The Holy Father is on his way to St. Mary Major. The streets are LINED with people...I'm noticing lots and lots of young people, smiling, excited. His homily was interrupted a few times with applause.
Posted on 05/07/2005 10:31:37 AM PDT by Salvation
Rome, May. 06 (CWNews.com) - On Saturday, May 7, Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) will formally take possession of the basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Rome diocese.
Although it has not been the primary home of Roman Pontiffs since the 14th century-- St. Peter's Basilica is the site of most papal liturgical celebrations-- St. John Later remains the Pope's cathedral, and the Roman church par excellence. The name "Lateran" refers to the great patrician family of ancient Rome on his grounds the basilica now stands. For several centuries, the Roman Pontiff lived in the Lateran palace adjacent to the church itself. The massive bronze central doors were taken from the Roman Forum, where the Senate met.
It was in this basilica that Charlemagne was baptized on Easter Sunday in 774. And five councils took place at the basilica: Lateran I in 1123, Lateran II in 1139, Lateran III in 1179, Lateran Iv in 1215, and Lateran V in 1512. It was also at the Lateran Palace that the "Lateran Accords" were signed in 1929, establishing the terms of the agreement which-- with later amendments-- still governs relations between the Vatican city-state and the Italian republic.
Building was begun under the Emperor Constantine, and the basilica was originally consecrated by Pope Sylvester I in 324. Damaged during the sack of Rome by Alaric in 410, it was repaired, but demolished by an earthquake in 896. Rebuilt in the 10th century, it was again destroyed, this time by fire, in 1308. Rebuilt once again under Popes Clement V and John XXII in the early 14th century. It was damaged again by both earthquake and fire during that century, but restored each time. The current building-- with a massive nave that makes it second in size only to St. Peter's among the churches of Rome-- was refinished in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Holy Father is on his way to St. Mary Major. The streets are LINED with people...I'm noticing lots and lots of young people, smiling, excited. His homily was interrupted a few times with applause.
Did I get the wrong church?
No, he celebrated at St. John Lateran and now he's going to visit St. Mary Major.
The weather forecast was for rain and thunder. But there's not a cloud in the sky per Vatican Radio.
Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead a mass in Saint John Basilica at Rome May 7, 2005. REUTERS/Max Rossi
Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead a mass in Saint John Basilica at Rome May 7, 2005. REUTERS/Max Rossi
Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead a mass at Saint John Basilica in Rome May 7, 2005. Pope Benedict pledged on Saturday to follow the strict line of his predecessor and defend traditional Catholic teachings from 'fashionable' ideas that threaten to destroy the faith. REUTERS/Max Rossi
He's positively magnificent.
The adoration on the faces of the crowd give me goose bumps. And yes, I too, noticed a lot of young people! The Church is alive and young.
May God Bless and keep healthy His gift to us,... Pope Benedict XVI.
The Romans love this man!
She also said when he gives homilies he does not "speak Vaticanese", that people can understand him because he doesn't speak over their heads theologically.
He's such a wonderful teacher of the faith!
Well, as someone who's crossing the Tiber, I appreciate the many levels that he speaks to me...his homilies which draw me to the beauty of Christ...his candid interviews that help me understand the Catholic vision...his humility that points to the Otherness of God...and his theological works that challenge me to think and reorder my worldview.
I haven't been this joyous in a long time, coming in as a bruised and wearied Anglican.
Just turned the TV off a few minutes ago. The Mass at St John Laterans' Basilica and the prayers in St Mary Major were absolutely magnificent! I'm looking forward to getting a copy of that wonderful homily,sometime this eveing,I guess and chew on it.There was so much meat to it.So simple and yet elegant that even someone as simple-minded as I am can understand him. I might even watch the encore this evening(4:00p.m.pacific).
Vicar of Jesus Christ,May St. John, help you in everyway and may God help you to lead the millions of people back to Him-through Thy, Church, the One,holy, Catholic and Apostalic Church!!!!!!! Dominus Vobiscum Holy Father!!!!
"The new pope has made clear his wish to work for the unity of Christians spread among different Churches -- Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans and other Protestants.
In an unprecedented gesture he sent a message of "cordial" greeting to the chief protestant Church in France, the Reformed Church, which is holding a synod, or general assembly in the south of the country and assuring them of his "prayers", according to the Church."
Pope says he has a duty to combat wrong ideas of freedom
Thank you, Carolina, for posting these beautiful photos!
For those who missed it, the Mass will be rebroadcast on EWTN at 7pm EST. Check your local cable provider for channel.
He's absolutely radiant!
Who will ever forget the look on their faces, as these seminarians witnessed the announcement "Habemus Papam", followed by the name of Joseph Ratzinger.
