At today's weekly general audience the Holy Father received a new tiara made for him and presented by Catholic and Orthodox Christians.The tiara was commissioned by Dieter Philippi (http://www.dieter-philippi.de/), a German Catholic businessman who has a great devotion to the papacy as well as to the call to Christian unity.
The tiara was created in Sofia, Bulgaria by Orthodox Christians of the Liturgix studio (http://www.liturgix.com/).
Today a small delegation of Roman Catholics and Bulgarian Orthodox on pilgrimage in Rome had the honor to present the tiara to the Holy Father in the name of Christian unity.
Congratulations to Dieter and to all German Catholics and Bulgarian Orthodox involved with this wonderful project.
Ut Unum Sint!
(Images from l'Osservatore Romano).
Super!
ReplyDeleteA very worthy and attractive tiara and felicitations to all who took this initiative. I would like to think that the Pope might wear it at least once, but realism suggests otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI did note the small irony that the coat of arms embroidered on the lappets of the tiara shews the MITRE and not the triple tiara!
Wow!!!!!! I just can't express my awe!!!! I think ... i'm hanving ..ab....haert..atacck ... .ugh...
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I just can't believe this is even possible. <3
Tasteful and attractive and CLASSIC.
ReplyDelete@The Saint Bede Studio
ReplyDeleteConcerning the coat of arms. I think they wanted to show him complete respect and obedience and not appear as too hasty and too traditional....again - i think...
W-O-W!
ReplyDeleteHaving seen photos of His Holiness put on several hats given him by various groups as gifts -- a policeman's hat, a fireman's hat, a baseball cap, an Alpine hat -- too bad he didn't try on the tiara! What a glorious photo that would be.
ReplyDeleteI do hope he wears it! This is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAs FR Z said- 'Pope of Christian Unity'.
ReplyDeleteSo what would prevent the Holy Father from wearing this gift? The patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church (and other Eastern Orthodox prelates) don't seem to have any issue with wearing the bejeweled mitres as symbol of their office. So what is at issue here?
ReplyDeleteDMW, it would have been silly for him to try it on -- he needs to be wearing sacred vestments with it.
ReplyDeleteBut COOL. Christmas urbi et orbi?
Very beautiful tiara!
ReplyDeleteThe primary issue, I think, is when and where he would wear it. If he would ever don it, and I highly, highly doubt that we'll ever see it on this particular pontifical brow, I'd think it would be for the Urbi et Orbi blessing of Easter, where he wears Eucharistic vestments, as his predecessors did on several occasions, with the tiara. Other than that, the Tiara was a "secular" vestment utilized only in processions that also featured the sedia and a whole host of other accoutraments that now find themselves in the museums. It is a stunning piece, yes, wholly befitting the Vicar of Christ, but I fear it will share the same fate as John Paul II's tiara.
ReplyDeleteIt is a pity that political ideological considerations have precluded the use of this inspirational symbol by the popes since Paul VI.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome, Johnny.
ReplyDeleteI hope he wears it. There is no reason on earth why Pope John Paul I stopped this ancient practice. It is THE symbol of the pope's authority, nothing more nothing less. It's not vanity or worldly for a pope to wear the customary vestments and other garb that popes have ALWAYS worn for centuries. It's normal for a pope to wear the triple tiara AND to make use of the sedia...because that's what popes do. The Vicar of Christ shouldn't be reduced to wearing a baseball cap because that is what lay men (and unfortunatley, women) wear. The secular media and the liberal section of the "church" already hate him, I would wear it if only to make them go a little crazy. Even popes need to laugh so I say wear it and watch the habitless nun's reactions. It might finally drive them out of the Church for good and formally become in name what they already are in fact, protestants. Would that be a bad thing?
ReplyDeleteThe Pope wears the tiara after he is crowned with it. Orthodox miters are placed on the bishops' heads at their consecrations. After we all stop shivering I suggest you visit the latest tiara in the appropriate museum. Of course we could hold our breaths.
ReplyDeletethe problem would be that the tiara was retired.
ReplyDeleteGod bless our Orthodox brothers for this wonderful gesture. We can't wait to be united with you in our Eucharistic celebration.
ReplyDeletewww.viewcatholic.blogspot.com
This tiara will soon be worn - by the statue of St Peter on 29th June.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Dieter! And it must have been expensive!
ReplyDeleteAnother march toward the 11th century. When will the church cast off its monarchical past in favor of the Jesus-mandated option for the poor? The world starves and a tiara is created in the name of "Christian Unity". Sad. "Go sell what you have and give to the poor".
