Sunday, December 31, 2006

Finished Reading:

(TAN Books and Publishers, INC.) In 1960, a French nurse, Marie Carre, attended an auto-crash victim who was brought into her hospital in a city she purposely does not name. The man lingered there near death for a few hours and dies. He had no identification on him, but he had a briefcase in which was a set of quasi-biograhipcal notes. She read these notes and kept them. The result is this book, 'AA-1025 The Memiors of an Anti-Apostle' about a communist who purposely entered the Catholic priesthood (along with 1024 others) with the intention to subvert and destroy the Church from within.

It is a must read for every Catholic today and for all who would understand just what has happened to under-mine the Catholic Church since the 1960's.

(Queenship Publishing Company) The fading picture of St. Peter's Basilica as seen on the front cover of this book is indicative of the fading strength of the faith of Catholics in basic doctrines of our great Faith. The liturgical abuses that are prevalent in many dioceses reflect the astonishing fact that only about 30% of Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Uninformed or poorly informed Catholics reflect the pathetically incompetent religious education at the parish level and the irresponsible attitude of many bishops concerning the orthodoxy of their priests, religious education directors, teachers, and programs. The author maintains that the core cause of these problems is outlined in Chapter 3 where Mr. Michael Rose's, (author of 'Good Bye, Good Men', on homosexuality in the priesthood) reveals the true reason for the shortage of priests which he describes as an artifical shortage and describes the unbelievable decay and horros taking place in many 'Catholic' Seminaries. Mihalik asserts that with unqualified and unorthodox priests comes incompetent religious education and abominable liturgical abuses; they go hand in hand.

This book is a must for the faithful and responsible Catholic.

(Messenger Press) A very good (pre-Vatican II) book that gives a good synopsis of what life in the Seminary is for God's chosen ones- to whom He has given His gifts of gifts, the pearl of great price, a sacerdotal vocation. Consists of 14 chapters that are broken up into two parts:

Part I:

Part II:

Definately a must read for all aspirants and seminarians! As the book is no longer in publication, it may be obtained from:

Rev. Father Anthony W. Wolf
St. Stephen Church
McConnelsburg Pennsylvania 17233

I found this book in Church (before Mass) on the same day an FSSP apsirant was having his farewell dinner and mass before leaving for OLGS Seminary. How cool can that be?

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Sunday, December 31, 2006  0 Comments

Liturgical Abuse.... What's the Point?

(via The Catholic Warrior)

Have you ever gotten frustrated about liturgical abuse and thought: What's the point? Why can't so-and-so or such-and-such just be done right?

Well, believe it or not, those who do liturgical abuses usually do have reasons (though not necessarily good reasons). By the way, much of what I will be posting about liturgical stuff will be coming from Jimmy Akin's book "Mass Confusion". I suggest that you purchase this book if you are interested in promoting the Sacredness of the Liturgy.

Anyway, so what reason is there for liturgical abuse? It mostly boils down to the priest (or whoever) not knowing the reasons for doing things the right way. The Church for example does not ask us to pour the wine before it is consecrated into the chalices for no reason. One reason would be to protect the dignity of the Precious Blood to prevent it from spilling and being irreverenced. But for everything in the Liturgy there is a reason it is done- from the beginning of Mass until the end. So, many times a priest who is not informed on why something is supposed to be done a certain way will change it to his way that he understands.

A common example may be that the priest during consecration will break the host during the words: "before he was given up to death, a death he freely accepted, he took bread and gave you thanks. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:" However, the priest is not supposed to break the host until the Agnus Dei (The Lamb of God).

There is a theological reason for this though, and the Church has not said this for the sake of making more rules. When we study the mass, we can start to understand why things are done. When addressing a liturgical problem at your parish, remember to include why it is wrong. The Catechism talks about the Holy Mass starting at #1348. When trying to stop a liturgical abuse, try to find out what the reason is on their side first, and then show why the Church has said to do it the right way. I have not yet found a situation in which the liturgical abuse had the better reason.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Sunday, December 31, 2006  0 Comments

Indulgences: Dec '06 - Jan '07

A Plenary Indulgence will be granted when the Te Deum is recited publicly whilst a Partial Indulgence will be granted to those who recite the Te Deum in thanksgiving today, December 31 2006.

A Plenary Indulgence will be granted when the Veni Creator Spiritus is recited tomorrow, January 1 2007.


Te Deum:

We praise thee, O God: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship Thee, the Father everlasting. To Thee all Angels cry aloud: the Heavens and all the powers therein. To Thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry, Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy Glory. The glorious company of the Apostles praise Thee. The godly fellowship of the Prophets praise Thee. The noble army of Martyrs praise Thee. The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge Thee; The Father of an infinite Majesty; Thine honourable, true, and only Son; Also the Holy Ghost: the Comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man: Thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb. When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father. We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge. We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in glory everlasting.

O Lord, save Thy people: and bless Thine heritage. Govern them and lift them up for ever. Day by day we magnify Thee; and we worship Thy Name, ever world without end. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin. O Lord, have mercy upon us. O Lord, let Thy mercy lighten upon us: as our trust is in Thee. O Lord, in Thee have I trusted: let me never be confounded.


Veni Creator Spiritus:

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, come,
From thy bright heav’nly throne,
Come take possession of our souls,
And make them all thy own.

Thou who art called the Paraclete,
Best gift of God above,
The living spring, the living fire,
Sweet unction and true love.

Thou who art sev’nfold in thy grace,
Finger of God’s right hand
His promise teaching little ones
To speak an understand.

O guide our minds with thy bless’d light,
With love our hearts inflame;
And with thy strength, which ne’er decays
Confirm our mortal frame.

Far from us drive our deadly foe;
True peace unto us bring;
And through all perils lead us safe
Beneath thy sacred wing.

Through thee may we the Father know,
Through thee th’ eternal Son,
And thee, the Spirit of them both,
Thrice-blessed Three in One.

All glory to the Father be,
With his coequal Son;
The same to thee, great Paraclete,
While endless ages run.

Amen.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Sunday, December 31, 2006  0 Comments

More Catholic Churches Return To Latin Mass

(via A Catholic Life)

Fox News from St. Louis has a good video on the Tridentine Mass. As a Traditionalist, I encourage others to see the video, which shows scenes of a Mass at the Shrine of Christ the King in Chicago.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Sunday, December 31, 2006  0 Comments

Chair of St. Peter

(via Mysterium Fidei)


A thought many would be excited to heart his. The papal throne has been brought back by Pope Benedict XVI. It has not been used in over 40 years, and was replaced with a "chair." Maybe next the Pontiff will bring the Tiarra back! Wouldn't that be great? Liturgical Renewal is in action! Pax Tecum!

