The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-03-17

the CanOne' Chapel, Opposite the Cnapel VI
the Blessed Sacrament. A very simple
cstafalque, surmounted by o tiara, stood in
front of the altar in this chapel. The
musc was of that sad nature that conveyd
80 well to the ear the sorrow ot the occa'
sion on which it was used. Ne organ &C,
compartment interfered with the sweet
tones of the voices of the Pontihcsl siDSers
THE BURIAL.
Day by day the crowds poured into the
Basilica. From early morning., through
the weary hours of the sunny days, and
until the shades of night came down upon
the city, the people pressed along the
various streets leading to the Bridge OF 81.
Angelo and filled the Borgo, until from the
high ground near the bridge this street
was black and living with the multitudes
that passed along. At the doors the soid-
iers of the Line formed hedge enclosing
considerable space, within which was
empty. The living hedge opened at inter
walls Of few minutes, and the crowd then
flowed into the Basilica. The steps leading
uo to the extensive platform in front of the
portico we're filled with a compact mass OF
human beings, waiting until the hedge
opened, sometimes at the sides, sometimes
in the front, SO as to remove the possioiiity
of having a very great crowd at one spot.
By another hedge of soldiers within the
church the crowd was directed past the
altar on the right, where the sad Pssta OF
Michael Angelo sits, and so along the right
aisle until the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrs-
ment was reached. The aisle is closed here
| by the chapels enclosed during the time of
| the Vatican Council, end the spectators are
directed into the great nave, where, at tbs
statue of st. Peter, the line of soldiers
ends, and the visitor is free from their re
straint or direction. A few seconds Is all
the time allowed in front of the bier on
which the Pope lies. The words "Avant,
| Signori, Avanti I" are constantly repeated
| by the guards who etand along the line. In
| front of tue chapel half dozen artists are
busily engaged in sketching or painting the
| touching scene.
On Wednesday night the venerable
REMAINS OF Plus THE NINTH wEEB PLACED
IN THE SEPULCHRE.
There seemed to be in the minds of the
people for days past sense of their still
possessing Plus TX. One could scarcely
think he was lost to them when he lay in
the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. He
looked 80 much like himself, 30 much like
| what he looked Oh many and many glori-
| ous and memorable occasion, that 1t was
not to be wondered at that ouly on Thurs
day morning should tho sense of their deep
| loss press s0rely on the minds and hearts
| of the Roman people. His remains We're
then removed from their gaze aud placed
in the sepulchre, and hidden away from
them for ever.
The Bssilica of st. Peters on Wednes-
day night presented a sad appearance, and
such as would cause deep emotion in the
hearts of those Who saw 1T. Here and
there throughout the immense rave soli-
tary candle was placed, sometimes 10 q
candlestick, but more frequently IN aim, a,
pie sconcs on the pavement. The s'x tall
candles on the High Altar were lighted.
The tiny bands of light around the Con-
fessiOn whore lies the body of the first
Vicar of Christ glimmered like an army Of
freflies. In the Chapel OF the Blessed
, g 49,, tb.Af fnnl I've
} surrounded the bier of Plus the Ninth,
} and the six candles en- the altar dispelled
the upper gloom. The faithful Noble Guard
surrounded the bier; the Swies Goards
stood at the door that leads to the Vatican,
and, when the gate Of the chapel was open
ed 20 the'people, guarded the entrance. As
the people, furnished with the p2rmiesIons
signed ny h.s Emrcnce Cardinal Peccl
Camorlengo, entered the Bssil!cs from The
Sacristy, through which they W2ro o''lIgCd
to psss, many, indeed most OF them, ap
proached the chapel, and, knee!iuG, prayod
;ervently for tho dead Poutf and for the
} vents of the Church Mary, again. es
pecially the pious ladies', begged the priest
who was withic It's chapel to place upor
the body of the dead PohtIh roearles, med
ais, crucifixes, etc, which they he'd 81
! relics and memorials Of this sad scene and
of this dear Father.
Meanwhile the
CARDINALS DESCENDED FROM THE CoNsIs
ToRIAL HALL,
where they were assembled, and proceeded
< into the chapel by the private staircase
. Here they were waited for by the clergy, o
r the Basilica to form tho procession whicl
: should accompany the dead body of tn
PontiF, now about to be placed in its TEN
:. porary sepulchre. AS the Cardinals passed
y before the bier each of them kissed the feet
r of the dead PontiIf, and pressed their fore
\ heads against his feet. This was solemn
a spectacle. and many wept as they behe!'
!, it. Mgr. Folocaldi, Archbishop of Ephesue
/ robed in black cope and white mitre
a assisted by the Pontitical Masters of Ger
a emonies, asperged the dead Pope wit
q holy water. The usual prayers being the
said, the Archbishop intoned the 0iserert
which was continued by the Cantors of th
q Julian Chapel, directed by the Cavalie
q Salvatore Meluzzi. The solemn notes c
- the sad chant iu unisoa resouuded strange
4 " through the diniy-lighted Basilica.
1t is a quarter to seven, and