Dear Nancy Pelosi

Saint Basil the Great on abortion:

"A woman who deliberately destroys a fetus is answerable for murder. And any fine distinction between its being completely formed or unformed is not admissible among us."

"Those who give potions for the destruction of a child conceived in the womb are murderers, as are those who take potions which kill the child. "

-Saint Basil the Great (A.D. 329-379)

RS

Comparison of Prayers - 22nd Sunday "Per Annum"

aka 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus virtútum, cuius est totum quod est óptimum, ínsere pectóribus nostris tui nóminis amórem, et præsta, ut in nobis, religiónis augménto, quæ sunt bona nútrias, ac, vigilánti stúdio, quæ sunt nutríta custódias.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Almighty God, every good thing comes from you. Fill our hearts with love for you, increase our faith, and by your constant care protect the good you have given us.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O God of virtues, everything which is perfect is Yours, sow in our hearts the love of Your Name, and grant, that by an increasing of religious observance, You may foster in us all that is good, and also, by a watchful zeal, may You preserve all which has been fostered in us.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Benedictiónem nobis, Dómine, cónferat salutárem sacra semper oblátio, ut, quod agit mystério, virtúte perfíciat.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, may this holy offering bring us your blessing and accomplish within us its promise of salvation.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
O Lord, may this holy oblation always bestow upon us Your saving blessing, so that, that which is brought about by this mystery, may be perfected by Your power.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Pane mensæ cæléstis refécti, te, Dómine, deprecámur, ut hoc nutriméntum caritátis corda nostra confírmet, quátenus ad tibi ministándum in frátribus excitémur.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, you renew us at your table with the bread of life. May this food strengthen us in love and help us to serve you in each other.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Having been renewed by the Bread of the heavenly table, we beg You, O Lord, that this nourishment of charity may strengthen our hearts, in order that we may be inspired to minister to You in our brethren.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

They have to vote McCain-Palin now

All those women who said they were voting for Hillary because she is a woman are now obligated to vote for McCain because of his vice-presidential choice.

I bet she likes grizzlies too. \o/

LOL.

RS

What is it with the Italian church?

If you think the United States is the only place where weird things happen in the Church, you're wrong.

Having lived in Italy, I can tell you that there are just as many problems there too. Much of the recent art and archetecture are horrid. Just look at the new Basilica that was built for Saint Padre Pio at San Giovanni Rotondo. To paraphrase Saint Therese of Lisieux "there is nothing about [it] that pleases me."

Over the past month I have come across a few things that make me just roll my eyes and wonder "what in the heck were they thinking?!"

Italian Nuns set up inflatable church to save the souls of beach bums.

A priest was going to have an online beauty pageant for nuns (but thankfully he cancelled it).

Heavy metal monk.

It always reminds me of the story of when Napoleon invaded Italy. He told a Cardinal he was going to destroy the Church. The Cardinal just laughed at him and said, "if the popes and bishops and priests of the Church haven't done it yet, what makes you think you can?"

I pick on Italy, because I do love the country, and I have higher expectations for it.

RS

When students get bored.

My semester in Rome (way back in the day) was a lot of fun. But after awhile, you see so much art, you do get bored. So I got some friends to pose with the art.

Headless statue(s) at the Roman Forum
New meaning to the term "Art theft"?
Pitti Palace, Florence, Italy
RS

The blogging bug

Apparently, Joee Blogs had taken a hiatus from blogging, only to return to it once again with a new blog.

Joee Blog

I have updated his link in the sidebar.

I'm embarassed to admit I didn't know he had stopped blogging. When I upgraded my computer, I culled the listing of blogs in my "favorites" to only the ones I read daily, so some have fallen through the cracks.

Although I did drop Cafeteria is Closed and Geralds new blog because he has basically gone off the deep end, IMHO.

But do check out Joee Blogs (and his avatar is of ursine nature as well!).

