Taking the Faith into the Streets

When I was a child, the parish feast was one of the most anticipated events of the year. My home parish is Espirito Santo (Holy Spirit) and the parish feast is help each year on the last weekend in May.

This feast is more than a parish festival. It is a celebration of faith, family, friends, and food. The church parking lot is transformed into a carnival type atmosphere with food booths, games, and live music.

But the big event takes place on Sunday. The feast Mass is the biggest event of the three day period. The principal celebrant is usually either the bishop of the diocese or a bishop from Europe. Since Espirito Santo is a Portuguese parish, a bishop from Portugal usually attends.

After the Mass, there is a procession through the streets of the city. All the parish groups are represented in the procession and the streets are lined with people.

At Espirito Santo, the procession begins with a large red banner which reads, "Vinde Espirito Santo" translated means "Come, Holy Spirit". All the large statues from the church are carried in the procession by men of the parish. The smaller statues are carried by the children from the parish school. Each statue was preceded by children and teenagers who dressed as the saint portrayed by the statue and many other children dressed as angels.

Here is a slideshow of photos from the procession. For photo captions, click on the white square on the lower left corner of the picture.

The Best Seller

Pope Benedict's new book, "Jesus of Nazareth" is currently #6 on the New York Times bestseller list for hardcover non-fiction.

So much for people not being interested in Pope Benedict. Record audience crowds and a bestselling theology book. Gotta love the pope! I pray that his book will rise to the #1 position and boot the atheist book out.

First Communion

I received the Eucharist for the first time 19 years ago today. I was so excited...not because of the dress or the party after, but because I was finally going to receive Jesus. Yes, I was in love with church stuff even back then.

What a Great Day

Today can't get much better. The semester is finished. I got an A in my philosophy class, I don't know about the others yet since I just submitted my term papers today.

When I got home, I had a wonderful package in my mailbox. Pope Benedict's new book, Jesus of Nazareth. By the way, it is now listed at #14 on Amazon.com

Thanks for your patience with the pause in blogging. Blogging will be light as I take some time to relax before summer classes begin. I will be reading the new book.

Have a great week.

Pope Benedict Answers Questions on Romero, Liberation Theology, Abortion, and Evangelization

During the course of his flight to Brazil yesterday, the Holy Father held his traditional press conference for the journalists accompanying him.

"I love Latin America very much," said the Pope expressing his joy at having the opportunity to visit the "continent of hope." The aim of this journey, he said, "is specifically religious: to give life in Christ and to [help people become] disciples of Christ."

Answering a question about liberation theology, the Holy Father recalled that "with the changing political situation, the position of liberation theology is also radically different. It is clear that simplistic forms of millenarianism promising immediate and real conditions of a just life were mistaken. The question now is how the Church must be present in the struggle and the reforms necessary to guarantee conditions of justice. It is precisely on this point that theologians are divided."

Benedict XVI also spoke of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero of San Salvador, murdered in 1980 as he was celebrating Mass. Describing him as "a great witness of the faith," the Pope expressed his conviction that the late archbishop "merits beatification, although his memory must be liberated from the ideological deformations of those who have sought to appropriate it for political reasons."

Going on to consider the proliferation of religious sects in Latin America, the Holy Father said "they are a sign that people thirst for God. The Church must respond to this need with a highly concrete plan and in the awareness that, apart from announcing the Christian message, it is important to help people achieve just living conditions."

Replying to a question concerning the Mexican parliament, which has just approved a law in favor of abortion, the Pope highlighted "the need for Christian politicians to remain coherent to their principles." The Church, he said, "announces the Gospel of life; life is a gift and not a threat."

For his part, Holy See Press office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. made it clear that "the Mexican bishops have not excommunicated those politicians, and neither has Benedict XVI." However, he added, "legislation in favor of abortion is not compatible with participation in the Eucharist." Upon being asked whether this meant that the politicians were effectively excommunicated, Fr. Lombardi said "no, they exclude themselves from communion."

In his replies to journalists, Benedict XVI had declared that "such excommunication is laid down in the Code, it is not arbitrary, it is simply written in the Code of Canon Law. The death of an innocent, of an unborn child, is inconceivable. It is not arbitrary, and the Church express appreciation for life and for the individuality of life from the first moment of conception."
VIS

John Allen has translated the complete text of the press conference into English, or you can access the Italian version here.

To Brazil

The Holy Father is on his way to Brazil. He left Rome's Fiumiocino airport this morning and should be arriving in São Paolo around 5:30 est.

While in São Paolo, he will be staying at the monastery of São Bento (Saint Benedict).

Here is a link to the schedule for this trip.

As a person of Portuguese descent, I am delighted that Pope Benedict has chosen to visit Brazil.

Pray with me for him and the people of Brazil:

Avé Maria, cheia de graça, o Senhor é convosco.
Bendita sois vós entre as mulheres;
bendito é o fruto do vosso ventre, Jesus.
Santa Maria, mãe de Deus, rogai por nós, pecadores,
agora e na hora da nossa morte.
Amen.

What Kind of Catholic are You?

h/t to the Ironic Catholic: You scored as Traditional Catholic. You look at the great piety and holiness of the Church before the Second Vatican Council and the decay of belief and practice since then, and see that much of the decline is due to failed reforms based on the "Spirit of the Council". (Yes, some of it is) You regret the loss of vast numbers of Religious and Ordained clergy and the widely diverging celebrations of the Mass of Pope Paul VI, which often don't even seem to be Catholic anymore. (Yes, I do. Don't take this to mean that I don't like the Paul VI Mass. I think it contained some much needed changes. I just don't like what some people have done to it.) You are helping to rebuild this past culture in one of the many new Traditional Latin Mass communities or attend Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy. You seek refuge from the world of pornography, recreational drugs, violence, and materialism. You are an articulate, confident, committed, and intelligent Catholic. Well, not really. However, I am trying to keep the celebrations of the Paul VI Mass in line with the GIRM and Catholic teaching. But do you support legitimate reform of the Church, and are you willing to submit to the directives of the Second Vatican Council? Will you cooperate responsibly with others who are not part of the Traditional community? Absolutely! I do not think a return to a Pre-Vatican II Church or liturgy is the solution, but we do need reform. http://saint-louis.blogspot.com - Rome of the West Traditional Catholic 81% New Catholic 79% Radical Catholic 60% Neo-Conservative Catholic 38% Evangelical Catholic 24% Liberal Catholic 12% Lukewarm Catholic 5% What is your style of American Catholicism? created with QuizFarm.com

Remember The Sack

480 years have passed since the sack of Rome.

Here is an excerpt from my posting from last year.

May 6, 1527, the day of the sack of Rome, marks the greatest day in the history of the Swiss Guard. That morning, Captain General Bourbon launched a series of attacks on Rome. During one of them, at the Torrione Gate, while leading the assault of the walls, he himself was mortally wounded. After just a moment's hesitation, the Spanish mercenaries broke through the Torrione Gate, while the lansquenets invaded the road of Borgo Santo Spirito and St. Peter's. The Swiss Guard, standing firm at the foot of the obelisk (now in St. Peter's Square, but then near the German cemetery within the Vatican close to the Basilica), together with the few remnants of the Roman troops, resisted desperately. Their Captain, Kaspar Röist was wounded, and later killed by the Spaniards in his quarters in front of his wife, Elizabeth Klingler. Of the 189 Swiss Guards, only 42 survived, the ones who, when all was lost, under the command of Hercules Göldli guarded Clement VII’s retreat to safety in Castel Sant’Angelo. The rest fell gloriously, massacred together with two hundred fugitives, on the steps of the High Altar in St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Clement VII and his men were able to escape to safety, thanks to the "Passetto", a secret corridor which Pope Alexander VI had built along the top of the wall connect­ing the Vatican with Castel Sant’Angelo.

Across the Sisto bridge the lansquenets and Spaniards fell on the city and for eight days committed every sort of violence, theft, sacrilege and massacre, even the tombs of the Popes, including that of Julius II, were violated in search of spoils. There were as many as 12 thousand dead and the booty amounted to ten million ducats.

Viva il Papa! Viva Ecclesia!

Photo by Domini Sumus.

