New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-12
THE LAST WEEK OF LENT.
OBJECTS KEPT IN VIEW BY
THE CHURCH.
THE PASSION OF THE LORD THE FINAL PREPARA-
TON or cATECHUMENs FOR BAPTISM AND
THE RECONCILIATION OF PUB
Lie SINNERS.


Lie SINNERS.
A early as the third century We find mention OF
q moro especial observance Of tine last week Of
Lent q, John Cnrysostom. who lived In the fourth
o.n,u-y calad II The Great Week. because of the
orea, mysteries commemorated. 1t was also called
Uebdomada Poencsa or the Painfui week, because
Of the sufferings OF Christ. which were then re-
called and the fatigue consequent upon the cele-
bra,ion OF these holy mysteries, me Germans sun
call IL "Charwoche." or the week OF sorrows On
Naunav Thursday pubic sinners reconciled
to the Church, and this week was known as Inc
Week Of Indulgence" But 1t is most commonly
called Holy Week on account of the holiness OF the
mysteries celebrated.
In the early church Hoy Week was distihsuish'n
by the lncreas ed severity OF the fast ST. Epphan-
ius tells that OF the Christians observed Il
strict fast from Monday morning until the na"n OF
Easter and many observed this severe fast for two
three and even four days. The general practce was
10 abstain from all food from Maundy Thursday 10
Easter morning During these days the faitn!ul
passed nightly vigls In ;hc churches. and 81. John
Chrysostom tells that on Maundy Thursday ai,e e
the commemoration Of the Last supper '"ey IT,
manned a .Ong time In prayer. -,
The entire Friday night vas spent r on S sssil
knees in memory of the burial OF our Lolu ,rb
day npht the faithful remained IN cnurrm a.
sistng at the tina! preparation or the catecnuhens'
at their BAPTISM and then At the Holy Sacrice;;
Holy Week was distinguished likewise by an entire
cessation from servile labor-an 0bhgatiof lIi'po r.
by the civil wei as the eccles las'lcdl nav nv
people, weakened by the long and arduous len zen
fast. needed all their remaining strength Tor inc
celebra ton OF tho divine offices ana for prayer IL
commemoraion Of the sufferlngs of Christ .
BY a decree. OF Theodosius. A. D.; SSs al law t
business and all pleadings were forbidden dli's me
seven days preceding and the seven days iohowlng
Easter. the only exception made being ior me "ga'
process necessary for the emancipation or SAVES AYES
The Church Obliged Christian masters to CIV" their
slaves entire rest from labor during this fortnight
In remembrance of the goodness OF God In pardon
Ing the sins OF the world Christian princes during
Holy Week released all prisoners except fhose VINO
would be dangerous the community. ST Leo.
commenting this practice, exhorts Christian peo-
pie TO emulate this clemency or their rulers ana 10
forgive another their private WRONGS
that bishops had the right 10 exact OF judges, Tor
the love of Jesus Christ. the release or prisoners II
their demands were refused they could deny admis-
SION 10 the Church the one refusing. As late as
the last century the Parliament OF Paris on Ties
day Of Holy Week used TO go to the Palace prisons
and discharge all whose cases seemed favorable or
who were not guilty OF capital offence.
From the pervadlng thought OF the justice ana
mercy of God during this holy. season these days
also called the Reign OF Christ.
In the ceremonies Of Holy Week the Church keeps
in view three obiects-,he Passion OF the Lord. the
fnal preparation Of catechumens for baptism and
the reconciliation of public sinners. Hence, through
out the entire liturgy OF this We ana the eN-
preston OF the grief of the Church at the death OF
her spouse. Everywhere were most touching aliu-
sions 10 the Passion The Glory ne 10 the Father
hushed on Passion Sunday: the vestments were
expressive Of her mourning. save when on Mlundy
Thursday FOR little while they allowed white 20 be
used 10 express her Joy that her Lord had left her
a memorial of Himself IN the Blessed Sacrament.
The cruchxes were yelled 70 signify the humilia-
ton experienced by the Saviour when forced 10 hide
from the Jews In order To escape untimely desth
The images % saints were covered because they
should nor be when the glory Of the Master
eclips'd The resources OF art were exhausted
in preserving dramatic representation Of the Lord
Passion during this week For this her impressive
sanctuaries at her altar were magnificent groupings
OF ministers clad in rich though sombre vestments