Then returning to the
chapel they assist the Card. Celebrant to put on his white vestments
at his _faldistorio_. The candles are now lighted (at the _Agnus Dei_
of the litany, as the Sacramentary of S. Gregory and the Ordo Romanus
prescribe); the purple veil which covered the throne and the purple
_paliotto_ or facing of the altar are removed; and both appear decked
in white. The Cardinals assisted by theirs _caudatarii_ take off
their purple _cappe_, and put on others of scarlet brought in by their
respective _camerieri_. The reason of this sudden change from mourning
to rejoicing we have already seen: the celebration of Christ's
resurrection from the dead is celebrated by anticipation.
[Sidenote: High mass.]
At the end of the litanies, the Pope (if His Holiness were not present
at the preceding ceremonies) enters the chapel, wearing a white
cope and a mitre; at the foot of the altar he repeals as usual the
beginning of the mass with the Card. Celebrant at His left hand: in
the meantime the choir sings solemnly the _Kyrie eleison_ etc. (as
there is no _Introit_ of the Mass, because the people were assembled
in the church previously): the Pope goes to His throne, and receives
the usual _ubbidienza_; and the other customary ceremonies of high
mass in the papal chapel take place (see p. 19 and foll.) with such
exceptions as we shall now mention. As soon as the Celebrant commences
the _Gloria in excelsis_, the veil is removed from the tapestry over
the altar; which represents Christ rising from the dead[123], the
cannons of S.
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