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FOUR
THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC L
AYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA EFBRUARY 29, 1936
Bishop O’Hara Issues Lenten Pastoral Letter
DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH
REVEREND DEAR FATHER:
By the command of the Third Plenary
Council of Baltimore, a collection is to be taken
up in all the churches on the first Sunday of
Lent, for the missions among the Indians and
colored people. .
We require all of our clergy to remind their
flocks to give liberally to this good work, and to
forward the amount to the Chancellor in Savan
nah. They should also read the general regula
tions for the observance of the Lenten period on
Quinquagesima Sunday.
Regulations for Lent
I. All the week-days of Lent from Ash Wednesday to Holy
Saturday are fast-days of precept, on one meal, with the al
lowance of a moderate collation in the evening. Both fast and
abstinence end at noon on Holy Saturday. I
II. The following persons are exempt from the obligation of
fasting: Those who are under 21 or over 65 years of age; l “ e
sick and the convalescent; all those whose health or daily
duties would be seriously compromised by fasting; nursing
women; all'those whose occupations are of a very laborious
and exhausting nature; all those who have been dispensed
by ecclesiastical authority.
III. The use of flesh-meat is allowed at every meal on the Sun
days of Lent, and at the principal meal on^ Monday Tuesday,
Thursday and Saturday. (Ember Saturday excepted.)
IV. The use of butter, cheese, milk and eggs is allowed every
day at the principal meal, as also at the collation. Whenever
flesh-meat is allowed, the taking of fish and meat at the same
meal is no longer forbidden.
V. A small piece of bread, with a cup of coffee, tea or choco-
. late, may be taken in the morning.
VI. Where it is not convenient to take the principal meal at
noon, it is lawful to invert the order, and take a collation
(lunch) about noon, and dinner in the evening.
V. . Dripping and lard may be used in preparing food.
VIII. On Sundays there is neither fast nor abstinence.
IX. Those who are exempt in any way from the precept of Fasting
may eat meat at the three meals on meat days.
X. By a special Indult granted to the Bishops of the United
States, working people, who cannot easily observe the com
mon law of the Church, are dispensed from the obligation of
abstinence on all days of the year, except Friday, Ash Wed
nesday, the forenoon of Holy Saturday and Christmas eve.
This dispensation does not exempt from the additional obli
gation of fasting where such exists. It includes, however, not
only the individual workmen in whose favor it is granted, but
all the members of their families as well. In return it is ex
pected that those who avail of this Indult will endeavor to
enter into the spirit of the holy season of Lent by voluntary
acts of mortification and penance.
XI. By dispensation of the Holy See. men serving in the Army
or Navy are allowed meat on all days of the year, except
Ash Wednesday. Good Friday, the forenoon of Holy Satur
day. and the eve of Christmas.
The Paschal time extends frcm the first Sunday of Lent till
Trinity Sunday, during which time all Catholics who have attained
the proper age are bound to receive worth : ly the Holy Eucharist.
BISHOP OF HARRISBURG
-0
Mortification, Communion at
Daily Mass, Special Devotion
All Urged for Season of Lent
‘For Some of Us Doubtless This Will Be Our Last Lent on
Earth’, His Excellency Says in Urging His People to
Take Advantage of Opportunities for Penance
B’shop o( Savannah.
MOST REV. GEORGE L. LEECH
BISHOP LEECH REGENT
SAVANNAH VISITOR
Guest of Bishop O’Hara
After His Installation
Bishop of Harrisburg
as
Enthusiastic Welcome Given
Bishop O’Hara in Augusta
(Special to The Bulletin)
SAVANNAH, Ga.—The Most Rev.
George L. Leech, D. D., who was in
stalled as Bishop of Harrisburg Tues
day, January 28, spent the following
week-end in Savannah as the guest
of Bishop O’Hara here, being cele
brant of the nine o’clock Mass and
delivering the sermon. Bishop Leech
was installed as Bishop of Harrisburg
by His Eminence Cardinal Dougherty,
less than two weeks after he had
nstalled Bishop O’Hara as Bishop of
'Javannah; Bishop Leech and Bishop
O’Hara have bsen intimate friends
for many years. His Excellency Bish
op Lee eh is widely known in the
South' he was secretary to Cardinal
Fumasoni-Bio-tdi when His Eminence
was Apostolic Delegate to the United
States, and visited this section in
that capacity. Bishop Leech resigned
to become pastor at Pottsville. Pa..
the Archdiocese of Philadelphia,
and was consecrated Coadjutor Bishop
of Harrisburg last year, succeeding
to the See on the death of Bishop
McDevitt.
