Commentary on the Mass

In the Scottish sunshine the Pope arrived at the altar wearing a pontifical dalmatic under his chasuble. The altar had a crucifix on it and a seventh candle, the other candles were on the floor at the side of the altar.

The announcer in a rather comperish style which seemed to break the prayerful mood announced Bishop Conti and  who welcomed the Pope ratherl nicely talking of the saints of Scotland. He was presented with a book on St Ninian and in return gave chalices to Bishop Conti and Cdl O'Brien.

The compere burst in again destroying prayerfulness by asking for it!
The Missa de Angelis was sung unaccompanied rather nicely, then followed James MacMillan's Gloria from his new Mass, there were some majestic passages with lots of brass.
Some lady, I suspect I should know who should was read, in a rather ecclesiastical voice, she might have actress, she seemed to want to interpret the Word of God rather than let it speak for itself.
A pretty little responsorial psalm was sung with a lilting refrain - it sounded a bit dated and bit contrived musically.
There was only one reading, the Alleluia was again a little dated though new to me, a few references in it to show tunes maybe.
The Gospel was sung, the poor deacon had to hunt for the text which had been blown closed during the inensation. Singing it was a nice touch. It would have been a little more interesting had the lectern been on a different level to the altar.
The Pope blessed the faithful with Gospel Book
The Pope spoke of the importance of ecumenism anf of the 3 Universities founded in Scotland by Popes.
In his short sermon he spoke of the evangelisation of culture, of the importance of speaking clearly in the public forum which comes from baptism.
Ninian he said was willing to be a lone voice, and the Scottish saints an inspiration.
He spoke especially to the Bishops and there need to sanctify their priests and to encourage vocations.
He reminded priests to dedicate themselves to God alone to be witnesses in "a luminous way".
"Drugs, drink, sex and pornography", he said to young people are a temptation but Jesus is the real answer, he told them to think of the priesthood and religious life.
Then that compere, a priest, burst in again asking for reflection, there followed a rather empty silence, without his interruption it might have been fuller!

The General Intercessions followed with a sung response.
Again another song accompanied the offertory with another lilting Scots tune, all reminiscent of the Skye Boat song!
There are a only a few chalices and ciboria on the altar which suggests that previously consecrated hosts Holy Communion will be given.
The dialogue is sung in Latin, as is the Preface, the MacMillan's Sanctus twiddles in, it seems strange, it is English, the Pope then returns to Latin, I can't help thinking that it might have better to have had de Angelis, the people might have joined in.
Good to see the torchbearer kneeling before the altar, no elevation to the cardinal points of the compass though, just up and down.
The Pater was in Latin with the Pope clearly singing but not quite with the choir, the rest of the communion is in the vernacular, English not Scots. There was an overdue pause for the Sign of Peace. Then the MacMillan Agnus, I think I like this best, it is very simple but I don't think we will add it to repertoire.
Gosh, you heard every crunch of the Pope consuming the host!
The Pope gave Holy Communion to people kneeling and on the tongue, I wonder if any bishop will follow his example, everyone else receives the Lord standing, there is not even a communion plate used. A man even received Communion from the Pope wearing a hat!!!
A commentator pointed out most of the people attending were young.
The blessing again was in Latin.

Oh no, poor Beethoven, it is ending with a re-orchestrated Ode to Joy, how odd!

On the whole, it wasn't too bad, I think. All within an hour!