The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-10-12
IN CENTRAL AM erica.
Military Mass in the Cathe-
dral of San Jose.
AFFAIRSOF CHURCH AND STATE
Gallecy-LsZy WOrshtPpers-
The Infantry Barracks.


SAN JOSE, CosTA r Ca, September %
1885, Special Correspondence of The
HERALD. n man Catholicism was
long ago declared by law to be the re-
l!gion of Costa Rlca, but though ex-
pressly guaranteed the protection of
the goverLme the amended constitu-
ton also agrees to tolerate every other
religious belief. Thi, small Republic
was not
ERECTED INTO A SEPARATE DIOCESE
until the summer Of 1850, previous 10
that date being subordinate to the
blshoprlc of Nicaragua. By the con-
cordat, ratified with the court of Rome
in 1852. the old system of tishes has been
abolished, and an ailowa ace of so 600
per annum was substituted from the
National Treasury
The churches of San Jose contain
little to interes the stranger, having no
carvings, sculpture or paintings worth
mentioning. During the Spanish
regime, the entire w;alth OF the Central
American Church was conc entra.ed in
Guatemala, and until recently Costa
Ricans have been too poor to enrich
their affairs. The one exception IS found
in the ruined Cathedral of Cartago. the
ancient capital, where few paintings
and images that are really WORKS of art
vestments of costliest material and
shrines of curious workmanship, re-
main to hint of what existed there be-
fore the great earthquake.
THE SAN JOSE CATHEDRAL
occupies the eastern side of the main
plaza. 1t is built entirely of lava
stone, its bleak, ugly facade being per
fectly bare except where broken by
three lofty doors, standing side by
side. Above the central door. close u
under the fat roof, is large, oval
aperture-the only suggestion of
window anywhere about the premises.
But modern easements are not needed
in these Romish sanctuaries, for
candles are kept constantly burning
upon the affairs through all the CEN
turtles, making dim, religious light
far more effective than che garish
light of day."
The square tower, which is scarcely
thirty feet high, is surmounted by an
uusightly wooden structure resem bling
q block-house, and from q rude frame
underneath its pointed roof, swings an
enormous bell. There is not much
music in that bell-nor, indeed, in any
others, sacred or profans, in San Jose;
and when they all clamor togeth r, as
they do about every half hour, the ear
splitting racket proVokes feelings the
reverse of prayerful. 1t is but just to
say, however, that were the good peo-
pie rich enough, the bells of San Jose
silver Susanna of Erfurt, and mighty
in their tones as those that saved the
Roman-walled City of YOU'VE from the
ravages of Clothair.
With neither gold, nor porphyry, nor
stained glass. no byzantine pavements
to help them, the pious San Joseans
have built a. t. mple not unworthy
wealthier diocese. The interior is
divided into three broad aisles, with
nave 300 feet long by thirty-five wide, |
Graceful shafts of QuiebrahachG, (the |
hardest wood in the world, which
abounds in the forests of Central
the name itself signifyiDg
I'VE breaker.") branching out from the
arches, support the roof. These lofty |
pillars are painted white, like the walls, |
with creamy veins running through |
them; but the arches in which they |
as we'll as the steep slanting |
inner roof, are darkly colored i'll |
producing a singular effect. |
chandeliers are suspended |
rom the ceiling by chains of FURNISHED |
metal, and several crimson banners,
gold lettered in Spanish text, float be- |
;ween them. Stretching across the |
lave, above the high altar. rises
THE ORGAN GALLERY,
by slender columns painted
n imitation of Sienne marble, deli
,ate screen of white-pointed lattice
work conce 4liug choir and organIst.
On Sunday morning, not long ago,
attended military mass in this cathe-
iral, at which service all the garrison
If Costa Rica's capital are obliged to be
|
The scene was unique The officers,
handsomely uniformed, stood at the
lead of the aIsles, each beside file of
nen-their blue frocks faced with red,
epaulets, and the crimson
,onpons on their shakes in contrast
o the scanty white camisas and linen
,reeches of the common soldiers. The
ouble lines Of bayonets seemed TO !
luiver in the bisZe of light reflected {
rom the chandeliers, and the innumer. ,
ble candles burning on the affairs. ]
The military band, stationed in the {
hancel, accompanies the service with
martial music; and as the Host was ]
Ievated, the whole vast building shook {
Nth pesling trumpet and the ring OF {
aluting arms. II
AS in all Central American sanctu-
ries, no benches are provided