Course 4, Chapter 34: Christianity visible. — Last fifteen days of Lent

1. To what are the last fifteen days of Lent consecrated?

They are consecrated to honor the passion of our Lord; for this reason the church in the Gospel of each day rehearses the benefits and the most striking miracles of the Saviour, and the injustice of the Jews who sought to put him to death.

2. What more does the church do?

On the Friday before the passion she celebrates the feast of the seven dolors of the Blessed Virgin, whose heart was pierced with sorrow on seeing the treatment which her divine son received.

3. How is the last week of £,ent called?

The last week of Lent is called: 1st, the c/reat week, on account of the number and grandeur of the mysteries celebrated, and on account of the length of the different offices; 2d, the painful week, on account of the sufferings of our Lord; 3d, the xerophaye iveek, because formerly the faithful ate only dry food and drank nothing but water; 4th, holy ivee.k, on account of the holiness of the mysteries she presents us, and the holiness she requires of us.

4. How was the holy week formerly spent?

Formerly holy week and Easter week were a continual feast. The tribunals of justice were closed, business suspended and prisoners set at liberty, debtors had their debts paid for them, enemies were reconciled, each one endeavored to renew in himself the true spirit of his duties and of the gospel.

5. How should we spend it V

We should spend it as the church requires: 1st, meditating each day on the passion of our Lord; 2d, exciting in ourselves a lively horror for sin, and a great love of God and our neighbor; 3d, living in great

388 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

recollection; 4th, assisting at the different offices, and preparing ourselves with special fervor to receive the sacraments of penance and the eucharist.