ReplyDeleteNo, a larger tiara is worn by the statue
ReplyDeleteAlleluia!
ReplyDeleteTheir generous gift says, "We love you," to the successor of St. Peter and with gratitude we may add our, "Well said."
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate and a scandal for a man who has so many poor, poor devotees to even be seen accepting such an expensive gift. It's an embarrarssment to many Catholics, I for one.
ReplyDeleteI think Anonymous' comment is correct; it would be improper for the pope to wear the tiara until he is formally crowned. Still, we can hope that a future pope will revive the Coronation. Brick by brick!
ReplyDeleteA march towards the 11th century? Accepting a gift is abandonning the poor.
ReplyDeleteSounds like another misguided liberal dissenter who doesn't pay attention to what jesus actually says...
John 12: 3-5
Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of right spikenard, of great price, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, he that was about to betray him, said:
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
Remember that story? Apparently the spirit of Judas Iscariot is still alive and well in the Church, and loves to leave snarky comments on blogs!
May 25, 2011 3:16 PM
A march towards the 11th century? Accepting a gift is abandonning the poor.
Sounds like another misguided liberal dissenter who doesn't pay attention to what jesus actually says...
John 12: 3-5
Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of right spikenard, of great price, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, he that was about to betray him, said:
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
Remember that story? Apparently the spirit of Judas Iscariot is still alive and well in the Church, and loves to leave snarky comments on blogs!
"Another march toward the 11th century. When will the church cast off its monarchical past in favor of the Jesus-mandated option for the poor? The world starves and a tiara is created in the name of "Christian Unity". Sad. "Go sell what you have and give to the poor".
ReplyDeleteWhat a cliche liberal quip. Perhaps you should read Mark 14:5-10 and follow the example of St. Mary Magdalene instead of Judas. The Papal Tiara honors the office of the Papacy as established by Christ. 11th Century? Perhaps you're operating off an outdated calender, but the last Pope to wear the tiara was in the 1960s. There have only been three popes in the entire history of the Church to not wear the tiara. Wise up and cast aside the baggage of modernist hypocrisy.
Anonymus 11:55
ReplyDeleteI see you have put your all efforts in helping the poor. Don't you know that the money you spend on the Internet could be used in more noble purposes such as - helping the poor...
Do you think that money isn't already spent on helping those in need? What do you think is the worlds largest charitable organization?
A big plank in your eye buddy...
The reason why i don't complain to the Churche's and churchmen's supposed wealth is that i myself don't do much in order to change things around the globe....
And what's wrong with monarchy if it is based on Catholic foundations?
Beautiful!!! I hope he wears it! In this age, a sign of papal authority and RESPECT for his office is greatly needed.
ReplyDeleteHow great that this German businessman did this! It IS the Holy Father's crown. He MUST wear it! In fact, this one is not even good enough, it needs more gold and precious stones. Take your crown Holy Father!
ReplyDeleteI think there is some confusion among the posters here. It was that nutter Montini who gave away the tiara to the UN where it was subsequently sold to a jewish jeweler in Manhattan. The tiara is the symbol of the power of Christ's vicar on earth and it will be re established if not by this pope, then with a later pope. I pray that Pope Benedict will wear it. Deo Gratias!
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ReplyDeleteAgain, the hermeneutic of discontinuity and rupture. Ideology. Our Lord said, "Go and sell what YOU have." The patrimony of the Church is not something any person can have and give away.
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ReplyDeleteSounds familiar . . .
"Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? It could have been sold for more than three hundred days' wages and the money given to the poor" (Mark 14:4).
"Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days' wages and given to the poor?" (John 12:5).
"Why this waste? It could have been sold for much, and the money given to the poor" (Matthew 26:8).
God is a monarch,a church presuming to govern in God's image must be monarchical...which helps the poor.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous having a whinge about the tiara. Have you ever read in Matthew 26:6-13
ReplyDelete[6] And when Jesus was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the leper, [7] There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of precious ointment, and poured it on his head as he was at table. [8] And the disciples seeing it, had indignation, saying: To what purpose is this waste? [9] For this might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. [10] And Jesus knowing it, said to them: Why do you trouble this woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
[11] For the poor you have always with you: but me you have not always. [12] For she in pouring this ointment upon my body, hath done it for my burial. [13] Amen I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which she hath done, shall be told for a memory of her.
I wonder if you’ve heard that one before? Or do you choose what teachings you want and don’t want to believe?
Also, you should read article 37 of Pope Leo XIII’s Encyclical Rerum Novarum (it’s pre-Vatican II so I hope it doesn’t scare you too much). Leo XIII was a devout and traditional Pope who wore the tiara and rode the sedia gestatoria in ceremonies AND was also a great supporter of the working class, the poor and the destitute in his magisterial teachings.
