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women express their astonishment that we who are faithful to the sacred traditions of our Holy Mother the Church are "outdated and outmoded", yet, in truth, it is they who are the most pernicious of all the enemies of the Church.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
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Code of Canon Law s.1725
One way this law can be expressed and visibly practised is through the Sacrament of Confession. As Catholics we all know that power that has been given to every Catholic priest through the minsitry of the Church is able to completly remit all our sins and ensures the salvation of our souls.
I'm sure you heard others talk about how some dying patients are so blessed to be able to receive their last absolution. Well... I'm sure none of us want to wait till that time before reconciling with God and to God. Sometimes death calls us at the most unexpected time; we could be driving on the road, we could be on the plane, we could be asleep in our beds (remember the recent news of the 21 year old undergrad?). We must always be in a state of grace so that at anytime the Lord calls, we are ready to meet Him.
I'm writing all this because two parishes I visited refused me this Sacrament. At the first parish, the secretariat insisted that confession could not be heard on any other day except Sunday at the stipulated times and denied me entry to the office. At the second, a priest- clad in business attire and aviator shades- said confession could wait as he went for his afternoon tea with a female parishioner. "Too bad, wrong time..." were his last words as he entered the car.
I mean, what is so difficult to hear a confession? It not require more than 3 minutes to hear a confession anyway. Such attitudes are not healthy especially to Catholics who are not firmly grounded in the faith or spiritual life. They could view it as something unimportant and cease to recommend themselves to it or exclude it to an mere annual practice.
Anyone with any views?
Labels: Confession, Personal, Rants/Musings/Thoughts
Monday, August 6, 2007
Salisbury Cathedral- Miserere Mei Deus
This video is proof that the Anglicans have better liturgies than the Roman Church. It is both a pity and crying shame considering what happens in the Holy Sacrifice of the Catholic Mass. Shouldn't something be done to make it more fitting for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords?
Labels: Liturgy, Miscellaneous, Rants/Musings/Thoughts, Video
Sunday, August 5, 2007
A Medieval Tale
Out of my mind? Certainly not.
It may come as a surprise to many that beer was nurtured by Catholic monks across Europe. The malt that was nurtured by monks were highly valued, therefore, large-scale breweries were set up in monastic settlements that sprang up across Europe from the 5th century onwards *talk about vocation promotion*. And mind you, these monks were never sustainance brewers, in other words, they supplied the needs of thristy travellers and pilgrams, making ale the financial stability of the monastries. In England where monastries were so central to the development of brewing that the industy aadopted the monk's method of marking the strength of the beer with crosses.
The early Church looked kindly on ale, regarding it as a blessing from God. In fact the early name for yeast was 'God is Good'. St. Florian in Bavaria was reknown for his brewery skills.
Beer in the medieval period wasn't like what it is today. Beer was more than an intoxicating refreshment, it provided a safe drink in an age when the purity of water and milk were uncertain, and drinks like tea and coffee were unknown. The brewing process of beer removed impurities and dieseses, making it a safe drink. This reason was not understood, but the effects were widely welcomed.
The names of Ridleys Bishops Ale and Marston's Merrie Monk reflect the early Church connection with brewing and beer. Today, monastries in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany still brew beer. The world famous Chimay ales derives from the Abbaye de Notre-Dame de Scourmont in Belgium.
As Hilaire Belloc once said, "Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine, there’s always laughter and good red wine. At least I’ve always found it so. Benedicamus Domino!"
Labels: Beer, Early Church, Monks, Rants/Musings/Thoughts, Religious
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Headmaster Dolores Umbridge
While watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix yesterday afternoon at the new Grand Cathay Cinema *alone*, one pharse from Dolores Umbridge struck me. It goes as follows... "Progress for the sake of progess should be frowned upon. We should preserve what ought to be preserved and perfect what can be perfected". It appears that these words from Hogwarts's adjunct headmaster applies fairly well to the Church today.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
At least with H.H. Benedict XVI's reign, the Church is begaining to feel more Romish. Only time will tell what the Good Lord has in store for us. Let us continue to pray for an end to abuses in the Sacred Liturgy and for unity in the Church!
Labels: Holy Father, Litugical Abuse, Liturgy, Movies, Rants/Musings/Thoughts, Traditionalism
Friday, July 20, 2007
Dutch Priest Speaks at a FCC Workshop
This post may get me into hot soup but I think we need to address the problem of the watering down of doctrine in the midst of heightened ecumenism and religious liberty.
