On good Friday the Pope used formerly to go with the Cardinals and the other members of the court to the Oratory of S. Lorenzo called Sancta Sanctorum in the Lateran palace, where they venerated and kissed the relics of SS.  Peter and Paul, as well as two crosses preserved there.  One of these was then carried by a Cardinal Priest, and and the Host consecrated on the preceding day was borne by another Cardinal of the same order; the Pope, the Cardinals and all the others were bare-footed, and walked in procession reciting psalms to S. John Lateran’s and thence to S. Croce, where the station was held and the ceremonies of the day were performed.[82]

[Sidenote:  Service in the Sixtine chapel.]

[Sidenote:  Passio.]

[Sidenote:  Sermon and indulgence.]

These take place at present in the Sixtine chapel; in which the yellow colour of the candles and torches, the nakedness of the Pope’s throne and of the seats of the church denote the desolation of the church at the sufferings and death of her divine founder.  The Cardinals do not wear their rings; their dress is of purple, which is their mourning colour; in like manner the Bishops do not wear rings and their stockings are black:  those of the Cardinals are purple; and the maces as well as the soldiers’ arms are reversed.  The Card. great Penitentiary with the sacred ministers are habited in black.  There is no thurifer and there are no lights; for the death of the Son of God is going to be commemorated; and while He was hanging upon the cross and when He died, there was darkness over the whole earth.  The Pope is habited in a red cope:  he does not wear his ring nor give his blessing:  but if he be present at this part of the service, His Holiness kneeling with the Card.  Penitentiary at his left hand offers up prayers for a short time before the altar.  This, which was stripped on the preceding day, is now covered with a linen cloth by two Cerimonieri[83].  The Pope then goes to His seat; and the Card.  Celebrant accompanied by the ministers to the altar, and thence to his faldistorio or seat.  An appropriate passage from the prophecy of Osee is sung by one of the choir, and the precept from Exodus concerning the killing of the paschal-lamb, a type of Christ, by the subdeacon.  The Pope and the Card.  Celebrant also read both these lessons, after each of which a tract is sung by the choir; and between them a prayer by the Celebrant.  After the prophecies, which are a powerful confirmation of the truth of our holy religion, the account of the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, penned by an eye-witness S. John, the disciple of love, is recited[84].  It is read in a low voice by the Card.  Celebrant and sung with the same impressive chant as on Palm-Sunday by three cantors wearing the alb, a black maniple and stole:  they used formerly to recite it bare-footed.  At those words “And bowing down his head he gave up the ghost” all kneel to adore their