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Consecrating the basilica at a shrine where he used to pray on his way to forced labor in a salt quarry under the Nazis,

I had forgotten about this. It's no wonder the Holy Father "creaks and groans" under the burden of his accrued penances. He is truly a beautiful human being and an inspiration to us all.

Thank you, Pyro, for posting these beautiful pictures!!! (I added you to my ping list at work but forgot to do so at home. You are now on that list. Sorry.) Just love that shot of the nuns and the Americans from Chicago! Only once have I had the privilege of attending a consecration. It was a chapel and the bishop performed the rite. The oil is rubbed into the surface of the marble, from center outwards, until the entire surface is covered. Then they place a bowl of incense in the middle, just like in the pictures.

Turned on the mass at 5am but drifted in and out of sleep. I'll have to catch the replay.

You can catch the replay of the concecration at 7 pm EDT. One of the commentators on the EWTN broadcast, while the pope was blessing the altar, commented that this ritual is based on Exodus chapter 40.
9 "Take the anointing oil and anoint the Dwelling and everything in it, consecrating it and all its furnishings, so that it will be sacred. 10 Anoint the altar of holocausts and all its appurtenances, consecrating it, so that it will be most sacred... 26 He placed the golden altar in the meeting tent, in front of the veil, 27 and on it he burned fragrant incense, as the LORD had commanded him.

I'm about to post the pope's homily from the Mass, so keep a watch for it. I'll ping you when it's up. Thanks for responding. I appreciate it. :-)