Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Lenten Resolutions
- Go bald; more about this in due time.
- Recite the chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Stations of the Cross every Friday.
- Visit St. Joseph's (BT) Mount Calvarly at least once for the candle light procession; more about this in due time too.
- Refrain from driving on Mondays to Wednesdays.
- Observe fast for the entire duration of Lent.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Another Year...
I thank the Lord for another year of LIFE. Even though sometimes, life is bleak and there seems no hope of moving on. I also thank Him for the blessing of encountering so many wonderful- and instrumental- people who have in one way or another helped me in my Christian journey.
In the course of my growth in maturity of faith, mind and body, I find myself more open to the promptings of the Spirit as I continue to discern His materplan for my life.
I enjoy the fact that my birthday is a day after the Feast of the Conversation of St. Paul, my patron saint. It reminds me of the need to be converted before being able to receive the new life that God has in plan for me and to accept all the challenges- come what may- in order to feel the exhilaration of victory and direct it Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.
My birthday wish/prayer is for all YOUR wishes/prayers to come true. Please continue to keep this aspirant in your prayers.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have wished me a very happy birthday via text message and e-mail.
Special thanks goes to Darren, Melvin, Philip, Graeme, and Ajay who made this day a memorable one (and that does not include singing "Happy Birthday to Father Paul at Hagen Daz" hahaha...). Special thanks also go out to Angela whose constant prayers for me before the Blessed Sacrament every Saturday enables me to continue to do His holy will.
Heartfelt appreciations to Fr. Andrian Wee who offered the Holy Sacrifice specially for me, to Revd. Frs. Edmund Chong, Augustine Tay, Michael Teo who have helped me in both my vocation discernment and my personal walk with the Lord, to my parents who taught me the values and principles of life, to my grandmother for the generous gift of her Honda Accord, and to the Holy Spirit whose loving presence is like a spring in the desert.
God grant me the serenity to accept
the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference. Amen.
Labels: Birthday, Personal, Prayer, Testimonials, Thanksgiving
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The Conversation of St. Paul (25/01)
will guard my pledge until the day of judgement" Introit.
Lectionary:
Class: 2nd Class (Feast)
1st Reading: Acts of the Apostles 9:1-22 (Lord, what will you have me do?)
Gospel: Mk 16:15-18 (Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.)
+ Saul of Tarsus was full of hatred for Jesus and his disciples. From a bitter persecutor he became an ardent apsotle and irresistible preacher of the Gospel. A Roman citizen and a student of Gamaliel, he was well grounded in the doctrine of the school of the Pharisees. He also had a part to play in the martyrdom of St. Stephen.
Scripture tells us that while he was on the road to Damascus during or about the year 34 A.D., he has a vision of the Risen Christ. That single event would change his life forever. The Risen Lord whose memory he tried to erase through his persecutions, opened his mind to the truth of the Christian faith. Our Lord also called Paul to follow Him as His disciple. From that day onwards, Paul dedicated his entire life to the mission of the Gospel, and to follow and serve the Christ who has personally chosen him as His apostle.
Paul was one of those who were present at the Fisr Council of Jeruselem. Through his influence, the council agreed that the old Jewish laws like circumcision were no longer had binding force on the new converts from paganism.
Paul was a man who refused compromise. He was a dedicated person who was capable of pursuing any ideals without first counting the cost. As christians, we are called to be witnesses. The word witness is derived from the greek word that means matryrs. Hence, as Christians, we are called to testify to the Gospel even to the point of death; not counting the cost whatsoever.
In order to suceed in being ardent servents of Christ, we need to pray for the grace of self-abandonment. Self-abandonment is a complete submission to Christ, His precepts, His Church, and His will. Many saints like St. Therese, the Little Flower were given this grace to surrender their desires and bind themselves entirely to God as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. In self-abandonment, we leave behind all the concerns of the world and live a radical life for Jesus Christ. A life that is one for Him and won for Him.
