Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-26
TIE rOrE OPENS TIE moLY YEAR.
Imposing Ceremonies ia II. Peters
Cathedral. Rome.
OBaltlm0re Amorlc0n.

ROME, December A-Thc Pope solemn
~ lnaugurated the holy year by perform
ing the impressive ceremony of opening
the holy door of ST. Peters Cathedral
at u O'Clock this morning The ceremony
was performed m the vesiblle. which
was handsomely decorated. 300 the pres
ence OF the papd officers. the members
OF the diplomatic corps leading repre-
sentatvos of The Roman nobility and
number of specially invited guests.
After dOnuus thc pontihcal robes, the
Pope. b0rue on the sodla ecstatoria and
escorted by the Papel Guards. proceeded
with the cardinals and the court
10 the Sstne chapel n tine Vatican
Palace. where We're gathered representa-
tivcs Of the Roman religious orders and
clergy Alter "a brief PRAYER before the
holy sacrament. which was there eN-
posed Leo intoncd the "Neni Creator"
and then again assembled The sedla
gestatOria Preceded by clergy and
friars. who bore lighted candles the
Pope proceeded TO the vesdbuie OF
the Bas.liCi1 priests lining the halls ana
staircases en- route.
in tho vestibuls the papai throne had
been erected. The supreme P0ntn ass
ceuoed the throne, which was Immediate
j. surrounded by cardinals and dignita-
Ties.
WITH A GOLDEN WALLET
suddenly heavy bell doomed. The Pope
rose and walked toward the holy door.
preceded by the grand penitentiary.
Cardinal Monsguor Scrahn0 Nannutcll,
project OF The Congregation OF Bishops
and Regulars. who met him and handed
him an artistic golden mailot given by the
Italian bishops Leo wearing the metre
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 dignita-
Iics I'm their state robes. being grouped
before the door. Then the latter swung
back and the officials of ST. Peters .aved
the threshold and dOor-posts with holy
water while Leo opened the Psalm
"Jubilato Doo." which was taken up boy
the ponthcal choir. Tine Pope. having
ngain covered his head and holding in
his right hand "a crucihX and in his left
lighted candle. kuelt az the threshold,
amid The strains of the Tie Deum.
Rising 10 his feet, he stepped alone With
IN the portals of the vast and empty
Basilica. The cardinals and others iol-
lowed
THE RINGING OF THE BELLS.
Al this moment an the church bells
in Rome rang ont. Leo stopped before
the altar Of Michael Angelo, where the
janitors of the holy door for the coming
year kissed his feet lie addressed
few words to them ON the Importance OF
the ceremony. and then proceeded TO the
alter where the sacrament was ofrered,
followed 10y a short prayer Then ad-
Vancing ON the sodia gestatoria TO the
high altar, he pronounced solemn
benedction. according 10 the plenary
indulgcnces.
BY a quarter past j he had returned
10 his private apartments, having per-
formed the ceremonies with great APP
parent satisfaction. lie was smiling
throughout. but grew pale and showed
signs Of fatigue toward the end Never
theiess.. he gave the three blows upon
the door with considerable force
Profound silence was maintained
throughout the ceremony save when the
Pope gave MS blessing, which evoked
loud "Yivas.'
The weather was fine, and am enormous
concourse assembled In the precincts of
The Basnica. order was preserved inside
by the POnthcal Guards and outside 10y
the ROYAL GARDENERS. and the police.