Original

123
Hebrews in the Promised Land to the reign of David ;
the fifth embraces the whole line of ttie kings of Juda,
the sixth extends from
up to the Babylonian captivity ;
the return of the Jews from captivity
to the birth of
our Lord ; and finally, the seventh began with
the first coming of our divine Saviour and will end
with His second coming.
Thus the Church, in the season of Septuagesima,
represents to us the seven ages of the world, and
more especially the first three, as a prelude to the
labours, the combats, the trials of penance. This pen
ance will secure for us God s pardon and blessing,
and, after this life, the joys of heaven. The number se
venty also recalls the seventy weeks of years which
according to the Prophet Daniel, were to precede the
coming of the Messias. Further, it reminds us of the
time that the Church militant must pass, in this land of
captivity, before being transformed into the Church
triumphant.
During this season of Septuagesima, we should unite
ourselves with our Mother the Church. We should be
animated with her spirit, listen to her instructions and
put them into practice, as we shall explain in the fol
lowing chapters, in which we shall treat of the three Sun
days which immediately precede Lent.