The Ceremonies of the Holy-Week at Rome Part 2

[Sidenote: P. I. Holy-week]

The sufferings and death of Jesus Christ are the mysteries which the catholic church commemorates during holy week. "On these days" says S. John Chrysostom (in Ps. CXCIV) "was the tyranny of the devil overthrown, sin and its curse were taken away, heaven was opened and made accessible". It was then becoming that christians should consecrate these days of mercy, of grace and salvation to exercises of penance, devotion, and thanksgiving. The imposing liturgy of the Roman church is at this season more than usually solemn; and it is our task to describe, and endeavour to trace to their origin, its varied ceremonies.

[Sidenote: Palm-Sunday, Christ's entry into Jerusalem.]

Palm-sunday is so called from the commemoration of our blessed Saviour's entry into Jerusalem, when, according to St. John (XII, 13) "a great mult.i.tude took branches of palm-trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried: "Hosanna, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord". Thus when Simon Maccabee subdued Jerusalem, he entered it "with thanksgiving and branches of palm-trees, and harps, and cymbals, and hymns and canticles, because the great enemy was destroyed out of Israel". 1 Macc. XIII. The entry of our divine Redeemer therefore was one of triumph: but it was also the entry of a king into his capital: for "many spread their garments in the way" (Mark XI, 8), as when Jehu was elected king, (4 Kings IX, 13), the Israelites spread their garments under his feet. Thus also Plutarch relates of Cato of Utica, that the soldiers regretting the expiration of his authority with many tears and embraces spread their garments, where he pa.s.sed on foot.

Pope Julius II returning to Rome after the siege of Mirandola distributed palms to the Roman court at S. Maria del Popolo; and then rode in triumphal procession to the Vatican pa.s.sing under seven arches adorned with representations of his extraordinary and heroic deeds[26].

[Sidenote: Sixtus V and Captain Bresca.]

When Sixtus V. undertook to erect in the Piazza di San Pietro the ponderous egyptian obelisk[27], which formerly adorned Nero's circus at the Vatican, he forbade on pain of death that any one should speak lest the attention of the workmen should be taken off from their arduous task. A naval officer of S. Remo, who happened to be present, foreseeing that the ropes would take fire, cried out "_acqua alle funi_". He was immediately arrested by the Swiss guards, as we see him represented in the small fresco in the Vatican library, and was conducted before the Pontiff. Sixtus shewed that his severity was based on justice; for instead of punishing the transgressor of his orders, he offered him the choice of his own reward. They who have observed the great abundance of palms which grow in the neighbourhood of S. Remo, on the coast between Nice and Genoa, will not be surprised to hear, that the first wish of the gallant captain was to enjoy the privilege of supplying the pontifical chapel with palms. The Pope granted him this exclusive right and it is still enjoyed by one of his family.

[Sidenote: Return of Pius VII to Rome.]

When the meek and benevolent Pius VII was returning to Rome from exile and captivity, Dr. Bresca, one of the captain's descendants, contrived, though not without great risk, to convey to Rome the choicest palms of S. Remo and Bordighera. At the house of his friend Viale half a mile outside the Porta del Popolo, he a.s.sembled twenty five _orfanelli_ dressed in their white ca.s.socks, and forty-five _verginelle_. When the carriage of the beloved Pontiff approached, this double choir of children appeared, bearing palms in their hands and singing joyous canticles of benediction but I must describe this lovely scene in the melodious language of the south. "Ciascuno di essi (says Cancellieri) recava in mano una di queste palme di color d'oro altissime e cadenti come tante vaghissime piume. Sei zitelle sostenevano de'galanti panieri di freschissimi fiori pendenti dal loro collo, con nastri bianchi e gialli, relativi allo stendardo Pontificio. Quindi tutti si schierarono in buon ordine sulle due ale delta strada, e mentre le ragazze versavano graziosamente a mani piene da' loro canestrelli la verzura ed i fiori, quella selva ondeggiante di palme, tributate al trionfo del S. Padre dal candore e dall'

innocenza, sorprese con la novita di uno spettacolo, che non pote a meno d'intenerire, e di muovere tutti gli astanti".

If we now look back for a moment to the triumphs of the pagan emperors, well may we bless G.o.d for the change which the religion of Christ has wrought in this city. After they had let loose war, and famine, and pestilence, to prey upon hapless nations, they ascended the Capitol to offer incense with polluted hands to their profane G.o.ds; and meantime the groans of the dying and unpitied princes, whom they had reserved to decorate their triumph, ascended from the scala Gemonia to call down the vengeance of heaven upon their oppressors.

