Fr. Z. on Pope Saint Gregory on Pastors

Picture above the altar of Pope Saint Gregory the Great in the Basilica of Saint Peter, Rome, Italy
I've never really gotten into podcasts, probably because I have rarely enjoyed talk radio. However, I have started listening to Fr. Z's "PODCAzTs" and have found them to be very informative. This particular "PODCAzT" was extremely good. He starts with Pope Saint Gregory the Great talking about what qualities a pastor should have, especially focusing on bishops. However, Fr. Z points out that this can also apply to any man in a role of pastor, be they bishops, priests, or even the father of a family.

Gregory the Great on when pastors should SPEAK UP; priests and getting your way; voicemail feedback.

I always highly recommend Fr. Z's blog, but this is one post that stands out IMHO.

RS

A Voice For My Generation

Wow! Talk about serendipty. I have known about Father Phillip Powell,OP's blog, and have always thought his homilies were good when I read them, but I happened to be looking at another blog that I had never heard of (thanks, Cathy_of_Alex!)and she had a link to this homily by Father Phillip:

Kids These Days: What they don't want from the Church

What he said articulated so well what my generation (I'm almost 35 years old) and apparently the current generation have felt all our lives, especially in relation to the Church ... or I should say many older members of the Church (the Church Herself has never preached the false teachings we've often been fed, just some of Her members).

Anyway, the post is a must read! It is what gives me hope when I see stupid articles like the one from the dinosaur Father Richard McBrien:

Pay no attention to the Pope

Guess, what Father McBrien? We know you are full of crap, and hardly anyone takes you seriously anymore!

RS

Saint Francis of Assisi was NOT a hippie!

I wanted to post something original this year, but, alas, work has crept up on me, and I need to get some things done. So, I'll just link to my post from last year. Seriously, do read the actual writings of Saint Francis, especially the letters mentioned in the post linked to here:

Saint Francis Was Not Politically Correct

Maybe I can get something better written later.

RS

Happy Transitus of Saint Francis

Today, October 3rd, is the celebration of the Transitus of Saint Francis. It may seem odd that we celebrate his feast day on October 4th, but this is because Saint Francis died after sundown on October 3rd, which in medieval times was the beginning of the next day. (The same logic applies to how we have vigils for Solemnities and Sundays)

Here's some pictures from my recent trip to Assisi a few weeks ago.

(As always, you can click on the pictures to get a better view)
Saint Francis died in the valley below Assisi, just outside the little chapel of Santa Maria degli Angeli (Our Lady of the Angels). Actually, now, there is a huge basilica built around the chapel.

This picture couldn't have been planned, right when I got off the bus and was taking this picture, a Franciscan Friar was walking in the perfect place.
The original chapel of Santa Maria degli Angeli is inside the basilica under the dome.


Even the inside of the chapel has a rugged beauty to it.


Saint Francis himself said "Our Lady and the Angels frequent this place." Hence the message on the floor at the entrance of the little chapel.

"HIC LOCUS SANCTUS EST" ("THIS PLACE IS HOLY").
Just behind the chapel and to the right is the little infirmary area where Saint Francis actually died. There is now a chapel inside the infirmary at the place where Saint Francis died.

"Qui mori S. Francesco 3 Ottobre 1226"
("Here Saint Francis died October 3rd, 1226")
On the outside of the infirmary is a beautiful painting of the death of Saint Francis called "The Transitus" by Domenico Bruschi.


I know the post is almost exactly the same as last year's, but I wanted to share some of the pictures I just took over there. I think they came out rather well given the lack of lighting. So, hope you enjoy them.

Sancte Francisce, ora pro nobis.

RS

Prayer request for dadwithnoisykids and his family

Please pray for dadwithnoisykids and his family. This family is amazing not only in their openness to life, but also in their courage and faith in the midst of difficult times.

Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven and earth, pray for us.
Saint Therese of Lisieux, pray for us.
Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us.

Tomb of Saint Catherine of Siena at Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome, Italy.
(click picture to embiggen)
RS

So, what's the point of this blog?

Vigil Mass of the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross at Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, September 13th, 2007, in Rome. Cardinal Bertone is the main celebrant, here during the Consecration (along with the relics of the True Cross on the altar)
(click picture to embiggen)
Over at The New Liturgical Movement, there have been some comments saying that with the motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum" the "reform of the reform" movement has become ignored and that everyone is focusing only on the extra-ordinary form of Mass now.

This got me to thinking a bit about that statement, and where myself and my own blog fit into that. In this blog's very first post, I said that I wanted to use this blog to share whatever liturgical knowledge I had. It was only after starting and seeing some of the excellent liturgical blogs out there (like The New Liturgical Movement and Fr. Z's What Does the Prayer Really Say) that I realized I had a lot to learn. However, having visted many monasteries and religious houses, having worked as a sacristan at a basilica in Italy and a few parishes here in the States, some of that experience, and the great wealth of information I have learned from studying liturgy over the years have begun to come together. A lot of what has been needed is a liturgical perspective that I first and foremost credit to Cardinal Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI. With his writings and especially with "Summorum Pontificum" it is as though he has opened a floodgate of liturgical discussion which I believe is beginning to produce great fruit. While I don't necessarily expect a major liturgical reform in my lifetime, I do think he has begun to lay the foundation for a true renewal of liturgical understanding, mostly from his hermenutic of continuity: of looking at the whole of the Church's Tradition.

