PAST JUBILEES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9, 1 March 1900, Page 28

PAST JUBILEES.

The last Holy Year — when, however, the ceremony of the opening of the Holy Doorway was not performed — was proclaimed in 15 75 by the preceding Pontiff — Pius IX. — and many remember still the great assembly of foreigners, which was marked by the arrival in Rome of the international deputations from Italy, Austria, Hungary. Russia, the United States, and Australia. The Holy Year, or Jubilee, derives its origin from the custom instituted by Moses, when the elect people every fiftieth year were called to sanctify themselves with works of piety. The first Holy Year was proclaimed in 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII. The Pontiff did not live then in the Vatican, but at the patriarchal palace of St. John in Lateran. and it was from the pontifical residence that the famous bull was issued whereby he a«signed the Basilica of St. Peter as the goal of reunion for the pilgrimage. To the apped of the Pontiff there was immediate response, with great enthusiasm, and to Rome began to flock in thousands the de\otees from France, Spain, England, and Germany. It was estimated that about 2,000,000 of foreigners came to Rome on that occasion, and among these were such illustrious persons as Carlo Martello, the King of Hungary, and Charles of Valois. brother to Philip the Fair, in company with his wife, Catherine, niece to the Emp-ror Baldovine, besides his sons and a Buite of about 500 French knights. Rome was then inclosed with a wall broken here and there by towers. The Church of St. Peter's was far different from what it is now, being entered by means of Bmall marble steps that the faithful ascended kneeling and kissing them one by one. Ingress to the church was through live large doors, of which that in the middle was called the, silver doorway and was almost always closed, since it was destined for mcuarchs : in more recent ages another was called 'Holy.' and reserved for jubilee years It was lope Alexander VI. of the Borgia house who, after having personally directt d researches for the purpose of discovering the position ot the holy doorway which had been opened on the fourth jubilee of ilomfucc IX . not succeeding in his attempt, ordered a new one to be made , and that this might afterwards be recognised he adorned it with marble and sculpture.