Did anyone else see the blessing of the Incarnation dome at the Bascilica of the Immaculate Conception tonight? It was live on EWTN from 5 to 6 Eastern. I wish I’d known about it in advance so we could have gone down there for it! Archbishop Wuerl just about dumped an entire box of incense in the bowl for the blessing! He seemed to really be enjoying the smell. I love incense also and can just imagine how beautiful the Shrine smelled after that! We couldn’t watch the entire Mass since we had a family dinner party. I wonder if they will replay it?
I saw only a part of it. The Knight proclaming the epistle made me shudder. As lectors, we were taught to never take a paper up to the ambo to read; we are only supposed to read from the Lectionary. Furthermore, we needed to have regard for the written Word of God and reading from a sheet of paper wasn’t kosher.
The cantor had an incredible voice. He was a high point. Now, for those of you who doubted me (in a previous post) regarding where the psalm was to be sung from, the cantor sang the psalm from the AMBO. I need to get my GIRM back from a priest who borrowed it. Once I bring it back, I’ll post the citation.
Archbishop Wurl’s homily left something to be desired. Although he really did a good job explaining the importance of the Incarnation dome and how it reflected the life of Christ, I think that he could have used this weekend’s Gospel to bring home the point about how the earthly basilica “reflects” the heavenly Jerusalem. The Gospel begins with the 12 marveling at how beautiful the Temple was and then Jesus tells them that not one stone will be left upon another. I think that if Archbishop Wurl began with that theme and used it as a compare and contrast, that would have worked.
I went to Mass at our Cathedral and there happened to be a wedding at the vigil. The Sunday readings were used and the administrator incorporated the nuptial celebration into the reading. It was quite good.
My Dad, who is a past District Deputy, Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator was happy that the Knights didn’t position the Fourth Degree in the front pews and, instead, opted to get the guys seated one by the aisle. He got that posture done several years ago, although there was dissent from the old guard. My dad told them, “Look, they’re here to participate in the Mass, not look at you.”
