372 ON THE ANTIQUITIES OF 



5. MAUNDY THURSDAY, Sheere Thursday, or 

 Dies Mandati. 



Coena Domini. 

 Jeudi Saint. — Fr. 



Obs- The Church on this festival, which is held the day before 

 Good Friday, celebrates the Last Supper of our Divine Redeemer 

 with the institution of the Holy Sacrament of Communion, 



The ceremony of consecrating the oils takes place today, and it 

 is remarkable that the celebrated Fenelon, in his " Education of a 

 Daughter," recommends strongly that she be accustomed to see this 

 ceremony performed. 



There is still a custom kept upon Maundy Thursday of visiting 

 several churches, and saying a short prayer in each ; and giving 

 alms to the poor who attend on the occasion. 



The ceremony of washing the feet of the Paysannes and other 

 poor folks used to be practised, and at Rome is still practised on this 

 day, with profound humility, by the sovereign pontiff himself. 



In good old times, when pious Catholics made every festival a 

 season of almsgiving, the practice of distributing gifts at the feet- 

 washing was almost universal. Gowns and hoods were given to the 

 women, and generally to the number of the years of age of the 

 donor. 



At Paris, Penitential Psalms and Tenebrae used to be sung on 

 this day in the Bois de Boulogne. 



Hymnus Die Mandali, atgtie fesfis. 

 Inv. +, atgue E.ralt. -|- Cantandus. 



Vexilla Re.Efis prodeunt, 

 Ful^et Cracis mysterium, 

 Qua vitd mortem pertulit, 

 Ft morte vitam protulit. 

 Quae vulneiatalaueeae 

 Miicrone diro, criminum 

 Vt nos lavaret sordibus, 

 Manavit unda & samjuine. 

 Impleta sunt, quae concioit 

 David fideli carmine, 

 Dicendo nationibus, 

 Regnavit a lis^no Deus. 

 Arbor decora, & fiilgida, 

 Oniata Reais purpura, 

 Electa dieno stipite 

 Tarn sancta membra tangere. 

 Beata, cujus bracliiis 

 Pretium pepeiidit saeculi, 

 Statera facta corporis, 

 Tulitque praedam tartari. 

 Crux ave spes unica, 

 Hoc passionis tempore 

 Piis adauge gratiam, 

 Reisque dele crimina. 

 Te fons salutisTrinitas, 

 Collaudet omnis spiritus : 

 Quibus C'rucis victoriam 

 Largiris, adde praemium. 



