The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-10

was followed by the choir of the Sis
tine chapel.
Before leaving the Vatican the pope
went to the Sistine chapel to worship
before the sacrament exposed therein,
thence passing through the Sal Regia
and the Constantine staircase into the
portico of the basilica. He there seated
himself on throne erected directly be-
fore the holy door with seats around for
the members of the sacred college, the
chapter of st. Peters and the papaI
court. At the right of the throne stood
Prince Orsini, the assistant to the papal
throne, who withdrew his recent res1g-
nation of the post in order to participate
at the function. Immediately beside the
pope were the major domO Monsignor
Cagiano, the master of the chamber,
MonsignOr Bisleti, the master of cere-
monies, Monsignor Riggi and DR.. Lap
poni.
The pontiff was exceedingly pale but
composed.
The low ceiling sent back an exquisite
echo of the Tues Petrus," sung by the
Sistine choir, whose voices were heard
outside in the piazzi of st. Peters Car
dinal Rampolla advanced with dignity,
and knelt at the foot of the pope.
He then said: Il offer an act of ODE
dience to your holiness and wish you a
prosperous and glorious pontifical." The
cardinal recalled that the bodies of the
first pope and of st Paul rested in the
basilica which fact, he said, was of good
augury for the work of the new head of
the Catholic church.
The pontiff was visibly touched and,
answering in a trembling voice, warmly
thanked the cardinals for their well
wishes.
Good Wishes he said. ARE extremely
precious
The procession then reformed and pro-
ceeded to the door of the basilica
through which Plus X, almost terror
/ stricken. glanced, whispering TO DR..
Lapponi Shall I ever be able to go
through with it?' The people in the
/ basilica had in the meantime become i'm
patient and when the cleaning cross
which preceded the cortege was seen it
was greeted with great applause. On
the appearance of the pontiff himself it
! seemed as though the people would seek
/ to carry him in their arms so great was
! their enthusiasm. Cries of Plus, our
pope, our father" and Long live Plus
X' were raised Notwithstanding the
/ large placardS posted all over the basl-
| lica saying: ''Acclamations are forbid
| den" Leaflets to the same effect were
distributed among the crowd. The cries
continued until the pontiff was compell-
ed to rise and bless the multitude, and
at the same time he made a sign for
more reverential behavior, Silence was
obtained when the choir announced its
entrance with the resOunding notes of
! the 'Ecce SacerdOs magnus," which were
accompanied by the sweet notes of the
silver trumpets.
A quaint ceremony was then carried
out. The master of the ceremonies knelt
three times before the pOntiff each time
\ lighting a handful of hemp which sur
mounted silver torch, and as the flame
flashed and went out he said: Holy
Father, thus passeth away the glory of
the world"
The procession then proceeded. the
pope's face meanwhile illuminated by a
smile. At the chapel of the sacrament
there was another halt and his holiness
left the sedan chair and prayed at the
altar. On re-entering the chair he was
carried to the chapel at st. Gregory,
where he dictated at a mass, being as
sisted by Cardinals Macchi, Di Pietro,
Segna and Vannutelli. Then all the
cardinals donned their silver copes and
white mitres and the pope was borne to
the throne amid renewed acclama tons
and waving of handkerchiefs and hats.
The pope presented on his mounting a
magnificent picture Two lines of car
dinals clad in silver and scarlet reach
ed to the high altar with its burden of
burning candles and sacred vessels,
while around stood the papal guards,
the pontifical court, monks and officials.
! The cathedral was illuminated with
twinkling lights, while the marble col
umns and walls rendered the color
scheme more vivid. Overhead was the
most magnificent dome in the world. up
| to which floated the harmony of music.
From the throne Plus x. surrounded
bv his suite. walked to the high altar,
standing over the crypt of st. Peter. in
to which meanwhile Cardinal Macchi
descended to pray. The altar was sur
mounted by a baldacchinee. supported
by four historic bronze pillars taken
from the Parthenon. The appearance
of the pope in that elevated position
called for another burst of enthusiasm.
The pope then blessed the altar. and
after saying the "Indulgentiam" the
maniple a symbol of the cord with
which Christ was bound on his capture,
was placed, with great ceremony. upon
the popes arm. At the same time
prayers for the coronation were re-
cited by Cardinals Vannutelli, Mocenni,
Agliardi and Satolli. Returning from
the crypt, Cardinal Macchi placed upon
the shoulders of the pope the pontifical
pallium and attached it with three
golden jeweled pins, saying:
Receive this sacred pallium as a
symbol of the fullness of the pontifical
office in honor of Almighty God. the
most glorious Virgin Mary, His mother:
the blessed apostles. St. Peter and St.
Paul, and the Holy Roman Catholic
church.
Mass was then celebrated with great
pomp and ceremony, the voice of the
4 nope becoming gradually more firm I'M
/ til it was even audible in the most dis