Evesham: A Wonderful Solemn High Mass

Thank you so much to the priests, the servers and the splendid choir for a wonderful Solemn High Mass yesterday evening at the church of St Mary and St Egwin in Evesham.

If you are in that part of Worcestershire, do visit the attractive little town of Evesham, and the fine old Catholic church on the High Street. The interior appears to have been very little affected by the post-Vatican II changes. The altar rails remain. A freestanding altar has been installed in front of the high altar; it is built of stone, of a similar design to the high altar, and is at a lower level. There is enough space beween the two to allow for the offering of Solemn High Mass at the upper altar. There is a beautiful reredos behind the main altar and behind each of the side altars; these two being hinged altarpieces or tryptychs. All were inset with lovely paintings.

We arrived about half an hour before the start of Mass, which allowed me enough time to follow the Stations of the Cross. They were startlingly vivid and affecting, painted in a style which made me think of continental Europe in the late Middle Ages. As I progressed from one Station to another, it was genuinely upsetting to see the face of Christ showing increasing evidence of His pain and suffering. It was a remarkable experience.

The Mass itself was so absorbing that I quite forgot about the intervening altar. When I was not watching the proceedings I was praying the prayers in my book, as were many others in theirs, no doubt; and the choir was singing and responding (joined at times by the congregation), and there was a general profusion of participatio actuosa: a tremendous sense of all of us being united with the priest who was making present this greatest Work of all.

Since the Mass was offered in celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the choir sang the Ave Maria during the Offertory. I find some musical settings of the prayer too syrupy; but they chose the setting by Jacobus (or Jacques) Arcadelt, a version which seems to combine stirring power with calm dignity and serenity. It was beautifully done, and I found myself moved to tears.

The church was well on the way to being full. It must have been a real joy to the priests and to all those involved who had put in such sterlng work, to have so many present for this happy occasion. Very well done!

Extraordinary Form High Mass in Evesham, 8th December

At the EF Mass last Thursday, Father announced that there is to be a High Mass in the Extraordinary Form for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, at 7pm on Tuesday 8th December, in Evesham. He will be the sub-deacon.

Church: St Mary & St Egwin, High Street, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 4EJ (useful if you have sat-nav)

The parish website tells a delightful story, dating from the early 8th century, about St Egwin and his devout swineherd, Eoves. Eoves saw a vision of Our Lady. He told Bishop Egwin, and took him to the place, where Egwin himself saw the vision. It was Bishop Egwin who, under this inspiration, built a church and an abbey there.

While Egwin became a canonised saint, Eoves is not forgotten, because the town's former name was changed to Evesham to commemorate him.

The Church of St Mary and St Egwin was built in 1911 and designed in the Gothic style by Pugin & Pugin. I have not been inside the church, but externally it looks very handsome. Low Mass is regularly offered there in the Extraordinary Form, at 7pm every Tuesday.

Clifton Diocese: Is Communion available again on the tongue?

There have been a couple of developments regarding the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue. Fr Blake has published this letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, which he found on the Rorate Caeli blog. The letter was written in reply to an enquiry by a British lay Catholic. In short, Rome has confirmed that, even during the present situation regarding swine flu, the faithful continue to have the right to receive on the tongue.

Yesterday evening I attended a regular Mass in the Extraordinary Form – technically a “private” Mass – and was very happy to find that the priest distributed Holy Communion on the tongue. I wondered if he had decided “Rome has spoken, so here goes!” But I have since learnt from Ttony, in a comment to my post of 11th October, How to restore Communion on the tongue in Clifton? that an Ad Clerum has just been issued by Bishop Lang of Clifton, lifting the restrictions.

Now, here is an interesting thing. I have read the text of the Bishop's message to all parishes, dated 25th November, available on the diocesan website. I am wondering if this is the Ad Clerum itself, or an exact reproduction of the text; and I ask this for a particular reason.

The Bishop's earlier message on 24th July (accessible via a link from the above), in which he originally called for the restrictions, said:

“It is now sensible for all churches in our diocese to offer communion under one form, and in the hand.”

“The Sign of Peace at this time should be given by a smile, a slight bow or some other appropriate gesture, but not by the shaking of hands.”

