Course 4, Chapter 37: Christianity visible. — Holy Saturday

1. What is Holy Saturday?

Holy Saturday is the day on which the church honors the burial of the Saviour. Formerly, solemn baptism was administered to the catechumens on this day. The office of the day is composed of BIX parts.

2. What is the first?

The first is the blessing of the new fire, and reminds us that the church blesses all the things which she uses for divine worship; 2<1, that our hearts should be renewed, in order to imitate the Saviour risen from the dead.

3. What is the second?

The second is the blessing of the paschal candle, which formerly was a column of wax, on which was written the epoch of the paschal feast, that is, the day of the month on which it occurred. It is the first symbol of the Saviour risen. The five grains of in cense inserted in the paschal candle, are another, and represent the five wounds of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the aromatic spices used to embalm his body.

4. What is the third?

The third are the prophecies, which are twelve in number. They were sung from the first aues, to sustain the attention, and keep alive the piety of the faithful, who passed the entire night in the church. They all have reference to baptism; and invite our gratitude to God for so great a blessing-

5. What is the fourth?

The fourth is the blessing of tbe baptismal font. Formerly, when the catechumens were prepared, they were led to the font during the singing of tho litanies, aad the water in which they were to be regenerated was blessed. This blessing of the w.ater, a continued at the present day-

392 CATECHISM Ob' PERSEVERANCE.

6. What is the fifth?

The fifth is the mass; which has no introit, because the people are already in the church. The mass is short, in consequence of the length of the offices.

7. What is the sixth?

The sixth are the vespers, which are sung im-

- mediately after mass. It consists of hut one psalm; in

which the Gentiles are invited to unite with the Jews

to bless the Lord, who, by the grace of baptism, has

united all nations in the same church.

8. What should we do on Holy Saturday?

We should bury ourselves in spirit with our Lord in the sepulchre; and there leave all our old habits of sin and lukewarmness, in order to rise with him to a new life.