The New York herald., 1869-03-24
HOLY WEEK.

The most solemn portion Of the pentential sea-
son OF Lent is the present--Holy Week-as now are
commemorated the circumstances Immediately con-
nected with the passion and death Of our Divine
Redeemer The church has clothed itself in robes OF
more solemn hue and the ceremonies the music
and everything are OF such character as 10 inspire
awe and sorrow. In the Catholic churches the cere
monies during the present week are Of the most I'm
pressive character. To-day is what Is commonly
known as
SPY WEDNESDAY,
IN remembrance OF the betrayal OF Christ by Judas
Iscari0t There are especial public services COM
memoratng this event. and the only services to-day
peculiar to Holy Week are those Of the Tenebr9,
which commences this afternoon. This once Is ex-
ceedingiy impressive and is worthy Of notice. The
clergy and choristers are ranged in she sanctuary
on either side. On the altar are six lighted
candles. In triangular frame at the episte or left
hand side Of the sanctuary stands o triangular
frame in which are fourteen colored candles and
one Of pure white wax on the apex. The candles
are all lighted, and the clergy commence chanting
in Gregorian style the psalms and lessons OF the
mathis and lauds. At the recital Of each sntiphon
the attendants extnguish one Of the candles in
the triangle and at the conclusion Of the lessons
and psalms the Benedictus Is recited. During the
recital Of the last six verses Of the Benedictus the
candles the altar extnguished, and the white
candle on the apex Is removed but not extlngulshed
All present then kneel and recite the Pdter NOsfer
Mtserefe and Recipe QuRsuraus. few moments
silence then ensues after which confused noise is
naa sg IS then
on the triangle, after which the clergy retire from
The candles represent Christ and the Apostles ana
the light OF faith. The removal OF the candle is TO
signify that by the death Of Christ the world was
hid, and is brought back again by the resurrection
The chanting OF the psalms IS monotonous and
,s ns te n me IS ana sss a. %
These latter for paintiveness and solemny. cannot
be surpassed. and seldom fall when properly sung
On Thursday Is celebrated the festival Of the Last
supper and the washing Of the feet Of the Apostles
by our Saviour. The festival is called
MAUNDAY THURSDAY,
and also Je,tt Aosotut. The services at the Cathe-
% sS s Of
In the ceremonies and sacraments OF the Church, be-
sides the usual Mass, at which two Hosts are con-
secraIed, the procession and the placing OF the
blessed Eucharist IN the repository prepared In some
other part OF church. In the other churches the
repository. This repository Is Intended to hold the
Host consecraed at the Mass and which to be used
rounded with most beautiful decorations OF nature
and art, and species OF rivalry exists among the
members OF the different congregations throughout
the city In regard to the richness excellence ana ap
proprateness Of the decorations OF the repositories
At the conclusion OF the Mass on Thursday process
acoIytes, with lighted tapers or swinging censers,
members OF the sodalites attached to the churches
the young ladies, all appropriately dressed and
wearing white wells, and with others OF the con-
Qfegation,. passes by q circuit0us route from
the main altar to the repository, and during
the procession the censers are swung incessantly,
and the choristers and socialists chant the Pan0e
nngua: When the host is deposited in the taberna.
Gle at the repository the tapers, 0ftentmes almost
innumerable, are lighted. The faithful then visit
the repositories during the day and evening In large
numbers. In the evening the Teneb,w is again per.
formed.
GOOD FRIDAY
s undoubtedly the solemn OF tie festivals, as
on that day Is commemorated the awful sacrifice on
Calvary. The services consist in the unveng OF
the cross and ornaments the kissing OF the crucinx
as token Of venerati0n for the wounds inflicted on
Him. After the ceremony OF venerauon Is con-
cluded the Host, which had been placed In the re-
posory Is brought back to the main altar, and the
mass OF the presanctided s celebrated. In the
evening the office Of the Tenebr0 Is performed for
the last time. On
EASTER SATURDAY
tho servces consist OF blessing the Ore, the incense
which used in the church. the paschal candle ana
the water which is styled Easter water. The SER
vices on this day are very long, but are nevertheless
quite impressive. The paschal candle s lighted ana
placed al the Gospel right hand side OF the altar,
where It remains until the feast OF the Ascension.