USCCB Conference Opens

Evening Update: On a 173-29 vote, the new translation was approved!

The USCCB meeting has opened today and the United States Bishops Conference will be voting on a very important changes in the Mass. These changes will alter some of the prayers in Mass so that the English translation is more accurately translated from Latin. The bishop conferences in Australia, England and Wales have already approved of the changes. However, it must also be remembered that the very nature of the Mass remains the same - it is the Novus Ordo and not the Immemorial Mass.

As someone that loves Latin in the Mass, I wholeheartedly welcome any changes that will make the English closer to the original phrasing but anything less than a full resurrection of the True Mass is unacceptable. The changes would need to be approved by 2/3 of the 254 American bishops. These changes would effect 12 of the 19 texts from Mass including the Gloria, Nicene Creed, Sanctus, and Penitential Rite.

Some of the changes include substituting "through my own fault" from the Penitential Rite to "through my fault, through my fault, through my most grevious fault". "Peace be with you" / "And also with you" will be changed to "Peace be with you" / "And with your Spirit". I feel that is the most important change because it is quite clear that the Latin exchange included the word "spirit".

Other changes include switching "We believe" to "I believe" in the Nicene Creed since the original Latin begins with "Credo" - literally "I believe." Also, "one in being with the Father" would change to "consubstantial with the Father" (this change did not pass since the USCCB thinks that the laity are too uneducated to know the meaning of the world). And, "He was born of the Virgin Mary" would become "by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary."

Photo Source: AP Photo/Nick Ut

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Francis Collins Acknowledges God

One thing that allows saddens me is seeing far too many scientists denying God and giving all of their proof to science. In reality, how do we know our methods of studying the world are correct? For hundreds of years science was based on the world revolving around the earth. I strongly believe that in the next 500 years, science will rapidly change and the people then will call our methods today "ancient" and "inaccurate".

Please see the post on Catholics and the Theory of Evolution.

So, in light of this, I have very good news to report. Francis Collins, the famous scientist who led the team that cracked the human genome, is a Christian. After living as an "obnoxious atheist" since graduate school, Collins saw God through his parents' deaths. He truly converted to Christianity after reading C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity, which is an excellent book. Now, Collins calls scientific discoveries an "opportunity to worship".

Collions plans to publish a book entitled The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief this summer explaining why he now believes in God and miracles.



Source: Times Online (UK)

An Act of Reparation for those that don't believe:

O Most Merciful Heart of Jesus, Divine Mercy-seat, for Whose sake the Eternal Father has promised that He would always hear our prayers! I unite myself to Thee in offering to Thine Eternal Father this poor and needy heart of mine, contrite and humbled in His Divine presence, and desirous of making complete reparation for the offenses that are committed against Him, especially those which Thou dost continually suffer in the Holy Eucharist, and more particularly those which I myself have unhappily so often committed. Would that I could wash them away with my tears, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, and blot out with my own heart's blood the ingratitude where with we have repaid Thy tender love. I unite my sorrow, slight as it is, with the mortal agony which caused Thy sweat to become as drops of blood in the Garden of Olives at the very thought of our sins. Do Thou offer it, dear Lord, to Thine Eternal Father in union with Thy Sacred Heart. Render Him infinite thanks for the manifold blessings which He constantly showers upon us, and let Thy love supply for our want of thankfulness and remembrance. Grant me the grace always to present myself in a spirit of deepest reverence before the face of Thy Divine Majesty, in order thus to repair in some measure the irreverences and outrages which I have dared to commit before Thee; grant also, that from this day forth, I may devote myself with all my might to drawing, both by word and example, many souls to know Thee and to experience the riches of Thy Heart. From this moment I offer and dedicate myself wholly to propagating the honor due to Thy most sweet Sacred Heart.

I choose It as the object of all my affection, and desires, and from this hour forevermore I set up in It my perpetual abode, thanking, adoring and loving It with all my heart, inasmuch as It is the Heart of my Jesus, Who is worthy to be loved, the Heart of my King and sovereign Lord, the Bridegroom of my soul, my Shepherd and Master, my truest Friend, my loving Father, my sure Guide, my unfailing protection and my everlasting blessedness. Amen.

Image: Pope Pius XII

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Gregorian Chant

Zenit news recently published a good article on Gregorian Chant. Gregorian Chant still remains the official chant of the Latin Rite. Before each Sunday Mass, Gregorian Chant is played at my parish, and I love it. I strongly believe that Gregorian Chant should be available at each parish in the world, if not by choir then at least through the use of a CD system.

Does anyone else reading this blog listen to Gregorian Chant regularly?

Q: What is Gregorian chant?

