The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1908-04-12
HOLY WEEK IN THE CHURCH
THE "WEEk OF AUSTERlTIES"
Impressive Services In Catholic Church on Holy
Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Satur-
day and Palm Sunday

On this day Christ Instituted the
Holy Eucharist, and left her the
priceless legacy Of the Real Presence;
though, to show her gratitude, she
had appointed the festival of Corp s
Christi to be kept in June the month
al roses. when she can do greater
Justice to the subject.
Hence the mass is celC brated in
white vcstmcnts the altar is dacFed
with flowers and ornaments, at the
Gloria in Eycelss' the organ is
played and the bells are rung but.
from this time till the recurrence of
the Gloria on Holy Saturday the or
gan is silent; the dun thud Of the
clappcrs replaces the sound Of the
bells; and the kiss Of peace is omit
ted. Two hosts are consecrat1d on
this day; one being consumed as
usual by the celebrant; and the other
/ is carried in solemn procession to the
Altar Of Repose, during the singing
Of the "pange Lingua' (Sing, o Ny
Tongue;) whore It remains, sur
rounded by lights and flowers, till the
, following morning. Medieval writers
connect this procession with Christ's
journey to the Mount of Olives.
Next. the high altar is stripped, as
Christ was stripped Of Ills garments.
In many churches the ceremony Of
washing the feet is performed, in
imitation of Christ washing the feet
Of his disciples, when He gave the
new command to love one another.
In Rome the Pope washes the feet
of thirteen poor priests; while Fran,
els Joseph. of Austria, and several
other Catholic soverigns, perform a
similar ceremony. The Council of To,
ledo, held in COL, refers to this rite
as a recognized custom even at that
time.
Finally in cathedral churches the
bishop. on this day. blesses the holy
| oils. for use in comforting the sacra-
, ments of confirmation, holy orders
and extreme JUNCTION.
Good Friday.
|
Cburch's sorrow and grief at the dean
| Of her Lord is reached. Her ministers
| enter the sanctuary clad in black vest
| ments, and PROSTATE themselves at
full length on the steps of the altar
while a single linen cloth is spread
over it. Then the history OF the
Passion of our Lord according to st.
John is sung; showing how the Law
and the Prophets were verified by
the gospel.
Then the celebrant reads numerous
prayers for all classes of persons;
not excluding schismatics. heret'cs,
Jews and Pagans, to show that Christ
| died for ALL The genullection is
| emitted before the prayer for the
| Jews. out of detes,arIon for the
feigned oboisance with which they
Knocked Christ their King"
Next. the cross, which has been
yelled in black. is slowly uncovered;
the priest and his assistants singing
three times: Behold the wood of the
cross. on which hrng the salvation
of the world" and the choir answer
ing each time: Come. let us adore. y
The uncovered crucifx is then laid on
the steps of the altar, and the clergy
after having removed their shoes
like Noses before the burning bush
and made three genufections and
prostrations, humbIy kiss the lifeless
image of the Redeemer,
| It is a sight that often softens the
heart of the hardened criminal, tc
sec the entire congregation, men ano
women, young and old, rich and poor
sinners and saints, approaching the
sanctuary railing. and deyoutly kiss