One of the bad fruits of the "spirit of Vatican II," was that there was a mental rupture from the Church's Tradition in many of the faithful. I say mental rupture because there was not a doctrinal rupture on the Church's part, just an attitude amongst the faithful (even some leaders in the Church) where suddenly Vatican II was seen as a point at which anything before Vatican II is now obsolete, and only Vatican II and anything after that pertains to the Church in the modern world. What Pope Benedict has helped me to do is to break me of that mindset and to look at the whole of the Church's Tradition, and I don't just mean the Roman Church, I mean the entire Church, the Roman Rite, the Western Rites, the Eastern Rites and other Catholics around the world and throughout history.

So, where does this blog fit into all that? I don't think I'll ever be able to nail that down. But getting back to the initial question of the "reform of the reform" vis-a-vis the extra-ordinary form of the Mass that has been placed back on an equal standing with the ordinary form by "Summorum Pontificum," I can say that the motu proprio has actually put more "pressure" on the ordinary form to get it's act together. I don't mean that the Novus Ordo is to be changed to be more like the extra-ordinary form. That's something for the Church to do with an organized reform of the liturgy. "Vigilante liturgical reform" is not the answer to the problems in the Novus Ordo Mass. What I mean is to get the Novus Ordo back on track and to start getting it said as it is supposed to be said. We'll worry about actually reforming the ordinary use later. First we need to just get it said by the books.

I work in a normal diocesan parish, so the extra-ordinary form is something that may be able to be done on occasion, but since it is a parish, the ordinary form is what will be done the majority of the time. That's completely to be expected. "Summorum Pontificum" is not calling for the "Novus Ordo" to become the "Tridentine" or for the "Tridentine" to take over the "Novus Ordo. That's not what the Pope said at all. He merely made the "Tridentine" an easily accessable option for those who prefer it. In a typical parish, the ordinary form is still what will be celebrated as the norm. But hopefully the understanding that the "Tridentine" has to be said with such accuracy will influence those involved with the "Novus Ordo" to carry it out with the same accuracy according to its own instructions, rubrics, and ritual.

Thus, I would say that that is one of the goals of this blog: To help foster an understanding of the instructions, rubrics, and ritual of the Novus Ordo Mass ... even if I personally prefer the extra-ordinary ("Tridentine") form of the Mass. I do this because the extra-ordinary form of the Mass is not what has the problems. Those who want it respect it and say it as it is supposed to be said. The problem is in the chaos of the liturgical reforms of Vatican II, all sorts of things were introduced, especially a mindset that you can add anything to the Mass. I think this mindset is the first and greatest difficulty to get over. I have seen this in many, many priests formed after Vatican II, and I would say that even I have fallen into it myself in the past. Although I was always against goofy "liberal" changes, I had no problems with pius or reverent changes. But changes are changes. The Chruch gives instructions for each use and rite, and those are to be followed, not just because it is the law, but because it shows a unity with and obedience to the Church and a unity with that particular Tradition.

One of my first goals is that I would like to go through the 2002 General Instruction on the Roman Missal. The first time I read it, I was absolutely amazed that the Church actually gave such specific instructions on how the Novus Ordo Mass is supposed to be done. That document was what sort of woke me up to the fact that you can't just do whatever you want, you have to actually follow the books (suddenly Canon #846 Pt 1 made sense). Then I got ahold of the "Ceremonial of Bishops" and was amazed to see even more detailed instructions on the Mass. I suddenly saw that there is no real need for "creativity" (which is the same "creativity" that the Pope condemns in his accompanying letter to "Summorum Pontificum") because the actions of the modern liturgy are already laid out for the priest. Sure there might be a few more "options" in the Novus Ordo, but even those are specifically mentioned as options only for this or that particular part or situation in the Mass.

So, on your litany of things for which to pray for me, include that I can learn and understand better the liturgical understanding of not only the "Novus Ordo" and the "Tridentine" but also the bigger picture of the Church's liturical theology. I feel that this will be a difficult process, but one which will bear much fruit in the future.

RS

I am a Benedictine Novice Lay Oblate.

Basilica (and Monastery) di San Benedetteo, Norcia, Italy
In all the chaos after getting back from my pilgrimage from Rome (exhaustion, allergies, doctors' appointments, procedures, work, etc.) I realized I forgot to mention that I became a Benedictine Novice Lay Oblate attached to the Monastery of Saint Benedict in Norcia, Italy (the brithplace of Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica).

(I know what you may be thinking, "how can you forget about becoming an oblate?" Well, I didn't, I have been very excited about it, but it's just been THAT busy.)

A lay oblate is sort of like a "third order" Benedictine. It is a layman who promises to live his life in the spirit of the Rule of Saint Benedict, and I am obligated to say at least one of the canonical hours of the Divine Office each day. I chose this monastery because I used to be a novice monk there. Although after a year of discernment I realized that God was not calling me there, I do still love the Rule of Saint Benedict (I did my undergrad thesis on the Rule) and am still close with the community in Norcia.