RS

Media Overload

For Carolina Cannonball



(this video is clean, but click on some of his other videos at your own risk)

RS

Comparison of Prayers - 21st Sunday "Per Annum"

aka 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time

"The Handing-over the Keys" by Raphael
Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus, qui fidélium mentes uníus éfficis voluntátis, da pópulis tuis id amáre quod praécipis, id desideráre quod promíttis, ut, inter mundánas varietátes, ibi nostra fixa sint corda, ubi vera sunt gáudia.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Father, help us to seek the values that will bring us lasting joy in this changing world. In our desire for what you promise make us one in mind and heart.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Literal Translation
Let us pray. O God, You Who make the minds of the faithful to be of one will, grant to Your people to love that which You command, and to desire that which You promise, so that, amid the inconsistencies of this world, our hearts may be fixed on that place, where there are true joys.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Qui una semel hóstia, Dómine, adoptiónis tibi pópulum acquisísti, unitátis et pacis in Ecclésia tua propítius nobis dona concédas.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Merciful God, the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ made us your people. In your love, grant peace and unity to your Church.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Literal Translation
O Lord, You Who once for all acquired for Yourself a people of adoption by the one sacrificial Victim, may You graciously grant to us the gifts of unity and peace in Your Church.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Plenum, quaésumus, Dómine, in nobis remédium tuæ miseratiónis operáre, ac tales nos esse pérfice propítius et sic fovéri, ut tibi in ómnibus placére valeámus.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, may this eucharist increase within us the healing power of your love. May it guide and direct our efforts to please you in all things.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

Literal Translation
Let us pray. We beseech You, O Lord, to work in us the plentiful remedy of Your compassion, and perfect us to be gracious and thus be encouraged, that we may be strengthened to please You in all things.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Scientific toys

As I mentioned Monday, I did some nuclear physics research. I started as a physics major, but at the end of my junion year decided to switch to theology. But, that gave me two summers doing nuclear research. Although it was my professor who was doing the main research, she would always have students helping her during her summer research times. Although a majority of the work was being a data monkey, working on the actual experiment was interesting.

Working with a two story tall Van de Graaff generator was kind of cool!

Univ. of Kentucky Accelerator description Page 1
Univ. of Kentucky Accelerator description Page 2

Basically, we'd get a beam of protons from the big modified Van de Graaff generator.
Then we'd bend them with a huge magnet.
Then we'd have the protons slam into a tritium sample, which would knock one of the neutrons of the tritium loose (making a helium isotope in the process).
These neutrons would then hit our target sample. On the atomic level, the neturons would hit the nuclei of the sample, and would give them some of the energy, which would excite them into a higher energy state.
Eventually, the nucleus would go back down to it's ground state and give off a gamma ray.
We would measure the gamma rays (the big copper looking camera thing in the link) and this along with knowing the initial energy of the neutrons, would help us figure out the various energy levels of the nucleus.
It's sort of like atomic billiards and measuring how loud the sound is that comes off the hits, to give a really weak analogy.

Pretty fascinating stuff though. The web is great to be able to find pictures of all this stuff since I never had a camera when doing the research.

As a side project, when we were waiting on somethings to be set up, we put my Russian military watch in front of the detector for about 24 hours.

I had gotten the watch in Berlin from a street vendor selling Soviet military stuff. We put it in front of the detector because I was really concerned that the luminescent points on the dial seemed to be pretty luminescent for much longer than I expected. So we tested it to see if it had any "abnormal" radiation, ie if it had radioactive paint on the dial. It didn't. So I should be safe.



LOL.

RS

RS Movie Review - Wanted

The "hitman with a conscience" genre has always interested me. And I'd say that "Wanted" (which I saw last week) would in some way fall into that category.

The best way to describe this movie is if Fight Club and The Matrix had a child, and Office Space delivered the baby.

Wesley Gibson (played by James McAvoy) leads the drab rat race life of a corporate nobody. His "girlfriend" is cheating on him, his "best friend" is the one she is cheating with, his boss is not a pleasant woman to work for, and he is barely getting by. Suddenly one day, Fox (played by Angela Jolie) shows up and mentions that Wesley's father, who was killed yesterday, was the greatest assassin in the world ... and that the second best assassin is right behind Wesley! Suddenly, Wesley's life is changed as he finds that he isn't quite who he thought he was, and is introduced into "The Fraternity" to take his father's place. The Fraternity is an ancient society of assassins who secretly protect the stability of the world.

If it sounds a bit outrageous, you're right. But this movie is clearly not about realism. Like I said earlier, this has a huge "Matrix-y" feel. You have to be able to suspend your disbelief if you are going to watch this movie. But that is part of why I enjoyed it. It was just a fun summer popcorn flick. There's a lot of preposterous things in the movie, but they really do fit in with the plot.

I myself enjoyed it and it does have some "thinking" aspects to it as well. It asks questions about fate vs. freedom, the similarity and difference between faith and instinct, vigilante justice and does the ends justify the means. And the ending might just have you thinking more than you expected when walking out of the theater.

