The Blessed Paul VI : 3

On 21st June, 1963, GIOVANNI BATTISTA MONTINI, Cardinal-Archbishop of Milan, was elected Pope by the College of Cardinals and took the name Paul VI. 

Pope Paul VI's Pontificate spanned the years of the Second Vatican Council and the troubled years which followed it.  He died on 6th August, 1978 at the age of 80 and is buried in the crypt of Saint Peter's Basilica. He was beatified on 19th October, 2014.

This post presents images of Pope Paul between 1965 and 1978. This marks a distinct phase in the Liturgical aesthetics of Papal Ceremonies. Monsignor Dante having retired from the role of Prefect of Pontifical Ceremonies in 1965, this role was assumed into the wider responsibilities of none-other than Monsignor Annibale Bugnini. Immediately a much simpler form of papal ceremonial and vesture was introduced: the rest is history.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Pope Paul offering Mass in the Basilica of the Annunciation
during his Apostolic Voyage to the Holy Lands, 1964.

During a Mass of Ordination in S' Peter's, 1965.

Pope Paul blessing the Faithful from the central loggia
of S' Peter's, December 1965.
The use of a pastoral staff for Papal Ceremonies
had been introduced in that year.

Pope Paul being carried through S' Peter's Square at the
Closing Ceremony of the Second Vatican Council,
8th December, 1965.

On the Feast of the Epiphany, 1967.
For this Feast each year, Pope Paul would wear the
elaborately decorated chasuble shewn here.

In between: Pope Paul wearing newly-designed
Marian vestments together with the "Vatican Two" albes.
He also wearing gloves for the celebration of Pontifical Mass.
January 1967.

Pope Paul arriving at the High Altar in Saint Peter's for the Opening Mass
of the first Synod of Bishops in 1967.
On the righthand of the picture can be seen the then Secretary of State,
Cardinal Villot (with mitre) and the next to him (without mitre)
the then Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal Gilroy.

May 1969.  Newly-Elevated members of the Sacred College
concelebrate with Pope Paul in Saint Peter's Basilica.
When concelebration was re-introduced in Rome after 1965, it was customary
for the concelebrants to completely encircle the Altar of the Confession
in the Basilica.  This practice was dropped with the introduction
of the New Order of Mass in 1970. 

Pope Paul kneeling before the Holy Door after its
Opening on 25th December 1974.

Pope Paul preaching.

Pope Paul giving his Blessing to the Faithful in S' Peter's Square
March 1976.

Laetare Sunday, 1978.
Pope Paul in a beautiful set of rose-coloured vestments.

Pope Paul during one of his last appearances in
S' Peter's Square, March 1978.

Pope Paul lying-in-state at Castelgandolfo
7th August, 1978.
Changes to ceremonial for the death of a Pope are manifest here in the
simplex mitre rather than the cloth gold mitre being used for burial.

The Blessed Paul VI : 2

Pope Paul VI 1963 - 1978.

On 21st June, 1963, GIOVANNI BATTISTA MONTINI, Cardinal-Archbishop of Milan, was elected Pope by the College of Cardinals and took the name Paul VI. 

On Sunday 19th October, before a large concourse of the Faithful in Saint Peter's Square and in the presence of Benedict XVI, the College of Cardinals and representatives of bishops worldwide, Pope Paul was beatified by his successor Pope Francis.

This repost presents images of the Pontificate of Pope Paul between 1963 and 1965.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

A magnificent view of the interior of S' Peter's
during the Second Vatican Council.

Pope Paul at the resumption of the Council in September 1963. 

A Papal Low Mass celebrated in S' Peter's Square in 1963 during the Council Sessions. 

Pope Paul wearing the Papal mantum of his predecessor, Pope John XXIII.

Another photograph of John XXIII's mantum.
The mitre being worn by Pope Paul is of uncertain provenance
but was subsequently used by John Paul I and Benedict XVI.

Pope Paul wearing the red mantum and a cloth gold mitre.

At the Canonisation in S' Peter's of the Ugandan martyrs, October 1964.
A cage of doves presented to the Pope as part of the ceremonial offerings
explains the smiles on the faces of those in this photograph,

At the Canonisation in S' Peter's of the Ugandan martyrs, October 1964.

During Solemn Papal Mass at the Canonisation in S' Peter's
of the Ugandan martyrs, October 1964.
The bearded figure on the left is the Dean of the Sacred College, Cardinal Tisserant.

The Consecration of missionary bishops at the Altar of the Chair in
S' Peter's Basilica, 1964.

The Consecration of missionary bishops at the Altar of the Chair in
S' Peter's Basilica, 1964.

Pope Paul with the redoubtable Monsignor Enrico Dante.
Monsignor Dante commenced assisting at Papal Ceremonies in 1914
but ceased this role in February 1965,
when he was Elevated to the Sacred College by Pope Paul.