Comments: It is back after about a 34 year out of use. You might see a rare pix of Paul VI or John Paul II sitting there for a portrait but not for meetings, audiences, of Liturgy's. Benedict XVI has brought it back for these uses.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Sunday, December 31, 2006  1 Comments

What is Sacred Liturgy?

(via Mysterium Fidei)

As we all probably know by now, this (2007) is the Year of Authentic Liturgical Renewal in the Roman Liturgy. This means that we want to implement orthodoxy, tradition, and obedience into the way the Sacred Liturgy is celebrated here in the Diocese of the United States of America, and in the universal Church.

Moneybags, posted a good comment in which I would like to post here: "Again I must say that this is a great idea. Let's make sure this isn't just words. Let's make sure we turn our words into action. I'm not sure where to start or what to do, but I'm sure that all of the participating blogs could work together to think of ways in which we can help liturgical renewal."

Each of us live in different parents of the country and the world. Some of us are young, others older. While some attend the Tridentine Mass, others the Novus Ordo Mass. Either way we are bond together by our common Baptism, and become a family, the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ. As members of the Church, we most do our part to ensure that the Sacred Liturgies of the Church be safeguarded and protected. And that is why we have come together this year. Now, since each parish has different problems, it is hard to find a place to start. But, lets begin with just the very basic which is understanding the Sacred Liturgy. If we do not understand Liturgy, how can we expect to live it with reverence? We can't.

"The word 'liturgy' originally meant 'public work' or a 'service in the name of the people.' In Christian tradition it means the participation of the people of God in the work of God. Through the Liturgy, Christ, our redeemer and high priest, continues the work of redemption in, with and through his Church. As the work of Christ liturgy is also an action of his Church. It makes the Church present and manifests her as the visible sign of the communion in Christ between God and men. It engages the faithful in the new life of the community and involves the conscious, active, and fruitful participation of everyone."

So, the liturgy is the act of the Church as a whole worshiping, adoring, and praising our Lord and Maker. Different types of liturgy exist, such as the Sacrifice of the Mass, the Divine Office, the Way of the Cross, Celebration of the Word, or even praying the rosary in community, or Eucharistic Adoration, along with Benediction. Several others exist, but these are the most common. Each act is a action done in the company of all the angels and saints. That means it should be carried out with reverence, solemnity; basically a different mood that that of a fiesta the First Assembly of God is celebrating next door.

In the Sacrifice of the Mass, which Pope John Paul the Great explains as "heaven on earth," Christ dies on the Cross and rises to new life. This is not a new life, but the same sacrifice offered 2,000 years ago. Remember, with God there is no time, everything is the eternal now! So, if this is the Sacrifice of Calvary being offered to the Most Merciful Father, it should be celebrated with dignity, nobility, and once again solemnity. Why do we have jazz music playing? Holding hands during the Our Father? Why does the Kiss of Peace seem like a social rather than a symbol of the peace and unity we have with one another? Because people are not taught what the Eucharistic Sacrifice is. Yes it is a celebration, I understand, but it is Calvary too!!! It is crazy that I can go to a protestant Church and see a sign on the chapel door reading, "Please reserve silence in the chapel" but in a Catholic Church it is like a gossip space rather than a "worship space" to use modern terminology.

So first, we must teach our brethren the meaning behind the Sacred Liturgy, then explain to them with charity the liturgical norms put out by the Apostolic See and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. We cannot invent things in the Liturgy, but only keep those which have been approved. That is shown in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy which states, "Therefore, no person, not even if he is a priest, may on his own, add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy." Be vigilant, fight the good fight, and don't give up!!!

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Sunday, December 31, 2006  0 Comments

Sign of Peace

(via Mysterium Fidei)

Did you know that the Sign of Peace is not mandatory. In fact the rubric reads, "The deacon (or priest) may add" Let us offer each other the Sign of Christ's peace. The "may" implies it not to be mandatory but optional. Possibly suitable for more solemn celebrations if done properly. This is why Pope Benedict XVI refrains from doing this in Papal Masses, because it is not essential!

So where should the Sign of Peace be? Do you think that the Sign of Peace should be moved to the Penitential Rite? I think the concept is great, "make peace with your brother, then offer a Sacrifice to God." But, maybe while we are confessing our sins would be a better time. The interruption during the Liturgy of the Eucharist and Communion Rite would no longer exist. I have heard rumors from Australia's Cardinal Pell that this is being considered. "Pax Tecum. Et cum spiritu tuo."

Comments: In fact, the General Instructions of the Roman Missal state that is should be done in a somber manner. Pope Benedict once said, "The Sign of Peace should be done only with those closest to you, and in a solemn mannner. This idea of the sign of peace being a party is one of the biggest problems in the Liturgy. It is a sign of reconciliation with eachother, and I suggest it only be done with the person on each side of one." (Aug 15, 1987, Vatican City.)

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Sunday, December 31, 2006  0 Comments

Tabernacle becomes First-Aid Cabinet

I had a strong urge to check out the newly renovated St. Andrew's Anglican Cathedral after Holy Mass this morning. Standing from afar, I was glad to see that they had taken the television down from the Side Altar, in it's place now stood a large silver cross. Moving closer, I noticed that the tabernacle door was unlocked, being curious as to whether the Anglicans still stored 'consecrated' hosts in the tabernacle, I opened it......



















...... inside were some bottles of ointment. Obviously, the tabernacle had become a first-aid cabinet.



















Although I'm not suprised to see this take place in a non-Catholic Church, I wonder if one day, something similar will take place in the here- in the local Roman Catholic Church- because as reverence to the Blessed Sacrament declines, will the Catholic faithful here will cease to believe in the Real Presence, just like many Catholics in America?

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Sunday, December 31, 2006  0 Comments

Saturday, December 30, 2006

De Profundis

Related: Fr. Carlo Ly (1925 - 12.29.2006)

Please offer the following for the late, Fr. Carlo Ly.

Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord:
Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it.
For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on his word:
My soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption.
And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Close with a Pater Noster and Ave Maria

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 30, 2006  0 Comments

Rumours, Allegations, Lies

"Now when there was gone forth a false rumour"
2 Machabees 5:5

It has come to my attention that certain rumours about me have been making their rounds during this Holy Octave of Christmas. And just like Fr. Aloysius Ong of Life's Crosses, this has "left a rather bitter taste in my mouth" (see Fr's post on what happened to him) because:

The only thing I have longed for is unity among Catholics so that our witness for Jesus Christ may be stonger.

Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in prælio. Contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto præsidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur. Tuque princeps militiæ caelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo divina virtute in infernum detrude. Amen.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 30, 2006  4 Comments

Altar Servers

(via Cathcon)

By Father Chapple,

...... I would like you, as servers, to think seriously about the greatness of the office of serving Holy Mass and to ask St Stephen to help you. You can always have recourse to him even if there is no Guild in your Parish. Never forget the greatness of the privilege you have when you serve. Think about these words of the late Cardinal Bourne who said this about Mass-serving :

" No ministry, except that of those who by Ordination are set apart for the service of the Altar, deserves greater thought and consideration than the duty entrusted to those laymen and youths who have the office of assisting the priests of God in the discharge of their sacred functions."

When you think that those words were written by a Prince of the Church you will realise how important they are. You must ask yourself very seriously, " How do I serve Mass ? Do I need to improve in my serving ? " Many servers have perhaps never thought of the greatness of their task or the grandeur of the privilege they enjoy. This pamphlet will serve as a reminder to them and to you. Above all let us all hope and pray that the words we have read will encourage us to do better in our duties at the Altar; to pray better while we are serving Holy Mass, to get every day closer to the love of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. These things are so necessary if Our Lord is to be served properly, and we all do want to do our very best for Him, do we not?

As a final word of inspiration to all servers wherever you are in the world, study carefully and think deeply on the words which are quoted at the close of this little pamphlet.

A priest has written these words about servers, words whic should be a continual reminder of the greatness of their task :

"All who are considered worthy to serve at the Altar should remember that they are engaged in a work which is the Angels' joy to perform in heaven, the work oi SERVING around the Throne of God and ministering unto Him."

Server ! This is YOUR privilege. Ask St Stephen to make you love your precious task and to accomplish it, even as the Angels, for the love of Almighty God.

Besides St. Stephen, St. John Berchmans is another patron for Altar Servers.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 30, 2006  0 Comments

St. Jospeh's Church III

Related: St. Joseph's Church I, St. Joseph's Church II

More beautiful photos of the magnificent- once Cathedral- St. Joseph's Church, Victoria Street,

The High Altar (the only one in Singapore given dignity and pride)














The High Altar & the (new) Altar Table














A closer view of the High Altar (The statue's St. Joseph holding infant Jesus)



















Another view of the High Altar from the Sacristy



















Another stain glass window in the old Baptistry



















Immaculate Conception Side Altar's mural of Our Lady of Lourdes














Sacred Heart Side Altar's mural of Jesus raising the dead














St. Anthony Padua Side Altar's mural of St. Anthony and his flock














Fatima Side Altar's mural of Our Lady of Fatima














Side Altar statue of our Lady of Fatima

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 30, 2006  0 Comments

St. Joseph's Church II

Related: St. Joseph's Church I, St. Joseph's Church III

Remember this post? Here's are more of the photos I promised. Many of the photos here are from 'restricted' areas of the Church. I only managed to get them as I was inspecting a leak from the main dome whilst cleaning the church. Now, this is what I call a true Catholic Church.

Enjoy!

A view of the Rectory form the central dome of the Church














Looking down from the spiral cast iron staircase



















Top of the spiral staircase (Looking down from the left dome)














A view of the Sanctuary from the Choir/Organ Loft














Another view at a different angle














The cast iron spiral staircase that leads to the left dome



















The church bells (They are the only bells in Singapore that toll for the 12 noon Angelus)



















The old baptistry (Jesus baptised by St. John Baptist)



















I had to climb through a window- in an undignified manner- to get here...



















This ladder leads to the central dome

















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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 30, 2006  9 Comments

ShortTake

(via Nelson Quah, A Singaporean's wishes for 2007)

TODAY: Voices
Weekend, December 30, 2006

On the last point: The majority of our ministers and law makers are Christian (Protestants & Catholics). Why then is the abortion policy not being reviewed? We need to live our faith anywhere and anytime, since we are called by Christ to be His disciples everyday.

We need men of women of God in who are not afraid to be different and to be the catalyst for change. We fearless need men and women who profess the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic faith to rise up against popular opinion, trends, etc... and speak out with Christian principles.

As Christians, we are called to be world changers, hence, we should not "Be afraid and open the doors to Christ," the truine and living "God works in the concrete and personal affaris of each one of us," therefore, we cannot allow "the time the Lord has given us to run." (Quotes from H.H. Pope John Paul II)

ABORTION IS MURDER

Pray for the unborn

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 30, 2006  0 Comments

A Tribute to Fr. Carlo Ly (1925-2006)

Related: Rev. Fr. Carlo Ly (1925-2006)



Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear,
And Grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
'Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far
And Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His Word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 30, 2006  0 Comments

Friday, December 29, 2006

Rev. Fr. Carlo Ly (1925-2006)

It is with great grief that I have to announce the passing of Rev. Fr. Carlo Ly (approx 2200hr). I was at the hospital at the time of his death.

Fr. Carlo, a native of Mongolia, left for the priesthood when he was only 16 and studied in Rome where he was taught Latin and Italian. His last parish was Queen of Peace, Katong. He was a pastor of souls there for 31 years. The ageing priest was diagnosed with dementia during the last few years of his life. However, that never stopped him from concelebrating a single Holy Mass. I remember how he would put on his white cassock long before the Mass begin and wait in the Sacristy, fearing that celebrating priests will not allow him to concelebrate.

I also won't forget how he gave me a blessing (in latin!)- for my vocation- 2 days before he was first admitted to the hospital. Some time after the blessing, he walked out of the Sacristy on his own towards a friend and myself. Looking at us in the eye, he asked us in an almost child-like fashion, "Are you Catholic?", "You ?"... He smiled when we told him, "Of course". It was not like Fr. to walk out on his own (he had ever gotten lost once).

Please pray for the repose of this holy priest's soul by saying the 'Prayers after death' or the 'De profundis', or the following prayer:

May Mary the most merciful Virgin Mother of God, knidest comforter of them that mourn, commend to her Son the soul of His servant, Rev. Fr. Carlo Ly, that through her maternal intercession, he may having her as his guide, may joyfully reach his longed home in the heavenly fatherland.

