Oh, How Exotic

The following was a discourse between a local Latin professor and his class, as emailed to us by a youthful friend of the blog.

"Culpa. That word means . . . anyone?"
"Cup?"
"No, it actually means 'fault.' As in, 'mea culpa.' Does anyone know where that phrase comes from? 'Mea culpa?' It could be used as meaning 'my bad.'"

(Silence)

"It comes from the old Mass, before the changes in the sixties. The servers would say, 'mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.' Culpa is in the ablative form, so it means, 'through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.' And when they would say those words, the faithful were encouraged to strike their breast, to show a sort of olde-fashioned lamentation. Oh, we used to have a fun Mass - priests swinging incense around, chanting the prayers of the day. Oh, how exotic! I'll have to dig out my old missal. It goes from 1950 to well into the seventies. No one could have envisioned something called 'Vatican II,' so they went on writing books and missals with the old ways until things came to a crashing halt."

(Silence)

"So it doesn't mean 'cup?'"

So, what's more exotic than Mr. Warfield's liturgical dancing? Gregorian chant. That's what.

Si Iniquitates

The following is from the MusicaSacra YouTube channel.

Straight From the Pope's Mouth

I’m not a man who constantly thinks up jokes. But I think it’s very important to be able to see the funny side of life and its joyful dimension and not to take everything too tragically. I’d also say it’s necessary for my ministry. A writer once said that angels can fly because they don’t take themselves too seriously. Maybe we could also fly a bit if we didn’t think we were so important.

This is why you will see the occasional dose of Catholic "snarkiness" here. We have yet to hear from anyone whose soul wept upon seeing this blog. Until that day, I am what I am and it is what it is.

Remember - we mustn't take ourselves too seriously. The Church, yes, take that seriously. Ourselves and those among us - that we can enjoy, so long as we do not lose any souls. In addition to the "you made my soul bleed" email, I'm also waiting for a "You made me convert to Catholicism" email. Anyone care to oblige?

I Was Told By a Nun That Orthodoxy Was Dead

Here's the proof.

Sorry, Sister. Looks like you're wrong. Something tells me that the numbers of solid seminarians and genuine lovers of the Holy Mother Church vastly outnumber the supporters of the Women's Ordination Conference and its related entities of dissent.

I chose to share this photo, not only to make that point, but to illustrate the nobility and the genuineness of the men entering seminaries world-wide. If you look at the photo, all the men are vested similarly except one, who is a Carmelite. The others are members of the FSSP. You should note, also, how this man, who has a vow of poverty, does not own one of the chant books the others are using, sitting humbly, hands folded in contemplation. However, in a true spirit of Christian charity, and a fraternal charity at that, one of the young men of the FSSP is holding open the book for the young Carmelite.

That is Church, ladies and gentlemen. Not these prancing fools who besiege our sanctuaries, swaying and braying like the arrogant, self-absorbed children-of-God that they are. (May God bless them.) If we had this kind of spirit here in Rochester, I can say without a doubt, "problem solved."

I know that it's been said and quoted to the point of nausea, but here it is: "Preach the Gospel at all times and, if necessary, use words." This is what St. Francis meant.

More Deceit and Coverup from CCHD

Update on Sacred Music Colloquium XX

When I posted last week about the Sacred Music Colloquium, I was planning on doing a lot of smiling and nodding, not really knowing anyone there, but knowing that we're all basking in the radiance of the true spirit of Vatican II. Remember, "principum locum."

From Sacrosanctum Concilium:

36. 1. Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites.
2. But since the use of the mother tongue, whether in the Mass, the administration of the sacraments, or other parts of the liturgy, frequently may be of great advantage to the people, the limits of its employment may be extended. This will apply in the first place to the readings and directives, and to some of the prayers and chants, according to the regulations on this matter to be laid down separately in subsequent chapters.
3. These norms being observed, it is for the competent territorial ecclesiastical authority mentioned in Art. 22, 2, to decide whether, and to what extent, the vernacular language is to be used; their decrees are to be approved, that is, confirmed, by the Apostolic See. And, whenever it seems to be called for, this authority is to consult with bishops of neighboring regions which have the same language.
4. Translations from the Latin text into the mother tongue intended for use in the liturgy must be approved by the competent territorial ecclesiastical authority mentioned above.