Bloggers Choice Awards

Remember, there is still time to go over and vote. While you are over there, I would appreciate a vote too!

Another Good Shepherd

The New Bedford Standard Times has published an article about the Bishop George W. Coleman and his leadership of the Diocese of Fall River.

Having worked with Bishop Coleman on several occasions both before his ordination to the episcopate and afterwards, I can attest that he is an shy, gentle, and softspoken man. However, don't let his demeanor fool you. This bishop is no pushover.

He was not what the people expected.

The diocese that produced two cardinals in the past 35 years was accustomed to a larger-than-life leader — one who speaks the languages of all their forebears or wears simple monk's robes and sandals or deftly handles scandalous troubles swept under the rug for centuries. They wanted him to wade through a room with the ease of a Hollywood press agent and make them howl with laughter at his quick, ironic wit.

The diocese of Cardinal Humberto Medeiros and Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley awaited another superstar.

Instead, native son the Most Rev. George W. Coleman was elected diocesan administrator by his peers and shortly after was named the seventh bishop of Fall River by Pope John Paul II.

Bishop Coleman may not be what the people anticipated, but four years into his stewardship, the diocese is staying its course.

During one of the most volatile periods in American Catholic Church history — the clergy abuse scandal ignited in 2001 — the Diocese of Fall River has run without the vitriol that has plagued the Boston Archdiocese. Last year, the Catholic Charities Appeal, which funds diocesan agencies and ministries, missed its goal by a slight margin, reaching a total of $3,936,578, a decrease of 3.3 percent from that of the previous year.

At the helm sits a bishop who is still amazed, four years later, that he is the leader of 350,000 parishioners.

"Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think this would happen," he told The Standard-Times in an interview a few days before his ordination on July 22, 2003.
Granting one of the few interviews he has sanctioned during his tenure, the bishop sits at a conference table in his Fall River office. He seems at ease. He is warm and engaging, and he laughs often.

"I don't know if I can describe my leadership style," he said. "I don't want to be the person who accomplishes something. It's the church that accomplishes something good."

Years ago while talking with then Msgr. Coleman I said, half joking and fully serious, that he would be a bishop someday. There was something about him that looked episcopal. His response was, "Please, don't do that to me!"

If there was ever a bishop who didn't want to become a bishop, it was Bishop Coleman. However, this native son of the diocese, who my great-aunt used to baby-sit, is fitting into this cathedra quite well.

Read the complete article here.

Also, a question and answer transcript from the interview.

Photo by Domini Sumus

Diversity to be Anything but Catholic

At my lovely institution of higher education, which just happens to be one of the few Catholic colleges in the U.S. which is Catholic in more than name only, a debate is brewing over "diversity". The diversity which some students desire would mean diluting or dissolving the Catholic identity of the school and changing it into a college "in the Catholic tradition" or worse, in the "Dominican tradition".

After arguing that Providence College should offer classes in other religion, Jackie Kramer, a writer for the college newspaper, The Cowl, wrote this in a recent article:

It is a big deal. Another girl in the class noted that she was not Catholic and she has had to drop two theology classes. She ascribes this to the fact that, because the core curriculum requires two theology classes, she had to take classes in Catholicism. She mentioned that she thought the professors gave the impression that the students should believe these teachings, otherwise they would go to hell. She withdrew from both classes and this action will stay on her transcript permanently.

Care to know my thoughts on this issue? Of course you do. If you didn't you wouldn't be reading this blog. If you don't want to learn about Catholicism, don't attend a Catholic school. I can't imagine attending a Protestant or Jewish college and complaining that Catholicism wasn't taught. Providence College doesn't hide the fact that it is a Catholic institution. The habited friars and sisters, the crucifixes in every classroom, the large chapel and several smaller chapels on campus, where the Eucharist is reserved, right down to meat not being served in the cafeteria during Lent, Providence College is a Catholic place.

Not all the theology classes at PC are based in Catholic theology. There is a class on World Religions, Basic Judaism, Hebrew Scripture, and Old Testament Prophets. Yes, there is a Catholic slant to most of these courses, but it's a Catholic school! There is supposed to be a Catholic slant.

This week another article appeared in the Cowl. This time a rebuttal from Andrew Sparks. Here is part of what he wrote:

One consideration that needs to be taken into account is the fact that both of those colleges [Boston College and Holy Cross] are Jesuit institutions; since the Jesuits are a primarily a teaching order, it seems appropriate that they should have wider spectrum of courses. Contrast this with our own beloved Dominicans, who are a preaching order, formed to fight heresy and spread the Catholic faith. Indeed we have dozens of Dominican friars on campus that daily devote themselves to living and preaching the Catholic faith, such a school attracts a certain kind of faculty and fosters a distinctly Catholic identity. In fact, this identity is apparent all across campus, as the main gate reads "Providence College" and "Dominican Fathers" quite clearly. Also, the campus tour, led by a Friar Club member, makes it a point to go past the newly renovated St Catherine of Siena building, housing the theology and philosophy departments; and even takes a detour inside of a practically brand new campus chapel, which is situated right across from the new center of Catholic and Dominican Studies. Buyer beware: This is a Catholic school.

Moreover, if the school was forced to cater to every single faith and denomination present on campus, we would be forced to stop serving alcohol at McPhail's, lest we offend the Muslims and fundamentalist Christians on campus. Also, going without meat on Fridays would pale in comparison if Raymond Cafeteria catered to the Muslim population by refusing to serve lunch every day during the month of Ramadan. We could go to the other extreme, however, and not offer any religiously based customs. This would mean removing the crucifixes from classroom walls (a spineless act performed at Boston College), providing condoms at the stores on campus, and prohibiting any in-class prayer often offered by our Dominican professors. If such an unfortunate series of events were to occur, the Catholic majority on campus would be denied their right to a Catholic education. Such measures have been carried out in other schools to avoid agitating sensibilities of students of other faiths. However, the religious minorities on campus expressed deep offense that those schools would presuppose their having any problems with a Catholic school's expression of its heritage.

Read both articles in their entirety here: Kramer and Sparks

I leave you with this warning, if you don't want Catholic theology, don't attend a Catholic school. However, if you want Catholic theology, be careful where you go. Not all colleges that claim to be Catholic really are.

That Catholic Show

Ok, I am probably one of the last bloggers to check out Fr. Roderick's addition to SQPN. The first installment of "That Catholic Show" is embedded below. Check it out! It's a great catechesis on liturgical postures.

More Italian Anti-Catholicism

In a declaration released yesterday afternoon on TG1 (the television news of RAI, the Italian State broadcaster), Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. affirmed that "the irreverent comments directed at the Pope and the Church during the May Day concert were clearly an act of irresponsibility. It is right to say so, and the trade union representatives were right to disassociate themselves" from those comments.

Fr. Lombardi was referring to remarks made by one of the presenters of the concert, which is traditionally held on May 1 every year in the center of Rome. The presenter, Diego Rivera, said, among other things, that "the Pope does not believe in evolutionism," because "the Church has never evolved."

Yesterday's edition of the Vatican daily newspaper, the "Osservatore Romano," described the comments by saying "it is a contemptible and terroristic act to throw stones, this time even against the Pope, while feeling protected by cries of approval from an easily excitable crowd."
Speaking on TG1, the Holy See Press Office Director made it clear that, as both Giorgio Napolitano, president of the Italian Republic, and Cardinal Secretary of State Tarciso Bertone S.D.B. had pointed out, "it would be as well for all of us to seek to diffuse tensions and to re-create conditions for serene dialogue in our society. In this way, it is right that what was an evident act of foolishness should not become a tragedy and an opportunity to re-ignite huge conflicts."
VIS

Catholic World News expands on the official release here.

One of the most unfortunate things to note is that this concert was held in front of the Basilica of St. John, Lateran. That means that this disrespect toward the Pope was committed in front of his own Cathedral.

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title

This has been around the blogosphere for quite a while, but I haven't tried it yet. I am not sure if my title is flattering, but here it is.

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Eminence the Very Viscountess Domini Sumus the Spurious of Much Bottom Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Support for Archbishop Bagnasco

Pope Benedict XVI has given strong public backing to Genoese Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco, the head of the Italian Bishops Conference, who has been threatened with death after having strongly condemned proposals to permit homosexual civil unions. The Vatican made it public that Pope Benedict personally telephoned Archbishop Bagnasco yesterday urging him not to give in to intimidation.

