Note (return) — CHAP. VI.

3. In the papal chapel, immediately after the prophecies, the Celebrant takes off his chasuble, and prostrates himself with the sacred ministers before the altar; all the others also kneel, and two tenor voices from the choir chant in the middle of the chapel the greater litanies, called those of the saints, each petition of which is repeated in the same words by the choir122. Before the verse "Peccatores te rogamus audi nos" the assistant priest and ministers go to the sacristy, and put on white vestments. Then returning to the chapel they assist the Card. Celebrant to put on his white vestments at his faldistorio. The candles are now lighted (at the Agnus Dei of the litany, as the Sacramentary of S. Gregory and the Ordo Romanus prescribe); the purple veil which covered the throne and the purple paliotto or facing of the altar are removed; and both appear decked in white. The Cardinals assisted by theirs caudatarii take off their purple cappe, and put on others of scarlet brought in by their respective camerieri. The reason of this sudden change from mourning to rejoicing we have already seen: the celebration of Christ's resurrection from the dead is celebrated by anticipation.