This is fantastic news. Pray for this Latin Mass Community and all Latin Mass Communities. As we approach 2 years after Summorum Pontificum, we see a clear increase in the number of Tridentine Masses offered around the world. Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
This is fantastic news. Pray for this Latin Mass Community and all Latin Mass Communities. As we approach 2 years after Summorum Pontificum, we see a clear increase in the number of Tridentine Masses offered around the world. Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Monday, June 1, 2009
I just updated my wish list and am looking for several books for this Fall 2009 Semester - all of which are either Accounting, Management, or Microeconomics texts. I will gladly accept used books if anyone has any available.
This FSSP Mass again illustrates the beauty of Liturgy, as the highest form of worship. Not only is Latin - now a dead language - set aside solely for the glorification of our Lord, but all of the movements, garments, and objects in use at the Mass are reserved solely for the worship of God.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Today is the Double of the II Class Feast of the Queenship of our Blessed Lady. "Alleluia, alleluia. Hail, Queen of mercy! Do thou protect us from the enemy, and at the hour of death receive us. Alleluia" (Source: 1962 Missal)
Prayer:
Grant, O Lord, we beseech Thee, to those who are celebrating this solemnity of the blessed Virgin Mary our Queen: that safe in her protection we may deserve to enjoy present peace and future glory. Through our Lord.
Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Today I sat down and had the opportunity to read through "The Mass" by Father Louis A. Gales, a booklet, which I believe to be at least 50 years old judging by the condition of the document as well as the photographs inside.
The booklet begins with an enumeration of the Eight Wonders of the Mass and then immediately enters the the component of the text which explains the Mass section by section. But rather than simply providing a translation of the Tridentine Mass, Fr. Gales explains the spiritual significance and offers a meditative approach in addition to providing a translation of the prayers. This booklet is not a missal but rather offers beautiful commentary on the rubrics of the Mass of the Ages
Here is a short excerpt from the text:"Now the priest reads one or ore prayers in a low voice. He asks God to accept our gift of bread and wine. We may pause here to realize that hte Mass is not something being done for us; rather it is being done by us in union with Christ.
The Secret Prayer changes from day to day. Here is one we pray on the Feast of All Saints..."
The book is composed of Fr. Gales' writings along with a series of photographs by Father Robert E. Southard, from the set of Eighty Mass Photos published and copyrighted by the Catechetical Guild. The Catechetical Guild Educational Society, at the time of this document's publication, was located in my city: St. Paul, Minnesota.
Today I updated all of my "Music Reviews" posts, most of which are CDs from Jade Music. Feel free to pursue my Music Reviews at your leisure.
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Friday, May 29, 2009
In another post relating to updating the blog, I would like to announce that the Book Review Page on A Catholic Life, which lists some of the books that I have reviewed, has been updated. I am very pleased with the many updates to the site in recent weeks, chief among them the website design that was created by the blogger at Sons of Lepanto.In this recent change, I have updated some of the organizational structure and made it evident which books that I have read I also recommend to readers. So, if you enjoy reading, please see if there are any books on this list that you have not yet read.
With Pentecost Sunday approaching, I will be serving the Tridentine Mass on Pentecost Sunday for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP). Please pray for a holy, reverent Mass.
I am also working on networking meetings, as part of a continuation of my pursuit of a business major, so I ask for your prayers that I be able to find more people with whom to network.
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I am also working on networking meetings, as part of a continuation of my pursuit of a business major, so I ask for your prayers that I be able to find more people with whom to network.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
I have just finished editing the individual saint pages listed under Roman Catholic Feastdays, so as to include a prayer for each saint. The majority of the prayers are from the Collects in the 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal, translation as from the Angelus Press Missal, though some other prayers are used at times.
I pray that this will allow many of you to bookmark my page and visit often. Each saint page not only includes a short biography written by me of the saint but also now features a prayer for your spiritual growth.
I will try to post updates on the main page each day for the saint whose feastday is that day, if I have written a page dedicated to him/her. I have not written a page on each saint yet, but as for each saint that I have written a page on, prayers are now listed for your spiritual life.
And, in addition to visiting the homepage, you may simply bookmark the page entitled Roman Catholic Feastdays.
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I pray that this will allow many of you to bookmark my page and visit often. Each saint page not only includes a short biography written by me of the saint but also now features a prayer for your spiritual growth.
I will try to post updates on the main page each day for the saint whose feastday is that day, if I have written a page dedicated to him/her. I have not written a page on each saint yet, but as for each saint that I have written a page on, prayers are now listed for your spiritual life.
And, in addition to visiting the homepage, you may simply bookmark the page entitled Roman Catholic Feastdays.
Sermon by St. John Vianney:We can only find our happiness on earth in loving God, and we can only love Him in prayer to Him. We see that Jesus Christ, to encourage us often to have recourse to Him through prayer, promises never to refuse us anything if we pray for it as we should. But there is no need to go looking for elaborate and roundabout ways of showing you that we should pray often, for you have only to open your catechism and you will see there that the duty of every good Christian is to pray morning and evening and often during the day -- that is to say, always.
Which of us, my dear brethren, could, without tears of compassion, listen to those poor Christians who dare to say that they have not time to pray? You have not the time! Poor blind creatures, which is the more precious action: to strive to please God and to save your soul, or to go out to feed your animals in the stable or to call your children or your servants in order to send them out to till the earth or to tidy up the stable? Dear God! How blind man is!
