The Meeker herald., 1901-06-22
A CATHOLIC JUBILEE.
Closing Of tie Century csisseatisa
IN Old Rome.


Many ceremonials took plaee In
Rome in connection with the clos OF
the nineteenth century, but none was
either more interesting OF Imposing
than that incidental to the cioaias Of
the holy door at St. Peter's cathedral.
The last year Of the century IL jubilee
year In the Catholic church. ~ all
Catholics and many Protestants are
aware. Therefore 1900 was marked
by many ceremonies In connection
with the period. The opening Of the
holy door took place over year ago,
and the ceremonial Of closing was OBJ
served Inst Christmas eve. Owing to
the delicate state of the present
pope's health the building in which
the opening and closing ceremonies
took place had been heated to the
temperature Of Leo X1lI.'s private
apartments to avoid any possibility
OF his holiness taking . chill. says .
London paper.
The ceremony Of opening the holy
door Is declared to be symbolical Of
the fact that the church Is open to
all men SO long as they go there after
. thorough and sincere conversion.
When the pope open the door the
three knocks which lie gives to it rep
resent the three observation-disclosures
Africa and Asia-to which the pope
offers the treasures which he Is the
medium for dispensing. The three
strokes also are look I'd upon ms sym
bolizing tho Joy that the jubilee
causes to the faithfullof heaven, earth
and purgatory. This pope, who in
seated on raised throne in front Of
the large door In the middle of fine
grand portico. remains stationary for
brief while until the prince Of the
throne presents golden hammer to
his holiness, which the .ntter takes in
his right hand and. rising from his
throne, goes and knocks at the holy
door. His clergy follow him, each
with candle in his hand. His holi-
ness. after knocking three times at
the door says in Latin "Open to me
these doors Of justice!" Then the
choir adds: "rhis is tne door of the
Eternal Cne. and the just will enter
in" etc. Alter this the master ma.
sons knock down the wall which in
closes the holy door, The wal being
so lightly put toge therl howe yer, that
Its four tides ere held together but
slightly, the stones of watch. II; is CON-
posed not bling cemente.l, Thus, NO
sooner has the pope Knocked at tho.
holy door thar Il falls without any
resistsnce. The debris ps the wall Il
distributes Among ths ~urshipers,
who hcsteH 70 gather 1t In orser 10
put Il among tAeir pss6i0us relies.
While this Il tskisg pace the pupe
reseats himself on the throne, but
after the demolition 10 comp:eted the
penitentinries Of 81. Peter take their
brooms. clean the Aoor,., remove the
pieces OF brick and mortar from the
passage-which arc not locked upon
as material to be held in light esteem.
since relics are made OF therI-and
wash the holdings and all round tn.
door with holy water. This work be-
ing finished his Holiness once more
dcscends from his throne, singing The
anthem which opens with the words:
"llnec dies guam fecit Dominus." etc.
which the choir continues to sing uft.
er him. Arriving at the holy door
the pope recites some prayers. takes
the cross, kneela before the door, in.
tones tie TIE Deum, and, rising again
while singing. passes through the
holy door. his clergy following him.
Everybody who can goes I'M, ST. Pc
tiers to witness this superb ceremony
or TO take part in phe vespers at the
pnpal chapel. After the vespers the
cardinals take oil their robes ana nut
on their red capcs. accompany the
pope to the door Of his private apart
ments and then retire. After the
morning mass on Christmas day his
holincss goes to the lodge Of the bene.
diction. where he blesses the faith.
ful In the form which is on.y used ON
the occnsion Of the jubilee.
The closing Of the door Is a yery
similar CT ceremony to the opening. The
greatest solemnity Is observed. and
thousands OF privileged pilgrims flock
to the cathedral to be Witnesses OF
what. except in rare instance. occurs
but once In lifetime. His holiness
lays the first brick for the closing of
the door. all the cardinals, monsignors
and other dignitaries in Rome being
witnesses Of the operation. The bricks |
used for this purpose are about double
the ordinary size, being covered with
= thin layer Of plate--in some caxe.
Of silver and In others of gold. They
benr in relief the pspal arms and the |
LEO XIII. Pont. Max.
Aperuit ct clausit."