THE POPE'S JUBILEE

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 395, 2 January 1909, Page 13

THE POPE'S JUBILEE

rO.OOO'PEOPE AT MASS IN ST. PETER'S. On November-16 tho Pope celobrated his Jubilee: Mass; in St.: Peter's, which wascrowded with nearly. 70,000 people, including all the: Cardinals residing in Romo, with- tho. addition of others _who had arrived for, theoocasion, over 500 bishops, patriarchs; abbots, heads of -religious'orders,; and the papal, lay,and- ecclesiastical courts, and extraordinary . envoys sent specially.'by ,Catholic: Sovereigns. The Catholics of: the British Empire wore represented by a "large number of. prelates, The three sistiers"of.the Pope and his niece,: all dressed in .bjaok,: with black lace veils draped oven their hair, wore also .present m a private tribune. Tho'Pope--entered the church procession-: ally, heralded by 'the'silver trumpets, his coming being tlie ; signal for a subdued mdftifes-' -tation of loyalty.; : Aftor the Mass' the Pope ' 1 imparted 't-o all: tbe ; Apostolic blessing, and returned to tho Vatican with tho same ceremonial It was remarked in Vatican circles that Great-'Britain--.was the only-leading oountry: that did not sond a special mission toil Rome for the Jubilee. . Tho Mass wastho most, imposing ceremony which had taken place since tho Pope's coro-: nation. The ordinary public were admitted by tickets,' of which .-60,000 were 'distributed,. besides-- several '/thousands; to ipilgrimsl. from' | France, Spain', and South 'America.. ; In. tho 1 1 Piam-of St.i' Peter's and in tho surround-; ihgs.'of:tho'-.churchiarid the Apostolic Palaco the Italiaji;;troops;had:to' employed for.the maintcnancohot- order.• -The inaido.iof St. Peter's was illuminated ■^th.electric', light. ; : :A'double.row of benches' kept a passage 'open: for 'the: papal prooes-. sion-te tho high altar. -The procession'was long and magnificent.v'As ■ the cortego entered; :the-immenseichuroh,- crowded:with -kneeling: faithful,.-the^choir or,tho Giulia Chapel sang the 'Tu «) Petrns." Pius X went throughthe l^v^e>sed|avs«sfca^priaV'-blessing i as he passed.. , :.-;';ln::_tho.. evening:the- square!,'of. 'St.-'.Peter's: was illuminated with Bengal lights, while tho facade 'pf-the,church was brightly lighted up,- .and;;theiCH|Sß .on'-.tho: top of the domo :stoq'd ; out:against,: the: sky for' the 'first .timeShining -with .oleotric; light;.. At, sunset, all tie ! bells-of.;, : thb-:---several -htindred;':churches of Romo rang 'in sign of rejoicing. ; .