Click!
One of our frequent and long-time commentators here, Henry Edwards, sent some screenshots of the Holy Mass celebrated by Rainer Card. Woelki at the spectacular Cathedral of Cologne’s high altar (i.e., the real altar, the grown-up altar, the main altar) for Candlemas
Of course, he celebrated ad orientem. The Mass was chanted mostly in German. One of the finest choirs in Europe sang the Ordinary in a Latin setting (Primi toni octo vocum of Stefano Bernardi). This goes to show how the Ordinary Form can indeed be celebrated in greater continuity with our tradition than it usually is in most places. You can see the whole Mass HERE.
Loading ...
Wait, what? Something good actually happened in a German Catholic church? Well, stranger things have happened I guess.
Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen, Herr Zebaoth!
How beautiful are thy dwellings, oh Lord of Hosts!
I fell in love with Church architecture at the age of 16 while looking up at the massive facade of the Cologne cathedral on a trip to Europe with a priest and a few other young men,
I later fell in love with the Church’s doctrine, liturgy, philosophy, and theology.
This warms my heart.
Is the Paschal Candle out and lit?
This is not the Pascal Candle.
It’s a votive candle offered by the cologne carnival organization during a service (not a mass) in january. It will burn up to ash wednesday.
For info: the early morning Mass (7AM as I recall?) in Cologne Cathedral is always ‘ad orientem’ as it is celebrated in a small side chapel where the altar is v firmly fixed to the wall. When I attended it was a NO Mass in German, celebrated v reverently. The Cathedral is beautiful – and HUGE! Do go if you ever have the chance.
Slightly off topic: I wish more UK parishes would offer early morning Mass like this for those on the way to work. In the USA provision for workers on the way to work seems to be very good – I have been to early Masses in Las Vegas, New Haven, Scottsville CA etc and will be going next week in central Atlanta. In the UK they are pretty much non-existent – Why?
Martin B,
Thank you. I did not know that. I did not think offerings of large ornate candles were still being made. Glad to know.