Papal Funeral Will Follow Ancient, Unique Rite

CAtholic World News ^ | 4/6/05

[marshmallow]

Vatican, Apr. 06 (CWNews.com) - The funeral Mass for Pope John Paul II (bio - news) will be held in St. Peter's Basilica on Friday morning, April 8, at 10. The details of the unique ceremony-- which is expected to last 3 hours-- are laid out in the apostolic constitution, Universi Dominici Gregis , promulgated by Pope John Paul in 1996.

That document, setting the procedures for the burial of one Pontiff and the election of a successor, stipulates that a Pope's funeral, should be held between 4 and 6 days after his death. Pope John Paul died in the evening of April 2, so his funeral will occur on the last day of that period. The Catholic Church has a special rite for the burial of a Roman Pontiff. As dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (bio - news) will preside at the funeral Mass.

A massive congregation is expected. More than 200 world leaders have already announced their plans to attend, and the city of Rome is bracing for a crowd that could number up to 5 million people. Giant video screens have been set up on the roads around the Vatican, so that the ceremony can be seen by the vast majority, who will not be able to enter the Vatican basilica.

The funeral Mass is preceded by a short ceremony in which the Pope's coffin is seal. First the body of the deceased Pope, which has been lying on public view in the basilica, will be placed in a cypress coffin. After a short period of prayer, the master of liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Piero Marini, and the late Pope's private secretary, Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, will draw a white silk cloth over the Pope's face. Then the camerlengo, Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, will bless the body with holy water.

Next Archbishop Marini will observe an old Vatican tradition, putting a small purse into the coffin at the Pope's feet, containing specimens of the coins that were struck by the Vatican during his pontificate. Then the coffin will be sealed, in the presence of several official witnesses: among them will be the camerlengo, Cardinal Martinez Somalo; the archpriest of the Vatican basilica, Cardinal Francesco Marchisano; the vicar of the Diocese of Rome, Cardinal Camillo Ruini; the former Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano (bio - news); his sostituto or deputy, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri; the prefect of the papal household, Bishop James Michael Harvey.

The funeral itself will then begin with a solemn procession, including the lectors, clerics, and deacons who will participate in the ceremony, as well as the cardinals and patriarchs who will concelebrate-- virtually all of the cardinals who are present in Rome. The procession will enter the Vatican basilica slowly, accompanied by Gregorian chant. The coffin will be placed on the floor in front of the main altar. The Paschal candle will burn beside it, a symbol of the Resurrection. There will also be a large crucifix, and an open Bible.

The concelebrating prelates, vested in red, will assemble behind the altar, facing the congregation. To one side, near the altar, will assembled the secular dignitaries attending the service, seated according to diplomatic protocol: the heads of state and heads of government, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of international organization. Opposite them, on the other side of the altar, will be the representatives of other religious groups, as well as the priests and religious of the Vatican basilica.

After the Mass, in which Cardinal Ratzinger will deliver the homily, the German cardinal will lead the final prayers for John Paul II. After circling the coffin with holy water and incense, he will read the prescribed prayers of the ritual: the commendation of the soul of the deceased Pontiff. This prayer is followed by the Litany of the Saints. Then the members of the hierarchy-- patriarchs, cardinals, archbishops, metropolitans, and bishops-- file past the coffin to pay their final respects.

The coffin is then carried to the place of burial, in the Vatican grottos, in another procession, accompanied by the singing of the Magnificat. This is a much smaller procession-- due in part to the limitations of space in the grottos. The participants will roughly the same people who witnessed the closing of the coffin: the top-ranking prelates of the Holy See, officials of the Vatican basilica, and members of the Pope's household.

The camerlengo leads the burial service, another rite surrounded with Vatican tradition. First the Pope's cypress coffin is wrapped in red ribbons, which are imprinted with the seals of the pontifical household. Then the coffin is placed within another metal coffin, which is immediately sealed. This metal coffin, engraved with a cross and the late Pope's coat of arms, is then deposited into a third, oak coffin.

The notary of the Vatican basilica then reads the formal notice of the burial, in the presence of the witnesses. The camerlengo and the prefect of the pontifical household sign the document, formally certifying the burial.

John Paul II will be buried in the ground, in the oratory of St. Longinus, near the spot where St. Peter's tomb is located. His grave will be marked by a simple, inclined, marble marker bearing his name.

The ritual for the burial of a Pope includes three "stations." The first, to be held "in the house of the deceased Pontiff," includes the certification of death, the exposition of the body for veneration by prelates (which has already taken place in the Clementine Hall of the apostolic palace), and a first series of prescribed prayers. The second "station," in the Vatican basilica, includes the procession to St. Peter's and the funeral Mass. The burial service is the third and final "station."

[ninenot]

The JSBach realization begins with a 3-beat dance, in D Major.

In the "Gloria Patri" section, he uses triplets in the 3-beat measures (Trinitarian reference, anyone...?)

And he uses some Chant in the oboes when the Soprano sings one of her solos. The Chant is very obscure (especially nowadays) and is used only on one Feast day (IIRC the Annunciation) at Vespers.

Friggin' genius he was...