Retired dutch priest waters down the Catholic faith in a workshop with members of the Free Community Church (FCC). The FCC is an inclusive protestant church founded by a former Methodist bishop and is the first 'gay church' in Singapore.
"Everybody can go to heaven; baptised or not baptised", "People suffer under the teaching of the Church", "I hope, even if it is against the teaching of the pope, I hope that in my lifetime I will see women priests".
Too much Alpha? Perhaps. Catholics cannot put our faith on the table and tell people, "Hey, this is what we belief. See if you can gel with it." Neither do we water down the teachings of the Church to allow others to feel more comfortable; this is the Faith that our the saints and martyrs were persecuted and even died for.
Where has our 2000 years of Christian tradition gone?
In the next few posts- when my schedule permits- we'll look at salvation and the teaching of the Church, the teaching authority of the Church, and women priests.
Mother of the Church, interceed for us!
Labels: Rants/Musings/Thoughts, Video
Sunday, July 15, 2007
This Week In Photos
A view of the sunset from the new boardwalk; the hilly terrain ahead is Ubin Island.
Took a glass calbe car from Harbourfront in Vivo City to the peak of Mount Faber.
Here's a view of Telok Blangah and the city from Mount Faber.
Whilst visitng my mom,I realised a new addition to the Altar; a statue of Santo Ninio de Cebu.
(Finally) organized my study.
It's supposed to last a month in the refrigerator.
Labels: Personal, Photos, Rants/Musings/Thoughts
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Confession: St. Mary of the Angels
On the way to the parish, I explained to them to importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the importance of participating in Sunday Mass, and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Their confessor was Assistant Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Nasanathan. Both came out of the confessional with tears welling from their eyes (Fr. had packets of tissues in hand!). Fr. Joseph, spent approximately 10-15 minutes with each of them. Overall, I felt that their first confession was indeed a grace filled one; with clear and decisive rejection of the sins committed, out of their love for God.
As I reflect on the homily by Fr. Jivan Daniel (more of a Gospel reflection; Fr. Daniel wasn't feeling too well), the selection of hymns, and the scripture passages, I can clearly see the gracious hand of God in this matter. Praise Him!
Now on another matter, as I was waiting for my cousins in the Parish Office, Parish Priest Fr. John-Paul Tan approached me and struck up a conservation. We chatted as if we'd known one another rather well; he thought that I was his parishioner. Being a Canon Lawyer, he was excited to know that I was taking legal studies myself. He wanted me to form a group of Catholic Students in my diploma course for application to the Catholic Lawyers Guild!
One thing I found great about St. Mary's was that their priests do not 'run away' after Mass but stay behind and mingle with the faithful. I think our parishes need to have more of such interection to make Catholics feel more welcomed and at home and give them a sense of belonging.
LiturgyPlus!: Fr. Daniel incenses the gifts in the old cross-circular fashion.
Labels: Canon Law, Confession, Liturgy, Personal, Rants/Musings/Thoughts, Testimonials, Thanksgiving
Friday, June 29, 2007
Rant: Liturgy
Note/Disclaimer: 1) Mass was not celebrated in Church. 2) I have the greatest respect for yesterday's celebrant and always enjoy his inspiring homilies.
- The Altar Server was instructed by a lay person to rearrange the position of the celebrant's chair during the Confeitor.
- The Roman Missal was placed on top of the Corporal
- There was an 'interval' after the Sanctus when another member of the clergy went up to the celebrant and offered 'assistance'.
- The Corporal was dusted after the ablutions.
How can the "beauty of the liturgy- the sublime expression of God's glory"1 be examplified when the Holy Sacrifice is celebrated in such fashion? Mass has to be celebrated beautifully at all times. The beauty of the Eucharistic Celebration "is not mere decoration, but rather an essential element of the liturgical action, since it is an attribute of God himself and his revelation."1 Thus, "these considerations should make us realize the care which is needed, if the liturgical action is to reflect its innate splendour."1
Catholics all over the world increasingly desire that the Mass be celebrated with "proper splendor of sacred ceremonies and rites so that the greatness of this mystery will shine forth all the more even from external appearances." Certainly many have hardly seen or have yet to see more dignified and reverent celebrations of the Eucharist. What is taking so long when the clergy themselves know that "nothing is greater or holier than the unbloody sacrifice of the Mass, in which the body and blood of Christ are offered to God for the salvation of all."2
I shall leave you with an excellent article entitled 'Save the Liturgy, Save the World' by Rev. Fr. John Zuhlsdorf of WDTPS.
