March 24, 2010 // Uncategorized

Two books govern liturgical actions of bishops

Todays Catholic

What is the significance of a bishop removing his miter and “beanie” at certain points in a Mass. What is the name of the “beanie?” FK
There are two books which govern the liturgical actions of bishops. One is called the Ceremonial, the other is called the Pontifical. In simplest terms, when the bishop processes, sits during the Liturgy of the Word, preaches, receives the gifts, and gives the final blessing, he may wear his miter. When standing for the Gospel and the Profession of Faith (the Creed), he removes it. He also removes it when he reaches the altar for the Eucharistic Prayer (Canon) of the Mass.

The small fuschia “beanie” is called a zuchetto, and is worn whenever a bishop is in house (black with fuschia piping and red buttons) cassock or choir (fushia) cassock (worn under the alb and chasubule, for example, during the celebration of Mass, or with a surplice and stole and cope during Vespers, etc.). It is removed before the Eucharistic Prayer begins and he puts it back on when he reaches the chair following Holy Communion. 

What are the latest statistics on new priests, seminarians? FH
The latest Vatican statistics show that the number of priests stood at 409,166, an increase of 1,142 from the end of 2007. Since the year 2000, the Vatican said, the number of priests has increased by nearly 4,000, or about 1 percent.
Looking at the way priests are distributed around the world, it said: 47.1 percent were in Europe, 30 percent in the Americas, 13.2 percent in Asia, 8.7 percent in Africa and 1.2 percent in Oceania.

The number of seminarians around the world rose from 115,919 at the end of 2007 to 117,024 at the end of 2008, an increase of more than 1 percent, it said.

The increase in seminarians varied geographically: Africa showed an increase of 3.6 percent, Asia an increase of 4.4 percent, and Oceania an increase of 6.5 percent, while Europe had a decrease of 4.3 percent and the Americas remained about the same.