The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-04-22

This n Cood y.,dsv the anu,vcr ny Of Chrtsts dean
or rather the dsy appointed Tor hol y The anniversary
OF that event. Yesterday Hey Thursass 'es's ses eve
of this solemn day, the Catholic churches u thb clv
were dressed In most imposing manner and sssed ~
great numbers Tho great altar the images and ssas
were drapsd IN mourning and tho conssorsted sst ~
WAFER which Catholics believe 70 be tho body Of hris
was removed TILL Saturday 10 morrow), to small .Ntar
IN the basement, which ID decorated with Joyous oru.<
meos. indicating hope Of the discples thss Cbrss
would rice again. Thence will be removed back 70 the
great altar morrow Good Friday d the only dsy n
The year In which mass Is not celebrated
Good Friday is chiefly observed By Catholics -
Epscopaliaus but oven BY them Ia not regarded N
holiday Of obsation-shat s day which II Is obit
gstory not 10 work. Catholics riedly fnet On this dsy
Many Protestant Epscopasas also observe a q DAY r.
fasting and humiliation. Tho why called 0selw
d obvious, whether regard tho goodness oe Hin
whose death 10 commemoratod, the good which has
wrought for the soma OF men. For pious reason
connected with Ais day, s customary to hang criminals
on Friday.
Tho death Christ suffered was tat or cruciaxion vhac
was that 10 which slaves and criminals Of deep dye wsru
doomed crown Of thorns was placed upon the hssd
Christ by His murdcrers ~ 10 mock bis assumpAou
royal dignity The way in which the muttuds scteI a
Ibis occasion remarkable illustration q THAR schsa
and how easily they deceived Five dayu bs,r
Palm Sunday they shout Hosannah /" and do homsr.
o the King Of Israel Now they cry, Away with Hin:
rucify Him."
In Catholic countries It was formerly customary 70 erss
q small building to represent the Holy Sepulchrs In
this they put the Host and set person 70 waoh bss
that night and the next On the following morning very
early the Host being taken out Christ is risen On this
day also 1t was formerly customary for kings ana
queens England creep their knees 70 the cross n
tho Catholic churches here and also the Protestant Hp
copa peculiar viii BIO performed Ia the former
thore viii BIO procession, and the Misnsrs will be surg
But II only IN Rome that these ceremonies 70
On Holy thursday, the day before Good Friday. The
Pope performs the ceremony OF the washing OF feet which
Is attended by cardinals bishops, priests, ambassadors,
whelmng crowds. His Holiness, clad crimson velvet
mantle richly embroidered with gold and sparkling VITA
precious jewels ascends his gering throne, erected in
st. Peters, the glorious structure that has ever hear
applied to the uses OF religion On shgh are seated
dressed IN whe with high white caps upon their heads
They are usually poor priests chosen from Of the
vents and tho ceremony ncucates LESSON OF self sacr
Gcing humty and Intended to preserve the memorv a
the night which Christ washed feet of the Apostios
The attendants Of the Pope remove his velvet robo
white apron around him. whereupon he proceeds To
wash the feet servant goes before him, who removes
the stocking with quick despatch, while another holds
basin From this the Pope takes wafer and pours it over
the foot wiprg carefully, and then kissing To och
Of the twelve he gives piece Of mooey and bouquet u
flowers Immediately after the washing the Apostles
conducted into banquet ROOM where they are an
seated at table raised on platform. II spread with
dishes and numerous bottles Of wne and with
enormous gilt vases flied with beautiful flowers and
satuees Of the different saints. The Pope frst washes
the hands OF the Apostles and then them with the
vimds ana wne After placing before them the dos.
eert be whdraws with his Cardinals bishops aud guards
On Good Friday in the Sixne chapel Of st. Peter oae
end OF which is adorned with the wonderful sst Judg
men Of Michael Angelo, whose terrific grandeur realizes
the fearful escrptions OF Dante, the sMserere' ID
sung tho effect Of which is the most sublime produced by
any music ever composed by man. One by ono the
fifteen Candles burning upon Triangle are extjngushed
and dim twilight h!Is the chapel representing the dark
ness which covered the earth when Christ cruciHod
Suddenly from dark steals forth tender wall