Save the Liturgy, Save the World
by Rev. Fr. John Zuhlsdorf .
The Eucharist, its celebration and itself as the extraordinary Sacrament, is the “source and summit of Christian life”.
If we really believe that, then we must also hold that what we do in church, what we believe happens in a church, makes an enormous difference.
Do we believe the consecration really does something? Or, do we believe what is said and how, what the gestures are and the attitude in which they made are entirely indifferent? For example, will a choice not to kneel before Christ the King and Judge truly present in each sacred Host, produce a wider effect?
If you throw a stone, even a pebble, into a pool it produces ripples which expand to its edge. The way we celebrate Mass must create spiritual ripples in the Church and the world.
So does our good or bad reception of Holy Communion.
So must violations of rubrics and irreverence.
Mass is not merely a “teaching moment” or a “celebration of unity” or a "tedious obligation". Our choice of music, architecture, ceremonies and language affect more than one small congregation in one building. We are interconnected in both our common human nature and in baptism. When we sin we hurt the whole Body of Christ the Church. If that is true for sin, it must also be true for our liturgical choices. They must also have personal and corporate impact. Any Mass can be offered for the intentions of the living or the dead. Not even death is an obstacle to the efficacy of Holy Mass. Celebrate Mass well, participate properly – affect the whole world. Celebrate poorly – affect the whole world.
In each age since Christ’s Ascension, people have felt they were in the End Times. They were right. In any moment, when the conditions are right, the Lord could return. Considering at what is happening in the world now, I am pushed to think about the way Mass is being celebrated, even the number of Masses being celebrated. Once there were many communities of contemplatives, spending time before the Blessed Sacrament or in contemplation, in collective and in private prayer. There were many more Masses. Many more people went to confession. Who can know how they all lifted burdens from the world and turned large and small tides by their prayers to God for mercy and in reparation for sin?
A single droplet of Christ’s Precious Blood consecrated at Holy Mass is the price of every soul ever created in God’s unfathomable plan.
So I repeat:
SAVE THE LITURGY, SAVE THE WORLD
References
- Sacramentum Caritatis, Pope Benedict XVI [1]
- Amantissimi Redemptoris, Blessed Pius IX [2]
Labels: Amantissimi Redemptoris, Holy Father, Liturgy, Rants/Musings/Thoughts, Sacramentum Caritatis
Monday, June 25, 2007
Meeting: Spiritual Director
Fr. ended our conversation with a quote from Bl. Mother Theresa, "we are called to be faithful, not successful."
Labels: Personal, Priesthood, Rants/Musings/Thoughts, Vocation, Vocations
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Amantissimi Redemptoris
"Nothing is greater or holier than the unbloody sacrifice of the Mass, in which the body and blood of Christ are offered to God for the salvation of all. Holy Mother the Church has always been careful and diligent in order that the Mass be celebrated by priests with clean and pure hearts. It should be celebrated with the proper splendor of sacred ceremonies and rites so that the greatness of this mystery will shine forth all the more even from external appearances. This will also arouse the faithful to the contemplation of divine things hidden in such an admirable and venerable sacrifice. And with like solicitude and devotion, the same most holy Mother has never ceased to urge, exhort, and influence her faithful sons to frequently attend this divine sacrifice with due piety, veneration and devotion. She teaches that they must at all cost be present at it on all holy days of obligation, with their minds and eyes religiously intent on that from which the divine mercy and an abundance of all good things might be acquired." (Bl. Pius IX AMANTISSIMI REDEMPTORIS).Certainly not what I experienced at a certain western district parish this evening.
Labels: Encyclical, Holy Father, Liturgy, Rants/Musings/Thoughts
Monday, April 9, 2007
Watch, Compare, Decide
Above is a video presentation in honor of Holy Thursday when our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Priesthood and the Blessed Eucharist.
More wonderful videos like that above can be found at Sacred Heart Church. The site is full of great orthodox homilies and reverently celebrated Masses presented by eloquent, charismatic priests. The reverence displayed by the clergy of this parish is truly inspirational.