But while the pacific and holy vicar of Christ returns in triumph to his capital, the lips of babes and sucklings sing his praises, as they did those of his Divine Master, and he implores heaven to shower down benedictions on his enemies as well as his beloved children.

[Sidenote: P. II Papal chapel on palm-sunday.]

[Sidenote: Lights used at ma.s.s, etc.]

At about 9 o'clock on palm-sunday morning the Cardinals, Prelates and others a.s.semble near the chapel of the Pieta at S. Peter's, as at present the solemn service takes place in that basilica, and not as formerly in the Sixtine chapel. The crucifix over the altar is veiled, in token of the mourning of the church over her divine spouse's sufferings[28]. On the altar are six lighted candles, and other torches are brought in after the _Sanctus_ of the Ma.s.s, and held till after the elevation, in honour of the B. Sacrament, by four _acoliti ceroferarii_[29].

[Sidenote: sacred vestments]

As the pope is to bless and distribute the palms, and a solemn procession is to take place, the Cardinals put on their sacred vestments, viz. all of them the amice, the cardinal bishops the surplice and the cope, the priests the chasuble, and the deacons a chasuble shorter in front than that of the priests. The auditors of the Rota, _Cherici di Camera, Votanti_, and _Abbreviatori_ put on a _cotta_ or supplice. The bishops and mitred abbots wear the cope, and the _Penitenzieri_ or confessors of St. Peter's, the chasuble.

The copes of the cardinal bishops are ornamented with a _formale_, adorned with three large bosses or projections of pearls arranged in a perpendicular line, while the Pope's are in a triangular order, evidently alluding, to the blessed Trinity. As this is a day of mourning, the sacred vestments are purple.

[Sidenote: _ubbidienza._]

Thus attired and holding their mitres the Cardinals remain standing while the Pope is vested by the a.s.sistant Cardinal-deacons who put on His Holiness the amice, alb, girdle, stole, red cope, _formale_ or clasp, and mitre. All then move in procession towards the high-altar in the order observed in the procession of the palms, as described below:[30] the Pope descends from His _sedia gestatoria_ to adore the Holy Sacrament with the Cardinals etc. The procession then goes to the high-altar; and having prayed for a short time before it, the Pope goes to the throne,[31] and there receives the _ubbidienza_ or homage of all the cardinals present, who in turn kiss His right hand covered with the cope. This ceremony which takes place at all solemn offices, except on good friday, and at ma.s.ses for the dead, bears some resemblance to the old homage of feudal times[32].

[Sidenote: Blessing of the palms.]

Some palms are arranged on the altar. The Pope's chief Sacristan, who is a bishop chosen from the Augustinian order bears one, and kneels on the steps of the throne between the deacon and subdeacon, who bear two larger palms. His Holiness reads the usual prayers over the palms, sprinkles them with holy water, and incenses them three times.

[Sidenote: Distribution of the palms.]

When the palms have been blessed[33], the Cardinal Dean receives from the governor of Rome and presents to the Pope those three palms, which were borne by _M. Sagrista_, the deacon and subdeacon. One of these is held during the service by the prince a.s.sistant at the throne, the other two are delivered to the care of _M. Coppiere_, one of the _Camerieri segreti partec.i.p.anti_: the shortest is carried by the Pope in the procession. An embroidered ap.r.o.n is now placed over the Pope's knees, and the cardinals in turn receive a palm from Him, kissing the palm, his right hand and knee. The bishops present kiss the palm which they receive and his right knee: and the mitred abbots and _Penitenzieri_ kiss the palm and his foot[34], as do all who come after them in the following order, which is observed also on good-friday at the kissing of the cross, and it is also on candlemas-day and ash-wednesday.

The Governor, the Prince a.s.sistant, the _Uditore della Camera_, the Treasurer, the _Maggiordomo_, the Apostolic protonotaries; the Generals of Religious Orders, the _Conservatori_ and Prior of the _Caporioni_, the _Maestro del S. Ospizio_, the _Uditori di Rota_, the _Maestro del S. Palazzo_, the _Votanti di Segnatura_, the _Abbreviatori del Parco maggiore_, the priest, deacon, and subdeacon who a.s.sist the cardinal who is to celebrate ma.s.s, the Masters of ceremonies, the _Camerieri segreti_ and _d'onore_, the Consistorial advocates, the _Cappellani segreti_, _d'onore_ and _comuni_, the _Ajutanti di camera_, the _bussolanti_, the _Procuratori generali_ of religious orders, the _Procuratori di Collegio_, the singers, the clerks of the papal chapel, the cardinal's _caudatarii_, the _ostiarii_, the mace-bearers, some students of the German college, and in fine such n.o.blemen and gentlemen as are admitted on this occasion to receive a palm from His Holiness, who is a.s.sisted as usual by two Card. deacons.

