Note 138 — CHAP. VI.
Reading edition
Footnote 138:
(return)
In the afternoon the parish-priests bless with prayers and holy water the houses and paschal food of their parishioners. In the Ordo Romanus, besides the blessing of milk and honey, there is a formula of benediction of a lamb and other food. Durandus also (lib. 6 Ration.) mentions the blessing of the lamb, a custom which is preserved at Rome till the present time. The shops of the pizzicaroli are illuminated and gaily decorated, probably because they have peculiar reasons to rejoice at the conclusion of the austerities of lent.