RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 526, 5 June 1909, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

BEATIFICATION OF JOAN OF ARC,

IMPOSING SCENES AT ROME.

With imposing and picturesque, pomp the' ceremonies of tho beatification of Joan of Aro took 'place at St. Peter's on Sunday, April 18. From au early hour the streets of Romo were crowded with long processions of pilgrims making their way to tho basilica, By eight o'clock the vast cathedral, which holds- 80,000 persons, was filled. Tho decorations (says tho "Daily News") were superb. In tho portico \yas erected a magnificent picturo representing the martyrdom of Joan of Arc at Rouen. Scenes in the new Beata's life and tho miracles sho is considered to have porformed in Franco in recent years woro portrayed in pictures exhibited in tho interior of tho cathedral. Princes and Ambassadors, foreign nobles, and the most distinguished members of tho Roman aristocracy filled the seats arranged for. them at tho far end of tho basilica. In special seats were two sisters and a niece of tho Popo. His Holiness did not tako part in tho morning ceremonies, but there were present all the Cardinals composing the Congregation of Rites, and the splendid uniforms of the Pontifical Court and iho gorgeous variety of tho dress of tho prelates mado the v scene one of incomparable magnificence. ■ After tho preliminary rites Father Herzop, an Alsatian priest, who is the "Postulator" of the, cause of the beatification; demanded of Cardinal Martinelli, prefect of tho Congregation of Rites, and of Cardinal Bam-, polla, Arch-Priest of the Basilica, permission to publish tho brief of beatification. On the demand being granted, a prelate read tho Pontifical brief proclaiming Joan of Aro "Beata" and declaring that Catholics may henceforward • worship her publicly. At this moment a wave of emotion seemed to flood the congregation. Men and women alike wept. Tlio veil covering tho relics of tho Beata was lifted, and tho bells of the cathedral wero rung. Fouchet, Bishop of Orleans, then offered incense before the portrait of Joan of Arc and began to cclebrato Mass. At 'the close of the ceremony, abqut ( noon, tho congregation streamed slowly from? the cathedral, many of the French Catholics crying "Vivo Jeanne d'Arcl" ".Vive le Paper . .-•■', S.-. ' y, -■■■'•■ Again at two o'clock a huge crPwdi.assenibled in St. Peter's, which was * completely filled when, at five o'clock^"fcbV Pope came from , his apartments into thsibasilica, accompanied by his prelates and dignitaries of the Pontifical Court. . Arriving at tho Chapel of the Holy Sacrament ho was-re-ceived by Cardinal Rampolla,, and all tho French bishops, to the number, of seventy. The Pope then crossed the whole of the cathedral, going towards the high altar. The pilgrims, on catching sight of .nis Holiness; waved their handkerchiefs ■ frantically, ; arid some wont to the length of .shouting and, applauding. The Pope mado a- short- prayer before the altar, and then swung a cerisc'r before tho portrait of Joan of Arc.' :.Tlie ccr& moriy was,brief. . ■ ■ ■ .'■"'" ;';...,'.