The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
LEO OPENS PORTAL
Pope Performs Ceremony of
Throwing Open the Holy
Door in st. Peters
THREE BLOWS WITH
A GOLDEN MALLET
All the Bells of Rome Chime as
the Aged Pontiff USherS in
Holy Year

Rome, Dec. 24.-The pope solemnly
inaugurated the holy year by perform
ing the impressive ceremony of open
ing the holy door of st. Peters cathe-
dral at II o'clock this morning. The
ceremony was performed in the vesti-
bule, which was handsomely decorated
in the presence of the papal officials.
the members of the diplomatic corps,
leading representatives of the Roman
nobility and number of specially in
vited guests.
After DOMINIC the pontifical robes,
the pope, borne on the sedia gestaria
and attended by the papal guards, pro-
ceeded with the cardinals and the court
to the Sistine' chapel, in the Vatican
palace, where were gathered represent
| atiVes of the Roman religious orders
and clergy. After a brief prayer
before the holy sacrament, which
was there exposed. Leo intoned the
'Veni Creator" and then again as
| cended the sedia gestaria. Preceded
by clergy and friars, who bore lighted
candles, the pope proceeded to the YES
tibule of the basilica, priests lining the
halls and staircases en- route. In the
vestibule the papal throne had been
erected. The supreme pontiff ascend
ed the throne, which was Immediately
surrounded by cardinals and dignita-
ries.
LEO SWINGS HAMMER.
Suddenly a heavy bell doomed Lee
rose and walked toward the holy door
preceded by the grand penitentiary
Cardinal Monsignor Serafno Vannut-
| tell, project of the congregation OF
| bishops and regulars, met him an6
| handed him an artistic gold mallet
given by the Italian bishops. Leo
wearing the mitre, uttered the verses
of the liturgy, and struck three blows
| with the hammer on the door, which
had previously been cut with a saw.
| A few moments of solemn silence fol
| lowed. The pope and papal dignita-
ries in their state robes grouped be-
| fore the door. Then the latter swung
back; and the officials of St. Peters
laved the threshold and doorposts with
| holy water, while Leo opened the
psalm, "Jubilate Deo,' which was ia
ken up by the rest.
KNEELS AT THRESHOLD.
The pope, having again covered his
| head and holding in his right hand g
crucif1x and in his left lighted candle
knelt at the threshold amid the strains
/
he stepped alone within the portals Of
the vast and empty basilica. The car
dinals and others followed At this
moment all the church bells in Rome
rang out. Leo stepped before the al
tar of Michael Angelo, where the JAM
tors of the holy door for the coming
year kissed his feet. He addressed q
few words to them on the Importance
| of the ceremony and then proceeded
| to the altar, where sacrament was Of
fered. followed by a short praper.
| The pope was smiling throughout
but showed signs of fatigue toward the
end. Nevertheless, he gave the three
blows upon the door with considerable
| force.
Profound silence was maintained
throughout the ceremony, save wher
the pope gave his blessing, which
evoked loud "Vivas." The weather
was fine, and an enormous concourse
assembled in the precincts of the bas-
ilica. Order was preserved inside by
| the pontifical guards and outside by
the royal carbineers.