which characterizes the Celebration.
Ascension Day is preceded by the ROGATION DAYS (which see), as days
of preparation for its due observance; it is also one of the Days
OF OBLIGATION (which see).

Ascription--The words used at the end of a sermon, beginning, "And
now to God the Father," etc. During the Ascription the people stand
and at the end respond, Amen. {28}

Ash Wednesday--The first day of Lent; one of the two absolute Fast
Days of the Church, the other being Good Friday. In ancient times
the first day of Lent was called _Caput Jejunii_, _i.e._, "Head
of the Fast," because Lent began on that day. It was also called
_Dies Cinerum_, _i.e._, "Day of Ashes," from the custom of
placing ashes on the head of penitents who presented themselves
before the Bishop on this day. Ash Wednesday is a day of deep
devotion, of prayer, fasting, self-examination and confession of
sin. The public services are most solemn; the Proper Lessons, and
Proper Psalms, the Collect, Epistle and Gospel, together with the
Penitential Office to be especially used on this day, all mark it
as a day of "weeping, fasting and praying." The Psalms appointed
are the seven Penitential Psalms, viz., the 6th, 32d, and 38th,
used at Morning Prayer; the 51st used in the Penitential Office,
and 102d, 130th and 143d read at Evening Prayer. (See PENITENTIAL
PSALMS.) The Church color for Ash Wednesday is purple or violet.

Assistant Minister.--A Priest or Deacon appointed to assist or help
the Rector of a Parish in his work is thus called. Lately the
term "Curate" has been employed to designate the Assistant Minister
of a Parish.

B

Banners.--On festal occasions banners are often carried in choir
processionals "to signify yet more clearly the progress and future
triumph of the Church, {29} according to that description of her
in the Song of Solomon: 'Who is she that looketh forth as the
morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an
army with banners?'"

Banns of Marriage.--The word "Bann" is derived from the Saxon word
_bannen_, meaning, to proclaim. The term "Banns of Marriage,"
means, therefore, the publication of intended marriages, and are
published for three Sundays before the event, in the Church where
the ceremony is to take place. The publishing of the Banns in the
Church of England is required by law. In the American Prayer Book,
provision is made for the publishing of the Banns of Marriage, but
as it is not requir