The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-25
INAUGURATION OF HOLY YEAR.
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY WAS PER-
FORMED ny THE PORE.

He Opened the Holy Door of ST.
Peters Cathedrnl-Was Attended
by the Grand Dignitaries of the
Church-Struck the Door With "a
Gold MalIet-An the Church BELLS
of Rome Rang Out-POpe Fatfgued
by the Ceremony.
Rome. Dec. 24.-The Pope solemnly in
augurated the holy year by performing
the impressive ceremony of opening the
holy door of St. Peters Cathedral at IL
o'clock this morning
The ceremony was performed in the YES
Thule, which was handsomely decorated,
in the presence of the papal officers, the
members of the diplomatic corps. leading
representatives of the Roman nobility and
number of specially invited guests.
After DOMINIC the pontifical robes, the
Pope, borne on the Soda gestatoria and es-
corled by the papal guards, proceeded with
the cardinals to the court of the Sistine
Chapel, in the Vatican Palace, where were
gathered representatives of the Roman re-
ligious orders and clergy. After brief
prayer before the holy sacrament. which
was there exposed, Leo intoned the "Veni
Creator" and then assembled the Soda ges-
tatoria. Preceded by clergy and friars
who bore lighted candles, the Pope pro-
ceeded to the vestibule of the Basilica,
priests lining the halls and staireases en-
route.
In the vestibule the papal throne had
been erected. The supreme pontiff as
toll
surrounded by cardinals and dignitaries.
Pope Struck the Door.
Suddenly heavy ben doomed. The Pope
rose and walked toward the holy door,
preceded by the Grand Penitentiary.
Cardinal Mgr. Serafino Vannutelli. project
of the congregation of bishops and regu-
lars, met him and 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 the papal dignitaries
in their state robes being grouped before
the door. Then the latter swung back and
the officials of st. Peters laved the TIRES
hold and door posts with holy water, while
Leo opened the Psalm "Jubilate Deo,'
which was taken up by the pontifical choir.
The Pope, having again covered his head
and holding in his right hand a crucifx
and in his left a lighted candle, knelt at
the threshold amid the strains of the
'"Te Deum." Rising to his feet he stepped
alone within the portals of the vast and
empty Basihca. The cardinals and others
followed
Church Bells Rang Out.
AT this moment all the church bells in
Rome rang out. Leo stopped before the
altar of Michael Angelo, where The jani-
tors of the Holy Door for the coming year
kissed his feet. He addres ed few words
TO them on the importance of the cere-
mony, and then proceeded TO the altar,
where the sacrament was offered, followed
by a short prayer. Then advancing on the
Soda gestatoria 10 the high altar, he pro-
nounced a solemn beneiiction, according
the p,enary indulgence.
BY quarter past l o'clock he had re-
turned to his private apartments, having
performed the ceremonies with great APP
parent satisfaction. He was smiling
throughout, but grew pale, and showed
signs of fatigue toward The end. Neverthe-
less he gave The three blows upon the door
with considerable force.
Profound silence was maintained
throughout the ceremony save when the
Pope gave his blessing, which evoked loud
''Vivas." The weather was fine and an
enormous conccurse assembled in the pre-
cincts of the Basilica. order Yves preserved
inside by the pontihcal guards and out
side by the royal carbineers and the Police.