You have not the time! But tell me, ungrateful creatures, if God had called you to die that night, would you have exerted yourselves? If He had sent you three or four months of illness, would you have exerted yourselves? Go away, you miserable creatures; you deserve to have God abandon you in your blindness and leave you thus to perish. We find that it is too much to give Him a few minutes to thank Him for the graces which He is giving us at every instant!
You must get on with your work, you say.
That, my dear people, is where you are greatly mistaken. You have no other work to do except to please God and to save your souls. All the rest is not your work. If you do not do it, others will, but if you lose your soul, who will save it?
Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain
Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain
Sunday, May 24, 2009
High Altar at St. Joseph's in Rockdale (2018)
St. Peter & Paul Parish
36 N. Ellsworth
Naperville, IL
Sundays at 5:30 PM
St. Bernard's Parish
1301 Sterling Ave.
Joliet, IL
Sundays at 12 Noon
2017 Update: St. Bernards has since been replaced by daily Mass at St. Joseph in Rockdale. Look to the FSSP of Joliet's website for the most up to date information. Mass times have changed from when it was at St. Bernards.
Annunciation Monastery
6200 E. Minooka Rd.
Minooka, IL
3rd Saturday of the Month
Saturday, May 23, 2009
"Unto the end, a canticle of a psalm of the resurrection. Shout with joy to God, all the earth, Sing ye a psalm to his name; give glory to his praise. Say unto God, How terrible are thy works, O Lord! in the multitude of thy strength thy enemies shall lie to thee. Let all the earth adore thee, and sing to thee: let it sing a psalm to thy name" (Psalms 65:1-4).
Image Source: Photos used with permission of Nick Gale, Found via Facebook.
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Image Source: Photos used with permission of Nick Gale, Found via Facebook.
Friday, May 22, 2009
While it may come as a shock to many of you, I have decided, upon prayer and reflection, to discontinue seminary formation at the end of this academic semester, which concludes for me at 10 AM CDT on May 22, 2009. Thus, effective in the latter part of May 2009, after two years of being a diocesan seminarian, I will leave the program. I would prefer not to go into a lengthy discussion about this issue at the present, but I do not feel that I can support many of the practices of the seminary and of the modern Catholic Church.
I still remain strongly supportive of traditional Catholic seminaries, but through my discernment, I have not felt the Lord calling me to any of these seminaries. I will continue to support Traditional Catholicism and Traditional Catholic seminaries, but I do not personally feel that I can best follow my vocation by joining a traditional seminary.
While I have decided to leave the diocesan seminary, I have decided to pursue an undergraduate degree in Accounting; therefore, in two years I will graduate with an Accounting Major and a Philosophy Minor. In regards to my pursuit of religious practices, I feel that effective immediately, I will be more able to serve the People of God than I have been able to do while in seminary. I have reactivated my blog and posted several articles that were previously saved as drafts (predominantly news stories), which I saved as drafts because I did not want to forget about them. All along I knew that someday (either through discernment or ordination) I would be able to reactive my blog. I will also continue to function as the administrator of Holy Vocations Blog.
I ask for your prayers and support at this crucial transition time. Next year, as I follow God's will for my life, I plan to once again actively write on the Catholic Faith, and Catholic Traditionalism in particular, which I have grown to love with the deepest depths of my heart. I will also make myself available for talks/conferences/lectures if anyone is willing to have me speak. I also plan to travel more extensively and visit Traditional Catholic Churches and shrines around the United States, while being open to the possibility to visiting European locations. Please direct any requests to me via email.
Through prayer, I have also discerned that from this point forward, I will attend the Tridentine Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite) and possibly some Eastern Catholic Rites. I will no longer attend the Novus Ordo Mass.
In the future, as a result of my current decision, I will have additional time to spend with the blogging community. It is my hope that I will eventually begin to meet more bloggers in person as we pursue a restoration of the Traditions of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ. While this news is undoubtedly shocking, I know that I am following the will of God for my life in this regard. Once again, I ask for your prayers as I undertake this period of transition. It is my hope and prayer that A Catholic Life Blog will once again serve as a place for your spiritual growth.
As a final note, if any of the readers of "A Catholic Life" could donate to me via the Paypal button in the sidebar, it would be tremendously helpful. With this change, I will need to pay a large amount of money to continue my education, but rather than working 24/7 I wish to continue to serve the Church and volunteer my time in such activities like serving the Holy Mass. The more money that I can raise through my blog, the less that I will have to raise by working all of the time. This would mean that I could spend more time blogging as well.
Laudetur Jesus Christus!
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I still remain strongly supportive of traditional Catholic seminaries, but through my discernment, I have not felt the Lord calling me to any of these seminaries. I will continue to support Traditional Catholicism and Traditional Catholic seminaries, but I do not personally feel that I can best follow my vocation by joining a traditional seminary.
While I have decided to leave the diocesan seminary, I have decided to pursue an undergraduate degree in Accounting; therefore, in two years I will graduate with an Accounting Major and a Philosophy Minor. In regards to my pursuit of religious practices, I feel that effective immediately, I will be more able to serve the People of God than I have been able to do while in seminary. I have reactivated my blog and posted several articles that were previously saved as drafts (predominantly news stories), which I saved as drafts because I did not want to forget about them. All along I knew that someday (either through discernment or ordination) I would be able to reactive my blog. I will also continue to function as the administrator of Holy Vocations Blog.
I ask for your prayers and support at this crucial transition time. Next year, as I follow God's will for my life, I plan to once again actively write on the Catholic Faith, and Catholic Traditionalism in particular, which I have grown to love with the deepest depths of my heart. I will also make myself available for talks/conferences/lectures if anyone is willing to have me speak. I also plan to travel more extensively and visit Traditional Catholic Churches and shrines around the United States, while being open to the possibility to visiting European locations. Please direct any requests to me via email.