The benefits are being able to participate in the spiritual merits of the monks and to be united to their community in a spiritual way. I pray that next year I can return to become a regular lay oblate which allows one to enter more fully into that oblation (with a promise of oblation that is renewed each year).

So, pray for my perseverance in this as well.

RS

I'm back from the procedure.

Just a quick update. I am back from the procedure. The gastrointerologist found three areas in my colon that contain diverticula. In fact, last night, one of those areas flared up a bit. At least it gave him a definite place to look at when I told him about it this morning.

I am starting to see why they say to eat plenty of fiber and to avoid high amounts of saturated fats and sugars. Of course this is usually only learned the hard way, right?

Anyway, I think there may be some things they can do to fix the problem areas, I just hope it isn't anything drastic (I'm rather attached to my organs!) So, please keep that in your ever growing list of things to pray for the Roman Sacristan. (At least I am giving people a chance to do some spiritual works of mercy, right?)

I think the immediate worse part is that I am super hungry (having had to be "cleaned out" for the procedure) but with this flare-up, I have to be careful not to eat anything that could aggravate the sore area. (I think there is a line in the Rule of Saint Benedict that says a monk is "to love fasting.")

RS

Asking for more prayers.

Well, please pray for me. Today I go in to have a procedure done so they can see what might be causing and what can be done to prevent the diverticulitis attacks I have been having over the last couple of years. Given I'm only 34, my gastrointerologist was concerned I had already had 3 attacks in only 2 years.

So, hopefully, they can find out what is going on, and that it will be something that is not going to require any drastic measures. I'll post any updates.

RS

Old Form of Mass in our Current Context

Fr. Z. has an excellent post pointing out how we should approach things regarding the older form of Mass in the context of our current juridical laws. This is a must read!

Summorum Pontificum does not create an ecclesiastical Jurassic Park

We must remember that not all things pertaining to Mass are contained in the ritual itself. Canon law, liturgical law, and even some local law (ie liturgical instructions for certain regions or countries) also have a part in how things in the liturgy are carried out.

I especially wish to point out Canon #846 of the current Code of Canon Law:

Canon #846 - 1. The liturgical books approved by the competent authority are to be faithfully observed in the celebration of the sacraments; therefore no one on personal authority may add, remove, or change anything in them.

This is something Pope Benedict specifically addressed in his accompanying letter to "Summorum Pontificum", the problem of bishops, priests, and laity not following the liturgical instructions of the "Novus Ordo" and being "creative" with the liturgy.

"This [desire for the older form of Mass] occurred above all [my emphasis] because in many places celebrations were not faithful to the prescriptions of the new Missal, but the latter actually was understood as authorizing or even requiring creativity, which frequently led to deformations of the liturgy which were hard to bear."

-Letter from Pope to bishops on "Summorum Pontificum"

Unfortunately this "creativity" has given rise to the mindset in many priests formed since Vatican II, whether they be of liberal or conservative bent, that they can make any changes they want to the "Novus Ordo." While making changes might be the status quo or what is done in practice, this is NOT the mind of the Church.

Really, the only thing "Summorum Pontificum" did was to allow the older form of Mass to be said without special permission. It puts it on equal ground with the newer form of Mass. It did NOT call for a hybridization of the Masses. Ritual and rubrics from the old use cannot be inserted into the new use and vice-versa. I believe the Pope's intent is that by having these two forms side by side, it will lead to a better understanding of each use in and of itself, and eventually lead to a fruitful and organic reform of the liturgy in the future.

However, we must also see that both forms of the Mass must also conform to the current universal liturgical and canonical laws. The former 1917 Code of Canon Law was abrogated (see Canon #6 - 1 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law) thus the older form will have to be looked at in light of the current Code of Canon Law. However, this is exactly one of the responsibilities of the Ecclesia Dei commision as set forth in "Summorum Pontificum". So let's learn a lesson from the chaos after Vatican II and "festina lente" when dealing with either form of the Mass. I'm enthusiastic about the older form too, but let's do liturgical reform right this time instead of hastily.

RS

Catching up.

Sorry for not posting much.

First I wanted to say that I visited many Saints' relics or tombs and prayed for all my family and friends (which includes the readers of this blog). I also am having a Mass offered at the tomb of Saint Francis for all my family and friends.

I am not sure if this is a comprehensive list, but it's as many as I can think of that I visited and prayed at (or as near as possible):
Relics of the Passion (true Cross, nail of the Passion, part of the INRI sign above Christ's head)
Saint Peter
Saint Paul
Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Clare of Assisi
San Rufino of Assisi
Saint Vittorino of Assisi
Sant'Eutizio
San Spes
(finger of) Saint Thomas the Apostle
Pope Saint Pius V
Saint Jerome
Pope Saint Gregory the Great
Pope Saint Leo the Great
Saint Prisca
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Saint Francis Xavier
Saint Agnes
Saint Catherine of Siena
Blessed Innocent XI
Pope Saint Boniface IV
Pope Saint Leo IX
Pope Saint Pius X
Saint John Chrysostom
Saint Gregory of Nazianzen
Blessed John XXIII
Saint Josaphat
Pope Saint Clement I
San Giovanni da Triora
Saint John and Saint Paul (mentioned in the Roman Canon)
Saint Saturninus
Saint Paul of the Cross
the Martyrs of Scillium
Saint Alesseo (Alexis)
San Carlo da Sezze
Saint Alexander, martyr (I don't know which one, whoever is buried under the altar at Sant'Anselmo),
and I also prayed at the prison where Saint Joseph of Cupertino was held when they thought he was possessed.
I also probably was near many other Saints whom I might not have even known were in proximity of me at various places.

