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Cardinal’s Mass soothed soul of diocese MARK GUYDISH OPINION

Tuesday September 08, 2009 | 01:00 AM

For about an hour Sunday, the best of the Roman Catholic Church came out of hiding.

Everything fell into place in St. Peter’s Cathedral as Cardinal Justin Rigali celebrated Mass for La Festa Italiana: the sense of reverence and respect that seems to fade like morning mist these days in our culture, the feeling of joy we can garner through a unified community, the beauty of 2,000 years of iconography, ritual and garb.

The Cathedral itself lends an uplifting, Old World flair thanks to the detailed artwork. Christ smiles from behind the altar, larger-than-life biblical figures stare down from the slanted ceilings on each side – Daniel among the lions, Moses personifying the concept of patriarch, Abraham poised to sacrifice his son.

The Stations of the Cross -- depictions of the suffering and death of Christ -- line the side walls, rendered in colored tiles smaller than postage stamps, the background of every image a brilliant gold. The stained-glass windows are rich in detail and color, the broad paintings directly above the center pews vivid.

Since it was an Italian Mass, the music similarly evoked a bit of Europe, as the choir harmonized with the accompaniment of acoustic guitars, timpani and a mandolin.

Then there were the concelebrants. In an age of acute priest shortages, it is rare to see so many gathered for one service. There were at least 15 in full regalia – a cardinal, several bishops, monsignors and priests – and a few in plainer cloth.

It was, in short, the Roman Catholic Mass elevated to its finest grandeur. And I mean no disrespect to the dedicated parishioners and priests struggling to make their own services succeed in our many parishes with half-filled pews, but there were ingredients here that cannot be recreated in smaller settings.

Inspiring sermon from cardinal

The chief ingredient was Cardinal Rigali, head of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, head of the ecclesiastical province that encompasses all dioceses in Pennsylvania, diplomatic assistant to two popes, member of the Congregation for Bishops that will recommend a replacement for our retired Bishop Joseph Martino, and -- until that replacement is named -- head of the Diocese of Scranton.

It is uncommon for one so high in the hierarchy to be named apostolic administrator of a diocese in transition, but this likely is a rare case. Martino’s tenure had proven deeply divisive. He did what had to be done, much of what should have been done by his predecessors, but in ways that antagonized many – clergy and lay alike.

On Sunday, Rigali exhibited all the traits needed to calm the roiled waters here. His sermon was upbeat and inspiring, urging unity, patience and faith. He made himself accessible, standing outside the church and talking to all who wanted his ear, then meeting the media in the stately rectory next door for an interview without preset rules or intermediaries.

The cardinal showed how political and public relations savvy he is, and by accounts I’ve heard, well known for in Philadelphia. Frankly, I think he did what he knew he had to do in a diocese ill at ease. In that regard it was a pragmatic performance.

But there was more. This is a diocese in traumatic transition. Thanks to school and church closings, and financial cutbacks, Catholics here have had years of constant reminders of the transient, earthly aspects of faith.

Rigali helped shape a ceremony that reminded, instead, of timeless certainty such an old religion can give.

About the Author

Mark Guydish covers education for the Times Leader. Reach him at (570) 970-7161 or mguydish@timesleader.com.

A West Hazleton native, I worked as a service technician repairing electronic mailing and shipping systems, a bike shop owner and an Emergency Medical Technician (among other jobs) before landing a reporter job at the Times Leader Hazleton Bureau in 1995. I started by covering primarily politics in Hazleton City and outlying municipalities, eventually became "social issues" team leader in the Wilkes-Barre office with the accent on education, and headed the Hazleton Bureau for a spell before returning to full-time reporting, my preferred position. I'm an avid cyclist and rode across the country in 1990, a trip of more than 5,000 miles from New Jersey to Seattle and down the coast to San Francisco. Years in the Boy Scouts made me a life long backpacker and camper, and I've yet to find a better way to enjoy the quiet lure of winter snow than cross country skiing.

Mark also writes a regular blog for timesleader.com.