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Tuesday, January 4, 2011

REFORM OF THE REFORM OR RESTORATION?

Can you tell from the pictures below that the Holy Father is fearless in his agenda of "reform within continuity" that he is famous for promoting?

What do you note that is a part of this restoration theology or discipline from this photos?

Photos from New Year's Day Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and World Day of prayer for vocations.



The Holy Father now demands that those presenting the gifts at all Masses dress as the Wise Men. I like that idea. We'll start it here at St. Joseph when I return from my winter vacation.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Roman "fiddleback" chasuble. Holy Communion on the tongue while kneeling. And is the Mass being celebrated "ad orientem"?

Fr. Allan J. McDonald said...

Yes to all three answers, however, the Mass at St. Peter's altar and all the major basilicas in Rome, St. Paul outside the wall, St. John Lateran, St.Mary Major, all have altars that face the true east, although the celebrant is also facing the congregation. The big difference with Pope Benedict is that he has placed the crucifix once again dead center on the altar. Under John Paul II, there were only four tall candlesticks on the altar, with the crucifix between two of them on the left side or Gospel side if you will, from the vantage point of the picture.