Through prayer, I have also discerned that from this point forward, I will attend the Tridentine Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite) and possibly some Eastern Catholic Rites. I will no longer attend the Novus Ordo Mass.
In the future, as a result of my current decision, I will have additional time to spend with the blogging community. It is my hope that I will eventually begin to meet more bloggers in person as we pursue a restoration of the Traditions of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ. While this news is undoubtedly shocking, I know that I am following the will of God for my life in this regard. Once again, I ask for your prayers as I undertake this period of transition. It is my hope and prayer that A Catholic Life Blog will once again serve as a place for your spiritual growth.
As a final note, if any of the readers of "A Catholic Life" could donate to me via the Paypal button in the sidebar, it would be tremendously helpful. With this change, I will need to pay a large amount of money to continue my education, but rather than working 24/7 I wish to continue to serve the Church and volunteer my time in such activities like serving the Holy Mass. The more money that I can raise through my blog, the less that I will have to raise by working all of the time. This would mean that I could spend more time blogging as well.
Laudetur Jesus Christus!
I am pleased to create, for the fourth year in a row, a special post welcoming all new Catholics. I am very pleased that Owen has again kindly created another image for this project, as he did in 2006. Please save it and post it on your blogs, websites, etc. There is no copyright restriction with this work. This image is a gift to all of those individuals who shall or have entered the Holy Catholic Church in the Year of Our Lord 2009."O God, Who willest that all men should be saved and should come to the knowledge of the truth: we beseech Thee, send forth laborers into Thy harvest, and grant them grace to speak Thy word with all boldness, so that Thy word may spread swiftly and be glorified, and all nations may know Thee, the only God and Him Who Thou hast sent: even Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord: Who with Thee liveth and reignth"Please visit the weblogs of these people and welcome them into the Universal Church, the one established by Jesus Christ. Pray for them too!
Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal, Mass for the Propagation of the Faith
Note: If you are interested in entering the Catholic Church, I highly endorse the programs offered through CatechismClass.com.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Video: Tridentine Mass in Edinburgh for the Ascension in 2008
Alleluia, alleluia. V.: God is ascended with a shout and the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Alleluia. V.: (Ps. 67. 18). The Lord is in Sinai, in the holy place; ascending on high He hath led captivity captive.
Now is also the time to begin a Novena in Preparation for the Feast of Pentecost.
To all faithful who devoutly participate at a public Novena held in honor fo the Holy Ghost, is granted: Indulgence of 10 years each day. -- Plenary, if they were present at least five times at these exercises, under the usual conditions, and with a prayer for the intention of His Holiness.
To those, however, who shall perform privately these exercises, with the intention to do so nine consecutive days, is granted: Indulgence of 7 years, once a day. -- Plenary, on the usual conditions, for the complete novena and if they are hindered by any reasonable cause from performing this exercise in public.. -- P. P. O. n. 263.
These are beautiful photos of I Vespers of St. Joseph the Workman from April 31, 2009, from Edinburgh. The St. Andrews & Edinburgh Schola sings monthly old rite Vespers in the Cathedral. Benediction also took place, and the celebrant was Fr John Emerson of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP).
"Wisdom rendered to the just the wages of their labors and conducted them for a covert by day and for the light of stars by night. Alleluia, alleluia. (Psalm) Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. Glory be to the Father. Wisdom rendered..." (Introit)
"O God, Creator of all things, Who didst lay on the human race the law of labor: graciously grant that by following the example of Saint Joseph and under his patronage, we may carry out the work Thou dost command, and obtain the reward Thou dost promise. Through our Lord" (Collect).
Image Source: Re-produced with permission of Eoghain Murphy, via Facebook Photos
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"Wisdom rendered to the just the wages of their labors and conducted them for a covert by day and for the light of stars by night. Alleluia, alleluia. (Psalm) Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. Glory be to the Father. Wisdom rendered..." (Introit)
"O God, Creator of all things, Who didst lay on the human race the law of labor: graciously grant that by following the example of Saint Joseph and under his patronage, we may carry out the work Thou dost command, and obtain the reward Thou dost promise. Through our Lord" (Collect).Image Source: Re-produced with permission of Eoghain Murphy, via Facebook Photos
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
In light of the coming second year anniversary of the issuance of Summorum Pontificum - which was issued on July 7, 2007 - A Catholic Life wishes to celebrate this festival occurrence.Do you know of a Latin Mass that has started in large part because of Summorum Pontificum? Do you have photographers and/or videos of a Mass and know the location at which the Mass is regularly offered?
If so, send me your name, the location of the Mass, the typical Mass times, and the photo and/or video [Notice: sending me these implies that you are the copyright holder and you release permission for A Catholic Life to use these photos and/or videos on the website]. Send all of these in an email with the necessary documents attached. You can find my email address via my blogger profile, located in the upper right corner of the sidebar. Entitle the email to me the following way: "Latin Mass Project 2009".
All of these will be compiled into one post made available on July 7, 2009, as we celebrate 2 years of Summorum Pontificum.
Please pass this message around so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to reply.
Image Source: Una Voce Carmel
Hello faithful readers,
You may have noticed a shift in the design of this site. We are creating a brand new layout for your enjoyment. During this time you may note changes in the design, at times making the blog unreadable. We apologize for any problems. Check back soon for the launch of the new A Catholic Life blog!
If you notice anything strange, please comment. Also, any feedback is appreciated in the comments of this post.
