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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

A CATHEDRA OUTSIDE OF THE CATHEDRAL FOR THE BISHOP WHO VISITS A PARISH CHURCH FOR MASS

In the old days, when the bishop visited one of his parishes for any sacrament or to celebrate the Mass, a throne was prepared for him. This custom has passed but not at St. Joseph Church, for the first time since the 1970's.

The back to the priest's presiding chair has a taller backing it to it, just for the bishop. (The faux back is easily removed when the bishop isn't here and stored away). In fact this morning I made sure the "cathedra" was moved and set to the side so that I would not sit in it pretending to be a bishop which could get me suspended. So I presided at morning Mass on one of the blue side chairs.

The bishop is here for Wednesday night's Sacrament of Confirmation with the three Macon parishes, St. Joseph, St. Peter Claver and Holy Spirit Churches.

Tomorrow night Bishop Gregory Hartmayer celebrates Mt. de Sales Academy's Baccalaureate Mass here.






9 comments:

Hank said...

Somewhat off topic, have you seen this?

Hank said...

Somewhat off topic, have you seen this?

Joseph Johnson said...

Father,
Do you also plan to have an extra (seventh) candle in the center of the altar, next to the Crucifix, which symbolizes the completeness of having the pastor of the Diocese (the bishop) present in his Church? This is another one of those traditional external liturgical practices which, I suppose, fell by the wayside after Vatican II when we got away from the usual six candles on or near the altar.

Fr. Allan J. McDonald said...

Yes, we had the extra candle! What do you think?

rcg said...

The arrangement of the chairs in last photo reminds me of the Space Shuttle, which I like. Would the good Bishop be inclined to say, "Let's light this candle!" when he greats you upon entering St Joseph?

ytc said...

The pontifical candle goes between the crucifix and the people, so that the candle is laterally closer to the people than the crucifix.

Sorry for a nerdy technicality.

But anyways, Father, fantastic idea for the "throne."

Fr. Allan J. McDonald said...

While it isn't in the picture, we did have the candle on the altar for the bishop in front of the small crucifix that is on the altar but on the congregation's side of that crucifix. I'll post a picture of it later! It is not in the picture currently posted.

Joseph Johnson said...

Father,
You asked me what I thought--I hope all this can serve as a model "norm" for episcopal visits in the rest of our Diocese! Keep up the good work!

ytc said...

please rome, please give us stricter rubrics with very few options! why, bugnini, why???

*bashes head against statue of angel*