Solemnity Mass of the Epiphany in Rome

[scylla]

I am watching the Pope celebrate the Mass right now on EWTN and because of watching EWTN’s other Masses I can respond and follow along.
I is great, I just started learning a little Latin about a year ago and I can understand the Mass along with people from all over the world, it just is so overwhelming the unity this gives the Mass all over the world.

I just wanted to share that and let anyone know who wants to hop onto the website or TV to watch.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[benedictgal]

I loved it. Everything was beautiful. Since he became Pope, Benedict has really raised the bar on the liturgy. The solemnity, the majesty and the beauty have returned to the Mass. I only hope that this trend will leap the Atlantic and come to our part of the world.

What I found particularly beautiful was the fact that he restored the ancient custom of the Proclamation of the date of Easter during the Epiphany. I tried to get my parish to do it this year, but, nothing came of it. I was thrilled to hear it in its original Latin.

Oddly enough, even though St. Peter’s was jammed, youi got the notion that something very sacred was happening. Furthermore, Benedict makes Christ, not Joseph Ratzinger, nor the community, the focus of the liturgy. He crafts his homilies so they become teaching moments. The music has also improved considerably.

It was a truly beatiful, solemn Mass that really had a true sense of the divine majesty of God.

 

[Joysong]

Although I commented on this proclamation in another thread, our pastor also noted that this Holy Feast ranks third in solemnity and importance in the liturgical calendar, giving first and second precedence to Christmas and Easter. He made special use of incense as well, and the entire liturgy was very special!

 

[scylla]

Although I commented on this proclamation in another thread, our pastor also noted that this Holy Feast ranks third in solemnity and importance in the liturgical calendar, giving first and second precedence to Christmas and Easter. He made special use of incense as well, and the entire liturgy was very special!

I didn’t know this was thought of as third, that is pretty important.
Thank you for pointing that out.
We were blessed in our parish to have 2 visiting priests celebrate Mass! The Pope’s Mass was done beautifully and I see how he is turning the focus to God. It might take a bit but it seems he is really working at focusing on Christ.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[Joysong]

Thanks, Scylla,

I, too, learned something new!
Too bad my memory is poor, for I would love to share so much more from his homily.

But I do need to correct something that may possibly be misread in my last post: “giving first and second precedence to Christmas and Easter.”

Easter is without question in first place, though my typing made it appear as secondary.

 

[benedictgal]

Thanks, Scylla,

I, too, learned something new!
Too bad my memory is poor, for I would love to share so much more from his homily.

But I do need to correct something that may possibly be misread in my last post: “giving first and second precedence to Christmas and Easter.”

Easter is without question in first place, though my typing made it appear as secondary.

If you subscribe to Zenit.org. you will get the homily in your inbox tonight. It should be posted on the Vatican website today. When you get to the homepage, click on Christmas. It will lead you to a link that has the homilies for the Christmas season. You’ll find it in the Epiphany section. If not, you can always click on Benedict’s picture, which takes you to his home page. They should have the homilies for 2008. Click on the 2008 button and it will also take you there.