The Ceremonies of the Holy-Week at Rome Part 6

[Footnote 74: The water is brought to him by the Prince a.s.sisting at the throne, and the towel is presented by the first Cardinal Priest.

When the Pope is prevented from performing this ceremony, the Cardinal Dean supplies his place in presence of the sacred college (Lunadoro).

In that case the gospel is sung, not by a cardinal, but by the prelate who is deacon of the _cappella_. Formerly, according to the MS.

Pontifical of the Apamean church written in 1214, Vespers were sung by the Pope's chaplains, while he washed the feet of twelve subdeacons.]

[Footnote 75: Chardin and other travellers testify, that this practice is preserved in modern times. In Homer's Odyssey the custom of taking a bath before a banquet is frequently mentioned, III, 467; IV, 49, VI.

216; VIII, 449.]

[Footnote 76: The emperors of Costantinople used (according to Codinus De Officiis Aulae Costantinop.) to wash the feet of twelve poor persons: and Vespasiano Fiorentino in the fifteenth century, in his life of Alfonso di Napoli quoted by Cancellieri, says that "Il Giovedi Santo lavava i piedi a tanti poveri, quant' egli aveva anni, et lavavagli, come si deve ... et a tutti dava una veste bianca, et un pajo di calze, et un Alfonsino, et un fiorino et un carlino, et non so che altra moneta. Dipoi il Giovedi medesimo faceva ordinare una cena,... et la Maesta del Re la pigliava, et metteva loro innanzi, e con il vino, et quello avevano di bisogno con grandissima umilta".

See also Martene, De Ant. Eccl. Rit. Lib. IV, c. XII, -- 8. Our readers will here call to mind the good old custom still preserved of the maundy of our British Sovereigns, so called from mandatum, the first word of the first anthem sung during, the was.h.i.+ng of the feet. In the Greek church, according to Baillet, not only are the feet of twelve poor persons washed, but the name of an apostle is given to each of them; as it may be supposed, n.o.body is anxious to have the name of Judas Iscariot: so lots are drawn to determine the person who is to represent that traitor. This may remind us of the threat of Leonardo da Vinci to copy the head of Judas, in his celebrated last supper, from the importunate Prior of S. Maria delle Grazie of Milan. Poor Leonardo despaired of finding a model for the head of our Saviour; and for more than a year was seeking the rabble for a fit subject whom he might represent as Judas: meantime the Prior was continually worrying him to finish the fresco. "In ogni caso poi" said he to Lodovico Sforza, "faro capitale del ritratto del P. Priore, che lo merita per la sua importunita e per la sua poca discrezione". The story of Leonardo bears some resemblance to the manner in which Michelangelo punished Biagio da Cesena Pontifical Master of Ceremonies, who before Daniel of Volterra had acquired his well-known nickname of _braghettone_ complained to the Pope, that the naked figures of the last judgment were unworthy of a house of prayer. The artist introduced his censor in his painting as Minos judge of the infernal regions, with long ears like those of the other devils, and a serpent's tail. Paul III when appealed to is said to have answered, that if his Ceremoniere had been in Purgatory, he might have helped him out, but out of h.e.l.l there was no redemption. This Papal witticism Platner could not find in any writer earlier than Richardson (See Beschreibung der Stadt Rom) but _se non e vero, e ben trovato_.

Dante was not more scrupulous than Michelangelo about thrusting his opponents into his _inferno_.

Pictoribus atque poetis Quidlibet audendi semper fuit aequa potestas.

[Footnote 77: The mosaics with which it was adorned by Pope Leo III are preserved in the great niche adjoining the _scala santa_.]

[Footnote 78: The Portuguese, Spanish and some other churches are generally distinguished on this day by the brilliancy of the illumination of their _sepulchres_.]

[Footnote 79: In the eighth century Pope Hadrian I, according to Anastasius, suspended under the princ.i.p.al or _triumphal_ arch, as it was called, a silver cross with 1365 or 1380 small lamps, which where lighted at Easter and other great festivals. This was perhaps the origin of the cross which used to be suspended in S. Peter's at this season.]

[Footnote 80: We have already mentioned an ancient Christian fresco in which an aspergillum is represented.]

[Footnote 81: Formerly, as Card. Borgia has proved (De Cruce Vaticana) this ceremony was performed in S. Peter's on good Friday. In other churches there were two distinct observances; 1. that of stripping the altars on holy Thursday, when Christ's pa.s.sion began; and 2. that of was.h.i.+ng them with wine and on good Friday, when blood and water flowed from His side, as the Abbot Rupert observes. For the ancient ceremonies of this day at Rome see besides the Apamean Pontifical above-cited, the Pontificals of Egebert archbishop of York and of Tirpin archbishop of Rheims ap. Martene, loc. cit. In some places the fast of Lent was not observed on this day, as appears from S. Augustine, Ep. 54 and Januarium. Of old this was the day for shaving in preparation for Easter-Sunday: it was therefore called shere-Thursday.]

