Vatican
City, 11 March 2013
(VIS) – The “logistics” of the procedures carried out in a
Conclave are not established on the basis of personal opinion nor are
they subject to passing fads or improvisation. The liturgical
tradition—established after the liturgical reforms of the Second
Vatican Council—notes with great precision the norms and rites
that are to be followed. These are found in the Book of Rites of the
Conclave.
The
first aspect that the book highlights is the importance of the
Conclave, as it involves the election of the Roman Pontiff. Then,
focusing on the Mass that precedes the Cardinal electors' entrance
into Conclave, it dedicates an entire chapter to explaining the rites
and rubrics of this Eucharistic celebration.
The
Second Chapter describes the most significant moments of the ceremony
of entry into Conclave, with the specific oath that the cardinals
swear. The process of voting and the scrutiny of the votes is also
subject to a precise order to be followed exactly as are the
preceding and following rituals and the moment of the chosen
cardinal's acceptance as Roman Pontiff and his proclamation.
The
Book of the Rites of the Conclave ends, at the Fifth Chapter, with
the solemn announcement of the election of the Pope and his first
“Urbi et Orbi” blessing from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica.
Always
in accordance with the Apostolic Constitution “Universi Dominici
Gregis” promulgated by John Paul II, Benedict XVI introduced a few
new features to improve the procedure of the Conclave. For example,
at the “pro eligendo Romano Pontifice” Mass held the morning of
the day that the Cardinal electors enter into Conclave, all cardinals
are expected to participate, not just the Cardinal electors.
Another
new addition is where the Rite of Admission to the Conclave and the
Oaths of Cardinals should take place. The Pauline Chapel has been
established as the particular place prescribed for these two acts.
The
regulations also state that, for this ceremony, the senior cardinal
in the hierarchy—who currently is Cardinal Giovanni Battista
Re—will preside over the celebration, which begins with the sign of
the cross and the proclamation of the following words:
“May
the Lord, who guides our hearts in the love and patience of Christ,
be with you all.”
After
this brief prayer, Cardinal Re will invite all those gathered to
begin the procession towards the Sistine Chapel, where the Conclave
will take place, with these words:
“Venerable
Brothers, after having celebrated the divine mystery, we now enter
into Conclave to elect the Roman Pontiff.
The
entire Church, joined with us in prayer, constantly calls upon the
grace of the Holy Spirit, to elect from among us a worthy Pastor of
all of Christ's flock.
May
the Lord direct our steps along the path of truth, so that, through
the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Apostles Peter and
Paul, and all the saints, we may always do that which is pleasing to
him.”
After
this prayer, the cardinals process into the Sistine Chapel following
the minister bearing the cross, the choir, the masters of ceremony,
the secretary of the College of Cardinals, and the prelate who will
direct the meditation to the Cardinal electors. The procession is
ended with a deacon, dressed in alb and stole, bearing the book of
the Gospels, along with Cardinal Re and the Master of Ceremonies.
During
the procession the cardinals will sing the Litany of Saints—a
prayer that has eminent importance in celebrations of the Latin
liturgy and that recalls saints of the West and the East—and
the celebration concludes with the hymn “Veni Creator Spiritus” when they are are
gathered in the Sistine Chapel.
A
few names that are not customarily recited, but who represent the
universal Church have been introduced in the canticle of the Litany
of Saints. These include: the patriarchs and prophets Abraham, Moses,
and Elijah; St. Maron of Lebanon; St. Frumencio of Ethiopia and
Eritrea; St. Nina of Georgia; St. Gregory the Illuminator of Armenia;
St. Patrick of Ireland; and other saints representing various lands
such as martyrs of Canada, Uganda, Korea, and Oceania; St. Rose of
Lima, Peru for South America; and some Popes, including St. Pius X.
The
solemn oath taken by the cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel follows
the formula established in the Apostolic Constitution “Universi
Dominici Gregis”. After the recitation of the Common Form of the
oath, each cardinal then lays his hand upon the Gospels, and
individually pronounces the prescribed form of the oath.
When
the last of the Cardinal electors has taken the oath, the Master of
Ceremonies recites the traditional formula “Extra omnes” and all
those not taking part in the Conclave must leave the Sistine Chapel.
Besides
the Cardinal electors, the only others who will be present in the
Sistine Chapel are the Master of Ceremonies and Cardinal Prospero
Grech, O.S.A., who will preach the second meditation concerning the
grave duty incumbent on them and thus on the need to act with right
intention for the good of the Universal Church.
After
that exhortation, Cardinal Re will propose to the College of Electors
to begin with the first ballot of the Conclave.
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