The Bishop's latest message, on 25th November, is introduced with these words:

“In the past months due to the swine flu pandemic, it has been recommended that Holy Communion be received under one form and the Sign of Peace should be given by a smile, a slight bow or some other appropriate gesture, but not by the shaking of hands."

The earlier reference to Communion “in the hand” is not repeated here.

Bishop Lang then continues:

“ … I think we can amend the guidelines and return to the practice of receiving Holy Communion under both kinds and exchanging the Sign of Peace with a handshake or other suitable ways."

No reference is made to the method of receiving the Host.

I have read the latest message with care, and cannot see anything about the restoration of the option of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue. This is my reason for wondering whether this text is the same as that of the Ad Clerum.

It may be that the Bishop has spoken or written to his priests separately on this matter. I do not know. But it may not make any difference. Even if they are aware that Rome has ruled we can receive on the tongue, even if they know that this is a matter for Rome and not for the Bishops, Bishop Lang's message gives the local clergy the authority to decide whether to relax his own restrictions or to keep them in place. Here is the relevant passage:

“I believe that parish priests are best placed to know when it would be prudent to follow the previous guidelines and reintroduce them if necessary.”

Will the clergy distinguish between the Bishop's guidance and that of Rome? When we go to Mass this weekend, will we find there has been no change at all; or any combination of these things; or that everything is restored apart from Communion on the tongue? We shall see.

The Shock of the Gospel

During my years of reading the Bible, day by day, in small segments, there have been occasions when something has struck me so forcefully that the implications of it have changed me.

There is one passage in particular, the import of which first sank in many years ago. I have never forgotten it: the words are constantly just below the surface of my mind, rising into my consciousness quite frequently, and inspiring each time the same sense of wonder.

The context is St John's Gospel, Chapter 3. I am sure you will recall that Nicodemus, the Pharisee and leading Jew whose devoted but secret discipleship led him eventually to bring myrrh and aloes for the Lord's burial, first visited Jesus by night, in the early days of His public ministry. They engaged in a marvellously scholarly discussion; in the Jerusalem Bible translation one can almost hear their voices.

And in the middle of their conversation, Our Blessed Lord says these words:

"No one has gone up to heaven
except the One Who came down from heaven,
the Son of Man Who is in heaven"

"Who is in heaven". He is with us upon the earth, and He says He is in heaven.

I find these words wonderful, just wonderful.

Fr Sean Finnegan on Liberalism and the Ecumenical Movement

Here is a tremendous post, Whither Ecumenism?, by Fr Sean Finnegan, on his Valle Adurni blog. He considers the history of the ecumenical movement, the development of Anglo-Catholicism, and the rise of liberalism in religion, including its current manifestations both in Anglicanism and in the Catholic Church. Fascinating.

Constable Bill Barker, a good and faithful servant

In Matthew, Chapter 24, and in Luke, Chapter 12, we read of the servants who are carrying out the work their Master has given them, in readiness for His return. They are waiting expectantly for Him, so that they can open the door to Him as soon as He knocks. Happy the servants who are awake and busy about their work when He arrives. “I tell you solemnly, He will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them”; He will place his conscientious servant “over everything He owns.”

Truly, we do not know the moment; none of us knows. Police Constable Bill Barker was married, and had four children. He died the day before his 45th birthday. He was doing his duty. He was standing on a bridge, in the town of Workington, in the north-west of England. The bridge was crumbling before the onslaught of the torrent of a river in flood. He was warning drivers and pedestrians to keep away from it. And suddenly it collapsed, and he was swept to his death. His Master had arrived, and had found him busy about his work. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Please pray for the repose of his soul, and for his widow and his children, in the shock and grief of their loss.

The Vatican-SSPX talks are being filmed

How’s your Italian? There’s a very good blog called messainlatino.it, which I like to visit to supplement my Italian studies. It has many fascinating articles. Today they have some interesting information about the talks between the Vatican and the SSPX. Here are some extracts:

The composition of the Lefebvrian delegation could change in future, to allow for participation by those with different areas of expertise.

The discussions are not in Latin. They appear to be in French and Italian; all those participating understand these languages, but since none is completely at home in one or other of the languages, they are provided with simultaneous translation.

The SSPX delegation is staying at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where the cardinals have lodged for papal conclaves.

