The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-28
FIRST GREAT MASS
For the Repose of the Soul of
Pope Leo.

Rome, July 2S-The first of the three
great requiem masses under the aus
pices of the sacred college for the re-
pose of the soul of Pope Leo was cele-
brated this morning in the Sistine
chapel All the cardinals now in Rome.
the diplomatic corps. the Roman nobil-
ity and many other distinguished per-
sons were present. No such mass had
been seen in Rome since the death of
Plus TX.
In the Sistine chapel stood a huge
white catafalque. thirty feet high, ana
on it, upon two scarlet cushions. rested
a triple crown of gold. shining bright
in the light of a hundred candles. The
catafalque completely hid the altar.
Thanking the catafalque on benches
specially constructed sat almost all the
members of the sacred college, wearing
scarlet caDes over their violet robes.
At their feet, on stools, were the con-
clavists, or secretaries, in violet. In the
narrow aisle behind. between the
benches and the wall. the heads of the
religious orders, archbishops, patri-
archs, monsignors, and monks, knelt or
stood in picturesque confusion.
At the four corners of the catafalque
burned candles ten feet high. Beside
these stood noble guards, motionless.
with drawn swords. Other noble guards
were posted a [ the chancel entrance.
Immediately beyond, in reserved places
were all the Diplomats. The inter-
mingled uniforms of France Russia
Prussia, Austria. Spain, Belgium. Por~
tugal, Brazil. Chill, Colombia, Guate~
mala and Bavaria formed a vivid con-
trast with the simple evening dress OF
the Roman princes and Grape wells and
black dresses of the Processes who
sat directly across the aisle. In addi~
ton, two galleries had been erected In
the gallery on the left We're about a
hundred ladies. all in deep black. In
the right gallery were the special mis-
sions, among them being Sir Thomas
Esmonde and Captain Donelan repre~
senting the Irish party in parliament.
beneath the galleries the priests and
laymen who had been fortunate enous h
to secure tickets but who were not dis
tinguished enough for special places.
were packed in dim seclusiOn Swiss
and noble guards, chamberlains and
other vatican officials lined the aisle
Michael Angeles frescos on ceiling ana
walls seemed merely faint reflections or
the brilliant maze of color that
stretched below from door to altar.
The Able Perosi Itaiy's famous ora.
4 torio composer, waved his baton and
/ the silence was broken with the notes
4 or the dies irae. Those who know the
vatican well say the matchless Sistine
cnolr never sang as it did today.
through the historic chapel the voices
or men and boys rose and fell and
swelled triumphantly as if with songs
OF paradise, the voices dying away al
most to a whisper at the mention o.
4 ueath Even the cardinals sat sDell-
/ bound at this perfection of the Gre.
sorian chant. Not note of ;nstr1I-
mental music was heard throughout
! the mass.
IMPRESSIVE SERVICE.
London, July ga requiem mass for
the repose of the soul of Pope Leo was
celebrated at the Oratory. Brompton
today, in the presence of an enormous
! congregation. King Edward was repre-
| scented by the Earl of Denbigh Ambas-
sadOr Choate, the members of the United
/ States embassy. secretaries of the other
embassies and legations, and a majority
of the Irish members of parliament
were present The whole of the chapter
of the diocese of Westminster partici-
pated in the impressive service.
IN BALTIMORE.
Baltimore. Md, July 28.-Impressive
memorial services for the late Pope Leo
XIII were held in the cathedral today.
/ The cathedral being the primatial
church of the country. the services had
been arranged on a scale which would
fifty express the sorrow of the hierarchy
of the United States over the passing
of the pOntiff. Among the prelafes who
officiated were the papal delegate. Arch
bishop Falconio and Bishops Donahue
of Wheeling, Monaghan of Wilmington.
/ Van de Vyver of Richmond and Cur
tbs. vicar general of the diocese of Bal
timore. The pontifical mass of requiem
was attended by vast audience, in
Guiding many prominent residents. The
sermon was preached by Bishop Don
ahue of Wheeling. Archbishop FaIcOnio
was celebrant of the mass The must
cal programme was one of the most
classic which has ever been rendered in
this country at a requiem service. The
funeral decorations of the cathedral
were solemn and the sanctuary was a
mass of black dr.7pery Memorial ser
vices were held at all the other Catholic
churches in this city today.