Friday, September 17, 2010

Pope Benedict - Evening Prayer at Westminster Abbey

Reuters Pictures

Britain's Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, (R) walks with Pope Benedict XVI (C) following a Celebration of Evening Prayer, at Westminster Abbey in central London September 17, 2010.

Update:

I was informed that some people have noticed and reposted this photo.  I added the tiara via Photoshop after seeing another tiara image at Overheard in the SacristySt. Louis Catholic apparently thought my new image (above) was real and posted a nice article that explains the significance of the tiara.  IMO, here are some good reasons why it should be brought back.:
"This is significant for so many reasons it is hard to know where to start. First, the triple crown of the Tiara signifies the Pope's authority as Universal Pastor (top), Universal Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction (middle) and temporal power (bottom). Another interpretation claims the three crowns symbolize the triple power of the Pope: father of kings, governor of the world and Vicar of Christ).

It is a sign of his universal authority over matters ecclesiastical, spiritual, and temporal...

Furthermore, the Tiara used to be used for Papal coronations, a practice discontinued after Paul VI, who laid this symbol of his authority aside; this gesture sadly was taken at face value by the wolves in the sanctuaries roaming during and after his reign, for whom Papal authority is a useless relic.

When popes were crowned, the following words were used:

Accipe tiaram tribus coronis ornatam, et scias te esse Patrem Principum et Regnum, Rectorem Orbis, in terra Vicarium Salvatoris Nostri Jesu Christi, cui est honor et gloria in sæcula sæculorum.

(Receive the tiara adorned with three crowns and know that thou art Father of Princes and Kings, Ruler of the World, Vicar of Our Savior Jesus Christ in earth, to whom is honor and glory in the ages of ages...).."
Pope Benedict Wears the Papal Tiara in--of All Places-- Westminster Abbey!
I Had a Dream – Viva il Papa! Viva!
Destruction of the Tiara