The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-16
Good Friday

customary solemnltes. Prior to the RefOrma-
ton 1t was the custom for two priests TO bear
around the altar with doleful chants a dressed
image of the Saviour, mounted on a cruclfx.
1t was then placed tenderly on the ground, and
the priests in succession threw themselves beside
it, and kissed ITS hands and feet with sighs
and tears. Then the people, each one bringing
a small gift, as grain or eggs, came to Worship
the representation OF the dead Saviour; after
which the image was buried, along with the
"singing bread, in the glare OF torches and the
fumes of incense. the grave being subsequently
strewed with flowers. On this day, also, the
king was accustomed to bless a number of rings
which were distributed among the people, by
whom they were regarded as possessing the
power to cure the cramp. This ceremony is
supposed to have originated in the fact that for
many years a ring belonging to Edward the
Conlessor, which was believed to possess a
similar efficacy, was preserved in Westminster
Abbey.
The most prominent of the present popular
o6seryances OF the day in England is the eating
OF hot cross-buns. This is supposed TO have
originated in the superstition which prevailed
from the earliest times that bread baked on
Good Friday and kept throughout the ensuing
year was a certain cure, when grated in water,
for almost any complaint, and particularly for
the diarrhma. These hot cross-buns are haWked
about the streets during the livelong day, with
the accompanying cry OF
zone penny, buns;
Two a penny, buns;
Onea penny, two penny
Hot cross-bunsW ~
The hot cross-bun is unknown on the conti-
nent oil Europe In connection with Good FRIDAY
but in this country 1t is frequently encountered
on the table, although never hawked about the
streets
At Rome Good FRIDAY is religiously observed
in the same solemn manner as Maundy Thurs
day. The Sistne Chapel has a look OF gloomy
grandeur resulting from the desOation of the
altars and papal throne. The cardinals wear
purple mourning dresses, the bishops black
stockings. while the customary rings are dis
carded by both. The Pope, who is attred in a
red cope, omis his blessing and taking off his
shoes, approaches a crucihX partially unveiled,
giving it the homage of a kiss. After the chant
ing of the last MiSerere in the Sistlue Chapel,
the Holy Father, accompanied by the cardinals
and other clergy, proceeds to st. Peters, in order
to venerate the relics Of the True Cross, the
Lance and the VOttO Sd9ltC. But excepting
the silence of the bells, everything without the
churches goes on as usual in the way Of business
and pleasure-seeking.
The services at the Cathedral in this city
begin at O'Clock in the morning, and, as at
Rome, are invested with great solemnity. The
Celebrants of the mass, attired in black vest
ments, and without lights or incense, PROSTATE
themselves before the altar which the acolyte
cover with linen cloth. During the celebra-
ton of the mass, no tehts are used as on other
occasions, nor is the blessing asked or the Book
imprinted with a Hiss. After the prayers the
bishop puts off his vestment, and taking yelled
cross from the altar, uncovers the top of It, at
the epstle corner, sIuglng, "hcce Rgnunl CUCjs'
-"Behold the wood OF the cross.n He then goes
to the right side of the altar, where he uncovers
the right arm of the cross, making the same
exclamation; and proceeding thence to the
middle of the altar, the entire cross is uncOV-
cred, and the bcce Agn1rn1 repeated, as before.
The cross is then placed before the altar, where
1t is adored by bishop, clergYmen, and people
in turn, each one kuceling thrice upon both
knees aud kissing the feet OF the cruciiX. This
ceremony is accompanied and followed by alter
nate chants from the opposite sides OF the
choir. When the alteration is almost finished
the candles on the altar are lighted, and at its
conclusion the cross is restored to its place. A
procession then passes to the repository, in
which was placed the host consecrated on the
previous day, which is brought back in the
same manner in which it was carried there
Placed again on the al ar, the most is tuned
with incense, as well aG the altar; and. after
some other ceremonials, it Is elevated so that
all the people may behold it. Other ceremo-
nies, to describe which IN detail we have
neither space nor time, follow, and the services
are concluded as on the previous day.
Holy Saturday
is the close of the Lenten season, and, in some
of the services peculiar TO il, partakes OF the
Joy and festivity of Easter Sunday. AZ Rome,
and elsewhere in Catholic countries, the altars
are again clothed with their ornaments, and
again the bells ring out after silence OF two
full days. The kndling and blessing of the
'new fire" and paschal candle, at Rome, Is
attended with much ceremony; AC tne
beginning OF the mass, the CHIEF
sacristan strikes a fire by means of a
flint with which, having blessed it, he lights a
triple CANDLE to signify the light OF Christ and
| that the faith of the blessed Trinity proceeds
! from His resurrection from the dead guam
! tity of water Tor baptism is likewise blessed,
| together with five grains OF incense. These last
are affixed to the paschal candle, as 1t is called,
| representing the body OF Christ, the grains oil
/ incense beng typical Of the aromatic spices
! Wherewith His body was embamed in the
sepuchre. The paschal candle is lighted from
the new fire, to typify His resurrection; and
afterwards all the lamps and candles are lighted,
to signify that the resurrection OF the Head oi
the Church will be followed by that OF all the
members. It was formerly the custom in Rome
to relght all the fires in the city from the new
or holy fire, but this ceremony is no longer con
| tnued.
After the services, the Cardinal Vicar proceeds
to the baptistry OF st. Peters, where he blesses
and exercises the water for baptism. sprlnkIng
portion OF it on the people. The ordination o.
priests and deacOns is afterwards performed,
and the rite of baptism administered 10 the
cateChumens, or recent professors OF Chris
tlanity. Previous TO this last ceremony, the
baptismal tont Is blessed in an i'm pressiVe and
mysterious manner. The water therein is divided
in the form OF cross; it is touched with the
hand prayer being uttered that IL may be lreeC
IRON the influences OF all evil spirits; the slgL
of the cross rs then made upon il three times a.
blessing in the name of the Holy Trinity; por
tions Oft are thrown towards the four quarters
OF the world, TO signify that the grace OF pap
tism extends to all alike; it is breathed upol
three times in the form OF the cross, that 1t may
be lnfHsed with the Holy Spirit; the pascha
candle is dipped into it three times, Win tn'
accompanying prayer that the Holy Ghost may
descend upon 1t, as upon the waters OF JOrual
at the baptism of Christi and hnaly holy OF
and chrIsm are commingled with it, to slghlul
that those who receive the rite of baptlsm arr
consecrated to God and have impaired to theu
the strength to WTestle with and overcome al