the full meal and collation, general custom has made it lawful to take about two ounces of bread (without butter) and a cup of some warm liquid-as coffee or tea-in the morning. This is important to observe, for by means of this many persons are enabled—and therefore obliged-to keep the fast who could not otherwise do so.

It should be borne in mind that these practices of Fasting and Abstinence are not merely penitential works of counsel, recommended to our observance, but acts of mortification of precept, enjoined by laws binding strictly on the conscience; and therefore not to be evaded or omitted without Mortal Sin. Various reasons, however, may exist for excuse or dispensation from these laws (especially from the law of fasting), which are commonly noted in the published "Regulations for Lent" in every Diocese. But as to abstinence, legitimate excuses are very few; and generally no one can proceed safely in excusing himself from abstinence before consulting his confessor.

ABSTINENCE DAYS.

ALL THE FRIDAYS OF THE YEAR.

Note. When a Friday happens to be Christmas Day, it is not a day of abstinence.

FASTING-DAYS.

1. THE FRIDAYS OF ADVENT.*

2. EVERY DAY IN LENT; except Sundays.

* In some Dioceses (as in the Province of New Orleans) the Fridays of Advent are not fasting-days.

3. THE FOUR QUARTER-TENSES, OR EMBER-DAYS, viz.: The Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday following-1. the first Sunday in Lent; 2. Whitsunday; 3. the fourteenth day of September; and, 4. the third Sunday of Advent.

4. THE VIGILS of Whitsunday, of the Assumption, of All Saints, and of Christmas.

Note.-When a Fasting-day falls upon a Sunday, it is kept on the Saturday previous.

THE TIMES

WHEREIN MARRIAGES ARE NOT SOLEMNIZED.

From Advent Sunday until the Epiphany, and from Ash Wednesday until Low Sunday.

Brief Statement of Christian

Doctrine.

The Ten Commandments of God.-Exodus xx.

AM the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt not have strange gods before Me. Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, nor of those things that are in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt not adore them, nor serve them.

2. Thou shalt not take the Name

of the Lord thy God in vain.

3. Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath-day.

4. Honor thy father and thy mother.

5. Thou shalt not kill.

6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

7. Thou shalt not steal.

8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.

The Six Commandments of the Church

I. To hear Mass on Sundays, and Holydays of Obligation.

2. To fast and abstain on the days appointed.

3. To confess at least once a year.

4. To receive the Holy Eucharist during the Easter time.

5. To contribute to the support of our Pastors.

6. Not to marry persons who are not Catholics, or who are related to us within the fourth degree of kindred, nor privately without witnesses, nor to solemnize marriage at forbidden times.

The Three Theological Virtues.

Faith-Hope-Charity.

The Four Cardinal Virtues.

Prudence-Justice-Fortitude-Temperance.

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost.-isa. xi. 2,3