The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-26
HOLY WEEK.
Maundy Thursday-GOOd Friday-HOIy
3D.. t--.u Saturday.

Sahurubys
AS the final seven days of the season of Lent
are nearing their close-to day and tomorrow
being the only two of them remaintng--in ad-
cerning the history and the observance of the
OF
and Holy Saturday" tomorrow.
MAUNDY THURSDAY.
The day before Good Friday. which is properly
styled Good Thursday, is generally known as
food in baskets, or "maunds." It is likewise
in England sometimes designated "shere
hood of shearing their hair on that dav.
The clergy of England. prior to the Refornaa-
peculiar to this day. and In the "Holy" Otty of
Rome they are still kept up with all the circum-
In the latter place the blessing Of the oils. one
of the principal ceremonies, takes place during
the performance Of the mass at St Peters. the
Pope. or one OF the bishops officiating. Three
different kinds of oils al then consecrated.
Oneis the oil OF catechumens used In baptism.
the ordination of priests, and in the coronation
of sovereigns of the Catholic faith; another is
those who are at the point of death while the
third Is called the sacred chism, being COM
pounded of oil and the balm Of Gilead or of the
West Indies, and is used in confirmation, In
the conservation OF bishops, patens. and chali-
ces and in the blessing of bells.
Another ceremonial is the silencing Of the
bells in the Sistine Chapel, just after the sing
ing of the Gloria IN ErceIsts In the performance
OF the mass. From that moment until the sing
ing of the same canticle on the morning of
Holy Saturday, all the bells in Rome are mute,
save at the Papal benediction. AS a substitute
the schools and hotels employ wooden clappers
for the customary signals.
A noticeable feature of st. Peters on this day
is the great number of priests sitting in confess
sionals and ready to grant absolution to all
who come to them. For the purpose of grant
ing absolutton for those sins which are beyond
the sphere of the ordinary confession, the grand
Cardinal Psnitentiary likewise sits during the
~--- GOOD FRIDAY
The ceremonies attending the celebration of
"Good Friday"--to day are still quite as much
respected in Protestant as In Catholic coun.
tries. In England, on this day, as on Christ.
mas, Gil business Is suspended, and services are
held in the Established churches with more
than the customary solemnities. Prior to the
Reformation It was the custom for two priests
to bear around around the ca altar, with dolefal chants,
crucifx. 1t was then placed tenderly on the
ground, and the priests in succession threw
feet, with signs and tears. Then the people.
each one bringing small gift as grain or eggs,
Saviour; after which the image was buried.
along with the singing bread" In the glare OF
torches and the fumes Of incense the grave
The most prominent OF the present popular
observances Of the day in England is the eating
originated in the superstition which prevailed
from the earliest times, that bread baked ON
Good Friday and kept throughout the ensuing
year wasa certain cure. when grated in water
tor almost any complaint, and particularly for
the diarr6a: THESE not e are hawked
the accompanying cry OF
zone penny, buns;
Two penny. buns
One penny, two q penny
Hot cross bunsW
The hot cross. bun is unknown on the conti-
nent OF Europe in connection with Good Fri.
uay, put In this country IL is frequently en-.
c3un!eIeo on the table, although never hawked
AZ Rome Good Friday is religiously observed
IN Ine same solemn manner as Maundy Thurs
uay. The Bistine Chapel has q look of gloomy
grandeur, resulting from the desolation of the
sltars and Papal throne. The cardinals wear
purple mourning dresses. the bishops black
ssocAings while the customary rings are dis
ca caIaeo Dy notn The Pope. who is atired in red
Spp, COPE, omlts ms blessing, and. taking off his
giving In the homage OF kiss After the
chontinR OF the last Miserere In the Sistine
Chapel. the Holy Father accom- panied by tine
| cardinals and other clergy proceeds To 81
refers IN order 10 venerate the relies of the
| true cross, the lance. and the Voito Sdnto. But
| without the churches goes on as usual in the
| way OF business and pleasure-seeking.
| The tkerv1ces at the Cathedral in this citv
| began W . o'clock this morning, and aa al
| Rome are invested with great solemnity. Tine
| celebrants OF the mass, attired In black vest
ments. and without lights or incense prostrate
| themselves before the altar, which the acolytes
| cover with q linen cloth. During the calebra.
tion OF the mass, DO lights are used, as on othei
| occasions, nor Is the blessing asked or the BOok
| imprinted with q kiss. After the prayers the
bishop puts OH his vestment and taking {
yelled cross from the altar, unc0vers the top o
II. at the epistle corner, singing "Ecce st0ysun
Cructs"-"Behold the wood Of the cross HI
then goes TO the right side OF the altar, where h
ma riO n NJ a Qr0aa an,