The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23
Curious Rites ano Ceremonies ano
the Explanation Of Cbetr Symbolic
Meanil,g al1o UeacI,tIsgs. ~ 81 ~
BY LINDSEY FLAvEL MINES.

foot of the cross. 1t is opened and they
re-enter, singing.
The procession typifes the pilgrimage
Of the faithful through this world to the
next. The gates of the heavenly city
are closed against them, and are opened
only through the fundamentally of the
cross.
Chanting the Passion.
Throughout all the antiphons, prayers,
etc, joy has been the dominant note.
Now The mass begins, and all is changed;
sorrow is the theme interviewer through
the remainder of the service The col
lect and the epistle treat of the hu-
mutations of the Saviour. Then comes
the chanting of the Passion.
No lights are used, incense burned, or
blessing asked, as is customary when the
gospel is read. Remembering The treach-
erous salutation Of Judas, the Church
even omits the salutation "Dominus
Vobiscum," 1.-THE Lord be with YOU and
the response Gloria Tibi, Domino"
glory be to thee, o Lord is not heard.
The liturgical explanations are these:
ing of the Passion, because it relates to
him who is for us the author of every
blessing; lighted candles are not carried
because Christ, our true light, is extinct;
incense is not burned, to show the de-
crease in the piety of the faithful.
(Abbe Mazzinelli, Office of the Holy
Week.
Moments of Meditation.
When the account of the Crucifixion is
reached all kneel for few moments of
silent meditation; then the burial in the
tomb of Joseph OF Arimathea is related.
When the full ceremonial is employed
there are three cantors, one of whom
reads the narrative. the other those parts
spoken by the Lord, and the third the
remaining spoken portions, except the
cries of the rab3le, Cruelty him!" etc,
which are sung by the chorus.
Office of the Tenebrae.
Wednesday afternoon or evening the
Tenebrae is sung. Properly, this belongs
to the Office of Holy Thursday, but as the
custom of rising in the night for the noe
turnal office no longer obtains, save in
religious communities and a few local.
ties only, the Church has, for many wise
reasons, advanced this observance to the
vesper hour of the previous day.
Before the office begins large tri-
angular candlestick, containing usually
fifteen candles, fourteen of natural-col-
ored wax and the fifteenth bleached, is
placed before the altar. These are lighted,
and at the end of each Psalm one candle
is extinguished, until at last only the
white taper burning at the apex remains.
In the first nocturn the Lamentations of
jeremiah are sung; in the second, Sc
lection from st. Augustine on the Psalms,
and in the third, portion OF First Cor
inthians.
In Symbolic Darkness.
When the Benedictus is reached in
Lauds the six candles on the altar are
extinguished one by one, the last one
being put out at the last verse. Then,
when the antiphon "Traditor" is re-
peated. the candle that remains burning
at the top of the triangular candlestick
is carried behind the altar; the church is
in darkness; the Psalm Miserere and a
prayer are said, kneeling Then a noise
is made, the light, the hiding of which
has symbolized the repose of the Redeem
err in the tomb, is returned and all rise
and retire in silence.
The noise at the close Of the Tenebrae
so called from the darkness that it not
only commentaries but that actually
exists-is in imitation of the confusion
at the hour of our Lords death, when the
earth trembled and the veil of the temple
at Jerusalem was rent in twain.
Maundy Thursday Service.
Three masses were provided for Maundy
Thursday in the primitive liturgy, the |
first for the reconciliation Of the peni-
tents, the second for the benediction of |
the holy oils to be used throughout the |
coming year, and the third TO commemor-
ate the Last Supper and the institution
of the Eucharist Today one service SUI
fees. The reconciliation CT the penitents