Waterbury Democrat., 1900-12-26
CLOSING THE HOLY DOOR.
Imposing Ceremony Performed |
 Pope Leo XIII. Yesterday.

Imposing Ceremony Performed by
 Pope Leo XIII. Yesterday.
 Rome, Dec 26.-1ne pope yesterday performed the ceremony Of closing the holy door of St Peters cathedral with the utmost polnp of the Catholic church.
 The spectacle inside the vast basilica was superb. The pillars Of the central nave were draped with gold embroid- cred scarlet cloth, and the porch under which the function took place w:is transformed into a magnificent decor ated hall. On the left of the holy door was erected the pontf1ical throne, GOV cred with. red and gold. On the right hand of the door stood tribunes for royal personages, princes. knights of Malta, prelates. representatives of the Roman nobility and other distin- guiShed persons.
 Inside the church every inch of space was occupied by the throrg which gathered early in the morning. A strong detachment of troops, sta toned in the square ill front of the cathedral controlled the incoming crowds. who literally raced to secure the best positions.
 The pope left his apartments at 11:45 a. m., borne in the sacred chair, and preceded by clergy with lighted can dies, bishops, archbishops, and car dinals, and escorted by the pontiical noble guards. On his arrival at the portal of St Peters, he alighted and entered the church through the holy door, As he appeared on the thresh- old the solemn and silvery tones of a trumpet echoed through the editice. The chapter of the vatican met him and presented to him holy water, which he sprinkled upon the congrega- ton.
 Borne now on the Sedia Gestatoria to the high altar, he stepped to the ground and knelt before the most precious relics of the Catholic church, which were displayed on the altar. Then the procession reformed and proceeded to the chapel of the sacra- ment, where the pontiff again knelt for some time, while the choir of the Sistine chapel chanted psalms.
 The pope was then borne to the holy door, where he 7alighted from the Sedia Gestatoria and waited until the entire procession had passed out through the door. he leaving the church last. and walking to the throne, where he seated himself. A number of sacred songs were sung by the papal choir, after which Leo arose and blessed all the material employed in closing the door. Then he descend ed from the throne, knelt before the door and laid with the golden troWel T layer of cement. on which he placed three gilt bricks. bearing commemora- tive inscriptions. Beside the bricks he placed d casket containing gold. silver and bronze medals and bearing the head of Leo and inscriptions recording the opening and closing of the holy door.
 The pope having reascended the throne Cardinal Bishop Secafino Van nutelli and four other cardinals per formed q similar ceremony of laying cement and three bricks, after wnlch tho masons employed by the Vatican closed the doorway with a canvass screen. painted to represent marble
 The candles borne by the clergy were extinguished, the 'Te Deum was sung. and the pontiff, having given solemn benediction. was imme diately carried back to his apartments It is estimated that SO,00O persons were spectators of the ceremony. The pope December 24. 1899, sol 1 emlv inaugurated the holy year by performing the impressive ceremony | of opening the holy door of St Peters 1 cathedral at II o'clock in the morning 1 The ceremony Was performed in tht l yestibule. which was handsomely dec l orated. in the presence, of the papa | officers. the members of the diplomatic ! corps, leading members of the Roman nobility and q number of invited | guests.