I thought the acting was pretty good for this type of movie. James McAvoy and Angela Jolie seemed to have a pretty good chemistry. Morgan Freeman was his usual good acting, although he does surprise you by doing something a bit unexpected in some parts.

The movie is rated "R" for violence and language, and a couple of scenes that show exactly how his girlfriend is cheating on Wesley with his best friend. Surprisingly, Angela Jolie was rather anorexic looking and totally unattractive in this movie (although I've never really seen why she is so popular anyways). It's definitely not a movie for the kiddies. And this would proably only be enjoyed by those who like over the top action flicks.

The movie is actually based on a graphic novel of the same name, but does take a pretty big departure in regards to what the Fraternity is. Although I haven't read the graphic novel, I have flipped through it and read about it. If you're a fan of the graphic novel, you will probably be a bit disappointed in the movie. However, there's no way the graphic novel would get an "R" rating as the graphic novel is much more over the top in language, sex, and violence. And the character of Wesley is much more likable in the movie (in the graphic novel he looks, and probably acts, like Eminem), and the movie is a bit more "based in reality" than then comic as well (yeah, I know that's really hard to say. LOL!).

Overall, I liked the movie, in spite of it's obvious over the top action, pretty far stretched story, and unexplained plot holes. I could have done without the "cheating scenes" though. And as Matrix-y as it feels, this movie is one of the more original movies I've seen lately. I'd give it a rating of matinee or dollar theater since the big screen does give it a little extra something.



RS

Geeky Periodic Table Videos

So, I was talking with The Engineer and his wife yesterday about chemistry and physics, specifically my experience with some nuclear research working with Cerium and Neodymium which my professor was using to study the Interacting Boson Model.

Interestingly enough, I came across a great find the day before. Some of the chemistry professors at the University of Nottingham in the UK have made videos about every element on the periodic table.

One of the topics we talked about yesterday was hydrogen:
(You have to love the one professor's hair style and periodic table tie! LOL.)



What I found fascinating was the video on Bismuth, especially that it actually has a half-life and how long that half-life is.



If you want to check out all the elements, you can go to their website and just click on the element you want to see:

The Periodic Table of Videos

RS

Comparison of Prayers - 20th Sunday "Per Annum"

aka 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus, qui diligentibus te bona invisibília præparásti, infúnde córdibus nostris tui amóris afféctum, ut, te in ómnibus et super ómnia diligéntes, promissiónes tuas, quæ omne desidérium súperant, consequámur.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. God our Father, may we love you in all things and above all things and reach the joy you have prepared for us beyond all our imagining.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O God, You have prepared unseen goods for those who love You, pour into our hearts the passion of Your love, so that, loving You in everything and above all things, we may attain to Your promises, which surpass all of our desires.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Súscipe, Dómine, múnera nostra, quibus exercéntur commércia gloriósa, ut, offeréntes quæ dedísti teípsum mereámur accípere.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, accept our sacrifice as a holy exchange of gifts. By offering what you have given us may we receive the gift of yourself.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Take up our sacrificial gifts, O Lord, through which these glorious exchanges are being carried out, so that, while offering these gifts which You have given we may be made worthy to receive You Yourself
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Per hæc sacraménta, Dómine, Christi partícipes effécti, cleméntiam tuam humíliter implorámus, ut, eius imáginis confórmes in terris, et eius consórtes in cælis fíeri mereámur.
Qui vivit et regnat in saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. God of mercy, by this sacrament you make us one with Christ. By becoming more like him on earth, may we come to share his glory in heaven,
where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Having been made participants of Christ through these Sacraments, O Lord, we humbly implore Your merciful love, that, we may be worthy to be conformed into His image here on earth, and that in Heaven we may be made sharers with Him.
Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

RS

Comparison of Prayers - Assumption (Mass during the Day)

"Assumption of the Virgin" (1529) by Andrea del Sarto
Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui immaculátam Vírginem Maríam, Fílii tui Genetrícem, córpore et ánima ad cæléstem glóriam assumpsísti, concéde, quaésumus, ut, ad supérna semper inténti, ipsíus glóriæ mereámur esse consórtes.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. All-powerful and ever-living God, you raised the sinless Virgin Mary, mother of your Son, body and soul to the glory of heaven. May we see heaven as our final goal and come to share in her glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Almighty and Eternal God, You Who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of Your Son, body and soul into heavenly glory, grant, we beseech You, that, always intent on higher things, we may merit to be sharers in her glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, You Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Ascéndat ad te, Dómine, nostræ devotiónis oblátio, et, beatíssima Vírgine María in cælum assúmpta intercedénte, corda nostra, caritátis igne succénsa, ad te iúgiter aspírent.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, receive this offering of our service. You raised the Virgin Mary to the glory of heaven. By her prayers, help us to seek you and to live in your love.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
May the offering of our devotion ascend to You, O Lord, and, through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, who was assumed into Heaven, may our hearts, inflamed with the fire of love, continually long for You.
Through Christ our Lord.

