Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1910-03-25
GOOD FRIDAY IS
DAY Of SORROW
This Is the Only Day in
Year Mass Is Not
Celebrated
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Impressive Ceremony H ED
This Afternoon at
Cathedral.

Today is Good Friday and is oh
served by the Catholic church as
day of sadness, commemorating as it
does the day of Christs crucifxion.
The day is called good" nevertheless
because Christ died on this day to
save the world.
This is the only day of the 365 in
the year that no mass is celebrated
but a service called the mass of the
presanctified is held. At this service
the host consecrated the day before,
on Holy Thursday is consumed by the
celebrant. But there is no consecra-
tion because the day commentaries
the death of Christ. The door of the
tabernacle is left open and the
church in every way strives to en-
phasize upon the faithful the tragedy
of Golgotha No bells are rung today
and the church organs are not played.
Even the little sanctuary bell is put
aside in the churches and the affairs
are draped in black.
Following the service which takes
the place of mass. there is the kissing
of the cross. The celebrant at the
Cathedral this morning was Very
Rev. Antonio Fourchegu, the vicar
general Assisting him as deacon
was the Rev. Joseph Pugens and the
Rev. Carlos Bobst was sub-deacon.
Stations of the Cross.
Although the faithful are permitted
and encouraged to make the stations
of the cross any day in the year, pro-
vided they do not do so during sery-
ices and thereby disturb the worship
ers, this day of all days in the year
! is set particularly aside for the inn
pressive service of the way of the
cross. At o'clock this afternoon the
service was conducted by the Rev.
Father Pugens and it was attended by
a large congregation.
This is an inspiring devotion re-
calling as it does by picture and word
the passion and death of Christ. This
devotion it is said, has continued in
an unbroken tradition from the time
Christ ascended into heaven and arose
first in Jerusalem amongst the Chris
tians who dwelt there out of venera-
tion for those sacred spots which were
sanctifed by the sufferings of the
Redeemer. From Jerusalem the do
votion was introduced into Europe
by various pious persons who had
travelled to the holy land to satisfy
their devotion.
Services Tomorrow.
! The services tomorrow will be
more joyous and at the Gloria of the
mass the church organs again peal
forth and the bells are rung. Lent is
practically at an end, though the day
is observed as a day of abstinence
as is today. Tomorrow morning the
services at the Cathedral will consist
. of the blessing of the Paschal candle
and of water which is known as holy
: water. Then a mass Will be celebrat.
ed.
Easter Sunday.
The day after tomorrow will be
Easter Sunday and it is the greatest
feast in the Catholic calendar. Arch
: bishop Pitaval will pontificate at 9:3(
J a. m. and will probably preach il
both Spanish and English as he die
Christmas day. The choir will furnish
II special music and the church altars
will be resplendent in flowers and my
riads of lighted wax tapers.
In all of the churches in the city
Easter will he observed with Snacia
! services, and fine musical programs
> will be carried out by the church
e choirs.