Hello Everyone.
Forgive the tardiness, but married life with full time work including 1/5 hrs travel to and fro on the weekdays each way, plus domestic duties and whatnot, gives me such limited time for blogging these days. Still, I wanted to release this regardless as a not-as-once-youngish, but still "Church young" at 34 years old, Latin Mass server and male in the Church.
Back some weeks ago, as part of his new series of Wednesday General Audiences on the Eucharist, Pope Francis has done it again, striking hard at something (finally!) that affects everything at all spheres of the Church, with tie-ins to secular culture: Photos at Mass/social media.
His first general audience in November as part of the series, dealt with the Holy Mass, connected to catechesis on the Eucharist. The link from the Vatican's website is here for the first audience:
http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2017/documents/papa-francesco_20171108
_udienza-generale.html
The Pope's Message
In the audience, the Holy Father states: ".... He does not say: “Lift up your cell phones to take a photo!” No, that’s bad! I tell you, it makes me sad when I am celebrating here in Saint Peter’s Square or in the Basilica to see many cell phones lifted up, not only by the faithful but also by some priests and even bishops! But please! Mass is not a spectacle: it is going to encounter the Passion and Resurrection of the Lord. This is why the priest says: “Lift up our hearts”. What does this mean? Remember: no cell phones."
In terms, of the Pope's take on this, I truly think that he is applying this to the WHOLE CHURCH. I must start by saying this audience is NOT HYPOCRISY NOR HATE OF THE TLM. Yes, he has given numerous statements in the past in audiences/fervorinos that do not favour those in the Latin Mass/Traditional Catholicism (e.g. the "breeding like rabits" statement, the "rigid" youth in the TLM comment in an interview that was without clarification or a general broad statement that most aren't crazy,) but I do not think that in this instance, our holy father is specifically targeting blogs, such as New Liturgical Movement, or even the Radical Misrepresenting Traditionalist (RMT) blog, Rorate Caeli, with regard to these pictures at Mass.
Because of society being "wired" and the majority of youth and young adults in the world, including older tech-savvy adults , this is a common problem for people in all forms of liturgy in the world, to be attached to their cell phones w/cameras. Furthermore, most developed nations, sadly, share a sense of the notion of "celebrity," which is not limited to music pop-idols and movie actors. Dare I say it, even in Catholic media circles, even some priests and laymen indulge in this notion with the invention of the Internet, on both sides of the spectrum, (Radical) Trad and Liberal. It has even spreads to the Holy Father indirectly and directly, such as the Holy Father doing selfies. Sorry Papa, but selfie taking isn't exactly strengthening the power of your message to the audience of the hostile, anti-Catholic world ... but at least you do not command it AT MASS.
What is clear as day in this Papal audience, is he is trying to convey that main message: The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is not an entertainment spectacle or a concert, it IS the highest form of prayer in the world, the re-presentation of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, with which He freed us from the binding of Adam's Original sin that prevented us the opportunity (not de-facto admittance) to be in paradise with God in Heaven. (You have my full permission to copy/paste this quote, just acknowledge my blog.) Sadly, phone photos take away from this reverence and make the events more like a concert. The Pope is saying, the Mass is not such a venue.
My Opinion (My Two Canadian Dollars)
Now, while I agree with the Pope's main message in full, I am disagreeing with his outright ban of cell phones/pictures in the Mass for a specific purpose: The promotion of the Sacred Liturgy, especially the Latin Mass in the current theological-political climate of the Church, is VITAL, particularly online and in social media platforms (e.g. Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat) where the young adult generations and younger are gravitating to as part of their lives.
Most, if they were part of the Church, only received a non-reverent, "watered down" Novus Ordo, with variance in quality in terms of homiletics (most being "Jesus loves everyone"/human sentimental garbage, mercy ad nauseam, extreme focus on social justice excluding the rest of the faith) as well as Praise and Worship/childish music that despite the ideas and egos of clergy and music ministers, is NOT the be-all and end all of worship. While I am not partial to a certain Mass being set aside for that and even praise and worship in Eucharistic Adoration (unlike other Radicals Misrepresenting Traditionalism, who hate on their Novus Ordo berthen and desire complete decimation of the Novus Ordo in their minds and hearts, and its "music" and even "Novus Ordo" ministries in the everyday Church,) most youth aren't thinking of heaven and angels and the afterlife when they hear that "Rainbow" song for the hundreth time on Sunday.
Further, might I also add that while it has been 10 years since Summorum Pontificum, and worldwide the number of new holding of the TLM, and priests/seminarians, and even permanent deacons are picking up this noble form, as a whole, there is still a need for HIGHER NUMBERS of Masses, and competent clergy/laymen to instruct even more clergy/lay people in how to carry out the solemn and sacred Latin Mass (though women could assist in areas of expertise such as choir, altar preparation and textiles/vestment creation, and administrative roles in the case of lay organizations e.g. F.I.U.V., local EF/TLM societies.)
How better to promote the Holy Mass, in the Extraordinary Form, than with pictures on social/media, the internet. As the expression says, "a picture is worth a 1000 words," and to the majority of people, they would not be repulsed, but actually drawn in by what is going on at the altar. When one sees images such as the solemn Latin Mass with the numerous servers on their knees at the consecration, and 3 sacred ministers at the altar, does not that invoke an image of angels all around our Lord as King? Now, tie that in with the fact that our youth are "glued" to their internet phones and social media, and you can see that pictures, taken in proper parts of the Mass and posted, IS actually a form of evangelization to youth, and even an indirect invitation to say "Come, see what our Faith is about ... come, and experience eternal salvation, and Heaven on Earth ... Come ..." Might I also add that for all of Pope Francis' talk about getting dirty with the sheep, making "Hagan Lio" and going out to the peripheries, those youth and adults struggling with their faith and lives, and/or have departed from the Church but are around social media, ARE PART OF THE PERIPHERIES!
Conclusion
So, if I must counter the Holy Father, then I counter him on this point by saying in summary: I get it. Yes the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is NOT an entertainment venue and we should not be taking constant pictures and idolizing the Holy Father as a pop star. However, one cannot "throw out the baby with the bathwater" in regards to the promotion of our faith, when many of our lost youth and even adults, who are trapped in the "world of the net," are not going to daily Mass and/or have anyone, even their parents, guiding them remotely, in anyway to the life of the Church. Further, because there is still a need for an increase in the Latin Mass, with the institutional Church including Pope Francis, PURPOSELY NOT promoting the Latin Mass and/or ignoring it in the Life/Culture of the Church (alongside a pure hatred of pre-Vatican II anything by the 65'-late 80's ordained generation of clergy,) it is being left up to the lay body and future/current younger clergy to promote and expand the Latin Mass, and the taking of photography and public promotion of it on the web is a necessary tool for advancing the TLM itself, and evangelizing to those who desire that deeper faith in Christ in the liturgy of the Holy Mass.
And that is my two Canadian dollars on this issue. Unless he makes this audience a part of the Acta of the Church to bind it as Magisterial, I'm sticking to my guns here.
Pax, Julian.
P. S. Love this gem in the audience: "... “But what are you saying, that the Lord is dull?” — “No, no. Not the Mass, the priests” — “Ah, may the priests convert, but it is the Lord who is there!” Do you understand? Do not forget it. “Participating in Mass is living again the redemptive passion and death of Our Lord.” Notice that for all the venom that RMTs spew at our Holy Father, he DID NOT in that sentence consider the Mass a "meal," the usual thing that is said by priests and laity thanks to shoddy post-Vatican II catechesis.
He even did it before in 2014 (see the reference earlier in the same paragraph I took this snippet from in the link above.) Please read the full address for other gems including Martyrdom for the sake of the Holy Mass, the definition of "Eucharist" etc.
Showing posts with label Mass. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mass. Show all posts
Sunday, 3 December 2017
Friday, 20 November 2015
Highlight: Terry at Abbey Roads Strikes Hard!!! The Latin Mass, Cardinal Burke, etc. Are Not THE Sole Solution to Getting Men to Mass
Hello Everyone,
I just caught a great post from awesome blogger Terry Nelson at Abbey Roads. Today, he reflects on his daily morning Novus Ordo Mass as well as his past, and tells the reader about what attracts men to Mass. I repost the following post below, with bolded highlights and my red colour commentary. Pax, Julian.
Seemed like old times.
The first parish I ever registered at was St. Olaf in Downtown Minneapolis - that was in the 1980's. I was able to make it to morning Mass there today - the first Mass at 7 AM. Fr. Kennedy celebrated the Mass - seemed like old times because he was newly ordained when I first started going there way back when, for adoration on Thursdays. That was the olden days in the early 1970's - shortly after my conversion, when hardly any church still had exposition all day - which was usually on Fridays - as at Assumption in St. Paul. Fr. Kennedy always had the reputation of a more 'liberal' priest but I always found him orthodox in homilies and confession. This morning it could have been the Pope giving the homily ... it was excellent. [Get it you Pharisees? This supposed "liberal" priest may not be that cookie cutter Cardinal Burke priest you want, but when it comes to the essentials of the faith including MASS, he says the black, and does the red. While it's great to bring priests to further orthodoxy with kindness and encouragement, we should shut up if they are "doing their duty" and not scandalizing the faithful.]
Notably, the chapel was fairly full for such an early Mass, mostly businessmen in their 30's or 40's, a few older guys, and what seemed to be downtowners - people who live someplace downtown. Like I said - there were mostly men. Everyone knelt for the Eucharistic prayer and at the Agnus Dei. After communion I don't know what happened. I mention this because there is a lot of talk that men don't go to Mass. Just because men were at Mass this morning - and most likely every morning noon and evening at St. Olaf, doesn't mean that observation is wrong of course - but it does indicate to me that men really do go to Mass.
Mass this morning was not effeminate. Fr. Kennedy is a 'manly man' and a serious minded priest and Mass was celebrated according to the rubrics. The men at early Mass seemed like manly men as well. I wasn't on watch there, but I took in the crowd. I prayed and participated in Mass - I simply noticed who was there, what was going on, aware of my surroundings - not looking for errors or lack of formality.
Here's the deal.
I think.
Men go to Mass when they believe, when their faith is living, when Mass is straight forward - and straight plays a big part in that - like honesty.
It seemed like old times to me - the daily Mass goers downtown have a living faith - they are not there because of an obligation, nor does their faith depend on the person of the priest - downtown churches get a variety of substitutes during the week. Downtown parishes host a huge diversity of persons. It's a microcosm of the Church I think. It's as different from my rich parish in South Minneapolis, as my parish is to the FSSP parish in North Minneapolis, or the traditionalist 'Remnant' parish in South St. Paul.
There is a distinct freedom of spirit in a living body.
Love casts out all fear.
Years ago when I got caught up in the fear mongering which trails ultra conservative trad-minded Catholics, I ran into a priest at a store I worked at and he asked, "What the hell happened to you?" He asked in passing because he was in a hurry to get out of the store we were in, and I laughed and said, "What?" I just thought he meant I'd gotten a bit older or something. But now I know what he meant. He assumed I'd gone 'back' - that I was one of those people who wanted everything to go back to tradition. I never had. But I worked in a milieu he associated with the St. Agnes cult he had warned me years ago to avoid. And there I was.
I haven't seen him since, but I'd like him to know nothing happened to me. I'm just fine. I never rejected Vatican II or the Ordinary Form of Mass. This morning reminded me of all that.
I kind of think most men don't go to Mass because they don't like church-lady-talk, Mass chat, coffee and donuts gossip. They're not into the Fellini ecclesiastical fashion show of vestments, and grand style. Some may like it - some may not. [Get it guys and gals? We don't want stupid cutesy social hours or crap on the altar, that belittles the Holy Mass. Listen, a parish social every month or so is not bad for getting to know your parishioners and see old friends, and it's great to BOOST community, but that should not be a primary focus with a falsely misleading label of "evangelization" slapped on it. Other Christian churches have those too, and they attract more converts and ex-Catholics, so something is there beyond the socials.
I might be wrong - but I don't think evangelization is the same thing as marketing.
