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 Redeemer. It is related of a servant of God of the name of
Piccolomini, that he expired in church on good Friday when those
words were sung. The latter part is chanted, but without the usual
ceremonies, by the deacon, after he has taken off his folded chasuble
and put on the large band or stole. A short sermon is then preached by
a conventual Friar, who afterwards according to custom publishes the
indulgence or remission of temporal punishment of thirty years granted
by the Pope to those who have confessed and sincerely repented of
their sins. See p. 37. As Morinus has shewn (De Penitentia cap. 4.) in
most churches penitents were absolved and reconciled after the gospel.

[Sidenote: Prayers for all mankind.]

Christ, says S. Paul, died for all men, and when suffering on
the cross, He prayed even for his relentless persecutors: on the
anniversary then of his death it is fit that His church should pray
for all men, that all may be saved by the application of His merits to
their souls. The Card. Celebrant commences the beautiful, charitable,
and ancient prayers of this day with the words, Let us pray, dearly
beloved, for the holy church of God etc. The deacon then kneeling says
(according to the ancient custom mentioned by S. Cesarius of Arles
in his 36th homily, and by S. Basil in his book on the Holy Ghost c.
XXVII) Let us bend our knees, and the subdeacon answers, Stand up, as
it was customary to pray standing. This form is repeated before each