Now, compare the video above with this:
Before the above Sacrilegious, devil distributing Holy Communion video makes you cry out in disgust, I would like to turn your attention to a Good Friday of the Lord's Passion homily from Sacred Heart Church by Par. Vicar Fr. John Cihak. (Notice that Sacred Heart carries on the tradition of veiling statutes)
Now, how can we replace such a beautiful homilies- as we've heard in the above video- with this one below where we'll see a teenager give a SEVEN minute homily on love. Why don't we invite the congregation to take turns in celebrating the 'Happy Meal' (as it is now 'affectionately' known as) as well?
I shan't comment any further. Watch, compare, and decide where you stand: Reverent and orthodox liturgy or Happy MESSes.
May I now invite the faithful to recite the following in reparation:
Litany in Reparation to Our Lord in the Eucharist
For private use only.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, offered for the salvation of sinners,
Have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, annihilated on the altar for us and by us,
Have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, despised by lukewarm Christians,
Have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, mark of contradiction,
Have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, delivered over to Jews and heretics,
Have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, insulted by blasphemers,
Have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, Bread of angels, given to animals,
Have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, flung into the mud and trampled underfoot,
Have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, dishonored by unfaithful priests,
Have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, forgotten and abandoned in Thy churches,
Have mercy on us.
Be merciful unto us,
Pardon us, O Lord.
Be merciful unto us,
Hear us, O Lord.
For the outrageous contempt of this most wonderful Sacrament,
We offer Thee our reparation.
For Thine extreme humiliation in Thine admirable Sacrament,
We offer Thee our reparation.
For all unworthy Communions,
We offer Thee our reparation.
For the irreverences of wicked Christians,
We offer Thee our reparation.
For the profanation of Thy sanctuaries,
We offer Thee our reparation.
For the holy ciboriums dishonored and carried away by force,
We offer Thee our reparation.
For the continual blasphemies of impious men,
We offer Thee our reparation.
For the obduracy and treachery of heretics,
We offer Thee our reparation.
For the unworthy conversations carried on in Thy holy temples,
We offer Thee our reparation.
For the profaners of Thy churches which they have desecrated by their sacrileges,
We offer Thee our reparation.
That it may please Thee to increase in all Christians the reverence due to this adorable Mystery,
we beseech Thee, hear us.
That it may please Thee to manifest the Sacrament of Thy Love to heretics,
we beseech Thee, hear us.
That it may please Thee to grant us the grace to atone for their hatred by our burning love for Thee,
we beseech Thee, hear us.
That it may please Thee that the insults of those who outrage
we beseech Thee, hear us.
Thee may rather be directed against ourselves,
we beseech Thee, hear us.
That it may please Thee graciously to receive this our humble reparation,
we beseech Thee, hear us.
That it may please Thee to make our adoration acceptable to Thee,
we beseech Thee, hear us.
Pure Host, hear our prayer.
Holy Host, hear our prayer.
Immaculate Host, hear our prayer.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
V\ See, O Lord, our affliction,
R\ And give glory to Thy Holy Name.
Let Us Pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who dost deign to remain with us in
Thy wonderful Sacrament to the end of the world, in order to
give to Thy Father, by the memory of Thy Passion, eternal glory,
and to give to us the Bread of life everlasting: Grant
us the grace to mourn, with a heart full of sorrow, over the
injuries which Thou hast received in this adorable Mystery,
and over the many sacrileges which are committed by the impious,
by heretics and by bad Catholics.
Inflame us with an ardent zeal to repair all these insults to which,
in Thine infinite mercy, Thou hast preferred to expose Thyself
rather than deprive us of Thy Presence on our altars, Who with God
the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest one God,
world without end. R\ Amen.
Labels: Authentic Liturgical Renewal 2007, Miscellaneous, Rants/Musings/Thoughts, Video
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
A Fruitful Absence
In other news, the Archdiocese of Singapore has lost another brother priest, Rev. Fr. Peter Lu of St. Stephen's Parish. Fr. Peter Lu was 86. This is the second passing of a priest in the last 3 months. His body was brought into The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary last night at 2200hrs, after the celebration of a Latin Mass in honor of the Feast of the Annunciation.