Music by Henry Purcell (a 17th century Baroque composer) via New Liturgical Movement. I recommend the CD: The Works of Henry Purcell
Saturday, May 16, 2009
On Sunday, May 3, 2009, in the Church of Notre-Dame de Bellaigue, His Excellency Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the Society of St. Pius X, ordained a new priest, four applicants (Brother Benedict and Brother Joseph, both french, Brother Etienne Brazil and Brother Bede USA) with minor orders (exorcist and acolyte ) and a new tonsure (Br. Odilon, a native of Dijon).The above photos are re-produced with permission of La Porte Latine.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Today, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI spent the final day of his trip to the Holy Land in Jerusalem. His Holiness has made visits to the Greek Orthodox patriarchate Theophilus III, the Armenian patriarchal church of St. James, and the Holy Sepulchre basilica.
Visit to the Greek Orthodox Partiarchate Theophilus III:
Pope Benedict XVI presents a gift to Theophilus III on the final day of his visit to the Holy Land (AFP/POOL/Heidi Levine).
Pope Benedict XVI prepares to kiss the Stone of the Anointing, where the body of our Lord Jesus Christ was washed following his crucifixion (AFP/Alberto Pizzoli).
Pope Benedict XVI shakes hands with Israeli President Shimon Peres during a departure ceremony at the conclusion of his Holy Land 2009 visit (AFP/Jonathan Nackstrand).
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Visit to the Greek Orthodox Partiarchate Theophilus III:
Pope Benedict XVI presents a gift to Theophilus III on the final day of his visit to the Holy Land (AFP/POOL/Heidi Levine).Visit to the Holy Sepulchre Basilica:
Pope Benedict XVI prays before the place on which our Lord died on the Cross on Mt. Calvary, the most sacred of sites (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho).
The Holy Father prays before the site on which our Lord Jesus Christ was buried (REUTERS/Osservatore Romano).
Pope Benedict XVI prays before the place on which our Lord died on the Cross on Mt. Calvary, the most sacred of sites (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho).
The Holy Father prays before the site on which our Lord Jesus Christ was buried (REUTERS/Osservatore Romano).
Pope Benedict XVI prepares to kiss the Stone of the Anointing, where the body of our Lord Jesus Christ was washed following his crucifixion (AFP/Alberto Pizzoli).Departure Ceremony:
Pope Benedict XVI shakes hands with Israeli President Shimon Peres during a departure ceremony at the conclusion of his Holy Land 2009 visit (AFP/Jonathan Nackstrand).Friday, May 8, 2009
Schedule from CWNews.com:
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Vatican, Mar. 26, 2009 (CWNews.com) - The Vatican has published the complete schedule for Pope Benedict XVI during his trip to theHoly Land in May. The Holy Father will visit Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories during his voyage, which will take place May 8-15.
The first stop on the papal itinerary is Amman, Jordan. Arriving there on May 8, he will make a courtesy call at the royal palace that afternoon.
The next day, Saturday, he will travel to Mount Nebo and its memorial to Moses, then to the site of Madaba University, administered by the Latin-rite Catholic patriarchate of Jerusalem. Later in the day he will meet with Muslim leaders at Amman's largest house of worship, the Mosque of al-Hussein bin Talal. At the close of the day he will lead a Vespers service at the Melkite Catholic cathedral of St. George.
Sunday morning, May 10, the Pope will celebrate Mass at a soccer stadium in Amman. In the afternoon he will visit the site of Christ's Baptism on the Jordan River.
On Monday, May 11, the Pontiff will fly to Tel Aviv. Traveling by car to Jersualem, he will pay a courtesy call on Israel's President Shimon Peres-- who is due to escort him during his stay in that country-- and later visit the Yad Vashem memorial to Holocaust victims.
Tuesday, May 12, the Pope will visit the religious shrines in the Old City of Jerusalem. He will meet with the Grand Mufti at the Dome of the Rock, then pray at the Western Wall and meet with Israel's chief rabbis. At noon he will join with the Catholic bishops of the region to pray the Regina Caeli at the Cenacle. In the afternoon he will celebrate Mass in the Valley of Josaphat.
On May 13 the Pope will go to Bethlehem, where he will celebrate Mass in Manger Square. In the afternoon, following a visit to the Nativity grotto in the Bethlehem basilica, he will visit the Aida Refugee Camp, speaking there to Palestinian refugees. That evening he will meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his residence in Bethlehem.
On Thursday, May 14, Pope Benedict will travel into Galilee, and celebrate Mass in Nazareth. He is scheduled to meet with the Israeli prime minister there in the afternoon, then address religious leaders in the Annunciation basilica.
On Friday, May 15, his last day in the Holy Land, the Pontiff will be back in Jerusalem, making visits to the Greek Orthodox patriarchate, the Armenian patriarchal church of St. James, and the Holy Sepulchre basilica. That afternoon he will return to Ben Gurion airport outside Tel Aviv, for a brief departure ceremony and his return flight to Rome. He is due back at the Vatican by early Friday evening.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
This video is of very high quality in terms of video production and cinematography.
St. Pius X
3907 Harry Wurzbach Road
San Antonio, TX 78209
Mailing Address:
3303 Urban Crest
San Antonio, TX 78209-3199
Phone: 210-824-0139
FAX: 210-829-5125
Web address: http://www.Stpiusx.cc
http://www.archdiosa.org/ParishLocator/ParishInfo.asp?ID=4218
Rev. Fr. Donald Kloster, in this talk recorded in January 2009, offers significant insight in this first talk on matters such as the importance of silence. His comment's on the ad orientem posture is also worth repeating.
