Media Vita in Morte Sumus

In keeping with our look at Lenten chant and polyphony, I have chosen this piece for your contemplation. It is the "Media Vita" which, according to several sources, moved St. Thomas Aquinas to tears when he heard it. The words are below - feel free to follow along as you play the video.

Media vita in morte sumus:
Quem quærimus adiutorem,
Nisi te Domine,
Qui pro peccatis nostris iuste irasceris?


Sancte Deus,
Sancte fortis,
Sancte misericors Salvator,
amaræ morti ne tradas nos.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.
Sancte Deus,
Sancte fortis,
Sancte misericors Salvator,
amaræ morti ne tradas nos.




In the midst of life, we are dying:
Whom shall we seek as a help,
If not Thee, O Lord,
Who dost rightly grow wrathful for our sins?


Holy God,
Holy Strong One,
Holy and Merciful Saviour,
Do not hand us over to a bitter death.
Our fathers hoped in Thee,
They hoped and Thou didst save them.
Holy God,
Holy Strong One,
Holy and Merciful Saviour,
Do not give us over to a bitter death.
Our fathers cried out to Thee,
They cried out and were not confounded.
Holy God,
Holy Strong One,
Holy and Merciful Saviour,
Do not hand us over to a bitter death.

The Seven Penitential Psalms - Psalm 37

Today's Penitential Psalm is that of one who prays for a removal of anger from one's life and actions. Psalm 37 focuses on our need to be humble before God, for our anger leads us into sin, sin which in turn angers Our Lord. For what angers God more than seeing his Creation succumbing to aggression, unjust war, terrorism, and violence?

Stabant omnes noti eius a longe (Lc 23:49)	All his acquaintances stood away from him. (Luke 23:49)
2 DOMINE, ne in furore tuo arguas me, * neque in ira tua corripias me,	2 O LORD, rebuke me not in Thy furor; * nor chastise me in Thy wrath.
3 quoniam sagittae tuae infixae sunt mihi, * et confirmasti super me manum tuam.	3 For Thy arrows are fastened in me: * and Thy hand hath descended upon me.
4 Non est sanitas in carne mea, a facie irae tuae; * non est pax ossibus meis a facie peccatorum meorum.	4 There is no health in my flesh in the face of Thy wrath: * there is no peace for my bones in the face of my sins.
5 Quoniam iniquitates meae supergressae sunt caput meum * et sicut onus grave gravatae sunt super me.	5 For my iniquities are gone over my head: * and are a heavy burden too heavy to bear.
6 Putruerunt et corrupti sunt cicatrices meae * a facie insipientiae meae.	6 My wounds are putrid and corrupt, * in the face of my foolishness.
7 Miser factus sum et curvatus sum usque in finem; * tota die contristatus ingrediebar.	7 I am miserable and am bowed down: * all the day long I walked in sadness .
8 Quoniam lumbi mei impleti sunt illusionibus, * et non est sanitas in carne mea.	8 For my insides are filled with mocking; * and there is no health in my flesh.
9 Afflictus sum et humiliatus sum nimis, * rugiebam a gemitu cordis mei.	9 Greatly am I afflicted and humbled: * I roared with the groaning of my heart.
10 Domine, ante te omne desiderium meum, * et gemitus meus a te non est absconditus.	10 Lord, before Thee are all my desires, * and my groaning is not hidden from Thee.
11 Cor meum conturbatum est, dereliquit me virtus mea, * et lumen oculorum meorum, et ipsum non est mecum.	11 My heart is troubled, my strength hath left me, * and the light of my eyes themselves is not with me.
12 Amici mei et proximi mei * adversum me appropinquaverunt et steterunt;	12 My friends and my neighbors * have drawn near me and stood against me.
et qui iuxta me erant, de longe steterunt, * et vim faciebant qui quaerebant animam meam.	And those who were near me stood afar: * They laid snares, those who sought my soul.
13 Et, qui inquirebant mala mihi, locuti sunt vanitates * et dolos tota die meditabantur.	13 And they that sought evil for me said wicked things, * all day long they planned deceitful things.
14 Ego autem tamquam surdus non audiebam * et sicut mutus non aperiens os suum;	14 But I, as a deaf man, heard not: * and as a dumb man not opening his mouth.
15 et factus sum sicut homo non audiens * et non habens in ore suo redargutiones.	15 And I became like one that heareth not: * and that hath no reproofs in his mouth.
16 Quoniam in te, Domine, speravi, * tu exaudies, Domine Deus meus.	16 For in Thee, O Lord, have I hoped: * Thou wilt hear me, O Lord my God.
17 Quia dixi: <>.	17 For I said, "May my enemies never rejoice over me: * when my feet stumble, they speak great things against me."
18 Quoniam ego in flagella paratus sum, * et dolor meus in conspectu meo semper.	18 For I am ready for the whip: * and my sorrow is continually before me.
19 Quoniam iniquitatem meam annuntiabo * et cogitabo pro peccato meo.	19 For I will declare my inequity: * and I will be sorry for my sin.
20 Inimici autem mei vivunt et confirmati sunt super me, * et multiplicati sunt, qui oderunt me inique.	20 But my enemies live, and are stronger that I, * and they that hate me wrongfully multiply.
21 Qui retribuunt mala pro bonis detrahebant mihi * quoniam sequebar bonitatem.	21 They that render evil for good, have humiliated me, * because I followed goodness.
22 Ne derelinquas me, Domine; * Deus meus, ne discesseris a me.	22 Forsake me not, O Lord, * my God, depart not from me.
23 Intende in adiutorium meum, * Domine, Deus salutis meae.	23 Hasten unto my help, * O Lord, God of my salvation.

And now the accompanying prayer against anger:

Oratio contra iram

Prayer against anger

Homo homini reservat iram; et a Deo quaerit medelam? In hominem similem sibi non habet misericordiam, et de peccatis sui deprecatur? Quis exorabit pro delictis illius? (Eccli 28:3-5) His verbis mihi, Domine Deus, loqueris per servum tuum filium Sirach. Et ego post hac iram aut odium contra quemquam fovere audeam? Parce, Domine, parce malitiae et pertinaciae meae, in qua hucusque perseveravi. Ex animo nunc ignosco et remitto, quidquid ullus unquam in me peccavit; supplexque oro, Domine, ne in furore tuo arguas me, neque in ira tua corripias me; utinam tamquam surdus in posterum non audiam, et sicut mutus non aperiam os meum; quando inimici mei contra me insurgunt et vim faciunt, qui quaerunt animam meam. Ne derelinquas me, Domine Deus meus, ne discesseris a me: quoniam tu es patientia mea. (Ps 70:5)

Should man reserveth anger for his fellow man and yet seek remedy from God? Should he that hath no mercy on one like himself entreat God for his own sins? Who shall obtain pardon for his sins? (Sir 28:3-5) By these words Thou hast spoken to me though Thy servant Sirach, O Lord God. And after this dare I foster anger and hate against anyone? Spare me, O Lord, spare me of my malice and stubbornness in which I have persevered even unto now. From my soul I now overlook and forgive whatever anyone has done against me. I humbly beg Thee, O Lord, do not rebuke me in Thy anger. O how would that I be like the deaf who does not hear and the mute who does not speak whenever my enemies rise up in force against me, those who seek my soul. Do not forsake me, O lord my God, do not depart from me, for Thou are my patience. (Ps 70:5)

If Treachery Were a Virtue . . .