Later in the day, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, sent an official telegram to the Archbishop signed in the name of the Pope urging Archbishop Bagnasco to "continue in his work for the common good, defending and promoting those human and religious values without which it is impossible to build true, free and stable democracies". The pope, said Cardinal Bertone expressed "his profound and painful shock" at the "grave and despicable events which aim to disturb the serene coexistence of the civil and ecclesial community".

In the latest in a series of threats against the Archbishop, a letter was sent to Bagnasco Friday containing his photo with a swastika carved into it, and accompanied by a bullet. Police bodyguards were assigned to protect Archbishop Bagnasco several weeks ago, after threatening graffiti appeared on his cathedral and other buildings across the city. "Death to Bagnaso" and "Shame on you, Bagnasco" were spray painted, along with insults against the Pope and Cardinal Camillo Ruini, previous head of the bishops' conference. Other disturbing attacks included pornographic images of the Virgin Mary portrayed as a bisexual that was left in pamphlets in the cathedral at the end of the Easter Vigil Mass.

The threats against Archbishop Bagnasco began after he issued a strongly-worded condemnation of the proposal to give legal rights to unmarried couples, including homosexual couples, comparing such measures to also giving rights to other sexually radical behaviours such as incest and pedophilia. "Why not say no to various forms of living together, to the creating of alternative forms of the family?," asked the Archbishop. "Why not say no to the incest of a brother and a sister who live together and have children in Great Britain? Why not say no to the party of pederasts in Holland?"

To counter the governmental proposal for civil union legislation, pro-family groups with the support and encouragement of the Italian Bishops Conference and the Vatican are sponsoring a "Family Day" on May 12, where it is hoped many thousands will demonstrate in favour of protection for the traditional family.

Responding to the official Vatican telegram, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano wrote Cardinal Bertone saying, "I wish to assure you that Italy will not leave Archbishop Bagnasco alone to face the present threats."

Source: LifeSite News

Death Threats Against Archbishop Bagnasco

Standing for Catholic values can still bring martyrdom or at least threats.

Homosexual activists mailed a bullet to the office of Genoese Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco Friday, in the latest threat against the senior church official over his opposition to same-sex civil unions.

Police bodyguards were assigned to protect Archbishop Bagnasco several weeks ago, after threatening graffiti appeared on his cathedral and other buildings across the city. “Death to Bagnaso” and “Shame on you, Bagnasco” were spray painted, along with insults against Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Camillo Ruini, previous head of the bishops conference.

Pornographic images of the Virgin Mary portrayed as a bisexual were left in pamphlets in the cathedral at the end of the Easter Vigil Mass, Catholic News Agency reported April 11.

According to a Herald Tribune report, a local newspaper said a photo of the archbishop accompanied the bullet, with a swastika scratched into the image.

Archbishop Bagnasco was recently elected as head of the powerful Italian Bishops Conference. Since his induction into that role, the archbishop has led a campaign against the government proposal to legally recognize homosexual civil unions.

The threats against Archbishop Bagnasco began after he issued a strongly-worded condemnation of the proposal to give legal rights to unmarried couples, including homosexual couples.

“Why not say no to various forms of living together, to the creating of alternative forms of the family?” Archbishop Bagnasco said, warning that legalization of homosexual unions would make it difficult to prevent the further breakdown of family life and sexual morality, reported Spero News.

“Why not say no to the incest of a brother and a sister who live together and have children in Great Britain? Why not say no to the party of pederasts in Holland?”

The Communist symbol of the hammer and sickle accompanied the death threat scrawled on the cathedral, along with the five-pointed star of the left-wing Red Brigades terrorist group.

Carlo Arcolao, spokesman for the archdiocese, told Vatican Radio the threats came from “very small and psychologically weak fringes.”

Source: LifeSite News

Prayer Intentions

Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for May is: "That, following the example of the Virgin Mary, all Christians should allow themselves to be guided by the Word of God and always remain attentive to the signs of the Lord in their own lives."

His mission intention is: "That in mission territories there may be no lack of good and enlightened teachers in the major seminaries and in the institutes of consecrated life."

Hope For the Future

Want to be inspired? Read this story from USA Today.

The Pope is Coming! The Pope is Coming!

Don't know when, but Pope Benedict XVI has accepted an invitation to come to New York City to visit the U.N. Headquarters.
I'll be following this closely!

The Vatican released the following report:

Yesterday afternoon, Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. announced that Benedict XVI has accepted the invitation presented recently by Ban Ki-moon, secretary general of the United Nations, to visit the headquarters of that organization in New York.

"The Pope," said Fr. Lombardi, "has accepted the invitation in general terms, and has expressed his willingness to visit the U.N. headquarters, although as yet there is no date or program for the trip."

Servant of God John Paul II visited the U.N. headquarters in 1979, and again in 1995 for the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the organization.

Rome - The Post List

Update - (April 5th)
The Rome Postings will resume after the Triduum.

Special thanks to Amy Welborn for posting about this series.

Day One - The Flight
Day Two - The Audience
Day Three - Touring Rome
Day Four - The Consistory
Day Four - The Apostolic Palace

Forced Abortions

Asia News is reporting that 61 Chinese women were forced to abort their children. Some were even 9 months pregnant. This is absolutely disgusting and heartbreaking.

From Asia News:

The Chinese governments cruel abortion campaign continues: on April 17th last in the southern province of Guangxi, police forced 41 women to abort their children, dragging them into the local hospital to carry out the termination. The following day the same fate awaited a further 20 women.

China Aid Association (Caa), a United States based non governmental organisation which fights for religious freedom and human rights in China reported the cases.

Eyewitnesses reported to CAA that provincial police transported the women to Youjiang District People’s Hospital; they were injected forcefully with an abortive drug. The agents were led by Family Planning officials. In less than 24 hours 61 foetuses were dead.

At Bed number 37, He Caigan was 9 months pregnant. Officials injected her baby's head and after 20 minutes of pain and suffering, her baby stopped moving and died.

About 6am on April 18, Pastor James Liang's wife Wei Linrong gave birth to a boy, but he was dead because of the injection. She received three doses of injection-one is to induce the birth and the other two to kill the baby in the womb.

After China Aid reported the forced abortion, police were seen surrounding the section of the hospital where these abortions take place. In fact for some time now the Chinese population has been protesting against Beijing, which allows rich and famous couplet to ignore the family law on one child, which is instead applied with force on the less well off.

The politics of family planning, the bastion of the communist government, affects 90 million Chinese families. This provokes social problems such as the imbalance of sexes and the aging population.

Since 1978 only one child has been permitted to urban residents, two to rural couples. The average family has dropped from the 5.83 children per household of the 1970’s to 2.1 in the ‘90’s and the current 1.8. The government aims to contain the population within 1.37 billion by 2010. These policies have led to a massive campaign of forced abortions and infanticide of female babies, in order to have a male heir to maintain the family name.

How Lazy Can One Be?

Ok, this has nothing to do with my normal topics, but I can't not post this. If anyone is really this busy, they need to make some serious lifestyle changes.

From the Times-Online:

A caffeinated bar of soap has been invented for people who are short of time.
Every time a person lathers their body with the soap it produces two coffee cups’ worth of caffeine. The effects are said to be absorbed within five minutes and last for up to four hours. The soap, called Shower Shock, is intended for people who are too busy to make a cup of coffee in the morning. Shower Shock soap is on sale through the US-based internet company Think Geek and costs £3.50.

Ad Multos Annos

Pope Benedict XVI

Happy Anniversary!

May you reign for many more years.

Viva il Papa!

We love you!

If anyone feels like reliving the moment, here it is.

New Blogroll

You may have noticed a new blogroll on the sidebar. It is for the Catholic Mother's Online Blogroll. Look for the picture of the woman and child holding hands.

Please check out some of the great blogs on the list. Some of them focus on parenting and issues related to childrearing, while others, like my blog, focus on other issues.

This blogroll consists of Catholic women who are faithful to the Magisterium and are either mothers, godmothers, or praying for a child.

I am sure you will find many blogs worth reading.

Inflatable What?

