scription of the ritual followed in the reconciliation of penitents will be found in Guéranger, p. 352, Holy Week.]
Second, The Mass.
As the Church commemorates on this day the institution of the Eucharist, she allows some joy and gratitude to mingle with her heavy grief. Naturally the mass is the part in which this joy predominates. Though her pictures and images and crucifixes are still veiled, yet the Cross is covered with white, the Altar is decorated, and the candles are of white wax. In Cathedral Churches, the Bishop always pontificates on Holy Thursday, and during the mass blesses the Holy Oils, a function which we will describe later. The mass proceeds as usual, even the psalm "Judica" being re-admitted for this day. The Gloria in Excelsis is once more sung, and while the hymn is being said at the Altar all the bells in the Church are rung, and a magnificent voluntary is performed on the organs, after which both bell and organ are silent until the same glorious hymn is re-intoned on Holy Saturday. On this day the kiss of peace is not given after the Agnus Dei, because it was by a kiss that Judas betrayed his Lord. At the mass the bishop consecrates two sacred hosts, one to be consumed as usual, and the other to be reserved at another Altar with the greatest reverence, until brought back the next day, Good Friday, to be consumed at the office of that day.
The feature of the mass is the procession of the Blessed Sacrament when the host that has been consecrated for the mass of the pre-sanctified is carried in solemn state. The celebrant, surrounded by his ministers, preceded by the cross-bearer and acolytes, and two thurifers swinging their thuribles, and all the clergy and choristers proceed down the broad aisle and around the Cathedral to an Altar in one of the chapels, which has been magnificently decorated with flowers and rich hangings. During the procession the