Vega García: It is an age-old chant, cultural patrimony of humanity and continues to be the official chant of the Roman liturgy, as John Paul II himself reminded in 2003 in a chirograph on sacred music, on the occasion of the centenary of the "motu proprio" "Tra le Sollecitudini," in which he recalled the norms of the Second Vatican Council on liturgical music.

Q: Why is it called Gregorian chant?

Vega García: Because its authorship is attributed to Pope St. Gregory the Great.

Read More: Zenit

If you have never heard Gregorian Chant, please visit my post Catholic Music for the Soul for a list of websites relating to Catholic music. Some of the websites listed are dedicated to Gregorian Chant.

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Prayer to Live a Life of Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to understand the meaning of Your Death and Resurrection. I call out for Your mercy. Bring me back to You and to the life You won for us by Your Death on the Cross and Resurrection. Help me to grow in faith and hope, and deepen my love for You in Holy Communion. Help me to live a life of prayer according to Your words in the Gospel, and seek You, Jesus, my Bread of Life, in the Holy Eucharist.

Prayer Source: Unknown

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"In God We Trust" Shall Remain

Michael Newdow, the atheist trying to strike down the national motto, "In God we trust" has lost.

A California federal trial judge has dismissed the lawsuit filed by Michael Newdow challenging the constitutionality of the American national motto, "In God We Trust." Newdow is the atheist who achieved national attention in his previous unsuccessful attempt to remove the Pledge of Allegiance from public schools because it includes the words "one nation under God."

The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, had filed a friend of the court brief seeking the dismissal of Newdow's national motto lawsuit. Edward L. White III, the Thomas More Law Center's trial counsel who submitted the friend of the court brief, commented: "Our national motto does not have the constitutionally impermissible effect of establishing a religion. Rather, it acknowledges our nation's rich religious heritage, which informed the founding of our nation."

The federal trial judge ruled that the national motto has nothing to do with the establishment of a religion. The judge noted that the use of the national motto is patriotic and has no true resemblance to a governmental sponsorship of a religious exercise.

Source: LifeSite News

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St. Anthony of Padua

Memorial (1969 Calendar): June 13
Double (1954 Calendar): June 13

St. Anthony (1195 - 1231) was born on August 15, 1195, in Lisbon, Portugal and lived there most of his life. A church in Lisbon was built over the exact spot of his birth. While his family wanted him to become a great noblemen, he followed the call of Christ and became a poor Franciscan priest. He lived his life in holiness curing many. After his death, he was canonized 352 days after his death, the second-fastest canonization in history, with over 50 documented miracles.

When the remains of Saint Berard and his companions, the first Franciscan martyrs were brought to be buried in his church from Morocco, St. Anthony left for Morocco intending to die for the faith as a martyr. He was originally an Augustinian monk but became a Franciscan before his journey to Morocco because he was so moved by the martyrdom of the first Franciscan martyrs. Instead of preaching in Morocco, he became deathly ill and was shipwrecked in Sicily. St. Anthony met St. Francis of Assisi himself in 1221. He eventually began to evangelize, preach, and teach theology through Italy and France. Towards the end of his life, he returned to Padua and preached there with such gentleness and love for Jesus. He was called the Hammer of Heretics because he destroyed the errors and lies in the faith wherever he went. Legend even says that fish would even listen to his sermons.

In one instance, St. Anthony was staying in another man's house. The man noticed a great light under the door, so he cracked the door opened to see the Child Jesus in the arms of St. Anthony. Heavenly light poured forth from the Holy Infant, and the Child was whispering into St. Anthony's hear. The next morning, the man confessed to spying on him and asked what the Lord said to him. St. Anthony said the Lord said he would remain with the city as long as the city remained following him.

St. Anthony, pray for us for our country is falling away from the teachings of Christ! Pray for us, holy saint!

Another story of St. Anthony involves a horse. While St. Anthony was preaching, a local heretic came to him and stated that he would not believe in Our Lord's Real Presence in the Eucharist unless a horse would kneel before the Blessed Sacrament. St. Anthony prayed and then brought a horse in to the heretic. In St. Anthony's right hand was the Blessed Sacrament, and in his left, he held oats. The horse refused the oats and knelt before the Blessed Sacrament. The heretic repented and submitted himself to the Catholic Church.

St. Anthony died on June 13, 1231, at a young age. On January 19, 1946, St. Anthony was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church.

Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony:

"Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints" O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and Charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request). O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.

Prayer:

May the votive solemnity of blessed Anthony, Thy Confessor and Doctor, O God, give joy to Thy Church: that she may ever be defended by spiritual aid and become worthy of everlasting joys. Through our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

Readings:

"Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak. We are full of words but empty of actions, and therefore are cursed by the Lord, since he himself cursed the fig tree when he found no fruit but only leaves. It is useless for a man to flaunt his knowledge of the law if he undermines its teaching by his actions."

