The National tribune., 1904-01-28

OF American occupation, was the religious
enthusiasm of the great majority of the
natives. An interesting illustration Of this
occurred on Sunday, Jan. IA, 1900, after
my arrival there, known as the Feast of
Quiapo," the elimination of q church
fiesta of nine days duration peculiar to
that district Of the city. During this Pc
Rod the residents of Qniapo refrain from
subjugating labor, attend church at inter-
walls; and engage in various kinds OF
amusement.
These days of jubilee Dias de Jubileo)
or periods of plenary indulgence Qndul-
tgeneia Plenaria), are quite frequent in
Manila, a Spanish guide-book for former
years giving 81 such periods yearly, rang
ing from one day to a week or more IN ex-
tent. ..Indufgencia Plenaria" refer to the
Quondam practice of granting 1.-The most
plenary and complete indulgence, pardon
and remission of all SINS in practice linn
tied to certain periods and by certain con-
ditions, to 1.-THE faithful who are truly pen
itent and have confessed" This privilege
was first obtained by Jesuit Padre,
Alfonso Sanchez, who went from Manila to
Spain in 1886, and subsequently to Rome
for that purpose, in May, 1889. He was
commissioned by the ecclesiastical and
secular States and by order of the Cover
nor to obtain from the King the measures
which good Government and the prosper
ity of the islands demanded"
SPAIN SOLD INDULGENCEs ON sPECULA-
TION.
The Pope granted to Sanchez and his
assigns the right TO use under the author
ity of the King of Spain stamp or die of
any suitable form, with one or more i'm
ages such as the holder might select. to
contain also the figure of Christ, the Very
Holy Virgin, or st. Peter, or Paul. On
the reverse side a bust portrait of His
Holiness was to be engraved, with the fol-
lowing indulgences attached thereto: ITO
him who should convey the word of God
to the infdels, or give them notice Of the
holy mysteries-each time 300 years in
diligence. To him who,. by industry, con-
verted any one of these or brought him to
the bosom of the Church-full indulgence
for all sins"
This Bull was dated at Rome July %,
1891. Various minor indulgences were
conceded at that time and subsequently
for services to be rendered to the Pontifi-
cate, for Pater Nosters, Ave Marias, using
beads, medals, crosses, pictures. blessed
images, ETC., with which one could gain
nine plenary indulgences every day, or
rescue nine souls from purgatory." Jagor,
who visited the islands in 1860, says: 1.-THE
Spanish throne enjoys the right of confer
ring different indulgenees, even for serious
crimes, in the name of the Holy See. This
right, which, so to speak, it acquired whole
sale, it sells by retail to its customers tit
formerly disposed of il to the priests) in
the estanco, and together with it's other
m0nopolies, such as tobacco, brandy,
lottery tickets, stamped paper, ETC., all
through the agency of the priests; with
ont the assistance of whom very little
business would be done. The receipts
from the sale of these induigences have al
ways been very fletuating. In 1919 they
amounted to $15.930: in 1889 to. $36, 800.
and in 1860 they were estimated at $685.
954. In the year 1S44-45 they: rose to
$3.50, 115. The cause of this large in
crease was that indulgences were then rem
dered compulsory: so many being allotted
to each family, with the assistance and un-,
der the superintendent OF the priests and
tax-collectors. who received commission
of five to eight per cent. on the gross
amount collected"
FIESTA POSTPONED FOR CAUSE.
In ordinary times the Feast of Out
apo, would have begun in December, so
that the most imposing part. the final fete
and grand procession, would have taken
place on New Years Eve. Rumors of
nprisings in Manila were plentiful during
1850. some of which, as it now appears
from the captured correspondence OF San
dieo, Luna, and others, had basis in fact,
and one Of these fixed the time for gen.
eral massacre of Americans during the
Feast Of Quiapo." At least, the mutter-
fngs of instruction which came to the ears
Of the authorities were of such a threaten
ing character that it was deemed best to
avoid the confusion likely to occur on the
streets during the passing of the process
sion through the large crowds incident to
the holiday season; and accordingly, with
the consent Of all parties, the Feast of
Quiapo was postponed.
eAUDy. NOISY, AND DEvoUT.
This deviation from the course pursued
Tor several centuries did not seem to les
sen the ardor Of the worshipers in any de-
gree. The "Iglesia de Quiapo," one Of
the oldest churches in the city, beginning
with mass at an early hour, was filled
with devout celebrants till the procession
was formed in the evening; the great bells
changing q resonant prelude to each sep
arate service. A number of priests, both
native and Spanish, were engaged in the
various rites. The soothing, solemn tones
of the organ were interspersed at times
with some lively American airs, and
though there were vendors of all sorts Of
wares about the entrance, and crowds
were constantly coming and going, the
worshipers were very reyerential. All
classes and conditions, with varying styles
of dress and shades Of complexion, were
commingled. Citizens in dress suits were
side by side with cocheros in sinamay, and
elegantly dressed mestizas and Spanish la
dies bowed their heads coincidently with
low-caste native women.
As evening came on the supporting
floats bearing the sacred images were
brought forth, and the procession formed
in front Of the main church entrance on
Plaza de Quiapo. For the most part these
floats were heavy, and it was with diff
Guilty that the bearers managed to work
their way through the struggling crowd.
The burden bearers having formed.
column halted, and thousand or
more people scattered over the broad
Plaza reyerently kneIt and bowed
their heads in prayer. Women and
children crowded around the ina ge-bear-
ers. touching the catafalques and figures
now and then, as il they could bestow
some wonderful power.
The mere onlooker might smile at the
spectacle and ask himself-Is religion q
form. ceremony? Is its saving power q
conformity to certain rites, '.in which, "a
use the words of Catholic author, "ths
assertions Of ignorant enthusiasts are re