VIDEO: Two Popes Meet! {Update 4}

{This post has been updated, and may get updated as more information is released}

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UPDATE 1

Benedict XVI and Pope Francis met for 45 minutes .... alone. That is, no one else alone, not even their secretaries.

From VIS News (emphasis mine in bold)

Vatican City, 23 March 2013 (VIS) – Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., director of the Holy See Press Office, called this afternoon's encounter between Pope Francis and the Bishop emeritus of Rome Benedict XVI “a moment of profound communion”. Although live coverage of the historic event was not provided, recorded images of the two praying together and sitting in the library of the Castel Gandolfo Apostolic Palace has been made available. (An official photo will be published on the VIS blogsite at: http://www.visnews-en.blogspot.it/ when it becomes available.) Following are the notes Fr. Lombardi made of the historic event.

The Holy Father's helicopter landed at the heliport of Castel Gandolfo at 12:15pm and the Pope emeritus' car approached the landing site. Accompanying the Holy Father were: Archbishop Giovanni Angelo Becciu, substitute of the Secretariat of State; Msgr. Leonardo Sapienza, S.C.I., regent of the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household; and Msgr. Alfred Xuereb.

As soon as the Holy Father alighted, the Pope emeritus approached him and the two embraced. After briefly greeting the others present—Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano, Italy, and Dr. Saverio Petrillo, director of the Pontifical Villas—they got into the car to take them to the Apostolic Palace. Pope Francis took the right-hand seat, traditionally reserved for the Pope, while the Pope emeritus took the left-hand seat. Aboard the same car was also Archbishop Georg Ganswein, prefect of the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household.

The car then brought them to the elevators of the Apostolic Palace and the two protagonists of the historic meeting ascended to the papal apartments where they went straight to the chapel for a moment of prayer. In the chapel, the Pope emeritus offered the place of honour to Pope Francis, who instead responded “We are brothers” and wanted them to share the same kneeler.

After a short time of prayer they went to the apartments' library where their private meeting began around 12:30pm. It is the library where the Pope normally receives important guests at Castel Gandolfo. Their meeting lasted around 45 minutes. Pope Francis had brought a beautiful icon as a gift to the Pope emeritus.

Regarding clothing, as previously noted, the Pope emeritus wears a simple white cassock without the fascia (sash) or shoulder cape, the two details that distinguish it from Pope Francis' clothing. The completely private and confidential portion of the meeting was restricted to the library as the two secretaries, Archbishop Ganswein and Msgr. Xuereb, were expected to attend the lunch. The Pope emeritus plans to drive with the Pope to Castel Gandolfo's heliport before they take their leave of one another.

It should be noted that, although this is the first time they meet face-to-face, Pope Francis has already called the Pope emeritus to mind many times: at his first appearance at the external Loggia of the Hall of Blessings of the Vatican Basilica on the evening of his election and with two phone calls—the first that same night and the second on the Feast of St. Joseph, to send his well wishes on the Pope emeritus' saint's day. Their dialogue, therefore, had already begun before this physical meeting. Recall also that the Pope emeritus had already expressed his unconditional reverence and obedience to his successor at his final meeting with the cardinals on the last day of his pontificate, 28 March. This encounter, then—a moment of elevated and deep communion—was a chance to renew his profession of reverence and obedience. Certainly Pope Francis renewed his gratitude, and that of the whole Church, for Pope Benedict's ministry during his pontificate.

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UPDATE 2

In this photo, Pope Francis is giving to Benedict XVI an icon of Our Lady of Humility in honor if his humility.

I've said so many times before that I believe Benedict XVI will some day be named a doctor of the Church.  I also believe these two men will be in contact.  I'm sure each appreciates the unique gifts bestowed on the other by God.  I wouldn't be surprised to learn some years from now that Pope Francis consulted Benedict XVI, not as Pope Emeritus, but as the great theologian that he is.

According to the EWTN catalogue where one is sold (not sure if it is the same image, so if someone has a better explanation of this specific icon, please drop me a message in the com-box or at TeDeumBlog (at) gmail (dot) com:

This image of Our Blessed Mother comes from the Russian Orthodox tradition where it is called Our Lady of Extreme Humility. Mary is known for her tenderness and humility because she accepted God's will for her life even though she knew it would cause her pain. In Western traditions, we often call this image Our Lady of Sorrows.

I love icons.  I don't know what draws me to them - perhaps God's grace.

UPDATE 5: See the amazing story behind the specific icon given by Pope Francis to Benedict XVI

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UPDATE 3

From Vatican Radio's report: "We are Brothers"

(Vatican Radio) Expectations were high among the thousands of people who huddled into Castel Gandolfo’s tiny Freedom Square Saturday morning. The families, religious and teenagers gathered there had hoped to catch a glimpse of the momentous encounter between Pope Francis and Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus. Emer McCarthy reports: But they were destined to be disappointed. The event was, as it was always meant to be, a private moment of “profound and elevated communion” between the past and present Pope. The crowds, joined by a surprisingly large number of journalists, had gathered early in the morning, well before Pope Francis’ departure from Vatican City State at noon. As his helicopter circled twice above the Square they began chanting his name and that of his predecessor who has been in residence at the Pontifical Villas since February 28th .

