[Sidenote:  Reservation of the B. Sacrament.]

Two objects are obtained by this custom; 1st. the blessed sacrament is solemnly preserved for the adoration of the faithful on this anniversary of its institution, as well as for the priest’s communion on good friday[68]; 2nd. the burial of our divine Saviour is represented:  this is anticipated, in order that the principal altar may be striped, in sign of mourning, and as He was stripped before His crucifixion.

[Sidenote:  Papal benediction:  flabelli.]

[Sidenote:  Bulla in Coena Domina.]

The procession, of which we have already spoken, afterwards proceeds from the Pauline chapel to the loggia in front of S. Peter’s:  but the Pope, as he no longer carries the B. Sacrament, wears his mitre, and is seated in his sedia gestatoria under a canopy carried by eight Referendarii[69]; and the flabelli[70] are carried at each side of Him.  He now gives his solemn benediction to the multitude assembled before St. Peter’s.  This however is repeated with even greater splendour on Easter-Sunday, as well as on the Ascension and Assumption; and we shall therefore reserve a description of it to another occasion, especially since generally speaking, persons who are anxious to witness the lavanda or washing of the feet will find it difficult to be present also at the Benediction[71].

[Sidenote:  Washing of the feet.]

After the benediction, the cardinals and others take off their sacred vestments, and resume their cappe, which they wear during the lavanda or washing of the feet.  This now takes place in S. Peters, in a side-chapel adorned with two arazzi; one representing Leonardo Da Vinci’s last supper is placed behind the benches prepared for the priests whose feet are to be washed by the Pope:  and the other, which represents Providence seated on the globe between Justice and Charity, above two lions holding banners of the church, is placed over the throne.  The Pope is habited in a red cope, and wears a mitre.  Seated on His throne, and surrounded by cardinals, prelates, and other dignitaries of His court, He puts incense into the thurible, being assisted as usual by the first Cardinal priest.  He then gives the blessing, usual before the gospel is sung, to the Cardinal-deacon habited in his sacred vestments, who sings that beautiful passage of the gospel of S. John, which explains the origin of this ceremony:  “Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.  Knowing that the Father had given him all things into his hands, he began to wash the feet of his disciples, and wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded, and he said to them; If I being Lord and Master have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet; for I have given you an example, that as I have