There are at least three times that I was overcome to the point of tears. I need to begin by saying that all of us who were selected to distribute Holy Communion were also instructed that we were forbidden to take pictures during the Mass. I can understand the instruction. So my pictures here are before and after the Mass. I was was told just a few minutes ago that several of our ITCE priests were shown full face on the EWTN broadcast of this mornings' Mass. I hope some of you were able to watch it.
We had to arrive at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St. Peter's Basilica by 8:30am dressed in cassocks. Surplices and stoles were provided.
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| Communion Priests in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of St. Peter's Basilica awaiting instructions for Mass. |
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| Lining up in procession preparing to enter St. Peter's Sqaure for the beginning of the Mass. |
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| In live waiting for the procession to move into St. Peter's Sqaure. The Italians don't use palms for the most part. They use branches from Olive trees. St. Peter's Sqaure was decorated with many potted olive trees, the stairs and ramps leading up to the basilica were carpeted with live turf grass. There were great urns filled with flowers and roses. |
First, I recalled the times I have told our community in East Freetown how our celebration of Eucharist was like all the other celebrations of the world - same readings, same prayers, same rituals. Our little church in East Freetown is joined to all the people of the world who are worshiping on that day. As I saw the tens of thousands of the faithful gathered there, the 30 piece orchestra, the 150 voice choir, the 300 Communion ministers, the bishops, cardinals, I was moved and realized that this huge celebration is just like all the small celebrations happening all over the world, including East Freetown. We read the same prayers, chanted the same refrains, heard the same scripture, and received the same Eucharist that was being shared in the tiniest churches around the world.
A lady standing by the railing as we walked up the aisle leading up to the altar, said in Italian, "Smile padre, it is a joyful day". As smiled at her, she took my picture.
The passion was sung. One of the most beautiful chant tones I have ever heard. Of course the fact that is was sung in Italian - the most musical language in the world - helped a great deal. When the chorus sang the crowd parts, you really felt there was a crowd because they sang the lines in 6 - 8 part harmony.
At the offertory we were escorted into the narthex of the basilica where we were given a ciborium filled with hosts. We were led to take our place near the altar to hold the ciborium while the Holy Father spoke the words of the Eucharistic Prayer. The ciboria were covered with a plexiglass cover with a swivel openning. I have never seen this kind of arrangement before. I am sure that it is to protect the hosts from being blown by gusts of wind which can be strong on the front steps of the basilica.
At the time we were to bring communion to the people, members of the Society of Sts. Peter and Paul, an army of laypeople who volunteer at the basilica as ushers, escorted each communion minister to the communion station. I was placed in front of a group of teenagers. We were instructed that we were to use the Latin formula for Communion, "Corpus Christi" since there dozens of languages present in the square. As each of the young people came to receive communion, I was moved by their reverence and their obvious enthusiasm. I think that half of the times, I could not get out the words. I was all choked up. I uttered what must have sounded like a grunt, but their answer came loud and clear - "Amen".
The Swiss Guard, dressed in their ceremonial regalia, were standing at attention at regular intervals through the open areas. As I moved through the aisle, I could see one of them was there watching me out of the corner of his eye. When I came near him, He broke out of his attention stance and held out his hand in a gesture saying to me that he wanted to receive Holy Communion. I held up the host in front of him and the steeley and stern look on his face relaxed and his eyes filled up. He looked at my teary eyes, smiled at me, said "Amen", and he returned to his position of attention.
When I was done with the distribution of Holy Communion, I was led by the gentleman who served as the usher for me to the entrance of the long hallway which runs alongside the main steps of the basilica. All the other priests were being led up the steps to the main doors of the basilica. As I approached the entrance of the passageway, the usher left me. I walked through the archway where there 8 Swiss Guards standing around there. They were not standing in any kind of formation. When they saw me approach, each one took one step, some forward, some backward, some sideways, and in one step they were arranged in two rows of four facing each other. When they saw I had the Eucharist in my hand, all of them had their eyes on the ciborium and simultaneously stood in salute. So many times, the Swiss guard is described as simply a mercenary force hired to protect the pope. What I saw this day was a deep faith marked by gestures and postures of the greatest reverence. I walked through them and proceeded up that long passageway all alone carrying the Blessed Sacrament. I don't know why I was led that way to return to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, but as I walked alone up that beautiful corridor built 500 years ago, I could only think of the many others who have walked here. I felt part of an amazing history that so often we forget or choose to ignore.
After bringing the ciborium back to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, I returned to the Square as the Holy Father was concluding the Mass. Then I was able to take out the camera to get some photos of the crowds.
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| The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI concluding the Mass with the Angelus and the final Blessing. |
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| The Italian pilgrims holding up their sign when the Pope addressed them. |
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| Passion Sunday crowds in St. Peter's Sqaure. |
Blessings everyone.
Fr. Rick