[ninenot]

I dunno. "Piazza" has worked for Italians for about 1500 years...

[eastsider]

OK, Mr. Priss.

I make a motion that this goes on your profile page, Romulus.

[NYer]

The JSBach realization begins with a 3-beat dance, in D Major.

BWV 243		Magnificat in D-Dur
1. Coro Tromba I-III, Timpani, Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo		Magnificat anima mea Dominum.
2. Aria S.II Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo		Et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo.
3. Aria S.I Oboe d'amore I, Continuo		Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae; ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent
4. Coro Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe d'amore I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo		Omnes generationes.
5. Aria B Continuo		Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius.
6. Aria (Duetto) A T Flauto traverso I e Violino I all' unisono, Flauto traverso II e Violino II all' unisono, Viola, Continuo		Et misericordia a progenie in progenies timentibus eum.
7. Coro Tromba I-III, Timpani, Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo		Fecit potentiam in brachio suo, dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.
8. Aria T Violini all' unisono, Continuo		Deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles.
9. Aria A Flauto traverso I/II, Continuo		Esurientes implevit bonis et divites dimisit inanes.
10. Aria (Terzetto) S.I S.II A Oboe I/II all' unisono, Organo e Violoncelli senza, Violone e Bassoni		Suscepit Israel puerum suum recordatus misericordiae suae.
11. Coro Continuo		Sicut locutus est ad Patres nostros, Abraham et semini eius in saecula.
12. Coro Tromba I-III, Timpani, Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Organo e Continuo		Gloria Patri, gloria Filio, gloria et Spiritui Sancto! Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

---

Besetzung		Soli: S.I S.II A T B, Coro: S.I S.II A T B, Tromba I-III, Timpani, Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Oboe d'amore I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo (+ Violoncello, Violone, Fagotto)
Entstehungszeit		1728/31
Text		Lukas 1,46-55

---

Bach Cantata Page
Created by Walter F. Bischof

[CitizenM]

Thank you marshmallow. I was just researching this, but got sidetracked trying to get other info. about the College of Cardinals.

Posted: The College of Cardinals - What is it, why is it, what they do, and who they are to help us all. It is even confusing to Catholics who have not experienced this process for 26 years.

Once this is all over we will certainly understand much (not all, but that's ok, the secrecy is appreciated) of these proceedings. Wish the media would do the same. Ah, well...coverage has been constant, I am glad of that.

I just read that the total number of pilgrims expected is now predicted to be 4 Million!!! What a testimony to this saintly man John Paul, The Great.

No one can ignore these numbers, no matter how hard the liberal media tries to debase his impact on the world. I haven't read the New York Times' article today, but I heard it was negative.

[sinkspur]

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

Golly, professor. Lookie at what I found:

The popular Campo dei Fiori market in the historic center, occupying an entire piazza, has been an institution since 1477, when it was moved from the Piazza Navona. Cardinals and noblemen mingled with fishmongers and foreigners, making it one of the liveliest areas of medieval and renaissance Rome. Lively, indeed: Many of the piazza's inns were once owned by the 15th century courtesan Vanozza Catanei, who was mistress of Pope Alexander VI Borgia.

Source.

As you know, professor, "piazza" is Italian for "plaza."

There are many other piazzas in Rome. I can list them if you'd like.

[Romulus]

I got a million of 'em!

[Romulus]

As you know, professor, "piazza" is Italian for "plaza."

And "platz" is German. Here in New Orleans we have Jackson Square, in the old days called the "Place d'Armes". Which in the other old days, was called the "Plaza de Armas". So glad to see you coming along in your language studies.

I know monoglot Americans fumbling to communicate abroad commonly offer up Tex-Mex lingo in the hope that the locals will comprende. It's all "foreign", after all. Just remember, Tex: Romans aren't Mexicans. Capisce?

[dangus]

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

I hear William Bennett.

[Romulus]

Hahahaha!

[ninenot]

Capisce?

Nein, Mein Herr.

But I DO Geh'r Steh'

[sinkspur]

Dance, dance, dance.

You're approaching the incoherence of your Big Easy buddy.

[CitizenM]

This is a link to the Vatican Television Network that will broadcast the Funeral of Pope John Paul, II. Friday: 10am Rome time - 4am Eastern US time. Live Transmission of The Funeral of PJP,II

Does anyone know what FOX, CNN, or any of the other old networks are doing?

[pleasedontzotme]

Fox starts their coverage at 3 AM; I'm sure that everyone else will be on by the time the funeral comes on as well.

I may have to go to bed early tomorrow night; this is history I want to see live. But 4 AM...yeesh.

[Guillermo]

He wasn't talking about pizzeria's, sheesh.

[Fudd Fan]

ETWN's listing says their coverage begins 4am-7amEDT, then encore presentation at 9:30amEDT

[CitizenM]

Yep, me too. We have our tapes ready. This is something I want to keep for my children who, I know, will never get up to watch it. Luckily I have the option. Thanks for the info.

[Miss Marple]

In order for me to watch, I am going to have to get up at 2AM. I am going to do it, but I will have my sleep messed up for the entire weekend.