Preface
Preface of the Glory of the Assumption of Mary

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salutáre, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus: per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Quóniam Virgo Deípara hódie in cælos assúmpta est, Ecclésiæ tuæ consummándæ inítium et imágo, ac pópulo peregrinánti certæ spei et solácii documéntum; corruptiónem enim sepúlcri eam vidére mérito noluísti, quæ Fílium tuum, vitæ omnis auctórem, ineffabíliter de se génuit incarnátum.
Et ídeo, choris angélicis sociáti, te laudámus, in gáudio confiténtes:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus ...

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Today the virgin Mother of God was taken up into heaven to be the beginning and the pattern of the Church in its perfection, and a sign of hope and comfort for your people on their pilgrim way. You would not allow decay to touch her body, for she had given birth to your Son, the Lord of all life, in the glory of the incarnation.
In our joy we sing to your glory with all the choirs of angels.
Holy, holy, holy ...

My Own Literal Translation
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation, that we always and everywhere give thanks to You, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God: through Christ our Lord.
Whereas the Virgin who gave birth to God, today was assumed into Heaven, she is the beginning and image of Your perfected Church, and also an example of sure hope and consolation for a pilgrim people; for You rightly refused to see her corruption in the tomb, she who ineffably bore Your Son, the Author of all life, Who took flesh from her.
And so, united with the choirs of Angels, we praise You, confessing in joy:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Sumptis, Dómine, salutáribus
sacraméntis, da, quaésumus, ut, intercessióne beátæ Maríæ Vírginis in cælum assúmptæ, ad resurrectiónis glóriam perducámur.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, may we who receive this sacrament of salvation be led to the glory of heaven by the prayers of the Virgin Mary.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Having received the Sacrament of salvation, O Lord, grant, we humbly beseech You, that, through the merits and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was assumed into Heaven, we may be brought to the glory of the Resurrection.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Comparison of Prayers - Vigil Mass of the Assumption

"The Assumption of the Virgin Mary" by Annibale Carracci
Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus, qui beátam Vírginem Maríam, eius humilitátem respíciens, ad hanc grátiam evexísti, ut Unigénitus tuus ex ipsa secúndum carnem nascerétur, et hodiérna die superexcellénti glória coronásti, eius nobis précibus concéde, ut, redemptiónis tuæ mystério salváti, a te exaltári mereámur.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Almighty God, you gave a humble virgin the privilege of being the mother of your Son, and crowned her with the glory of heaven. May the prayers of the Virgin Mary bring us to the salvation of Christ and raise us up to eternal life.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O God, Who looking upon her humility, raised up the Blessed Virgin Mary to this grace, that Your only-Begotten Son was born from her according to the flesh, and on this very day, You crowned her with a most-excellent glory, grant to us by her prayers, that, we may be made worthy to be lifted up to You by the saving Mystery of Your Redemption.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, You Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Súscipe, quaésumus, Dómine, sacrifícium placatiónis et laudis, quod in sanctæ Dei Genetrícis Assumptióne celebrámus, ut ad véniam nos obtinéndam perdúcat, et in perpétua gratiárum constítuat actióne.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, receive this sacrifice of praise and peace in honor of the assumption of the Mother of God. May our offering bring us pardon and make our lives a thanksgiving to you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Receive, we humbly beseech You, O Lord, this sacrifice of appeasement and praise, which we celebrate on the Assumption of the holy Mother of God, so that it may lead us to obtaining forgiveness, and by means of this act may it establish our thankfulness forever.
Through Christ our Lord.

Preface
Preface of the Glory of the Assumption of Mary

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salutáre, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus: per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Quóniam Virgo Deípara hódie in cælos assúmpta est, Ecclésiæ tuæ consummándæ inítium et imágo, ac pópulo peregrinánti certæ spei et solácii documéntum; corruptiónem enim sepúlcri eam vidére mérito noluísti, quæ Fílium tuum, vitæ omnis auctórem, ineffabíliter de se génuit incarnátum.
Et ídeo, choris angélicis sociáti, te laudámus, in gáudio confiténtes:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus ...