Unfortunately, blogging will probably be light for a while for two reasons:

1) I realized in Rome how much time I waste on the internet, so I am trying to avoid it more.

but more importantly:
2) Upon getting home, several real life situations have come crashing in upon me, so I will need to get those things straightened out first. So I ask for your prayers on those.

RS

Ciao da Texas (Howdy from Texas)

Well, I made it back. The pilgrimage was great! Just a quick post, since I have to hit the ground running and get things ready for the Sunday liturgy at the parish.

Here's a video of the song that basically became my theme song over there. I saw it a few times on the TV in the hotel, I even heard it on the radio on the bus to Norcia, and the day we left, it was on at the cappucino bar at the airport. So, it's a simple little goofy song, but one that gets stuck in your head. It's apparently popular over there too.

Actually the video can sort of symbolize travelling to Italy. Things may seem really strange and different over there, and you can try to run away from the culture, but once you just accept that they do things differently and adapt to their way of doing things, you'll have a lot more fun.

Old Man River's "La"



RS

Ciao da Norcia

Quick update while I have the chance.
Made it up to Norcia (English name is "Nursia", where Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica were born). The city and countryside are quite beautiful and a welcome change to the humidity and hectic city life in Rome.

Tomorrow I hope to make it to Assisi. Pray it doesn't rain. Not only would I like to get pictures, but walking all over Assisi would be quite miserable if I had to deal with rain the whole time, especially considering I forgot my umbrella.

Things have been going well. Just keep me in your prayers for safe travel to Assisi, back to Rome, and then back to the States. Starting to realize that my time here is winding down, so I have been very motivated to see as much as possible of late. When you have to fly over 8 hours just to get here, you want to make the most of it.

Anyway, I hope to have tons of pictures, although many will be the same pictures with various shutter speed settings. As I have learned my camera more, I am (hopefully) getting better quality pictures in low light situations. We'll see.

So, please keep me in your prayers and I'll pray for the readers of this blog at my places of pilgrimage.

Ciao for now.

RS

Ciao da Roma!

Just a quick post to let everyone know that I did make it to Rome. Began feeling much better Saturday evening. The flight to Rome was rather uncomfortable. Being 6 ft 3 in is not a bonus when flying coach internationally.

Rome is very hot. Well, not hot, but humid. The mornings and evenings are nice, but when the sun is out, it gets kind of sticky. I forget that even thought it is much hotter in Texas, it is a dryer heat and we have air conditioning EVERYWHERE. Summers in Texas are just spent moving from one air conditioned place to another. The hotel has air conditioning (Deo gratias!), but not much else does. San Pietro is hot!

Well, I dont want to stay too long. Italian keyboards are different so ignore any strange characters in the type of this post. Internet costs about 15 USD per hour here at the hotel, and I think (hope) the guy let me on for free just quickly.

Anyway, I am enjoying it, even if I am a sweaty mess by the end of the day. Thankfully I have easy access to frizzante (carbonated) bottled water, although I think I will be spending most of my money on it this trip.

Ciao for now!

RS

Say a prayer for me.

I think the "grappin" (Saint John Marie Vianney's nickname for the devil ... sort of something like calling him "ol' stinky") is trying to mess up my plans to go to Rome. Yesterday, I was struck with a diverticulitus attack. It usually isn't anything serious, but it is just really painful and lays you out for a few days.

So, now I am losing a few days of preparation, and still worry that if I am not feeling well, I can't go. However, today I feel a little better, and I went to the doctor and got the antibotics to clear up the bacterial infection which is causing it.

On a brighter note, I did fix the video link in this post:

OK, maybe my commute isn't so bad.

RS

Extra-ordinary

The word used by the Church does not have the connotation of something being "better" if it is extraordinary as it does in English. Extra-ordinary means that is not the ordinary, it is something other than the norm.

In the case of extra-ordinary Eucharistic ministers, they are not the norm and should only be used when necessary. The ordinary Eucharistic minsters are the bishop, priest, and deacon. However, if it is necessary (and unfortunately convenience is often confused with necessity), laymen who have been trained properly may also distribute Holy Communion, or take Viaticum to the sick.

It is similar with the Mass. Ordinarily the more recent form (the "Novus Ordo") is what you will find in most parishes of the Latin rite. However, there is also the older form of Mass (the "Tridentine") that may also be said. It is an extra-ordinary form, in that it is not what you will find in most parishes, however, out of necessity, ie people asking for the older form or priests wishing to say the older form (as long as it is not to the exclusion of the Novus Ordo), it can be done, and in the pastoral mind of the Church, it should be provided for those who wish to have that form of Mass.

