A Mass of the Hispanic-Mozarabic Rite was celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica. It's something that doesn't happen that often. It marked the fourth time in history where that type of Mass was celebrated in the Vatican.
For the first ten centuries of Christianity in Spain, Mass was celebrated following the 'Hispanic Rite.' Then Pope Gregory VII decided to extend the Roman Rite throughout the Christian world. The Hispanic rite was still followed, but only in areas that were predominantly Muslim. Those regions became known as Mozarabic, and that is where the Rite's name derives from.
FR. SALVADOR AGUILERA
Liturgical expert
'Back then, Christians said, the Pope is trying to take away our Liturgy. What the Arabs didn't manage to do in our history, he is trying to accomplish.' So faced with these complaints, the Pope allowed the Hispanic-Mozarabic rite to continue in Toledo, which is still present to this day.â?
This rite is especially well-preserved in the center of the Iberian peninsula, in the Spanish city of Toledo. On Saturday, the archbishop of that diocese, Braulio Rodríguez, presided over the special Mass at the Vatican.
FR. SALVADOR AGUILERA
Liturgical expert
'What's interesting is that the Creed that's recited every day has the liturgical term 'Homousios' added to it. That was added in light of Arianism, which partially denied the divinity of Christ. Another interesting point is that during Our Lord's prayer, an 'amen' follows every single sentence. Then, symbolically speaking the consecrated bread is broken into nine pieces and then it's placed on the paten with the form of the cross. Each piece represents a mystery of Christ, in the liturgical year.â?
Two hundred pilgrims from the Diocese of Toledo attended the Mass with their archbishop. Celebrating Mass alongside him were several cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and priests. Among them were: Cardinal Santos Abril, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, Archbishop Luis Ladaria, and the prelate of Opus Dei, Monsignor Javier Echevarria.
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