The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-17
POHTIFF REJOICES
ON CHRISTMAS DAY
DignitarieS of Catholic
Church Exchange Sea
sons Greetings.
ROME is SCENE
OF HOLY FERNOR
Pope Celebrates Three Masses Dur
ing Day-Banquet in
Vatican.

ROME, Dec. 17.-Christmas day
viii be a quiet one at the Vatican, as
al holydays are under the present
regime. but in some respects at least
II is expected that the personality of
Pope Plus N VIII make itself felt.
Christmas in the Vatican was at
one time the greatest and most
gorgeous celebration Of the year, but
owing to state and church differences
it can hardly be expected that the
Pope will allow his encourage to de-
part from the settled policy OF silent
protest that has been the Vatican
policy for many years.
The Pope will celebrate three
masses in the Sistine Chapel, 50 that
every commitment may have the
opportunity of receiving Holy Com
munion at the PontiR's hands. That
will he the chief official distinction
Of the day. but there viii also be i'm
the Vatican itself the usual culinary
and social recognitions OF the event
Roman Celebrations.
In many ways Christmas Eve is as
notable as the day itself in Roman
celebrations. A sumptuous supper
will be served in the Vatican on
Christmas Eve, at which. since it is
a fast day, the eve of n holyday' all
officials IN attendance on the Holy
Pontim will be guests Of honor.
The supper is one that would not
appeal 70 the mind of the modern
epfcure, unless he be thoroughly no
man. Fish and vegetables constitute
the only foundation, beef, lamb, or
chicken being out of the question,
and even butter eggs, cheese, ana oIheI
animal products quite impossible
The large cells, "capitOne, some CT
them three inches in diameter, that IN
fest the bed of the Tiber' form Jns
great delicacy in any Roman hsh din-
ner, and a few days before CHRISTMAS
the demand for capitOne well exceeds
the supply.
At the Markets
But it is in the markets that the
Christmas scenes OF Rome are enacted
Fish of all kinds are exposed and sold
by auction. and every Roman family OF
consequence is represented there through
its chef OF some other servant. Natur-
ely. there are some spectators who find
q profitable field in selling to the late
corners at a high price.
The Vatican chef Is always on hand
as the Christmas Eve dinner is one OF
the things he must not "fall down on
He goes to market arrayed in his mag
nifiCent blue uniform and reclining in q
wagon drawn Dy a white mule. the only
nfdeN OF RHNueA employed Ng NNf ropes
As the strange equipage works its way
through the streets. IL is acclaimed by
varying sentiments, according to the
locality. but TO the honor Of the Romans
81 must he said that they have no fear
OF their temporal leaders, whatever they
may think OF the spiritual leaders who
are confined 20 the sacred precincts.
Make Peace With Heaven.
What the Vatican chef orders 4.
Christmas Eve dinner. and woe betid,
him if his originative faculty is at fault
little before midnight all the unre
generates OF Rome seek to make thei1
peace with heaven and the Vatican OF
fcials by brief confession Of sins. They
attend not only the early mass. but sew
cral others or less social Importance.
Early Christmas morn the most poDu
lar place or worship in Rome is tn,
church or st. Marys the Major In III
halloWed vaults is preserved a raIic n
the Nativity. and an during the gre9
feast this relic is exposed for the con
temptation OF the parishiOners and Otbe,
visitors.
Representations Of Nativity.
But every church I'm the Eternal. CIT,
is crowded with men. women. and chill
dren who wish 10 pay their tribute o
devotion at the 'presepiOs" or ''creches'
which adorn an the edifces during Ad
vent. These presepios are familiar &
every Roman Catholic. as stage repre-
sensations Of the scene I'm the stable a
the time Of the Nativity. Some OF th
prescpios are elaborate displaying his
toriCaliy accurate rcpresentatiO o
Bethlehem In the olden DAYS. The tire
Kings Of the Orient, bringing gifts a
well as their messages Of good viii O
all men, are prominent features 0
every prescpio.
ROme's chief amusement on Christ
mas eve and Christmas day is 10 max
2 round n all the Churcs es and inspec
the preseplos. But this year. 70 IS whis