THE HOLY FATHER AS THE BISHOP OF ROME CONSECRATES AN ULTRA-MODERN CHURCH IN ROME

I happened to watch our Holy Father in the Roman parish this morning at 9 am, Mass and dedication of the new Roman parish of "San Corbiniano all'Infernetto - Casal Palocco".
He was consecrating a new and ultra-modern Church. It was carried live on the Vatican website.

What is interesting about the local Masses (Roman) that our Holy Father celebrates is that for the most part these are just like any other Mass in a local parish throughout the world. They are simpler and the Holy Father is surrounded by the local talent and ministries of the parish, such as the parish choir--for good or ill. What we see in these Masses is the Bishop of Rome functioning as any other bishop in the world, visiting one of his parish churches, consecrating a new one they have just completed and joining in their celebration of the Mass.

The setting of a local parish church is more intimate too. The local parish this morning showcased all their choirs, young children, teenagers and adult choirs. These sounded like most parish choirs. Take that for what it means!

The Holy Father celebrated the entire Mass in Italian, except for the Eucharistic prayer beginning with the preface dialogue which was in Latin. I think this has become the custom of the Holy Father even in local celebrations of the Mass in Rome or Italy, to pray the Eucharistic prayer in Latin, beginning with the preface and the rest of the Mass in the vernacular. Is that a foreshadowing of things to come in the distant future???

However, the altar was decorated after it was anointed by the Holy Father in the "Benedictine" way with the six candles and crucifix on the center and also with the extra "bishop's" candle. The Mass, though was celebrated toward the people not ad orientem.

The custom in Italy and thus at this papal Mass is for the people to kneel during the Eucharistic prayer beginning only when the priest calls down the Holy Spirit upon the bread and wine and then standing again for the singing of the Mystery of Faith. That is the extent of the kneeling for most of Europe.

The new church had no altar railing, however, as is his custom, the Holy Father distributed Holy Communion to people kneeling on a kneeler placed in front of the Holy Father. Is this a sign of things to come? I'm clairvoyant or maybe I'm not as you know.

OUR WEEKLY LAME DUCK AND BEIJING DUCK ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THE ORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS

This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Lent. I can't wait for the new English translation of the Mass. These new ones are as succulent as Beijing Duck. Whereas the lame duck ones are like beef jerky!

See for yourself:

COLLECT

Current lame duck, beef jerky

God our Father,
help us to hear your Son.
Enlighten us with your word,
that we may find the way to your glory.

Forthcoming Beijing Duck, succulent and o so delicious:

O God, who have commanded us
to listen to your beloved Son,
be pleased, we pray,
to nourish us inwardly by your word,
that, with spiritual sight made pure,
we may rejoice to behold your glory.

AFTER COMMUNION

Current lame duck:

Lord, we give thanks for these holy mysteries
which bring to us here on earth
a share in the life to come,
through Christ our Lord.

Forthcoming Beijing Duck:

As we receive these glorious mysteries,
we make thanksgiving to you, O Lord,
for allowing us while still on earth
to be partakers even now of the things of heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.

Apart from not kneeling for Holy Communion, these lame duck translations of the English Mass have done more harm to the praying community than anything else. "The law of Prayer is the Law of Belief." These lame duck prayers are so corrupt in their translation of the original Latin and so inaccurate when it comes not only to translation but to doctrinal and theological accuracy, it is no wonder that awe and reverence for the Mass has declined in such an unbelievable way since these English translations came into being around 1969.

As you know I am clairvoyant, but maybe not, but I predict that in about five years there will be a recovery of awe and reverence for the Mass due in great part by the new English translation of the Mass.

LAST NIGHT'S SOLEMN SUNG HIGH MASS IN THE EXTRAORDINARY FORM A STUNNING SUCESS; AND TO THINK, PEOPLE ACTUALLY THINK VATICAN II SUPRESSED THIS--WRONG!

Last Easter's EF High Mass:

I don't have any photos of it yet, but our Solemn Sung High Mass in the Extraordinary Form for the Vigil of the Solemnity of Saint Joseph was absolutely stunning, inspiring and beautiful.

Our choirs under the direction of Ms. Nelda Chapman, our music director and organist, and our assistant organist Harold McManus, sang Schubert's Mass in G Major flawlessly. It is a very lovely choir setting and our choir did it with ease! Beau Palmer chanted in an exquisite way according to Gregorian melodies the Introit, Gradual, Tract, Offertory and Communion Antiphons. No hymns were sung until the recessional when we sang an English hymn, O Joseph, Mighty Patron.

This was the Roman Mass in its pure form, nothing but the Mass sung as it should be. No hymns, no anthems, just the Mass and nothing but the Mass.

We had about 150 in attendance for the Mass on a Friday night at 7:30 PM and not a Holy Day of Obligation. Many spoke to me afterward saying they had not been to a Mass like that in over 45 years. Some said it brought tears to their eyes.Many of the younger people who had never experienced anything like this asked why in the world this type of Mass isn't offered more often.

Others said that the Church made a tremendous mistake is dumping this style or order of Mass in favor of a too simplified and less dignified form of it. Thank God for Pope Benedict who has returned this form of the Mass back to the clergy and laity. It is truly a gift and as such and because it is worship and prayer it will build the Body of Christ.

Our deacon and sub-deacon did a wonderful job. Their parts and movements are the most complicated. The sub-deacon is actually a permanent deacon, Donald Coates and the deacon is actually a priest, our parochial vicar, Fr. Justin Ferguson. I hear they did what they were suppose to do well, although I couldn't tell. You really need eyes on the back of your head for this Mass when you are the priest celebrating it. Of course the acting deacon was none to pleased with the celebrant when he took his "ite missa est" from him by mistake.

We had at least eight adult servers.

From an ecumenical point of view, our choir director/organist is a United Methodist who knows both forms of the one Roman Rite backwards and forwards and our organist is a Southern Baptist. Now how's that for ecumenism????? And in the Extraordinary Form to boot!

YIKES, THE BISHOPS OF NORTH DAKOTA TELL THEIR FLOCK ABOUT THOSE ORGANIZATIONS CATHOLICS SHOULD NOT SUPPORT, YOU'LL BE SHOCKED!

