USCCB RELEASE: LITURGICAL NOTES AND RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR USE UPON THE RESIGNATION OF THE POPE
INTRODUCTION
February 13, 2013
(IMAGE SHARE : RADIO VATICANA)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
With great surprise tinged with sadness, the Church learned of the resignation of Pope
Benedict XVI. During his reign, he has been a faithful witness to Christ, and in this decision, he
teaches us with his integrity and humility, putting the needs of the Church first. Such a message is
most appropriate as we embark once again on the pilgrimage of Lent.
The Secretariat of Divine Worship of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
has prepared these liturgical and musical resources to assist dioceses, parishes, and other groups to
pray for Pope Benedict XVI, to give thanks for his pontificate, and to pray for the Church as we
look to the future and the election of a new Pope.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Msgr. Richard B. Hilgartner
Executive Director
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Rev. Msgr. Richard B. Hilgartner, Executive Director…………………………………………………………………….. 2
LITURGICAL RESOURCES
Upon the Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI ………………………………………………………………………… 3
During the Time of Election of a New Pope……………………………………………………………………………7
Upon the Election of a New Pope………………………………………………………………………………………….9
USCCB Secretariat of Divine Worship3
Upon News of the Pope’s Resignation
It is appropriate to offer special prayers for Pope Benedict XVI, for his health and well-being, and
in thanksgiving for his service to the Church. The custom of praying the Our Father, Hail Mary,
and Glory Be to the Father is to be encouraged, especially with school children. The pope can also
be prayed for in the recitation of the Rosary.
Both the Diocesan Bishop and priests in every parish might consider offering a special Mass for
the Pope. Mass offered by the Diocesan Bishop at the Cathedral or in each Vicariate for the
attendance of as many of the faithful as possible is desirable. Care should be taken that such a
Mass be celebrated according to the norms of the liturgical calendar.
Prayers to be Used from the Roman Missal
The Roman Missal provides a Mass formulary for a Pope. It can be found in the section, “Masses
and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions: 2. For the Pope.” This Mass is permitted, with
white vestments, on weekdays in Lent “at the direction of the Diocesan Bishop or with his
permission” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal [GIRM], no. 374), but not on the Sundays of
Lent.
Entrance Antiphon Mt 16:18-19
You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
To you I will give the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Collect
O God, who in your providential design
willed that your Church be built
upon blessed Peter, whom you set over the other Apostles,
look with favor, we pray, on Benedict our Pope
and grant that he, whom you have made Peter’s successor,
may be for your people a visible source and foundation
of unity in faith and of communion.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Or:
O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,
look favorably on your servant Benedict,
whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd;
grant, we pray, that by word and example
he may be of service to those over whom he presides4
so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care,
he may come to everlasting life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Or:
O God, who chose your servant Benedict
in succession to the Apostle Peter
as shepherd of the whole flock,
look favorably on the supplications of your people
and grant that, as Vicar of Christ on earth,
he may confirm his brethren
and that the whole Church may be in communion with him
in the bond of unity, love and peace,
so that in you, the shepherd of souls,
all may know the truth and attain life eternal.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Prayer over the Offerings
Be pleased, we pray, O Lord,
with the offerings presented here
and govern with unfailing protection your holy Church,
together with Benedict our Pope,
whom you have chosen to be her shepherd.
Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Jn 21:15, 17
Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?
Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.
Prayer after Communion
Having been made sharers at the heavenly table,
we humbly entreat you, Lord:
by the power of this mystery,
strengthen your Church in unity and charity
and, as you have entrusted your servant Benedict with the office of shepherd,
grant him always salvation and protection,
together with the flock entrusted to his care.
Through Christ our Lord.5
The Homily
The homily at this Mass could reflect on the particular ministry of Pope Benedict XVI as an
example to follow, especially as it relates to Lent. Of particular note is the constant theme in Pope
Benedict’s teachings and writings of the need for an authentic personal relationship with Jesus
Christ. His love for the liturgy as well as his desire to foster an authentic celebration and
participation in the sacred liturgy could be highlighted. The efforts of the Pontiff to achieve peace
in the world, as well as his ecumenical outreach might be highlighted. His faithfulness to the
proclamation of the Paschal mystery as well as his constant care, concern and outreach for the
poor, the sick, and oppressed should be central topics. The homily may also assist the Church to
face this moment in great hope. If the Diocesan Bishop or celebrating priest has any personal
reflections about the Holy Father, these would be more appropriately offered following the Prayer
after Communion.
Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful
At all the Masses celebrated between now and the election of a new Pope, petitions can be offered
in the Universal Prayer. The following are provided as suggestions:
That Pope Benedict XVI may be given the strength needed to complete faithfully and fully
his remaining ministry as our Pope, we pray to the Lord.
That Pope Benedict XVI, who has served the Church faithfully as Supreme Pontiff, may
find peace and consolation as he turns to a life of prayer for the Church, we pray to the
Lord.
That the tireless efforts of Pope Benedict XVI in fostering the unity and communion of the
Church may bear fruit in our hearts and among all Christians, we pray to the Lord.
For Pope Benedict XVI, who preached that God is love and that we are saved in hope, that
he may strengthened in hope and know God’s love for him now and for all eternity, we
pray to the Lord.
The Eucharistic Prayer
In accord with liturgical norms, the Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs I is appropriately used.
Until 2:00 PM Eastern time, February 28, 2013, the formula for mentioning the name of the Pope
in the Eucharistic Prayer is to be followed as usual. After that time, during the sede vacante, the
formula is adjusted as follows:
Eucharistic Prayer I (The Roman Canon)
Be pleased to grant her peace,
to guard, unite and govern her
throughout the whole world,
together with N. our Bishop,
and all those who, holding to the truth,
hand on the catholic and apostolic faith.6
Eucharistic Prayer II
Remember, Lord, your Church,
spread throughout the world,
and bring her to the fullness of charity,
together with N. our Bishop
and all the clergy.