Since all the altars at the Domus are already booked for Masses, the SSPX’s Masses are celebrated in St Peter’s Basilica.

Lastly, and I think most interestingly, the proceedings are being filmed, so that the Holy Father can watch them.

The talented Mr England, on Purgatory

I urge you to read this wonderful post on Purgatory, written by Laurence England on his excellent blog That the bones You have crushed may thrill. It is splendid!

"Never Peter without the Twelve*" - Did I really hear that? (*See update 08/11/09)

I remember hearing an interview a few years ago with a prominent Catholic cleric, who has since retired. One sentence has stuck in my mind ever since. He said: "Never the Twelve without Peter; never Peter without the Twelve".

“Never the Twelve without Peter” – of course. But “Never Peter without the Twelve?” Did I dream it? Where did he get that from? Surely it can't be right. What is the point of crafting an apparently well-balanced sentence, if the second half of it is false?

Perhaps it was a simple error. Perhaps it was wishful thinking. Or perhaps he had stated the actual attitude of the English and Welsh hierarchy to the Successor of Peter. If he did, has that attitude changed?

From Lumen Gentium, Section 22 (the emphases are mine):

“But the college or body of bishops has no authority unless it is understood together with the Roman Pontiff, the successor of Peter as its head. The pope's power of primacy over all, both pastors and faithful, remains whole and intact. In virtue of his office, that is as Vicar of Christ and pastor of the whole Church, the Roman Pontiff has full, supreme and universal power over the Church. And he is always free to exercise this power. The order of bishops, which succeeds to the college of apostles and gives this apostolic body continued existence, is also the subject of supreme and full power over the universal Church, provided we understand this body together with its head the Roman Pontiff and never without this head.”

In short: the Pope is free; the Bishops are not; at least, they are not free in absolute terms. Their freedom is contingent upon their unity with him. Have I understood this correctly?

*Update on 8th November:

The exact quotation seems to have been “Never Peter without the eleven; never the eleven without Peter”, assuming it was quoted correctly in this Tablet editorial. No wonder I couldn’t track it down on the internet at my first attempt.

Anglo-Catholics, like the Hebrews out of Egypt

Dear Anglicans!  If you are truly Catholic in your beliefs and in your hearts, please do not be overwhelmed by fear.  God led His people out of Egypt, into the unknown, into the desert.  Only trust in Him, and you will find that what looks, from your present viewpoint, like a heart-sinking desert, is in fact full of secret gardens, and of the true water of life.  When the time comes – and may it be soon, please God – please be prepared to walk into your fear, and through it, for His sake; and you will find yourselves in the place where He longs for you to be. 

Many of us have heard tell of the famous broadcast by King George VI, on Christmas Day 1939, the first Christmas of the Second World War.  He recited a beautiful poem, to strengthen the hearts of his people for the grim struggle and the unknown sufferings which lay ahead. Here is the essence of it:

“Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be better than light, and safer than a known way.”

What lies ahead of you is not a grim struggle, though it may indeed involve some potentially painful adjustments at first.  What lies ahead is from Christ Himself, by the words of His Vicar; and it is all for your joy.  God’s loving hand is reaching out to welcome you.

Cold feet

You have dreamt of her for years; you have loved her, and she knows it.  In your mind and affections, you are united to her.  And yet, circumstances seem to have conspired against your marrying her.

Now, all that has changed.  Suddenly the things which seemed to be insurmountable obstacles, the things which made you sigh and say, “If only!”, have melted away.  She has turned to you; she has told you:  “Nothing is insuperable any more.  If, as you say, your mind and heart are truly united to me, I will marry you.”

And suddenly, you are not so sure any more.  After all, it’s a big step.  You stand to lose a number of things you have become attached to.  There may be serious financial consequences.  You will almost certainly have to move house, and you are very much attached to this place.  In short, you are beginning to have cold feet.

She is waiting for your answer.  And she loves you.  What will you do?

Among the worshippers at Anglo-Catholic churches ...

... there is an unknown number of Roman Catholics (to describe them clearly for the purpose of this post) who for some years have been slipping away from the post-Conciliar Catholic churches, because they could no longer put up with the banalities, the Catholicism-free homilies and the sheer irreverence.