H/T to the Ironic Catholic.
I thought this was a joke when I first heard about it, but it's for real.

Can you imagine this ad? (Note this is not a real ad for this product)

Is your local parish being unaccommodating? Are they preventing you from having the wedding of your dreams? Are you upst that they are requiring that you are follow church rules and Catholic doctrine? Just don't want to be bothered going to church?

Well, I have found the church for you. You can rent or buy the inflatable church where the theology and morality is as soft as the blown up vinyl non-structure. Even better, this church comes to you. You can worship in the comfort of your own backyard. Complete with plastic "stained glass" windows, airbrush artwork, inflatable organ, altar, pulpit, pews, candles and a gold cross. Even the doors are flanked by air-filled angels. The manufacturer claims this church can be built in 2 hours and dis-assembled in less than one.

After your magical non-religious wedding, you can have your reception at the inflatable pub.

Finally the church of me has found a home.

Someone Knows Me

Well, I do belong in Rome, but not necessarily for the reasons stated below. Nonetheless, I do miss the cappucinno is Rome.

You Belong in Rome

You're a big city soul with a small town heart Which is why you're attracted to the romance of Rome Strolling down picture perfect streets, cappuccino in hand And gorgeous Italian people - could life get any better?

What City Do You Belong In?

US Supreme Court Supports Partial Birth Abortion Ban

From Lifesite News:

In a 5-4 majority decision penned by Justice Anthony Kennedy, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the federal partial birth abortion ban which was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2003.

The law bans "partial-birth abortion," a legal term of art, defined in the law itself as any abortion in which the baby is delivered feet-first "past the [baby's] navel . . . outside the body of the mother," or "in the case of a head-first presentation, the entire fetal head is outside the body of the mother," before being killed.

Justices Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia, who have previously voted on the court against the gruesome late-term abortion procedure, voted with the majority. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito who were appointed by President Bush also voted with the majority.

"This will be President Bush's pro-life legacy," said Jim Hughes, Vice President of the International Right to Life Committee. Hughes, also the President of Campaign Life Coalition Canada added: "Thank God for him because what he's doing there is going to affect us greatly here north of the 49th parallel."

Referring to Planned Parenthood and other abortion groups which argued against the ban, Justice Kennedy wrote that they "have not demonstrated that the Act would be unconstitutional in a large fraction of relevant cases."

Kennedy maintained that the current ruling upheld the Roe v. Wade 1973 abortion decision. He said that since other abortion options are available, "it does not construct a substantial obstacle to the abortion right."

A short adjoining opinion written by Justice Thomas and joined by Justice Scalia, said "that the Court's abortion jurisprudence...has no basis in the Constitution." Of note, neither Justice Alito nor Chief Justice Roberts joined that opinion.

Archbishop Marini Writes New Book

Archbishop Piero Marini has written a new book which is being published by Liturgical Press. The book, which is scheduled to be released in November 2007, is in titled A Challenging Reform: Realizing the Vision of the Liturgical Renewal.

Here is the publisher's decription:

In these pages Archbishop Piero Marini reveals the vision, courage, and faith of the pastors and scholars who struggled to implement the Second Vatican Council’s teachings on the liturgy. While in some circles it is fashionable to propose “a reform of the liturgical reform,” any such revision needs to take into account the history of the consilium—the organism established by the Holy See to carry out the initial liturgical changes. This story of the work of the consilium offers a fascinating glimpse into the struggles and tensions that accompanied the realization of the council's dream to promote the "full, conscious and active participation" of the faithful in Roman Catholic worship

Whaddya think?

Also, there is another book which he released last year titled,
SERVING THE PEOPLE OF GOD: Remembering Sacrosanctum Concilium. This book was published by Novalis who describes the book as follows:

Recommended reading for pastors and everyone involved in the liturgical life of the church.

As the Master of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, Archbishop Piero Marini has a unique insight into the meaning and purpose of liturgy. He has been at the right hand first of Pope John Paul II and now Pope Benedict XVI during all the major liturgical celebrations at the Vatican and at important observances around the world.

In Serving the People of God, Archbishop Marini offers an insightful perspective on the nature of liturgical celebrations and their role in the glorification of God and the sanctification of the faithful.

This book is for priests and anyone involved in the liturgical life of the Catholic Church. Archbishop Marini examines the development of liturgy in the light of one of the key documents of the Second Vatican Council: Sacrosanctum Concilium, promulgated in 1963.

My last bit of Archbishop Marini news is Rocco's speculation that the archbishop will become the Archpriest of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. It would be interesting if it happened.

Jesus of Nazareth Released

"Jesus of Nazareth," a book written by Benedict XVI will be on sale in Italian, German, and Polish bookshops from Monday, April 16, which is also the Pope's 80th birthday. The volume, 448 pages long, is to be translated into 20 languages.

The Italian publishing house, Rizzoli, entrusted by the Vatican Publishing House with the sale of the rights of the book throughout the world, today released a press communique stating that "'Jesus of Nazareth' is the first part of a two-volume work examining Jesus' public life from His Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration."

"On the one hand," the communique continues, "this is a pastoral narrative ... offering an introduction to the principles of Christianity. ... On the other, the text is an essay that maintains the strict academic discipline that distinguish the writings and talks of the theologian Joseph Ratzinger.

"The pastoral concerns of the Pope," it adds, "and his exceptional theological doctrine, come together to focus on the central theme of the work: the conviction that, in order to understand the figure of Jesus Christ, it is necessary to start from His union with the Father.

"A historical-critical methodology is indispensable for serious exegesis." Such a methodology "has granted access to a great quantity of material and knowledge that enable us to reconstruct the figure of Jesus with a profundity unimaginable a few decades ago. Nonetheless, only faith can lead to the understanding that Jesus is God; and if in the light of this conviction the sacred texts are read with the instruments of modern historical-critical methodology, ... they reveal ... a figure worthy of faith.

"For Joseph Ratzinger, faith and critical research are complementary, not antagonistic, and the Jesus of the Gospels is the historical Jesus," the communique concludes.

A synopsis of the new volume, entitled "the Pope's path towards Jesus," makes it clear that this book "reflects the personal search by Joseph Ratzinger for the 'face of Jesus,' and is not a document of the Magisterium."

"For Benedict XVI, the biblical text contains all the elements to affirm that the historical figure of Jesus Christ is also in fact the Son of God, Who came to earth to save humankind."

"Based on the intimate unity between the Old and New Testament, and employing Christological hermeneutics which see in Jesus Christ to the key to the entire Bible, Joseph Ratzinger presents the Jesus of the Gospels as the 'new Moses' Who fulfills the ancient expectations of Israel. This new and true Moses must lead the people of God to real and definitive freedom. He does so through successive steps which, nonetheless, always allow God's plan to be seen in its entirety."

In this light, "the immersion of Jesus in the waters of the Jordan is the symbol of His death and descent into hell, a reality that accompanied Him throughout His life. In order to save humanity, ... He had to overcome the principal temptations that in different forms threaten mankind of all times and, transforming them into obedience, reopen the way towards God, towards the Promised Land which is the Kingdom of God."

"The theme of the 'Kingdom of God' which runs throughout Jesus' announcement is given deeper consideration in the Pope's reflection on the Sermon on the Mount, ... in which the Beatitudes constitute the main points of the new Law and, at the same time, represent a self-portrait of Jesus." The Sermon "shows that this Law is not just, as in Moses' case, the result of a 'face to face' meeting with God, but carries in itself the fullness that arises from Jesus' intimate union with the Father."

Hence, a "fundamental element" of man's life is "talking and listening to God. And for this reason Benedict XVI has dedicated an entire chapter to prayer, explaining the Our Father that Jesus Himself taught us."

The synopsis continues: "The profound contact of men and women with God the Father through Jesus in the Holy Spirit brings them together in the 'us' of a new family which, with the choosing of the Twelve, recalls the origins of Israel. ... Even in its highly varied composition, the new family of Jesus, the Church of all times, finds in Him the unifying center and the guidance to live the universal nature of His Gospel.

"In order to make the content of His message more accessible and to turn it into a form of practical guidance, Jesus used parables. ... However, there is also a purely theological explanation of the meaning of the parables, and Joseph Ratzinger highlights this in a singularly profound analysis."

