The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-06

and a linen mitre were the only white parts
of the garments in which the Pope was
buried, save ermine trimmings and gold
lace. but these latter were hidden by the
great covcrlet of red silk placed over the
body before the first of the three collins.
in which it was incased, was locked by the
canons of St. Peter and sealed by the mag
giordomos and chamberlin Previous to the
times of Benedict the Popes wore both
black and purple
Like the cardinals. the Pope wears a
trained gown on occasions of state, with
that distinction. however. the Holy Fathers
train is double. dragging from six to eight
feet on the ground. 1t is called cappa mag
ma dhe great train. and the material is red
velvet and ermine. Leo XIII never made
use of this gorgeous raiment, to which he
took a dislike when reading of it's display on
the stage in a drama. In its place he used
10 wear during holy week and the mathis of
Christmas. also on Nov. .. and on Good Fri
day. a long scarlet cloak made of silk, vel
vet or wool. according to the seasons. This
cloak had n hood ending i'm a point. Plus Y
reintroduced 'the great train and also the
''falde" as part of his official toilette. The
latter is a white taffeta train, hanging from
the waist like the court train Of a royal
lady does from the shoulders. In case the
''cappa magma" is worn. the "falde' is
placed below. The trains ordered for the
new Pope are richly embroidered in gold
and precious stones.
THE PALLIUM DESCRIBED.
Perhaps the most interesting outward at
tribute of the Pope's high office is the pal
lium, a long strip Of white lambs wool, worn
about the neck and crossed over the left
shoulder, from which the ends fall back and
front. 1t is unadorned, save for crosses
marked at either extremity and on the
shoulders. The first Council of Macon, in 5S1.
forbade bishops to celebrate mass without
it. and in ancient times 1t was taken away
when a bishop was deposed, it being re-
garded as the emblem of his jurisdiction.
Pope Plus wears the pallium when saying
mass and while engaged in business OF
state; the lower ecclesiastics burst use it
only at divine services. The pallium is the
symbol of hierarchial jurisdiction. and In the
middle ages the popes rendered 1t only to
their own representatives, or such bishops
in whom they places special trust. Since
the beginning of the nineteenth century 1t
has been granted to archbishops and metro
p~olitans, generally as a favor which
they ask of the Pope at the
termination of their first interview
with him. In a narrower sense, the
pallium represents the mantle of st. Peter,
symbolically conferred upon the apostle
princes disciples and successors; 1t is also
taken to signify the sheep borne on the
shoulders of the Good Shepherd. Therefore.
it is made of pure wool. representing the
sheep Of whom the Lord went in quest. In
official language the pallium is styled pal
lium de corpore Sancti Petri,' because, be-
fore use, each is lowered to touch Peters
sarcophagus-hence from the body of
Peter" The pallium is blessed on the altar
of the confession, and remains in Its taber-
nacle until conferred on some prelate. The
ceremony of blessing the pallium takes
place on the day of st. Peters death,
June %.
HOW THE PALLIUM rs MADE.
The Eternal City has had the monopoly
of supplying palliums for the Vatican for
time immemorial. The material comes from
a herd of lambs, blessed by the Pope every
year on Jan. 21. st. Agnes's nameday. On
that day a gayly festooned horse may be
seen approaching the Vatican early in the
morning, led and surrounded by a great
mass of peasants in the picturesque garb of
the Campagna. The horse bears, slung over
his back, several baskets, each holding two
lambs of the fairest and whitest descrip-
ton. On being advised of the approach of
the procession, the Pope comes to a certain
window, which is thrown wide open. The
horse halts, the people throw themselves on
their knees and the lambs are taken up to
the Holy Father, who thrice makes the
sign of the cross over them. After his Holt
ness has retired, the peasants dress the lit
tie lambs with ribbons and flowers and
then take them to the Church of st. Agnes,
where they are deposited near the high altar
while mass is sung. Afterwards the sheep
are sent to a nunnery near Rome. where
they are kept for one year. From the wool
they yield the good nuns spin and weave
the palliums required by the Holy Father.
With the exception of the pallium and
the ~soutane, all papal garments of state are
richly embroidered with gold, and adorned
with jewels Of the costliest description,
blazing with diamonds. rubies, turquoises,
sapphires, emeralds and rare pearls. While
many of the gems are incrusted in the ma
terial, others are attached in the shape of
buttons. clasps and aigrettes, a circum-
stance that makes the robes none the easier
to carry. The red velvet cloak, for instance,
worn at great ceremonies, weighs over
eighteen pounds, owing to the great mass of
jewels with which it is strewn. Indeed, the
Pope's robes are so heavy as to compel him
to have himself carried on the great feast
days, when he shows himself to the people.
This was particularly true of Leo XIII. the
frail, though strenuous predecessor Of the
Holy Father of to-day. Whether Plus X,