 Note that this document of Vatican II, dealing with the liturgy, verified by myriads of bishops and cardinals, let alone the pope, uses the phrases, "some of the prayers and chants" and "whether, an to what extent." This is not the Vatican saying, "We need people music." No, it is saying that we must open up the gift of sacred music in the mother tongue, Latin, to everyone. We weren't supposed to dive into folk songs and guitars, but rather, educate ourselves and others about what the chant really means.

And this is why I was so excited to go to the Colloquium - it's a group of 250 musicians who have the right idea.

However, I'm even more excited now because two of our dearest contributors to this blog are joining me in this quest to rediscover the Novus Ordo, done right. Aside from a handful of priests whom we all know and love, I think we can all agree that the Mass we have no in many churches is not what was envisioned by the Council. Choir Loft and Sr. Emily will be joining me for the trip, from June 21 through June 27. Oh, we're a rowdy bunch. Watch out Pittsburgh - here comes trouble.

Pope Benedict to Beatify Cardinal Newman

This is the official press release from England -

PRESS RELEASE
16 MARCH 2010, 12 noon

BEATIFICATION OF CARDINAL NEWMAN
BY POPE BENEDICT XVI CONFIRMED

The Fathers and many friends of the English Oratories are delighted by the official announcement that our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI will beatify our founder, the Venerable John Henry Newman, in the Archdiocese of Birmingham during his visit to Britain in September. Newman made his home in the Archdiocese for all his adult life, first in Oxford, where he lived as an Anglican and was received into the Catholic Church, and later in Birmingham itself where he founded and worked in the Birmingham Oratory for over forty years.

The Holy Father's life-long devotion to Newman has made a profound contribution to understanding the depth and significance of our founder's legacy. His decision to beatify Newman in person confers a unique blessing upon the English Oratories and all who have drawn inspiration from Newman's life and work.

We joyfully look forward to welcoming the Holy Father, as well as the many pilgrims and visitors who will come to the Beatification ceremony and visit Newman's shrine at the Birmingham Oratory.

We also look forward to the challenging work of preparing for the Beatification in conjunction with Church and civil authorities. We pray that the Beatification will fittingly reflect both Newman's significance for the Universal Church and the honour paid to our Archdiocese and our country by the Holy Father's presence among us.

Very Rev. Richard Duffield
Provost of the Birmingham Oratory
and Actor of the Cause of John Henry Newman

This great man's biography can be found at this link, and is definitely worth a read.

Cardinal Newman's writings have been cataloged at http://www.newmanreader.org/ I put the introduction of "Sermon 20" below for your perusal.

SHEEP are defenceless, wolves are strong and fierce. How prompt, how frightful, how resistless, how decisive, would be the attack of a troop of wolves on a few straggling sheep which fell in with them! and how lively, then, is the image which our Lord uses to express the treatment which His followers were to receive from the world! He Himself was the great Exemplar of all such sufferings. When He was in the hands of His enemies, surrounded by a mad multitude, gazed on by relentless enemies, jeered at, struck, hurried along, tormented by rude soldiers, and at length nailed to the cross, what was He emphatically but a sheep among wolves? "He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth." And what He foretold of His followers, that the Psalmist had declared of them at an earlier time, and His Apostle {294} applies it to them on its fulfilment. "As it is written," says St. Paul, "For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." [Rom. viii. 36.] Such was the Church of Christ in its beginnings, and such has it been in every age in proportion to its purity. The purer it has been, the more defenceless; whenever it has been pure, it has, in one way or another, been defenceless. The less worldly it has been, and the more it has cultivated its proper gifts, and the less it has relied upon sword and bow, chariots and horses, and arm of man, the more it has been exposed to ill-usage; the more it has invited oppression, the more it has irritated the proud and powerful. This, I say, is exemplified in every age. Seasons of peace, indeed, have been vouchsafed to it from the first, and in the most fearful times; but not an age of peace. A reign of temporal peace it can hardly enjoy, except under the reign of corruption, and in an age of faithlessness. Peace and rest are future.

Massive Trust Fund to go to St. Thomas the Apostle

For most people, "God will provide" is a pleasant platitude hurled forth from lay-occupied pulpits. However, for the people of St. Thomas the Apostle church in Irondequoit, it is an absolute truth. I have received a few emails (all within a couple hours of each other) brimming with the joyous news. I post the email below in its entirety - my commentary added.