Also, from La Stampa's English Edition - Vatican Insider.... a commentary and some explanations.

Ratzinger-Bergoglio lunch:"A constructive meeting. It would be wrong to draw comparisons" 

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UPDATE 4

Here is another video.  It has some of the same things the first one above has, but some other things, or different angles.

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Something to think about...

 

One last note...

Dr. Robert Moynihan of Inside the Vatican Magazine has been having some excellent coverage of all things papal.  He has an e-letter I've subscribed to for a few years, but he is now finally posting them daily at a website made for this purpose.  Check it out, and if you prefer daily emails, you can subscribe there.  I know he will have a detailed post about this meeting, so keep checking his homepage.

http://themoynihanletters.com

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
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Pope Francis: There is no true peace without truth!

From the Holy Father's meeting with the diplomatic corp today.

ALESSANDRO BIANCHI/REUTERS/LANDOV

As you know, there are various reasons why I chose the name of Francis of Assisi, a familiar figure far beyond the borders of Italy and Europe, even among those who do not profess the Catholic faith. One of the first reasons was Francis’ love for the poor. How many poor people there still are in the world! And what great suffering they have to endure! After the example of Francis of Assisi, the Church in every corner of the globe has always tried to care for and look after those who suffer from want, and I think that in many of your countries you can attest to the generous activity of Christians who dedicate themselves to helping the sick, orphans, the homeless and all the marginalized, thus striving to make society more humane and more just. 

But there is another form of poverty! It is the spiritual poverty of our time, which afflicts the so-called richer countries particularly seriously. It is what my much-loved predecessor, Benedict XVI, called the "tyranny of relativism", which makes everyone his own criterion and endangers the coexistence of peoples. And that brings me to a second reason for my name. Francis of Assisi tells us we should work to build peace. But there is no true peace without truth! There cannot be true peace if everyone is his own criterion, if everyone can always claim exclusively his own rights, without at the same time caring for the good of others, of everyone, on the basis of the nature that unites every human being on this earth.

Read the full speech here.  He touches on several other things worth reading.

Also, Dr. Robert Moynihan has some additional background on this that may be of interest. 

I remember well that pre-conclave homily of then Cardinal Ratzinger in 2005 where he talked about the "dictatorship of relativism" (as it had been translated for us).  This chased me right out of a nominal Catholic state, and was partly what led me to Assumption Grotto the following month.  Here is the relevant text Pope Francis is talking about, but I offer a bit of a lead-in.  This is all snipped from mid-homily. 

Christ's mercy is not a grace that comes cheap, nor does it imply the trivialization of evil. Christ carries the full weight of evil and all its destructive force in his body and in his soul. He burns and transforms evil in suffering, in the fire of his suffering love. The day of vindication and the year of favour converge in the Paschal Mystery, in the dead and Risen Christ. This is the vengeance of God: he himself suffers for us, in the person of his Son. The more deeply stirred we are by the Lord's mercy, the greater the solidarity we feel with his suffering - and we become willing to complete in our own flesh "what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ" (Col 1: 24). 

Let us move on to the second reading, the letter to the Ephesians. Here we see essentially three aspects: first of all, the ministries and charisms in the Church as gifts of the Lord who rose and ascended into heaven; then, the maturing of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God as the condition and content of unity in the Body of Christ; and lastly, our common participation in the growth of the Body of Christ, that is, the transformation of the world into communion with the Lord. 

Let us dwell on only two points. The first is the journey towards "the maturity of Christ", as the Italian text says, simplifying it slightly. More precisely, in accordance with the Greek text, we should speak of the "measure of the fullness of Christ" that we are called to attain if we are to be true adults in the faith. We must not remain children in faith, in the condition of minors. And what does it mean to be children in faith? St Paul answers: it means being "tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine" (Eph 4: 14). This description is very timely! 

How many winds of doctrine have we known in recent decades, how many ideological currents, how many ways of thinking. The small boat of the thought of many Christians has often been tossed about by these waves - flung from one extreme to another: from Marxism to liberalism, even to libertinism; from collectivism to radical individualism; from atheism to a vague religious mysticism; from agnosticism to syncretism and so forth. Every day new sects spring up, and what St Paul says about human deception and the trickery that strives to entice people into error (cf. Eph 4: 14) comes true. 

Today, having a clear faith based on the Creed of the Church is often labeled as fundamentalism. Whereas relativism, that is, letting oneself be "tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine", seems the only attitude that can cope with modern times. We are building a dictatorship of relativism that does not recognize anything as definitive and whose ultimate goal consists solely of one's own ego and desires. 

