|
|
 |
|
Outline of Funeral Rites for Burial of Pope John Paul II
NewsMax.com Wires
Friday, April 8, 2005
VATICAN CITY -- According to a Vatican pamphlet released Thursday and the Book of Liturgical Ceremonies published in 2000, the funeral for Pope John Paul II was to begin with an intimate ceremony attended only by high-ranking prelates, who place a pouch of silver and bronze medals and a scrolled account of his life in his coffin.
The documents also call for:
Story Continues Below
Royalty or dignitaries from more than 80 countries to wait outside during private rites. John Paul's longtime private secretary, Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, and the master of the liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Piero Marini, to place a white silk veil over the pope's face before the coffin was closed. Funeral Mass to last about 2 1/2 hours celebrated by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, deacon of the College of Cardinals, and joined by the cardinals and patriarchs of the Eastern Rite Churches, all in red vestments. The Mass to open with an introductory hymn, "Eternal Rest Grant Him, O Lord," followed by the singing of Psalm 64 "To You We Owe Our Hymn of Praise, O God of Zion." The reading of a prayer for the pope. The first reading of Scripture: Acts of the Apostles, 10:34-43, known as Peter's Speech; Psalm 22, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." The second reading: Philippians, 3:20-4:1, "But our citizenship is in heaven;" John, 6:40, "For this is the will of my father that everyone who sees the son and believes in him may have eternal life;" John, 21:15-19, dialogue between Jesus and Peter, "Follow me." The homily. The Holy Communion song, Psalm 129, "Out of the depths I cry to you O Lord, Lord hear my voice." A rite of Final Commendation and Farewell, during which cardinals approach the coffin and the deacon calls all to prayer with the words: "Dear brothers and sisters let us entrust to the most gentle mercy of God, the soul of our Pope John Paul II. ... May the Blessed Virgin Mary ... intercede with God so that he might show the face of his blessed Son to our Pope, and console the church with the light of the resurrection." A choir to sing the Litany of the Saints. (The names of saints canonized by John Paul II may be added to the long list.) The patriarchs, the archbishops and the metropolitans of the Eastern Rite churches to approach the coffin, pray for the soul of the deceased pope and bless the body with incense. The deacon sprays the body with holy water and blesses it with incense after a moment of silent prayer. The funeral Mass to end with all standing and singing: "May the angels accompany you into heaven, may the martyrs welcome you when you arrive, and lead you to Holy Jerusalem." The prelates leave the altar in procession, bearing the coffin from the basilica down the steps of St. Peter to the Vatican grotto. The coffin to be closed with red bands, sealed with both papal and Vatican seals. The coffin to be placed in a second casket of zinc, and within a third of walnut. This outside casket bears the name of the pope, his cross and his papal coat of arms. This service is not open to the public, but is witnessed by top Vatican prelates. The camerlegno, or chamberlain, Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, performs the rite, concluding with the words: "Lord, grant him eternal rest, and may perpetual light shine upon him." The singing of the hymn, "Salve Regina."
Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press
Editor's note:
God wants you to be rich, not poor! Find out the secret biblical lessons to success – Click Here Now
Get David Limbaugh's best seller "Persecution" about the war on Christians – Click Here for FREE offer
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
The Popes Passing
|
|