This anti-Pope thing is so not going to attract more men to Mass either. Talking about the pope and the church in political terms doesn't work. I think most ordinary guys think this pope is great. I know non-religious people do. I'm no expert - just speculating here. [Men are just plain sick of politics interfering with the Church, from the top above, even down to the local parish level. I currently have fully disassociated with one parish, and mostly with another, because of this garbage. However the RMTs also ruin things by lashing out against Francis, when he is clearly NOT committing heresy. If people cannot even respect their highest leader, the one who is supposed to be the Vicar of Christ on Earth with HIS divine authority in matters of faith and morals, then why bother even being a part of the Church? They can get all that in their own religion or local community Christian church of whatever denomination.]
I don't know. Like I said, I'm probably wrong. [No Terry, You are quite right about all this. It's the sick RMTs that do not get it. You have gladly spoken on behalf of the normal, Catholic man. It was raw, true, and from the heart and proudly expressed the TRUTH of the matter.]
It was good to experience downtown again - I miss it in a way. I realized something did happen to me - in some ways, I am different today.
BTW - I never resign St. Olaf's, just stopped going downtown, and they stopped sending me newsletters. I was actually 'involved' with the parish - unusual for me because I don't usually get involved with church people. The people I knew weren't there this morning, and so I expect everyone has moved on or away. Nothing stays the same. You can't go back.
I'm just a single Catholic man.
This may be the appropriate to replace a comment from an earlier post discussing Pope Francis. Today I realized not everyone has a negative opinion of him - thanks be to God.
I've been steeped in sin since birth - so I dare not try to instruct anyone. Pay no attention to me.
I just caught a great post from awesome blogger Terry Nelson at Abbey Roads. Today, he reflects on his daily morning Novus Ordo Mass as well as his past, and tells the reader about what attracts men to Mass. I repost the following post below, with bolded highlights and my red colour commentary. Pax, Julian.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Men at church ...
Seemed like old times.
The first parish I ever registered at was St. Olaf in Downtown Minneapolis - that was in the 1980's. I was able to make it to morning Mass there today - the first Mass at 7 AM. Fr. Kennedy celebrated the Mass - seemed like old times because he was newly ordained when I first started going there way back when, for adoration on Thursdays. That was the olden days in the early 1970's - shortly after my conversion, when hardly any church still had exposition all day - which was usually on Fridays - as at Assumption in St. Paul. Fr. Kennedy always had the reputation of a more 'liberal' priest but I always found him orthodox in homilies and confession. This morning it could have been the Pope giving the homily ... it was excellent. [Get it you Pharisees? This supposed "liberal" priest may not be that cookie cutter Cardinal Burke priest you want, but when it comes to the essentials of the faith including MASS, he says the black, and does the red. While it's great to bring priests to further orthodoxy with kindness and encouragement, we should shut up if they are "doing their duty" and not scandalizing the faithful.]
Notably, the chapel was fairly full for such an early Mass, mostly businessmen in their 30's or 40's, a few older guys, and what seemed to be downtowners - people who live someplace downtown. Like I said - there were mostly men. Everyone knelt for the Eucharistic prayer and at the Agnus Dei. After communion I don't know what happened. I mention this because there is a lot of talk that men don't go to Mass. Just because men were at Mass this morning - and most likely every morning noon and evening at St. Olaf, doesn't mean that observation is wrong of course - but it does indicate to me that men really do go to Mass.
Mass this morning was not effeminate. Fr. Kennedy is a 'manly man' and a serious minded priest and Mass was celebrated according to the rubrics. The men at early Mass seemed like manly men as well. I wasn't on watch there, but I took in the crowd. I prayed and participated in Mass - I simply noticed who was there, what was going on, aware of my surroundings - not looking for errors or lack of formality.
St. Olaf
Here's the deal.
I think.
Men go to Mass when they believe, when their faith is living, when Mass is straight forward - and straight plays a big part in that - like honesty.
It seemed like old times to me - the daily Mass goers downtown have a living faith - they are not there because of an obligation, nor does their faith depend on the person of the priest - downtown churches get a variety of substitutes during the week. Downtown parishes host a huge diversity of persons. It's a microcosm of the Church I think. It's as different from my rich parish in South Minneapolis, as my parish is to the FSSP parish in North Minneapolis, or the traditionalist 'Remnant' parish in South St. Paul.
There is a distinct freedom of spirit in a living body.
Love casts out all fear.
Years ago when I got caught up in the fear mongering which trails ultra conservative trad-minded Catholics, I ran into a priest at a store I worked at and he asked, "What the hell happened to you?" He asked in passing because he was in a hurry to get out of the store we were in, and I laughed and said, "What?" I just thought he meant I'd gotten a bit older or something. But now I know what he meant. He assumed I'd gone 'back' - that I was one of those people who wanted everything to go back to tradition. I never had. But I worked in a milieu he associated with the St. Agnes cult he had warned me years ago to avoid. And there I was.
I haven't seen him since, but I'd like him to know nothing happened to me. I'm just fine. I never rejected Vatican II or the Ordinary Form of Mass. This morning reminded me of all that.
I kind of think most men don't go to Mass because they don't like church-lady-talk, Mass chat, coffee and donuts gossip. They're not into the Fellini ecclesiastical fashion show of vestments, and grand style. Some may like it - some may not. [Get it guys and gals? We don't want stupid cutesy social hours or crap on the altar, that belittles the Holy Mass. Listen, a parish social every month or so is not bad for getting to know your parishioners and see old friends, and it's great to BOOST community, but that should not be a primary focus with a falsely misleading label of "evangelization" slapped on it. Other Christian churches have those too, and they attract more converts and ex-Catholics, so something is there beyond the socials.
At the same time, those of you who love liturgy and the Latin Mass too much, you think that ALL people will go nuts over the smells and bells, and cappa magna worn by prelates like Cardinal Burke et al? No. You have missed the point, as described above. It's the NO NONESENSE, clear teaching of the faith as part of the Liturgy that attracts people to Mass, especially men, NOT SOLELY the things they see or the prelates wear. Most people don't give two cares about the cappa magnas and stuff. They are not liturgy freaks like some of you. Get thisin your mind: FEW PEOPLE CARE ABOUT VESTMENTS, SPECIFIC PATTERNS, CAPPA MAGNAs, ETC.
Now, this doesn't mean that we should have those ugly spaceship/barn churches with vestments and banners that look like they were designed by middle school children, and were maybe fine in our school years. We should at least have proper gear and wares and such that respect the liturgy at its basest level.
The main point is this: BALANCE. Not too disgusting, and not too much femininely designed gear and events at Mass an in the Church, but not the other extreme of pompousness and everything dressed up like the Palace in Versailles. Neither extreme attracts people, especially men to the Church.]
In my neighborhood, a lot of guys stopped going to church because of the bishop scandal - which included gay priests and teen boys, adulterous priests and parish secretaries and or female penitents, as well as billions of dollars of payouts in legal funds. That erodes trust - one guy down the street will probably never step in a Catholic church again. I also don't think most guys are all that interested in talk show apologists, dressed up in safari outfits, or talking like post-game wrap-up commentators. [Now this is interesting. Part of what has gotten people back to a sense of the Church and Mass, that is, those who are "on fire" for their faith, IS professional apologists, such as Keating and his Catholic Answers, and these speakers such as Scott Hahn, Jimmy Akin, Matthew Kelly (who is Australian, and the one I am assuming Terry is pointing out,) Tim Staples, etc. I think that Terry is partially wrong in his assessment. He might be right in that it's not bringing in the Masses, but to me these speakers have contributed to helping establish the "New Evangelization" generation base that now is starting to do ministry in the Church. CONVERSION EN MASSE???? No, that's what I agree on with Terry. I do not agree with his statement flat out and it needs qualifiers or re-wording.] Going after men doesn't need to involve chest bumps and back slapping stereotypical imitations of successful mainstream media pop-culture marketing. I don't think you have to try to sell men on masculinity with another spokesman in lace and red satin talking about how feminized men have become. [Here I think Terry is tackling the two extremes of Bishop Robert Barron and definitely Cardinal Raymond Burke, who in the blogosphere is famous (or notorious???) for that interview about the man crisis in the Church. With +Barron, the focus is on products, popular advertisments, videos, etc. He is in no way doing the bro-fist or the chest bumps or trying to speak like a teenager, but I get Terry's point.
In my neighborhood, a lot of guys stopped going to church because of the bishop scandal - which included gay priests and teen boys, adulterous priests and parish secretaries and or female penitents, as well as billions of dollars of payouts in legal funds. That erodes trust - one guy down the street will probably never step in a Catholic church again. I also don't think most guys are all that interested in talk show apologists, dressed up in safari outfits, or talking like post-game wrap-up commentators. [Now this is interesting. Part of what has gotten people back to a sense of the Church and Mass, that is, those who are "on fire" for their faith, IS professional apologists, such as Keating and his Catholic Answers, and these speakers such as Scott Hahn, Jimmy Akin, Matthew Kelly (who is Australian, and the one I am assuming Terry is pointing out,) Tim Staples, etc. I think that Terry is partially wrong in his assessment. He might be right in that it's not bringing in the Masses, but to me these speakers have contributed to helping establish the "New Evangelization" generation base that now is starting to do ministry in the Church. CONVERSION EN MASSE???? No, that's what I agree on with Terry. I do not agree with his statement flat out and it needs qualifiers or re-wording.] Going after men doesn't need to involve chest bumps and back slapping stereotypical imitations of successful mainstream media pop-culture marketing. I don't think you have to try to sell men on masculinity with another spokesman in lace and red satin talking about how feminized men have become. [Here I think Terry is tackling the two extremes of Bishop Robert Barron and definitely Cardinal Raymond Burke, who in the blogosphere is famous (or notorious???) for that interview about the man crisis in the Church. With +Barron, the focus is on products, popular advertisments, videos, etc. He is in no way doing the bro-fist or the chest bumps or trying to speak like a teenager, but I get Terry's point.
As for ++Burke, Terry is 200% correct. The way that the Radicals Misrepresenting Traditionalists worship the lace and cappa magna loving prelate who does Pontifical Masses, is sickening. Isn't there a passage in Scripture about NOT worshiping Princes in the Church or society??? Furthermore, it is clear in ++Burke's interviews and the sides he has taken not only on Church issues, but on other personal "Trad Issues," (e.g. Catholics suing Catholics, Men in the Church,) that they are the Radically Traditionalist side in favour of that, with no proper evaluation and balanced analysis of all sides and information on those matters. ++Burke sadly is doing no favour to Traditionalists, and clearly his reputation for what he is doing has earned him a ticket out of the Vatican's inner circle, and he will NEVER become Pope as long as he lives with the Post-Vatican II generation of current Cardinals (I am confident in that.) If anything, yes he ++Burke has been blunt on the issues at hand, but he has done so in a way that he will never gain the trust of the regular Catholic populace and his fellow clergymen, and even more so he is creating an atmosphere of distrust of the Papacy, one whereby those who are "orthodox" may be spiritually tempted in their admiration of the Cardinal (despite HIS blunt upholding of Catholic doctrine, which we can give HIM the benefit of the doubt) to rebel against Holy Mother Church and self-schism one's self to Hell lest they die. Also, like the issue of the fancy lace and clothes issue above .... people have been trained in Modern Catholic society to scoff at that stuff. Benedict got away with it being the Pope, but with Francis in charge, it's back to normal. Again ... most NORMAL people, NOT those in love with the Latin Mass, do NOT CARE about fancy vestments. The association of that with a "disappointed" , Francis-clashing prelate, gives a BAD reputation, and most Catholics will NOT be motivated by ++Burke to think positively of the Church, or of even the Novus Ordo Mass. Nevermind the Latin Mass, which he does frequently, so the TLM gets even more unfair knocks thrown its way.]
I might be wrong - but I don't think evangelization is the same thing as marketing.
This anti-Pope thing is so not going to attract more men to Mass either. Talking about the pope and the church in political terms doesn't work. I think most ordinary guys think this pope is great. I know non-religious people do. I'm no expert - just speculating here. [Men are just plain sick of politics interfering with the Church, from the top above, even down to the local parish level. I currently have fully disassociated with one parish, and mostly with another, because of this garbage. However the RMTs also ruin things by lashing out against Francis, when he is clearly NOT committing heresy. If people cannot even respect their highest leader, the one who is supposed to be the Vicar of Christ on Earth with HIS divine authority in matters of faith and morals, then why bother even being a part of the Church? They can get all that in their own religion or local community Christian church of whatever denomination.]
