Tuesday, January 30, 2007
A Vocation to Love
(From the letter of January 6, 2001, Fr. Marcial Maciel, LC)
He chose us before the foundation of the world . . . (Eph. 1:4)
At the origin of our lives, we encounter God’s infinite and all-powerful love: pronouncing our name long before our parents ever did he called us into existence: Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you. (Jer. 1:5). In other words, we ourselves did not choose to live nor were we entitled to it, for we didn’t even have an opportunity to do something to provoke his love. We exist simply because Someone wanted us and continues to sustain us, because Someone has loved us gratuitously and forever.
Every man and woman, therefore, created in the image and likeness of God, bears as it were God’s fingerprint. In the words of the Holy Father, love is the DNA of God’s children (cf. no. 2). Man’s greatness and deepest dignity lies precisely in God’s personal love for him. Man has an absolute value because he is the only creature that God loves in itself (cf. Vatican II, Gaudium et spes, 24). From the very first moment of his conception, man’s history becomes sacred history, a vital time-span for an uninterrupted and intimate dialogue of love with God (cf. no. 1).
. . . to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will . . .
Since our life consists in this intimate dialogue of love with God, we can see that it will be fulfilling and happy only inasmuch as we fulfill what God thought intended from all eternity to the extent in other words that we live our fundamental vocational to love. Love: this is the great project of our life, our most important undertaking, the highest vocation that sums up all the rest. For us who are Christians, the love which is our way, truth and life is not a vague ideal or philanthropic project but rather has a very real face, it is a person Jesus Christ.
Labels: Spirituality
Loving the Unseen God
(Excerpt from Encyclical Letter-Deus Caritas Est- H.H. Pope Benedict XVI)
True, no one has ever seen God as he is. And yet God is not totally invisible to us; he does not remain completely inaccessible. God loved us first, says the Letter of John quoted above (cf. 4:10), and this love of God has appeared in our midst. He has become visible in as much as he has sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him (1 Jn 4:9). God has made himself visible: in Jesus we are able to see the Father (cf. Jn 14:9). Indeed, God is visible in a number of ways. In the love-story recounted by the Bible, he comes towards us, he seeks to win our hearts, all the way to the Last Supper, to the piercing of his heart on the Cross, to his appearances after the Resurrection and to the great deeds by which, through the activity of the Apostles, he guided the nascent Church along its path. Nor has the Lord been absent from subsequent Church history: he encounters us ever anew, in the men and women who reflect his presence, in his word, in the sacraments, and especially in the Eucharist. In the Church's Liturgy, in her prayer, in the living community of believers, we experience the love of God, we perceive his presence and we thus learn to recognize that presence in our daily lives. He has loved us first and he continues to do so; we too, then, can respond with love. God does not demand of us a feeling which we ourselves are incapable of producing. He loves us, he makes us see and experience his love, and since he has loved us first, love can also blossom as a response within us.
In the gradual unfolding of this encounter, it is clearly revealed that love is not merely a sentiment. Sentiments come and go. A sentiment can be a marvellous first spark, but it is not the fullness of love. Earlier we spoke of the process of purification and maturation by which eros comes fully into its own, becomes love in the full meaning of the word. It is characteristic of mature love that it calls into play all man's potentialities; it engages the whole man, so to speak. Contact with the visible manifestations of God's love can awaken within us a feeling of joy born of the experience of being loved. But this encounter also engages our will and our intellect. Acknowledgment of the living God is one path towards love, and the yes of our will to his will unites our intellect, will and sentiments in the all- embracing act of love. But this process is always open-ended; love is never finished and complete; throughout life, it changes and matures, and thus remains faithful to itself. Idem velle atque idem nolle [9]to want the same thing, and to reject the same thingwas recognized by antiquity as the authentic content of love: the one becomes similar to the other, and this leads to a community of will and thought. The love-story between God and man consists in the very fact that this communion of will increases in a communion of thought and sentiment, and thus our will and God's will increasingly coincide: God's will is no longer for me an alien will, something imposed on me from without by the commandments, but it is now my own will, based on the realization that God is in fact more deeply present to me than I am to myself.[10] Then self- abandonment to God increases and God becomes our joy (cf. Ps 73 [72]:23-28).
Labels: Catholic Belief, Holy Father, Spirituality
Links
Andrew from Unam Sanctam has an interesting post on the 'missing' Motu Proprio: Where's the Motu Proprio. For Apologists out there, read: The Catholic Church is a Cult.
Lastly, Mark from Deus Caritas Est discusses the difference between true- Christian- martyrdom and the Islamic martyrdom in: Do you see the difference?
Have a blessed week ahead and don't forget to get your candles ready for this Friday's- Presentation of the Lord- blessing.
Labels: Apologetics, Catholic Belief, Links
Monday, January 29, 2007
Horizontalism … Does Damage to Catholic Faith and Worship
Cardinal Arinze Address to Institut Supérieur de Liturgie
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 20, 2007 ( Zenit.org).- Here is an address given by Cardinal Francis Arinze at a colloquium to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Institut Supérieur de Liturgie of the Institut Catholique de Paris. The prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments gave the address Oct. 26.
An extract:
5. The liturgical role of the priest
It is crucial that a higher liturgical institute delineate clearly the role of the priest in the sacred liturgy. The Second Vatican Council says that "the wished-for renewal of the whole Church depends in large measure on a ministry of priests which is vitalized by the spirit of Christ" ("Optatam Totius," No. 1).
The common priesthood of all the baptized and the ministerial priesthood of the ordained priest come from Christ himself. Confusion of roles in the hierarchical constitution of the Church does damage. It does not promote witness to Christ nor holiness for clergy and laity. Neither attempts at the clericalization of the laity, nor efforts toward the laicization of the clergy, will bring down divine graces. "In liturgical celebrations," says Vatican II, "whether as a minister or as one of the faithful, each person should perform his role by doing solely and totally what the nature of things and liturgical norms require of him" ("Sacrosanctum Concilium," No. 28). It is false humility and an inadmissible idea of democracy or fraternity, for the priest to try to share his strictly priestly liturgical roles with the lay faithful.
It is not therefore superfluous to state that a higher liturgical institute, just as any theological faculty, should help people to see that the priesthood is an integral and constitutive part of the structure of the Church and that therefore we absolutely need ordained priests to celebrate Holy Mass, to absolve people from their sins in the sacrament of penance and to anoint the sick (cf. James 5:14-15).
Moreover, if fuller spiritual benefits are to come to people at weddings and funerals, then we need priests to celebrate the Eucharistic Sacrifice, preach spiritually enriching homilies to the people, some of whom would otherwise rarely come to Mass, give them blessing and be a sign that the Church is near them at such a milestone in their lives. No doubt, it is necessary that the priest does not merely perform liturgical functions, but that his ministerial activities come from the heart and that his pastoral presence be a spiritual nourishment for the people.
If the role of the priest is weakened or is not appreciated, a local Catholic community may be dangerously lapsing into the idea of a priestless community. This is not in line with the genuine concept of the Church instituted by Christ.
If a diocese does not have enough priests, initiatives should be taken to seek them from elsewhere now, to encourage local vocations and to keep fresh in the people a genuine "hunger" for a priest (cf. John Paul II, "Ecclesia de Eucharistia," No. 32). Non-ordained members of the faithful who are assigned some roles in the absence of a priest have to make a special effort to keep up this "hunger." And they should resist the temptation of trying to get the people accustomed to them as substitutes for priests (cf. op. cit., No. 33). There is no place in the Catholic Church for the creation of a sort of parallel "lay clergy" (cf. "Redemptionis Sacramentum," Nos. 149-153,165).
Priests on their part should show themselves transparently happy in their vocation with a clear identity of their liturgical role. If they celebrate the sacred mysteries with faith and devotion and according to the approved books, they will unconsciously be preaching priestly vocations. On the other hand, young people will not desire to join a band of clerics who seem uncertain of their mission, who criticize and disobey their Church and who celebrate their own "liturgies" according to their personal choices and theories.
A higher liturgical institute and a theological faculty are precious instruments in the hands of the Church for the sharing of the correct theology on the priest as Christ's instrument in the sacred liturgy.
Labels: Authentic Liturgical Renewal 2007, News, Priesthood, Vatican
FSSP's Pro-Life Activities at OLGS
Earlier this month, several seminarians from OLGS participated in the March for Life in downtown Lincoln. This annual event starts at the state capitol building where Nebraska’s pro-life politicians including the governor, lieutenant governor and several state senators deliver speeches. The participants then march from the statehouse to the student union building of the University of Nebraska in the downtown area. Again this year, OLGS’ seminarians joined Bishop Bruskewitz and many of his priests in the annual march.
While participation in this very public event helps to send an important message about the evil of abortion to the community at large, it only represents a fraction of the pro-life commitment of the seminarians at OLGS. Every Friday, for instance, a volunteer group of seminarians joins other concerned Catholics outside the local Planned Parenthood abortion mill. There they pray fifteen decades of the Holy Rosary from 1:00 to 2:00 and, if time permits, a litany is also sung. Anecdotal evidence suggests that abortion workers find it harder to perform their everyday tasks when people are praying outside of their buildings. Let us hope that these Friday trips will one day become unnecessary.
While participation in this very public event helps to send an important message about the evil of abortion to the community at large, it only represents a fraction of the pro-life commitment of the seminarians at OLGS. Every Friday, for instance, a volunteer group of seminarians joins other concerned Catholics outside the local Planned Parenthood abortion mill. There they pray fifteen decades of the Holy Rosary from 1:00 to 2:00 and, if time permits, a litany is also sung. Anecdotal evidence suggests that abortion workers find it harder to perform their everyday tasks when people are praying outside of their buildings. Let us hope that these Friday trips will one day become unnecessary.
Labels: Catholic Belief, Fraternity of St. Peter, News, Seminarian
From History: A Dispute between Archbishop Sheen and Francis Cardinal Spellman
(By: Paul I Murphy, La Popessa)
In 1957 Francis Cardinal Spellman, the powerful Archbishop of New York, insisted that Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s Society for the Propagation of the Faith owed the Archdiocese of New York one million dollars for supplies that the Society had distributed to impoverished people around the world. This dispute eventually made its way into the Pope’s office, and was settled when Pope Pius XII learned via a phone call to President Eisenhower that the surplus aid had been donated by the U.S. government to the Church free of charge. Not wishing to humble a longtime friend before another prelate of a lesser rank, the Pope reminded the two bishops that forgiveness was Divine and they should go in peace. He then gave them his blessing.
Once outside the Pope’s office an enraged Cardinal Spellman turned to Archbishop Sheen and shouted angrily, “I will get even with you!” Unmoved, the Archbishop replied while looking squarely at the Cardinal with his penetrating dark eyes, “Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius!”
Unfortunately for Archbishop Sheen, Cardinal Spellman made good his threat. His much watched television series was not renewed despite its increasing popularity, and the Archbishop was transferred to a small diocese in Upstate New York, which Cardinal Spellman and other prelates referred to as an “ecclesiastical Siberia.”
