After the opening ceremonies the bishop entered the pulpit, pronounced one of the "Seven Words" and delivered a few words inspired by it.

Then he descended, knelt before the altar, and remained there for some time.

This pause was relieved by the music.

The bishop ascended and descended six times more and each time, after his homily, music was played.

My music was to be adapted to these ceremonies.
The problem of writing seven _adagios_ to be performed consecutively, each one to last ten minutes, without wearying the audience, was not an easy one to solve, and I soon recognized the impossibility of making my music conform to the prescribed limits.
The work was written and printed without words.