Posted on 04/23/2005 2:58:35 PM PDT by ELS
VATICAN CITY - The ceremony to install Pope Benedict XVI blends centuries-old tradition with some new elements, a mix of ritual that involves giving the pope a shawl emblazoned with red crosses to signify the blood of Christ and a golden ring to show his papal authority.
The symbolism of Sunday's ceremony is evident from the start, when Benedict will join cardinals in the grottoes underneath St. Peter's Basilica to pay homage at the tomb of St. Peter — the first pope — who is believed to be buried there.
"I leave from where the apostle arrived," Benedict will say, before processing out into St. Peter's Square for the two-hour installation Mass that is expected to draw world leaders and a half-million faithful, many from Benedict's native Germany.
Monsignor Crispino Valenziano, an official with the Vatican's Office of Liturgical Celebrations, outlined the rituals for journalists Saturday, explaining that many of the rites will be used for the first time since they were updated following the Second Vatican Council, the series of meetings in the 1960s that modernized the church.
The installation ceremony used to be called a coronation — when popes wore crowns to signify their political and spiritual powers. Pope Paul VI did away with the tiara, but the rite of the installation wasn't finalized when John Paul I was elected in 1978 or when John Paul II became pope about a month later, and "substitute" measures were used, he said.
The new rituals were approved by Benedict the day after he was elected, and draw on centuries-old tradition with a few new elements, Valenziano said.
Most importantly, Benedict will receive his Fisherman's Ring and pallium — the wool shawl that together with the ring signify his pastoral authority.
The ring traditionally had been emblazoned with the large seal on it that was used by popes to seal apostolic letters. This time, the seal will be a separate piece, but the ring will have the same picture on it: the figure of St. Peter casting his net from a fisherman's boat.
"I like size 24, it's double 12," — the number of Christ's apostles, Valenziano quoted Benedict as saying during a session to fit the ring, which was commissioned by the Association of Roman Jewelers.
In another shift that dates back to the first millennium, Benedict's pallium will be unusually long — almost 2.6 yards long, as opposed to the short, stole-like pieces that are given to bishops. Benedict's pallium will be embroidered with five red silk crosses as opposed to the six black ones that bishops wear.
Valenziano said the crosses were red "because they are the wounds of the shepherd who allowed himself to be crucified for the sheep." A pin pierces three of the crosses, to symbolize the nails driven into Christ on the cross, he said.
The tips of the pallium are embroidered in black silk — like the feet of lambs, he said.
The wool used to make the pallium come from sheep and lambs raised by Trappist monks outside Rome.
In another change, not all cardinals will kneel before new pope to pledge obedience to him since they have already done so, Valenziano said. Instead, a representational group of 12 people — again because of the 12 apostles — will swear obedience: three cardinals, a bishop, a priest, a deacon, a married couple, a nun, a religious brother and two youths who have received the sacrament of confirmation.
At the end of the Mass, Benedict will probably be driven around the piazza and will greet delegations, he said.
The installation ceremonies continue after the Mass, with visits by Benedict to the three other main basilicas of Rome: St. Paul outside the Walls, St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major. Benedict travels first to St. Paul outside the Walls on Monday — a pilgrimage because Paul is considered the co-founder of the church with Peter. Benedict will read a biblical passage from the Letter from St. Paul to the Romans to signify his links to the city.
He will further that symbolism on May 7 by presiding over a Mass at St. John Lateran, his cathedral as bishop of Rome. Finally, he will pay homage to an icon of Mary at St. Mary Major basilica before returning to the Vatican.
Why can't the Pope just wear a dark business suit?????
ping
He doesn't want anyone to mistake him for a holy-rolling TV preacher.
-ccm
Well isn't the Pope Mobile a holy roller?????
That's one very, very good thing about the Popes...none of them have those plastic "Televangelist" hairdos.