In 1957 Francis Cardinal Spellman, the powerful Archbishop of New York, insisted that Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s Society for the Propagation of the Faith owed the Archdiocese of New York one million dollars for supplies that the Society had distributed to impoverished people around the world. This dispute eventually made its way into the Pope’s office, and was settled when Pope Pius XII learned via a phone call to President Eisenhower that the surplus aid had been donated by the U.S. government to the Church free of charge. Not wishing to humble a longtime friend before another prelate of a lesser rank, the Pope reminded the two bishops that forgiveness was Divine and they should go in peace. He then gave them his blessing.
Once outside the Pope’s office an enraged Cardinal Spellman turned to Archbishop Sheen and shouted angrily, “I will get even with you!” Unmoved, the Archbishop replied while looking squarely at the Cardinal with his penetrating dark eyes, “Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius!”
Unfortunately for Archbishop Sheen, Cardinal Spellman made good his threat. His much watched television series was not renewed despite its increasing popularity, and the Archbishop was transferred to a small diocese in Upstate New York, which Cardinal Spellman and other prelates referred to as an “ecclesiastical Siberia.”
Labels: Miscellaneous
Latinist laments 'dying language'
(By David Willey BBC News, Rome)
One of the world's foremost scholars in Latin has said he believes the language is dying out.
One of the world's foremost scholars in Latin has said he believes the language is dying out.
Father Reginald Foster, who was appointed the papal Latinist 38 years ago, says Latin is almost extinct.
He says priests are no longer compelled to study it at seminaries and find it impossible to read important theological texts.
Father Foster has also condemned the loss of Latin teaching in schools across most of Europe.
'Missing out'
Father Foster has just opened a new Latin academy in Rome near the Pantheon, in his final effort to preserve the official language of the priesthood.
He hopes to attract 130 students a year.
But the chief Latinist, who has translated speeches and letters for four popes, says he can see no future for the language he is teaching and has been forced to acknowledge that Latin is dying out.
The reason is that more junior members of the Catholic hierarchy are less enthusiastic about Latin than the recent Popes.
At the Vatican, bishops appointments are still written on papyrus in Latin as are letters of congratulations from the pope, but many bishops and cardinals write back asking for translations.
He has also condemned the loss of Latin teaching in Europe.
In Italy, most schoolchildren are still taught Latin for at least four hours a week until they are 18.
But in other European countries it has been replaced by the more modern languages.
Father Foster believes that without Latin they are missing out on important elements of history.
"St Augustine thought in Latin, you can't read his text in English, it's like listening to Mozart through a jukebox," he says.
Papal leadership
Reports that Pope Benedict XVI might re-introduce Latin mass are way off the mark says Father Foster, not least because of the pontiff's desire to avoid more controversy.
In any case, he says, it just makes the Vatican look medieval. Father Foster does, however, propose a solution - he has called on the Pope to lead by example.
Instead of a siesta, he says, Benedict should announce that he will be reading Latin in his Vatican quarters.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Back...
... From the hospital.
Heartfelt thanks to all friends and family who have lifted me in prayer. Special thanks to Rev. Fr. Edmund Chong and Rev. Fr. Michael Teo for offering the Holy Sacrifice for me.
Labels: Miscellaneous, Personal, Photos
Monday, January 22, 2007
Only if......
Labels: Miscellaneous, Photos, Suggestions
Let Them Be One...
(via A Catholic Life)
From January 18 - January 25, 2007, we celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, of which I have already posted a prayer. However, I feel that instruction is needed for the faithful during this week.
It would be extremely easy to fall into error this week seeking for unity. For we as Catholics follow the complete Truth of Jesus Christ revealed over the past 2,000 years. And that is what we will always believe. We shall not disregard a single teaching of the Church for "unity". Unity does not mean that all of the separated Christians should come together and make compromises until a new Creed is made. This is heresy! We will not compromise one single article of doctrine, or one single dogma, or one single practice of our faith. For that is a common misconception of what this Week of Christian Unity is about. This week of Christian Unity is about praying for fellow non-Catholics to repent for their sins and enter into the Catholic Church - completely obedient to the Magesterium and all honored Traditions of the Faith. Yes, it is a sin to refuse to believe a single dogma of the Church. And, it may compromise one's soul if that person refuses to believe even one part of the Faith taught by Christ and revealed through the years by the Holy Catholic Church. Again, anyone who will disregard a dogma or teaching of the Holy Church in the name of ecumenism will surely answer to Almighty God.
The Church is our Mother and lead by the Successor of Saint Peter - the Pope. I have already posted a summary of some of the Church's teachings in my post on the Prayer for Unity. And, since we still hold the True Faith, it is our obligation to pray for non-Catholics to see their errors and enter the Church. In truth, interdenominational activity has been condemned through the years by the Church. I have not and will not attend a single Protestant service, and I hope and pray all Catholics will do the same. This is not because I view myself superior. After all, Jesus ate with the sinners and was criticized for it. But, it is a scandelous activity to attend a Protestant service. Not only do Protestants not have the authentic Sacraments like the Eucharist, Confession, Last Rites, Holy Orders, etc., they believe heresy. The very word "Protestant" implies they are "protesting". And what are they protesting against? They protest against the Catholic Church, which is the Sacrament of salvation for the whole world! For this reason, it is wrong for any Catholic to attend a non-Catholic religious service.
Pope Pius XI condemend the "ecumenical movement" in Mortalium Animos:
"...it will be opportune to expound and to reject a certain false opinion which lies at the root of this question and of that complex movement by which non-Catholics seek to bring about the union of Christian Churches. Those who favor this view constantly quote the words of Christ, "That they may be one (Ut unum sint)... And there shall be one fold and one shepherd" (John xvii. 21, x. 16), in the sense that Christ thereby merely expressed a desire or a prayer which as yet has not been granted. For they hold that the unity of faith and government which is a note of the one true Church of Christ has up to the present time hardly ever existed, and does not exist today. They consider that this unity is indeed to be desired and may even, by cooperation and good will, be actually attained, but that meanwhile it must be regarded as a mere ideal. The Church, they say, is of its nature divided into sections, composed of several churches or distinct communities which still remain separate, and although holding in common some articles of doctrine, nevertheless differ concerning the remainder; that all these enjoy the same rights; and that the Church remained one and undivided at the most only from the Apostolic age until the first Ecumenical Councils. Hence, they say, controversies and long-standing differences, which today still keep asunder the members of the Christian family, must be entirely set aside, and from the residue of doctrines a common form of faith drawn up and proposed for belief, in the profession of which all may not only know but also feel themselves to be brethren. If the various Churches or communities were united in some kind of universal federation, they would then be in a position to oppose resolutely and successfully the progress of irreligion.
"Such, Venerable Brethren, is the common contention. There are indeed some who recognize and affirm that Protestantism has with inconsiderate zeal rejected certain articles of faith and external ceremonies which are in fact useful and attractive, and which the Roman Church still retains. But they immediately go on to say that the Roman Church, too, has erred, and corrupted the primitive religion by adding to it and proposing for belief doctrines not only alien to the Gospel but contrary to its spirit. Chief among these they count that of the primacy of jurisdiction granted to Peter and to his successors in the See of Rome. There are actually some, though few, who grant to the Roman Pontiff a primacy of honor and even a certain power or jurisdiction; this, however, they consider to arise not from the divine law but merely from the consent of the faithful. Others, again, even go so far as to desire the Pontiff himself to preside over their mixed assemblies. For the rest, while you may hear many non-Catholics loudly preaching brotherly communion in Jesus Christ, yet not one will you find to whom it even occurs with devout submission to obey the Vicar of Jesus Christ in his capacity of teacher or ruler. Meanwhile they assert their readiness to treat with the Church of Rome, but on equal terms, as equals with an equal. But even if they could so treat, there seems little doubt that they would do so only on condition that no pact into which they might enter should compel them to retract those opinions which still keep them outside the one fold of Christ.
"This being so, it is clear that the Apostolic See can by no means take part in these assemblies. nor is it in any way lawful for Catholics to give to such enterprises their encouragement or support. If they did so, they would be giving countenance to a false Christianity quite alien to the one Church of Christ. Shall we commit the iniquity of suffering the truth, the truth revealed by God, to be made a subject for compromise? For it is indeed a question of defending revealed truth. Jesus Christ sent His Apostles into the whole world to declare the faith of the Gospel to every nation, and, to save them from error, He willed that the Holy Ghost should first teach them all truth. Has this doctrine, then, disappeared, or at any time been obscured, in the Church of which God Himself is the ruler and guardian? Our Redeemer plainly said that His Gospel was intended not only for the apostolic age but for all time. Can the object of faith, then, have become in the process of time so dim and uncertain that today we must tolerate contradictory opinions? If this were so, then we should have to admit that the coming of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles, the perpetual indwelling of the same Spirit in the Church, nay, the very preaching of Jesus Christ, have centuries ago lost their efficacy and value. To affirm this would be blasphemy.
Now, please realize I don't want violence or discord to result from my opinions or this mentioned statement. But, we must not compromise our beliefs. We must pray for and love non-Catholics, especially Protestants, but we can't compromise our beliefs one ounce. That is why we must pray, pray, and pray for non-Catholics to see their errors and return to the Flock of Christ so that there will exist one Flock and one Shepherd. We must pray for schismatics, heretics, and pagans to all repent and enter the Church of Christ. As St. Pius X wrote, "There is only one divine faith which is the beginning of salvation for mankind and the basis of all justification, the faith by which the just person lives and without which it is impossible to please God and to come to the community of His children. There is only one true, holy, Catholic church, which is the Apostolic Roman Church." (Singulari Quidem, Encyclical of Pope Pius IX)
If you are non-Catholic and would like more information than posted on this website, I suggest you visit One Bread Lay Apostolate, which provides free information for non-Catholics. For an indepth look at numerous issues with the Church, check out the Catholic Defense Directory too. For some articles on Catholic beliefs that I have written, see Living a Catholic Life.
I will conclude with these words from part of the document "Notification relative to the book of Jacques Dupuis, Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism" from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, when Cardinal Ratzinger was in charge of it. This document was read by Pope John Paul II at the audience of January 19, 2001:
I. On the sole and universal salvific mediation of Jesus Christ.
1. It must be firmly believed that Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man, crucified and risen, is the sole and universal mediator of salvation for all humanity.
2. It must be firmly believed that Jesus of Nazareth, Son of Man and only Savior of the world, is the Son and Word of the Father. For the unity of the divine plan of salvation centered in Jesus Christ, it must also be held that the salvific action of the Word is accomplished in and through Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of the Father, as mediator of salvation for all humanity. It is therefore contrary to the Catholic faith not only to posit a separation between the Word and Jesus, or between the Word's salvific activity and that of Jesus, but also to maintain that there is a salvific activity of the Word as such in his divinity, independent of the humanity of the Incarnate Word.