I gave stewardship talks for the Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota back in late October. At that time I met Bishop Paul Zipfel of Bismarck. Like Bishop Boland, he submitted his resignation as bishop when he turned 75 but is still waiting for the Holy Father to name his replacement. Of course many parts of his diocese get to 40 and 50 degrees below 0 for most of the winter with snow galore; So who would say yes to that? But I digress. I've highlighted the organizations that Catholics should not donate to as listed by Bishop Zipfel and the Bishop of Fargo, ND. It is rather eye opening. I wish I had this information last week when someone asked me about the Susan Koman foundation. I think I gave bad advice! But the March of Dimes disappoints me the most!

North Dakota News

Well-known groups on dioceses ‘do not donate' list

By KAREN HERZOG Bismarck Tribune | Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2011

Some well-known and high-profile charitable organizations are among those that North Dakota Catholic bishops have asked their parishioners not to donate to or volunteer with.

Bishops Samuel Aquila of the Fargo Catholic Diocese and Paul Zipfel of the Bismarck Diocese issued a guideline for charitable giving for their members, and groups such as the March of Dimes, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Planned Parenthood, UNICEF, Amnesty International, the American Association of University Women and the Crop Walk for Hunger are among them.

The "Guidelines on Charitable Giving" were designed in response to questions from laity about appropriate charities, said Christopher Dodson, executive director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference.

The guidelines say that Catholics should not support with money or volunteer time with groups that have ties to promoting contraception, abortion rights, embryonic stem cell research, or who "seek to redefine marriage."

The church cannot endorse organizations whose mission may be morally objectionable or at least questionable, the guidelines state.

"Every year we get questions about these groups," Dodson said. The statement was issued to give guidance to parishes, he said.

The charities listed are not a surprise to anyone in "respect life" work, he said: "To those of us who are involved in pro-life, it's common knowledge."

The Florida bishops put out a similar statement in 2009, he said. So far, Dodson said the response has been positive.

Bismarck's Crop Walk for Hunger is usually held in October, and 25 percent of the ecumenical walk proceeds go to local food banks and the remaining to various worldwide hunger programs.

Catholics once constituted a strong presence in the Crop Walk, but it's not that strong anymore, said Allison Germolus of Bismarck, one of the local Crop Walk organizers. Germolus said that walkers always had the option of designating their funds strictly to Catholic Relief Services.

The Crop Walk was on the bishops' list because its umbrella organizations include Church World Service and the National Council of Churches, which has, according to the guidelines, "some partners (who) support the provision of contraception in their overseas missions and programs."

"We work with organizations that disagree with us all the time," Dodson said. "There comes a point when active support for what the church teaches is contradictory ... furthers the activity which the church opposes."

The Crop Walk does not promote abortion, Germolus said, adding that connections with contraception may be as tenuous as a village food bank being the same location for picking up condoms to prevent the spread of AIDS, Germolus said.

In a 2006 statement, the Rev. John L. McCullough, CEO of Church World Service, responded to Catholic Relief Services by stating that Church World Service does not provide funding or support for abortions anywhere in the world. Some of the health programs it supports do provide contraceptives for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and for family planning, he said.

The Catholic Church withdrew from the program because it was not cost-effective for Church World Service to track the giving of Catholic donors who didn't designate Catholic Relief Services on their donation envelopes.

In other groups, UNICEF's work now includes contraceptive and abortion services, the guidelines say.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure was listed because the guidelines say it "refuses to acknowledge the link between abortion and breast cancer."

John Hammarley of Dallas, senior communications adviser for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, said that his organization maintains there is no connection between abortion and breast cancer, information he said is based on a 2004 expert panel from the National Cancer Institute. Organization-wide, Hammarley said that Susan G. Komen contributes less than 1 percent of its funds to Planned Parenthood and that those funds are to be used only for breast cancer screening and education.

The guidelines call Amnesty International "pro-abortion" and say the American Association of University Women provides "pro-abortion and same-sex marriage support and opposes parental choice in education."

Lisa Maatz, director of public policy and government relations for AAUW in Washington, D.C., said that she was not aware of the North Dakota statement, but that AAUW was "in fine company" with the other charities on the list.

"We certainly have lots of members who are Catholic and lots of members of other churches," Maatz said. "I have faith that North Dakota Catholics will carry on as they have always carried on, respecting their individual consciences and respecting other people's rights to do the same."

Originating in 1881, with a nationwide membership of more than 100,000, AAUW "has always believed that women are more than capable of making their own choices as their consciences dictate," Maatz said.

AAUW works to break down educational and economic barriers for women, she said.

The group, Maatz said, "is full of women used to speaking truth to power when it needs to be said."

The March of Dimes was designated because the guidelines say it supports embryonic stem cell research, "preimplantation diagnosis for untreatable conditions and mandatory contraceptive coverage for insurance plans."

Karin Roseland of Fargo, state director for the North Dakota March of Dimes Chapter, said the March of Dimes works to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Prematurity is the leading cause of newborn death, she said, and babies who survive often face lifelong health problems and disabilities.

"We think the bishops do not fully appreciate the need for the lifesaving work of the March of Dimes," Roseland said.

Between 1996 and 2006, the rate of babies who died before their first birthday increased more than 9 percent, she said, and one in nine babies in North Dakota is born prematurely.

"We hope that people with differing views will come together in working together for stronger, healthier babies in North Dakota," she said

Written by reporter Karen Herzog at 250-8267 or karen.herzog@bismarcktribune.com)

SOME SAY I'M CLAIRVOYANT BUT MAYBE I'M NOT

I've blogged about this before, but I really wonder if down the road, in the future, if we could have two forms of the vernacular Mass,Ordinary and Extraordinary.

Many bishops, priests and laity who object to Pope Benedict's liberal allowance of the "unreformed" Mass, what is now called the Extraordinary Form, say that they object precisely because Vatican II asked that this Mass be reformed.

Well how about a reformed Extraordinary Form Mass based upon the following proposal:

1. The Mass in the vernacular using the reformed propers, prefaces, calendar and lectionary of the post Vatican II Mass.

2. But using the Order of Mass of the Extraordinary Form,including all of its General Instruction and Rubrics and keeping all the parts of this Order of Mass that are prayed quietly by the priest (including the Roman Canon, which would be the only one allowed for this option). Of course, we would maintain the post-Vatican II active participation in the verbal and internal ways with all the people's parts in the vernacular spoken and heard!