CHAP. V.

ON THE CEREMONIES OF GOOD-FRIDAY

_CONTENTS._

Ancient ceremonies at Rome--Service in the Sixtine chapel--Pa.s.sio--Sermon and indulgence--Prayers for all mankind--exposition of the cross; ancient crucifixes and crosses--_adoration_ of the cross; its antiquity--Palestrina's _improperii_, Trisagion--chant of the hymn _Pange lingua gloriosi lauream etc_,--Procession of the B. Sacrament--_Ma.s.s_ of the Presanctified, Vespers--Tenebrae--Veneration of the princ.i.p.al relics at S Peter's--Grounds of belief in the genuineness of relics--1. Relic of the cross--2. of the lance--3. _Volto Santo_--Reflections--Recapitulation.

"_The princ.i.p.al object of the church in the office of this day is, that Jesus Christ crucified may be placed before our eyes, that touched with contrition at the sight, our souls may be so disposed, as to obtain the fruit of redemption_" Bened. XIV, De Festis D.N.J.C. lib. 1. c. 7.

[Sidenote: Ancient ceremonies.]

On good Friday the Pope used formerly to go with the Cardinals and the other members of the court to the Oratory of S. Lorenzo called _Sancta Sanctorum_ in the Lateran palace, where they venerated and kissed the relics of SS. Peter and Paul, as well as two crosses preserved there.

One of these was then carried by a Cardinal Priest, and and the Host consecrated on the preceding day was borne by another Cardinal of the same order; the Pope, the Cardinals and all the others were bare-footed, and walked in procession reciting psalms to S. John Lateran's and thence to S. Croce, where the station was held and the ceremonies of the day were performed.[82]

[Sidenote: Service in the Sixtine chapel.]

[Sidenote: Pa.s.sio.]

[Sidenote: Sermon and indulgence.]

These take place at present in the Sixtine chapel; in which the yellow colour of the candles and torches, the nakedness of the Pope's throne and of the seats of the church denote the desolation of the church at the sufferings and death of her divine founder. The Cardinals do not wear their rings; their dress is of purple, which is their mourning colour; in like manner the Bishops do not wear rings and their stockings are black: those of the Cardinals are purple; and the maces as well as the soldiers' arms are reversed. The Card. great Penitentiary with the sacred ministers are habited in black. There is no thurifer and there are no lights; for the death of the Son of G.o.d is going to be commemorated; and while He was hanging upon the cross and when He died, there was darkness over the whole earth. The Pope is habited in a red cope: he does not wear his ring nor give his blessing: but if he be present at this part of the service, His Holiness kneeling with the Card. Penitentiary at his left hand offers up prayers for a short time before the altar. This, which was stripped on the preceding day, is now covered with a linen cloth by two _Cerimonieri_[83]. The Pope then goes to His seat; and the Card.

Celebrant accompanied by the ministers to the altar, and thence to his _faldistorio_ or seat. An appropriate pa.s.sage from the prophecy of Osee is sung by one of the choir, and the precept from Exodus concerning the killing of the paschal-lamb, a type of Christ, by the subdeacon. The Pope and the Card. Celebrant also read both these lessons, after each of which a tract is sung by the choir; and between them a prayer by the Celebrant. After the prophecies, which are a powerful confirmation of the truth of our holy religion, the account of the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, penned by an eye-witness S. John, the disciple of love, is recited[84]. It is read in a low voice by the Card. Celebrant and sung with the same impressive chant as on Palm-Sunday by three cantors wearing the alb, a black maniple and stole: they used formerly to recite it bare-footed. At those words "And bowing down his head he gave up the ghost" all kneel to adore their Redeemer. It is related of a servant of G.o.d of the name of Piccolomini, that he expired in church on good Friday when those words were sung. The latter part is chanted, but without the usual ceremonies, by the deacon, after he has taken off his folded chasuble and put on the large band or stole. A short sermon is then preached by a conventual Friar, who afterwards according to custom publishes the indulgence or remission of temporal punishment of thirty years granted by the Pope to those who have confessed and sincerely repented of their sins. See p. 37. As Morinus has shewn (De Penitentia cap. 4.) in most churches penitents were absolved and reconciled after the gospel.

[Sidenote: Prayers for all mankind.]

