The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-29


THE CLOSING OF LENT.-The present
week will close the religious season of Lent.
The Catholic Church celebrates during this
week the passion and death OF Christ .,
The services at the Cathedral of st. Peter
and st. Paul are quite attractive, HHoly Week
being observed there In strict accordance with
the Old Roman Ritual. ''. d,
Towards evening on Wednesday, Holy Thurs
day, and Good Friday, the Catholic Church
performs an impressive Office called the
Iene6Tg, which signifies darkness. In addition
to the six lights always upon the altar, a TRAN
gular shaped candlestick, having fifteen tapers
arranged along two of its sides, is placed
within the sanctuary for the performance of The
ceremony, at the beginning of which all the
candles are lighted to signify the Lights of
Faith preached by Christ and the Prophets.
The triangular branch represents the mystery
Of the Holy Trinity, a fundamental article OF
Catholic faith. 81
While the Ienebrg is being chante6, fourteen
yellow lights in the threesided stand are ex-
tinguished, one after each psalm, and at the
last six verses OF the Benedtcus, the lights on
the altar are also put out to signify that the
Hebrews were deprived of the light of faith
when Christ was put to death. The white taper
left burning at the top of the triangular stand
is typical Of Christ, the light OF the world, and
it is hidden for time beneath the altar to
signify that though Christ, according to His
humanity, died and was laid in the sepulchre,
yet He was always alive, according to His divi-
nifty, by which He raised Himself again to life.
In the darkness which pervades the sanctuary
at this part OF the solemn Office, the Miserere,
long celebrated for the grandeur OF its music,
is sung, and after the recital of a short
prayer, a rumbling noise is made to repre-
sent the trembling of the earth, the rend-
ingIEaot the rocks, the opening of the
graves, an6 the tearing of the veil of the Jewish
Temple which accompanied the CrucifiXion of
Christ To-day the Catholic Church commemo-
rates the institution of the Sacrament of the
Eucharist, subject of Joy and thanksgiving,
expressed by the fine music and ringing of bells
during the first parts of the mass celebrated on
30 or1A thn xuhi 70 nnln n
ments and ornaments used upon the altar.
After the Gloria in Ercels,s, the organ and bells
are silent until the recurrence of the same hymn
on Holy Saturday, intended to honor the silence
of Christ during His passion. At the mass on
his day, the priest consecrates two Hosts, one
for the sacrifice of the day, the other to be car
ried in solemn procession, accompanied by
lights an tumng censOrs to the repository, q
small altar adorned with innumerable lights,
the rarest flowers and sweetscented plants and
most magnificent ornaments where II is kept in
great splendor tor the office of the next day.
The Host is removed from lthe main altar that
the devotion in honor of the Passion of Christ,
which was there begun the evening before at
the leree6rR, may be continued without pomp
or magnihcence.
Multitudes visit the repositories on Holy
Thursday, custom which is commonly called
visiting sepulchres, but very improperly and
contrary to the intention of the Catholic Church,
which, in her Rubric, ordans that the honor
given to the Sacred Host shall be expressed by
lights and the richest ornaments, decorations
unbecoming sepulchre. The oils used in ad'
minis,ering the Sacraments of the Catholic
Church are blessed by the Bishops on this day,
during the Masses which they celebrate, and
the ceremony OF washing the feet, in imitation
of Christs washing the feet OF His Disciples
is also performed Tho Prelate or Superior at
tends at the appointed place in his Alb, Stole
and Cope, of violet color, accompanied by the
Deacon with the usual service of incense and
lights, and after putting Off his Cope, takes q
towel and kneeling bareheaded he washes
wipes and kisses the right foot of those who are
chosen for the ceremony. After the evening
service, on Holy Thursday, the Priest with hi
ministers diyest the main altar of Its coverings
to represent the stripping of Christ before thC
Crucifxion. The services at the Cathedral to
day commenceEat 10b O'Clock A. NJ. The Rlght
Rev. Bishop Will be assisted by twelve Priests
seven Deacons and seven sub Deacons, in add
tion to the usual officers of the Mass. A larg
number of the Reverend Clergy will attend tn
services
ILLNESS OF THE FIRE MARsHAL.-Fir
Marshal Blackburn has been confined to hi
house Tor several days by severe illness, col
tracted by exposure while in the discharge O
the duties of his office.
During his illness Detective Levy will atten
to the duties of the office.