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Today the virgin Mother of God was taken up into heaven to be the beginning and the pattern of the Church in its perfection, and a sign of hope and comfort for your people on their pilgrim way. You would not allow decay to touch her body, for she had given birth to your Son, the Lord of all life, in the glory of the incarnation.
In our joy we sing to your glory with all the choirs of angels.
Holy, holy, holy ...

My Own Literal Translation
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation, that we always and everywhere give thanks to You, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God: through Christ our Lord.
Whereas the Virgin who gave birth to God, today was assumed into Heaven, she is the beginning and image of Your perfected Church, and also an example of fixed hope and consolation for a pilgrim people; for You rightly refused to see her corruption in the tomb, she who ineffably bore Your Son, the Author of all life, Who took flesh from her.
And so, united with the choirs of Angels, we praise You, confessing in joy:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Mensæ cæléstis partícipes effécti, implorámus cleméntiam tuam, Dómine Deus noster, ut, qui Assumptiónem Dei Genetrícis cólimus, a cunctis malis imminéntibus liberémur.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. God of mercy, we rejoice because Mary, the mother of our Lord, was taken into the glory of heaven. May the holy food we receive at this table free us from evil.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Having been made participants of this Heavenly table, we beg of Your tenderness, O Lord our God, that, we who honor the Assumption of the Mother of God, may be freed from all threatening evils.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Saint Maximilian Kolbe

Saint Maximilian Kolbe, OFMConv.
When I look at him and his life, I feel like the Don Quixote of the Knights of the Immaculata.

RS

Large Hadron Collider Rap

Well, we're getting closer to the beginning of the big experiments at the LHC in Switzerland. They've apparently started testing beams this month. Then in September they'll start circulating beams throughout the whole LHC. But the high energy tests won't be started until sometime in late October.

In the meantime here's an amusing rap about the LHC. It's about a month old, but I haven't seen it on the Catholic blogosphere yet. It may seem cheesy, but it's actually pretty well done.




My only complaint is that their brief explaination of the Higgs Boson makes the Higgs field seem like a modern tweaked version of the aether field.

I think what would make me laugh the most with the LHC is if they find out quarks are made up of other particles. Not likely, but you never know ...

RS

Father Carl Vogel - Requescat in pace

Please pray for a priest friend of mine who died last week, and whose funeral is today.

He was a very good priest who did quite a bit of priestly work even though he was "retired." He died at the age of 89.

Father Carl Vogel
Requiescat in pace.

Fidelium animae per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace.

EDIT - The funeral was packed.

RS

Comparison of Prayers - 19th Sunday "Per Annum"

aka 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time

"Saint Peter Walking on the Water" by Alessandro Allori
Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, quem, docénte Spíritu Sancto, patérno nómine invocáre præsúmimus, pérfice in córdibus nostris spíritum adoptiónis filiórum, ut promíssam hereditátem íngredi mereámur.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Almighty and ever-living God, your Spirit made us your children, confident to call you Father. Increase your Spirit within us and bring us to our promised inheritance.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Literal Translation
Let us pray. Almighty and eternal God, Whom, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, we dare to call upon by Your Fatherly Name, perfect in our hearts the spirit of adopted sons, so that we may be made worthy to enter into our promised inheritance.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Ecclésiæ tuæ, Dómine, múnera placátus assúme, quæ et miséricors offerénda tribuísti, et in nostræ salútis poténter éfficis transíre mystérium.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
God of power, giver of the gifts we bring, accept the offering of your Church and make it the sacrament of our salvation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Literal Translation
Having been appeased, O Lord, accept Your Church’s sacrificial offerings, which You both mercifully have bestowed to be consecrated, and which you powerfully make to be transformed into the Mystery of our salvation.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Sacramentórum tuórum, Dómine, commúnio sumpta nos salvet, et in tuæ veritátis luce confírmet.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, may the eucharist you give us bring us to salvation and keep us faithful to the light of your truth.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

Literal Translation
Let us pray. O Lord, may this Communion of Your Sacraments, Which we have received, save us, and in the light of Your truth may It strengthen us.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Comparison of Prayers - Transfiguration

Taken from a post two years ago and the preface was pretty challenging.