The Holy Father's book then goes on to consider "the metaphors used by Jesus to explain His mystery." These are "the great images of St. John," but "before analyzing them the Pope presents a very interesting summary of the various results of academic research into who John the Evangelist was," and "opens new horizons for readers, revealing Jesus ever more clearly as the 'Word of God'."

"This point of view is broadened further in the last two chapters of the book ... where the true mission of the Messiah of God and the destiny of those who follow Him is definitively established." Finally "an in-depth analysis of the titles which, according to the Gospels, Jesus used for Himself, concludes the Pontiff's book."

"Alongside the man of faith, ... alongside the highly sophisticated theologian, ... what also emerges from this book is the pastor who truly manages to 'encourage in readers the growth of a living relationship' with Jesus Christ. ... In this light," the synopsis concludes, "the Pontiff is not afraid to tell the world that, by excluding God and clinging only to visible and material reality, we risk self destruction in the selfish search for a purely material wellbeing," while renouncing the possibility "of achieving true freedom in the 'Promised Land,' the 'Kingdom of God'."
VIS

Unfortunately, the English edition will not be released until May 15th. My order has already been placed.

The book is listed as #1 on the German Amazon website and #62 on the American site.

Now That's A Birthday Cake

Which Early Church Father are you?

I am St. Justin Martyr. I think I mentioned a few weeks ago that he is one of my favorites.
H/T to the Ironic Catholic

You’re St. Justin Martyr! You have a positive and hopeful attitude toward the world. You think that nature, history, and even the pagan philosophers were often guided by God in preparation for the Advent of the Christ. You find “seeds of the Word” in unexpected places. You’re patient and willing to explain the faith to unbelievers. Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!

Happy Birthday to you

No, not you and not me.
Pope Benedict will turn 8o years old on Monday, April 16th.

On that day, there will be a special Mass in St. Peter's Square. In addition Vatican employees will get the day off and an extra 500 euros in their paycheck.

If you want to wish Pope Benedict a happy birthday, the Vatican website has set up a way to send your birthday greetings to him.

Pope Gets Tired?

I read this paragraph in an Associated Press article on the Pope's Easter Vigil Mass.

Benedict, who turns 80 later this month, appeared to tire by the end of Mass, which lasted more than two hours and capped a busy Holy Week. On Good Friday, Benedict presided over long back-to-back public ceremonies _ an afternoon service and a late-night Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum to mark Jesus' suffering and death.

Once again the media is looking for a sensational article. They can't focus on what is done at the Easter Vigil or all of Holy Week. They can't even write an article based on the facts without trying to turn it into a sensational article. I imagine the writer's desired headline read, "Elderly Pope Showing His Age" or something similar. I am sure the bland title "Pope Presides Over Easter Vigil Mass" dissapointed her.

Now that I have said that, what is missing? Well, of course Pope Benedict was tired and age doesn't have anything to do with it. By the end of my Easter Vigil Mass, I was tired. It didn't have anything to do with my age, it had to do with working very hard and getting little sleep. Add to that the fact that the Easter Vigil in St. Peter's Square ended after midnight. The lights in the Papal Apartment go off at 10 p.m. Midnight is well after our dear Holy Father's bedtime.

A Note for Next Year

At the Easter Vigil Mass, the candles of the congregation should be lit from the Paschal candle, NOT from cigarette lighters.

There will be more on that once I get some sleep and can form coherent sentences.

Happy Easter everyone!

Happy Easter

Rejoice, heavenly powers!
Sing choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God's throne!
Jesus Christ, our King is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!
Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor, radiant in the brightness of your King!

Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes for ever!
Rejoice, O Mother Church!
Exult in glory!

The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God's people!

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is truly right that with full hearts and minds and voices
we should praise the unseen God, the all-powerful Father,
and his only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

For Christ has ransomed us with his blood,
and paid for us the price of Adam's sin to our eternal Father!

This is our passover feast,
When Christ, the true Lamb, is slain,
whose blood consecrates the homes of all believers.

This is the night,
when first you saved our fathers:
you freed the people of Israel from their slav'ry,
and led them dry-shod through the sea.

This is the night,
when the pillar of fire destroyed the darkness of sin.

This is night,
when Christians ev'rywhere,
washed clean of sin and freed from all defilement,
are restored to grace and grow together in holiness.

This is the night,
when Jesus broke the chains of death
and rose triumphant from the grave.

What good would life have been to us,
had Christ not come as our Redeemer?
Father, how wonderful your care for us!
How boundless your merciful love!
To ransom a slave you gave away your Son.

O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam,
which gained for us so great a Redeemer!
Most blessed of all nights,
chosen by God to see Christ rising from the dead!

Of this night scripture says: "The night will be as clear as day:
it will become my light, my joy."

The power of this holy night dispels all evil,
washes guilt away, restores lost innocence,
brings mourners joy;
it casts out hatred, brings us peace,
and humbles earthly pride.

Night truly blessed,
when heaven is wedded to earth
and we are reconciled to God!

Therefore, heavenly Father, in the joy of this night,
receive our evening sacrifice of praise, your Church's solemn offering.

Accept this Easter candle,
a flame divided but undimmed,
a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God.
Let it mingle with the lights of heaven
and continue bravely burning
to dispel the darkness of this night!

May the Morning Star which never sets
find this flame still burning:
Christ, that Morning Star,
who came back from the dead,
and shed his peaceful light on all mankind,
your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

The exsultet of the Easter Vigil Mass

Ordination of Avery Dulles

A brief break from the Lenten/Triduum postings.

H/T to Amy for the wonderful newsreel video of the ordination of Avery Cardinal Dulles.

A Pilgrimage of Faith

The Romeiros are one of the more unique Good Friday traditions here in Fall River. Romeiro is a Portugese word which means pilgrim. The tradition began in the Azores on the island of São Miguel. In 1522, Vila Franca do Campo, the capital at the time, was nearly destroyed by an earthquake and subsequent volcanic eruption. 4,000 of the town's 4,500 residents were killed. 40 years later, the volcano erupted again.

The earliest records of the Good Friday Romeiros date back to those events. The original romeiros were men who travel by foot around the island praying and visiting various churches. They prayed for an end to the disasters and for God to help them and their families deal with the great tragedies.

The tradition still exists as these men spend Holy Week on this pilgrimage. They are offered shelter and food in private homes and churches.

Here in the United States, the pilgrimage has been modified. Rather than lasting 8 days, the pilgrimage takes place early in the morning on Good Friday. Wearing the tratidional attire of blankets and colorful scarves, and carrying long metal tipped walking sticks, they walk through the city praying the rosary and visiting the many Catholic Churches in the city. The pilgrimage is also no long restricted to men. Many women and children take part now. While in the past the women had followed behind the men, women are now also joining the men.

The rosary and all the prayers are chanted with the mestre (leader) leading the litanies and prayers and the rest of the romeiros called irmãos (brothers) responding. Their chant is hauntingly beautiful and has changed little over the last hundred years.

In my city, the romeiros begin their procession at 7 a.m. They walk from church to church and stop at the Cathedral, where they are met by the bishop, around noon. The bishop gives a brief address and blessing to all the pilgrims.

They return to the church where they began their pilgrimage in time for the 7 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy. The Liturgy ends with the procession and burial of Christ. A statue of the dead Christ is placed in an crib-like "casket" and is carried through the streets with everyone from the church following. Two women from the parish are selected to portray the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdelene. Another woman portrays Veronica. At three points along the way, the clacker which was used at the consecration of the Mass on Holy Thursday is sounded. The procession stops as "Veronica" sings from the front porch of one of the homes. She raises the veil with the image of Jesus' face and sings, "Look! Look at the face of Jesus. Look, Look at what they have done to Him!..."

Many women and even men are brought to tears during this procession.

When the procession returns to the church, the statue of Christ is placed in the tomb.

These are the traditions which I was raised with. I was lucky enough to grow up at the parish which is homebase for the romeiros. I have walked with them on their amazing pilgrimage and I was shocked that it wasn't as grueling to complete as I expected. Of course, after it was over I was in pain. I hope these rich traditions are kept alive by the younger generations.

Here is a slideshow with some great pictures from today's pilgrimage.

