From the archives: Lenten regulations were tough in 1917 - pastoral letter to Mayo parishes
By Tom Gillespie
TODAY, Ash Wednesday, is the commencement of Lent 2026.
The Catholic Church has, over the years, relaxed its regulations on fasting and abstinence in the lead-in to Easter - and gone with it is the mandatory fish on Friday.
But 109 years ago there were strict regulations in force as to when and what people could eat during the 40 days of penance.
On February 24, 1917, The Connaught Telegraph published the following, which, in terms of today, seem rather cruel:
In the lead up to Lent in 1917, the Archbishop of Tuam, Most Rev. Dr. John Healy, issued the following Lenten Pastoral Letter.
In virtue of authority delegated to us by the Holy See, we grant the following dispensations in the fast and abstinence:
1. Flesh meat is allowed at the principle meal on all days of Lent, except Wednesdays, Fridays and Ember Saturday, March 3. There is no restriction as to the use of flesh meat on Sundays.
2. The use of milk meats, including eggs, butter and cheese, is allowed at the principle meal on all days, except the three days of black fast - that is Ash Wednesday, Spy Wednesday and Good Friday. A little lard or dripping may be used as a condiment at dinner by those who can procure no other condiment on all days except Fridays and the same three days of black fast.
3. A collation of not more than eight ounces of bread, or an equivalent quantity of other meagre fare, is allowed in the morning to those who are bound to fast. The use of a little butter is now tolerated at this collation, and a little milk on the three days of black fast in tea, coffee or cocoa.
4. Fish and flesh are not allowed at the same meal.
5. Further dispensations, both in the fast and abstinence, when cause exists, may be granted by all parish priests and administrators to their parishioners, and by all confessors to their penitents at confession; but in each case it should be a dispensation with some kind of commutation into another work of penance, especially alms-giving.
6. The annual Diocesan collection will be made as usual on the first Sunday in Lent, February 25 (1917). All those who avail of these dispensations are expected to contribute by way of compensation to this collection in accordance with their means.
Meanwhile, Most Rev. Dr. Naughton, Bishop of Killala, in his Lenten pastoral letter, referred to the year that had passed (1916) as one of trial and great sorrow for our beloved country.
Referring to the Rebellion, he said: “Thank God our diocese was spared from any share in those unhappy troubles. That there was not even one individual out of the whole diocese implicated in the criminal folly of the time is clear proof of the deep religious feeling of the people generally and their implicit obedience of the teaching of our Holy Church - a proof that they are devout Catholics first and Irishmen afterwards; and that, ardently as they desire to see their country’s wrongs redressed and her liberties and rights secured, to achieve those cherished objects of their hopes they would not adopt any methods condemned by our Holy Church nor use any means that would not have God’s blessing upon them.
“In this we are but in unison with all thoughtful Irishmen having any stake or interest in their country, who realise the absolute necessity of preserving in full vigour the constitutional movement that gained for us so many reforms in recent years, and who are now more than ever convinced that a United Parliamentary Party supported by an united country is the one and only means of securing for us the full powers of Nationhood.”
He expressed pleasure at the steps taken by the Government in referring to the food problem; mentions that less land was under cultivation last year (1916) than the year before, and urging all classes to give wholehearted cooperation in the schemes for increased tillage. While the ultimate success of the Allies in the war is fully assured, there seems at present, said his Lordship, little hope of an immediate realisation of their prayers for peace; but they must maintain the spirit of prayer and sacrifice for ‘the triumph of justice and the restoration of a lasting peace’.