The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-21
POPE WILL CELEBRATE
MASS IN ST. PETERS
Gorgeous Ceremonial There
on Christmas Morn.
FIRST TIME SINCE Plus TX
Fifty Thousand Persons Present When
Prisoner Of the Vatican" Last
Appeared in Public.

For the first time in more than thirty
years Rome expects this year to see the
gorgeous papal Christmas mass cele-
brated in ST Peters
From the time Pope Plus TX declared
himself a prisoner of the Vatican" no
papal mass was said i'm the great cathe-
dral until the present Pope. Plus Y OBJ
served the ceremony there after his cor
onatiOu. Previus to the reign of Pins
IL il was customary for the Pope ia
celebrate three public masses a year in
St. Peters Easter, on tile patronaI
day OF the church. and on Christmas.
A papal mass is magnificent display
but the Christmas mass surpasses ev-
cry service of the Catholic Church fol-
overpowering grandeur
When Pope Plus TX celebrated his last
Christmas mass $1,000 persons witnessed
IT, Comparatively few of them are Iiv-
ing To see Pope Plus X repeat the cere-
mony. For the occasion the cathedral
was lighted by 10000 tall wax candles
Gorgeous Procession.
At II o'clock the cathedral trembled
under the notes of the irnmene pipe or
gan. and those near the Vatican en-.
trance could see the approaching pro-
cession. First came the cross bearer
escorted by a guard Of honor, and re-
splendent in the robes of his high Of
fce- Following was line of cardinals
In their rich gowns, each one having his
own train bearers Behind the cardi-
nails came the ambassadors 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 representatives of the various
religious orders.
Far in the rear Of this seemingly in
terminable 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
Most Imposing Figure.
Clad in spotless white and mantled
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, a host of knights, noble
esquires. prothonotaries, and canons oil
the church, all costumed according tC
the forms of their several courts OF
countries.
Like thread Of bright colors. thi.
procession wound its way through the
mass Of solemn spectators, through tho
glittering lights and the inlaid columns
and the jeweled archways 10 the altar
OF Jesus. which is elevated above the
mosaic floor just under the center OF
the dome. IL is in such a position that
everyone in the cathedral can see.
Robing for the Mass.
When the procession entered the sane
oh, fe 81 81.
before the sacred host, then separated and
took up positions on opposite sides. Piu'
TX, upon his arrival. was escorted [,
his throne and then began the rObing fo
the mass. He was attended by tw,
deacons and two subdeacons. one deacon
and one subdeacon vested In robes &C
cOrding to the Latin rite. and one deacon
and one subdeacon clad according to tn
Greek Church The ceremony itself di,
not differ from that celebrated in tn
Roman Church the world over until tn
offertory. when the sacristan approache,
the Pope took from the chalice tn
sacred host. broke off small portion
and ate It before handing the remainde
TO his holiness. Again he tasted tn
wine IN the chalice before Offering II I,
the Pope. as was the custom in the mid
die ages. when great men were oblige,
10 have their food tasted to guard them
selves against being poisoned
AT the end Of the ceremony the Pop
maze the sign Of the cross to his audinc
and pronounced this benediction:
"Benedicat vos Omnipotens Deus
Pater ct Filius et Spiritus Sanctus"
Once more the great procession form
ed and marched through the silen
throng while the Sistine choir and tn,
organ dlled the air with music.