Why Good Friday

Today we celebrate Good Friday. One question which I am asked nearly every year at this time is, "Why is it 'Good' Friday?" The technical answer to that question is, "It isn't". I am sure right now you are saying, "what do you mean, I've been calling it Good Friday all these years. Of course it is Good Friday." Yes, we call it Good Friday, but a true translation of the Latin is Holy Friday. That is what people in countries such as Italy, Spain and Portugal call it.

Ok, I know that doesn't answer the question of why we call it Good Friday. Despite the poor translation, Good Friday is an appropriate title for today. Good Friday is a term which reminds us that the Christian view is different from that of the rest of the world. I am reminded of St. Paul words in 1 Cor. 1:18-25.

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of the learned I will set aside." Where is the wise one? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish? For since in the wisdom of God the world did not come to know God through wisdom, it was the will of God through the foolishness of the proclamation to save those who have faith. For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Those who cannot see what it good about Good Friday are missing the complete story. During the crucifixion, I am sure the apostles could not imagine that they day would be called Good Friday. I am sure they couldn't see anything good about it. They watched Our Lord suffer and die in such a horrific manner. But, just like today's Liturgy, the story didn't end on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday Jesus conquered death and rose from the grave. Unlike the apostles during the crucifixion, we know the rest of the story. Therefore, while we mourn because Jesus suffered to save us from our sins, we also rejoice as we look forward to Easter.

This day is known by several titles, Good Friday, Holy Friday, Mourning Friday in Germany, and Great Friday by the Orthodox and Eastern Rite Churches. Each of these titles focuses on a different part of the mystery.

The Chrism Mass

As I mentioned in my previous post, the Chrism Mass was celebrated in my diocese on Tuesday.

The sanctuary of the cathedral

The Chrism Mass may only be celebrated by a bishop since while any priest can bless the Oil of the Sick and Oil of Catechumens, only a bishop can consecrate Sacred Chrism.

Nearly all the priests from the diocese and a large number of deacons attended the Mass. The cathedral was nearly filled to capacity.

Bishop Coleman delivers his homily

Bishop Coleman's homily was based on Pope Benedict's comments that the Eucharist must always remain central in the lives of priests.

Following the homily, the priests renewed their priestly commitment:

Bishop: My brothers, today we celebrate the memory of that first Eucharist at which our Lord Jesus Christ shared with His apostles and with us His call to the priestly service of His Church. Now, in the presence of your bishop and God's holy people, are you ready to renew your own dedication to Christ as priests of His new covenant?

Priests: I am.

Bishop: At your ordination you accepted the responsibilites of the priesthood out of love for the Lord Jesus and His Church. Are you resolved to unite yourselves more closely to Christ and try to become more like Him by joyfully sacrificing your own pleasure and ambition to being His peace and love to your brothers and sisters?

Priests: I am.

Bishop: Are you resolved to be faithful ministers of the mysteries of God, to celebrate the Eucharist and other liturgical services with sincere devotion? Are you resolved to imitate Jesus Christ, the head and shepherd of the Church, by teaching the Christian faith without thinking of your own profit, solely for the well-being of the people you were sent to serve.

Priests: I am.

The bishop now addresses the people:

Bishop: My brothers and sisters, pray for your priests. Ask the Lord to bless them with the fullness of His Love, to help them be faithful ministers of Christ, the high priest, so that they will be able to lead you to Him, the fountain of your salvation.

People: Lord, Jesus Christ, hear us and answer our prayer.

Bishop: Pray also for me, that despite my own unworthiness, I may faithfully fulfill the office of apostle which Jesus Christ has entrusted to me. Pray that I may become more like our High Priest and Good Shepherd. the Teacher and Servant of all, and so become a genuile sign of Christ's loving presence among you.

People: Lord, Jesus Christ, hear us and answer our prayer.

This renewal of commitment is a beautiful ceremony which reminds us to the importance, and fragility of the priesthood. The priestly commitment is not a one time commitment, it must be renewed each day and in each moment. Likewise, we must commit to support our priests through prayer and temporal support.

The three vessels of oil before being blessed.
Purple = Sick
White = Chrism
Green = Catechumens
The balsam is in the glass cruet on the right.

The Oil of the Sick is blessed during the Eucharistic Prayer, just before the Doxology.

The bishop says: God of all consolation, you chose and sent your Son to heal the world. Graciously listen to our prayer of faith: send the power of your Holy Spirit, the Consoler, into this precious oil, this soothing ointment, this rich gift, this fruit of the earth. Bless + this oil and sanctify it for our use. Make this oil a remedy for all who are anointed with it; heal them in body, in soul, and in spirit, and deliver them from every affliction. We ask this through Jesus Christ, you Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Blessing the Oil of Catechumens

After Communion, the bishop blesses the Oil of Catechumens saying:

Lord, protector of all who believe in you bless + this oil and give wisdom and strength to all who are anointed with it in preparation for their baptism. Bring them to a deeper understanding of the gospel, help them to accept the challenge of Christian living, and lead them to the joy of new birth in the family of your Church. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Then the olive oil which will become Chrism is uncovered. The Bishop pours balsam into the oil.

Adding balsam to the olive oil

Then he says:

Let us pray that God, our almighty Father, will bless this oil so that all who are anointed with it may be inwardly transformed and come to share in eternal salvation.

Bishop Coleman breathes into the vessel of Chrism

The Bishop breathes over the open vessel of Chrism.

He continues:

God, our maker, source of all growth in holiness accept the joyful thanks and praise we offer in the name of your Church. In the beginning, at your command, the earth produced fruit-bearing trees. From the fruit of the olive tree you have provided up with oil for holy chrism. The prophet David sang of the life and joy that the oil would bring us in the sacraments of your love. After the avenging flood, the dove, returning to Noah with an olive branch, announced your gift of peace. This was a sign of a greater giift to come. Now in the waters of baptism wash away the sins of men and by the anointing with oil make us radiant with your joy. At your command, Aaron was washed with water, and your servant Moses, his brother, anointed him priest. This, too, foreshadowed greater things to come. After your Son, Jesus Christ of Lord, asked John for baptism in the waters of Jordan, you sent the Spirit upon him in the form of a dove and by the witness of your own voice you declared him to be your only, well-beloved Son. In this you clearly fulfilled the prophecy of David, that Christ would be anointed with the oil of gladness beyond his fellow men.

All concelebrants extend their right hands toward the chrism in silence until the end of the prayer.

And so, Father, we ask you to bless + this oil you have created. Fill it with the power of your Holy Spirit through Christ your Son. It is from him that chrism takes its name and with chrism that you have anointed for yourself priests and kings, prophets and martyrs. Make this chrism a sign of life and salvation for those who are to be born again in the waters of baptism. Wash away the evil they have inherited from sinful Adam, and when they are anointed with this holy oil make them temples of your glory, radiant with the goodness of life that has its source in you. Through this sign of chrism grant them royal, priestly, and prophetic honor, and clothe them with incorruption. Let this be indeed the chrism of salvation for those who will be born again of water and the Holy Spirit. May they come to share eternal life in the glory of your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Holy Thursday

Today, we celebrate Holy Thursday. The Sacred Triduum begins at sundown with the celebration of the Mass of the Lord's Supper. It is the only Mass celebrated today, with the exception of the Chrism Mass.

In my diocese, as in many others, the Chrism Mass was celebrated earlier in the week, in order to make it more accessable for the clergy.

Today is the day we remember, in a special way, the events which took place at the Last Supper. We re-enact the washing of the feet, read the scriptures where Jesus instituted the Eucharist, and the clergy.

You will notice that today's Mass doesn't really end. The Eucharist is brought to the chapel of repose and the people just disperse. There is no recessional hymn or sign of the cross. Likewise, the Good Friday Liturgy begins and ends in silence and without the sign of the cross. In the same way, the Easter Vigil Mass also begins without a processional hymn and without the sign of the cross. However, it does end with the sign of the cross and a recessional hymn. If one pays attention to these details it becomes obvious that these three Liturgies are really one celebration which are spread out over three days.

Good Friday Collection

Every year on Good Friday parishes throughout the world take up a collection for the Church in the Holy Land. Please consider giving generously and watch this video.