The other parts of the talk are available on Youtube.
Friday, April 24, 2009
I am glad to have been forwarded this message by (Most Reverend) John Michael Botean of the Eparchy of St. George in Canton. My comments are in red and emphasized sections are in bold.
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ROMANIAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE
Eparchy of St. George in Canton
P.O. Box 7189 Canton, OH 44705-0189 Tel: (330) 493-9355; Fax: (330) 493-9963
www.romaniancatholic.org
April 11, 2009
Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord,
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
It is when the world seems to be crashing in all around us that it is most important to recognize some of the fundamentals of our faith. It is one thing for us to appreciate some of the great things that belonging to one of our parishes has to offer, such as the sense of family, of tradition, and of belonging that we experience. The beauty of the Byzantine liturgy and the sense of God’s closeness that we experience in the sacraments are among the most precious gifts of our heritage.
Sometimes we take the things we always knew for granted [His words can apply completely to the Western Church, in which our Lord is received whimsically on the hand and not in reverence on the tongue, as the long-held practice]. Like our heartbeat, which has been going on nonstop almost from the beginning of our days, those things that are most familiar and most intimate to us are the ones that most often escape our attention and reflection. [Fantastic Points]
Those of us who have been lifelong members of our Romanian Catholic parishes do not always have the sense that visitors and those who are newly joining our parishes from other traditions have of our faith and practice. It seems somehow strange to us that people who have entirely different ethnic and cultural backgrounds find value in our small and homely experience and want to be part of something that, in all honesty, we had become used to seeing rejected instead by the offspring of our communities’ founders.
What is going on? In the opinion of some of our members, our parishes exist only in order to remain precisely as they recall it from their childhood, and then die as the powerful process of cultural assimilation grinds all immigrants into the same homogenized American powder [He needs some points for the imagery in this sentence]. What is the use of trying to hold on to our parishes when all around us there are larger, better organized, and vastly better financed Roman Catholic parishes that we could belong to? Is it somehow preordained that only the Latin rite should have a permanent home on these western shores (though even our Roman Catholic sisters and brothers are having a difficult go of it in an environment with fewer and fewer priests)?
Although I can scarcely speak from my own experience regarding what happens in Romania, it has occurred to me, too, that many whose families had been Greek-Catholic prior to past and present political attempts to eliminate the Greek-Catholic Church from national life in Romania may have likewise found it too hard to swim against the cultural tide. Perhaps they have simply chosen to remain where history and political repression have put them. It is just easier to be Orthodox where Orthodoxy is big and powerful, and Roman Catholic or Protestant (or Evangelical) where western Christianity commands the privileges of a majority.
(In both these situations, of course, I am referring to those who exercise religious “preferences” as a path of least resistance in their worlds, not to those who have chosen where they belong out of conviction and an experience of truth. Far be it from me to judge the mystery of another’s life. I am sure that some of our people who have found a spiritual home elsewhere have done so in response to a spiritual hunger they have not been able to satisfy in our parishes, for whatever reason. I have often said that there are two reasons that people leave our communities: either because they don’t love God or because they do.)
Yet, it is precisely into this situation that I believe the Holy Spirit has stepped in—not because we Greek-Catholics are better than anyone else or more deserving of divine grace than other Christians. Rather, it is precisely because we are small and poor and powerless and a little odd that we are more available for God’s purposes in the great march of human destiny. It is easier to divert a trickle than a flood, to water your tomato plants with a garden hose than with a swimming pool. God chooses the little ones of this world to accomplish his will; what we need to do is simply choose that will over our own grandiose pretentions.
This is where the fundamentals come in (note: one can focus on fundamentals without becoming a fundamentalist!): the very simple faith expressed in our Creed and sung in the Gospel reading of Easter, the Prologue of the Gospel of John [The Last Gospel in the Tridentine Latin Mass]. As elaborate as our liturgy is, as elaborate as our ceremonies may be, it all comes down to the simple celebration of our faith that God is Father, unconditional love and everlasting mercy; that in Jesus Christ God becomes one of us and shares our story, even unto his own death on a cross; that by enduring death, Jesus has conquered it, has freed humanity from enslavement to it, and has healed this congenital defect that has come down to each woman and man since Adam and Eve [The very same thing can be said to apply to the intricacies in the Tridentine Mass]. Furthermore: it all comes down to an acknowledgment that, despite the foibles of every age, the Holy Spirit has come to dwell in the world, in an especially unique way in the Church, making of us the Mystical Body of Christ, the extension in time and space of the words and works of our Master through an unbroken communion with him who promised to be with us all days, even to the end of the world.
It is particularly easy to forget this simple story when everything comes crashing down on us, when we are too sick or too busy to keep on doing what we think we are supposed to be doing; when thoughts of our own eventual death or the actual death of one we love threatens to make a mockery of our hope; when all we have worked and sacrificed to build collapses in smoldering ruin because, yes, greedy people (perhaps ourselves among them?) have thought that a house built on plastic could be as sturdy as one built on the Rock. These are times when just being can seem a bitter prospect, and every tomorrow brings fresh disappointment.
But these are also the times that even the Divine Liturgy itself cries out to us, “Wisdom! Be attentive!” If we pay attention and stop to think about it, we can see all around us little signs of life. If you are fortunate, as I am, to belong to a parish that has seen new members you know what I am talking about. Something about us, something so intimate or familiar that we have taken it for granted and barely notice anymore, that something has drawn others into its light while we were busy worrying about our heating bills and parking lots.
