The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-06
ROMAN CARDINALS.
How They Are Created, Their Snowy
Wardrobe and Big Red Hats.


All cardinals are appointed by the Pope,
who, as a rule, announces such appoint
ments to a secret consistory of the exist
ing holders of that Office. The names are
made public at the open consistory next
following Their number is limited to sew
enty, and they compose what is known as
the Sacred College Twenty-nine of the
members of that body, as at present con-
stituted. have been appointed by the reign
ing Pointif. If the appointed is a resident
of Rome, he is invested with the red hat.
which is his badge OF office, at the con-
sistory following the first announcement of
his appointment. If he resides, or is sta
toned elsewhere, it is usually the custom
to send notice of his appointment by a
member OF the Noble Guard, who In most
instances is accompanied by an ablegate,
usually a member of the Popes household.
The member of the Noble Guard bears
with him letter from the Pope notifying
the new cardinal OF his appointment, and
the zuchetto and berretta, which is to form
part of the Cardinals wardrobe. They are
expected TO proceed on their mission with
all possible haste, and as soon as practical
BILE after the appointment. the appoiatee
is invested with the zuchetto. and presented
with the notice OF his elevation. 1t then
becomes the duty. of the ablegate to pub
licly crown him with the berretta, In ac-
cordanee with. the ritual of the Roman
Mgr Cesare Roucetti was the ablegate
and Count Marefonschi the member of the
Papal Guard who came TO this country at
the elevation of the late Cardinal McClos-
key. The berretta was imposed by Arch
bishop Bayley, the Archbishop of Balti-
more. The ceremony was performed in Old
st. Patrick's Cathedral, New York, April
- 1875, being preceded by a solemn pontifi-
cal mass. celebrated by Bishop Loughlin,
of Brooklyn. Although Cardinal McClos-
key was made member of the College of
Cardinals by Pope Plus TX, he received
the red hat from Leo XIII. He was sum-
moned to Rome at the death OF Plus IN,
but did not reach there until after the cleo
tion OF Leo, from whom he received his
hat and his title of Santa Marie Sopra
Minerva.
In the case of Cardinal Gibbons, Mgr
Straniero and Count Mussiola were the mes
sengers from Rome. Archbishop Peter X.
in the cathedral here on June 80, 1856, after
a mass celebration by Archbishop Williams
OF Boston. The Cardinal afterward went
TO Rome and was vested with the red
hat and the title OF Santa Marie in Trasta-
we're.
Within six months after his investure
with the zuchetto and berretta, Cardinal
Satolli will. IN compliance with mis- omcIai
OATH, go 10 Rome TO visit the tombs of
the apostles. and the ceremony which
lege, entitled TO vote for Leo's successor
then takes place. This is the most i'm
portant ana interesting OF all the cere-
monies.
\ cardinals wardrobe is a most compli-
Gated affair. He wears three colors-cardi-
nal, violet and old rose and must have a
complete outfit in each OF these colors. The
different colors are prescribed for different
seasons OF the ecclesiastical year. The red
is worn throughout the year. except dur
ing the centennial season OF Lent and Ad-
vent, when the violet is worn, except the
third Sunday OF Advent and except the
fourth sunday or Lent, when the old rose
Is substituted. The violet is selected be-
cause Of fits association with mourning. and
on the particular Sundays which the old
rose is used an occasion of rejoicing for a
day brightens the gloom OF the penitental
season. The red is chosen as the distin-
gushing color OF a cardinal. because his low
atty 10 the faith is assumed 10 include will
:ngness to shed his blood for ~.
The red hat Is a peculiar feature OF the
wardrobe OF Cardinal. IL Is oddly shaped,