"The Transfiguration" by Heinrich Bloch
Collect (Opening Prayer)
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus, qui fídei sacraménta in Unigéniti tui gloriósa Transfiguratióne patrum testimónio roborásti, et adoptiónem filiórum perféctam mirabíliter præsignásti, concéde nobis fámulis tuis, ut, ipsíus dilécti Fílii tui vocem audiéntes, eiúsdem coherédes éffici mereámur.
Qui tecum vivit et regnat, in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. God our Father, in the transfigured glory of Christ your Son, you strengthen our faith by confirming the witness of your prophets, and show us the splendor of your beloved sons and daughters. As we listen to the voice of your Son, help us to become heirs to eternal life with him
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Literal Translation
Let us pray. O God, You Who in the glorious Transfiguration of Your only-begotten Son confirmed the Mysteries of the Faith by the testimony of the fathers, and wondrously pre-figured the perfect adoption of Sons, grant to us Your family, that hearing the voice of Your beloved Son Himself, we may be made worthy to be made His coheirs.
Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Obláta múnera, quaésumus, Dómine, gloriósa Unigéniti tui Transfiguratióne sanctífica, nosque a peccatórum máculis, splendóribus ipsíus illustratiónis, emúnda.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, by the transfiguration of your Son make our gifts holy, and by his radiant glory free us from our sins.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Literal Translation
Sanctify these offered gifts, we beseech You, O Lord, by the glorious Transfiguration of Your only-begotten Son, and by the splendor of His brightness, cleanse us from the stains of sins.
Through Christ our Lord.

Preface
Preface of the Mystery of the Transfiguration
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salútare, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus: per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Qui coram eléctis téstibus suam glóriam revelávit, et commúnem illam cum céteris córporis formam máximo splendóre pefúdit, ut de córdibus discipulórum crucis scándalum tollerétur, et in totíus Ecclésiæ córpore declaráret impléndum quod eius mirabíliter præfúlsit in cápite.
Et ídeo cum cælórum virtútibus in terris te iúgiter celebrámus, maiestáti tuæ sine fine clamántes:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus ...
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.
He revealed his glory to the disciples to strengthen them for the scandal of the cross. His glory shone from a body like our own, to show that the Church, which is the body of Christ, would one day share his glory.
In our unending joy we echo on earth the song of the angels in heaven as they praise your glory forever:
Holy, holy, holy ...
Literal Translation
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation, that we always and everywhere give thanks to You, O Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God: through Christ our Lord.
Who revealed His Glory in the presence of chosen witnesses, and He filled with the greatest splendor that form of the body which He had in common with other men, so that both the scandal of the Cross might be taken away from the hearts of His disciples, and that He might manifest that filling, which wondrously shined forth in the Head, in the Body of the entire Church.
And so we on earth together with the Powers of Heaven celebrate You, proclaiming Your majesty without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...

Post-Communion Prayer
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Cæléstia, quaésumus, Dómine, aliménta quæ súmpsimus in eius nos transfórment imáginem, cuius claritátem gloriósa Transfiguratióne manifestáre voluísti.
Qui vivit et regnat in saécula sæculórum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, you revealed the true radiance of Christ in the glory of his transfiguration. May the food we receive from heaven change us into his image.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Literal Translation
Let us pray. May the Heavenly Foods, we beseech You, O Lord, Which we have received transform us into the image of Him, Whose glory You wished to manifest through His glorious Transfiguration.
Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

RS

Yessss!!!

Yessss!!!
I am going to visit Italy in October!

Keep my friend Brother Benedict in your prayers, as I am going over for his ordination to the priesthood.

Can't wait!

RS

New Translations of the Ordinary of the Mass released

The USCCB has finally released a "study edition" of new translations of the Ordinary of the Mass which Rome just recently approved. I noticed it is now called the "White Book." In my personal opinion, it does a pretty good job of living up to the purity of it's name.

Order of Mass White Book (pdf format)

I just scanned through the file and am actually pretty satisfied with it. My only initial complaints are:
- the more inclusive "people" and slightly awkward feel at the beginning of the Gloria where it says "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to people of good will." I think "and peace on earth to men of good will" would have been better. I only say this because in the Creed they still say "for us men" so let's be consistant, OK?
-I find "and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate" a bit awkward, I would think "and by the Holy Spirit He was made incarnate" or "by the Holy Spirit He became incarnate" is less clunky.
-At the preface, I think the "We lift them up to the Lord" needs to be a bit more immediate past tense like "We have lifted them up to the Lord"
-I'm still a little disappointed at the Consecration where the "pro multis" is translated as "for many" instead of "for the many." However, the fact that it has at least been changed from "all" to "many" is a HUGE improvement. Fr. Z. has talked several times about why the "the many" is a better translation.
I'll have to do a more thorough looking at it later.