The use of the pallium is reserved to the pope and archbishops, but the latter may not use it until, on petition they have received the permission of the Holy See. Bishops sometimes receive the pallium as a mark of special favour, but it does not increase their powers or jurisdiction nor give them precedence. The pope may use the pallium at any time
It is impossible to indicate exactly when the pallium was first introduced. According to the "Liber Pontificalis", it was first used in the first half of the fourth century. This book relates, in the life of Pope Marcus (d. 336), that he conferred the right of wearing the pallium on the Bishop of Ostia, because the consecration of the pope appertained to him.
EWTN Television Coverage of the Solemn Mass of Inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI, Live
LIVE:
April 24, 4 AM ET
Encores:
April 24, 10 AM ET, 3 PM ET
April 25, 12 AM ET, 4 AM ET, 1 PM ET, 5 PM ET
The World Over interview with Cardinal Ratzinger
Before he was elected pope, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger sat down with Raymond Arroyo for his only in-depth interview in English to share his views on marriage, the family and the future of the Church.
April 24, 8 PM ET
April 25, 11 PM ET
April 29 10 AM ET
Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list
But for other Catholics, Ratzinger's elevation was dismaying.
Some will treasure the moment when Ratzinger was announced as the new pope, the Very Rev. Michael G. Ryan, pastor at St. James Cathedral, said in his homily during Mass yesterday. "Others will acknowledge that it was not what they expected or even what they wanted. In all honesty, I would have to count myself among the latter." Ryan recalled the significant role Ratzinger played in the scrutiny of Seattle Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen two decades ago. In 1985, Ratzinger, as head of the Vatican's powerful Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith — essentially the church's guardian of orthodoxy — issued a report disciplining Hunthausen in areas such as ministry to gays and lesbians, divorce, and the role of women in the church. That report led to Hunthausen being relieved of some of his power and the appointment of an auxiliary bishop. Eventually, the Vatican removed the auxiliary bishop and restored Hunthausen's full authority. "I'm sure there would be some resentments against Cardinal Ratzinger because of it," Ryan said. "I always wished the Holy See had come up with a better solution to the problems they perceived in Seattle."
[Excerpt from the Seattle Times, April 20, 2005, page one news story.}
----"I'm sure there would be some resentments against Cardinal Ratzinger because of it," Ryan said. "I always wished the Holy See had come up with a better solution to the problems they perceived in Seattle."----
Not to fear! Now, His Holiness, Benedict XVI, has the authority, nay, the obligation, to remove such men from ministry permanently. That is an improvement I should think and one Our Lord would approve. If you doubt that, read the Sermon on the Mount which is followed immediately by no less than 6 proscriptions all beginning with "Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees....!"
Frank
Personally, I am going to check out CNN, Fox, & EWTN to find the channel with the least chatter during the Mass. I wish there was a Vatican version of C-SPAN.
I think the business of Poping requires more of a multi-colored suit. And, when fully performing his job description, I bet he doesn't have many casual Fridays. There are one or two traditions Pope-wise that likely won't be done away with in my lifetime. Garb is one of them.
Very Very good information Thank you all
http://www.kensmen.com/catholic/beingcatholic.html
In this diocese run by an ultra liberal bishop, his initial reaction was one of confusion ... why did they choose Ratzinger and why did Ratzinger choose Pope Benedict XVI? My prayers for both our bishop and yours.
http://www.insidethevatican.com/latest-newsflash.htm
http://mediahopper.com/portal.htm?http://mediahopper.com/television/221.htm
http://mediahopper.com/portal.htm?http://mediahopper.com/television/221.htm
Thank you
To clarify, not my archbishop, but the one in Seattle. I trust that Pope Benedict XVI will have assistance around him who will notice comments and situations like this in the United States and take appropriate action.
Thanks for your comment, Frank. Yes, he does and I believe he has the courage and will to do so.
Why? For the same reason Bush didn't wear jeans for the inauguration. Not the way it is done.
I hope that when Mahoney reaches 75, the pope will treat him the sasme way that Bush treated Powell--put him on the shoulder and sent him through the door.
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