Papal Funeral Will Follow Ancient, Unique Rite

CAtholic World News ^ | 4/6/05

[sinkspur]

Uh, I had heard that the Mass will be held outdoors, in the plaza, if the weather permits.

[anniegetyourgun]

Very interesting - thanks for posting, marshmallow.

[northernlightsII]

Do you know if every pope makes such arrangements for his funeral or did John Paul II just revamp the whole funeral process for all popes?

[Salvation]

I also heard something about Mass being on the steps.

[MamaB]

Wonder who will represent the USA at Prince Ranier's services?

[kendu]

send Carter

[TXBubba]

You beat me to it. Yes, send Carter. His bags are already packed.

[Romulus]

Sorry, Tex; there aren't any plazas in Rome.

[eastsider]

Cardinal Ratzinger will deliver the homily

Perfect.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" which is expected to last 3 hours "

Clinton slept during Reagan's funeral- how is he going to stay awake for 3 hours ??!!

[Think free or die]

"send Carter"

Prince Ranier deserves better.

[Mercat]

I've been down in those grottos. Pretty cramped space. I don't think that they are open to the public anymore. I was there in 1968. Was able to go all the way down and all the way up to the top of cupulo and be within touching distance of the Pieta. None possible now.

[sinkspur]

OK, Mr. Priss.

I meant St. Peter's square. I had heard that the ceremony would be held in the square.

[ruoflaw]

Thanks for posting this information

[NYer]

The coffin is then carried to the place of burial, in the Vatican grottos, in another procession, accompanied by the singing of the Magnificat.

Annunciation Fra Angelico - fresco from San Marco, Florence (detail)
"Hail Mary, full of grace: the Lord is with thee".
"Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word".

About the Magnificat

The Magnificat [Latin: magnifies], also called the Canticle of Mary, is recorded in the Gospel of Luke (1:46-55). It is the Virgin Mary's joyous prayer in response to the Angel Gabriel's annunciation to her that she will become the mother of the Son of God. This great hymn forms part of the Church's prayer in the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours). When it is recited as part of the Divine Office, it is followed by the Gloria Patri ("Glory be"). The traditional sung Magnificat is Latin plainchant. One of the hymn's most glorious musical renditions is the version of the Magnificat by J.S. Bach.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the Magnificat as "the song both of the Mother of God and of the Church" [CCC 2619], and explains this prayer's significance:

Mary's prayer is revealed to us at the dawning of the fullness of time. Before the Incarnation of the Son of God, and before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, her prayer cooperates in a unique way with the Father's plan of loving kindness: at the Annunciation, for Christ's conception; at Pentecost, for the formation of the Church, His Body. In the faith of His humble handmaid, the Gift of God found the acceptance He had awaited from the beginning of time. She whom the Almighty made "full of grace" responds by offering her whole being: "Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me according to Thy word". "Fiat": this is Christian prayer: to be wholly Gods' because He is wholly ours. [CCC 2617]

The Magnificat appears below both in English and in Latin.

---

My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Catholic Ping - Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[anonymoussierra]

Thank you

[mike182d]

I encourage as many Catholics as possible to participate in the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours) tomorrow. Many Churches that I know of will be celebrating Vespers tomorrow at 7:00 pm (EST).

It is the prayer of the Church that the whole of the Church around the world participates in.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

Probably more appropriate to call it a plaza anyway... St. Peter's square is not square.

[ContraryMary]

Clinton slept during Reagan's funeral- how is he going to stay awake for 3 hours ??!!

LOL! Especially when it will be 4am EDT.