tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3115875609078917723.post709313099046903196..comments2024-02-08T17:05:51.909+00:00Comments on Solomon, I Have Surpassed Thee: Evening Mass of the Lord's SupperMark Langhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05040760021187483441noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3115875609078917723.post-13063527985190422112008-03-21T02:25:00.000+00:002008-03-21T02:25:00.000+00:00Hey! I am from Pennsylvania in the USA. My grand...Hey! I am from Pennsylvania in the USA. My grandmother always told my mother to visit the 7 churches on Holy Thursday, and in my area Pittston, people still do. <BR/><BR/>SEVEN CHURCHES VISIT ON HOLY THURSDAY<BR/><BR/>The tradition of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday is an ancient practice, probably originating in Rome, where early pilgrims visited the seven major basilicas as penance. They are Saint John Lateran, Saint Peter, Saint Mary Major, Saint Paul-outside-the-Walls, Saint Lawrence-outside-the-Walls, Saint Sebastian-outside-the-Walls, and Holy Cross-in-Jerusalem.<BR/><BR/>Pope Boniface VIII revived the pilgrimage tradition in 1300 with the establishment of the Jubilee Year, and Rome became a center for pilgrimages. The seven churches developed as particular sites for visits. The seven areas may also be related to the historical seven deacons of Rome, whose responsibility was to minister to the poor in their region of the city. The first seven deacons in the Church were the seven assistants ordained by the Apostles to minister to the poor.<BR/><BR/>The practice in the Diocese of Pittsburgh has continued to be strong, owing in part to the influence of the Holy Name Society whose members are instrumental in many of the local pilgrimages.<BR/><BR/>The Diocesan Holy Name Society produces a book of prayers used on the seven church visitations. A new collection of meditations and prayers for 2008 will be posted on the website, www.diopitt.org. Participants usually do seven Stations of the Cross as part of each visit. In this year’s booklet, two prayers are provided for each of the seven stations.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3115875609078917723.post-52587319121076166152007-04-07T15:07:00.000+00:002007-04-07T15:07:00.000+00:00Hey Fr. Mark--there are several different beliefs ...Hey Fr. Mark--there are several different beliefs as to the origin of the tradition of visiting the seven churches on Holy Thursday. The one I tend to believe is that it probably originated in Rome where the early faithful visited the seven major basilicas as penance. I've read other things that suggest the practice originated in Poland, but, as to why, I know not. Maybe Fr. Dwayne could enlighted us about whether that's true... <BR/><BR/>Either way, it's a great practice, and I only wish I had the opportunity to visit seven churches as fantastic as the major basilicas. Either way, Happy Easter!Judehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15193799995721977266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3115875609078917723.post-22878028007030934532007-04-06T16:39:00.000+00:002007-04-06T16:39:00.000+00:00Maybe he doesn't wear a dalmatic, but I am glad to...Maybe he doesn't wear a dalmatic, but I am glad to see he is washing the feet of 12 men, patriarchs indeed. <BR/>Coming from a part of the world where feet can be either sex, it is good to see Westminster Cathedral giving people the rites that they have right to have, the Liturgy of the Catholic Church.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3115875609078917723.post-87528202388255536082007-04-06T12:27:00.000+00:002007-04-06T12:27:00.000+00:00I can't answer why the Cardinal does not wear a da...I can't answer why the Cardinal does not wear a dalmatic; I imagine it is his preference.<BR/><BR/><BR/>I'm not sure where the custom of the seven churches orginated - some other readers may know. My mother told me that she did it as a child in Ireland, and when I was student in Rome the custom was certainly still going strong.Mark Langhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05040760021187483441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3115875609078917723.post-24027348903863047752007-04-06T12:26:00.000+00:002007-04-06T12:26:00.000+00:00"During the stripping, this antiphon is chanted wi..."During the stripping, this antiphon is chanted with Psalm 21: "I am a worm, not a man, abused by everyone, scorned by the people."<BR/><BR/>Shouldn't the stripping be done "without ceremony", whioch presumably means without psalmody as well?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3115875609078917723.post-72507489058877950212007-04-06T11:03:00.000+00:002007-04-06T11:03:00.000+00:00"Watching continues until midnight; many people re..."Watching continues until midnight; many people remain all night. Others pay a short visit; many following the custom of visiting seven Churches this evening to pray with the Lord."<BR/><BR/>I have never heard of this custom of visiting seven churches during the night watch of Holy Thursday. From where did the custom originate?<BR/><BR/>I laughed out loud when I read the quip by the Pensioner to the Cardinal about washing the left foot next year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3115875609078917723.post-68205018687873192272007-04-06T06:58:00.000+00:002007-04-06T06:58:00.000+00:00Why does H.E. not wear a dalmatic?Why does H.E. not wear a dalmatic?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com