Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-03-28

distinguished eCCie--Gstics. who al
take their seats in rows in TIE space
behind the high altar, which il draped
and fitted up with carpets Tor the Oc-
casi0n. The pOpe's chief sacristah
now comes IN bearing an armful OF
palms which he lays upon the altar.
These palms are stalks about three
feet long upon which bleached palm
leaves are tied in tasteful though
artificial manner.
At $3.50 the church is filled with a
burst OF music from the choir, the
soldiers present arms and all eyes
turn toward a side chapel near the
door way from which the procession
enters with the pope borne in his
sedia gestatOria. Never viii the
spectator forget the impressive sight
as the twelve officials, six before and
six behind, steadily advance, bearing
on their shoulders the TWO long poles
covered with red velvet upon which
rests the chair of state where the pope
sits wearing his white mitre, with a
motion o. mis- hand besUOwing the
benemctiOn upon the bowling multi
tude.
he is borne 10 the front of his
throne at the further end or the
church where he descends, and after
some intermediate ceremonies and
singing, the palms ale - ought 10 him,
ami he blesses them by reading GER
tam prayers and incenslng the palms
three times. An embroidered apron is
now placed over the pOpe's knees, and
the cardinals in turn receive a palm
from MIN, kissing the palm. his right
hand ana knee. The D-s44-..s 1855 the
palm which they receive and his right
knee. The miJred aDbOts and others
kiss the palm and his foot. Palms are
now more freely distributed by
sacristans until al length they reach
those among the lay nobility who wish
one. More prayers are read, followed
by chanting and singing. The
Benedictus Qui VENT is beautifully
rendered; then low mass is held by
one OF the bishops, after which the
pope is borne back as he came 10 the
chapel communicating with ms resi-
dence.
The ceremony has lasted three
hours, but the spectator reluctantly
passes out OF the church, although he
may have waited several hours before
the ceremony began. OF the strangers
only ladles are gwen seats, and they
are expected TO dress IN dark colors.
In some countries where there are
no palms willows, lockwood and olive
branches are used instead. But Al
Rome the palms are real, and there
is a pretty story told about them
When Sextus V. was pOntiff Q5S5-9OD
he brought an obelisk from the circus
of Caligula and Nero TO the middle OF
the piazza OF 81. Peters. In order
that the architects commands migha
be heard, Sextus announced that who
ever broke the silence during the
ceremony would be killed. When the
Obelisk reached the piazza the hauling
ropes caught on fire from friction.
Besca, a naval officer OF San Reno.
called out:
Water TO the ropes"
This command saved the obeIisk,
but Besca was arrested and led before
the pope. Instead of pronouncing the
sentence of death, however, the pope
told him 10 choose a reward. Now
was Besca's opportunity, but instead
of asking great things for himself he
asked that the little village of San
Reno alone might furnish the palms
TO be used on palm Sunday al St-
Peters. The request was granted, ano
from San Reno, situated between
Nice and Genoa, the palms are stin
sent