Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1912-12-21

their own prayers. Beginning at
o'clock in the evening the bells are
rung to announce the midnight
A., services, and for this a large crowd
again gathers, including Greeks,
Armenians, Syrians and Copts. Con-
iessions 60 on without ceasing, and
still the pilgrims arrive. There are
| Bishops and priests from various
lands, and Catholics and Protestants
from the United States deeply in
terested in this scene of religious
faith. All alike are seized with an
unaccountable sensation of fervor
which is difficult to describe, but
which proceeds from the grand mys-
teries with which one seems at that
time and in that place to be sim
gularly in touch. At 10:30 the
Patriarch again enters the church.
Mathis are sung, followed by the
Pontifical mass. In the grotto itself
there is hardly standing room, and
many have remained there for hours
occupying one position so as to be
sure of place during the first mass,
which begins at 11:45. BY recog-
nized tradition, faithfully clung to,
the place may not be decorated for
this occasion; the only variation is
the changing of the damasks which
cover the walls or the vaults which
belong to the Latins, while the
Greeks change theirs on their own
Christmas day. There is a whisper
of prayers everywhere, and the devo-
tion which pervades the crowds, the
sacredness of the spot, the vivid
realization of the event which 1t
recalls combine to make one feel the
ardor of the first Christians in the
Catacombs. All are in alteration and
contemplation, while many indeed
are in tears. A mass is begun at the
altar of the Latins. The prayers and
devotions increase as the consecra-
tion approaches, particularly as the
strains of music from the Pontifical
mass come floating gently on the air,
echoing the angels hymn, Gloria in
Excelsis Deo." The faith of the
people almost seems to get too great
as they press up to the altar at the
communion time. All are intent
.uAon the Sacred Host, which is never
again received with greater fervor, in
all probability, than under those
soul-stirring surroundings. The
masses succeed one another con-
tinually till 3 or 4 in the afternoon.
There is a brief interval, however, as
the Bishop bears, in procession the
image of the Infant Saviour. The
soldiers keep the passages clear as
the solemn procession advances,
torch bearers in front, the choir and
clergy following, then the Bishop
holding the figure aloft, and the
notable personages of the place COM
pleting the retinue. Arrived at the
Grotto the deacon takes the image
and places 1t on the very spot where
tradition says that the Blessed Virgin
laid her Divine Child. Then the
gospel Of the day is sung. When the
words are pronounced, parmis enim
involvit (she wrapped him in swad-
ding clothes), the figure is covered
with clothes ready at hand, and at
the words, reclinavit cum in
praesepio (she laid him in the man.
ger), the deacon lays down the
image in the place where Our Lord
was adored by the Magi. There it is
incensed by the celebrant and left
for the people to venerate mot
adore) till Epiphany, when it is car
ried away with the same ceremony,
but the Father Guardian of the Holy !
Land officiates on the latter day.