[Sidenote: Papal benediction: _flabelli_.]
[Sidenote: Bulla in Coena Domina.]
The procession, of which we have already spoken, afterwards proceeds
from the Pauline chapel to the _loggia_ in front of S. Peter's: but
the Pope, as he no longer carries the B. Sacrament, wears his mitre,
and is seated in his _sedia gestatoria_ under a canopy carried by
eight Referendarii[69]; and the _flabelli_[70] are carried at each
side of Him. He now gives his solemn benediction to the multitude
assembled before St. Peter's. This however is repeated with even
greater splendour on Easter-Sunday, as well as on the Ascension and
Assumption; and we shall therefore reserve a description of it to
another occasion, especially since generally speaking, persons who are
anxious to witness the _lavanda_ or washing of the feet will find it
difficult to be present also at the Benediction[71].
[Sidenote: Washing of the feet.]
After the benediction, the cardinals and others take off their sacred
vestments, and resume their _cappe_, which they wear during the
_lavanda_ or washing of the feet. This now takes place in S. Peters,
in a side-chapel adorned with two _arazzi_; one representing Leonardo
Da Vinci's last supper is placed behind the benches prepared for the
priests whose feet are to be washed by the Pope: and the other, which
represents Providence seated on the globe between Justice and Charity,
above two lions holding banners of the church, is placed over the
throne.
Pages:
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86