altars used to be stripped every
day, as Du Vert (Ceremon. de l'Eglise T. IV.) and Cancellieri (De
Secretariis T. IV.) have shewn. The custom of _washing_ the altar
is observed in the Latin church in those of the Dominicans and
Carmelites; and also according to Benedict XIV "in many churches of
France, Germany and other remote countries" among which Cancellieri
reckons Spain. It is mentioned by S. Isidore (lib. de Eccles. Offic.
c. 18) by Alcuin (de divinis offic.) and in the Sarum, Parisian and
many other missals quoted by Martene. What however is its meaning?
While Monsignor Battelli, in his dissertation on the subject,
maintains that this custom was instituted for the sake of cleanliness,
rather than from a wish to denote any mystery, and that this day
was selected as the most convenient, because the altars were already
stripped; the abbot Rupert and Belet discover mystical meanings in
the sponges, towels, wine, water, and even _aspergilli_. We prefer
a middle course, and while we are willing to admit with Durandus and
others an allusion in the wine and water to the blood and water which
flowed from our Saviour on the cross, we maintain with the learned S.
Isidore, S. Eligius, Benedict XIV and others, that we wash the altar,
the symbol of Christ, from motives of respect to Him, who on this day
washed the feet of His disciples.

Two great virtues are embodied in the ceremonies of this day, and
impart to them their life and loveliness: they are the essential and
characteristic virtues of Christians, by the practice of which they
imitate their divine Master and model, and come at last to be united
to Him in heaven. Christ was moved by charity to institute the Holy
Sacrament, and by humility to wash His disciples feet. Let us then
learn of him because He was meek and humble of heart, and let us love
one another, because Christ hath first loved us, and commands us to
love one another.

[Footnote 57: In Africa two were customary, one in the morning, and
the other after supper. S. August. ep. 54 ad Januarium.]

[Footnote 58: For an account of this ancient ceremony the reader
may see Fleury, Moeurs des Chretiens; _Funz. della Settimana Santa._
Martene, lib. IV, 22. etc.]

[Footnote 59: "Balsam is produced in the vineyards of Engaddi, and
in preparing chrism it is mixed with oil and consecrated by the
pontifical benediction, that all the faithful may be signed with this
unction at confirmation". Ven. Bede, in canlic. ca