The Raymer enterprise., 1918-03-21

are on either side, two monuments, one Of Mary
Magdalene; the other known as the "Pieta" and
representing the feess body Of Christ In the
arms Of his mother after the descent from the
cross.
The distance from this representation Of Mount
Calvary to the holy sepulcher across the length
of the great church. Is about the same as are the
originals from each other In Jerusalem, and the
height is the same as Mount Calvary.
Beneath the Church Of the Holy Sepulcher is a
series Of underground chambers which are true
copies of several Of the sacred spots In Palestine.
The Easter services at Mount st. Sepucher ac-
tually commence week before. for the rites Of
holy week are but preparation for the glorious
celebration Of Easter. They are carried out with
full detail and lIturgical splendor and after the
manner Of those at Jerusalem. the seat of the
actual shrines Of Christ, where the franciscan
friars have been the custodians since 1923 when
the fervor and pety of ST. Francis won this right
for himself and his followers.
The first service OF holy week takes place Palm
Sunday with the nine O'Clock mass, when the
celebrant besses and distributes the palms at the
central altar. After this the traditional process
sion takes place, In representation Of our Lords
triumphal entry into jerusalem when the multi
tudes waved palm branches before him and shout
ed "Hosannah to the Hlghest!" This service Is
similar to that now celebrated in Jerusalem at
the Church Of the Holy Sepucher.
After the procession round the monastery
church at Washington, high mass Is celebrated
and the passion sung according to the gospel Of
st. Matthew.
Late on Wednesday afternoon the mathis Of
Holy Thursday, commonly called Tencbrae, are
sung In the church, which is but dlmly lighted.
Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday, is a day
Of festival because II Is the anniversary OF the in
stitution Of the Lords supper.
Good Friday at the Church Of the Holy Sepul-
cher Is observed with rites of unique solemnity.
At the morning service of this day no one save
the celebrant receives the holy communion. No
mass is celebrated In any Catholic church on this
day. In black vestments, accompanied by his
ministers, the celebrant goes to the altar, which
Is bare but for the candlesticks and cruciix COW
cred with a purple cloth. The of1clant and mln-
listers PROSTATE themselves before the altar dur
ing the singing Of part Of the Scriptures Then
while kneellng plain white linen cloth is spread
upon the bare altar, which is now In darkness
The passion, according to st. Johns gospel. Is
then sung by three deacons. as on Palm Sunday,
after which the crucifx on the main altar is un-
yelled and brought down to the altar steps, where
clergy and people yenerate II. During this cere-
nony all the cruclfxes In the church have been
unveiled.
After tile veneraton Of the crucifx the friars
form in procession and proceed to the holy sep
ulcher, when the sacrament Is brought back In
solemn state to the central altar. The officant
then consumes the sacred species and the clergy
leave the altar in.sIlence.
The Good Friday evening service at the Church
Of the Holy Sepulcher is unique In this country,
and represents the burial Of our Lord, following
closely that performed at Jerusalem. The church
is In comparative darkness and the scenes In this
dim light take on an added solemnity. Previous
to this service the figure Of Christ has been taken
from Its year-long resting place In the holy sep
ulcher and Is now reclining on a bier In front
Of the representations of Mount Calvary. The
figure Is incensed prayers are said, and. follow
Ing the first OF a series Of sermons In various
languages Is preached from the spot.
Then the solemn procession Is formed. The
dead Christ on the bier, partly covered by pail,
Is borne by the monks. Preceding this at the
head Of the cortege, are carried representations
Of the crown Of thorns. of the three nails which
pierced hands and feet, Of the spear which wound
ed the side and Of the sponge filled with vinegar
which they gave him to drink.