www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Queen Sofia of Spain attends Papal Mass

All,

I apologize for not commenting more recently. It's that time of year with exams coming up, etc. I just want to say that I'm sorry if some thought this post was needless, frivolous, or worse - accusatory without enough justification to back it up. Perhaps it was.

At the same time, the snarky remarks denigrating people who actually care about whether or not a Catholic monarch observes basic protocol (if you wear white, then veil, etc.) are curious to me. I guess I just have to disagree that noticing or opining on these things is somehow petty and/or unbecoming behavior.

Ah, the hapless plight of a traditional-leaning Latin on a Byzantine forum (even one as much beloved as this). Guess it comes with the territory.

Alexis

Alexis,

I for one see no problem with the original post, which included some qualifications and reservations which were perhaps lost during the discussion.

I think there is no doubt at all that it would have been better if Queen Sofía had knelt and received Holy Communion on the tongue, which is how Pope Benedict XVI prefers to distribute Holy Communion. As I have pointed out, what happened looked quite awkward, and it is legitimate to wonder what went wrong. Was the Queen unable to kneel for physical reasons? Didn't she know what to do? Was there a breakdown in communication? etc. All of these are, I think, legitimate questions, even though I doubt we'll get answers to them here on this forum anytime soon.

The real problem is when some bloggers choose to see the Queen's action as some kind of protest or deliberate disobedience to the wishes of the Holy Father. This, I think, is entirely speculative and quite unfair to Her Majesty.

The key thing, of course, is that we should all do our best to try to receive Holy Communion in a reverent manner while in a state of grace. And, perhaps it would be good if there were a general ban on filming or photographing anyone receiving Holy Communion?

It would help if some commentators had watched the footage and offered an explanation of why the Pope stopped so far away from the dais the Queen was on. They might have noted the flower display in front of the dais.

Some people dont know of royal dress protcols. The last time Queen Elizabeth went to the Vatican she wore a 3/4 length black dress and small black hat (not a State Visit). When making a 'state visit' to the Vatican on a previous occasion the Queen wore a long black dress with tiara and veil, plus various honours on her dress. The Queen of Spain is one of the european royals who has the right to where white when at the Papal Court.

I think the Pope and Queen Sophia handled the situation they found themselves in very well and the Mass went on smoothly, as it should.

I too saw the service at the Sagrada Familia and the Queen of Spain did not kneel but only bowed very low to receive in the hand.

This may have been for various reasons...

As Father Serge suggested, she may be of the age when this would be difficult (I didn't see if she kneeled during the rest of the service), or she may not be used to kneeling for the Sacrament and just did what was normal for her (and in this day and age for most people).

There is also the fact that the queen was raised Greek Orthodox and maybe for her standing is more natural.

I also noticed that the King and Queen's chairs and kneelers were placed on some kind of high platform and if she knelt her head would be higher than the Pope who would then have to reach up to place communion in her mouth.

Properly she should have come down, got in line and received communion from the Pope where he stood.

The Spanish bishops lead the Pope to the Queen before he went to his station.

Properly communion should not really be brought to anyone, but the people in humility should approach the Sacrament themselves of their own free will.

Garrett,

I have to admit, this comment made me chuckle - especially since it could be read 2 ways - either of which would have been apt.


or


Because, albeit you sometimes cause us to shake our heads, we do indeed love the traditional-leaning Latin whom we can remember from back when he first posted, as a 15 year old Methodist (long before he could point to a post count that is in the top dozen here ).

Many years, my friend.

Neil

PS - you might want to update your profile - it still has you back in your junior year of college

Neil,

Thanks for the laugh. My parents have both expressed some displeasure at my use of dangling participles. Guess I'm a slow learner!

In any case, although I meant this Byzantine forum, THE Byzantine Forum, is much-beloved by me, I appreciate your comment. And I'm thankful that I still have youth on my side to serve as a partial excuse for my ill-considered posts....

Alexis

P.S. I will update the profile!