The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1899-04-21
The Closing Of the Lenten Sea.
son in ManzaniIlo,


MASzAyI.IO, CrBA, April 6, 1899
Editor Democrat. Star
Holy Thursday was celebrated in the
one church with the usual services.
The unusual, which called out the
pOpulace and charmed the hearers was
the rendering Of the musical part
OF the mass by the entire brass band
OF our gallant 4th Immuncs. Thurs
day night was band night, the plaza
was throngcd as usual with the music
lovers and the church was ablazc with
light from many hundred lighted can.
dies. Good Friday, the most solemn
OF all the lenten days, was passed in
greatest quiet. All business was sus-
pended, the church bells tOlled the
passing hour, evening approached.and
when the shadows heightened beneath
the almond trees which line the plaza,
there emerged from the church eight
white robcd altar boys each bearing a
lighted candle of great length follow
cd in two straight lines eight feet
apart. the female COMMITMENTS OF
the church, also bearing candles. Be-
hind them, borne on the shoulders Of
four black men was Il white framed
fglaSs caskct containing the remains Of
the crucitlcd Christ in efligy, white
r0bed and cnwreathcd in white flow
erS. -Four streamcrs of wide purple
ribbon was attached to the corners cf
the caskct, the other ends held in the
hands Of four young girls, who walked
Immediately in front and behind the
bearers. Next came more cOmmuni-
cantS and in the center OF these walk
ed alone the ancient Padre who for
many, many years has led the people
OF this province. The Virgin Mary,
clothed in mourning bearing in her
right hand a white handkerchief, was
held alOft on a pole. Beneath and fol-
lowing this etfigy marched the regi-
mental band which Col. Petit kindly
allowed to participate on this solemn
occasion. They passed US playing the
Dead March from SAUL Last OF all,
the assistant priest and visiting
Padre closed the procession. The ma
tives marched alongside en- masse COM
pellny the spectators to retire into
the great dOorways. The crowd was
very orderly and quiet. but the laugh
ing and smoking OF many OF the par.
ticipants seemed as strangely out OF
place as the contemptuous snecrs and
remarks Of several American residents
who declared that the Col. ought not
to have allowed the parade. Fortu.
natcly Col. Petit is thoroughly
American and living up to one OF
the most sacred articles of our consti-
tuition, allowed these people to wOr-
ship God according to the dictates OF
their own conscience and let the pa.
rade pass on. Saturday business was
resumed as usual and my Cuban laun-
dress came in with the weekly clothes
on her head; setting them down she
began gesticulating ana yelling, (she
imagines like Americans l have met
that IL she raises her voice TO a good
high pitch she can force my under
standing OF her language) telling me
must rise''cs TEN piano"(early) In or.
der to see the parade on the plaza, fol
"the Lord will be risen and we shall
see him." When the clock had finish
ed striking the midnight hour there
rose on the air mans voice, strong
distinct and clear, singing 10 Spanish
"The Lord is Risen." As alone 10y
awake, striving to solve the problems
of life, the past memory. and tryint
so hard to believe whatever the future
may hold In store will he for the bes
for US all, and to have the blessed as
surance brought in a strange land ant
told ina foreign tongue that all u
well, made one listening soul seen
nearer her creator than ever before
At the break OF day the changing o.
J the bells aw0ke US, AMI as tho CLOCK
struck five we were seated on one 0'
; the benches on tile plaza, breathing 10
the delicious, cool morning air. by
six the church was filled with as
strange looking crowd OF people as
ever formed q congregation. 1t was
most surprising to see tile large num'
ber OF women and children who wert
n ssstr,rAlv IN "a eiAtn's With (lclP nm