Friends Court

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 15, 10 April 1924, Page 3

Friends Court

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK'S CALENDAR. April 13, Sunday.— Sunday. '■",">•' 14, Monday.—Of the Feria. ' v " » 15, Tuesday—Of the Feria. , _ . t , 16, Wednesday.—Of the Feria. ~ „ 17, Thursday.—Holy Thursday. „ 18, Friday.—Good Friday. , ; ~ 19, Saturday. Holy Saturday. " - -■ ' " " * ' \ 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 ails which are used in the administration y of certain sacraments, and also in some ecclesiastical functions. , ; - ';"> Good Friday. , This day is called "Good" because »n it we were liberated from the 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 uncovereda 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 MARY'S PLAINT. (Holy Thursday Night.) It is not merely that my heart Is crying-'so for Thee to-night, Who in the sacrilegious mart Art set against the lords of might! But oh, that Thou shouldst bear alone The stinging gibe, the searing pain! . That in Thy need Thou shouldst disown .'..,. The arms that call for Thee in vain ! One.morningwell I know the day ! I watched Thee down the desert road; That morning took my heart away And left me with a weary load. Ah, dost Thou hear? Out of my pain I crave this favoronly this — ;; To hold Thee in my arms again .And cheat bereavement with a kiss. My Son! --.... . ~' Now does the sword foretold Transpierce my heart with bitter rue. .;■%; -.Yet, if .Thine hour is come, behold . Thy handmaid, but a mother too! Flesh of my flesh ! . . . Shall then the bond That linked two heartbeats each to each Be torn? Oh, must thou pass beyond :> ' _; The J limit of my utmost reach?. c "'£>;,:"■ Yet, if I may not share the way, '':.- •'■•''•■••:.: Each step is treasured in my heart, -.' £:.••:. , That sad-faced mothers -may not pray V. ":'••'..- In vain for feet that walk apart. N ..'.-..-•, C \~ Thy will be done I; ..! 1. But ah, the blow ' ij| '"..-■:'; Falls heavily : upon my soul, . " ■ s; - r - . x Who jieeds . must share Thy fill of woe. / _ £ .;„ Would I might bear the crushing whole I —Eugene' M. Beck, S.J.