II. On the unicity and completeness of revelation of Jesus Christ.
3. It must be firmly believed that Jesus Christ is the mediator and fulfillment and the completeness of revelation. It is therefore contrary to the Catholic faith to maintain that revelation in Jesus Christ (or the revelation of Jesus Christ) is limited, incomplete or imperfect. Moreover, although full knowledge of divine revelation will be had only on the day of the Lord's coming in glory, the historical revelation of Jesus Christ offers everything necessary for man's salvation and has no need of completion by other religions.
4. It is consistent with Catholic doctrine to hold that the seeds of truth and goodness that exist in other religions are a certain participation in truths contained in the revelation of or in Jesus Christ. However, it is erroneous to hold that such elements of truth and goodness, or some of them, do not derive ultimately from the source-mediation of Jesus Christ.
5. The Church's faith teaches that the Holy Spirit, working after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is always the Spirit of Christ sent by the Father, who works in a salvific way in Christians as well as non-Christians. It is therefore contrary to the Catholic faith to hold that the salvific action of the Holy Spirit extends beyond the one universal salvific economy of the Incarnate Word.
IV. On the orientation of all human beings to the Church.
6.It must be firmly believed that the Church is sign and instrument of salvation for all people. It is contrary to the Catholic faith to consider the different religions of the world as ways of salvation complementary to the Church.7. According to Catholic doctrine, the followers of other religions are oriented to the Church and are all called to become part of her.
V. On the value and salvific function of the religious traditions.
8. In accordance with Catholic doctrine, it must be held that "whatever the Spirit brings about in human hearts and in the history of peoples, in cultures and religions, serves as a preparation for the Gospel" (cf. Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, 16). It is therefore legitimate to maintain that the Holy Spirit accomplishes salvation in non-Christians also through those elements of truth and goodness present in the various religions; however to hold that these religions, considered as such, are ways of salvation, has no foundation in Catholic theology, also because they contain omissions, insufficiencies and errors regarding fundamental truths about God, man and the world.
Furthermore, the fact that elements of truth and goodness present in the various world religions may prepare peoples and cultures to receive the saving event of Jesus Christ does not imply that the sacred texts of these religions can be considered as complementary to the Old Testament, which is the immediate preparation for the Christ event.
(This document's commentry can be found here)
Let us pray and work towards unity - that all people will be members of the one, true Church that Jesus Christ established for the salvation of the world - the Catholic Church. Again, I ask for prayers for all people in RCIA. Please read the prayer of Jesus for Christian Unity from The Gospel of John, Chapter 17.
(For more Catholic Apologetics, refer to the sidebar- Defend TRUE Religion)
Labels: Apologetics, Catholic Belief, Eucmenism, Holy Father
Virginity as a Vocation
The Presentation of the Virgin Mary at the Temple
(via The National Catholic Register)
SAUGUS, Mass. Judith Stegman, owner of a tax and accounting firm in Lansing, MI, doesn’t mince words when describing her vocation. I’m a consecrated virgin, she says. Even in Catholic circles, the statement doesn’t always go down well. Once, about to speak at a finance seminar for area parish office workers, Stegman was introduced as a consecrated virgin in the Church. Someone in the audience responded with a loud guffaw.
Sometimes it seems that virgin’ is one of the last dirty words left in our society, Stegman observes.
In a secular culture that treats virginity as an embarrassment, identifying oneself as a virgin invites snickers, even hostility. Still, without. being in-your-face about it , Stegman adamantly uses the word for two reasons. It confronts people with the reality of something good, whose value needs to be recognized, she said. And it describes what I am!
In 1993 Stegman became one of perhaps only 100 women in the United States to experience the Solemn Rite of Consecration of Virgins for Women Living in the World (weblink can be found below), an ancient sacramental which Vatican II restored in 1970. Through it, in the words of the rite, a virgin’s chastity is consecrated for the sake of more fervent love of Christ and greater freedom for serving others.
A virgin living in the world is rooted in the diocese, so it is the bishop who presides at her consecration; afterwards, he meets regularly with her and may request her help, as appropriate.
Consecration takes place in the context of a Mass, usually on a solemnity or feast of Mary or a virgin martyr. The rite is strikingly nuptial. Some virgins wear a wedding gown; each receives a wedding band signifying that she is a bride of Christ.
Immersed in the World
Typically, women called to consecrated virginity feel drawn to lifelong chastity but not to becoming nuns.
Stegman says she realized early on, after hearing a state in life talk, that God had given her the gifts for single life. She prayed and searched for years before stumbling on a magazine article about the restored Rite of Consecration. She was immediately attracted.
So was Janet Maestranzi, of Saugus, MA. Right after getting her M.A. in theology, Janet began a serious search for a form in which to live out her relationship with God. She looked into religious communities but found nothing that matched her desire for a spousal, consecrated, secular life.
Finally, having heard about consecrated virginity but feeling stymied about how to pursue it, Janet found an article on the subject; its author, a consecrated virgin, provided the necessary guidance.
Consecrated in July 1994, Janet sees her vocation as such a good fit and gratefully views it in terms of being loved by God. It’s a unique form among all the unique forms of the one vocation to holiness, she says.
Janet appreciates the secularity of her vocation the chance to bear quiet witness in the context of very ordinary activities that include working in a Boston office. But being immersed in the world, she has discovered, means not only giving but receiving. In so many ways, God loves me through the world and reveals so much of his beauty in the people I meet.
Hurdles and Challenges
As Janet’s and Stegman’s stories suggest, lack of information about the vocation is one difficulty facing women who seek to become consecrated virgins in the world. That situation is changing, thanks to efforts of people like Bishop Raymond Burke, of La Crosse, WI, who serves as episcopal moderator for consecrated virgins in the United States. Still, many Catholics remain uninformed.
Another challenge comes from people who fail to see consecration to virginity in the world as a definitive vocation, or even a worthy one. More than one consecrated virgin has been criticized for not pursuing traditional religious life instead.
Still other critics contend that women who see themselves as brides of Christ guided by their bishops will inevitably be weak and passive. Consecrated virgins point out that their models, the virgin martyrs, were anything but.
I feel stronger as a woman in the Church because of this vocation, Janet affirms. The Holy Father has said that the vocation to virginity is a way of understanding that women are created good in themselves. That’s a profound insight something to be taken very seriously and explored.
Then, too, consecrated virgins face the same objections met by women entering religious life.
Barbara Swieciak, of La Crosse, WI, first ran into these in 1978, when she decided to quit a successful teaching job to enter the Poor Clares. My family thought it was a cult! she laughs.
They came to support her decision, but health problems forced Barbara to leave the monastery three happy years after she entered.
Deeply disappointed, but knowing that Christ had another way for her to live as his bride, Barbara eventually heard about consecrated virginity in the world. Reading the Rite for the first time was a revelation, she says. Bam! I recognized my vocation. I thought, This is it! This describes my life!’
Again, her family came to that conclusion more slowly. This time, they really thought I had lost my marbles, Barbara remembers.
They coped by joking. If there’s ever a volcano, at least we’ll have a virgin to throw in! one relative laughed.
Still, they all showed up at the cathedral for Barbara’s consecration ceremony in 1984. Seeing the bishop there with a dozen or so priests and the way I was supported by my parish family, my family was very proud of me. They could see the importance of a faith life and the power of prayer.
Finally, as Stegman experienced at that parish finance seminar, consecrated virgins face the challenges inherent in being willing to take a public stand for Christian values that run against the cultural grain. Sometimes, though, they meet with pleasant surprises.
Mary Kay Lacke, dean of evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, in Ohio, remembers a plane trip when she found herself sitting among a group of rowdy young men headed for a Florida golf tournament. One looked over my shoulder, saw I was reading something about consecrated virginity, and started asking questions.
Mary Kay braced herself for ridicule that never came. Instead, the guy got pretty interested and started explaining it to his buddies. They didn’t know exactly what to say, but they all listened and got kind of awed. Once again, I was amazed at how the Lord works.
Louise Perotta writes from St. Paul, Minnesota.
The United States Association of Consecrated Virgins USACV P.O. Box 1212, Oregon City, OR 97045-0091
Labels: Vocation
Fr. Anthony Bannon on Sacrifices
The Greatest Sacrifice was acomplished on Calvary. ...... The problem arises when we understand by asceticism those huge, external penances that some of the great saints did (fasting, scourging, etc.). These penances are only of value when done out of love. We know that the Church is like a body, and the good that each one does benefits everyone else in the body. So these saints, and there are many today who still do the same, did these penances to make up for their own sins, and to help spiritually in the conversion of those who are still far from Christ.
With their penances they unite themselves to Christ on the Cross and they intercede for sinners. We owe a lot of the graces we receive to those Catholics who pray and offer sacrifices for us.
With their penances they unite themselves to Christ on the Cross and they intercede for sinners. We owe a lot of the graces we receive to those Catholics who pray and offer sacrifices for us.
(The picture was intended to be 'disturbing'. "No greater lover than a man lay down his life for his friends". This is the sacrificial love of Christ... are we reciprocating His love by "loving one another as He has loved us?")
Labels: Catholic Belief, Spirituality
Abide in Love
(By H.H. Pope Benedict XVI, Excerpt: Deus Caritas Est)
God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him (1 Jn 4:16). These words from the First Letter of John express with remarkable clarity the heart of the Christian faith: the Christian image of God and the resulting image of mankind and its destiny. In the same verse, Saint John also offers a kind of summary of the Christian life: We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.
We have come to believe in God's love: in these words the Christian can express the fundamental decision of his life. Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction. Saint John's Gospel describes that event in these words: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should ... have eternal life (3:16). In acknowledging the centrality of love, Christian faith has retained the core of Israel's faith, while at the same time giving it new depth and breadth. The pious Jew prayed daily the words of the Book of Deuteronomy which expressed the heart of his existence: Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your might (6:4-5). Jesus united into a single precept this commandment of love for God and the commandment of love for neighbour found in the Book of Leviticus: You shall love your neighbour as yourself (19:18; cf. Mk 12:29-31). Since God has first loved us (cf. 1 Jn 4:10), love is now no longer a mere command; it is the response to the gift of love with which God draws near to us.
Labels: Catholic Belief, Holy Father, Spirituality
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Holy Hour at Church of the Holy Spirit
"O Sacrament most Holy O Sacrament Divine"The Church of the Holy Spirit will be holding its first Holy Hour for Vocations:
Date: 26 January, Friday
Time: 8 - 9.15pm
Venue: Chapel, Church of the Holy Spirit
248 Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574371
Fr John Van Dich will be sharing his vocation story during this session. We hope that you and your family and friends (especially the "Friends of Serra Club from Holy Spirit) would be able to make it for the evening of prayers for more vocations and for our priests.
Date: 26 January, Friday
Time: 8 - 9.15pm
Venue: Chapel, Church of the Holy Spirit
248 Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574371
Fr John Van Dich will be sharing his vocation story during this session. We hope that you and your family and friends (especially the "Friends of Serra Club from Holy Spirit) would be able to make it for the evening of prayers for more vocations and for our priests.