I must make it clear that I do not agree with their decision. However, I have great sympathy for them.

I hope and pray that they will share in the fruits of this wonderful decision by the Holy Father, who has provided in such a wide-ranging and flexible way for the gathering-in to the one fold of all the good Catholic-minded Anglicans, together with all those riches of their tradition which are in harmony with the Catholic Faith. What a happy day!

Forgiveness for the Unrepentant

A most moving post from Fr Blake on the experience of a Rwandan sister’s encounter with the killer of her family, and the power of goodness released by his repentance and her forgiveness.

There is a related question, which seems really intractable:  how to obey the Lord’s commandment to forgive, when faced, not with a plea for forgiveness, but with an apparent lack of repentance.

Many of us will remember Gordon Wilson, the wonderful man who, after holding hands with his dying daughter Marie as they lay beneath the rubble after the Remembrance Day bombing in Enniskillen in 1987, said that he bore no grudge against the Irish republicans who had killed his daughter together with ten others, on that appalling day.

It was an extraordinary thing that he should have forgiven them, at a time when the perpetrators – apart from some evidence that they realised they had made a tactical mistake – gave no indication at all that they repented of the evil they had committed, or even that they regarded it as a moral evil, or were conscious in any way of having committed a grave sin. 

Some have said that Mr Wilson’s words planted the seeds of what became, many years later, the cease-fire and the subsequent power-sharing agreement in Northern Ireland.  I don’t know about that; it seems to be stretching things rather too far.  But the fact is that he made this gratuitous gesture of goodness, and, as it were, into the void.

This is the nub of it, and the conundrum: we must forgive; but unless the wrongdoer repents, he cannot be forgiven.  We must forgive; but what if the sinner is perfectly content with what he has done?   Surely the forgiveness will not “take”?  It is as though he has coated his soul in wax; the forgiveness will slide off him; nothing will sink in.  What to do?

The victim - and the victim’s loved ones are victims too - will surely suffer, both spiritually and psychologically, if they cannot find an outlet, a way through.  Justice must be done, whether in this world or the next.  At the same time, forgiveness must be there, at the ready, to heal the sinner as soon as he repents.  And yet it may never be known in this life who was responsible for the evil, let alone what has become of him.  How to offer forgiveness, how to send it out into the darkness, while being tormented by the suspicion that the evildoer simply does not care?

May I suggest the following:  that we give our forgiveness into the hands of God, asking Him to bestow it for us, if and when the evildoer repents.  It will not be wasted; and it may help to soothe and heal the hearts of the victims.  Surely no harm can come from this; I think it is worth a try.

Traditional Latin Masses in Gloucestershire

Not everyone is fully up to speed with Summorum Pontificum; not everyone knows that the current term is the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. So I thought I would entitle this post as above, in the hope of picking up any enquiries under the older name.

Here are the details of Masses in the Extraordinary Form in Gloucestershire, according to the website of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales:

CHELTENHAM: St Gregory's, St James Square, GL50 3PR:
Thursdays at 18:00
Telephone 01242 523737 (office hours 0900-1300 Mon-Fri)

STOW-on-the-WOLD: Our Lady & St Kenelm, Back Walls, GL54 1DR:
Saturdays at 10:00
Telephone 01451 830431

PRINKNASH ABBEY (St Peter's Grange), Cranham, Gloucester, GL4 8EX:
Saturdays at 11:00
First Sunday of each month at 15:00
Telephone 01452 812455

Very occasionally it is not possible for a Mass to take place as shown. I have included the telephone numbers for those who would like to check before making the journey.

The Masses at Stow and Prinknash are shown on their respective websites. The Mass in Cheltenham is not publicised at all. If you live near Cheltenham, or have any family or friends in the area, I'd be very grateful if you could let them know about this Mass, and ask them to pass the information on to others.

How to restore Communion on the tongue in Clifton?

In his interesting comment following my previous post, Ttony of The Muniment Room has included a link to the Diocese of Clifton's swine flu guidance. I'm delighted he did, because at the end of the guidance there is a box for messages. I have sent the following suggestion, and will let you know if I receive a reply:

"Grateful if special arrangements could be made for those few of us who wish to do so, to receive Holy Communion on the tongue. Perhaps there could be a separate queue?"

