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the Oratio super populum, she begs that by the heal
ing of poor sinners and their return to the service of
God, the number of the faithful may be increased.
Friday
CHAPTER XXI
in the third, week of Lent.
Station at the Church of Saint Lawrence in Lucina. Sources
of the liturgy : Introit, Ps. LXXXV, 17. Epistle, Numbers,
xx, 6-13. Gradual, Ps. xxvii, 7 and 1. Tract, Ps. en,
10 and LXXVIII, 8-9. Gospel, St. John, iv, 5-42. Offertory,
Ps. v, 3-4. Communion, St. John, iv, 13.
The STATION for this Friday takes place in the church
of Saint Lawrence in Lucina, one of the ancient sanctuaries
built in honour of the illustrious Roman deacon and in
which is preserved the gridiron, the instrument of his
torture. During these days of penance the Church
likes to place before her children the example of those
courageous combatants who fought for the faith unto
death.
The Church, ever keeping in view the instruction and
preparation of the catechumens for Baptism, lays stress
on the symbolism of the water.
In the Epistle we have the words of Moses describ
ing the sufferings of the Hebrews in the desert without
water. At God s command, Moses struck the rock with