Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-30
HOUSES BLESSED
| BY ROMAN CLERGY.
Holy Saturday Ceremonies
] Renewed Throughout City
After So Years.
20 i,., Assncinted press.

b. TIE Associated Press.
ROME, March 30.--Tor the first
time since 1870 all rooms in private
houses and public buildings Of Rome
could be blessed solennly today, Holy
Saturday, by the clergy of the Roman
diocese with "bell, book and holy wa
ter"
4 From early in the morning parish
priests of the 900 churches of the city,
their curates and the members OF the
"chapters" of the big basilicas, each ac-
ccmpanied by an altar boy, were up ana
about, sprinkling the apartments and
Offices of their parishioners. They re-
cited an old prayer calling upon God
to send an angel from heaven to pro-
tect and defend all those dwelling With
In this habitation."
The PRAYER was the same as is sung
at the conclusion of the 'Asperges Ne
ceremony prior to the celebration, OF
high mass. In return for the benedic-
ton the faithful inserted discreet con-
tributions in the little leather sack car
ried by the altar boy or into the holy
water vessel itself. This of1erlng was
for The good works" of the parish ana
apartment the sum of 10 lire-just over
half a dollar-was gratefully accepted.
BUILDINGS Denied Blessings.
After the fall of the temporal power
of the pope in 1870 the Parliament
b,ildings-that is, the Chamber, at
Monte Cittorio, and the Senate, IN
PalazZo Madana-were vigorously eX-
Guided from participation in the bless
inc Before long, however. the Roman
clergy decided to forgive" the Senate.
at least. Learning of the conclllatory
move. Senator Farini. then president OF
the upper house, ordered hanoso uiae
sum to be placed at the disposal OF the
visiting sanctif1ers.
The parish priest arrived on tlliie aiiu'
accommodated by Farinis private secre-
tarv. soIemnly blessed all the commit,
fee rooms. cloakroms and secretaries
ofices of the senatorial palace. When
he came to the chamber itself, however;
he drew back, struck an attitude ana
exclaimed: lave
IT can bless no room wherein laws
against the church are deoateo anu
voted"
In that case, father" the secretary
replied. gravely, 1.-The Senate feels tnat
it can make no offering for your wofks
OF charity"
Ban Later Removed.
Later the ban against blessing the
rooms of the Quirinal Palace. residence
of Italian sovereigns since 1870, was re.
moved: but the royal bed chamber ola
not benefit thereby. Nevertheless, a
handsome offering. always paid IN gold
coins. was made to the ofnclathg
priest.
The little hitch about the bed cham
Der was solved some years after the
accession of the present King. victor
Emanuel III, with the quiet tact when
has characterized SO many OF the
monarch's actions. He moved out OF the
Ouirinal, returning to it only for ON
cial receptions and state dinners, and
took up residence at the Villa Savoia,
on the outskirts of Rome, comfort
able residence which he and his family
still use. On the following Holy Satur-
day the local parish priest came around
and blessed every nook and Granny OF
the royal habitation, not emitting the
bedrooms.
Particular emphasis will be given to
tonorrow's Easter celebration In view
of the newly established peace between
Vatican and Quirinal. The ceremonies
will begin at midnight tonight. when,
amid the peal of the bells of Romes 400
churches, italians will wish another
"buona pascua" good or happy, EASTER.