. . . the IPPG and its members would be truly blessed.

The following was sent to us by a loyal parishioner at St. Thomas the Apostle.

So the three major requirements for the parishes that will remain open are location, space for programs, and condition of the facilities. This fellow takes these criteria and aims his shotgun of callousness at the parishes of St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Salome (surprise surprise). He declares, "St. Thomas is comparatively a bit out of the way." Well, yes, it is. If you're a St. Cecilia parishioner it is. If you are actually attending St. Thomas the Apostle (STA) then the parish is not out of the way. This logic is so deeply flawed I barely know how to approach it. The recommendation to close a parish shouldn't be made by people outside of the parish, especially is these outside people have no personal experience with the parish.

Also, note how strategically located STA is: it is on a major bus route from the heart of Rochester out to Irondequoit and beyond - perfect for people fleeing the failing parishes of the inner-city. It is going to be within a very short distance of a new housing development that will house hundreds of new families. This development, "Lighthouse Point" or some such, will practically be in St. Thomas' back yard, providing a definite influx of new parishioners. If this fellow in the proposal gets his way, ALL of the parishes he wishes to keep open will be "comparatively a bit out of the way" for these new residents.

Secondly, this man fails to consider the enormous debt of St. Cecilia's. (It's huge, Rochester. Huge.) He leaves this parish open due to some filial devotion to it (as anyone would), but he does this at the expense of hundreds of others who are at STA and St. Salome. Of all the parishes in this area, STA and St. Salome are the ones with the least financial stress - it's called "not having any debt." That's a good thing, in my experience. However, St. Cecilia is in debt, and is so to exponential degrees. The parish still owes several thousand to Partners in Faith (remember that initiative from yester-year?) and also owes money to the CMA, Catholic schools, and from what I have read, $400,000 on their social hall. If I am wrong here, someone please leave a comment. So, at the very least, I would say that St. Cecilia is around $500,000 in debt. (And this is a generous estimate. It is probably closer to $800,000.) This is before the "consolidation." Also, St. Cecilia is a parish which, as much as it pains me to say, is dying a natural death, devoid of diocesan politicking and backstabbing. Fr. Leone is presented with a parish with vastly more funerals than baptisms, whose parishioners are dying off and not being replaced. The parish is in debt "that can never realistically be paid off."

St. Margaret Mary is also having similar problems - parishioners have simply disappeared. Perhaps this has something to do with the duration of time Mrs. DeRycke spent there? The few occaisions I have talked with Irondequoit Catholics, they strike me as the kind of people who would have an allergic reaction to a feminist in a white alb.

Also, the money that would be required to turn St. Cecilia into a "viable" worship site for the entire "St. Irondequoit" parish is vastly more than what would be on hand. Why close parishes who are not in debt, who are actually "turning a profit" as it were. This makes no sense. Closing these two parishes will leave a massive section of Irondequoit without a Catholic presence. No matter what programs are run to bring Catholics back to church, the testimonial against coming back would be the unrivaled self-serving of the IPPG. I know if I were a lapsed Catholic, and I saw what is going on, I would just go to the Baptists who have expanded the Northridge Church of whatever they call it. I don't commit Protestant shenanigans to memory. These people have seen a 300% increase in attendance while Catholic parishes in the area are seeing massive amounts of decline.

Behold the glory of Bishop Clark's Rochester.

Say Thank You to Bishop Ricken

Modernism's Full Impact

St. John Vianney - Pray for Us

I found this quote in my reading this morning, and thought I should share it with you:

"Leave a village without a priest for twenty years and they will worship animals." - St. John Vianney

Do you really need my commentary to figure out why I posted this?

St. Irondequoit

I had the privilege to speak with several members of St. Thomas the Apostle recently, and among the innumerable bits of stupidity concerning the IPPG, the diocesan norms, clusterings, etc. was this little morsel. I'm sure it's on the Irondequoit Catholic website somewhere, but I hadn't been aware until I was told by these parishioners that the IPPG refers to the eventual "parish" as "St. Irondequoit."

Naturally, this isn't some massive infraction of Canon Law or any such thing. It's not a matter of right or wrong. It's a matter of insensitivity and, well, stupidity.

Why is is a matter of stupidity?

Because everyone knows that Irondequoit is merely a "Blessed" while Webster is a "Saint." Keep your canonized suburbs straight, IPPG. We're still waiting on one more miracle in Irondequoit until it can become "St." Irondequoit. (Sarcasm off)

In other things St. Thomas, I thought that I should mention that the grave of Monsignor Burns, the founding priest of the current church, has become a focus for local prayer and pilgrimage. I stopped by the tomb a few days prior to this post, and counted dozens of crosses like you would see on the side of the road, marking the spot of a loved one's death. These simple crosses bear phrases such as, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us," and "Msgr. Burns, intercede for STA." There are rosaries draped on the arms of these crosses, small flower arrangements, and many other signs of devotion as well.

I ask you, IPPG and certain of you who have the audacity to call these people "angry" and "vindictive," is humble prayer a sign of vengeful dealing and cold-hearted Christianity? Is it proof that the people of St. Thomas are the conniving, vindictive Catholics that you think they are? I think not. 

The people of St. Thomas deserve better than what they have received. When parishioners spoke out to Fr. Tanck because they didn't feel loved or cared for, the response was closing the confessionals. What sick form of pastoral care is that, to deprive the faithful of the sacraments? Sure, maybe something came up. Maybe someone was dying somewhere and Fr. Tanck had to rush off. I don't know. All I do know is that no provision was made for the faithful to receive the sacrament of Confession. In the words of a friend, "Oh, yes, that's something the Curé of Ars would have done. He'd shut down the confessionals to show the people how pastoral he was. Oh, wait, that's flawed logic, isn't it?"

Although I am not privy to every single detail regarding this matter, I do know for a fact that the people of St. Thomas and St. Salome have been treated unfairly. These two Irondequoit churches, the only two without debt, are the ones that have been recommended for closure. The people have been vilified and stereotyped as disgruntled traditionalists who hate the bishop. I can assure you that I have never met warmer or more charitable people in my life than I have on my visits to St. Thomas the Apostle. To let the actions of one or two individuals create a false image of a parish, one that is used against these people who mean so well, is to permit Our Lord's side to be pierced one more time. When you attack a parish, when you recommend its closure for no reason other than "it's best for the people," you attack a part of the mystical body of Our Lord.