Can we be like St. Paul? Can we receive the grace to abandon everything for the expansion of God's Kindgom here on earth? Yes. If we follow the footsteps of St. Paul; for the only thing that mattered to him was God.
Paul preached Christ as the one and only Saviour. A Saviour not only for the Jews but the Gentiles as well. Follwoing the one whom he loved so greatly meant that Paul had to walk in His- Christ's- footsteps. It was not easy for Christ's journey was one of ceaseless hard work, exhaustion, suffering, poverty, and close encounters with death. We read in his epsitles, that Paul, instead of giving up, embraced these sufferings a a means to help him grow into the image of Christ. In Galations, he tells us that as baptised Christians, we need to crucify our old self to Christ and be a new person rediating and reflecting Chirst.
How can we powerfully radiate and reflect our Lord? Through the Eucharist. We become what we eat. Christ's sacramental presence dwells in us through our reception of His Holy Body and Blood at Holy Communion during the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Our bodies become the tabernacle of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Do we receive Him with the love, humility, and reverence as our Blessed Mother did?
For only if we did, would be then be able to experience the power of God's grace.
If we take a look at Paul once more, we would see that he never failed to glorify the Lord for his conversation and his ministry. Because God knew the saintly man Paul would become- just as he knows every thought and desire in our minds and hearts-, it did not matter that He- God- would deliever His gift of vocation to Paul even when he was battling against the infant Church of Christ.
We see that Paul never forgot his calling as he constantly associated his apostolic mission with His encounter with the Risen Chirst. In like manner, priests and religious should not forget their calling to be servents of the Lord as well. Remembering the call of our First Love will never fail to remind priests and religious of their particular call to save souls. Canon law adequetely expresses this in s.1725, "the salvation of souls is the highest law".
With his calling in mind, Paul zealously ran all through Asia Minor, Greece, Rome and even Spain. Paul is probably the only one who is fit to say, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on is reserved for me the crown of righteouness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that Day". Does that mean we, whose lives are nowhere near that of St. Paul will be able to enjoy the beatific light? No... Paul goes on to say "not only to me but also to all who have longed for His appearing" (2 Tim 1:7-8).
It is fitting that the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul should coincide with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Unity has not yet been restored. Christ founded only one Church. St. Paul tells us that we must be "making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is ONE body and ONE spirit, just as you were called to the ONE hope of your calling, ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all" (Eph 4:3-6).
It is sad that the ONE Church of Christ has been divided through the sinful nature of man; through pride, aggrogance, and disobedience. The Decree on Ecumenism No. 1 by the Second Vatican Council affirms clearly and firmly that such a division "contridicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages that most holy cause, the preaching of the Gospel to every creature".
Hence, it is the task and duty of the Roman Catholic Church- the one true Church- to continue Paul's mission of restoring unity.
It is easier said than done. Ecumenism is a very difficult undertaking. We have to be careful in ensuring that faith and the plan of God for the AUTHENTIC salvation of mankind is not watered down. This task, entrusted to the one and only Church of Christ is beyond all our human enregies and abilities. Therefore, let us beseech the intercession of St. Paul the Apostle for the unity of all Christians into the one fold of Jesus Christ. Amen +.
Labels: Christian Unity, Ecumenism, Liturgical Calendar, Saints, Spirituality
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Prayers Needed
Labels: Personal, prayer Request
Saturday, January 19, 2008
A Visible Sign: The Roman Collar
In a secularized and tendentiously materialistic society, where even the external signs of sacred and supernatural realities tend to bedisappearing, the necessity is particularly felt that the priest-man of God, dispenser of His mysteries-should be recognizable in the sight of the community, even through the clothing he wears, as an unmistakable sign of his dedication and of his identity as arecipient of a public ministry. The priest should be recognizable above all through his behavior, but also through his dressing in away that renders immediately perceptible to all the faithful, even to all men, his identity and his belonging to God and to the Church.
When collars were quickly taken off a few decades ago, the common argument proclaimed was, "What's really important is what's inside me . . . I don't need an article of clothing to define my priesthood".
Let us examine the importance of the Roman Collar.
