From what I could see, precious little happened in England and Wales - with a few fine exceptions. Stunningly disappointing. Was the general outlook: Ratzinger gone, fine weather, relax? We really should be told......
The bishops of the world were only informed of this event less than 3 weeks ago, which made it impractical to organise much. Anyway the idea of synchronised eucharistic adoration seems a little silly and Eurocentric to many, especially given the different world time zones and sunday mass schedules.
Westminster Cathedral was packed for Eucharistic Adoration this afternoon. I assume this was one of the fine exceptions. Still, I think an old fashioned Corpus Christi procession would have been a more powerful witness.
if you look at the Eucharistic procession in 1933, the pope also didn't kneel, he sat on a stool but his cope was covering the kneeler in front of the monstrance so it looked like he was kneeling.
Dear Bob Hayes, Many English dioceses registered their participation on the Vatican's Year of Faith web page. The Archdiocese of Birmingham provided parishes with a suggested order of service. Here is one example of a parish responing to Pope Francis' invitation http://www.ourladyofmountcarmel.co.uk/ourstandard.asp?pageid=99
It is not the case that the world's bishops were only notified of this initiative three weeks ago; it was published in December as one of Pope Benedict's scheduled engagements for the first half of this year (along with the publication of the Encyclical on Faith, which was due in Lent). Perhaps the event only gained 'legs' when it became clear that Pope Francis was keen on it.
In my parish, we only had a week's notice of the Holy Hour, but it was far better attended than any other Eucharistic Adoration we have held in recent years. I wasn't doing a head count, but my imression was that most people stayed for the whole hour.
My poor old knees wimped out about 10 minutes before Benediction, so perhaps we shouldn't judge the Holy Father too harshly; he walks like a man who is no stranger to arthritis.
Patti - although it is true that in general terms the new evangelisation dept at the Vatican said there would be Eucharistic adoration last weekend, I am quite right that specific information that it was intended churches worldwide were expected to participate in the event at the same time to synchronise with the pope was not provided until 3 weeks ago
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From what I could see, precious little happened in England and Wales - with a few fine exceptions. Stunningly disappointing. Was the general outlook: Ratzinger gone, fine weather, relax? We really should be told......
ReplyDeleteThe bishops of the world were only informed of this event less than 3 weeks ago, which made it impractical to organise much. Anyway the idea of synchronised eucharistic adoration seems a little silly and Eurocentric to many, especially given the different world time zones and sunday mass schedules.
ReplyDeleteWestminster Cathedral was packed for Eucharistic Adoration this afternoon. I assume this was one of the fine exceptions. Still, I think an old fashioned Corpus Christi procession would have been a more powerful witness.
ReplyDeleteif you look at the Eucharistic procession in 1933, the pope also didn't kneel, he sat on a stool but his cope was covering the kneeler in front of the monstrance so it looked like he was kneeling.
ReplyDeleteDear Bob Hayes, Many English dioceses registered their participation on the Vatican's Year of Faith web page. The Archdiocese of Birmingham provided parishes with a suggested order of service. Here is one example of a parish responing to Pope Francis' invitation http://www.ourladyofmountcarmel.co.uk/ourstandard.asp?pageid=99
ReplyDeleteVinnie+ knelt throughout the adoration at Westminster Cathedral yesterday afternoon.
ReplyDeleteIt is not the case that the world's bishops were only notified of this initiative three weeks ago; it was published in December as one of Pope Benedict's scheduled engagements for the first half of this year (along with the publication of the Encyclical on Faith, which was due in Lent). Perhaps the event only gained 'legs' when it became clear that Pope Francis was keen on it.
ReplyDeleteIn my parish, we only had a week's notice of the Holy Hour, but it was far better attended than any other Eucharistic Adoration we have held in recent years. I wasn't doing a head count, but my imression was that most people stayed for the whole hour.
My poor old knees wimped out about 10 minutes before Benediction, so perhaps we shouldn't judge the Holy Father too harshly; he walks like a man who is no stranger to arthritis.
Patti - although it is true that in general terms the new evangelisation dept at the Vatican said there would be Eucharistic adoration last weekend, I am quite right that specific information that it was intended churches worldwide were expected to participate in the event at the same time to synchronise with the pope was not provided until 3 weeks ago
ReplyDelete