During the distribution of the palms, the anthems _Pueri Hebraeorum_ etc. are sung by the choir; and when it is finished, the Pope washes His hands, and says the usual concluding prayer: the prince stationed at the throne brings the water, and the Cardinal Dean presents the towel to His Holiness.

[Sidenote: _Solemn procession._]

The Pope then puts incense into the thurible for the procession, and the first Card. Deacon turning towards the people says according to the old formula Let us proceed in peace: the choir answers, in the name of Christ. Amen'. The procession, in which the blessed palms are carried, moves round S. Peter's, in the following order, which is observed also for the most part on holy thursday and good friday.

The _Procuratori di Collegio_,[35] _Procuratori generali_, the _Bussolanti_, the _Ajutanti di Camera_, _Cappellani comuni_ and _segreti_, the Consistorial advocates, the _Camerieri d' onore_, and _segreti_, the singers, the _Abbreviatori, Votanti di Segnatura, Cherici di Camera, Uditori di Rota_, the Thurifer, (_Votante di Segnatura_), the Subdeacon (_Uditore di Rota_) who carries the cross ornamented with a small palm, between two acolythes (_Votanti di Segnatura_) carrying candles, the _Penitenzieri_, the mitred abbots, bishops and the Cardinal deacons, priests and bishops all wearing their mitres.[36] The Pope is preceded by many officers of his guards (who go to the throne towards the end of the distribution of palms), the _Maestro del S. Ospizio_, the _Conservatori_, Senator and Governor of Rome. His Holiness is carried on his _Sedia gestatoria_[37] under a canopy supported by 8 _Referendarii_ (prelates of the tribunal of _Segnatura_) between the _flabelli_ carried by two of His _Camerieri_.

He is followed by the dean of the Rota (whose duty it is to bear His mitre) between two _camerieri segreti_ (who as well as two Auditors of the Rota bear His train when occasion requires), by the _Uditore della Camera_, the Treasurer, _Maggiordomo_, Protonotaries and Generals of religious orders.

During the procession the choir sings the anthem, _c.u.m appropinquaret etc._ When the procession is in the portico, two soprano singers reenter the basilica, and shut the door: then turning towards the door, they sing the first verse of the hymn _Gloria, laus et honor_[38] and the other verses alternately with the choir, which remains without. The subdeacon knocks at the gate with the cross, and it is immediately opened; the procession returns into the church, and the choir sings the concluding anthems.

[Sidenote: _its antiquity._]

The solemn commemoration, which we have described, of Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, could never have taken place during times of persecution: nor did it originate immediately after Constantine had ensured peace to the church. Martene (De ant. Eccl.

Rit. lib. IV, c. 20) could find no mention of it before the 8th or 9th century, when Amalarius says "In memory of this we are accustomed to carry palm-branches, and cry Hosanna". Merati however, in his notes to Gavant, considers that he has found traces of it in the Gregorian and Gelasian sacramentaries, and in a Roman calendar of the beginning of the fifth century[39] and his opinion is adopted by Benedict XIV. The ceremonies of the church of Jerusalem on this day were a still closer imitation of the entry of Christ into that city.

When the procession is ended, the cardinals, bishops, and mitred abbots take off their sacred vestments and the prelates their surplices, and they all resume their respective _cappe_; the _Penitenzieri_ retire, and ma.s.s is celebrated by a cardinal of the order of priests. Having already given an account not only of low ma.s.s, but also of the additional ceremonies of high ma.s.s, as celebrated in the papal chapel, we shall here mention those only which are peculiar to palm-sunday.

