The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-24
rHE JUBILEE OF 1900.
Tho Cer.r,pies with which II II TO Re In
auKurated By tho Pope at 81. Peters.
Fro,, hs Bostop Pilot.


ROME. Dec. At 10 certain. according to the
highest authorities. beginning with the Pope's
physician. that II his Holiness continues to
enjoy his present excellent health. Leo XIII.
will be able TO perform personally the opening
OF tho "Porta Santa" or Holy Door In st.
Peters. thereby inauRurating the Jubilee OF
1000 with all the pentincal solemnity which
will 20 far In belueathing Its memory to pos
tcrity as one OF the most memorable acts OF
memorable Pontincate. The arrangements
for the ritual OF the ceremony are complete.
and the work OF preparing the portico OF
Charlemngne In st. Peters is going on
rapidly by the San Pletrlni." those skilled
workmen Of the "Tablica" OF the Basilica. The
portico will be completely enclosed and hung
with crimson draperies, the papai throne
being erected Immediately opposite the Porta
Santa" and the places around 1t reserved for
the pontfcal court. the Cardinals and prelates,
while the remaining portion OF the "Atrium"
will contain the diplomatic corps. the Roman
patriciate and as many OF the largo number
OF pilgrims from every land who are fortunate
enough TO Obtain tickets OF admission. From
the small extent OF tho portico OF Charlemagne
the number OF spectators must naturally be
limited. and many OF those unable to witness
tho papnl ceremony at st. Peters. viii repair
instead to see the Cardinal Legates open tho
Holy Doors OF one or the other OF the three
major baslllcas.
At midday therefore. on Christmas eve.
when the great cannon on st. Angeles fort
ress booms out the hour OF noon. the Sovereign
Pontify, attended by all the members OF tho
pontincal court will be carried In his sedan
chair down the grand old Vatican staircase OF
the Scala Regia, entering the portico OF Charlie
magne by side door. when the ceremony will
i'm IN ediately begin. Having received the gold
hamme or from the hands OF the Cardinal MAJOR
Penitentiary cardinal Sorafno yanuutelli) the
Pope. In full pontiGcial vestments. APP
proaches the Porta Santa and passes around
It three times with the hammer. upon
which. having been previously detached
and lightly put together with thin
layers OF plaster and cement. It will fall
inward and be completely removed with cranes
and rueys by the San Pietrni. Then tho
threshold of the door is sprinkled by two Mon
siRnori with holy water especially blessed for
this purpose. and In solemn prayer, with head
uncovered and carrying lighted candle In his
hand. the Sovereign Pontiff passes through
the hallowed portals. followed by the Sacred
College OF Cardinals and the pontiHcal court o
picture which will surely carry ono back TO the
jubilees OF the centuries gone. Until this
moment OF the ceremony every entrance TO
st. Peters will remain closed and the Basilica
completely emrty. as according to the ritual OF
Inauguration the Sovereign Pontil must be
the hrst TO carry the jubilee into the Worlds
Basilica.
Apropos Of the Inauguration ceremony tho
gold hammer Of 1900" with which the OPEN
ing will be performed. Is one OF tho most inter-
estlnG objects connected with the rite. for
apart from It's symbolism. II 10 Of great artistic
value. and forms memorable gift to the Pope
from the episcopate. Tho implement Is In
course OF completion in the workshop OF tho
ponti6cal goldsmiths: and from oil descrip-
tions must be OF exquisite workmanship. tho
hammer part consisting OF solid gold and the
handle OF ivory. richly relieved with gold Or
naments and inscriptions recording the event
OF tho Jubilee and the homage to the Re-
deemer. Tho dedication by the episcopats Is
engraved on one side OF a medal attached to
the handle. and on the reverse a sentence from
the bull Of Leo XIII. proclaiming the Jubilee.