Papal Visit

[Southern Comfort]

Watching the Mass from Westminster — the Gloria is just coming to an end.

Interesting to note that the Pope sang ex-chell-sees, rather than ek-shell-sees. Must be the German tradition? Also, the Cathedral altos sang de-pre-ca-ti-o-nem with a 't' sound, rather than the 'ts' sound that is normative. Hmmm. That's probably down to ignorance.

Now we're into the plainchant Alleluia, and it's clear that the organist does not know how to accompany the chant...

SSG member Paul Moynihan has just handed the thurible to the deacon.

Now waiting to see if Credo III modulates up at Et unam sanctam...

But wait — another fanfare from James MacMillan as the Gospel Book is carried back to the Pope. His Tu es Petrus at the papal entrance was well done. This fanfare is using much of the same material, with an exciting conclusion. Lots of Langlais reminiscences in the music, as indeed there are in the Gloria setting for Bellahouston and Cofton Park.

[docmattc]

But wait — another fanfare from James MacMillan as the Gospel Book is carried back to the Pope.

I wondered about the liturgical function of that fanfare. While it covered the return of the deacon et al to the sanctuary, it seemed to act to distance the Gospel from the homily, and, being 'bigger' than the Gospel Acclamation, served to elevate the homily above the Gospel (at least in my mind).

Now waiting to see if Credo III modulates up at Et unam sanctam...

thankfully no

[Southern Comfort]

Now waiting to see if Credo III modulates up at Et unam sanctam...

thankfully no

No indeed. In D right the way through. Not comfortable with the organ lifting offso abruptly between each congregational phrase. Makes the music very 'choppy'.

[Southern Comfort]

Now waiting for the breach of liturgical law with a polyphonic Sanctus. Here it comes.

Being diverted by all the misprints in Magnificat...

[Southern Comfort]

All those who predicted that the Pope would celebrate ad orientem will be disappointed.

[VML]

But was the threatened modualtion a misprint or a wind up?

[Southern Comfort]

Difficult to see, but it looks as if the bishops are receiving by intinction....

And the priests in cottas and stoles who are distributing Communion in the nave and outside have evidently not been concelebrating, and fetched their ciboria from the Blessed Sacrament Chapel during the Pater Noster.

Nice to have the Hassler O Sacrum Convivium double choir with brass. O bread of heaven directly juxtaposed felt a little awkward as it started. A transition would have been a good idea.

[Southern Comfort]

The long silence after the homily was very impressive. Now we're in the middle of the postcommunion silence — also good to see. Shows what can be done.

[docmattc]

... and fetched their ciboria from the Blessed Sacrament Chapel during the Pater Noster.

I understand this is common practice at the Cathedral, it was certainly what happened at the Saturday evening Mass which followed our AGM there in, I think, 2005

[Southern Comfort]

Confusion in the et cum spiritu tuo response when the Pope did not follow the printed chant (as has happened several times during the Mass — well, he is the Pope ).

And 'de Angelis' Ite missa est, despite the simple version printed in Magnificat. Colin Mawby arrangement of Blaenwern for the final hymn — presumably the Welsh tune selected because of the gesture towards Wales that is coming up shortly.

[docmattc]

But was the threatened modualtion a misprint or a wind up?

Undoubtedly a misprint. But one wonders how much organic development of the liturgy has been down to misprints.

[Southern Comfort]

Bruckner Ecce Sacerdos sung to great effect during the procession to Our Lady of the Taper. The choir didn't sound tired, as they might have done.

[Southern Comfort]

But was the threatened modualtion a misprint or a wind up?

Undoubtedly a misprint. But one wonders how much organic development of the liturgy has been down to misprints.

Very good point. Alas, none of the many typos in Magnificat will contribute to that!

[gwyn]

Fantastic! A truly uplifting celebration from W'minster Cathedral. (Especially the breaching Sanctus )

[Southern Comfort]

Overall judgement on the Mass: I think it was well done, given the limitations imposed by a papal liturgy, and bearing in mind the limitations also imposed by Westminster's habitual liturgical practices.

And how powerful to hear the link between the sufferings of Christ and the sufferings of those affected by clergy sex abuse!

Now listening to a Tournemire voluntary, which is certainly reminisicent of the sufferings of Christ! And the bishops are being applauded as they leave [direct feed live webcast], while the young person who addressed the Pope is being interviewed by the Beeb [on BBC1]. I bet they're glad to get clapped for once, rather than attacked.

Pope now meeting the Cathedral Choir.... Didn't they do well?! And the organist has moved into the more cheerful Finale from Widor 6.