We, however, have a different goal: the Son of God, the true man. He is the measure of true humanism. An "adult" faith is not a faith that follows the trends of fashion and the latest novelty; a mature adult faith is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ. It is this friendship that opens us up to all that is good and gives us a criterion by which to distinguish the true from the false, and deceipt from truth. 

We must develop this adult faith; we must guide the flock of Christ to this faith. And it is this faith - only faith - that creates unity and is fulfilled in love.

Continue reading full homily

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
- Diane M. Korzeniewski

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Post Revision: See Note...

Dear Friends:

The post I made about Holy Thursday last week has been set aside (preserved; not deleted) because, while it had some legitimate considerations on foot-washing intended merely for discussion, I was concerned it could lead some to have animosity towards the Holy Father. I would feel responsible for this, so I'm just acting on my conscience. There was some imprudence on my part in how I wrote it, and I feared those things might fan the flames of distrust, anxiety, suspicion, and fear of this Holy Father for some who are really struggling with the election.   He is not Benedict XVI and the Pope Emeritus is not Pope Francis. Each is unique; each brings different gifts. Each new pope will bring change, some of which will be comforting, some of which will not be. Right now, I would not want to be in the shoes of Pope Francis whether they are red, black, brown or purple with green polka-dots. He can't take a breath without someone doing a critical analysis.

Also, I later learned that my headline led some to believe I was suggesting Pope Francis was causing a wound in the priesthood by going to a detention center to celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper. Of course, the body of my post made clear that was not what was meant, but I did not want to draw people to the post with a headline that was misleading, unintentional as it was.

There are some things from that post that are well worth extracting and using in another, future post. My discussion of St. John Cafasso, and on the priesthood in general, are examples. If I discuss the subject of foot-washing again, it will not be in the context of any specific persons or events.

Some felt I was being publicly critical of the Holy Father; others did not. Some of you voiced these opinions in the comment box; others through private messages.

In the end, no one suggested that I take the post down. I decided on this course through prayerful reflection.  Watching the Palm Sunday Mass, twice, pretty much sealed it for me. If my post could be taken as a criticism of Pope Francis by anyone, then I would rather it not exist.

I have many more thoughts about Pope Francis brought on, especially watching him at the Palm Sunday Mass and hearing him speak in recent days, but they are best conveyed in a new post. I will wait until after Easter in order to focus on Holy Week. I'm sure he will give me even more to reflect on.

And, yeah - I plan on watching the Pope during Holy Week, just as I have in prior years. My DVR will be set.

Tu es Petra!

 ****COMMENTS HAVE BEEN TURNED OFF****

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
- Diane M. Korzeniewski

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Wounded Traditionalists and the Liturgies of Pope Francis

I think there is a story behind this specific chasuble and mitre Pope Francis likes to wear.
It's not brocade, but it's also not tie-dyed. It's simple, but not distracting. 

I want to preface this post by saying that traditionalists cannot be broad-brushed with one stroke.  I have found, in my eight years at Assumption Grotto in Detroit and following traditionalist blogs and websites, that only a small segment are what we might call "cranks." They are often the most vocal in some blog comment boxes. Keep in mind there is a silent majority and the outspoken often do not adequately represent a single group or class of people.  It has nothing to do with age either because I see it represented in most age groups.

Years ago, I was a crank myself for a period of time, but it wasn't to last long thanks to some very good priests at Assumption Grotto, also of a traditional bent, who would not allow me to remain there.  Sacramental Confession was very helpful during that period.  My own anger and crabbiness came from feeling wounded over the fact that the church of my youth had given me religious junk food, and some of it was spoiled, at that. The realization came that hell was real and they nearly led me there through neglect of my eternal salvation with too much concern for my self-esteem and little regard for my soul. The "feel good religion" they gave me showed little concern for pleasing God, above all others.  It was steeped with false charity.

With time, and lots of prayer, especially Adoration and the Rosary, I came to realize that a lot of good people passed off bad stuff, because someone else they trusted, gave it to them.  Good men who entered seminary and became priests were subjected to strange teachings that, if they didn't somehow embrace, they weren't getting ordained. Some transitioned out of this as soon as they were ordained; others transitioned later.  Sadly, some are still stuck there. Pray for them.

People today don't consider that when Vatican II was promulgated, there was no internet to verify that what some were bringing back from Rome was legitimate, like the priest turning towards the people, jack-hammering out altar rails, and ushering in folk bands, and Communion in the hand. The "spirit of Vatican II" was peddling all kinds of things that were no where to be found in the documents of Vatican II while eliminating things that those documents specified as having pride of place, like Gregorian chant, and retaining some Latin.  Years went by and some priests and lay people got so accustomed to what they were told was from Vatican II, they reject even the plain words of the Council documents still today.

What came next can happen as someone breaks free from anger about something, which serves only as a boat anchor: I would get angry at other wounded, crabby traditionalists rather than just walk away and pray for them (trying to talk to them when upset can be like throwing fuel on a fire).  They have suffered much and I know some of the pain because I felt it.

