It has taken
place in the Pauline chapel ever since its erection by Paul III. A
particle of the B. Sacrament was formerly preserved after mass on
festivals and carried back in procession to the sacristy: it was
carried to the altar in procession on the next festival, and a portion
or the whole of it was put into the chalice before the host was
broken. See Cancellieri, De Secretariis T. I, p. 217, seq.]
[Footnote 69: These prelates used to refer cases and petitions to the
Popes, as they now do the former to their tribunal, which according to
Gonzalez derives its name of _Segnatura_ from the _signature_ of the
sovereign affixed to its decree.]
[Footnote 70: They are formed of peacocks' feathers, the eyes of which
according to Macri and others signify the vigilance and circumspection
of the Pontiffs. They are mentioned in the apostolic constitutions, in
which it is prescribed, that two deacons should hold, them in order
to drive away flies, which might otherwise fall into the chalice.
Accordingly, at the ordination of the deacons in the Greek church,
among other instruments a Flabellum is given to them for their
ministry at the altar: this S. Anastasius is said to have used while
a deacon. Flabella are mentioned in the liturgies of SS. Basil,
Chrisostom, and other Greek and Syriac liturgies, Flabella are in
the Latin church a mark of distinction, and are carried for the Grand
Prior of the knights of Malta the bishop of Troja in Aquila, and the
archbishop of Messina, as well as for His Holiness.
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