Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day

On Memorial Day (USA), let us remember to pray not only for the safety of those serving our country but also for their salvation. May holy, traditional priests be sent out to give them the Sacraments of Salvation.

Please see here for a Memorial Day Prayer.
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Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To

Today I have finally completed Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To by Anthony DeStefano, the author of A Travel Guide to Heaven. Honestly, I was initially apprehensive about reading this book because I thought it would be another book by a Protestant televangelist trying to tell everyone "Jesus is Lord. Believe and be saved for all your prayers to be answered." Thankfully, the book Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To is nothing like that.

Each chapter focuses on a separate prayer that God always says "yes" to. Importantly, the author also states that prayer is not magic - God will answer these prayers only if they come from the heart. The prayers covered a wide-range of topics from money and suffering to our destiny.

The Ten Prayers:

1) God, show me that you exist
2) God, make me an instrument
3) God, outdue me in generosity
4) God, get me through this suffering
5) God, forgive me
6) God, give me peace
7) God, give me courage
8) God, give me wisdom
9) God, bring good out of this bad situation
10) God, lead me to my destiny

In the book, Anthony DeStefano writes in a very simple, understandable manner and utilizes anecdotes and real-life examples. As someone that prefers theologically and philosophically complicated books, I actually found the book too simple at times. However, this book is certainly written perfectly for the average person seeking to reach God through prayer when it seems that hundreds of other prayers have gone unanswered. In addition, DeStafano incorporates hundreds of scriptural footnotes for those readers seeking to further find God through the words of Holy Scripture. One thing I also enjoyed about the book was DeStafano not only refers to Jesus as the Son of God but also as the second person of the Trinity. Such references help dispel the heresy that Jesus Christ is not divine.

Below is a short summary of a few of the prayers. Read the entire book for much more information on each of the prayers. This book is published by Double Day Publishing.

Peace:

DeStafano cites one of the most common references to peace in the Bible. From Jesus Christ: "My peace I give to you" (John 14:27). One of my favorite parts of the book is the profound image of the Resurrection. Jesus Christ, the second person of the Blessed Trinity, took flesh to die. He suffered unimaginable pains and tortures before being condemned to death. And when Our Lord rose again in glorious splendor, He took a moment of time to roll up the burial clothes and pleace them neatly on the side. DeStafano's incorporation of this image of our peaceful Lord after His brutal Crucifixion is incredibly profound when the reader understands the pains Our Lord previously endured.

As stated by the author on page 100, "Deliberate sin, by definition excludes peace." We must seek peace only through seeking to live in union with God without sin. This prayer is not necessarily instant like some of the other ones mentioned previously because the response from God depends the state of our souls. Changing our lives into one that is peace-filled can often involve an unpeaceful journey. However, as Christ said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." As the author brillantly states, "Definition of true peace is union with God" (108).

Courage:

Courage is not just used to combat our fears. As defined on page 117, "Courage is the cornerstone and linchpin of the entire moral order." Statements like "Fear not" or "Do not be afraid" appear 144 times in Sacred Scripture. A couragous person is a person willing to sacrifice himself for something greater.

Wisdom:

Wisdom, one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, is the ability to see the world from God's perspective. God is even identified with wisdom in Proverbs 2:6, 8:12. Another profound statement by DeStafano was when he writes, "When you ask God for wisdom, you are essentially asking him to give you the gift of Himself." But, the author also appropriately discusses that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Note: Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To has an Imprimatur from Bishop John Yanta of Amarillo, Texas

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Sunday, May 27, 2007
Graduation

Today I will attend my graduation and give the Valedictory Address. I ask for your prayers for a successful speech and a successful graduation ceremony.

Thank you

Update: Thank you! The speech was wonderful and I feel extremely honored. I will spend the rest of today with my family and friends.
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Saturday, May 26, 2007
History and Graces received from Altar Serving


For hundreds of years, the usage of altar servers has brought about countless priestly vocations. In the words of the Archbishop of Westminster, Bernard Cardinal Griffen, "To serve at the altar, as to sing in the choir, is next to the priesthood the highest privilege which a human can enjoy. He represents the faithful and takes a most intimate part in the rich treasures of the church's liturgy and ceremonial. Those sacred ceremonies should be carried out with devotion, dignity, and attention to detail."

