Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-04-11

RELIGIOUS cEs.-To-morrow is the

RELIGIOUS SERVICES. -To-m morrow is the
last day of Lent. 1t is not specially celebrated
by any other denomination here but the Cath
Ollie, though the services in that church are
longer than those of any other day in the year.
being remnant Of the ancient observances
during the night preceding Easter, which was
once kept with solemn vigils. The day is usu-
ally called Holy Saturday." though the Ro.
man ritual denominates it "Sabbatum Sane
tum," or 'tThe Holy Sabbath, " the word Sab
bath being never applied IN that ritual to
Sunday which is always called Dominica, :"
or ''The Lords Day." Services commence at
St. Mary's Church. tomorrow morning at half
past six o'clock, with 1.-The Blessing of the
New Fire" which takes place in the vestibule,
or, sometimes, outside of the Church. This is
followed by the blessing Of five grains of in
ccnse, after which procession is formed, and
at three different points between the entrance
| and the high altar. the three parts Of ripple
candle carried by the deacors, are lighted, with
some ceremony. On arriving at the chance,
| the paschal candle, wax taper, some four or
| Ave feet high, and generally painted with vari-
Gus emblamatic devices, is blessed by the dea.
con, with much ceremony, the five grains Of in
| ccusc being fixed into it in the form of cross,
to recall the remembrance of the five wounds
| OF our OdSi1uT, WulC!l NC EcIdiuSu illcI nlS
re ,urrcction. This candle is lighted from the
new fire, the lamp which is kept constantly
burning before the tabernacle, aud which had
been extmguished on the removal of the Host,
being reli GIFTED fom it, and is placed on the
right side of the high altar, where it remains
until Ascension day, being lighted every Sun
day when the Gospel is read. Twelve long
passages of Scripture, embracing the LIST, I'd,
9Th, 9Th, 7th, Sth, AMI 22d chapters OF Genesis,
the 18th, 18th aud 18th Of Exodus, the 18th
54th ana 55.h of I>als, the Sd of Baruch, the
37th of Ezekiel, the Sd of Jonas, the 3lst OF
Deuteronomy, and the Sd of Daniel, with vari-
Gus short, but beautiful prayers, arc chanted,
these having been ancIently used for the lu-
sructiou Of the catcchumens, or candidates for
baptism; and the priest then solemnly blcsses
the water Of the baptisma font, a portion OF
which Is given to the people, to be kept in their
houses, and the rest, after the Infusion OF the
holy oils which were blessed by the Bishop at
the Cathedral in Richmond, yesterday. Is kept
f,r baptsnlal purposes during the year. Ancient
", converts to Christianity were baptlscd, as a
general thing, only at this time, and at Whit
suntide, and, occasionally, solemn baptisms oc-
cur at this point in the ceremonies The
Litanes are then chanted, while the priest
and his ministers lie PROSTATE before the altar,
and then. the cmblcms of mourning having
been removed, and flowers and lights being
placed on the altar the Mass of the Icsurrcc-
ton, which was formerly celebrated at mid
night, il sung; the organs and bells pcallng
! forth at the Gloria in EXcesis, and the services
ending with the joyous chants OF Easter.