 

1.    Fr. Tanck stated that  STA has been contacted by attorneys representing a large trust fund in New Jersey. Fr Tanck has been informed that STA will be one of the recipients of a large amount of money from the trust fund.  Apparently, the family of this trust attended STA in the 1950s.  They had two handicapped children that attended STA school.  Both children have now passed away and the trust is being dissolved.  From what I understood of Fr. Tanck's comments, STA parish will receive $100,000 to $200,000 (closer to $200,000) from the trust!  The attorneys were inquiring whether in fact STA parish was an existing entity!  The bishop, the presbyter council, stewardship council, and the entire parish should be made aware of this new development asap.  These funds would clearly put STA in the strongest financial position of all Irondequoit parishes and should be considered by the bishop. (If St. Thomas the Apostle does, in fact, receive this money, how could anyone in their right mind consider closing the parish? To give this money, along with the Msgr. Burns fund, to the "new parish" to be created upon the closuer of STA, would be absolutely corrupt. To rob the people of STA of this $700,000 is to show an agenda, not an unfortunate series of events.)

2.  I was able to see a copy of the IPPG financial report presented by _______ to the IPPG.  It was shocking to see that $1.7 million dollars has been slated for upgrades to the three surviving parish campuses.  Listed in the report is $500,000 for expansion of the CTK parking lot, $200,000 for the expansion of the SC parking lot, $50,000 for the removal of the SC rectory.  (Why spend millions of dollars to add/change the campuses of other parishes, especially when St. Thomas already has ample parking, facilities, and income?) Also listed were funds for a new parish meeting center at SMM since they have no meeting space! The total expenditures for these three campuses amounted to over $1.7 million!   _______ sent the report to the Bishop but is interested in getting it to the presbyter council members too.  I don't believe that this information was ever shared by the IPPG.  I don't see the finance committee report published on the IPPG website. (It's because they don't like seeing their plans threatened, in my humble opinion. Either this or they don't have enough time to divulge the truth.)

3. Fr. Tanck stated that the bishop has called an "emergency" joint meeting of the presbyter and stewardship councils for March 15th. He does not know what the meeting is about but he did say it is very unusual to have such a meeting. He went on to say that it would not be about Irondequoit although he readily admitted he had no idea what the meeting was about. He promised to share the agenda with J__ once he receives it. This may mean that the decision about STA could be pushed off to the April meeting of the presbyter council. In any case, this is an interesting development.....does it have something to do with item #1? (I would bet money on it.)

4. Fr. Tanck stated that he recently attended a meeting with the bishop whereby it was announced that new by-laws for parish corporations have been developed by the DOR.  Fr. Tanck promised J__that he would share the new by-laws document with her via electronic file.  He really didn't share with the council what the changes were in the new by-laws but it would be interesting to see what is going on here and how it may relate to STA's situation. (One hopes these new by-laws actually serve to help parishes, not make it easier to strip them of finances for the sake of other parishes.)

Can you imagine the implications of a new $200,000 for this parish? It certainly puts a crimp in the plans of the IPPG.

In These Sentiments, He Died

There are those whom I know who doubt the efficacy of Eucharistic Adoration. I can state, through personal experience and various experiences of others, that there is a true hidden majesty at work whenever one is in the presence of Our Lord - whether one is aware of this presence or not.

The following is taken from the parish website of St. Francis Xavier in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. I certainly hope you all know of the battle fought there from 1 July to 3 July, 1863 - I hope to post more about it (and its Catholic-interest stories) when I pass through the town on my way to the Pontifical Mass in Washington in April. You would be surprised at how many notably Catholic things occurred there, and in the towns between there and our nation's capital.

St. Francis Xavier Church played a very important role during the Civil War as a hospital following the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. The most seriously wounded, numbering between 200-250, were brought and nursed by the Sisters of Charity. One of the sisters wrote, "They lay on the pew seats, under the pews, in every aisle, and there was scarcely room to pass among them in the sanctuary and in the gallery . . . . The Station pictures hung around the walls, and a very large oil painting of St. Francis Xavier, holding in his hand a crucifix to show the benighted pagans the sign of their Redemption. This was a Book read by our poor men, for we had in that Church but one Catholic, and our glorious saint was for the time resuming his apostolical mission among them. The first man put in the sanctuary was soon baptized, and with truly Christian sentiments. His pain was excruciating and when sympathy was offered to him he said, ‘Oh! What are these pains I suffer in comparison with those my Redeemer suffered for me.’ In these sentiments he died."