Labels: Announcements, Prayer, Priesthood, Vocation
Candidates for the Diaconate and Subdiaconate
(via Perry Report, Newsletter)
At the beginning of his weekly Friday evening conference, Fr. Josef Bisig, FSSP announced that the Extraordinary Council had approved the petitions of those seminarians who had requested to receive either the Diaconate or Subdiaconate. Thus, on Saturday, March 10, 2007 six seminarians will be ordained deacons and three will be ordained to the Subdiaconate. Please continue to pray for their vocations.
Labels: Fraternity of St. Peter, News, Priesthood, Vocation
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Betcha Didn't Know Vatican II Said THIS!
(via Fr. Gonzales, Overheard in the Sacristry)
Since our dear Rogue Deacon invited us on Sunday to read the documents of Vatican II so we could educate ourselves on just how screwed-over we are by the "hierarchy," let's check out some passages from Sacrosanctum Concilium that he and the rest of the "Spirit of Vatican II" crowd would just as soon we didn't read.
2. In virtue of power conceded by the law, the regulation of the liturgy within certain defined limits belongs also to various kinds of competent territorial bodies of bishops legitimately established....3. Therefore, no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority.
36.1. Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites.
54....steps should be taken so that the faithful may also be able to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them.
115....Composers and singers, especially boys, must also be given a genuine liturgical training.
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.
120. In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church's ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man's mind to God and to higher things.
121. The texts intended to be sung must always be in conformity with Catholic doctrine; indeed they should be drawn chiefly from Holy Scripture and from liturgical sources.
124....Let bishops carefully remove from the house of God and from other sacred places those works of artists which are repugnant to faith, morals, and Christian piety, and which offend true religious sense either by depraved forms or by lack of artistic worth, mediocrity and pretense.
Is it becoming clear why the liberals always cite to the "spirit of Vatican II"?
Comments: My emphasis added.
Since our dear Rogue Deacon invited us on Sunday to read the documents of Vatican II so we could educate ourselves on just how screwed-over we are by the "hierarchy," let's check out some passages from Sacrosanctum Concilium that he and the rest of the "Spirit of Vatican II" crowd would just as soon we didn't read.
2. In virtue of power conceded by the law, the regulation of the liturgy within certain defined limits belongs also to various kinds of competent territorial bodies of bishops legitimately established....3. Therefore, no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority.
36.1. Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites.
54....steps should be taken so that the faithful may also be able to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them.
115....Composers and singers, especially boys, must also be given a genuine liturgical training.
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.
120. In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church's ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man's mind to God and to higher things.
121. The texts intended to be sung must always be in conformity with Catholic doctrine; indeed they should be drawn chiefly from Holy Scripture and from liturgical sources.
124....Let bishops carefully remove from the house of God and from other sacred places those works of artists which are repugnant to faith, morals, and Christian piety, and which offend true religious sense either by depraved forms or by lack of artistic worth, mediocrity and pretense.
Is it becoming clear why the liberals always cite to the "spirit of Vatican II"?
Comments: My emphasis added.
Labels: Liturgy, Traditionalism, Vatican
Italian priests join the war on Satanic crime
"Satan or the devil and the other demons are fallen angels who have freely refused to serve God and his plan. Their choice against God is definitive. They try to associate man in their revolt against God." (Catechism of the Catholic Church 414)
(By Nick Pisa in Rome, Sunday Telegraph)
Priests are to work alongside Italian police officers to tackle a rising tide of crimes linked to devil worship.
The clerics have been seconded to the Squadra Anti Sette (SAS) anti-sect squad by the Vatican after Church officials became concerned about the number of churches being desecrated by Satanists. In recent months there have also been a string of murders that have been linked to devil worship.
One of the Vatican's leading experts on Satanism and the occult, Don Oreste Benzi, has been brought in to liaise with police. He told The Sunday Telegraph that the natural curiosity of young people meant they were particularly attracted to the occult, and drugs were also used to influence and manipulate them.
"We will provide the units with priests who have experience in the field of devil worship and the occult," he said. "They will help the SAS to combat this problem, which is growing at an alarming rate across Italy.
"We are not just talking about murders but the psychological grip that these sects have on young people, especially taking them away from traditional social values and exposing them to all sorts of horrors.
"We estimate that there are at least 8,000 Satanic sects across the country with more than 600,000 members and the numbers are growing. That is why the Church is more than happy to help."
The nationwide operation will be centrally controlled from Rome by police chief Gianni de Gennaro. SAS units are expected to work with psychologists and the Vatican's experts, while a special freephone hotline has been set up to report occult activities.
Many of the new wave of Satanists in Italy indulge in a potentially lethal blend of black magic, hard drugs, sex and heavy metal music. One recent murder case that dominated the headlines was the so-called "Beasts of Satan" trial of a group who bludgeoned two of their members before burying them alive in woods near Milan. Andrea Volpe, the Beasts of Satan ringleader, was given a life sentence, while his girlfriend, Elisabetta Ballarin, 19, was sentenced to 24 years. Also jailed was Nicola Sapone, 27, who was sentenced to 26 years. Their victims were Fabio Tollis, 16, and Chiara Marino, 19.
Police believe that there may be other victims of the sect buried in the woods, as several people are missing.
Police say that Satanists are particularly active in Piedmont, Veneto and Emilia Romagna in the north, and Tuscany, Umbria, Calabria and Puglia further south.
A police spokesman in Rome said: "The department of public security decided that a group should be created to deal with the Satanism and sects in Italy.
"In several cases we have seen criminal activity, including murder and sexual offences taking place in connection with these practices, and the unit will tackle these offences."
Occultists are predictably unhappy about the move.
Andrea Provera, who runs an occult shop in Turin, said: "We live in a lay state and a democracy so everyone is free to believe in what they want.
"If someone wants to worship their fridge because they are convinced it speaks or they want to worship Satan, then that's their own business."
Civil rights groups have also expressed fears that the SAS may be used to begin investigations into the one million Italians who belong to minority religions.
Priests are to work alongside Italian police officers to tackle a rising tide of crimes linked to devil worship.
The clerics have been seconded to the Squadra Anti Sette (SAS) anti-sect squad by the Vatican after Church officials became concerned about the number of churches being desecrated by Satanists. In recent months there have also been a string of murders that have been linked to devil worship.
One of the Vatican's leading experts on Satanism and the occult, Don Oreste Benzi, has been brought in to liaise with police. He told The Sunday Telegraph that the natural curiosity of young people meant they were particularly attracted to the occult, and drugs were also used to influence and manipulate them.
"We will provide the units with priests who have experience in the field of devil worship and the occult," he said. "They will help the SAS to combat this problem, which is growing at an alarming rate across Italy.
"We are not just talking about murders but the psychological grip that these sects have on young people, especially taking them away from traditional social values and exposing them to all sorts of horrors.
"We estimate that there are at least 8,000 Satanic sects across the country with more than 600,000 members and the numbers are growing. That is why the Church is more than happy to help."
The nationwide operation will be centrally controlled from Rome by police chief Gianni de Gennaro. SAS units are expected to work with psychologists and the Vatican's experts, while a special freephone hotline has been set up to report occult activities.
Many of the new wave of Satanists in Italy indulge in a potentially lethal blend of black magic, hard drugs, sex and heavy metal music. One recent murder case that dominated the headlines was the so-called "Beasts of Satan" trial of a group who bludgeoned two of their members before burying them alive in woods near Milan. Andrea Volpe, the Beasts of Satan ringleader, was given a life sentence, while his girlfriend, Elisabetta Ballarin, 19, was sentenced to 24 years. Also jailed was Nicola Sapone, 27, who was sentenced to 26 years. Their victims were Fabio Tollis, 16, and Chiara Marino, 19.
Police believe that there may be other victims of the sect buried in the woods, as several people are missing.
Police say that Satanists are particularly active in Piedmont, Veneto and Emilia Romagna in the north, and Tuscany, Umbria, Calabria and Puglia further south.
A police spokesman in Rome said: "The department of public security decided that a group should be created to deal with the Satanism and sects in Italy.
"In several cases we have seen criminal activity, including murder and sexual offences taking place in connection with these practices, and the unit will tackle these offences."
Occultists are predictably unhappy about the move.
Andrea Provera, who runs an occult shop in Turin, said: "We live in a lay state and a democracy so everyone is free to believe in what they want.
"If someone wants to worship their fridge because they are convinced it speaks or they want to worship Satan, then that's their own business."
Civil rights groups have also expressed fears that the SAS may be used to begin investigations into the one million Italians who belong to minority religions.
Comments: It's heartening to see priests protecting their flock by living their call to "lay down their lives so others may live". Let us aid them by saying the Chaplet of St. Michael's the Archangel for their intentions. (The simple form 'Sancte Michael' -in Latin- can be found on the side bar.)
Saint Michael the Archangel promised that by the honoring of the Nine Choirs of Angels in this chaplet devotion, along with diligence in attaining holiness, souls would have the escort of one representative of each of the Nine Choirs when approaching the Holy Table, and in addition, for the daily recital joined to courage in seeking holiness, Saint Michael the Archangel promised continual assistance from all the angels, and deliverance from Purgatory for themselves and their families.
Labels: News, Prayer, Priesthood
Participating in a Traditional Mass
One of the biggest differences between the Traditional Mass and the Novus Ordo is the concept of participation. Those experiencing a Traditional mass for the first time (especially a low Mass) will be shocked by what is perceived to be the non-participation of the laity.
This is because, many of those at the Novus Ordo are told that they are given the "riches of full and active participation of the people at Mass, something generations of Catholics didn't get at that stuffy old Latin Mass." At this point I must put a disclaimer up: I recognize this is not true of everybody who attends to the Novus Ordo, or the thinking of any priest who says it. There certainly are souls who try to love our Lord in the Novus Ordo, and priests who wish to devote their life to Jesus Christ. I would suggest to them, that the Traditional Mass offers them a far better opportunity to do so.
Anyhow, the truth is generations of Catholics praying the rosary and singing Latin chants they didn't understand participated ten times more than Catholics who have everything put in front of them in the vernacular with folk music. The problem is there is a method of participation in which Catholics have engaged for centuries which is not described as active, but described as Vatican II summed it up "actuosa participatio", actual participation, not active as it is falsely translated. Some will recoil and say no, no Vatican II, I don't want to hear it! This is an instance when the Council was summing up Tradition and not giving the appearance of departing from it.
Actual Participation, is not when you say something you understand, engage in one of a billion Novus Ordo ministries, (liturgical dance ministry, clown mass ministry, trapeze ministry, inculturation ministry, bingo ministry, old ladies with crappy hair-do ministry, etc.) and if we limit ourselves to the Traditional Mass, it is not merely reading the words in the Missal. It is in the words of Pope St. Pius X "praying the Mass." The St. Andrew's Daily Missal lists 3 things we can do to take part in the Liturgy:
1) Reconstruct the historic setting in which took place the event in our Lord's life, or in that of one of His saints which is being commemorated on the appointed day. In doing this much help may be gained from the chant, the introit, epistle, Gospel, etc.