I will have to miss Mass today; I started with a cold yesterday, and am certain to be infectious. It's the responsible thing to do ... While there are always one or two who go out and about when they are infectious (or else how could I have got this? I suspect the local bus into town, which is something of a germ-box), when you consider the incidence of swine flu in the general population, reduced by the proportion of Mass-going Catholics, reduced further by those who prefer to receive on the tongue, reduced again by the number who quarantine themselves ...

Setting it out like this makes me realise that it would be far more useful for the Diocese to announce that anyone who has developed a cough or the sniffles should stay away from church altogether until they are better. They should be assured that they are relieved of the solemn obligation to attend Mass until they are sure they are no longer infectious. Judging by the amount of coughing that goes on at most Masses, I think this should produce benefits all round.

Communion on the Tongue: Oxford Yes, Clifton No

I was so happy to be able to receive Holy Communion on the tongue at the Oxford Oratory yesterday. Oxford is in the Birmingham archdiocese (or can the Oratorians make their own rules? I don't know), while I live in the Clifton diocese. Here it is forbidden to have any contact at the sign of peace, forbidden to receive Holy Communion from the Chalice, and forbidden to receive the Host on the tongue.

I can live very happily with the more peaceful sign of peace, in which, at most, people nod and smile to one another; and I don't receive from the Chalice anyway, because I want to give witness to the Church's teaching that Christ is received whole and entire, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, under either species alone. I fear that a good many people have been confused into thinking their Holy Communion is not complete without receiving from the Chalice.

A good many things changed for me when Summorum Pontificum was issued. Among the changes, I returned to the habit of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue. And now it has been forbidden, as a precaution against swine flu. I find it rather distressing, and one of the most troubling things is not knowing how long the ban is going to continue.

Wonderful morning with St Therese in Oxford

Out while it was still dark, to catch the first bus to Oxford.  Spent an unforgettable morning at the Oxford Oratory, in the presence of the relics of St Therese.  The long tail-back of commuter traffic delayed the journey somewhat, but I managed to arrive for the Sung Mass in the Extraordinary Form just as the priest was giving his homily.

The church was full for the Mass, with many standing at the back and in the side aisles.  All generations were present.  I imagine that for some of the congregation it must have been the first experience of the older form of the Mass for many decades, perhaps in their lives.

After the Mass the pews emptied a little, providing space for the comings and goings of parties of schoolchildren and other groups.  Stayed for most of the morning; read some chapters of Matthew; said my usual prayers; prayed also, and left a prayer request, for all in the Catholic blogosphere, for themselves and all who read them to grow ever closer to God. 

In the background, at all times, a quiet hum and bustle of people.  In the midst of the sublime occasion I felt there was a sweet-natured, almost domestic atmosphere.  A communal Rosary; a young man behind me saying his prayers, just audibly,in Polish; visiting priests hearing confessions by the side altars; the procession of those wishing to go to the reliquary very well organised and smooth, with no one getting in anyone else’s way; plenty of space to see it, and to stop before it for a few moments of prayer or contemplation; no one was rushed away from it.  There were rose petals on the floor everywhere, mostly along the central aisle.  And, as the principal guest in the House of God, the sense of the presence of St Therese; the beautiful reliquary seeming more than itself.  In outward appearance the experience was a stylised version of being at the grave of a great heroine; but “to God, all men are in fact alive”, and it really did feel as if she was there among us.

I went to the reliquary three times, and was surprised each time to find myself in tears; but happy tears.  I will always remember it.

Towards the end of the morning I left the church, to get a cup of tea and a lunch-time sandwich, and to catch the bus home.  There was a substantial queue along the busy Woodstock Road, moving along at a steady pace and allowed into the church in batches.  A cheerful Oratory father, armed with a megaphone, was doing sterling work keeping everyone informed.  This controlled access helped to preserve the sense of the occasion: the interior of the church remained uncrowded, and the gentle spirituality of the great and solemn day was maintained.

The Anglican church of St Giles, across the street, was sharing in the festivities by serving refreshments, and very nice they were too.  Saw Fr Damian there; he is a Benedictine of Prinknash Abbey in Gloucestershire, who regularly offers Mass in the Extraordinary Form.  Fr Hunwicke, of the Anglo-Catholic church of St Thomas the Martyr in Oxford, whose blog I like to visit, has described being present at the event.  This sharing of the joy has been an extra element in the happiness of the day.