History:

An altar server is a lay assistant to the priest during the Mass or to other members of the clergy in other religious functions including Benediction and Eucharistic Adoration. An altar server is not to be confused with an acolyte. Before the Second Vatican Council, the acolyte was the highest of the minor orders, having duties including the lighting of the altar candles, carrying the candles in procession, assisting the subdeacon and deacon, and the ministering of water and wine to the priest at Mass. Acolytes wore either the alb or the surplice over a cassock. The order of acolyte was conferred on a seminarian at a minor ordination.

After the changes to the minor orders in 1972, the acolyte survived but became one of two lay ministries (along with that of lector) instead of an order. Today, Traditional Catholic orders such as the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, Society of St. Pius X, Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, and others preserve the traditional orders, including the acolyte. Therefore, the acolyte is not to be confused with the altar server even though the altar server can do the already mentioned duties of the acolyte.

In the post-Vatican II Church, an acolyte has all the responsibilities of an altar server except a few additional ones. The acolyte is also a permanent extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and can also be entrusted with celebrating the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. He is also the only lay minister who can do the purification of the vessels at Mass. Furthermore, an acolyte is given a priority to lead blessing ceremonies (Book of Blessings, Introduction, n. 18). In the absence of both a priest and deacon, the acolyte has priority to lead Sunday Celebrations (Directions for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest, 1988, n. 30). Of course, these are modern novelties and not something that is in accord with Catholic Tradition.

Traditionally, the role of altar server has always been reserved to males and rightfully so. By having males serve at the altar, a young man is better able to discern the priesthood since he is involved with the Liturgy. Personally, I support the return of an all-male group of altar servers for the entire Catholic Church. Some parishes are even returning to the practice of all-male altar servers. Historically, the role of altar server has always been reserved to males. In the Encyclical Allatae Sunt on July, 26, 1755, Pope Benedict XIV stated in paragraph 29:
Pope Gelasius in his ninth letter (chap. 26) to the bishops of Lucania condemned the evil practice which had been introduced of women serving the priest at the celebration of Mass. Since this abuse had spread to the Greeks, Innocent IV strictly forbade it in his letter to the bishop of Tusculum: "Women should not dare to serve at the altar; they should be altogether refused this ministry." We too have forbidden this practice in the same words in Our oft-repeated constitution Etsi Pastoralis, sect. 6, no. 21."
In 1970 the Vatican condemned female altar serving in Liturgicae instaurationes as well as in 1980's Inaestimabile donum. Not until a circular letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments to presidents of episcopal conferences on March 15, 1994, did the Vatican officially allow female altar serving.


Graces:

To serve at the altar as an altar server is one of the greatest sources of grace. The altar server assists the priest at the Sacred Liturgy; he is privileged to walk into the sanctuary. Remember, the Mass is the Sacrifice of Calvary. It is not a memorial but rather the Mass truly is the Sacrifice of Calvary. For that reason, all altar servers must display the utmost respect and reverence. For example, each and every single time that the server walks past the Tabernacle, he is to genuflect on his right knee to our Lord who is truly present in the Eucharist.

All altar servers must listen attentively during the Mass and should remain in a state of prayer with their hands in a prayer position. Talking amongst each other is absolutely forbidden. Likewise, all altar servers should wear proper shoes and never flip-flops, sandals, boots, or gym shoes. An altar server must also learn the proper name of all of the items used during the Liturgy.

Altar Servers must ensure that no particle of Our Lord's Body or Blood falls to the ground. With the use of the paten, altar servers perform an extremely important sacred ministry. They must ensure that no particle of the Eucharist is desecrated accidentally at any portion during the Mass. Furthermore, altar servers must know the basic prayers of the Mass at least in the vernacular and perhaps some of them in Latin. The altar server must have a basic understanding of the Catholic Faith and understand the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Traditionally, laypeople including altar servers were also forbidden to touch the sacred vessels including the Chalice. If they had to touch the paten they would hold it with a purificator. Likewise, they were only to carry the Chalice by touching the chalice veil covering it. Today's servers should do likewise.