Christ, says S. Paul, died for all men, and when suffering on the cross, He prayed even for his relentless persecutors: on the anniversary then of his death it is fit that His church should pray for all men, that all may be saved by the application of His merits to their souls. The Card. Celebrant commences the beautiful, charitable, and ancient prayers of this day with the words, Let us pray, dearly beloved, for the holy church of G.o.d etc. The deacon then kneeling says (according to the ancient custom mentioned by S. Cesarius of Arles in his 36th homily, and by S. Basil in his book on the Holy Ghost c.

XXVII) Let us bend our knees, and the subdeacon answers, Stand up, as it was customary to pray standing. This form is repeated before each prayer, except that which is offered for the Jews[85]: for their soldiers, bowing the knee before our Lord, mocked him saying in derision, Hail king of the Jews. Prayers follow for the Pope, for all the clergy, and holy people of G.o.d (formerly for the Emperor also) and catechumens who are to receive baptism on the day following. Having prayed for all members of the church, we then pray for heretics and schismatics, that G.o.d may deign to "deliver them from all errors, and bring them back to their holy mother the catholic and apostolic church"; and these pet.i.tions are followed by others for the conversion of Jews and Pagans[86].

[Sidenote: Exposition of the cross: ancient crucifixes and crosses.]

[Sidenote: _Adoration_ of the cross: its antiquity.]

When these prayers are ended[87] the officiating Cardinal takes off his chasuble, and going to the epistle-side of the altar receives from the deacon the crucifix[88] covered with a black veil. Then turning towards the people, and uncovering the upper part of the crucifix, he sings, Behold the wood of the cross, on which hung the salvation of the world; in singing which words he is joined by two tenor-voices from the choir. The choir answers, Come, let us adore[89]. The Pope and all others kneel, except the Cardinal celebrant, who advances nearer to the middle of the altar, and uncovers the right arm of the crucifix, and repeats the same words in a higher tone, and again in a still higher tone before the middle of the altar, where he uncovers the whole cross. The choir answers as before, and all except the celebrant kneel each time the words are repeated. The Cardinal then places the crucifix on a rich cus.h.i.+on lying on the steps of the altar[90].

[Sidenote: Trisagion.]

I observed above, that it was formerly customary for the Pope and all others to walk bare-footed in the procession of this day, as others royal personages have done; for instance, S. Louis of France, S.

Elisabeth of Hungary, and others. Thus to be barefooted was a sign of mourning (1 Sam. XV, 30. Jer. II, 25) among the Jews. Their priests were without shoes at their functions, in token of reverence (Exod.

III, 5. Jos. V, 15). Some memorial of this practice is preserved in the present custom of taking off the shoes of the princ.i.p.al persons who revere and kiss the cross on this day. The Pope's shoes are taken off by an _Ajutante di Camera_, His cope by acolythes (_Votanti di Segnatura_), and afterwards His Holiness then makes three profound genuflections before the crucifix, gradually approaching nearer to it, and then kisses it in token of his love for Him, who died upon it for our salvation[91]. He also empties a purse, containing an offering of 100 _scudi d'oro_, into a silver basin near the crucifix. When the Pope is about to make the first genuflection, the choir begins to sing the _improperii_, the sentiments of which, and the chant composed by Palestrina [92], are admirably adapted to the pathetic ceremony. In them G.o.d enumerates the unparalleled benefits which he lavished upon the Jews, and the atrocious crimes by which they repaid Him. At the end of each _improperium_ or reproach, the Trisagion is sung by one choir in Greek, and in Latin by another "Holy G.o.d! Holy strong one!

Holy immortal, have mercy on us"[93]. The Pope then returns to his throne; he resumes his previous vestments and reads the _improperii_ from the Missal held as usual by an a.s.sist. bishop kneeling. The Cardinal celebrant and all the other members of the sacred college, after their shoes have been taken off, a.s.sisted by the _Ceremonieri_ revere and kiss the crucifix in the same manner as the Pope has done; and each of them leaves an offering of a _scudo d'oro_ according to an ancient custom.[94] When they return to their places, their shoes are put on by their respective _camerieri_, who afterwards leave the chapel. The patriarchs and bishops a.s.sistant and non-a.s.sistant and the generals of religious orders without shoes, and all the other prelates etc. wearing their shoes, _adore_ and kiss the cross in like manner, observing the same order as in going to receive palms on the preceding sunday; and they also make their offerings before the cross. When the sacred college has finished the _adoration_, the choir having ended the _improperii_ sings the anthem _Crucem tuam_, the psalm _Deus misereatur nostri_, the hymn _Pange lingua gloriosi lauream certaminis_[95] etc. Towards the end of this beautiful ceremony the candles are lighted, the deacon spreads out the corporal[96] as usual, placing the purificator near it. He then respectfully takes the cross, and places it on the altar amid the candlesticks.

[Sidenote: Chant of _Pange lingua_ etc.]

