Free Essays on Papal Rites And Rituals

Title: â€Å"Papal Rites and Rituals of Death† Exact Purpose: After hearing my speech the audience will be made well aware of the Series of events that must take place in the Roman Catholic Church after the death of a Pope. INTRODUCTION Attention- getter: Since the Saturday of April 2nd 2005 we have been witnessing history in the making! The death of Pope John Paul II has set off a series of rites and rituals that have existed since the founding of the Roman Catholic Church. Credibility: I am and have always been a practicing Roman Catholic, which gives me some experience with in the church. Too add to my credibility I also happen to be a History major and I am currently enrolled in a class that has a focus on the history of religion. Audience motivation: The topic I am addressing today happens to be a current event. In the world we are living in today it is extremely important to have a comprehensive understanding of the events going on around us even if it does not have a direct effect on us. Purpose: The three main points I would like to cover today about these rituals are: Preview: 1) The rituals that take place at the moment of a Pontiff’s death. 2) The lying in state, funeral, and nine day mourning period that surrounds the death of a Pope. 3) Papal election. How it works, what events take place, and what occurs when a new Pontiff is elected. BODY I. What rituals have taken place in the past and will take place in the present at the moment of a Pope’s death A. In Medieval times the Camerlengo (papal chief of staff) was to tap the Pontiff’s forehead three times with a small silver hammer. Each time he was to call out the childhood name of the Pope. When no response occurs the Camerlengo formally declares the Pontiff dead and fills out a death certificate. B. The tapping of the Pope’s forehead was done in the past due to the lack of modern medicine. The church now keeps with... Free Essays on Papal Rites And Rituals Free Essays on Papal Rites And Rituals Title: â€Å"Papal Rites and Rituals of Death† Exact Purpose: After hearing my speech the audience will be made well aware of the Series of events that must take place in the Roman Catholic Church after the death of a Pope. INTRODUCTION Attention- getter: Since the Saturday of April 2nd 2005 we have been witnessing history in the making! The death of Pope John Paul II has set off a series of rites and rituals that have existed since the founding of the Roman Catholic Church. Credibility: I am and have always been a practicing Roman Catholic, which gives me some experience with in the church. Too add to my credibility I also happen to be a History major and I am currently enrolled in a class that has a focus on the history of religion. Audience motivation: The topic I am addressing today happens to be a current event. In the world we are living in today it is extremely important to have a comprehensive understanding of the events going on around us even if it does not have a direct effect on us. Purpose: The three main points I would like to cover today about these rituals are: Preview: 1) The rituals that take place at the moment of a Pontiff’s death. 2) The lying in state, funeral, and nine day mourning period that surrounds the death of a Pope. 3) Papal election. How it works, what events take place, and what occurs when a new Pontiff is elected. BODY I. What rituals have taken place in the past and will take place in the present at the moment of a Pope’s death A. In Medieval times the Camerlengo (papal chief of staff) was to tap the Pontiff’s forehead three times with a small silver hammer. Each time he was to call out the childhood name of the Pope. When no response occurs the Camerlengo formally declares the Pontiff dead and fills out a death certificate. B. The tapping of the Pope’s forehead was done in the past due to the lack of modern medicine. The church now keeps with...