The Roman Collar is a clerical collar that should be worn by all ranks of clergy. Bishops, priests, transitional deacons, and seminarians who have been admitted to candidacy for the priesthood (as is the case in the Diocese of Rome and many other Seminaries throughout the world). Apart from entirely exceptional circumstances, the non-use of clerical clothing on the part of the cleric can manifest a weak sense of his own identity as a pastor completely dedicated to the service of the Church.
Rev. Ken Collin's, explains that "clothing conveys a message. A business suit says, 'Money!' A police uniform says, 'Law!' A tuxedo says, 'Wedding!' Casual clothing says, 'Me!' Clericals say, 'Church!' "
A priest is never 'off-duty' when he puts on the Roman Collar. Any occassion he is in can be turned into a pastoral ministry. Whenever a priest has his collar one, he no longer needs words to explain his presence. It is unlikely that anyone would stop a Roman Catholic priest with his collar on from entering a hospital after visiting hours or bar him from crossing the yellow tape at an accident scene.
A priests' ministry is unending and there are no definate working hours. Casualness about being publicly identified as a priest of the Catholic Church may signify a desire to distance himself from his priestly vocation. The collar becomes 'workclothes,' which are put away when one is not 'on duty.' The functionalistic notion of the priesthood revealed by this attitude is in contradiction to the ontological configuration to Christ the High Priest conferred by priestly ordination. Furthermore, to have a 'split personality' is never healthy. No priest can temporarily put his priesthood on the shelf. To hide one's priesthood may often be symptomatic of a desire to engage in something sinful, or-at the very least-disedifying.
Archbishop Emeritus Gregory in his clericals
With this visible symbol of his sacred ministry around his neck, the priest allows the faithful to approach him no matter where he is; be it at the cafe having his morning cuppa or at the grocers picking up some provisions.
A person can make a confession and be reconcilled to God, a young teen may ask a quick question about the faith and be strengthened, an lost soul may come up to the priest and ask, “Father, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”, a businessman may receive a blessing before his flight, etc... Christ's faithful (and even those outside the fold) deserve nothing less. Lay people depend on their priests for spiritual support andstrength. They feel that something is not right when their priests try to blend into the crowd and, as it were, disappear.
Many priests often say that their people are adverse to the Collar. Well, trying to 'blend-in' isn't really the solution. Allowing the reactions of others affect the priest's decision to wear the collar is only allowing the problem to fester unresolved. Could it be that some think that what the collar signifies- Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church, the priesthood- are obstacles? Priests must relate to others as priests, never in spite of being priests.
"A white collar on a priest's neck should remind him of a ring and collar - his marriage to Christ and to the Church and giving his freedom to Christ, thus letting him control his life. We, priests, wear a collar because we want to be directed by Christ in all things. Please notice that our collars are white as opposed to our cassocks. In the background of a black robe it is a symbol of the light of resurrection. We go through the world giving up baubles and colours, living the hope of participation in the brightness of resurrection. This white collar in the background of our black dress is actually a sign of our desires and aspirations." Rev. Fr. Andrzej Przybylski.
We use symbols all the time, and need not be embarrassed by them. To obediently and humbly wear the collar expresses one's submission to the authority of God and his Holy Church.
Dear Rev. Fathers, please display the desire to manifest the presence of the Savior to a world gone mad... The reward is to be able to lead others to Christ is significant. Be aware that the priestly work you now do will not suffer but will be enhanced when you dress according to the venerable custom of the Church.
References & Acknowledgements:
- 'Why a Priest Should Wear His Roman Collar' by Reverend Gerald E. Murray.
- The Directory for the Ministry and Life of Priests, prepared by the Congregation for the Clergy and approved by Pope John Paul II on January 31, 1994.
- 'Why Clergy Should Wear Clericals' by Reverend Ken Collins.
Labels: Clerical Clothing/Cassock/Habit, Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests, Priesthood, Thoughts
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Sacriledge in Catholic Church
A cheap and distasteful attempt by a baptist 'street preacher' to convert the Catholics. I admire the celebrant and congregation for ignoring what was taking place.