At those words of the epistle (which is sung as usual by the subdeacon), "in the name of Jesus let every knee bow", the whole a.s.sembly kneels to adore their divine Redeemer, who became obedient unto death for our salvation. The affecting account of His sufferings and death is then sung by three priests[40] belonging to the pontifical choir, and habited as deacons in alb and stole. The history itself is sung by a tenor voice, the words, of our Saviour by a ba.s.s, and those of any other single voice by a _contralto_, called the _ancilla_, as he sings the words of the _maid_ to S. Peter: the choir sings the words of the mult.i.tude[41]. The church, mourning over the sufferings of her divine Spouse, does not allow the incense, lights, or the benediction and salutation usual before the gospel; but the palms are borne to signify the triumphs consequent on His death as they are also from the elevation till after the communion. All stand up as usual from respect to the holy gospel ("as servants before their Lord" Amalarius) but kneel for a short time at the words "Jesus crying with a loud voice yielded up the ghost", to adore that G.o.d of love who died for mankind. The latter part of the gospel is sung in the usual chant by the deacon, but without the customary lights[42]. At the offertory is sung the first part of the beautiful hymn _Stabat Mater_: the music is Palestrina's, and is justly and highly panegyrised by Baini; it has been published by Dr. Burney. Both the _introit_ and communion are sung without, and the offertory with, counterpoint: the _Kyrie eleison_, Gradual and tract, in plain chant. The Benedictus qui venit is usually very beautiful. At the end of the ma.s.s, as there has been no sermon, the Card. celebrant announces from the altar the Pope's usual grant to all present of an indulgence[43] or remission of the _temporal_ punishment due for past sins, whose guilt has been already remitted.

[Sidenote: indulgences]

When the ma.s.s is ended, the palms are carried home by those who have received them, and are preserved with respect. Two larger than the rest are kept until the ascension, in the sacristy called the _Letto dei Paramenti_ because anciently the aged Pontiffs after their fatiguing walk to the stational churches used to repose on a _letto_ or bed prepared for them in the sacristy, where they afterwards put on the _paramenti_ or vestments. The paschal candle also, an emblem of Christ the true light, as we shall afterwards see is removed on the day of the ascension: this circ.u.mstance may explain the above-mentioned custom.

[Sidenote: Cardinal penitentiary at S. John Lateran's.]

In the afternoon of palm-sunday, the Cardinal great Penitentiary goes in state to S. John Lateran's. He is met, before he enters their college, by the minor penitentiaries, who at this basilic are Franciscans, _minori osservanti_. Having sprinkled those present with holy water, he goes up to their private oratory[44] in the Lateran palace, whither he is escorted by the prelates and other ministers of the apostolic _Penitenzieria_. After a short prayer, he proceeds to the library, where he holds the _Segnatura_ or tribunal for signing doc.u.ments relating to his office, and afterwards enters the basilic of St. John Lateran's, where he is received by four canons. Here seated at his tribunal of penance, he touches with his rod the heads of the prelates, ministers and others who approach to him; and for this act of humiliation they receive an indulgence, or remission of the canonical penance, of 100 days. He also hears the confessions of any persons who may choose to present themselves: but the solution of difficult cases and absolution from crimes reserved to his jurisdiction may be obtained without confessing to his Eminence on so public an occasion[45].

The ceremonies, which we have described, are designed to honour our divine Redeemer, whose actions and sufferings are thereby commemorated, and at the same time to excite sentiments of devotion in the hearts of His servants. Here ought the catholic to exercise faith, hope, love, and contrition for his sins: and _all_, of whatever country or creed they may be, who are admitted with hospitality and liberality to witness the solemn and imposing service, if they do not feel such n.o.ble sentiments, ought at least to observe that external decorum, which the season, the place, the hierarchy, and above all the commemoration of the sufferings of the G.o.d of charity will dictate to every well-educated and well-principled mind. It is to be lamented, that not only the devotion of Catholics is disturbed, but their feelings also are occasionally insulted in their own house of worship by the unbecoming remarks of individuals--but enough: "you have not so learned Christ: if yet you have heard him, and have been taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus". Ephes. IV, 20, 21. If on this day even the inhabitants of Jerusalem received Him with triumph and jubilee, let us His disciples and children offer to Him the best tribute in our power of love praise and adoration.

[Footnote 26: See Cancellieri, _Solenni possessi de'Papi, p_. 539.]

[Footnote 27: According to Champollion, it was originally erected in Heliopolis by Ramesses 7th son of the great Ramesses or Sesostris; Pliny says by Nuncoreus son of Sesostris. Caligula transported it to Rome, and placed it in the circus afterwards called Nero's, where it remained standing till the time of Sixtus V.]

[Footnote 28: It was customary in Lent, says St. Audoenus, to cover with a linen veil the tomb of Eligius to conceal the brightness of the gold and the splendour of the gems". Vita S. Eligii l. 2. c. 40. Thus does the church at this season put off her costly nuptial robes, and vest herself in weeds of deepest mourning. The time for veiling the crucifix and images has varied at different periods. The Sat.u.r.day before pa.s.sion-sunday is now the first, and holy Sat.u.r.day the last day, of this observance.]

