The iPadre Catholic Podcast

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.”

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.

Here are some pictures for the Pontifical Mass on 29 June 2016

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”1″ gal_title=”Solemn Pontifical Mass with Bishop Athanasius Schneider”]

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.