Post intelligent and civil comments. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the NLM
I wonder which part of the Mass the 3rd picture was taken at ? I do not know of any moment during Pontifical Mass at the faldstool where the Pontiff reads anything standing at the faldstool with the mitre ON...
In addition, in Mass at the faldstool, the AP never holds the book (which he seems to be doing here). It is held at all times by the book-bearer, except for the gradual/alleluia, when the subdeacon holds it.
Nice pictures all the same !
Fred
Fred:
Contrary to what you assert about the A.P. at the faldstool, Fortesque & O'Connell (Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described) says: "When the bishop sings anything at the throne the A.P. holds the book; when he recites, the book-bearer holds it." This principle is carried over into Pontifical Masses at the faldstool.
So, for example, at the Collect(s), even for a Mass at the faldstool: "The bishop turns to the altar and sings the Collect(s), the A.P. holding the book, with the candle-bearer at his right."
However, I think you are right to say that the bishop should have been uncovered. I was also disappointed that there was no precious mitre as well as a golden mitre, and I also didn't see the gremial in use.
But, having said that, I am not too fussy when it comes to the minutiae of ceremonial... It was a beautiful occasion nevertheless!
On the other hand... the mitre is worn by the bishop when he says the versicles before the Pontifical Blessing; one can clearly see the Pontifical Canon placed in the centre of the Altar. However, I am then left wondering why he is not at the Altar rather than at the faldstool...
Fra'Lawrence:
First of all, don't get me wrong: I agree that the Mass was a beautiful occasion... but it can still be fun to discuss details without actually criticising or blaming anyone in particular !!
Certainly for the AP to hold the book when the Bishop sings something is the rule given by most ceremonial manuals, but it is, in fact, almost certainly incorrect. The reasons are given by Mgr Gromier (the most trustworthy commentator of the Caeremoniale Episcoporum) in his 1959 book (in French). Basically, it is in view of the folllowing:
1. At pontifical vespers at the faldstool, there is no AP at all, so it is not illogical (in principle) that a bishop at a faldstool should sing something from the book held by the bookbearer only.
2. When a bishop sings Mass at the faldstool in presence of a greater prelate assisting at the throne (e.g. the Ordinary, or a Cardinal...), that prelate reads or sings (where necessary) from a book held by a book-bearer (and not by his AP). It is therefore absurd to give the celebrant at the faldstool an mark of honor (the AP holding the book) which a higher prelate would not even have in the same circumstances.
Anyway...
Fred !
Just out of curiosity, what chapel was this liturgy celebrated in? What college at Oxford?
Thanks.
Mark Merton College chapel.
How I wish we had Liturgy like this in our archdiocese...what a lovely post!
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