The Holy Father celebrated Holy Mass with members of the Pontifical Theological Commission.
Mass was in the Pauline Chapel in the Apostolic Palace.
Mass was ad orientem, at an altar which can be used from either side.
Since this was for the theological commission, perhaps the Holy Father was also saying something theological by a choice he knew would be widely discussed.
What do you think?
No matter what, it is nice to see the Roman Pontiff celebrating ad orientem versus.
Brick by brick, friends.
Turn by turn.
Altar by altar.
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Deo gratias pro Sancto Papa Nostro Benedicto!
Quidem tandem Ecclesia renovata sit, sub pontifice forte nostro et sancto, et res novae quae imminebant nobis quadraginta annos derelinquantur in pejoris conluvione temporis.
Deo gratias agamus omnes pro Sancto Papa Nostro!
I’m sure the Holy Father knew what he was doing. Does anyone know who the members of the Pontifical Theological Commission are?
Reminds me of that scene from Signs where Mel Gibson says…..
“Is it possible that there are no coincidences?”
Just a matter of time.
Ad multos annos!
Thank you Holy Father.
And yes I think the Holy Father is trying to say something theological by celebrating Mass ad orientem.
Of course he’s been saying it for many years as for example in his book The Spirit of the Liturgy. And this the day after the 40th anniversary of the Novus Ordo. 40 years in the desert but our Liturgical Moses is leading us out into the land of milk and honey where God is God and I’m not.
Fr. DeCoste
I can just hear a new PODCAzT, opening with the chiming sound of The Byrds’ version of “Turn Turn Turn” !
Yep, the (counter)revolution is coming, alright.
Viva il Papa!
Imagine the joys if every American bishop celebrated one Christmas Mass ad orientum. Lets see who is and who is not obedient to Rome. Will we go the way of Rome or American. I am a Roamn.
It is truly only a matter of time…but how difficult it is to wait!!! I know that this Advent Season offers us the graces necessary to cultivate the patience to wait in joyful hope, and I hope that it will help me to wait better. Turn by turn…Vivat Benedictus XVI!
WOW, isn’t that a beautiful sight!
The Chapel being restored to its’ former beauty looks wonderful. God Bless the Holy Father and his Pontificate..I think ad orientem is the single most significant change to the Mass that led to the many other abberations that we see today. Turn this around (no pun intended) and many other things will change on their own without the worry of mandating it.
Deo gratias “…turn by turn”,etc. I am liking, more and more to pray the Novus Ordo interiorly in Latin -the Confiteor, Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Pater Noster, Agnus Dei- in preparation for the day the priest also prays the Mass in Latin – Novus Ordo ad orientem or TLM.
Surely, this little contribution can help foster the critical mass necessary, but even if not, it makes the Mass so much more beautiful and fruitful for me.
The closest TLM to me is over 100 miles away, and in a metro area of over 300,000 (Shreveport, LA) I don’t know of one TLM Catholic (other than myself). Does anyone have a suggestion as to how the TLM could become accessible in my city? My understanding is that Benedict XVI is not yet “leaning” on recalcitrant bishops who are inimical to the TLM. The NO folks here don’t have a clue as to what the TLM is really about and, therefore, couldn’t care less about it. I’m in a quandary: I NEED the Latin Mass. I watch YOUTUBE videos of the TLM but that’s…well, not quite the same as being present for the Mass. Anyway, your prayers would be appreciated.
Ah, with this silent action, what a gracious cloak of fatherly protection the pope has thrown over his priests and bishops who have dared to do the same — in keeping with […wait for it…] “the *spirit* of Summorum Pontificum!”
Does anyone else see a message in that this is happening (almost exactly) 40 years after the institution of the Novus Ordo Missae?
When Summorum Pontificum was issued, I really didn’t think it would change anything. I am extremely pleased to go on record that I was wrong, so wrong that I actually would prefer going to an EF Mass, especially in downtown St. Louis at St. Francis de Sales Oratory.
Prof. John Cavadini, chair of the Theology Dept. at the University of Notre Dame was asked to be the lector for the first reading. He was glad to do so.
YAY! Ad multos annos, indeed!
Somebody else beat me with the Byrds’ song. But let’s try Sandburg:
BRICK
“The bricks come
on little cat feet.
“The Rock sits planning
over Vatican City.
In silent launches,
his plan moves on.”
Hey, that’s a good one, Suburbanbanshee!
Great move by His Holiness (and also his manner of giving Holy Communion) but the most important and significant day will be the day he says the TLM. That day will see the beginning of many more young priests learning the Latin Mass, and its introduction into seminary curriculums. That is the day I am praying and hoping and waiting for. I wrote to the Holy Father about this and I hope many more do the same.
Yes… but if the Holy Father celebrated in the traditional form, assuming it weren’t simply low Mass, we’d have to figure out how to do a full papal liturgy…
Calling Rubricarius, methinks!
Now, if the Holy Father would pray the Solemn High Mass, as opposed to the ‘fabricated'(his words) N.O., that would be actions speaking much louder then words.