Let the holy angels come out to meet him and may St. Peter the apostle, to whom God gave the keys of the kingdom of heaven, receive him.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Friday, December 29, 2006  1 Comments

Events for January

(via Norman)

This is what the Second Vatican Council had to say about Gregorian Chant:

116. The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services.

Hence, here are the events for January 2007.

Mass with Gregorian Chant
Feast of the Conversion of St Paul
25 January, Thursday
8.00 pm
Church of St Teresa

Liturgy of the Hours
Vespers and Compline
(sung in Latin, translations provided)
28 January, Sunday8 pm
Adoration Chapel, Church of Sts Peter and Paul

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Friday, December 29, 2006  0 Comments

Finally!

Had so many problems logging in ever since the earthquake off Taiwan distrupted internet lines. Thank God that everything is back to normal.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Friday, December 29, 2006  0 Comments

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Deo gratias!

An update of: Three-foot tsunami heads for Philippines

Japan's Meteorological Agency said there was no longer any danger of a destructive tsunami headed for the Philippines, as had been predicted. "The danger has passed," said Hiroshi Koide of the agency's earthquake section. "We predicted tsunami based on the depth and magnitude of the earthquake. But ultimately, it appears no large tsunami were triggered."

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Tuesday, December 26, 2006  1 Comments

Three-foot tsunami heads for Philippines

Please pray for the people of the (Catholic) Philippines as a they brace for three-foot tsunami. The tsunami is the result of strong quakes that struck near Taiwan some moments ago. (Read more)

Please storm the heaven with your prayers!

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis.


An update: Deo gratias!

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Tuesday, December 26, 2006  0 Comments

Be Not Afraid

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Tuesday, December 26, 2006  0 Comments

Miles Christi

Here's a Religious Order that has managed to grow with the post-Vatican II Church: adapting with the changes, yet maintaining the "sense of the sacred" in the (new) liturgy as well as carrying on Tradition.

Miles Christi

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Tuesday, December 26, 2006  0 Comments

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord

By: H.H. Benedict XVI

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have just heard in the Gospel the message given by the angels to the shepherds during that Holy Night, a message which the Church now proclaims to us: "To you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger" (Lk 2:11-12). Nothing miraculous, nothing extraordinary, nothing magnificent is given to the shepherds as a sign. All they will see is a child wrapped in swaddling clothes, one who, like all children, needs a mother’s care; a child born in a stable, who therefore lies not in a cradle but in a manger. God ’s sign is the baby in need of help and in poverty. Only in their hearts will the shepherds be able to see that this baby fulfils the promise of the prophet Isaiah, which we heard in the first reading: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder" (Is 9:5). Exactly the same sign has been given to us. We too are invited by the angel of God, through the message of the Gospel, to set out in our hearts to see the child lying in the manger.

God’s sign is simplicity. God’s sign is the baby. God’s sign is that he makes himself small for us. This is how he reigns. He does not come with power and outward splendour. He comes as a baby defenceless and in need of our help. He does not want to overwhelm us with his strength. He takes away our fear of his greatness. He asks for our love: so he makes himself a child. He wants nothing other from us than our love, through which we spontaneously learn to enter into his feelings, his thoughts and his will we learn to live with him and to practise with him that humility of renunciation that belongs to the very essence of love. God made himself small so that we could understand him, welcome him, and love him. The Fathers of the Church, in their Greek translation of the Old Testament, found a passage from the prophet Isaiah that Paul also quotes in order to show how God’s new ways had already been foretold in the Old Testament. There we read: "God made his Word short, he abbreviated it" (Is 10:23; Rom 9:28). The Fathers interpreted this in two ways. The Son himself is the Word, the Logos; the eternal Word became small small enough to fit into a manger. He became a child, so that the Word could be grasped by us. In this way God teaches us to love the little ones. In this way he teaches us to love the weak. In this way he teaches us respect for children. The child of Bethlehem directs our gaze towards all children who suffer and are abused in the world, the born and the unborn. Towards children who are placed as soldiers in a violent world; towards children who have to beg; towards children who suffer deprivation and hunger; towards children who are unloved. In all of these it is the Child of Bethlehem who is crying out to us; it is the God who has become small who appeals to us. Let us pray this night that the brightness of God’s love may enfold all these children. Let us ask God to help us do our part so that the dignity of children may be respected. May they all experience the light of l ove, which mankind needs so much more than the material necessities of life.

And so we come to the second meaning that the Fathers saw in the phrase: "God made his Word short". The Word which God speaks to us in Sacred Scripture had become long in the course of the centuries. It became long and complex, not just for the simple and unlettered, but even more so for those versed in Sacred Scripture, for the experts who evidently became entangled in details and in particular problems, almost to the extent of losing an overall perspective. Jesus "abbreviated" the Word he showed us once more its deeper simplicity and unity. Everything taught by the Law and the Prophets is summed up he says in the command: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind You shall love your neighbour as yourself" (Mt 22:37-40). This is everything the whole faith is contained in this one act of love which embraces God and humanity. Yet now further questions arise: how are we to love God with all our mind, when our intellect can barely reach him? How are we to love him with all our heart and soul, when our heart can only catch a glimpse of him from afar, when there are so many contradictions in the world that would hide his face from us? This is where the two ways in which God has "abbreviated" his Word come together. He is no longer distant. He is no longer unknown. He is no longer beyond the reach of our heart. He has become a child for us, and in so doing he has dispelled all doubt. He has become our neighbour, restoring in this way the image of man, whom we often find so hard to love. For us, God has become a gift. He has given himself. He has entered time for us. He who is the Eternal One, above time, he has assumed our time and raised it to himself on high. Christmas has become the Feast of gifts in imitation of God who has given himself to us. Let us allow our heart, our soul and our mind to be touched by this fact! Among the many gifts that we buy and receive, let us not forget the true gift: to give each other something of ourselves, to give each other something of our time, to open our time to God. In this way anxiety disappears, joy is born, and the feast is created. During the festive meals of these days let us remember the Lord’s words: "When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite those who will invite you in return, but invite those whom no one invites and who are not able to invite you" (cf. Lk 14:12-14). This also means: when you give gifts for Christmas, do not give only to those who will give to you in return, but give to those who receive from no one and who cannot give you anything back. This is what God has done: he invites us to his wedding feast, something which we cannot reciprocate, but can only receive with joy. Let us imitate him! Let us love God and, starting from him, let us also love man, so that, starting from man, we can then rediscover God in a new way!