(Continued From Back Page)
and said that surely Georgia's repu
tation as the state outstanding for
its hospitality was well deserved.
"In the short time I have been here
I have had the pleasure of traveling
Georgia from the seashore to the
hills and mountains,” His Excellency
sai, “and already I have learned to
love this state as I have learned to
love its people. I sincerely hope that
the Holy Father, who has been so
kind to me will do me the additional
kindness of allowing me to spend the
rest of my days in this, the Empire
States of the South.”
Bishop O’Hara expressed his appre
ciation of Mayor Alien’s cordial wel
come and his comment on the labors
of Catholics for the upbuilding of
the community. He pointed out the
teaching of the Catholic Church on
authority as coming from God. and
said Catholics if need be would lay
down their lives in the future as they
have in the past for the defense of
their country.
The chairman directed attention to
the fact that the flag to which His
Excellency referred to illustrate his
remarks had been presented by Pat
rick Walsh Council, Knights of Co
lumbus, to the Louis LeGarde Battey
Post of the American Legion in honor
of Louis LeGarde Battey, deputy
grand knight of the Council, who died
on the battlefields of France, laying
down his life for his country.
The hall was artistically decorated
with Papal and U. S. colors and the
Bishop’s coat of arms. The Punaro
Orchestra and Miss Agnes Gouley
played during the reception. Refresh
ments were served after the reception
program and the receiving by Bishop
O’Hara of the many hundreds of per
sons present who were introduced to
His Excellency.
Assisting the Bishop in receiving
were the pastors of the city. Among
the clergy present were Monsignor
Kane, Rev. J. B. O’Donohoe, S. J.,
Rev. Leo M. Keenan, Rev. George
Laugel. S. M. A., Rev. A. Sittler, S.
M. A., Rev. M. A. Cronin. S. J.. Rev.
John J. Kennedy and Rev. P. J.
O’Connor, of Augusta, Rev. H. A.
Schonhardt of Sharon, and Rev.
Thomas I. Sheehan, of Washington.
P. H. Rice, Jr„ was general chair
man of the committee; other com
mittee members included the follow
ing:
Frogram, James B. Mulherin, Wil
liam A. Lyons, Charles C. Chesser,
T. P. Kearney, Harry Markwalter;
reception, the pastors, Alfred M.
Battey, Wlllipm A. Lyons, T. P. Kear
ney, Richard Reid, Law.ence Ward,
Mrs. M. B. Buford, Robert Arthur,
Mrs. A. J. Wren, E. B. Sheahan, E.
J. O'Connor, J. Coleman Dempsey,
Mrs. W. W. Yaun, James L. Bartley,
James B. Mulherin, C. Victor Mark-
waiter. Mrs. Charles C. Stulb- Mrs.
William Lenz; refreshments, Mrs. Leo
Cotter, chairman. Mrs. William Lenz,
Mrs. H. Bedingfield, Mrs. Joseph Her
man. Mrs. Alfred M. Battey, Miss
Catherine Callahan; decorations. Mrs.
William A. Herman, chairman, Mrs.
Charles C. Stulb, Mrs. Marion Stulb,
Mrs. M. B. Buford, Mrs. James B.
Mulherin, Miss Catherine Callahan,
Mrs. W. W. Yaun; finance, Thomas
P. Doris, general chairman, Mrs. J.
A Wren, chairman for St. Patrick’s
Parish, Robert B. Arthur, chairman
for Sacred Heart Parish. Mrs. Marion
Stulb, chairman for St. Mary’s Parish;
publicity. Richard Reid. J. Coleman
DemDsey.
The Knights of Columbus Radio
Program, on which the Rev. George
J. Dietz, of Aiken, S. C., was the
speaker on Sunday, was dedicated to
Bishop O’Hara.
Mrs. Margaret Davis,
Florence, S. C., Dies
(Special To The Bulletin)
FLORENCE, S. C. — Mrs. Margaret
Caroline Davis, one of the oldest
members of St. Anthony’s Church,
died here February 10. after an ex
tended illness. Mrs. Davis was 70
years of age and well known and be
loved in Florence. She is survived by
her husband, J. G. Davis; seven
daughters, Mrs. Lawrence Morris, of
Valdosta, Ga., Mrs. F. W. Stackley,
Sr., of Florence, Mrs. Carrie Byrd of
Lake City, Fla., Mrs. W. P. Stegall
of Florence, Mrs. Maxcy Richter of
Columbia, Mrs. S. C. Moore of Ho
boken, Ga., and Mrs. H. L. Lee of
Lacooche, Fla.; two sons, W. A. Da
vis of Waycross, Ga., and J. E. Da
vis of Stockton, Ga.; and two broth
ers, W. M. Mims of Florence and Al
bert Mims of Lamar. The funeral
was held from St. Anthony’s Church,
the Rev. W. A. Tobin, pastor, offici
ating at the Requiem Mass. Inter
ment was in Darlington, S. C.
