Sunday, April 24, 2005
Installation Mass rundown
atican, Apr. 23 (CWNews.com) - The Vatican has offered a preview of the solemn Mass that will formally inaugurate the pontificate of Benedict XVI on Sunday, April 24.
Msgr. Crispino Valenziano, an official at the Vatican liturgical office, briefed reporters on the ceremonies that will be held in St. Peter's Square, before a congregation expected to number in the hundreds of thousands, including a large contingent of international dignitaries and representatives of other faiths. He explained that the ritual would be unfamiliar to most viewers and participants, not only because it has not been performed for nearly 27 years, but also because some changes have been made in the ceremony.
Before making his appearance in St. Peter's Square to begin the ceremony, Pope Benedict will visit the the Vatican basilica, to pray at the tomb of St. Peter, accompanied by the patriarchs of the Eastern churches and the cardinals. Then two deacons will take up a box containing the Fisherman's Ring and the pallium, which have been kept beside the tomb of the apostle.
The pallium-- the white woolen strip that is worn across the shoulders of all archbishops as a symbol of their authority-- will be longer than those ordinarily seen today, Msgr. Valenziano told reporters. The vestment to be used by Pope Benedict takes its dimensions-- a bit more than 4 inches wide, and over 8 feet long-- from the example found in the tomb of St. Martin of Tours. The pallium is decorated with five red crosses, referring to the five wounds of the crucified Jesus. Pope Benedict XVI will receive the pallium after the reading of the Gospel-- which will be done in Latin and in Greek, representing the two great traditions of the Church. He will be given the pallium by the senior cardinal-deacon, Cardinal Jorge Median Estevez, the same prelate who announced his election on April 19 from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica.
Next Cardinal Angelo Sodano (bio - news) will present the Pontiff with the Fisherman's Ring. (Cardinal Sodano will perform this ceremonial function in his capacity as the vice-dean of the College of Cardinals. There is no dean at the moment; that post was occupied by then-Cardinal Ratzinger.) In another slight break from tradition, Pope Benedict will wear this ring continually. In the past, the Fisherman's Ring has been used as a formal seal, to be used in marking official documents, while the Pontiffs have ordinarily worn their own episcopal rings.
In another new variation of the ceremony, the act of obedience to the new Pope will be performed not solely by the members of the College of Cardinals, but by three cardinals, representing the group. There will follow nine other people: a bishop, a priest, a deacon, two religious, a married couple, and two young people.
The Mass, beginning at 10, will last about two hours. At the conclusion, the new Pope will receive the diplomatic representatives and officials delegations attending the ceremony.
Msgr. Crispino Valenziano, an official at the Vatican liturgical office, briefed reporters on the ceremonies that will be held in St. Peter's Square, before a congregation expected to number in the hundreds of thousands, including a large contingent of international dignitaries and representatives of other faiths. He explained that the ritual would be unfamiliar to most viewers and participants, not only because it has not been performed for nearly 27 years, but also because some changes have been made in the ceremony.
Before making his appearance in St. Peter's Square to begin the ceremony, Pope Benedict will visit the the Vatican basilica, to pray at the tomb of St. Peter, accompanied by the patriarchs of the Eastern churches and the cardinals. Then two deacons will take up a box containing the Fisherman's Ring and the pallium, which have been kept beside the tomb of the apostle.
The pallium-- the white woolen strip that is worn across the shoulders of all archbishops as a symbol of their authority-- will be longer than those ordinarily seen today, Msgr. Valenziano told reporters. The vestment to be used by Pope Benedict takes its dimensions-- a bit more than 4 inches wide, and over 8 feet long-- from the example found in the tomb of St. Martin of Tours. The pallium is decorated with five red crosses, referring to the five wounds of the crucified Jesus. Pope Benedict XVI will receive the pallium after the reading of the Gospel-- which will be done in Latin and in Greek, representing the two great traditions of the Church. He will be given the pallium by the senior cardinal-deacon, Cardinal Jorge Median Estevez, the same prelate who announced his election on April 19 from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica.
Next Cardinal Angelo Sodano (bio - news) will present the Pontiff with the Fisherman's Ring. (Cardinal Sodano will perform this ceremonial function in his capacity as the vice-dean of the College of Cardinals. There is no dean at the moment; that post was occupied by then-Cardinal Ratzinger.) In another slight break from tradition, Pope Benedict will wear this ring continually. In the past, the Fisherman's Ring has been used as a formal seal, to be used in marking official documents, while the Pontiffs have ordinarily worn their own episcopal rings.
In another new variation of the ceremony, the act of obedience to the new Pope will be performed not solely by the members of the College of Cardinals, but by three cardinals, representing the group. There will follow nine other people: a bishop, a priest, a deacon, two religious, a married couple, and two young people.
The Mass, beginning at 10, will last about two hours. At the conclusion, the new Pope will receive the diplomatic representatives and officials delegations attending the ceremony.
