Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-12
f,olp VlQeek:
Eight Days Beginning Today, Palm Sunday, Most
Symbolic of Church Calendar Celebra-
tons Are Century-O1d Customs.

ton. men and women. young and ola, ruch
and poor. sinners and saints, approaching
the sanctuary railing.
Good Friday is the only day Of all the
year that mass is not celebrated through
out the world. Instead. there is WHAT Is
called the mass of the presanctifed
In accordance with an immemorial Gus
tom of Good Friday. twenty-one old wild
ows of the parish of ST. Bartholomew the
Great in London attend church In the
morning, and from a particular gravestone
in the churchyard each picks up slxpence
The origin of the custom has been lost
in obscuritv and there are no known rec
ords extant as to the reason for giving
the money, even the church books 1allfns
to throw any light upon the matter. ira
dition has it that over 500 years ago
pious lady left beauest for the provision
of doles for widows subject to the
stipulation that prayers for her soul
were said on the Good Friday. The inter-
est OF the fun established for TINS pur-
pose provides lbs Cd annually Of this'
81 siXpences are placed upon the tomb
stone, and the remaining % Is spent In
buying buns, with which the old ladies
are RECALLED.
Many people are also attracted to a Ger
tain public house in London on this day by
reason of a quaint custom which has been
observed for many years. Hanging In the
house are great number or piackeheo
buns. and each Good Friday morning
is legend to the effect that the house
was once kept by widow. whose only
son went to sea, promising that he would
return on the following Good Friday.
sailor has never reappeared. Throughout
her life, however, his mother chung TO
the belief that he would return. and each
year she set aside bun for him AFTER
her death the custom was maintained oy
the present oecupier Of the house. and the
sign was changed to THE Widows Son.
Another interesting and unusual custom
Is celebrated in the parish of st. Peters,
London Docks. Following the usual serv-
ices, a procession of the congregation
is formed, the object being to impress
upon ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the especial reason
for the existence of Good Friday, and to
this end the story Of 1.-The Way OF the
Cross is illustrated at various stopping
places by emblems and lay addresses from
the preacher. Accompanying the preacher
is g. man wheeling portable pulpit. and
at each station q stop is made. A
picture illustrative Of the particular Incl
dent is hoisted on high. and a special
pulpit and addresses his audience. before
which. at each station" the anthem. rs
1t nothing to you, all We that pass byP
Behold. and see II there be any sorrow
like unto Ny sorrow" is sung.
On Holy Saturday the service begins
with the blessing of the new fire struck
from flint. - From this Il triple candle
is lighted. symboiizing the Trinity and
the Light Of Christ: 1t is carried in pro-
cession from the yestibule Of the church
to the sanctuary. The baptismal font and
Easter water are blessed. some of the
water being scattered toward the four
quarters Of the earth to show the cath
olicity of the church. and the worldwide
efficacy Of her Eaeraments. Returning
from the font. the Litany Of the Saints Ia
sung. while the altar is odecked with
flowers and ornaments. and the mass is
begun IN white vestrnents At the Gloria
the organ sounds. the bells ring. the joy
full alIelujas are heard after the epistle,
and the great festival of Easter. with its
triumph of life over death. is joyfully
Ushered in.