The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-01-06
LEO PERFORMS AN IMPRESSIVE
CEREMONY.
When the Pope Gave His Benediction
to the People There was the Widest
Enthusiasm Expressed.

ROME, December 4.-The Pope SOL
EMMY inaugurated the holy year by
performing the impressive ceremony OF
opening the holy door of st. Peters
Cathedral at II o'clock this morning.
The ceremony was performed in the
vestibule, which was handsomely dec
GRATED, in the presence of the papal
officers, the members of the diplomatic
corps, leading representatives of the
Roman nobility and a number of spe-
cially invited guests.
After donning the pontifcal robes,
the Pope, borne on the Sedia Gestatoria
and escorted by the Papal Guards, pro-
ceeded with the Cardinals and the court
to the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican
Palace, where were gathered represen-
tatives of the Roman religious orders
and clergy. After brief prayer before
the holy sacrament few moments of
solemn silence followed, the Pope and
the papal dignitaries, in their state
robes, being grouped before the door.
Then the latter swung back, and the
officials of st. Peters laved the thres-
hold and the door posts with holy wa
ter, while Leo opened the psalm, "Ju-
bilate Deo" which was taken up by the
pontfical choir. The Pope, having COW
cred 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 the TIE Deum Rising to his
feet he stepped alone within the portals
of the vast and empty basilica. The
Cardinals and others followed.
AT this moment all the church bells
in Rome rang out. Leo stopped 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 the sacrament was Of
fered, followed by a short prayer. Then,
advancing on the Sedia Gestatoria to
the high altar, he pronounced a solemn
benediction, according to the plenary
indulgences. BY lis o'clock he had re-
turned to his private apartments, hav-
ing performed the ceremonies with
great apparent satisfaction. He was
smiling throughout, but grew pale and
showed signs of fatigue toward the end.
Nevertheless he gave three blows upon
the door with considerable force.
Profound silence was maintained
| throughout the ceremony save when
the Pope gave his blessing, when
evoked loud vivas. The weather was
fine and an enormous crowd assembled
in the precinct of the basiica. Order
was preserved inside by the PontificaI
Guards and outside by the Royal Car
bineers and the police.
The following account is given OF
the golden hammer which was pre-
sented by the people to the Episcopate
for use in the ceremony of opening the
holy door of st. Peters on December "a
The hammer has the shape of an
ordinary mason's mallet. The head of
the mallet was decorated with texts
in relief, and on the ivory handle were
carved references to the forthcom-
ing holy year A medallion bearing
dedication to Leo XIII. from the Epis-
copate was attached to the handle.
Rose branches of gold also deco
rate the handle in order to symbolic
the mystic rose, which is regarded as
sign of divine pity.