With the election of Pope Francis, a small segment of traditionalists has been up in arms because the new pope does not have the same taste for tradition (as in, small-t). Some lament that he isn't wearing the red shoes or choosing brocade vestments and doesn't seem to "dress-up" for the more solemn events, opting for his simple chasuble and mitre used in Argentina (someone should ask him if there is something special about that chasuble and mitre - maybe it was given to him by someone close). They complain that he stands while preaching rather than sitting at the throne. There are many other things I could mention that this segment of traditionalists is upset about, but suffice it to say that I think many are confusing small-t tradition with Tradition, doctrine, and dogma.


I too was concerned and went through a range of emotions as I watched the Holy Father do things different than Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI - a man that I believe will some day be declared a doctor of the Church.  It came as kind of a shock to me because I was accustomed to the image of pope given to us by the predecessor of Pope Francis.  But I am also shocked to see a spring in the steps of the pope - something to which I was not accustomed given age and frailty of Benedict XVI (and I recall feeling the same way when Pope John Paul II died and he took over).

Of the things that flowed through my mind in the days after his election was that some seminaries, which have been including provisions to teach seminarians how to celebrate using the 1962 Missal, may shelve such plans under this pope.  But, this remains to be seen.  There is much to learn from the older form of the Mass that can help with a proper celebration of the new and Summorum Pontificum remains in effect.  Priests need to be able to accommodate those who request it. And, I might add, many seminarians have expressed a desire to learn it and not just those of a traditional bent.

Sometimes we make the mistake of associating smells and bells with orthodoxy when a seemingly traditional priest or bishop may actually be lacking in it. The opposite can also be true, where we find a very orthodox priest who has simple tastes for vestments much like Pope Francis.

You might find a video floating around of then Card. Bergoglio celebrating a Mass in a stadium with youth.  I don't want to link to it. There are liturgical dancers in the foreground and balloons being released in the background.  That video appeared within minutes of him being named.  I lamented a return to this kind of thing in papal Masses just when Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI seemed to tone them down in favor of a more reserved and reverent atmosphere.  I myself think it is too premature to presume that papal liturgies will include such liturgical abuses going forward.  Everything I've seen of Pope Francis when celebrating the Mass, even in that video, reveals a man deeply devoted to Our Eucharistic Lord despite what is going on around him.  I am really beginning to wonder if he was as surprised to find those things at that Mass as we were to watch them.  Like we say with stocks, "past performance is not guarantee of future results."

For the record, I personally am at peace with the hope that the traditionalist movement is a grass-roots movement.  As others are pointing out, it's very possible that God wants to make sure it is augmented with applying the Gospel more fully.  Catholicism doesn't end with the liturgy; it lives itself out when we hear the words, "Ite, Missa est" and go forth and give witness to the Word in our daily lives.  I believe that this pope will teach us how to do that.  Where Benedict XVI gave us a cerebral understanding of charity, I think Pope Francis will show us how to apply it.  And, I do not believe it will be the kind of false charity we have been experiencing.  True charity must be exercised without sacrificing truth. Mercy is inauthentic if it is not married truth.

There is so much more to say on this, but I want to pass along to you an article by Andrew Haines at Ethika and Politika.  He writes from a similar point of view where he acknowledges his own concerns, but then, as the article goes on, shows us how he worked through them.  Someone without some experience in the traditionalist movement could easily misunderstand his commentary.  Most people that  I have heard back from, who do understand the wounded-ness among some traditionalists felt the article  was well written.  Don't judge the post by it's title.

Go read: The Pope's Painful Liturgies

As an aside, I thought Msgr. Guido Marini looked a little more relaxed in the Inaugural Mass (see pic at top) than he did in the immediate wake of the election.  Of course, less traditional liturgical style of Pope Francis would be most difficult on this papal MC than on others.  Andrew Haines refers to him as the "suffering servant" and I sensed that the moment Pope Francis stepped out on to the balcony for the first time, minus the stole and the Mozzetta.  I hope he is able to stay on as papal MC.  Opportunities for humility come in different forms and I he will be in my prayers.

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Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
- Diane M. Korzeniewski

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Pope gets off his ride to bless severely disabled man

The Pope has decided he won't be using the Popemobile, which has been in use since the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II.  Rome Reports captures a beautiful moment when he stopped to embrace and bless a severely disabled man, who appeared very excited at the gesture.

If you missed the Mass, go to the YouTube Channel for Vatican Radio and you can probably replay it there and fast forward through parts.  While the Pope was vested with simplicity, that Mass did not lack any beauty.  Chant and sacred polyphony was very fitting and beautiful.

Full Text Homily here: http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/19/pope:_homily_for_inaugural_mass_of_petrine_ministry_[full_text]/en1-674758

One thing you will notice is the Holy Father's "ars celebrandi." It is very beautiful.  Many commented on the way he elevated the Host and the Chalice - something I picked up last week.  As we age it is not easy to lift arms up, but you see him pushing as high as he can.  The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith.