Notice that the Mass continues as the people rise for a hymn, probably the Pater Noster, indicated by the holing of hands.
This sacriledge took place in July 2007. Let us recite the Divine Praises as a reparation for this great offence against the Instituition of the Catholic Church, the Mass, the Priesthood and our Blessed Mother (these are issues the 'preacher' brought up).
Labels: News, prayer Request, Protestants, Sacrilege, Video
Monday, January 14, 2008
New Side Altars
Enjoy!
They are beautifull illuminated at night by incandesent and halogen lights. I will upload the night shots soon. In the meantime, I hope all is well with all my readers. God bless!Labels: Altar, Carmelite, Churches, Photos
Sunday, January 13, 2008
OPEN LETTER: The Necessity Of Immediate Action
Roma locuta est. Come back to me, with all your heart.
"There is one truth, even though it can always be more deeply known." Franc Cardinal Rode, the Prefect for the Congregation for Institutes of the Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life to the Jesuits.
The Church should act without delay in this matter of doctrinal corruption, which is made imperative, especially by the fact that the partisans of error are to be sought not only among the Church's open enemies; but, what is to be most dreaded and deplored, is that these enemies are found in the very bosom of Holy Church.
What is alluded to here are the many who belong to the Catholic laity, and, what is much more sad, to the ranks of the religious life and the priesthood itself. Who, animated by a false zeal for the Church to "move with the times", as it were, and lacking the solid safeguards of philosophy and theology, imbued with poisonous doctrines and a loss of sense of holy Christian modesty have put themselves forward as "reformers" of the Church; and, forming more boldly into a line of attack have assailed all that is most sacred in the work of Christ, not sparing even the Person of our Holy Redeemer, whom, with sacrilegious audacity, they degrade to the condition of a simple and ordinary man.
Although these men and women express their astonishment that we who are faithful to the sacred traditions of our Holy Mother the Church are "outdated and outmoded", yet, in truth, it is they who are the most pernicious of all the enemies of the Church. For they put into operation their errorenous designs and invalid rites for the undoing of Holy Church, not from without but from within. Hence, the danger they present appears almost in the very veins and heart of the Church, whose injury is the more certain from the very fact that their knowledge of Holy Church is more intimate.
By their error and corrupted doctrine, they lay the axe to the very roots of the Church, that is, to the Holy Faith and Sacred Traditions at its deepest level. Once they have struck at its root, there is no end to the amount of doctrinal poison they begin to diffuse through the whole tree, which is the Church. So there is no part of Catholic Truth which they leave untouched none that they do not strive to corrupt. For they play the dubious part of both rationalist and Catholic, and this is so craftily done that it even leads the elect into error. To this must be added the fact, which indeed is well calculated to deceive souls, that they lead a life of ardent holiness. All with the front of corrupting and manipulating the innocent.
Finally, there is the fact which is all but fatal to the hope of cure that their very doctrines have given such a bent to their minds, that they rely upon a false conscience, they attempt to ascribe to love the truth, yet, they introduce foreign and uncatholic rites and doctrines. They pray with other faiths at the one same Holy Altar and even allow the doctrines and ideas of other religions to influence Catholic belief and practice. They teach error to children in the name of catechetics and confused the aged and elderly with their untruths. Different interpretations of the same Scriptures abound and what was once deemed as Protestant, heretical and schismatic is now venerated as doctrine and truth.
The Church in this post modern day and age has indeed fallen by the wayside like the man in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. It will take the compassion of Christ, the Good Samaritan, to move hearts and hands of those who tuly love Holy Church with her rich traditions and sacred doctrines, to pick up the Church wounded with the afflictions of doctrinal error and pouring the oil and wine of the Holy Spirit upon those wounds in fervent prayer, bring Catholicism to the inn, which is in fact a return to True Rome!!
Jesus dixit ei, "Tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram aedificabo Ecclesiam meam, et portae inferi non praevalebunt adversus eam."
