The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-14
HOLY WEEK SERVICES.
Office of the Tenebre-Maun INDY Thursday
Observances.

Office of the Tenebre-Maundy Thursday
Observances.
The holy week observances of the Cath
Ollie church. which began on Sunday last,
reached a particularly solemn stage last
night with the Office Of the Tenebre. which
was chanted in all of the churches belong
ing to the religious orders aud in those secu-
lar or parish churches where there were
sufficient clergy TO participate.
In the primitive ages the Office was re-
cited at very early hour on the mornings
OF Maundy Thursday Good Friday and
Holy Saturday, but In modern times 1t is
said or sung, by way Of anticipation, on the
previous evenings. Thus it comes that the
service. which is very impressive one, was
celebrated last evening, or Spy Wednesday,
name by which the Wednesday in holy
week is popularity known.
The Office consists of antiphons and
psalms. from which all words Of praise are
eliminated, arranged under the titles OF
mathis and lauds. 1t takes the name of
"TenebT8" from the gradual eXtinguishing
OF the candles until the Office is concluded
IN darkness. There is no solemn invocation
of Gods assistance at the beginning of
mathis or iaudS. no "Gloria Patrf" at the
end of the psalms, no hymns OF divine
praise. no blessing asked by the reader of
the lessons nor given the congregation, no
"oremus" and no amen" BY these I'M
usual omissions the church expresses her
trouble and confusion over the crucifixion
of Christ aud the psalms and lessons are
full OF signs and amentations over his Suf-
ferings and death.
The affairs, as is but fitting. are shrouded
in gloom during the celebration, there being
but six lighted candles there. In peculiar
triangular candestick, placed at the epistle
side. 10 candles are burning at the beginning
OF the ceremony. These are typical OF ''the
light of faith and the Trinity AS the
ceremony proceeds one Of the 10 candles is
eXtiDguiShed at the end of each psalm, till
but one is left. Then the canticle, "Bene-
dictus DOminus," is sung, and at every sec
ond verse a candle is Quenched on the altar
till all six are extinguished 10 teach the
people that the Jews were totally deprived
of the light of faith when they put Christ
TO death.
At this point all the lamps in the church
are turned out aud the only light remaining
ls the fifteenth candle at the apex of the
triangle: 1t represents Christ. the light OF
the world. and is then concealed for few
momtnts, to typify Christ's death and
burial. During the darkness. which re-
calls the darkness that OveTspread the earth
at the moment of his death, the Miserere
Is recited and at lis close rumbling noise
IS made to denote the CONFUSION OF nature,
the candle is brought from its cOncealment
10 represent the resurrection, and the con-
gregation then separates in silence.
This morning the ceremonies attending
Maundy thursday VIII be carried out. that
name coming from the anthem "Manda-
tum," sung during the ceremony of the
washing of the feet which is one Of the
peculiar rites performed in the cathedrals
and religious houses. The altar of repose,
or Sepucher as Ii Is popularity called, will
be raised at this evenings mass, and the
Holy Eucharist deposited in it till to-mor-
row. 1t is this which forms the chief
attraction to people outside the faith, as the
richest furnishings and decorations are ex-
posed around the temporary shrine, which
is brilliant with lights and flowers for the
iMeniN-fnnr hnnrs of It's existence-