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.
Why the corporal?
The word corporal comes from the Latin word corpus, meaning body. It is the cloth on which the paten and chalice are placed during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the consecration of the most holy Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord. The purpose of the corporal is to catch any fragments of the consecrated host that may fall away from the sacred host. Folding it improperly, flipping it over or shaking it out cause the fragments to be thrown to the floor. The corporal is a square linen cloth. It is usually about 18 to 19″ square. The corporal should not be left on the altar, since that would defeat its purpose.
Why is it that many priests/ deacons no longer know how to open and refold a corporal? I have seen priests and deacons, pick up, shake out and flip over the corporal, showing they do not know why we use one. Here is a quote from “The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described” by Dom @Alcuin Reid (Pg. 66 & 85). Even if a priest does not celebrate the Extraordinary Form, he can learn a lot from our tradition.
“Then he spreads the corporal, placing the unfolded corporal in the middle of the altar and opening out its sides, and then the top and the bottom, ensuring that the creates face upward (so that any fragments are contained within it when it is folded again); the front edge should be about an inch from the front of the altar.”
And on refolding it:
“He folds the corporal beginning with the fold nearest himself and puts it back into the burse.”
Santa Maria Maggiore – Santa Maria Salus Populi romani
I had the privilege of celebrating Mass at the altar below the image of Santa Maria Salus Populi Romani October 1, 2014
Today, we celebrate the feast day of Santa Maria Maggiore. It is one of the four major Papal basilicas, and the largest church dedicated to Our Lady in Rome. The original basilica was built around the year 350 A.D. At the time, is was called Santa Maria ad Nives, (Our Lady of the Snows), recalling the legend of snow falling on the Esquiline Hill on a host August summer day, marking the spot where the church dedicated to Our Lady was to be built. It is also know as Salus Populi Romani, (Our Lady Protectress of the Roman People) because of the beautiful miraculous image of Our Lady with the infant Jesus. the painting of the image is attributed to St. Luke. St. Helena brought it from the Holy Land to Rome. There have been many times through out the ages that Our Lady has come to the aid of the Roman people through their devotion to this image. In 597, Pope St. Gregory the Great carried the image through the streets of Rome when the plague had decimated Europe and Italy. Also, during the Second World War, the people of Rome stormed the basilica, day and night for days on end seeking her protection nearby villages and towns were bombed. the basilica was also called Santa Maria ad Prasepe (St. Mary of the Crib) by Pope Sixtus III. The basilica holds relics of Our Lord’s crib under the main altar. This basilica has always had a special place in the lives of the Popes and faithful Christians. Many Popes have visited seeking special graces and protection. The basilica is a major stop for all pilgrims and tourists to the Holy City. It’s beauty and magnificence tell of the Church’s love for the Mother of our Savior. Let us pray for the people of Rome, the Church of Rome and all of us who are Roman Catholic, for she is our true mother.
A closeup of the beautiful face of Santa Maria Salus Populi Romani
Hacksaw Ridge
Mel Gibson’s latest movie Hacksaw Ridge will be released on November 4th. I think this movie is going to be one of those at the top of the charts. It’s one of those movies that causes you to look into yourself and ask the hard questions. “Do I have the courage to do what this guy did?” and “Do I have the courage to do what I believe?”
Some people have the special touch when it comes to making movies, and Mel Gibson is one of those who do. This is going to be a big hit. It goes to the heart.
Check out the trailer below.
iPadre #360 – Let us turn to the Lord in our need
In this episode, I share my homily for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
– FrF (at) iPadre (dot) net
– Feedback line: (267) 31-Padre (267) 317-2373
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Pictures from the Solemn Pontifical Mass at the Faldstool with Bishop Athanasius Schneider
Here are some pictures for the Pontifical Mass on 29 June 2016
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iPadre Video #10 – Ad Orientem – What & Why?
This is the first in a series of two videos on ad orientem. The next video will be Ad Orientem – How?
iPadre #359 – Bishop Schneider’s sermon
Bishop Schneider giving his sermon at Holy Ghost
In this episode, I share Bishop Athanasius Schneider’s sermon from the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul. (You can download a hard copy below.) I also talk about Cardinal Sarah’s call for priests and bishops to move toward ad orientem worship. I also share some feedback.
– “The fidelity to holy Church and to the holy Eucharist” by Bishop Athanasius Schneider
– FrF (at) iPadre (dot) net
– Feedback line: (267) 31-Padre (267) 317-2373
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Solemn Vespers with Bishop Athanasius Schneider
Following Bishop Schneider’s talk at Holy Ghost, we had Solemn Vespers in the Ordinary Form, with a mixture of Latin and English. Here are some pictures of Vespers. Fr. Thomas Kocik and I served as priest assistants.
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So you want to heed Cardinal Sarah’s words, here’s how
Cardinal Sarah has sounded the trumpet for all priests to begin celebrating Mass ad orientem beginning on the 1st Sunday of Advent this year. Something that Cardinal Ratzinger wrote about in many of his Liturgical publications, and Fr. Uwe Michael Lang devoted an entire book, Turning Towards The Lord.
It is as if Cardinal Sarah took a defribulater to the New Liturgical Movement. Something that many had thought died in the last few years. However, Cardinal Sarah stated that he is following the directives of Pope Francis in continuing the Liturgical vision of Pope Benedict XVI.
So, you know what the Cardinal is asking, but how do you go about it?
First, it is necessary to teach. Begin by publishing all of the recent statements of Cardinal Sarah, and Pope Benedict wrote about this important Liturgical praxis, in your weekly bulletin. Don’t just do it one week, do it as the media does, oversaturate the market.
Secondly, spread the news by word of mouth among your parishioners. Help them to get a mindset. Let it be something they begin to get excited about. And, with these recent statements of Cardinal Sarah, we can easily created some excitement.
Thirdly, don’t allow priests to negatively affect your parish. When I began ad orientem at my daily Masses some 7 plus years ago, there was one priest in particular who would make a big deal and have my adult server move the candles back so he could face the congregation. Don’t let it happen. I had to stop seeking his help, but it was well worth it.
Fourthly, pray. Make Holy Hours. Pray rosaries. Ask parishioners who support you to pray. Pray that the guardian angels will open the hearts of your parishioners to make this move.
Finally, have a last ditch effort with three or four weeks in the parish bulletin and give a positive and zealous homily of what a beautiful step the Church is asking us to take. It will renew the life of our parishes and the Church.
If you need some resources, here are the ones I used to prepare my parish. When I began at weekday Mass, I only gave a homily or two, but when I made the move on Sundays and all other Masses, I gave the big push. Here is my info, fell free to use it for your parish.
My announcement of the implementation
Brochures:
- “We go to the Lord, who comes to us“
- “Eucharist: Source & Center“
- “Conversi ad Dominum“
- “Ad Orientem: Toward the East” updated 9/2013
- “Ad orientem – by whose authority?” 11/10/2013
Feel free to print and share the brochures.
Popes celebrating the Ordinary Form (Novus Ordo) ad orientem here.