When we lose a parish, not only are our hearts pierced, but also the heart of He who died for us.

What's the difference between Progressives and Liberals?

This guy has got to get rid of that cheesy picture at the beginning of his videos.

Dominican Sisters on Oprah

This link was sent to me by a regular reader of CF. The reader knows Sister Mary Judith who is featured in the videos.

These Sisters are an absolute inspiration. Please pray for more vocations to the sisterhood.

http://marysaggies.blogspot.com/2010/02/video-of-dominican-sisters-on-oprah.html

A poll on "In God We Trust"

Here's your chance to let the media know where the people stand on our faith in God, as a nation.

Let the media know where the people stand on our faith in God, as a nation. NBC is presently taking a poll on "In God We Trust" to stay on our American currency.

Please send this link to every person you know so they can vote on this important subject.

Please do it right away, before NBC takes this off their web page. Poll is still open so you can vote:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103521/
0103521/

The Chapel Veil - Why Women Wore It, Why More Should

It seems that there is almost nothing as telling of orthodoxy in a parish than walking into the church and counting the number of covered heads. Walking into St. Stanislaus, I would guess that upwards of 50-60% of the women wear mantillas, or "chapel veils." Walking into Our Lady of Victory, I would guess that maybe 10-15% of the women wear them. Walking into Good Shepherd, I would guess that 90-95% of the women haven't even heard of them. Why did this custom die out? Where did it come from?

Let's start with this newspaper clipping from 1969, the year of the implementation of the Second Vatican Council. Looking right, you will see that the Vatican did not wish to do away with this tradition, saying "It began as a custom in the time of St. Paul, and was later incorporated into Canon Law." Of course, just like the majority of Canon Law, "experts" interpret and edit and tweak the various decrees to make them say things that they don't really say. Now, granted, wearing a chapel veil is not a definitive sign of orthodoxy, nor is it absolutely mandatory by any stretch of the imagination. If it were, most Catholic women would be condemned to the flames of Hell. My own mother didn't wear one, and she was by no means a lukewarm Catholic.

The chapel veil began to fall out of style throughout the 60's and 70's, finally dying (for the most part) after the new Code of Canon Law was published in 1983, in which the chapel veil was not mentioned by the writers. Naturally, this had a tremendous amount to do with the feminist movement which is dying almost as quickly (and with more finality) than the chapel veil did in the 70's. Women were told that wearing the veil was "old fashioned," "backward-facing," "inappropriate for a liberated woman." Well, that may be the "divine truth" of feminism, but the Divine Truth of the scriptures point in a very different direction. I quote:

1st Corinthians 11:2-16
I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you...

...Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head...

...For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. (For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.) That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels....

...Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.

Many feminists point to St. Paul, and other New Testament writers, and shriek "you're a chauvinist pig." Did he not say the following: Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.  St. Paul is affirming the wondrous reality that woman did, in truth, come from man, but now, for all ages to come, man comes from woman. What divine recompense for the feminazis in our midst.

St. Paul is also saying that a woman's head covering gives honor. He goes so far as to relate wearing a veil to the dominion of "the angels." It's a special mark that sets women apart from men, not holding them down and subjugating them for the sake of the glory of men, but rather, holding them up as being something wholly unique and separate from man. Woman is a unique creature in the eyes of God, different from man. For this reason, St. Paul tells us that men should do certain things and that women should do certain things. Wearing a veil, at that time, was one of the things respectable women did.

Of course, the necessity has diminished somewhat - the people for whom St. Paul wrote were of a vastly different culture than our own. I'd love to hear what he'd think of some of our more flamboyant celebrities. However, wearing a veil is something which is very special. It's not a sign of being dominated by an all-male society, nor is it a superstitious custom which hearkened back to the days when Catholics believed in alchemy and other insane chicanery. To wear the veil, and to wear it for the right reasons, is to say, "I'm a woman, and I'm proud to be one. I love God, and I am humble before him." The whole premise behind a habit is similar - it sets religious women apart from the world, neither exalting or subjugating them, bearing witness to their love of God and their obedience to the Church.

So, although the Church does not officially mandate the mantilla/chapel veil, in my opinion, it's a beautiful testimony to a woman's love for her Creator. The Church has never denounced the veil, nor has it told the faithful to look elsewhere for sacramental signs. It just "fell out of style." I would encourage you, if you are a woman and feel comfortable with the prospect, to try out the veil - wear it to Mass some Sunday. If anyone reading this already does this, please leave a comment. I'd like to hear your opinions on the matter. 

For more information on the matter, kindly go to the Catholic Knight.

Plain Chant - in English

For those of you who voted in the poll (at right) to keep Gregorian melodies, but translate them into English, I present to you a gift on this Lenten Wednesday.

From our friends at the New Liturgical Movement:

I'm very excited to present to you four books that have nearly been lost to history, at least for Catholics, or perhaps just lost to me. In any case, I've looked for these for years and not found them. They were given for scanning by a generous benefactor to be given in turn to the world - and now they will be useful for Anglo-Catholic parishes and also the bulk of the Catholic world that uses Mass in English. They are authentic Gregorian Graduals in English notated with traditional neumes, put together by the geniuses G.H. Palmer and Francis Burgess, published variously between the 1930s and the 1960s. There are many aspects to these books that will be exciting. They are expertly prepared in every way and include the full Roman Gradual with sequences and Magnificats and Hymns of all sorts, including event Tracts in English (authentic tracts!).

I would like to note also that credit for this project goes to Owen Burdick, formerly of Trinity Wall Street. It is he who had the vision of making these books available to the world. The books belonged once to Beale Thomas of the Church of the Ascension and St Agnes Church, who left them behind when he retired.

Credit also goes to Haig Mardirosian, Burdick's predecessor at Ascension for not throwing the books out. Most all Anglican congregations that use these books have long relied on photocopies, generation after generation of increasingly fuzzy and crooked editions. This has been the standard way for many long years. To have them digitally available is only the next step in the process but now the editions are 500 dpi and perfect in every way. Thank you to Maestro Burdick, benefactor to humanity.

Golden Images did the scanning.

Finally, I would like to offer a special note of thanks to the Community of St. Mary the Virgin in Wantage for their liberal permissions and encouragement in the posting of these editions.

Feast your eyes:

The Plainchant Gradual Vols 1 and 2

The Plainchant Gradual Vols 3 and 4

The Salisbury Antiphoner

Introits of the Sarum Rite

Outrage over disrespect of the Eucharist in Costa Rica

The girlfriend of Otto Guevara, formerly a candidate in Costa Rica's presidential race, stirred up public opinion when she consumed half of the Host at Communion during Mass on election day, and placed the other half of the Host in Mr. Guevara's pocket.

Practical Catholicism

Quotes Regarding the Holy Mass

I was browsing over various websites to which I have been referred, and I checked one that is actually Sedevacantist. Before anyone accuses me of being a "Traditionalist" (Ray Grosswirth, this means you) I would like to redefine terms one more time.

