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Coronation of the Virgin

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Coronel, Gregor Nunez

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is a ceremony performed annually at Rome, in which the pope takes a conspicuous part. An image of the Virgin Mary is arrayed in velvet or satin, adorned with silver and gold, and trimmed with the most costly lace. It is gorgeously decked with necklaces and earrings, and bracelets of precious stones. At the appointed time this figure is placed on an altar, in a church hung round with tapestry and brilliantly lighted. In the presence of immense crowds a service is performed, after which the priests approach the image and crown it. In the course of these ceremonies the priests burn incense before the figure, bow down before it, and mutter prayers to the Virgin. In many respects these ceremonies resemble those followed by the ancient Romans in crowning the statues of their heathen gods. See Seymour, Pilgrimage to Rome.