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

gospel the prelate puts off the cape,
takes a towel, and then, on his knees and
bareheaded, washes, wipes. and kisses the
right foot of those chosen for the cere-
mony. In the meantime, anthems and
versicles are sung descriptive of the
washing of the feet of the apostles
The Tenebrae is again said on Thursday
evening, forming. as explained, part of the
office OF the next day. There is no mass,
properly speaking, on Good Friday,
though the principal ceremony of the day
bears the name Mass of the Presancti-
fed" The sacrifice of the altar and of
Calvary is one. Therefore the Church, in
her sorrow, makes on this day no other
offering than simple observance in mem
DRY of that great event.
The Good Friday Service.
The altar is bare of all ornaments, for
Christ has been despoiled of all at the
foot of the cross; the lights are not lit,
for the world is in darkness; and in token
of the agony and prayers of Gethsemane
the celebrant and his ministers PROSTATE
themselves at the foot of the altar. With
all the eloquence OF her liturgy the Church
speaks OF sorrow, anguish, and humilia-
tion. The very garments of those who
officiate are black, the color of death
An acolyte spreads one linen cloth over
the altar table, or mensa. and the priest
and his assistant rise and ascend the
steps. The lessons from the Old Tesla
ment are read, and then the Passion ac
cording to St John. Then follow prayers
for both the clergy and laity of all sorts
and conditions, as well as for heretics
and schismatics. pagans and others out
side the Church's fold.
Ado-ati1a of the Cross
At the conclusion of the prayers the
priest puts his vestment aside and takes
the yelled cross from the altar. Standing
at the epistle corner. the top of the cross
is uncovered. the priest chanting in low
voice: "Ecce lignum crucis" (behold the
wood of the CROSSE. Deacons and sub
deacons join in: I'm quo salus mundi pc
pendit' ION which hung the salvation of
the world. PROSTATE on the ground, the
chorus responds, ''Venite. adoremus'
(come, let us adore him.
Passing to the other side of the altar;
the right arm of the cross is uncovered,
the same words are sung, only in little
louder tone; then in the centre of the
altar the unwilling is completed and the
"'Ecce lignum' sung loudly. after which
the officiant and other clergy adore and
kiss the crucifix, kneeling thrice. and the
laity adore in their turn.
The first unwilling and the low tone
express the revelation of the redemption
to the apostles; the second. of the reve-
lation to the Jews at PeGtecost, and the
third of the preaching of the gospel to
all creatures. The first alteration is in
reparation for the insults IN the House
of Caiphas; the second, TOR the outrages
in the praetorium. and the third, for The
tragedy of Calvary.
Chanting the Reproaches.
While the alteration of the cross is in
progress the reproaches are sung, and at
the end OF each the celebrated Tristgium
-"Agios o Theos''-is sung in Greek and
Latin.
This hymn is said to have been divinely
inspired during an earthquake in Con-
stantinople. When the hymn was sung the
shocks ceased Its introduction is also,
according to some, illustrative of the
unity of the churches of the East and
West. The words are: Holy God. Holy
and Strong Cod Holy and immortal God,
Have Mercy on u.s."
Sacred liturgy has never produced any
thing more beautiful touching, and plain
tive than the lamentations and reproaches
OF Holy Week. Pitched in minor key,
they awake responsive chords of sorrow
in almost every heart. Tender, too. is
their language; What more should /
have done to thee, and have not done?
| have planted thee for my most beautiful
vineyard; and thou hast proved very hit
ter to me; for in my thirst thou gavest
me vinegar to drink, and with a spear
thou has pierced the side of thy Saviour"
The hymn "CruX Fidelis" follows. and
procession is formed, and the Host is
brought back to the sanctuary from the
repository in the same order in which it
was conveyed the day before. Meantime
the altar candles have been lighted and
the Blessed Sacrament, having been placed
on the altar, is iucensed. Water and
wine are mixed in a chalicc. and again
the priest takes the thurible. This time