Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-09-06
GETTING READY.
Delegates Preparing to
Choose Leader Of Jesuits.
Proceedings Will Be Conducted
with Impressive Ceremony.
After Termination Of Four days SecIusion
BaIIotng viii Begin.

Rome. Sept. 5.-The first steps in the
election OF the BLACK Pope" OF general
OF the Jesuits, so anxiously awaited by
over $1,000 Jesuits all over the world
and considered of such great impor-
lance by all the adherents of the
Catholic church, are now being taken
AFTER the "quatrivium" the period
OF four days of the strictest secusion
in which the congregation of the Com
pany 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 dele
gates entitled to participate in the
meeting will rise early that morning,
Sept. S, for mass, although none of
them. according to the constitution of
the important function, will be allowed
to celebrate it, except the vicar. Fa-
thcr Eugciero Freddi. i'm the chapel of
the German College. He will also ad-
minister communion to all the dele
gates. The scene of over three score
black clad men, with white hair and
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
German students, informing the "Veni
Creator"
"Tne hall will be very severely dec
Grated, large crucifx hanging on the
main wall. in front of which will be
rows of desks for the delegates, Suffi-
GENTLY far apart to admit of each writ
ing secretly. On assembling as though
obcying an invisible command, they
will all fall on their knees and a deep
silence will cnsue, 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
person to choose, 1t being strictly for
hidden to show any preference in the
information which they try to collect
about the possible candidate before the
day of election.
Most of the Jesuits. especially the
older ones. will carry into the hall
some bread and a bottle Of water. as
they VIII not have eaten since the day
before anything but bread and water
until the election is over. After having
appointed two Scrutinecrs to assist the
vicar in sorting and reading the votes
each delegate will take solemn oath
in the name Of Jesus Christ's eternal
wisdom to he faithful in the accom-
plishment Of their office. Then each del
cgatc will be provided with printed
sheets on which inside. on the right,
they will write the name of the candi-
date and on the left their own. in. dis
guiscd handwriting, to further the Sc
crcCy 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
conccaIcd 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
operation 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 pro-
claimed elected and all present Will
rise approach him reverently and rem
der 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 lead
inG. the delegates will go in procession
to the chapel. singing the Benedicto
and after prayer they will leave the
chanel informing the TIE Deum. The
"Black Pope" will then receive the con-
gratulations of his friends.
A general of the Jcsuits is appointed
for life and from the day of his cleo
ton Is the absolute ruler of the order,
but the work of the congregation will
continue for few days after Sept. 8
for the election of the generals assist
ants who also are chosen for life or.
to be more exact theirs are appoint
mcnts which continue during the life
Of the general. as on his DEATH their
functions cease. The congregation Will
also appoint secretary for the general
and Monitor" the office of the lat
ter consisting in advising the general,
who however. is entirely independent OF
him Generally both these positions arc
entrusted to the vote of the assistants.
Their election as well As that Of the
assistants. Their election AS well as
that Of the assistants is considered I'M
der exactly the rules of that of the
general.
Some of the older delegates of the
Congregation of the Company OF
Jes,Iits are suffering from the Seclu-
sion and fasting entailed by the
quadrivium.
Somerset Pomona.