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February 21, 1909
No Moving Pictures This Lent
On this day February 21, 1909 Archbishop Michael F. Howley, released a Pastoral Letter to be read in all of the churches in the Archdiocese of St. John’s, Newfoundland. The Pastoral Letter on the rules and regulations of Lent forbade Catholics "to attend any worldly amusements; such as balls, dances, even in private houses, parties, theatrical or other entertainments, such as these new forms of moving pictures, or shows of any kind held in Public Halls by whatsoever name they may be called."
The first moving picture in the province a showcase of moving images of famous persons was shown on February 19, 1901 at the British Hall (later known as the Paramount Theatre).
Archival fonds: Archbishop Michael Francis Howley fonds 106/9/1
Suggested Reading:
The Wreckage a novel by Michael Crummey, Doubleday
Canada . A novel that centres in part on Aloysious (Wish) Furey, a
young man who drifts through remote Newfoundland villages, showing movies to
dazzled audiences.
For more information on this and other related subjects contact the Archives of the R.C. Archdiocese. www.stjohnsarchdiocese.nf.ca
Other “Archival Moments” will be posted at this site on a regular weekly basis. If you have friends or colleagues who would like to receive these "archival moments" please send us their e mail address or forward this moment to them from your desk!!
Larry Dohey
Archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John’s
P.O. Box 1363
St. John’s, NL
A1C 5M3
709-726-3660
E-mail: archives@nf.aibn.com
We hope that you have enjoyed this archival moment.
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