When I say "to the exclusion of the Novus Ordo" what I mean is, that if there is a priest in a parish, and he prefers the "Tridentine," he cannot just change all the Masses to Tridentine if there are some faithful in the parish who desire the "Novus Ordo." This goes both ways as I'll point out below.

There seems to be a difference, but both in the case of the Eucharistic ministers and the Mass, the use of the extra-ordinary form is based on whether it is needed or not. If nobody asks for the Tridentine, then it is not needed to be done. However, as I stated before, if the faithful do request the older form or if priests wish to say the older form, then that is considered a necessity in the mind of the Church, and every effort should be made to accomodate that.

The pastoral mind of the Church goes both ways. If people don't want to be forced to go to a "Tridentine" Mass when they prefer the "Novus Ordo," then those who prefer the "Tridentine" should not be forced to go to "Novus Ordo" Masses.

Labor day, guns, and ping-pong

Had an awesome time at The Engineer's house on Labor Day. Dadwithnoisykids and his family was there too. We fired pellet guns again, this time hunting terrorists from the most wanted list:

(Not bad considering they were 25 yards away)
We also had to fight off some communists too:
(I apologize for the graphic nature of these pictures, however, these were instant kills.)


Too bad I don't have a picture of our full "arsenal"

Now, I am more of a tennis guy myself, but that helped a lot because The Engineer and his boys had a ping-pong table. He is a pretty good player, and although he beat me, I felt I held my own given I haven't played ping-pong in quite awhile.

So, I think he would enjoy some of these:

Even if they're just goofing around, this is pretty impressive. Talk about the angles (yes, from extreme angles all the way around to 360 degrees ... just watch)



A top 10 ping pong rallies
(It's funny how in some they are hitting the ball as a regular tennis player would. They almost look like giants playing a regular sized court)
(The song in the video is
"The Kids Aren't Allright" by The Offspring, <--- (lyrics) if the lyrics are not appropriate for some viewers you can turn down the sound on the youtube video. No really bad words, but rather sobering topics. Still, the ping-pong rallies are definitely worth seeing)



And of course, the obligatory "Matrix Ping-Pong"



RS

22nd Sunday Per Annum - Comparison of Prayers

Sorry, I'm a day late and about 350 dollars shorter (my alternator in my truck had to be replaced yesterday).

Comparison of Prayers - 22nd Sunday "Per Annum" (Ordinary Time)

I think I had a few tweaks this year.

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

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

No, not THAT Michael Jackson!

For anyone who has spent any time sampling the world of crafted beers, they will be familiar with a man who is probably considered the most well known beer taster and writer of all things beer, Michael Jackson.


A friend and fellow beer enthusiast sent this saddening news to me this morning:

As from allaboutbeer.com

We mourn the passing of a friend. Michael Jackson died Wednesday night at his home in London.

It's not often you get to know an honest to goodness giant. Michael Jackson was a giant, indeed, and his place in the beer community was unique. Now, he's gone. Not exactly surprising, given the state of his health, but still a shock.

Michael gave us our voice and vocabulary, and grounded the history and traditions of beer. Beginning in the seventies with the publication of the World Guide to Beer, Michael began beating the drum demanding more respect for beer. He swirled and tasted beer, filling pages with new words. He traveled unceasingly, discovering styles and traditions long gone or on their way out the door. He chided the mainstream press for its beer provincialism. He even wore one glove, just one glove, to mock a similarly named celebrity.

Originally a newspaper reporter, a badge he wore with pride, he never lost the newsman's love for a breaking story or a tight deadline. He was a prolific writer, an expert in whiskey and fine food as well as a pioneer beer writer.

We will all lift a pint in his memory.

Daniel & Julie Bradford

His writings were well done, and his books introduced me to the various styles of beer, the better quality breweries of the world, and also the great blessing of Belgian beers, especially those actually brewed by Tappist monks.

My only anecdote is that I had the opportunity to meet him once, but of all the times this came up, it was Lent, and I had given up drinking beer. He was hosting a beer tasting at a local pub ... on a Monday night, so no Sunday break for me. So, I offered it up and passed on the opportunity. My friend took my "The New World Guide to Beer" by Michael Jackson for him to sign. He went, had a fun time, and got my book signed. What did it say?

"To Chris, Where were you? - Michael Jackson 30 Mar '98"
At least he had a sense of humor too. LOL!

Requiescat in pace, Michael Jackson.

And we'll raise a pint for ya!

Roman Sacristan raising a pint with friends
RS

Quick post

This has been making the rounds. Didn't think you could do much with shadow puppets, but this is pretty well done.



RS

OK, maybe my commute isn't so bad.

EDIT-Video had dead link, it should be viewable now (sound might be a bit loud).

Getting across a metropolitan area is rather stressful (and dangerous at times) [EDIT-even when your alternator goes out on your truck like what happened the next day from this post], but I guess my commute isn't this bad:



RS

If it's not one thing it's another.

Sorry for the lack of posts (or at least creative posts). Things have been busy as I come into the homestrech of preparing to go to Rome for a couple of weeks.

And to top it all off, a thunderstorm decided to come through this afternoon and knock out the power for several hours.

