"They were
proceeding" (says Livy lib. V, c. XXII) "along the way which passes
over the Sublician bridge, when they were met on the declivity by L.
Albinus a plebeian, who was fleeing with his wife and children in
a _plaustrum_ or cart: he and his family immediately alighted: then
placing in the cart the virgins and sacred things he accompanied them
to Caere where they were received with hospitality and respect". Hence
(says Valerius Maximus lib. I, c. 1.) "sacred things were called
ceremonies, because the inhabitants of _Caere_ revered them when the
republic was broken, as readily as when it flourished". Thus is the
word ceremony associated at once with the devotion of Albinus, with
the Gaulish invasion of the Capitol, and with Caere, one of the twelve
cities of Etruria, now called Cervetri or Caere vetus[1]. The Pagan
Romans derived their religious rites from Etruria, and in particular
from Caere on account of its proximity to Rome: this may be another
reason for the adoption of the term _ceremony_, which was afterwards
applied to the rites of all religions[2].
[Sidenote: Object of ceremonies.]
But what, it may be asked by many, is the use of ceremonies? I shall
answer in the words of the council of Trent. "Since the nature of man
is such, that he cannot easily without exterior helps be raised to
the meditation of divine things, the church as a pious mother has
instituted certain rites, namely, that some things in the mass should
be pronounced in a low voice and others aloud; she has also used
ceremonies, as mystical benedictions, lights, incense, vestments,
and many other things of that kind, from apostolical tradition and
discipline, in order that the majesty of so great a sacrifice might
be displayed, and the minds of the faithful might be excited by these
visible signs of religion and piety to the contemplation of those
sublime things which are concealed in this sacrifice".
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