World Youth Day Mass

I have stayed up a bit late to watch the beginning of the Mass for World Youth Day at Randwick Race Course, Southern Cross Precinct. After a sensible and reverent "new movement" style piece during the procession, the Introit is being sung in Latin... Cardinal Pell gives a magnificent introductory address recalling the Holy Father's words "The Church is alive, and the Church is young" which warms my heart as it is one of my favourite quotations from the Holy Father. The Cardinal talks of the mission of young people and says "one mission is better than a thousand options..."

The penitential rite is #3 from the Novus Ordo but the petitions are concluded with Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison, spoken and then sung to a polyphonic/operatic setting. Some sharp followers of the live coverage have pointed out on NLM that the text of the Gloria was a literal translation - perhaps the new ICEL version.

With the altar set up with seven candles and a crucifix, the appropriate music, and sense of sacred in the Liturgy, this World Youth Day Mass does appear to be firmly within the project of Pope Benedict for the restoration of the Sacred Liturgy.

Although it is compulsive viewing, I must now go to bed so that I can say the early Mass tomorrow. I look forward to reading the text of the Holy Father's sermon and finding out where the next World Youth Day will be.

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