]
[Footnote 71: Since the time of Clement XIV, the custom of reading
from the _loggia_ on this day the bull in _Coena Domini_ has been
abolished. (On this bull see de Maistre du Pape lib. 2, c. 14).
According to the doctrine of S. Paul, the B. Sacrament is the bond
as it is the symbol of union or _communion_ between the faithful; "We
being many are one body, all who partake of one bread" 1 Cor. X, 17,
and hence this day of its institution was selected for the public
_excommunication_ of those, who reject the doctrines of the church, or
maliciously oppose her ordinances. After the bull had been read "many
candles are lighted, of which the Lord Pope himself holds some, and
each cardinal and prelate one lighted, and he extinguishes and throws
them on the ground, saying, we excommunicate all the aforesaid; and
then the bells are rung together without observing any order". Ap.
Gatticuin, Acta Cerem. 82. These ceremonies are interpreted to mean
the _extinction of the grace_ of the holy Ghost; and the dispersion
of unbelievers, as on the contrary the regular and orderly ringing of
bells calls the faithful together.]
[Footnote 72: It is supported by the subdeacon habited in the tunic or
_tonacella_.]
[Footnote 73: John the deacon, in his life of Gregory the great,
mentions the _Sacellarius_ or Treasurer (see Thomassin lib. 2. c. 103,
n. 11), whom that holy Pope commanded according to custom to invite
the twelve pilgrims to dinner.
Pages:
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102