Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-05
ALL MUST PRAY
FOR BLACK POPE
Solemn Preparations to Elect
General of the Jesuits.
VICAR TO CELEBRATE MASS
VICAR TO CELEBRATE MASS
Vote is to Be Taken in Absolute
Secrecy.
ANT1-CLER1cAL cL1oUEs OBJECT
Police May Stop Meeting Which Will
Be Attempted in Rome to Pro-
test Against Orders.

Thousands of Jesuits all over the
world have their eyes turned on
Rome, where the BLACK Pope or
general, of the worldwide order is
to be elected in few hours. Anti
clerical societies will attempt to hold
a meeting to protest against the
growth of religious orders in the
former summer residence of the
popes, but it is thought the police
will prevent.
ROME, September 5.-The first steps in
the election of the BLACK Pope" or general,
of the Jesuits, so anxiously awaited by over
Il, 600 Jesuts all over the world and con-
sidered Of such great Importance by all the
adherents of the Catholic Church, are now
being taken.
After the "quadrivium,' the period Of four
days of the strictest seclusion in which the
congregation of the Company of Jesus pre-
pare for the final election of their general
and which began yesterday, the final meet
ing will be held for the counting of the bal
lots leading to the election. All the dele
gates entitled to participate in the meeting
will rise early that morning, September 8,
for mass, although none of them. according
to the constitution of this important func-
ton, 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 hlack-robed
men, with earnest faces, preparing for their
high mission will be most impressive:
The delegates will then rise, and forming
procession, enter the large hall of the Ger,
man students, intoning the "Veni Creator"
The hall will be very severely decorated,
large crucif1x 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 assembled, as though obeying an In
visible command, they will all fall on their
knees and deep silence will ensue which
will not be interrupted for an hour.
Will Ask Gods Help.
They will all pray fervently to be in
spired 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 person to choose, it being
strictly forbidden to show any preference
in the information which they try to col
lect about the possible candidate before the
day of the election Most of the Jesufts,
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 scrutineers
to assist the vicar in sorting and reading
the votes. each delegate will take a solemn
oath in the name of Jesus Christ's eternal
wisdom to be faithful in the accomplish
80 tn;r oh, doll TO
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 disguised 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 sus-
pected or that the voter has voted for HIM
self, which Is strictly forbidden.
Homage to the Candidate.
This same operation will be repeated until
one of the candidates has attained more
than half of the votes. Once the majority
is gained by candidate he will be pro-
claimed 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. Immediately after,
the new general leading. the delegates will
Benedictus, and after prayer they will leave
the chapel intoning the Te Deum. The
BLACK Pope will then receive the con-
gratulations of his friends.
A general Of the Jesuits is appointed for
life, and from the day of his election Is
the absolute ruler of the order. but the
work of the congregation will continue for
a few days after September for the elec-
ton of the generals assistants, whose ap-
pointments continue during the life Of the
general, as on his death their functions
cease.
Delegates Are Suffering.
The congregation will also appoint Sec
etary for the general and monitor" the
office of the latter consisting in advising
the general, who, however, is entirely in
dependent of him. Generally both these
positions are intrusted to two Of the as
sistants. Their election as well 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 congre-
CATION of the Company Of Jesus are suf-
fering from the seclusion and fasting en-
tailed by the quadrivium.
Anti-clerical societies wishing to protest
against the growth Of the religious orders
here are organizing meeting for Sunday
next at Castle Gandolfo, the former sum-
mer residence Of the popes. AS Cardinal
Merry del Val, the papal secretary Of
state, Is there it is most likely that the
police will prevent the meeting from being
held.