Popule Meus by Victoria

This is one of the piece the choir is doing at the Tridentine Mass on Sunday.



Popule meus, quid feci tibi?
Aut in quo contristavi te? Responde mihi.
Hagios o Theos. Sanctus Deus.
Hagios Ischyros. Sanctus Fortis.
Hagios Athanatos, eleison imas.
Sanctus et Immortalis, miserere nobis.

Priests Should Be "Men Not Subject to Ephemeral Cultural Fashions"

So declared Pope Benedict XVI today at his noonday address. There has been a tone here lately among some commenters that we should give up - "the pope doesn't care about us, and he can't or won't do anything." This address should illustrate that the pope knows absolutely and precisely what is occurring in our diocese and other like it. My emphasis added.

VATICAN CITY, 12 MAR 2010 (VIS) - At midday today, the Holy Father received participants in a theological congress promoted by the Congregation for the Clergy, and which is being held on 11 and 12 March in the Pontifical Lateran University on the theme: "Faithfulness of Christ, faithfulness of Priests". (Note the Holy Father's clear parallel - a priest  is not just "one of the guys." He is the "alter Christi.")

In a time such as our own, said the Pope, "it is important clearly to bear in mind the theological specificity of ordained ministry, in order not to surrender to the temptation of reducing it to predominant cultural models. ("Predominant cultural models." This means that we should always hold priests as priests, not these "sacramental ministers" heralded by the Diocese of Rochester. To have lay people running the Church in a time of prosperity, not persecution, is unnatural and ungodly.) In the context of widespread secularisation which progressively tends to exclude God from the public sphere and from the shared social conscience, the priest often appears 'removed' from common sense". Yet , the Pope went on, "it is important to avoid a dangerous reductionism which, over recent decades ... has presented the priest almost as a 'social worker', with the risk of betraying the very Priesthood of Christ. (This risk of "betraying the very Priesthood of Christ" is fully realized in Rochester. We see this in these numerous lay people, men and women, who claim to be leading a parish over a priest. Handle the business, and stay out of the sanctuary - that is what these lay administrators are called to do. They are not called by God to relegate the priest to a chair to pop up and say prayers on command.)

"Just as the hermeneutic of continuity is revealing itself to be ever more important for an adequate understanding of the texts of Vatican Council II", he added, "in the same way we see the need for a hermeneutic we could describe as 'of priestly continuity', one which, starting from Jesus of Nazareth, Lord and Christ, and over the two thousand years of history, greatness, sanctity, culture and piety which the Priesthood has given the world, comes down to our own day".

Benedict XVI affirmed that "it is particularly important that the call to participate in the one Priesthood of Christ in ordained Ministry should flower from the 'charism of prophecy'. There is great need for priests who speak of God to the world and who present the world to God; men not subject to ephemeral cultural fashions, (Priests are not supposed to be these counter-cultural rebels that we see here in many parishes. They are called, not to enforce a new social order, but to lead souls to God. How can one do this by playing fast and loose with the very teachings God gave His Church through Scripture and Tradition?) but capable of authentically living the freedom that only the certainty of belonging to God can give. ... And the prophecy most necessary today is that of faithfulness" which "leads us to live our priesthood in complete adherence to Christ and the Church". (Complete adherence, folks. Not "I feel called to do _____, even though there is no provision for it in Canon Law or Scripture, or Tradition." No - you follow the Church (which, through the Holy Spirit, follows God). You cannot let yourself be swayed by such notions as self-importance. These come from Satan, who seeks the ruin of souls. Surely countless souls have been dashed on the jagged rocks on the coast that is "Rochester.")

Priests, the Holy Father continued, "must be careful to distance themselves from the predominant mentality which tends to associate the value of Ministry not with its being, but with its function". (A priest is more than a Sacramental Minister. The pope has said it - why can't Bishop Clark?)

Sacred Music Colloquium XX - Pittsburgh, PA

I have the privilege to attend the twentieth Sacred Music Colloquium, hosted by the people of the CMAA. This year, it will be in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, more specifically, the Church of the Epiphany and the University of Duquesne. I'm still debating how I'm actually getting down there, but that's another matter.