No one could say that this form of the Extraordinary Mass isn't unreformed. That argument would go by the wayside. More people would be exposed to the EF Mass in this form since most Catholics do prefer the vernacular for their parts and all the parts they hear. The fixed parts that are quiet would remain in Latin.

So what do you think of my clairvoyance?

I LOVE YOU SAINT PATRICK, BUT YOU'RE ONLY A LITTLE "m" MEMORIAL, SAINT JOSEPH IS A SOLEMNITY, THE BIG GUY WHO'S NEXT! EF MASS FRIDAY AT 7:30 PM, HERE!

(Please note the Extraordinary Form Mass, Solemn Sung, with deacon and sub-deacon, not to mention me the priest, and our choirs singing Schubert's Mass in G Major, Friday night at 7:30 PM! Note the propers for this Mass below!)


While today is a little "m" memorial for Saint Patrick, on Saturday we celebrate the big guy, The Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This Solemnity which requires the Gloria and the Credo which Saint Patrick's Day does not, not to rub it in, is also the patronal feast of my parish, Saint Joseph Church, Macon, Georgia.

As such, we will celebrate the SOLEMNITY of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a Solemn Sung Vigil Mass in the Extraordinary Form tomorrow night (Friday) at 7:30 PM followed by a dessert reception. Tomorrow also kicks off Macon's Cherry Blossom Festival.

Our combined choirs under the direction of our music director and organist, Ms. Nelda Chapman will sing Schubert's Mass in G Major for this Solemn, holy, grand, high SOLEMNITY! After all, Saint Patrick is only the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Joseph is not only our patron saint, and mine personally (Allan Joseph McDonald or MacDonald, depending on who you ask) but Saint Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church, the one that is the be "C"! Move over Saint Patrick! And since I'm half Italian, we all know that Saint Joseph is the patron saint of Italy and of Italian extract too!

The Extraordinary Form of the Mass for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

March 19, 2011

St. Joseph
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Confessor


INTROIT
Ps. 91:13,14,2

Justus ut palma florebit sicut cedrus Libani multiplicabitur: plantatus in domo Domini: in atriis domus Dei nostri. (Psalm) Bonum est confiteri Domino: et psallere nomini tuo, Altissime. Gloria Patri. Justus ut palma florebit...

The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus. They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God. (Psalm) It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to thy name, O most High. Glory be to the Father. The just shall....

COLLECT

Sanctissima Genitricis tuae Sponsi, quaesumus Domine, meritis adjuvemur, ut, quod possibilitas nostra non obtinet ejus nobis intercessione donetur: Qui vivis et regnas.

We beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may be helped by the merits of the Spouse of Thy most holy Mother; so that what we cannot obtain of ourselves, may be given to us through his intercession: Who livest and reignest.

EPISTLE
Ecclus. 45:1-6

Beloved of God and men, whose memory in benediction. He made him like the Saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he mad prodigies to cease. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and showed him His glory. He sanctified him in his faith and meekness, and chose him our of all flesh. For He heard him and his voice, and brought him into a cloud. And He gave him commandment before His face, and a law of lift and instruction.


GRADUAL
Ps. 20:4-5

Lord, Thou hast prevented him with blessing of sweetness: Thou hast serve on his head a crown of precious stones. He asked life of Thee, and Thou hast given him length of days for ever and ever.


TRACT
Ps. 111:1-3

Blessed is the ,am that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed. Glory and wealth shall be in his house and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.

GOSPEL
Mt. 1:18-21

When Mary the mother of Jesus was espoused to Joesph, before they cam together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while eh thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear no to take which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.

OFFERTORY
Ps. 20:2-3

Veritas mea, et misericordia mea cum ipso: et in nomine meo exaltabitur cornu ejus.

My truth and My mercy shall be with him: and in My name shall his horn be exalted.

SECRET

Debitum tibi, Domine, nostrae reddimus servitutis suppliciter exorantes: ut suffragiis beati Joseph, Sponsi Genitricis Filii tui Jesu Christi Domini nostri, in nobis tua munera tuearis, ob cujus venerandam festivitatem laudis tibi hostias immolamus. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum.

We render unto Thee, O Lord, the duty of our service humbly entreating The to preserve Thine own gifts within us through the prayers of blessed Joseph, Spouse of the Mother of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, on which festival we offer to Thee this sacrifice of praise Through our Lord.

PREFACE
Preface of St. Joseph

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus: Et te in festivitate beati Joseph debitis magnificar praeconiis, benedicer et praedicare, Quiet vir justus, a te Deiparae Virgini sponsus est datus; et fidelis sevus ac prudens super familiam tuam est constitutus: ut Unigenitum tuum, Sancti Spiritus obumbratione coneptum, paterna vice custodirect Jesum Christum, Dominum nostrum. Per quem majestatem tuam laudant Angli adoant Dominationes tremut Potestates. Coeli coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim, socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostra voces ut admitti jubeas deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes:

It it truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to Thee, holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God: and that we should with due praise magnify, bless, and proclaim Thee on the Feast of blessed Joseph, who being a just man was given by Thee as Spouse to the Virgin Mother of God, and, as a faithful and prudent servant, was set over Thy Family, that with fatherly care he might guard Thine only-begotten Son, Christ our Lord. Through Whom Angels praise Thy Majesty, Dominions worship, Powers stand in awe: the Heavens and the hosts of heaven with blessed Seraphim unite, exult, and celebrate; and we entreat that Thou wouldst bid our voices also to be heard with theirs, singing with lowly praise.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Mt. 1:20
Joseph, fili David, noli timere accipere Mariam conjugem tuam: quod enim in ea natum est, de Spiritu Sancto est.

Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is born in her is of her is the Holy Ghost.

POSTCOMMUNION

Adesto nobis, quaesumus, misericors Deus: et, intercedente pro nobis neato Joseph Confessore, tua circa nos propitiatus dona custodi. Per Dominum nostrum.

Stand by us, we beseech Thee, O merciful God, and by the intercession of blessed Joseph the Confessor, mercifully preserve Thy gifts within us. Through our Lord.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!

