Nonius Marcellus refers the origin of New Year's Gifts among the Romans to Titus Tatius, king of the Sabines, who reigned at Rome conjointly with Romulus, and who, having considered as a good omen a present of some branches cut in a wood consecrated to Strenua, the goddess of strength, which he received on the first day of the new year, authorized this custom afterwards, and gave to these persons the name of Strena. The Romans on that day celebrated a festival in honour of Janus, and paid their respects at the same time to Juno; but they did not pass it in idleness, lest they should become indolent during the rest of the year. They sent presents to one another of figs, dates, honey, etc. to show their friends that they wished them a happy and agreeable life. Clients, or those who were under the protection of the great, carried presents of this kind to their patrons, adding to them a small piece of silver. Under Augustus, the senate, the knights, and the people, presented such gifts to him, and in his absence deposited them in the capitol. Of the succeeding princes, some adopted this custom, and others abolished it; but it always continued among the people. The early Christians condemned it, because it appeared to be a relic of paganism, and a species of superstition; but when it began to have no other object than that of being a mark of esteem, the church ceased to disapprove of it.

Passion, or Holt Week, the namegiven by several sects to the week preceding Easter. Holy Week is the name generally used by Catholics, who make a distinction between it and Passion Week, a title they apply to the week preceding - Passion Week beginning on Passion Sunday, the fifth Sunday of Lent. The Roman calendar designates the entire last fortnight of Lent as Passion-tide, all of whose services differ in many respects from the services of the year, and even from those of the remainder of Lent. The verse, "Gloria Patri,,, is omitted both in the mass and breviary, and all pictures, effigies, crucifixes, and other theologic symbols are covered during the time. Holy "Week, also known as Great Week, Lent Week, Week of the Holy Passion, and Penitential Week, is asserted to be of very early origin, and is usually observed with extraordinary solemnity by Catholics, who exhibit at this period many signs of melancholy, mourning, and repentance, If any ordinary Church festival fall within the week, it is postponed until after Easter. All ceremonies are conducted with rigorous simplicity, without the music, pomp, or parade so characteristic, commonly, of Roman rites. Although manual labor is no longer forbidden, it is often voluntarily relinquished; fasting is more rigorously practiced, as well as alms-giving and other acts of charity.