This year's Colloquium promises to be absolutely stellar, what with the repertoire including Schubert's Mass in G, Byrd's Gradualia, and tons and tons of pieces by Palestrina, Tallis, Brahms, Bach, Mozart, and more. More information can be found  by clicking the link above.

I strongly encourage you to join me. The teachers will be world-class chant experts, who combine a love for the Magisterium with a love for Sacred Music, following the will of the Second Vatican Council which clearly stated that Latin, more precisely Gregorian Chant, has "principum locum" in the liturgy. This has been translated by several "scholars" to mean, "pride of place," sort of like how Uncle Olaf has a pride of place sitting at the end of the table, head resting in a puddle of drool. No, "principum locum" means "the first place," "the primary place."

If we can infuse our parishes, bit by bit, with a love for the sacred, a love for chant and sacred polyphony, you can be certain that we will see people returning to Mass. The music of the liturgy, the true music of the liturgy, is absolutely transcendent - it is something other worldly. Why go to Mass regularly or at all when you get the same folky and hippie tripe Sunday after Sunday? With chant and sacred polyphony, there is an inexhaustible store of musical treasures just waiting to be unearthed from the rubble of the past few decades.

Please, I know it's an investment, but do consider attending. The Colloquium will last for about seven days - seven days of reverent Masses, perfect music, people of like mind and like action, and a genuine love for all things Catholic.

While Shopping, Reality Reared its Head

I was browsing the website of Aquinas and More, and I noticed a clear trend. Whenever you click on a specific category, you see to the right of the page a list of the top selling items in that particular category. When one clicks "Vestments - Clergy Apparel," the following is visible:

Best Sellers In
Vestments - Clergy Apparel (30 Day List)

MDS Long Sleeve Tab Collar Clergy Shirt

Altar Server Gloves - Small

Abbey Brand Altar Server Roman Cassock Black

Murphy Short Sleeve Clergy Shirt

Clericool III Neckband Collar

Abbey Brand Adult Server and Priest Cassock

Abbey Brand Square Yoke Surplice

So, from this, I am led to the conclusion that we have clergy who are 1. buying clerical shirts, so that when they are in public, they may actually appear priestly. God forbid. 2. we have altar boys who will be vested in cassocks and surplices (as well as priests). Evidently, this can't be true, seeing as how Sr. Sobala declared that "only priests can wear cassocks." Ah, yes, that makes perfect sense, especially when you consider that for each cassock listed as a "best seller," one sees "server" in the description.


Better still, along with the cassocks, the surplices, and the clerical shirts, clerical collars are a "top-selling" item. Still more evidence of how twisted Rochester is - when was the last time you saw a priest grocery shopping in a collar? I'd go with 1958, personally.

"On Holy Mass"

The following is taken from the spiritual writings of St. Claude de la Colombière.

God is more honored by a single Mass than He could be by all actions of angels and men together, however fervent and heroic they might be. Yet few hear Mass with the intention of giving God this sublime honor! How few think with joy on the glory a Mass gives to God. How few rejoice to possess the means of honoring Him as He deserves! How seldom do we thank Jesus Christ that, in doing away with all other sacrifices, He has left us a sacrifice that cannot fail to be pleasing to God, a thank-offering proportionate to the benefits we have received from Him, a victim capable of effacing the sins of the world. 

If we only knew the treasure we hold in our hands! Happy a thousand times those who know how to profit by the Mass! In this adorable Sacrifice they can find all things: graces, riches spiritual and temporal, favors for body and mind for life and eternity.

Yet how often we must confess that we do not even think of using the treasure we possess, we do not even try to grasp it. What value do we set upon holy Mass? With what intentions do we assist at it? How do we hear it? Some come from custom and human respect, and something even from less worthy motives. At Mass they are occupied with useless thoughts; they amuse themselves with looking at the decorations of the church or at the people; they talk and even yawn, not knowing how to occupy themselves. 

Have you never received any favors from God, and have you thanked Him for them? Take care lest through lack of gratitude you prevent God from showering His blessings upon you. It is a strange thing that we who are surrounded and loaded with God's blessings, we whom God has loved, preserved, and cherished from the first moment of our life until now, have never even thanked Him as we ought.

This we can do in holy Mass!

Laetare Sunday - Tridentine High Mass

Again this Sunday, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be celebrated in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite at beautiful Saint Stanislaus Church. Mass is at 1:30 and the church is on the corner of Hudson Avenue and Norton Street.