To all altar servers, please take these suggestions to heart. I strongly suggest you read the words expressed in the article Advice for Altar Servers. Remember, as an altar server, you stand next to the priest who stands at the Cross of Calvary. At the Consecration, you stand near the altar on which the Bread and Wine become Jesus Christ. You should humble yourself and bow your head before the power of God. You are assisting at the Holy of Holies. Display reverence and worship Our God. Undoubtedly, altar servers receive countless blessings from Almighty God from serving devoutly at Mass. Even attending Holy Mass is the source of numerous graces. It is certainly more grace-filled for altar servers.

Prayer before Serving:

Heavenly Father, we ask your blessing upon us, that we may serve at your altar with reverence, attention, and love, in order to draw others to do the same. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Vesting Prayers:

For the Cassock:

Dominus, pars hereditatis meae et calicis mei, tu es qui restitues hereditatem meam.

O Lord, the portion of my inheritance and my chalice, You are He who will restore my inheritance.

For the Surplice:

Indue me, Domine, novum hominem, qui secundum Deum creatus est in iustitia et sanctitate veritatis. Amen.

Invest me, O Lord, as a new man, who was created by God in justice and the holiness of truth. Amen.

Additional Information:

Advice for Altar Servers
Handbook for Servers by the Archconfraternity of Saint Stephen
How to Serve: In Simple, Solemn and Pontifical Functions by Dom Matthew Britt OSB
How to Serve Low Mass & Benediction Paperback by Rev. William A O'Brien
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Friday, May 25, 2007
Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Nicholas Colaianni and Kathy

Please say a prayer for the repose of the soul of the grandfather of the blogger at Faith and Country, whose name was Nicholas Colaianni. He died at 2:30 PM on May 24, 2007.

Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Kathy.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Image Source: Photo of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Believed to be in the Public Domain
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Summer Session for Young Adults: Brothers of St. John

I'm passing this on to any readers that may be interested in attending the retreat with the Brothers of St. John. If you know someone that may be interested in the retreat, please pass this message on to them.
Dear young person ages 19-30,

The time is drawing nearer for the Summer Session with the Brothers of St. John. We know that many of you are interested in coming! Great! Please spread the word by forwarding this e-mail, and please let me know BEFORE MAY 28TH if you can come, or are thinking about coming, even if you are not sure!

The Summer Session will begin with having the participants arrive at 2 p.m. on June 6th. It is comprised of four elements: the hiking/camping trip; the Philosophy Session; the Theology Session; and the Silent Retreat. Participants may participate in any of the above activities, or two of them, or three of them. We simply need to know in advance in order to organize our guesthouse.

The hiking trip will be fun but also a good work out! I have not yet scouted out the course, but it should pulse through the beautfiul hills of Wisconsin. We will be sleeping in tents and sleeping bags in parks along the way. (We can supply them for those who cannot bring them by plane. If you can bring them with you, though, all the better!) Please bring boots, rain gear, sunscreen, hats, water bottles (large), a Rosary, and any other camping gear you think of. Please let me know if you can bring anything which we all can use -- I am thinking especially of things for cooking. We will leave Wednesday afternoon to drive to our destination and set up camp. From there, we will start our hike on Thursday morning, and hike all day Thursday and Friday and most of the day Saturday. The hike will be a good work out! Be ready for it! We will have Mass, Adoration, and the Offices every day. The rest of the day will be spent in "God's Cathedral" of nature! Sounds like Heaven!

After we return to Princeville Saturday night, we will have the chance to rest all day Sunday, celebrating the Feast of Corpus Christi with the Brothers and Sisters in Princveille.

Sunday night begins the Philosophy Session, taught by Brother Nathan. We hope to have three Philosophy Classes per day on the theme of art and contemplation, with a conference a little more spiritual in nature in the evenings after dinner. The rest of the day will be structured by the prayer of the Offices and Mass with the Brothers, and a variety of things in the afternoons, varying from free-time to fun activities (like sports, walks, art and culture, etc) to work projects with the Brothers and Sisters. At night, we will have campfires, music, and time to relax together. We also hope to invite local artists and musicians to come for a few evenings per week to share their art with us. These evenings will be open to the young adults in the area to come and join us. The session will run through Friday night.

Saturday, the 16th, we will have a hike together in the woods nearby, and spend a day of recreation.

Sunday, the 17th will be celebrated with the Community of the Brothers and Sisters, in the calm repose of the Day of the Lord. On the evening of the 17th, will begin the Theology Session.

