The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-03-24

AT ST. PETERS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
CHURCHES, ETC.
This, the last week OF the sombre Lenteu
season, Is known as Holy or Passion Week
during which the Catholic, Episcopal, and
German Lutheran churches commemorate
the last days in the life OF Christ by appro.
PIRATE services. In the Catholic Church
especially the week Is one of solemn OBJ.
seryances and rigid discipline, the interior
OF the churches being shrouded in purple
colorings, which are Intended as emblems OF
sorrow for the sufferiDgs commemorated.
THE SERVICES AT THE CATHEDRAL.
While In all the Catholic churches OF the
city special services will be held, yet the
principal and most impressive ceremonies
and rites OF the Church are to take place at
st. Peters Cathedral; and such being the
case. il Is deemed but proper for the in
formation OF those whs will witness them
to devote some space to brief explanation
thereof.
On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
there are no special public offices. In the
mass OF Tuesday the Passion, ~ described by
st. Mark. isread, and the afternoon services
consist OF the Stations OF the Cross. In the
mass OF this "wednesday morning the Pas
sion according TO st. Luke Is read.
HOLY THURsDAY-THE AyNUycTATIoN.
The feast OF th. Annunciation OF the
Angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary
! (25th Of March) falls this year on Holy
Thursday, and consequently, in addition to
| its usual sOemnity, the day is observed as q
holiday OF obligation. To give Catholics an
opportunity OF conforming TO the full re-
quirements OF their religion on all such fes-
tivals, low masses will be said at the Cathe-
dral at 6 and O'Clock A. NJ, and Pontfical
high mass at 8 A. NJ. During the last mass
Right Rev. Bishop Keane will bless the oils
used during the year in the administration
OF the sacraments OF baptism, confirmation,
holy orders, and extreme JUNCTION. all the
clefgymen OF the diocese who possibly can
attend assisting at the ceremony.
! The offices OF this day, incident TO Holy
Week, are among the most impressive OF
the Catholic ritual. At the principal mass
two hosts are cOnsecrated-One to be used
at that mass, while the other is reserved in
chalice or other precious vessel, and at
the end OF mass is borne in procession
around the interior Of the church to the
RepOSiS or " Sepulchre ~ usually a richly
adorned altar. 1t will be noticed that while
the church has been attired in mourning
since Passion Sunday, on this day at the
mass the cross is covered with white. and
white ornaments are used on the altars.
The Gloria IN EICetSiS Is also said amidst
bursts OF instrumental music and the ring
ing of the church bells, both OF which then
remain silent until the Gloria Of the mass
OF Easter-eve, to show by their silence the
grief OF the Church at the betrayal OF her
Master. After the morning services the
altar is despoied Of its ornaments,
the tabernacle thrown open, and every
thing bears an appearance OF desolation.
The evening services on Thursday, COM
mencing at half-past O'Clock, will consist
of a sermon on the Blessed Sacrament
by the Rev. p. J. Hasty, Of Lynch
burg, and the chanting Of that pol
ton OF the divine Office known as "the
office of Ienebr9," which derives its name
from the word IenebrOe or Darkness, result
ing from the gradual eXtinguishing OF the
lights which in the end OF The service
causes total darkness, symbolical OF the
death Of Christ and the mourning OF the
Chnreh- A novel feature here in this por-
tOn or tho corvioe- "a 49, --s--At->essaf tho
Tenebro by q choir OF male voices selected
from the congregation, who will be divided
into two parts. and led respectively by the
Bishop and Very Rev. Father Janssens.
GOOD FRIDAY.
This. as the anniversary OF the betrayal
and crucifiXion OF the Saviour. Is day OF
woe aud mourning in the Church. The
chief service is the Mass Of the Presancti-
fed MYSTERIES" which commences at 8 A.
NJ. In it the Passion is read, and prayers
for all conditions OF men are said. The
cross is this day uncovered, and exposed to
the solemn hOnoring OF the faithful. This
ceremony is performed by the congregation
approaching the railing OF the sanctuary,
where, kneelng, they kiss the crucifX pre-
sented by the officiating priests. While
this is being done the choir sing the hymn
Cruz EdeHS. After this the Presanctilied
Host is brought back in procession from
the sepulchrc, apd that portion Of the
prayers OF the mass pertaining TO the COM
munion is said.
At3P. M.--the hour at which the Saviour
expired on the cross-the "StatiOns OF The
Cross" will be said, and at night, COM
mencing at half-past O'Clock, the last
offices OF the Teneb.@ will be chanted by
the male choir. The night service will in
clude a sermon by Bishop Keane on "The
Passion Of our Saviour"
HOLY SATURDAY.
The services OF Holy Saturday, beginning
at s A. NJ, consist of the blessing OF the
water and the new fire at the vestibue OF
the church; also the five grains OF incense,
which are inserted ir the Paschal candle,
and then the benediction OF the candle it.
self. The baptlsmal font is next blessed,
and then follows the singing OF the Litany
OF the Saints, which serves as the Introt OF
the mass. The Gloria is sung with the joyous
accompaniment OF organ and bells. AT the
close OF the mass the vespers OF the day are
sung, in which the glorious Alleluias,"
which tell Of the resurrection OF the Saviour
and the triumph OF the Church, are once
more sung in JOY.
EASTER SUNDAY.
The principal services ut the Cathedral on
this day will begin at half.past 10 O'Clock,
al which hour pontifical high mass Will be
celebrated by Right Rev. Bishop Keane,
who will also administer the papal benedic-
ton.
Pontifcal vespers in the afternoon at A
o'clock.
TIE Easter services in the Episcopal
churches Will also be OF the most joyous
and interesting character, and the music at
the Monumental and st. PauPs churches
particularly fine. There will be no floral
decorations in the churches, however.
IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
The services in the Episcopal churches
during the remainder OF the week will also
be highly interesting. At IL N. to-day ser
vice will be held in the Monumental. To-
morrow (Holy Thursday divine service and
confirmation will be bcld at II NJ. Good
Friday (day after tomorrow all OF the
Episcopal churches will be open at III A.
NJ, and at st Paups church confirmation
will be administered after the morning ser
49, -. ha