The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-09

To-day the last Sunday in Lent is set aside by hs
Catholic Church to the brief popularity
which Christ experienced the occasion OF his las
entry into jerusalem when tho people took branches
OF palm trees and went forth 10 meet Him, crying
"Hosanna. Blessed the King OF Israel that cometh
in the name OF the Lord" Tho day has been observed
from very early PERIOD and is first mentioned by tho
Venerable Bede Fuller, in his Church History says:
sThe bearing OF palms on Palm Sunday is in memory
OF the entry OF Christ into Jerusalem little before
His DEATH aud that may have the same desire to re-
ceive him into our hearts" special service IL 10 be
found in the Roman Alssal for the blessing OF palms
and olives, but in many countries, England and
France box, yew willow and in the United States
arch Or and deal are blessed instead in the absence q,
palm.
In former times the branches, during service were
distributed among the people, who carried them in q
Joyous procession In memory of our Saviour's Fri.
umphal entry into the Holy City, afler which they
were usually burned and the ashes laid
aside to be sprinked on the heads OF the con-
gregation the ensuing Ash Wednesday. The cere-
mony at present consists OF placing the boughs de-
signed 10 be used at the foot OF the altar The
pros COPE proceeds to consecrate them, and subsc
quenty the people approach the and receive
the branches from the hands OF attending clergy
which are carried home and during the year.
At mass the history OF the Passion according Mat
thew XVI and xviii Ia read sung and when crcum
stances permit three ciergymen are engaged, one
whom takes the part OF evangelist narrator another
that OF synagogue and the third that Of Christ
Owing to the great length or this gospel sermons are
usually dispensed with on this day.
HOLY WEEK
The week Just ended Is known as Passion Week, and
next ending with Easter SUNDAY, is called Holy Week
ON next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the Office Of
the Tenebre" is rcced, during which fourteen lights
arranged triangular candestck extinguished
by one after each psalm, leaving only at tho
summit lighted. Also at the end Of every second
OF the Benedctus" OF the lights the altar put
out till all extingulshed. This extinction OF the
lights intended to typify the abandonment Of
saviour during HIS passion He Is represented BY tho
from the stand and concealed behind the altar until
slight made at the end OF the Office intended to
Christ when it Is brought forth again and replaced
the candlestck from which It taken, remind Vi
that tho divinity OF our Lord was never separated iron
His humanity.
Next Thursday is called Maundy Thursday, /,
memory OF the occasion when our Saviour instituted
the sacrament of the Eucharist, and takes its
IRON the FIRST word OF the anthem "Mandatum John,
xiii, 34)-"I give you new command, that you love
one another have loved you" which is sung in the
church when the prelates begin the ceremony Of
washing feet IN imitation of that OF Christ washing
those OF HIS disciples One mass Is but celebrated
Maundy Thursday. During the "Gloria" the bella
are rung, after which they are silent until the same
part of the Holy saturday. honor the silence
OF our Saviour during HIS Passion, aud express the
mourning Of the Church for the death OF her Divine
spouse The holy oils In the administration
Of baptism and extreme junction. The sacrament re.
moved principal altar which is also Invested
OF its usual ornaments, to repository which Is hand
somey decorated and is visited by the faithful Tho
host brought back to the altar on tho next day. Good
Friday
The ceremonies Holy Saturday are very lengthy
and imposing. The affairs, deprived of their orna-
ments on Maundy Thursday, are again clothed with
them, and lire is blessed to illuminate them. After
the lighting Of the Paschal candle twelve lessons out Of
the Old Testament called Prophecies are read. and
after each solemn prayer Is reced referring to the
merits OF baptism The baptisma font Is next blessed
with ceremonies full Of mysteries, and the sacrament
administered such prepared Tor H. This ends
the Lenten observances, and next day IL celebrated
joyfuly the resurrection OF Christ from the dead
An intelligent New Yorker has brought to the city o
load OF fresh palm leaves, to be distributed in the
Roman Catholic churches here to-day.
THR RIrUALIsrs.
In st. Ignatus church Palm Sunday will be observed
much as in tho Catholic churches. A high celebration
will take place at eleven A. NJ. and rich and varied
musical programme has been prepared.