"The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ."

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Prayers for the Deceased

Transalpine Redemptorists, All Souls Day, Used with Permission

I have received several messages lately asking for our prayers for people that have left this world for the next. Please pray that these people may be in the peace of God now and that Christ will be their life and light for all eternity. First, please pray for Jane, who died after a long battle with leukemia. I also received this message:

A diocesan priest in our area, who was a close friend of my own friend's family, passed away this weekend. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Gerald Sheehan. I also read about the passing of Retired Roman Catholic Bishop James Sullivan from Fargo, ND and thought you would also like to include him in your prayers as well. Thanks to all

Prayer for the deceased: 

Father, God of all consolation, in Your unending love and mercy for us, You turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life. Show compassion to Your people in their sorrow. Be our refuge and our strength to lift us from the darkness of this grief to the peace and light of Your presence. Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by dying for us, conquered death and, by rising again, restored life. May we go forward eagerly to meet Him, and after our life on earth be reunited with our brothers and sisters where every tear will be wiped away. We ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer Source: Sacred Heart Prayer Book compiled and edited by the Priests of the Sacred Heart

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This Week in Catholicism (June 12-18 2006)

• Monday: Gospel: Mt 5:1-2
• Tuesday: Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, Gospel: Mt 5:13-16
• Wednesday: Gospel: Mt 5:17-19
• Thursday: Gospel: Mt 5:20-26, USCCB meets to approve changes in the Mass
• Friday: A day of penance, Gospel: Mt 5:27-32
• Saturday: Gospel: Mt 5:33-37, USCCB meeting ends
• Sunday: The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Our Lord (Corpus Christi), Gospel: Mt 28:16-20

Since this is still the Month of the Sacred Heart, please continue devotions and prayers to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

"Behold this Heart which has loved men so much, and yet men do not want to love Me in return. Through you My divine Heart wishes to spread its love everywhere on earth." - Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary

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Prayer for the Poor by Mother Teresa

Who is Jesus to me?
Jesus is the Word made Flesh.
Jesus is the Bread of Life.
Jesus is the Victim offered for our sins on the Cross.
Jesus is the Sacrifice at Holy Mass for the sins of the world and mine.
Jesus is the Word - to be spoken.
Jesus is the Truth - to be told.
Jesus is the Way - to be walked.
Jesus is the Light - to be lit.
Jesus is the Life - to be loved.
Jesus is the Joy - to be shared.
Jesus is the Sacrifice - to be given.
Jesus is the Bread of Life - to be eaten.
Jesus is the Hungry - to be fed.
Jesus is the Thirsty - to be satiated.
Jesus is the Naked - to be clothed.
Jesus is the Homeless - to be taken in.
Jesus is the Sick - to be healed.
Jesus is the Lonely - to be loved.
Jesus is the Unwanted - to be wanted.
Jesus is the Leper - to wash his wounds.
Jesus is the Beggar - to give him a smile.
Jesus is the Drunkard - to listen to him.
Jesus is the Little One - to embrace him.
Jesus is the Dumb - to speak to him.
Jesus is the Crippled - to walk with him.
Jesus is the Drug Addict - to befriend him.
Jesus is the Prostitute - to remove from danger and befriend her.
Jesus is the Prisoner - to be visited.
Jesus is the Old - to be served.
To me Jesus is my God,
Jesus is my Spouse,
Jesus is my Life,
Jesus is my only Love,
Jesus is my All in All,
Jesus is my Everything.

Amen.

-Mother Teresa of Calcutta

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Novena to St. Anthony: Day Nine

Prayer:

O wonderful St. Anthony, glorious on account of the fame of your miracles, and through the condescension of Jesus in coming in the form of a little child to rest in your arms, obtain for me of His bounty the grace which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart . (State your intention)

You who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners, regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to you, but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified by the granting of the particular request (State your intention) which I now ask for with persevering earnestness. Amen

(Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father, in honor of Saint Anthony.)

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

DAY NINE

Saint Anthony, servant of Mary, glory of the Church, pray for our Holy Father, our bishops, our priests, our Religious Orders, that, through their pious zeal and apostolic labors, all may be united in faith and give greater glory to God. St. Anthony, helper of all who invoke you, pray for me and intercede for me before the throne of Almighty God that I be granted the favor I so earnestly see in this novena (State your intention).

(One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father, in honor of Saint Anthony).

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

May the divine assistance remain always with us.
Amen

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

O God, may the votive commemoration of blessed Anthony, your confessor, be a source of joy to your Church, that she may always be fortified with spiritual assistance, and deserve to enjoy eternal rewards. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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