And so, finally, we find yet a third meaning in the saying that the Word became "brief" and "small". The shepherds were told that they would find the child in a manger for animals, who were the rightful occupants of the stable. Reading Isaiah (1:3), the Fathers concluded that beside the manger of Bethlehem there stood an ox and an ass. At the same time they interpreted the text as symbolizing the Jews and the pagans and thus all humanity who each in their own way have need of a Saviour: the God who became a child. Man, in order to live, needs bread, the fruit of the earth and of his labour. But he does not live by bread alone. He needs nourishment for his soul: he needs meaning that can fill his life. Thus, for the Fathers, the manger of the animals became the symbol of the altar, on which lies the Bread which is Christ himself: the true food for our hearts. Once again we see how he became small: in the humble appearance of the host, in a small piece of bread, he gives us himself.

All this is conveyed by the sign that was given to the shepherds and is given also to us: the child born for us, the child in whom God became small for us. Let us ask the Lord to grant us the grace of looking upon the crib this night with the simplicity of the shepherds, so as to receive the joy with which they returned home (cf. Lk 2:20). Let us ask him to give us the humility and the faith with which Saint Joseph looked upon the child that Mary had conceived by the Holy Spirit. Let us ask the Lord to let us look upon him with that same love with which Mary saw him. And let us pray that in this way the light that the shepherds saw will shine upon us too, and that what the angels sang that night will be accomplished throughout the world: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased." Amen!


Excerpt of H.H. Pope Benedict XVI's December 24, 2005's Homily:

In the stable of Bethlehem there appeared the great light which the world awaits. In that Child lying in the stable, God has shown his glory the glory of love, which gives itself away, stripping itself of all grandeur in order to guide us along the way of love. The light of Bethlehem has never been extinguished. In every age it has touched men and women, "it has shone around them". Wherever people put their faith in that Child, charity also sprang up charity towards others, loving concern for the weak and the suffering, the grace of forgiveness. From Bethlehem a stream of light, love and truth spreads through the centuries. If we look to the Saints from Paul and Augustine to Francis and Dominic, from Francis Xavier and Teresa of Avila to Mother Teresa of Calcutta we see this flood of goodness, this path of light kindled ever anew by the mystery of Bethlehem, by that God who became a Child. In that Child, God countered the violence of this world with his own goodness. He calls us to follow that Child.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Tuesday, December 26, 2006  0 Comments

Monday, December 25, 2006

Christmas Mass

This morning's 0000hr Mass in one of the East Coast parishes was one of the most beautiful Masses I've ever attended. Yes! A beautiful Novus Ordo Mass! I've never seen altar servers so reverent, top class music from the Choir, the vestments were beautiful, half of the liturgy was sung, and most of the congregation was... for the first time... silent during the Canon and actively participating in the hymns; many came dressed in their Sunday best (something that has become very rare), lastly, no one left the pews immediately after the final blessing.

Why can't we have this at all Masses? It is in the celebration of such Masses that I feel the Novus Ordo Mass can indeed be salvaged through the "Reform of the Reform" as called for by H.H. Pope Benedict XVI when he was Cardinal.

However......

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus! And restore you Church to it's former Glory! Bring peace and stabilty and unity to her and guide your Vicar on earth. Make each and every member of your True Church grow in love with one another, so that our witness may be stronger than ever. Bless all those who bear the name Roman Catholic, especially those who endeavour to preach orthodoxy and carry on tradition. Call more young people to yourself to be workers in your vineyard; ministers of your word and dispensers of your Sacraments. Through the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God & St. Joseph. Amen.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Monday, December 25, 2006  4 Comments

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Merry Christmas

May the good LORD BLESS you
with His CHOICEST graces
and keep you in His Love;
May He bring you to a FULFILLMENT
all the PRECIOUS dreams
that are in your HEART

Merry Christmas!


This time will be used to catch up with friends and family; formal blogging will resume in 2007.


In Christo,
Deo Juvante
Feast of Saint John Kanty

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Sunday, December 24, 2006  0 Comments

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Catholic Devotions Meme

I was tagged by A Catholic Life to do this:

1. Favorite devotion or prayer to Jesus? Holy Mass, Liturgy of Hours, Confiteor.

2. Favorite Marian devotion or prayer? Rosary, Salve Regina.

3. Do you wear a scapular or medal? Neither; I carry a Miraculous Medal & a St. Benedict Medal in my wallet.

4. Do you have holy water in your home? Plenty!

5. Do you 'offer up' your sufferings? Of course... who wouldn't?

6. Do you observe First Fridays and First Saturdays? I try if my schedule permits.

7. Do you go to Eucharistic Adoration? How frequently? Yes, several times a week, however, I have not been going lately.

8. Are you a Saturday evening Mass person or Sunday morning Mass person? Whichever is more convenient.

9. Do you say prayers at mealtime? Yes.

10. Favorite Saint(s)? St. Peter & Paul, St. Joseph, St. Benedict, St. Faustina, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Teresa of Lisieux, St. Stephen, St. John.

11. Can you recite the Apostles Creed by heart? Yes.

12. Do you usually say short prayers (aspirations) during the course of the day? Lord have mercy, St. XXX ora pro nobis, Mary conceived without sin pray for us sinners who have recourse to thee, Precious blood of Jesus cover me.

13. Bonus Question: When you pass by a automobile accident or other serious mishap, do you say a quick prayer for the folks involved? I make to sign of the Cross.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 23, 2006  0 Comments

Nothing wrong with "Xmas"

(via Dappled Things)

Here is one of my pet peeves: people who take it upon themselves to oppose the supposedly un-Christian and secular use of "Xmas" as an alternative to "Christmas."

The "X" in question is not, in fact, the usual Latin letter, but rather the Greek letter "chi." This is the same chi that you see in church joined to a "P" -- which is, of course, not a "P," but rather the Greek letter "rho." The chi, usually together with the rho, is an ancient monogram for Christ, inasmuch as these are the two letters that begin the word Christ -- Messiah -- in Greek. You find it in digs from Christian antiquity, you see it used in mediaeval religious manuscripts, and you find it in the modern "Xmas."

By all means, withstand the secularization of Christian solemnities, but please be sure that you know what you're talking about first.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 23, 2006  0 Comments

As Christmas approaches... ...

