Lines from my reading chair - April 20, 2008

Just next door

As you may already be aware, the Holy Father, Benedict XVI is currently in the midst of a six-day pilgrimage in the United States of America.  Video coverage of the various public events which are taking place is available on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or on the website of the Eternal Word Television Network.

Papal vestiture

Have you ever wondered why the Holy Father wears a white cassock?  Well, prior to the 16th century, popes wore red vestments, since at least in ‘recent times’ they are chosen from among the Cardinals of the Church.  However, in 1566, Anthony Ghislieri was elected and took the name Pius V.  Cardinal Ghislieri was a Dominican priest and since he was used to wearing the white Dominican habit, he chose to continue wearing white during his papacy, and all other popes since that time have done the same.

If you look very closely, you may notice that the Pope wears red leather shoes.  This tradition harkens back to the days of the Italian nobility, who traditionally wore red leather outdoor shoes and red velvet or silk sandals.  Before 1969, the Pope, like all bishops and prelates, wore Episcopal sandals during the Mass.  The colour of these sandals varied with the liturgical colour of the Mass.  Pope John Paul II wore red shoes during the early part of his pontificate, but he quickly adopted the practice or wearing ordinary brown shoes.  Pope Benedict XVI has restored the practice of wearing red leather papal shoes.

Pope Benedict XVI has also restored the use of a white damask silk Paschal mozetta (shoulder cape) which he wears during the Octave of Easter.  The pope also wears a red satin mozetta during the summer and a red velvet mozetta trimmed with white ermine fur during the winter.

Along with the shoes and the mozetta, the pope can also wear a red floor length cloak and a special wool hat known as a camauro which is traditionally worn in place of the zucchetto during the winter months.

Planning ahead

In anticipation of the 49^th International Eucharistic Congress which will take place in June of this year in Quebec City, there will be a regional celebration of faith here in Sudbury on Sunday, May 25, 2008.

His Excellency, Jean-Louis Plouffe will preside at a special Mass which will be celebrated here at Christ the King on that day beginning at 2:00 pm.  Following the Mass, there will be a procession of the Blessed Sacrament and a barbeque social.

Bishop Plouffe invites students and adults who have celebrated Confirmation and-or First Communion to be his special guests at this celebration, but all the faithful from the region of Greater Sudbury will also be invited to attend.

Special activities are being planned for children and young adults.  Details about these will be published in the near future.

Please note that on the weekend of May 24-25, 2008 we will celebrate the regular weekend Masses on Saturday evening at 5:00 pm and on Sunday morning at 10:00 am, but we will NOT celebrate the 5:15 pm Mass on that day.