That something is the risen Lord Jesus. Somehow, hen we gather to sing “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and bestowing life to those who are in the tombs,” there can be no doubt in the heart of any visitor that this is the truth, and in a cynical and weary world this Truth itself is risen from the grave. We sense his presence in the proclamation of his resurrection, and those who have been looking for him can find him among us: And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only-begotten Son from the Father (John 1:14).
It is not enough to say that Jesus is God-made-human. This is indeed true, but the point the Evangelist wishes to make is that Jesus, that is to say God, dwelt—indeed, dwells—alongside us. The Greek verb in this passage carries the notion of pitching one’s tent, becoming a fellow traveler and sojourner. Therefore when we are doing our job as a church, we enable other travelers to know and experience the One who is always with us on our way.
For it is Christ who is risen—not someone else, not Moses, nor Muhammad, nor Mother Theresa. Christ is not Napoleon, Caesar, or Alexander the Great. The one who has conquered death is the only one who could conquer it, and the rest of humanity awaits its call to rise from the tombs. Alexander the Great, Caesar, and Napoleon all conquered lands and enslaved kingdoms, and they did so by inflicting great misery and death. They, and others like them, were not conquerors, in truth, but the conquered, having become lackeys and instruments of the great Enemy of the human race, that is, death itself. The one who has overcome death and destroyed this Enemy, who has granted freedom to every child of God, used only the weapons of forgiveness (grace) and truth to accomplish his victory.
And from his fulness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:16-17). Christ’s resurrection means resurrection for everybody. The task for each of us is to live our immortality here and now, being witnesses to the truth of the grace that has been poured out upon the world. Following Christ in our present lives, and then for all eternity, is something available to us no matter what the circumstance. It is something every one of us can do, no matter how the world cracks and fizzles at our feet, no matter how threatened or frightened or vulnerable we may feel. It takes neither an army, nor money, nor an education, nor powerful connections to be a follower of Christ. It only takes a willing heart and a trusting spirit. And one another.
That is why I am glad to be where I am, part of a little flock that is truly God’s own. As I listen to you sing “Christ is Risen” on Easter Sunday, I know that I am safe at home with you, sheltered in the loving arms of our Savior and wrapped about with the protecting mantle of his Mother. Come what may, I know this simple truth shines from the heart of all our communities, because I have seen how people of all kinds have found light, life, and safety in our midst, as have we. It does not matter whether the Berlin Wall or Wall Street is crumbling to bits all around us. We are safe and we are free, for Christ is risen indeed.
May the Spirit of the risen Christ bring great joy to your hearts this Easter, and may you abide in that joy for all your days. With every good wish and blessing this bright season, I remain
Your brother in the Lord,
(Most Reverend) John Michael Botean
A sinner, and Bishop
Eparchy of St. George in Canton
Thursday, April 23, 2009
EWTN reports, "To receive Communion from Pope Benedict at Papal Liturgies one will have to receive on the tongue," which is a fantastic affirmation of the Real Presence of our Lord. And as the Body and Blood of Jesus, nothing is of higher value than the Most Holy Eucharist. Raymond Arroyo offers editorial remarks in agreement with the Church's enduring Tradition.
St. Thomas Aquinas: "Out of reverence towards this Sacrament, nothing touches it but when it is consecrated" - Summa, Pt III Q, Q2 Art. 3This is an excellent step forward. Now we must continue striving for Holy Communion to only be distributed to those who are kneeling throughout the world. Glory to our Lord.
Fr. John Hardon, S.J.: Whatever you can do to stop Communion in the hand will be blessed by God.” (November 1st, 1997 Call to Holiness Conference, Detroit, Michigan, panel discussion.)
Dietrich von Hildebrand: "Is it believable that instead of applying the most scrupulous care to protect the most sacred consecrated host, which is truly the Body of Christ, the God-man, from all such possible abuses, there are those who wish to expose it to this possibility? Have we forgotten the existence of the devil who wanders about seeking whom he may devour'? Is his work in the world and in the Church not all too visible today? What entitles us to assume that abuses to the consecrated host will not take place?" (Communion in the hand should be rejected)
Excerpt from "Mission Restore Eucharistic Reverence."
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Jade Music Offers Free Music Downloads through MyCatholicVoice.com
Site members can download free songs each week through June 10;
Partnership provides online venue for Jade Music’s complete song collection
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – April 15, 2009 – Jade Music (www.milanrecords.com) has partnered with MyCatholicVoice (www.MyCatholicVoice.com) to offer a featured free music download each Wednesday through June 10.
From a deep catalog of sacred and classical music, these free downloads will include works by Giulio Caccini, Hildegard von Bingen, as well as chant recordings by the Benedictine Choir of Santo Domingo de Silos, and the Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael’s Abbey, among others.
“We’ve carefully selected music related to the Catholic calendar, and we’re excited to share these rich recordings as digital downloads through MyCatholicVoice, said Stefan Karrer, head of Jade Music U.S. “Available beginning today as the first free download will be ‘Alleluia Omnes Gentes’ by the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos, in their inimitable style of freedom and expressive power of love and faith.”
Jade Music has created a name for itself recording and distributing high-quality sacred and classical music. For more than 20 years, it has been working with renowned choirs and musicians from around the world.
“We are always looking for new and inventive ways to promote our music,” explains Nick Bobetsky, senior vice president of Jade Music. “MyCatholicVoice is a perfect partner for us in extending the availability of our complete music catalog online, and introducing our music to many new listeners.”
