Regulations for Lent in the Diocese of Burlington

Rt. Rev. Bishop DeGoesbriand has issued the following rules for the observance of Lent in the Diocese of Burlington:

Every day in Lent, except Sunday, is a fast day of obligation on one meal, with the allowance of a light collation in the evening. General usage has made it lawful to take in the morning some warm liquid, as tea or coffee, and a mouthful of bread.

The precept of fasting implies also that of abstinence from flesh meat, but in virtue of an indult granted to the Archbishop of Boston for one year on the 19th of November, 1884, and by him communicated to his suffragans, the use of flesh meat of all kinds is permitted once a day only, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the second and last Saturdays being excepted; and at all meals on Sundays.

It is not allowed to use fish with flesh meat at the same meal in Lent, not even on Sundays. On account of long existing custom, the use of eggs, milk, butter and cheese is permitted on fast days through Lent, except at least on Good Friday.

On account of long existing custom, the use of lard in preparing food is permitted on ordinary fast days, but this permission extends to the days of abstinence and orders only, not throughout the year.

The church excuses from the obligation of fasting, but not of abstinence from flesh meat (except in special cases of sickness and the like), the following classes of persons: 1st, the infirm; 2d, those whose duties are of an exhausting laborious character; 3d, those under twenty-one years of age; 4th, women in pregnancy, or nursing infants.

The clergy are exhorted to introduce devotional exercises twice or three times a week in their respective churches, and to recommend to all under their charge the daily recitation of a part of the Rosary, remembering, in an especial manner, the trials of the church, and of the holy father, the Pope.

The clergy are authorized to give solemn benediction of the Blessed Sacrament twice in the week during Lent.