Friday, April 1, 2005
As the Holy Father neared death, we kept vigil in the Cathedral
until Midnight.
Saturday, April 2, 2005
Shortly after Noon, we receive word
of the Pope's death. Black and purple banners are hung while
the Cathedral's great bell is tolled.
On Saturday evening, more than a thousand gather in the
Cathedral for Mass and a candlelight vigil. "Dear friends, our Church stands at a new and
uncertain moment as we mourn the loss of an extraordinary Pope, a
Pope who for more than a generation has defined the papacy, a Pope
who in many ways has been larger than life," Father Ryan said in his
homily. "He became the conscience of both Church and world as he
crisscrossed the globe courageously calling people to a higher and a
deeper morality... we do stand at a new and uncertain moment as a
Church but we do not stand alone. The same Lord who inspired the
earliest Christian believers to the heights of holiness and who
elicited from fearful, doubting Thomas a dazzling act of faith is
with us now and will be with us until the end of time. We are not
alone."
Sunday, April 3, 2005
Masses at the Cathedral were filled to
capacity throughout the day. At the conclusion of the Sunday
evening Mass, a candlelight vigil was held while the Cathedral choir
sang "Totus tuus," a setting of Pope John Paul II's motto.
"Totus tuus ego sum, Maria." "O Mary, I am entirely yours!"
Monday, April 4, 2005
Archbishop Brunett offered Mass
in memory of the Holy Father. The Cathedral was filled to
capacity, with some 1,250 in attendance. The Archbishop
announced at the conclusion of Mass that on Friday, the Chancery
Office and Catholic schools throughout Western Washington would be
closed. He would offer Mass for
the Pope to coincide with the funeral in Rome.
The 12:10 Mass on Monday afternoon was broadcast live on Northwest
Cable News.
Friday, April 8:
Requiem Mass
On this day of the Pope's
funeral and burial in Rome, two special liturgies celebrated his
life and witness. At 12:10pm, Archbishop Brunett offered a
special Mass attended by more than 1,800, including civic and
ecumenical leaders. Photo copyright
photobymike.com.
The Cathedral Choir, joined by
members of many local ensembles, sang Durufl 's sublime Requiem
in honor of Pope John Paul II, under the direction of Dr. James
Savage. Photo copyright
photobymike.com.
The gifts procession included representatives of many different
nations. Photo copyright
photobymike.com.
Photo copyright
photobymike.com.
Members of the Polish Catholic community in Seattle wore their
traditional costume in honor of the Polish Pope John Paul II.
Photo copyright
photobymike.com.
Friday, April 8:
Ecumenical Prayer
In the evening, at 6:30pm, an ecumenical
prayer with music from Taiz was held,
attended by more than 400.
Dr. Sandy Brown, Executive Director of the Church Council of Greater
Seattle, offered the prayer: "Holy God, Lord of life, creator
of all. We thank you for the life of Pope John Paul II.
We thank you for his ministry, for the example of his deep devotion,
for the passion of his social witness, for his patience through
suffering, and for the power of his witness of peace. God,
welcome John Paul, Karol Wojtyla, into the hands of your grace.
With your saints let him join in the song of praise sung from the
beginning of time. Holy, holy, holy is your name."
Place of Prayer for
the Holy Father
Hundreds of people have come to kneel at the place of prayer
established in the Cathedral since Thursday afternoon. The
place of prayer will remain throughout the nine days of mourning for
the Holy Father.
At the place of prayer is an image of Our Lady of Czestochowa,
patroness of Poland, painted by Seattle artist Georgetta Gancarz.
Hundreds write messages in many different languages in the book of
intentions. "I know no other pope," one message reads. "You were
elected the year I was born. With your passing, one of my life
certainties is shaken. You prayed for us every day and loved us
constantly. You fought for our freedom and gave us back the faith.
Now we pray for you. The choir of angels be with you in the
transition from death to LIFE. I love you as I loved my
grandfather. Rest in peace!"
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