In the early centuries, the Roman rite was much simpler. The festival commenced with the recitation of the creed by the candidates for baptism and a prayer by the Pope over them. Then followed the other preparations for baptism, the renunciations, four lessons from the Old Testament, the singing of Psalm xli., two prayers, the blessing of the baptismal water, the baptism itself, and the confirmation of the baptised. The Mass concluded the function.[171] We must now see what special features the other liturgical documents contained. In the _missale Gallicanum_,[172] we find, after the prayers for each of the hours, the _Exsultet_, and the blessing of the Paschal candle, then the general intercessions for all estates of Christian men, concluding with intercessions for the neophytes and _competentes_. Upon this follows the baptismal rite (_opus ad baptizandum_), viz., the exorcisms, the blessing of the baptismal water, the washing of the feet, and the baptism itself. Then come the prayers for the Mass. The rite in the _Missale Gothico-Gallicanum_ is exactly the same.[173] The Gelasian sacramentary prescribes the following rite for Holy Saturday: Early in the morning, the exorcisms shall be made over the catechumens, and, after they have made their solemn renunciations, they shall repeat the creed (_redditio symboli_). About the eighth hour, the clergy shall assemble in the _sacrarium_, commence the litanies there, and proceed to the altar; at the _Agnus Dei_, the Paschal candle is to be lighted and blessed, but without the chanting of the _Exsultet_. Then the lections from the Old Testament are read, each with a prayer, and after them takes place the blessing of the font and the baptism of the neophytes. According to the edition of the Gregorian sacramentary used in France, the clergy and people assemble in the church about the eighth hour, _i.e._ about 2 P.M., according to present reckoning. Two candles were then lit, which were held by notaries, one on the right, the other on the left of the altar; while a lector from the pulpit read the Old Testament lections, each of which concluded with a prayer. Thereupon the clergy and the bishop proceeded in procession, the notaries with the candles leading the way, to the baptistery, where the baptismal water was blessed. After the blessing of the water, which was the same as that now in use, the baptism followed, at which it is to be observed a distinction is made between children and those who are grown up. The former were confirmed also immediately after baptism, the ritual and significance of confirmation being here clearly shown.[174] After the baptism, the litanies are sung in the church by singers, who then intoned the _Gloria in Excelsis_. The Mass of the day brought the function to a close.