The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-20
PAPAL CHRISTMAS MASS.
Pope Plus to Revive this Magnificent
Ceremony in st. Peters.

For the first time in more than thirty
years Rome expects this year to see the
gorgeous Papal Christmas mass celebrated
i'll St. Peters.
From the time Pope Plus TX declared
himself a prisoner of the Vatican" no
Papal mass was said in the great cathc-
dral until the present Pope, Plus X, OBJ
served the ceremony there after his cor
onation. Previous to the reign OF Plus
TX it was customary for the Pope to
celebrate three public masses year in
81. Peterson Easter, on the patronal
day of the church and on Christmas.
A Papal mass is a magnificent display,
but the Christmas mass surpasses every
service of the Catholic Church for over
towering grandeur.
When Pope Plus TX celebrated his last
Christmas mass $4,000 persons witnessed
it. Comparatively few of them are liy
ing to see Pope Plus X repeat the cere-
mony For the occasion the cathedral
was lighted by 10000 tall wax candles.
AT II O'Clock the cathedral trembled
under the notes of the immense pipe or
gan and those near the Vatican entrance
could see the approaching procession.
First came the cross bearer, escorted by
guard of honor, and Respondent In the
robes of his high office. Following was
a line Of cardinals in their rich red gowns
each one having his two train bearers
Behind the cardinals came the ambassa
doris from foreign governments IN their
official uniforms. Then the archbishops
and bishops of every rite, vested in the
robes of their several sections of the
church, and after them the representa-
tives of the various religious orders.
Far in the rear of this seeming inter
minable pageant the smoke OF incense
rose. 1t came from the censers carried
by the thurifers who preceded the Pope.
Minutes passed, however, before the Pope
himself appeared. Clad in spotless white
and mantied with the gorgeous vestment
OF his rank. Plus TX was by far the most
imposing figure of all that noble line.
He was attended by the members OF his
guard and clergy, host Of knights, noble
esquires, prothonotarles and canons o.
the church, all costumed according to
the forms of their several courts or coun-
tries.
Like a thread of bright colors this
procession wound its way through .he
mass of solemn spectators, through the
glittering lights and the inlaid columns
and the jeweled archways to the altar OF
Jesus, which is elevated above the mosaic
floor just under the centre of the dome
Il is in such a position that everyone in
the cathedral can see.
When the procession entered the sane
tuary each pair of the marchers knalt
before the sacred host, then separated aud
took up positions on opposite sides. Pius
TX, upon his arrival, was escorted to
his throne and then began the robing for
the mass. He was attended by two dca-
ons and two sub-deacons, one deacon anc
one sub-deacon vested IN robes according
to the Latin rite, and one deacon and
one sub-deacon clad according to the
Greek Church. The ceremony itself did
not differ from that celebrated in the
Roman Church the world over until the
offertory, when the sacristan approached
the Pope, took from the chalice the sis
cred host. broke off a small portion and
ate it before handing the remainder TIC
his Holiness. Again he tasted the wine
in the chalice before offering it to the
Pope, as was the custom in the middle
ages, when great men were obliged TO
have their food tasted to guard themselves
against being poisoned.
At the end of the ceremony the Pops
made the sign of the cross to his au H..
ence and pronounced this demolition:
Benedict vos omnipotens Deus. Pater
ct Fl us ct Spiritus Sanctus.''
Once more the great procession formed
and marched through the silent throng
while the Sevine choir and the organ
filled the air with music.