No free-for-all: Papal visits follow tight framework
Posted: 04.13.08
VATICAN CITY | When Pope Benedict XVI sits down with interreligious leaders in Washington April 17, the participants will follow a set program that leaves little room for surprises.
Likewise, the pope’s meeting the next day in New York with ecumenical representatives features prayers, talks and symbolic gestures, but not free-ranging dialogue.
Those who have followed papal trips for years know that this is how it’s always been. With rare exceptions, a pope’s events are highly structured -- and there are good reasons for that, according to his aides. MORE…
Missal for papal liturgies is online
Posted: 04.11.08
CNS
The papal coat of arms decorates the cover of the Roman Missal to be used during the pastoral visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States April 15-20.
If you have an interest in following the Mass that the pope will celebrate at Nationals Park in Washington, more fully, or evening prayer at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, you’ve been blessed.
A special version of the Roman Missal prepared for the liturgies that Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate at all venues has been made available online by the Vatican. The missal is a 113 page PDF (Adobe® Portable Document Format) document that downloads quickly.
The missal also contains some interesting insight and nuggets about special moments.
For example, at the concluding rite of the Mass at Nationals Park, the pope will bless the new cornerstone and tabernacle of Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School in the Diocese of Arlington, VA and the cornerstone of the new chapel of Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA.
Posted By: Ed Foster Jr. | Background | Return To Top
Pope wants to bring message of hope to U.S., U.N.
Posted: 04.08.08
VATICAN CITY | In a videotaped message, Pope Benedict XVI said he wants to bring a message of Christian hope to all Americans and to the United Nations when he visits in mid-April.
“I shall come to the United States as pope for the first time to proclaim this great truth: Jesus Christ is hope for men and women of every language, race, culture and social condition,” the pope said.
He said he intends to reach out spiritually to U.S. Catholics and show fraternity and friendship to other Christians, to followers of other religions and to all people of good will. MORE…
Background | Return To Top | Text of Pope Benedict XVI’s Message
Tracking details avoids Mass confusion
Posted: 04.07.08
CNS | ALESSIA GIULIANI, CATHOLIC PRESS PHOTO
Msgr. Guido Marini, the pope’s master of liturgical ceremonies, is pictured in his office at the Vatican April 4. He is among the officials who will be traveling to the United States with Pope Benedict XVI.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) | From the huge windows of his office overlooking St. Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict XVI’s chief liturgist can, and does, keep track of every detail that goes into preparing a papal liturgy.
The papal venues in the United States are not directly under his nose, but Msgr. Guido Marini still knows every detail of the two evening prayer services and three Masses Pope Benedict will celebrate in Washington and New York April 15-20.
Msgr. Marini, 43, did not plan every element of the five U.S. services, as he does with Vatican services, although he did make suggestions and did have veto power. MORE…
Cardinal: papal visit, like one in ‘79, will be ‘time of grace’
Posted: 04.01.08
WASHINGTON | The 1979 visit of Pope John Paul II to the nation’s capital “was a great gift,” as will be Pope Benedict XVI’s April 15-17 trip to Washington, said Cardinal William W. Baum.
The cardinal, now retired, was Washington’s archbishop from 1973 to 1980 and hosted Pope John Paul’s visit.
He recalled that those who had to prepare for it had only a short time to get ready. MORE…