I hope those of you who have not been able to attend any of the stages of St Therese’s wonderful progress through our dear but troubled country, have received from this account some flavour of the tremendous experience it has been for just one person.

Rosaries for the Consecration of Russia

I am sure you remember that one of Our Lady’s requests at Fatima was for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart. There has been a good deal of debate in recent years as to whether this request has been complied with. I’m not sure what to think about it.

A few months ago, I read somewhere that the SSPX had initiated a crusade of 12 million rosaries (that is, 5-decade chaplets), for the consecration of Russia in accordance with Our Lady’s express request. This follows their amazing achievement at the beginning of this year, when they presented the Holy Father with a spiritual bouquet of over a million chaplets, for the intention that the excommunication of their four bishops might be lifted. The results of that were, shall we say, rather more dramatic than expected …

Twelve million rosaries is a hugely ambitious target. The period runs through to the Feast of the Annunciation, 25th March 2010, which sounds like plenty of time, but you know how the weeks and months slip by.

I feel very sad about the SSPX's situation. I hope the forthcoming discussions are fruitful in every way, for their benefit and for that of all the Church. I have decided to contribute some rosaries. If you are interested, their District of Great Britain has an e-form you can use. Those of you who live in other parts of the world will probably be able to find something on the internet that is more local to you, but I’m sure you could use the above if you wish.

A surprise meeting in the Cotswolds

A morning not to be wasted, in this wonderful Indian summer so many of us are experiencing. We decided to go for one our favourite drives in the Cotswolds, which are particularly lovely just now.

We like to go on a circular route, which - for those of you who know and love these places - is by way of Winchcombe, Broadway, and Stow-on-the-Wold, then home past Bourton-on-the-Water and the Dowdeswell reservoir. It is a great pleasure to have within easy access this perfect mixture of glorious countryside and beautiful buildings for which the area is renowned.

Most of the buildings are of the classic golden limestone of the area, but there are also many cottages of thatched and timber-framed construction. Many a time we have seen little groups of Japanese tourists staring at the scene before them, looking as though they have died and gone to Heaven.

The colours of the trees today ranged from their full summer green, through the shades of yellow and orange, to bright russet. Some of the fields still have their crops in place; others have been harvested, with only the stubble remaining, and are scattered with great cylindrical hay-bales awaiting transfer into the barns. Add to the mix the warm brown soil of the fields which have already been ploughed, and the vivid green grass of the fields that are set aside or used for grazing, and we had a perfect rural patchwork to enjoy.

We had just got out of the car in Broadway, when I bumped into a person I had never met before, but whose face was so familiar that I overcame my shyness and approached her. It was the famous Catholic blogger, Mrs Jackie Parkes! We had a very pleasant little conversation before going our separate ways. I am delighted to report how well she looked. I'm looking forward to reading her account of her adventures.

Prayers for the Holy Father

On 13th February this year, Father Finigan, whose home page is linked here, posted a link to a novena of prayer for Pope Benedict XVI, translated into English by Fr Jean-Claude Selvini. Here is the link:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/12328026/Novena-of-Prayer-for-Pope-Benedict-XVI

It contains a colour picture of the Holy Father's coat of arms, which is a lovely thing to print, apart from the importance of the prayer itself.

The original novena ran from 14th to 22nd February, but I can't imagine there would be any problem about continuing to say it. Prayer is never wasted, and certainly not for our dear Pope Benedict, who is about to be subjected to further attacks over the Williamson matter.

If you prefer, you could paste the prayer from this:

Novena of Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI

One Our Father; three Hail Marys; one Glory Be to the Father.

V. Let us pray for our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI:
R. May the Lord preserve him, give him long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.

V. You are Peter.
R. And upon this Rock I will build My Church.

Let us pray:
God our Father, Shepherd and Guide, look with love on your servant, Pope Benedict XVI, the pastor of Your Church. Grant that his word and example may inspire and guide the Church, and that he, and all those entrusted to his care, may come to the joy of everlasting life. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Saint Peter, pray for us.