By Helen Clifford Mooney

(Mrs. Mooney is a member of Corpus Christi Parish in Stone Mountain.)

The holy season of Lent is with us again and it brings with it memories of years ago. The observances differed from those practiced today in many ways.

The Vigil Light with its red glow hung immediately in front of the High Altar, removed only on Good Friday.

Adoration of the Cross was observed on Good Friday by parishioners kneeling at the altar rail which extended across the width of the church, separating the altar from the nave.

Stations of the Cross was observed every Friday during Lent -- three o'clock in the afternoon and seven o'clock at night. Afternoon services were primarily for the school children. Promptly at 2:45 p.m., we were marched from St. Bridget's school down the street to the church entrance, a nun at the rear of her class. Entering the church, the classes were seated -- with the nun on the aisle seat of each group. We knelt and said a prayer. When the service of the Stations of the Cross began, solemnity reigned!

It seemed to us that all nuns had arms a yard long! Those arms could reach four pews ahead and very often did with a knuckle-rap on the back of the head or shoulder of a pupil who squirmed, whispered or in any way deviated from the prescribed procedures.

Fasting and abstinence were a prime factor in our observance of Lent. "Give up for Lent" was an act of sacrifice to which we all adhered. The children, of course, as a whole, eagerly volunteered to give up spinach which we all detested! That failed to work with out parents, and the seriousness of the sacrifice was explained to us. Consequently it was usually the luxurious, such as candy, ice cream cones, etc., which were abandoned.

We children also observed the ritual of saving money from our allowance during Lent for the Easter collection.

Parents, together with the clergy and nuns, were the backbone of all this observance. They too "practiced what they preached." This impressed the children, I am sure. It was a season devoted to the life and death of Christ in all its beautiful solemnity.

Another lovely memory I have is calling to mind the smooth flow of the Latin language. We understood it, as it was part of the school curriculum.

Benediction is a beautiful service and was celebrated every Sunday afternoon at four o'clock.

It is born in all of us that time goes on, but, thankfully, I can say that memories linger.

An eminent Chinese proverb drones softly through my heart; "Everything is changed, but nothing is different."