throughout. They said then one to another: Let us not cut it, but let us cast lots for it whose it shall be; that the scripture might be fulfilled which saith: "They have parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they have cast lots." And the soldiers indeed did these things. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother, and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour the disciple took her to his own. Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar. And they putting a sponge full of vinegar about hyssop, put it to his mouth. Jesus, therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bow. ing his head, he gave up the Ghost.* Then the Jews, (because it was the parasceve,) that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the sabbath-day, (for that was a great sabbath-day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. The soldiers therefore came; and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him. But after they came to Jesus; when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that saw it hath given testimony; and his testimony is true. And he knoweth that he saith true; that you also may believe. For these things were done that the scripture might be fulfilled: "You shall not break a bone of him." And again another scrip

Here all kneel and pause.

ture saith: "They shall look on him whom they pierced." (Here is said: Cleanse my heart, page 42.) And after these things Joseph of Arimathea (because he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews) besought Pilate that he might take the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave leave. He came therefore and took away the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus also came, he who at the first came to Jesus by night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about one hundred pounds weight. They took therefore the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now there was in the place where he was crucified, a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein no man had yet been laid. There, therefore, because of the parasceve of the Jews, they laid Jesus, because the sepulchre was nigh at hand. Then the Priest, standing on the Epistle side, says

as follows:

Let us pray, most dearly beloved brethren, for the holy church of God, that the Lord God would be pleased to grant it peace, maintain it in union, and preserve it all over the earth. That he would likewise bring into her bosom the princes and potentates of the whole world, and grant us peace and tranquillity in this life, and to glorify God the Father almighty.

Oremus.

Let us pray.
Let us kneel down.
Stand up again.

Flectamus genua. Levate. O almighty and eternal God, who, by Christ, hast revealed thy glory to all nations; preserve the works of thine own mercy, that thy church, which is spread over the whole world, may persevere with a constant faith in the confession of thy name. Through the same. R. Amen.

Let us pray also for our most holy Father, Pope N. that our Lord God, who hath made

choice of him in the order of the Episcopacy, may preserve him in health and safety for the good of his holy church, and to govern the holy people of God.

Let us pray. Let us kneel down.

Stand up again.

O almighty and eternal God, by whose appointment all things were established and maintained; mercifully regard our prayers, and by thy goodness preserve the Prelate chosen to govern us; that the Christian people who are governed by thy authority, may increase the merits of their faith under so great a Bishop Through. R. Amen.

Let us also pray for all Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Subdeacons, Acolytes, Exorcists, Readers, Door-keepers, Confessors, Virgins, Widows, and for all the holy people of God.

Let us pray. Let us kneel down.

Stand up again.

O almighty and eternal God, by whose spirit the whole body of the church is sanctified and governed; hear our prayers for all orders and degrees thereof; that, by the assistance of thy grace, thou mayest be served by every rank and condition. Through. R. Amen.

Let us pray also for our Catechumens, that our Lord God may open for them the ears of their hearts, and the gates of mercy; that having received the remission of sin by the laver of rege neration, they may also belong to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray. Let us kneel down.

Stand up again.

O almighty and eternal God, who continually makest the church fruitful in new children, increase the faith and understanding of our Catechumens, that, being born again at the font of baptism, they may be joined to thy adopted children. Through. R. Amen.

Let us pray, most dearly beloved brethren, to God the Father almighty, that he would purge the world of all errors, cure diseases, drive away famine, open prisons, break chains, grant a safe return to travellers, health to the sick, and a secure harbour to such as are at sea.

Let us pray. Let us kneel down.
Stand up again.

O almighty and eternal God, the comfort of the afflicted, and the strength of those that labour; let the prayers of all such as call upon thee in tribulation, come to thee, that all with joy may find the effects of thy mercy in their necessities. Through. R, Amen.

Let us pray also for all heretics and schismatics, that our Lord God will be pleased to deliver them from all their errors, and call them back to our Holy Mother the Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Let us pray. Let us kneel down.

Stand up again.

O almighty and eternal God, who savest all, and wouldst have none to perish; look down on those souls that are seduced by the deceits of the devil; that the hearts of all those who err, laying aside all heretical malice, may repent and return to the unity of the truth. Through. R.

Amen

Let us pray also for the perfidious Jews; that the Lord God would withdraw the veil from their hearts, that they also may acknowledge our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son.

Flectamus genua is here omitted, in abhorrence of the insult offered by the Jews to our Saviour, when they knelt before him in derision, in the hall of Pilate's palace.

O almighty and eternal God, who deniest not thy mercy even to the perfidious Jews; hear our prayers which we pour forth for the blindness of that people; that by acknowledging the light of thy truth, which is the Christ, they may be

rought out of their darkness. Through. R. Amen.

Let us pray also for the Pagans, that almighty God would remove all iniquity from their hearts; that quitting their idols, they may be converted to the true and living God, and his only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let us pray. Let us kneel down.

Stand up again.

O almighty and eternal God, who seekest not the death of sinners, but that they should live; mercifully hear our prayers, and deliver them from their idolatry; and, to the praise and glory of thy name, admit them into thy holy church. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who livest. R. Amen.

Here the Priest takes down the cross, and uncovering the top of it,

Ecce lignum Crucis in quo salus mundi pependit.

says:

Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the salvation of the world.

Then the Clergy, and all the people, on their bended knees, answer:
Venite adoremus.
Come, let us adore.*

This Anth, and R. being repeated twice more, till the whole cross is uncovered, the Priest lays it down in a proper place, and all kneel. ing thrice on both knees, reverently approach to and devoutly kiss the feet of the crucifix. During this ceremony, two chanters in the middle of the choir sing alternately the versicles called the Reproaches, because they are, in the name of Christ, reproaching the Jewish people with ingratitude for the manifold blessings and favours he had conferred on them.

V. Popule meus quid feci tibi? aut in quo contristavi te? responde mihi.

O my people, what have I done to thee? in what have I grieved thee? Answer thou me.

The intention of the Church, in exposing the cross to our veneration on this day is, that we might the more effectually raise up our hearts to him who expired thereon for our redemption. When