Thursday, December 01, 2005

Parish Jubilee Cross Ritual

Diocese of San Jose Jubilee Cross - front

During the Jubilee Year of the Diocese of San José, spanning the First Sunday of Advent, Novmber 27, 2005, to the Solemnity of St. Joseph, March 19, 2007, Bishop Patrick J. McGrath will be visiting all of the parishes and missions of the diocese to celebrate liturgy with them and to spend time with the parishioners.

The diocesan Jubilee Cross will be carried in pilgrimage from parish to parish as the Bishop travels to his Jubilee visits, accompanying him at the liturgies he celebrates with his people. At these parish visits, the Bishop would like to symbolically express his commitment to the parishes through a ritual utilizing the diocesan Jubilee Cross and the parish Jubilee Cross.

Below is the ritual text that the Bishop would like to use during his Jubilee visits to the parishes
A ritual text in Spanish will also be available shortly.

The ritual strives to be as adaptable and accomodating as possible to the parish's particular needs and characteristics, and it should not add too much time to the liturgy. It is modeled after the opening rites that took place at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph for the Opening Mass for the Jubilee Year.

Please feel free to download, print, and make as many copies of the ritual text as needed. If you have any questions, please contact Diana Macalintal at Macalintal@dsj.org or 408-983-0136.

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Rite for Praying over the Parish Jubilee Cross
upon the Visit of the Bishop

This rite may also take place outside of Mass by starting with the Sign of the Cross and Greeting, continuing with the Call to Jubilee and the transfer of the tessera (an individual tile in a mosaic), and ending with the Prayer over the Parish Jubilee Cross and the usual final blessing.


Gathering Rites

Gathering in the area where the Parish Jubilee Cross is installed

All the ministers and as much of the assembly as possible gather before Mass in the area where the parish Jubilee Cross has been installed. When all are ready, the Mass begins with the Sign of the Cross and Greeting below.

[If it is impossible or unreasonable to gather in the area where the Parish Jubilee Cross is, begin Mass as usual with the Opening Song ("Sumus Ecclesia!") and Procession and continue with the rite below. In this case, both the Diocesan Jubilee Cross and the Parish Jubilee Cross should be carried in as part of the Opening Procession.]


(Bishop removes miter and staff)
Sign of the Cross and Greeting

Bishop:
In the name of the Father, (+) and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Peace be with you. And also with you.


Introductory Words

Bishop:
Brothers and sisters,
we have been called by God to be Church,
to be a sign of Christ for the people of this Valley.
As we give thanks for the life of this parish
and for the jubilee of our diocese,
let us recall the many signs of God’s love all around us
that invite us to renewed life in the spirit of Christ.


Call to Jubilee

Three parish representatives may lead the invocations below.

Speaker:
Christ gave us the sign of light to mark the days and to guide our feet in darkness. In this year of jubilee, let us walk firmly in the path of justice until all creation is filled with God’s undying light. Rooted in faith and embracing our future, we proclaim: Blessed be God, forever!

All: Blessed be God, forever!

Speaker:
Christ gave us the sign of the Church as the doorway to our eternal home. In this year of jubilee, let us open wide the doors of our hearts wherever the poor seek refuge and the weary yearn for rest. Rooted in faith and embracing our future, we proclaim: Blessed be God, forever!

All: Blessed be God, forever!

Speaker:
Christ gave us the sign of the cross as the mark of his victory over death. In this year of jubilee, let us announce a word of life wherever pain and suffering abound. Rooted in faith and embracing our future, we proclaim: Blessed be God, forever!

All: Blessed be God, forever!


Transfer of Jubilee Cross Tessera

The pastor or minister of parish life removes the tessera from the Parish Jubilee Cross and hands it to the Bishop, saying:

Pastor or Minister of Parish Life:
Bishop McGrath,
the people of this parish are precious in the sight of God.
Receive the pledge of our commitment.
In this jubilee year, may this tessera from our cross
be your constant reminder to shepherd us with care,
teach us in wisdom, and guide us faithfully to our heavenly home
where we will all be gathered by Christ, as tiles in a mosaic,
into the one glorious image of God.

The Bishop takes the tessera from the pastor or minister of parish life, saying:

Bishop:
People of N. Parish,
this cross will be my constant reminder
of how boundless is God's love for us
and how immense is my responsibility for you.
Receive the pledge of my commitment.
May this cross that I bear on your behalf be a sign
of my love and fidelity to you and to this diocese.

Assisted by another minister, the Bishop places the tessera onto the Diocesan Jubilee Cross.


Prayer over the Parish Jubilee Cross

With hands outstretched over the Parish Jubilee Cross, the Bishop leads the prayer:

Bishop:
Blessed are you, O Lord our God,
for in every age, you have called a people to yourself,
to be marked by the sign of your love.

Here, in the diocese of your servant, St. Joseph,
and in the county of your servant, St. Clare,
you call us once again to be your Church,
your holy people.

In your goodness, be near to this parish
that looks upon this cross
as a sign of commitment and faith.
In this year of Jubilee, may we always hold fast
to the mystery of Christ’s suffering
and enter the joy of his resurrection,
who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen. [1]


[If the preceding rite has taken place within the main worship space, omit the following and continue with the Penitential Rite or Sprinkling Rite and the Gloria, as appropriate, and the Opening Prayer of the Mass.]


(Bishop puts on miter and takes staff)
Bishop:
Come, let us glory in the cross of our Lord!
Come, let us worship our God who saves us!


Opening Procession and Song - "Sumus Ecclesia!"
Led by the Diocesan Jubilee Cross, the assembly and ministers process into the worship space accompanied by the gathering song ("Sumus Ecclesia!") in the usual way.

(Bishop removes miter and staff)
The Bishop and ministers kiss the altar.

The Liturgy continues with the Gloria, when appropriate, and the Opening Prayer of the Mass.
When possible, the Mass should begin and end with the Jubilee Song (“Sumus Ecclesia!”) during the gathering and dismissal processions.


Diocese of San Jose Jubilee Cross - back

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