One thing I have noticed is that Pope Francis is unafraid to show reverence through gestures.  During the Gloria Patri on the balcony the other day, Pope Francis bowed.  He bowed again as he waited for God to bless him through our prayers.  Today at Mass, you see again, the great love and devotion he has for the Eucharist. It just radiates.  And, it's not just during the Eucharist.  Young people especially are going to learn a lot from the visible gestures of Pope Francis.  Pope Benedict did all of these things, but I think they were less visible because people expected these things from him.  As we see in the pictures all over the web of him bowing on the balcony, people seem moved by the manner in which he shows reverence.  This is a good thing.  We should not be afraid to show an external sign of reverence, which should be preceded by and coupled with interior reverence.

If you have not seen the video of him discussing the Mass and the priesthood, see it in my last post. In it, he says that the Mass is not a reunion of friends who come together to eat bread and wine; the Eucharist is fundamentally priestly.  This attitude is manifest in his postures and focus while in prayer, and at Mass.

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For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Details on Inaugural Mass of Pope Francis tomorrow morning

Before getting to the Mass that will take place tomorrow, here is a good video-short by EWTN that has then Cardinal Bergoglio talking about the Liturgy and the Eucharist (translated, of course). Veil-tip to the wonderful Fr. Byers at Holy Souls Hermitage.

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, will have his Inaugural Mass tomorrow morning. Coverage on many stations, and online streams begins as early as 3:45 or 3:50 AM ET.

It's going to kill me, but I'm getting up early to watch! So, join me!

Here is something from Vatican Information Service detailing what will happen tomorrow.

The Press Office Director also explained where those participating in and attending the Mass will be located. “On the left-hand side of the 'Sagrato' (porch of the Basilica) will be seated bishops and archbishops (around 250 are expected), ecclesiastics, and delegations from other Churches and Christian confessions. On the right-hand side of the 'Sagrato' will be delegations from various countries lead by heads of state, ministers, etc. On the St. Peter’s statue side of the piazza will be seated Jews, Muslims, and members of other religions, then around 1200 priests and seminarians. On the St. Paul’s statue side of the piazza will be seated the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See and other civil authorities. The rest of the piazza will be standing-room for all those without tickets. A large number is expected to attend.”

Between 8:45 and 8:50am [3:45 / 3:50 am ET] the Pope will depart the Domus Sanctae Marthae and start to move through the crowd [give Vatican security a raise] in the various sections of the piazza—either in the Jeep or the Popemobile—and greet those gathered. He will return to the Sacristy, via the Pietà side, around 9:15am. Mass is planned to begin at 9:30am [4:30 am ET]

Regarding the beginning of the ceremony, the Pope, once having entered the Basilica, will head to the Confession (St. Peter’s tomb under the high altar) while trumpets will announce the “Tu es Petrus”. The Pope will venerate the tomb of St. Peter, together with the Patriarchs and Major Archbishops of the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches (ten in number, four of whom are cardinals). He will then be presented with the Pallium, Ring, and Book of the Gospels that were placed at St. Peter’s tomb the night before.

The Holy Father will then come back up from the Confession to the main floor of the Basilica, from which the procession continues. The “Laudes Regiae” (Christ is King) will be chanted, with some invocations taken from the Vatican II document on the Church, “Lumen Gentium”. In the Litany of Saints are particularly to be noted, after the Apostles, the Holy Roman Pontiffs who have been canonized up to the most recent: St. Pius X. Fr. Lombardi clarified that these are only the pontiffs who have been named as saints, not those who have been beatified. The procession will then make its entrance into the square.

Fr. Lombardi listed who will be concelebrating the Mass with Francis: all the cardinals present in Rome, joined by the Patriarchs and Major Eastern Rite Archbishops (6); the Secretary of the College of Cardinals; and two Superior Generals (that of the Order of Friars Minor, Jose Rodriguez Carballo and that of the Jesuits, Adolfo Nicolas Pachon, respectively President and Vice-President of the Union of Superior Generals). In total about 180 are expected to concelebrate and they will be seated at the left (that is, in front of the ecclesiastics, not the national delegations).

Before the Mass begins there are the rites specific to the beginning of the Bishop of Rome's Petrine Ministry. These include: [click here to read these interesting details at VIS]

I'm going to quote another part of the long post at VIS (emphasis mine in bold; comments in red).

The Mass will be that of the Solemnity of St. Joseph, which has its own readings (therefore they are not directly related to the rite of the Inauguration of the Pontificate). The Gospel will be proclaimed in Greek, as at the highest solemnities, to show that the universal Church is made up of the great traditions of the East and the West. “Latin,” Fr. Lombardi said, “is already abundantly present in the other prayers and Mass parts.” [And, I'll bet some thought it would get ditched altogether!]

The Pope will give his homily in Italian and, as is his style, it probably will not follow the written text strictly, but will contain improvisations. [LOL!]