AND NOT TO BE OUTDONE BY SAINT PATRICK, MACON BEGINS TO BE PINK WITH ITS CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL STARTING MARCH 18TH; IN WITH THE PINK!

Macon has more Yoshino Cherry Trees than Washington, DC. These are beginning to bloom now and with temperature at about 86 on Friday, they will really pop! The nearly two week festival brings people from all over the country and world to Macon. Since these Cherry Trees originated in Japan, our prayers and thoughts go to them as they continue to experience and survive their natural catastrophe.

Everyone in Macon wears Pink. Pink is in; green is out!

Cherry Blossom Festival 2011 from Gateway Macon on Vimeo.

And a nice tour of Macon, with some inside shots of St. Joseph Church:

This is Our City from Gateway Macon on Vimeo.

It's the Eve of Saint Patrick's Day, the most wonderful time of the year in Savannah, GA

A week ago today was Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the holy season of self denial that we call Lent. But forget about that today in Savannah, GA. The parties have begun and the second largest Saint Patrick's Day Parade in the country begins in tomorrow, March 17, the most wonderful day of the year in Savannah.

Savannahnians look forward to Saint Patrick's Day as though it were Christmas. There are parties galore leading up to the great event and wonderful family gatherings in hotels and other venues on Saint Patrick's Day itself.

Forget about Lent and self denial. It's one big party and the booze is flowing, especially on Savannah's River Street.

The day starts off with Mass at the Cathedral followed by the parade. It's great and finding a place in front of the Cathedral is very family oriented.

Over 400,000 visitors make their way to Savannah for the festival.

Father Charlie Hughes, AKA Saint Patrick, is a retired Glenmary priest living in residence at St. Mary on the Hill in Augusta. This was last year's dreary parade. The weather tomorrow should approach 80 degrees and bright sunshine!

If you want a little bit less excitement, travel to Augusta. They have a wonderful parade too with Mass at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity at 12 noon followed by the parade. Check out the activities in Augusta here.


If you want a month long Saint Patrick's Day, travel to Dublin, Georgia, 40 miles south of Macon. They have a parade and many other events too. Check out Dublin's Saint Patrick's Festival Webpage here.

DO YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE GETTING A NEW TRANSLATION OF THE ENGLISH MASS? VIEW THE FEAST OF VIDEOS BELOW!!!!!

The videos below are by Fr. Richard Hilgartner and Msgr. Tony Sherman.
I went to a national workshop on this with Msgr. Sherman in San Antonio, Texas. I even blogged about it if you recall. The workshop I attended was toward the end of October of 2010. Enjoy these. These should answer all your questions. A test will be given when you have completed watching all these!

THE SUNG MASS IN THE ORDINARY FORM

At Saint Joseph Church, our 9:30 AM and 12:10 PM Masses are sung, meaning we sing almost everything. The cantor chants the introit after the Processional hymn and also the Offertory and Communion Antiphons.

The priest sings the "Sign of the Cross" and all the greetings and the people respond. The Penitential rite is sung as is the Gloria, Sanctus, Mystery of Faith, Great Amen, Pater Noster, Agnus Dei.

We don't sing, though the Credo. But that will change beginning next year for our choir Mass at 9:30 AM.

This is the setting we will sing:

PRESS HERE TO SEE AND SING CREDO III

What do you think?

THE DEVIL YOU SAY? AND SAW?

The Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent has always fascinated me since I first heard it at Mass as a small child. That Jesus would be in a conversation with the devil has so many fascinating aspects to it.

How do you depict the devil in your mind? Of course the devil is an archangel, Lucifer to be specific. Angels are formless,pure spirits although art and imagination depict them with bodies.

I don't remember if I've ever seen this specific image below of the devil with Jesus. Even when I was a child I wondered how the devil took Jesus to the lofty mountain top to see all the kingdoms of the world and how the devil took Jesus to the parapet of the temple. This particular artistic rendering solves that question. I don't think I've ever seen the devil actually holding Jesus!

Matthew 4:1-11
At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert
to be tempted by the devil.
He fasted for forty days and forty nights,
and afterwards he was hungry.
The tempter approached and said to him,
“If you are the Son of God,
command that these stones become loaves of bread.”

He said in reply,
“It is written:
One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth
from the mouth of God.”

Then the devil took him to the holy city,
and made him stand on the parapet of the temple,
and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.
For it is written:
He will command his angels concerning you
and with their hands they will support you,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.”

Jesus answered him,
“Again it is written,
You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”
Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain,
and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence,
and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you,
if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.”

At this, Jesus said to him,
“Get away, Satan!
It is written:
The Lord, your God, shall you worship
and him alone shall you serve.”

Then the devil left him and, behold,
angels came and ministered to him.

THE RITE OF ELECTION

Last year's Rite of Election at the new Sacred Heart Church in Warner Robins:



Because of the geographical size of our diocese, our bishop celebrates the Rite of Election in two places. Today (Saturday)it was in our neck of the woods in Warner Robins, Georgia. The western half of the diocese joined the bishop for this rite which normally occurs on the First Sunday of Lent. It will at our Cathedral in Savannah on Sunday at 3:00 PM. The Cathedral will be jammed packed.

For our side of the diocese, we had the largest number of catechumens and candidates ever.

Last Sunday at St. Joseph Church, we celebrated the Rite of Sending to our bishop. It was a very moving celebration, especially watching the young, very young and the old sign their names in the Book of the Elect.

St. Joseph Church has the largest number of catechumens in a long time in fact this is the largest number I've ever had as a parish priest. The Easter Vigil will be longer but very dramatic and inspiring.

Please pray for our catechumens, now the elect, and our candidates (those already baptized).

The Elect from Saint Joseph Church, Macon,(unbaptized):
1. Lisa Arnold
2. Brandy Arthur
3. Christopher Beasley
4. Barry Butcher
5. Jason Cheyney
6. Camille Johnson
7. Kenneth Johnson
8. Joey Pinholster
9. Kelly Richey
10. Skylar Richey
11. Helen Stafford
12. Ben Yoder
13. Patricia Huff
14. Lucious Huff
plus two children

Candidates (already baptized)

1. Chris Bahneman
2. Jim Branam
3. Tara Butcher
4. Kim Dalton
5. Katlynn Gauthier
6. Missy Payne
7. Chris Lumpkin
8. Syozzia Moore
9. Elizabeth Pullen
10. Jane Tazifor
11. Blade Thompson
12. Derek Uebel
13. Cody Varner
14. Kayli Varner

LAME DUCK AND BEIJING DUCK

For the First Sunday of Lent, I've posted both the current lame duck and the soon to be Beijing Duck translations of the Latin opening prayers, now once again called the "Collect." I also print the prayer after Holy Communion which I think you'll appreciate given the miserable state of the current one.

