Another thing...

... I have only seen in Spain so far:


The "Ferraiolone-Wrap"!


I don't know the deeper meaning or rationale behind this. Maybe one of the trusted readers has some information?


The bishop in the photos is Pablo Barrachina Estevan. He was bishop of Orihuela-Alicante from 1954 to 1989 and only died last year at the age of 96.


This last photo doesn't show the wrap, but I thought it would be nice to see the good old ferraiolone in its splendor, too

The Spanish Cappa Magna

If you are a reader of this blog, by now you will be quite familiar with the distinct Spanish cappa magna. If not, here is a photo, so you don't have to search:




On the Spanish forum mentioned in the last post, I found these photos of a Spanish cappa and its 'muceta':

I couldn't resist...

From the forum Ceremonia y rúbrica de la Iglesia española:

"Reina supremo en la galaxia litúrgica el blog The Far Sight, con fijaciones pías en capas magnas, en prelados simpáticos y orondos, y en esplendores sartoriales varios. Un trabajo excepcional"

"In the liturgical galaxy reigns supreme the blog "The Far Sight" with its pious obsession with cappae magnae, likeable and rotund prelates and various sartorial splendors. An exceptional job."

Blush! Thanks, guys!

Xempeachem Prusanv

Yeah, that's right! Pronounce THAT!


Well, it seems like the "arrastre de las caudas" got some competition...

Every year on Good Friday, the cathedral canons of Se Cathedral in Goa celebrate the "procession of tails" or Xempdeanchem Pursanv (I don't even know if this is the correct spelling. I also found Xempdeanchem Pursanv, Xeppdeanchem Pursanv, Xepdeanchem Pursao...). Anyways, here is a description from the "Times of India" of what you see in the photos:

Although it doesn't match the popularity of the Procession of Saints at Goa Velha, the unique Good Friday ceremony popularly known as Xempeachem Pursanv or Procession of Tails brings in the religious from the Tiswadi villages of central Goa.

Sources say this Good Friday practice may have started any time after February 4, 1557, when the Chapter of the Cathedral was established during the Portuguese era.

The procession starts after the archbishop's blessing to the rattling sound of wooden clappers, instead of the more cheerful bells.

From a corner near the main altar, the canons in black capes set forth. As the choir sings motets or penitential hymns, the faithful line up on either side as the procession winds it way past the four corners of the Cathedral.

Leading the way are the confrades with a cross, then come the altar boys, then the canons, and finally the Archbishop brings up the rear.

The solemn procession is a commemoration of the sufferings and death of Christ.

This is the Day of Canons, senior priests with a long and noteworthy record appointed by the Church. They have a prominent role in the ceremonies on Good Friday.

There are 10 canons but only four participated in the procession, as the others are too infirm, sources say. What is arresting is the black dress or capuso that trails on the floor like a bridal gown.

Only the canons' faces remain visible below the hood. The procession moves slowly as the people jostle to kiss the shroud on the cross or the feet of Christ in the coffin' carried by pall bearers.

The procession culminates near the tomb at one of the many altars of the Cathedral. The coffin is placed at the foot of a wooden cross. After a final prayer, the Archbishop kisses the feet of Christ and the others follow.

So much for the description. Here are the photos:

The first American Cardinal

John Cardinal McCloskey (1810 - 1885) was the fifth bishop (and second archbishop) of New York.

He was elevated to the cardinalate by Blessed Pope Pius IX in the consistory of March 15, 1875, becoming the first American cardinal.

He dedicated the newly-constructed St. Patrick's Cathedral on May 25, 1879.


In this colored lithograph archbishop McCloskey receives the cardinal's biretta from the hands of archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley of Baltimore.

Another Benedictine Abbot

Thomas d'Aquino Bossart was abbot of the Benedictine abbey of Einsiedeln, Switzerland, from 1905 to 1923.

Right after Bossart's election, the abbot and his successors were granted the privilege of the cappa magna. Here's the page from the "Summary"-book of the different privileges granted to the monastery across the centuries, which shows the 1905 entry:

Letting down the silk

Maybe some of you have never really seen how far the cappa magna reaches down in front, so here are some photos.

[Sorry for the watermarks, the reflecting flashlight and stuff]










Comes in handy when there's a boring homily and you want to say your rosary without anybody noticing.

[This just in: Reader Ed identified the Cardinal on the fourth photo as Peter Tatsou Doi, Japan's first Cardinal.]

The Order of Malta

I found some interesting colored engravings showing the different habits of priests worn in the Order of Malta.


Magistral chaplain


Conventual chaplain in minor daily habit


Conventual chaplain in grand daily habit


Conventual chaplain in minor choir habit


Conventual chaplain in grand choir habit


Prior of St. Jran with grand (no kiddin') cross of the Order


Bishop with grand cross of the Order

[Update: Alright! Reliable Ed informs us about the background of the pictures: "The drawings are shown in the Knight's church of St. John in Malta. This was their headquarters until they were driven out by Napoleon. The church contains the tombs of the Grandmasters of the Knights of Malta, several of them were also cardinals. The use of the church was recently returned to the knights."

Thanks, Ed!]

The Honor!

Woah!

Me? Nominated under the "Best Visual Treat" category? Of the Cannonball Catholic Blog Awards?

So cool!

What they really want...

Taking possession

Paolo Cardinal Marella; S. Andrea delle Fratte


Paolo Cardinal Giobbe; S. Maria in Vallicella


Giuseppe Cardinal Ferretto; S. Croce in Gerusalemme


Bernardus Johannes Cardinal Alfrink, archbishop of Utrecht; S. Gioacchino ai Prati di Castello


Joseph Elmer Cardinal Ritter, archbishop of St. Louis; SS. Redentore e S. Alfonso in Via Merulana


John Cardinal Krol, archbishop of Philadelphia; S. Maria della Mercede e Sant’Adriano a Villa

Black is beautiful

Here are some photographic impressions from this year's Arrastre de Caudas in Quito, collected from all over the web:















































If you want to see some moving pictures, here is a 5 minute feature from a TV station in Ecuador. The language is Spanish, of course, but the pictures are great. I especially like the scene in the sacristy, where you can see how the canons are vested for the event.