The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-08-26
THE HOLY COAT.
Thousands of People View 1t at
Treves.

BERLIN, August 2I.-The garment known
as the Holy Coat was exposed to view yes
teTiay morning in the Cathedral at Treves.
Two knights of Malta in full costume, with
drawn swords in their hands, stood on either
side of the shrine containing the Holy Coat
case. which was surrounded by tall lighted
candles on handsome candlesiicks and sur
mounted By large gold cross. There was
an impressive scene in the sanctuary, over
hundred priests assisting in the ceremonies,
which were grand in the extreme.
The cathedral was richly decorated for the
occasion and was packed to the doors with
people Rishop Korum, during the course
Of his address TO the assembled multitude,
earnestly urged the faithful to unite in ven
Grating the garment from which power and
virtue proceed. The nave of the cathedral
was then cleared, so a. to enable the munic-
ipal authorities aud the parochial societies
10 march up 10 the shrine of the Holy Coat
and venerste the relic.
Much comment has been caused by the
remarks OF Bishop Koran in his opening ad-
! EAt,-s NltaA AAt ltiAAll1ll ~
itual significance of the Holy Coat ss a seam
les vesture and a symbol of the unity of the
Catholic church. There were many Catho-
lie members of the Reichstag present, and it
is said that the Bishop particularly. and In a
manner not to be mistaken, addressed his
remarks to these members. The Holy Coat
| is distinctly visible in the body of the Ca
thedral and is much more plainly seen than
upon the former occasion of its exhibited.
The old silksn covering being almost entire
/ " worn away, appeared to be of brownish
yellow color. The scene in this Cathedral
wss a motley one English tourists in light
/ tweed suits and Prussian officers in uniform,
stubbornly refusing TO kneel before the rel
ic and burgeois citizen in evening dress,
we're prominent in the crowd. The service,
with the monotonous Gregorian chants and
! the administration of the Eucharist by rep
! ressntative ecclesias.cs seemed Of the char
aeter of a medieval ceremony. Many per-
! sons were overpowered by their feelings and
several women tainted. The procession OF
! the pilgrims past the shrine most of whn-''
priests for contact with the relic,was accom-
panied by low hum Of pater nosters and
! aves. Among the pilgrims are aged cripp.es
! and sufferers from almost every complaint.
| There were some scenes of disorder owing
to somewhat violent attempts made to gain
early access TO the Cathedral. At 10 o'clock
last night pilgrims were still fili.g IN to be
hold the relic, and an eager throng was be-
sieging the doors of the Cathedral. The po-
lice had some trouble TO preserve order. The
whole town is in commotion. Piekpockets
are rampant, and several have been ar
rested.
ENORMOUS PASSENGER TRAFFIC.
The managements of the railways entering
Treves are making extensive preparations for
enormous passenger traffic. The trains an
nounced for Sunday alone will be able TO
bring $1,000 pilgrims to Treves for contem-
plation of the Holy Coat relic, The burgo-
master Of Treyes says he expects 10000 pill
/ grims viii come to this city and march in
the procession. He is of the opinion that
the bulk Of the pilgrims viii bring their own
/ food and that, therefore, there viii be no diff
hculty in feeding the crowd. TheprovOst Of
the Cathedral has declined military aid to
preserve order. The guard Of honor which
! will line the pilgrim route will consist of
volunteers from Catholic patrician families
and pupils Of the priets' seminary. The
pope permits the exhibition to continue two
months, but the bishop thinks that six
weeks will suffice All restaursteurs are
obliged to dismiss their mattresses and 10
employ only men during the exhibition.