The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-12-25
POPE OPENS THE HOLY DOOR.
Impressive Ceremony NJ Rome InauSu-
rntiMg the HOLY Year.

Rome, Dec 24-The pope solemnly in
augurated the holy year by performing
the impressive ceremony of opening the
| holy door of ST. Peters cathedral at III
O'Clock this morning. The ceremony
was performed in the vestibule, which
was handsomely decorated, in the pres
ence of the papal officers, the diplo-
matte corps, leading representatives OF
the Roman nobility and a number Of
specially invited guests. After donning
the pontiflcal 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 Vatican palace, where
were gathered representatives of the
Roman religious orders and clergy.
After brief prayer before the holy sac
rament, which was there exposed, Leo
intoned the "Veni Creator and then
again ascended the Sedia Gestatorla,
Preceded by clergy and friars, who bore
lighted candles, the pope proceeded to
the vestibule of the Basilica, priests
lining the halls and the staircases en-
route.
In the vestibule the papal throne had
been erected The supreme pontif as
cended the throne, which was immedl-
ately surrounded by cardinals and dig
nitaries. Suddenly a heavy bell BOOM
ed. Leo rose and walked toward the
holy door, preceded by the grand pleni-
potentiary Cardinal Monsignor Serfino
Vannutelli, prefect of the congregation
of bishops and regulars, met him and
l,o, IoI l.; +icstt ma
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 saw.
A few moments of solemn silence fol-
lowed, the pope and the papal dignita-
ries in their state robes being gruped
before the door. Then the latter swung
back, and the officials of st. Peters
laved the threshold and door posts with
holy water while Leo opened the Jul
bilate Deo," which was taken up by
the pontifical choir. The pope having
again covered his head and holding in
his right hapd a crucifix and in his left
a lighted candle, knelt at the threshold
amid the strains of the ''Te Deum"
Rising to his feet he stepped a,one with
in the portals of the vast and empty
Basilica The cardinals and others fol-
lowed.
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 sacrment was offered,
followed by a short prayer. Then ad-
vancing on the Sedia Gestatorio to the
high altar, he pronounced a solemn ben
ediction, according to the plenary indul-
gences
BY quarter-past one he had returned
to his private apartments, having per-
formed the ceremonies with great ap-
parent satisfaction. He was smiling
throughout, but grew pale and showed
signs of fatigue toward the end. New
ertheless he gave the three blows upon
the door with considerable force. Pro-
found silence was maintained through
out 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 Pontifical guards
and outside by the Royal Carabineers
and the police.