Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1860-09-27
LETTER FROM EUROPE.
NO. xxVTII.
ROME, March 81, 1860.

the "NlIsERERE" is chanted in pres
ence Of the Pope. A triangle of can
dies is burning at the beginning o
t the service and one candle is extin
gaished at the conclusion of every
psalm, until one alone remains; this
: is removed, during the singing O.
the "MrsERERE," behind the altal
land at its conclusion, is brought out
, again, when general knocking oI
sticks takes place. The whole Of
this solemn ceremony is significant
of the light on earth during the
Sayiour's presence, bis death and de-
scent into the tomb; and the re-
appearance of the light emblenatic
/ of bis resurrection. The whole is
deeply Impressive, especially when
all light disappears and obseurity
rigns throughout the Church; the
solemn chanting being continued.
On the evening Of this day We
| attended another Catholic Church TO
| witness the singular ceremony OF
washing feet. This is done BY Princes,
Digmtaries aud Nodes. who wash
the feet Of pilgrims nho have jour
neyed to Rome from distance to
witness the solemn ce.em onies Of
Holy Week. They must bear GER
| tifeates that they bave performed
the pilgrimage to Rome for ths pur-
pose OF visiting the Holy Places.
These poor pilgrims, eViaently of
the low classes, not only have their
feet washed and wiped by the nobil-
| ity and aris :ocracy Of Rome, but
they prepare supper aud wait
on these poor beggars at table like
servants; ana afterwards aid In putting
them to bed. In another apartment
are the female pilgrims who are
was he'd and attended in like man.
ner by ladies of noble birth, By far
the most interesting ceremony OF
this kind takes place in st. Peters
Church in the presence of che assem-
bled cardinals, diplomatic corps, dig
nitaries OF all nations and a vast
coucourse Of people. On this occa-
sion the Pope washes and kisses the
feet of thirteen priests, presenting
each one with medal, they kissing
his hand in return. Afer the wash
ing is finished, all retire to a large
ball adjoining the Church where a
dinner is prepared, and the Pope
waits on these thirteen priests alter
the manuer of common servant;
passing around the table, assisting
them TO all things pertaining to the
repast. To obtain a position in the
| Church to witness this extraordinary
ceremony, We went at I O'Clock IN
the morning and stood on the pave
ment Of St. Peters until l o'clock
P. ~; aud we're, finally. rewarded
by beiag in close view OF the whole
procedure. Ga this day the yener-
Table old gentleman looked better
ttap ! ever saw him. He was hab-
tied in pure white, wearing the mltre,
and, before proceeding to bis duty,
the attendants put on him beautiful
embroidered apron of the finest lace,
giving him, altogether. very inteI-
esting appearance. There is some
thing peculiarly solemn and impress
] i've connected with the act of washing
and kissing The feet Of thirteen hum
BILE priests, performed by the great
head of the Church, in humble I'M
| itation of his divine master. 1t
really appears to me more aproprlate
aud a bettr illustration OF true
Christian rrinciples-tha any ceremo-
ny | have seen during the Holy
Week. / had a better view OF his
Holiness to-day than ever before
y Me was directly BY my eide fol long
;ulpe, aud his naturally benevolent
M MN half smiling expression and
aneSpe eyes, seemed to be light.
csrtaiIN a peculiar radiance, and
ant around. >bed JOY and gladness
To be pef
nd rass any Of tHd to enter and wit.
ed drsss according Nenies, one must
o. Or one is admitted inn otherwise nc
,ase An gentlemen nsst first door
ing m a. evening dress, an th uniform
uta- 11 S1.ek, wearing wells 9 nSSaIss in
ther g't0n, : have seen many postlNpe's
'ant' s,;nDaapuointed naep Indies refused vim