This episode is the second in a four episode series that I did as a parish mission on ad orientem for a priest friend of mine. Today, we talk about Active Participation. I also talk briefly about the “O” Antiphons.
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The Second Vatican Council’s first document, Sacrosanctum Concilium was on the Sacred Liturgy. In it, the Council Fathers wrote:
Finally, there must be no innovations unless the good of the Church genuinely and certainly requires them; and care must be taken that any new forms adopted should in some way grow organically from forms already existing (23).
My understanding of this text means that if there is not a solid reason that comes from a genuine concern for the spiritual life and salvation of God’s people, a change should not be made. And, if a change were to be made, it must not be something made up in the thin air, but come from the “continuity” our our Liturgical tradition.
I was stuck at Christmas Mass this year, since I have both forms of the Roman Rite. The directives for the Ordinary Form of the Mass state that during the Creed, “All kneel at the words and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate.” Normally in the Ordinary Form, all are directed to bow. However, during Mass on Solemnities of Christmas and the Annunciation, all are to “kneel.”
Even if a homily were to be preached on this during Mass on Christmas / Annunciation, it never fails, no one kneels but the priest and any alert servers. And, I have even seen some priests who fail to kneel.
How did the reformers of the Mass expect people to kneel on these two days alone, when they reduced it to a bow in every other Mass that the Creed is recited throughout the year? Did they think that their innovations would lead the Catholic people to suddenly become Liturgists who knew what to do, when many priests either don’t know or fail to do it?
The second thing that struck me this Christmas was the Third Mass (Mass on Christmas Day). In many places, the reformers removed verses from the readings that did not suit them. However, on this Third Mass for Christmas they saw it necessary to add five versus, or give the option of a version that excludes three verses. Could they not have been satisfied with the full version used in the Extraordinary Form (the traditional Last Gospel)? See the chart below.
God forbid all Catholics hear the same Gospel on Christmas Day. Were these two changes, “kneeling” and the Gospel, “for the good of the Church?” Did they grow “organically” our of tradition? Or were they mere innovations brought about for the sake of novelty?
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[2] He was in the beginning with God;
[3] all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.
[4] In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
[5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
[7] He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him.
[8] He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.
[9] The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world.
[10] He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not.
[11] He came to his own home, and his own people received him not.
[12] But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God;
[13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
[14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.
[15] (John bore witness to him, and cried, “This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'”)
[16] And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace.
[17] For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
[18] No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.
What falls faster without resistance, a feather or bowling ball? Galileo was correct in the 15th century, but didn’t have the equipment to prove it. If you have NASSA’s vacuum chamber, you can prove what Galileo did without the chamber.
In this episode, I begin a four episode series that I did as a parish mission on ad orientem for a priest friend of mine. Today, we ask the question: What is the Liturgy? If you are going to talk about ad orientem, you have to know what the Liturgy is, because ad orientem only makes sense with a Catholic understanding of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
– FrF (at) iPadre (dot) net
– Feedback line: (267) 31-Padre (267) 317-2373
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St. Nicholas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nicholas, Santa Nicolas, Santa Nicolas, Santa Claus… Old St. Nic
So, Old St. Nick is famous. Not only for his good deeds, but for a good fight with the heretic priest Arius. And here is a funny parady. H/t to Fr. Dana Christensen.
One of the most popular posts on my blog is the 7 St. Bridget Prayers. It is a 12 year commitment to say the prayers every day. There has been a lively discussion about the promises, but in the end, they really don’t matter. What matters most about these prayers are that it is a commitment to daily prayer, and for a 12 year period. One must not rush through them as if their house is on fire. Our prayer must lead us to contemplation of the mysteries of God. I have now been praying them for over three years. My original booklet is great to keep in your home, a larger bible or prayer book. But, I wanted something smaller, something that can fit in a small pocket, purse, or the Brievary. In the new printable version, you can print two on a 8.5″x 11″ standard US Letter, cut it in half and have two copies. I have placed the link on the original page. I printed mine on a heavier card stock for endurance. You can get it here.
