The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-07-11
A CATHOLIC JUBILEE.
Closing of the Century Celebration
in Old Rome.
elaborate and Impressive CeremOa-
ial Known rs the Closinx Of
the Holy Door and Its
SkEniAcanee.

CeoosaCohC0s
Many ceremonials took place In
Rome in connection with the close of
the nineteenth century. but none was
either more interesting or imposing
than that incidental to the closing Of
the holy door at st. Peters cathedral.
The last year of the century is jubilee
year in the Catholic church, as 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 last Christmas eve. Owing to
che 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 KILLS private
apartments TO avoid any possibility
of his holiness taking n chill, says a
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
n thorough and sincere conversion.
When the pope opens the door the
three knocks which he gives to it rep
resent the three contincnts-Eu Europe
Africa and Asia-to which the pope
offers the treasures which he is the
medium for dispensing. The three
strokes also are looked upon as SYM
bolizing the jCy that the jubilee
causes to the faithful of heaven, earth
and purgatory, The pope, who il
seated on n raised throne in front o.
the large door in the middle of tbs
grand portico, remains stationary fol
n brief while until the prince of tn.
throne presents "A golden hammer to
his holiness, which the latter takes il
his right hand and, rising from hia
throne, goes and knocks at the holy
door. His clergy follow him. each
with a candle in his hand. His holt.
ness, after knocking three times q
the door says in Latin: "Opcu to ms
these doors Of iuStice." Then tn,
choir adds: "This is the door OF III,
Eternal One, and the just viii ente,
in" etc. After this the master ma
sons knock down the wall which il
closes the holy door, the wall being
so lightly put together, however, tina
its four sides are held together bu
slightly, the stones of which il is com
posed not being cementcd. Thus,
sooner has the pope knocked at tn,
holy door than it falls without an,
resistance. The debris of the wall
distributed among the worshipers
who hasten to gather it in order I,
pu: 1t among their precious relics.
While this is taking place the pop,
reseats himself on the throne, b,
after the demolition is completed the
penitentiaries of St. Peter take theii
brooms, clean the floor, remove tn,
pieces of brick and mortar from tn,
passage-which are not looked upo
rs material to be held in light esteem
since relics are made of thcm-aut
wash the holdings and all round tn
door with holy water. This work be
ing finished his holiness once more
deScends from his throne, singing tn,
anthem which opens with the words.
"Haec dies guam fecit Dominus." etc.
which the choir continues to sing aft
er him. Arriving at the holy door
the pope recites some prayers, take.
the cross, kneels before tho door, in
tones the TIE Deum, and, rising again
while singing, passes through the
holy door, his clergy following him
Everybody who can goes into ST. Pe,
ter's TO witness this superb ceremon,
or to take part in the vesperS at III
papal chapel. After the vespers til,
cardinals take of their robes ana put
on their red capes, accompany tn.
pope to the door of his private apart.
ments and then retire. After the
morning mass on Christmas day his
holiness goes TO the lodge Of the bene.
diction, where he blesses the faith.
ful in the form which is only used on
the occasion of the jubilee.
The closing of the door is very
similar ceremony to the opening. TIL,
greatest solemnity is observed. an
thousands of privileged pilgrims flocL
to the cathedral TO be witnesses o,
what, except in rare instances, occur.
but once in lifetime. His holiness
lays the first brick for the closing o.
the door, all the cardinals, monsignors
and other dignitaries in Rome being
witnesses of the operation. The brick.
used for this purpose are about double
thr ordinary size, being covered with
thin layer of plate-in some cases
of silver and in others of gold. They
bear in relief the papal arms and the
subscriptions: Leo Nil. Pont. Max
Aperuit ct clausit."
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