• Traditionalist = Sedevacantist = schismatics who deny the validity of Pope Benedict XVI and his predecessors going back to 1958. 
• Traditional = Orthodox = "loyal" Catholics who yearn for a return to sacredness without breaking away from Rome, the seat of the Church

So most of us would fall under the latter category of "Traditional" or "Orthodox."

This being said, I'd like to quote from this sedevacantist website, because they have a page of several very powerful quotations from saints, popes, prelates, and more regarding the Liturgy. I put my commentary after the quotes to focus our reading on a non-schismatic course.

The quotes are:

• "The declared enemies of God and His Church, heretics and schismatics, must be criticized as much as possible, as long as truth is not denied. It is a work of charity to shout: 'Here is the wolf!' when it enters the flock or anywhere else.
  --St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 29
   
• "In the Third Secret [of Fatima] it is foretold, among other things, that the great apostasy in the Church will begin at the top."
  --Mario L. Ciappi, Novus Ordo cardinal and household theologian to John Paul II; quoted in The Devil's Final Battle, p. 33 (Sedevacantists love to point to the Fatima apparitions as proof of their validity. Personally, although I have great faith in these apparitions, I think that "Tu es Petrus" carries a tad more weight. I tend to doubt that we'll have another disastrous Council-implementation as we have seen in V2, at least for several hundred years.)
   
• "The Church will be punished because the majority of her members, high and low, will become so perverted. The Church will sink deeper and deeper until she will at last seem to be extinguished, and the succession of Peter and the other Apostles to have expired. But, after this, she will be victoriously exalted in the sight of all doubters."
  --St. Nicholas of Flue, in Catholic Prophecy, edited by Yves Dupont, p. 30 (I don't think that St. Nicholas had in mind the scenario in which we find ourselves. Rather than facing bloody persecution, we are confronted with certain individuals who, though very sincere, put more faith in their abilities than the Holy Spirit - i.e. the Pope of Kansas, Michael I.)
   
• "In our time more than ever before, the chief strength of the wicked, lies in the cowardice and weakness of good men... All the strength of Satan’s reign is due to the easy-going weakness of Catholics. Oh! if I might ask the Divine Redeemer, as the prophet Zachary did in spirit: What are those wounds in the midst of Thy hands? The answer would not be doubtful: With these was I wounded in the house of them that loved Me. I was wounded by My friends, who did nothing to defend Me, and who, on every occasion, made themselves the accomplices of My adversaries. And this reproach can be leveled at the weak and timid Catholics of all countries."
  --Pope St. Pius X, Discourse at the Beatification of St. Joan of Arc, Dec. 13, 1908 (One of the reasons I love Pope Pius X. Pope St. Pius, pray for us!)
   
• "The apostles and their successors are God's vicars in governing the Church which is built on faith and the sacraments of faith. Wherefore, just as they may not institute another Church, so neither may they deliver another faith, nor institute other sacraments."
  --St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, III, 64, ad. 3
   
• "I hear around me reformers who want to dismantle the Holy Sanctuary, destroy the universal flame of the Church, to discard all her adornments, and smite her with remorse for her historic past."
  --Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli, later Pope Pius XII, to Count Enrico P. Galeazzi
   
• "Pope Gelasius in his ninth letter (chap. 26) to the bishops of Lucania condemned the evil practice which had been introduced of women serving the priest at the celebration of Mass. Since this abuse had spread to the Greeks, Innocent IV strictly forbade it in his letter to the bishop of Tusculum: 'Women should not dare to serve at the altar; they should be altogether refused this ministry.' We too have forbidden this practice in the same words...."
  --Pope Benedict XIV, Encyclical Allatae Sunt, July 26, 1755 (So I guess lay preaching's out, too, huh? Drat.)
   
• "On December 8, 1869, the International Congress of Freemasons imposed it as a duty on all its members to do all in their power to wipe out Catholicity from the face of the earth. Cremation was proposed as a suitable means to this end, since it was calculated to gradually undermine the faith of the people in 'the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.'"
  --Fr. John Laux, Catholic Morality (Imprimatur 1932), p. 106 (So many Catholics, including several DoR priests, see nothing wrong with the Masons. Any group that takes its "final vows" or whatnot on a Qur'an has some serious questions to answer.)
   
• "It is impossible to approve in Catholic publications a style inspired by unsound novelty which seems to deride the piety of the faithful and dwells on the introduction of a new order of Christian life, on new directions of the Church, on new aspirations of the modern soul, on a new social vocation of the clergy, on a new Christian civilization, and many other things of the same kind."
  --Pope Leo XIII, Instruction to the Sacred Congregation of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs, January 27, 1902; quoted by Pope St. Pius X in Pascendi Dominici Gregis, par. 55, 1907
   
• "...the great movement of apostasy being organized in every country for the establishment of a One-World Church which shall have neither dogmas, nor hierarchy, neither discipline for the mind, nor curb for the passions, and which, under the pretext of freedom and human dignity, would bring back to the world (if such a Church could overcome) the reign of legalized cunning and force, and the oppression of the weak, and of all those who toil and suffer. [...] Indeed, the true friends of the people are neither revolutionaries, nor innovators: they are traditionalists."
  --Pope Saint Pius X, Letter "Our Apostolic Mandate" to the French Episcopate, 1910 (Please note, Pope Pius X used "traditionalists" before V2 split Catholics into factions such as the SSPX etc . . . He does not advocate schism here - he is referencing being orthodox.)
   
• "When other Christian bodies are licensing as preachers young men who have abandoned the foundations of Christian belief, the Church would rather face the threatened defection of thousands of minds reputed brilliant or learned, than sacrifice one iota of the Truth confided to her by her Founder."
  --America Magazine, July 24, 1909, p. 110

Instaurare Omnia in Christo

Pope St. Pius X is the recipient of much devotion in circle like our own. His motto, which titles this post, translates to "to restore all things in Christ." This theme of restoration is one which the Church is realizing, universally, especially during this reign of Pope Benedict "the Great." One of the most precious things which Pius sought to restore was an "active participation" in so far as the congregation joining the cantor, schola, or choir in singing the chant for the day, more precisely, the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei.

Pope Benedict, too, yearns for us to realize the integral nature of chant to our worship. The melodies, many of them, can be traced back to chants used by the Jews in the Temple. Many have subsequently been written by saints, Doctors of the Church, masterful theologians, and even popes. Indeed, the term "Gregorian" chant comes from Pope Gregory the Great who, as tradition holds, was moved by the Holy Spirit to transmit these chants and preserve them for all ages. The restoration of chant, which began in the early 20th century, has been slowly gaining more and more momentum, even through the days of the Council and its often incorrect interpretation and implementation. When one reads the documents as they are written, and does not put into them any tinge of political bias, one clearly and definitively sees that the move was not towards the wretched folk tunes plaguing our parishes, or the use of non-denominational hymns - we were supposed to keep our Tradition, not trample upon it for the sake of something new and exciting.

