[Footnote 45: In the third century, in the time of Pope Cornelius there were priests appointed to absolve those who had fallen into idolatry; and they were called _Presbyteri Paenitentium_. S. Marcellus also, according to Anastasius, after the persecution raised by Diocletian, appointed in Rome titular churches, in which penance as well as baptism were administered by priests, the former sacrament is conferred by the minor penitentiaries. Pope Simplicius in fine, as we learn from the same author, destined fixed weeks at S. Peter's, S. Paul's, and S. Laurence's, to _receive penitents_ and administer baptism. From the usual custom of Rome in such matters, Zaccaria argues that during the first five or six centuries, according to the general custom proved by Thomassin, the great penitentiary was the _bishop himself of the city_ in which they resided. It is however certain, that in the 4th century from the numerous priests of Constantinople one was selected called a penitentiary, who took cognisance of crimes, to which public penance was annexed by the canons. At Rome also there was a cardinal penitentiary long before the fourth council of Lateran, which in 1215 prescribed that bishops should appoint penitentiaries, for Berthod priest of Constance relates in his chronicle, that in the year 1084 he was promoted to the dignity of cardinal-priest and penitentiary of the Roman church.] CHAP III. ON THE DIVINE OFFICE, AND THE OFFICE OF TENEBRAE IN PARTICULAR. _CONTENTS._ PART 1. _Introductory_. Breviary--Divine office, its origin--performed by the early Christians--ancient and modern editions of the breviary. PART 2. _Descriptive_. Office of Tenebrae--Matins and Lauds--extinction of the lights--meaning of this ceremony--chant, lamentations--conclusions of the office--_Miserere_, its music--Card. Penitentiary at S. Mary Major's. _Trinita dei Pellegrini_. "_I will bless the Lord at all times_: _his praise shall always be in my mouth_". Ps. XXXIII, 2. "_He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross_". Phil. II, 8. [Sidenote: P. I. Breviary.]