which they came. Having there made a genuflection to the Cross, and the usual reverences to the choir, they receive their birrettas from the second Master of Ceremonies; they cover and retire, unus post alium, to the sacristy, observing the same order as on first entering choir. (Merati, ibid.) The Acolytes remove the lecterns.

45. The Deacons of the Passion having departed, the Subdeacon consigns his Palm to the Master of Ceremonies, and conveys the Missal a parte Evangelii, more solito. (Merati, ibid.) The Celebrant having given his Palm to the Deacon (who gives it with his own to the Master of Ceremonies), proceeds to the centre to say the Munda cor meum, and the Jube Domne benedicere, omitting the Dominus vobiscum, and the signing either of the book or himself (Rubr. ibid.); the Celebrant reads the Gospel as given in the Missal, at the end of which the Subdeacon responds, Laus Tibi Christe. (Merati, ibid.) In the mean time, the Deacon having taken off his folded chasuble, and put on the large stole, conveys the book in the usual manner to the Altar. (Merati, ibid.)

46. After the Celebrant has read the Gospel, the ceremonies proceed as usual, except that the Acolytes do not carry their candles (Rubr. ibid.), but walk with hands joined, or where the custom exists, carry palms. (Bauldry, ibid. n. 9.) The Deacon does not sing Dominus vobiscum, nor does he sign the book or himself, but having incensed it, commences immediately to sing Altera autem, &c., in the Gospel tone (Rubr. ibid.); in the mean time, the Celebrant holds his palm in the right hand. The Subdeacon presents the book, and the beginning of the Alteram autem, &c., is kissed by the Celebrant. The Mass continues throughout more solito.

SUPPLEMENTARY ARTICLE.-The Benediction and Distribution of the Palms by the Bishop.

1. The office of Palm-Sunday, that is, the Benediction and Distribution of the Palms, and the Procession is performed as that of the Purification (see page 163). (Cærem. Epis. lib. ii. cap. xxi. n. 1.) The Bishop will be received at the church, will occupy the throne, and be vested from the Altar more solito. The Assistants to the throne, and the Canons, will also be parati et induti. The Celebrant of the Mass, and his Ministers, will be found at their seat on the Epistle side when the Bishop arrives. (Ibid. lib. ii. cap. xviii. n. 3.)

2. The Bishop being vested, the Celebrant of the Mass, accompanied by his Ministers, goes to the Epistle corner of the Altar, where he reads the antiphon, Hosanna, whilst the choir sing it. He then sings the Prayer which follows. The Subdeacon and Deacon sing the Epistle and Gospel, with precisely the same ceremonies as in a Mass coram Episcopo, and in which the folded chasubles are used. The Bishop at his throne reads all which is sung by the Ministers of the Mass. (Cærem. Epis. ibid. cap. xxi. n. 4.)

3. The Gospel over, the Bishop stands, and without mitre, commences the Benediction of the Palms, by Dominus vobiscum, and the Prayer, Auge fidem: he continues the Preface, and the five Prayers following it, from the Missal held before him. (Ibid.)

4. When the Bishop commences the Benediction, the Ministers of the Mass retire to their seats, when the Deacon and Subdeacon lay aside their maniples, which they do not again resume but for the Mass. They will receive their Palms in due order, but instead of joining the procession will retire to the sacristy,1 to prepare for Mass. (Ibid. n. 10.) It is convenient that some other Subdeacon should carry the processional Cross.

5. The Benediction, Distribution, Procession, and Mass, is continued as on the Feast of the Purification. (See Nos. 3-8, page 164.) The three Deacons, before singing the Passion, kiss the Bishop's hand, but do not ask a benediction. (Carem. Epis. ibid. n. 15.) The Bishop only, holds the Palm during the Elevation; the rest is done as in other Masses. (Ibid. n. 20.)

CHAPTER V.

THE TENEBRE OFFICES OF WEDNESDAY, HOLY THURSDAY, AND GOOD FRIDAY.

ARTICLE I.-Preparations.

1. At the High Altar, the carpeting, the purple antependium, and six candles of unbleached wax. If the Blessed Sacrament be there, it should be taken to another Altar prepared for the purpose. (Castaldi, lib. iii. sess. vi. c. i.

1 Such is observed in the Papal ceremonies at Rome.

n. i. c. 2; Bauldry, part iv. cap. viii. n. 5; Merati, § 6, cap. xiii. n. 1.) The Altar-cards are removed.

2. The triangular candlestick, with fifteen candles of unbleached wax, is placed in plano where the Epistle is usually sung. (Carem. Epis. lib. ii. cap. xxii. n. 4.) An extinguisher is also prepared.

3. An uncovered lectern is placed in choir where the lessons are usually sung.

ARTICLE II.-The Offices.

the middle of the (Ibid. n. 9.)1

4. At the time for Matins, the candles on the Altar, and those in the triangular stand, are lighted; and at a sign from the Master of Ceremonies, the clergy issue from the sacristy, the highest in dignity walking first. Having all arrived in choir, they kneel and say the Aperi, Domine, &c.; after which, they rise, and say in a low voice, the Pater, Ave, and Credo. (Rubr. Brev. Rom. ut in die.)

5. At the sign given by the first in choir, the Cantors intone the first antiphon, Zelus Domus tuæ, &c. When it is finished, they intone the Psalm, and all sit and cover. (Carem. Epis. lib. ii. cap. xxii. n. 6.)

