New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-17
THE GCUMENICAL COUNCIL.
ROME AWAITING THE CARDINALS.
PAGEANT IN ST. PErERs-JoURNALIsM IN RogB
PREPARATIONS FOR THE CoUNCIL-THH
COUNCIL. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
GERS OF THE CoUNCIL-vICToR EMMANUEL
uIc

COUNCIL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
GERS OF THE CoUNCIL-vICToR EMMANUEL
AND HIS COMPRESSOR.
fYRoM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
ROME Nov. 29-The commencement of the ecclesi-
astcall year according TO the Roman calendar was
celebrated yesterday in the Church Of ST. Peters,
with all the imposing dramatic splendors OF tbs
Catholic ritual His Holiness. the Pope, ohciated in
person at the conservation Of the Blessed Sacrament,
which at this season of the year is borne in solemn
procession to the different churches of the Eternal
city, beginning its mystic march from the broad
pavements of st. Peters The purpose Of tho cele-
bration is to afford opportunity Tor the universal
alteration of the Host, as an atonement. in some
sense for any neglect or possible ndignity, in word
or thought, to which the sacred elements may have
been subjected during the lapse Of the departed year.
To the devout Catholic it is of course occasion Of
supreme interest. II suggests searching review Of
the past and the solemn renewal of ancient VOWS.
His sense Of religious unity which Is no feeble OK
trivial element in the vital tie which binds him close
to the bosom of his Church is amply stimulated by
the presence of the Holy Father, whom he reyer-
ences as tho immediate vicegcrent of Christ on
earth-Of the great company of preates and priests
in whom he recognizes the very core and living CEN
ter of the Church Of God,-and Of an innumorablo
concourse of the faithful from every cline and OF
every tongue. Even TO the spectator, who has no
pathy with its ceremonies the spectacle Of yeser-
day was not without certain grandeur, although
mind, with the least tincture of speculation.
could not fail to make it the subject of obstinate
questonings," perhaps involving the significance
and appositeness of the ritual organization OF
which this magnificent pageant was partial express
sion / will not undertake TO number the throng of
persons who crowded the majestic ecclesiastical p!e
OIL this occasion. portion Of the church was re-
served for persons who were willing 20 come early
enough to privileged seat on the sole condi-
ton, if not of washing their faces aud amounting
their heads" Of appearing in ceremonous toilette,
the women in black gowns and with black walls, AMI
the men in full dress suit for an evening party.
preferred to rough it with the undstingushed crowd
and by dint of little vigorous pushing and shoulder
ing able to get possession ofta stand which al.
| forded a good view of the whole exhibition, II
that be not too profane secular word 10 apply
10 spectacle Of such sacred import TO thousands
who witnessed il with hearts of worship and eyes ~
tender sympathy large space in the center Of tic
church was appropriated TO the procession which
started from the altar and passed up and down for
considerable distance on each side. The lines wero
| guarded by the Papal solders who in full military
| costume, some with immense caps of horsehair on
their heads, presented formidable appearance. ~
they inclined their musets and at the word OF com
|
the aisle in honor of the approach Of tie
Prince of Peace" Beneath a splendid can
opy was placed the chair of the Holy Father.
who accompanied the body of the Lord on
| its solemn progress through his earthly courts.
| The impressive silence broken at intervals by
the silyery strains of the choral music which
assembled from the wetrained voices of the singers.
and the sublime notes of the organ but as far as
could understand, with the exception Of brief
| address in Latin by the Rev. Father Raimondo
Bianchi there was word of instruction. no psalm.
no prophesy, exhortaton, and the moral effect or
the service was made TO depend almost entirely on
the emblematic suggestions which so forcibly ap-
| pealed to the sensuous Imagination.
| The interest of the scene was doubtless en-
HANGED by the near approach of the grand
| Rcumenical Council which will open in less
| than ten days from this time. and which
| is now the theme of general conversation.
| so far as it is permitted by custom or
| etiquette for unconsecrated lips to discourse
| freely on ecclesiastical subjects. 1t certainly
was a sight of no little interest and suggestiyeness,
that of more than four hundred preates of the
Church in their grand pOntfcal robes who had como
| over mountains and oceans from the slopes of tho
Rocky Mountains and the steppes of tue farthesS
Orient to share in the counses which are deemed OK
such pregnant Importance to the of human sal
vast religious organization, which in every period
since the first century of our era has played such
| conspicuous part In the history of the world
With regard to the Council ITSELF the shadow of
which now overhangs the whole city. presume you
cherish no hghrased expectations of disclosures, or
transactions possessing any remarkable interest for
! the mass of secular readers. The spirit Of modern
Rome is utterly averse to that of ancient Athens No
one in this city of the past spends any time IN order
10 tell or to hear of some thing Ii IS IN fact
| n huge religious university in which nothing but
their prescribed lessons is allowed to the pupils and
the indulgence Of curiosity general subjects is as
strictly guarded against was the eating OF the tor
hidden fruit by the parents of our The tree of
! knowledge is no less difficult of access than VI
| the flaming swords of cherubm still pro-
| tected It from approach The means of diff
| fusing information among the people are few
and scanty and except administered by the priest
hood are looked on with little favor by the authori-
ties journalism is, in fact, nullty. In this city OF
more than 100000 Inhabitants there are but two daily
| newspapers. "Goruale di Roma and l. Observatory
Romano" both sheets of diminutiye size and meager
contents devoted chiefly to the doings OF the Papal
court sold at an exorDtant price, and as Mr. Story
well remarks in his admirable Roba di Roma
ominously published at twilight instead OF IN tho
| morning. The Council, as am informed will hold
deliberations Win CloStu anu ~ VIII
less be impossible TO give the freshness to its pro-
ceedings which enlivens the reports Of IN American
| Congress or "a British Parliament
No secret however. is made of the elaborate prep
arations which are now advancing to close, for
the reception and entertainment OF the venerable
Council in its official capacity. The place In which
1t is to be held the north transept OF St Peters cor
res ponds to the dignity and Importance OF the im-
posing ecclesiastical body This is separated from
the nave of the church which is always open TO tho