As to when this will actually go into effect and be allowed to be used at Mass, I am not sure. I have assumed that it wouldn't be officially promulgated until the entire English Roman Missal had been completed. And who knows when that will be since the bishops rejected the Proper of Seasons prayers last month.

However, I am surprised they are releasing this on the USCCB website and are calling it a page for "learning materials" for the "catechesis and eventual implementation" of the new texts. So maybe it will be sooner than I imagine.

Roman Missal Formation Materials

I honestly am curious as to how they will explain this. If they answer truthfully, they would have to say, "Back in the 1970's, ICEL was hijacked by heterodox bishops, clergy, and 'scholars.' [that should be in quotes as no real Latin scholar would claim those translations - RS] As a ploy to fix this mess, we will claim that we are translating the new 2002 Missale Romanum, even though the its Latin is practically identical to the Latin upon which the earlier 'translations' were based."

Still, the translations from ICEL have improved immensely, so I do have to give them credit. And it is a difficult job as some things do become nit-picky (although some things are crucial). I just hope they change their ridiculous copyright policies, as The New Liturgical Movement has mentioned here and here.

RS

I may have a vocation to this order

"The Dormition of the Virgin" by Andreas Ritzos
As I was digging around on the internet, I came across this order which I had never heard of before:

The Canons Regular of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (O.Dorm.) are that rarity, an enclosed, purely contemplative order of men. While they naturally hide from the world, some description of their unique vocation, according to the Regula Patrum Soporificum, may be of interest.

(The Order ought not be confused with the Assumptionist Fathers, who follow the Augustinian Rule, and are named for Our Lady's transferral body and soul into heavenly bliss. The Falling Asleep (dormitio, koimêsis) of the Blessed Virgin is the older name, common to East and West, for Holy Mary's sacred and everlasting repose in the Lord.)

The full article has much more detail about their life.

The Dormitionists

I think they might be a natural fit for my temperment and activity level. I'm going to go write to the vocations direcetor right after my nap!

RS

Portiuncula Indulgence, August 2nd

The "Portiuncula" of Our Lady of the Angels inside the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Assisi, Italy
August 2nd, is the day of the Portiuncula Indulgence. Although this started at the Portiuncula in Assisi, the little church of Our Lady of the Angels (Santa Maria degli Angeli), the indulgence was eventually granted to all Catholic parishes around the world.

Deo gratias, I have been getting a lot of hits from searches for this already. Again, my motivation for posting this is to help the souls in Purgatory.

Indulgences still exist in the Church and are often much misunderstood not only by non-Catholics, but many Catholics as well.

1. An indulgence is the remission in the eyes of God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose culpable element has already been taken away. The Christian faithful who are rightly disposed and observe the definite, prescribed conditions gain this remission through the effective assistance of the Church, which, as the minister of redemption, authoritatively distributes and applies the treasury of the expiatory works of Christ and the Saints.

-Handbook of Indulgences, Norms

The Catechism of the Catholic Church also treats this in #'s 1471 - 1479.

Anyway, to get to the details, one can obtain a plenary indulgence on August 2nd by visiting a parish church and doing the following:

- Devoutly carry out the indulgenced work and devoutly pray the required prayers (if there are any) that go along with the action. In this case, visiting a parish church and reciting the "Our Father" and the Creed.

- Say one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary” for the intentions of the Pope on the day you perform the indulgenced work.

- Worthily receive Holy Communion, ideally on the same day on which you perform the indulgenced work or at least within a few days of performing the indulgenced work.

- Make a Sacramental Confession within a week of (before or after) the day on which you perform the indulgenced work.

- It is also required that one be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin.

(Indulgences may be obtained for oneself or may be applied to the souls in Purgatory, but they may never be done for other living persons.)

As for the technical stuff, you can read the "Handbook of Indulgences" which is the current document of the Church for setting forth the guidlines and permitted indulgences.

