flection (S. Cong. of Rites, Aug. 2 and Sept. 6, 1698), says, standing, the Prayer Deus, quinobis, &c., with the conclusion Qui vivis et regnas in secula sæculorum. The Priest appointed having put on the stole, ascends the predella, where, with the proper genuflections, he places the Blessed Sacrament on the Altar, and, retiring, takes off his stole.

19. The Officiant, being vested in the humeral veil, makes a profound inclination, ascends the predella with the Assistants, genuflects, and on rising takes, with both hands enveloped in the veil, the Blessed Sacrament; then turning by his right side to the people, gives them the Benediction in the manner described in the Appendix, on the "Forty Hours' Adoration" (art. vii. n. 58).

Note. If the Altar be placed in the oriental manner, he blesses the people as he stands without turning round.

20. Having given the Benediction, the Officiant genuflects, and the humeral veil being taken off, descends in plano (as in No. 16), and kneels on the lowest step. The Priest, vested in the stole, having made a profound reverence, ascends the predella, makes a genuflection, and replaces the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle, observing to make another genuflection before closing the door.

Note. If there be no Tabernacle on the Altar, the Priest in such case having deposited the Sacred Host in the Custodia,' will leave It on the corporal, covering It with a veil. After the departure of the clergy, he will remove It in the manner above mentioned. (No. 9.)

21. At the intimation of the Master of Ceremonies, the Clerks retire with their torches, the Acolytes take their candlesticks and proceed to the centre of the choir, where having made the genuflection, they retire to the sacristy as after other Vespers.

ARTICLE II.-The Procession.2

22. For the procession the Master of Ceremonies should prepare in the sacristy-the cope, stole, girdle, alb, and

1 The Custodia is a vessel of silver or gold in form like a pyx for the sick, but large enough to contain the Host used for Benediction.

2 The Ceremonial of Bishops (book ii. chap. xxxiii. n. 15) prescribes that the processions take place after Mass on the day itself. The very general

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amice for the Officiant; the dalmatic, stole, &c., for the Deacon; and the tunic, &c., for the Subdeacon: they do not, however, wear the maniples. He should prepare also the candlesticks for the Acolytes, the processional Cross, and, according to the custom of different churches, the sacred vestments for the Priests who are to participate in the ceremony; such as the copes, chasubles, dalmatics, and tunics, but without stoles and maniples.

23. There should also be prepared in convenient places, -the large and small processional canopies, two thuribles with their incense-boats, besides the candles of the Acolytes, some torches, and at least four glazed lanterns furnished with candles.1

24. The Blessed Sacrament being exposed, and all being in readiness, at the intimation of the Master of Ceremonies, the Acolytes with their candles issue from the sacristy, having the Cross-bearer between them, preceded by the two Thurifers with their thuribles, and followed by the clergy in order. Finally, the Officiant, between his two Ministers, who, with their heads covered, raise the borders of his cope on either side.

25. Arriving in sight of the Blessed Sacrament, they uncover, and, in front of the Altar, make a genuflection with both knees on the pavement, accompanied with a profound inclination; they then rise, and kneel on the lowest step.

26. At the intimation of the Master of Ceremonies they rise, and the Celebrant puts incense into the two thuribles, more solito, and incenses the Blessed Sacrament. The Deacon, or Priest appointed, having put on the stole, takes down the remonstrance from the throne, places it on the corporal, and makes a genuflection; he then retires and takes off the stole.

practice in Rome is for them to take place in the evening, so as to conclude before sunset at least at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, and at the parish churches. Should it be appointed to take place after Mass, the Master of Ceremonies will vary his preparations accordingly. In such case, the processional Cross should be placed near the credence, and the Celebrant would vest in his cope at the seat.

air.

These are only required in case the procession passes into the open

27. The Celebrant having received the humeral veil, ascends the predella, with the Ministers, where kneeling down he receives the remonstrance from the Deacon. He then rises and turns towards the people, having his Ministers at his sides raising the borders of his cope. Having intoned the Pange lingua, the procession advances.

28. Should the route be long, the Priest may rest in some Church, or at some Altar becomingly decorated, which has been erected on the way. That this is lawful, with the license of the Ordinary, provided it does not occur too frequently, is evident from the Ceremonial of Bishops (book ii. chap. xxxiii. n. 22), which prescribes, that as soon as the Blessed Sacrament has been placed on the Altar, he should incense It more solito, and sing the Prayer Deus, qui nobis, &c., before the procession again proceeds. This formula applies not only to a Bishop or other Dignitary, but moreover to a simple Priest according to a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, June 10, 1677.

