New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-25
OPENING THE HOLY DOOR.
GRAND CEREMONIAL AT ST. PETERS
CATHEDRAL.
THE AGED PoNTIFF PERFORMS HIS PART
TO THE END. ONLY SHOWING
FATIGUE TOWARD
THE LAST.

Rome. Dec 24-The Pope solemnly inaugu-
rated the Holy Year by performing the impress
sve ceremony Of opening the Holy Door or 81.
Peters Cathedral at II o'clock this morning
The ceremony was performed in the Vestibule'
which was Handsomely decorated, in the pres
ence Of the papal officers. the members OF the
Diplomatic Corps leading representatives OF TIE
Roman nobility and number OF specially IN
vited guests.
After donning the pontifcal robes the Pope
borne on the Seda Gestatoria and escorted oy
the Papal Guards proceeded with the cardinals
and the court to the Sistine Chapel in the Nat-
can Palace where were gathered representatives
Of the Roman religious orders and clergy. After
brief prayer before the Holy Sacrament. which
was there exposed. Leo intoned the "Neni Crea-
tor" and then again ascended the Sedia Gesta-
toria Preceded by clergy and friars. who bore
lighted candles, the Pope proceeded to the Nestl-
bule Of the Basilica priests lining the halls and
staircases On the way.
In the Vestibule the papal throne had been
erected The Supreme Pontf ascended the
throne. which was Immediately surrounded by
cardinals and dgntaries.
Suddenly a heavy bell doomed Leo rose and
walked toward the Holy Door. preceded by the
Grand Penitentiary Cardinal Monsgnor Sera-
fno Vannuteni. Prefect Of the Congregation OF
Bishops and Regulars. met him and handed MIN
an artistic golden mallet given by the Itallan
bishops Leo wearing the mitre. uttered the
verses Of the Liturgy and struck three blows
with the hammer on the door, which had pre-
viously been cut with saw
A few moments Of solemn silence followed 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 Peter $
laved the threshold and doorposts with molly
water while Leo opened the psalm "Jubiate
Deo" which was taken up by the Ponthcai
Choir The Pope having again covered his head
and holding in his right hand a cruciix and in
his left 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 Basllca. The cardinals and
At This moment all the church bells in Rome
rang out Leo stopped before the altar OF
| Michael Angelo where the Janitors or the HOLY
Door for the coming year kissed his feet. He
addressed n few words to them on the lnpor-
tance Of the ceremony and then PROCEEDED 10
the altar. where the sacrament was onered tol-
| lowed by a short prayer Then, advancing on
the Sedia Gestatoria to the High Altar, he pro-
nounced a solemn benedcton. according plen-
airy ndulgences.
! Rv III O'Clock he mad returned TO his private
| apartments having performed the ceremonies
with great apparent satisfaction. He was smil-
ing throughout but grew pale and showed signs
| - fatjoue toward the end Nevertheless he gave
the three blows upon the door with considerable
! force q
Profound silence maintained throughout
! the ceremony. save when the Pope gave his
! blessing which evoked loud "vivas.' The
weather was fine and an enormous concourse
assembled IN the precincts Of the Basilica order
was preserved inside by the Pontlncal Guards
and outside by the Royal Carabineers and the
/ police.