Note. At the end of the Psalms they do not say the Gloria Patri, but immediately repeat the antiphon.

6. After the first Psalm, the Clerk appointed extinguishes the last candle on the Gospel side of the triangular stand. (Carem. Epis. ibid. n. 7.) At the end of the second Psalm he extinguishes the last one on the Epistle side, and so on in succession at the end of each Psalm, leaving at length only the centre one lighted.

7. When the third antiphon is repeated, and the following versicles sung, the choir rises, and says in a low voice, the Pater: this ended, they again sit and cover. The same is observed at the end of each Nocturn.

8. Whilst the antiphon is being repeated, the Master of Ceremonies goes to invite him who is to sing the first Lamentation: he makes a simple inclination, and stationing himself at his left, conducts him before the lectern of the

1 Should the Bishop assist for the second and third nights, the throne, seat, and floor will be uncovered; he may, however, retain the use of the cushion if it please him. (Carem. Epis. lib. ii. cap. xxii. n. 17.)

2 At these offices, as well as at those for the dead, the antiphons are not pre-intoned, but commenced by the Cantors themselves.

Lessons. The latter having made a genuflection to the Altar, and a reverence to the choir, sings the Lamentation, without asking the Benediction, and without saying, Tu autem Domine, &c. at the conclusion. (Rubr. ibid.) He again makes a genuflection and reverence to the choir, unitedly with the Master of Ceremonies, who accompanies him to his place. (Carem. Epis. ibid. n. 9.) The Master of Ceremonies having saluted him, returns either to the lectern of the Cantors, or to some other place, until the responsory and versicle have been sung. He then proceeds to invite the person who is to sing the second Lesson, observing the ceremonies just given.

9. While the Cantors are intoning the Benedictus, &c., all rise, and continue standing until the commencement of the Christus factus est, &c. At the verse Ut sine timore, the Clerk at the triangle will extinguish the last candle on the Gospel side of the High Altar; at the next verse, In sanctitate, he will extinguish the opposite one on the Epistle side, and so on in succession until the end.

Note.-During the singing of the Benedictus, all the candles in the church are extinguished (Rubr. ibid.), except those burning before the Most Holy Sacrament. (Cærem. Epis. ibid. n. 14.)

10. During the repetition of the antiphon of the Benedictus, the Clerk at the triangle takes the only candle that remains lighted (Rubr. ibid.), and retires to the Epistle corner, where he holds it unextinguished, with his right hand above the corner of the Altar. When the singing of the Christus factus est, &c., is commenced, he hides it behind the Altar, or in some other manner. (Rubr. ibid.; Cærem. Epis. ibid. n. 12.)

11. The Cantors having commenced the Christus factus est, all in choir kneel, and at its conclusion say in secret the Pater noster. (Rubr. ibid.) The highest Dignitary of the choir then intones with a plaintive voice the Psalm Miserere (Cærem. Epis. ibid. n. 13), which is recited alternately by the choir. This over, the highest Dignitary, still kneeling, and being somewhat inclined, recites in a clear voice, without Dominus vobiscum or Oremus (Merati, sect. vi. c. xiii. n. 7), the Prayer Respice quæsumus, &c., as far as the Qui Tecum, which he will say in secret. (Carem. Epis. ibid. n. 14.)

12. The Prayer over, the Master of Ceremonies strikes with his hand either the form or book, and all others in choir

continue to make a slight noise, until the Clerk of the triangle exposes the candle which he had hid; then all cease, rise, and withdraw to the sacristy with the usual ceremonies. (Carem. Epis. ibid. n. 15, 16.)

13. The same rule will be observed for the two other Tenebræ offices, with this exception, that the Altar should be denuded of the cloths, antependium, and carpeting, and should have upon it only the six candles and the Cross. (Ibid. n. 15.)

SUPPLEMENTARY ARTICLE.-The Bishop assisting at the Offices of Tenebræ.

1. The Bishop, in cappa, followed by the Canons, comes to the church, on entering which, he covers his head with the hood. If an Archbishop, the Cross is not carried before him. The Bishop will occupy the throne, but will not be assisted by Canons, but only by Chaplains (Capellanis) vested in cotta, who stand about him. Should it please the Bishop, he may take his place in the choir with the Canons. (Carem. Epis. lib. ii. cap. xxii. n. 3—5.)

2. After sitting a short time, the Bishop rises, and the Matins are commenced (ibid. n. 6); during the Matins, he stands with head uncovered at the Pater noster, after each Nocturn, and during the singing of the Benedictus. (Ibid. n. 8, 11.)

3. When the antiphon after the Benedictus has been repeated, the Bishop proceeds to his faldstool before the Altar, and there kneels. In due time he says, from the book or from memory, the Prayer Respice, &c. The Bishop will retire in the same manner as he entered. (Ibid. n. 13—16.)

CHAPTER VI.

HOLY THURSDAY.

ARTICLE I.-Preparations.

1. In the sacristy, the white vestments for the solemn High Mass, and, in addition, two purple stoles for the denuding of the Altars; likewise, a white tunic, alb, girdle, and amice, but without maniple, for the Cross-bearer (Rubr. Miss. ut in die); the candlesticks for the Acolytes; two thuribles, with their boats; a sufficient number of candles for the procession; and the torches for the Elevation.