The Blessed Paul VI : 1

 On 21st June, 1963, GIOVANNI BATTISTA MONTINI, Cardinal-Archbishop of Milan, 
was elected Pope by the College of Cardinals and took the name Paul VI. Unlike his immediate predecessor, John XXIII, the election of Cardinal Montini was completely expected, since he had been prominent in Rome and Internationally for many years.

Giovanni Battista Montini was born was born in the village of Concesio, in the province of Brescia, on 26th September 1897. He was ordained a priest in Brescia in 1920, but undertook studies whilst working in the Papal Secretariat of State from 1922. He continued in this work throughout the 1920's and 1930's, but when Cardinal Pacelli was Elected as Pope in 1939, Monsignor Montini became one of his closest associates. In 1954, Pius XII appointed Monsignor Montini as Archbishop of Milan. Pope John XXIII elevated Monsignor Montini to the Sacred College of Cardinals in 1958.

Pope Paul VI's Pontificate spanned the years of the Second Vatican Council and the troubled years which followed it. He was the first Pope in modern times to travel outside of Italy, visiting the Holy Lands, South America, Africa, Oceania and the United States. He died on 6th August, 1978 at the age of 80 and is buried in the crypt of Saint Peter's Basilica.

On Sunday 19th October, before a large concourse of the Faithful in Saint Peter's Square and in the presence of Benedict XVI, the College of Cardinals and representatives of bishops worldwide, Pope Paul was beatified by his successor Pope Francis.

An attempt to present a balanced account of his not uncontroversial life and work can be found here.

This re-post presents images of the Election and Coronation of Pope Paul.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

The newly-elected Pope Paul VI receiving the Homage of the Cardinals
in the Sistine Chapel, 21st June 1963.

The newly-elected Pope Paul VI receiving the Homage of the Cardinals
in the Sistine Chapel, 21st June 1963.

The scene in S' Peter's Square on the Feast of Ss Peter and Paul in 1963
when Paul VI was crowned Pope.

The scene in S' Peter's Square on the Feast of Ss Peter and Paul in 1963
when Paul VI was crowned Pope.

The scene in S' Peter's Square on the Feast of Ss Peter and Paul in 1963
when Paul VI was crowned Pope.

Paul VI at the Cathedra shortly after the moment of his
Coronation, 29th June 1963.
This much-commented on triple tiara was made of aluminium and gold
and was a gift of the Archdiocese of Milan.

Paul VI at the Cathedra shortly after the moment of his
Coronation, 29th June 1963. 

Preparing incense during the Solemn Papal Mass of Coronation
celebrated in S' Peter's Square, 29th June 1963.
This was the first time that a Pope had celebrated Mass in the Square.
Note the array of mitres and triple tiaras resting on the Altar.

Coronation medal of Pope Paul VI.

For the Church in an Hour of Need

O Heavenly Lord

We beseech you continually to inspire the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant, that all who confess your Name may agree in the truth of your Holy Word, and live in unity, and godly love.

We beseech you to give grace to Francis our Pope and to all bishops, priests and deacons, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth your true and living Word and rightly and duly administer your holy Sacraments.

We beseech you to guide and prosper those who are labouring for the spread of your Gospel among the nations, and enlighten with your Spirit all places of education and learning; that the whole world may be filled with the knowledge of your truth.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Priestly Ordinations 2014 : 12

Father Palman during the Mass of Ordination
Image kindly supplied by Fr Palman

Each year, the Saint Bede Studio has the privilege of preparing sacred vestments for Ordinands. Happily, this year has been no exception : indeed the number of requests for such vestments has been more than double previous years.

This post concerns Father Jeremy Palman, of the Diocese of Auckland (New Zealand), who was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood by the Most Rev'd Patrick Dunn in the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Auckland on 9th August.

Father Palman commissioned vestments made in the Saint Philip Neri form for his Ordination and First Holy Mass. The chasuble (shewn in adjacent photographs) was made from an ecclesiastical brocade in ivory and was ornamented with a damask in the colours of burgundy and gold, outlined with narrow braids, in the Roman style. The vestments were lined in straw-coloured cotton.

Please pray for Father Palman and for all newly-ordained priests.

Please click on the images for an enlarged view.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

During the Anointing of Father Palman
Image kindly supplied by Fr Palman 

Father Palman offering his First Holy Mass
Image kindly supplied by Fr Palman

Attractive Gothic Revival interior of S' Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland NZ.

Vestments in Honour of the Blessed Virgin

On Our Lady's Feast, we are pleased to present this vestment, recently made by the Saint Bede Studio for an American priest. This is our well-known Maria Regina chasuble.

The Maria Regina orphrey braid was first designed by the Studio in 2009 and - despite there being other braids of a Marian theme designed since then - its simplicity makes it a favourite amongst our customers.

This particular set of vestments was made from silk damask in a beautiful shade of ivory and lined in royal blue taffeta.

Please click on the image for an enlarged view.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com