Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-10-13
IN CENTRAL AMERICA.
THE LITTLE AFFAIRS OF CHURCH
AND STATE.
The Costa Rican Army-S7ilitary
Mass in the Cathedral of
San Jose.


Rica, but thoagh expressly guaranteed the
protection of the Government, the amended
Constitution also agrees to tolerate eTery
other religious belief This small repub-
lie was not erected into a separate diocese
until the summer OF 1850, previous to that
date being subordinate to the Bishopric of
Nicaragua. By the concOrdat ratified with
the Court of Rome, in 80, the old system
of tithes was abolished, and an allowance
Of $4,000 per annum was substituted from
the national Treasury.
The churches of San Jose contain little
to interest the stranger, having no cary
ings, sculpture or paintings worth mention
ing. During the Spanish regime the en-
tirewealth of the Central American Chruch
was concentrated in Guatemala, and until
recently Costa Ricans have been too poor
10 enrich their altars The one exception
is found in the ruined cathedral of,Car-
tago, the ancient capital, where a few
paintings and images that are really works
of art, vestments Of costliest material and
shrines Of curious workmanship remain to
hint of what existed there before 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 perfectly bare, except where broken
by three lofty doors standing side by side.
Above the central door, close up under the
fiat roof is a large oval aperture-the only
suggestion Of a window anywhere about
the premises. But modern easements are
not needed in these Romish sanctuaries,
for candles are kept constantly burning
upon the altars through all the centuries,
making dim, religious light" far more
effective than the garish light of day
The square tower, which is scarcely
thirty feet high, is surmounted by an un-
slightly wooden structure, resembling i
block house, and from a rude beam under
meath its pointed roof, swings an enormous
bell. There is not much music in that
bell-nor indeed in any other-sacred or
profane, in San jose, and when they all
clamor together, rs they do about every
hall hoU., the ear-spIittlug racket provokes
feelings the reverse of prayerful. 1t is but
Just to say however, that were the good
people rich enough, the bells of San Jose
Susanne of Erfurt, and mighty in their
tones as those that saved the Roman
walled city of Yonne from the ravages OF
Clothair
With neither gold, nor porphyry, nor
stainedg lass, no Byzantine pavements to
help them, the pious San Joseans have built
temple not unworthy a wealthier diocese.
The interior is divided into three broad
aisles, with nave 300 feet long by So wide
Graceful shafts of quiebrahacha (the hard
est wood in the world, which abounds in
Central America, the name itself signifying
''ax-breaker'), branching off from the
arches, support the roof These lofty pill
lars are painted white, like the walls, with
creamy veins running through them; but
the arches in which they terminate, as
well as the steep-slanting inner root, are
darkly colored in arabesque, producing a
singular effect. Handsome chandeliers are
suspended from the ceiling by chains of
FURNISHED metal, and several crimson ban
ners, gold-lettered in Spanish text, float
between them. Stretching across the nave.
above the high altar, rises the organ gal
lery, supported by slender columns painted
in imitation of Sienna marble, a delicate
screen Of white-painted lattice-work con-
cealing choir and organist
On a Sunday morning, not long ago,
attended military mass In this cathedral,
at which service all the garrison of Costa
Rica's capital are obliged to be present, in
full force and clean apparel The scene
was unique. The officers. handsomely uni
formed, stood at the head of the aisles. each
beside 4 ile of men-their blue frocks
faced with red, giittering epaulets, and the
crimson pompons on their shakOs in con-
trast to the seanty white canlisds and linen
breeches of the common soldiers. The
double lines of bayoncts seemed to culver
in the blaze of light reflected from the
chandeliers and the innumerable candles
burning on the altars. The military band,
stationed in the chancei, accompanied the
service with martial music: and as the
Host was elevated, the whole vast build-
ing shook with pealing trumpets and the
ring of saluting arms.
As IN all Central American sanctuaries,
no benches are provided for lazy worship
ers, and rich and poor, saints and sinners,
kneei upon the floor together. The heat
was intense, and your correspondent found
herself in the thiclest of the crowd, sand
wiched between the Scilla and Charybidis
of a case of moldy bones ON one side and
an ordoriferous Indian on the other. whose
vermin-infested locks were shaken in
alarming juxtapositiOn by the energy of
his devotions. On a table, near the door,
the usual relics-rosaries and prayer
books-are offered for sale; also, ribbons OF
gorgeous hues, which are said to be an ex-
act measurement of the Blessed Virgins
head.
My attention was attracted to small
square frame hanging on the wall, which
everyone kissed before passing out. When
my turn came, ! found under the glass
only awhile piece Of paper, marked with
the outline of a small shoe, and under
meath, printed in Spanish, the following
remarkable statement: "This is the exact
measurement of the foot of the Most HOLY
Virgin, Mother of God, taken from her
own shoe, which is xenerated with the
greatest alteration in the Convent of
Toreto, Italy; in which convent is also
kept Her Most Holy House, brought from
Jerusalem by the hands of Angels"
On inquiry learned that Pore John
ANli. granted three hundred indulgences
TO whoever SHOULD kiss thissacred N easure-
ment three times, each time repeating an
dee 1HcTle, and that the same indulgence
was also conferred by Pope Clement VIII.
in the year 1908 These indulaences,
having no limit prescribed Ks to nurlber,
may be had as many times in the day as
devotees desire; and may alse be applied
by living persons for the profit of seul in
purgatory. And for the greaaer glorr OF
the Most Holy Virgin, it is alse permitted
20 make copies of the measure.
Throughout all Spanish America the re-
ligion of the women, especially those oi
the lower classes, Is emphatically the WOE,
ship of her who predicted, "Henoeferth all
nations shall call me blessed" Before her
shr;nes thousands are kneeling at all
hours, their spiritual warnings and the
fruitage of lifelong privation finding vent
III words of passionate alteration as t2ley
address the mother of sorrows and kiss the
ground before her image. OF the inyisi-
ble and unimaged Father they dare not
think, and toward the Sen their feelings
are those of respectful piety; but to the
Blessed Mary they give all their love and
confidence, looking up to ker as a benef-
cent Queen whom her magnificent robes
and ieweled diadem, yet mourning in ali
the agony Of divine sorrow--admits the
poorest beggar to participate in her woes
while she shares in the atiictions of the