Following the earthquake that destroyed the ancient Basilica of St. Benedict in Norcia, I heard someone’s comment that it’s a sign from heaven. Saint Benedict was born in Norcia, Italy around the year 480. He was the son of a Roman nobility of Norcia. Benedict was the twin of a sister, St. Scholastica. He studied in Rome and was upset with the promiscuous lives of his classmates, he fled to a cave, where he lived for three years. Soon, a group of men came to him, asking that he lead them in the monastic life. Hence, Benedict is known as the Father of Western Monasticism. He founded a monastery at Monte Cassino, It is there that he wrote his way of life. In his Papal Audience of 9 April 2008, Pope Benedict XIV stated: “St Benedict of Norcia, with his life and his work, had a fundamental influence on the development of European civilization and culture.”
Benedict is credited with founding 12 monasteries in the art of Subiaco. The locals streamed to the monasteries for prayer, guidance and inspiration. They became centers for solid Catholic Liturgy that made the common man a monk in the world. St. Benedict, and the influence of his monasteries gave Europe the foundation of a solid Catholic culture.
Through the years, Europe has strayed from her Catholic culture, replacing it with a secular humanist culture. Today, Europe lives as if God does not exist. Churches are empty, the culture of death is alive and well, alternatives lifestyles are accepted as normal and the Church is attacked as a relic of antiquity.
Back to Italy’s biggest earthquake since 1980. It was centered on the little village that gave birth to St. Benedict. Along with the quake, the new foundation of Benedictines of Norcia was hit hard. Thank God the monks are all safe, but their church, the Basilica of St. Benedict was destroyed, save the facade.
Is this a sign for out times? Has the Lord Himself given us a clear sign of the destruction of European and Western culture? And, is this a sign that God has left us to our own designs? We have abandoned God, and we have also left His protective care.
Now is the time for Europe and all of the Western world to turn back to her roots before it is too late. “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14) There is another sign, there is 
still hope, the facade is still standing. So, the facade of faith is still standing for us to embrace once again and once agin make it part of our lives. Let us now return to the Lord and rebuild our culture with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I have a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 that I no longer need. It is in perfect condition. The camera originally cost $500.00 +
I have original packaging, all documentation, the mini USB cable, and a Sony Soft Carrying Case for this phone, that I purchased separately.
Key specifications:
It’s yours for $400.00 plus shipping. (Cash or certified bank check)
If your interested, send me an email FrF (at) iPadre (dot) net
All you need to do is download the Sony Play Memories to your smart phone and follow the directions for great pictures.
View a video review here.
Pictures of the camera and packaging below.
Today is the 99th anniversary of the final apparition an the miracle of the sun at Fatima. We have come a long way since that day of grace in the little cova. Our Lady warned that if we do not repent, if we do not make great sacrifices and if Russia were not consecrated to her Immaculate Heart that the world would face great trials.
“The third part of the secret refers to Our Lady’s words: ‘If not [Russia] will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated’ (13-VII-1917).
Russia and atheistic Communism has spread their errors throughout the world. The damage done has be extensive and to the root of the tree. Many souls have abandoned the practice of the faith, and many others have abandoned God completely. They live as if there is not God, no hell and no eternal life. Culture through the world has become about the ego. I have to be happy and enjoy to the fullest every one of my passions, despite the harm it may do to others and even me.
Yet, we are not left alone. Our Lord promised “I will be with you until the end of the ages.” He is with us in so many ways, but above all, He remains with us in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Our Lady also has not abandoned us. She promised “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world.”
Could the 100th anniversary be significant? Maybe and maybe not. But, let us embrace the full message of Our Lady, make our personal consecration to her Immaculate Heart, offer prayers, sacrifices and penances and await with hope the triumph of her Immaculate Heart.
In this video, Bishop Wieslaw Aljzy Mering, Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Włocławek in Poland, reflects on the Tradition Mass of the Roman Rite. He offers some beautiful points that may be helpful to anyone to get a better understanding of the Roman Rite and our sacred heritage.