About MyCatholicVoice
MyCatholicVoice (www.MyCatholicVoice.com) is an online, multimedia Catholic resource designed to provide personal inspiration and support community ministry. Created to serve the Catholic community and those interested in the Catholic tradition, MyCatholicVoice uniquely combines social networking capabilities with easy online access to a broad range of current and historical Catholic multimedia material, including both published and user-generated content.
About Jade Music
Jade Music is distributed through Ryko/WEA in the U.S., Universal in France, JVC/Victor in Japan and Warner Music in the rest of the world.
Monday, April 13, 2009
On certain Solemnities, there is added to the Alleluia or Tract, what is called the Sequence, (Sequentia). It was added to the chant of the Mass long after the time of St. Gregory; the addition was made some time about the 9th century. It received the name of Sequence, that is to say, sequel, because it originally consisted of certain words adapted to the notes which form a sequel to the word Alleluia, and which were called Sequentia, even before the introduction of the Sequence.
It is called, also, the Prose (Prosa,) because originally, it bore no resemblance either to the metrical hymns composed by ancient writers, nor to cadenced rhythms, which appeared later on. It was a real piece of prose, which was sung in the manner we have described, as a way of putting words to the pneuma of the Alleluia. By degrees, however, it partook of the character of a Hymn. - The Sequence thus added to the solemnity of the Liturgy; and, whilst it was being sung, the Bells were rung, as now, and the Organ was played.
There was a Sequence for every Feast, and, therefore, for the Sundays during Advent. In the Roman Missal drawn up by order of St. Pius the Fifth, only four of the Sequences were retained. These four are, the Victimae Paschali, which is the most ancient of all, and was followed as the model of the rest; the Veni Sancte Spiritus, the Lauda Sion, and the Dies irae. Later on, there was added the Stabat Mater. The Monastic Missal has also the Laeta dies, for the feast of St. Benedict; it is a composition of the 16th century.The Sequence currently traditionally used was modified around the time of the Council of Trent to remove a reference to the Jews.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
URBI ET ORBI MESSAGE
OF HIS HOLINESS
POPE BENEDICT XVI
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Rome and throughout the world,
From the depths of my heart, I wish all of you a blessed Easter. To quote Saint Augustine, “Resurrectio Domini, spes nostra – the resurrection of the Lord is our hope” (Sermon 261:1). With these words, the great Bishop explained to the faithful that Jesus rose again so that we, though destined to die, should not despair, worrying that with death life is completely finished; Christ is risen to give us hope (cf. ibid.).
Indeed, one of the questions that most preoccupies men and women is this: what is there after death? To this mystery today’s solemnity allows us to respond that death does not have the last word, because Life will be victorious at the end. This certainty of ours is based not on simple human reasoning, but on a historical fact of faith: Jesus Christ, crucified and buried, is risen with his glorified body. Jesus is risen so that we too, believing in him, may have eternal life. This proclamation is at the heart of the Gospel message. As Saint Paul vigorously declares: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” He goes on to say: “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Cor 15:14,19). Ever since the dawn of Easter a new Spring of hope has filled the world; from that day forward our resurrection has begun, because Easter does not simply signal a moment in history, but the beginning of a new condition: Jesus is risen not because his memory remains alive in the hearts of his disciples, but because he himself lives in us, and in him we can already savour the joy of eternal life.
The resurrection, then, is not a theory, but a historical reality revealed by the man Jesus Christ by means of his “Passover”, his “passage”, that has opened a “new way” between heaven and earth (cf. Heb 10:20). It is neither a myth nor a dream, it is not a vision or a utopia, it is not a fairy tale, but it is a singular and unrepeatable event: Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary, who at dusk on Friday was taken down from the Cross and buried, has victoriously left the tomb. In fact, at dawn on the first day after the Sabbath, Peter and John found the tomb empty. Mary Magdalene and the other women encountered the risen Jesus. On the way to Emmaus the two disciples recognized him at the breaking of the bread. The Risen One appeared to the Apostles that evening in the Upper Room and then to many other disciples in Galilee.
The proclamation of the Lord’s Resurrection lightens up the dark regions of the world in which we live. I am referring particularly to materialism and nihilism, to a vision of the world that is unable to move beyond what is scientifically verifiable, and retreats cheerlessly into a sense of emptiness which is thought to be the definitive destiny of human life. It is a fact that if Christ had not risen, the “emptiness” would be set to prevail. If we take away Christ and his resurrection, there is no escape for man, and every one of his hopes remains an illusion. Yet today is the day when the proclamation of the Lord’s resurrection vigorously bursts forth, and it is the answer to the recurring question of the sceptics, that we also find in the book of Ecclesiastes: “Is there a thing of which it is said, ‘See, this is new’?” (Ec 1:10). We answer, yes: on Easter morning, everything was renewed. “Mors et vita, duello conflixere mirando: dux vitae mortuus, regnat vivus – Death and life have come face to face in a tremendous duel: the Lord of life was dead, but now he lives triumphant.” This is what is new! A newness that changes the lives of those who accept it, as in the case of the saints. This, for example, is what happened to Saint Paul.
Many times, in the context of the Pauline year, we have had occasion to meditate on the experience of the great Apostle. Saul of Tarsus, the relentless persecutor ofChristians, encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, and was “conquered” by him. The rest we know. In Paul there occurred what he would later write about to the Christians of Corinth: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). Let us look at this great evangelizer, who with bold enthusiasm and apostolic zeal brought the Gospel to many different peoples in the world of that time. Let his teaching and example inspire us to go in search of the Lord Jesus. Let them encourage us to trust him, because that sense of emptiness, which tends to intoxicate humanity, has been overcome by the light and the hope that emanate from the resurrection. The words of the Psalm have truly been fulfilled: “Darkness is not darkness for you, and the night is as clear as the day” (Ps 139 [138]:12). It is no longer emptiness that envelops all things, but the loving presence of God. The very reign of death has been set free, because the Word of life has even reached the “underworld”, carried by the breath of the Spirit (v. 8).