I don't know. Like I said, I'm probably wrong. [No Terry, You are quite right about all this. It's the sick RMTs that do not get it. You have gladly spoken on behalf of the normal, Catholic man. It was raw, true, and from the heart and proudly expressed the TRUTH of the matter.]
It was good to experience downtown again - I miss it in a way. I realized something did happen to me - in some ways, I am different today.
BTW - I never resign St. Olaf's, just stopped going downtown, and they stopped sending me newsletters. I was actually 'involved' with the parish - unusual for me because I don't usually get involved with church people. The people I knew weren't there this morning, and so I expect everyone has moved on or away. Nothing stays the same. You can't go back.
I'm just a single Catholic man.
This may be the appropriate to replace a comment from an earlier post discussing Pope Francis. Today I realized not everyone has a negative opinion of him - thanks be to God.
Yesterday I wrote: I must be an idiot - I just don't see Francis abandoning Catholic teaching. I see him as consistent with his predecessors - a lot more frank and talkative, to be sure, but I do not feel my faith is in the balance because of him. Actually when he calls out Pharisees and the hypocrites I've taken it to heart - I totally accuse myself. If it wasn't so indiscreet to do it, I would proclaim my sins online - just to prove it. Rather than feel put down by the Pope, I feel his call to repentance and reconciliation - to drink deeply at the font of Mercy. I'm not just saying that either.
"If a good man reproves me, it is kindness."
My first waking thought every day is prayer - it is hours later that I even check online - my spiritual life comes first. Neither do I check what the pope has said every day. It isn't my first priority. I avoid those who 'report' on what he said, or how he said it. I believe only what is confirmed by Vatican authority, and if I don't understand it, it isn't for me.
I understand that a priest or director may have need to know what he said, what he meant, to refute what gossip media reports, so I pray for priests.
Personally, I just keep thinking that finally I have a pope, a father who understands me - who understands the outsider - the freak. I don't have to try to fit in with any faction because he welcomes the stranger. [BAM!!!! Pope Francis' mission IS Working!!!! The Church is for everyone, you purist prudes! Christ's Church is Catholic, meaning universal, that includes the freaks! No we don't condone their sins, but we bring them in to give them a greater light in their lives!!! ]
If I feel like that think, of all the people who feel excluded from the Church now feel. Think of all the ordinary people who don't identify with the liturgical class wars and politics. There is hope after all for all the prodigals - while our elder brothers grumble because they have always been good and never wasted their lives on prostitutes.
I can't make excuses for the pope or church people - so that is not my intention here.
I've been steeped in sin since birth - so I dare not try to instruct anyone. Pay no attention to me.
I've always taken my cues from the Church - especially the Pope - be it Francis, Benedict, JPI and II, Paul VI and so on.
It's none of my business who is or who is not in church, any more than it is my business or under my control, who goes to communion or who does not go to communion.
I only have to make sure I go to Mass and I'm able to receive.
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
The Devotion to the Sacred Heart: First Fridays
Hello Everyone.
This post is a bit special to me, as I am going to write about a devotion topic that I have participated in and has since held a place in my prayer life: The Sacred Heart of Jesus. More specifically, this post will be devoted to the practice of the First Fridays. This post is even more relevant, as Friday June 7, 2013 is the feast day devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in both the Extraordinary and Ordinary Form liturgical calendars.
I will begin with some introduction and some history behind the devotion, and then will go through what is necessary to do the devotion and the indulgences/promises attached to the devotion.
Introduction: The Sacred Heart of Jesus and History behind the Devotion
What is the Sacred Heart of Jesus? It is commonly depicted as Jesus' literal heart, however it has the addition of two key components: The crown of thorns that is around the top perimeter of his heart, as well as a cross, the one he was crucified on, atop his heart. (This is not to be confused with the Immaculate Heart of Mary which usually has flowers around it and seven swords in it, representing the Seven Sorrows of Mary.) Flames often surround the cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and some depictions also include a diagonal laceration, from being impaled by the spear of the Roman soldier ``Longinus?``, where out came blood and water from the wound. Here's an example:
While yes it is depicted as his literal heart of his incarnate body, it has more meaning than being his circulatory organ.
Theological History
Christ himself in the Gospel of John 7:37-39 says this: "And on the last and great day of the festivity, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and let him drink that believeth in Me. As the Scripture saith: Out of his heart there shall flow rivers of living waters.' Now this He said of the Spirit which they should receive who believed in Him."(3). This was made all the more prominent and came true literally when the Roman soldier ("Longinus"???) pierced the side of Christ with his spear, and out poured out blood and water from the wound. Whether it pierced Jesus' actual organ of the heart, it is uncertain.
As is commonly used in literature and poetry, the heart is the organ associated with the deepest of emotions, especially that of love. In the pre-Vatican II encyclical, Haurietas Aquas, by Pius XII, which is devoted to the Sacred Heart, he describes to us more deeply what the Sacred Heart of Jesus is about and why veneration and devotion is to be rightly given:
" .... Holy Writ declares that between divine charity, which must burn in the souls of Christians, and the Holy Spirit, Who is certainly Love Itself, there exists the closest bond, which clearly shows all of us, venerable brethren, the intimate nature of that worship which must be paid to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. If we consider its special nature it is beyond question that this devotion is an act of religion of high order; it demands of us a complete and unreserved determination to devote and consecrate ourselves to the love of the divine Redeemer, Whose wounded Heart is its living token and symbol. It is equally clear, but at a higher level, that this same devotion provides us with a most powerful means of repaying the divine Lord by our own. (6, H.A.) ...."
".... The other reason which refers in a particular manner to the Heart of the divine Redeemer, and likewise demands in a special way that the highest form of worship be paid to it, arises from the fact that His Heart, more than all the other members of His body, is the natural sign and symbol of His boundless love for the human race. "There is in the Sacred Heart," as Our predecessor of immortal memory, Leo XIII, pointed out, "the symbol and express image of the infinite love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love in return ...."(16)"
(22, H.A.)
And so, the Sacred Heart of Jesus ...
" .... 55. is a symbol of that divine love which He shares with the Father and the Holy Spirit but which He, the Word made flesh, alone manifests through a weak and perishable body, since "in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily."(52) 56. It is, besides, the symbol of that burning love which, infused into His soul, enriches the human will of Christ and enlightens and governs its acts by the most perfect knowledge derived both from the beatific vision and that which is directly infused.(53) 57. And finally - and this in a more natural and direct way - it is the symbol also of sensible love, since the body of Jesus Christ, formed by the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, possesses full powers of feelings and perception, in fact, more so than any other human body (54) .... " (55-57, H.A.)
Devotional History
The actual devotion of the Sacred heart that is practiced, originates with Saint Mary Margaret Alacoque in the late 1600's. From 1673-1675, the saint received a series of visions of our Lord, revealing to her his Sacred Heart. Jesus asked her in these visions to spread devotion of his Heart throughout the whole church, as reparation for sins and offenses against our Lord. (8, First Fridays and First Saturdays)
At the center of the revelations are twelve promises, made to her by Jesus. For those who consecrate themselves and make reparation to His Sacred Heart:
1. He will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
2. He will establish peace in their homes.
3. He will comfort them in all their afflictions.
4. He will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
5. He will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
6. Sinners will find in His Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
9. He will bless every place in which an image of His Heart is exposed and honoured. (I have provided one above, though there are paper, gold-painted cross cards that seem to be popular for this purpose.)
10. He will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in His Heart.
12. In the excessive mercy of His heart, that His all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in His disgrace, nor without receiving the sacraments. His divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
Of course, these promises are also bestowed onto the faithful who engage in this practice, not just St. Mary.
The Devotion of the Sacred Heart
1. The actual devotion of the sacred heart consists of going to Mass on the First Friday of the month for nine consecutive months, and receiving the Eucharist in the state of sanctifying grace. You MUST do this consecutively for nine months, without any break in the practice. I have found no document, be it in Church Law, Catechism, Papal/Vatican writings, nor writings from trusted Catholic sources that allow for such an interruption other wise, even for valid and legitimate reasons. Not even a priests' dispensation can allow for a valid break.Communion MUST be received on this particular day of the Month. The practice cannot be delegated to another day.
2. They must be done in honour of His Sacred Heart, and thus one must practice devotion to the Heart and have a great love for Christ.
3. Note: This devotion will not dispense you from obligations or from exercising vigilance necessary for leading a good life and overcoming temptation. You will however be bestowed graced to carry out obligations and persevere to the end.
In addition, associated with the devotion is Eucharistic Adoration before or after the Mass. Unfortunately, when it is done after, those parishes that do this tend to schedule confession then, not before the Mass, which deprives people from the ability to receive the Eucharist in the state of grace and perform the devotion. You absolutely cannot receive the Eucharist in the state of Mortal Sin, so you deprive the faithful of the ability to do this practice. Any clergy reading my blog, PLEASE do confession before the Mass, be it with or without Adoration!
Regardless, the beauty of having Eucharistic Adoration attached to this devotion, is that one can receive additional indulgences, which when obtained, remit the temporal effects of sins. A half hour of Eucharistic Adoration minimum, qualifies for the indulgent act. Better yet if one removes themselves from sin completely, the indulgence is plenary, or full.
Indulgences are obtained when one receives confession and communion within 8 days of the indulgent act, prays for the intentions of the Holy Father (which can be at minimum one of the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be), and removes oneself from attachment to all sin. An analogy I use is that sin is like a sticky snail. When we go to confession, we take the snail from his shell and boot him off your skin. However, that shell is taking up space on you. Think of that shell is the time in purgatory one will need to spend to become purified in such a state to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Indulgences remove the temporal effects of sin, that is, that shell is now removed from your body, and thus the complete effects of sin are removed from you, though how many and how much time is reduced is unknown.
Finally, while this is not a mandatory part of the devotion, there are also associated with the Sacred Heart of Jesus the Acts of Consecration and Reparation to the Sacred Heart. They are as follows:.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.
I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.
Amen.
Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart
O sweet Jesus, Whose overflowing charity for me is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Your alter (in Your presence) eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries, to which Your loving Heart is everywhere subject.
Mindful alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Your pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying for from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow You, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the vows of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Your Law. We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against You; we are determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holidays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against You and Your Saints. We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Your Vicar on earth and Your priest are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of Your Divine Love; and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which You have founded. Would, O divine Jesus, we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Your divine honor, the satisfaction You once made to Your eternal Father on the cross and which You continue to renews daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Your Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of Your grace, for all neglect of Your great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth we will live a life of unwavering faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent other from offending You and to bring as many as possible to follow You.
O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowing gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to You, so that we may one day come to that happy home, where You with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, God, world without end. Amen.
Summary:
Therefore, to do this devotion to the Sacred Heart, you must do the following:
1. Be in the state of Sanctifying grace to receive the Eucharist worthily on First Friday. So go to confession, especially if you have one or more Mortal Sins on your soul. Without true repentance and ceasing of the situation, you will obviously not be able to receive the Eucharist in certain situations (e.g. co-habitation, 2nd marriage if 1st was not annulled, masturbation with/without pornography ...)
2. You must attend Mass on First Friday and receive the Eucharist in the state of sanctifying grace, for 9 consecutive months, with no break in between occasions.
3. For the promises to be fulfilled, you must be promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart, whether it be by taking about the devotion, generally why you love the Sacred Heart of the lord, prayer to the Sacred Heart, etc.
In addition to these conditions,
3. You may also attend , and should, the Eucharistic Adoration that comes before and after the Mass. Under the usual conditions of Confession, Communion, and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father (at minimum 1x Our Father, 1x Hail Mary, and 1x Glory be, or a specific prayer for His intentions), PLUS a minimum of 1/2 hour of adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament, you will gain an indulgence aside from the usual benefits and graces.
4. While it is not absolutely necessary according to numerous sources, some recommend the addition of the Act of Reparation and Consecration to the Sacred Heart to be said during those First Friday sessions. I say, do it.
Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.
Works Cited
Pius XII. Encyclical of Pope Pius XII Haurietas Aquas On the Devotion to the Sacred Heart. May 15, 1956. [http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_15051956_haurietis-aquas_en.html]. Retrieved 2013 May 28.