Happy Spy Wednesday

Today is the Wednesday of Holy Week, also known as "Spy Wednesday" because today is the day Judas would have conspired to have Jesus arrested. Tenebrae is traditionally celebrated today.

In today's general audience, held in St. Peter's Square, the Pope spoke on the Easter Triduum which begins tomorrow.

"What we are celebrating over the coming days," he said, "is the supreme confrontation between Light and Darkness, between Life and Death. We too must place ourselves in this context - aware of our own night, our own sins, our own responsibilities - if we wish to gain spiritual benefit from reliving the Paschal Mystery, which is the heart of our faith."

The Holy Father recalled how on Holy Thursday, during the Chrism Mass, diocesan bishops and priests "renew the promises they made on the day of their priestly ordination," and "the oils used for catechumens, to anoint the sick and for confirmation" are blessed. During Mass "in Cena Domini" the Christian community relives "the events of the Last Supper. In the Cencacle, the Redeemer wished, in the Sacrament of the bread and wine transformed into His Body and Blood, to anticipate the sacrifice of His life, His definitive gift of self to humanity."

Following Mass "in Cena Domini" the faithful are invited "to adore the Blessed Sacrament, reliving Jesus' agony in Gethsemane. ... Thus they can better understand the mystery of Holy Thursday, which incorporates the supreme triple gift of priestly ministry, the Eucharist and the new Commandment of love."

Holy Friday, Pope Benedict continued, "is a day of penance, of fasting and of prayer, of participation in the death of the Lord. ... The community adores the Cross and takes the Eucharist, consuming the sacred species conserved from the Mass 'in Cena Domini' of the preceding day." On Holy Friday, Christian tradition also includes "the Way of the Cross, which offers us the chance ... to imprint the mystery of the Cross ever more deeply in our hearts."

On Holy Saturday, the Pope proceeded, "Christians are called to interior meditation, ... something often difficult to cultivate in our own times, in order to prepare for the Easter vigil" in which "the veil of sadness shrouding the Church for the death and burial of the Lord will be shattered by the cry of victory: Christ is risen and has overcome death forever!"

"The Paschal Mystery we relive in the Easter Triduum is not just a memory but a current reality. Even today, Christ overcomes sin and death with His love. Evil in all its forms does not have the last word. The final triumph is of Christ, truth, love! If we are prepared to suffer and die with Him, as St. Paul reminds us in the Easter vigil, His life become out life. It is upon this certainty," the Pope concluded, "that our Christian lives are built."

At the end of today's general audience, the Holy Father greeted participants in the UNIV international congress, being promoted by the personal prelature of Opus Dei, which has as its theme this year: "Being, appearance, communication: trends and social models in cinema and television."

"Dear friends," the Pope told them, "may these days in Rome be for you all an opportunity for a profound ecclesial experience, that you may return to your homes animated by the desire to serve Christ and your fellows more generously. 'How I like that word: service,' wrote St. Josemaria Escriva, 'I really wish we Christians knew how to serve, for only by serving can we know and love Christ and make Him known and loved'."

VIS

Have You Thanked A Priest Lately

On Holy Thursday we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist and also the institution of the priesthood. With that in mind, I would like to ask each of my readers to take some time out to thank their priests this week.

Priests are often taken for granted. They are often not given a second thought, until something happens and we call on them to celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick or a Funeral Mass. Many priests give from themselves until they have nothing left to give, often to their own physical, spiritual, and psychological detriment.

In my years of ministry, both in parishes and in other means, I have worked with hundreds of priests. I have seen priests go without sleep for several days because they were at fire scenes comforting families who had lost their homes, and staying up all night with the dying. The next day, they had a full schedule of Masses, appointments, and other obligations to fulfill. All on no sleep.

These are things that parishioners are usually unaware of. Many priests also have obligations and duties outside of parish ministry. They may serve as directors of diocesan offices, or as pastor of more than one parish. In addition, to these responsibilities, they have familial obligations as well. Many priests have elderly parents who they are at least partially responsible for caring for. Parishioners are also usually unaware of these personal responsibilities. Priests are also responsible for their own personal health and well being. This requires time off for rest, exercise, spiritual care, and personal friendships. I have lost count of the number of times I have been out with a priest and heard people make rude comments to him such as, "Shouldn't you be praying for people, or something".

In my former job, we used to joke that we were the priests counseling service because so many priests would stop by just to sit and chat. They would laugh, joke, vent, and even cry with us. In that job, we were able to see the priest in a way that people often do not realize. We could see him as human.

This morning I was talking with some young people about the priesthood and one boy couldn't understand that priests had parents. I mean, he was completely confused by the idea. He seriously thought that priests we just placed on earth by God just as we see them. While I think all adults know that priests did not come about that way, it is often easy to forget that they are not a subspecies of human.

As Catholics, we expect the priest to minister to us. Take some time out this week, to minister to them. Do something nice for you priest. Remind him how much he is loved and appreciated.

John Paul II, We Still Love You

H/T to Dom who made the video.

Fr. Richard Beaulieu 1946-2007

There have been many priests who have helped me become the person I am today. Each of these priests holds a special place in my heart. One of these priests was Fr. Richard Beaulieu. Fr. Beaulieu was one of those priests who would go out of his way for his parishioners and even for those who were not his parishioners.

Although I was never a parishioner at a parish where he served, Fr. Beaulieu and I spent many hours talking about Church, vocations, other ecclesial topics, and just being friends. While his life was far from problem free, he always did his best to serve his parish and the universal Church.

Please remember him, as well as his family and friends in your prayers.

Rev. Richard W. Beaulieu, 60, of Bourne, died Tuesday, March 27, 2007, unexpectedly, while on vacation. He was the son of Florence (Goulet) Beaulieu of Acushnet and the late Octave Beaulieu.
He was born in Acushnet and was living on Cape Cod. He graduated from St. Anthony High School and attended Providence College, St. Thomas Seminary and St. John Seminary and obtained his Master's Degree from Boston College.
He was ordained at St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River on May 22, 1971, by Bishop Daniel A. Cronin. His assignments were 1971-1977 as Parochial Vicar at St. Jacques Parish, Taunton and Chaplain of Coyle-Cassidy High School, Taunton; 1977-1981 he was Principal of Coyle-Cassidy High School; 1982-1985 he was Parochial Vicar at St. Louis de France Parish, Swansea; 1985-1996 he was Diocesan Director of Education; 1990-2001 he was Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Fall River; Notre Dame Parish, Fall River; and St. Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet. Father Beaulieu also served as an Advocate, Notary and Judge of the Diocesan Tribunal. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Mary Education Fund, PO Box 1470, Fall River, MA 02722.
Survivors include his mother; three sisters, Susan Y. Garman and her husband, Gary of New Bedford; Diane C. Sweet and her husband, Mark of Acushnet; Anne M. Giammalvo and her husband, Larry of Wareham; nine nieces and nephews; seven great nieces and nephews; many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was the brother of the late Vivian Johns.
Fr. Beaulieu will lie in state at St. Francis Xavier Church, Acushnet on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM with a Wake Service at 7:30 PM. His Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday at 11 AM followed by interment at Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Arrangements by Rock Funeral Home.

Source

Cardinal Dulles at Providence College

A Jesuit, a Franciscan, and a Dominican walk into a auditorium...

No really. All joking aside, this evening Avery Cardinal Dulles presented the keynote address at the Divine Immpassability Conference which is being held, this weekend, at Providence College.

Following an introduction to the address by Fr. Brian Shanley, O.P., the president of Providence College, and an introduction by Dr. Gary Culpepper, the Director of the Graduate Studies Program at Providence College and a former student of Cardinal Dulles, Cardinal Dulles himself took the podium.

Avery Cardinal Dulles

At 88 years old, Cardinal Dulles delivered his keynote address entitled, Divine Providence and the Mystery of Human Suffering to a packed hall. It was literally standing room

The respondent to Cardinal Dulles' speech was Fr. Thomas Weinandy, OFM, Cap., the executive director of the Secretariat for Doctrine and Pastoral Practices of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Because of parish responsibilities I am unable to attend the other lectures. They all sound to be very interesting and I regret that I will be absent. Only a group of academics would schedule a major conference on the weekend of Palm Sunday.
While I enjoyed the lecture, I did not really learn anything new.

