Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-09-05
ESUIIS IN SESSION
The Election of a New General of tho Order VIII Be Held Next
 Saturday
HOW SELECTION IS MADE

SoADa4S
 Rome, Sept 5.-The first steps in the election of the Black Pope" or general of the Jesuits. so anxiously awaited by over 15.00O Jesuits all over the world and considered of such great importance by all the ad- herents of the Catholic church are now being taken.
 After the "Quatrivium" the period of four days of the strictest seclu- sion in which the congregation of the company of Jesus prepare for the final election of their general and which began yesterday, the final meeting will occur for the counting of the ballots leading to the election. All the delegates entitled to parti- cipate in the meeting will rise early that morning, September 8 for mass. although none of them, according to the constitution of this important function, will be allowed to celebrate 1t except the vicar, Father Ruggiero Freddi, in the chapel of the German college. He will also administer communion to all the delegates. The scene of over three score black clad men, with white hair and earnest faces, preparing for their high mis- sion will be most impressive. The delegates will then rise, and forming a procession, enter the large hall of the German students, intoning the "Veni Creator" The hall will be very severely decorated, large cru ciflx hanging on the main wall above the table destined for the vicar and the assistants, in front of which will be rows of desks for the delegates, sufficiently far apart to admit of each writing secretly. Once assem- bled. as though obeying an invisible command, they will all fall on their knees and a deep silence will ensue. which will not be interrupted for an hour. They will all pray fervently to be inspired by God in the selection they are about to make, as they are supposed not to have made up their minds previously as to the best per son to choose, 1t being strictly for bidden to show any preference in the information which they try to col 'lect about the possible candidate be- fore the day of the election. Most of the Jesuits, especially the older ones will carry into the hall some bread and bottle of water, as they will not have eaten since the night before and they are not allowed either to leave the hall or to touch anything but bread and water until the election is over.
 After having appointed two scru- tineers to assist the vicar in sorting and reading the notes, each delegate Wlif take a solemn oath in the name of Jesus Christ's eternal wisdom" to be faithful in the accomplishment of their ofice. Then each delegate will be provided with printed sheets on which inside, on the right, they will write the name of the candidate and on the left their own in dis guised handwriting, to further the secrecy of the vote. The sheets will then be folded and sealed so that in opening them for the scrutiny the name of the voter will be concealed and will not be looked at unless an irregularity is suspected or that the voter has voted for himself. which Is strictly forbidden. This same opera tion will be repeated until one of the candidates has attained more than half of the votes. Once the majority is gained by a candidate he will be procaimed elected and all present will rise, approach him reverently and render him homage by kissing his hand. A decree will then be drafted recording the meeting and the results of the vote. Then with the new general leading. the dele gates will go in procession to the chapel, singing the benedicto and after prayer they will leave the chapel, intoning the te deum. The Black Pope" will then receive the congratulations of his friends.
 A general of the Jesuits is ap- pointed for life and from the day of his election is the absolute ruler of the order. but the work of the coh- gregation will continue for a few days after Sept for the election of the generals assistants. who also are chosen for life. or. to be more exact. theirs are appointments which con- tinue during the life of the general. as on his death their functions cease.
 The congregation will also ap- point a secretary for the general and a monitor" the ofiice of the latter consisting in advising the general. who however, is entirely independ- ent of him. Generally both these positions are entrusted to two of the assistants. Their election as we'll as that of the assistants is carried out under exactly the same rules as that of the general.
 Some of the older delegates of the congregation of the company of Jes- uits are suffering from the seclusion and fasting entailed by the quadrf- vium. but not from the heat. the ther- mometer inside the college not ris- ing above IS.
 Anti-clerical societies wishing to protest against the growth of the re- ligious orders here are organizing a meeting for Sunday next at Castel Gandofol. the former summer resi- dence of the popes. As Cardinal Mer- " del Val. the papal secretary of state, is there 1t is most likely that the police will prevent the meeting from being held.
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