Catholic Truth Society. First Fridays and First Saturdays The Devotions Explained. Catholic Truth Society: London, UK. 2008.
This post is a bit special to me, as I am going to write about a devotion topic that I have participated in and has since held a place in my prayer life: The Sacred Heart of Jesus. More specifically, this post will be devoted to the practice of the First Fridays. This post is even more relevant, as Friday June 7, 2013 is the feast day devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in both the Extraordinary and Ordinary Form liturgical calendars.
I will begin with some introduction and some history behind the devotion, and then will go through what is necessary to do the devotion and the indulgences/promises attached to the devotion.
Introduction: The Sacred Heart of Jesus and History behind the Devotion
What is the Sacred Heart of Jesus? It is commonly depicted as Jesus' literal heart, however it has the addition of two key components: The crown of thorns that is around the top perimeter of his heart, as well as a cross, the one he was crucified on, atop his heart. (This is not to be confused with the Immaculate Heart of Mary which usually has flowers around it and seven swords in it, representing the Seven Sorrows of Mary.) Flames often surround the cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and some depictions also include a diagonal laceration, from being impaled by the spear of the Roman soldier ``Longinus?``, where out came blood and water from the wound. Here's an example:
Source unknown.
While yes it is depicted as his literal heart of his incarnate body, it has more meaning than being his circulatory organ.
Theological History
Christ himself in the Gospel of John 7:37-39 says this: "And on the last and great day of the festivity, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and let him drink that believeth in Me. As the Scripture saith: Out of his heart there shall flow rivers of living waters.' Now this He said of the Spirit which they should receive who believed in Him."(3). This was made all the more prominent and came true literally when the Roman soldier ("Longinus"???) pierced the side of Christ with his spear, and out poured out blood and water from the wound. Whether it pierced Jesus' actual organ of the heart, it is uncertain.
As is commonly used in literature and poetry, the heart is the organ associated with the deepest of emotions, especially that of love. In the pre-Vatican II encyclical, Haurietas Aquas, by Pius XII, which is devoted to the Sacred Heart, he describes to us more deeply what the Sacred Heart of Jesus is about and why veneration and devotion is to be rightly given:
" .... Holy Writ declares that between divine charity, which must burn in the souls of Christians, and the Holy Spirit, Who is certainly Love Itself, there exists the closest bond, which clearly shows all of us, venerable brethren, the intimate nature of that worship which must be paid to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. If we consider its special nature it is beyond question that this devotion is an act of religion of high order; it demands of us a complete and unreserved determination to devote and consecrate ourselves to the love of the divine Redeemer, Whose wounded Heart is its living token and symbol. It is equally clear, but at a higher level, that this same devotion provides us with a most powerful means of repaying the divine Lord by our own. (6, H.A.) ...."
".... The other reason which refers in a particular manner to the Heart of the divine Redeemer, and likewise demands in a special way that the highest form of worship be paid to it, arises from the fact that His Heart, more than all the other members of His body, is the natural sign and symbol of His boundless love for the human race. "There is in the Sacred Heart," as Our predecessor of immortal memory, Leo XIII, pointed out, "the symbol and express image of the infinite love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love in return ...."(16)"
(22, H.A.)
And so, the Sacred Heart of Jesus ...
" .... 55. is a symbol of that divine love which He shares with the Father and the Holy Spirit but which He, the Word made flesh, alone manifests through a weak and perishable body, since "in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily."(52) 56. It is, besides, the symbol of that burning love which, infused into His soul, enriches the human will of Christ and enlightens and governs its acts by the most perfect knowledge derived both from the beatific vision and that which is directly infused.(53) 57. And finally - and this in a more natural and direct way - it is the symbol also of sensible love, since the body of Jesus Christ, formed by the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, possesses full powers of feelings and perception, in fact, more so than any other human body (54) .... " (55-57, H.A.)
Devotional History
The actual devotion of the Sacred heart that is practiced, originates with Saint Mary Margaret Alacoque in the late 1600's. From 1673-1675, the saint received a series of visions of our Lord, revealing to her his Sacred Heart. Jesus asked her in these visions to spread devotion of his Heart throughout the whole church, as reparation for sins and offenses against our Lord. (8, First Fridays and First Saturdays)
At the center of the revelations are twelve promises, made to her by Jesus. For those who consecrate themselves and make reparation to His Sacred Heart:
1. He will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
2. He will establish peace in their homes.
3. He will comfort them in all their afflictions.
4. He will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
5. He will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
6. Sinners will find in His Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
9. He will bless every place in which an image of His Heart is exposed and honoured. (I have provided one above, though there are paper, gold-painted cross cards that seem to be popular for this purpose.)
10. He will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in His Heart.
12. In the excessive mercy of His heart, that His all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in His disgrace, nor without receiving the sacraments. His divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
Of course, these promises are also bestowed onto the faithful who engage in this practice, not just St. Mary.
The Devotion of the Sacred Heart
1. The actual devotion of the sacred heart consists of going to Mass on the First Friday of the month for nine consecutive months, and receiving the Eucharist in the state of sanctifying grace. You MUST do this consecutively for nine months, without any break in the practice. I have found no document, be it in Church Law, Catechism, Papal/Vatican writings, nor writings from trusted Catholic sources that allow for such an interruption other wise, even for valid and legitimate reasons. Not even a priests' dispensation can allow for a valid break.Communion MUST be received on this particular day of the Month. The practice cannot be delegated to another day.
2. They must be done in honour of His Sacred Heart, and thus one must practice devotion to the Heart and have a great love for Christ.
3. Note: This devotion will not dispense you from obligations or from exercising vigilance necessary for leading a good life and overcoming temptation. You will however be bestowed graced to carry out obligations and persevere to the end.
In addition, associated with the devotion is Eucharistic Adoration before or after the Mass. Unfortunately, when it is done after, those parishes that do this tend to schedule confession then, not before the Mass, which deprives people from the ability to receive the Eucharist in the state of grace and perform the devotion. You absolutely cannot receive the Eucharist in the state of Mortal Sin, so you deprive the faithful of the ability to do this practice. Any clergy reading my blog, PLEASE do confession before the Mass, be it with or without Adoration!
Regardless, the beauty of having Eucharistic Adoration attached to this devotion, is that one can receive additional indulgences, which when obtained, remit the temporal effects of sins. A half hour of Eucharistic Adoration minimum, qualifies for the indulgent act. Better yet if one removes themselves from sin completely, the indulgence is plenary, or full.
Indulgences are obtained when one receives confession and communion within 8 days of the indulgent act, prays for the intentions of the Holy Father (which can be at minimum one of the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be), and removes oneself from attachment to all sin. An analogy I use is that sin is like a sticky snail. When we go to confession, we take the snail from his shell and boot him off your skin. However, that shell is taking up space on you. Think of that shell is the time in purgatory one will need to spend to become purified in such a state to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Indulgences remove the temporal effects of sin, that is, that shell is now removed from your body, and thus the complete effects of sin are removed from you, though how many and how much time is reduced is unknown.
Finally, while this is not a mandatory part of the devotion, there are also associated with the Sacred Heart of Jesus the Acts of Consecration and Reparation to the Sacred Heart. They are as follows:.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.
I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.
Amen.
O sweet Jesus, Whose overflowing charity for me is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Your alter (in Your presence) eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries, to which Your loving Heart is everywhere subject.
Mindful alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Your pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying for from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow You, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the vows of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Your Law. We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against You; we are determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holidays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against You and Your Saints. We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Your Vicar on earth and Your priest are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of Your Divine Love; and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which You have founded. Would, O divine Jesus, we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Your divine honor, the satisfaction You once made to Your eternal Father on the cross and which You continue to renews daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Your Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of Your grace, for all neglect of Your great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth we will live a life of unwavering faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent other from offending You and to bring as many as possible to follow You.
O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowing gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to You, so that we may one day come to that happy home, where You with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, God, world without end. Amen.
Summary:
Therefore, to do this devotion to the Sacred Heart, you must do the following:
1. Be in the state of Sanctifying grace to receive the Eucharist worthily on First Friday. So go to confession, especially if you have one or more Mortal Sins on your soul. Without true repentance and ceasing of the situation, you will obviously not be able to receive the Eucharist in certain situations (e.g. co-habitation, 2nd marriage if 1st was not annulled, masturbation with/without pornography ...)
2. You must attend Mass on First Friday and receive the Eucharist in the state of sanctifying grace, for 9 consecutive months, with no break in between occasions.
3. For the promises to be fulfilled, you must be promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart, whether it be by taking about the devotion, generally why you love the Sacred Heart of the lord, prayer to the Sacred Heart, etc.
In addition to these conditions,
3. You may also attend , and should, the Eucharistic Adoration that comes before and after the Mass. Under the usual conditions of Confession, Communion, and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father (at minimum 1x Our Father, 1x Hail Mary, and 1x Glory be, or a specific prayer for His intentions), PLUS a minimum of 1/2 hour of adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament, you will gain an indulgence aside from the usual benefits and graces.
4. While it is not absolutely necessary according to numerous sources, some recommend the addition of the Act of Reparation and Consecration to the Sacred Heart to be said during those First Friday sessions. I say, do it.
Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.
Works Cited
Pius XII. Encyclical of Pope Pius XII Haurietas Aquas On the Devotion to the Sacred Heart. May 15, 1956. [http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_15051956_haurietis-aquas_en.html]. Retrieved 2013 May 28.
Catholic Truth Society. First Fridays and First Saturdays The Devotions Explained. Catholic Truth Society: London, UK. 2008.
Thursday, 28 March 2013
What? Gaia Mass in Archdiocese of Toronto??? We Need to Help our Archdiocesan Office.
Hello Everyone,
Look, there's a lot of stuff going out in the blogosphere these days. We can look at it and really wonder who these people are that write these things, or why things happen in archdioceses. The expression is though, that even "a broken clock chimes correctly twice a day." Unfortunately, something did chime in this morning about something in my own archdiocese.
I woke up to find this in my blogger feed. Here the blogger talks about some "Gaia Mass" happening in the diocese at Holy Name Parish staffed by a Fr. Morrasse. Normally this is not the kind of blog I like to give attention to on S.U.D, but this issue, deserved some reflection and attention and I had to think about this one. Is this an over-reaction to the event? What could have happened? What is the parish and Archdiocese saying/doing with regards to this?
Yeah .... it was happening ....
Unfortunately, the claim that the blogger makes that this was featured on the Archdiocesan website under their News and Events page, is true.
I'll reveal something to all of you. A week ago, I did find this entry on their website, while looking for an entry for the St. Joseph's Feast Day Solemn Latin Mass at SLTM (which I found out later, was just that the organizer had not called/e-mailed the archdiocese. No ill will here between both parties, despite others perceptions of the diocesan office with regard to the EF). I took a snapshot of the page:
Why would I do this? Well, see, I was planning to write one crazy post on the matter. I really went away at it, but I just really felt uncomfortable writing what I had. Now before you go and demand like the crowd in the Passion for me to be crucified for being a failure to the Traditional Catholic community, listen to why I did not.
Something just didn't sit right with me releasing it in a manner like other blogs. I also have a mandate on this blog to be a positive example of the EF community, and not to misrepresent it as a EF-serving/participating Catholic. So before I wanted to do something so "radical," I sought out the council of trusted allies and friends (including a holy and noble priest of the Church) in the Catholic Faith, both of the EF and who are devout but attend the OF. While they too were shocked, I was counseled by them that there are more prudent means than this to go about slogging such a post of that nature. I listened to them and did not release the post. I have it archived on my computer as a personal testament, but also to keep what I found in my research.
However, in light of the revelation, and seeing as I knew about this earlier, I want to give my take on this matter. If you want to know more about the Church's stance on New Age Spirituality, please see this:
My two biggest concerns about this are as follows:
1) By Conducting Such a Mass, if they are still on, it is highly possible that the Masses with be ILLICIT (Not conducted according to Church Law and the Liturgy as set out in the Missal) AND INVALID (NO SACRAMENT WILL TAKE PLACE!)
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Look, there's a lot of stuff going out in the blogosphere these days. We can look at it and really wonder who these people are that write these things, or why things happen in archdioceses. The expression is though, that even "a broken clock chimes correctly twice a day." Unfortunately, something did chime in this morning about something in my own archdiocese.
