Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-04

sell: trustees, David H. Robinson, Robert
L. Haycock, T. G. Wren; clerk w. Hun
ter Haycock; treasurer, John H. Phillips;
superintendent of the Sunday school, Rob
ert l.. Haycock
Elaborate preparations are being made
among the Catholic, Episcopal and Lu-
theran churches, as we'll as by several of
other denominations, for the observance of
Palm Sunday, which occurs tomorrow.
Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy
Week, and there will be special exercises in
various churches next week in commence
ration of the occasion. Features of the
services in the houses of worship tomorrow
will be the decorations, which will consist
principally Of palms, supplemented by dis
plays of flowers and house plants. Special
music will also be rendered, and the regu-
larry appointed order of service will be,
used in the ceremonies of worship.
The observance of Palm Sunday is to
commemorate the triumphal entry of Christ
into Jerusalem. 1t is a feast of great an
tiquity The name Palm Sunday Dominica
in Palmas ad Palmas) is ancient for 1t
occurs in the Life of Euthymius' who
died in 472, and is spoken of as great day
by lsidore of Seville According to a strict
observance of the present rite palms or
olive branches are blessed by the cele-
brant before mass and distributed to the
faithful; the clergy walk in procession
through the church and pass outside Then
cantors enter the church, leaving the rest
without; the hymn Gloria Laus ct
Honor is sung, both parties, those within
and those without, taking part At last the
subdeacon knocks at the door with the
shaft of the professional cross. and the en-
tire body marches up the church The
Greeks have a procession with palms ar
mathis.
Holy week proper will begin on "Spy''
Wednesday, so called because according to
traditions, the Savior was betrayed by
Judas on that day. The service of the
in al nf fla
churches on that day, and on Holy Thurs
day and Good Friday. The Tenebrae is
usually sung In the evening, and the SER
vice includes the placing of thirteen light
ed candles in a triangular candelabrum
The service also includes the singing of
| psalms or lessons which are embodied in
"Nocturns."
At the end of the singing of each psalm
lghteo candre Is extingufshed, until only
a single candle is left lighted at the ton Of
the triangle. During the singing of the
Benedlctus the candles on the high altar
are extinguished, while at the antiphon
after the Benedictus the single candle left
anght is hidden at the epistle end of the,
altar, while the Miserere is sung in the
darkness, the lights in the church having
all been partially extinguished There is
also clapping noise made behind the altar
to signify the confusion attending the death
| Of Christ. The word "tenebrae" means
darkness, and pertains to the extinction
of lights during the ceremony.
Holy Thursday only one mass can be
said at the same church. This mass is 11su-
ally high mass, and is accompanied with
: elaborate ceremony. The celebrant conse-
crates an additional host, which is convey
ed to side altar or repository" where it
| is guarded until the next day Good Fri
day) The "Pange Lingua' is sung during
the procession which marks the transfer of
the additional host. The main altar is then
stripped bare to remind the faithful of the
way in which Christ was stripped of his
garments.
The holy oils are also blessed on this
day at the mass. These oils are always
used in the administration of the several
sacraments during the year. 80
On Good Friday the Mass of the Pre-
sanctified is celebrated with the host con-
secrated on the previous day, and the faith
full are permitted to kiss a crucifix which
is presented by the parish priests No
communion is administered on this day.
On Holy Saturday the new fire is lighted
and the holy water is blessed and distrib-
uted at an early-mass. The paschal candle
is also blessed. The services are of a iubi-
liant character
The observance of Holy Week dates from
the second century, and it commentaries
the passion of Christ. It is period mark
ed particularly by reverential religious
ceremonies. The sorrow of the disciples at
tha services of the closing DAYS of the
week. The sorrow, however, gives way to
rejoicing on Easter Sunday, which follows
Holy week, as significant of the resurrec-
tlon OF the Savior and His ascension.
The eastern conference Of the Maryland
synod, Lutheran Church. will be held in
Baltimore. Monday, April 81. in the Third
English Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Among the Washington pastors who are ex-
peeted to take part In the program are Rev.
DR.. w. E. Parson, Rev. DR.. J. G. Butler
Rev. F. w. Moot and Rev. Charles H. But
Ter.
The Baptist Ministers Union held a meet
ing last Monday forenoon at the Shiloh
Baptist Church, when an address was de-
livered by Rev. Mr.. Cross, graduate OF
Howard University. The devotional exer-
cises were conducted by Rev. William j.
Howard.
The Young Mems Club Of Gunton Temple
Memorial Presbyterian Church has secured
the services of Mr.. Arthur H. Howell of the
biological survey to deliver an illustrated