Evening star., 1898-04-07

Ccremonies and Services which Have
s,sn,aea.t mes.iaqss-Ho,y a II Thurs
day and Gsoas Friday.

The last week ih Lent, now passing. is
the most solemn ahd Impressive period of
the significant seasen, and 1t ia called
'hCly week because ite Is commemorative
of Christs death for glhe redemption of
mankind. From the earliest times it has
feen observed with the greatest strictness,
and ancient writer's mention that during the
week Christians were wont to fast on one
neal of bread, salt and water taken in the
evening, while many abstain from food all
the week. and a still greater. number took
no nourishnent during Good Friday and
holy Saturday. Many devout members OF
the Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran and Re-
formed churches follow the latter observ-
ance at the lresent day.
In Catholic Churches.
In the Catholic churches the week begins
with Palm Sunday. when palms are blessed
and distributed to recall the circumstances
surrounding the triumphant entry of Christ
into Jerusalem. On Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday evenings the office of tenebrae
darkness, from the darkening of the
churcnes) 70 chanted. 1t consists of mathis
and lauds ior the following mornings, which
1t Is customary to recite over night. Dur
il,g this impressive ceremony a large can
c1estick. bearing fifteen tapers. placed In
the form of q triangle, is put near the
altar, representing the light of Christ and
of the prophets who announced his COM
ing. As the psalms are sung the tapers are
extinguished until only the topmost re-
Mains. This, as it represents Christ. is
taken down and carried behind the altar
during the mfsersre, after which it is
Put back In its place, to signify the tenn
porary extfEction of the light of Christ
between His death and resurrection. Holy
Thursday, today, being the anniversary of
the institution Of the eucharist and Of the
priesthood, is distinguished by ceremonies
of great significance in cathedral churches.
In Rome the pope washes the feet Of thir-
teen poor persons at the end of the solemn
high mass, in memory of the body of the
apostles raised to that number by the ex-
traordinary calling Of st. Paul. This GUS
tom gives to the day the name of Maundy
Thursday. During the Gloria in Exceisis
all bells are rung, and then remain silent
until the gloria in excelsis in the mass on
Holy Saturday.
In large Catholic churches 4 separate
altar, called the sepuichre, is magnificently
decorated, and during high mass on Holy
Thursday, large host, consecrated during
TIE mass. is carried in procession to it,
where the host remains and is visited by
the faithful during the entire ensuing day.
Good Friday Observnnce..
On Good Friday the altar is denuded to
signify the desolation of the church. the
prophecies are chanted, which pertain to
the story of Christ's suffering, the whole
body OF the faithful perform the adora-
ton Of the cross the passion, according to
the Gospel of St. John, is chanted, and the
hest is brought back tfrom thu sepulchre
and consumed bys the cslebrans of the
mass. III iJ
On Holy Saturday the services in Catho-
lie churches begin with the blessing Of the
new fire." obtained from fiint and steel,
because true vital Rght and warmth came
from Christ. the FocALa Then follows the
blessing of the paschal candle, an emblem
of Christ arisen, and the chanting of the
prophecies Of the Old Testament pointing
TO Christs resurrection.
In the Episcopal; !; Lutheran and reformed
churches the week, is observed by special
services and ceremonies.