29. Although neither from the Ceremonial of Bishops, nor from the decree given by the Sacred Congregation, May 11, 1652, which prescribes these ceremonies, is it apparent that the Officiant is authorised to give Benediction to the people previous to resuming the procession; yet from other instances given by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, May 16, 1744; and later, Sept. 23, 1820, such a practice is sanctioned under certain limitations, as the subjoined plainly declares:-" Juxta votum: nimirum : non obstante decreto inserto in Ordine Divini Officii Recitandi, vetustissimam consuetudinem tolerari posse, eo tamen modo, ut saltem servetur regula cæremonialis, quod non toties pausatio fiat, et benedictio elargiatur, quoties altaria occurrant, sed semel, vel iterum: et altaria per viam extructa, sint decenter ornata, et a probo cæremoniarum perito prius auctoritate Episcopi visitata."

30. Where such is done by established licence of the Ordinary, the sacred Ministers having arrived before the Altar, the Deacon kneeling receives the remonstrance from the Officiant, which he places more solito on the Altar or throne; after which, he returns to the right of the

Officiant, The humeral veil is now taken off, the Tantum ergo is sung by the singers, and the Officiant incenses as usual.

31. After the Panem de cœlo and Alleluia, the Officiant recites, as stated in Art. i. n. 18, the Prayer, with the conclusion, Qui vivis et regnas, &c., and resuming the humeral veil, blesses the people in the prescribed manner; after which, the procession again moves forward. (Rituale Romanum de Proces.; Bauldry, lib. ii. cap. xvi. art. iii. n. 23.)

32. The procession having returned to the church, and the sacred Ministers arrived before the Altar, the Deacon, with the usual ceremonies, receives the remonstrance from the Celebrant, and places it upon the Altar. The Cantors having intoned the Tantum ergo, the function continues as at other Benedictions. The clergy remain to assist with their lighted candles until the ceremonies are concluded.

CHAPTER VIII.

VESPERS FOR THE DEAD ON THE FIRST DAY OF NOVEMBER. ARTICLE I.-Preparations.

1. In the Church the catafalque covered with black cloth, and the large candlesticks furnished with candles. 2. At the Altar, a black antependium covered with a white one, if such be convenient, otherwise a black one may be brought from the sacristy before the commencement of the Vespers of the Dead. The same may be said of the covering of the Tabernacle, if the Blessed Sacrament repose on the Altar where the Vespers are to be sung, a purple one should be placed under a white one. (Bauldry, part iv. cap. xviii. n. 2, 5.)

3. On the credence the black code for the Officiant, and the lectern in its proper place.2

The Ceremonial of Bishops enjoins that the antependium of the Altar shall be of the colour of the day (book i. chap. xii. n. 11). White will therefore be used for the Vespers of All Saints, and black for Vespers of the Dead.

2 The Ceremonial supposes the Officiant (not being in choro) to be placed

ARTICLE II.-The Vespers.

4. During the Magnificat of the Vespers of All Saints, the candles should be lighted at the catafalque. While the Benedicamus Domino is being sung, the Acolytes should retire from the Officiant, and after having made the usual genuflection in the centre, proceed to place their candles at the sides of the Altar, and extinguish them. (Bauldry, part iv. cap. xviii. n. 3.) The Acolytes should then proceed behind the Cope-men, and after the Benedicamus Domino has been sung, make with them a genuflection to the Altar, and reverence to the choir. They then withdraw to the sacristy, walking before the Cope-men, with their hands joined. Having arrived in the sacristy, they aid them to take off their copes.

5. The Benedicamus Domino being sung, the Officiant, without saying the Fidelium animæ (Bauldry, ibid. n. 6), will change the white cope for a black one. The Clerks

appointed will remove the carpeting and the white antependium; they will place a black one in its stead, unless it has been previously prepared underneath it. They will also do the same to the Officiant's lectern and the Tabernacle.

6. The Officiant being vested in the black cope, all stand, and the choir sing the antiphon Placebo Domino under the double rite. (Carem. Epis. lib. ii. cap. x. n. 3.) The Cantors having intoned the Psalm, all sit down until the beginning of the Magnificat.

7. The Magnificat being intoned, all rise, and the Acolytes light their candles: the Magnificat over, all sit down until the choir has repeated the antiphon. The Acolytes take their candles, and having genuflected in the centre, proceed before the Officiant. (Carem. Epis. ibid. n. 4.)

8. The antiphon having been repeated, all kneel, except the Acolytes. The Officiant kneeling intones the Pater

at a lectern, and that he recites the prayers with joined hands. It is usual in Rome to cover these lecterns also with hangings of the colour appropriate to the day.