7 Processional Candles during Ordinary Form Pontifical Mass

[TheMc]

I know that at some of the papal Masses I’ve seen, the procession is arranged like this, with the Thurifur and boat (Th, Bb), crucifer (cr), and 7 candle bearers (cb), in this arrangement:
An MC
Th | Bb
Cb Cr Cb
Cb-----Cb
Cb Cb Cb

This is clearly a variation and a sign pointing to the required 7 altar candles for a papal Mass, and many pontifical Masses. At my cathedral parish, we use 6 processional candles (when we have enough servers), and when the bishop celebrates, we use 7 candles on the altar, as is required, but still only use 6 processional candles.

I don’t have a copy of the Ceremonial of Bishops handy. Seeing that the pope’s liturgy is the model for the world, does anyone know if there is a direct or indirect reference/permission to use 7 processional candles at a Bishop’s Mass, celebrated by the ordinary in his own diocese? Does GIRM 42 help (allows to follow the rubrics of EF sometimes)?

Thanks.

 

[John_Lilburne]

From Ceremonial of Bishops:

“125 Requisites for the stational Mass: …
c. In the vesting room …
– seven (or at least two) candlesticks with lighted candles”

“128. … in the following order:
– censerbearer carrying a censer with burning incense;
– an acolyte carrying the cross, with the image to the front, walks between seven other acolytes, or at least two, carrying candlesticks with lighted candles;”

(Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, pages 50-51. Chapter 1 “Stational Mass of the Diocesan Bishop”)

 

[TheMc]

From Ceremonial of Bishops:

“125 Requisites for the stational Mass: …
c. In the vesting room …
– seven (or at least two) candlesticks with lighted candles”

“128. … in the following order:
– censerbearer carrying a censer with burning incense;
– an acolyte carrying the cross, with the image to the front, walks between seven other acolytes, or at least two, carrying candlesticks with lighted candles;”

(Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, pages 50-51. Chapter 1 “Stational Mass of the Diocesan Bishop”)

Thanks John! Just what I needed! I assume you own a physical copy, and typed it in?

 

[corsair]

I always find it interesting that the Rubrics call for “**at least **two lighted candles”.

Rather a vague requirement. Never a “shall” but most always some vague term such as “may”.

 

[TheMc]

I always find it interesting that the Rubrics call for “**at least **two lighted candles”.

Rather a vague requirement. Never a “shall” but most always some vague term such as “may”.

Keep reading:

GIRM:
117. The altar is to be covered with at least one white cloth. In addition, on or next to the altar
are to be placed candlesticks with lighted candles: at least two in any celebration, or even four or six, especially for a Sunday Mass or a holy day of obligation. **If the Diocesan Bishop celebrates, then seven candles should be used.
**