Fr. Lombardi said that the Master of Celebrations expects that the ceremony will not last much more than two hours and, always with the intention of simplification and not making the rite overly long, there will not be an Offertory procession. The Eucharistic gifts will be brought to the altar by the ministers who prepare the altar. Also, the Pope will not distribute Communion, which will be done by the deacons on the “Sagrato” and, in the various areas of the piazza, by priests. [Not sure why this is, but perhaps in some situations this is common. I'm not up early enough to watch most papal Masses.]

Regarding the music for the ceremony, several moments are notable [Booyah!]. When the Pope enters the Basilica silver trumpets will ring out the “Tu es Petrus”. The Laudes Regiae will be chanted during the procession from St. Peter’s tomb to the “Sagrato”. A 14 piece brass ensemble will play at various moments of the celebration. During the Offertory the “Tu es pastor ovium” (You Are the Shepherd of the Sheep) motet composed by Pierluigi da Palestrina [Oooo - Palestrina is among my favorites] precisely for the Inauguration of the Pontificate will be sung. At the conclusion, the “Te Deum” will be sung with verses alternating between Gregorian chant and a melody by Tomas Luis de Victoria. As it will not be held on a Sunday, there will be no Angelus after the Mass.

Sounds like it is going to be beautiful. I'm actually glad it starts at 4:30. Plenty of time before I start work.


HOW TO WATCH
Now, if you want to watch it, I believe the networks will be carrying it.  I heard ABC advertising that they would be live from Rome at 3:50 AM.  I'm sure EWTN will be on, as well.

If you don't have cable, but have high speed internet, you can watch it live at EWTN, Salt & Light TV.  You can also go right to the Vatican homepage (click your language) and the player will probably pop right up in your window.  It might be slow, so give it a chance.  Also, when viewing at the Vatican website, you might find in the lower window frame of the player, a toggle for various languages.  They have translators working on the fly and you can often pick a language.

I've used EWTN's mobile options.  I'm sure you can watch it through the EWTN App and Pope Apps, as well (look for those on your Apple or Android device).

I give you all of these because if one doesn't work, try another.

As always, I'm sure Father Z will be trying to live-blog if his site doesn't crash from the traffic again.

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Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Papal Humor: Cardinal Pell to Cardinal George...

Now, if you have not seen this video spoof by Brandon Vogt, have a look.  The music is in the original made by Catholic News Service, but I think it was more fitting for Brandon's video edit.  In fact, I'd go so far as to say that music inspired him to make this comical piece.

RECENT POSTS

If you haven't seen my pics from Mass at Assumption Grotto yesterday, see how we honored Pope Francis, and St. Joseph.  

See this great promo video for the Swiss Guard

Reports on Pope Francis' Mass yesterday and his Angelus message

And, my initial post on Pope Francis: God just short-circuited the dissenting wing of the Church

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For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Assumption Grotto honors Pope Francis and St. Joseph

Today was a big day at Assumption Grotto in Detroit.

The Traditional Latin Mass was moved to the Noon time slot for today in consideration of the many who would stay for the annual St. Joseph's Day Dinner (more on that in a moment).

First, we honored Pope Francis with a special provision in the Christus Vincit for the Supreme Pontiff.  Here is a pic of one side of the sheet parishioners had for singing today.

Here is video from my iPhone, now up at Gloria TV.  Not the best quality, but you get the idea.

Father Perrone led the people's response from the ambo while the cantor chanted from the loft.

The Asperges me...

The Confiteor

Fr. John Bustamante delivering his homily

You will notice all statues and pictures covered now, at this point in Lent (read more here on the custom, which is not exclusive to the TLM).  St. Joseph was not covered because the parish was having the St. Joseph Day Dinner, but after the feast, he will be removed.

The Elevation of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

I normally do not take pictures during Holy Communion and it can also be very difficult given people moving about, getting in the line of shot.  But, I was able to get a clear shot of some of the altar boys who stand with the candle-boats as people are receiving.  They are on either side of the center.  It just adds to the reverence of the moment. Pope Francis is seen in the background.

The Sunday closest to March 19th features our annual St. Joseph Day Dinner which has been a tradition for decades due to the generosity and hard work of the Romano family.  Here are a few pictures from the afternoon.  You can see a small statue of St. Joseph in the background. They had a large statue, but it broke some years ago.

Fr. Perrone blesses the food...

This was pretty much just the dessert table!

An Italian band comes every year to sing.  Here, they are serenading the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

It draws a big crowd every year.  All they ask for is a free-will offering.

Not everyone forgot about St. Patrick.

MANY MORE PHOTOS

If you want to see the other photos from the day, not posted here, visit my Smugmug Gallery for this event.  You may purchase photos from Smugmug, which is a professional site I have used for many years now. In fact, I order my prints from Smugmug.  It is more expensive than going to the corner drugstore for pics, but your purchases help me to pay for the more expensive, superior storage I get at Smugmug, which includes high resolution photos. These take up much disk space.

See the gallery here and if you have any problems with ordering or are dissatisfied in anyway, let me know.