The revised opening prayer though leaves me thinking they could have done a better job at translating it, but it is better than the current.

COLLECT

Current lame duck:

Father,through our observance of Lent,
help us to understand the meaning
of your Son's death and resurrection,
and teach us to reflect it in our lives.

Forthcoming Beijing Duck:

Grant, almighty God,
through the yearly observances of holy Lent,
that we may grow in understanding
of the riches hidden in Christ
and by worthy conduct pursue their effects.

AFTER COMMUNION

Current lame duck:

Father,
you increase our faith and hope,
you deepen our love in this communion.
Help us to live by your words
and to seek Christ, our bread of life,
who is Lord for ever and ever.

Forthcoming Beijing Duck:

Renewed now with heavenly bread,
by which faith is nourished, hope increased,
and charity strengthened,
we pray, O Lord,
that we may learn to hunger for Christ,
the true and living Bread,
and strive to live by every word
which proceeds from your mouth.
Through Christ our Lord.

OUR LADY OF JAPAN, PRAY FOR THEM

BEFORE AND AFTER RENOVATIONS, CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE AND WHAT DO YA'LL THINK?

Click on pictures once or twice to enlarge them:

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI NOW AFFECTING JAPAN AND ELSEHWERE

Can the the Ordinary Form of the Mass be celebrated well. You'd better believe it. We do it everyday!

We had a larger than normal attendance at our 8:00 AM Mass this Friday morning. We offered the Mass for the intention of all those who are suffering in the wake of the earthquake and Tsunami in Japan.

I received a comment on a post concerning well celebrated Masses in the Ordinary Form which I posted on August 10, 2010. The comment was positive, but they didn't like the use of altar girls dressed in cassock and surplice. The person said this is clerical garb for a seminarian, deacon or priest and thus male clothing.

I am not opposed to girls serving the altar and to take it away from them would not be seen as fair by them or their parents. However, dressing the girls in a different manner might not be a bad idea. What do you think?

PRESS THIS TO GO THE THE AUGUST 10TH POST ON REVERENTLY CELEBRATED ORDINARY FORM MASSES. THE MASS PICTURED OF COURSE IS HERE AT SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH IN GOOD OLD MACON, GEORGIA.

CATHOLICS IN PHILADELPHIA WON'T ALLOW ANYTHING OR ANYONE TO TAKE THEIR FAITH AWAY. I WANT TO SAY "ALLELUIA" BUT CAN'T BECAUSE IT IS LENT!

READ ABOUT FAITH IN PHILADELPHIA STRONGER THAN SCANDAL BY PRESSING THIS SENTENCE. I THINK THERE IS A HINT OF FORGIVENESS IN THIS FAITH TOO, WHICH TO SOME IS A SCANDAL. BUT ISN'T THE CROSS A SCANDAL TO SOME?

AS YOU KNOW, I'M CLAIRVOYANT, BUT MAYBE I'M NOT!

This is a cool video on Lenten discipline by Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York City. I've mentioned before that when I was vocation director for the Diocese of Savannah, I visited two of our seminarians studying at the North American College in Rome in the late 1990's. Archbishop Dolan, then Monsignor Dolan was the rector of the seminary. I was fortunate to have dinner with him and some of his other guests in his seminary apartment. As we were eating and I heard him speaking to his guests I thought to myself, "You know, Allan, he'd make a great archbishop of New York!"

Now I ask you, am I clairvoyant or not? I report you decide this Ash Wednesday!

IF YOU WANT TO PIG OUT ON ASH WEDNESDAY ON SOME REAL FOOD AND DRINK FOR THOUGHT READ FATHER GEORGE RUTLER'S ARTICLE ON LENT!

I love tempting the faithful on Ash Wednesday!


Father George Rutler writes about Lent. READ IT HERE! It is a long article that has many calories in it for this Ash Wednesday, but it is well worth reading, eating, digesting and putting into action! It's almost a sin on Ash Wednesday to eat such good stuff by reading it. But not to worry, it won't break your Ash Wednesday Fast and if you are 60 years old you are dispensed from fasting anyway! God bless Fr. Rutler!

IT'S ASH WEDNESDAY AND THE BEGINNING OF LENT, FAST, PRAY AND GIVE ALMS THIS HOLY SEASON AND ALL YEAR 'ROUND, IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON!

Besides fasting, praying and giving alms to the the poor, the holy season of Lent is also a time of thoroughly examining one's conscience similar to what a recovering alcoholic does on one of his 12 steps. In this examination of conscience which should lead to sacramental confession one should remember the Confiteor, "in what I have done and what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.

Examining one's conscience and listing the sins and the root cause of these sins (which is most important)are the easy part. Grace from God is needed for true sorrow that leads to repentance and a firm purpose of amendment.




A handout given to all Saint Joseph Church parishioners this past Sunday:

WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR LENT?

The season of Lent is 40 days and 40 nights of intensified Christian asceticism based upon fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Your Lenten discipline should be fashioned after these three forms of asceticism. Of course we are called by Jesus and mandated by the Church to some form of these ascetical practices all year long, not just during Lent and especially each Friday of the year. But during Lent, these should be intensified. Teach your children about this and bring them to the Stations of the Cross!

Fasting (and Abstinence) Church Law:
Catholics who have celebrated their 14th birthday are bound to abstain from meat, poultry, game and meat products on Ash Wednesday and each Friday of Lent.

Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday, in addition to abstaining from meat, should fast, that is, eat only one full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Smaller quantities of food may be taken at two other meals, but no food should be consumed at other times during those two days. The obligation of fasting ceases with the celebration of one's 59th birthday.

These practices are designed for spiritual growth. Catholics are not to excuse themselves lightly from these prescribed minimal penitential practices.

