THE HOLY YEAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21457, 3 April 1933, Page 9

THE HOLY YEAR

POPE INAUGURATES i IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY ASSEMBLAGE IN ST. PETER'S' TENOR OF PROCLAMATION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April 2, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. April 1 The Pope to-day inaugurated Holy Year at an impressive ceremony in Vatican City. His Holiness, wearing a white silk mantle and holding a golden mitre, was carried in the gestatorial chair attended by Cardinals, prelates, Ambassadors and

Ministers to the Holy Door in St. Peter's. He knocked three times on the door with a golden hammer presented by Iloman Catholics throughout the world. The door was opened and the Pope crossed the threshold, the Cardinals and bishops following. In broadcasting a message to the world on December 24, 1932, His Holiness Pope Pius XI. proclaimed a Holy Year for Roman Catholics from April 2, 1933, to April 2, 1934, in celebration of the 19th centenary of the death of Christ. The Pope emphasised the iniquitous treatment of religion and the faithful in Spain, Russia and Mexico. Equally grievous were the differences among nations. The errors of war and civil war were making worse the financial and economic crisis, but one consolation was the triumphant success of the Eucharistic Congress. The Pope appealed for devotion in matters of high spirituality and for interest in the souls of men during the Holy Year. The Pope's decision to proclaim a Holy Year was reached onlj r on December 21, 1932. His Holiness previously had decided against a celebration owing to a dispute as to whether 1933 or 1934 would witness the 19th centenary of the Crucifixion, although '* a majority of learned men " agreed that it was Amid the ringing of the church bells all over Rome, the Bull Quod Nuper announcing an extraordinary Holy Year as from April 2 next was read on January 15 last from the portico of St. Peter's. In previously authorising in his Throne Room the publication of this Bull, the Pope insisted that the forthcoming jubilee was to the highest degree extraordinary, as it commemorated the 19th centenary of the Redemption. The proclamation was a call for peace in the loftiest and vastest sense of the word, a call for the great peace of the whole world to which all the human race had been bidden. After the audience a procession of prelates at once went down to the portico of the Basilica, where the Bull was read by Monsignor Dante, pontifical master of ceremonies, from a special pulpit set up beside the central doorway. The Bull called to mind the great events of the year, the memory of which is about to be celebrated, from the institution of the Blessed Eucharist to the descent of the Holy Ghost on the Apostles, and the wonders which marked the first preaching of the Gospel. " In this jubilee year," the Bull proceeded, " let the faithful approach more frequently and with great devotion the sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist. Let them meditate piously in particular on Good Friday on the Passion of Our Lord, And as it is only in Rome that the jubilee indulgence can be gained, the Pope desires that the faithful should come in great numbers." The Bull also recorded the Pope s wish that during this year pilgrimages to the Holy Land should be more numerous, and that in the places where notable relics of the passion are preserved they should be venerated with special piety. A plenary indulgence is granted to all the faithful who after confession and Holy Communion shall visit three times each all the four major Basilicas of Rome and there recite the prescribed prayers. Between 200,000 and .300,000 pilgrims are expected to visit B omo in connection with the celebrations. _ No advantages will accrue to Roman Catholics in New Zealand unless they make a pilgrimage to as the privileges can be gained only _oy those who make that journey. Tho inception of the Holy Year was not marked by any celebration in Auckland churches. It is probable that next year the privileges will be extended to Roman Catholics all over the world and that the benefits will be available to all in their own localities.