National Republican., 1884-04-10
HOLY THURSDAY.
Holy Services CommcmorntinE tho Pas
sion OF Our Saviour.

hoiy SERVICES tomincmOrntiuE tho Ins-
sion OF Our Saviour.
Tho solemn ceremonies Of holy week began
last evening in the Catholic churches through
out tho city with the celebration of the
Office Of tenebrp, beautiful and impressive
service Of song lasting ono hour and half.
In all the churches the tenebra were sung by
male voices, mostly by the priests and altar
boys At Trinity church, West Washington
last night, Father Doonan. of George
town college, sung tho first lamenta-
tion of Jeremiah, the second was
sung by Mr.. Clarke, and the third
by a quartette comprising Father Doo-
nan, Messrs. Mckinney, Clarke, and
OCallahan. The chanters wero Mcssrs Nc.
Chimney and Clarke. Tho benedictus was
sung by full chorus of male voices, includ-
ing the clorgy Of the church Of Georgetown
college and many of the students from the
same institution. very largo congregation
was present. and throughout the ceremony
the profound silence broken only by tho
sweet voices Of the singers produced rover
ence In devotion that was marked and i'm
pressivo. AtSt Peters Rev. Fathers O'Sullivan
and Dunn, assisted by full chorus of trained
male voices, rendered this service in all its
beauty. At st. Matthews, st. Stephens, ST
Aloysius, St. Dominit's st. Joseph's, st.
Mary's, st. Augustine, st. Theresa, and I'M
maculate Conception the same service was
carried out similarly aud in the presence
of large congregations. Tonight and
tomorrow night it will be repeated
in all these churches. During yesterday the
ladies of the various orders Of the sanctuary
were busily engaged in the work of decorat-
ing the side altar, upon which the repository
was placed, and the results of their labors
were in many instances marvels of taste
and beauty. At Trinity church, West
Washington, the repository is at the
As.NA As.A - H., al. ..I
occupies q large space. This side altar is
decorated with 200 or moro wax candles,
standing in silver candelabra, and are ranged
at proper distances upon the steps on top of
the altar. The spaces between the candles arc
filled In with different varieties of roses,
Gala lilies, Easter lilies, Japan lilies, some
growing, others cut carnations, doutzias,
crotons in variety, hyacinths, and gerani-
ums. Above the repository is handsome
canopy made of red silk covered with rich
lace and bordered by the same. Suspended
on either side are curtains of the same ma
terial, which fall in graceful folds. In the
centor Of the repository stands the taborna-
Gle, which is completely covered with white
satin. In the rear and extending to the top is
white CLOTH clinging to which arc ivy and
smilax tastefully arranged. The candles
when lighted produce an effect exceedingly
beautiful. The repositories in other Catholic
CuuICut5 hTo Ol blnllUT ueblRU, inc only ull-
ference noticeable being that in some there
was greater profusion OF flowers Among
the handsomely decorated repositories may be
mentioned those of st. Peters, st. Aloysius,
st. Domipick's, st. Patrick's, st. Stephens,
and st. Matthew's. A few of them, instead
Of being placed at the side altar in the church,
are erected in the chapel under the main
floor To-day, which is known as Holy
Thursday, after tho mass tho procession of
the blessed sacrament takes place to tho re-
pOsitory, where it remains until Good Friday.
The candles are lighted. In many of the
churches where there is room the procession
will be very large, comprising the children
of the Sunday school. At st. Augustine's the
repository will be illuminated with regular
forest of lights Among the decorations are
several massive golden candlesticks, and the
floral decorations numbers the choicest flow
ers, the principal being red lilies calla lilies,
aud easter lilies In abundance. Above the
tabernacle is pillow of carnations
with the word Jesus in red carnation
flowers. To-day will be given up to general
visitation to the various churches by the
Catholics. On Good Friday tho churches will
be draped in black and the service of the
alteration of the cross takes place. All these
services are held in great reverence by this
church.