Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-04-02
GIVEN BY. MANY P0PES.
THE OFFERING or THE GOLDEN
ROSE AND WHAT IT IMPLIES.

It Is Costly Present Which the ropes
Sometimes send to Great Women-rhe
Ceremony Is an Impressive one-some
of the Royal Recipients.
From a continental contemporary we
translate the following interesting article;
A GOOD deal has been said lately about
the Golden Rose" The news, published
bv several French papers, was incorrect,
but it has called attention to the origin OF
one of the most ancient pontlfical decora-
lions.
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 20 the most famous sanctuaries. TO
Catholic sovereigns, to queens. princes and
princesses, famous generals and great per-
sonages devoted to the church.
As none of the roses offered TO the BASIL
icas is extant it is impossible TO ascertain
the model then in use. 1t is only known
that it was merely a single flower IN red
enamel, to initiate the roses natural color
Afterward, instead of enamel a large ruby
was placed in the middle of the rose, Civ
ing deep red luster to the flower. limo
cent XI had a superb golden rose made,
weighing pounds 10 ounces, and adorned
with several sapphires. The rose offered
by Clement XI TO the queen and dauphin
of France was valued at upward of 932O.
1t weighed eight pounds of gold, and had
a magnificent sapphire in the middle.
Nowadays the Golden Rose costs about
e400 1t is placed on branch with leaves
and several flowers, planted in vase of
silver gilt, with the papal arms in relief
and an inscription.
The explanation given Of the symbolism
is this: "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 dwells;
By the perfume and balsam put inside by
the pope, the glory and resurrection OF
Christ"
TIE CEREMONY.
The rite of benediction is exceedingly
solemn. The holy father, arrayed in his
sacerdotal vestments, reads the formula
of benediction from book held by one Of
the bishops assistant nc the pontifical
throne. Two other bishops stand at his
sides with lighted candles. The exalted
dignitaries of the papal court surround the
DDlItl anu DtfAT ltlt HOll MdAtT
vessel. and the vases of balsam and per-
fumes One Of the Camerieri segreti par
ticipanti, kneeling down, presents the
golden rose, which has been hitherto stand
ing on credence between two lighted
wax candles. The pope, reciting the pray
ers, blesses the incense, balsam and per
fumes. which are presented to him one
after another by cardinal. Having placed
II. /. L..
ter itself
The rose is also presented with great
ceremony by an ablegate specially de
puted by the holy father. During the mass
the rose is placed on the altar, and after
the lite Missa est the ablegate reads aloud
the brief of the holy father and presents
this brief to the recipient, who rises and
places his or her hand on the vase as if to
take it. The ablegate then repeats the fol
lowing formula: Take from our hands
the rose which we give to thee by special
commission intrusted 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 beauti-
ful Of flowers. symbolizes the crown of eter
nal glory
II the recipient be a king or queen the
ablegate adds: May your majesty accept
this gift, and with it the divine grace which
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 Ablegate announces TO all present
that the pope grants a plenary indulgence
to all the members of the royal or imperial
family.
ROYAL RECIPIENTS.
IL.