BOYS COMMENDED
Chicago American Publishes
Extended Series on Work
of Bishop Sheil
(By N. C. W. C. News Service)
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist,
Savannah, Georgia,
February 17, 1936.
Dearly Beloved in Christ:
The near approach of Lent affords
me an opportunity, not only to speak
to you of the holy season now at hand,
but also to convey to you the cordial
greetings and the paternal blessing
that I anxiously desire to give you in
person when circumstances will per
mit me to visit you.
The 40 days of Lent, set apart each
year by the Church as a special pe
riod of penance, in memory of our
Saviour’s Passion and Death and to
prepare for a worthy celebration of
His Glorious Resurrection from the
dead, will begin on Ash Wednesday,
February 26th, and will end at noon
on Holy Saturday, April 11th.
The Church has established regula
tions for the proper observance of
this holy season; these are found in
a separate document read to you to
day.
Penance, as we know from the Sa
cred Scriptures and the teaching of
the Church, is an essential Chris
tian duty Its value and necessity
are stressed time and again in Holy
Writ. Our Lord, insists upon it in no
uncertain terms. “Unless you do
penance, you shall all likewise per
ish.” (Luke XIII, 3). He asserts that
“There shall be joy in Heaven upon
one sinner that doth penance, more
than upon 99 just, who need not
penance.” (Luke X, 32). To give us a
divine example of mortification of
the senses in His own person, He,
the Sinless One, fasted for 40 days
and 40 nights.
The Apostles preached penance.
“Do penance . . . for the remission
of sins,” says St. Peter. (Acts II, 28);
and St. Paul “preached first to them
that are at Damascus, and at Jeru
salem and throughout all the coun
try of Judea and to all the Gen
tiles, that they should do penance.”
(Acts XXVI, 20).
The Saints, even the most innocent
of them, practiced the most severe
of mortification and self-denial, many
to an extent more to be admired than
imitated. .
After the example of the Saints,
and in obedience to the Church, we
too should spend this holy time of
Lent in “doing works worthy of pen
ance ” We have offended God by sin
and merited His just indignation. We
can atone tor our offense by a wor-
;hy penance
The Church, knowing full well that
the distractions of life and human
frailty itself often cause us to lose
sight of the need that we have of
making amends for the sins that we
have committed, reminds us of our
obligations in this respect by her
Lenten Regulations. It behooves us
to hearken to her voice “before the
time of a f fliction comes and the
years draw nigh of which they shall
say: they please me not. Before the
sever cord is broken; and the golden
fillet shrink back; and the pitcher is
crushed at the fountain; and the
wheel be broken upon the cistern;
and the dust return into its earth
from which it was, and the spirit re
turn to God Who gave it.” (Eccl. XII,
I; VI. 7).
Life is fleeting and precious the
time that God gives us to work out
our salvation. Fatal, perhaps, it were,
to neglect the opportunity that is
given us for penance, for the years
rush on and soon “the night cometh
when no man can work.” John IX,
4).
During Lent, unless legitimately ex
cused, we are bound under pain of
sin to observe the laws of fast and
abstinence which the Church, our
ever-solicitous Mother, imposes upon
us for our own good.
The law regulates the kinds and the
amount of food that we may take
during Lent. We should be slow in
finding reasons for excusing ourselves
from it. But even if age, infirmity,
sickness, the nature of our occupa
tions or other proper cause, excuse
us from fulfilling the letter of the
law. none should claim exemption
from its spirit. This should prompt
us to adopt some other form of self-
denial and mortification that piety,
generosity and good will may sug
gest. Accordingly, pleasures, which
at other times of the year may seem
harmless, should be avoided during
Lent, for example, the theatre; mov
ing pictures; dances; parties and'the
like.
I urge you, dearly beloved in Christ,
to attend Mass more often, even daily
whenever possible during Lent; to go
frequently to Confession and Holy
Communion; to attend Lenten devo
tions and to make the Stations of the
Cross. Families should adopt the
beautiful custom, prevailing in many
places, of saying their evening pray
ers together and of reciting the Ro
sary in common before retiring each
night mindful of those words of Our
Lord: “Where there are two or three
gathered together in my name, there
am I in the midst of them.” (Matt.
XVIII, 20.)
