Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Did pope approve of American mass?

chicagotribune.com

The Seeker
By Manya Brachear
Originally posted: April 17, 2008

It was clear from the start of the papal mass in Nationals Park Thursday that the event would be a truly American Catholic celebration. Prayers and readings were delivered in a number of languages. And the gifts and Eucharist were accompanied by musical arrangements with Native American and Gospel flavor. But was Pope Benedict XVI pleased?

Rev. Richard Neuhaus, editor of First Things magazine, said he thinks the “liturgical and musical stew” probably “tried Benedict's patience a good deal." A pundit for EWTN, which broadcasted the mass in its entirety, Neuhaus called the mass an example of "preening multicultural exhibitionism" and "a great mish mash of almost everything.”

But Rev. Jeremiah Boland, pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church on Chicago’s near West Side, thought the mass was a vibrant reflection of American culture.

“I think this being the capital of the country and this being the national mass by its nature, it wanted to reflect the cultural diversity of the United States,” Boland told me by phone as he waited inside the stadium after helping to celebrate mass with the pope. “The mass … was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever been at.”

Boland started his day at 7:30 a.m. hearing confessions at Nationals Park. Wearing a white alb and red stole, Boland was seated near the main altar where he had a clear view of Pope Benedict.

“The pope is such a prayerful person,” Boland said. “You have a 46,000 people in the stadium. I can’t imagine maintaining a sense of solemnity. He really led the prayer so beautifully … He spoke so much from the heart and directly about things.”
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 11:07 PM