I woke up to find this in my blogger feed. Here the blogger talks about some "Gaia Mass" happening in the diocese at Holy Name Parish staffed by a Fr. Morrasse. Normally this is not the kind of blog I like to give attention to on S.U.D, but this issue, deserved some reflection and attention and I had to think about this one. Is this an over-reaction to the event? What could have happened? What is the parish and Archdiocese saying/doing with regards to this?
Yeah .... it was happening ....
Unfortunately, the claim that the blogger makes that this was featured on the Archdiocesan website under their News and Events page, is true.
I'll reveal something to all of you. A week ago, I did find this entry on their website, while looking for an entry for the St. Joseph's Feast Day Solemn Latin Mass at SLTM (which I found out later, was just that the organizer had not called/e-mailed the archdiocese. No ill will here between both parties, despite others perceptions of the diocesan office with regard to the EF). I took a snapshot of the page:
Found March 17, 2013 on the News and Events Page of the Archdiocesan Website.
Why would I do this? Well, see, I was planning to write one crazy post on the matter. I really went away at it, but I just really felt uncomfortable writing what I had. Now before you go and demand like the crowd in the Passion for me to be crucified for being a failure to the Traditional Catholic community, listen to why I did not.
Something just didn't sit right with me releasing it in a manner like other blogs. I also have a mandate on this blog to be a positive example of the EF community, and not to misrepresent it as a EF-serving/participating Catholic. So before I wanted to do something so "radical," I sought out the council of trusted allies and friends (including a holy and noble priest of the Church) in the Catholic Faith, both of the EF and who are devout but attend the OF. While they too were shocked, I was counseled by them that there are more prudent means than this to go about slogging such a post of that nature. I listened to them and did not release the post. I have it archived on my computer as a personal testament, but also to keep what I found in my research.
However, in light of the revelation, and seeing as I knew about this earlier, I want to give my take on this matter. If you want to know more about the Church's stance on New Age Spirituality, please see this:
The Pontifical Council For Culture & Pontifical Council for Interreligious
Dialogue: "JESUS CHRIST THE
BEARER OF THE WATER OF LIFE, A Christian reflection on the “New
Age.” Please especially view 1.4, 2.1, 2.3.1, as well as the Catechism of the Catholic Church sections 2112-2113, 2120:
My two biggest concerns about this are as follows:
1) By Conducting Such a Mass, if they are still on, it is highly possible that the Masses with be ILLICIT (Not conducted according to Church Law and the Liturgy as set out in the Missal) AND INVALID (NO SACRAMENT WILL TAKE PLACE!)
Plain and simple. If the Mass includes all these elements NOT APPROPRIATE to the liturgy, won`t be conducted according to the proper liturgical norms in the GIRM and the Roman Missal, AND Christ is Not the focus of the Masses, but ``Gaia/Mother" Earth is, then this will violate the three things necessary for a Mass to be valid:
- Proper Form (Liturgy),
- Matter (the instuments used AND the correct physical substances of a host with enough gluten to be wheat matter + wine from fermented grapes),
- and INTENT. The intent will be violated on the basis of Christ not being worshipped and focused on in the Mass. The "Sacrifice" if anything, will be focused on the Earth, a finite/real object. Not our Lord.
More importantly:
2) Possible, Irreparable spiritual damage and harm will be done or started to the faithful, ESPECIALLY the young children involved in the Masses/performances. This can be beginning of damage to their spiritual, psychological, and mental development, or make worse what is already evident in their lives.
Yes, There are likely young children involved in the Mass/orchestra/dancing, etc. This is tied to the Holy Name school and parish, and therefore, some of its parishioners who are children, and/or attend the school, might be part of this production or will see it. Unlike adults, who whether they were poorly catechized by "the system" or not have the faculties to truly reject the Catholic faith if they so will it, young children are impressionable and over- trusting in adults, so much they hinge of most or every word adults tell them as `truth` or knowledge.
Young children usually do not develop self-awareness or self-reasoning abilities until they start to enter puberty and carry out (poorly or not), self-independence. Which is why I am highly concerned if these Masses, or hopefully concerts only, take place next Wednesday and Friday. It is SO essential, between parents, clergy, teachers, etc. To give them the firmest foundation possible in their youths, so that they can be ready to delve deeper into their faith as adults and when challenges come their way, it is like a rock, and not like something built on sand that collapses along with them. What this Mass will do is build up an apathy/resistance in their young impressionable minds to the Catholic faith, including anything even Jesus-y related.
I'll also give one more interesting tidbit about kids: Once they get into their tweens (EDGE ages, which is Grades 6-8 or 10-14), they "wake up" so to speak in a certain sense, and those self-reasoning and self-awareness abilities kick in. That includes knowing straight up when adults are lying to them or being honest in their actions and their selves. THEY WILL NOT BE STUPID. They might be smiley and happy about what they do, but most will know you are serving them processed baloney when they really want the "organic, healthy and nutritious" meat of the Truth of the Catholic Faith. If they see Fr. is not serious about his role as an alter Christus, their parents don`t care about the faith, and their teachers don`t either, in actions like this `Mass`, they will think that Mass is a joke, It`s not obligatory or even that it is the re-presentation of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord, and worse, they`ll leave the Catholic Faith faster than I can type a corny yoga joke on my keyboard. Really though, I`m being serious here.
And worse, the spiritual damage that New Age Practices can do can really wreak havoc on one`s life, and those around you:
E.g. of Spiritual and Psychological Damage in the Form of an MTV Celebrity: Spencer Pratt (and his wife, Heidi Montag)
Take the example of former MTV celebrity, Spencer Pratt, from the self-absorbed and materialistic MTV production, ``The Hills`` (as in Beverly Hills, California). The ``reality`` show followed the lives of four main protagonists/antagonists/frenemies ... four privileged women living out "dream jobs" and posh lifestyles in Beverly Hills, with a cast of supporting characters (and enemies).
One supporting "character"/actor was Spencer Pratt, a blond young guy in his twenties, who ended up being the boyfriend and now legal husband of the main character, Heidi Montag. He was entertaining as a ``bad guy``, but unfortunately, as he delved further into being famous, he succumbed to New Age Spiritual practices, particularly in the form of "healing crystals". This aspect of the show was NOT scripted. As he got further into the practice and his fame, he became quite outrageous in behaviour (`famously emphasized in his `I want Heidi to myself!`` quote) and even his appearance. Seriously, here's some pictures back of him in 2010 during the height of his crystal worship:
Spencer Pratt: Poster Child for New Age Spirituality, complete with healing crystals, other deity or physical object worship stance, Tye Dye Shirt, and "Enlightened" Facial Expressions. You can be just like him! Be in tune with the harmonizing energies of crystals ...."
His life fell apart and he did irreparable harm to those important to him in his life. He pushed his own sister (Stephanie Pratt) out of his life and only acknowledges her as a blood relative, seen in the famous "un-friending" scene. With only the empty values of society and his crystals by his side, he was unsupportive to Heidi and allowed her to undergo multiple plastic surgeries when Heidi was clearly a physically, beautiful woman, even before all that. He essentially forced his wife to end, unjustly, the strong friendship that Heidi shared with the show's main protagonist, Lauren Conrad. Further, he spent a ridiculous amount of money on those crystals, over $500,000 on them! Combined with ludicrous spending that the celebrity society encourages, he and Heidi were in serious financial troubles post-Hills!
While he did try to sell off the crystals, and/or got rid of them, one can clearly see that this "poster boy" for the New Age Spirituality clearly went off his rocker with the whole thing. To this day, he and Heidi still try to engage in whatever the reality TV world offers them, having no other bearing to guide their life other than the principles of the secular world and left behind tatters of New Age Spirituality.
Had Spencer's life been deeply centered in the Catholic Faith under Christ, he would have likely not gone off the deep end. Further, he would have valued the friendship his wife had with Lauren, he would have valued his wife more and tried to help her see that she is not just a token physical object, but in union with her a reflection of the Trinity and a reflection of Christ and his Bride, the Church. Why, he might have even chosen a more noble path in life, had he been deeply rooted in his Faith, having been led by our Lord to his true vocation and lifelong dedication. Being part of the celebrity culture is bad enough, but New Age Spirituality make him go off the deep end, and clearly this individual is in dire need of prayers, as well as those whom are in his life.
How does Spencer connect to all this? This is what can happen to the children, should they experience and be exposed to this. Sadly, most people don't understand the harm it can do to your Faith, yourself, and those around you.
However, one question remains, Why?
My Take on the Archdiocese's Role in all This ... And an interesting revelation.
This is kind of a hard one to say who's right and wrong in this. I'll get to the critical point first.
Like all workplaces, institutions, etc. There will always be a few bad eggs in the mix. There are all kinds of examples out there of people who in office truly have liberal or self-absorbed agendas, or are negative Nancies who seek the job for power/money purposes/pride and love to take down others with them. Furthermore, yes, the media is indicating the "wrongs" rather than the "rights" of clergy in action, and yes, some of them have committed liturgical and even sexual crimes worthy of excomunnication.
While it is possible there might be someone in an office, institution, etc. like this, the majority of the time, the general body of workers in a workplace, including management, is NOT so. I, Julian Barkin, of Servimus Unum Deum, have never known or met an Archdiocesan Official who I can clearly say with a big fat finger, is of this nefarious type, so portrayed in right-wing Catholic blogs (e.g. Rorate Caeli) and intentionally posted this event to cause direct spiritual harm to the flock of the Archdiocese under ++Collins' pastoral care.
Unless hard evidence is submitted about the clergy and/or the liturgical team of the parish that proves/disproves culpability of their administration or actions in all this, I will state for now, that it is unclear who was responsible for this and why. I have no affiliation with the parish or the clergy/community there and therefore it cannot be determined whom is responsible for this.
Furthermore, I found an interesting revelation on all this. The "school" mentioned in the News page may not likely be Holy Name elementary school. In fact this is what the Church's website's bulletin says for the concert :
"Concert-April 3 & 5 Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts Music Department will present Missa Gaia at Holy Name Church Wednesday April 3 and Friday April 5 at 7 p.m. This concert will feature the combined choirs and select band/string performers of CCAA in an eclectic mix of traditional, contemporary and nature sounds all directed to praise Jesus Christ as Lord of all creation. General Admission $15" Interestingly enough, they do not list ``new age`` here at all. However, if one will look in that document above from the Vatican, Gaia Worship IS in fact specifically addressed in the document. Also, thanks to another blog, So Con or Bust, I found the poster for this ``Earth Mass``
[ So um, like , God/Gaia is like, a huge whale man, and like, heaven is, like, one big ocean of choice waves man ...]
So I guess the bigger question, is then, is this really a Mass then, or is this an actual concert with a poorly done, New Age, Gaia-worshipping composition? Because if it is a concert and not a Mass, it`s still a really poor decision to expose the young students who are Catholic of Cardinal Carter, the parishioners both old and especially young, to New Age Spirituality, even through this concert. If CC, like the Masses of the Baroque and Classical eras of Music, is the orchestra accompanying the organ to provide music for the Masses, with the dancers acting in "liturgical dance," and real Masses will take place alongside CC's orchestra, then clearly it was absolutely right to alert the diocese. Furthermore, who submitted the advertisement for the Mass, and worded it in that manner, differently from the Archdiocesan page? Was it someone on behalf of Holy Name? From Cardinal Carter academy? Was it someone in the Archdiocese? Clearly someone twisted this advertisement from its listed form on the Church bulletin/webpage to the form that was on the Archdiocesan events page.
When these events happen, unintentionally, or good-minded people, usually do not have the knowledge or skills necessary to handle an issue or protocols in place. In addition, there will be slip-ups and things not foreseen or passed by/ignored in these places. That or somewhere along the process from idea to completion, something is overlooked, or ignored, assumed to be fine, and so, it could become that one piece of the Jenga(TM) puzzle that results in the tower toppling over.
Furthermore, the people working in this office are human, and do we know what happened that day in the office of Communications, or the Web office? Maybe the hypothetical, combined 2-person team of the Auxillary bishop in charge and the communications/web person who is a young graduate student doing his/her doctorate in Divinity at St. Augustine's, were overloaded with work in the Conclave absence of ++Collins, and on top of clerical duties and the young graduate's school stresses, the website work had to get done.
