Mary unites all of God’s children, sparking conversions among those of different faiths, said Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco on Saturday, Nov. 16.
The archbishop pointed to Mary as a force for conversion and unity among different peoples at the first-ever Mass of the Americas in the Extraordinary Form, held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
“This Mass we celebrate today, the ‘Mass of the Americas,’ speaks profoundly to the power of our Mother to unite her children,” said Cordileone in his homily. “She stands there in every generation of the Church, interceding to her Son for her children, actively leading them to him, united as one in him.”
The Mass of the Americas is a “twinned tribute” to both Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. It was commissioned by the Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship, and was first celebrated Dec. 8, 2018, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Since its debut, it has gone on a “Marian unity tour” throughout North America, which included a stop in Washington, DC.
The Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship’s website states that it is an organization dedicated to “open[ing] the door of Beauty to God” through providing resources for “more beautiful and reverent liturgies” as well as “energizing a Catholic culture of the arts.”
It was no accident that Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared as a mixed-race woman who could appeal both to native Mexicans and the Spanish settlers, and that her image resulted in the conversion of an entire country, explained Cordileone.
“She appeared at a time of great conflict, turbulence and bloodshed, to form a new Christian people for her Son, not by the sword nor by human sacrifice, but by the love of a mother who identifies herself with her children,” he said.
“After [the apparition] Mexico became Catholic: Our Lady of Guadalupe unites the Old World and the New, and so a new Christian people is formed from the two, a mestizo people; a new Christian civilization is born from the union brought about by her who is venerated as both la Morenita and la Inmaculada,” the archbishop said.
Cordileone also spoke about how the Church is open to all, regardless of their material worth, and that it is a chance for people to satisfy the innate human hunger for beauty. The archbishop pointed to the Extraordinary Form liturgy, music, and vestments as a form of assisting humanity in their desire for beautiful things.
“Perhaps what the poor most lack in their lives is beauty: being dignified by that beauty which ennobles and elevates the soul, assuring them of their equal dignity as a fellow child of God whom God created in His image and likeness,” said Cordileone.
The above comes from a Nov. 18 story with the Catholic News Agency.
No pachamamas, even in San Francisco! Let’s be honest, some SF priests don’t like the Archbishop because he stands with Christ and the Church. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for all of us!
This is really a beautiful, reverently done Mass One can also watch it on Fr. Z’s website.
The Mass is on Youtube. After watching the “vesting” of the Archbishop before the Mass is the sort of thing that drives people away from the Church. The bowing, kissing of hands, the supposed inability to put on one’s own vestments, etc. is ridiculous. Even “back in the day” we didn’t have this kind of pomp at a Pontifical Mass. Thank God he didn’t wear the long red cape meant to cover the back of a horse when bishops traveled that way. Lots of bells and smells. I know the rituals of the past, I lived through them, I remember robing the priest in the sacristy before Mass. The bishop’s white shoes put it all over the top. The Mass itself was beautiful, the music well done.
Isn’t the purpose of the visible vesting rituals to show that the authority is due to the office, represented by the vestments, which symbolize that? I think it’s intended to highlight the office of the bishop, rather than one’s personal authority. While the man is important, the office is more important when the Church’s ministries are carried out. I don’t know of a bishop who can’t dress himself, but that’s not the point. I’m open to being corrected, if I’m misunderstanding the nature of the vesting during a service. (And, admittedly, it may be different for us Eastern Catholics, who not infrequently have the vesting of a bishop done in the middle of the church, especially for ordinations.) And, I don’t know of a single person who’s left the Church after seeing such. You indicated you know of more than one person “driven away from the Church” by that “sort of thing.” Is that true? I find it difficult to believe that a Catholic would leave the Church over that, even if they prefer to not see it.
Deacon Craig, what you describe is the start of clericalism. The Mass, TLM was wonderful. It’s dressing that was over the top. I know the Archbishop well and I know that he loves the ceremonies that set him on a pedestal. The people in the pews aren’t impressed. Even the miter was an old-fashioned design. Do they really need gloves for people to kiss? It is all so pre-VII.
Sounds eerily similar to what was said by Judas and the pharisee in Mt26, Mk14, Lk7.
There is deep meaning and history behind each and every rubric (see O’Connell, Fortescue, et al) … 1600+ years of formation by the Holy Ghost. I encourage you as a brother in Christ to learn the what/how/why of these profoundly earnest expressions of love and honor for Christ and His most Holy Mother.
Bob One prefers clown masses and marching bands his hatred for the old mass and any sense of Catholic patrimony is well known, here is an example ” Lots of bells and smells. I know the rituals of the past, I lived through them,” This statement alone shows what he thinks the TLM is equivalent to some kind Soviet Gulag, he lived through them, not offered the worship Christ’s majesty deserves.
Bob One, the tears in the eyes of Archbishop Cordileone while the Ave Maria was being so beautifully sung says it all for me. No clericalism there, just a love for Christ and the Holy Mother and the Church’s beautiful tradition. God bless him.
Actually, some say it was the Salve Regina where the archbishop teared up. I only saw it once, so I cannot say for sure which one is accurate.
Deacon Craig: thank you for your helpfull insight
and analysis. Some people just don’t get it or don’t
want to get it.
I am sure all the vesting has beautiful symbolism behind it There are meaningful prayers said by the bishop when each vestment is put on.
Many people have made fun of the red shoes that popes have worn. Contrary to what many have expressed, it takes a great deal of humility to wear those red shoes, but they are to remind popes that they should be willing to give up their lives for Christ and their flock. I do not think it has anything to do with “clericalism”, any more than the woman with the alabaster jar of expensive ointment anointing Christ’s feet had anything to do with clericalism,