Holy Year of 1950

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Peter's Basilica erected over the hallowed grave of the first vicar of Christ on earth, is the setting for an inspiring series of religious functions in 1950.

Here since 1300 AD, the faithful have responded to the Jubilee or Holy Year call of the Holy Fathers, hastening to Rome truly penitent.

From every walk of life, from every quarter of the civilized world, they make their way to the Eternal City, spiritual world capital of the Catholic Church.

Along the historic Appian Way, young priests trapped the ancient flagstones, aware that before them countless millions have passed, saints, martyrs, infidels, the humble and the great, yes even St.

For this is a high road from Campania to Rome, constructed in 312 BC.

The tiny chapel of Covada stands on the spot where Christ appeared to St.

Peter to give him a renewed faith and courage to continue his divine mission and brave the threat of a martyr's death.

It is a tradition that this protected stone holds an impression of the Savior's feet.

As the Pilgrim of today enters Rome from the south, the crumbling walls of the Colosseum remind him of martyrs who here suffered for their faith that their sacrifices might turn the minds of men from darkness to light.

Then the lovely bell tower of the St.

Mary Major Basilica atop the Esquiline, noted for its striking mosaics.

Here one of the Holy Doors is seen.

Paul's Basilica outside the walls is situated as its name indicates beyond the walls of ancient Rome.

Once every year the reigning pontiff celebrates mass here in honor of the martyred apostle and within the Basilica is one of the Holy Doors.

Finally the Pilgrim visits St.

John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome, which also has one of the Holy Doors.

A momentous decade has passed since Eugenio Cardinal Pacelli became Pope Pius XII, a decade of war and world upheaval.

The shadow of impending events falls upon the colorful ceremonies of the coronation and sobers everyone in attendance from the lowliest of the faithful to members of the Italian royal family.

None who receives the papal blessing forgets this day and no one doubts that a storm of events may beat upon the fortress of the church but leave her in violet.

For here is enthroned a spiritual power that no godless philosophy may ever hope to vanquish.

Christmas Eve 1949 and Pope Pius XII surrounded by the hierarchy of the church inaugurates the Holy Year of 1950 by striking the Holy Door and intoning open unto me the gates of justice.

The choir responds I will go into them and praise the Lord.

Then the massive Holy Door is slowly lowered at the same instant the Holy Doors and the other three Basilicas are open.

As his entourage watches reverently his holiness will kneel for the Jubilee prayer in which he asks that the Holy Year be for all, a year of purification and reparation, a year of great return and great forgiveness.

His holiness is the first to enter the Holy Door of St.

Peter's but he will be followed by thousands of pilgrims of high and low degree during the year ushered in by this solemn ceremony.

They also will visit the other three Basilicas as required for the Jubilee indulgence.

Now more than ever before the pontiff's days are crowded.

Each morning a Vatican attendant prepares his private chapel for devotion.

Preparations are made for audiences in the beautiful Clementine room hung with priceless canvases by Raphael, Michelangelo and other Renaissance painters.

Now the spiritual leader of millions quietly enters the audience chamber with a democratic simplicity that puts everyone at ease.

Even non -Catholics who may be present cannot fail to be aware that there is about the person of this tall dignified man, something indefinable, something exalted.

People of all nations are received regardless of race or creed whether unknown or famous, rich or poor.

All may speak with the Holy Father, request his advice, ask him to pray for the sick and afflicted or the success of some worthy endeavor.

His holiness listens to each one and considers each problem with such attentiveness, compassion and fatherly kindness that one feels his burden lightened, his heart lifted and his soul attuned to a spiritual eminence.

And this is a great boon to the pilgrim, leaving him with a deeper sense of the great purpose of the pilgrimage, to receive the extraordinary plenary indulgence granted by the Holy Father to all being truly repentant, confessing their sins, receiving Holy Communion, then visiting the four basilicas and meeting other Holy Year requirements.

And now the audience completed, the Pope reassumes the majesty of his office and bestows his benediction on the gathering.

At some time every day the pontiff retires to work in seclusion, allowing himself only the brief relaxation of a short stroll in the Vatican gardens.

Here his white silhouette seems to add to the peace and serenity around him.

The first large group of American pilgrims arrives in Rome and enters St.

Peter's, led by Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York.

Each American bishop will lead his followers to the Holy Doors and kneel in prayer before passing through the portals.

Marking the solemnity of the occasion, Holy Mass is celebrated by his eminence Cardinal Spellman, a vast church thronged with worshippers, including more than 500 Americans who have made the pilgrimage with their archbishop.

Peter's is thronged with pilgrims on the occasion of every ceremony of the Jubilee year when his holiness is majestically carried aloft in the city of Justatoria, surrounded by the Swiss guards in their Michelangelo designed uniforms, together with high prelates, priests and Vatican attendants.

Later his holiness receives Cardinal Spellman, Prince of the Church and warm personal friend.

The emotional peak of the pilgrimage comes when the faithful kiss the papal ring, and the devout will pray at hallowed shrines for the Jubilee indulgence as they have prayed through the centuries to gain peace of mind and soul, to renew strength of faith with divine grace, and then to return to their homes thankful for the privileges of the holy year of 1950.

Identifier

F.2012-03-0001

Date Of Production

1950

Abstract

This documentary explores the Catholic celebration of renewal of faith in the Jubilee Year 1950, led by Pope Pius XII and features the four major basilicas of Rome - St. Peter, St. Mary Major, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. John Lateran.

Description

Pilgrims walk on the Appian Way to Rome. Along the Appian Way, the film shows the Chapel of Domine Quo Vadis where Jesus appeared to Peter as he was fleeing Rome, and Peter returned to Rome to experience his martyrdom. Footprints at this Chapel commemorate Jesus' appearance to Peter.

Pope Pius XII initiates the Jubilee Year on December 24, 1949. He opens the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica to commence the Holy Year. His private chapel is shown. The Clementine Room, holding works of art, is viewed. The Pope meets individually with people, and they are encouraged to pass through the Holy Doors at all four Basilicas during the Holy Year, as well as meet other requirements to obtain a plenary indulgence. The Pope is briefly seen walking in his garden. The film concludes with footage of Mass held at St. Peter's Basilica led by Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York. During these proceedings, the Swiss Guard notably don uniforms designed by Michelangelo and Pope Pius XII personally meets with Francis Cardinal Spellman.

Run Time

0:08:43

Format

16mm

Extent

300 feet

Color

B&W

Sound

Optical

Reel/Tape Number

1/1

Has Been Digitized?

Yes

Language Of Materials

English

Element

Print

Genre

Documentary

Form

Television specials

Subject

Religions
Religious services
Christianity
Historic sites
History

Related Collections

SERIES II: Collected Films

Related Places

Europe ➜ Italy ➜ Rome

Main Credits

Castle Films (is production company)

United World Films (is production company)

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