Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-22

in the Roman Catholic and other churches
Of Washington last Sunday palm Sunday,
the week has been replete with a diversity
OF divine services, perhaps rivaling those
that have gone before it in many features
The attendance has been of extra large pro-
portions due in a measure to the propitious
weather Of the week
As has been stated before in The Star.
the practice Of fasting during holy week
has not of late years been religiously adj
hercd to even in the Roman Church as
formerly. Only the Catholics in eastern
countries have kept up the ancient tradi-
tons on this score. In the early ages fast
ing during holy week was carried TO the
utmost limits that human nature could en-
dure 1t is said that some of the early
Christians observed Il strict fast from Mon
day morning to the dawn of Easter Sun
day. though very few, it is thought, went
this far. Many passed two, three and even
four consecutive days without tasting food.
y new Hturgical choir was launched at
ST PauI's Roman Catholic Church. 18th and
V streets northwest on Palm Sunday. At
the morning and evening services the male
choir sang all the solemn services prescribed
by the rubrics. in accordance with the prin
ciples and traditions prescribed by the
''motu rroprio" bull of Pore Plus y. Rev.
james = NACilH the pastor of the church,
also arranged Tor a complete fulfiilment of
the procession ceremonial as it is given
every Palm Sunday n ST. Peters in Rome,
whore all Roman Catholic ciergymen look
for a precise eXempltdcation OF the liturgy
of the Catholic Church.
st. AlOysius Catholic Church also had a
procession on Palm Sunday. agreeing in
every particular to the traditions of the
day in the church. There was solemn
singing of the passion by the regular choir
and c!ergymeu officiating at the mass.
At ST. PItrjCks ana the other Catholic
churches the services were particularly i'm
pressive on this day, and before the mass
palm distributed To the congregation.
In ST. AugUstiHe's Church, on 18th street
northwest, Rev. Paul Griffith. pastor. the
passion was sung in English instead OF
Latin.
Besides the Gregorian vespers at St.
Pauls Church, Catholic interest was chiefly
centered last Sunday night in The Seven
Last Words of Christ, as sung and eX-
planned at St. PItricks Catholic Church
There was practically d capacity congrega-
ton in attendance and the ceremony WAS
declared to he both edifyi1g and highly
satisfactory from musical standpoint.
The choir sang the composition of TEeo-
dore Dubois. who is credited with being
the most celebrated of French organists and
composers of ecclesia stiCal music, evidence
ing musicianly reading of the score. Ar
maud Gumprecht, the director. presided at
the organ. Mrs. Annie Grant-Fugitt So
prano soloist. was in good voice and others
of the soloists acquitted themselves well
D.
Annie Grant-Fugitt, Miss Mamie Grant
and Miss Regina Baptista, and Messrs. Mel
Vile Hensey, Charles Goodchild and Thomas
Murray.
Rev Father Thomas f. Michigan as
sistant pastor of the church. delivered a
sermonette or explanation of the words
as symbolized in the beautiful Latin verse
and melody provided by the composer
Monday and Tuesday there was no special
Service in the evenings. The mathis and
laudS OF the masses for the two days be-
speak the spirit of the days in Jerusalem
before the Savior was crucified. and are
designed. 1t Is said. to prepare the peni-
tents for a devout COMMUNICATION of this
dramatic occasion.
Wednesday of holy week is set aside hy
the Catholic Church as a special day of
penance in this cycle of holy days Prayer
ana general church-going are begun with
more fervor. Every Catholic church in
Washington held an evening service on
"Wednesday. when all the pulpits were oc-
Cupled by the most eloquent dvnes of the
loca! tathoIc clergymen. and "tenebrae
was cnauted for the first time in holy week
and repeated Thursday and Friday evenings
Green. or Maundy, Thursday was cele-
DRAFTED IN the usual impressive manner for
"Alch the ceremonies of this day are
noted. The day bears special Significance
to Roman Catholics, since it was on this
day that church historians claim the Sa-
Nior instituted the eucharist and by the
same command established the holy sacri-
flee of the mass and ordained the priest
hood 1t is n day of great devotion. when
L
tend at mass. but if possible make three
visits during the day to as many churches.
This was done in Washington. There were
masses at convenient hours in all ths
churches, and in many instances a process
sion Of little children. acotytes and the
clergy conducted the blessed sacrament to
side altar. to repoSe until Friday morn
ing. when, following the mass. the euchar-
list was again conducted to the main altar
OF the churches. Throughout the after
noon and evening there was n constant
n
churches especially. while at st. Aloysius,
St. Patrick ) and other prominent places of
Catholic worship there We're relays of men
before the altar for nocturnal vigil. In
most instances the men We're selected from
the various societies and clubs of the sew
eral churches The ''tenebrae" and ser
mons suitable to the day were the order in
the evening
Yesterday the anniversary of the crucifx-
Ion was kept with a mass in the morning,
and in the afternoon the way of the cross
was recited. This is one of the most solemn
and impressive of the Roman Catholic ser
vices During the day the cross reposed
at the several sanctuary ratings for the
Veneration of the faithful. After the pas
sion services in the evenings large mum
bers advanced and kissed the cross
St Aloysius Church was the principal
center of interest in the evening. The
Seven Last Words of Christ was sung
at 100 o'clock, when Rev Thomas J.
Campbell. one of the most DISTINGUISHED
divines in the Jesuit order delivered a
sermon MerCadante'S composition was
used ana the me choir of this church. UNI
der the Capble direction of Prof Kubel
gave the solos and choruses with fine eff
feet large orchestra assisted material
~ in both the volume and melody of the
rendition. Tenebrae and a sermon on the
crucidxion We're also given in the base
ment of the church at the same time.
This morning the Catholic service is the
longest of the year. and in all of them the
traditions of the day in the worship. of
that faith were fully and specifically car
ricd out. As the service in all of the
churches was Identical. il will suffice to
give a summary of the liturgy of the day
In some instances the service began as
early as o'clock the first feature OF
which was the blessing of the new fire and
the incense. This was followed by the
blessing of the paschal candle, when the
twelve prophecies which have reference 10
the mysteries of todays service were read
The prophecies finished. a procession adj
vanced to the baptistry where the water
was blessed
The Roman Catholic churches of Wash
ington thus observed holy week, in prep
aration for the 'pascha" of tomorrow
when the service viii again betoken a
spirit of grand religious enthusiasm and
the altar and music of the church win lack
nothing in color effect and melody to fit