There was a super mega Hoy Mass in Saint Peter’s Square to open the Jubilee of Young People. And I mean St.Peter’s Square was packed, packed, packed with young people. Archbishop Fishichella was the celebrant. Pope Leo will celebrate an even more mega sized Mass on Sunday outside of Rome to conclude the week for the young.
But, the central crucifix was back. I guess the Vatican will keep me amused by the dancing crucifix and where it will end up next:
2 comments:
Introibo ad altare Dei where he should be front and center. To me, the chronic shortcoming of versus populem where our lord is off to the side, in many modern churches he commutes in from a side chapel or other less worthy location. The Byzantine churches, Catholic or Orthodox, are all the same, doesn't matter which you go into. Everything material is in the same spot. Used to be that way for the RC's until Balkanization became prevalent with styles and preferences creating endless variants. Imagine if you did that with a car. Would it run? Would they run consistently? Would the car physician of souls and bodies have any idea how to heal the patient?
Many have mused over perceived "signaling" of popes for years. To move away from the signs and wonders of signaling, and of all the things the RC can and should legislate, is reclaiming its liturgical patrimony unless a damn good reason exists to do otherwise - a reason rooted in antiquity, not based on modern whim or ideology. To me, there is none.
Where there is not already a central crucifix on the sanctuary I also favour a crucifix being placed on the altar if relatively unobtrusive or even placing the processional cross in front of the altar, for reasons of symmetry; but prefer any candles to be placed to the side so not to form an unnecessary barrier between the congregation. However, I see no value having multiple crucifixes on the sanctuary so if one is already present then a crucifix can be placed flat on the altar instead.SC teaches that the altar is a symbol of Christ so we are all focussed on him whichever way the liturgy of the Eucharist is oriented. Where a bishop presides I’d prefer a small candle to be placed in front of the crucifix on the celebrants side (almost like a votive) again so unobtrusive to seeing the sacred elements. Alas my liturgical preferences are unlikely to be taken up.
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