2) Offer to God, for his greater glory, the mystery of our Redeemer's life which is being commemorated, or the acts of virtue which have been practised by the saint whose feast it is. This is done in the Canon of the Mass; it is not fitting to communicate without having made this offering which appeases the most High and brings us divine grace.
3) Ask of God (this is done in the Pater noster) and receive from Him by the merits and intercession of our Lord and His saints, the graces which they themselves received when they were living on earth.
There are many ways in which this spirituality was traditionally accomplished. One of those ways was by meditating on the sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary. Generally it is said that the faithful prayed the rosary because they didn't understand what was going on at Mass. This however is patently false for a number of reasons. First, the sheer volumes of hand-missals, devotional books and other guides published for the Holy Liturgy before Vatican II would suggest something different. The ubiquitousness of these books would indicate that large numbers of people before Vatican II were in fact praying and following these missals. But I digress.
Praying the rosary at Mass is still much maligned by Novus Ordo apologists as non-participation, something which should happen in a different place. Certainly this is true of public recitation of the rosary at low Mass, which was introduced by rosary guilds in the 1930's in some areas. This was not the way most people prayed the rosary at Mass. As a private devotion, asking our Blessed Lady to lead you in to the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross is one of the best ways to enter into the Holy Liturgy which makes that sacrifice represent on the holy altar.
Another manner of actual participation in the Holy Mass is reading meditations designed for each part of the Mass. I have a number of old prayer books from the 19th and early 20th centuries that provide meditations for different parts. For example, a Carmelite prayer book for the old Carmelite Missal of the Holy Sepulchre has the following:
At the Preface
We offer to the most Holy Trinity the merits of Jesus CHrist, in thanksgiving for the precious blood which Jesus shed in teh Garden for us; and by His merits we beseech the divine majesty to grant us the pardon of all our sins.
Lastly, and most prevalently we can pray the missal. The missal is a treasure trove of all the Church's prayers, her devotions, all the pious meditations, and her doctrine, to consider prayerfully, lovingly, and meditatively. Moreover the Mass is a form of contemplation, by which the Holy Sacrifice of Christ is not only made represent on the altar, but represent in our souls as well. The treasure of the missal is something we have that Catholics in former generations did not have, due to the lack of a printing press and literacy. When used we should not merely read the words of the missal, but meditate on their meaning whether it is in the Ordinary of the Mass or in the propers of the day. God does not need the prayers of the faithful in order to accomplish the Mass, He wants us to pray to Him with the Mass. Many people who switch over from the Novus Ordo are obsessed with being at the exact spot as the priest all the time. A particular advantage which developed in the West that did not develop in the east (in my opinion) is that the priest and the faithful are not on the same page all the time. There are in fact two different forms of prayer going on. The priest is offering up a prayer that he alone can offer, which the laity can not offer. Therefore it is not necessary for the laity to follow the priest at every turn. There are prayers which occur twice, one for the priest to say, and one for us to say in adoration. For example there is the fact that the priest says the confiteor, and then we say one for ourselves (silently however), the priest says his own Domine non sum dignus (Lord I am not worthy), and we say one as well. (I'll pause here to add that in many places an Irish-American custom that is in violation of the rubrics holds that the priest says the 2nd Domine non sum dignus. This should not be as the altar servers, not the priest, are to say this one, after the priest makes the invocation "Ecce agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccata mundi.") The priest has special prayers which he says before and after he receives communion, which he alone can say, all of which are form Psalm 115, and Psalm 17.
The purpose of following along in the Missal is not to follow each of these events. It is of little benefit to us to reason that the priest has just received communion, therefore he is saying "Quid retribuam Domino pro omnibus que retribuit mihi" from Psalm 115. What is useful to us on the other hand is to read the Church's communion prayer and meditate on the action of the liturgy. The richness of the Missal, even of one Sunday's Mass is scarcely comprehensible in this life, therefore it is necessary to focus our attention on a few prayers. This doesn't mean by any stretch that one can not read all the prayers of the day in the Missal, I'm merely saying that you should not stress yourself out trying to figure out where the priest is, but make your participation in the Mass actual.
One will also remember, that in old books and in old lives of the saints, one is told that a given saint "heard Mass" or was "hearing Mass", not that he was "active in liturgical ministries." Hearing Mass is nothing different than following the second plan in this schema, attentively devoting oneself to the worship of Jesus Christ at Mass.
These ways of participating at Mass are not mutually exclusive, nor is one way better than the other in my opinion. Each person will find his own way to sanctification in the Holy Liturgy.
The importance of actual participation at Mass
There are worse things than getting bent out of shape over where the priest is. The capital sin at Mass is a lack of attention to the Sacred mysteries. There are many testimonies in Church history of Saints who had great grace from being attentive and devoted during Mass, and great punishments for those who were not. For example:
Blessed Veronica of Binasco relates of herself the following "One day, whilst at Mass, I cast a glance of curiosity at one of my sisters in in religion. Immediately after, my guardian angel gave me such a severe reprimand for this fault as made me almost die from fright. Ah! how severe was not the look he cast at me, and how sharp the words he spoke to me! 'Why did you give such unbecoming liberty to your eyes?' sad he; 'why did you cast the look of curiosity at your sister? Indeed this is not a little fault.' Then he gave me in the name of Jesus Christ a penance for my sin, over which I shed bitter tears for three days. Since that time I hardly ever again dared to make the least motion at Mass for fear of being punished by the Divine Majesty." (Bollandus in Vita ejusdem, quoted in "The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass" by Fr. Michael Muller)
On another occasion, the same book reports of a holy pastor who said Mass. During Mass he saw two women in the pew, faithful and devoted who had angels hovering over them. There was another one however, who was not paying attention at Mass, and the demons made gestures indicating their dominion over her. Lastly, and perhaps one of my favorite stores from this book
which is available from TAN, is the following:
It is related of Drahomira, the mother of St. Wenceslaus, a very impious Duchess of Bohemia, how she one day went in a carriage to Saes in order to take a solemn oath on her father's grave, to extirpate all the Christians in her dominions. Passing a chapel in which Mass was being said, the driver, on hearing the bell ring for the Elevation of the Host, stopped the carriage and knelt down on the bare ground to adore Our Lord Jesus Christ on the altar. At this the impious Duchess flew into a violent passion, cursing the driver and the Blessed Sacrament. In punishment for her horrible blasphemies, the earth opened and swallowed her and her whole escort. They cried for help, but in vain. In a moment they were gone forever. The driver was glad indeed for having stopped the carriage to adore Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament; his faith and devotion saving him from destruction. (ibid, pg. 385).
In conclusion, you have everything to lose by not attentively hearing Mass, and everything to gain by doing so. The reason we must go to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is because it is the Church's official, magisterial interpretation of the 3rd commandment. It is the best and only way to truly keep the day holy, as there is no act holier which we can do other than assisting at Mass, offering up our prayers and ourselves in union with the priest.
Protestants will always ask where does it say you must go to Church. For them, by the principle of private judgment which is introduced by the doctrine of Faith Alone, it is up to each man to determine if he will go to Church or not. Even a pastor of a protestant Church claiming that one must go to Church to fulfill the commandment, has no more authority than Adam to tell him what to do, because that would go against private judgment and be introducing...(gasp!) some time of Tradition and authority!
For us we have no such private judgment. We must go to Holy Mass on Sunday to keep the commandment, as the magisterial authority of the Catholic Church has always and everywhere believed this to be the case, and the graces to be attained there are beyond anything we can attain by any other act.
Labels: Liturgy, Novus Ordo, Traditionalism
Friday, January 19, 2007
Testing the Faith: Homosexuals Destroy Themselves
The last two publications of The Catholic News talked on the subject of Homosexuality and the Catholic Church. Rev. Fr. Albert Renkens received much flak from lay Catholics for his "liberal" and "unorthodox" views on the matter. Some readers expressed that Fr. Renkens was wrong to present his own views and ideas on the matter and not official Church teaching.
Those who are confused after reading the article, read what H.H. Pope Benedict XVI has to say on the matter in Homosexuals Destroy Themselves:
In his most powerful statements to date on issues involving sexual morality, Pope Benedict XVI said homosexuals end up destroying themselves so the Church has a duty to speak out on moral issues that affect the very spiritual and physical lives of man.
"In seeking to emancipate himself from his body (from the 'biological sphere'), [man] ends up by destroying himself," the pope told cardinals, archbishops, bishops and members of the Roman Curia last week in a traditional meeting overlooked by most of the world's press. "Against those who say that 'the Church should not involve herself in these matters,' we can only respond: does man not concern us too? The church and believers must raise their voices to defend man, the creature who, in the inseparable unity of body and spirit, is the image of God."
The pope also lamented low birth rates in Europe, saying couples no longer seem to want children. This fact, he said, has "penetrated my soul."
"Men and women today are unsure about the future," he explained. "This fact, alongside the desire to have all of life to themselves, is perhaps the most profound reason for which the risk of having children appears to many as almost unbearable. ... If we do not relearn the basic foundations of life – if we do not rediscover the certainty of faith – it will also be ever more difficult for us to give others the gift of life and the challenges of an unknown future."
The pope also referred to the controversy over same-sex marriage.
"At this point, I cannot fail to mention my concern over 'de facto' couples," he said. "When new legislation is created that relativizes marriage, the rejection of the definitive bond gains, so to speak, juridical endorsement. Relativizing the difference between the sexes ... tacitly confirms those bleak theories which seek to remove all relevance from a human being's masculinity or femininity, as if this were a purely biological matter."
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that (My emphasis):
2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.
2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.
Labels: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Catholic Belief, Holy Father
ONE LORD, ONE BAPTISM
[Please prepare to say this prayer daily during the Week of Christian Unity which is January 18-25]
English:
May they all be on as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, so that the world may come to believe that you have sent me.
R. You are Peter
V. And it is upon this rock that I will build my Church.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles: I leave peace with you; it is my own peace that I give you; look not upon our sins but upon your Church's faith, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. You who live and reign forever and ever.
R. Amen.
Latin:
Ut omnes unum sint, sicut tu Pater in me et ego in te; ut mundus credat quia tu me misita.
R. Tu es Petrus.
V. Et super hanc petram dificabo ecclesiam meam.
Oremus: Domine Iesu Christe, qui dixisti Apostolis tuis: pacem relinquo vobis, pacem mean do vobis ne rspicias peccata nostra, sed fidem Ecclesie tuae, eamque secundum voluntatem tuam pacificate et coadunare digneris. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen
English:
May they all be on as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, so that the world may come to believe that you have sent me.
R. You are Peter
V. And it is upon this rock that I will build my Church.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles: I leave peace with you; it is my own peace that I give you; look not upon our sins but upon your Church's faith, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. You who live and reign forever and ever.
R. Amen.
Latin:
Ut omnes unum sint, sicut tu Pater in me et ego in te; ut mundus credat quia tu me misita.