Everyone is very welcomed to attend. That includes the whole family: Moms, Dads, kids, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, half-brothers and half-sisters (no matter how many times removed), etc.

Only Catholics, who are spiritually prepared, may receive Holy Communion. Holy Communion is received only on the tongue and kneeling, unless you can't kneel. No need to say "Amen".

We have handicapped elevator in the rear of the church, security guards, separate bathroom access, and a most excellent selection of books at the book table.

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, leave them in the combox and I will respond asap.

Oremus pro invicem!

PS. Turn your clocks ahead one hour early this Sunday morning.

Some Hidden Insight from Tacitus

While I tend to shy away from anything pagan (sorry I keep missing your homilies, Ms. DeRycke) I do see the value in quoting a famous Roman, Tacitus. Although he was pagan, his writings are often very sharp-witted, and speak to the same truths which spoke to his audiences in the first century AD.

One such quote is as follows: "Et quibus inimicus de erat per amicis oppressi." Translated into English, it stands, "And those for whom an enemy was lacking, they were crushed by their friends."

What does this mean for us? Well, it has to do with the upcoming convocation for priests and administraitors (tm). Many, many priests with whom I have spoken, even the more dissident and disloyal ones, have expressed a longing for the fraternal bonds of the priesthood. Many dioceses tout the priesthood as "the greatest fraternity on Earth." Alright. Fine - but this does not speak to what it actually means to be a priest, why they should have fraternal bonds, or anything along those lines.

Our priests, in addition to not having a net of support (or even a solitary thread of support for that matter), have to worry about the persistent politicking of the contemporary Church. There is no need for the politicking - the Holy Spirit has raised up for us a holy Pope, Benedict. For this reason, all Catholics are called to follow him with faith and without dissension. However, those priests who actually read the requests from the Vatican and attempt to enact them, are frequently seized upon by liberals, within the Church and outside it. I ask you - would a priest have the liberty to start facing ad orientem and to do so without any questions from Buffalo Road? I tend to doubt that he would. Just look at how the diocese treats those few priests who dare to stick by the teachings of Rome - they are either sent to failing parishes, parishes that are about to cluster/close, hospitals, colleges, and old-folks homes. While these are all ministries that must be maintained by the Church, an interesting trend emerges. If one looks at the parishes with the highest income, these parishes also have liberal pastors who, if they're not openly schismatic, permit such things to occur as liturgical dance, puppet-show homilies, lay preaching, etc.

How "fraternal" is this? It's not fraternal - it's favoritism, and we all know who the "favorites" are. Priests should not have enemies in their midst - only friends. Only "fratres."

However, Tacitus warns us - friends can be our downfall as well. How many times have we seen decent people betrayed by the ignorant and erring? And how many times have we seen an individual pose as a friend, only to emerge as a "delator," an informer. A priest once told me that there is an immense fear in the heart of most diocesan priests, that they will be "informed" upon by a peer for being "too orthodox." Another told me that he has "encountered too many snakes in the grass" to unfurl the banners of Truth.

What a disgusting and heinous crime it is, that a priest's word is now held as equal to a Joan's or a Nancy's. Priests have authority from God. It is not to be subverted by anyone, even brother priests and bishops. Our holy priests have been castrated by liberalism and bound by feminism. Enough. This is not the way God made His Church.

Boy Bishop (Chavagnes), December 2008

Jean-Baptiste,Chavagnes Boy-Bishop for St Nicholas Day 2008.

A living tradition from 16th Century England

The tradition of the boy bishop - elected each year on the 6th of December, from among the choristers of Cathedrals, Colleges and large parish churches - is an English custom dating back to the 12th century. It was abolished by Henry VII in 1542, but briefly revived under Mary.

The bishop would symbolically stand down at the moment in the Magnificat when the choir sang deposuit potentes de sede (He puts down the mighty from their thrones). Then the 'boy bishop' would ascend the throne at the words et exaltavit humiles. Apart from the celebration of Mass and the important Vespers and Lauds of Christmas itself, the boy would officiate at many services and make decrees as to the obligations of the other choristers (usually, extra food, less work, etc.)



