Evening star., 1902-03-01


he used for the first time since mis- ''im-
prisonment,' a phrase which might have
been construed as impatience at his cap
tivity''
sea again. 1t would really renew my
youth. / vividly remember, although it is
| hfty-five years since l was near the sea,
| how cool the water was how invigorating
| and what pleasure l took in swimming.
The peaceful precincts of the Vatican.
| one would imagine. would be the last place
| in which a strike would be organized and
! carried out: nevertheless not long ago two
| strikes Were only ayerted by the tact of
| the pope. In the first instance the bearers
or the pontif's sedan chair. having con-
Teyed his holiness some distance In his
own domain. planted him on the ground
and basely deserted him leaving however.
their leader to explain that the usual
Christmas bounty of eos had not been
forthcoming in the year in question. and
their action-they had not gone far and
We're still within call-had been taken in
order to emphasize the depth of their grief.
In the second instance the Palatine guard
right OF salute and an easier fitting uni
form, Their barracks were so unhygienic
that the guard were all getting rheumatism
and toOthache.
No Spot or Stain.
A large number are employed at the
Vatican for the sole purpose of keeping the
pope's wardrobe in perfect condition No
spot or stain may disfigure the garments
worn by his holiness, and as he always ap-
pears in white. a few hours wear deprives
the robes of their freshness 1t is consid-
cred that no mans hand Is dainty enough
FOR their care. so in this one respect women
are permitted to serve the pontiff. Only
the most delicate materials are used, moire
silk being the summer fabric and a spe-
cially woven fine cloth in the winter one.
During the holy year. 1900, the pope off,
ciated at seventy functions in st. Peters:
he received two hundred and twenty-five
pllgrimages; he spoke to over four thou
sand perSOnageS. to whom he gave au-
dience; he issued eight encyclicals: he
wrote twenty apostolic letters and COM
posed several poems. "A Prayer to Christ
was the prayer written for the beginning
of the new century. During the pontificate
of Leo XIII one hundred and thirty-four
cardinals have died only four are still
alive who were his fellow cardinals under
Plus TX.
One of the most elaborate of Roman GER
emonies is that of opening Porta Santa or
holy door. This is the door leading from
the porch into the Cathedral of ST Peter
The ceremony was performed by the pope
In person on Christmas eve, 1879 and
closed on Christmas eve 1900. During the
holy or jubilee year. when it was Open all
pilgrims who desired to profit by the pen-
ary indulgence of the pope passed through
the door. The ceremony had it's origin in
the ceremonial opening of the golden gate
of the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday
which occurred for many centuries until
that city fell into the hands of the Turks
and was founded on tradition that our
Lord passed through that gate of the city
at the time of his triumphal entry on Palm
Sunday, when the gate opened Of it's own
accord.
A Historical Event.
The opening and closing of the Porta
Santa is attended with imposing ceremo-
nial preceded by procession in which the
10 "a nd iSfip cbo1
diplomatic and other visitors take part Ar
rived at the door, the pope goes down from
the throne, on which he is borne in process
sion, and. armed with a silver hammer,
strikes the wall in the doorway, which has
been previously loosened so that it falls
away at once inward. In moment the
debris is cleared away by the attendants
who, are present for the purpose. Bare
headed and with torch in hand. the pope
then passes through the door. followed by
the others In procession. and proceeding
to the high altar sings the first vespers of
Christmas day. AT the closing of the door,
a year hence, there is a similar ceremonial.
The stones used for the filling in the door
are each inscribed with appropriate scrip
tural texts.
Another historic occasion Is the fmpos-
ing ceremony Of "L'Obbedienza" which
takes place once a year in the Sala Regia
in the Vatican; the pontiff, robed in cope
and mitre, upon his throne, the embodi-
ment spiritual and temporal of the religion
he represents and serves so faithfully re-
ceives the reverential devotion Of the car
dinals. as one by one, in flowing robes Of
crimson silk. they enter. sink at his feet
and kiss the sacred ring
Evening dress and unglOved hands are
insisted upon at an audience with the pope.
who receives those presented to him in the
room at the Vatican known as the "tron-
etto." owing to the small throne which is
there. When a large number is received
each first
tering, again In the center Of the room,
and finally at the feet Of the pontiff. there
upon bending still lower to kiss the cross
embroidered on his slipper, and then the
pastoral ring, during which time the pope
raises his other unringed hand In blessing.
1t is customary to retire backward when
the interview is at an end. OF late years
Leo XIII has been compelled by the neces-
sity of outstanding his failing strength to
restrict the number of private interviews
that he was wont in time gone by to ac-
cord.
At the Last Summons.
When the papal physician announces that
the pope has died. the doors of the Vatican
are closed and entrance and exit refus-
ed to all persons until the traditional cere-
mony of thrice rapping with a silver ham,
mer the cold brow Of the deceased has
been performed. 1t is then announced in
Latin:
1.-THE pope is dead; the chair Of Peter is
vacant
1t is rule that the election Of the new
pontiff shall not take place until the car
dinalS throughout the world shall have
time to repair to Rome. COnc!aves for the
election of a pope were formerly held in
the Quirinal but that place now being the
abode Of the Italian sovereign. the election
takes place in the Vatican. When the day
for opening the conclave arrives the car
dinals. with q secretary and body servant
for each. proceed to a secluded wing Of the
palace, where they walled up by ma
sons. all communication with the outer
world being thus cut off. The cOnclave
generally lasts about three days sometimes
longer. It's termination is signified to those
without by the appearance Of smoke from
a certain chimney. This smoke Is caused
by the burning of the ballot papers Then
the masons undo their handiwOrk and the
name of the new poptiff Is announced.
When Gregory was elected in the thir-
teenth century the seventeen cardinals who
formed the cOnclave were not only shut
up against their will. but over their heads
the top Of the building In which they met
was removed by citizens to hasten their de-
alterations.
The seal ring worn by a pope is shat
tered with a hammer when the wearer
dies to prevent it's on a forged docu-
ment. The seal Is used by the pope on all
official documents. to which his signature