The Little Things Pope Benedict Does

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The Holy Thursday Mass, the Good Friday Liturgy and the Easter Vigil and Day Masses celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI were wonderful. There is absolutely no question in my mind that they are better planned and executed than those celebrated by his predecessor. This is likely due to a great extent to the replacement of Archbishop Piero Marini by Monsignor Guido Marini as Papal MC.

I had an inward grin at some of the things I noticed. A huge altar cross and several candles sitting right on the mensa of the altar. Nothing like placing the focus back on Jesus rather than on the celebrant! Yet it does go directly against many popular “liturgist’s” understanding that the crucifix and candles “block” the people from seeing the celebrant (yes, I know) or that it makes the altar look like a liturgical garage sale (yes, I know again.) I noticed that EWTN followed suit on their daily Masses. I hope they keep it up.

Anyone happen to notice Pope Benedict’s “new” papal crucifix, his tall mitres and his fiddleback chasuble? While I am certainly no “traditionalist” I think all of his vestments and furnishings were in great and elegant taste. I also think they sent a subtle message in direct contrast to some of the vestments Marini used to choose for Pope John Paul II.

Pope Benedict’s distribution of communion by intinction also sent a notice to the world. A very good message at that.
 
Spiller said:
The Holy Thursday Mass, the Good Friday Liturgy and the Easter Vigil and Day Masses celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI were wonderful. There is absolutely no question in my mind that they are better planned and executed than those celebrated by his predecessor. This is likely due to a great extent to the replacement of Archbishop Piero Marini by Monsignor Guido Marini as Papal MC.

I had an inward grin at some of the things I noticed. A huge altar cross and several candles sitting right on the mensa of the altar. Nothing like placing the focus back on Jesus rather than on the celebrant! Yet it does go directly against many popular “liturgist’s” understanding that the crucifix and candles “block” the people from seeing the celebrant (yes, I know) or that it makes the altar look like a liturgical garage sale (yes, I know again.) I noticed that EWTN followed suit on their daily Masses. I hope they keep it up.

Anyone happen to notice Pope Benedict’s “new” papal crucifix, his tall mitres and his fiddleback chasuble? While I am certainly no “traditionalist” I think all of his vestments and furnishings were in great and elegant taste. I also think they sent a subtle message in direct contrast to some of the vestments Marini used to choose for Pope John Paul II.

Pope Benedict’s distribution of communion by intinction also sent a notice to the world. A very good message at that.
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I’m hoping he is sending a big liturgical message to all priests. Make the Sacrifice of the Mass more reverent, beautiful (looking and sounding), holy, and fall on your knees before God, type of Masses.:highprayer: The Pope definitely has class!. I first knew that when I heard he loves Mozart!:harp: . Our Liturgical Pope:thumbsup:
 
As I have said on many threads, what he has written about (as far as liturgy is concerned) when he was Cardinal Ratzinger is now coming out now that he is Pope Benedict.

I think the big problem with JPII is that he was given near cultic status. Although he never intended for it to happen, John Paul became the focus of the Mass. A friend of mine who had been to the Papal Masses in Mexico said that it was frenzy and chaos whenever the popemobile would drive along the streets. People were fainting and crying. It was as though you went to Mass to experience John Paul.

As Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope Benedict often wrote that one of the after-effects of Vatican II was that the priest became the focus of the Mass. That is why he is a strong proponent of the posture of facing Liturgical East, something that he did at the Sistene Chapel during this year’s Baptisms.

Since Benedict took over, the Papal Masses have become more reverent. The homilies are truly teaching moments for the faithful. Benedict is leading by example! 👍

Now, hopefully some of that will rub off on our American bishops when the Holy Father comes over next month. 🤷 Although, from what I’ve heard and read, the Archdiocese of LA hasn’t quite gotten the picture yet.😦
 
When it gets to Pope Benedict, I can’t think of anything to say except: God Bless the Holy Father!

What an amazing Pope.
 
benedictgal said:
As I have said on many threads, what he has written about (as far as liturgy is concerned) when he was Cardinal Ratzinger is now coming out now that he is Pope Benedict.

I think the big problem with JPII is that he was given near cultic status. Although he never intended for it to happen, John Paul became the focus of the Mass. A friend of mine who had been to the Papal Masses in Mexico said that it was frenzy and chaos whenever the popemobile would drive along the streets. People were fainting and crying. It was as though you went to Mass to experience John Paul.

As Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope Benedict often wrote that one of the after-effects of Vatican II was that the priest became the focus of the Mass. That is why he is a strong proponent of the posture of facing Liturgical East, something that he did at the Sistene Chapel during this year’s Baptisms.

Since Benedict took over, the Papal Masses have become more reverent. The homilies are truly teaching moments for the faithful. Benedict is leading by example! 👍

Now, hopefully some of that will rub off on our American bishops when the Holy Father comes over next month. 🤷 Although, from what I’ve heard and read, the Archdiocese of LA hasn’t quite gotten the picture yet.😦
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Yeh and the Archdiocese of Washington to!. Have you read about the musical selection they chose for the Papal Mass
adw.org/news/news.asp?ID=536&Year=2008
Gospel Choir of all things!.
 
Miles_Mariae said:
So is it too late to petition them to change it to Gregorian Chant?
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According to e-mail reply I got from the Archdiocese the Ave Verum is chant. But as for pride of place?. Seems like the Gospel Choir and contemporary modern day music wins out on this event. Sad isn’t it!. Shows that the wrong people still have the majority of say in the American Catholic Church.
 
bkovacs said:
According to e-mail reply I got from the Archdiocese the Ave Verum is chant. But as for pride of place?. Seems like the Gospel Choir and contemporary modern day music wins out on this event. Sad isn’t it!. Shows that the wrong people still have the majority of say in the American Catholic Church.
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The “American Catholic Church?” Is that some sort of Protestant denomination you belong to, or are you taking another shot at the Catholic Church?
 
Spiller said:
The “American Catholic Church?” Is that some sort of Protestant denomination you belong to, or are you taking another shot at the Catholic Church?
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Excuse me. The Roman Catholic Church in the US. And I’m not taking a shot at it. It just boggles me!!. Gospel vs Chant.
 
I love the Holy Father (not always his taste in music), I pray for an increase of Latin during Mass, I have now learned 4 prayers:D . I pray for a balance between how Mass was celebrated Before V and Post V.

Oh and one more thing,I pray for the Canonization of Pope John Paul the Great (2) 👍
 
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