It was a popular custom. Eton College elected two boy bishops each year, and all the Cathedrals had them, including St Paul's. The boy's reign would come to an end on Holy Innocent's Day, after he had himself preached a sermon at Mass. His fellow scholars would then have to give him a penny as a Christmas offering.

Like many similar traditions in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, it served to teach children about the dignity of high office (and especially the importance of the bishop's role in the Church.) It also demonstrates to those in authority the fragility of honour and rank; a warning that they should not cling to earthly honours.

Here, Bishop Jean-Baptiste (a pupil in year 8) presides at Pontifical Vespers and afterwards receives the customary reverences from pupils and visitors at the end of the ceremony.

The Boy Bishop's symbolic reign only lasts a day, but he makes good use of it. Having discharged his liturgical duties with great dignity, he presides at dinner, where he pronounces the blessing and grace.

Bishop Jean-Baptiste afterward decreed a later bedtime and a film evening for all pupils, while the suitably humiliated Chaplain and Masters cleaned the tables and swept the floor.

http://www.chavagnes.org/index.shtml

Smack of the Crozier Goes to . . .

. . . whoever plans the liturgies at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Why?

Usually, I can rely on the best talent to perform for these Masses, such as Thomas Warfield, Nazareth College dancers, etc. However, the Cathedral Community is not trying as hard as they ought to be to bring in the best of the best, in terms of liturgical dancing. They obviously have not seen Stephen Colbert's unrivaled talent. Watch the video below, and see the splendor of the "progressive" Church.

I'll Say Hello to Barack For You

I will be in Washington D.C. for the first Latin Mass offered at the National Basilica in over 45 years. You should plan on reading this blog on April 24th and April 25th, for photos, commentary, and other liturgical glimpses. Below is the announcement from the Paulus Institute.

The Paulus Institute invites you to participate in an historic liturgical event in honor of Pope Benedict XVI, under the theme of “The Spirit of the Liturgy.” We have arranged to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Pope Benedict’s inauguration with a Pontifical Solemn Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington DC, April 24, 2010, at 1 pm. The Mass will be celebrated by a prince of the Church, the Vatican prelate Darío Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos. His Eminence is President Emeritus of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei and served under both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. The Mass will be offered in the Extraordinary Firm (Traditional Latin Mass), as encouraged by Pope John Paul and Pope Benedict. It will be the first such Mass said at the High Altar of the Shrine in nearly half a century. The priests of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter will assist at the Mass. The National Shrine is the largest Catholic church in the Western Hemisphere and among the ten largest in the world. The Shrine seats 3,500, with a total capacity of 6,500. We will be announcing the Mass to Catholics not only regionally, but throughout the Eastern U.S. and beyond. To honor His Holiness Pope Benedict on this special day, we are especially encouraging those Catholics to come who may not already know this Mass. In particular, we are inviting young adults and university students, whom Pope Benedict has recognized are attracted to the Mass in the Extraordinary form. Consistent with the mission of The Paulus Institute, this Mass is an activity undertaken with our signature objective: to have broad impact in the Catholic Church, as our patron St. Paul inspires. The Mass is presented for all the Catholic Faithful. We strive to enhance the appreciation of the Mass as Holy Sacrifice, to build respect for the Holy Eucharist, and to solidify belief in the Real Presence. As Pope Benedict has written— “The Church stands and falls with the Liturgy. When the adoration of the divine Trinity declines, when the faith no longer appears in its fullness on the Liturgy of the Church, when man’s words, his thoughts, his intentions are suffocating him, then faith will have lost the place where it is expressed and where it dwells. For that reason, the true celebration of the Sacred Liturgy is the centre of any renewal of the Church whatever.”

The Mass, as you read, will be offered by a Cardinal. So, yes, there is a definite possibility that I will receive a miter-nod, rather than bestow one. Will I be seeing any of you there?

