Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
April 19, 2008 by usccbdigitalmedia
This morning, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated the Eucharistic Liturgy in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York.
The Mass was attended by 3,000 priests, deacons, seminarians, and religious men and women from around the United States. At least two representatives from each diocese in the U.S. attended the liturgy. Music was provided by the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Choir and Orchestra.
The Holy Father arrived at 9:00 a.m. and was welcomed by Cardinal Edward Egan and Monsignor Robert Ritchie, the rector of the Cathedral. After entering the Cathedral, the Holy Father prayed briefly before the Blessed Sacrament. The Mass began at 9:15 a.m.
Cardinal Egan offered words of welcome and the Holy Father was greeted with a very warm ovation. Pope Benedict gave Cardinal Egan a beautiful chalice as a remembrance of the visit.
The readings for the Mass were Acts 2:1-11 (read in Spanish), 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-7, 12-13 (read in English) and John 15:26-27; 16:12-15 (chanted in English). The Responsorial Psalm was Psalm 104.
In his homily, the Holy Father asked God to send a new Pentecost on the Church in America. The proclamation of life in abundance must be the heart of the new evangelization.
Pope Benedict used the structure of the Cathedral to reflect on our vocations in the Body of Christ. The stained glass windows show that, from the inside, we see the Church as she is, flooded with grace. It is hard for those on the outside to enter into this mystery and even those inside sometimes find it hard to see the light. However, we must have faith in God’s infinite power.
The harmonious structure of the Cathedral shows the unity and purposefulness of God’s creation. We must be intellectually converted and see things through the eyes of faith. He called for us to look to Christ in faith so that we may increase our unity and come to true spiritual renewal.
The Holy Father spoke of how vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life are ordered to the Body of Christ. He affirmed them in their witness and fidelity to their ministry, reminding them of the importance of penance and reconciliation and of serving those in need.
The spires of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral are a sign in the midst of Manhattan of the spiritual yearning of the human heart. He called upon those present to be heralds of hope.
The intercessions of the Prayer of the Faithful were read in English, Akan, Korean, Portuguese, German, and Chinese.
The gifts were presented by men and women in consecrated life.
The Holy Father prayed Eucharistic Prayer I. Cardinal Egan (Archbishop of New York), Cardinal Bertone (Vatican Secretary of State), Cardinal George (USCCB President), and Cardinal Levada (Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) prayed parts of the Eucharistic Prayer.
Following the Mass, the Holy Father joined Cardinal Egan in his residence for lunch.
I was very overwhelmed at a very nice mass that Our Highness Pope Benedict did in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He touched my heart while I was watching it in my living room.
May God Bless everyone,
Sandra Pelletier