Here are some photos of the CSsR School Missions (at the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, Toa Payoh) and last night's Annunciation Latin Mass:
C.H.I.J. Toa Payoh
Inscensing of the Altar
Inscensing of the gifts
Consecration of the Bread (The Latin Mass was translated into both Chinese and English as Nativity Church is traditionally a Teochew Parish)
Consecration of Wine
The procession out as the recessional marian antiphon is chanted (In the background, the verger can be seen laying the stands for the reception of Fr. Peter's coffin.)
Labels: Miscellaneous, Personal, Photos, Rants/Musings/Thoughts
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Of Translations...
For a long time I have warned people about bad English translations of papal documents.
There are methodological problems in that the documents are no longer composed in Latin.
The Latin text, which is the official text, is itself a translation.
However, since no on refers to the Latin text… few people know this. Thus, they are always working with compromised versions of documents.
Moreover, the texts they are working with were those released at the time of the presentation of the document, even though the LATIN is itself revised before publication in is final official form in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis. But no one goes back to revise the vernacular versions in keeping with the changes in the Latin Lot’s of people are misquoting documents because the vernacular docs themselves were never updated.
That said, let us take a look at the Exhortation’s paragraph on Latin in the liturgy and see if there is a disconnect. I tip my biretta to "stefano" who was alert and caught this before I did.
Latin: exceptis lectionibus, homilia et oratione fidelium, aequum est ut huiusmodi celebrationes fiant lingua Latina.
In Latin, the phrase aequum est means "it is reasonable, proper, right". It can be rendered as "it is becoming", to use a somewhat archaic turn of phrase.
German: es ist gut, wenn außer den Lesungen, der Predigt und den Fürbitten der Gläubigen die Feier in lateinischer Sprache gehalten wird.
Italian: eccettuate le letture, l’omelia e la preghiera dei fedeli, è bene che tali celebrazioni siano in lingua latina.
French: excepté les lectures, l’homélie et la prière des fidèles, il est bon que ces célébrations soient en langue latine
Spanish: exceptuadas las lecturas, la homilía y la oración de los fieles, sería bueno que dichas celebraciones fueran en latín
Portuguese: exceptuando as leituras, a homilia e a oração dos fiéis, é bom que tais celebrações sejam em língua latina
Polish: z wyjątkiem czytań, homilii oraz modlitwy wiernych, dobrze będzie, jeśli takie celebracje będą odprawiane w języku łacińskim (Literally: "It will be good, if such celebration will be officiated in Latin language").
Are you sensing a pattern in the rendering of aequum est, or rather how aequum est in Latin is more than likely the accurate reading of the original language of composition of the Exortation?
Let’s see the English.
English: with the exception of the readings, the homily and the prayer of the faithful, such liturgies could be celebrated in Latin.
WOAH…. wait a minute… "could be" celebrated? That changes the entire impact of what the Pope said. All the of the other languages reflect one concept and the English alone says another thing entirely. The English implies that the value of Latin is, at best, a neutral thing. The Latin and all the other languages imply that Latin is positive.
I think we must conclude that whoever did the translation into English chose not to stick to the original text which they were given to work from.
Labels: Latin, Miscellaneous, Rants/Musings/Thoughts
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Altar Revamp
Acolyte Duties
The Society of Servers meeting today discussed the roles and duties for the upcoming Holy Week Masses and Processions. I've shall be carrying out the following duties:
- Palm Sunday: Crucifer [Procession + Mass]
- Maundy Thursday: *Forgotten* [Mass]
- Good Friday: Crucifer [Procession + Communion Service]
- Holy Saturday: *Forgotten* [Easter Vigil Mass]
- Easter Sunday: Crucifer [Procession + Mass]
*St. Joseph's Feast Day, Archbishop's Mass (3/18, Sunday): Crucifer [Procession + Mass]
Knowing that I'll be the Crucifer for most of the services is indeed a great relief; my fellow acolyte readers out there would know why.
Crucifer is a Latin word meaning cross-bearer, used for the acolyte who carries the cross in a church procession.
Have a great week ahead!
Labels: Liturgy, Miscellaneous, Rants/Musings/Thoughts
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Where are we now?