EDIT - However, wow, the ego inflator at the bottom of the blog says I have gotten over 20,000 hits and 32,000 pageviews.

RS

Basic Communication Skills People!

Carolina Cannonball over at The Crescat... posted a great clip from the Miss Teen USA pageant. Wow, did Miss Teen South Carolina actually say anything?



She reminded me of something Senator Ted Stevens had said a while back when talking about the internet. Now I was IT for a few years, and so we had to know about how network communications and the internet worked. I guess things have changed since I was in IT because what Senator Stevens says at the end of the clip is vastly different from what I learned (remember he is head of the senate commerce committee):



So of course, if you can't talk about the internet properly, it will get its revenge on you. :P



RS

21st Sunday Per Annum Comparison of Prayers

No changes from last year, but here it is again anyway.

21st Sunday "Per Annum" (Ordinary Time)

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

New way to rollerblade.

This week has been pretty busy, so I needed some Thursday levity.

EDIT - If nothing else, you have to watch the last video in the post.

Jean-Yves Blondeau is a French designer who came up with a sort of rollerblade suit. I had heard of this a while ago, but thought it was just some type of art project or something. (Don't see this being approved by any parental toy safet groups any time soon).
Sorry you'll just have to deal with the French narrative.



The suit might look a bit goofy, but it looks like it would be fun.



However, he has refined the suit and can do some pretty cool downhill things in it. I think it has 31 wheels total.

Can't embed this one, but you can see it at youtube. The Swiss Pass is amazingly steep and winding, and he does it in normal traffic. (Kids, don't try this at home ... or at the Swiss Pass!)

SWISSPASS 1 : FURKA

Not sure what is scarier, going downhill at this speed on winding roads, or having a car filming you right behind you at that speed. You can hear the car's tires squealing they are going so fast around some of those sharp turns!



Dang, that looks like fun!

RS

\/\/h173 & /\/3rdy

Monday levity.

Yes, I'm geeky enough to love the video. Not new, but definitely a classic!

Weird Al Yankovic's "White & Nerdy" video.


Obligatory "making of" video


So what were they laughing so hard at on Donnie Osmonds part? Check it out:


Weird Al isn't the only nerd who's made it big. There are others climbing the ranks.

Nerdcore is rising!


MC Frontalot does have some pretty cool songs BTW.

RS

20th Sunday Per Annum - Comparison of Prayers

Prayers for the 20th Sunday "Per Annum" (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 equal sharers with Him.
Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

RS

The Assumption (Mass during the Day) - Comparison of Prayers

"Assumption of the Virgin" (1529) by Andrea del Sarto
Just a few minor tweaks from last year.

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 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. 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

Vigil of the Assumption - Comparison of Prayers

"The Assumption of the Virgin Mary" by Annibale Carracci
Sorry they are late, but here's the comparison of prayers for the Vigil of the Assumption:

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

RS Movie Review - The Bourne Ultimatum

Wow!

It's hard enough for me to want to go see movies. It used to be that I was always waiting for movies to be released and wanting to go see them as soon as they came out. Yet, ever since 1998 or 1999 it just seems like movies have been horrible. Aside from a tiny handful of movies, I have rarely visited a movie theater.

But a friend of mine introduced me to the Bourne series (I was out of the country when the first one was released), and was pretty amazed at the first movie, The Bourne Identity. I was a bit nervous about the second one, because often, sequels stink (a la Matrix vs. Matrix: Reloaded). But, I was pleasently surprised that the second was just as good, if not better than, the first.

So, the third one is here and again, "can Hollywood actually make a decent third movie?" Well, in my opinion: "Yes, yes it can!" The movie was right up to par with the first two and really does a good job of looking at the whole storyline. It is also a good movie in that in does deal with ethics, and you definitely see the slippery slope of trying to use "the ends justifies the means" morality.

I only had one minor complaint, but I won't mention it because it might cause someone who wouldn't have noticed it to be distracted by it. I'll only say, it was a similar complaint I had in the second movie. So if you didn't notice it in the second it shouldn't bother you in the third. And it's nothing that would objectionable anyway.

I would recommend that you see the first two movies first, as it will make a lot more sense as to what is going on and what some of the flashbacks and references are all about.

Like I said, not only is the third movie good, but the whole series is great. Action packed, very believable, and it does get you thinking about a lot of modern day things. These movies are definitely near the top of my favorites list.

It's PG-13 for violence and language (all in the series are). However, I find none of it gratuitous.

BTW - A movie like this is enhanced by seeing it on the big screen with a good sound system. It's good anyway, but it was certainly fun in the theater.

RS

The Countries of the World

Monday Levity.

Here's a frustrating little game: Can you name the 192 countries in the United Nations. The difficulty is that sometimes you'll think of coutries, but they are not in the UN. You have 10 minutes (spelling counts).

192 UN Member States in 10 minutes

If you need help you might find some hints from Wakko Warner in this amazing song:



Think that is impressive, the guy who does Wakko's voice, Rob Paulsen (who also did Pinky in Pinky and the Brain, and Raphael on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, can still do the song in one take. Hmmm, this would be a great homeschooler project [hint, hint].