Eucharistic Prayer III
May this Sacrifice of our reconciliation,
we pray, O Lord,
advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity
your pilgrim Church on earth,
with N. our Bishop,
the Order of Bishops, all the clergy,
and the entire people you have gained for your own.
Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs I
Lord, renew your Church (which is in N.)
by the light of the Gospel.
Strengthen the bond of unity
between the faithful and the pastors of your people,
together with N. our Bishop,
and the whole Order of Bishops,
that in a world torn by strife
your people may shine forth
as a prophetic sign of unity and concord.
Other Suggestions
If there is time, prayer cards might be printed with the Pope’s picture and a brief biography on the
back. One of the prayers cited above or another prayer of thanksgiving may be placed on the card.7
During the Time of Election of a New Pope
Once the Pope’s resignation takes effect, both the Diocesan Bishop and priests in every parish
might consider offering a special Mass for the election of the Pope, according to the guidelines of
the liturgical calendar. Mass offered by the Diocesan Bishop at the Cathedral or in each Vicariate
for the attendance of as many of the faithful as possible is desirable. The Mass for the Election of
a Pope or a Bishop (found in the section “Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions” in
the Roman Missal) may be celebrated. A Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit might also be celebrated,
using, for example, Preface II of the Holy Spirit: “The action of the Spirit in the Church.” During
weekdays in Lent, these Masses may be celebrated “at the direction of the Diocesan Bishop or with
his permission” (GIRM, no. 374).
Entrance Antiphon 1 Sm 2: 35
I will raise up for myself a faithful priest,
who shall do according to my heart and mind;
I will establish a lasting house for him
and he shall walk before me all his days.
Collect
O God, eternal shepherd,
who govern your flock with unfailing care,
grant in your boundless fatherly love
a pastor for your Church
who will please you by his holiness
and to us show watchful care.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Prayer over the Offerings
May your abundant kindness favor us, O Lord,
that, through the sacred offerings we reverently bring to you,
we may come to rejoice that a pastor pleasing to your majesty
presides over your holy Church.
Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Jn 15: 16
I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, says the Lord,
fruit that will last.8
Prayer after Communion
As we have been renewed, O Lord,
with the supreme Sacrament of salvation,
the Body and Blood of your Only Begotten Son,
may the wondrous grace of your majesty
gladden us with the gift of a shepherd
who will instruct your people by his virtues
and imbue the minds of the faithful with the truth of the Gospel.
Through Christ our Lord.
The proper readings may be found in Volume IV of the Lectionary for Mass, nos. 833–837.
The Homily
The homily could offer the opportunity to reflect on the Petrine ministry and its role within the
Church. It also affords the homilist an opportunity to instruct the faithful in the relationship
between the local and the universal Church.
The Liturgy of the Hours
Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer may also be celebrated and on days when there is no
obligatory memorial, feasts or solemnities, the closing prayer may be taken from the Mass for the
Election of a Pope or Bishop.
The faithful should be exhorted to offer their private prayers, works and almsgiving for the
successful election of a new Supreme Pontiff. The simple custom of frequently praying the Our
Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for this intention is encouraged. The election of the new Pope
should be prayed for in the recitation of the Rosary.
Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful
Petitions, such as the following, may be offered in the Universal Prayer:
That the Holy Spirit will inspire and strengthen the Cardinal-electors as they choose a new
Holy Father to lead us, we pray to the Lord.
That the College of Cardinals in its electoral process may be a worthy vehicle of God’s
grace guiding the Church, we pray to the Lord.
That the Holy Spirit will work strongly in the next Pope chosen by the College of
Cardinals, we pray to the Lord.9
Upon the Election of a New Pope
Upon the election of the new Pope, both the Diocesan Bishop and priests in every parish might
consider offering a special Mass for the newly elected Pope according to the guidelines of the
liturgical calendar. Mass offered by the Diocesan Bishop at the Cathedral or in each Vicariate for
the attendance of as many of the faithful as possible is desirable. If it is the day of the election of
the Pope, then the Mass for the Pope (especially on the anniversary of election) is appropriate.
This Mass cannot be used on the Sundays of Advent, Lent and Easter, solemnities, Ash
Wednesday, and the weekdays of Holy Week. The Mass text is found in the section, “Masses and
Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions” in the Roman Missal. (See pages 3-4 above for the texts.)
Again, the faithful should be exhorted to pray for the newly-elected Holy Father in their private
prayers. The recitation of the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for the intentions of the Pope
is encouraged. The newly-elected Pope should be prayed for in the recitation of the Rosary.
According to custom, gold and white bunting could be affixed above the entrance to the church or
chapel. Flowers could be placed near the Vatican flag, which might be displayed somewhere
prominently in the narthex or gathering space.
Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful
Some of the following petitions might be used in the Universal Prayer:
For our new Holy Father, N., that he may be strengthened as he embarks on his ministry of
unity, love and peace, we pray to the Lord.
That our recently elected Holy Father, N., working together with the bishops of the
Church, may build up the Body of Christ in peace and in joy, we pray to the Lord.
That our newly elected Holy Father N. may be a champion of the poor, a reconciler of
nations and a force for peace and unity in our world, we pray to the Lord.10
SHARED FROM CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE
http://usccb.org/about/leadership/holy-see/pope-benedict-xvi/upload/Pope-Resignation-Resources.pdf
Comments