NOVENDIALES. - These are the obsequies of the supreme pontiffs, celebrated over nine days in the Vatican Basilica by the Sacred College and the entire Curia. These nine days of obsequies were definitively regulated by the constitution In eligendis of Pius IV of 9 October 1562 (Bullarium Romanum, VII, Turin 1862, p. 231 ff.).
The cardinals, before shutting themselves in conclave, must celebrate the obsequies of the deceased pontiff, without postponing them on any pretext. The catafalque is guarded by the Noble Guards in full dress with black veils across the shoulder and on the squadron; and by 20 white wax torches, six of which stand outside the chapel, while on the altar six other torches burn. The cardinals go to these obsequies in violet cassock, sash, rochet and mozzetta of the same color. The cardinals' train-bearers attend in cappa. All the ecclesiastics who have a place in the chapel attend in purple cappa, with silk garments and black stockings, which is the dress they must wear sede vacante. All this prelature, on entering the chapel, genuflects not only to the altar, but also to both sides, where the cardinals are arranged, since the pope to be elected may be among them.
On the first day of the n. (when the corpse of the deceased pontiff has been transported to St. Peter's, into the chapel of the Sacrament, and the people go to kiss his foot for the last time), the cardinal dean sings the Mass; on the following days the other suburbicarian cardinal bishops, and on the last three, cardinal priests. On the evening of the third day of the n., the cardinals created by the deceased pontiff proceed to the burial of his corpse. On the seventh day of the n. begin the five pontifical absolutions, prescribed by the Roman Orders, which are performed around the great catafalque. On the last day of the n., after the Mass, the funeral oration in praise of the deceased pope is delivered, in Latin, by a prelate chosen by the Sacred College in the 1st General Congregation. After the oration the final absolution is given.
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Guglielmo Felici