The Holy Father is clearly in physical agony during this Mass:
It is clear that Pope Francis’ leg and or hip problems are causing him great pain. He limps much more noticeably now. He sat for the Kyrie (beautifully sung) and sat for the homily, which is very nice actually and without the plexiglass podium, thanks be to God.
The Benedictine altar arrangement is very nice with exceptionally tall candlesticks. However, there is no crucifix facing the pope-celebrant, the main crucifix is behind him. Oh, well.
While the music is nice, it is the 5th Sunday of Lent and sobriety should characterize the liturgies for Lent especially during Passiontide. The Entrance Procession was way, way, way too triumphalistic, with tympani, trumpet and the like. I doubt the triumphalistic pre-Vatican II Papal Liturgy for the First Sunday of Passiontide would exhibit such fanfare and triumphalism. But that’s Vatican II for you.
And after the Entrance fanfare and chant, there is applause. Why? Because of the soaring and well perform music or because of the pope or because it is the First Sunday of Passiontide, aka, the 5th Sunday of Lent? Applause! I don’t think this pope even appreciated that!
And, someone please correct me, I think Malta has an Italian culture but speaks English as its primary language. I am sure they must know Italian. The Pope uses Italian for the Liturgy rather than Latin.
My own update on languages spoken in Malta, which are typically three, Maltese, English and Italian. And most know all three. But the Maltese language is very fascinating as is the history of Malta. This is what Wikipedia says of Maltese which is why I thought the Gospel as a “Semitic” sound to it: Maltese is a Semitic language derived from Siculo-Arabic; however a majority of vocabulary comes from Sicilian and Italian, as described by Maltese linguist May Butcher. 52% of Maltese words are of a Latin origin, a result of significant influence from Italy (in particular Sicily) and, to a lesser extent, France. Malta holds the distinction of being the only country in Europe with a historically Semitic language. The Maltese language is written with a modified Latin Alphabet which includes the graphemes ż, ċ, ġ, ħ, and għ.
The deacon beautifully chanted the Gospel, but it wasn’t Latin and it wasn’t Italian. It almost had a middle eastern sound. Was it Portuguese? What language was it and is that language also spoken in Malta? Inquiring minds want to know.
More signs of papal decline in physical health:
- He did not join the entrance procession with the servers and clergy. He used a discreet entrance instead.
- He did not stand during the Credo.
- At the presentation of gifts, he received them while seated. This was the custom of his 2 predecessors.
- During the Offertory, he incensed the altar, but did not go around it. Instead, he incensed it right and left.
5 comments:
Santita does not look to be in very good shape.
I'm sorry for his pain and pray he finds relief.
Delegating the Fraction and Communion Rite to one of the concelebrants is surely illicit and lately PF has done some odd things at this point in the Mass, like not receiving the Body and Blood separately, and omitting the prayers accompanying the celebrant's communion.
I remember John Paul II attempting to celebrate Mass in public when he was gravely impeded by declining health. Heroic, perhaps, but still a sad sight for those of us who remembered the energetic figure of 25 years before.
Oremus pro beatissimo Papa nostro Francisco ut Deus et Dominus noster salvum et incolumen custodiat.
I am no PF fan but I feel sorry for his infirmities and wish him well. It probably would be better if he participated in choro and gave only the homily.
Well, PF managed to live down to my expectations. It was reported that:
"Organizers canceled the crucifix from the papal podium because Pope Francis did not want to offend illegal Muslim migrants during the climax of his Malta trip."
A real lion for the Faith.
Post a Comment