by Esther Palma
The commendation and farewell pronounced at the end of the funeral: The body of Benedict XVI. is placed at his request in the niche of the Vatican Grottoes where John Paul II was
Preparations for the solemn funeral of Pope Benedict XVI, scheduled for Thursday 5th, are in full swing, with the first visits by the faithful and institutions to the body on display in St. Peter’s Basilica. Those of Joseph Ratzinger will be the funeral of a Roman Pope, with the rites and veneration that the Church has always paid to the successor (Benedict was the 265th) of the Apostle Peter. Even though the Vatican’s usually very accurate and detailed record of farewells to a pope is found for the first time in its two thousand year history to record a pope’s funeral celebrated by his successor, Pope Francis. And is therefore in the process of writing new rules.
But what are theyFinal Commendation and the valediction, the blessings that precede burial? The translation from Latin of the first sounds like “The Last Recommendation”. As dictated by Roman liturgical ritual, at the end of liturgy of the word (i.e. the reading of scriptures and the gospel accompanied by songs, the sermon, the creed and the general prayer or prayer of the faithful) the celebrant with the altar boys sprinkles the coffin with holy water and incense. A prayer follows, which generally reads: “We commit to earth the mortal body of our brother (or sister) pending his resurrection; May the Lord welcome your soul into the glorious communion of the saints; May he open his arms of mercy so that this brother of ours, redeemed from death, freed from all guilt, reconciled to the Father and carried on the shoulders of the Good Shepherd, may share in eternal glory in the kingdom of heaven”.
there valedictionfrom the Latin greeting “Value”which the Romans said or wrote in greeting and which is synonymous with our hello plus a wish for health and peace the last goodbye to the deceased. The most commonly used is “Come, holy ones of God, hasten, angels of the Lord.” Welcome his soul and present it to the throne of the Most High. Christ who called you welcomes you and the angels lead you to paradise with Abraham. Welcome his soul and present it to the throne of the Most High. Grant him eternal rest, O Lord, and perpetual light shine upon him. Receive his soul and present it to the throne of the Most High”. Then the coffin is carried to the burial, which according to Pope Ratzinger should be, as requiredthe niche in the Vatican Grottoes where the body of John Paul II was placed before being transferred to the upper part of the Basilica.
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January 02, 2023 (change January 02, 2023 | 10:45)
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