Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II prays during the Midnight Christmas Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican (news - web sites) December 24, 2004.
Posted on 12/24/2004 5:40:49 PM PST by NYer
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul (news - web sites) led the world's one billion Roman Catholics into Christmas Day and said the troubled world needed the message of Jesus more than ever, braving Parkinson's Disease to deliver his sermon.
The Pope celebrated Christmas midnight mass in St Peter's Basilica attended by some 10,000 people and watched by tens of millions live on television in more than 70 countries, including several predominantly Muslim nations.
The 84-year-old Pope, who has difficulty speaking because of his illness, lessened the strain this year, limiting his sermon to a mere eight paragraphs -- the shortest of his 27 Christmas seasons as Pontiff.
No longer able to walk, he sat slightly bent on his wheeled throne in festive gold vestments and appeared very pensive at times.
"Look upon us, eternal Son of God, who took flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary. All humanity, with its burden of trials and troubles, stands in need of you," he said, breathing deeply between his words.
The short sermon recounted the Christmas story of the child Jesus born of the Virgin Mary in a manger and lying helpless in swaddling clothes.
"You are born on this night, our divine Redeemer, and, in our journey along the paths of time, you become for us the food of eternal life," the Pope said.
During the solemn mass, attended by representatives of some 150 governments, the Pope also read a prayer so that "peace, announced by the angels on this holy night is enjoyed by all the humanity that God loves."
CONCERN FOR HOLY LAND
Christ's birthplace of Bethlehem was not far the Pope's mind or that of the worshippers inside Christendom's largest church.
One of the prayers was for the Middle East.
"May the Holy Land, dear to the faithful of the three great monotheistic religions, be able to see times of prosperity and peaceful co-existence and reciprocal respect among all those who live there," urged the prayer, read by a German man.
In the run-up to the holiday season, the Pope and the Church urged the faithful to keep Christ in Christmas and to shun the rampant materialism that has gripped Italy and many other wealthy countries.
Several times in past weeks the Pope praised the significance of the traditional nativity scene, which some Italian schools discontinued so as not to offend a growing Muslim population.
It has been a long and tiring year for the Pope, although his illness appears to have stabilized in the past few months.
Earlier this week he told aides he would need their help more than ever to run the Church.
"As the years pass, I feel more than ever the need for the help of God and the help of men," he told them in Christmas greetings on Tuesday.
The midnight mass was just the start of a hectic Christmas season that could test his health.
Later on Christmas Day he is due to deliver his twice yearly "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) blessing and message.
He is also due to say a year-end mass of thanksgiving on Dec. 31, celebrate the Church's World Day of Peace on Jan. 1, and the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6.
Despite all the tradition, there were some novelties at the Vatican (news - web sites) this Christmas.
For the first time, the most trendy and high-tech conscious Catholics did not have to sit at home to watch the Christmas midnight mass on television.
Italian state broadcaster RAI sent footage to video mobile phone operators.
Catholic Ping - please freepmail me if you want on/off this list
Blessings to you and your family.
But that's all the U.N. is, let's face it. And THIS Pope is the Pope of the United Nations, not of the Catholic Church so much. Yes, he's Pope. But his priorites are laying in a jumble around him. He should step down, but probably is too far gone mentally to even know what he's doing from moment to moment. If he has a moment where he can think, basic Catholic leadership and integrity would DEMAND that he immediately resign as Pope, so that a real Pope might be elected.
That would be the greatest gift he can give on this Christmas, or the next, or at any time, and to all the world; and particularly what little remains of the institutional church - thanks largely to himself.
Merry Christmas!
Give it a break.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Also wishes for an abundant New Year!
It's okay to say - Merry Christmas! Try it.
But hardly a Mass. It would have been interesting to compare the real Masses of the 1950s in St. Peters, for example, with what we all saw last night. Then it would be a Merry Christmas, if people's eyes would be opened. Then Our Lord and Saviour could come into their hearts!
Sorry ... I missed it. I was at Midnight Mass at our Maronite Catholic Church. Pillar candles burned in the windows, the traditional Nativity was beautifully displayed in front of the altar. The organist brought in his new keyboard with which he could simulate the sounds of a harp. He played traditional Christmas Carols, accompanied by the daughter of another parishioner, on flute.
Father opened the Divine Liturgy by blessing the Nativity and bestowing a blessing on all those who gazed upon it. The Mass was simply divine! The chant, the incense, the organ, the magnificent readings from the Holy Gospeel ... all conveyed Christ's message of peace. Outside the church, a lamp hung from the bare branches of tree, announcing the birth of Christ - the Light of the World.
Christmas Blessings to all of you on this beautiful day!
Stop spamming Keywords
Merry Christmas to you, Mr. Grinch.
But you're saying that to someone who thinks that whatever is happening in Catholatopia is cancelled out by the mere mention of some real nice traditional looking stuff in the Maronite rite.
Except I'd disagree there, though. That would open up the whole can of worms. Not that the can won't be opened soon anyways by natural causes. But when he has passed on, who can even imagine the kind of movement that will take place next.
What would be worse? A pope who makes "conservative" noises to placate those offended by clown masses and "charismatic" services, all the while doing nothing to stop them or even slow them down? Or an honest liberal pope who would inspire believers in Tradition into open combat for the soul of the Church? I know it's trouble either way, but we already HAVE trouble. The sooner we get started fixing things, the better.
It's going to be one or the other... really good or really bad. But at least the slow torture, anesthesia and disorientation will be a thing of the past. Hopefully, that is.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.