A procession, arranged like that of the preceding day, now goes to the Pauline chapel. a.s.sisted as usual by the first Card. priest, the Pope kneels and incenses the B. Sacrament three times. _M. Sagrista_ delivers the B. Sacrament to the Cardinal celebrant, who presents it to the Pope; His Holiness covers it with the end of the veil placed over his shoulders[97] and the procession returns to the Sixtine chapel [98]. In the mean time the choir sings the hymn "_Vexilla Regis prodeunt_". When the Pope arrives at the altar, he delivers the B.

Sacrament to the Card. Celebrant, who places it on the altar. His Holiness then incenses it and returns to his throne.

During the procession the crucifix on the altar of the Sixtine chapel is removed, and a larger cross containing a considerable relic of the true cross is subst.i.tuted for it. This relic was sent to Pope Leo the Great in the 5th century by Juvenal Bishop of Jerusalem. It was lost, but found again by Pope Sergius I in 687: it was stolen at the sack of Rome in 1527, and removed from its case of silver: however it was recovered by Clement VII, who ordered the rich cross, in which it is at present preserved, to be made: in 1730 it was again stolen but recovered once more by Clement XII. At the close of the last century, though the candlesticks, and the statues of the Apostles belonging to the papal chapel were lost, this cross was preserved. In 1840 His present Holiness Gregory XVI ordered it to be again exposed to the public veneration in the Sixtine chapel: He gave it to the charge of the chapter of S. Peter's, who deliver it to _M. Sagrista_ on Good-friday morning: and it remains in the Sixtine chapel till the end of Tenebrae on that day. Moroni _Cappelle Pontificie etc._

The _Ma.s.s_ of the _Presanctified_, as it is called, is next celebrated; Card. Tommasi, following S. Cesarius of Arles, calls it the office, and not the ma.s.s of good-Friday; for ma.s.s, strictly speaking, is not offered up on this day, since no consecration takes place, and the B. Sacrament is received by the celebrant under the form of bread alone, as it could not be preserved with safety under the form of wine[99].

[Sidenote: Ma.s.s of the Pre-Sanctified.]

The Card. Celebrant places the B. Sacrament on the paten[100] and thence on the corporal. In the meantime the deacon puts wine into the chalice, and the subdeacon water, which however are neither blessed or consecrated[101] on this day. The cardinal then places the chalice on the altar, and the deacon covers it with the _palla_ or pall (a small square piece of linen, which serves to prevent flies etc. from falling into it). The Cardinal incenses the offerings and the altar, washes his hands, and recites the _Orate Fratres_ and Our Father. All then kneel to adore the blessed Sacrament, which he raises over the paten.

He divides it as usual, but without saying any prayer [102], into three parts, putting one of them into the chalice. Striking his breast, and acknowledging his own unworthiness, he receives communion, taking the sacred host, and afterwards the consecrated particle with the wine in the chalice [103]. He then receives the ablution, washes his hands, and returns to the sacristy with the sacred ministers.

[Sidenote: Vespers.]

Anciently on fasting days nothing was allowed to be eaten till sunset; and Vespers used therefore to be said before dinner: now that the one meal allowed on such days may be eaten as early as noon, the ancient practice of saying Vespers before dinner is still preserved. Vespers are therefore sung immediately after the ma.s.s of the Presanctified: they consist of the Our Father and Hail Mary said in secret, of five psalms with their anthems, and the _Magnificat_ with its anthem. At the verse 'Christ became obedient unto death', all kneel down to adore Him, and the _Miserere_ and the usual prayer are recited, but without the solemnity of Tenebrae[104].

[Sidenote: Tenebrae.]

[Sidenote: Princ.i.p.al relics.]

In the afternoon at Tenebrae, the office, being that of Holy Sat.u.r.day antic.i.p.ated as usual, refers to the repose of the body of our blessed Lord in the tomb. When it is finished, the Pope wearing his stole, and the Cardinals having taken off their _cappe_, go to S. Peter's in procession, accompanied by the Papal _Anticamera segreta_, the guards and others, to venerate the relics of the Cross, the Lance, and the _Volto Santo_, which are shewn by the Canons from the gallery above the statue of S. Veronica [105]. The Pope meantime, and the Cardinals and others arranged on each side of Him, remain kneeling. The Pontifical cross is borne as usual before the Pope, when going to S.

Peter's by an _Uditore di Rota_, and when returning to His apartments by His cross-bearer who is one of His chaplains.

[Sidenote: Grounds of belief in relics.]

Catholics are bound to believe with divine faith only those doctrines, which the church defines to be doctrines taught by G.o.d; and hence with regard to particular images or relics or miracles, concerning which Christ has taught nothing, they believe them to be genuine or reject them, according to the evidence which accompanies them. We shall therefore briefly examine what evidence there is in favour of the relics in question.