That, or maybe one, or both the team members, didn't even know what New Age Spirituality/Liberal Theology is and just saw it as a Mass with kids/a concert, not knowing better. And thus it was passed. I would not be surprised if they did not with the crisis of catechesis in our institutional Church today, combined with the fact that general society loves doing things like Yoga, and that even certain retreats in Catholic spaces/retreat centers use New Age practices like Reiki and Ennagrams. They likely don't know it's not OK in the life of the Church, and just assume it is, without the proper knowledge from the CCC and the Vatican document mentioned earlier.
Clearly, some investigation should be done or something said, as to why this was passed under the noses of the Archdiocesan Office, and better protocols for the News and Events page should be established to the mistake never happens again. That's what Hospitals, businesses, etc. do. I believe the term for that in institutional lingo is "Quality Assessment and Improvement."
Regardless, I state, in my honest opinion, that it is highly likely this was an unintentional mistake, not caught until likely the faithful of the diocese alerted the office on the matter. The Archdiocese
has at least started the proper process of rectifying the issue by removing it from their webpage, and I do not sense that there was any malicious attempt to harm the spiritual constitution of the faithful in this diocese.
And this, everyone, shows just how vital your role in the life of the Church is! Even Bishop Fulton Sheen said once in a famous quote that it is the lay people who will help to govern the institutional Church's affairs and keep it in order. Because of your actions, you helped bring this to the attention of the diocese. At least on line, they have listened.
I must ask of you, to assist the Archdiocese of Toronto under the governance of ++Collins, in their efforts to pastorally care for you, to HELP THEM. They are a human institutional body interwoven into the life of the Church, of whom Cardinal Collins is in charge of, to care for your spiritual and pastoral needs. However, our archdiocese is big, with over 250 parishes operating in it! That means many priests, seminarians, and laypeople! Can an office of maybe under 100 people working for it, ensure the spiritual integrity of your personal salvation and the pastoral life of the archdiocese all on its own? NO! Which is why you should do your best to spiritually co-operate with the office on affairs like this. When there is something spiritually detrimental in the archdiocese needing attention, please help the staff there and communicate with them in an effective, Catholic, charitable manner! They need your help, and they need to know what's going on. If you choose to concentrate on bashing them and not communicate with them, how will they know when there's a crisis or spiritual decay going on? Which is also why it must be more than a few people. It must be you, me, your friends, family. We have to Evangelize, Catechise, and then help those tools, institutions, etc. in the Church already in place.
And that is my take on this matter. Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin of Servimus Unum Deum.
Saturday, 17 November 2012
Low Mass and the Image You Should Have of Our Beloved Latin Mass
Hello Everyone,
This is more of a small post to bring things to your attention regarding the Latin Mass:
1) Personal: I served my first ever Low Mass in the EF with fellow server, Robin L.M. Cheung, at St. Lawrence the Martyr last Tuesday morning at 11am. My preparation for one week, consisted of a couple of 2-server videos (one from the States and the other a poor quality version of their Friday evening Mass), a 2-server altar card from a British altar serving site, and whatever practice I could with responses (I was able to get non sum dignus and the Confiteor). In then end, save one notable directional mistake and some minor things, it actually wasn't all that difficult as I pictured it in my mind (thanks to a lot of cues and help from the server card and Robin).
I strongly encourage you all in our diocese (or wherever you read this) to go out and support the Traditional Latin Mass, especially its daily Low Masses. You will find comfort and solace in the silence and reverence displayed there. Please see the locations page for more information if you would like to attend St. Lawrence the Martyr's Masses or another Latin Mass location in the Archdiocese of Toronto.
I hope to, at a future date, conquer the Low Masses here on this blog in depth, as well as post some of the serving videos I took to be able to remember how to set up the priest's robes and also the altar. That is .... if I can figure out how to get video off of an Iphone.
2) This from Fr. John Zuhlsdorf: He mentions an account of a Latin Mass that took place at a Benedictine college where the Mass honoured American servicemen. See the account here!
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2012/11/good-news-about-a-seminarian-and-a-great-tlm-for-veterans-day/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wdtprs%2FDhFa+%28Fr.+Z%27s+Blog+-+What+Does+The+Prayer+Really+Say%3F%29
Here are the pictures of the Mass on Fr. Z's blog:
This is more of a small post to bring things to your attention regarding the Latin Mass:
1) Personal: I served my first ever Low Mass in the EF with fellow server, Robin L.M. Cheung, at St. Lawrence the Martyr last Tuesday morning at 11am. My preparation for one week, consisted of a couple of 2-server videos (one from the States and the other a poor quality version of their Friday evening Mass), a 2-server altar card from a British altar serving site, and whatever practice I could with responses (I was able to get non sum dignus and the Confiteor). In then end, save one notable directional mistake and some minor things, it actually wasn't all that difficult as I pictured it in my mind (thanks to a lot of cues and help from the server card and Robin).
I strongly encourage you all in our diocese (or wherever you read this) to go out and support the Traditional Latin Mass, especially its daily Low Masses. You will find comfort and solace in the silence and reverence displayed there. Please see the locations page for more information if you would like to attend St. Lawrence the Martyr's Masses or another Latin Mass location in the Archdiocese of Toronto.
I hope to, at a future date, conquer the Low Masses here on this blog in depth, as well as post some of the serving videos I took to be able to remember how to set up the priest's robes and also the altar. That is .... if I can figure out how to get video off of an Iphone.
2) This from Fr. John Zuhlsdorf: He mentions an account of a Latin Mass that took place at a Benedictine college where the Mass honoured American servicemen. See the account here!
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2012/11/good-news-about-a-seminarian-and-a-great-tlm-for-veterans-day/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wdtprs%2FDhFa+%28Fr.+Z%27s+Blog+-+What+Does+The+Prayer+Really+Say%3F%29
Here are the pictures of the Mass on Fr. Z's blog:
THIS LAST IMAGE, IS THE IMAGE OF WHAT SHOULD BE CONJURED IN THE MINDS OF ALL LATIN RITE CATHOLICS EVERYWHERE WHEN THEY THINK OF THE LATIN MASS !!!!!! It is not just some antiquated relic on a shelf or "not relevant to contemporary Catholic worship." oh no. It is strong and valiant! It is ever more relevant in our time where no one knows what a true Catholic is, nor do most Catholics know their faith and could explain it to someone. THIS FORM OF OUR LATIN RITE MASS, FOR ALL CATHOLIC MEN AND WOMEN, TRULY DEMONSTRATES OUR CATHOLIC IDENTITY AND OUR BELIEFS!
Everytime you think of the Latin Mass, think of this image. One of strength, honour to our Lord, and service to Him. Like these soldiers who serve North America, may we too serve Him, our Lord, who sacrificed Himself on the Cross for our eternal salvation. Serve him through the Latin Mass! While you may not be the acolyte in surplice and cassock on the altar, even by praying in the pews and following along in your Missals/handouts, you are serving Him with active participation in the Latin Mass in the Church Militant.
GO FORTH SOLDIERS!
3) Once I kick through these night shifts this weekend, I am going to be starting work on Part II No. 3 for the more detailed Q & A on the Latin Mass. By that time it`ll get to the end of Communion and then I will start to unleash on the altar serving aspects of the Latin Mass.
Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.
Sunday, 11 November 2012
Basic Q and A for the Latin Mass Part II No. 2: Breakdown of the Parts of the Mass
Q and A Part II: What is Going On at the Latin Mass?
No. 2: From the Introit to the Offertory
NO. 2
B. From the INTROIT TO THE OFFERTORY
5. The Introit
6. The Kyrie
7. The Gloria in Excelsis
8. The Collects (+ Dominus Vobiscum)
9. The Epistle
10. The Gradual (+ Alleluia Tract)
11. The Gospel
12. The Credo
5. The Introit
Does this happen in Novus Ordo? No.
Cues for Laity: At all levels of Mass, you will still be kneeling.
General Gist: This part of the Mass varies daily, depending on the Saint of the Day, occasion, etc. The priest will now be at the altar. At High Masses this is chanted by the choir as well as said in silent tone by the Priest. He'll make the sign of the Cross. In Requiem Masses for the Dead, it will be over the Missal, directing the blessing to the souls in purgatory. (99, The Latin Mass Explained). The Master of Ceremonies will flip the Missal to the right point and show the priest it with an open palm of the right hand. If no deacon is present, the MC will flip pages.
Relevance
- Introit is derived from the word "introitus" meaning "entrance." It's the starting prayer so to speak from the Missal read by the priest. This is really the 'beginning' of the Mass since what's already happened is the nature of the celebrant's preparation. (99, The Latin Mass Explained)
- The reciting of the Introit reminds us of the ancient world's sighing for the Redeemer and begging God to hasten his advent. We, the laity, should also share this esteem for Jesus' Redemption of us, whose benefits we enjoy at every Mass. Also in Requiem Masses for the Dead, the priest will sign the cross over the Missal, directing the blessing to the souls in purgatory. (99, The Latin Mass Explained)
- The Introit is also repeated to mark the holy impatience of the Patriarchs [OT - Jewish priests or precursors] and the frequent prayers they made to God to send the Redeemer. (99, The Latin Mass Explained)
6. The Kyrie Elesion
Is this in the Novus Ordo: YES. Except you hear it in the vernacular language (which makes no difference if you are Greek, because this part is not in Latin! Surprise! The language used here is actually Greek, which was at one time, the universal language of the Church. It wasn't always Latin.) You know this as "Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy"Cues for the Laity: At all levels of Mass, you will remain kneeling.
General Gist: The priest returns to the middle of the Altar and will join his hands together. In a Low Mass, he says the first response "Kyrie elesion" and then the server replies the same. The priest says that one more time. Then the server starts with "Christe, elesion" and the priest replies the same, then the server. Repeat the first three lines of the kyrie. If this is a High/Solemn/Pontifical Mass, the choir will sing the Kyrie, and the other clergy members will also go behind the priest.
Relevance:
- If you haven't caught on, this is a literal cry for mercy.
- Why the triple repeats? Because the priest and server (or choir) is begging to the three members of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, then the Son, then the Holy Spirit (100, The Latin Mass Explained; 15 The Holy Mass)
- There is also a union of the fact that there are 9 invocations, to the 9 choirs of angels, who sing in Heaven, the glory of the Most high. The union prepares us to sing the Gloria, which these blessed Spirits brought down to us. (16, The Holy Mass).
- So em, Christ gets special mention? Well that's because both his human and dine natures are being highlighted here, present in his Incarnation (100, The Latin Mass Explained ; 15 The Holy Mass)
7. The Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Is this in the Novus Ordo? Yes, though it's not the complete Latin-English translation (though the 3rd edition is better overall ...). The Gloria is generally said on all Sundays and Major feast day celebrations. Shared between the two forms, this is NOT present in funeral Masses, Lent, and Advent. Also some Mass settings of music really detract from the sacredness of the part of the Mass and make it sound not reflective of the mentioned union with the Choirs of angels.
Cues for the Laity: In a Low Mass, you will remain kneeling. However when at a Missa Cantata or higher, you will stand until the priests sit at their sedilias/chairs. When they stand and sit, you do the same. When the name of the lord, Jesus Christ is mentioned 2x in the Gloria, you will bow your head slightly.
General Gist: In Low Mass, the priest will stand in the centre with his hands joined, and recite this. The priest will bow his head slightly at the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. At Higher level masses, the choir sings this as well as the priest reciting the Gloria in silent tone. When the clergy have finished their intoning of the Gloria they retreat to the sedilia/chairs. They will return to the altar area after the Gloria is complete.
Relevance:
- The Gloria is an "angelic hymn" with its origins in the angels, who chanted this at the birth of our Redeemer (101, The Latin Mass Explained; 9, I like Mass; 17, The Holy Mass).
- During the prayer, glory is given to God as well as praise, worship, and adoration. It is a perfect prayer and praise, such is the intention of the Church; let it be ours, and we won't need to look for any higher meaning to those words (18, The Holy Mass)
- What is implied in the words Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam, your great glory, is the favours He gives us, but most importantly, His greatest, the Incarnation. The Lord's incarnation as this act procures more glory to the Divine Majesty than anything we humans could do (19, The Holy Mass).
