The young people who stayed all through the second night had breakfast together in the Hall in the morning. The adult helpers deserve a pat on the back for their generosity too, in supervising and making sure that everyone was safe.
The next photo of the consecration at the Mass of Reposition is unusual in that Mass is celebrated coram sanctissimo. During this form of Mass, the priest does quite a bit more genuflecting than usual and does not at any time turn his back on the Blessed Sacrament. After Mass, I had the incongruous thought of the scene in "Gladiator" where the gladiators are told to face the emperor "AND DON'T TURN YOUR BACK ON HIM". At the incensations, the priest goes to the bottom step and incenses the Blessed Sacrament while kneeling, at the time when he would normally incense the crucifix.
After Mass, the Litany of the Saints is sung, followed by a procession round the Church.
Finally, there is solemn Benediction and the Blessed Sacrament is reposed.
Several people said to me that they felt a tinge of sadness at the reposition after a long period of devotion and prayer. This is a very worthy sentiment and shows that the devotion had a good effect. Such occasions as these can create in us a longing for the eternal - the kind of desire that C.S. Lewis speaks of in Mere Christianity:"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."To desire to remain in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament is to desire heaven where we hope to be in the presence of God for all eternity, no longer seeing Him under the veil of signs and symbols in the earthly Liturgy, but with an immediate intuitive vision in the heavenly Liturgy. To long for heaven can help us to fear losing it by sin, and to pray more earnestly for the grace to persevere in the love of God.
12 comments:
The practice of the server holding the hem of the chasuble during the Consecration in the EF - is this de rigueur? I certainly don't recall doing it in my time as a server pre-Vatican II (it would have been a physical impossibility)
Father:
What references are there for Missa coram Sanctissimo? Is it in Fortescue?
Wonderful post, thank you Father.
coram sanctissimo - what an incredible way of saying Mass!
Also loved the CS Lewis quote.
coram sanctissimo: would the extra genuflections, for example, include one before each Elevation (in addition to the normal one afterwards)? I've seen this happen once or twice...
Crux - it is in the Ritus Servandus: VIII.6
Mark M - yes, there are general directions for Mass coram sanctissimo and there is a special section for the 40 hours.
Stefan - there is always a genuflection before each elevation in the usus antiquior. At Mass coram sanctissimo the celebrant genuflects every time he leaves the middle of the altar and every time he arrives there. He also genuflects before and after turning to the people (for example at the Dominus vobiscum). etc.
Father Finigan,
Any chance you could visit us in the Diocee of Raleigh North Carolina?
God bless you always in your holy ministry.
Thank you, Father; I shall bear that in mind next time I have access to my copy.
Dan - many thanks. Actually I'm sure I would really love North Carolina but as things are at present I can't see myself going there on a "leisure" break. But if someone invited me to speak on Sacramental Theology or Trinity, or Christology or something (or even Summorum Pontificum), I would have to consider that carefully...
Father,
Your reply to Crux Fidelis confirmed that the practice is required; what I have never understood is the reason for it. Could you (or one of your readers) enlighten me?
Crux Fidelis, if lifting the hem of the chasuble would have been a physical impossibility in your circumstances that may be why you never experienced it. The practice was universal.
Father, except for the servers there seem to be virtually no people present. That would be a shame.
I haven't see this Devotion in decades but I remember that I too felt a let down after the tabernacle was closed at the end of the three days.
Purpose of lifting the chasuble was to ensure that the celebrant's arms were not impeded when elevating the host and chasuble.
The picture showing the Church empty was taken during the procession when everyone was walking behind. You can see a few in the North aisle but the rest are out of picture. There were 60-70 people there for the main Masses, I think, and a good number coming in and out during the day. Could be much better, though...
Post a Comment