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April 9, 2009
Holy Week in Rome - Thursday
I'm not a fan of the big production, so liturgy-with-pope-action-figure (which is what they look like from a distance) is not a big thrill for me. Hey - I attended, mainly by accident, the canonization ceremony for Padre Pio, so I know the big production number.
Still, Holy Week is, after all, Holy Week. I went to Maundy Thursday at Santa Prassede.
Last year the Vallombrosan Benedictines had posters up asking for volunteers for a schola, which was to begin with a retreat in Tuscany to learn chant. It paid off - tonight they had 10 voices - 6 male! - and sounded quite good. They are directed by one of the older fathers. One of the deacons has a strong voice, too, so I'm hoping he's on for the Exultet on Saturday. The altar of repose was really something, too - I think there's a new energy behind the liturgical arrangements at this old, old church.
Sta. Prassede is a parish - Santa Maria Maggiore, across the street, is not. So tonight there was a regular crowd, most of them from the neighborhood, with a sprinkling of tourists and a lot of religious sisters (all of whom, for some reason, sat on the right side of the center aisle).
I haven't decided about tomorrow - where to go venerate the cross? Hmmm....
Posted by CrankyProfessor at April 9, 2009 11:09 PM