The Seven Penitential Psalms - Psalm 50

Peccatoris paenitentis confessio, promissio, preces	Confession, prayer, and promise of a penitent sinner.
Renovari spiritu mentis vestrae et induere novum hominem (Eph 4:23-24)	Be renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new man. (Eph 4:23-24)
3 MISERERE MEI, Deus, * secundum magnam misericordiam tuam;	3 HAVE MERCY ON ME, O God, * according to Thy great mercy;
et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum: * dele iniquitatem meam.	and according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies: * blot out my iniquity.
4 Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea * et a peccato meo munda me.	4 Wash me from my iniquity; * and cleanse me of my sin.
5 Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco, * et peccatum meum contra me est semper.	5 For I acknowledge my iniquity, * and my sin is always before me.
6 Tibi, soli peccavi et malum coram te feci; * ut iustificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum iudicaris.	6 Against Thee alone have I sinned and done evil in Thy sight; * that Thou mayest be justified in Thy sentence and mayest overcome when judged.
7 Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus sum, * et in peccatis concepit me mater mea.	7 For behold, I was conceived in sin, * and in sin my mother conceived me;
8 Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti * incerta et occulta sapientiae tuae manifestasti mihi.	8 For behold, Thou hast loved truth, * and the uncertain and hidden things of Thy wisdom Thou hast shown me.
9 Asperges me hyssopo, et mundabor; * lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.	9 Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed, * Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
10 Auditui meo dabis gaudium et laetitiam, * et exultabunt ossa humiliata.	10 Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness, * and the bones Thou hath crushed shall rejoice.
11 Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis, * et omnes iniquitates meas dele.	11 Turn away Thy face from my sins, * and blot out all my iniquities.
12 Cor mundum crea in me, Deus, * et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis.	12 Create in me a clean heart, O God, * and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
13 Ne proiicias me a facie tua * et spiritum sanctum tuum ne auferas a me.	13 Cast me not from Thy presence, * and take not Thy holy spirit from me.
14 Redde mihi laetitiam salutaris tui * et spiritu principali confirma me.	14 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, * and strengthen me with Thy spirit.
15 Docebo iniquos vias tuas, * et impii ad te convertentur.	15 I will teach the unjust Thy ways, * and the wicked shall be converted to Thee.
16 Libera me de sanguinibus, Deus, Deus salutis meae, * et exultabit lingua mea iustitiam tuam.	16 Deliver me from blood guilt, O God, the God of my salvation * , and my tongue shall extol Thy justice.
17 Domine, labia mea aperies, * et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam.	17 Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord, * and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.
18 Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium, dedissem utique, * holocaustis non delectaberis.	18 For if Thou didst desire sacrifice, I would have indeed given it, * with a burnt offering Thou art not pleased.
19 Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus, * cor contritum et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies.	19 A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit, * a contrite and humbled heart, O God, Thou shalt not despise.
20 Benigne fac, Domine, in bona voluntate tua Sion, * ut aedificentur muri Ierusalem.	20 Deal favorably, O Lord, in Thy good will with Sion * that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
21 Tunc acceptabis sacrificium iustitiae, oblationes et holocausta; * tunc imponent super altare tuum vitulos.	21 Then shalt Thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings, * then shall they lay calves upon Thy altar.

The accompanying prayer for this psalm is directed against the sins of lust.

Oratio contra luxuriam

Prayer against lust

Pater, peccavi in caelum et coram te, et iam non sum dignus vocari filius tuus. Quid faciam miser? Non enim permanebit Spiritus tuus in homine, quia caro est. Ah! miserere mei, miserere. Quod cum tot reproborum milibus, quos hodiedum abominanda luxuriae pestis in Gehennam praecipitat, captus non sim, infinitae tuae bonitati adscribo. Ergone iterum peccabo? Iterumne pretiosissimum Sanguinem tuum, O Iesu, in ablutionem scelerum meorum effusum, amore bestialium voluptatum, conculcabo? Absit, O Iesu, absit! Obsecro te, O Fili castissimae Virginis Mariae, a spiritu fornicationis libera me. Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea, et a peccato meo munda me. Ne proiicias me a facie tua, et Spiritum Sanctum tuum ne auferas a me!

Father, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee, and now I am not worthy to be called Thy son. What shall I, wretched that I am, do? For Thy Spirit shall not remain in man, for he is flesh. Oh have mercy on me, have mercy! I attribute to Thy infinite goodness that I am not taken along with the many thousands of the damned, who the cursed abomination of lust casts headlong into Gehenna even today. Shall I therefore sin again? O Jesus, in the love of base pleasures shall I again trample under foot Thy most precious Blood poured forth in the washing away of my sins? Far from it, O Jesus, far from it! I beseech Thee, O Son of the most chaste Virgin Mary to free me from the spirit of fornication. Wash me from my iniquities and cleanse me from my sin. Do not cast me from Thy face nor take Thy Holy Spirit from me!