The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-12-25
HOLY YEAR lNAUGURATED

By Pope Leo With Imposing CereMo-
nies, in the Presence of the Papal
oRcers, Representatives of Roman
Nobility and Other Dlgnitaries,
ROME. Dec. 2l.-The pope solemnly
Inaugurated the holy year by perform
Ing the impressive ceremony OF opening
the holy door of Saint Peters Cathedral
at II o'clock this morning. The oere-
mony was performed In the vestlbule,
which was Handsomely decorated. in
presence Of the papal officers. the mem-
bers OF the diplomatic corps. lending
representatives of the Roman nobility
and number of specially invited
guests.
After donning the ponthcal robes,
the pope, borne on the Soda GestatorIl
and escorted by the papal guards, pro-
ceeded with the cardinals and the court
to the sIstlne chapel. In the Vatican
palace, where were gathered represen-
tatIves 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 Soda Gestatoria,
preceded by clergy and frIars, who bore
lighted candles, the pope proceeded to
the vestIbule Of the BasIlica, priests
lighting the halls and staircase en-
route. In the vestIbuIa the papal throne
had been erected. The supreme pontIff
ascended the throne, which was inn
mediately surrounded by cardinals and
dIgnltarles.
Suddenly heavy bell doomed. The
pope rose and walked toward the holy
door. preceded by the grand peniten-
tlary. Cardinal Monsignor seratino
vannutelll, prefect of the congregH-
tion Of bishops and regulars. met him
and handed him an artistic golden NAL
let given by the Italian bishops. Leo
wearing the mItrd, 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 pnpal digni-
tarIes In their state robes being group
cd before the door. Then the latter
swung back and the officials OF Saint
Peters laved the threshold and door
posts with holy water, while Leo open
ed the psalm, "Jubllante Dec" which
was taken up by the pontIical choir.
The pope, having again covered his
head, and holding In his right hand a
crucifix and in his left a lighted candle
knelt at the threshold amid the strains
of "Te Deum," and, rising to his feet
he stepped alone within the portals OF
the vast and empty basiica. The car
dinals and others followed.
AT this moment all the church bells
in Rome rang out. Leo stopped before
the altar OF Michael Angelo, where the
ianltors of the holy door for the COM
ing year kissed his feet. He addressed
few words to them on the Importance
OF the ceremony and then proceeded
to the altar, where the sacrament was
offered. followed by short prayer
Then advancing on the Soda Ges.
tatorIa to the high altar he pronounced
solemn benedlctIon according to the
plenary lndulgences.
BY quarter past he had returned
to hfs private apartments, having per-
formed the ceremonies with great ap-
parent satisfaction. lie 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 whea
the pope gave his blessing when
evoked loud "vivas.' The weather was
hne. and an enormous coneourse as
sembled in the precincts of the Bes-
uIca. order was preserved inside by
the pontlfcal guards and outside by the
royal carbineers and the police.