Chereads / The Young Pope / Chapter 21 - Sincerity

Chapter 21 - Sincerity

Benedict held his hands over the altar and read from the Missal the Preface:

"Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salutáre: Te, Dómine, supplíciter exoráre, ut gregem tuum, Pastor ætérne, non déseras: sed per beátos Apóstolos tuos contínua protectióne custódias. Ut iísdem rectóribus gubernétur, quos óperis tui vicários eídem contulísti præésse pastóres. Et ídeo cum Angelis et Archángelis, cum Thronis et Dominatiónibus cumque omni milítia cœléstis exércitus hymnum glóriæ tuæ cánimus, sine fine dicéntes:"

(It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, to entreat Thee humbly, O Lord, that Thou wouldst not desert Thy flock, O everlasting Shepherd, but, through Thy blessed Apostles, wouldst keep it under Thy constant protection; that it may be governed by those same rulers, whom as vicars of Thy work, Thou didst set over it to be its pastors. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:) [1]

"Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dóminus, Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt cæli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis. Benedíctus, qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis." the choir sang.

(Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory! Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!)

("Haizzz, looks like We need to ask someone to teach Us how to chant in Latin! We can't still chant the Preface.")

---

At the end of the Mass, Benedict raised his right hand up and blesses the people, making three signs of the Cross.

"Benedícat vos omnípotens Deus, ✠ Pater, ✠ et Fílius, ✠ et Spíritus Sanctus."

(May almighty God ✠ the Father, ✠ Son, ✠ and Holy Ghost, bless you.)

"Amen."

Benedict got on the Sedia Gestatoria, on which he gave blessings to the people while being carried to the sacristy.

---

While many went out of St. Peter's, the merchants came to a Benedictine monk standing near them.

"Greetings, Brother!"

"..."

"Uhm, Brother, we want to ask how can we meet the Holy Father?"

"..."

The lead merchant's face became dark, he took out a small bag of denarii in his pocket.

"Please, Brother, we really want to meet the Holy Father to seek his guidance!"

The Benedictine monk finally looked at them and said:

"I see that you're sincere! Come along, let me take you to the office that schedules meeting with the Holy Father!"

The monk took the denarii bag, turned around, hid the bag inside his habit, and with a smile on his face, led the group of merchants to arrange an audience with the Pope. [2]

Unknown to them, Benedict had seen it all. He stood quite a distance from them but could still see the act of bribery.

His attendants standing on his two sides held their breath. They knew the current Vicar of Christ loathed sin, especially when it comes from a clergyman.

~~~

[1] Preface of the Apostles, which is read / chanted on all Feasts of the Apostles (except St. John) and Evangelists.

[2] Habit: religious habit, a distinctive set of religious clothing worn by members of a religious order.