- Once again, the Lord is called upon by name like in the Kyrie Elesion, to acknowledge his dual nature: both divine and human. Further, there is dwelling upon the name of the Lord because He is the spouse of the Church and She must tell of all his perfections immediately after mentioning his name in the Gloria (22, The Holy Mass)
- The Holy Spirit is also mentioned, to give thanks to the Trinity.
8. The Collects (+ Dominus Vobiscum)
Is This in the Novus Ordo? Yes. As a small note though, the proper and full translation from the Latin is not always found in the Novus Ordo, even with the closer translations of the 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal.
Cues for the Laity: In the Low Mass, you are still kneeling. In the higher Masses, you are standing.
General Gist: This is the 2nd of the daily interchanging prayers (the 1st was the Introit). After the Gloria, the priest says ``Dominus Vobiscum`` and everyone says in reply ``et cum spirito tuo``. The priest then turns back to the altar and says ``Oremus.`` He will then read a prayer before the Day`s main Scripture readings. He raises his hands, and his sentiments to God, the Priest excited the faithful to unite their prayers with his (912, The Daily Missal ...)
Relevance:
- The Domimus Vobiscum part before the collects re-iterates how intimately the priest and the faithful should be united in offering the Sacrifice. (17, Latin-English Booklet Missal ...). Further, in our reply, we are saying "May the Lord be with your soul, in your mind, and in your heart" since this divine work the priests is undertaking, is chiefly spiritual and refers to the soul. The Lord fills the soul of the priest with his abundant graces (104, The Latin Mass Explained)
- The Collects mean the collected prayers of all the faithful assisting at the Holy Sacrifice (912, The Daily Missal ...; 17, Latin-English Booklet Missal ...). In the early days of Christianity, it referred to a meeting of the faithful for prayer. Also, when the people gathered, the clergy member who would officiate, recited a short prayer over the people (105, The Latin Mass Explained)
- The importance of the Collect is great. The Holy Mother Church wants us to listen to this with all respect and devotion. This prayer is also the first that is recited at Vespers, Lauds, and (in the Monastic Rite) at Matins in the EF Divine Offices of the Church for clergy (24, The Holy Mass). Further, this prayer is a sum and substance of all favours asked by the priest for himself and the laity, directed usually to God, to Whom the Sacrifice of the Son is offered as the prayer terminates with ``through our Lord Jesus Christ:`` (105, The Latin Mass Explained)
- The extending of the priest`s arms has a few purposes with regards to our Catholic history. It reminds us of Moses, who prayed thus upon the mountain while the children of Israel were contending with the Amalekites on the Plain. This type of praying is also found in Scripture in Psalms 27:2 (104, The Latin Mass Explained) It imitates the ancient manner of praying used by the first Christians. It most importantly gives respect to our Lord, and serves as a poignant reminder for us, for our Lord`s arms were outstretched on the Cross as he was praying for us during his Crucifixion. When our Lord hung there, his prayer was one of infinite worth to his Eternal Father. Hence our priests reminds us of this fact (25, The Holy Mass).
9. The Epistle
Is This in the Novus Ordo? YES! Those of you in the Novus Ordo know the Epistle as the first and/or second readings. The one advantage the Novus Ordo does have is that two readings are done instead of one, and usually an Old and a New Testament in the same Mass that ties together the Old Testaments with the New Testaments, showing the completion of the Word in Christ, whereas the EF only has one reading (unless you go on an Ember Day Mass or special one like the Saturday Easter Vigil or other "Feria Masses").
Cues for the Laity: No different from the N.O. You sit for the readings, regardless of the level of the EF Mass celebrated.
General Gist: Either the Priest at the altar, or in a Solemn/Pontifical Mass, the subdeacon, will read/chant the Epistle from the right side of the altar, usually below the main altar space. The MC will be holding the book of epistles called the "Evangelarium." These readings are usually from the Letters of St. Paul, though other readings can be read in the Liturgical Cycle of the EF depending on the Feast Day/Solemnity, etc.
Relevance
- The Epistle is a reading taken from the Bible and teaches some truth God wishes His people to know and practice. (17, The Latin-English Missal ...)
- The purpose of having a Scripture reading before the words of our Lord in the Gospel, is to prepare us for such. (28, The Holy Mass).
- It's a logical order as we first hear from the prophets and/or his Apostles, then the words from Christ Himself.
10. The Gradual (+ Alleluia Tract)
Is this is the Novus Ordo? The Gradual is in the N.O., taking the form of the Responsory psalm between the first and second readings. It involves repeating a response after parts of one or more Psalms. The Alleluia Tract IS in the Novus Ordo .... albeit it's watered down and not sung with as pleasant music. Such passages in the NO are better simply read.
Cues for the Laity: You will remain kneeling at the Low Mass, sitting at a Missa Cantata or higher.
General Gist: For the Gradual tract, it consists of a response and a verse which is the remnant of a whole psalm (19, The Latin-English Missal ...), or some other book of the Old testament. The Gradual and Alleluia tracts are read by the priest at the altar in the Low Mass with his hands on the Evangelarium. In the Cantata Masses and higher, this is sung by the choir while said by the priest at the altar. Other notes from the
Baronius 1962 Missal: ".... A Tract replaces the Alleluia and the verse succeeding it in times of penance The Gradual is replaced by the Alleluia during Eastertide. On certain feasts [e.g. Ember Days] a sequence or hymn in rhyme is sung here (only 5 sequences are now used in the Roman Missal). Then, the Gradual Tract, or Alleluia with verse or Sequence follow as the season requires."
Relevance:
In Between: Preparation for the Gospel (Mostly from the Baronius 1962 Missal)
Is this in the Novus Ordo? YES.
Cues for the Laity: No matter what mass level, everyone stands. Same as Novus Ordo, including the three crosses you do in the NO. However you do not respond with anything verbal. That is left to the servers to say "Gloria tibi domine" and "Laus tibi Christi" after the Gospel.
The Gist: You should probably know what happens here ... this is the major reading of Scripture from the Gospels of the New Testament, straight from the horses` mouth, Jesus. The deacon at Solemn and higher Mass levels reads this, the Priest at Cantata and lower. The phrase "Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum ________ (Matthaeum, Marcum, Lucam, Joannem)" will be said, whereby after this you do the three crosses on head, mouth, and heart, with your thumb. Else this is said by the priest on the left side of the altar at a Low and Cantata Mass.
Relevance (from my sources, though we know what the Gospel`s general relevance is ...:)
Cues for the Laity: You will remain kneeling at the Low Mass, sitting at a Missa Cantata or higher.
General Gist: For the Gradual tract, it consists of a response and a verse which is the remnant of a whole psalm (19, The Latin-English Missal ...), or some other book of the Old testament. The Gradual and Alleluia tracts are read by the priest at the altar in the Low Mass with his hands on the Evangelarium. In the Cantata Masses and higher, this is sung by the choir while said by the priest at the altar. Other notes from the
Baronius 1962 Missal: ".... A Tract replaces the Alleluia and the verse succeeding it in times of penance The Gradual is replaced by the Alleluia during Eastertide. On certain feasts [e.g. Ember Days] a sequence or hymn in rhyme is sung here (only 5 sequences are now used in the Roman Missal). Then, the Gradual Tract, or Alleluia with verse or Sequence follow as the season requires."
Relevance:
- The Psalms or portions of Psalms read at this part of the Mass are an inheritance from the service of the Synagogue. (108, The Latin Mass Explained). In the Gradual, it is the most musical piece of the Liturgy requiring the greatest skill. The name Gradual comes from the fact that when the people were permitted to chant the piece, they went to the Ambo, and it was on account of the steps, which led to the ambo, which gave the chant its name. (29, The Holy Mass).
- As a personal side note, this is another, really small advantage in the Novus Ordo, as the cantor is made to go to the Ambo to sing the responsory psalm, which better reflects the history of the Gradual, while usually the members in the choir loft sing the Gradual (which is in the back of most churches) in the EF masses. This does not, however, detract from the Gradual in the EF Mass.
- The Alleluia is the Canticle of the heavenly Sion, which St. John heard intoned there: "After these things I heard as it were the voice of many people in heaven, saying: Alleluia. Salvation, and glory, and power is to our God (Revelation 19:1) (109, The Latin Mass Explained).
- From Septugeisma to Easter, the Alleluia is not sung, out of the sheer mysteriousness and combined joy of it (29, The Holy Mass). This is when the Tract replaces the Alleluia.
In Between: Preparation for the Gospel (Mostly from the Baronius 1962 Missal)
- One will notice that after the Reading of the Gradual or Tract, in the Low Mass the altar server will transfer the Missal to the Gospel (Left) side of the altar. In a Missa Cantata, an acolyte OR an MC (if present) will perform the action. In the Solemn Mass and higher, this is done by the MC.
- The Priest will say a prayer called the ``Munda Cor Meum`` at the time the Missal is transferred In the higher level masses, the deacon will say the Munda Cor while being blessed with hands joined together in orans position. This prayer makes reference to Isaiah 6: 5-7 whereby a Seraph touched the lips of the prophet Isaiah with a coal of fire, in order to purify him to make him fit to make known the inspirations received from the Holy Spirit (32, The Holy Mass) An additional prayer, the ``Jube Domine`` is also said at Low Masses by the Priest, or the deacon at the Solemn and higher Mass levels.
- It is during the Gradual and Tract in the Holy Mass that a number of the servers, the priest in the Cantata, and the three clergy in the Solemn Mass, will be doing a number of things on the altar to prepare for the reading of the Gospel. This will include: The Deacon receiving a blessing from the Priest to proclaim the Gospel (also done in Novus Ordo with transistent or permanent Deacons), the thurifer (and boat bearer if present) approach the altar again with incense to be blessed and put in the thurible/censer, another incensing is done post Munda cor Meum prayer, and everyone will congregate at the altar, genuflect, and then head to a designated spot for the Gospel.
- There is no blessing of the deacon in a Solemn Requiem Mass, as there is not the same joy in the ceremony, rather it is one of sadness and mourning. A number of the other actions are omitted that would be done at regular Solemn Latin Masses. (34, The Holy Mass)
- Again, the phrase "Dominus Vobiscum" with the response by everyone "Et cum spiritu tuo" will be said before the reading of the Gospel. The Gospel is preceded by the ``Dominus Vobiscum`` prayer unlike the Epistle, because it is the very words of Christ himself (not a servant, apostle, prophet, etc.) which we are about to hear; and therefore a means it taken for exciting the attention of the Faithful. (33, The Holy Mass).
11. The Gospel
Is this in the Novus Ordo? YES.
Cues for the Laity: No matter what mass level, everyone stands. Same as Novus Ordo, including the three crosses you do in the NO. However you do not respond with anything verbal. That is left to the servers to say "Gloria tibi domine" and "Laus tibi Christi" after the Gospel.
The Gist: You should probably know what happens here ... this is the major reading of Scripture from the Gospels of the New Testament, straight from the horses` mouth, Jesus. The deacon at Solemn and higher Mass levels reads this, the Priest at Cantata and lower. The phrase "Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum ________ (Matthaeum, Marcum, Lucam, Joannem)" will be said, whereby after this you do the three crosses on head, mouth, and heart, with your thumb. Else this is said by the priest on the left side of the altar at a Low and Cantata Mass.
Relevance (from my sources, though we know what the Gospel`s general relevance is ...:)
- The priest will make the Sign of the Cross on the Missal with his thumb. It means that the Gospel the priest is about to read is the word of Christ crucified, Who died for the truth of his doctrine. (113, The Latin Mass Explained).
- In both forms of the Roman Rite, do you know that your thumbing of the three crosses means something??? It means that we ask God for the grace to know His teaching with our minds, to profess it with our lips, and love it and follow it with all our heart. (113, The Latin Mass Explained)
- In both forms, the priest kisses the book after the Gospel. This means that everything which emanates from such a hallowed source is sweet and venerable. (113, The Latin Mass Explained; 33, The Holy Mass)
The Re-reading of the Epistle and Gospel in the Vernacular Language
Being sensitive to the needs of the Laity and the fact that Catholics today don't get Latin in their education, the readings, or at least the Gospel, is/are re-read most of the time in the vernacular language, mostly English.
