The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-06-24
CORPUS CHRISTI,

v" AhWsoaS list was tho day Of the festival OF
corpus Christi, but tho principal ceromooies con-
neeteu with Its celebration performed yestor-
day, as being within tho octave" The origin Of
tho festival dates back to tho middle OF tho 18th
century, when tho blessed JuI1AsA, and several
piouH eccosastics of the diocese of Lego, labored
to have special festival established for the wor
ship of tho Blessed Sacrament and tbrourb tbc;r
cSertons an annual festival was celebrated by tb,
most extraordinary pomp. Popo UnpAN w., by d
Ianl! d"t"s, a-rt. o.i-, aaai daolared fb}a voor,
festival obligatory on tho uniyerasI fS.I. 1ea'y
first tho soemnity was coiepra,.a Will. AZ AZ
churches, and tho clergy and Iaity to partako
Of it's rcjooinga The Office Of this festival, which
is tho most beautiful Of tho Roman Droyinry, is tho
competition Of THoMAs AQuNAs.
Catholics eyeiy whore get up thoso proccssions
with all the pomp and splendor which thoir means
will allow them 10 procure. In Rome tho Pope
carries the Blessed Sacrament from his chapel in
the Vatican to St. Peters Church. The clorgy,
secular and regular, and tho civil and military au-
thorities Of tho city, tako part In this procession
Tho feast being Of the firstcass is celebrated
during eight daya, and overy day OF tho Octave
these solemn professions arc TO be seen passing
through tho stroets Of Romo Thoy como forth
from the church on the day Of tho Octave assigned
to each; banner, representing tho patron saint OF
tile church, ia carried in tho procession. Tho
clergy are robed in rich vcstments, psalms and
hymns are sung with solemn chant In the Latin
tongue; the people, they meot tho procession in
the streets, uncover their heads and walk along in
the ranks; the houses before which it passes arc
festooned with garlands; beautiful paintings, and
tapestry OF richest color hanging from tho
windows, give au appearance or festiyity and re-
joicng 10 everything around. The procession
sometimes stops on public square, where an altar
Ind previously beon erected, the bIossed saora-
mont is incensed, and the benediction is given to
tho multitude, who PROSTATE themselves in devout
alteration. :, .. 49, ~ H-
Tho French call this festival Je,s Die.,, or the
feast Of God, and it is celebrated all over that
Catholic land with regal magnifcenoe. The good
taste, 30 characteristic of that people, is exhibited
in their manner Of organizing these professions,
and their military spirit gives also its peculiar
contribution to the solemnlty--tho soldiers march
in tho procession, the stirring strains of the mar
tial music boldly speak forth the triumph Of faith
| Tho altar from which the bonodiction Is given is
sometimes constructed with cannon, and orna-
| mented with fiags. "a g..8. rr -, :.
In Catholic Germany the festival Is dcnominatet
"FTonleiclnamsidg," and is also observed Will
great pomp. Tho streets over which tho process
sion passes aro covered with HoWors, shruba, etc
1 The entire population, old and young, without OF
/ coption, join in tho procession, and tho effect Il
certainly very imposing. The procession stops
tho several stations" in the villages and IN til,
folds around, whore cruoxes or images Of tn
Virgin arc permanently stationed, and tho "gos
4 polls" arc read. Tho folds and tho growing crop
are then 'sblessed."
4 There can bo no doubt that tho poasantry in tn
Catholic countries Of Europe arc earnest and do
yout, not unfrequently onthusiastio, in the OBJ
servance Of thoso religious ritos and duties
tho ritual, moreover, lie also we'll suited to this cas
OF people. To an observer not TO tho manor born
however, the ontire performance gives proof o
It's anoient hOsthen origin, though In this in
4 stance not definitely traceable. ~; ."--
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| TEE ADVOCATES for an enlightened despotisn