The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23
Relics Of the Ancient Rites Retained
in the Observances Of the Present
DAY ano Wbence obey Rose. =.

he incenses the host, the wine. and the
altar
The prayer 'Libera Nos is today said
aloud in token of the descent of the
Saviour into purgatory, and his liberia
ton of the souls. who were there awaiting
his coming. And in order to. distinguish
the ceremony of this day still further
from those of other days the eleva-
tion is made with the right hand only. No
bells are rung, and wooden clapper an
nounces the solemn moment to the faith
full band only.
The Host is then broken into three par
ticles by the priest. the Host being drop
ped into the chalice, and all are con-
samed by the celebrant.
Vespers are then said in low tone,
and the office of the day is ended. !
The Office of Holy Saturday, proper
deals entirely with the burial of the
Saviour and his stay in the tomb. The
celebrations that today take place on Sat
urday belong to Easter eve, when they
were originally observed. and the litur-
gical language makes use OF the word
might again and again.
On Holy Saturday
Many and important are the ceremonies
Of this time. for it was during this night
that the catechumens were admitted to
baptism. The services were intended to
last throughout the long vigil until the
dawn of Easter should tinge the eastern
skies. In the porch or vestibule of the
church were gathered those catechunAns
who were to be received. anth in order to
keep their attention lessons and prayers
were employed to fill the intervening time.
During this night also the new fire. the
paschal candle, and the baptismal fonts
are blessed. The altar is dressed, but
no candles are lit and the lamps of the
church are extinguished. Outside the
church, if convenient, otherwise in the en-
trance, the officiating priest and his min
listers, incense bearer, crucifer, etc.
gather. and a fire is struck from a flint
and Goals are kindled. The flint is a type
of Christ, true cornerstone, from whom
the flame of charity is derived.
New Fire Blessed.
AS soon as the Goals are burning the
celebrant, with the usual salutation,
''Dominus Vobiscum," begins the prayers
beseeching God to bless the light, which
is blessed and sanctifled by thee, who
hast enlightened the whole world; that
we may be enlightened by that light and
intlamed with the fire of thy brightness;
and as thou didst give light to Moses
when he went out of Egypt, so illuminate
no RI nd hat
tain light and life everlasting"
The five grains of incense that are to
be fixed in the paschal candle are then
blessed, an acolyte in the meantime put
ting some OF the new fire into the censor.
After the prayer incense is put into the
censor and the grains and fire sprinkled
thrice with holy water and incensed.
"Lumen Christi"
The deacon then takes a rod having
three candles fixed in the top. Preceded
sion returns to the church. the priest
last of all. When they enter
one of the candles on the rod is kindled
by an acolyte from the new fire. The
deacon and the rest kneel, while the sub
deacon, standing, says. in a low voice:
"Lumen Christi Behold the light of
Christi. and the response, "Deo Gratias'
Thanks be to Cod is made. The salu-
tation is repeated, little louder, in the
centre of the church. and again at the
sanctuary, in a loud voice. Each time
are the three candles lighted.
The three candles are symbolic of the
Trinity, while the deacon in white typi-
fies the Whitehead angel at the sepulcher.
The meaning of the three tones is the
same as at the ''Ecce lignum crucis.''
Receiving the priests benediction, the
deacon then proceeds TO bless the paschal
candle. No matter who may be present,
this ceremony is reserved to the deacon,
even in the presence of high prelates.
For as Christ, who is typifed by this
column of wax that burns during all
services from Easter to Ascension, ap-