RS

Church Will Survive

Arg! I can't believe some bishops!

Supposedly, the bishop of Gaylord, Michigan, has said:

Until other law is promulgated, all liturgies in the Diocese of Gaylord are to be celebrated entirely in English by the presiding celebrant.

I do think other law has been promulgated. Check out Vatican II's Sacrosanctum Concilium, the current G.I.R.M., Sacramentum Redemptionem, and Summorum Pontificum.

I'd like to point out to bishops that the laity are not idiots. Some of the faithful may be apathetic, but many others know the faith and know Church and liturgical law.

Hopefully Rome will respond to this ridiculous statement promptly (of course most of Italy is on vacation during August, so we'll see).

It's time like thse I have to remember a great anecdote about Napoleon. When he invaded Italy and was taking away property and rights from the Church, he told a cardinal, "I will destroy the Church." The cardinal quickly retorted, "If us cardinals and bishops haven't been able to do it, what makes you think you can?"

Deo Gratias that God is ultimately in charge of the Church.

LOL.

RS

19th Sunday Per Annum Comparison of Prayers

No changes from last year:

Comparison of Prayers - 19th Sunday Per Annum

RS

Scripture still relevant

Well, I was bad and overslept today, so I had to go to a different parish to go to Mass. Although today is the Memorial of Saint Dominic, they took the readings from the readings of the day. Providentially, the 1st reading inspired me to make a story related to a modern day situation.

Now of course, I am not for adapting the Bible to suit today's culture. We are certainly intelligent enough to learn about the culture in the Bible so that we can understand it in the original context in which it was written. However, I want to use it to tell a parallel story:

The actual reading from Mass can be found here:

1st reading for Wednesday of the 18th Week of Ordinary Time, Year I
(It's the N.A.B. translation of Numbers 13:1-2, 25–14:1, 26a-29a, 34-35, if the above link doesn't work. I can't copy the enitre reading because of copywrite. Although I have no idea why the USCCB would even bother copywriting such a pathetic translation ... except to keep people from pointing out how bad it is.)

Here is my parallel story:
(it's better if you read the 1st reading in the above link first)

The Holy Spirit said to the popes [in the early 21st century,]
“Assign men to consider a wider use of the older use of Mass,
which I am once again giving to the children of God.
You shall send one man from each diocese,
all of them bishops.”

After investigating the use for some time they returned,
met Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI and the whole congregation of Ecclesia Dei
in the Vatican at Rome,
made a report to them all,
and showed the fruit of the old use of Mass
to the whole congregation.
They told the popes: “We went into the use to which you sent us.
It does indeed flow with milk and honey, and here is its fruit.
However, the people who are living in the land are fierce,
and their faith is fortified and very strong.
Besides, we saw descendants of the SSPX there.”

Ecclesia Dei, however, to quiet the people toward the pope, said,
“We ought to go up and seize the opportunity, for we can certainly do so.”
But some of the bishops and cardinals who had gone up with them said,
“We cannot encourage these people; they are too strong for us.”
So they spread discouraging reports among the children of God
about the use they had scouted, saying,
“The use that we explored is a liturgy that bores its inhabitants.
And all the people we saw there are cold, uncharitable giants
we felt spiritually immature, and so we must have seemed to them.”

And thus, the whole media broke out with loud cries,
and even in the night some of the cardinals wailed.

The LORD said to the popes:
“How long will this wicked assembly grumble against me?
I have heard the grumblings of some of the bishops and cardinals against me.
Tell them: By my life, says the LORD,
I will do to them just what I have heard them say.
Here in the liturgical desert shall their dead bodies fall.
A couple of years they spent in scouting the use;
Many years shall they suffer for their crimes:
one bishop for each day.
Thus they will realize what it means to oppose me.
I, the LORD, have sworn to do this
to all this wicked assembly that conspired against me:
here in the liturgical desert they shall be confined to the last [trout]man.”

Obviously you can tell what is on my mind lately.

RS

levart emiT

"What's really going to bake your noodle later on is would you still have broken it if I hadn't said anything?"

A BBC "special" on Time Travel.



It still begs the question, if time travel will work, can't we say it already has worked?

Kind of weird documentary, especially at the ending.

The "computing" section I find to be full of illogical assumptions. Of course I guess dealing with time travel does open up lots of illogical questions. I would still think that even though computing is increasing, you will hit a wall or plateau at which you are stuck. Maybe quantum computing will prove that wrong, although I read that it can only be used to solve certain types of problems.

Funny how scientists spend their whole lives studying "reality" but end up only looking at the physical reality. Although I enjoy science, I don't worship it. It is merely a tool.

I once heard the statement, "'no statements are true unless they can be proven scientifically' cannot be scientifically proven." Interesting.

The "best" explaination I've ever heard is here:

"One of the major problems encountered in time travel is not that of becoming your own father or mother. There is no problem in becoming your own father or mother that a broad-minded and well-adjusted family can't cope with. There is no problem with changing the course of history—the course of history does not change because it all fits together like a jigsaw. All the important changes have happened before the things they were supposed to change and it all sorts itself out in the end.

