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    22 February 2008

    Hand raised in blessing

    CATEGORY: SESSIUNCULA — Fr. John Zuhlsdorf @ 4:34 pm

    • • • • • •

    15 Comments

    1. Father,
      Do you know the history of that triple tiara?
      Which Pontiffs wore it?

      We hope that our present Holy Father will wear one again as he is carried forth on the Sedia gestora with attendants holding flabella

      Comment by danphunter1 — 22 February 2008 @ 4:59 pm

    2. Hasn’t Benedict written previously, when he was a Cardinal, that it was right to get rid of the tiara and sedia gestatoria as they were symbols of the temporal power of the papacy? I’m positive I’ve read this in his work, but some quick googling hasn’t turned up a quote.

      Anyhow, refocusing the papacy away from its tradition of temporal power toward a pastoral office is an important part of his work. I would be very much shocked to see a return of the tiara and the sedia gestatoria. Benedict is not rolling everything back to the 1950s, but resurrecting those elements of traditional that were inappropriately done away with.

      Comment by Chris T. — 22 February 2008 @ 7:18 pm

    3. Hasn’t Benedict written previously, when he was a Cardinal, that it was right to get rid of the tiara and sedia gestatoria as they were symbols of the temporal power of the papacy? I’m positive I’ve read this in his work, but some quick googling hasn’t turned up a quote.

      Anyhow, refocusing the papacy away from its tradition of temporal power toward a pastoral office is an important part of his work. I would be very much shocked to see a return of the tiara and the sedia gestatoria. Benedict is not rolling everything back to the 1950s, but resurrecting those elements of tradition that were inappropriately done away with.

      Comment by Chris T. — 22 February 2008 @ 7:20 pm

    4. Danphunter1 asks: “Do you know the history of that triple tiara? Which Pontiffs wore it?”

      The answer is: none. In order to fit the statue the tiara is larger than life size which isn’t obvious in the photo. It’s about 2 and 1/2 feet high with a diameter of about a foot and a half. Actually, it’s enormous. It can be seen in the exhibit of the treasury in the sacristy of St. Peter’s.

      Comment by Fr. Guy Selvester — 22 February 2008 @ 7:36 pm

    5. I think it should be pointed out that there were times when the Pope as Cardinal spoke about things as his own opinion. It does not necessarily mean he is intent on doing away with something or believing something should not be.

      As we have seen in just recent months what the Holy Father is doing regarding the Liturgy as well various incidentals such as the type of copes and chasubles he’s been wearing ( not to mention the mitres ) would indicate a deeper appreciation of them than merely thinking he’s worried about temporal/spiritual this and that and worrying about where the line is…

      One curious point. All the Popes had their coats of arms surmounted by the Tiara, except this one. In that, Chris T may have a point, at least insofar as the Pope’s own personal expression. ??

      Comment by Matt Q — 22 February 2008 @ 8:29 pm

    6. I don’t mean to suggest the Pope’s writings as a theologian are binding on him now. (I should also point out I’m not a Roman Catholic—though I have read a fair bit of the Pope’s theological work.)

      However, it suggests a trajectory for what Fr Z calls the Pope’s “Marshall Plan”. I feel pretty safe in thinking that the tiara and sedia gestatoria are not only not going to make an appearance, but are sort of contrary to that plan. From an ecumenical standpoint, many of us see all of this—the return to traditional practices, as well as the continued emphasis on spiritual rather than temporal authority—as rather positive. I guess we’ll see where it goes, but even tiny little baby steps are good for the entire faith, in my view.

      Comment by Chris T. — 22 February 2008 @ 8:55 pm

    7. Whose coat of arms is at the cope?

      Comment by Mauricio — 22 February 2008 @ 9:32 pm

    8. Could I borrow this photo from you, Fr Z, for my blog?

      Comment by Joshua — 22 February 2008 @ 9:37 pm

    9. Why have the recent Popes, Benedict included, seemingly dispensed with the traditional three-fingered blessing? They always use their entire hand, which is seriously annoying.

      Actually I’m a fan of priests and bishops taking up this practice as well, allowed or not.

      Comment by Garrett — 22 February 2008 @ 9:38 pm

    10. Chris T.
      It is not a “rollback to the 1950’s” to use the Sedia.
      Pope John Paul I used it in 1978.
      The Holy Father is also the temporal ruler of the World as well as the spiritual leader.

      Comment by danphunter1 — 22 February 2008 @ 11:01 pm

    11. Mauricio asks: “Whose coat of arms is at the cope?”

      It is the arms used by the Chapter of St. Peter’s. All of the vestments used by the clergy of St. Peter’s Basilica are marked with those arms. Namely, two keys standing vertically and facing each other on a plain shield surmounted by the papal tiara and crossed keys. If you attend Capitular Vespers on Sunday evening at St. Peter’s you’ll see the copes decorated with these same arms. The cope the statue is vested in looks newer than what they used to use in years past. Perhaps they have simply used one of the copes from St. Peter’s sacristy? Anyway, that’s the coat of arms on the cope.

      Comment by Fr. Guy Selvester — 23 February 2008 @ 12:17 am

    12. Father: wasn’t sure where to put this so I’ll put it here
      http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/news_1.html

      It seems that those in the press have come to realise what we already knew; that this is the place to get all the latest news first! :c).

      Comment by Matthew — 23 February 2008 @ 8:24 am

    13. Chris T:
      “Hasn’t Benedict written previously, when he was a Cardinal, that it was right to get rid of the tiara and sedia gestatoria as they were symbols of the temporal power of the papacy?”

      I know that he wrote:
      “As long as the church wanders on earth, she has no right to glorify herself. The new triumphalism could become even more insidious than the tiaras and sedias gestatorias, which in any case and now more cause of smiles than of pride.” (The Ratzinger Report, Chapter One, Right-Left. Optimism-Pessimism.).

      Comment by Szczebrzeszczynski — 23 February 2008 @ 9:43 am

    14. Szczebrzeszczynski quoting Cardinal Ratzinger: “As long as the church wanders on earth, she has no right to glorify herself. The new triumphalism could become even more insidious than the tiaras and sedias gestatorias, which in any case and now more cause of smiles than of pride.” (The Ratzinger Report, Chapter One, Right-Left. Optimism-Pessimism.).

      It seems Pope Benedict XVI has revisited Cardinal Ratzinger’s views
      on this one. After all, in the first year of his pontificate, the tiara
      was gone from the Petrine feasts, and now, since last year, it is back.

      It is no scandal that Pope Benedict has in some respects ideas that are
      different from Cardinal Ratzinger’s. After all, the former has a charism
      (the papal graces of state) that the latter lacked.

      So basically, the same person,
      but under different guidance due to the graces that the Holy Spirit
      pours on the Vicar of Christ

      Comment by prof. basto — 23 February 2008 @ 11:05 am

    15. Prof. b: Szczebrzeszczynski quoting Cardinal Ratzinger

      Only on WDTPRS can one find something like that.

      Comment by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf — 23 February 2008 @ 11:09 am

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