Ruminations

It occurred to me when I considered starting a petition for the restoration of the "Triregnum" that it would to many seem an exercise in futility. Especially considering the holy Father's coat of arms that specifically broke with the tradition of including the tiara and replaced it with a "mere" bishop's mitre. I think this was a disturbing development for most of us who consider ourselves as traditional Catholics. I mean for most of us it was bad enough that the coronation itself with the triregnum had been done away with by John Paul I and replaced with a "inauguration" which certainly speaks more about the spirit of the age in which we live. Many of you will ask, "why would the holy father revive the use of the triregnum when he has appeared to downplay it by breaking with tradition and leaving it out of his coat of arms?" This is a valid question and I shall seek to give a sufficient answer. I think too many out there see in the triregnum and the sedia and all of the traditional "pomp & ceremony" of the holy see as residue of the past having no bearing on the present. I mean we inaugurate presidents we don't crown them with a crown. I'm convinced that the times in which we live are so saturated with the "spirit of 1789" that in our day any reference to Kings or Kingship is seen as hopelessly old fashioned, passe and reactionary. This mentality is so widespread that it has in my opinion become prevelant in the Church in post Conciliar times. Catholics see Christ as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We believe that the Pope is the vicar of Christ the king. I think this endeavor regarding the petition to restore the Triregnum is for many not only an exercise in futility but they see it as traditional Catholics placing too much emphasis on "external symbols". None of us would argue that his holiness Benedict XVI is any less a Pope simply because he was not crowned with and doesn't presently wear the triregnum. His authority does not rest in his wearing the tiara. However, the triregnum is symbolic of his authority just as the pallium is symbolic of that authority. We hear so little today about the social kingship of Christ, of Christ as King because it's not popular to speak of Kings and Kingship in this "democratic" age. Little if any aknowledgement is given to Christ the King even in the bosom of His Church. I would argue that in this age so imbued with the "spirit of 1789 of the French revolution" that such a symbol of the offices of priest, prophet and king would be a clear unmistakeble sign for all the world to see of the authority of the vicar of Christ and a clearly conducive to "the hermeneutic of continuity" so eloquently spoken of by the Holy Father. I think those of us who are traditional Catholics can pray for and work for a day when perhaps the Holy Father will revive this ancient tradition and perhaps consecrate Russia and all the world in union with all the bishops of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Jesus Christ the King of history. Let's pray for this sisters and brothers.