( LIVE THREAD ) Solemn Funeral Rites for Pope John Paul II (Resource Materials for those watching)

Deposition, Funeral and Burial Rites of Pope John Paul II

Deposition of the Body of the Roman Pontiff in the Coffin

Before the Funeral Mass the body will be deposited in a coffin of Cyprus wood. It will the be closed in the presence of the Cardinal Camerlengo, the heads of each Order of Cardinals (Cardinal Bishops, Cardinal Priest, Cardinal Deacons), the Cardinal Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica, the Cardinal Secretary of State, the Cardinal Vicar of Rome, the Substitute of the Secretariat of State, the Prefect of the Pontifical Household, the Almoner of the Supreme Pontiff, the Vice-Camerlengo, representatives of the Canons of the Vatican Basilica and of the Office of the Secretary of the Supreme Pontiff, all vested in choir habit, and the family of the deceased. [note: in John Paul’s case, since he lacks living family members, this probably refers to the nuns and others who served him in the papal household.]

The Cardinal Camerlengo introduces the Rite. Prayer follows.

The Master of Papal Liturgical Ceremonies reads the Rogito, a document which officially consigns the Pope to history and accompanies him to the grave. It gives, in Latin, historic information about the pope, such as baptismal and family name, name of pontificate, important dates in life, and significant papal decrees.

After further prayer, the Master of Papal Liturgical Ceremonies and the Secretary of the Pope place a white silk veil over his face. Then the Camerlengo blesses the body with Holy Water.

The Master of Papal Liturgical Ceremonies then places in the coffin the silk bag with the medals of the Pontificate and a tube containing the Rogito, after having sealed it with the seal of the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.

Ps 41 (Ps 42)* is sung as the coffin is closed. As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.

*Ps 41 - Vulgate (Psalm 42 - Hebrew enumeration). Although the content of the Psalter is the same in Catholic, Protestant and Jewish Bibles, the division of the Psalms is different between the Latin Vulgate, on one hand, and the Hebrew, Protestant and many vernacular Catholic bibles, on the other. This is due to the fact that in ancient manuscripts several "Psalms" may contain more than one unique Psalm, as we identify them today. The Vulgate tradition developed one way, and the Hebrew manuscript tradition used by the Jews, and then by the Reformers, developed another way. Since contemporary bibles are generally translated from the original Hebrew, most contemporary vernacular translations follow the Hebrew enumeration.

Solemn Funeral Mass for Pope John Paul II

Introit (Entrance Chant): Requiem aeternam

Requiem aeternam
Antiphon: Requiem aeternum dona eis Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.	Antiphon: Grant him, O Lord, eternal rest, and may perpetual light shine upon him.
Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion, et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem: Antiphon	It is right, O God, to sing to thee a hymn in Zion, and in Jerusalem render thee a vow: Antiphon
Exaudi orationem meam, ad te omnis caro veniet. Antiphon	Thou hearest our prayers, to thee all flesh must come. Antiphon

Collect (Opening Prayer): Let us pray. …

First Reading: Acts 10:34-43

Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. [35] Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. [36] You know the word (that) he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, [37] what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. [39] We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and (in) Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. [40] This man God raised (on) the third day and granted that he be visible, [41] not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. [42] He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. [43] To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name."

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 22 (Vulgate), which is Psalm 23 in the Hebrew numeration most bibles use

V. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Response: In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
V. Beside restful waters he leads me. Response
V. He guides me in right paths for his name's sake. Response
V. Even though I walk in the dark valley, I fear no evil; for you are at my side Response
V. With your rod and your staff that give me courage. Response
V. You spread the table before me, in the sight of my foes; Response
V. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Response
V. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; Response
V. And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. Response

Second Reading: Philippians 3:20-4:1

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. [21] He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself. [4:1] Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.

Gospel Acclamation: John 6:40

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
This is the will of my Father, says the Lord. That all who believe in the Son will have eternal life, and I will raise them to life again on the last day.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Gospel: John 21:15-19

[At that time when he had manifested Himself to his disciples and] When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." [16] He then said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." [17] He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." (Jesus) said to him, "Feed my sheep. [18] Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." [19] He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."

