THE NEW CODE OF CANON LAW AND FAST AND ABSTINENCE

New Zealand Tablet, 1 November 1917, Page 23

THE NEW CODE OF CANON LAW AND FAST AND ABSTINENCE

From La Croix we learn that under Title XIV. of the 3rd book of Be Rebus, there are four Canons dealing with fast and abstinence. The first, No. 1250, lays down the law of abstinence, forbidding the use of meat, as at present. The use of eggs, milk, butter, and dripping as a condiment is allowed without restriction, thus doing away with the Magro stretto or "black" fast. No. 1251 lays down the law of —viz., one meal a day, with morning and evening refections of quality and quantity regulated by custom. Paragraph 2 of the same article abolishes the prohibition of meat and fish at the same meal. Canon 1252 declares on what days abstinence, or fast, or both must be observed. Abstinence only is obligatory 'on Fridays; abstinence and fast are obligatory on Ash Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays in Lent, Quarter Tense Days, the Vigils of Pentecost, the Assumption, All Saints, and Christmas; fast without abstinence is obligatory on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in Lent, except Ash Wednesday and Wednesday of Quarter Tense within Lent. In France and English-speaking countries it has been usual to keep the Wednesdays of Lent as days of fast and abstinence, and not the Saturdays. La Croix points out that unless an indult is granted we shall have to change that practice. All laws of abstinence and fast cease to bind on Sundays and Feasts, and also after the Alleluia on Holy Saturday.