The pilgrimage has two major Masses on Sunday. The earlier of the two was at 8:30 at San Giovanni dei Fiorentini. In contrast with last year’s Solemn Mass, the Mass was a read Low Mass, with musical accompaniment by a string ensemble at certain points in the liturgy. Later, I was told the simplified service […]

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The high altar of Sta Maria Maggiore. The basilica was filled – I read estimates of 1200, 2000, even 4000 (!) present. Despite the time pressure (I had heard first only one hour had been allotted for a Low Mass, later 1 1/2 hours was mentioned) the liturgy was reverent, solemn and unhurried. The music […]

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(Above) The pilgrims gathered before the closed ICRSS church of Santi Celso e Juliano. I suspect many learned at this time they would not be processing into St. Peter’s. (Below) The slim hand-out for the procession aleady reflected the new reality (“A solemn Procession towards the Basilica of St. Peter’s”) but the image selected did […]

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The first liturgical celebration of the pilgrimage was Solemn Vespers in the Pantheon (Sta Maria ad Martyres) on Friday evening. Bishop Athanasius Schneider presided.

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Of course I shall not pretend to consider it any matter for wonder, that (this) extraordinary case … has excited discussion. It would have been a miracle had it not — especially under the circumstances. Through the desire of all parties concerned to keep the affair from the public, at least for the present, or […]

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