In the less than 3 weeks as pontiff, you can 'feel' the change in attitude amongst the cardinals, bishops, priests and laity. Fr. Richard John Neuhaus got it right when, following the announcement of Ratzinger as our new pope, he said:
"With the election of Pope Benedict XVI, the curtain has fallen on the long-running drama of the myth of "the spirit of Vatican II," in which the revolution mandated by the Council was delayed by the timidity of Paul VI and temporarily derailed for twenty-plus years by the regressive John Paul II, as the Church inexorably moved toward the happy denouement of "the next pope" who would resume the course of progressive accommodation to the wisdom of the modern world. The curtain has fallen and the audience has long since left, except for a few diehards who say they are giving the new management a hundred days to revive the show. Some of them are perhaps thinking of going to another theater. There are worse things than not being a Catholic--when it is made unmistakably clear that being a Catholic is not what one is."
Let's all remember to pray for this dear man that the "wolves" will not get him. The Church - and the WORLD - needs his humble and beautiful witness. When he mentioned wolves at the installation Mass, it sent chills down my spine.
I remember that too! And I also remember the inflection in his voice when he said it. I pray for him every day.
Is that a Missionary of Charity I spy behind him?
Mine too. I'm not sure what it referred to, but it definitely sounded ominous. The problem is that there are so many wolves about these days, it's hard to know exactly which one to watch.
>> "The new pope has made clear his wish to work for the unity of Christians spread among different Churches -- Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans and other Protestants.
In an unprecedented gesture he sent a message of "cordial" greeting to the chief protestant Church in France, the Reformed Church, which is holding a synod, or general assembly in the south of the country and assuring them of his "prayers", according to the Church."<<
Isn't the "Pope of the Olives" suppose to be a uniter?
Sorry, I just had to throw that in.
Thank you for the wonderful post! I was able to watch the entire Mass on EWTN and it was truly beautiful!
Does anyone know the two songs, processional and recessional, sung at St. Mary Major? The limited translation I got of the recessional sounded as though it might be specific to St. Mary Major. Thought they also mentioned Benedict by name.
God bless Pope Benedict and keep him strong.
Did you watch the Holy Father's Installation Mass as Bishop of Rome at St John Latern today? It was fantastic! The encore will be shown again tomorrow. Check your listing.
EWTN might have that homily. Maybe we can check and post it on this thread.
Thank you for those photos, FRiend.
Cardinal Bernard Law reads during the visit of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Mary Major basilica, in Rome, Saturday May 7, 2005 to pay homage to an icon of Mary.(AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)
Reuters - Sat May 7, 3:57 PM ET Pope Benedict XVI waves inside Saint Mary Major Basilica in Rome May 7, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI pledged on Saturday to follow the strict line of his predecessor and defend traditional Catholic teachings from 'fashionable' ideas that threaten to destroy the faith. REUTERS/Max Rossi
Pope Benedict XVI prays inside the Saint Mary Major Basilica in Rome May 7, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI pledged on Saturday to follow the strict line of his predecessor and defend traditional Catholic teachings from 'fashionable' ideas that threaten to destroy the faith. REUTERS/Max Rossi
A view of St. John Lateran during the Pope Benedict XVI installation mass, Saturday, May 7, 2005.The Pope completed his installation as pontiff by presiding over Mass at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, his cathedral as bishop of Rome, before paying homage to an icon of Mary at another Roman basilica, St. Mary Major. (AP Photo/Massimo Sambucetti)
Welcome, sister. I just read your very impressive home page. It's folks like you who continue to strengthen us
Sorry, I didn't hear the Mass. Some niece of mine was getting married and She Who Must Be Obeyed thought I should show up...
You're lucky to have heard what you did. I was forced to participate in a Mass celebrated by a contumacious Jesuit, who re-arranged the words of the Canon and the Our Father, who ordered the congregation to stand throughout the Canon, etc., etc.
Of course, my family KNELT during the Canon--all 11 of us, and the various boy/girl friends of my children. We were up in front, too.
Heh, heh, heh.
Thank you very much. I have so much to learn, and with each new thing that I learn, a chord resonates deeply. I'm humbled at this mountain to climb.
Here's Benedetto at the window today:
Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful from his studio's window overlooking St. Peter Square at the Vatican, Sunday May 8, 2005. The pontiff said Sunday that the media can spread peace but also ferment violence and he called on journalists to exercise responsibility to ensure objective reports that respect human dignity and the common good. At right, Pope Benedict XVI's personal secretary Georg Gaenswein. (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)
With the new tapestry and papal coat of arms.
It's about time. :-) Now, when is he going to have a new crucifix/crozier?
Of course, my family KNELT during the Canon--all 11 of us, and the various boy/girl friends of my children. We were up in front, too.
