This week I am preparing to start a summer study session on the Divine Liturgy. During my research on the Liturgy of St. James, I came across a scary, albeit apocryphal, writing entitled, “The Vision of St. Paul.”
This account of hell was likely composed in Egypt around the year 250. Why mention it? Because the author has a very special place in hell for liturgical abuse:… «Continue Reading»
My teenage years were some of the best years in my life thus far. What made those awkward years bearable was my involvement in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The camaraderie I found was a safe-harbor and, as I reflect on those years, invaluable.
They taught me more than how to camp and cook. The BSA taught me life-long vocational skills including those related to project management, leadership, teaching, team building and public speaking. My fellow scouts and I learned to work together towards a common goal. Not just to practice skill sets but accomplish particular projects that were not only fun but tested our metal and perseverance.
Often when teaching about Apostolic Succession, questions arise about the 12 Apostles. Everybody wants to know what happened to them. Since a picture paints a thousand words, here is a quick summary of the traditional understanding of what happened to the Apostle’s and where their remains ended up:
The other day I posted a meme about How to Know that You are Dying Spiritually. One of the comments asked for remedies. So, I thought about it and decided to suggest a liturgical remedy.
Yes, I know and so just say it, “Deacon, you do not know what my liturgy looks like and you haven’t heard the homilies.” Probably, but I think there is a way to look beyond the abuses and what may or may not be said by recollecting on the meaning of the ceremonies at Mass. Regardless of how they are celebrated the very actions themselves have meanings that can still enlighten our minds and stir our hearts for love and union with Him.
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Be gentle with your clergy this week. Many of us are moving a tad bit slower as we attempt to recover from the liturgical marathon otherwise known as the Triduum. While many are enjoying the joyous delicacies of Easter (read pounds of candy and chocolate) the Church continues meditating on the mystery of the cross in light of the Resurrection. Why? Because the eternal act of redemption by sacrifice is not complete without the Resurrection and Ascension…
Family gatherings are a particularly joy-filled event for me. I get to catch-up on how everyone is doing (sometimes what they are doing) as well as just spending some quality time with family. Inevitably, an aunt or uncle will say, “Remember when……” and all the nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws (and out-laws) will gather around to hear the tale. We laugh, smile, sometimes even cry remembering our loved ones whom we have loss but always, in the end, embrace and give thanks for each other and for…remembering. Holy week is like that for Christians. In fact, we have a special word for it: anamnesis.
Those who grew up in the 70′s and 80′s remember on the Feast of St. Patrick each year, we sang the folksy “Christ before me, Christ after me …”during our liturgies. Granted, a cute tribute to St. Patrick which made the Irish happy (I am 50 percent Irish) but wholly devoid of the magnificent theology in the full prayer known as the “Breastplate of St. Patrick.”
The theology contained in this ancient prayer is simply profound. Some believe it is built upon a druidic incantation but anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that I fail anyone who hands me a reference from Wikipedia per se.
The core of the prayer is built upon the doctrine which expresses that when God the Father reflected upon Himself in a finite way, the multitudinous array of creation came forth which, when all gather together, express the infinite perfections of His nature.
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First impressions tell us a great deal about individuals. A Prelate’s first homily usually lays out his plan for those whom he governs. For Pope Francis, here we have the first homily to the Princes of the Church. Vatican News has the full text.
I wonder what the Cardinals were thinking when Pope Francis said,
When one does not profess Jesus Christ - I recall the phrase of Leon Bloy – “Whoever does not pray to God, prays to the devil.” When one does not profess Jesus Christ, one professes the worldliness of the devil.
At about 7:06 Rome / 2:06 EDT white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel. And it has been proclaimed:
Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum:
Habemus Papam;
Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum,
Dominum Jorge Mario Sanctae Romanæ Ecclesiae Cardinalem Bergoglio,
Qui sibi nomen imposuit Francisco
Here is his bio:
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Here we are the night before the opening of the Conclave wondering what will happen tomorrow. Frankly, no one knows what will happen and who will emerge as the 266th Bishop of Rome. Two men whose opinion I value have weighed in on this occasion: John Allen and Fr. Robert Barron. First, John Allen and then Fr. Barron.
John Allen, a prominent Vaticanista, provides some important points to remember in his blog, Picking the pope a contest among four camps during the Conclave process. Initially, are a few thoughts to consider prior to the vote:
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