THE SERMON
Prior to the sermon, this is the spot in the EF Mass where announcements are done. I do not have an answer as to why.
As for the sermon, this is always done on solemnities, major feast days, and every Sunday. It is entirely optional on weekday Masses, though usually priests tend to give one in the EF, revolving around the minor feast day, the saint of the day, or the readings presented in the Mass.
12. The Credo
Is this in the Novus Ordo? Yes, though one has the option of the Apostles' Creed (shortened) or the Nicene Creed on most days in the N.O. Only the full Nicene Creed is done in the EF.
Cues for the Laity: You will stand for this part of the Mass. When the priest says at Low Masses, or the choir sings "Et Incarnatus Est ..." at higher level Masses, you will kneel until the part of the passage: "... homo factus est." You stand for the rest of the credo. The Laity does not speak this part. (personal note: I don't see why, if you require saying the Creed as part of an indulgence, you shouldn't be able to say this quietly to yourself ...)
General Gist: The priests and/or clergy with choir will say this part. This is the Creed, said in Latin. You will not hear this said outside of Sundays and certain feast days. In essence, what is being said is a general summation of the basic tenets of our Catholic Faith. THIS IS WHAT WE CATHOLICS BELIEVE IN!
Relevance:
- The Creed is a summary of Catholic Doctrine, deriving from those proclaimed at the General Councils of Nicea in 325 and Constantinople in 381, convened to condemn heretics who denied that Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost were God (918, The Daily Missal ...; 115, The Latin Mass Explained)
- The first word in the Creed, of which the title is derived, is "Credo", which is Latin for "I believe". This is the answer of the Church to the Gospel teaching. She replies that she believes all whatsoever Christ taught. (114, The Latin Mass Explained; 38, The Holy Mass).
- Why we all bend at one knee to "Et Incarnatus Est" is to give reverence to the mystery of the Incarnation and to adore God made man (see Phillipians 2:6-10). By kneeling down in gratitude to the Son of God for having become man for us and rising again, we express our hope of a joyful resurrection. (115, The Latin Mass Explained).
- The Holy Mass by Dom Gueranger Prosper breaks down and explains the creed line by line. Some of this is my rewording, but I am doing this for you in case you are interested in knowing what each line is to mean in the Creed about our Faith. It is long an lengthy so do come back to this as many times as needed to absorb all this:
- Credo in unum Deum, Patrem Onnipotentem: We believe in ONE god, not many as polytheists do, nor two different Deity beings or some other variant as other heretics do (e.g. Arians). Also the whole of the universe including all beings and creation had to be done with great magnitude and order, uncalcuable and not omniscient to the human mind. Thus the words in this part of the Creed. (39-40, The Holy Mass)
- Factorem caeli et terra, visibilium omnium et invisibilium. God is creator of all that is invisible and visible, including pure spiritual beings such as the angels which we Catholics acknowledge. Further this is in contrast to the Gnostics who were loath to attribute to God the creation of matter and visible things. (40-41, The Holy Mass)
- Et in Unum Dominum, Jesum Christum, Filium Dei Unigenitum: We believe in One Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only Son of God. Notice once again the saying of Christ by his name to acknowledge his divine and human natures. Further, we believe in only ONE Lord of all, Christ. It is not two separate deities, one divine and another human (like an avatar), nor in a human AND in a God, but it is one in the same Person, the Only Son of God. We also give the Lordship and our adoration of him in this manner as we belong to him twice over: 1st because we were created by Him who made all things, that is by that of the same divine nature as Our Lord. 2nd because it was Christ who saved us eternally via his sacrifice, giving us the opportunity for eternal salvation (41, The Holy Mass).
- Et ex Patre natum, ante omnia saecula: Born of the Father before all ages. God existed prior to our time, and only any time began when he created.
- Deo de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero: God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God. This refers to the Son of God, the Light of our Salvation, our one True Lord, God Made Flesh, preceding from the Father Almighty. Christ is ever the same Substance, the same Divine Essence. (43, The Holy Mass)
- Genitum non factum, consubstantialem Patri: As literally translated from the Latin in the N.O.: begotten, not made, con-substantial with the Father. Jesus is not just a separate inferior creation as we regular humans are, no. Jesus is One, but his own distinct Person from the Father. They nonetheless have the same Substance, the same divine essence, whereas ours differs entirely from God's. (44, The Holy Mass).
- et propter nostram salutem descendit de caelis: Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from Heaven. THIS IS PART OF THE GOOD NEWS!!!! We are sinners who are in need of saving. Now, before He came down, the Sin of Adam was so grave at a divine level, only one of that divine level could vanquish the penalty occurred on Adam and his future ancestors. By coming down, he hasn't be-quitted Himself from the others who share his Divine Nature, God and the Holy Spirit, rather he has truly united Himself to man, suffering all man can suffer, excepting sin. He came down to be with us, walk with us, experience things we experience, conforming himself in all things to the exigences of human nature.(45, The Holy Mass).
- ET INCARNATUS EST ... ET HOMO FACTUS EST: and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary: and was made man. At this crucial line where we kneel, we acknowledge the coming of the Word of God in the flesh form, borne out of the womb of the human mother Mary. Furthermore, we believe in the Immaculate Conception, which is that Mary was borne in this world without Original Sin (The one focused on in the I.C. is NOT CHRIST!!! People mistakenly believe the I.C. refers to Christ, though He too was born without Original Sin). The Trinity is also referred to in the mention of the Holy Ghost/Spirit as it overshadows this Sublime Mystery taking place, and by the Holy Spirit's operation did this event take place (45-46, The Holy Mass).
- Crucifixus etiam pro nobis: sub Pontio Pilato passus, et sepultus. He was crucified also for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. Emphasis is given to the crucifixion to indicate the Victory on the Cross over Satan. As we were ruined by the wood [of the tree of knowledge by eating its fruit], so God willed that our salvation also be done via the wood of the cross. Pro Nobis stresses that HE DIED FOR US AND OUR SINS. Et sepultus describes that he was buried, which points to the prophecy uttered by Jesus about rising on the third day. It also proved the reality of his Death, complete and not fictitious, as the burial took place like any other man on earth. (47, The Holy Mass)
- Et resurrecit tertia die ... ad dextrem patris: And on the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures. And He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father. The Scriptures, the prophets, especially Jonas, foretell of this in the OT, when he was swallowed for Three days and nights. Christ himself alludes to this in Luke 9:29 and Matthew 12:39. Now things have come full circle. Christ fully ascended to Heaven, sinless, and that included His Humanity. He will always be enthroned at Heaven at the right of his Father according to His Divine Nature, as well as there according to His Human Nature. King David in the OT also foretold of the seating at God`s right side in Psalm 109:1. (48-49, The Holy Mass)
- Et iterum venturus ... non erit finis: And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead: of whose kingdom there shall be no end. Our holy Lord has two comings, one born without Glory, the other with the Glory of His Resurrection, predicted by time (and also is said in our Catechism of the Catholic Church). However, when he comes the 2nd time, he will judge those still living on Earth, but also those dead from the very beginning of the world, because absolutely all must be judged. The kingdom of Christ also has no end in His Sacred Humanity, because in His Divinity, he has never ceased to reign (50, The Holy Mass).
- Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivicantem: qui ex Patre, Filioque procedit. Qui com Patre et Filio simul adoratur, et conglorificatur: qui locutus est per Prophetas. And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life: Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son. Who, together with the Father and the Son, is adored and glorified: Who spoke through the Prophets. Jesus has never been able to do what he was able to do without the joint action of the Father and the Holy Spirit, as part of the Trinity. We Catholics equally believe IN the Holy Ghost, who shares the same Divine Nature as the other persons of the Trinity. Vivicantem refers to the Holy Spirit as giving life. It is the Holy Ghost that gives life to our soul [and let's not forget is present at our Baptism, as the H.S. was at Christ's], animating our souls by sanctifying grace, which the H.S. pours into our souls, and sustains them. Also the Holy Ghost maintains all of what is in the Church. Also important in this passage is the procedit, that is the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son. [Another term for this proceeding is a "spiration."] A link unites both Son and Father, and that link is the Mutual Love between the two Persons of the Trinity. That Mutual Love proceeds/spirates forth from them as the Holy Spirit. This proceeding is also found in Scripture in John 15:26. Since the Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity, and is a vital part in the relationship of the Son and Father, and shares the same Divine Nature, He too is absolutely to be adored and worshipped as the Father and Son. The H.S. is also glorifies as likewise, He receives glory together with the Father and the Son: He is included in the same Doxology or glorification (Gloria Patri ...). The Holy Ghost spoke through prophets, and we believe it so, from Moses, up to the time of our Lord. Prophetic action is not possible without the gifts and abilities and fruits of the H.S., for it was at Pentecost that the Holy Spirit came down and bestowed tongues of fire, to allow Jesus' disciples to PROCLAIM the Good News. (54-56, The Holy Mass)
- Et unam, sanctam ... Venturi Saeculi. Amen. And in the Only, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection for the dead, and the life of the world to come, Amen. O.H.C.A .... those are the Four Marks of the Church. This is the only Church that Christ founded and under its bosom alone there is salvation. We declare it one. Moreover, we declare it Holy. Scripture refers to one and holy in the Song of Songs (or Canticle of Canticles) in passages 6:8, 2:10 and 4:7. St. Paul also alluded to the Holiness of the Church in Ephesians 5:27. There are always Holy ones, Saints within her. Being Holy, she teaches nothing but the truth. By Catholic, this refers to the Church being universal, spread throughout all of Earth, and will exist throughout the existence of time. Finally it is Apostolic, as her existence came from the Lord Himself, having a hierarchy dating back to the Apostles, and by the Apostles, to the Lord Himself. These marks make the Catholic Church one of Divine Institution, [unlike the many man-made and schismatic Churches in existence]. As per Baptism, The Church proclaims there is one mode of spiritual birth, and according to St. Paul to the Ephesians in 4:5, there is only one Baptism, as there is but only one God, and one only Faith. Further, when one is Baptised in the Church, the absolution on one's Original Sin takes place and that person reclaims the sanctifying grace that tethers one to God to enable him/her to participate in eternal Salvation with Him [excluding later Mortal Sins which cut off the person from that grace again]. On Resurrection, for us Christians, the Resurrection of the Dead is a fundamental DOGMA!. Our Lord rose from the dead on the third day, confirming this Dogma in a striking manner. Thus if we all are to imitate Him, we too must rise [though where you rise to is another story, depending if you broke off from Him via Mortal Sin]. Finally the life of the World to come, we know that in glory, we will fully enjoy the sight of Him [the Beatific Vision] and see God face to face in the eternal afterlife provided we didn't commit mortal sin. Also in Heaven, we will never lose that sanctifying grace we need, that we are able to lose on earth, and will be fully put in possession of God Himself, Who alone is the End of Man [the Summum Bonum, the Greatest Good] (59-61, The Holy Mass).
END Part II No. 2
Works Cited:
1. Moorman, Msgr. George J. The Latin Mass Explained. Tan Publishing: Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A. 2010.
2. Gueranger, D.P. The Holy Mass. Baronius Press Limited: London, United Kingdom. 2005.
3. Coalition in Support of Ecclesia Dei. Latin-English Booklet Missal for Praying the Traditional Mass. Coalition in Support of Ecclesia Dei: Glenview, Illinois, USA. 2008.
4. The Ordinary of the Mass. The Daily Missal and Liturgical Missal with Vespers For Sundays and Feasts From the Editio Typica of the Roman Missal and Breviary, 1962 With Supplements Containing The Additional Masses for Englang and Wales, Scotland, United States and Australasia. Summorum Pontificum Edition. Baronius Press: London. 2009.
1. Moorman, Msgr. George J. The Latin Mass Explained. Tan Publishing: Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A. 2010.
2. Gueranger, D.P. The Holy Mass. Baronius Press Limited: London, United Kingdom. 2005.
4. The Ordinary of the Mass. The Daily Missal and Liturgical Missal with Vespers For Sundays and Feasts From the Editio Typica of the Roman Missal and Breviary, 1962 With Supplements Containing The Additional Masses for Englang and Wales, Scotland, United States and Australasia. Summorum Pontificum Edition. Baronius Press: London. 2009.
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