Archbishop Hebda and Bishop Cozzens assisted Cardinal Burke
I was pleased to see that our Archbishop and Bishop attended and assisted Cardinal Burke. I also noted in some of the photos on the All Saints site that there was room in the church and I even saw a couple of guys in jeans - there was even room to park the car. I could have attended after all.
Having said that, I still don't get the cappa stuff and vesting at the altar. Yes, I know what it symbolizes but why? So that seems like a lot of theater - but who am I to judge?
Last evening I watched a documentary from the reign of Pius XII which showed the splendor, pomp and circumstance surrounding just about every ceremony involving the Pope, as well as the consistories for new cardinals. I recall a similar documentary which aired on television when Pius XII died in 1958, and I was thrilled by how grand everything was. The world has changed dramatically since then, and I understand completely why it was necessary to simplify the papacy and do away with the monarchical extravagances.
The Mass was intentionally advertised late out of concern that the small Church wouldn't be able to accommodate a large number of people. It would have been a shame to have to turn people away, especially if they were planning on this Mass (which took place at 2:00pm) to fulfill their Sunday obligation.
ReplyDeleteAs for the cappa being "a lot of theater", what's wrong with that? There is an intentional theatrical nature to the liturgy. Pope Benedict XVI talks about this in his book on the liturgy. One purpose of the liturgy is to take us out of this world so that we can contemplate the next. If a cappa offends our modern sensibilities, then all the better. If we were to strip the liturgy down to only what is utilitarian, then why stop with the cappa? Why not remove all vestments, candles, music, incense, etc?
Thanks. Maybe next time I can attend.
DeleteYou have no idea how badly I wanted to go to that Mass!
DeleteWhy didn't you? It looked roomy - I would have gone had I known.
DeleteI can't go to Mass right now, just Divine Liturgy.
DeleteIf you'd like another chance to attend a Solemn Pontifical High Mass, Bishop Cozzens will be saying another one at All Saints in Minneapolis on the Feast of Epiphany next Saturday at 9:00am. :)
DeleteIs there a liturgical significance to the cappa and its use at Mass?
ReplyDeleteIs there a liturgical reason for the use of the cappa at Mass?
ReplyDelete"the monarchical extravagances"? So, that is what they are? Thanks for clearing that up for us
ReplyDeleteMaria! I've missed you!
Deletehttp://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2015/06/the-story-behind-the-cappa-magna/
ReplyDeleteNote that in the East, priests are dressed in the robes of Byzantine royalty and that bishops can go through the vesting in the church.
One difference between east and west is that bishops crazier is left outside of eastern sanctuaries to show that God is the one in charge inside the sanctuary..
Crozier
DeleteCrazier worked for me. What?
DeleteI thought you were all stocked up on crazy? What?
DeleteThank you for the reference.i had no idea.
ReplyDeleteI did not know that either. Thanks Nan.
DeleteHonestly I say probably most of the trads I know prefer no cappa. The idea of having a more simplified Pontifical Mass is preferred. The ICKSP did a Pontifical at the Guadalupe Shine, no cappa and a noticeable simplicity to the rite. Many like the cappa because it is novel to them, not because they are necessarily attached to the tradition of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying yea or nay to it, I'm just saying that its support even amongst trads is mixed.
That's good to know - I thought it was just me. My love of the liturgy was born in the Trappists years ago, and traditionally Trappist and Carthusian rites are more simple - it doesn't mean the absence of beautiful vestments, incense, Mass ad orientem, or even Latin - the Carthusian liturgy is always Latin and very contemplative. I love that. I just don't see a need for all the processing in Cathedral length trains and so much of the extraneous stuff. Ermine and fur and gloves were necessary in cold medieval Cathedrals, but not so much now. At one time the Pope wore layer upon layer of vestments and in the summer it got hot - hence the ostrich feathered fans - the Holy Father no longer wears so many layers. Anyway, I'm just a simple guy. LOL!
DeleteThe length of the cappa reminds me of a famous 20th century interior designer who once told a rich client that good design didn't depend upon the amount of fabric used for a luxurious puddling of her drapes - although she then facetiously suggested that if the client insisted upon impressing her friends, she could design her drapes to puddle down the stairs, out the door, onto the street. The cappa strikes me in the same way - it's ostentatious. If people like it, that's fine, it's not my thing and doesn't move me to devotion, much less impress me. The Queen gets dolled up to open Parliament too. No big deal. ;)
ReplyDeleteBTW - The rich had drapery puddle to avoid drafts in winter - originally it had nothing to do with fashion.
DeleteVery impressive Mass detailed here: https://tracydunne.smugmug.com/Extraordinary/Solemn-Pontifical-High-Mass-Raymond-Cardinal-Burke/n-tCk9mv/. Worth looking at.
ReplyDelete