The San Francisco call., 1906-04-15
The Vatican from the Villa nedicI

rIstry OF st. Peters. Aftzrward theirs
was a curious and interesting prsces-
sion through the length OF the church
Of Cardinals. priests and pilgrims OF
every nation We noted many Russian
and Polish peasants in their peculiar
and picturesque national costumes. Al
knelt with uplifted faces while the
sacred relics were displayed IN bal
cony far above them
In the afternoon there was a service
In San Nicola da ToIentin, cfarted by
brass and tinkIing cymbals. The priests
and deacons wore gorgeous robes. brill
liant with scarlet, orange and purple.
reseda green. pink and gold The effect
OF the color and sound combined was
barbaric. The priests stood in a semi
circle IN the chancel. and at one point
in the service each turned to his right
hand neighbor. embraced him and kiss
ed his shoulder. Their chanting was
wild and weird.
Saturday afternoon the parish priest
goes around from house to house to
bless 1t and it's inhabitants. The priest
goes first. followed by a boy carrying a
silver vessel holding the holy waterj
then the master of the house, followed
by the servants. They go first to the
salon, where water is sprinkled in four
directions, the priest saying: Bless.
Lordi this place. that in IL may be
health. chastity, victory. virtue. humiI-
ity, goodness. sweetness, the fullness Of
law and thanksgiving. and may this
blessing abide In this place and upon
all those who dwell herein -Ths
priests attendant carries a basket into
which are dropped loaf OF bread. two
eggs and some money. The priests ann
to the doors OF the CHIEF palaces and
villas a waxen cross to guard them
from evil spirits AS this must be paid
for, only the rich are thus guarded
On Easter morning all Is Joy and glad
ness. People greet each other with ~Bu-
ona fiesta" or 'Buona pasqua." It Is a
day OF stately and solemn ceremonial. st.
Peters is decorated with flowers and the
Pope himself goes in grand procession 70
help celebrate the mass. The great CEN
trail aisle OF st. Peters is lined on each
side with the Noble Guard, IN their
beautiful uniforms OF white ana scarlet.
with dropping plumes OF white ostrich
feathers, and the Swiss Guards. in their
wonderful uniforms or scarlet and
orange, said to have been designed by
Michael Angelo, and with polished cut
rasses and glittering steel helmets.
Marching up this brilliant avenue OF
guards come long procession OF cardi-
mails, chamberlains. bishops and other
dignitaries. and. last. the Pope. carried
aloft in his chair OF state. clad in purest
white. on each side OF him an attendant
carrying an enormous feather fan The
eyes in these feathers symbolizs the eye
or vigilance OF the church.
After mass the Pope goes out on ball
cony overlooking the great piazza OF ST.
Peters and gives his blessing to the
crowd assembled in II. Formerly writ
ten prayers and induigences were thrown
down among the crowd. to be- scrambled
for. Many Easter eeremonials were
omitted during the last years Of the life
OF Leo XIII. He was too aged and feeble
to endure them The lovely ethereal notes
of the silver trlfnpets whieh used to be
waited down from the dome OF Michael
Angelo are no longer heard
Directly after the Pope's blessing the
guns Of St. Angelo are hred and the bells
are rung 5oyoasly an over the city. Dur
ing the progress 81 the Pope op the cen
ter aisle he never fails to. stop han way
up and pay homage and alteration to the
Madonna in her chapel
On Easter sunday the dinner tables are
decked with flowers from the holy sepul-
ehers and a special broth made Of lemon
and eggs. served only on Easter Sunday,
is eaten in every home.