Where has the road taken us?"Even today. I’m just telling you what Scripture people tell me about their surveys. It’s a wonderful thing having small groups study Scripture—which I certainly encourage. But in terms of instruction in schools, etc., and familiarity with the Scriptures, I am told that there’s significantly less today compared to before the Council," Cardinal Willian Keeler. Funny isn't it? Considering that the Church accepted a renewed approach to sacred Scripture after the Council. "An ignorance of the Scriptures," says St. Jerome, "is an ignorance of God".
"Part of the implementation of Vatican II’s liturgy reforms meant also having a deepened sense of the sacred, of the transcendent, of the God-presence in our worship," Cardinal William Keeler. Periods of silence that were urged by the Council are still not being observed in many places. What's worst, is that the sense of sacred seems to have been dissolved, not deepened; how many people don't talk in Church, how many people don't genuflect when walking across the tabernacle, how many......
In response to the question of Catholics losing their faith, Cardinal William Keeler had this to say, "With respect to the doctrinal issues and that sense of fuzziness, there was enormous support for Cardinal Law’s suggestion for a catechism of the Catholic Church that would integrate the conciliar insights with those of Catholic teaching that went before. The synod endorsed this and now we have the Catechism of the Catholic Church." The CCC is indeed a wonderful tool to help those who want to become more familiar with the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. However has catechisis been effective? How many young Catholics can go beyond explaining that the Mass is a Celebration? The Mass is not only a celebration, but a sacrifice as well. In the Mass, it is Jesus Christ, God, as well as Man, who is our Intercessor, our Priest, and our Victim. Being God- as well as Man- His prayers merits, and His offerings are infinite in value. How many can recite the Rosary? Who knows what Purgatory is? This list can go on and on...... Also, there is no point having a wonderful CCC when we have Catechists who are not orthodox or promote their own ideas/beliefs. I was scandalized last night during a discussion at Church when I was told that all Catechists are required to watch a video by an ex-priest who says that not many people go to Hell and that even in Hell, God offers Salvation. God offers salvation to those in Hell?! This is heresy! CCC1033, Hell is to be "seperated from Him forever". Jesus will "gather His angels, and they will gather... all evil doers, and throw them into the furnace of fire, (Matt 13:41-42)" where is will pronounce condemnation, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire." (Matt 25:41). CCC1035 "affirms the existence of Hell and its eternity"...."eternal seperation from God". Apparently, this video has been used for years in 'training' Catechists. Down in the Catholic Spirituality Center, there is a Bible Study leader (note position) who does not believe in devotions to the Saints and the Blessed Mother. How can such a person hold positions in the Church? Apparently, they can when those at the 'managerial' level are strong liberals. Looks like when we stopped calling others heretics, we began breeding our own.
Mother Dear, pray for us!
St. Pius X, pray for us!
I know that some readers know Cardinal William Keeler personally. I have nothing against the good Cardinal, I'm merely using his statements to reflect the present state of 'disarray' (O God... I thought I'd never have to use this term... regular readers whould know that I label the Anglican Church likewise) in the Catholic Church.
Labels: Quote, Rants/Musings/Thoughts
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Modern Worship Music
If a Protestant could bring himself mto make such a comment, I wonder if the Charismatic Catholic Communities have thought this over before they commence their 'jumping-jack-sing-a-long' sessions each time in the presence of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar? Who checks to ensure that such music does not contradict Catholic doctrine?
I feel that the word 'Worship' should not even be in the title. The only songs of worship we have are in the responses of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass- the highest form of Worship. To say that Charismatic Singing is Worship deviates from 2000 years of Catholic tradition.
I am of the opinion that everything outside the Mass is devotional.
"The Holy Mass is a prayer itself, even the highest prayer that exists. It is the sacrifice, dedicated by our Redeemer at the cross, and repeated every day on the altar. If you wish to hear Mass as it should be heard, you must follow with eye, heart and mouth all that happens at the altar. Further, you must pray with the priest the holy words said by him in the name of Christ and which Christ says by him. You have to associate your heart with the holy feelings which are contained in these words and in this manner you ought to follow all that happens on the altar. When acting in this way you have prayed Holy Mass."
His Holiness, Pope Saint Pius X.
Labels: Music, Quote, Rants/Musings/Thoughts
Sunday, March 4, 2007
On Weight Loss
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
13th of the Month Procession
On the bright side, at least I didn't have to arrange for extra chairs.
Labels: Miscellaneous, Rants/Musings/Thoughts
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