The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-07-01
THE POPE'S ROUTINE
How the Holy Father Employs His
time,

time.
The following is the Popes order of
day. No monastery rule could be more
severe or more uniform, says "Lemaine
Religieuse de Laral"
Plus x has always had the habit of
rising at daybreak, both winter and
summer. His toilette is made without
the assistance of valet, custom he
has been faithful to ever since he left
the seminary. Immediately after ris-
ing he goes down to the chapel, and
there, before the Blessed Sacrament,
kneeling on walnut prie-Dieu, which
is covered with a red carpet, he makes
a meditation for an hour; he then re-
cites portion of his office. On this
prie-Dieu there is a large brevary with
leather binding; it is the Holy F'a-
Tiers favorite prayer book. He often
takes as subject for his meditation
text from the Homiles of the Feast
or from the lessons for the day.
After Office and meditation, Plus x
celebrates Holy Mass in his private
chapel. This is at about 6 o'clock
Strangers often assist at this cere-
mony. The Pope is pleased TO give
Holy Communion to persons who ask
the favor from him of assisting at
his mass During his own Thanksgiv-
ing the Pope assists kneeling at a.
second mass celebrated by one of his
chaplainS.
He then goes into the ante-cham-
Der, and he usually receives the per-
sons presented to him there. TO each
one of them he speaks a few words
of consolation and encouragement.
He is, indeed, the Good Shepherd"
who knows all his sheep, and whom
all his sheep know. Plus X later on
takes little black coffee in his own
room, and at o'clock he receives his
private secretaries. The private
chamberlains also come at the same
time to receive the orders for the day.
When the work is regulated, the Pope
remains alone until 8 o'clock. From
Q to IL o'clock he receives the Cardin-
ais and Ambassadors. At 12 o'clock
Plus X says the Angelus, and he then
goes to the dining ROOM Custom or
dams that the Pope should always
dine alone at a small table covered
with a canopy. Plus X, however, at
times breaks this tradition by invit-
ing distinguished prelates to sit at his
TABLE The repast is very simple, even
monastic, for the Pope when he ds
alone
After dinner Plus X goes out in the
Vatican garden, and takes a walk in
company with another prelate. This
Is the best time for an audience for
those favored by an invitation. When
the Holy Father is alone he speaks to
the noble guard who accompany him.
to the gardeners who are at work. and
he converses with them in paternal
manner.
About o'clock the Pope returns to
MS own apartment, and remains there
alone until o'clock. 1t is his hour
Tor prayer and recollection. Plus X
has devotion to recite at this time
his office in union with the monks in
the monasteries in the neighborhood,
who cannot chant it in choir. Five
o'clock is post hour. The Pope re-
ceives official personages as in the
morning. At o'clock Plus X takes
light collation., during which one Of
his secretaries reads pious book
aloud for him. 1t is generally a chap
ter from "The Imitation of Christ" a
work for which the Holy Father has
special fondness. At 8 o'clock, again.
according to Roman custom, he re-
ce1ves persons of Importance or the
members of his household, with whom
ne converses on business, good works,
and other projects. 1t is often IL
o'clock, nearly midnight, when he
thinks Of taking little rest. All his
servants have by that hour retired for
the night. Plus x, in order to make
attendance on him simpler, has ar
ranged to have his bedrooms above
his official apartment. 1t is similar
to monks cell. He only has, as he
formerly had at Venice, a plain iron
bedstead-a camp bed 1t is on this
that the beloved chief, the vigilant
guardian of Holy Church, sleeps for a
few hours. Everyone in the Vatican
has been long time resting when
Plus x thinks of sleep.