In addition, Catholics who are 18 and older may wish to follow voluntarily the older Lenten regulation of fasting everyday during Lent except on Sunday. The description of the fast above would apply. This should be purely voluntary and flexible and one’s health should be considered.

Every man, woman and child, though, should give up something for the entire season of Lent, like desserts, sweets, alcohol, soda pop, etc. You should give up something you like and therefore is a sacrifice.

Prayer: Daily Mass; Evening Prayer and Benediction on Wednesday at 5:30 PM; Confession on Saturday at 3:00 PM and Wednesday at 6:30 PM; Stations of the Cross, each Friday at 12:10 PM or 7:00 PM or privately at any time; Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in our Adoration Chapel, weekly holy hour; The Holy Rosary and other pious devotions.

Giving up non-food items is not considered a fast but is nonetheless encouraged, like watching TV, blogging, computer games, etc but the purpose of this would be to make more time for personal prayer and devotions, like the Holy Rosary.

Almsgiving: Take a step toward tithing for the weekly offertory; Operation Rice Bowl for Catholic Relief Services; Weekly parish food drives; Work with Saint Vincent de Paul and donate to them; Increase Second Collection giving

IS THE APOCALYPTIC NATURE OF THE SEX ABUSE SCANDAL GOD'S JUDGMENT OR GOD'S EXORCISM?

See CNN's video news story on the real exorcist which inspired this movie! It's true folks!

This CNN story, exceptionally well done, tells the story of a real priest who is also an exorcist. I wonder if what broke in 2002 in the Catholic Church is related to what this news story reports in terms of events that have happened since the turn of the century. CNN reports, you decide!

SEE THE STORY ON THE EXORCIST BY CNN BY PRESSING HERE!

IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA IT IS JUDGMENT DAY, PRAY FOR CATHOLICS WHO MUST ENDURE WHAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE COME ABOUT!

UPDATE: On this Ash Wednesday, the NEW YORK TIMES prints the shocking truth and asks some good questions to which the Cardinal has no answers. Have mercy on us O Lord! Press these sentences to read all about it!
IT'S AN APOCALYPTIC JUDGMENT DAY FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA AND THE LEADERSHIP THERE HAS NO ONE TO BLAME BUT THEMSELVES!
There are many liberal or progressive Catholics who simply do not believe anymore in Original Sin, Mortal Sin, death, judgment and hell. Their theology of love, especially for the guilty, does not allow for the final judgment and eternal damnation. I wonder if an earthly experience of such will change their minds?


It is judgment day in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Since a "zero" tolerance policy was presumably put into place in all dioceses of the USA about eight years ago, a Grand Jury investigation of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (the second in five years)indicates that as many as 31 priests who have had some kind of accusation against them in terms of inappropriate behavior with minors, are still functioning as priests.

Within the next two days, the Archbishop Cardinal of Philadelphia will suspend upwards to 21 of these priests until these priests can be exonerated or permanently removed from ministry. Cardinal Justin Ragali hired an independent outside prosecutor to examine all the records of these priests and he is now following this person's recommendations.

Why this wasn't done over eight years ago is mind blowing!

The priest-personal director of this archdiocese is the first high diocesan official charged with endangering the safety of children by the way he managed miscreant priests in Philadelphia, and who may well be sentenced to prison time for his actions of mismanagement. With that we have entered a new phase in this scandal. What bishop, archbishop or even cardinal will be charged with a like-crime, endangering children by their mismanagement of priests who abused children and some cases in the most egregious and unbelievable of ways. Time will tell.

The bishops of the Catholic Church who mismanaged priests thought they were above not only canon law, but civil law are going to have to have their day of reckoning. What were they thinking? They haven't told us! And that is the other part of this scandal, the lack of transparency in "what were they thinking" by disregarding both Church Law and Civil Law in how they managed priests who committed mortal sin and civil crimes against innocent children and their families.

Children who were abused (now adults) and their families have every right to know the truth about why this happened to them and they do deserve appropriate compensation for the egregious mismanagement of priests by bishops in this regard.

Catholics in general must be assured that priests who abuse children will be removed from ministry when it is discovered they have done so. If the civil statutes of limitation have expired, there should be an open and transparent canonical trial in the Church of these priests. If they are innocent, the facts should show it and they should be returned to ministry. If guilty, they should be laicized.

The greatest tragedy in all of this, for victims and for Catholics in general and now for bishops who may face jail time, is that none of this had to happen.

Canon law, both old and new, had laws for bishops to follow and the bishops chose another way. That's water under the bridge now, but I hope a lesson learned.

The 1970's with its new morality, hatred of authority both clerical and civil, suspicion of traditional punishments and lax attitude toward criminals has produced a scandal that is apocalyptic for the Church that once prided herself on discipline and moral integrity.

The three things that bishops must recognize are their top priority are:
1. Appropriate screening and evaluation of those who seek to become priests
2. Appropriate supervision of priests in ministry
3. Following canon law and civil law

PROMINENT PRIEST SAYS THE NEW TRANSLATION OF THE MASS IS NOT IN THE SPIRIT OF VATICAN II; I SAY THANK GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At a certain unnamed blog, the article below my comments here was posted and then mysteriously deleted. So much for openness and not shutting down conversation. Just a little back ground information, Fr. Michael Ryan, rector of St. James Cathedral in Seattle, Washington, a diocese once run by the very "progressive and liberal" Archbishop Hunthausen,God rest his soul, was appalled by the new and accurate translation of the English Mass. He began an internet movement of dissent from this translation trying to get it dropped.

Fr. Ryan now concedes that it is a done deal and he has ceased to ask people to stop the process of implementing it. He will implement it in his parish cathedral.

