The times., 1899-12-26


These two grottcs are connected with each
other by an underground passage in the
shape Of the catacombs at Rome which
has in its centre a crypt in imitation of the
ancient sepulchral chambers where an al
tar was erected over the tomb OF some
ancient martyr
From this crypt another underground
cori idor leads to the subterranean chapel
of the poor souls which is intended for
funeral services. and whence two stair
ways lead back into the church near the
holy sepulchre.
The High Altar.
The high altar in the church is an ex-
act reproduction OF the holy sepulchre.
Before ii two handsome candelabra burn
in the shape Of the fve-fold cross A bas-
relief. in the Greek style, shows Christ
standing triumphaHtly on the open tomb,
while on one side the drowsy guards look
up to him in Wild astonjsbment and on
the other the angels announce the tidings
OF the resurrection Adoring angels add
TO the scene, in which the sun and moon
and stars appear as silent Witnesses to the
great event. Between the panels TO the
right and left is low door leading to
the outer room of the tomb In the mid
die of this, supported by low pedestal,
there is a stone called tine Stone OF the
Angel"
Through another door, lower than the
first. is facsimile of the place where the
body of Christ was laid From the cell
ing are suspended memorial lamps and
above the place where Christ reposed is
a bas-relief, representing the resurrection,
a copy Of Raphael. II is a replica of the
silver panel that Cardinal Antonelu do
mated to the holy sepulchre. Here the
tomb from which Christ rises contains the
tabernacle, which is the tomb Of the
eucharistic God in the church. Otherwise
the room Is bare and devoid of ornament.
Above the holy sepulChre is Mount Cav
airy, the altar being a replica of the one
in Jerusalem. Two steep stairways on
either side lead up to it. Behind the altar
is an impressive group of the cruciliXion,
representing Christ on the cross, surround
ing by figures representing his mother and
John To this group belongs the statue
OF Mary Magdalen. To the right a beau
Jifui ''pieta' denotes the place where. after
the descent from the cross, the lifeless
body Of Christ rested in the arms Of Mary
The platform of Calvary corresponds in
height with the elevation of that place
in Jerusalem from the level Of the basilica.
The vault covering the sanctuary has been
omitted in order to obtain light from
above, where instead a glass stained win
dow, represents God looking down on
Christ.
At either side of Calvary, doors lead into
choirs closed to visitors, where the Ieli-
gious gather to recite the divine cifice
The altar is of the usual Greek style, and
covers the place where the cross was
planted.
Under the raised altar, two stairways
lead down into the crypt, which contains
a reproduction OF the grotto o. the nativity,
in a semi-circular niche. silver star is
set in the marble of IS flooring prec ely
like the one in Bethlehem that marks the
spot where Christ is supposed 10 have been
born. So great has been the care to pi
sem in replica the scene OF this event as
the traveller beholds il, that even the stone
bench on which the Turkish sentinel sits
while guarding the grotto is here shown.
On one side is a cavern followed in a
rock, which is reached by descending a
step. This is the place Of the manger
where Christ was laid wrapped in swa5-
ding clothes by his mother. 1t is only a
little niche hewn IN rock, for the purpose
of feeding the cattle.
From this grotto a narrow and winding
passage. decorated with recesses. such as
are found in the catacombs, leads to the
martyrs crypt" This is a subterranean
chapel circular in form and a perfect re-
production Of one OF the many chapels to
be found in those labyrntline hiding
places of the early Christians. The body
Of a canonized man, who IS called st. Be-
nignUs. brought from the Roman cata-
combs lies buried under the altar. The
remains We're transferred from the cathe-
dral at Narni 10 Mount 81, sepulchIe.
Chapel of Paor souls.
From this crypt short psssageway leads
to the chapel of poor souls. Here will re
pose the bodies Of those who die in the
monastery before they are taken away Tor
burial. Here. also. will be offered the
sacrifice for the deceased benefactors Of
The monastery An altar of black marble
will be placed in this chapel, and ap-
propriate relief viii be imported from
France.
The grotto OF Nazareth which is also
underground, is in the vicinity. II contains
an altar Of the annunciatipn- a the left
of the altar is reproduction Of q curious
feature OF the original chapel fragment
Of a granite column depending from the
roof. a shaft of the ancient church. After
the fire OF 1888 The Mogrebins, in search
oil hidden treasures, cut the column ia two,
leaving the upper part suspended from the
ceiling portion Of another shaft has
been placed under this 10 prevent people
from passing under il.
On both sides Of the walls of the stair
way are horizontal bars, surmounted by
circles They denote the limits of the
foundation OF the Holy House, which, ac-
cordng to tradition, was transported by
the hands of angels. first to Tersate, il
Dalmatia, in the year 1891, and then a few
years afterward TO Recanate and Loretto,
where II now is.