I cannot possibly imagine the context in which Pope Benedict could wear the tiara. It is a silly gift and attempt to force the pope to do something that he is unwilling to do and has good reasons why. - Just look at how awkward the poor Holy Father looks.
ReplyDeleteTrad Catholics don't know how to go about things sensibly and force this and other issues too far. They end up biting the hand that feeds them and will never be satisfied.
We should try to be on board with Pope Benedict's agenda: with what he does and also give him the benefit of the doubt when he DOES NOT do or DOES NOT restore something. He has good reasons and our efforts would be better spent promoting what he actually in fact promotes rather than gushing about how pretty he would look with a tiara.
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ReplyDelete@Anon: "Another march toward the 11th Century."
ReplyDeleteCheck out Matthew 26:6-13.
Just as when Bl. John Paul II was given a tiara (and accepted it) I think this was a nice gesture and I'll bet the Holy Father appreciated it too. I don't really foresee it causing him to reverse his decision not to wear one which he took at the time of the start of his pontificate. The decision not to be crowned (which is still perfectly legitimate according to the most recent legislation on papal elections) was, in effect, the decision by Pope Benedict XVI not ever to wear the papal crown. So, I doubt very much that he'll suddenly appear wearing it one day.
ReplyDeleteSince it is still the symbol of the papacy I'd like to see a return to the former practice of having the tiara carried in procession when the pope presides at Mass and other liturgies. Having it carried before him it still fulfills its symbolic role. I doubt this will happen either.
When Paul VI laid it aside it was seen as an act of charity and collegiality. When John Paul I refused it then it was seen as a sign of humility. I have always believed John Paul II WOULD have been crowned but his hand was forced by the fact that he followed so swiftly after John Paul I who had declined it. Then we had a very long pontificate without it so it "seems" to be gone.
But, I believe that gestures like this one keep the tiara around in such a way that, hopefully, a future pope will see a value in reviving its use at least by wearing it once at his own coronation. We'll see.
I think the following are the principle objections to the tiara; I wrote out my responses to them. If anyone can think of any other reasons why people dislike the tiara, or if anyone knows the exact reasons why any of the last 4 Popes declined the tiara, it would be interesting to read.
ReplyDeleteObjection 1. It symbolizes the Pope's plenary jurisdiction, with which the Orthodox disagree; therefore, wearing the tiara is harmful to ecumenical outreach.
Response: The point of ecumenical outreach must ultimately be union with the Catholic Church. We can't change our doctrine regarding the Pope's plenary jurisdiction to placate the Orthodox; if our ecumenical outreach is successful, it means that the Orthodox will have accepted the Pope's authority. Nobody who sincerely wants to bind himself to the true teaching of Christ is going to let a hat stand in his way; if he does, he obviously isn't particularly sincere. Furthermore, Orthodox bishops wear crowns all the time; it could just as well be argued that the tiara can serve as a symbol of unity between the West and the East.
Objection 2. It is a crown, a symbol of earthly authority; we want the Popes not to be seen as temporal rulers, but rather to be seen as spiritual leaders.
Response: The tiara was every bit as much a symbol of the Pope's spiritual authority as it was of the Pope's earthly authority. If the Popes return to it, couldn't they just mention in a few homilies that the tiara chiefly represents spiritual authority, and be done with it? Furthermore, the Pope DOES have a little bit of earthly authority, as the sovereign of Vatican City.
Objection 3. Everything that is triumphalist is bad. It is triumphalist. Therefore, it is bad.
Response: I don't know what triumphalism means exactly. Liberals tend to interpret triumphalism so as to delegitimize anything beautiful or cool, particularly anything that was present in Counter-Reformation art and architecture. I don't know how a tiara like this one is somehow more triumphalist than the magnificent vestments and mitres that our Pope regularly wears today. (As an aside, I also don't understand how the Sedia Gestatoria is more triumphalist than a $100,000 Mercedez Benz custom-manufactured Popemobile.)
Objection 4. Wearing a tiara harms poor people.
Response: By this logic, we should have no beautiful churches, no beautiful vestments, etc. Other commenters have discussed this point already.
Objection 5. It is opposed to collegiality, which emphasizes the Pope as being a member of the college of bishops.