The following comes from Sacrosanctum Concilium, my emphasis added:

Accordingly, the sacred Council, keeping to the norms and precepts of ecclesiastical tradition and discipline, and having regard to the purpose of sacred music, which is the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful, decrees as follows.

113. Liturgical worship is given a more noble form when the divine offices are celebrated solemnly in song, with the assistance of sacred ministers and the active participation of the people.

As regards the language to be used, the provisions of Art. 36 are to be observed; for the Mass, Art. 54; for the sacraments, Art. 63; for the divine office. Art. 101.

114. The treasure of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care. Choirs must be diligently promoted, especially in cathedral churches; but bishops and other pastors of souls must be at pains to ensure that, whenever the sacred action is to be celebrated with song, the whole body of the faithful may be able to contribute that active participation which is rightly theirs, as laid down in Art. 28 and 30.

115. Great importance is to be attached to the teaching and practice of music in seminaries, in the novitiates and houses of study of religious of both sexes, and also in other Catholic institutions and schools. ( I know several priests who were ordained in the 70's and 80's, and who said that they never even studied Latin, let alone Gregorian Chant.) To impart this instruction, teachers are to be carefully trained and put in charge of the teaching of sacred music.

It is desirable also to found higher institutes of sacred music whenever this can be done.

Composers and singers, especially boys, must also be given a genuine liturgical training.

116. The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services. (This does not say "do away with it" or "just let the choir sing it." It says that it is unique and wholly intended for use at Mass - "it should be given pride of place." Now how many liberals do you see spreading this "Spirit of Vatican II?")

But other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are by no means excluded from liturgical celebrations, so long as they accord with the spirit of the liturgical action, as laid down in Art. 30.

117. The typical edition of the books of Gregorian chant is to be completed; and a more critical edition is to be prepared of those books already published since the restoration by St. Pius X. (Restore all in Christ - take the books of the past, edit them, and make them extant. The Council did not say that we should turn from Traditional music, from chant and polyphony, in favor of what Sr. Sobala calls "People Music." No - "people music" is for outside of Holy Mass. It is secular, aka "profane." This doesn't mean "profane" as in vlugar, but it comes from the Latin "profanum," or "outside of the shrine." Sacred music within, profane music without.)

Let's celebrate the Spirit of Vatican II, and "restore all things in Christ."

The Cowardly Who Afflict Us

In my humble opinion, an opinion which, I am certain, most of you share, the perpetrators of this crime against St. Thomas the Apostle are simply acting like cowards. I say this with utmost charity, for we all know that many who are labeled "cowardly" have earned places in our hearts, i.e. "The Cowardly Lion" from the Wizard of Oz, and "Henry Fleming" of Red Badge of Courage fame.

However, what does it take, dear friends, to propose an action which is unwise (blatantly so), and causes so much resentment for a people already hurt by a forced clustering? It takes the mind of a traitor and a coward. I am not putting this against any person in particular - rather, I direct it more towards the pervasive attitude of "fear of Tradition" which can be seen in the members of the administration, the IPPG, the diocese, etc . . . We love the sinner, but we must cut out the sin, with any instruments necessary.

"Brave men do not gather by thousands to torture and murder a single individual, so gagged and bound he cannot make even feeble resistance or defense." Ida B. Wells made this comment, and it has never rung so true as it does for the situation at St. Thomas the Apostle. The parish and her parishioners are beset by the wolves of Progressivism, and yet most people stand by with their hands in their pockets saying "if only, if only." Take action or stop complaining. 


Fortunately, the people of St. Thomas are taking action, beating off the wolves which encompass them. I have received a flurry of emails from different groups at St. Thomas, each offering their particular insights into the matter, supplying me with various items to share with you. Please, continue sending me things which you want to communicate to the wider population of the Diocese of Rochester. Trust me, your words here do not go unnoticed by those in charge. 


This being said, I would like to direct your attention to the image below. Please send this to whomever may be able to help. 

I can confidently tell you the following regarding what actions will be taken:

• There will be a new, separate blog for all things St. Thomas. 
• Information, as seen in the photo, will be sent to heads of religious orders nationwide. Feel free to help this effort. 
• Newsletters will be sent to those in the thick of the fight. 
• Appeals will be made to anyone who will hear them. 
• There will be a greater push towards Eucharistic Adoration at the St. Thomas chapel.

The people of Irondequoit are beset by the woes of a failing part of the body, Church universal. Just as a limb withers and decays when its circulation is cut off, so too do those dioceses who turn their back on Tradition and the Truths contained therein. It does not matter whether or not the people outwardly want it. Most don't. However, they inwardly need it. Just because something's not fun and hands-on doesn't mean it's un-Godly. Indeed, those things which are sacred are not common. They should not be tossed around, physically or metaphorically, for the amusement of the populace. 

The people at St. Thomas know and appreciate this. They treat the Mass with all due reverence, and do not turn it into some kind of freak show, openly profaning all things sacred. The communion rail itself testifies to this reality. It is the delineation between sacred and profane, between the Holy of Holies and the throng of adoring faithful. God commanded Moses to remove his sandals, for he was on holy ground. The ground was holy because God Himself was there. If we believe God Himself us truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, does it not make sense to point to this realization by using the communion rail?

The Seven Penitential Psalms - Psalm 31

We now turn our attention to the second of the Seven Penitential Psalms - Psalm XXXI. In this, we read a prayer for deliverance from greed. It is widely held that St. Augustine, on his deathbed, had these seven psalms held before him, that he may read them before joining his Creator. Let us now study these words with equal devotion and diligence.

