Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, 17 March 1921, Page 3

Friends at Court

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK’S CALENDAR. March 20, Sunday.— Palm Sunday. ~ 21, Monday.—St. Benedict, Abbot. ~ 22, Tuesday.—Of the Feria. ~ 23, Wednesday.—Of the Feria. • ~ 24, Thursday.—Holy Thursday. ~ 25, Friday.— Friday. ~ 26, Saturday. Holy Saturday. V Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday derives its name from the procession, with palms, which takes place wherever practicable before the principal Mass, and which commemorates the triumphal entry of Christ' into Jerusalem. The procession is an expression of joy and triumph, but blended with these feelings is one of sadness, for this triumph of Our Saviour was the prelude to His Passion.

Holy Thursday. .. ~ For a short time to-day the Church puts off her mourning. At the Mass her ministers are vested in white, the bells are heard, the organ peals forth. For a moment she desists from her meditations on the sufferings of her Divine Founder to contemplate the tender love which led Him to institute the Blessed Eucharist on the very night before His Crucifixion. In cathedral churches the bishop consecrates the Holy Oils which are used in the administration of certain Sacraments, and also in some ecclesiastical functions. Good Friday. This day is called “Good” because on it we were liberated from tjie dominion of Satan, and the happiness which God had in view in creating us was placed once more within our reach. We must not forget, however, by what means this was accomplished, and that the day so pregnant with blessings for us was marked by unspeakable sufferings on the part of Our Divine Redeemer, Who for our sake yielded Himself to a shameful death. This should be the subject of our meditations to-day. We cannot enter the church without being reminded of it. At the morning office the celebrant and his ministers are vested in black, and the history of the Passion is chanted. When the ceremonies are over, the altar is bared of its ornaments, the statues and images of the saints remain veiled. The crucifix alone is uncovered—a striking reminder of the intensity of God’s love for man, and in particular an emblem of hope to the repentant sinner. GRAINS OF GOLD THE PRECIOUS BLOOD. Riven hands in love extended Wounded feet and sword-rent side For ye pour in torrents blended, Mercy’s bright, baptismal tide. Hail, sweet stream forever flowing! Hail, 0 blest and boundless flood! Fount with life eternal glowing Love’s own pure and Precious Blood. Downward from the mystic mountain, Feet, and hands, and opened side Poured their bright baptismal fountain, Poured their clear and cleansing tide. Crimsoned Cross, so brightly glowing With that blest, redeeming flood, Still we hail, with hearts o’erflowing, Thy sweet stains of Precious Blood. Ransomed saints, in garments whitened By the life-blood of the Laffib, Pilgrims with your burdens lightened, -Martyrs, crowned.with purple palm. ' Let us join your songs of gladness, Let ms hail redemption’s flood; : , 1 ■v ..Christians, cleansed from sin and sadness, v 5 - - Praise, 0 praise the Precious Blood !