The Holy Father's Jubilee.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 16, 17 April 1902, Page 5

The Holy Father's Jubilee.

The Romans are accustomed to solemn and impressive ceremonies at Bt. Peter'p the Rome correspondent of the Catholic Times under date March 3), but many of Rome's oldest citizens, whom I have hr.d occasion to hear discussing Monday's celebrations in the Vatican Basilica, were of opinion that the thanksgiving service in honor of Leo XIII.'s Pontifical Jubilee far surpassed anything that they had ever seen even in the days when the Eternal City was still under the sway of its legitimate rulers

Little did the invaders dream while their artillery was effecting the famous breach of Porta Pia, which they fondly hoped would mark the beginning' of the Papacy's downfall, that little more than a quarter of a century later that same Papacy would be glorified, in the person of its august representative, as it had perhaps never been before. And yet anybody who was privileged to assist at to-day's solemn celebration in St. Peter's stepped back into the streets of modern Rome with the sensation that at no other time in the history of the Church were the power and world-wide influence of the Papacy more striking and awe-inspiring than on Monday. Long before the appointed time lines of carriages slowly threaded their way through the crowds of pedestrians hurrying towards the Vatican Piazza, a portion of which was kept free by i double cordon of troops, who held back thoae who had not been to fortunate as to obtain tickets.

The vast Basilica was crowded by nearly 00,000 expectant and enthusiastic people when the Holy Father, shortly after 11 o'clock, descended from his private apartments into the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, proceeding at once to the Chapel of the Pieta, where he assumed the sacred vestments. Ascending the 'Sedia Gestatoria,' the Sovereign Pontiff then made his solemn entry into the Basilica, surrounded by all the Cardinals ' in Curia,' by the members of the Pontifical Court, and escorted by the noble Swiss Guards, while the Palatine Guard lined the central nave leading to the altar of the ' Cattedra.' To describe the Bcene of enthusiasm and the deafening nheers which greeted the venerable Pontiff's appearance would be utterly impossible. No writer, however eloquent and graphic, could ever find adequate words. Leo XIII. appeared to be in excellent health, and, although deeply moved, seemed almost tran&figured by the joy and paternal consolation which he derived from his apotheosis. Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Serafino Vannutelli, the first Cardinal whom Leo XIII. raised to the purple, and at its conclusion the Holy Father, rising from his throne, pronounced in a clear and impressive voice the words of the Apostolic Ble.sring, which he bestowed on the kneeling thousands. Prof. Lapponi, %\hoaa I saw after the ceremony, tells me that the Holy Father is in excellent health and not at all fatigued.