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Saturday, March 26, 2011

LAME DUCK, BEIJING DUCK, FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT; I REPORT, YOU DECIDE




Every time I read the difference between the lame duck and the Beijing Duck prayers, I cringe that I have to pray before our believing community the stripped down prayers that we currently have in the Roman Missal. I almost feel like printing the new translation in our bulletin and praying the Latin version of it at Mass so people aren't malformed by these old prayers that we have to say until November 26th! Or I could start placing the new prayers in the bulletin each week so people can see just how horrible the older ones are and this would prepare them for November 26th! Brilliant, if I do say so myself! What would I do without me?

COLLECT

Current lame duck:

Father, you have taught us to overcome our sins
by prayer, fasting, and works of mercy.
When we are discouraged by our weakness,
give us confidence in your love.

Forthcoming Beijing Duck:

O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness,
who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving
have shown us a remedy for sin,
look graciously on this confession of our lowliness,
that we, who are bowed down by our conscience,
may always be lifted up by your mercy.

AFTER COMMUNION

Current lame duck:

Lord, in sharing this sacrament
may we receive your forgiveness
and be brought together in unity and peace.

Forthcoming Beijing Duck:

As we receive the pledge
of things yet hidden in heaven
and are nourished while still on earth
with the Bread that comes from on high,
we humbly entreat you, O Lord,
that what is being brought about in us in mystery
may come to true completion.

11 comments:

Bill said...

But Father, when I read the Lame Duck form, I know we are blessed, for surely we must be poor in spirit, feeding at such an empty table.

Henry Edwards said...

"I almost feel like printing the new translation in our bulletin and praying the Latin version of it at Mass"

I've often thought this a principal advantage of the Novus Ordo in Latin. That, since the faith-sapping official English version is required only for proclamation of the priest (if he uses English), the people at a Latin NO Mass can use a unofficial but accurate and faithful English translation in the pews. Like the excellent English translation in the Latin-English NO booklet published by Ignatius Press with the title "Mass of Vatican II", which the Knoxville Latin Mass Community purchased for use at local Latin Novus Ordo Masses.

Unknown said...

Henry, I have had the pleasure of attending the Latin Mass at Farragut, before it stopped being offered there. My uncle's parish. Perhaps this year I will be able to attend with him the Latin Mass in Knoxville. I look forward to that.

Anonymous said...

The idea of printing the 'New' version in the bulletin is inspired. You should do that with the goal of having printed most of the Beijing Ducks by Advent. Maybe put a border around them so people can cut them out and save them?

rcg

Fr. Allan J. McDonald said...

I know it was inspiration, as soon as I posted that, I sent to my secretary the prayers for next week's bulletin and we'll do it every week until November 26/27. Truly a brainstorm on my part!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I see you have given up humility for Lent. j/k.

(Actually it is humility to acknowledge inspiration, in its Latin root sense, and thank The One who sent it).

FWIW, just saw this in Fr Z's blob and thought it would contribute here:

"I would add that once a priest has learned the older form he never says the newer form the same way after. The older form also teaches priests something about who they are as priests."

Fr. Allan J. McDonald said...

I would have to say that Fr. Z is right! The first few times I celebrated the EF Mass I realized why we had so many vocations under this form of the Mass. It does exalt the role of the Priest. Now I know many people will say that what I just said is clerical. But what I would need to say too is that it is the role of the priest, not the priest himself (personality, charisms, etc) but the role of the priest, the sacramental role of the priest that is exalted. What does the sacramental role of the priest point to? Jesus Christ the High Priest--that is what is exalted!

Henry Edwards said...

William, we decided to leave Farragut when the old St. John Neumann Church was sold before the new one was finished, and we preferred not to have the TLM in the school gym. Then our new bishop thought (correctly) that Holy Ghost Church downtown--with its altar rail, high altar, etc. intact (look at the pictures at our web site)--was the best place for us. I'll look forward to meeting you whenever you can make it. I'll be the fellow with gray hair who still moves around pretty well.

William Meyer said...

Henry, the description of "the fellow with gray hair who still moves around pretty well" is not much of a distinction. ;) The same might be applied to me, and to my uncle.

We're going to Farragut next weekend, but I suspect we will be going to St. John Neumann, not downtown. If that changes, I will look for you. As an ex parishioner in Farragut, perhaps you know my Uncle, Phil Perkins.

SqueekerLamb said...

oooh...I shall truly lok forward to reading the bulletins even more now!
Hey, about printing BOTH the Latin and the New English Translation?
It might just increase appreciation for and understanding of Latin.
(a piggyback inspiration on the original inspiration perhaps??)

Anonymous said...

I think the priest at the Low Latin Mass snuck in the new prayers. I am almost certain. He gave a very nice homily addressing lust and gluttony how they are related and different. Very positive and focused.

rcg