The New York herald., 1867-04-18
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HOLY W 3 E K.


Tho OGlce Of the TenebrR.
me ohce OF the Tenebra, Of the most solemn and
impressive Of the ceremonies OF the Catholic Church,
was rectsd yesterday evening In the Church Of ST.
Francis Xavier Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, and
Church o. St. Paul the Apostle, and at each place
attended by large congregation, a peculiar solemnty
is given to this ofice by the omission OF all
signs or expressions Of joy; ali songs OF praise, al
invocaiions TO God TO enable the church 10 render
homage 10 Him. the Glorta Pafri 10 not rected
me ends Of the psalms and the only psalms and
lessons which are used arc those which breathe
sghs and lamentations; tho prayers used are those
when mpore God TO look with eve OF pity all His
cseasuies Inere s no music employed and the entire
otce s chanted by the cergynen and choris,crs at.
mched to the church The Office L. OF course the same
throughout the world and dlerssn no particular in one
locality from another. AT the beginning OF the Office
there are six candles burning the altar and fourteen
at the left hand orense side OF the sanctuary stand
in triangular frame; these candies are intended 10
represent the lights Of faith preached by the
prophets and by Christ and His apostles and
the fundamental article Of the faith--the mystery
Of the TrInity-is represented by the triangular
candlessick. The clergymen and chorsters ranged
on either side Of the sanctuary repeat alternately
the yerses or the psalms, and the chorsters chosen
for the purpose chant tho lessons while standing in the
middle or the sanctuary. The office last night
menced by the recital, in low voice, Of Patrnrer
Ave Maria and Cfetio, after which, the clergy being
seated, rected the sixty eighth, sxtynnth and
tieth Psalms, then the nrs second and third Lessons;
Palms H. ~ and 70 and the fourth fifth and sixth
sons Psalms a. 75 aud 76 and the seventh eighth and
ninth Lessons This comprises what is called the Ma
tins and each tito OF Psalms with the lessons, Is called
noturn; the lessons in the first nocturn are from the
lamentations Of the Prophet Jereiah the lessons OF the
second nocurn from the treatise OF ST. Augusiin
tho Palms, and the lessons Of the thirds nocurn
inthiana After The mathis were concluded the
Lagds were recited These consist Of Psalms So 62
49 snd I5 win Niece ls cals.,s EsSs - .y and
ctal of the Palms the fourteen csns curing ths ~.
lar candlestick anu during tho recital
Of the Benedctps tnc SIX on tho Altar vero e
tnsushed n's chs e ayaS was 81
shs in OF faith. The fifteenth candle. which repre-
sced Christ then removed, but not extingushed;
the clergy and congregation then knelt down, and the
Paer Noey the psalm Mi<r6r6 and the prayer Resptce
quGsumuss Don,nie were recited; at the end OF the
% avor a confused noise made by slapping on the
books The hiding Of the fifteenth candle represented the
burial OF Christ the noise made at the end Of the prayer
the which occurred at the death OF
Christ. After short silence the lighted candle was
brought out and replaced in the r angular candiesick
This last ceremony represents that Christ was always alive
according His divinity although He had died and was
buried according to humanity short silence then en-
sued after which the clergy and chosters retired TO the
vestry. Ns
MAUsDAY THURSDAY
will be celebrated to-day in all the Catholic and Epsco-
pal churches. In the Catholic Church the ceremonies
attendant the festival to be carried out In strict
accordance with the ritual circumstances will permit
The principal feature Of the day Is the procession OF the
Blessed Sacrament host TO be used Good Friday
s blessed in the OF to-day, and this is carried by
sepulchre prepared for it in another portion OF the
church. This sepulchre is usually adorned in most
magnificent style, lights are kept burning and watch
is kept during the night