Shropshire Star

Celtic symbolism on papal vestments revealed

The triple Celtic spiral is associated with ancient Irish manuscripts.

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New vestments created for the papal visit to Dublin

The green vestment to be worn by Pope Francis during the papal mass is adorned with a Celtic symbol to represent his historic visit to Ireland.

The sacred item was designed and manufactured especially for the Phoenix Park mass by family-run business Haftina, based in Poland, and the liturgy committee of the World Meeting Of Families.

The papal vestment has a triple Celtic spiral that is associated with Irish ancient manuscripts while some 70 bishops, who will be involved in the papal mass, will wear similar vestments.

The historic cross that will face the Pope on the altar is designed to tell the story of the passion and resurrection of Jesus.

The cross to be used during the papal mass, which is inscribed with the date 1763
The cross to be used during the papal mass is inscribed with the date 1763 (Cate McCurry/PA)

Fr Damian McNiece, Master of Ceremonies, explained: “We wanted something distinctively Irish and to narrate the story of the resurrection of Jesus.

“I was out with Archbishop (Diarmuid) Martin at a small intimate mass in Dublin and they had this cross at the altar. I was completely taken by it.

“It’s a penal cross from the year 1763 and is carved from little bits of wood but it’s a much loved thing and has been held in so many hands.

“It’s designed to tell the story of the passion and resurrection of Jesus.”

He also said that the liturgy team wanted to create vestments that would stand the test of time and be a gift of the Irish church for major celebrations in the future.

The papal mass will be celebrated in Phoenix Park at the edge of Dublin city centre on Sunday August 26 with half-a-million people expected to attend.

Communion will be distributed from some 4,000 Eucharist ciboria and around 200 chalices – with Celtic logos – during the mass.

Fr McNiece said they would be sold on to parishes around Ireland in the hope of “recouping some of the costs”.

Meanwhile, Skoda Ireland has revealed it will be the official car partner to the World Meeting Of Families.

When Pope Francis lands in Dublin on Saturday August 25, he will be transported to President Michael D Higgins’ residence, Aras an Uachtarain, in a Skoda Rapid.

Skoda Ireland’s head of marketing and product, Raymond Leddy, said: “As part of the papal fleet, we are commemorating Pope John Paul II’s visit to Ireland, with vehicle registration 182-C-1979 and, of course, marking this year’s event with vehicle registration 182-C-2018.

“182-D-9093 is the primary vehicle, which, when the digits 9093 are inverted, spells out the word Pope.

“Each Skoda Rapid provided has been customised to requirements. Modified glass has been installed and each vehicle has been provided in a unique navy-blue colour as requested.

“Small chrome flag poles have also been installed to the passenger-side fenders, which will display the Vatican flag.

“Following the departure of His Holiness, Pope Francis’s Skoda Rapid, together with an additional car, will be provided to a charity to be nominated by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, in accordance with the wishes of Pope Francis.”

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