Jewels from Joan: Never buy a sofa too short for weekend naps!
In case you missed it: Over 33 million pilgrims came to Rome for Jubilee Year – Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and the Holy See’s official point man for the Jubilee, gives a round-up on the Holy Year during a press conference at the Vatican on Monday, January 5. Over 33 million pilgrims came to Rome for Jubilee Year – Vatican News
AN INTERESTING SUNDAY, LITURGICALLY SPEAKING
Yesterday I had planned to attend the 11:30 Mass at a local parish, St. Gregory VII, a 3-block walk from my home, but as I went to leave the building about 11:15, quite a number of people were huddled in our doorway as it was absolutely pouring rain I knew I’d get more than just soaked with the pelting rain so went back to my place and looked up Mass time at San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini, just across the Tiber River and two bus stops away. I saw there was a 12 noon Mass. Perfect. I went back outside at 11:45, the rain had stopped and it looked like the sun was trying to come out. A good sign., The Angelus would start soon and the Lord seems to be very good about giving Pope Leo some sunshine when big crowds are outdoors.
When I got to San Giovanni, as well as I know the church, I had no idea where I was! I did not recognize the language of the priests on the altar or the very different music I was hearing! It turned out to be the weekly Syro-Malabar Mass for Indian Catholics from Kerala! I was told by one of the Indian faithful that their Sunday Mass is usually 11 to 12 noon but just today it was planned to start later so there was no noon Latin rite Mass.
I was not even sure I had attended Mass (not a complete Mass) because, for Mass to be valid for Sunday obligation, you have to be there at a minimum for the offertory, consecration and communion. I was not sure when I came in but I felt I had missed the consecration. In any case, about 10 or 15 minutes after I arrived, I did join everyone and went to communion. Afterwards, the celebrant spoke at the ambo for 5 or 10 minutes, then he and another celebrant knelt and prayed in front of the altar and incensed it. Then, back at the altar for a bit, with some of the wonderful music. I stayed for everything as the liturgy was beautiful in its own mysterious (to me!) way. I also visited the relics of the left foot of St. Mary Magdalene, one of my favorite reliquaries in Rome, and took a number of photos.
By the way, I did go to the 6:30 pm Mass at St. Gregory VII!
San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini:
Some photos of the reliquary of St. Mary Magdalen as well as the nativity scene at one of the side altars:
Joan's Rome 