The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-07

CeIebratios Of tho Feast Of rhe Last supper
| Impressive Ceremonies-The Repositories
| Observance or Good Friday.
| Yesterday (Maunday Thursday the Catholic
| Church celebrated the commemoration OF the Lords
Supper. which our Divine Saviour instituted just
before He was betr aged into the hands OF men and
offered up His lite for the salvation OF the world. In
ancient times this was the day when those who for
penance were prevented from participating In the
holy mysteries were reconciled to the Church, and
when all. clergy and laity, received Holy Commu-
mon. These penitents were kept outside the
church. and every morning were obliged
TO repair to some designated spot. where
they remained In q kneeng position, their
heads covered with ashes aud their bodies
clad In sackcl0th. The ceremony OF washing the
feet was also performed. In memory OF our Saviour
having washed the feet OF his disciples before CIV
Ing them HIS body and blood which was done to
show US how pure and in what clean state. spirit
ually speaking, we should be when we approach
that sacrament.
Although much OF the pOmp which characterized
the ceremonies IN olden times longer exists still
there was sufficient solemnity about the services
yesterday In the different churches Of this city to
make deep impression on the mind OF the most in.
different behoder. But one mass was celebrated In
each church, In place OF the many that are daily
SAID. The kiss OF peace was omitted, to show
our Saviour by Judas IscariOt; no bells were rung
after the Gt0la IN ErcelSS and they Will not again
be heard until Holy SATURDAY.; two hosts
crated as none Will be to-day GOOD Friday ana the
cruchXeS and pictures In the churches were covered
with purple. AT the conclusion Of the mass pro-
cession was formed OF the Cergymen, ac0lytes cross
bearers, thurfers or censor bearers ana the men,
Ders OF the religious societies attached TO the Church.
bearing tapers and chanting the Pdhge Lingud
and the host reverently borne to repository pre-
pared for II ut an altar in some other part OF the
were decorated with SILK and satin innumerable
lights burned before them and the perfume OF
Incense Which Was kep burning beore
them They were visited during the day ny large
numbers; who entered, and, reyerently kneellng,
who testified His great love Tor mankind by offering
up His Ire upon the cross for their salvation.
none Of the din OF the outside world could be heard
and SaDbath-like stiffness prevailed, would have
been tempted to believe that he had left the cares
and strifes OF this world behind him aud been trans
planted to another sphere, where some OF the peace
e oon " snn Would N BE- se nRa
GUS to make comparisons wnere all were
so bea ful; sulce it to say that each Of them bore
witness to the devotion and plety OF the faithful
who had supplied the flowers and ornaments with
which they were decorated and to the taste OF the
ladies who had arranged them.
In the Redemptorists' church in Third street
number Of soldiers were on guard all the afterno on
ing IN front of the altar and responses made by the
faithful. large crowd visited the church, going
Hns s W he and dowa the
figure laid in It to represent Our Saviour in the
tomb ana on Holy Saturday there Will De a large
procession to celebrate His resurrection and triumph
over DEATH
This day, being
GOOD FRIDAY,
the passions Will be read and the host borne back
from the repository to the main ALTAR the covering
will also be removed the cross and the crucidx
presented to the lips OF the faithful that they may
kiss the representation OF the five wounds OF our
Lord.
To-day will also be observed as a semi.ho iday in
the public offices, stock Exchange, banks &c, as
but little business will be transacted. Those who
fhn fuof nra t1Na1fN
Church will not fail to regale themselves shot
cross pnns," as has been the custom from time i'm.
memorial and is as firmly established as that OF eat
ing eggs on Easter Sunday morning.
TOMORROW, HOLY SATURDAY,
the services OF Holy Week and the season OF Lent or
penance Will conclude, and on Easter sunday the
Church will put or her dark garments, typical OF
sorrow and repentance, and replace them with
bright ones. TO show her JOY at the resurrection OF
the Lord.