Our friend John Sonnen of Orbis Catholicus, whom I hope to see in a few days in Rome, has a truly interesting report of the goings on in the Vatican Basilica:
Revolution Guido: il divertimento a Roma…
For the Mons. Guido Marini crowd there’s more great news. They’re bringing all the old treasures out of storage!Today while in the Vatican Basilica I saw something I didn’t think I’d ever see and something that hasen’t been seen here likely in about forty (or more) years in St. Peter’s Basilica!
They brought back the old giant carpet covers for the choir benches at the altar of the chair. It’s difficult to explain what exactly these are, and it will be impossible to get close to get a photo. But today they were putting them out.
They’re likely from the era of Pius IX, but difficult to date. They’re full of colors and designs, they cover the benches and resemble nineteenth century carpets made for sanctuaries you sometimes still see in and around Rome.
They add a lot of color and look great.
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Allora grazie dell’post e speriamo di vederti fra un po. Auguri da tutti noi!
Now if only they could bring back the altar.
I think this is the covers he is talking about (look at the benches):
http://www.fotografiafelici.com/index.php?page=scripts/inserimento&num_file=14&cerimonia=8144%2003%20Commemorazione%20Cardinal%20Gantin&data=2008-09-09%2020:54:32&cod=480&language=ING&n_page=1#foto
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/photogallery/2007/img/02022007_1.jpg
These drapes are used since the times of Piero Marini as you can see in the last photo.
John V said: Now if only they could bring back the altar.
Baby steps. :)
“Now if only they could bring back the altar.”
It is the dullest and most used part of the whole basillica, something should be done to it.
Father,
Now may be the opportune moment to ask again.
Earlier this summer when you were traveling at some point, I asked if you had any news re the “document on the document.” You said you’d check out the Z-vine when you got back to the Sabine Farm, but with Rome snoozing, there was apparently no news.
Now however with the 1st anniversary of SP’s implementation coming up, is there anything to report?
Which altar do you all mean? Do you mean the one at the Chair of St. Peter?
Thanks!
Here’s an example of my ignorance: Bring back what altar?
The altar that Bernini built underneath his masterpiece, that had been there for centuries, but which was barbarously jackhammered to bits a number of years ago.
http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2006/08/liturgical-renewal-at-saint-peters-how.html
In the past there have been nutters who have sledgehammered the Pieta, and they’ve been hauled off to some Bedlam or other. I don’t know where they hauled off the person who ordered Bernini’s altar to be jackhammered.
It is suggested that the two photos linked by SMJ are of the funerals of cardinals, and Mr Sonnen saw the covers being put out for the funeral of SRE Innocenti to be held on Wednesday 10th. Perhaps a bit of a false alarm
Thank you Jordanes.
And, yes, the altar looks far superior to the one they have now.
Jon: Hopefully we’ll have something to report next week! I am eager to hear what comes out at the conference to be held in Rome on Summorum Pontificum.
Jordanes: I was there that morning and watched them do it.
“The altar that Bernini built underneath his masterpiece, that had been there for centuries, but which was barbarously jackhammered to bits a number of years ago. I don’t know where they hauled off the person who ordered Bernini’s altar to be jackhammered. Comment by Jordanes”
We’ve been over this before. The old altar of the chair was beautiful. But, it was NOT built by Bernini and it had NOT been there for centuries. At best it was 100-120 years old which, when you consider most of the other things in St. Peter’s, made it rather “new”. That’s why Cardinal Noe (at the time Archpriest of the basilica) authorized its removal: it was NOT original to the building. Still, it was a shame that they removed it.
Thanks Father!
Stu: Baby steps. :)
Attention Christendom, our Holy Father may not be long for this world (God forbid). Baby steps are fine, but eventually someone is going to have to speed up this brick-by-brick process.
Rome was not built nor burned in a day. Of course. But how can we be confident that the next pope will so ably carry the hod like His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI? There is so much work to be done!
Pray for the Pope to have a “long and happy life”….very long and very happy.