The record-union., 1891-01-18
The Festivals Of San Jose and
Corpus Christi.
SANTA ROSA, THE ONLY FEMALE
SAINT IN THE CALENDAR.
Strange Ceremonies on Fiesta Days in
Arequipa-Bare-fo Monks With
'sLean and Hungry Looks"-San
Martin de Poins.

Especial correspondence OF the REcoRD-UNIoN1
AREQUIPA, Peru, 1890.
We arose with the lark on the fiesta day
of Saint Joseph, SO as TO miss none of the
strange ceremonials, having been assured
that the best place to view them was the
balcony of our own rooms in the hotel.
Presently deafening sound of church
bells, every bell in the city being beaten,
might and main, by boys up in the bel
fries, accompanied by terrific fizzing of
fireworks, announced that something
was about to happen.
Down the narrow street came the pro-
cession; first brass band playing lively
airs. then an enormous crowd of priests,
monks and nuns, men, women and chill
dren, completely filling the thoroughtare
as far as the eye could see, and in the
midst of all number of life-sjze wooden
hgures, each borne upon platform to
which long poles were lashed, upheld on
the shoulders of bare headed Indians.
Some of the images were carried with
comparative case, while others were so
burdonsome that the bearers were fire.
Quently compelled to lower them igno-
miniously to the ground, thus halting the
whole multitude.
At the head, of course came San Jose,
In whose honor was the celebration in Il
yellow brocaded gown to match his yell
low curls, looking as meek and gullible
as his character is generally portrayed.
Then came q tall and stately virgin, ar
rayed in blue satin garnished with pearls
and yelled like bride, surrounded by
bIllowy puifs of pale blue tulle, spanglcd
TO represent the starry heavensy Among
number of other saints and saintesses
was n small female figure, to us unac-
tal. Sol, .,,1
respect and attention. 1t was poised in
the attitude of dancing, dressed in a very
short, full skirt of white tissue like that
of a ballet girl, with golden crown npon
the long curls Of red hair, q pair OF scales
in one hand and II short, curved sword
held aloft in the other. Each figure was
preceded by number of little girls
strewing paper flowers in its path from
silver baskets, while, crowding the pave
ment on both sides, marched n multitude
of nuns, all with black mantas envelop-
ing their bowed heads so that little of
their faces was visible. Some of them
wore blue ribbons over their shoulders,
meeting on the breast, where n wooden
cross was suspended; others had crimson
ribbons arranged in the same way, with
brass cruciiiXes. Some had ropes tied
around the waist, some a long leather
strap dangling at the right-hand side.
One group was composed of elderly
Eing triars of San Francisco, with gowns.
cloaks and cowls of rough gray wooden;
while the good Sisters of Charity ap-
pcared in their usual frocks of coarse blue
cotton with yoluininous aprons of the
same material and wide white bonnets
starched stiff as shingles.
There were monks of all Orders, some
bare-footed, and, like Cassius, with a
lean aud hungry look" others silk
stockinged and kid-slippered, triple
chinned, bow-windowed and oily. The
habits of some were snowy white from
top TO toe, shirts, cloalis, hats and all,
while others were as black as so many
ravens. There was multitude of gray
triars from the Resoleta, and few with
large scarlet crosses sewn on their sable
gowns. There was the Archbishop clad
in cardinal, Bishops in purple and gold
brocade, and acolytes i'll scarlet and lace
swinging burning censors. Several brass
bands were placed at intervals along the
line, and now and then the monks and
friars chanted a DlfSererc, assisted by the
shrill voices of nuns and acolytes; while
the rear was brought up by regiment of
soldiers with drawn bayonets, marching
with n peculiar Swaying motion of their
bodies in time with the music.
Flags were flying from every housetop
along the line of march, and II constant
fusilade of crackers and other fireworks
WAS kept up, accompanied by the inces-
SAINT chatter of bells and the booming of
cannon. On overlooking balconies and
the flat roofs of the houses stood men and
women with long poles in their hands.
To the end of each pole was tied a small
basket, the latter filed with dried rose
leaves, bits of tinsel and bright-colored
paper cut into bits, and as the figures
passed beneath, the poles were thrust out
and the contents of the baskets empted
on their heads.
At frequent intervals along the route
ropes have been stretched across the
street, from house-top to house-top, n
dozen ropes in group, each closely hung
with tiny flags of tissue paper in brill
liant colors. The fallen images had hard
time of it to get under these ropes. The
meek San Jose looked in imminent dam
ger of being beheaded, and was more
than once caught fast by the chin; while
the stately Virgin had her crown
knocked oil, which was quickly rescued
from the dust by a ragged Indian, who
reverently knelt, kissed it, crossed him.
self and then climbed like a cat with his
dirty bare feet, up over the pale blue
satin train and spangled pillows, to re-
place it. Thus; with all ''pomp and cir
cumstance," the sacred effigies were ear
ried from their home in the in the church
of San Domingo TO the cathedral, where
they were set down among the efiigies of
the latter sanctuary while mass was
said; and then they were solemnly toted
back again, reminding one irresistibly of
the way children take their dolls and play
go-a-visiting.n
Another procession, dependent upon
no .feStd day, is often seen in the streets
of all Peruvian cities, WIS.,: the Holy Host
being carried to the bedside of some diving
person. First comes boy ringing u
hand-bell as for an auction. Then comes
an acolyte i'll scarlet and lace. swinging a
smoking censor, closely followed by
other nrOlVfQS naeh
emblem or device, whose use or signifi-
cation Is known to all good Catholics
Then comes the priest, with the holy
ark containing the sacrament, followed
by more priests. more acolytes and burn
ing incense, the rear being brought up
by Il squad of soldiers with drawn bayo-
nets. Over the holy ark and the head of
the officiating priest is held gorgeous
canopy of cloth-of-gold. When the first
tinbling of the bell is heard men, women
and children fall ON their fnees-in the
streets, in the shops, on their balconies
no matter for rain or mud or whatever
may hetide, kneel you must. wherever
you are, and as II You meant ii, too, unless
youdo as some of the heretical 'Gringos''
"a derisive epithet applied to Anglo-Sax-
onsl, turn corner, run down a side
street, or dodge out of sight at the first
tinkling of the bell.
To remain standing while the host is
carried by, would certainly entail serious
consequences, for man or woman, citizen
OK stranger, would probably be knocked
down instanter, or marched off to JAIL if
not actually shot or stabbed by some ia
matte. / have known few such eases
myself, from the cobbler who was killed
in the City of Mexico because he knelt
on his bench instead of on the floor
Roman Catholic though he was-to an
American tourist right here in Arequipa
not many days ago, who stood OPEN
morthed, wondering what the queer pro-