The New York herald., 1869-03-26
HOLY WEEK.
Maundnx Thur.dax.

Maunday Thursday.
The festival ordained for the purpose OF commemo-
rating the establishment by Saviour Of tho
ment OF the eucharist at the Last SUPPER well
other OF the mysteries and circumstances connected
with the life and death OF Christ duly celebrated
yesterday in the various Catholic churches through
out the city. The ceremonies prescribed In the
Roman ritual are generally OF the most imposing
and inspiring character. and, when circumstances
will permit OF their being fully carried ouG almost
indescribaby grand.
The institution Of 80 great boon as the eucharist
could not be overlooked by the Church. although at
this time she is bowed down with GRIEF at the suffer
Ings OF her Divine founder, and SO on Maunday
Thursday the priests wear white vestments and
there is peculiar appearance OF mixed JOY and grief
In the ceremonies. Music Is employed and bells
rune to give sweet accompaniment TO the Gloria IN
Ercelsts but the expressions OF Joy there suddenly
terminate. and no sounds OF music or OF bells are
heard again until Easter Saturday.
AT ST. PATRICK's CATHEDRAL
the Most Reverend Archbishop McCloskey performed
the ceremony OF blessing the sacramental
oils. Here the scene was animating and
imposing in the extreme. His Grace, OF
course officiated at the mass. and in the sane
tuary assisting was large number Of the leading
to be blessed were placed In vases on q stand or
table and were designated respectively Oleana in
r.eora.m The arst OF these Is used in the sacra
ment OF extreme unction, the second IN confirmation
and the third in baptism At the appointed times the
above mentioned. When, after reciting appropriate
prayers, he breathes upon them three times in the
form OF cross @ and the assisting cergymen DO the
bishop put mixture OF balm ana oil and sings Are
Sa,cta Clytsna three times raising his voice tone
making ageneunection before the blessed sacrament
and bowling to the Archbishop. approach the vase
containing the oil kneeling on both knees three
sssnSg tss saSs t1ssa oSe as sas z spsS Having
reached the table they kissed the edge Of the vase
and then returned to their places. A similar cere
mony is gone through with In the blessing Of the
other two oils, and at its conclusion the Archbishop
proceeds with the mass. At the mass as previously
described in the HERALD, two hosts are consecrated,
one OF which s consumed at the mass and the other
Is placed in arepository prepared for the purpose,
sanctlfed to-day. At the conclusion Of the
mass solemn procession was formed and the
Of aons a @
repository which had been prepared at oneof the
side affairs. The procession was headed by the pro-
ing lighted tapers, then followed number OF AGO.
lytes and pages, visiting and assisting clergymen
two and two. each holding lighted taper; then the
thurfers or censor bearers swinging their cenSers;
the Archbishop with the deacOns OF honor under
rich canOpy then the choristers and socialists at
while the clergy recited the Psalms without the
usual ending, the Gloria Pdtrid. Having arrived
at the repository and the host being placed safely In
the tabernacle, the Tnntuln Ergo was sung-the
tabernacle and surroundings were incensed by the
celebrant, after which the clergy retired to the
sacristy. The ceremonies In
THE OTHER CHURCHES
consisted only OF the mass and the procession. In
each church the repository had been prepared In
manner becoming 10 the occasion and In keeping
with the character OF the congregation attending the
church. 1t would be lnvidious to make any COM
tions or decorations. No expense had been spared
and the most exquisite flowers, formed into appro.
pirate devices together with curtains OF richest lace,
gold and silver ornaments, and innumerable lights,
gaye beauty and a brilancy to the sacred
edftices During the day and evening large crowds
visited the different churches and remaining in each
but short time viewed the decorations or recited
short appropriate prayer. This custom OF visiting
the repositories has, for some ncxplicablc reason
been commonly called ''vistlng tile sepulchres."
This Is evidently wrong and contrary to the inten-
tions OF the Church. " would be rather
out or place to bedeck q sepulchre with ALI the
tokens Of life and light and magnincence The
sacred Host Is placed in the repository. so that the
faithful a may visit and pay their deyotons to the
OF the Eucharist was founded whereas 1t could not
remain at sthe general altar, as Immediately after
the mass the oficiating priest and his assistants
divest the altar Of its ornaments and coverings, to
represent the stripping OF our Saviour by the Jewish
soldiers.
During the ceremony OF stripping the altar the
priest chants the psalm Deus Deus n,eus and the
anuphon Dirtserua si6t restin,cntn 8,ea, et supe,
garments among them, and over my vestments they
cast lots. In the evening the 7ene6rg is sung on
the previous evening, and at the repository con-
tinued watch is kept until the ceremonies OF
Good Friday.
To-day this festival Is solemnzed and Judging
from existing circumstances the day will he more
generally observed this year than il has been hereto
fore In the metropolis. The stock boards ana many
commercial and other business establishments viii
be closed, and the churches will be open and, no
doubt, largely attended by all denominations OF
Christians. In the Catholic churches the ceremo-
MES Will be most solemn. The affairs were yester-
day divested OF all dressing and ornamentation and
at the beginning VI the services to-day will present
a most sombre aspect. The ceremonies will CON-
mence with the unveing or the cross, which Is done
by the oflciating clergyman and MS assistants wno
are all r0bed In black. small portion Of tEa
cross Is uncovered at time whereupOn the ceie-
brant chants aloud, .Erre t(gnurn cTucisu-fI3e-
hold the wood OF the crossD The assistants
then kneeling, answer, sF2ectomas ge,tua'' Qet US
bend the kneel. When the cross has been entirely
uncovered the celcbrant. kneeing on both knees,
bows before the cruclx three tunes and then kisses
assisting priests do the same In turn TO signify
their humble submission TO the Will OF God in giving
up His only to die the cross and the venera
ton with winch they regarded the wounds inflicted
on their Divine Redeemer. The faithful present
then approach the altar rails and rcverently Kiss the
crucitx, while the assisting clergy prepare and ad-
just the coverings on the altar. THIS being done a
the onlciatlng clergy repair and bring back the Host
which had been placed there on Thursday. The mass
Of the pre-sanctited Is then performed and In the
evening the TeheDfW ~ given for the last time.