The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23


L Y ligious symbolism, the closing
period OF Lent. popularity known
as Holy Week. has ever held at
fractions not only for the faithful OF
the Catholic Church. but for many others
as we'll outside her fold. And this in
terest is aroused, not alone from the mo-
mentous events OF the foundation of
Christianity that are at this time espec-
tally commemOrated. and the teachings
conveyed in the li,urgical observanco5 Of
the season. hut from these various OBJ
servances themselves and their inter
woven rites, extending so far back into
the misty realm Of history that no man
can say with authority whence they
arose.
Old Customs Retained.
For the mother church, once Observ-
ances have received the stamp of her APP
prevail. seldom abcHshes entirely any
ceremonies. They may be abrogated, re-
stricted to some particular locality, or to
some religious order or to some time of
the year. or some feast Of her calendar.
Customs. the necessity for which has van
ished with the passing Of the years, are
eliminated or altered. for the Church
never tolerates the useless. yet now and
again they recur, monuments of times
own fashioning testifying to the honor
able crown of ages that rests upon the
brow of the Church.
An example of this is seen at prayers
during Lent and Advent. After the an
nouncement 'Orcmus'' (Let us pray), the
deacon says. "Flectamus genua" Get Us
bend our knees), and then. "Levate" (Rise
up). There were no pews or seats in the
ancient church, the people either stood or
knelt. while the aged or weak were per-
mitted to lean upon slaves. But even
these were laid aside during the gospel.
Reasons Not Plain.
During Lent. mere than in any other
portion of the ecclesiastical year, the bond
between the primitive church and the
church Of today. becomes closer, so that
often those who are not familiar with
early Christian rites and discipline-and
sometimes these who are-fecl compelled
to ask: But why? There is a reason for
infrequently happens that those who
should be able to answer are unable to
give clear or satisfactory explanation
OF the ceremonies, none is more inter-
esting than that of the blessing of the
palms.
Blessing of the Palms.
There was probably, in earlier times. a
special mass for the blessing of the palms
on Palm Sunday, since the service, as it
remains, has an introit, collect, epistle,
gradual, opel, and a preface-that is.
it is complete w to the canon.
The celebrating priest. clad in a violet
cope, proceeds to the epistle corner of the
altar, where the prayer is read. Then come
the epistle and gradual, and the gospel
is chanted with the usual ceremonies. The
blessing of the palms and their distribu-
tion to the officiating clergy and others
and to the faithful follows.
The procession starts from the sanctu-
airy, led by the thurifer with burning in
cense. The subdeacon, attended by AGO.
lytes and carrying a professional cross,
follows; then come the other acolytes and
the clergy, in the usual order, and last of
all the celebrant, with the deacon walking
at his left hand. All bear palms, and the
members of the congregation who remain
standing during the continuance of the
procession, also hold the palms in their
right hands, as is done later, during the
mass, when the Passion is read.
Anthems are sung as the procession
makes its way to the door Of the church.
The clergy and their attendants pass out
and remain outside. while two or four
singers re-enter and, facing the door, be-
gin the hymn Gloria. laus ct honor" the
verses Of which are sung in alienation
by those without and within
Then those outside start to return, but
find the door closed against them; where
at the subdeacon knocks on it with the