easter mass in Venice
Mar 10th, 2008, 12:34 PM
#1
easter mass in Venice
I know that there was a thread about this recently, but I seem to have lost it.
looking at the website @ www.basilicasanmarco.it it appears that the sung mass on easter sunday is at 10.30. Have I got this right?
and am i correct in thinking that we go to the entrance to the left of the front of the cathedral?
how much time should we allow for getting in, getting seated etc?
and how long is the service likely to last?
thanks to anyone who can help,
regards, ann
looking at the website @ www.basilicasanmarco.it it appears that the sung mass on easter sunday is at 10.30. Have I got this right?
and am i correct in thinking that we go to the entrance to the left of the front of the cathedral?
how much time should we allow for getting in, getting seated etc?
and how long is the service likely to last?
thanks to anyone who can help,
regards, ann
Mar 11th, 2008, 04:23 AM
#3
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Easter Sunday
9:00 p.m.- Easter Vigil
10:30 a.m. - Solemn Mass
5:30 p.m.- Solemn Vespers
The mass will be about 1 hour 30 mins. I don't think its a "sung mass" but there may be some singing.
It shouldn't take too long to get seated - go 10 or 15 mins before. I can't remeber which door you walk through - does this really matter?
9:00 p.m.- Easter Vigil
10:30 a.m. - Solemn Mass
5:30 p.m.- Solemn Vespers
The mass will be about 1 hour 30 mins. I don't think its a "sung mass" but there may be some singing.
It shouldn't take too long to get seated - go 10 or 15 mins before. I can't remeber which door you walk through - does this really matter?
Mar 11th, 2008, 04:42 AM
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"Solemn Mass" is sung.
BUT on the previous evening, the Paschal Vigil service at 2100 (officially the first Mass of Easter and, like the 1030 opn Sunday, presided over by the Patriarch) is the most stunning piece of theatre in the Catholic liturgical calendar. And St Mark's has to be one of most spectacular theatres in the world.
Be prepared for a bit of a marathon (at my local church it can easily take 2.5 hours if there are enough people getting baptised). But it's the closest thing in any mainstream Western religion to the "Christos anesti" exuberance of eastern Orthodoxy.
As an experience beats overpriced risi e bisi into a cocked hat. And what else is there to do at night in Venice?
BUT on the previous evening, the Paschal Vigil service at 2100 (officially the first Mass of Easter and, like the 1030 opn Sunday, presided over by the Patriarch) is the most stunning piece of theatre in the Catholic liturgical calendar. And St Mark's has to be one of most spectacular theatres in the world.
Be prepared for a bit of a marathon (at my local church it can easily take 2.5 hours if there are enough people getting baptised). But it's the closest thing in any mainstream Western religion to the "Christos anesti" exuberance of eastern Orthodoxy.
As an experience beats overpriced risi e bisi into a cocked hat. And what else is there to do at night in Venice?
Mar 11th, 2008, 04:49 AM
#5
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Hello annhig 
Last year while in Venice, I attended mass at the 9 am service. Yes, you do enter thru the door on the left side of the basilica.
I entered probably 10 or so minutes prior to the start, and my seat was in the center section about 3/4 of the way back. Try to get a seat in the center section. The sides also have seats but then you have an obscured view of the chancel area.
The service lasted one hour as there was a service afterwards.
At this service (maybe for all that day?) the Cardinal was present and gave the sermon. At the beginning, there was a wonderful processional with him and many others dressed in their finery.
The homily was, of course, read in Italian, but there were people handing out translations in quite a few different languages, so it was easy to follow along.
And if you have your camera with you, the time between services they allow for picture-taking. All the lights are on, and the place is spectacular. Even the altarpiece with all the jewels is turned around in all its glory for all to see. Really beautiful!
Last year while in Venice, I attended mass at the 9 am service. Yes, you do enter thru the door on the left side of the basilica.
I entered probably 10 or so minutes prior to the start, and my seat was in the center section about 3/4 of the way back. Try to get a seat in the center section. The sides also have seats but then you have an obscured view of the chancel area.
The service lasted one hour as there was a service afterwards.
At this service (maybe for all that day?) the Cardinal was present and gave the sermon. At the beginning, there was a wonderful processional with him and many others dressed in their finery.
The homily was, of course, read in Italian, but there were people handing out translations in quite a few different languages, so it was easy to follow along.
And if you have your camera with you, the time between services they allow for picture-taking. All the lights are on, and the place is spectacular. Even the altarpiece with all the jewels is turned around in all its glory for all to see. Really beautiful!
Mar 11th, 2008, 01:32 PM
#9
thanks to all for the info.
i think that if we do this at all we'll head for the 9am so as to leave the rest of the day for other stuff - or make that 10.30 if we can pursuade the kids to come, but I'm not holding my breath.
Lawchick - it IS useful to know which door to head for - i like to look as if I know where I'm going even if I don't. I've won a lot of cases that way, haven't you?
What are "mannerschnitten"? [or should that be Maennerschnitten"?]
Flanneruk - i like the sound of the Paschal vigil, though I'm not sure I could last 2 1/2 hours. However, we HAVE found something to do on Sat. night - a concert in La Fenice that starts at 17.00. so I don't think we'd make it for 21.00.
at least we get to sit down.
O:-
regards, ann
i think that if we do this at all we'll head for the 9am so as to leave the rest of the day for other stuff - or make that 10.30 if we can pursuade the kids to come, but I'm not holding my breath.
Lawchick - it IS useful to know which door to head for - i like to look as if I know where I'm going even if I don't. I've won a lot of cases that way, haven't you?
What are "mannerschnitten"? [or should that be Maennerschnitten"?]
Flanneruk - i like the sound of the Paschal vigil, though I'm not sure I could last 2 1/2 hours. However, we HAVE found something to do on Sat. night - a concert in La Fenice that starts at 17.00. so I don't think we'd make it for 21.00.
at least we get to sit down.
O:-
regards, ann