[Footnote 29: S. Isidore (A.D. 600.) observes, that acolythes are called in Latin _Ceroferarii_ "from their carrying wax tapers when the gospel is to be read or sacrifice is to be offered". In the eleventh century Micrologus testifies "that Ma.s.s, according to the _Ordo Roma.n.u.s_, was never celebrated without lights, even in the day time, as a type of the light of Christ". To this custom we shall recur in the following chapter.]

[Footnote 30: Pietro de Marca maintains, that the crucifix borne before the Pope was subst.i.tuted in place of the _labarum_ or standard carried before the emperors. That of Constantine had the form of a cross, and was surmounted with XP the first letters of Christ's name, Eus. In Vita Const. l. 4.]

[Footnote 31: I shall not speak of some ancient ceremonies of holy week which have fallen into disuse, such as the custom of carrying the gospel or the B. Sacrament in triumphant procession on Palm-Sunday, and others alluded to by Cancellieri and described by Martene, De Antiq. Eccl. Rit.]

[Footnote 32: In times of schism caused by antipopes it was a practice of the utmost importance. Thus we read in Baronius' Annals A.D. 1160, that when the antipope Cardinal Octavia.n.u.s, who a.s.sumed the name of Victor, had been illegitimately elected, the chapter of St. Peter's came immediately to the feet of the said Pope Victor, and _obeyed_ "obedivit" and the clergy and people paid due reverence to him, and a great mult.i.tude in like manner _obeyed_: "the rectors also came to his feet, and paid _obedience_ and reverence". Then follows a long list of the clergy of various Roman churches, all of whom it is said that they _obeyed_. Thus,

"The Lateran prior and his canons _obeyed_. The clergy of the patriarchal church of S. Mary Major's _obeyed_ etc."

This _obedience_ was evidently an external sign of their acknowledging Victor as Pope in place of Alexander, the legitimate pontiff.

Anciently the Pope received the homage of the deacons in the sacristy; they afterwards went out of the sacristy to put on their dalmatics.

Cancellieri de Secretariis T.I. In the sacristy the Pope gave the _peace_ to the Bishops, Cardinals, Prefect, Senator, and other lay princes according to the canon Benedict, Cencius Camerarius and Cajetan. The ordines Romani mention the bowing of the Subdeacon at the knees of the Pontiff, and the kissing of his hand by the priests, the archdeacon and secundarius De secretariis T. I, p. 409.]

[Footnote 33: Many forms of benediction of persons and things taken from ancient Pontificals and ma.n.u.script rituals may be seen in Martene, De antiquis Ecclesiae Ritibus. The church generally uses holy-water and incense when blessing G.o.d's creatures, which are "sanctified by the word of G.o.d and prayer" 1 Tom. IV, 5. G.o.d had appointed water of expiation to be used by the Jews, Numbers XIX.

l.u.s.tral water used to be sprinkled also by the Pagans; Terque senem flamma, ter aqua, ter sulphure purget. Ov. Met. l. 7. Anastasius says that Alexander I, who was Pope in 108 "appointed that water for sprinkling should be blessed with salt in private houses." It is mentioned also in the apostolic const.i.tutions. Boldetti in his _Cemeterii de' martiri_ notices the short columns supporting small vases, in corners of the chapels in the catacombs; and Bottari has published and ill.u.s.trated in his _Roma sotterranea_ an interesting fresco discovered in the catacombs of S. Agnese, and representing five figures carrying vessels closely resembling those still used for holy water; four of those figures carry branches supposed to be of the palm-tree: the fifth holds an aspergillum with which holy water is still sprinkled. A copy of this fresco may be seen also in Rock's Hierurgia, p. 668. Incense is a symbol of prayers. "Let my prayer, O Lord" we say with the Psalmist "be directed as incense in thy sight".

G.o.d had appointed it to be used in the Jewish worship, and St. John says, that an "angel came and stood before the altar, having a golden censer, and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer of the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar, which is before the throne of G.o.d: and the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before G.o.d, from the hand of the angel".

Apoc. VIII, 3, 5. Of the apostolic antiquity of its use the Protestant bishop Beveridge adduces proofs in his Vindication of the apostolical canons. The ancient liturgies of the east and west agree in prescribing the use of incense, and in particular at the beginning of ma.s.s, at the offertory etc. See Renaudot, a.s.semani, Le Brun etc.