Please note the solemn and joyous cope the Holy Father uses. Please note that included in this Solemn Sung Vespers I is a Eucharistic Procession and Exposition and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament:
Pope Francis prays year-end Vespers
(Vatican
Radio) Vespers began at 5 PM Rome Time in St Peter’s Basilica, with
Pope Francis presiding over the prayers that constitute the Church’s
official, public praise of God in the evening of the last day of the
year, to be followed by the singing of the great hymn of gratitude in
faith, the Te Deum, and the worship of the Blessed Sacrament before the
giving of the blessing of the Eucharistic Lord. In his homily, Pope Francis focused on the sense of history that permeates the life of those whose lives are signed by faith in Jesus Christ. “The biblical and Christian vision of time and history,” he said, “is not cyclical, but linear: it is a path that leads towards a conclusion.” He explained that the passing year does not represent an end in itself, but a step on the way towards a reality that is to be completed – another step toward the goal that lies ahead of us: a place of hope and happiness, because we will meet God, the Reason of our hope and Source of our joy.
Pope Francis went on to say that, as the year 2013 comes to an end, we collect, as in a basket, the days, the weeks, the months that we have lived, to offer everything to the Lord.
Pope Francis concluded, inviting everyone to look toward the new year, in a spirit of gratitude for that, which we have received, repentance for that, in which we have failed, and resolve to work with God’s grace to better our lives, our communities and ourselves.
Listen to the report by Christopher Altieri...
Text from page http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/31/pope_francis_prays_year-end_vespers/en1-760186
of the Vatican Radio website
4 comments:
I thought it was nice of Father Lombardi to reasure the world, that contrary to published reports, the Vicar of Christ did not "do away with sin". Things are looking up.
It just seems so odd to refer to Francis as the Holy Roman Pontiff wearing a solemn cope. I think you are trying just a bit to hard trying to convince people that all is well with Francis. Your next article could entitled "See, Francis is Catholic, he didn't sell the Vatican today".
Well, I must admit that I hold my breath every time the Pope opens his mouth. Christ have mercy!
I hope that in this new year progressives, traditionalists and the MSM stop spinning Pope Francis as a radical reformer.
The reason why he is popular with the Romans is that he is the nearest thing they could get to an Italian pope. I suspect Bagnasco or Scola would have been just as popular and the Romans wouldn't be nearly so enthusiastic if a Spanish Latin American had been chosen. In 1622 Ignatius Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila and Philip Neri were canonized in the same ceremony. "Three Spaniards and a Saint" according to the Roman populace.
Post a Comment