Indeed, but which is (or was) the *Mass of the Passion* - the Maundy Thursday service? Or the Good Friday Liturgy?
Good Friday, using elements consecrated on Maundy Thursday
Thank you - I thought it was probably Good Friday.
AIUI, there was a pre-Reformation practice of actually burying the Sacrament in an Easter Sepulchre within the church for that period. Some Easter Sepulchres (or the remains thereof) can still be seen here and there, but I don't think the practice has ever been revived in its entirety.
I'm reminded of the early Tudor story of the rather ill-educated priest who - on Holy Saturday - couldn't recall what sort of Mass he should celebrate on Easter Day (!). He sent his servant (who wasn't all that bright, either) to a neighbouring priest to enquire, and the servant boy came back to say that he couldn't remember what the other priest had said, except that the Mass began with *R*.
Ah - sez his master - we buried Jesus yesterday, so it must be a Requiem Mass!
Better historians than me will doubtless surface, but yes, the Sacrament would rest in a sepulchre within the church. If my memory serves me well one survives at Long Melford in Suffolk, within the chantry chapel of the church's benefactors, the Clopton family.
In post Tridentine but pre 1950s Holy Week changes initiated by Pope Pius XII the altar of repose in the RC church had the Sacrament contained in a sort of funerary urn which was called the Sepulchre. I have never seen it in a RC church in modern times but have seen this type of altar of repose in at least two Anglo-Catholic churches.
Catholic churches in Central Europe still have what is called 'das heilige Grab' (the Holy Grave) where people can spend some time in contemplation during the Triduum.
The veiling is never explained at St Obscures as being because God is dead but a removal of comfortable distractions so as to focus ones mind more fully on the central liturgical event that is happening. There is so much that is happening that in someways it is essential.
The veiling is never explained at St Obscures as being because God is dead but a removal of comfortable distractions so as to focus ones mind more fully on the central liturgical event that is happening. There is so much that is happening that in someways it is essential.
The veiling is never explained at St Obscures as being because God is dead but a removal of comfortable distractions so as to focus ones mind more fully on the central liturgical event that is happening. There is so much that is happening that in someways it is essential.
That sounds like a sensible explanation...
Especially given that we veil for passiontide not just the Triduum. We actually start unveiling on Maundy Thursday when crucifixes' veils go from purple to thin white.
The veiling is never explained at St Obscures as being because God is dead but a removal of comfortable distractions so as to focus ones mind more fully on the central liturgical event that is happening. There is so much that is happening that in someways it is essential.
That sounds like a sensible explanation...
Especially as the we veil for Passiontide not the Triduum. Also unveiling starts on Maundy Thursday when crucifixes' veils go from opaque purple to translucent white. All crucifixes are unveiled on Good Friday (so much for God is Dead as being the reason). The rest comes down on Holy Saturday in preparation for the vigil.
The veiling is never explained at St Obscures as being because God is dead but a removal of comfortable distractions so as to focus ones mind more fully on the central liturgical event that is happening. There is so much that is happening that in someways it is essential.
I have heard it referred to as “a fast for the eyes.”
The veiling is never explained at St Obscures as being because God is dead but a removal of comfortable distractions so as to focus ones mind more fully on the central liturgical event that is happening. There is so much that is happening that in someways it is essential.
I have heard it referred to as “a fast for the eyes.”
I was somewhat partial to the linen veils used as part of the Sarum lent array, until someone on these boards mentioned that they look like little Ku Klux Klan hoods, and I have never been able to get that image out of my mind.
Comments
Good Friday, using elements consecrated on Maundy Thursday
Ah.
But was he listening?
Thank you - I thought it was probably Good Friday.
AIUI, there was a pre-Reformation practice of actually burying the Sacrament in an Easter Sepulchre within the church for that period. Some Easter Sepulchres (or the remains thereof) can still be seen here and there, but I don't think the practice has ever been revived in its entirety.
I'm reminded of the early Tudor story of the rather ill-educated priest who - on Holy Saturday - couldn't recall what sort of Mass he should celebrate on Easter Day (!). He sent his servant (who wasn't all that bright, either) to a neighbouring priest to enquire, and the servant boy came back to say that he couldn't remember what the other priest had said, except that the Mass began with *R*.
Ah - sez his master - we buried Jesus yesterday, so it must be a Requiem Mass!
A swift Google for Melford'ssepulchre brings up this: https://churchmonumentssociety.org/2020/04/11/the-easter-sepulchre
Was the Trinity 'dismantled' between Christ's death and resurrection?
Catholic churches in Central Europe still have what is called 'das heilige Grab' (the Holy Grave) where people can spend some time in contemplation during the Triduum.
Yes, indeed. We have icons of it so that must be the case ...
That sounds like a sensible explanation...
Especially given that we veil for passiontide not just the Triduum. We actually start unveiling on Maundy Thursday when crucifixes' veils go from purple to thin white.
Especially as the we veil for Passiontide not the Triduum. Also unveiling starts on Maundy Thursday when crucifixes' veils go from opaque purple to translucent white. All crucifixes are unveiled on Good Friday (so much for God is Dead as being the reason). The rest comes down on Holy Saturday in preparation for the vigil.
A rather good way of putting it.