Show l t CLOSING OF THE CENTURY How Roman Catholics Will Observe the Ceremonial I V New York Dec 18 Official Instruction t Instruc-tion has been received here from Rome detailing how Roman Catholics are to observe the ceremonial closing of the year and the century on the night of December 31st It Is issued by Cardinal Cardi-nal Cretonl prefect of the sacred congregation con-gregation of Indulgence and rites and signed also by Archbishop Sogaro secretary sec-retary of the congregation The decree Is from the Pope and Is addressed to all the world Now that the present age Is drawIng draw-Ing to a close and a new one Is about to begin It Is highly I proper that all who have been redeemed by him In every part of the world should be solemnly sol-emnly consecrated to the King of Ages Jesus Christ In order that this gratitude may be shown for the special I spe-cial favors from Him In the past What our holy lather granted p tear t-ear ago by anticipation he also permits per-mits by the same decree of the sacred congregation of riles viz That at midnight which ushers In the January of the year 1901 the most august sacrament of the Eucharist may be exposed for adoration In rhurches and chapels and that In Its l presence one mass of the feast of Clr cumclslon of Our Lord and the Octave of the Nativity may be read or sung and that morcovei the faithful by special privilege receive holy c6mmu nion cither during or outside of the mass While thinking of some new means of Increasing the piety of the faithful In connection with an event so solemn the holy father learned that many prelates anxiously desire that the faithful of Christ mocd by an eagerness eager-ness to participate In the rich treasury of o spiritual Indulgences should everywhere every-where be Invited to come and adore the most blessed Eunharlst As this was In most perfect accord with his own wishes the holy father has benignly granted that a plenary Indulgence may be gained by all the faithful of Christ who having properly approached tho sacraments of penance and received holy C9mmunion in a church or chapel where the most holy Eucharist Is reserved shall spend any full hour they please between midnight of December 31st and the noon of January Jan-uary 1st before the most august sacrament sacra-ment opposed to public adoration and shall moreover offer prayers to God for the Intentions for his Holiness |