The Washington times., 1903-12-25

one Of the most venerable in the liter
nal City. and is mentioned early in the
eighth century under the name of Santa
Maria de Capitolio. In this church is
the yenerated II Santo Bambino. or Holy
Child. The Santo Bambino is a wooden
image carved from a tree from the
Mount of Olives by a Franciscan pill
grim, and miraculously painted to rep
resent the Infant Saviour. From Christ
mas Day to Twelfth Night. a splendid
life-sized representation Of Bethlehem
is offered to the faithful at Santa Maria
Ara Coeii. One of the side chapels is
reserved for this devotion
In the foreground is an artistic fac
smile OF the Bethlehem OF our tradi-
lions. the Virgin Mother. with ST Jo-
seph by her side and the Holy Bambino
reposing on her lap. There are the OK
and the ass. and on one side the .shep-
herds and Kings in alteration. Above.
God. the Father, surrounded by clouds
OF cherubim and angels, as in the early
Raphaelite pictures, smiles benignly on
the scene. In the background, a peace
full pastoral landscape unfolds itself;
shepherds reposing under palm trees,
others standing under green slopes.
which glow in the sunlight, are guard
ing their focks.
Children Take Part.
In the middle ground is a crystal foun-
tain near which sheep are feeding.
Nearer on the landscape are women
bearing great baskets Of oranges and
other fruits. The distance and perspec-
tive are admirable and crows press
around 1t and flock TO it all day long.
Mothers and fathers are lifting their
little children high In the air to catch
a glimpse of the Bambino.s The noble
and rich people mingle with the peas
ants and beggars and there is the usual
proportion OF tourists. whose visits are
prompted only by curiosity.
On the opposite side of the church
also in one Of the side chapels. a diff.
ferent scene is being enacted. Around
one of the antique pillars of this basil
lea. a stage is erected and little maid
ems chosen by the Franciscan fathers
because Of their department during the
year, are reciting, with pretty gestures
sermons. dialogues and little verses, In
| explanation of the Presepio. or manager
scene. Sometimes two or three engage
in alternate question and answer about
the mystery OF the Incarnation and Re
Z
written by their pastor OF some reIi
gious friend, are then committed Il
memory and diligently practiced will
appropriate gestures at home. Some
times one Of the little preachers is over
come by stage fright. but II she canno
continue her part. another always stard
ready to supply the vacanc-. Thes'
children are nearly always very beau
tiful and graceful and their delight il
taking part in this ceremony is crafty
ing to behold.
Scenes of the Season.
I All around Santa Maria Ara CoeIi,
( from Christmas till Twelfth Night, the
scenes are characteristic of the season.
The flight OF 124 steps, which leads to
the shrine. is thronged with merchants
selling statuettes of the Madonna and
Child. and other emblems of the
Nativity. The steps, the walls, the
balustrades, are covered with miniature
Bethlehems. and there are hundreds OF
little colored prints OF the Virgin and
Babe sold throughout the entire week
In the streets are scenes of extraordi-
nary animation. All classes of people
are dressed in their best garments. and
after paying their devotion to the Santo
Bambino. they throng the streets to
chat, to lounge. laugh and lass the
greetings Of the fiesta. The Corso and
principal thoroughfares are 50 crowded
that carriage can scarcely pass.
Another feature of the Roman Christ
mas deserving of special mention is III.
band Of Zampognari, OF shepherds, from
the Sabine and Alban Mountains. wh,
wander through the streets dolefuIl,
droning their hymns and ditties or
/ their bagpipes. From the moment the-
enter the streets OF Rome. these shep
herds become the guests of the city. II
memory Of the shepherds who first paiC
/ homage TO the Infant Savior they ar,
feted and showered with honors. Fo
a week preceding the Nativity to IN,
Feast Of the Epiphany these shepherd
are familiar figures in the streets
They are most picturesque in theil
rude capes made OF lambs skin, hanginf
| from the shoulders, familiar to us n
the pictures Of John the Baptist Theil
| hosiery is Of coarse white wool anc
bound round end round with thick ropes
and their hats are fantastic cones
trimmed with peacock feathers and
bright ribbons. On Christmas Eve these
shepherds are crowned with flowers
and are borne in triumph TO the nearest