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More video from Australia
Some video from Australia.
Pope Benedict celebrates Mass privately, has a walk, hears some music.
In this piece we see the arrival of the WYD Cross.
There are also interviews with pilgrims from Burma.
Muslims and Jews take in some WYD pilgrims.
An AP piece, obsessing about the priest/abuse controversy.
A spot from SAT2000 in Italian
it looks like even ‘privately’ (were those concelebrants sitting in the background?) the Holy Father celebrates Mass at the ‘new’ Altar facing the congregation.
Comment by Joe — 14 July 2008 @ 8:16 amJoe: I am sure the Holy Father doesn’t micro-manage his arrangements when he is on his trips.
Comment by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf — 14 July 2008 @ 8:33 amDear Father John,
Comment by Joe — 14 July 2008 @ 8:47 amI appreciate that. But I am in a situation where the things talked about, dreamed about, and participated in by many members of this blog are far from reality. I get excited when I hear that the Holy Father is doing something this way or that way. But when he came to the United States, or now when he goes to Australia, for Liturgies public and private, he seems to go along with national ‘custom’, and those with whom I discuss these matters, those who would abhor this blog, say “the Pope is not worried about what we are doing, he’s just fussy at home”.
Joe:
If you look at the larger photo on NLM, it is not possible to have an ad orientem celebration at this altar. The Holy Father takes his time. It is not prudent to change everything quickly. You would do well to be more patient and pray for the Holy Father rather than make resentful comments which only betray a certain amount of ignorance about the situation.
In reading your comments I cannot help but think of the beautiful reflection Pope Benedict offered on St. Peter in his weekly catecheses. Surely the Holy Father bears these things in mind as he himself leads the Church slowly but surely in a better direction. Perhaps they will benefit you as well:
Original Source
Comment by Fr. BJ — 14 July 2008 @ 9:08 amAhhh! Yes, a liturgical “abuse” I can live with- flowers ON the altar!
GIRM:
305. Moderation should be observed in the decoration of the altar.
During Advent the floral decoration of the altar should be marked by a moderation suited to the character of this season, without expressing prematurely the full joy of the Nativity of the Lord. During Lent it is forbidden for the altar to be decorated with flowers. Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), Solemnities, and Feasts are exceptions.
Floral decorations should always be done with moderation and placed around the altar rather than on its mensa.
Comment by Jay — 14 July 2008 @ 9:48 amJoe: if you examine the photos of this Mass on NLM, you will see that there simply is not room for ad orientem at this altar.
Comment by Gavin — 14 July 2008 @ 9:57 amI wonder how it is for the pope, when even his “private” masses are recorded and posted on the web.
and I’m amused; my anti-spam word was “motu proprio” :)
Comment by Mary — 14 July 2008 @ 4:27 pmThe oratory in which Pope Benedict celebrated Mass is in the Opus Dei Study Center. It looks very similar to the study centers I’ve been in.
As Gavin said, there is not enough room for ad orientem at the altar. Remember, the oratory is small.
Also, the altar is designed in such a way that the candles, flowers and crucifix are not on the altar mensa. They are on a strip that was designed for that purpose.
Knowing Opus Dei as I do, they are most careful to ensure that no liturgical abuses take place.
Comment by Joan Moore — 14 July 2008 @ 6:20 pmJews etc accommodating ‘pilgrims’... then why did we need to modify the stations of the cross for the event!!
I’ve already met pilgrims that have never seen dancing girls before WYD… lucky them. I introduced one pilgrim who was scandalised by the dancing girls on the sanctuary to the Gloria in Monteverdi’s vespers… at least he won’t go home empty.
Comment by IS — 14 July 2008 @ 7:34 pmIS wrote:
“Jews etc accommodating ‘pilgrims…’ then why did we need to modify the stations of the cross for the event!!”
)(
I can’t believe any member of the hierarchy would just so arbitrarily change the presentation of elements of the Faith, and for cosmetic reasons too, and then the Church complains Her credibility is in decline. Gee, too obtuse to see it? It just shows the world the Catholic Church can’t get its act together, not in Her practices—Liturgy and otherwise—and dissemination of Her teachings.
Comment by Matt Q — 14 July 2008 @ 8:47 pm