Benedict XVI's Requiem without the Roman Canon

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Last Humiliation: Requiem Without Roman Canon

gloria.tv | January 3, 2023

The Vatican has published the brochure for Benedict XVI's funeral.

Most strikingly, for the first time since at least the 6th century, the Roman Canon will NOT be used at a Requiem for a Pope.

Also, the Gospel will not be solemnly sung in Latin - which has always been the case at such a liturgy.

Francis, 86, will not celebrate but be present in a cope. Nevertheless, he is referred to as the "presider". His parts are labelled "The Holy Father", but at the Eucharistic Prayer the booklet simply refers to "the celebrant" that is Cardinal Re, 88, the Dean of the College of Cardinals.

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From the National Catholic Register [January 4, 2023], excerpt:


No Roman Canon for the Requiem Mass

Liturgists have pointed out that for the first time since the 6th century, the Roman Canon will not be used at the Requiem Mass of a Roman Pontiff. Instead, Eucharistic Prayer III will be used which Pope Benedict reportedly preferred. Also for the first time since probably the 4th Century, the Gospel of the Requiem Mass of the Roman Pontiff will not be solemnly chanted in Latin.



Funeral Details

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told reporters yesterday evening that the Eucharistic celebration for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI “roughly follows that reserved for a supreme Pontiff” but with some changes and adaptations.

He said there will be “some original elements, adaptations due to the particularity of the situation, and others missing that belong to the reigning Pontiff.”

He said these include the “final supplication of the diocese of Rome and of the Eastern Churches foreseen in the rites that close the funeral of the Ultima Commendatio (Final Commendation) and the Valedictio (Valediction).”

Bruni added: “The readings will then be different, not those foreseen by the Lectionary for the ritual masses. The First Reading will be ‘From the book of the Prophet Isaiah 29, 16-19,’ the Second Reading ‘From the first letter of St. Peter the Apostle 1, 3-9.’ For the Gospel we have chosen that of Luke 23, 39-46, that of the ‘good thief’ foreseen in the Lectionary.”

See this report for more details on the liturgy by CNA’s Courtney Mares.

Benedict will be buried with bishop’s pallium or palliums and the deed, i.e. the text in which the Pontificate is briefly described. This will be inserted in a metal tube.

On the day of the funeral, the coffin will leave the Vatican Basilica at 8:50 to allow the Rosary of the faithful. After Mass, the coffin will be taken to the Vatican Grottoes for burial, in the tomb that once belonged to John Paul II.

Bruni said a ribbon will be placed around the coffin, along with the seals of the Apostolic Chamber, of the Pontifical Household and of the liturgical celebrations. The coffin will then be placed in a zinc coffin and sealed.

The zinc coffin will be placed in another wooden coffin and then buried. The burial will take place privately.