David dicit beatitudinem hominis, cui Deus reputat iustitiam sine operibus (Rom 4: 6)	David declares the blessedness of the man to whom God credits justice without works. (Rom 4: 6)
1 BEATI, quorum remissae sunt iniquitates, * et quorum tecta sunt peccata.	1 BLESSED is he whose iniquities are forgiven, * and whose sins are covered.
2 Beatus vir, cui non imputavit Dominus peccatum, * nec est in spiritu eius dolus.	2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin, * and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3 Quoniam tacui, inveteraverunt ossa mea, * dum clamarem tota die.	3 Because I was silent my bones wasted away, * as I cried out all day.
4 Quoniam die ac nocte gravata est super me manus tua, * conversus sum in aerumna mea, dum configitur spina.	4 For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me: * I am twisted in my affliction whilst the thorn is fastened upon me.
5 Delictum meum cognitum tibi feci * et iniustitiam meam non abscondi.	5 I have acknowledged my sin to Thee, * and my guilt I have not concealed.
Dixi: <>. * Et tu remisisti impietatem peccati mei.	I said "I will confess my injustice against myself to the Lord:" * and Thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin.
6 Pro hac orabit ad te omnis sanctus * in tempore opportuno.	6 For this shall every one that is holy pray to Thee * in due time.
Verumtamen in diluvio aquarum multarum * ad eum non approximabunt.	Though in a flood of many waters, * they shall not reach him.
7 Tu es refugium meum, a tribulatione quae circumdedit me; * exsultatio mea, erue me a circumdantibus me.	7 Thou art my refuge, from the tribulation which surrounds me: * my joy, deliver me from those surrounding me.
8 Intellectum tibi dabo et instruam te in via hac, qua gradieris; * firmabo super te oculos meos.	8 I will give thee understanding, and I will instruct thee in the way in which thou shalt walk: * I will fix my eyes upon thee.
9 Nolite fieri sicut equus et mulus, * quibus non est intellectus.	9 Do not become like the horse and the mule, * who have no understanding.
In camo et freno maxillas eorum constringe, * qui non approximant ad te.	With bit and bridle bind them fast, * else they will not come near to thee.
10 Multa flagella peccatoris, * sperantem autem in Domino misericordia circumdabit.	10 Many are the sorrows of the sinner, * but mercy shall surround him that hopeth in the Lord.
11 Laetamini in Domino et exsultate, iusti, * et gloriamini, omnes recti corde.	11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just, * and glory, all ye of righteous heart.

And now the accompanying prayer for this psalm:

Oratio contra avaritiam

Prayer against greed

Quid mihi est in caelo1 et a te quid volui super terram, Deus cordis mei, et pars mea Deus in aeternum? Non satiatur oculus visu, nec auri impletur auditu: satiabor, cum apparuerit gloria tua. Eheu quod tanto hactenus studio Mammonae servivi: Et quid mihi proderit, si universum mundum lucratus fuero, animae vero meae detrimentum patiar? Dormierunt somnum suum omnes viri divitiarum et nihil invenerunt in manibus suis, confitebor adversum me iniustitiam meam Domino, et tu remittes, spero, impietatem peccati mei. Pauperis in posterum miserebor, male parta restituam et tuo me servitio ferventius impendam. Tu, Domine, adiuva me, qui reples in bonis desiderium meum. (Ps 102:5)

What is mine in heaven and so what should I want on earth from Thee, O God of my heart and my portion in eternity? The eye is not satisfied, nor is the ear filled, but I shall be satisfied when Thy glory will have appeared. Oh how I have served Mammon with such zeal so far! And what will it profit me if I have gained the whole world if indeed I shall suffer the loss of my soul? All the rich have gone to their sleep and found their hands empty. I will confess to Thee, my Lord, my unjust deeds, and Thou shalt, I pray, remit the impiety of my sins. In the future I will have mercy on the poor, I shall give until it hurts and I will expend myself fervently in Thy service. Help me, O Lord, Thou who filleth my desires with good things. (Ps 102:5)

The Social Justice Scam

Dixit Dominus - Sede a Dextris Meis

"The Lord says, 'Sit thou at my right hand."

A faithful friend of the blog has sent us a photograph of the newly-reconfigured sanctuary at St. Anne Church, where, many of you may recall, Fr. Tyman was exploring the possibilities of having the presider's chair placed beside the altar rather than behind it.

Well, this sounded innocuous enough - after all, it's the way the pastor has it at St. Stanislaus. However, look very carefully at the photo. You will note that it's not only the presider's chair that has been moved. It appears as if Sr. Joan's chair (or at least "some" chair) has also gravitated altar-ward. There is a possibility that this is just where the server with the sacramentary sits. However, Sr. Joan is on record as having said, "I don't want the servers sitting right next to the priest." The few times I have made pilgrimage to the parish after the takeover, the servers have either sat on the bench in the back of the sanctuary, under the St. Anne painting, or to the left side of the sanctuary, against the wall.

I need a reader, ideally, to get a photograph of Sr. Joan in this chair. Anecdotes are also welcome - send them to cleansingfire@live.com. However, we need actual evidence in this matter, evidence showing the good sister seated between the priest and the altar, in a definite "co-presidential" spot, and closer to the altar than she needs to be. It's uncalled for. 

It is wholly possible that Sr. Joan does not sit there - we can't jump on this with 100% certainty. However, I think we can all agree, that there is potential for massive abuse here.

I've Got a Confession

I'm the Pope.

I think we all know about Pope Michael - he's been a subject from time to time here. If you're not familiar, he's a farmer from Kansas who had his parents and friends elect him pope in a "conclave" in 1990. So, yes - he believes he's the true, valid, sole, and God-appointed Pope. In his words, Pope Paul VI was the anti-Christ, John XXIII was posessed by the devil, John Paul II and Benedict XVI are anti-popes and heretics, and he alone is the head of the Church. Yes, a Kansas farmer who has his vestments made by his mother is the Pope. Let's all take a trip to Topeka and kiss his ring.

Well, seeing as how he's launched a new website, I decided to break the news that I, too, was elected pope in a conclave. I was elected on June 14th, 1989, by my parents' condo board. (Folks - it's not real. It's a joke. Do not say I'm a sedevacantist or an apostate. I'm kidding around with this video. It's done in jest.)

So, in response to his lunatic ravings, I have posted my very own video explaining my election to the throne of Peter.

Oh - the fake pope, Pope Michael, gave my video one star. Please, please, please rate my video five stars!

Parce Domine - Obrecht

Here is the "Parce Domine," written by Jacob Obrecht in the 15th century. He uses the traditional Gregorian melody, but compliments it with renaissance influences. I think you will enjoy it. The text is based on the Book of Joel.

Life Teen Founder Removed From Priestly Ministry

Evidently rock music at Mass and pedophilia outside of Mass don't mesh too well, in the eyes of Pope Benedict. Who could have guessed?

The following comes from the National Catholic Reporter, because it's nice seeing the liberals reporting on their own demise.

PHOENIX -- A former Mesa pastor has been officially dismissed from the priesthood, officials for the Diocese of Phoenix announced Feb. 16.