... ... have you prepared your turkey & stuffing?

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 23, 2006  0 Comments

Christmas Carols

In dulci jubilo


Once in royal David's city


Kings College performs "Gabriel's Message"




Hark the heralds

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 23, 2006  1 Comments

Encyclicals and Decrees of Popes

Pope John Paul II:

Pastores Dabo Vobis
(On The Formation Of Priests In
The Circumstances Of The Present Day)


Pope Paul VI:

Sacerdotalis Caelibatus
(On Priestly Celibacy)


Pope John XXIII:

Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia
(St. John Vianney)

Veterum Sapientia
(On the Promotion of the Study of Latin)

Careful Selection And Training Of Candidates
For The States Of Perfection And Sacred Orders


Pope Pius XII:

Sacramentum Ordinis
(On the Sacrament of Orders)


Pope Pius XI:

Ad Catholici Sacerdotii
(On the Sacrament of Orders)

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 23, 2006  0 Comments

Restoring the Altar Rail & the Tabernacle

via New Oxdford Review

Pope John Paul II sought to bring the Church into a deeper sense of the sacred, especially in relation to the Eucharist. And there is much evidence that Pope Benedict XVI is striving for this as well. John Paul II said that the Eucharist "is the greatest gift in the order of grace..." (Dominicae Cenae, #12).

At the October 2005 Eucharistic Synod of Bishops in Rome, Archbishop Jan Pawel Lenga of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, spoke for a change in the reception of Holy Communion in order to recover a sense of the sacred. He said that "Among the liturgical innovations produced in the Western world, two in particular tend to cloud the visible aspect of the Eucharist, especially as regards its centrality and sacredness: the removal of the tabernacle from the center and the distribution of communion in the hand.... Therefore, I humbly propose the following practical propositions: that the Holy See issue a universal regulation establishing the official way of receiving communion as being in the mouth and kneeling...." Cardinal Janis Pujats of Riga, Latvia, made similar comments.

As Jesus said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food and my blood true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.... This is the bread that came down from heaven" (Jn. 6:53-56, 58). If the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ, should we not kneel in awe and worship when we receive it into our bodies? Christ gives us "bread from heaven having all sweetness within it." Each one of us who receives this bread from Heaven becomes a living Tabernacle.

Read more...

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 23, 2006  0 Comments

Motu Propio after Christmas, Apostolic Exhortation in January

Rome, Dec. 15, 2006 (CNA) - Sources close to the Vatican have told Catholic News Agency that the Motu Propio by which Pope Benedict XVI would allow for the universal use of the Missal of St. Pius V may be published after Christmas, while the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Eucharist could come in mid-January 2007.

Sources confirmed the recent statements to reporters by Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, who told them after participating in a meeting of the Ecclesia Dei Commission, where the text of the Motu Propio was reviewed, that the document would come soon.

The declaration would allow the Mass of St. Pius V—often called the Tridentine Mass—to be celebrated freely and do away with the current requirement to have the explicit permission of the local bishop. The Motu Propio does not address the canonical status of the Society of St. Pius X, the schismatic organization founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.

The Apostolic Exhortation on the Eucharist, according to the same sources, has already been finished by Pope Benedict XVI and is being translated into the different languages in which it will be presented.

The document, which sources say will be issued after January 15, reaffirms the Church’s commitment to a celibate priesthood, encourages the use of Latin in liturgical celebrations, and even requests that seminarians learn the language as part of their formation.

It will also promote the recovery of Gregorian chant and sacred polyphonic music as a replacement to modern music, which would result in a gradual elimination of musical instruments that are “inappropriate” for the solemnity and reverence of the Eucharistic celebration.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 23, 2006  0 Comments

Immaculate Conception

"The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin." H.H. Pope Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus (1854).

This is the reason, my dear Protestant visitors, that she was able to bear the sinless Christ, Son of the Living God.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 23, 2006  0 Comments

The Cross

Fr. Marcial Maciel, LC: From the letter of February 17, 1981

Not every calling has the same degree of difficulty and demands, though all are arduous and difficult. This makes them the path to God and they are the Cross that each one has to shoulder, whether it is to his liking or not and whether he accepts it or not. And those vocations that present higher and more spiritual ideals are the most strenuous and demanding of all, since they ask of us more love and self-giving, which are purely spiritual values.

Christ tells us in the Gospel that the path that leads to life is narrow and therefore hard on our nature, since it offers a clearly spiritual program: interior conversion, renouncing sin, striving for holiness, a life of sacrifice, service to your neighbor, humility, etc. All of which goes against our passions of pride, ambition and sensuality. Consequently, the vocations that incorporate these ideals into their dynamic logically appear more demanding to us.

...

The only barrier to living it authentically and generously is ourselves we, with our desire for a more comfortable, less complicated life we can call more our own, because we are oblivious that God will ask us one day, What have you done with the gifts and graces I gave you? And on our answer hangs our eternal destiny.

And so I recommend you to be very honest with yourself. Make good choices, and live honestly in accordance with the choice you have made. If you want to live with Christ and for his Kingdom the only way to do so is with the cross.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 23, 2006  0 Comments

Transmit Christ's Love to Others

H.H. Pope Benedict XVI: Address to the Bishops taking part in the course of formation organized by the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples September 23, 2006

You are called to be Pastors among peoples, many of whom do not yet know Jesus Christ. As those primarily responsible for Gospel proclamation, you must therefore make a considerable effort to ensure that all are given the possibility of accepting him.

More and more, you are feeling the need to inculturate the Gospel, to evangelize cultures and to foster a sincere and open dialogue with one and all in order to build together a more brotherly and supportive humanity.

Only if you are impelled by the love of Christ can you bring to completion this apostolic task which demands the fearless zeal of men undaunted even by persecution and death for the Lord.

How can we forget the many priests, men and women religious and lay people in mission lands who have sealed with blood their fidelity to Christ and to the Church, in past centuries and in our times?

In the last few days, the oblation of Sr Leonella Sgorbati, a Consolata Missionary barbarically killed in Moga-dishu, Somalia, has been added to the number of these heroic Gospel witnesses. This martyrology, in the past and in our day, adorns the history of the Church. Even in suffering and apprehension, it keeps alive in our souls trust in the glorious flourishing of Christian faith, for as Tertullian says, "The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians".

