Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1898-09-15
LENTEN RITES IN CUBA.
Holy Week Is Strictly Observed by
State oficfnls and the Com
mon People.

Havana people usually observe Lent,
especially Holy week, with great devo-
ton. Although freedom of worship is
ordained In Spain as well as in Cuba,
the state religion Is the Catholic, and
not more than one of two chspels of
Protestant denomination are TO be
found in the island. The cathedral in
Havana is a gray stone structure OF
Latin-Gothic architecture, the founda-
tions of which were laid in 1885, Other
old churches In Havana are San Agus-
Felipe and La Merced. The last is one
Of the finest churches in Cuba, and has
no pews and no seats except benches on
each side. People kneel in the aisles or
the naves, or sit on camp stools Wom-
en- often attend services with attendants
who carry rugs and small chairs, some
handsomely carved or inlaid with moth
er of-pearl, or camp stools which are
placed for their owners accommoda-
ton near the altar erected to the saint
OF their especial devotion.
In the cathedral friar carrying o
long wand goes around during the oele-
bration of mass and lightly taps the
worshiper who negleots TO kneel when
the tinlzling bell of the acolyte an
nounces that the host is elevated
The music In the churches of Havana
is usually good. The choir is made up
generally of male voices, women not
being allowed to sing in the choir ex-
cept by special permission, because the
Catholic church in Cuba retains many
of the primitive, Inonastic forms.
Religious festivals are not observed
with as much pomp as in former years,
with the exception Of Easter Sunday.
Holy Thursday and Good Friday are
strictly kept. 1t is obligatory for the
governor-genersl, his staff, and other
high officials TO attend religious serv-
Ices on these days, especially the eta-
tons of the Cross. They visit the
churches on foot, as no carriages,
horses or public or private conveyanoes
are allowed In the streets on these
days.
People sttired in bleck 60 from
church 10 church with serious, solemn
mien. No music is heard In church
after Holy Thursday, and there is no
holy water in the font. The only thing
that breaks the monotor GUS chant of
the priests Is the matraca, o wooden
box containing two pieces OF wood,
which emits q lugubrious sound when It
is shaken.
Dignltaries OF church end state take
- ~, 10 -zrNnaai@- ~ 6<@n~4 TrlAar
and military bands play solemn dirges
as the image OF the Savior Is borne on q
bier, q crown of thorns on the brow,
and scars Of nails on the hands and |
feet Theological students from the
seminaries follow behind the bier, car
rying the emblems Of the orucifxion,
and after them come city corporations
and religious orders. As the image Of |
the Savior Is carried past people lneel
and Cross themselves.
A procession takes place on Thurs
day night, called La Virgin de la Sole
dad. The image Of the Virgin Mother,
attended by the beloved disciple st.
John, is borne through the streets. In
of the Mother OF Sor-
rows in search Of her divine Son
The solemn quietude which prevails
on Holy Thursday and Good Friday is
broken on Saturday. Carts rumble
ngain through the streets, frecrackers,
guns and cannon ara discharged. and
for awhile IL seems as though PAN
demonium were let loose Thus the
people commemorate the day on which
Judas hanged himself.
The procession OF the resurrection oc-
ours on Easter Sunday at an early hour.
This usually brings out great crowd.
Children richly sttired In white satin,
wearing white reils and .wreaths of
lowers, take part in the procession.
During Lent the Passion Play" and
mother called Los Siete Dolores de
Aaria," are performed at the principal
Y. Sun