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For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at parish; delivers Angelus message

Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

From Vatican Radio:

Source Link

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Sunday in the parish church of Vatican City, dedicated to St. Anne, the mother of Our Lady. The choir intoned the Attende, Domine! at the entrance, and the readings were those of the fifth Sunday of Lent: from the prophet, Isaiah; Psalm 126 – the Lord has done great things for us; the Letter of St Paul the Apostle to the Philippians; and a reading from the Gospel according to St John, in which the woman caught in adultery and subject under law to death by stoning, is presented to Jesus for judgment, and he says, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to cast his stone.” “He has come for us,” said Pope Francis in his homily, “when we recognize that we are sinners.” Mercy, in fact, was the key lesson and the Good News proclaimed this Sunday. “Mercy,” said Pope Francis, “is the Lord’s most powerful message.” Listen:  

Speaking without a prepared text, Pope Francis said, “If we are like the Pharisee before the altar, [who said], ‘Thank you, Lord, for not making me like all the other men, and especially not like that fellow at the door, like that publican…,’ well, then we do not know the heart of the Lord, and we shall not ever have the joy of feeling this mercy.” Pope Francis went on to say, “It is not easy to entrust oneself to the mercy of God, because [His mercy] is an unfathomable abyss – but we must do it!” Pope Francis continued, “He has the ability to forget, [which is] special: He forgets [our sins], He kisses you, He embraces you, and He says to you, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now, on, sin no more.’ Only that counsel does He give you.” Pope Francis concluded, saying, “We ask for the grace of never tiring of asking pardon, for He never tires of pardoning.” 

At the end of Mass, after receiving the greetings of the pastor of the parish, Fr. Bruno Silvestrini, OSA, and the Archpriest of St Peter’s Basilica and vicar-general for Vatican City, Cardinal Angelo Comastri, Pope Francis thanked the whole parish community, as well as those who had travelled from afar to be in Rome during these days. He made especial mention of Fr. Gonzalo Aemilius, the director of the Liceo Jubilar Juan Pablo II in Uruguay, which educates poor and at-risk children and young people. “I don’t know how he came to be here today,” said Pope Francis. “Pray for him,” he said. Following the Mass, just like a local parish priest, Pope Francis greeted parishioners at the church door, before going briefly to the crowd gathered outside the St Anne’s Gate. 

After returning into the church to take off his liturgical vestments, Pope Francis again greeted the faithful outside, before making his way to his study and the window overlooking St Peter’s Square, below which was gathered a crowd 300 thousand-strong, more than rivalling the throng of people who braved cold, rain and dark to meet the Pope on Wednesday – the night of his election - and receive his blessing for the first time. Dozens of national flags were visible in the packed Square, and a deafening cheer went up when, at last, Pope Francis appeared. Mercy was once again the cornerstone of his reflections ahead of the traditional prayer of Marian devotion. 


He told a story, of an elderly widow he encountered during a Mass for the sick celebrated in connection with a visit of the image of Our Lady of Fatima. “I went to confession during the Mass,” he said, “and near the end – I had to go to do confirmations afterward, and an elderly lady approached me – humble [she was] so very humble, more than eighty years old. I looked at her, and said, ‘Grandmother,’ – where I come from, we call elderly people grandmother and grandfather – ‘would you like to make your confession?’ ‘Yes,’ she said – and I said, ‘but, if you have not sinned…’ and she said, ‘we all have sinned.’ [I replied], ‘if perhaps He should not forgive [you]?’ and, sure, she replied, ‘The Lord forgives everything.’ I asked, ‘How do you know this for sure, madam?’ and she replied, ‘If the Lord hadn’t forgiven all, then the world wouldn’t [still] be here.’ And, I wanted to ask her, ‘Madam, did you study at the Gregorian (the Pontifical Gregorian University, founded in 1551 by St Ignatius Loyola, the oldest Jesuit university in the world)?’ – because that is wisdom, which the Holy Spirit gives – interior wisdom regarding the mercy of God. Let us not forget this word: God never tires of forgiving us,” he repeated, “but we sometimes tire of asking Him to forgive us.” Pope Francis went on to say, “Let us never tire of a sking God’s forgiveness.”

Here are some videos from Vatican Radio from the Angelus and from the Mass he celebrated in a small parish nearby.  It's a little hard, I gather, to get full text, from an off-the-cuff homily.  Perhaps it will float out later. For now, we can enjoy these things.

There are a number of videos and video reports you can go through here.  There may be a language option, so look in the player for it. 

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Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

God Just Short-Circuited the Dissenting Wing of the Church with Pope Francis

When Pope Francis first stepped out on to the loggia and raised his hand, the silence was deafening. He looked down at the crowd without saying a word for about a full minute.  I sat stunned looking at him as he looked at me through that TV screen.  His expression in that long period of silence seemed to be saying, with profound humility, "I know you were expecting someone else, but all you get is me." Up in that balcony, this man who is now the most powerful man on earth in the Catholic Church, appeared to feel small.