The major problem is simply one of grammar, and the main work to consult in this matter is Dr. Dan Streetmentioner's Time Traveler's Handbook of 1001 Tense Formations. It will tell you, for instance, how to describe something that was about to happen to you in the past before you avoided it by time-jumping forward two days in order to avoid it. The event will be descibed differently according to whether you are talking about it from the standpoint of your own natural time, from a time in the further future, or a time in the further past and is futher complicated by the possibility of conducting conversations while you are actually traveling from one time to another with the intention of becoming your own mother or father.

Most readers get as far as the Future Semiconditionally Modified Subinverted Plagal Past Subjunctive Intentional before giving up; and in fact in later editions of the book all pages beyond this point have been left blank to save on printing costs.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy skips lightly over this tangle of academic abstraction, pausing only to note that the term "Future Perfect" has been abandoned since it was discovered not to be."

So, yes, I know, this post was odd too. I guess my phone cord was too tight around my forehead, and my electromagnet was getting hot and distracting me. Oh well, back to reality. And for some reason I crave pizza.

RS

Cure d'Ars and Latin

Incorrupt Body of Saint Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney
Today is the feast day of Saint John Vianney, the Cure d'Ars. As I was reading about him, something interesting jumped out at me, especially in light of the recent motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum" and all the hoopla from certain sectors about Latin.

I find it rather Providential that the Patron Saint of Diocesan Priests was horrible at Latin. Yet, not only did he become a Saint, but he is the Patron of Diocesan Priests. As the pope noted, many Saints, including Saint John Vianney, became Saints under the "Tridentine" form of the Mass. So, although Saint John Vianney's Latin wasn't stellar, he knew enough to offer the Mass and become a Saint.

And in this day, when priests (supposedly) have much more formation, and many are able to get through the academics easily with passing grades, and we, in general, in our modern society, need to know much more just to survive on a day to day basis, priests (and laity) should be able to learn enough Latin to go to Mass.

I keep saying again and again, the Latin is not that hard. So much of the English language's vocabulary is derived from Latin. As Father Reginald Foster once commented: "Latin is not only for intellectuals. Back in ancient Rome, even beggars and prostitutes could speak and understand it."

And I think we've all seen tons of statistics that say the belief in the Real Presence has been dropping over the last forty years ... which is odd if the vernacular really helps that much with people understanding their Faith.

Anyway, may Saint John Vianney pray for all our diocesan priests, that they might gain the knowledge of Latin which he never had.

The Roman Sacristan on his soapbox
/rant

LOL.

RS

1962 Missale Romanum

Ooooh, I was able to hold and look through a brand new 1962 Missale Romanum (sounds contradictory but is so great to say: "brand new 1962 Missale Romanum"), which is published by Roman Catholic Books.

I have to say, the quality of this is absolutely amazing. It is much better in quality than the Vatican edition of the 2002 Missale Romanum. It is pretty clear that the publishers really did care about publishing something with "altar worthy" standards.

And, yes, I checked, there is nothing in the Good Friday ritual about the "incredulous Jews," so anyone using that weak excuse can stop.

RS

18th Sunday Per Annum Comparison of Prayers

Comparison of Prayers or the 18th Sunday "Per Annum" (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

Portiuncula (Porziuncola) 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.

All the info you need is here:

August 2nd - "Portiuncula Indulgence"

RS

Meme: Why I Love Jesus Christ

In wondering what to blog about, I noticed I had been tagged by Vox Cantor for the "Why I Love Jesus" meme.

Those tagged will share 5 things they love about Jesus and must tag 5 other bloggers. Those tagged must provide a link in the comments box here with their name so that others can read them.

I am going to tend to take the more theological approach.

1) Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
(As a side note, I tend to not favor just saying "Jesus." This is probably due to two reasons: 1) protestants say It so much, it has banalized His Name and taken on a sappy tone, IMHO. 2) my theology studies and our approach in dogmatic theology of approaching His human nature in referring to Him as Jesus, and His Divine nature in referring to Him as the Christ. So, I always feel just saying "Jesus" without including "Christ" makes it a bit one sided and only looks at His humanity. However, it's two natures in one Person, they really are inseparable.)

2) Jesus Christ is the Incarnate Word. (This really would be more accurately stated: the God the Son humbled Himself and became incarnate.) The Incarnation is something I really think is underappreciated or misunderstood by Christians. That God the Son became man ... forever, He has not shed His humanity upon ascending into Heaven. He took on our human nature permanently. Once I realized this, I was just totally blown away.

3) Jesus Christ shed His Blood and gave His Life for us. This love ("diligens"=the laying down your life for someone love not "luv") reveals to us the inner life of the Holy Trinity. The total outpouring of Jesus Christ on the Cross shows us God the Father's total outpouring of love to the Son ... a love so full it is another Person, the Holy Spirit.

4) Jesus Christ speaks with authority. (Read the Gospels)

5) Jesus Christ isn't a hippie! (Read the Gospels!)

Hmm, whom should I tag? Since this meme has been around awhile, I'll just tag three people. How about:

dadwithnoisykids at Scorpion Stalking Duck
Joee Blogs at Catholic Londoner
Matt at Absolutely No Spin

If you've already dealt with this meme, then just post what you've already done.

RS