[Footnote 70:  They are formed of peacocks’ feathers, the eyes of which according to Macri and others signify the vigilance and circumspection of the Pontiffs.  They are mentioned in the apostolic constitutions, in which it is prescribed, that two deacons should hold, them in order to drive away flies, which might otherwise fall into the chalice.  Accordingly, at the ordination of the deacons in the Greek church, among other instruments a Flabellum is given to them for their ministry at the altar:  this S. Anastasius is said to have used while a deacon.  Flabella are mentioned in the liturgies of SS.  Basil, Chrisostom, and other Greek and Syriac liturgies, Flabella are in the Latin church a mark of distinction, and are carried for the Grand Prior of the knights of Malta the bishop of Troja in Aquila, and the archbishop of Messina, as well as for His Holiness.]

[Footnote 71:  Since the time of Clement XIV, the custom of reading from the loggia on this day the bull in Coena Domini has been abolished. (On this bull see de Maistre du Pape lib. 2, c. 14).  According to the doctrine of S. Paul, the B. Sacrament is the bond as it is the symbol of union or communion between the faithful; “We being many are one body, all who partake of one bread” 1 Cor.  X, 17, and hence this day of its institution was selected for the public excommunication of those, who reject the doctrines of the church, or maliciously oppose her ordinances.  After the bull had been read “many candles are lighted, of which the Lord Pope himself holds some, and each cardinal and prelate one lighted, and he extinguishes and throws them on the ground, saying, we excommunicate all the aforesaid; and then the bells are rung together without observing any order”.  Ap.  Gatticuin, Acta Cerem. 82.  These ceremonies are interpreted to mean the extinction of the grace of the holy Ghost; and the dispersion of unbelievers, as on the contrary the regular and orderly ringing of bells calls the faithful together.]

[Footnote 72:  It is supported by the subdeacon habited in the tunic or tonacella.]

[Footnote 73:  John the deacon, in his life of Gregory the great, mentions the Sacellarius or Treasurer (see Thomassin lib. 2. c. 103, n. 11), whom that holy Pope commanded according to custom to invite the twelve pilgrims to dinner.  Besides the gifts mentioned above, the white dress is given to these apostles, who are chosen by some Cardinals, Ambassadors, the Propaganda, the Maggiordomo, and the captain of the Swiss guards.]

[Footnote 74:  The water is brought to him by the Prince assisting at the throne, and the towel is presented by the first Cardinal Priest.  When the Pope is prevented from performing this ceremony, the Cardinal Dean supplies his place in presence of the sacred college (Lunadoro).  In that case the gospel is sung, not by a cardinal, but by the prelate who is deacon of the cappella.  Formerly, according to the MS. Pontifical of the Apamean church written in 1214, Vespers were sung by the Pope’s chaplains, while he washed the feet of twelve subdeacons.]