Pope Benedict XVI : 1

Ash Wednesday 2006: Santa Sabina

On each of the next twelve days, the Saint Bede Studio will be posting a series of photographs in tribute to Pope Benedict.  All of these, as would seem appropriate to this blog, will have a liturgical theme.

Ash Wednesday, 2013 was the last public celebration of Mass by Pope Benedict.  Our first post today depicts his first celebration of Ash Wednesday as Pope in 2006.  In accordance with tradition, the Ash Wednesday Mass is celebrated in the venerable basilica of Santa Sabina.

It will be noted that the Pope is wearing a very ample violet-coloured chasuble, ornamented simply, but very beautifully, in silver.  The deacons of this Mass were vested in matching dalmatics whose appearance is reminiscent of the ancient dalmatic.

Ash Wednesday 2006: Santa Sabina

Please click on the images for an enlarged view.