Apostles Creed instead of Nicene. The Apostles Creed is probably the baptismal creed of Rome from at least the 2nd century. It is used in baptism for the catechumens to affirm their faith, and in the renewal of baptismal vows. Similar creeds are used in the baptisms of all rites from the earliest days of the Church. The 2002 Roman Missal permits its use as the Creed at Mass during Lent and the Easter Season.

Offertory Chant: Tu illuminas lucernam meam.

Psalm 17 (18)

2b-3a. I love you, LORD, my strength, LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer
5. The cords of Sheol tightened; the snares of death lay in wait for me.
6a. In my distress I called out: LORD! I cried out to my God.
6b. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry to him reached his ears.

Eucharistic Prayer 1 (Roman Canon)

Communion Rite

Final Commendation and Farewell

Roman Church: Cardinal Vicar of Rome, Cardinal Ruini, approaches the remains. The choir sings the Litany of the Saints, after which the Cardinal Vicar concludes the supplications of the Church of Rome with a Prayer.

Eastern Church (i.e. in Communion with Rome): A Patriarch representing the Eastern Church, incenses the remains, Eastern clergy offer a Supplication for the Holy Father.

The Cardinal Dean, Cardinal Ratzinger, as principal celebrant blesses the remains with Holy Water.

Chant: In paradisum

In paradisum
In paradisum deducant te angeli: in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres, et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem.	May the Angels conduct you to Paradise: And at your coming may the Martyrs receive you. May they lead you to the holy City of Jerusalem.
Chorus angelorum te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro quondam paupere aeternam habeas requiem.	May a choir of Angels receive you. And may you, with Larzarus – once a poor man – Possess eternal peace.

Translation of the Body and the Burial

The body is carried to the place of burial in the Vatican Grotto below St. Peter’s to the singing of the Magnificat.

Accompanying the body the Camerlengo, the Cardinal Heads of Orders, the Cardinal Archpirest of the Vatican Basilica, The Cardinal Secretary of State, the Cardinal Vicar of Rome, the Substitute of the Secretariat of State, the prefect of the Pontifical Household, the Vice-Camerlengo, a representative of the Canons of the Vatican Basilica, the family of the deceased Supreme Pontiff.

The Cardinal Camerlengo presides

The moral remains of the Supreme Pontiff are carried through the Vatican basilica into the Vatican Grottoes through the Santa Marta door. [Evidently they will go outdoors to the Piazzale Santa Marta, and enter from a ground level door there. The Piazzale is adjacent to the left rear of the Basilica. The public generally enters through an interior staircase in the right front pillar near the main altar, or, from ground level at the right front side of the Basilica, near the stairs from the Sistine Chapel.]

The scola sings while the body is carried to the tomb.

Psalm 113A (114):
Antiphon: Te suscipiat Christus in paradisum. (Christ will receive you into paradise)
When Israel came forth from Egypt, the house of Jacob from an alien people etc.

Psalm 117 (118):
Antiphon: Aperite mihi portas iustitiae, et ingressus in eas confitebor Domino (Open to me the gates of justice and entering in I will give thanks to the Lord)
Give thanks to the LORD, who is good, whose love endures forever. etc.

Psalm 41 (42):
Antiphon: Ingrediar in locum tabernaculi admirabilis usque as domum Dei (In the splendid procession of the saints he will enter the house of God)
As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.

Entombment of the Body of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II

The rite begins with Prayer.

The Cyprus wood coffin containing the Pope’s remains, is sealed with red ribbons, upon which are impressed the seal of the Apostolic Camera, the prefecture of the Pontifical Household, the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, and the Vatican Chapter (the clergy serving the Basilica).

The coffin is placed in the coffin of zinc covered wood, which is immediately sealed, and impressed with the seals of the above offices. Upon the cover is placed the Cross and the Coat of Arms of the deceased Pontiff.

The Remains are placed in the tomb to the singing of the Salve Regina.

The Notary of the Chapter of the Vatican Basilica draws up the authentic act of entombment and reads it before those present.

The End of the Rites

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