Funeral Requiem Mass of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (Late Interim Missal) June 8, 1968

Full Requiem Mass segment from CBS Network's coverage of the funeral of Robert F. Kennedy. The purpose of this video is to focus on the celebration of the Mass for reference and research purposes, thus the eulogy by Ted Kennedy (which has been posted on Youtube for some time now) is cut out.

Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) was assassinated on June 6, 1968, in Los Angeles, CA. After laying in repose for 12 hours in St. Patrick's Cathedral, NYC, a high requiem Mass was celebrated on June 8.

A few words on the Mass itself. I refer to this as "late interim" since the actual interim Missal was published in 1965-66. The celebration of Mass here reflects the various changes in the liturgy that have been made since 1966, especially since the document from the Sacred Congregation of Rite, "Tres Abhinc Annos", which pretty much made the Mass closer to the current rubrics of the Novus Ordo Missae. The celebrant was Archbishop Terrence Cooke, Bishop of New York. He was joined by four con-celebrating priests. Prelates and other clergy were seated in choir. Cardinal Richard Cushing of Boston presided at the cathedra. One can notice that the tabernacle is placed in the center directly behind the altar, today the Lady Chapel serves as the Blessed Sacrament chapel. You will also notice some of the prayers from the previous missal are still being said. Communion is still given at the rail. Cardinal Cushing led the rite of final commendation. Viewers will note how close the current translation of the Novus Ordo Mass is to the interim Missal especially now with the most current correction of "...Deus, per omnia secula seculorum" ("...God, forever and ever."). The spiritual commentary was provided by a priest of the Archdiocese. He mentions the changes to the liturgy since Vatican II during the duration of the Mass.

And as a sign of the dawning of glorious liturgical years to come (sarcasm), Andy Williams sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" for the recessional and the choir sang the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah as the coffin exited the Cathedral.

It is also interesting to see Cardinal Cody of Chicago in attendance, Archbishop Molloy of Brooklyn, and the then Msgr. Francis Mugavero, who would be appointed Bishop of Brooklyn that same year.

A very special thanks to 'DANNOTCH'S NEWSVIDEO' on Youtube for generously uploading this piece of history on Youtube. You can check out the full 4-hour video of RFK's funeral rites here    • Видео  . . Also check out his channel for an extensive archive of rare news broadcasts and coverages of historical events.