The givng of alms in more abund
ant measure than usual to the poor
and afflicted is another salutary prac
tice that ought to be cultivated.
“Prayer is good,” says Holy Writ,
"with fasting and alms more than
to lay up treasures of gold, for alms
delivereth from death, and the same
is that which purgeth away sins and
maketh to find mercy and life ever
lasting.” (Tob XII, 8.9.)
For some of us doubtless this will
be our last Lent on earth. What an
irreparable loss it would be to de
prive our souls of the opportunity
that the Church gives us now of
spending it in a holy manner by
showing forth in our lives the fruits
of penance.
Penance Mortification, self-den al
are not easy; they involve suffering,
but unless we are wi.ling to suffer
something for our soul's sake we
will have no part in Our Lord’s Res
urrection. “If you partake of the
sufferings of Christ,” says Peter, “re
joice that when His Glory shall be
revealed, you may also be glad with
exceeding joy.” (I Peter IV, 13.)
May the God of peace and of all
consolation fill your lives with joy
in His holy service; may He inspire
you to great piety; may He increase
in you love for our Holy Faith and
for His Spouse, the Church; and may
the riches of His mercy and the
sweetness of His Spirit descend upon
you. my beloved peop'.t, now and al
ways.
Affectionately yours in Christ,
CHICAGO.—A compresensive sur
vey of the wide field of activities
of the Catholic Youth Organization
of the Archdiocese of Chicago, pub
lished in a series of daily articles,
has appeared in The Chicago Amer
ican. The author, Charles F. Blake,
a non-Catholic, describes the CYO as
‘one of the world’s greatest organiza
tions for youth.”
The initial article told of the found
ing of the organization. Subsequent
articles also told of its development
and the many fields in which it is
active.
"The words of Cardinal Munde
lein,” Mr. Blake wrote, “might well
express the object of the Catholic
Youth Organization, when he said:
“ ‘I would rather save the life of
one boy than build the finest edi
fice.’
“The organization has for its cor
nerstone the dictum of Cardinal
Mundelein:
" ‘Adopt a program of recreation so
adequate, interesting and attractive
that youth will have a desire to par
ticipate in none other.
“ Direct the nervous physical and
mental activities of youth into healthy
channels and they will not have im
pulse to turn to crime for excite
ment. ”
The object of the CYO, the writgr
added; is: "To save the lives of the
Youth of Chicago.” Its activities, he
noted, are not only city-wide but
nen-sectarian.
The article paid glowing tribute to
the Most Rev. Bernard J. Sheil, Aux
iliary Bishop of Chicago and found
er of the CYO.
Bishop of Savannah.
The Bishop’s Assignments
Editorial in The Savannah Press
MRS. FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT
was a guest of honor at the Knights
of Columbus Kermess in Washing
ton early in February.
We are quite sure the Catholics of assigned.
the Diocese of Georgia are very much
pleased with the tinal announcement
of the appointments of the new
Bishop. The Evening Press present
ed the names of those chosen for
unusual service in the diocese yes
terday. As an outside observer we
venture the assertion that the new
head of the Catholic Church in Geor
gia has shown rare judgment in as
signing those under his direction to
special duties throughout the diocese
which covers the entire state.
Bishop O’Hara, whose democracy
of thought as shown in the public ut
terances he has made, and whose
charming personality has drawn him
very close to those with whom he
has come in contact, has given very
prompt and deserved recognition to
those he found busy in the vineyard
when he came here to assume the
duties of his high office. He has
sought to promote those already in
the service and familiar with the
problems of the diocese rather than
bring from other sources those who
would be compelled to undergo a
form of education themselves before
becoming thoroughly fit to perform
the service to which they might be
Bishop O’Hara has shown very fine
judgment—if a layman may venture
to say so—in advancing to new posts
of responsibility priests of the Dio
cese of Savannah. He will no doubt
find their long experience in Georgia
of marked benefit to himself and
to the church he so capably serves.
To read the list of appointments given
in The Evening Press yesterday one
is struck with the fact that the rep
resentative of the Church in Georgia
has found within the confines of the
diocese much excellent material to
help him carry on his labors in the
state.
Veterans in the service of the
Church in cities like Savannah, Ma
con, Augusta, Columbus and Atlanta,
have been paid the compliment of
a call to higher duties and fields of
responsibility by the recently cre
ated head of the Church in Georgia.
With Bishop O’Hara recognition of
ability seems to be in order through
out the diocese. Appreciation of ser
vices rendered by faithful adherents
appears to be expressed in every as
signment given out by the new lead
er. We would subscribe to this as a
very sound policy indeed.