Response: Collegiality properly understood is a practical policy of how the Pope should act relative to other bishops; however, it doesn't change the fact that the Pope is categorically different from and superior to all the other members of the College of Bishops. His jurisdiction is still immediate, plenary, and universal over all other bishops, all other dioceses, over the entire Church. He can singlehandedly exercise extraordinary magisterial authority in a way that bishops can do only in a group united to the Pope. The idea that the Pope can and should wear articles of liturgical vesture that distinguish him from other bishops as being superior to them is one that has a longstanding pedigree. Archbishops distinguish themselves from lesser bishops by wearing the pallium, and they have far less authority over their suffragan bishops than the Pope does over all the other bishops. Since Paul VI gave up the fanon and the tiara, the only things that have distinguished the liturgical dress of the Pope from that of a normal bishop have been the two pallia worn by Pope Benedict.
I love all the railing here against Christ's vicar on Earth receiving a crown. My goodness there sure is fear that the Holy Father might actually put on his tiara. I see everything from bible verses to "laying it aside for charity".
ReplyDeleteThe Pope is Christ's representative on Earth, the Vicar of Christ. All power flows through the Pope because this is the way our Lord Jesus established his Church on earth. You bible quoters, go check out Matthew 16:18, read it and weep.
The Holy Father is Christ's vicar and he will (or his successor will) put on his rightful Crown. Before he does, let us add another $20 million or so in precious stones.
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ReplyDeleteI think the gift of the tiara especially remarkable as it comes from a group made up of Catholics and Orthodox Christians. It was clearly a gesture of honor and a sign of hoped-for unity.
ReplyDeleteI like what Fr. Selvester has shared, especially in his last paragraph.
And I too would like to see the tiara, at least, carried in procession.
My congratulations to Dieter Philippi, and the German Catholics and Bulgarian Orthodox who were brought together for this endeavor. The tiara is a brilliant success!
We should do a campaign to raise funds and give the Holy Father with a tiara.
ReplyDeletePapal Tiara next Urbi et Orbi blessing already!
This is wonderful! Perhaps unifying the date of Easter is not too far away!! That would truly put an end to all Christian division, when all Christians celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, together as one flock, on one date!!!
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree with the comments of Father Selvester (whose absence from the blogosphere is regretted) and believe that Pope Benedict will never wear said Tiara since he so clearly went one step further than his predecessors in rejecting an accoutrement which to me had become historically untenable.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Fr since I spoke to the late Cardinal Martin (former prefect of the Apostolic Palace) and he stated that Bl. John Paul II would probably have taken the Sedia, used the Papal "we" and been crowned with the Tiara, etc. if his predecessor had not done so in his very short Pontificate.
Wow, John, look at all the Reds commenting on your blog, that's a good sign you're sticking it to them. Good work.
ReplyDelete"Pope Benedict will never wear said Tiara since he so clearly went one step further than his predecessors in rejecting an accoutrement which to me had become historically untenable. "
ReplyDeleteIf this is what Fr Sylvester believes his absence from the blogosphere is a good thing, please join him.
Millions of people visit the Vatican, and donate to the ppor as a direct result of their Pilgrimage. If the Vatican sold off everything they own, and gave it to the poor, in a decades time there would be nothing left. No more Pilgrimages, tourists etc. There would be nothing to see, resulting in less donations and support. Like it or not it is the beauty of such objects that draw people to them. Which in turn creates generous donations to the poor. It is a cycle. Beautiful new additions are not only appropropriate but necessary to keep alive the beauty of Tradition and the continuing lure to people of all Faiths decending on the Vatican. These things inspire people. You don't have to agree but it is so. I think the Holy Father should use the Tiara once on a while as well. Allowing it to continue to organically develop in form and use. It was wrong to put a halt to it.
ReplyDelete@Peterman:
ReplyDeletea) I am NOT absent from the blogoshpere. You can find me at www.omniapost.blogspot.com
b) you have MISTAKENLY attributed someone else's quote and the sentiment it expresses to me. Please do not put words in my mouth, especially when you get them WRONG. What I believe is written in my own comment NOT in someone else's.
c) If you're going to criticize other commenters on this blog then at least have the courtesy to pay attention to the correct spelling of their names. My name is spelled S-E-LVESTER not with a "Y".
I think that the fanon would, theoretically, be easier to revive during the current pontificate.
ReplyDeleteThe next one, on the other hand, will be a totally different matter.
On a matter of design, wasn't the shell of the tiara supposed to be cloth of silver (or a fine silver mesh)? The gift seems to be gilt or gold throughout.
If somebody wanted to revive a more esteemed tiara that would have been kinder to an older man's brow, a second papier mache one would not have been out of place. Several popes wore one before it was retired due to wear and tear, as well as a comment about the indignity of wearing crushed paper. Yet even that might not be worn just yet.