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 23, 2006  0 Comments

Wonderful Counselor

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor," Isaiah 9:6

"Wonderful" is a word that in the original Hebrew means beyond our comprehension. Part of what this means is that Christ is far beyond our thinking and understanding. It's simply mind-boggling who Christ is-and what He has done. He is uncommon, unique, and distinctly different from everyone else.

Jesus is called "Wonderful Counselor" by the prophet Isaiah. A counselor is someone who can help us put the broken pieces back together and make sense out of our lives. And because Jesus is Counselor above all others, life makes sense when we know Him! This also means that without Him, nothing makes sense-not even Christmas!

This is why so many people are actually miserable during the Christmas season. They are filled with anger, self-importance, and other spiritual poisons. They're also battling emotional and psychological problems that result from their spiritual needs. People think they need medications and counselors, but they're only partly correct. What they really need is the Wonderful Counselor!

Let us take time today to thank God who sent His Son… the Wonderful Counselor…

Discovering what truly matters in light of eternity is a lesson we have to keep learning and relearning as we go along. And learning that is part of what Christ does as He works in our life each and every day.

But what are we doing in the meantime that will matter for eternity? We need to take a look at our schedules and ask ourselves how much of our time is devoted to building our relationship with Christ, loving and serving others, and helping the lost know Christ? If the answer to this question bothers us, we need to be ready to make some adjustments.

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON WHAT WILL MATTER FOR ETERNITY.

As the Season of Advent comes to an end, let us 'fine tune' our lives to welcome the Wonderful Counselor.

May we also ask our Blessed Mother to help us feel the excitement and joy she experienced when she bore the Wonderful Counselor.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 23, 2006  0 Comments

Friday, December 22, 2006

Old Testament

I think it's alright to say that many Catholics (& Protestants) today do not appreciate the largest portion of God's Word- the 39 books of the Old Testament- as it ought to be. Somehow we have the idea that the Old Testament Scriptures are not quite as important as the New Testament. However, this is not at all true.

Not only is it important for us as Catholics to know the Old Testament; it is virtually impossible to truly understand the New Testament without it! The history of God's chosen people, the Jews, is our history too, because we are the direct heirs of the faith of Abraham.

Perhaps the most important part of the Old Testament is found in Exodus 20, where we read the Ten Commandments as God gave them to Moses. I'm not sure how many Christians could name these ten foundational laws of God-but we should be able to. In fact, we should be studying and learning all of God's Word as if our lives depended on it, because they do!

The Old Testament may seem out-of-date and irrelevant in the 21st century. But nothing could be further from the truth. The truths of the Old Testament still apply to us today.

We should make it a point to spend time studying the entire Bible, including the incredible story of previous generations of God's people as told in the Old Testament! Also, we should learn to value all of God's revelation!

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Friday, December 22, 2006  4 Comments

Back...

... from Thailand. Thank you for your prayers.

Temple of Dawn

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Friday, December 22, 2006  0 Comments

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Going to......

...... 'the land of a thousand smiles'- Thailand, from Dec 18th to Dec 21st. So there'll be no posts for 4 days.

Please ask St. Christopher to ensure that my trip will be a safe one. Till then, let us be united in prayer.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Sunday, December 17, 2006  1 Comments

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

(via: FSSP Weekly Report)
"On Tuesday, December 12th, the priests and seminarians of OLGS celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with hymns, prayers and with the religious and social customs that have evolved here in Denton over the years. Beginning at 6:30 am on what turned out to be a rather chilly morning, the community along with two dozen parishioners from the Fraternity’s parish in Lincoln gathered at an outdoor shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, located a short distance from the seminary. From there the group processed by candlelight to the refectory where an indoor shrine that had been erected in her honor. During the procession in which her statue was reverently carried aloft, traditional Marian hymns were sung in Spanish. When the community arrived at the refectory, the statue was crowned and placed on a pedestal. Then Subdeacon Dennis Gordon, FSSP read the story of her apparition on the hill of Tepeynac overlooking Mexico City in 1531. This was followed by a Spanish serenade played on the guitar by seminarian Jose Macias. Finally, after a farewell hymn, the community retired to the chapel to chant Lauds and a Solemn High Mass."

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Sunday, December 17, 2006  0 Comments

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Panis Angelicus

This music video is so beautiful. It features the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass while the choir sings Panis Angelicus. It's a pity that the sound quality of this video isn't too good. Enjoy!

Here's the same hymn sung in solo by Anthony Way. Do watch the above video first.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 16, 2006  2 Comments

Saint Paul's Cathedral Choir

Many of you here may not know that I'm a fan of choral music (among others) and that I was a tenor for 4 years. However, I can't sing for nuts (or at least I believe I can't sing for nuts), my time with the Choir was more of a technical assistant; recordings, videos, you know... the works. Nonetheless, I still appreciate good choral music.

The quality of the sound recording in some of the videos doesn't do the splendid vocals any justice. Also, I find that somehow English accents tend to compliment choral music. Enjoy!

Here's a piece from Saint Paul's Cathedral Choir: For the Beauty of the Earth.

Here's another of Psalm 121 (English Psalm Chant)

Here's my favourite: The Lord Bless You & Keep You. This one's good, you can hear all the different parts in harmony.

This one's by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge: Ubi Caritas

New College Choir: Ave Verum Corpus

Here's a solo by Connor Burrowes of the Boy Air Choir (I think), London. One of the commenters (rightly?) pointed out that Connor pronounces 'requiem' in the same way it is pronounced in Gregorian Chant. If you ask me I think it's better than Charlotte Church's rendition of the same piece.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 16, 2006  0 Comments

Litany of St. Michael

Before you read/recite this Litany, you might want to find out:
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
have mercy on us.

Response: pray for us.

Holy Mary, Queen of Angels,
Saint Michael,
St. Michael, filled with the wisdom of God,
St. Michael, perfect adorer of the Incarnate Word,
St. Michael, crowned with honor and glory,
St. Michael, most powerful Prince of the armies of the Lord,
St. Michael, standard-bearer of the Most Holy Trinity,
St. Michael, victor over Satan,
St. Michael, guardian of Paradise,
St. Michael, guide and comforter of the people of Israel,
St. Michael, splendor and fortress of the Church Militant,
St. Michael, honor and joy of the Church Triumphant,
St. Michael, light of angels,
St. Michael, bulwark of orthodox believers,
St. Michael, strength of those who fight under the standard of the Cross,
St. Michael, light and confidence of souls at the hour of death,
St. Michael, our most sure aid,
St. Michael, our help in all adversitites,
St. Michael, Herald of the Everlasting Sentence,
St. Michael, Consoler of souls detained in the flames Purgatory,
Thou whom the Lord has charged to receive souls after death,
St. Michael, our Prince,
St. Michael, our Advocate,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

V.Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ,
R.That we may be made worthy of His promises.

