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18 the day, the collation will naturally be taken in the evening; if the full meal is taken late in the day, the collation may be taken about noon. Besides the full meal and collation, general custom has made it lawful to take about two ounces of bread (without butter) and a cup of some warm liquid—as coffee or tea—in the morning. This is important to observe, for by means of this many persons are enabled—and therefore obliged—to keep the fast who could not otherwise do so.

It should be borne in mind that these practices of Fasting and Abstinence are not merely penitential works of counsel, recommended to our observance, but acts of mortification of precept, enjoined by laws binding strictly on the conscience; and therefore not to be evaded or omitted without Mortal Sin. Various reasons, however, may exist for excuse or dispensation from these laws (especially from the law of fasting), which are commonly noted in the published "Regulations for Lent" in every Diocese. But as to abstinence, legitimate excuses are very few; and generally no one can proceed safely in excusing himself from abstinence before consulting his confessor.

1.

2. ; except Sundays.