Heh, heh, heh.
Bravi! All part of being the Church Militant.
Good for you for kneeling.
I just don't get some of these priests!
Thank God for Pope Benedict!
(Scroll down a little)
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI Basilica of Saint Giovanni in Laterano Saturday, 7 May 2005
Thanks. God Bless You, and...
Thank God for Pope Benedict!
Can anyone explain what this tapestery symbolizes.?
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Benedict XVI's Coat of Arms |
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The coat of arms of Pope Benedict XVI incorporates both papal elements, as well as the elements of the coat of arms he bore as Archbishop of München (Munich) and Freising, and as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Miter. The miter replaces the "beehive" tiara familiar from former papal coats of arms. Pope Paul VI dropped the ceremonial use of the tiara, although he, and his immediate successors John Paul I and John Paul II, retained it in their coats of arms. Benedict XVI has replaced it with the miter, on which is emblazoned three gold bands representing "order, jurisdiction and magisterium." |
| These are the symbolic equivalents of the three layers of the tiara. They are connected into a unity by the vertical gold strip, representing the unity of these three kinds of authority in the person of the Supreme Pontiff. Pallium. The use of the white pallium with black crosses draped below the shield is a new addition to papal coats of arms. It represents episcopal authority, the special kind of jurisdiction that is reserved to metropolitan archbishops in their province and to the pope universally in the Church, what is called the plenitudo pontificalis officii (i.e. the plenitude of pontifical office). The style of pallium shown on the coat of arms, black crosses on a narrow band of wool, is what is commonly known from the second millennium, though the crosses have sometimes been red, sometimes black. At his inaugural Mass, Pope Benedict wore an older style of pallium, broad with red crosses, and hanging down from the left shoulder rather than in the middle. This style is more typical of the first millennium, and similar to the omophorion representing episcopal authority in the Eastern Church. Crossed Keys. The two crossed keys symbolize the powers Christ gave to the Apostle Peter and to his successors.
The gold key represents the power to bind in heaven and the silver key spiritual authority on earth. The two keys are united by the cord, again indicating their essential unity in Peter and his successors. Caput Ethiopicum. According to the website of his former Archdiocese: "The shield, which is divided into three sections, displays the “Moor of Freising." The Moor’s head, facing left and typically crowned, appeared on the coat of arms of the old principality of Freising as early as 1316, during the reign of the Bishop of Freising, Prince Konrad III, and it remained almost unchanged until the “secularization” of the Church’s estates in that region in 1802-1803. Ever since that time the archbishops of Munich and Freising have included the Caput Aethiopum, the head of an Ethiopian, in their episcopal coat of arms." Bear of Corbinian. Also present on the coat of arms is a bear with a pack-saddle, the so-called “Bear of Corbinian." The saintly Bishop Corbinian preached the Christian faith in the Duchy of Bavaria in the 8th century and is considered the spiritual father and patron of the archdiocese. A legend states that he traveled to Rome with a bear as his pack-animal, after having commanded it to do so. Once he arrived, he released the bear from his service, and it returned to Bavaria. The implication is that "Christianity tamed and domesticated the ferocity of paganism and thus laid the foundations for a great civilization in the Duchy of Bavaria." At the same time, Corbinian’s Bear, as God’s beast of burden, symbolizes the burden of office. Scallop Shell. The symbolism of the shell is multiple. St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (354-430 AD), was once walking along the seashore, meditating on the unfathomable mystery of the Holy Trinity. A boy was using a shell to pour seawater into a little hole. When Augustine asked him what he was doing, he replied, “I am emptying the sea into this hole.” Thus did Augustine understand that man would never penetrate to the depths of the mystery of God. Fr. Joseph Ratzinger, in 1953, wrote his doctoral dissertation on “The People of God and the House of God in Augustine’s Teaching about the Church," and therefore has a personal connection with the thought of this great Doctor of the Church. The shell also stands for pilgrimage, for “Jacob’s staff,” a pilgrim’s staff topped with a scallop shell. In Church art it is a symbol of the apostle James the Great, and his sanctuary at Santiago de Compostela in Spain, perhaps the principal place of pilgrimage during the middle ages. This symbol alludes, as well, to “the pilgrim people of God,” a title for the Church which Joseph Ratzinger championed at the Second Vatican Council as peritus (theological adviser) to Cardinals Frings of Köln (Cologne). When he became Archbishop he took the shell in his coat of arms. It is also found in the insignia of the Schottenkloster in Regensburg, where the major seminary of that diocese is located, a place where Benedict XVI taught as a professor of theology. We do not yet know what the motto of Pope Benedict XVI will be. However, his episcopal motto was "cooperatores veritatis" (collaborators of the truth). |
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