And here's the proof. No doubt this young man is a cleric of the Clerics Regular of the Mother of God. How interesting that the Holy Father is now introducing members of the traditional orders to the public worship in St Peter's.
And I must say that it is encouraging to see a much more appropriate throne being used than the chair in front of the altar. Much, much better. Next year, perhaps back to the apse.
One or two improvements I'd like to see: I do hope that the Holy Father is going to ditch the wonky crucifix. It was never the tradition for the Pope to use a crozier of any sort. Second, I couldn't see the high Altar properly, but it looked as if there was (a) no frontal and (b) no candles. Perhaps one of you has got a better view that shows them, but I can't see them. Third, am I mistaken? I always thought that the celebrant at Vespers wore cope but no stole, and is assisted by other clergy in copes, not dalmatics. Now, perhaps pontifical vespers is different, and no doubt you'll tell me all about it in the comments box.
Fr Tim has a little more information on the tonsured cleric here.
6 comments:
The altar is fine, different candlesticks from those at the Consistory (they were lovely, stepping up as the rubrics actually demand). Here is the Magnificat: https://www.photo.va/photos/middle/46/or464723.jpg
They are, surely, deacons of the Throne, not assistants at Vespers, who would be Cardinals. Perhaps next year?
As far as the cope goes, the GILH says in paragraph 255: The priest or deacon who presides at a celebration may wear a stole over the alb or surplice; a priest may also wear a cope. On a greater solemnities [sic] there is nothing to prevent several priests from wearing copes or several deacons from wearing dalmatics.
From Bishop Elliott's "Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite":
"The bishop presides from the cathedra. He is assisted by two deacons, in dalmatics or copes (or two priests in copes, if no deacons are available). He is attended by the miter, crozier, and book bearers. In addition to the (amice,) alb, (cincture,) stole, and cope, he wears the ring, pectoral cross on a cord, skullcap and miter."
I think it is nice the Pope carries something but not something so redolent of the 60s.
Thanks, everyone, for the useful comments. I'm still scratching my head about the stole, though. It has become over recent years (to some) an inseparable part of choir dress. I can understand the use of a stole if Benediction was to follow immediately afterwards, but I guess this did not happen at these Vespers.
About the stole: the "Ceremonial of Bishops" 1989 says IN Pt III Cap I, CELEBRATION OF EVENING PRAYER ON MAJOR SOLEMNITIES, §192:
"In the vesting room (sacrity) the bishop ... takes off the cappa or mozzetta and puts on the amice, alb, cincture, pectoral cross, stole, and cope. He then receives the mitre and pastoral staff from one of the deacons.
"During this time presbyters, and especially canons, may put on a cope over a surplice or alb; deacons may wear either a cope or a dalmatic."
Since this is the Ceremonial followed at the moment, this is what should, and did, happen. In due course, should the Extraordinary Form be introduced for Vespers, then I believe you are right, the stole was not used even for Bishops, except it was rare that Benediction would not follow.
In the meantime Msgr Marini is doing exactly what he said he would, interpreting the rubrics without creativity or intervention of his personal identity!
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