Note (return) — CHAP. V.

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 God 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 Cerimonieri83. 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 passage 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 recited84. 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 God 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.