This Theology session, taught by Father Joseph Mary, will mirror the Philosophy Session in schedule, and will be based a lot on the Summa of St. Thomas Aquinas. (If you have a copy, please bring it, along with your Bible.) There will also be certain evenings for an "evening program" just as there will be during the week of Philosophy.

After another exhilarating weekend of hiking and rest, on the evening of Sunday, June 24th, a retreat will begin: a silent retreat on the Gospel of St. John. The retreat will be preached by Father Antoine Thomas (and perhaps another Brother), and will include three meditations per day on the Christian life flowing from the Gospel of St. John. Free time for personal prayer and study, time for solitary Eucharistic adoration every afternoon, spiritual direction and confession, and the liturgical prayer of the Brothers and Sisters will provide the perfect opportunity to go "into the deep waters" of John's contemplation of Christ Crucified and Glorified. The retreat will close on Sunday, July 1st, after lunch. The retreat will be entirely in silence, to afford each of the participants the opportunity to discover the unique choice and bond of love between their hearts and the hearts of Jesus and Mary.

The cost for the whole session is only $350! If you would like to come to any one of the parts, the price is $150 for each of the three main parts: the hike, one or both of the two-week sessions, and the retreat. Obviously, we are offering our services to you freely, out of love for Christ. If you can offer a larger donation, it would be appreciated, since we live on gifts. However, if this price is already too much for you, please just let me know and we can work something out!

All in all, this summer is going to be great! Please spread the word about this session, and bring your friends! We are happy to serve you, and I stand ready to answer any questions you may have.

May Mary draw the young people here who will most benefit from it.

"Let the one who thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water!" (Revelation 21).
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Saints, Saints, and More Saints: Oregon State University

Below is an email that I have received and wish to pass on to my readers.

I'm emailing a number of prominent Catholic bloggers, and have included your address in the BCC of this email, to inform you of a project that took place at Oregon State University. This university has a strong liberal presence. You might remember that The Insurgent student newspaper at the U of O (in Eugene, 40 minutes away) printed pornographic drawing of Jesus Christ about a year ago. This was lauded by some here at OSU. The university has a very strong gay presence (with pride week, featuring "lube olympics" and other vile events). Despite the secularism and liberalism, the Catholic students here are pretty cool.

Well, some friends of mine got the idea to "Saint bomb" campus. Using chalk, hundreds of Catholic Saint names were written all over campus last week. This was done during perhaps the busiest week of spring term. Many events took place this week on the Quad. The Genocide Awareness Project came to the quad, drawing a large number of people. The "Snow in the Quad" (put on by the Protestant apparel designer CIVIL) came to set up the next day. The Relay for Life event happened at night on the quad, which meant hundreds of students were walking by Saint names nonstop all night long. We also used chalk to advertise Mass times. Lots of exposure for the Church!

Here are two videos documenting this event:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yaAM5IpLqU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amsW6p13ofE

The Newman Center had a booth set up inside the Memorial Union building with a "Find your Saint" computer set up. Some non-Catholics came by to find their Saints. Other Catholics who haven't been to Church for a while saw their confirmation Saint name on the ground. Other Catholics got a lot of joy to see the names and to see Christ's presence in a tangible form on campus. And some others were annoyed at the audacity of these students.

We are trying to get more exposure to this project, so if you'd like to link to this video, please do! We'd like to see others get this idea, and maybe do it at their campus, to remind wayward Catholics of their roots and to show a strong presence of Faith! The response we've gotten from people around the community has been amazing, and the priests loved it!

One more thing to note... we got permission from the Memorial Union (the student union on campus) as well as the Church before doing this.
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Thursday, May 24, 2007
Religious Communities that Accept Online Prayer Requests

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Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Bishop Appointment: Prendergast

The Holy Father appointed Archbishop Terrence Thomas Prendergast S.J. of Halifax, Canada, as metropolitan archbishop of Ottawa (area 5,818, population 859,000, Catholics 410,635, priests 239, permanent deacons 67, religious 867), Canada. He succeeds Archbishop Marcel Andre J. Gervais, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese, the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

I do not know how Traditional Archbishop Prendergast is. Does anyone know anything about Archbishop Prendergast?

Photo Source: Archdiocese of Toronto
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Monday, May 21, 2007
Traditional Catholic Youth in France

The New Liturgical Movement offers this stunning photograph and several other ones of Traditional Catholic youth in France.
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