R. Tu es Petrus.
V. Et super hanc petram dificabo ecclesiam meam.
Oremus: Domine Iesu Christe, qui dixisti Apostolis tuis: pacem relinquo vobis, pacem mean do vobis ne rspicias peccata nostra, sed fidem Ecclesie tuae, eamque secundum voluntatem tuam pacificate et coadunare digneris. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen
----------------------------------
There is so much about the Catholic faith that many people cannot understand. For the the benefit of non-Catholics, the following are the reasons why more that 1.1 Billion people choose to be Roman Catholic- We can only be united when we understand one another:
We believe in the God of All Creation, that is to say, I believe in the One, Triune God, One God in Three Divine Persons, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The same God Today, Yesterday and Forever, whose nature is always to have mercy.
We believe in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church as she exists in Communion with the Bishop of Rome, who is the Successor of St. Peter the Apostle and first Pope.
We believe all that is stated in the Nicene Creed.
We believe that the Catholic Church, in Communion with the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) is the Church that was founded directly by Jesus Christ nearly 2000 years ago, and is the Church that compiled and Canonized the Bible and that members of this Church were the authors of the New Testament, inspired by God the Holy Spirit.
We believe that I may unite my emotional and physical afflictions, sorrows and sufferings to the sufferings of Christ Crucified for the sake of the Whole Church, and I believe that our personal sufferings are great means of personal Sanctification.
We believe in the Queenship, Divine Motherhood, Perpetual Virginity and Intercession of the Theotokos also known as the Blessed Virgin Mary and I believe that she can and does hear our prayers and can pray for us to her Divine Son, Jesus Christ who is God. The Bible teaches us that we must intercede for each other based on the Mediatorship of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:1-5), the Bible teaches us that the Prayers of the Righteous are powerful (James 5:16) and the Bible teaches us that the Saints and Angels in Heaven offer our prayers to God in the form of incense (Rev. 5:8, Rev. 8:1-4), and the Bible has examples of prayer to the Angels and Hosts of Heaven (Psalm 103:20-21, Psalm 148:1-2). I believe that the Most Holy Ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God is an excellent person to go to for intercessory prayer.
Jesus teaches us that through Him, we may have Eternal Life. Based on this, We believe that the Saints in Heaven are very much alive, can hear our prayers and do intercede for us. Some claim that praying to Mary and the Saints and Angels means that we are worshipping them. This is not so. Prayer in itself is not an act of worship. The word "Prayer" means "Request." So when we pray, we are making a request, and in the case of prayer to Saints, we are requesting THEIR intercession (1 Timothy 2:1-5) to God on our behalves based on the Mediatorship of Jesus Christ.
We believe that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist; the source and summit of our Catholic faith. Protestants reading this may say that the Passover isn't finished until Calvary, I would suggest that Calvary is really begun in the Upper Room with the Eucharist. When does Jesus' sacrifice really begin? Well, He insists on the fact that His life is not being taken away from Him. He is laying it down. Now in the trial, in the passion, it's being taken away; but in the Upper Room, prior to all of that, Jesus lays it down. He says, "This is my body. This cup is the blood of the New Covenant." Christ could not have used clearer, more explicit words than "This is My body." He did not say, "This is a sign of My body," or "This represents My body," but, "This is My body." I together with 1 billion Catholics take Christ at His word because He is the omnipotent God. On His word we know that the Holy Eucharist is the the body and blood of Christ.
To reiterate, We believe in the Catholic Church and ALL that she teaches. This is the Faith handed on to us once and for all by Jesus Christ and His Apostles.
Video: Why Am I Catholic?
Labels: Catholic Belief, Eucmenism, Prayer
Corona Divinae Misericordiae
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is taken from the Diary of Bl. Faustina Kowalska, Notebook One, page 197 of the manuscript. Bl. Faustina Kowalska was born Helen Kowalska on August 25, 1905 in the village of Glogowiec, west of the city of Lodz in Poland. She was accepted into the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1925. She had many mystical experiences and her spiritual director Father Michael Sopocko instructed her to record her experiences in a diary. It was in the 1930's that she had the visions which formed the basis for the devotion to the Divine Mercy, a devotion which she tirelessly promoted until her death on October 5, 1938.
At one time there was a great deal of controversy surrounding Bl. Faustina and the devotion to the Divine Mercy, largely due to misconceptions caused by the numerous spurious translations of her diary. Given the confusion of the time, Pope John XXIII prudently censured the devotion. However, a certain Archbishop of Cracow, Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II, made sure that proper translations were made and accurate details of Bl Faustina's life and diary were made known. The confusion eventually parted and the ban on the Divine Mercy was finally lifted by Pope Paul VI on April 15, 1978. On April 18, 1993 Pope John Paul II beatified Sister Faustina following a miraculous cure worked through her intercession. For further information see: National Shrine of Divine Mercy
The devotion below is recited on a standard Rosary of five decades.
PATER noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.
AVE Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
CREDO in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem caeli et terrae. Et in Iesum Christum, Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus, descendit ad inferos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis, ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis, inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem et vitam aeternam. Amen.
On each of the OUR FATHER (Pater noster) beads:
PATER aeterne, offero tibi Corpus et Sanguinem, animam et divinitatem dilectissimi Filii Tui, Domini nostri, Iesu Christi, in propitiatione pro peccatis nostris et totius mundi.
On each of the HAIL MARY (Ave maria) beads:
PRO dolorosa Eius passione, miserere nobis et totius mundi.
At the conclusion, three times (In conclusione):
SANCTUS Deus, Sanctus Fortis, Sanctus Immortalis, miserere nobis et totius mundi.
Labels: Catholic Belief, Prayer, Spirituality
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
The “Year You Turned 18 Music Meme”
I was tagged by Constantine to paste the list of the top 75 songs from Popculture Madness, bold the ones I liked; strike the ones I disliked; and italicize the ones I know but don’t exactly like or dislike. The ones you don’t know will stay plain text.
I don't even have to start. I do not enjoy 'popculture' music. Music I enjoy can be found in my profile. (Ok, maybe some softrock...) I haven't even heard most of the songs on the list.
Now, this is one Meme that didn't take up any time at all... ;)
2005's Greatest Hits Meme
1. Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani
2. My Humps - The Black Eyed Peas
3. 1, 2 Step - Ciara Featuring Missy Elliott
4. Holiday - Green Day
5. Pon De Replay - Rihanna
6. Collide - Howie Day
7. Don't Cha - The Pussycat Dolls Featuring Busta Rhymes
8. Dirty Little Secret - The All -American Rejects
9. Gold Digger - Kayne West Featuring Jamie Foxx
10. Dragostea din tei - O-Zone
11. Lose Control - Missy Elliott Featuring Ciara & Fat Man Scoop
12. Boulevard Of Broken Dreams - Green Day
13. We Be Burnin' - Sean Paul
14. Run It - Chris Brown
15. Rich Girl - Gwen Stefani Featuring Eve
16. Don't Forget About Us - Mariah Carey
17. Mr. Brightside - The Killers
18. Listen To Your Heart - D.H.T.
19. Don't Mess With My Heart - The Black Eyed Peas
20. Sugar, We're Goin' Down - Fall Out Boy
21. Switch - Will Smith
22. You And Me - Lifehouse
23. True - Ryan Cabrera
24. Vertigo - U2
25. Photograph - Nickelback
26. Beverly Hills - Weezer
27. Feel Good Inc - Gorillaz
28. Numb/Encore - Jay-Z/Linkin Park
29. Untitled - Simple Plan
30. Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
31. La Tortura - Shakira Featuring Alejandro Sanz
32. Karma - Alicia Keyes
33. Obsession (No Es Amor) - Frankie J. Featuring Baby Bash
34. Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day
35. Daughters - John Mayer
36. Girlfight - Brooke Valentine Featuring Lil Jon Big Boi
37. Get Right - Jennifer Lopez
38. Have A Nice Day - Bon Jovi
39. More Than Words - Frankie J
40. Live Like You Were Dying - Tim McGraw
41. Boyfriend - Ashlee Simpson
42. Stickwitu - The Pussycat Dolls
43. We Belong Together - Mariah Carey
44. Hung Up - Madonna
45. Scars - Papa Roach
46. Just The Girl - The Click Five
47. Because of You - Kelly Clarkson
48. Over And Over - Nelly Featuring Tim McGraw
49. Candy Shop - 50 Cent Featuring Olivia
50. Speed Of Light - Coldplay
51. Let Me Love You - Mario
52. It's Like That - Mariah Carey
53. Diamonds From Sierra Leone - Kanye West
54. Incomplete - Backstreet Boys
55. Best Of You - Foo Fighters
56. Lonely No More - Rob Thomas
57. Disco Inferno - 50 Cent
58. Caught Up - Usher
59. Oh - Ciara Featuring Ludacris
60. 1 Thing - Amerie
I don't even have to start. I do not enjoy 'popculture' music. Music I enjoy can be found in my profile. (Ok, maybe some softrock...) I haven't even heard most of the songs on the list.
Now, this is one Meme that didn't take up any time at all... ;)
2005's Greatest Hits Meme
1. Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani
2. My Humps - The Black Eyed Peas
3. 1, 2 Step - Ciara Featuring Missy Elliott
4. Holiday - Green Day
5. Pon De Replay - Rihanna
6. Collide - Howie Day
7. Don't Cha - The Pussycat Dolls Featuring Busta Rhymes
8. Dirty Little Secret - The All -American Rejects
9. Gold Digger - Kayne West Featuring Jamie Foxx
10. Dragostea din tei - O-Zone
11. Lose Control - Missy Elliott Featuring Ciara & Fat Man Scoop
12. Boulevard Of Broken Dreams - Green Day
13. We Be Burnin' - Sean Paul
14. Run It - Chris Brown
15. Rich Girl - Gwen Stefani Featuring Eve
16. Don't Forget About Us - Mariah Carey
17. Mr. Brightside - The Killers
18. Listen To Your Heart - D.H.T.
19. Don't Mess With My Heart - The Black Eyed Peas
20. Sugar, We're Goin' Down - Fall Out Boy
21. Switch - Will Smith
22. You And Me - Lifehouse
23. True - Ryan Cabrera
24. Vertigo - U2
25. Photograph - Nickelback
26. Beverly Hills - Weezer
27. Feel Good Inc - Gorillaz
28. Numb/Encore - Jay-Z/Linkin Park
29. Untitled - Simple Plan
30. Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
31. La Tortura - Shakira Featuring Alejandro Sanz
32. Karma - Alicia Keyes
33. Obsession (No Es Amor) - Frankie J. Featuring Baby Bash
34. Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day
35. Daughters - John Mayer
36. Girlfight - Brooke Valentine Featuring Lil Jon Big Boi
37. Get Right - Jennifer Lopez
38. Have A Nice Day - Bon Jovi
39. More Than Words - Frankie J
40. Live Like You Were Dying - Tim McGraw
41. Boyfriend - Ashlee Simpson
42. Stickwitu - The Pussycat Dolls
43. We Belong Together - Mariah Carey
44. Hung Up - Madonna
45. Scars - Papa Roach
46. Just The Girl - The Click Five
47. Because of You - Kelly Clarkson
48. Over And Over - Nelly Featuring Tim McGraw
49. Candy Shop - 50 Cent Featuring Olivia
50. Speed Of Light - Coldplay
51. Let Me Love You - Mario
52. It's Like That - Mariah Carey
53. Diamonds From Sierra Leone - Kanye West
54. Incomplete - Backstreet Boys
55. Best Of You - Foo Fighters
56. Lonely No More - Rob Thomas
57. Disco Inferno - 50 Cent
58. Caught Up - Usher
59. Oh - Ciara Featuring Ludacris
60. 1 Thing - Amerie
Labels: Miscellaneous, Music
MARIAN CONSECRATION
I, (name), a faithless sinner, renew and ratify today in your hands, O Immaculate Mother, the vows of my Baptism; I renounce forever Satan, his pomps and works; and I give myself entirely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after Him all the days of my life, and to be more faithful to Him than I have ever been before.
