ST. PETER'S AT ROME.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 202, 16 February 1877, Page 1

ST. PETER'S AT ROME.

But lo ! tbo dome— the vast and wondrous dome, To -nhicli Diana's marvel was a eell — Christ's mighty shiinc above his martyr's tomb.

ftffl£^KJM3& HAT Catholic can look unmoved upon the mightiest temple of his faith — the Great Basilica of St. Peter's \WoMIHBtf A fane which, were this possible, might be said to be P^ftejjnEn^ worthy of Christianity itself, and which is only not so because to build such an one would be beyond the jjyvsfllyc powers of mankind. But here has been done all of % magnificent that earth is capable of performing, all ! J&/\^ that colossal genius could couceive, or the wealth ' and power of Christendom in centuries accomplish.

In contemplating the grand ceremonies, and noble shrines of Church there is consolation to the faithful heart, for what true Catholic can look upon the sufferings of the lowly Saviour and not long in hig inmost soul to see reparation in some sort made for them. It was a heavenly inspiration that directed that the " SerTant of the Servants of Christ" should be the guide and venerated father of kings, and that He who had been despised and maltreated by the very off-scourings of humanity, should be openly honored on earth by all that is most high and royal. "When choir answers to choir, andt he lofty arches of some great cathedral resound with the

strains of martial music, and the sunbeams fall upon marble pavements dyed in a thousand colors by the stained glass of the windows ; when gold and jewels are flashing in the lights of the altar, and the ceremonies of the Church are being celebrated in all their majesty amidst the most gorgeous surroundings, the humble worshipper will not be dazzled by the magnificence, nor overcome by the outward splendor, but in his heart will rejoice that all this is being done in honor of^Hiui who stood neglected in the chill Judgement Hall all night, and on the morrow when He had been scourged, lacerated, and cruelly insulted, was led away bearing on his mangled shoulders the cross that He might be put to an ignominious death. Domes mysterieux, solennite sacree Quelle ame en vous voyant esb iamxis demeurce Sans doute ou sans terreur — — Thus chants de Musset ,• and if it be crue that the sacred domes of (ioJ, and the solemn aisles, are filled with a mysterious awe where-ever they exist, how much more overcoming is that gigantic

pile which to every sacred association joins magnitude unequalled, and is only prevented from utterly confusing- the mind by its verr immensity. rf J Enter : its grandeur overwhelms thee not; And why ? it is not lessened ; but thy mind, Expanded by the genius of the spot, Has grown colossal " j There is nothing there by who^se littlcue^s greatness may be measured, and cvou a* tuo motion, of the earth cannot bo percpived,

because all things it contains move together, so the beholder "is unable by comparison with objects of petty dimensions, to judge of the vastne'ss of St. Peter's. The building of this great basilica was continued during the reigns of forty-three Popes, and extended close upon three centuries and a half. A description of its wonders is thus given by the Very Eev. Canon Pope in his work Boly Week in the Vatican : — '.' The Church is 610 feet in length ; the height of the nave is 150 feet ; the diameter of the cupola is 193 feet; the height of the dome inside, from the marble pavement to the base of the lantern, is 400 feet, and to the top of the cross 430. The marble, fonts, sculpture, and mosaics with which the interior is decorated, are of priceless value. The weight of the dome is 55,428 tons ; more than 30,000 lbs. weight of iron was used in its construction. The space of ground covered by the buildings is 240,000 square feet, about eight English acres ! Immediately under the dome stands the Papal high altar; it is surmounted by the baldacchino, which is supported by four richly decorated spiral columns of solid bronze, and is 93 feet in height; the gilding alone of the decorations cost 40,000 scudi, or Eoman crowns; the entire cost of this grand canopy was 100,000 scudi. Beneath repose the holy relics of the Apostles enclosed in a gorgeous shrine. Before it gold and silver ever burning lamps are suspended, and around the confessional 112 large brass lamps bnrn for ever, day and night. The general view of the interior of the basilica unveils to the eye an astounding perspective of wonders and beauties from the pavements of the richest marbles ingeniously disposed, to the towering altitudes of the concave dome studded with the richest mosaics, elaborate bronzes, sacred relics of antiquity, Peter's chain, Veronica's handkerchief, Christ's cross, many precious ornaments, and sculptural works from the chisels of the greatest masters, and specimens of all that is wonderful in art." Yet however grand the Church — until within the last few years it was but the fitting scene for the ceremonies that were yearly celebrated there. Thither from all parts of the world flocked those whose circumstances permitted them to do so; and whatever difficulties or hardships they may have encountered by the way, they felt that all was atoned for during the wondrous devotions of Holy Week, and the glories of the Easter. But a sacrilegious hand was interposed ; an usurper seized upon the sceptre of the Popes, and a cloud obscured the face of the heavens. No longer is the voice of the Great High Priest heard blessing from the loggia, but blasphemies and the sound of impious revelry are loudly echoed throughout the seven hills. For how long shall it be ? — Who can tell ? Until the time appointed has been accomplished. The hour is approaching surely, howsoever it may seem to delay, when the "proud" shall be scattered once more " in the imagination of their hearts," and the lofty dome that shelters the relics of the Apostles shall resound with the " Te Deum " of the Church of God.