“22. The prescribed work for gaining a plenary indulgence attached to a church or oratory is a devout visit there, which includes the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer and the Creed (Pater Noster and Credo), unless otherwise stated in a specific grant.”
“23. 1. Besides the exclusion of all attachment to sin, even venial sin, the requirements for gaining a Plenary Indulgence are the performance of the indulgenced work and fulfillment of three conditions: Sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions.
2. Several Plenary Indulgences may be gained on the basis of a single Sacramental Confession; only one may be gained, however, on the basis of a single Eucharistic Communion and prayer for the Pope’s intentions.
3. The three conditions may be carried out several days preceding or following performance of the prescribed work. But it is more fitting that the Communion and the prayer for the Pope’s intentions take place on the day the work is performed.
4. If a person is not fully disposed or if the prescribed work and the three mentioned conditions are not fulfilled, the Indulgence will only be partial ...”
5. The condition requiring prayer for the Pope’s intentions is satisfied by reciting once the Our Father and Hail Mary for his intentions (Pater Noster and Ave Maria); nevertheless all the faithful have the option of reciting any other prayer suited to their own piety and devotion.”

-Handbook of Indulgences, Norms

Please note how this helps one develop spiritual virtue: praying, going to Confession, receiving Holy Communion, praying for the pope, detaching oneself from sin, and if seeking an indulgence for a soul in purgatory, fraternal charity as well.

So how did this particular indulgence come about?

A good description is found in Arnaldo Fortini's book "Francis of Assisi"

Portziuncola Pardon: 1216

[His] compassion for everyone, no matter what he was or what he had done, inspired the great Franciscan Indulgence of the Pardon. According to the story told by some of Francis's companions, the Indulgence was preceded by a miraculous vision in the Portziuncola chapel on a night of July 1216.
Francis was praying, kneeling before the altar, when an extremely bright light shown all about. In the great splendour Jesus and Mary appeared, with a multitude of radiant angels. They bade Francis ask for whatever he thought best for the salvation of human souls.
And Francis replied:
"Since it is a miserable sinner who speaks to you, O God of Mercy, he askes you to have mercy on his brothers who are burdened with sin. And he asks that all those who, prentant, cross over the threshold of this place, receive from you, O Lord, who sees their torment, pardon for their evil deeds."
His prayer would be answered, he was assured. However, the fulfillment of it would have to be sealed by the pope, the Vicar of Christ.
Then the divine light disappeared and the song of the angels faded away.
When the first rays of dawn broke through the small window crookedly cut into the wall at Porziuncola, Francis rose and called Brother Masseo, and together they set out for Perugia.

As for the rest,to make a long story short, the pope eventually granted his request in the form of a plenary indulgence, and since 1967, this same privilege is obtainable at every parish church on August 2nd.

This is also obtainable on the titular feast of a church as well with all the same requirements. So if your parish happens to be "Assumption Parish" then you can also obtain a plenary indulgence on August 15th, or if your parish is named for "Saint Luke's" then you can also obtain a plenary indulgence on October 15th, etc., by reverenly carrying out the above conditions.

And I always like to link to Fr. Tim Finigan's post on indulgences:

Plenary indulgences not impossible

RS

Comparison of Prayers - 18th Sunday "Per Annum"

aka 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time


Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Adésto, Dómine, fámulis tuis, et perpétuam benignitátem largíre poscéntibus, ut his, qui te auctórem et gubernatórem gloriántur habére, et creáta restáures, et restauráta consérves.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Father of everlasting goodness, our origin and guide, be close to us and hear the prayers of all who praise you. Forgive our sins and restore us to life. Keep us safe in your love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Be near to Your servants, O Lord, and lavish Your everlasting kindness upon those who beg of You, so that You might restore these, who glory to have You as their Creator and Ruler, whom You have created, and that You might preserve these whom You have restored.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Propítius, Dómine, quaésumus, hæc dona sanctífica, et, hóstiæ spiritális oblatióne suscépta, nosmetípsos tibi pérfice munus ætérnum.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Merciful Lord, make holy these gifts, and let our spiritual sacrifice make us an everlasting gift to you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Graciously sanctify these gifts, we beseech You, O Lord, and, having received the offering of this spiritual victim, may we ourselves be perfected as an eternal gift to You.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Quos cælésti récreas múnere, perpétuo, Dómine, comitáre præsídio, et, quos fovére non désinis, dignos fíeri sempitérna redemptióne concéde.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, you give us the strength of new life by the gift of the eucharist. Protect us with your love and prepare us for eternal redemption.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O Lord, accompany with Your perpetual protection, these whom You restore by Your Heavenly Gift, and, grant to these whom You never cease to cherish, to be made worthy by means of the Everlasting Redemption.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS