Pavarotti returns to the Catholic faith before dying

CNA ^ | September 10, 2007

[NYer]

Modena, Sep 10, 2007 / 10:49 am (CNA).- Luciano Pavarotti, the world renowned tenor was laid to rest in Modena’s cathedral with a grand funeral which paid tribute to the opera legend and gave witness to his return to the Catholic faith.

The diocese had received criticisms that it had gone overboard in honoring a remarried divorcé. But Pavarotti's parish priest, Fr. Remo Sartori, said the twice-married singer had been reconciled with the Catholic faith, reported the Sydney Morning Herald. Pavarotti had received the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick before losing his battle against pancreatic cancer last Thursday, aged 71.

Church leaders and pastors, including Pope Benedict XVI, sent messages conveying their condolences. The Pope’s message expressed his sorrow at the loss of "a great artist who with his extraordinary interpretative talent honored the divine gift of music".

In his tribute, Archbishop Benito Cocchi of Modena recognized Pavarotti as an exceptional talent and as someone who “expressed himself in charity towards those who suffered."

One of the emotional climaxes of the funeral was a 1978 recording of Panis Angelicus (Bread Of Angels), performed by Pavarotti and his father, Fernando.

Another followed a prayer composed by Pavarotti's three eldest daughters from his first marriage, which said: "We thank God for having given Dad the gift of a great voice and we pray that he will allow him to use it in heaven to sing his praise."

Pavarotti's musical talent emerged in a church choir, where he sang with his father, Fernando Pavarotti, who was a baker. His father also had a terrific tenor voice, but stage fright prevented him from developing his talent.

[NYer]

Facing death is like a reality check.

[NYer]

Pope mourns death of Pavarotti, praises Italian tenor for his talent

By Catholic News Service

MODENA, Italy (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI mourned the death of Luciano Pavarotti and praised the Italian tenor for his extraordinary talent.

In a telegram sent to Archbishop Benito Cocchi of Modena-Nonantola, the pope offered his condolences for the death of this "great artist who honored the divine gift of music through his extraordinary interpretative talent."

The archbishop read aloud the telegram Sept. 8 during the Catholic funeral Mass held in the city's cathedral, where Pavarotti had sung as a child in the choir.

Catholic News Service obtained a copy of the telegram from the Vatican Sept. 10.

Thousands of mourners turned out for the ceremony to honor Pavarotti, who died Sept. 6 at the age of 71 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan was present for the funeral along with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, numerous Italian pop stars, and U2 singer Bono. Pavarotti was divorced and remarried; his first wife of more than 30 years, his widow and his children were also present.

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and Bulgarian soprano Raina Kabaivanska sang for the funeral ceremony.

In his homily, Archbishop Cocchi praised the artist who also "expressed himself in charity for those who suffered," reported the media.

Through his annual "Pavarotti and Friends" charity concerts, Pavarotti performed with pop stars like Elton John, Sting and Bono, raising money for victims of war and poverty. He also performed benefit concerts for refugees, the poor and victims of natural disasters.

His internationally recognized generosity often overshadowed tax evasion scandals back home. He was convicted of dodging Italian tax payments in 1999 and was acquitted after a second charge in 2001.

[NYer]

Luciano Pavarotti's widow Nicoletta Mantovani(TopL) follows the coffin of Maestro Luciano Pavarotti at the "Duomo di Modena" in the Italian city of Modena. Music and film stars joined top political figures and tens of thousands of tearful fans to honour opera legend Pavarotti at his funeral Saturday.(AFP/Andreas Solaro)

The coffin of Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti is seen in the cathedral of Modena September 8, 2007. Rock stars, political leaders and grieving music fans joined the family of Luciano Pavarotti on Saturday at the funeral of one of the greatest tenors in opera history. (Claudio Peri/Pool/Reuters)

Archbishop Luigi Cocchi blesses the coffin of Luciano Pavarotti in the cathedral of Modena September 8, 2007. Rock stars, political leaders and grieving music fans joined the family of Luciano Pavarotti on Saturday at the funeral of one of the greatest tenors in opera history. (Claudio Peri/Pool/Reuters)

[B-Chan]

[NYer]

Lol!

(Note - Italian is spelled the way it is pronounced) It's one of the easier languages to learn.

[marshmallow]

"Depend upon it sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates the mind wonderfully".

Samuel Johnson

[GCC Catholic]

Pavarotti's parish priest, Fr. Remo Sartori, said the twice-married singer had been reconciled with the Catholic faith, reported the Sydney Morning Herald. Pavarotti had received the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick before losing his battle...

^^Most important part of the entire article.

May God grant him eternal Peace.

[dblshot]

And the choirs of heaven gained a soloist.

[Coleus]

Pavarotti returns to the Catholic faith before dying >>

with 2 wives?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2413780.ece

[sitetest]

Classical Music Ping List ping!

If you want on or off this list, let me know via FR e-mail.

Thanks,

sitetest

[AliVeritas]

Now who was it that came out of their mouth before?

I need to write him.

[Mrs. Don-o]

If he received the last rites--- meaning Confession, Communion, and Anointing ----- he would have repented and confessed his sins including his divorce and remarriage.

Even if he were unable to speak at the end of his life, and were not able to confess, if he nevertheless willingly received the Anointing he implicit repented his sins, which open the door to Christ's forgiveness.

It is a great blessing to have a chance to repent and confess your sins before you die. I hope we may all have such a blessing.

[kitkat]

If Pavarotti truly repented the truth would be known to God. If not, his confession is worthless. So please don’t think that the simple act of confession without true repentence can set someone free on his death bed. Or, in short, only God knows, and the rest of us will give him the benefit of the doubt.

[Frank Sheed]

Facing death is like a THE ultimate reality check. Ask any grunt in a foxhole with incoming.

[Salvation]

** Pavarotti had received the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick before losing his battle against pancreatic cancer last Thursday, aged 71.**

One of the blessings that the Sacrament of the Annointing of the Sick approach to death brings.

May God bless him.

[B-Chan]

Don’t be fooled into thinking that death is some distant event, folks. WNot one of is is guaranteed another fifteen years or fifteen seconds. We could each of us die any moment of any day. Tonight, for example — and right in our own homes.

“No man knoweth the day or the hour.” Let us comport ourselves accordingly.

[billmor]

It is wonderful to see that Pavarotti had the Sacrament of the Anointing before he died and was reconciled to the Catholic Church...we should be so blessed...If every Hymn that he sung was a Prayer then he must have stored a treasure chest of graces in Heaven..We will miss his wonderful voice, his warm smile and the love of fine music that he gave to the world...God wanted a singer for His angelic choir, so He called Luciano Home.

He brought much joy to us on earth, now may his soul rest in God’s Peace and may he enjoy forever the joy of the Saints in Heaven.

[rogernz]

i am glad i read this story. i heard about his divorce and re-marrying and was questioning why he was given such a big ceremony by the church - or even a christian burial - when he did such a thing. But even in the last moments if one turns to our Lord and confesses all sins are washed away! We can now truly honour him as a talented man, and a man who rediscovered God.
thanks for the post.