The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-26
II GOLDEN 0

THE GOLDEN ROSE.
The Costly Presents which the Popes
Sometimes Send to Great Women.
A good deal has been said lately about the
Golden Rose" chiefly on account of the
report that the pope intended to confer the
distinction this year on Nine. Carnot. The
news, published by several French papers,
WAS incorrect; but it has called attention to
one of tho most ancient Jontifical decora-
tions.
In early times the Golden Rose was Of
fered by the pontiffs to the projects OF
Rome, after having been carried to the
church Of Santa Croce. Later on it was
given to the most famous sanctuaries. to
Catholic sovereigns. to queens. princes and
Processes, famous generals and great per-
sonages devoted to the church.
As none of the roses offered to the basili-
cas- are extant, it is impossible to ascertain
tho model then in use. II is only known
that it was merely a single flower in red
Afterward, instead 8f enamel, a large ruby
was placed in the middle of the rose, giving
n deep red instre to the flower. Innocent
XI. had a superb golden rose made, weigh
ing eight pounds. ten ounces, and adorned
with several sapphires. The rose offered
by Clement XI. to the queen and danphin
OF France was valued at upward OF G320. 1t
weighed eight pounds Of gold. and had a
magnificent sapphire in the middle.
Nowadays the golden rose costs about
e4OO. 1t is placed on a branch with leaves
and several flowers, planted in a vase of sill
yer gilt. with the papal arms in relief and
an inscription.
The explanation given Of the symbolism
is this: 1.-The rose symbolizes by its gold
the Almighty Lord Of all things: by the
splendor and richness of the metal, the
eternal light wherein the Godhead dwslls;
by the perfume and balsan put inside by
the pope, the glory and resurrection OF
Christ"
The rite of benediction is exceedingly
solemn. The holy father, arrayed in his
sacerdotal vestments, reads the formula OF
benediction from a JOG held by one of the
bishops assistant at the pontifical throne.
lighted candles. The exalted dignitaries
Of the papal court surround the pontif and
bear the thnribIe. holy water vessel, and
the vases of balsam and perfumes. One of
the Camerieri segreti PARTICIPANT, kneeling
down. presents the golden rose, which has
been hitherto standing on n credence be-
tween two lighted wax candles, The pope,
reciting the prayers, blesses the incense,
balsam, and perfumes, which are presented
to him one after another by n cardinal.
Having plhced them inside the flower he
blessss the latter. itself.
The rose is also presented with great cere-
mony by an ALLOCATE specially deputed by
the holy father. During the mass the rose
is placed on the altar, and, after the tie
Missa est, the ALLOCATE reads aloud the brief
Of the holy father and presents this brief to
the recipient, who rises n places his or
her hand on the vase as il to take it. The
ablegste then repeats the following form
ula: Take from our hands the rose which
We give to thee BY special commission in
trusted to us by the holy father, Pope N.
May this rose signify to thee the joy of the
church militant and triumphant; for the
rose, the most beautiful of flowers, SYM
bolizes the crown of eternal glory"
II the recipient be a king or a queen the
ALLOCATE adds: May your majesty accept
the holy father implores for you in its full
ness and entirety from God, who reigns for
ever and ever. Amen"
The sovereign having kissed the rose,
the ALLOCATE announces to all present that
the pope grants a plenary indulgence to
all the members of the royal or imperial
family.
To the above interesting details we may
add a few more, gathered chiefly from 9
bull; Of Benedict XIV, on this subject. II
appears that sOue writer's attributed the
first origin Of the rose to st. Leo H., but
the learned Benedict proves that the Gus
tom was still more ancient, though he de-
clares the origin canno be discovered. The
most ancient gift of the rose, after the
time when it used to be given to the pre-.
fects of Rome, is that made by Urban II. in
1896 to FuIk, count of Anglers. after the
council of Tours. The first lady to receive
it was Queen Joanna, of Naples, i'll 1865
from the last named pope, who also gave
one to the basilica Of st. Peter.
1t would be impossible to repeat the Ions
list of recipients (which may be seen il
MoroniJ. We may select just a few. Mar
tin Y. gave it to the republic Of Florence
14I9J: E%ugenius ". III 14H to Henry VI.
press Eleanor 1452j: Innocent VIII. in 14s
to King James III. of Scotland; Alexande
VI. to Queen Isabella of Spain, 1888, al
next year to the Sanctuary of Oar Lady o
Hal. IN Flanders; Julius II. to Henry VIII
Of England. who received it yet twic
again. from Leo X. and Clement VII. Ij24
Paul III. gent it to Queen Catherine de Med
lei: Julius III. 1850 to Queen Mary o
England; Gregory NIL. in 1884 to the San
tuary of Loreto, as also SIxtus V.
Once more the rose came to England il
1926, sent by Urban VIII. to Queen Henri
eta. About this time 1t became usual T.
bestow it OF queens and princesses. Venice
or it's Doges, received the rose sbrut 81
times, the las. time f'om Gregory XVI. j
1888. Plus TX. gave it to his Roddaughte
Maria Pia. daughter of King Victor En-
manuel, afterward queen of Portugal. an
in iS3J TO the queen Of the Two SicIlies
whose daughter he baptized at Gasta.