FIUV General Assembly photos: Pontifical Low Mass in St Peters

I returned from the Una Voce Federation gathering in Rome in November unable to process my photos, so here, finally, they are, first, for the wonderful Pontifical Low Mass was had in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St Peter's, celebrated by Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, Prefect Emeritus of the Pontifical Council Ecclesia Dei.

It was the first such Mass I have attended. The first thing to notice is that the celebrant vests in the sanctuary, as at Pontifical Solemn Mass.

You can't see it, but the server next to the Missal for the Gospel had a hand candle (ie in a silver candlestick with a handle) to illuminate the Gospel (again as at Pontifical Solemn Mass).


Cardinal Castrillon preaching.

The choir loft was occupied by some superb singers, who usually sing for the FSSP at Sta Trinita. Although this was a Low Mass, they sang some motets.


Note the cardinal's folded cappa and red biretta left on a prie dieu outside the sanctuary.


The 'Second Confiteor': Cardinal Castrillon gives the absolution.


The Cardinal's red zuchetto (skull cap) is made ready, on a silver tray. They also used a ewer, rather than a little cruet, for the water.


The final blessing.


Having remonved his vestments, the Cardinal is again in his 'day clothes', as it were.

The nave of St Peter's in the late morning is a sea of tourists and pilgrims, taking photos with various electronic devices. The Una Voce delegates returned to our hotel for lunch: with Cardinal Burke.