Jesus said, "Thou art Peter (Cephas), and on this rock (Cephas) I will build my Church, and the gates of the hades shall never prevail against my Church."
Acknowledgements:
Fraternitas Mater Doloroso
Labels: Desecration, Litugical Abuse, Liturgy, Open Letter, Rants/Musings/Thoughts
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Teddy Bear Picnic Mass
An introductory extract from The Instruction Concerning Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery (Inaestimabile Donum)
Prepared by the Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship Approved and Confirmed by His Holiness Pope John Paul II April 17, 1980.
This Sacred Congregation notes with great joy the many positive results of the liturgical reform: a more active and conscious participation by the faithful in the liturgical mysteries, doctrinal and catechetical enrichment through the use of the vernacular, and the wealth of readings from the Bible, a growth in the community sense of liturgical life, and successful efforts to close the gap between life and worship, between Liturgical piety and personal piety, and between Liturgy and popular piety.
But these encouraging and positive aspects cannot suppress concern at the varied and frequent abuses being reported from different parts of the Catholic world: the confusion of roles, especially regarding the priestly ministry and the role of the laity (indiscriminate shared recitation of the Eucharistic Prayer, homilies given by lay people, lay people distributing Communion while the priests refrain from doing so); an increasing loss of the sense of the sacred (abandonment of liturgical vestments, the Eucharist celebrated outside church without real need, lack of reverence and respect for the Blessed Sacrament, etc.); misunderstanding of the ecclesial character of the Liturgy (the use of private texts, the proliferation of unapproved Eucharistic Prayers, the manipulation of the liturgical texts for social and political ends) . In these cases we are face to face with a real falsification of the Catholic Liturgy: "One who offers worship to God on the Church's behalf in a way contrary to that which is laid down by the Church with God-given authority and which is customary in the Church is guilty of falsification."[7]
None of these things can bring good results. The consequences are--and cannot fail to be--the impairing of the unity of Faith and worship in the Church, doctrinal uncertainty, scandal and bewilderment among the People of God, and the near inevitability of violent reactions.
It appears that the waves of heresy has hit the shores of our Diocese. Why are we allowing such grave abuses that have destroyed thousands of years of Catholic tradition and doctrine into our parishes? This apparently shows a lack of understanding and ignorance as to what the Mass is about and what truly take place during the celebration of the HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS.
Reverence and dignity must be restored to the Roman rite of Mass. Out with Clown Masses, Halloween Masses, Barney Masses, and Teddy Bear Picnic Masses. The enthusiasm of the clergy and laity to take part is such a grave sacriledge demontrates an appalling ignorance as to what really and truly takes place in the HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS: Jesus is made present- The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
We are reminded by the great Saint of the Eucharist, St. Peter Julian Eymard of the sacredness of the Holy Mass and the degree of adoration, dignity and reverence it truly deserves:
"... He would rise again to be our perpetual Host of propitiation, the Host of our Communion, the Host of our Adoration. Heaven was enraptured at the sight of this mystery. The Most Holy Trinity contemplated it with love. The angels, struck with awe, adored it. And with what rage were not the demons seized in hell!"
Why then, is this being tolerated? How many warnings from the Holy See reprobating such actions need to be written, promulgated, and ignored, before more concrete action is taken? The abuses have to stop! Where is the unity in divine worship that had united all Catholic Masses for 2000 years?
The institution of this pernicious biritualism is intolerable to the faithful People of God! The unity of faith in the Catholic Church will be undermined by the existance of parallel rites. We must stand in defense of our liturgical unity, of its unitary ritual purity, of the active participation of the faithful against duplicitous attempts to introduce divisions within the faithful People of God! The faithful cannot be forced to cope with such unprecedented variety in worship. It is clear that a "liberalization" of the long-forgotten rites will shatter the united front of Catholicism as it faces its enemies!