Dale Fushek was recently notified he has been laicized. The Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith had been investigating the former pastor of St. Timothy Parish in Mesa and one-time vicar general for the diocese for alleged sexual abuse of minors. The Vatican's findings in that investigation resulted in his removal from the priesthood.
Fushek gained prominence throughout the 1980s and 1990s for co-founding Life Teen, an international youth ministry program. (More like "national infamy." No man did more to give our youth a flawed image of what "Mass" is than this fellow.)
Pope Benedict XVI ordered his dismissal from the priesthood, according to a diocesan statement. Fushek is no longer bound to the duties and obligations he incurred upon his priestly ordination in 1978, and he no longer has the rights of a cleric under church law. As a result, Fushek can no longer refer to himself as "reverend," "monsignor" or "father."
Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted received the "decree of dismissal" in January from the Vatican congregation notifying him that Fushek's laicization was the penalty for sexual abuse of minors.
The congregation is responsible for addressing "sexual sins" perpetrated by priests and deacons against minors, according to church law. (Of course, nuns never abused children. Men are the wicked, sinful, evil, corrupt members of the Church, and the NCR and liberal women who hijack the Church for personal gain and self-promotion are here to set us straight.)
Fushek, 57, currently faces charges on several misdemeanor counts of sexual misconduct said to have occurred between 1983 and 1984. The congregation's findings relate only to Fushek's status as a priest and have no bearing on any criminal or civil case.
The former priest faces separate trials on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and on one count of indecent exposure. A trial date has been set for April 30.
"The Catholic Church is very concerned about the welfare and spiritual health of the alleged victims of sexual abuse by clergy," said Father Chris Fraser, judicial vicar for the Phoenix Diocese.
The investigation by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was initiated a few years ago, according to Father Fraser. The diocese cooperated with its investigation once the allegations were found to be credible.
Fushek was made aware of the investigation and his right to defend himself. He also was invited to have canonical counsel. But in a Feb. 16 statement, he said he chose not to participate or defend himself in the process and that he is at peace and free to pursue God's will. (He's at peace? After molesting little boys? That's sick.)
He was excommunicated from the church in 2008 for his continued involvement with a small, Mesa-based faith assembly called the Praise and Worship Center. (This sounds awfully similar to any number of "people" in Rochester. I won't name names - mostly because we all know them.) As a result he was forbidden from receiving the Eucharist, celebrating Mass or participating in other sacraments.
He also was barred from representing himself as a priest. ("Hello. This is Ray Grosswirth, married priest person from Rochester, New York.") Despite his dismissal from the clerical state, the penalty of excommunication remains in place, according to diocesan officials.
"There is no doubt that the church has been scandalized by the abuse of minors by Catholic clergy," Father Fraser said. "What makes this case unique is that there is an additional scandal related to the schismatic activities of the Praise and Worship Center. (He molested children and the Holy Mass. Tell me, what is more heinous - touching little boys or desecrating God Himself? I suppose that's a little like asking "who's worse: Hitler or Stalin."
"Consequently, those who support and promote Fushek's public ministry must be mindful of the spiritual danger and grave harm their actions create by supporting and attending his services," he said.
Bishop Olmsted suspended Fushek's priestly faculties in late 2004 after an allegation was made that Fushek engaged in inappropriate behavior in the presence of a minor at the Mesa parish in 1985. Fushek resigned as pastor in June 2005.
In the diocese's Feb. 16 statement, Bishop Olmsted expressed his concern for Catholics who may be misled or confused by the continuing actions of Fushek, particularly as they relate to the Praise and Worship Center. (Thank God our schismatics haven't strayed into pedophile territory - they've only destroyed x number of souls, not x+1.)
Diocesan officials reminded Catholics that any ceremonies -- baptisms, weddings, confessions or the anointing of the sick -- performed by Fushek or others at the Praise and Worship Center are not legitimate sacraments for Catholics and would not be recognized by the Catholic Church.
The bishop asked the diocese's Catholics to pray for reconciliation and healing in this situation.

Words From Venerable Pope Pius XII

Can there be, Venerable Brethren, a greater or more urgent duty than to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians iii. 8) to the men of our time? Can there be anything nobler than to unfurl the "Ensign of the King" before those who have followed and still follow a false standard, and to win back to the victorious banner of the Cross those who have abandoned it? What heart is not inflamed, is not swept forward to help at the sight of so many brothers and sisters who, misled by error, passion, temptation and prejudice, have strayed away from faith in the true God and have lost contact with the joyful and life-giving message of Christ?

 

 Who among "the Soldiers of Christ" - ecclesiastic or layman - does not feel himself incited and spurred on to a greater vigilance, to a more determined resistance, by the sight of the ever-increasing host of Christ's enemies; as he perceives the spokesmen of these tendencies deny or in practice neglect the vivifying truths and the values inherent in belief in God and in Christ; as he perceives them wantonly break the Tables of God's Commandments to substitute other tables and other standards stripped of the ethical content of the Revelation on Sinai, standards in which the spirit of the Sermon on the Mount and of the Cross has no place?

 Who could observe without profound grief the tragic harvest of such desertions among those who in days of calm and security were numbered among the followers of Christ, but who - Christians unfortunately more in name than in fact - in the hour that called for endurance, for effort, for suffering, for a stout heart in face of hidden or open persecution, fell victims of cowardice, weakness, uncertainty; who, terror-stricken before the sacrifices entailed by a profession of their Christian Faith, could not steel themselves to drink the bitter chalice awaiting those faithful to Christ?

Watch this little spitfire GO!!!

This kid is amazing and from what I read, he is only 9. And he plays in his socks too.

Lent is Not a Contest

From our friend at the Crescat:

Lent is not a competition in piety.

It is important to note that one must try to avoid the temptation of attempting a Lenten Triathlon. Promising to deny yourself in extremes or adding the spiritual routine of the most prayerful monk is only setting yourself up for two things; failure and pride.

I used to fall into this trap... Oh, it's Lent. Look at me all pious and junk. I am giving up alcohol, meat and desserts. In fact my only sustenance shall be saw dust choked down with my spit. Oooo. And I am going to read the entire New Testament, pray the Divine Office, go to mass daily, adoration every Wednesday, the Stations of the Cross every Friday and pray the rosary every morning at dawn.

Two days into Lent I was ready to give up which was immediately followed by discouragement at my lack of follow through. By mid Lent I had given up entirely.

Failure and pride.

The Seven Penitential Psalms - Psalm 6

This Lent, in addition to reflecting on the humble majesty of Gregorian Chant and sacred polyphony, I should also like to focus on the Seven Penitential Psalms. These seven selections from that book of the Bible speak to the very heart of what makes us sinful creatures. I was fortunate, in my research, to have found several accompanying prayers from the 17th Century which reverently beseech Our Lord for pardon, in this, the Lent of the Church and the Wilderness of our souls. Today we reflect on the first Penitential Psalm, Psalm VI - Prayer of one chastised by God:

