Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1899-03-30
EASTER I'm ROME.
The DAY OF ALL DAYS TO AN italian

ITO THOSE who pause in the nat
ur1i course Of things 20 consider
th. real significance and uean-
iug ~ sh~ feast days of the various de-
ucmiuzti0us d the Christian faith. ard
ne many different ways iu which thss
arr zach celebrated in the different
ruunfries. there j. doubtless none
which attracts 50 much wide prtad at
'su.iou. znd IN which - much interest,"
q, manifested. a. Easter Sunday
Every Christian people celebrate
tbs great day in some way. however
strange that particular way NAV L. 20
some * us. but do not think there j.
aHy p-opie that makes a. much ~. or
mase- a. many elaborate preparations
far This feast as the Italian. ard -
r-e4liy those who live in and around
Rene that Eternal CITY
~ roursr the fact Of Rome tviur
a. aucr the abode Of the sovereign uf
lialE ard the seat of the papai - ~
pains ihese exceptional preparafiuns.
b.. netsrthgless. no Iaind. anless euer
an eve witness. can picture the ssaucer-
fu. doral decorations. fh- long proees-
.aus - church aignitarie- with Their
rss-s Fespienasnt With gold and silver.
ard the many churches crowded With
al sorts and conditions Of mea. Al
Pr-ssing in one direction. eager to de-
rtv the blessing afforded bx the sight
of some relie- which li~s exposed on the
m4iu altar Only during this one day
throughout the year.
NAV say. be fore going further. that
Easter Is the holiday Of the year. 10
the Italian. Christmas i taken notice
q only 10 a very limited extent. New
Years day j. celebrated 10 a much
greater extent. and some of the legal
holidays. as the kings birthday etc.
are all celebrated TO a greater OF les de-
gree, but for Easter preparations arr
commenced weeks. nay. even months.
before; the country people leave the
helds and their labors weeks before
Easter. aud come into the cities 10 lend
helping hand towards making ready
for that one day. Nature. too. al this
season. contributes from her beautiful
garden her most delicate gifts for the
erlebration of this holy day Little
wonder. then. that Easter Is hsralded a
the day of rejoicing, praise and thanks
giving.
Rome itself presents very different
appearance at this season from "a hat II
does at other times Early prepara-
tions are made for the reception Of the
many high diguifarirS of the Roman
church. who at this time invariably fnd
their way 10 Rome from all parts OF the
ylob- ~ a result the streets are
crowded with these dignitariss and
Theological students. in their different
eoiorrd eassocks. hurrying hither and
thithrr ON their various missions.
churches and chapels which are closed
throughout the year are cow thrown
open. and the public allowed TO gaze on
their sacred contents. consisting gen
sralIy of some painting or statue which
in days gone by has performed some
miracle.
So after many days Of endless prep
aration. this great feast Is ushered IN
BY the ringing at four a. m of number
less bells. calling high and low rich
and poor TO the first celebration of The
holy communion. From this time till
long after sundown there Is one con-
tinuous stream of people pouring in
and out of the churches. some 10 at
tend mass. some TO try TO see the many
relics already alluded 10.
of course. the greatest interest i
eeniered in the functions celebrated in
81. Peters. Here, out of the numerous
masses that are celebrated through
the day. there are especially two which
it is the ambition Of every Roman Cath
olic TO attend; these are, the first eele-
bration of the holy communion at four
a. m. and the celebration of high mass
at Il IN. The particular popularity
OF these two masses is due to the fact
that they are celebrated by the hrst
cardinal of his holiness the pope. In
days gone by these two masses were
made prominent by the fact that his
holiness offieiated in person. but since
the weight of years has prevented his
holiness from leaving the vatican this
duty devolves On his first cardinal As