The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-04-06

Il
The present week "a known among Roman Catholics
and Fpiscopaans the Passion Week. called from the
passion and death OF Christ, which occurred IL the
chronology be correct at this time Of the year OF late
OF these sacred days has beea much
neglected. even Roman Catholic countries, and have
been suffered to pass almost unnoced but
w. owing the efforts OF order Of monks known
80 the revival OF the interest in an that
relates to Chris.s suffering and death has been mani
tested.
1t remarkable that while in this country strong
tRoman Catholic feeling is springing up even where
it was least suspected in France and the Continent
increased interest is being felt in those old religious
ceremonies and obssrvances, which every had sup
posed had lost all vitality. AS may be interesting to
ourreaders perhaps slight sketch of of days.
and the manner in which they formerly observed,
would not be out of place here.
sHERE THURSDAY.
Yesterday is known among Old Country people, as
sheIe Thursday, also Maunday Thursday, and is 20
called old bcmily has IT, or, that in old fathers
days. the people woud that day shers theyr hsaes and
clypp thsyr herds and pool theyr hesdes and make
hem honest ayenst Easter day"
The word Maundus has references to the old custom
among the Kings Of England Of washing the feet Of poor
in number equal to the years OF their reign and
giving them shoef, stockings, and money This in
imitation Of Chriss washing the feet Of the disciples
This custom is still observed by the Roman Catholic
Kings Of Germany, and is known there sFusswasch
ung or the Washing of the Feet" An old poet thus
quantity describes this ceremony
And here the monkes their Maundie make with sundry
solemn rites,
And signes Of great humitie, and wondrous pleasant
Eeh the others eee doth wash and wipe them clean
and drie;
With hateful mind and secret raude that in their hearts
As If that Christ with his examples, did these things
And not TO help brethren here with zeal and free
DESIRE
Ech supplying others in all things that they
As He himself servan. made to serve us every way
Then strait the loaves doe walk and potes in every place
Wherswth the holy fathers oft to PLEASANT damssls
drnke.
The rites mentioned in the above are certainly very
singular; but must enter pous disclaimer against
the nmaton contained in the last two nes-that the
holy monks had anything whatever to do with s'plea
saunt damsels that nythng improper occurred be-
tween them To this day. shers Thursday is blessed in
Russia, and the Archbishop Of Moscow washes the feet
Of twelve monks, to commemorate similar Of humi-
ity on the part of Christ.
GOOD FRIDAY.
The appelaon Of Good which is given TO this day does
not denote any particular merit in the day ITSELF but
arises from the fact that according to the theo-
logical beliefs Cbrts cruc xion took place FRI
day before Easter and the is given to the
blessed effects springng from that sublime event It 10
in England alone it has this appeation its ancen. title
beirg Holy Friday Services entitled the Tenebrehat
is darkness-are tung in the Roman Catholic churches
to-day, also on its and morrow The lights
tpgu ished TO ypy the supernatural darkness attend
ing the Redeemers sgonizng death, and towards the
end of the service solemn silence observed which at
length broken by loud crash bsoken the rending
Of the veil Of the temple related in the 9th chapter
Of Matthew
And behold the veil OF the temple was rent In twain
from the top to the bottom and the earth did quake
and tie rocks rent;
And the graves we're opened and many bodies Of the
saints which slept arose,
And came oat Of tie graves after his resurrection, and
went into the holy city, and appeared unto many,
There are many Oh fuperstitiops connected with this
day. One vas custom among the Kings Of England Of
hallowing rings. with much ceremony, the of
which, 1t said would not be affected with the fall
Ing sickness. There is such q ring in Westminster
Abbey which Ia reported to have been thus halowed by
good King Edward This foolish notion has not yet died
ont in England for We informed that late 1899
Suffolk, instances occur where nine young each
subscribed crooked sixpence to be wrought into ring
70 cure young girl afflicted with the cramps.
There II another old notion that Good Friday the
witches had a convention, and met at "Pspdls water
syde." The following is old charm for curing the
bewitcned:-
Upon Goo' Friday
/ will fast while may,
IN til bear them kneu