Nunc anima mea turbata est... Pater, salvifica me ex hora hac? (Io 12, 27)	My soul is in turmoil... Father, save me from this hour? (John 12:27)
2 DOMINE, ne in furore tuo arguas me, * neque in ira tua corripias me.	2 O LORD, do not reprove me in Thy wrath, * nor in Thy anger chastise me.
3 Miserere mei, Domine, quoniam infirmus sum; * sana me, Domine, quoniam conturbata sunt ossa mea.	3 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am weak, * heal me, Lord, for my body is in torment.
4 Et anima mea turbata est valde, * sed tu, Domine, usquequo?	4 And my soul is greatly troubled, * but Thou, O Lord, how long?
5 Convertere, Domine, et eripe animam meam; * salvum me fac propter misericordiam tuam.	5 Turn to me, O Lord, and deliver my soul; * save me on account of Thy mercy.
6 Quoniam non est in morte, qui memor sit tui, * in inferno autem quis confitebitur tibi?	6 For who amongst the dead remembers Thee, * who of the dead will tell of Thee?
7 Laboravi in gemitu meo, lavabo per singulas noctes lectum meum; * lacrimis meis stratum meum rigabo.	7 I have suffered and wept, every night have I washed my bed * and drenched my blanket with my tears.
8 Turbatus est a furore oculus meus, * inveteravi inter omnes inimicos meos.	8 My eyes are filled with grief, * I have grown feeble in the midst of my enemies.
9 Discedite a me omnes, qui operamini iniquitatem, * quoniam exaudivit Dominus vocem fletus mei.	9 Leave me, all you who do evil, * for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
10 Exaudivit Dominus deprecationem meam, * Dominus orationem meam suscepit.	10 The Lord has heard my appeal, * the Lord has accepted my prayer.
11 Erubescant et conturbentur vehementer omnes inimici mei; * convertantur et erubescant valde velociter.	11 May my enemies be put to shame and come to ruin. * May they be turned away and be swiftly put to shame.

Now the accompanying prayer for the removal of pride from our lives:

Oratio contra superbiam

Prayer against pride

Humiliavit semetipsum Dominus noster Iesus Christus, factus oboediens usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis: et ego vilissimus terrae vermiculus, ego pulvis et cinis, ego peccatorum maximus, qui millies infernum merui, non vereor me animo efferre? Propitius esto mihi, Domine: agnosco et detestor exsecrabilem arrogantiam meam. Ne, obsecro, cum superbo Lucifero eiusque adseculis in gehennae barathrum me deturbes: convertere et eripe animam meam; adiuva me et salvum me fac propter misericordiam tuam. Elegi in posterum, abiectus esse in domo Dei magis, quam habitare in tabernaculis peccatorum. (Ps 83:11)

Our Lord Jesus Christ humbled Himself, obedient unto death, even death on the Cross. And I, the most vile of worms, am but dust and ashes. I am the greatest of sinners who has merited hell a thousand times, do I not fear my soul to be carried off? Be gracious to me, O Lord. I acknowledge and detest my cursing arrogance. Do not, I beseech Thee, throw me down into the pit of Gehenna along with proud Lucifer and his servants. Turn to me and rescue my soul. Help me and save me on account of Thy mercy. I prefer to lie abject upon the threshold of the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of sinners. (Ps 83:11)

A Lent of Humility and Chant

This Lent, Cleansing Fire will be examining various pieces of Gregorian Chant and (other sacred hymns of similar style) which focus on the themes of Lent and the Passion of Our Lord, namely penitence, fear of the Lord (piety), etc. We will start our series of musical reflections with this beautiful recording of the "Attende Domine," "Hear Us, Lord."




The words are below, in both English and Latin.

R. Attende Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.	R. Hearken, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against Thee.
Ad te Rex summe, omnium redemptor, oculos nostros sublevamus flentes: exaudi, Christe, supplicantum preces. R.	Crying, we raise our eyes to Thee, Sovereign King, Redeemer of all. Listen, Christ, to the pleas of the supplicant sinners. R.
Dextera Patris, lapis angularis, via salutis, ianua caelestis, ablue nostri maculas delicti. R.	Thou art at the Right Hand of God the Father, the Keystone, the Way of salvation and Gate of Heaven, cleanse the stains of our sins. R.
Rogamus, Deus, tuam maiestatem: auribus sacris gemitus exaudi: crimina nostra placidus indulge. R.	O God, we beseech Thy majesty to hear our groans; to forgive our sins. R.
Tibi fatemur crimina admissa: contrito corde pandimus occulta: tua Redemptor, pietas ignoscat. R.	We confess to Thee our consented sins; we declare our hidden sins with contrite heart; in Thy mercy, O Redeemer, forgive them. R.
Innocens captus, nec repugnans ductus, testibus falsis pro impiis damnatus: quos redemisti, tu conserva, Christe. R.	Thou wert captured, being innocent; brought about without resistance, condemned by impious men with false witnesses. O Christ keep safe those whom Thou hast redeemed. R.

Move Over Benedict

I was perusing various sites of the schismatics, and stumbled across my personal favorite "Vatican in Exile." For those of you who don't know exactly what this is, I'll make the matter clear for you: a man in Kansas was elected pope by his family, and now claims to be the universal head of the Church.

He goes by "Pope Michael," and his vestments are all hand-made. By his mom.

In his newly-redesigned site, he devotes a great deal of work to chronicling his library and his credibility of being the "true pope." I quote from the venerable poseur:

In addition to Our autobiography, We are adding a section of Our private opinions on matters as well as influenital [sic] books We have read over the years, both spiritual and secular. As for controversial issues, We have formed some opinions, and these will also be recounted here with teh [sic] reason why We beleive [sic] what We believe. I will list the books in othe [sic] order I first read them, as this may help put things in perspective. They will also be in the autobiography section as separate pages in the timeline.

1971

Founded on a Rock

1980

Moral Guidance by Healy

A Practical Commentary on the Code of Canon Law by Stanislaus Woywod.

1981

Starting a library.

1999

The Religious State by Saint Alphonsus

2007

You haven't studied enough Ascetical and Mystical Theology.

So, over the course of over 20 years, this "pope" has read five books. Well, this got me thinking, and I decided that if this man can be a pope, so can I. Below, please find some images to compare - I leave it to you to decide who is more pontifical.

This is the "pope"'s library:

This is about 1/50th of my library:

Summa Theologica

Code de Droit Canonique (Canon Law)

From left to right:

Latin Vulgate Bible, Gregorian Chant Missal, Offiicium Divinum (Divine Office), a bishop's Breviary, a priest's Breviary, another portion of a priest's Breviary, St. Andrew's Missal, French St. Joseph's Missal, English St. Joseph's Missal, 1962 Missal, and finally a new Roman Missal.

Pope Michael - Me

Also, please note the following credentials:

1. I have about 96% less typos than Pope Michael.

2. I have read more than five books.

3. I am not excommunicated.

4. I don't need my mom to elect me pope. I've got you all.

5. I don't live in Kansas.

6. I'm "a Catholic male in good standing with the Church"

(that's the only requirement to be elected pope, i.e. a layperson can legitimately be elected pope.)

7. I have read the Code of Canon Law - not just a "commentary" to it

8. I have a much nicer miter

9. I have about 6,000% more hits on my site than "Pope" Michael has on his

10. People actually care about my opinion.

11. I give you prayer cards if you make me laugh.

12. I haven't formed my own seminary in my garage (yet)

13. I have a nicer chapel.

That brings me to the whole "liturgical/devotional" side of things. Pope Michael says Mass - I don't. However, his Masses aren't valid. If I were to drop everything and get ordained tomorrow, mine would be. And seriously - do you think any schismatic "pope" in Kansas could assemble a family chapel like mine?

So who is more of a pope - Michael or Gen?