Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1860-09-27

Is no do0glcg the questlon; Ior ever
one must pass between long lines Q
soldiers, Swiss guards, guards Q
d Mobiles, Major-domos and a dozeI
other officials, before arriving at th'
outer door, where the person i
inspected and undergoes the scrutiny
: of another set Of guards, sentinel'
and masters Of ceremonies, stationed
) at every turn, investigating the Gu
of every mans coat.
The most interesting ceremonies
ion Good Friday; take place at the
conclusion Of vespers and the chant
ing the Miserere. The Pope and
Cardinals, with y lest Of followers
go in procession 10 ST. Peters to
show their veneration for the relies Of
tbs true Cross: the spear that pierced
the Savieur's side and the impression
of his face left upon the handk er-
chief with which it was wiped at The
time Of the craclfiXion.
On arriving at the centre of the
Church, the Pope with the assem-
bly,, kneel and remain in that position
while these holy relics are shown to
the people from balcony near the
high nltar, where they are preserved
with theutmost care, being etiDgold
aud encased in frames OF extremely
rich and showy gliding. These Ga
cred relics, so revered by the Catholic
Church are said to have been brought
from Jerusalem by st. Helena,
mother of Constantine the Great,
at very early age Of Christianity,
aud have been preserved in Rome
ever since.
EASTER SUNDAY, April lStb.-This
day without exception isthe greatest
festival of the Roman Catholic
Church, and is celebrated there with
great poihp aud splendor. Day
break. is ushered in with the roar of
cannon from the castle Of St. Angelo,
accompanied With universal ringing
Iof Church bells throughout the city.
High Mass commences at 81 o'clock
A. NJ; the Pope officiating in person.
He enters the Church in solemn pro-
cession, every incident of which, has
mystical meaning. His Holiness
is carried on a portable throne upon
the shoulders Of twelve men, which
is symsolical Of his elevation rs the
Vicar of Christ upon earth. He is
preceded by his guard and officers
Of the Clown, with strong military
phalanx as Oh similar occasions, ex-
tending the whole line Of march,
and filing the nave Of the Church.
His poutifcal rob,s are of the
richest kind, and to-day, be wears
the Triple Grown instead Of the
Mitre. Before him are carried two
immense FANS Of Ostrich feathers in
which the eyes of peaeoek s feathers
have been set as symbol that vigi-
lance is required in the Pontili. and
that the eyes of ali men are fixed
upon him. During the celebration
of Mass, which lasts some three
hours, the music aud poetry are sur
passingly good In truth more i'm
posing ceremony Can scarcely be i'm
agined than Easter Sunday at St.
Peters, with the Pope officiating at
the high altar, surrounded by all bis
cardinals, bishops, deacons, high
functionaries and officers Of the
Grown, ane the Church filled With
vast assembly of people kept from
too near approach to the former by
an array of armed men and pow
erful police. Towards the close Of
| these services another event is cele-
brated. When the Pope arrives at
the centre Of the Church. the process
ion stops, when he pgonounces his
benediction on the people, stretching
GU. bis arms over the multitude,
and then folding them over his breast.
4 At the conclusion, silver trumpet
is blowa, the choir strikes up lively
chant, the military bands are heard
lin the vestibule, and the artillery OF
\ the castle raises their chorus as finale
TO the celebration Of the resurrection
Of our Saviour. To terminate the
festival, the entire Church, from the
ground 20. the top of the cross, is
beautifully Illuminated att o'clock
in the evening, together with the
large squares in front, SO arranged,
that the whole breaks out instanta.
neously into a fame Of dazzling
/ brightness with most, happy elect,
|. and to the astonishment Of the be,
~