I found endearing, the simplicity of his prayer for his predecessor, Benedict XVI - a simple Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.  I have found other, past events online, where he invited people to pray likewise.

But at one point when he bowed so profoundly, I was stunned. I wasn't sure what was going on and I wasn't expecting that.  At first I thought he was asking the people to bless him based on what one translator said.  But, what he actually requested was for the people to pray that God blesses him. With that, he bowed.  I sensed profound humility and for all of us who sensed that, it was a sheer grace from God.

And now I would like to give the blessing. But first I want to ask you a favor. Before the Bishop blesses the people I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me – the prayer of the people for their Bishop. Let us say this prayer – your prayer for me – in silence. 

I wondered: Why this man?

What God doesn't will he permits, so this man was either willed or permitted to be elevated by God for a reason. He will reign for as long as God wants (John 19:10-11).  I began to search in my heart for an answer and by last night I had a theory.

Card. Bergoglio was rumored to be the runner-up in the 2005 Conclave just behind Card. Ratzinger.  Apparently, 2005 was not Bergoglio's time.  God had plans for him, obviously, but something else was needed first, so God gave us Benedict XVI.  Among the things he gave us, was a better understanding of Vatican II, and with that came a better understanding of the Mass, as originally intended by Vatican II. The full effects of these things will be seen in the coming years as seminarians become priests, and younger priests become pastors.   Benedict XVI helped us to ponder and explore the very nature of worship itself, giving back to us, the 1962 Missal so we could experience and relate to Catholic worship as it had been done for centuries.  The Pope Emeritus made us look closer at Jesus in his Jesus of Nazareth book series.  And, he gave us three important encyclicals, along with a mountain of spiritually and theologically deep material from his many homilies, audiences, apostolic letters, and books - all of which will likely catapult him some day to a status of doctor of the Church.

The professor-pope worked to help us to understand who we are as Catholics.  I believe Pope Francis will show us how to live what was taught.  Here we have a man who undoubtedly knows the poor and the marginalized in a very personal way.  Stories are coming out about how he washed the feet of Aids patients on a Holy Thursday.  Some might scoff at the idea because Holy Thursday is when the priesthood was instituted and Jesus washed the feet of not just disciples, but specifically and exclusively the apostles.  While I fall in the camp of those who hope bishops will return to washing the feet of priests and seminarians (especially given the way the priesthood has been wounded by scandal and misguided formation), I can look on with awe at this great act of love carried out with humility by then Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in 2001.  I keep studying the image and it does not end my tears.

Pope Benedict XVI taught us that God is Love; Pope Francis shows us how that is manifest.

Beyond that, why this man? For me, the answer is fairly simple.  I can't know what God's plans are, but it seems to me that God has short-circuited those who have hi-jacked social justice, which they use as a cloak for their dissent, by giving us a Pope who can't be charged with being "out of touch with reality."

This is a man with some serious episcopal back-bone when it comes to fighting abortion, contraception, euthanasia, same-sex "marriage" and liberation theology which was condemned in 1984. There is enough content online about those things to fill many posts, so search those items to see what he has done.

This pope will teach people that true social justice does not compromise Catholic teaching in other areas.  I hope he is successful and can reach more people with reason coupled by his example.

Joe Scheidler posted this in Facebook from the Pro-Life Action League

I would add that no child should be denied the right to know God, love him, and serve him. We are ensouled from conception and no child should be deprived of Baptism.

More to come

I have many other thoughts on specific topics from liturgy to Marian devotion. As I find time, I will write more posts, so check back.  I'm purposely keeping discussion of liturgy out for now, so please do not drop items on that in the comment box.


Parting shot

Cardinal Dolan said that Pope Francis was suppose to take his special car back after something, but he decided that, if he came on the bus with the other Cardinals, he's going back on the bus.  This story coincides with a photograph uploaded by someone on Facebook.  So, it's a little blurry because someone didn't wipe the finger prints from the phone camera, but you get the idea.

Last word: Pope Francis went to St. Mary Major to pay reverence to the Blessed Virgin Mary, then stopped to pay his hotel bill himself after picking up his luggage.  When asked how security is going to handle these kinds of things, Fr. Lombardi said: “the security forces are at the service of the Pope, not the other way around.”

EDIT: Oh, wow.  Someone actually got a shot of the Pope checking out (and someone else had fun with the pic, which is flying through Facebook right now:

See my last post on Pope Francis, which contains FULL TEXT of his homily at the Mass closing the Conclave, and embedded video of that Mass.

FRIDAY NIGHT AT ASSUMPTION GROTTO: Talks on the Papacy resume during the Fish Fry.  See my post from last Friday with audio of Fr. Perrone discussing the theology of the Papacy. Tonight, Fr. John Bustamante will speak.  Talk begins at 6:00, but you really should get there at least 30-45 minutes early to get dinner.  Last time people were in line still getting fish as the talk was going on.  Did I mention the fish is really good?  Following the talk, there is Stations of the Cross at 7:00 PM, followed by a Traditional Latin Mass.

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For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.