In the afternoon of palm-sunday, the Cardinal great Penitentiary
goes in state to S. John Lateran's. He is met, before he enters
their college, by the minor penitentiaries, who at this basilic are
Franciscans, _minori osservanti_. Having sprinkled those present with
holy water, he goes up to their private oratory[44] in the Lateran
palace, whither he is escorted by the prelates and other ministers of
the apostolic _Penitenzieria_. After a short prayer, he proceeds to
the library, where he holds the _Segnatura_ or tribunal for signing
documents relating to his office, and afterwards enters the basilic of
St. John Lateran's, where he is received by four canons. Here seated
at his tribunal of penance, he touches with his rod the heads of the
prelates, ministers and others who approach to him; and for this
act of humiliation they receive an indulgence, or remission of the
canonical penance, of 100 days. He also hears the confessions of
any persons who may choose to present themselves: but the solution
of difficult cases and absolution from crimes reserved to his
jurisdiction may be obtained without confessing to his Eminence on
so public an occasion[45].

The ceremonies, which we have described, are designed to honour
our divine Redeemer, whose actions and sufferings are thereby
commemorated, and at the same time to excite sentiments of devotion
in the hearts of His servants. Here ought the catholic to exercise
faith, hope, love, and contrition for his sins: and _all_, of whatever
country or creed they may be, who are admitted with hospitality and
liberality to witness the solemn and imposing service, if they do not
feel such noble sentiments, ought at least to observe that external
decorum, which the season, the place, the hierarchy, and above all the
commemoration of the sufferings of the God of charity will dictate to