Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-25
THE HOLY YEAR
SoIemnIy Inaugurated by Pope
Leo at Rome, Sunday.
Holy Door Of St. Peters Opened at
II O'clock, A. m.
An Impressive Ceremony, Attended BY Hun
dreds Of Religious Dignitaries.

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 officers,
the members of the diplomatic corps,
leading representatives of the Roman
nobility and a number of specially in
vited guests.
After DOMINIC the pontifical robes,
the Pope, borne on the sedia gestatoria
and escorted by the Papal Guards,
proceeded with the cardinals and the
court to the Sistine chapel in the Vati-
can palace, where were gathered in
representatives 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 assembled the
sedia gestatoria. Preceded by clergy
and friars, who bore lighted candles,
the Pope proceeded to the vestibule OF
the basilica, priests lining the halls
and staircaSes en- route.
In the vestibule the Papal throne had
been erected. The Supreme Pontiff
assembled the throne, which was imme-
diately surrounded by cardinals and
dignitaries.
Suddenly a heavy bell doomed Leo
rose and walked toward the Holy door,
preceded by the grand penitentiary.
Cardinal Monsignor SerafinO Vannu-
tell. project Of the Congregation OF
Bishops and Regulars Methmand,
da1 ;-4in
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 digni-
taries in their state robes being
grouped before the door Then the lat
ter swung back. and the officials of St.
Peters laved the threshold and door
posts with holy water, while Leo
opened the psalm "Jubilate Dec"
which was taken up by the pontifical
choir. The Pope, having again covered
his head and holding in his right hand
a crucifiX and in his left lighted
candle, knelt at the threshold amid the
strains of Tie Deum." Rising to his
feet he stepped alone within the portals
of the vast and empty basilica The
cardinals and others followed
At this moment all the church bells
in Rome rang out, Leo stepped before
the altar of Michael Angelo, where the
janitors Of the holy door for the com
ing year kissed his feet. He addressed
a few words to them on the Importance
Of the ceremony and then proceeded to
the altar where sacrament was offered,
followed by short prayer. Then, ad-
Vancing on the sedia gestaria to the
high altar, he pronounced a solemn
benediction according the plenary in
dulgences.
BY l.l5 he had returned to his private
apartments, having performed the
ceremonies with great apparent salts
faction. He was smiling throughout.
but grew pale and 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 when
the Pope gave his blessing, which en-
Voked loud "vivas." The weather was
me and an enormous concourse assem-
pied IN the precincts of the basilica.