He said he didn't believe that the new translation was in the "spirit" of Vatican II to which I sang a "Te Deum!" to a non-"spirit" of Vatican II English translation of it:


We praise Thee, O God: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship Thee and the Father everlasting.
To Thee all Angels:
to Thee the heavens and all the Powers therein.
To Thee the Cherubim and Seraphim cry with unceasing voice:
Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Hosts.
The heavens and the earth are full of the majesty of Thy glory.
Thee the glorious choir of the Apostles.
Thee the admirable company of the Prophets.
Thee the white-robed army of Martyrs praise.
Thee the Holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge.
The Father of infinite Majesty.
Thine adorable, true and only Son
Also the Holy Ghost the Paraclete.
Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
Thou having taken upon Thee to deliver man
didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
Thou having overcome the sting of death
didst open to believers the kingdom of heaven.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God
in the glory of the Father.
We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.
We beseech Thee, therefore, help Thy servants:
whom Thou has redeemed with Thy precious Blood.
Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in glory everlasting.
Lord, save Thy people:
and bless Thine inheritance.
Govern them and lift them up forever.
Day by day we bless Thee.
And we praise Thy name forever:
and world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day to keep us without sin.
Have mercy on us, O Lord: have mercy on us.
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us:
as we have hoped in Thee.
O Lord, in Thee have I hoped:
let me never be confounded.

PRESS HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE AND FATHER Z'S COMMENTS ABOUT A prominent Catholic pastor in Seattle is “letting go” of his campaign against a new Latinized translation of the church liturgy, but not his convictions in starting it.

Kudos to Father Michael Ryan for joining the rest of the Church and her bishops in implementing the new English translation of the Mass without preaching negativity, doom, gloom, factionalism, and the "end is near" hysteria. Thank you Fr. Ryan for exposing the new translation for what it isn't! It isn't the "spirit" of Vatican II! Thank God! Alleluia, although I shouldn't say that on Quinquagesima Sunday!

A TALE OF TWO MASSES OF THE ONE ROMAN RITE THIS SUNDAY IN MACON, GEORGIA AND SOME LAME DUCK AND BEIJING DUCK BESIDES

This Sunday at 2:00 PM St. Joseph Church in good old Macon, Georgia will celebrate the Extraordinary Form of the Latin High Mass at 2:00 PM with yours truly as celebrant. It is Quinquagesima Sunday and the season of Septuagesima needs to be recovered in the Ordinary Form too, such a pity to have lost it. The English translation is not an official one, since there was none for this Latin Mass.

Traditional Propers for Quinquagesima Sunday

Vestments: Violet

INTROIT
Psalm 30: 3-4
Be Thou unto me a God, a Protector, and a place of refuge, to save me: for Thou are my strength and my refuge: and for Thy Name's sake Thou wilt lead me, and nourish me. -- (Ps. 30. 2). In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded: deliver me in Thy justice, and save me. V.: Glory be to the Father . . .

COLLECT -We beseech Thee, O Lord, graciously hear our prayers: and releasing us from the bonds of our sins, guard us from all adversity. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE
1 Corinthians 13: 1 - 13
Brethren, If I speak with the tongues of men and of Angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And if I should have prophecy, and should know all mysteries and all knowledge: and if I should have all faith so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity is patient, is kind: Charity envieth not, dealing not perversely, is not puffed up, is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth: beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void, or tongues shall cease, or knowledge shall be destroyed. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But when I became a man, I put away the things of a child. We see now through a glass in a dark manner: but then face to face. Now I know in part: but then I shall know even as I am known. And now there remain faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

GRADUAL
Psalm 76: 15, 16
Thou art the God that alone doest wonders: Thou hast made Thy power known among the nations. V.: With Thine arm Thou hast delivered Thy people, the children of Israel and of Joseph.

TRACT
Psalm 99: 1, 2
Sing joyfully to God, all the earth: serve ye the Lord with gladness. V.: Come in before His presence with exceeding great joy: know ye that the Lord He is God. V.: He made us, and not we ourselves: but we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

GOSPEL
Luke 18: 31 - 43
At that time Jesus took unto Him the twelve men and said to them: Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things shall be accomplished which were written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man. For He shall be delivered to the Gentiles, and shall be mocked and scourged and spit upon: and after they have scourged Him, they will put Him to death, and he third day He shall rise again. And they understood none of those things, and this word was hid from them, and they understood not the things that were said. Now it came to pass, when He drew nigh to Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the wayside, begging. And when he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this meant. And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace. But he cried out much more: Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus standing, commanded him to be brought unto Him. And when he was come near, He asked him, saying: What wilt thou that I do to thee? But he said: Lord, that I may see. And Jesus said to him: Receive thy sight, they faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he saw and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON
Psalm 118: 12, 13
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy justifications: with my lips I have pronounced all the judgments of Thy mouth.

SECRET - May these Offerings, we beseech Thee, O Lord, cleanse us from our sins: and hallow the bodies and minds of Thy servants for the celebration of this Sacrifice. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of . . .

PREFACE (Preface of the Most Holy Trinity) - It it truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; Who, together with Thine only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, art one God, one Lord: not in the oneness of a single Person, but in the Trinity of one substance. For what we believe by Thy revelation of Thy glory, the same do we believe of Thy Son, the same of the Holy Ghost, without difference or separation. So that in confessing the true and everlasting Godhead, distinction in persons, unity in essence, and equality in majesty may be adored. Which the Angels and Archangels, the Cherubim also and Seraphim do praise: who cease not daily to cry out, with one voice saying:

COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Psalms 77: 29, 30
They did eat, and were filled exceedingly, and the Lord gave them their desire: they were not defrauded of that which they craved.

POST COMMUNION PRAYER - We beseech Thee, almighty God, that we, who have received this heavenly food, may be safeguarded by it against all adversity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

The 9th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Father Z's slavishly literal translation:

God, whose providence in its plan is not thwarted,
humbly we implore You,
that You clear away every fault
and grant us all benefits.

Current Lame Duck:

Father, your love never fails
Hear our call.
Keep us from danger
and provide for all our needs.

Forthcoming Beijing Duck:

O God, whose providence never fails in its design,
keep from us, we humbly beseech you,
all that might harm us
and grant all that works for our good.

AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW, MAKES ME WONDER IF KNEELING FOR HOLY COMMUNION WILL BE MANDATED, BUT I'M NOT CLAIRVOYANT OR AM I?

Remember, the Devil has no knees!


This is an interesting interview. Will kneeling be mandated for receiving Holy Communion? Time will tell, but it certainly isn't in the present even though the Holy Father insists on it when he is distributing the Precious Body of our Lord. I firmly believe that no other reform of the Mass will have a greater impact on the reverence the laity hold for our Lord in Holy Communion than the return to kneeling to receive our Lord.

