Show O OF LENT The Lenten season which is observed by the Roman and Greek Catholic churches as well as nn In some degree by the Church i of f England the Protestant EpIscopal church in America and others began on Ash Wednesday February 14 and wIll continue untIl Easter Sunday AprIl 1 a period of forty days day's not countIng Sundays In the early years of the era the fast of Lent was I observed for varying perIOds by some only one or two days and andI by others for a longer tIme according to the wrItIngs of Irenaeus Greek BIShop of Lyons in the second century Pope Leo I m in the fourth century recommended the fast of forty days as having apostolIc authorIty This perIOd was taken to commemorate the forty days fast of Moses of ElIJah and es- es especially especially that of Christ Theoretically at least the faithful abstain from flom food on fast days until evening worldly amusements and secular celebrations are ale to be a avoided and marriages are held to be undesirable dUL dun j Lent The duty of fasting is modifIed wIth respect to laboring people peo- peo people chIldren and women under certain condItions but increased dilIgence In YOlks works of charity IS enJoined upon all as well as extra extra- extraordinary ordinary attentIOn to aU all relIgIOus observances throughout this period |