Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-04-28

The past week was denomlnated by our
Catholic and Episcopal fellow-ctisens, "Iloly
Week" and was devoted by them to II special
commemoration of the stifferngs and death
of Christ Last Thursday was called 'Maun-
day Thursday" and was celebrated by the
of the Holy Eucharist, at the last supper;
;upon that day, the host consecrated for the
service of the succeeding day, on which no
conservation could take place, was carried in
solemn procession to place adorned with
flowers and lights, called ''Ihe Repository"
and the main altar was stripped Of its COW
ering, in remembrance of the indisnitics Of
fered to our Saviour by his enemies.
On Friday, called GOOD Friday the ser
vices had reference, exclusively, to the trial
and crucifxisn of Christ, and the cercmo-
MES of kissing the figure Of our Saviour upon
the cross was performed by the whole con-
grcgation.
On Saturday, called "IIoly Saturday" a
variety of ceremonies were performed, hay
ing reference mainly to the approaching fcs-
tival of Easter. A new fire was made and
blessed together with five grains of incense,
which were placed upon large candle
known as the paschal candle, in the form of
cross. A triple candle was ignited in the
aisle of the church, and borne to the chan
Gel and twelve prophecies, or long passages
from the old testament were read, custom
which appears to have derived its origin from
the fact that the Catechumons who were an
GENTLY baptized on this day, were thus in
structed. After this, the paschal candle, an
emblem of Christ's resurrection, was solemnly
blessed and lighted from the triple candle,
as wero also all the lamps and candles used
in the church, and the water Of the baptis-
NAL font having been blessed, those who were
to receive baptism, were solcmnly received
into the church. In token of grief for the
death of our Saviour, neither bells nor or
gans were used in Catholic churches on Good
Friday; the bells, therefore, were rung dur
ing the anthem, " Gloria in excelsis" on
Thursday, and were silent, at all hours, until
the recitation of the same anthem in the
mass of Saturday.
With last Sabbath passed Easter Sunday,
observed as the anniversary of the day when
Christ arose from the dead and appeared unto
Mary. 1t is the occasion of joy after the fast
of Lent. twas bright and beautiful day,
following season dark like that which en-
shrouded the world on the day of the cruel
fixion, and while the Saviour of the World
lay in the sepulchre. The day was appro-
priately observed in the churches in this
CITY. In the Catholic churches the beautiful
evergreens and flowers, emblems Of purity
and eternity, took the place of the sombre
habiments which for two days had enshroud-
ed them, and the praise OF God was sung.
In the German Lutheran churches the chill
drcn took prominent part in the celebra-
ton of the occasion. The girls were dressed
in white with wreaths of flowers in their
hair, and the services were of beautiful and
interesting character. In the Episcopal church
the prayers and songs of thanksgiving went
up for risen Saviour; and in all the church
es the song of the redemption rose in full
strains to Him who gave His only Son to
die for man.
Easter day has not occurred at so late a
| period as the Oath of Anril since 1901 in
which year it was on that day, and will not
again happen on the same date till POLL.
Since the introduction of the Gregorian, or
new style, by Pope Gregory XIII, in 1852,
Easter day has fallen on the oath of April
in three instances, namely, 10 the years 1889,
! 1907, 1791..