Improperia
Webster's Dictionary [1]
(n. pl.) A series of antiphons and responses, expressing the sorrowful remonstrance of our Lord with his people; - sung on the morning of the Good Friday in place of the usual daily Mass of the Roman ritual.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [2]
(Lat. taunts).
(1.) Reproaches of Jesus against the Jewish people. (See Capernaum); (See Jerusalem).
(2.) In the Roman Catholic ritual, certain verses which reproach the Jews with ingratitude, and which, while the priest and other ecclesiastics present kiss the cross, are chanted by two singers personifying Christ, in such a manner that after each verse one chorus replies in the Greek and another in the Latin, praises to God; or the accusation as uttered by the priests is repeated on the part of the choir. — Pierer, Univ. Lex. 8, 838. (J. H.W.)
