[Catholic Caucus] Passiontide and Holy Week (Gueranger)

http://www.clutchingmyrosary.com/blog/?p=9840 ^ | 1868 | Dom Prosper Gueranger

[CMRosary]

THE HISTORY OF PASSIONTIDE AND HOLY WEEK

AFTER HAVING PROPOSED the forty-days’ Fast of Jesus in the Desert to the meditation of the Faithful, during the first four weeks of Lent, the Holy Church gives the two weeks, which still remain before Easter, to the commemoration of the Passion. she would not have her children come to the great Day of the immolation of the Lamb, without their having prepared for it by compassionating with him in the Sufferings he endured in their stead.

The most ancient Sacramentaries and Antiphonaries of the several Churchest attest, by the Prayers, the Lessons, and the whole Liturgy of these two weeks, that the Passion of our Lord is now the one sole thought of the Christian world. During Passion Week, a Saint’s Feast, if it occur, will be kept; but Passion Sunday admits no Feast, however solemn it may be; and even on those which are kept during the days intervening between Passion and Palm Sundays, there is always made a commemoration of the Passion, and the holy Images are not allowed to be uncovered …

[CMRosary]

This article is very lengthy, and includes exposition on the Mystery and Practice of Passiontide and Holy Week, as well as Morning and Night Prayers suited to the season, and an explanation of How to Hear Mass. Please proceed to the website to read it in its entirety.