Some sacrilegious Masses/Liturgies exposed on YouTube:
It may not be surprising to see our Masses turn into Protestant asssemblies if we don't act. It is apparently that many bishops and priests are not doing their job is safeguarding the deposit of faith. Therefore, we as the laity, faithful to Rome, must act! We need to save the Church! It is "not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, and the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops act like bishops, and your religious act like religious." Archbishop Fulton Sheen.
St. Alphonsus Liguori CSsR, Doctor of the Church, warns us about Sacrilegious Masses in Chapter 7 of the Dignities and Duties of the Priest:
According to St. John Chrysostom, during the celebration of Mass the Altar is surrounded by Angels, who are present to pay homage to Jesus Christ, the Victim offered in Sacrifice. And St. Gregory asks, "who doubts that at the very hour of immolation, at that voice of the priest, the heavens are opened and the choirs of Angels are present at that mystery of Jesus Christ?" St. Augustine says that the Angels assist as servants to the priest who offers the Sacrifice.
Now the Council of Trent teaches that Jesus Christ Himself was the first that offered this great Sacrifice of His Body and Blood, and that He now offers Himself by the hands of a priest chosen to be His minister and representative on the Altar. St. Cyprian says that "the priest truly holds the place of Christ," and that, therefore, at the Consecration, he says This is My body: this is the chalice of My blood. To His disciples Jesus Himself said, He that heareth you, heareth Me . . . and he that despiseth you, despiseth Me.
The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy attempts to explain why such Masses continue to stain the Church and reduce the Mass to a mere show:
"Bad theology is supported by bad liturgy and together they spawn bad morality. As Catholic clergy and as baptized members of the Church, we ask that across the board, our shepherds enforce the universal laws of the church; to protect and serve the people of God by ensuring that every ordained deacon, priest or bishop will act morally, properly and pastorally; defend the deposit of faith as taught by the Magisterium; and insist that reverent and proper celebrations of the sacred liturgy be done everywhere, from seminaries to parishes to cathedrals."
The Holy Father, reminds us all that we "...ought to get back to the dimension of the sacred in the liturgy... the essential in the liturgy is the mystery, which is realized in the common ritual of the Church; all the rest diminishes it. Men experiment with it in lively fashion, and find themselves deceived, when the mystery is transformed into distraction, when the chief actor in the liturgy is not the Living God but the priest or the liturgical director." (Sermon to Chilean Bishops, 13 July '88).
A clip from the lecture "The Classical Roman Rite and the Renewal of the Liturgy," by Msgr. Michael Schmitz of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. The transcript may be found here. In this video Msgr. Schmitz quotes H.H. Pope Benedict and reminds us that the liturgy is not something we can expose to our own whimps and fancies. Do read the transcript of his entire lecture.
Here is a video (in French) produced by the Society of St. Pius X displaying the beauty and reverence that is rightly mandated in the celebration of the Holy Mass. Though I am not of the opinion that we should return to the things of the past, it is worthwhile to note that nothing less can be given to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords who renews His one sacrifice each day at the Altar. The Novus Ordo can be as inspiring and eddifying as the Extraordinary Form IF celebrated with dignity, reverence, love and humilty.
Secular Carmelite writter, Paul Malik warns the Church that "the vocations crisis in the Church is an self-imposed one". He was refering to the abuses in the liturgy.
Let us turn to the great saints of the Eucharist who defended reverent celebrations of Holy Mass and were themselves living examples of zealous priests who celebrated the Holy Mass with reverence, humility, love and ardour.
St. Peter J. Eymard, pray for us!
St. Francis Fasani, pray for us!
St. Josemaria Escravia, pray for us!
St. Gregory the Great, pray for us!
St. Padre Pio, pray for us!
Labels: Eucharist, Holy Father, Official Documents, Photos, Sacrilege, Saints, Video
Friday, January 11, 2008
Baptism of the Lord (A)
Lectionary:
1st Reading: Is 42:1-4, 6-7
Gradual: Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 R/ Ps 11(b)
2nd Reading: Acts 10:34-38
Gospel: Mt 3:13-17
This is My Son, Listen to Him
Water as a sacramental. Water would never have been a sacramental should Jesus not have been baptised. By His baptism, He sanctified the water, hence now, water becomes for us a tool of purification for our souls.