In the presence of all the heavenly court, I choose you this day for my Mother and Queen. I deliver and consecrate to you, as your slave, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present, and future; leaving to you the entire and full right of disposing of me, and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to your good pleasure, for the greater glory of God, in time and eternity. Amen.
– St. Louis Marie de Montfort
In the presence of all the heavenly court, I choose you this day for my Mother and Queen. I deliver and consecrate to you, as your slave, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present, and future; leaving to you the entire and full right of disposing of me, and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to your good pleasure, for the greater glory of God, in time and eternity. Amen.
– St. Louis Marie de Montfort
Please pray for...
... the author of this blog- Me.
I'm considering a change in the course of my academic vocation.
Thank you & God bless.
I'm considering a change in the course of my academic vocation.
Thank you & God bless.
Labels: Intentions/Petitions, Prayer
Please pray for...
... a Redemtorist Seminarian friend, Br. F.
Br. F. is on a very tight academic syllabus. All his academic subjects are Latin, Hebrew, Philosophy, Anthropology, etc... all very heavy subjects.
Please keep him, as well as all other Seminarians in your prayers.
Prayer for Seminarians:
O Lord Jesus Christ, great High Priest, I pray that You call many worthy souls to Your holy priesthood. Enlighten the Bishop in the choice of candidates, the Spiritual Director in molding them, and the professors in instructing them. Lead the seminarians daily in Your unerring footsteps; so that they may become priests who are models of purity, possessors of wisdom and heroes of sacrifice; steeped in humility and aflame with love for God and man; apostles of Your glory and sanctifiers of souls. Amen. Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us.
Labels: Intentions/Petitions, Prayer, Seminarian
Blessed Sacrament
"When you approach the Tabernacle remember that he has been awaiting you for twenty centuries." St. Josemaria Escriva, Opus Dei.
Labels: Quote
Dom Christian de Chergé
Dom Christian de Chergé, Prior of the Monastery of Notre Dame de l'Atlas (Tibherin, Algeria)
The Trappists of the Monastery of Notre Dame de l'Atlas in Tibherin (Algeria) had devoted their lives to dialogue with Islam and had chosen to remain in their monastery, even though it was located in the mountainous region of Medea, a high-risk area.
Dom Christian de Chergé had written:
"Our state as monks [ruhban] binds us to the choice which God has made for us, which is for prayer and for a life of simplicity, manual labour, hospitality and sharing with all, especially the poor..."
Seized by armed terrorists on the night between March 26 and 27, 1996, they were killed on May 21, 1996.
In his spiritual testament, Dom Christian de Chergé had written:
"When the time comes, I would like to be able to have that moment of lucidity which would permit me to ask forgiveness of God and of my brothers in humanity, forgiving whole-heartedly, at the same time, whoever strikes me. I do not see in fact how I could rejoice in the fact that this people whom I love should be accused of my murder. It would be too high a price a pay, to owe what might be called 'the grace of martyrdom' to an Algerian, whoever he may be, above all if he says he is acting in fidelity to what he believes to be Islam [...].
And you too, friend of the last moment, who will not know what you are doing, yes, even for you I wish to say this THANK YOU, and this A-DIEU, commending you to God in whose face I look upon you.
And may it be granted us to meet anew, joy-filled thieves, in heaven, if it pleases God, our Father, the Father of us both. Amen."
The Trappists of the Monastery of Notre Dame de l'Atlas in Tibherin (Algeria) had devoted their lives to dialogue with Islam and had chosen to remain in their monastery, even though it was located in the mountainous region of Medea, a high-risk area.
Dom Christian de Chergé had written:
"Our state as monks [ruhban] binds us to the choice which God has made for us, which is for prayer and for a life of simplicity, manual labour, hospitality and sharing with all, especially the poor..."
Seized by armed terrorists on the night between March 26 and 27, 1996, they were killed on May 21, 1996.
In his spiritual testament, Dom Christian de Chergé had written:
"When the time comes, I would like to be able to have that moment of lucidity which would permit me to ask forgiveness of God and of my brothers in humanity, forgiving whole-heartedly, at the same time, whoever strikes me. I do not see in fact how I could rejoice in the fact that this people whom I love should be accused of my murder. It would be too high a price a pay, to owe what might be called 'the grace of martyrdom' to an Algerian, whoever he may be, above all if he says he is acting in fidelity to what he believes to be Islam [...].
And you too, friend of the last moment, who will not know what you are doing, yes, even for you I wish to say this THANK YOU, and this A-DIEU, commending you to God in whose face I look upon you.
And may it be granted us to meet anew, joy-filled thieves, in heaven, if it pleases God, our Father, the Father of us both. Amen."
Discipline
(From "Christ Is My Life" by Rev. Fr. Marcial Maciel, LC)
A man who is preparing for priesthood, or is already a priest or religious, likewise has to maintain a personal discipline in line with his vocation. For example, if you want to live in priestly celibacy or take the vow of chastity you need the discipline in your life-style that will enable you to be faithful to that commitment. Not to know this would mean operating outside of a healthy concept of man not just on the Christian but even on the merely human level.
I do not believe in discipline for discipline’s sake, but do I believe that man, wounded by original sin, has tendencies that can lead him to evil. The Council of Trent, borrowing an expression of Saint Paul’s, calls this concupiscence. In Romans 7 Saint Paul vividly describes the inner battle waged in the theater of the human heart: I cannot understand my own behavior. I fail to carry out the things I want to do, and I find myself doing the very things I hate with the result that instead of doing the good things I want to do, I carry out the sinful things I do not want. In my inmost self I dearly love God’s Law, but I can see that my body follows a different law that battles against the law which my reason dictates. This is what makes me a prisoner of that law of sin which lives inside my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body doomed to death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:15, 19, 22-24).
We all have to wage this battle against our passions. This is undeniable. Discipline, motivated by love for God, helps us to come out on top in this battle. All the elements of discipline that we use are there for a higher goal and motivated by love. This produces free and mature men, not men with complexes, stunted in their faculties or unfulfilled. Just take some time to observe the seminarians and priests who live the classical elements of Church discipline (the only kind that we demand), and see if they give you the impression of not living life fully. Quite the opposite: This discipline, lived in the balance given by faith and the harmony of the nobler faculties, helps them live what Saint Augustine called libertas maior. They radiate freedom, composure and self-mastery. They radiate freedom be they Legionaries of Christ, regular Christians, or members of any other religious congregation or new community. When you practice discipline out of love and in an atmosphere of personal and community balance it does not enslave but liberate.
A man who is preparing for priesthood, or is already a priest or religious, likewise has to maintain a personal discipline in line with his vocation. For example, if you want to live in priestly celibacy or take the vow of chastity you need the discipline in your life-style that will enable you to be faithful to that commitment. Not to know this would mean operating outside of a healthy concept of man not just on the Christian but even on the merely human level.
I do not believe in discipline for discipline’s sake, but do I believe that man, wounded by original sin, has tendencies that can lead him to evil. The Council of Trent, borrowing an expression of Saint Paul’s, calls this concupiscence. In Romans 7 Saint Paul vividly describes the inner battle waged in the theater of the human heart: I cannot understand my own behavior. I fail to carry out the things I want to do, and I find myself doing the very things I hate with the result that instead of doing the good things I want to do, I carry out the sinful things I do not want. In my inmost self I dearly love God’s Law, but I can see that my body follows a different law that battles against the law which my reason dictates. This is what makes me a prisoner of that law of sin which lives inside my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body doomed to death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:15, 19, 22-24).
We all have to wage this battle against our passions. This is undeniable. Discipline, motivated by love for God, helps us to come out on top in this battle. All the elements of discipline that we use are there for a higher goal and motivated by love. This produces free and mature men, not men with complexes, stunted in their faculties or unfulfilled. Just take some time to observe the seminarians and priests who live the classical elements of Church discipline (the only kind that we demand), and see if they give you the impression of not living life fully. Quite the opposite: This discipline, lived in the balance given by faith and the harmony of the nobler faculties, helps them live what Saint Augustine called libertas maior. They radiate freedom, composure and self-mastery. They radiate freedom be they Legionaries of Christ, regular Christians, or members of any other religious congregation or new community. When you practice discipline out of love and in an atmosphere of personal and community balance it does not enslave but liberate.
Labels: Books, Priesthood, Spirituality, Vocation
Experience of Christ
(By H.H. Pope Benedict XVI)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In our catechesis today we continue our reflection on the Apostle Paul and his dramatic conversion to Christ. As a result of this experience, Christ became Paul’s very life and the inspiration of all his apostolic labours. By his words and example, Paul teaches us that through faith we are made righteous before God; we encounter his merciful justice, enter into fellowship with him and are enabled to build a more authentic relationship with others. Our justification is pure grace, an unmerited gift of God’s radical love manifested in the Cross and Resurrection of Christ. Like Abraham, whose faith in God was credited to him as righteousness (cf. Rom 4:3), we are justified by grace and not by our own works; hence, our only boast must be in the Lord! Through faith and Baptism, we share in the Lord’s death and rising to new life; we now live in Christ, just as he lives in us, in a mystical union which does not dissolve the distinction between him and us. Saint Paul’s example shows us that faith must be expressed in a daily life marked by humble adoration and praise of God, constant gratitude for his mercy, and a spirit of joyful trust in his gracious love, revealed to the world in Christ Jesus his Son.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In our catechesis today we continue our reflection on the Apostle Paul and his dramatic conversion to Christ. As a result of this experience, Christ became Paul’s very life and the inspiration of all his apostolic labours. By his words and example, Paul teaches us that through faith we are made righteous before God; we encounter his merciful justice, enter into fellowship with him and are enabled to build a more authentic relationship with others. Our justification is pure grace, an unmerited gift of God’s radical love manifested in the Cross and Resurrection of Christ. Like Abraham, whose faith in God was credited to him as righteousness (cf. Rom 4:3), we are justified by grace and not by our own works; hence, our only boast must be in the Lord! Through faith and Baptism, we share in the Lord’s death and rising to new life; we now live in Christ, just as he lives in us, in a mystical union which does not dissolve the distinction between him and us. Saint Paul’s example shows us that faith must be expressed in a daily life marked by humble adoration and praise of God, constant gratitude for his mercy, and a spirit of joyful trust in his gracious love, revealed to the world in Christ Jesus his Son.