If it is true that death no longer has power over man and over the world, there still remain very many, in fact too many signs of its former dominion. Even if through Easter, Christ has destroyed the root of evil, he still wants the assistance of men and women in every time and place who help him to affirm his victory using his own weapons: the weapons of justice and truth, mercy, forgiveness and love. This is the message which, during my recent Apostolic Visit to Cameroon and Angola, I wanted to convey to the entire African continent, where I was welcomed with such great enthusiasm and readiness to listen. Africa suffers disproportionately from the cruel and unending conflicts, often forgotten, that are causing so much bloodshed and destruction in several of her nations, and from the growing number of her sons and daughters who fall prey to hunger, poverty and disease. I shall repeat the same message emphatically in the Holy Land, to which I shall have the joy of travelling in a few weeks from now. Reconciliation – difficult, but indispensable – is a precondition for a future of overall security and peaceful coexistence, and it can only be achieved through renewed, persevering and sincere efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. My thoughts move outwards from the Holy Land to neighbouring countries, to the Middle East, to the whole world. At a time of world food shortage, of financial turmoil, of old and new forms of poverty, of disturbing climate change, of violence and deprivation which force many to leave their homelands in search of a less precarious form of existence, of the ever-present threat of terrorism, of growing fears over the future, it is urgent to rediscover grounds for hope. Let no one draw back from this peaceful battle that has been launched by Christ’s Resurrection. For as I said earlier, Christ is looking for men and women who will help him to affirm his victory using his own weapons: the weapons of justice and truth, mercy, forgiveness and love.
Resurrectio Domini, spes nostra! The resurrection of Christ is our hope! This the Church proclaims today with joy. She announces the hope that is now firm and invincible because God has raised Jesus Christ from the dead. She communicates the hope that she carries in her heart and wishes to share with all people in every place, especially where Christians suffer persecution because of their faith and their commitment to justice and peace. She invokes the hope that can call forth the courage to do good, even when it costs, especially when it costs. Today the Church sings “the day that the Lord has made”, and she summons people to joy. Today the Church calls in prayer upon Mary, Star of Hope, asking her to guide humanity towards the safe haven of salvation which is the heart of Christ, the paschal Victim, the Lamb who has “redeemed the world”, the Innocent one who has “reconciled us sinners with the Father”. To him, our victorious King, to him who is crucified and risen, we sing out with joy our Alleluia!
© Copyright 2009 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
1st Image Source: (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho) EDITORIAL USE ONLY
2nd Image source: REUTERS/Tony Gentile (VATICAN RELIGION)
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Catholic Monaco Legalizes Abortion Legislature unanimously approves law permitting abortion in cases of rape or fetal deformity
By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman
MONACO, April 8, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Catholic nation of Monaco, one of the last holdouts against the tide of abortion legalization in the European continent, has approved a new law permitting abortion for "hard cases," including rape, fetal deformity, fetal illness, or danger to the life of the mother.
The law was passed unanimously by Monaco's National Council, its parliament, in a 26-0 vote, despite the fact that 90% of its population is formally Catholic. The legislation had been in process for five years.
Archbishop Pernard Barsi of Monaco reportedly blasted the measure as being "incompatible" with the constitution of Monaco, which recognizes the Catholic faith as the state religion.
"When they say that the text [of the law] only concerns extreme cases, they are not saying the truth," said Barsi. "There is a risk that all of the rest will follow and the worst is to be feared because they will not stop trying to conform Monaco to the lowest ethical standards."
Members of the council denounced Barsi for his criticisms, claiming they were made at the last minute. However, as LifeSiteNews has reported, Barsi has been denouncing the measure since at least 2006.
Monaco was one of the last three nations in Europe where abortion is illegal. The other two countries are Ireland and Malta.
Source: LifeSiteNews
Today is the anniversary of the death of St. Maria Gemma Umberta Pia Galgani (March 12, 1878 – April 11, 1903), an Italian mystic, commonly referred to as St. Gemma Galgani. Below is a photo from her canonization on May 2, 1940 in Saint Peter's Basilica by His Holiness Pope Pius XII.
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"Saint Gemma Galgani showed an inherent love for prayer at a very young age. She displayed an innocent simplicity and deep humility throughout her entire lifetime. When studying the Passion of Christ, she wept. It was said that her entire life was one constant prayer. Her intense love of Christ (especially Christ Crucified) grew constantly and was shown through her physically and emotionally reliving the Passion of Our Lord every week. Ultimately she lived in union with Christ Crucified and was blessed with the gift of stigmata. Saint Gemma was beatified in 1933 and canonized in 1940. Her feast day is April 11" (Servants of the Holy Family)
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"Saint Gemma Galgani showed an inherent love for prayer at a very young age. She displayed an innocent simplicity and deep humility throughout her entire lifetime. When studying the Passion of Christ, she wept. It was said that her entire life was one constant prayer. Her intense love of Christ (especially Christ Crucified) grew constantly and was shown through her physically and emotionally reliving the Passion of Our Lord every week. Ultimately she lived in union with Christ Crucified and was blessed with the gift of stigmata. Saint Gemma was beatified in 1933 and canonized in 1940. Her feast day is April 11" (Servants of the Holy Family)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
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