consists of twenty-eight marble steps, which, it is supposed, our Lord
came down after his mock coronation in the judgment-hall of Pilate.
The blood from his bleeding brow marked certain of the steps, and
these are kissed by the ascending faithful, the knees of whom so wore
away the marble that it is now covered with a wooden staircase, in
which through slits the marble is seen. They are said to have been
brought from Jerusalem (where it formed the stairs to Pilate's house)
by the mother of Constantine. By ascending these stairs on the knees,
a thousand years' indulgence is secured to those who believe it.
Dickens said, "The sight was ridiculous in the absurd incidents
inseparable from it--to see one man with an umbrella unlawfully hoist
himself with it from stair to stair, and a demure old lady of
fifty-five, looking back every now and then to assure herself that her
legs were properly disposed." On the feast of the Assumption, the
sacred picture "Acheirotopeton" (made without hands) is exposed to
view. This picture is said to have been drawn in outline by S. Luke,
and before he commenced to fill the colours in, it was found finished
by invisible hands.
[Illustration: THE SCALA SANTA.]
From the front of the church a charming prospect of the Campagna is
obtained.
To the right of the stairs is the Kiss of Judas; on the left, Ecce
Homo, by Giacometti. At the left of the hall, Christ Bound to the
Pillar, _opposite_ Pius IX.
Martin Luther had made the ascent half-way, when he suddenly stood up,
turned about, and walked down. He said that a voice had whispered to
him, "The just shall live by faith." The Sancta Sanctorum at the top
is only open to the Pope, who alone can officiate, and on the day
before Palm Sunday to the canons of the Lateran for adoration. The
stairs can only be ascended on the knees. _Behind is_