Labels: Holy Father, Homily
Latin Mass isn't DEAD
KIM KIMZEY, Staff Writer
Searching for reverence and their spiritual roots, some younger Catholics might feel drawn to the Latin Mass.
Priests say it is the solemnity of the centuries-old rite, known as the Tridentine Mass, that appeals in part to worshippers who grew up celebrating the Novus Ordo Mass.
"The real energy and enthusiasm around this Mass is with the younger people," said Father Lawrence McInerny, pastor of the Stella Maris parish on Sullivan's Island.
The church has offered the Latin Mass in addition to the Novus Ordo Mass for the past five years.
Between 180 and 200 people attend the weekly Latin Mass at Stella Maris. Many are visitors who are drawn to the service for various reasons.
"I don't want to disparage the Novus Ordo Mass, but (the Latin Mass is) more mystical and contemplative," McInerny said.
He believes it is the Latin Mass' symbolism, mystery and order that partly account for its rising popularity.
"People need symbols and ritual," McInerny said. "You don't change the traditional Mass around. It changes you."
The Latin Mass is not currently offered at Catholic parishes in Spartanburg.
Father Michael Polewczak said worshippers at the Catholic Church of Jesus Our Risen Savior have not approached him about offering the Latin Mass.
"Why has it grown in popularity? That's an interesting question I don't have the answer to," he said.
Polewczak, a self-labeled "cradle Catholic," remembers the Latin Masses of his youth well. He said many people interested in the traditional rite did not grow up celebrating it.
Father Michael McCafferty believes young people are searching for their roots.
He said priests at St. Paul the Apostle parish in Spartanburg have not received requests for the Latin Mass.
"A whole generation has grown up with that not a part of their heritage, and they're curious about it," McCafferty said. "There's such a thirst among young people, they're looking for things that are timeless and ancient and beautiful."
He said there is something majestic and awe-inspiring in the Latin Mass.
He believes some of those awe-inspiring aspects, including portions of liturgy and Gregorian chants, can be incorporated into today's Novus Ordo Mass.
Regardless of which mass is celebrated, McCafferty said the service "is something that's supposed to be beautiful and dignified and bring us into an experience with the sacred."
Labels: Gregorian Chant, Latin, Liturgy, Novus Ordo, Traditionalism
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Polish Archbishop Quits
Climate Protection is a Moral Obligation
Says Cardinal Wetter (no pun intended!).
As Cathcon mentioned, "Leave the greens to save the planet, how about saving souls?"
As Cathcon mentioned, "Leave the greens to save the planet, how about saving souls?"
Franciscan Prayer Book...
More Americans join Orthodox Christian Churches
U.S. Orthodox Christian churches drawing converts
By TOM BREEN
Associated Press Writer
January 13, 2007
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. AP — Greg Mencotti worried he would never find a spiritual home.
The Sunday school teacher grew up Roman Catholic, lost his faith and became an atheist. Eventually, he returned to Christianity, this time as a born-again Christian, spending years worshipping in a Methodist congregation. Still, he felt his search wasn't over.
That led him to the Holy Spirit Antiochian Orthodox Church in Huntington, a denomination with Mideast roots that, like all Orthodox groups, traces its origins to the earliest days of Christianity.
Today, Mencotti is one of about 250 million Orthodox believers worldwide — and among a significant number of newcomers attracted to this ancient way of worship. The trend is especially notable since so few in the United States know about the Orthodox churches here.
"I was like most Americans," said Mencotti, who was urged by his wife to explore Orthodox worship. "I didn't understand anything about Orthodoxy."
Orthodoxy was born from the Great Schism of 1054, when feuds over papal authority and differences in the liturgy split Christianity into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox halves.
In the United States, Orthodox Christians are a fraction of religious believers, numbering about 1.2 million, according to estimates by Orthodox researchers.
In the past, their growth had been largely fueled by immigration, with churches forming mainly along ethnic lines. Some converts came to Orthodoxy through marriage to a church member.
But now about one-third of all U.S. Orthodox priests are converts — and that number is likely to grow, according to Alexei D. Krindatch, research director at the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute in Berkeley, Calif. A 2006 survey of the four Orthodox seminaries in the country found that about 43 percent of seminarians are converts, Krindatch said.
There are no exact figures on the rate of conversion across the 22 separate U.S. Orthodox jurisdictions. But when Mencotti began attending Orthodox worship, the church was packed with converts, including the church's pastor, the Rev. John Dixon.
The Rev. John Matusiak, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Wheaton, Ill., part of the Orthodox Church in America, said his parish has grown from 20 people in the early 1990s to more than 600 today, with the overwhelming majority of new members younger than 40.
Krindatch's research found that one-third of the more than 200 U.S. parishes in the Antiochian Orthodox Church were founded after 1990.
Matusiak said growth is especially apparent in suburbs and commuter towns. "People in Wheaton weren't flocking to Orthodoxy, because there was never a church here," Matusiak said.
Many converts credit the beauty of the liturgy and the durability of the theology, which can be a comfort to those seeking shelter from divisive battles over biblical interpretation in other Christian traditions.
Dixon, who was raised an Old Regular Baptist, an austere faith of the Southern Appalachians, said his conversion grew from his studies about the origins of Christianity as an undergraduate at Marshall University. The turning point came when he first attended services at an Orthodox church.
"As soon as I came in that day," he says, "I knew I was home."
Convert-fueled growth, though, has its challenges.
Like converts in all faiths, the newly Orthodox bring a zeal that can be unsettling for those born into the church, who tend to be more easygoing in their religious observance. Parishes run the risk of dividing between new and lifelong parishioners, Krindatch says.
"Converts to Orthodoxy form their own little quasi-seminary and it's almost a closed group," says the Rev. Joseph Huneycutt, associate pastor of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Houston, who was raised Southern Baptist then became Orthodox.
And some worry about converts' impact on the churches. They are entering the parishes at a time when many lay activists across Orthodox denominations are pushing church leaders to let go of ethnic divisions and pool resources so they can better evangelize in the United States.
Huneycutt, author of "One Flew Over the Onion Dome," a book about conversion, and the editor of OrthoDixie, a blog about Orthodoxy in the South, said he was drawn to the faith by the beauty of its rituals and its teachings.
On his first visit, he said the church was filled with the smell of incense and the sound of the chanted Divine Liturgy. The altar was largely concealed by the iconostasis, a large screen or wall hung with icons of Christ, Mary, angels and Apostles. And worshippers received Communion from a chalice and spoon.
"I had become convinced that the Eucharist was the center of Christian worship — ancient Christian worship," Huneycutt says. "Once I had reached that point in my personal walk with Christ, there was no going back."
By TOM BREEN
Associated Press Writer
January 13, 2007
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. AP — Greg Mencotti worried he would never find a spiritual home.
The Sunday school teacher grew up Roman Catholic, lost his faith and became an atheist. Eventually, he returned to Christianity, this time as a born-again Christian, spending years worshipping in a Methodist congregation. Still, he felt his search wasn't over.
That led him to the Holy Spirit Antiochian Orthodox Church in Huntington, a denomination with Mideast roots that, like all Orthodox groups, traces its origins to the earliest days of Christianity.
Today, Mencotti is one of about 250 million Orthodox believers worldwide — and among a significant number of newcomers attracted to this ancient way of worship. The trend is especially notable since so few in the United States know about the Orthodox churches here.
"I was like most Americans," said Mencotti, who was urged by his wife to explore Orthodox worship. "I didn't understand anything about Orthodoxy."
Orthodoxy was born from the Great Schism of 1054, when feuds over papal authority and differences in the liturgy split Christianity into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox halves.
In the United States, Orthodox Christians are a fraction of religious believers, numbering about 1.2 million, according to estimates by Orthodox researchers.
In the past, their growth had been largely fueled by immigration, with churches forming mainly along ethnic lines. Some converts came to Orthodoxy through marriage to a church member.
But now about one-third of all U.S. Orthodox priests are converts — and that number is likely to grow, according to Alexei D. Krindatch, research director at the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute in Berkeley, Calif. A 2006 survey of the four Orthodox seminaries in the country found that about 43 percent of seminarians are converts, Krindatch said.
There are no exact figures on the rate of conversion across the 22 separate U.S. Orthodox jurisdictions. But when Mencotti began attending Orthodox worship, the church was packed with converts, including the church's pastor, the Rev. John Dixon.
The Rev. John Matusiak, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Wheaton, Ill., part of the Orthodox Church in America, said his parish has grown from 20 people in the early 1990s to more than 600 today, with the overwhelming majority of new members younger than 40.
Krindatch's research found that one-third of the more than 200 U.S. parishes in the Antiochian Orthodox Church were founded after 1990.
Matusiak said growth is especially apparent in suburbs and commuter towns. "People in Wheaton weren't flocking to Orthodoxy, because there was never a church here," Matusiak said.
Many converts credit the beauty of the liturgy and the durability of the theology, which can be a comfort to those seeking shelter from divisive battles over biblical interpretation in other Christian traditions.
Dixon, who was raised an Old Regular Baptist, an austere faith of the Southern Appalachians, said his conversion grew from his studies about the origins of Christianity as an undergraduate at Marshall University. The turning point came when he first attended services at an Orthodox church.
"As soon as I came in that day," he says, "I knew I was home."
Convert-fueled growth, though, has its challenges.
Like converts in all faiths, the newly Orthodox bring a zeal that can be unsettling for those born into the church, who tend to be more easygoing in their religious observance. Parishes run the risk of dividing between new and lifelong parishioners, Krindatch says.
"Converts to Orthodoxy form their own little quasi-seminary and it's almost a closed group," says the Rev. Joseph Huneycutt, associate pastor of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Houston, who was raised Southern Baptist then became Orthodox.
And some worry about converts' impact on the churches. They are entering the parishes at a time when many lay activists across Orthodox denominations are pushing church leaders to let go of ethnic divisions and pool resources so they can better evangelize in the United States.
Huneycutt, author of "One Flew Over the Onion Dome," a book about conversion, and the editor of OrthoDixie, a blog about Orthodoxy in the South, said he was drawn to the faith by the beauty of its rituals and its teachings.
On his first visit, he said the church was filled with the smell of incense and the sound of the chanted Divine Liturgy. The altar was largely concealed by the iconostasis, a large screen or wall hung with icons of Christ, Mary, angels and Apostles. And worshippers received Communion from a chalice and spoon.
"I had become convinced that the Eucharist was the center of Christian worship — ancient Christian worship," Huneycutt says. "Once I had reached that point in my personal walk with Christ, there was no going back."
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