In the book of Genesis we see the Church been metaphorically depicted as the ark carrying on board all sorts of creatures and rising above the waters that were commanded to wash the world of it's impurities and sins. Today, we as Catholics from all walks of life find ourselves in the ark- the Church who dispenses the waters of baptism to enable us rise to new life. How can we voyage as a community if we do not love the Church- our vessel? We need to love the Chruch- as Cardinal Rhode appropriately put it to the Jesuits during their recent international gathering. Our love is displayed through obedience and humility. All our efforts will come to naught if we fail to find ourselves on board the true ark of salvation.
Voice from Heaven- This is truly as sign of what a sacrament is. An outward sign of an inward grace. Here we see the voice from Heaven as the outward sign setting Jesus before the people as the promised one. The inward grace comes as the people receive faith in His Divine Mission.
Opening of Heaven- When we rise from our baptism, we see Heaven which had been closed since the fall, now opened by Jesus.
Labels: Sacred Scripture, Spirituality, Sunday Reading Reflections (A)
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Tridentine Mass in Singapore!
Enjoy!
I can't figure how to get the film upright... Apologies.
Labels: Extraordinary Form Singapore, Liturgy, Music, News, Traditionalism, Video
Friday, January 4, 2008
Liturgical Unity
Forty Years after the Council
It is a sad symptom of what is “certainly a genuine crisis” (Pope John Paul II, Veritatis Splendor, 5) in the current life of the Church that those faithful who are rightfully attached to the Classical Rite or the Tridentine Liturgy have been accused of being ‘divisive’ or of ‘causing disunity’ in virtue of their attachment. The Holy Father has condemned such unjust treatment of traditional Catholics and even asked forgiveness for, “The at times partial, one-sided and erroneous application of the directives of the Second Vatican Council, (which) may have caused scandal and disturbance concerning the interpretation of the doctrine and the veneration due to (the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist)” (Dominicae Cenae, III.12).
Of Fidelity & Sensibility
There is indeed a great threat to unity in the Church. It comes, however, from those who reject and disobey the apostolic tradition, NOT from those who UPHOLD it: “The criterion that assures unity amid the diversity of liturgical traditions is fidelity to apostolic Tradition” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1209). Therefore, it is the actions of the majority of the mainstream Catholic Church clergy and laity who have deviated from fidelity to apostolic tradition that has plunged the Church into the crisis that all of us now face. Only if wisdom that respected history, tradition, and sensitivity had prevailed, there would have been a far better result and less division.
Our Birthright
Futhermore, many young people have not heard of this rite of Mass that Pope Urban VII proclaimed as, ''the most beautiful thing this side of heaven". Perhaps, the Church could also take this opportunity to expose young Catholics to the rite of worship of our ancient Catholic religion and give them a sense of pride in their faith.
Only with pride and zeal for their faith, will young people step out to serve in the various ministries on their own accord. The traditional Mass is the birth right of all Roman Catholics around the world.
Community of Believers
The Second Vatican II Council refered to the Church as a Community, I'm sure that there are the older generation of Catholics who miss the old rite of Mass too, we have to be charitable and ensure that they do not feel left out. As a community of believers, we have to take into consideration all our brothers and sisters and not only our own intentions.
It is also interesting to note that over the past few years, an increasing number of young people have shown keen interest in the Tridentine Liturgy. The Church needs to be ready to supply the needs of the young people who will eventually be the supporting pillars of the Church.
Directions
Where are we headed I can't say... but perhaps the spirit of our late Holy Father, John Paul II is with us, continuing to bring about the 'new evangelization' he once called for. An evangelization not only to the Pagans and Protestants but amongst Catholics as well- an immersation of the rich liturgical ceremonies and customs of our One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Amen.
Labels: Evangelism, Holy Father, Liturgy, Second Vatican Council, Summorum Pontificum, Traditionalism
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