Let Us Pray

Sanctify us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, with Thy holy blessing, and grant us, by the intercession of St. Michael, that wisdom which teaches us to lay up treasures in Heaven by exchanging the goods of this world for those of eternity, Thou Who livest and reignest, world without end.
R. Amen.

Visit The Litany Collection for more Litanies.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 16, 2006  0 Comments

History & the Church

“To immerse oneself in history is to cease to be Protestant,” Cardinal Newman.

Here is his glowing praise for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 16, 2006  1 Comments

When doing apologetics... ...

"... ... the first thing we need to remember is that when aberrant histories are presented to us, the burden of proof IS NOT for us to “disprove” the errant histories. The burden of proof is on them to prove their theory," Hermit, Bro. Ignatius Mary.

"Nice theory, prove it!"

Our first Pope, St. Peter tells us always to defend the true religion:

"But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame." (1 Peter 3:14-16)

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 16, 2006  0 Comments

Pope John Paul II on Jesus & the Internet

“The Internet causes billions of images to appear on millions of computer monitors around the planet. From this galaxy of sight and sound will the face of Christ emerge and the voice of Christ be heard? For it is only when His face is seen and His voice heard that the world will know the glad tidings of our redemption. ...Therefore,... I dare to summon the whole Church bravely to cross this new threshold, to put out nto the deep of the Net, so that now as in the past the great engagement of the Gospel and culture may show to the world ‘the glory of God on the face of Christ’,” H.H. Pope John Paul II.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, December 16, 2006  0 Comments

Friday, December 15, 2006

The Beauty of Russian Orthodox Chant

A beautiful video that I found on Constatine's blog. I liked the first hymn, it seemed so angelic.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Friday, December 15, 2006  0 Comments

Men Live Longer On Beer

Now, this Catholic University has some good news!

Read more...

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Friday, December 15, 2006  0 Comments

Why You Should Not Watch "The Nativity Story"

Kenny from The Sleepless Eye thinks that Catholics should not watch the Nativity story. I've yet to decide. Anyway, here's his post.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Friday, December 15, 2006  2 Comments

Excommunication & Vatican II

An update of this post. Any misunderstanding from the previous post is deeply regreted and I assure you that no malice was intended.

The use of excommunication is not called for in our day and age, especially 40 years after the Second Vatican II Council. Does the Church really think that it is necessary to impose truth using the law so that any opposing voice/movement within the Church has to be put down? The Second Vatican II Council refers to the Chuch as a "community". Indded so. She is a diverse community that spans across the globe; a melting pot of of believers that though are many, are one body, because of the one Bread twe all share. Through thick or thin, it is only together that the Church will grow. We read in the Gospel that "the darkness cannot put out the light". The light is the Truth and since the light cannot be put out, can't the Truth stand on it’s own?

The Second Vatican II Council, opened the way for ecumenism/reconciliation and open dialogue. It also put the term "excommunication and it's applications in a small closet- in the papal household- that should be rarely opened," Fr. Micheal Teo. So where has the ecumenism and reconciliation gone to 40 years on? If we (claim to) accept the Council, shouldn't we be living and practicing it especially when it comes to our fellow family members in the body of Christ?

In Thurston and Attwater's: Butler's Lives of the Saints, "Great care must be taken to show forth orthodox truth in such a way that if any herectics happen to be present they may have an example of charity and Christian moderation. No hard words should be used nor any sort of contempt for their errors shown."

Fr. Charles P. Conner, author of Defenders of the Faith in Word and Deed tells us that "a man can be charitable as he clearly, unambigiously teaches Catholic truth". Saint Ignatius was such a man and this was his aim.

Doctor of the Church, St. Peter Canisius also favoured peaceful coexistence (even with the Protestants). Now, this may seem as he trying to betray Rome, however, St. Peter Canisius felt (and did convince Rome eventually) that such was the way to win the intellectual battle that the Chruch had been losing (especially) after the Reformation.

Now, I am not implying that the Society is herectical (in fact, they can be more orthodox that many Catholic parishes all over the world). All I'm trying to do is to advocate some kind of Christian charity; for the love of God, it's not as if they're Masons. Looking back at history, we clearly see how both great Saints, Ignatius of Loyola and Peter Canisius dealt with similar situations.

It's funny when you look at how our seperate bretheren- Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, etc...- are treated so well, yet our own CATHOLIC bothers and sisters are being treated as if they were complete strangers or worst, herectics... when they are the ones who are upholding orthodoxy. They recite the same Creed as we do too. Now, tell me which element(s) do they dissent to? Unlike the CTA, their actions aren't "in contrast with the Catholic faith due to views and positions held which are unacceptable from a doctrinal and disciplinary standpoint... irreconcilable with a coherent living of the Catholic faith," Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Neither are they Sedevacantists who believe in a Pope Pius XIII nor Masons trying to destroy the Catholic faith.

We cannot seperate eumenism from Christian charity. How can we expect to sit down and have honest, open dialogues whilst simultaneously passing condemnations and hurling labels such as "Schismatic", "Excommunicated", etc... You don't need a rocket scientist to tell you that such an approach won't work.

The best solution is to look at St. Ignatius's and St. Peter Canisius's 'true ecumenical' approaches.

Now, just to touch on the issue of the SSPX in Lincoln, NE, here's a first-hand account that was related to me via e-mail this morning (emphasis mine):

"We (SSPX) took care of Lincoln, NE from St. Mary’s (a SSPX church in KS) when that (excommunication) happened. The real reason was that we (SSPX) took a couple of young men from the Novus Ordo Mass whom the Bishop knew and who were televising our (SSPX) Mass on cable TV. We had only ten faithful at the Mass but the bishop felt threatened. The Bishop also had been a secretary to Cardinal Wright, the one who wrote us an official letter of praise in 1971 making us of pontifical right, and then was one of the three cardinals who condemned Archbishop Lefebvre in 1975 without giving him a trial or a chance to defend himself. Bishop Bruskewitz found nine thieves to condemn us with, just as Pilate found only two for Our Lord. I think it actually makes him look ridiculous in this era of reconciliation......"

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Friday, December 15, 2006  3 Comments

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