Friday, March 04, 2011
Don Nicola Bux on the Instruction and the Reform of the Reform
Relevant excerpt of an interview granted by Monsignor Nicola Bux, consultant to the Office of Liturgical celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, to Italian daily Avanti, and published today:

At what point is the "reform of the reform" desired by Benedict XVI?

With this expression, which Ratzinger used when he still was the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he meant that the reform that took place after the Council had to be resumed, and in some ways corrected there where, always using his words, the restoration of the painting had been too much, that is, by trying to clean, it had taken the risk of removing too many layers of color. He started this restoration through his own style. The Pope celebrates the liturgy in a subdued, not loud, way. He also wants the prayers, songs, and anything else not to be in exhibitionist tones. And two special actions in his liturgies that are obvious should be noticed: he places the Cross between himself and the assembly, indicating that the liturgical rite is not addressed to the priestly minister, but to Christ; and kneeling in the reception of Communion, indicating that this is not a supper, in the worldly sense of the word, but a communion with the body of Jesus Christ, that is worshiped first, in the words of St. Augustine, and only then eaten.

How many obstacles is the Motu proprio Summorum Pontificum on the pre-Conciliar Mass facing?

I believe that, currently, the obstacles are becoming feebler than at the time in which the Motu proprio was issued, in 2007. Through the internet, one can see how there is a discreet movement of young people who look for and, as much as it is possible, go to the Traditional Mass, also called the Latin Mass or Mass of All Time. And this, I believe, is a very important sign to gather.

It is clear that the pastors of the Church, first the bishops and then the parish priests, although often saying that we must be able to grasp the signs of the times, an expression very much in use after Vatican II, often fail to understand that the signs of the times are not defined by them, but they happen and are regulated mainly by young people. I think this is the most interesting symptom, because, if [only] the elderly, the adults, went to the Traditional Mass, one might harbor a suspicion that it is nostalgia. The fact that it is mostly young people who seek and participate in the Latin Mass is completely unexpected and therefore deserves to be read, understood, and particularly accompanied by the bishops.

I think the Pope acknowledges this and that is why he intends to make a further contribution through an instruction on the application of the motu proprio, to help everyone understand that, in addition to the new form of the Roman Rite, there is the ancient or extraordinary form.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AS THE BRIDGE TO PROTESTANTISM AND TO THE ORTHODOX

A Catholic Lutheran Ordinariate? It could happen! This is the interior of a Lutheran Church. Looks Catholic doesn't it?

As you know, I am clairvoyant, but maybe I'm not. But in other posts I have indicated that the reforms of Vatican II and the liturgy is what has allowed the Catholic Church to work for Christian unity in earnest. In this regard, Pope Benedict is the pope of Christian unity.

He has reached out to the Anglican Communion and established the Anglican Ordinariate by which bishops, priests, deacons and laity of the Anglican Communion may re-enter the full communion of the Church and maintain many of their practices, their form of liturgy, spirituality and prayer. This is amazing and what Vatican II envisioned for Christian Unity, the return to the full communion of the Catholic Church. It is happening!

In terms of the Orthodox, the Eastern Rite of the Church is a special way to bring about the eventual reunion of the Orthodox while preserving their patrimony of liturgy, devotion and faith, as well as their bishops and priests and deacons.

Read the following. It might be possible in the future to have a Lutheran Ordinariate!!! I predicted that only a few months back and maybe a Methodist one and a Presbyterian one. Who knows where it will all end:

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith official: ecumenism’s goal is union with Pope; Lutheran ordinariate in works?
March 03, 2011

In an interview with The Portal-- a new publication devoted to the ordinariate of Anglican communities received into the Catholic Church-- an official of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith emphasized that the goal of ecumenical dialogue is the restoration of full communion between non-Catholic Christians and the Pope.

“The ordinariate is very important to the Holy Father,” said Father Hermann Geissler, the Austrian priest who leads the Congregation’s doctrinal office. “The ordinariate promotes unity and is a powerful instrument for unity, it will help Christians to be evangelists.” Noting that “we must cooperate and grow together,” the priest said that the Church will be enriched by the Anglican patrimony of music.

“The goal of the ecumenical movement is complete visible union with one Christ and with Peter in one Church,” Father Geissler emphasized.

The Portal also reported that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has begun to receive requests from Lutherans to establish a similar canonical structure that would allow them to enter the Catholic Church while retaining aspects of the Lutheran heritage. “The Holy Father will do all he can to bring other Christians into unity,” Father Geissler commented.

WHY FOLLOW JESUS AND THE NEW TRANSLATION OF THE ENGLISH MASS, ARE YOU EXCITED YET?

When I was in the seminary in the 1970's, Jesus Christ was front and center! Any surprise? There shouldn't be.

But also front and center was getting back to the historical Jesus of his ministry, not the convoluted Jesus of the Gospel, where the Gospels invent a persona for Jesus that didn't exist in the Jesus' real lilfe; like He is God, like He performed miracles, like He walked on water, etc. In fact in real life Jesus would not have had his pronoun capitalized!

Basically following liberal Protestant theologians of the first part of the 20th century, Catholic biblical scholars were trying to peal away all the accretions of divinity attributed to Jesus in the Gospel and were trying to get to the real Jesus of his public ministry. Will the real Jesus please stand up.

The real Jesus they assumed would help us to see a man who bungled things, but loved people anyway. He was inclusive. Certainly he was, after all he ate at sinner's homes. I guess the demand for repentance must have been a gospel accretion that Jesus did not actually assert in his public ministry.

Today, we have liberal theologians schooled in the liberal Protestant hermeneutic of "historical/critical methodology" of studying the Gospels who are telling us that the magisterium of secularism as it concerns what Jesus would do in terms of same sex marriage, ordination of men and women to the priesthood and all the other liberal demands of liberal neo-liberal-Protestant Catholic theologians are correct and the actual Magisterium of the Church is wrong.

Who are we to believe?

I'm a papist. I'm sticking with the Pope and the Magisterium!

If the liberal theologians are right and their hermeneutic is correct and Jesus was just a loving good old boy, well, he is not for me, I'll follow Buddha or become a Hindu, but a well-meaning atheist might be a better fit for me. I ain't following no bungling man who is not God and was a person who simply loved people and never rocked their boat of comfort and sin.