Cardinal Dulles then talked about how the view of suffering developed in Scripture. Particularly in the books of Habakkuk, Jeremiah and Job.
Habakkuk - Suffering is punishment for the sins of the nation.
Jeremiah - Suffering is only punishment for personal sin.
Job - Suffering is not necessarily the result of sin. (God permitted Job to suffer in order for Job to demonstrate his fidelity and grow in faith) When God permits adversity he does so for good reason, although we may not be aware of that reason.

Cardinal Dulles then talked about how the view of suffering in Scripture prepared people to recieve Christ.
Daniel - The young men who died in the fiery furnace were assured their suffering would result in their attaining eternal life. (The death of the righteous as a transition into heaven).
The Psalms - The Suffering Servant Psalms describe vicarious expiatory suffering. (Christ's suffering cleansed us from our sins and we can unite our own suffering to his). In the cross, Jesus takes on our infirmaties, diseases and sufferings and in a way becomes the new Job.

Cardinal Dulles explained that the suffering of Christ has four main results:
Jesus expiates the sins of the world
Jesus gives us an example of suffering
The Paschal Mystery shows that suffering in the world is nothing compared to the glory which we will attain in Heaven.
Christians can unite their personal suffering to Christ's for redemptive purposes.

One part of the lecture that I think surprised some people was when Cardinal Dulles spoke about Rabbi Kushner's popular book "Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People". Cardinal Dulles said that Rabbi Kushner wrote that God is not all powerful. He is a victim of evil and suffers because of it.

Cardinal Dulles asserted that that opinion "is not an option for Catholics". We must believe that God is all-powerful, all knowing, all good, all wise, and all perfect.

Speaking of natural evil, Cardinal Dulles said that particular evils are allowed because the order of the world is a greater good. God works according to the natural order. For example, "If death did not exist, the world would become overpopulated."

He described pain as being useful for making us avoid harmful things and to alert us to injury or illness. However, he said that pain is not always useful and for that reason the invention of painkillers can be viewed as a sign of God's providential care.

He said that the handicapped and those who suffer physical disabilities or pain provide an opportunity for compassion, care, and heroism.

He also said that while we believe that natural evil is a result of original sin, the suffering of Christ shows us that suffering is not necessarily related to sin and can lead us to heaven.

Cardinal Dulles said that Moral evil exists because God allows the human will to be free. "We can choose to serve God or not to serve God....Failure is not attributable to God, but to the creature alone." God could intervene, but ordinarily He does not. He allows the natural order to take it's course. If he always intervened to prevent good people from suffering, human responsibility would be decreased.

Cardinal Dulles ended his address with the reminder that all this is comforting to one who is not suffering, but that telling these things to one who is suffering will not necessarily comfort them. What will comfort them, he said, is our compassion, caring, and understanding.

Fr. Thomas Weinandy, OFM, Cap

Fr. Weinandy responded by aggreeing with and expanding on what Cardinal Dulles said.

He said that God must always be almighty because if we do not believe He is almighty, we cannot believe He is all good, all kind, all wise, and all just. Those attributes are dependent on Him being almighty.
"God exists in a different ontological order" he said. Unlike people, God never becomes more of what he is. "God is pure act in perfection".

Because God cannot reside in created order, "evil and suffering cannot wash back into God and cause him to suffer". However, God can act in time and history.

In Exodus, God frees the Israelites from slavery and as a result allows them to achieve a greater relationship with Him. This relationshipis different from His relationship with all other peoples and is possible because God acted in time.

The human acts of Jesus also bring about things that would not have been possible otherwise because He acts as the Son of God.

Fr. Weindandy said, "Because of Jesus Christ, we can relate to God in the fullness of His goodness. Because of our relationship with God, who is sinless and all powerful, we have hope that evil can be conquered. This hope will come to fulfillment when Jesus comes in glory".

It is the actions of the transcendent God that allows us to share eternal life.

The speeches were followed by a question and answer period.

Two of the most interesting questions were directed toward Cardinal Dulles.

One question was whether people would still die even if original sin did not exist?
Cardinal Dulles seemed to hesitate before answering, but he concluded that people would indeed die because of the problem of overpopulation, but that death would be completely painless and peaceful.

Another inevitable question was about the war in Iraq. Cardinal Dulles was asked, "What does the Lord want citizens to do if a nation is waging an unjust war"?
Cardinal Dulles, speaking like the son of a Secretary of State that he is, seemed to sense that this was an attempt to trap him. He said that there is a responsibility to not participate, but that is impossible because every action indirectly supports it. Therefore people have a responsibility to not participate directly. He also suggested that people not be forced to participate directly and that conciencious objector status be given. However, he added that people have a responsability to determin whether the war is really just or unjust and not simply go on a whim.

The questioner then challenged Cardinal Dulles saying, "More than 50% of the American public believes the war in Iraq is unjust".

Cardinal Dulles repeated that it is up to the individual to determine whether a war is just or unjust.

He was again challenged, "Ok, so what do those individuals to believe the war is unjust have to do".

Cardinal Dulles advised those who think the war is unjust to try to affect policy, participate in the election of candidates, write letters to newspapers, and even protest.

The Love of God Conquers Sin

Yesterday evening in the Vatican Basilica, the Pope presided at a penitential celebration with thousands of young people from the diocese of Rome in preparation for the forthcoming World Youth Day. The Day is due to be held on Palm Sunday, April 1, on the theme: "Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another."

"The heart of all mankind ... thirsts for love," said the Holy Father in his homily. "Christians, even more so, cannot live without love. Indeed, if they do not find true love they cannot even call themselves fully Christian because, ... 'being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.'

"God's love for us," he added, "which began with the creation, became visible in the mystery of the Cross. ... A crucified love that does not stop at the outrage of Good Friday but culminates in the joy of the Resurrection ... and the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love by which, this evening too, sins will be remitted and forgiveness and peace granted."

This divine love "may be described with the term 'agape,' in other words 'the self-giving love of one who looks exclusively for the good of the other,' but also with the term 'eros'" because "it is also a love in which the heart of the Almighty awaits the 'yes' of His creatures." And "in the sacrifice of the Cross, God continues to present His love ... coming 'to beg' the love of His creatures."

"With Baptism you were born to new life by virtue of the grace of God. However, since this new life has not suppressed the weakness of human nature, ... you are given the opportunity to use the Sacrament of Confession. ... And thus you experience the forgiveness of sins; reconciliation with the Church; the recovery, if lost, of the state of grace; ... peace and serenity of conscience and the consolation of the spirit; and an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian struggle."

Christ "hopes we will allow ourselves to be attracted by His love and feel all its greatness and beauty, but this is not enough. Christ attracts us to Him in order to unite Himself to each one of us, so that, in our turn, we learn to love our brothers and sisters with His same love."

"As you leave this celebration, with your hearts full of the experience of God's love, be prepared 'to dare' to love in your families, in your dealings with your friends and even with those who have offended you. Be prepared to bear a truly Christian witness" in all environments.

Benedict XVI called upon newly-engaged couples to experience the period of their engagement "in the true love which always involves mutual, chaste and responsible respect. And should the Lord call some of you, dear young people of Rome, to a life of special consecration, be ready to answer with a generous and uncompromising 'yes'."

"Dear young people, the world awaits your contribution for the building of the 'civilization of love.' ... Do not become discouraged and always have faith in Christ and in the Church."

Following the liturgy the Pope put on a purple stole and entered the confessional to administer the Sacrament of Penance to six young people. Fifty-five priests joined him in administering the Sacrament to others present in the Vatican Basilica.

VIS

The Young Sisters

Yesterday, I was speaking with several of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia. The motherhouse of the congregation is located in Nashville, TN, but there are several sisters who work at St. Pius V school in Providence. Some of them are also students at Providence College. They are often seen on campus and at morning prayer and Mass.

Most of the sisters are young, and it is wonderful to see them. Their presence provides a wonderful witness for the students both at the parochial school and the college.

Please remember them in your prayers, and if possible, financially as well. They are currently in the process of renovating and expanding the motherhouse to repair damage and make room for more new sisters.

Photo from the website of the Dominicans of St. Cecilia.