I found a video that dadwithnoisykids could try since it would feed his entire family
RS
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Comparison of Prayers - 4th Sunday of Easter
"Christ the Good Shepherd" mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna, Italy
Collect (Opening Prayer)
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, deduc nos ad societátem cæléstium gaudiórum, ut eo pervéniat humílitas gregis, quo procéssit fortitúdo pastóris.
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, give us new strength from the courage of Christ our shepherd, and lead us to join the saints in heaven,
where he 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, lead us to the community of heavenly joys, so that the humility of the flock might reach Him, from Whom the Might of the Shepherd proceeds.
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
Concéde, quaésumus, Dómine, semper nos per hæc mystéria paschália gratulári, ut contínua nostræ reparatiónis operátio perpétuæ nobis fiat causa lætítiæ.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, restore us by these Easter mysteries. May the continuing work of our redeemer bring us eternal joy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
My Own Literal Translation
Grant us, we beseech You, O Lord, through these Paschal Mysteries to rejoice always, so that the continual work of our redemption might be the cause of our unending joy.
Through Christ our Lord.
Preface
Preface I of Easter (form for Easter outside of the Octave)
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salutáre: Te quidem, Dómine, omni témpore confitéri, sed in hoc potíssimum gloriósus prædicáre, cum Pascha nostrum immolátus est Christus.
Ipse enim verus est Agnus qui ábstulit peccáta mundi. Qui mortem nostram moriéndo destrúxit, et vitam resurgéndo reparávit.
Quaprópter, profúsis paschálibus gáudiis, totus in orbe terrárum mundus exsúltat. Sed et supérnæ virtútes atque angélicæ potestátes hymnum glóriæ tuæ cóncinunt, sine fine dicéntes:
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. We praise you with greater joy than ever in this Easter season, when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.
He is the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world. By dying he destroyed our death; by rising he restored our life.
And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise.
Holy, holy, holy ...
My Own Literal Translation
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation: You, Lord, are indeed confessed at all times, but most especially in this glorious time, when Christ was offered up as our Paschal Sacrifice.
For He Himself is the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world. Who destroyed our death by dying, and restored our life by rising.
Therefore, with an outpouring of Paschal joy, all on earth exult. And the Supreme Virtues and the Angelic Powers sing together the hymn of Your glory, saying without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...
Post-Communion Prayer
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Gregem tuum, Pastor bone, placátus inténde, et oves, quas pretióso Fílii tui sánguine redemísti, in ætérnis páscuis collocáre dignéris.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Father, eternal shepherd, watch over the flock redeemed by the blood of Christ and lead us to the promised land.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O Good Shepherd, be pleased to watch over Your flock, and may You deign to gather the sheep, whom You have redeemed by the Precious Blood of Your Son, into the Eternal Pastures.
Through Christ our Lord.
RS
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Essay on Liturgical Development
The New Liturgical Movement has an interesting essay regarding liturgical development and the current climate of the liturgy today, written by a monk in France.
The Place of Custom and Tradition
(Please read his article, as I don't do his thesis justice and I probably go off topic in my comments below anyway)
It is a topic that I always find interesting given how much time I spend pondering the current liturgical mess in which the Church finds Herself.
Part of what I like about this essay is that it is not just a "how did we get ourselves into this" essay, but it also tries to take a look at how we might get ourselves out of it.
Part of the focus is on the relation between what we would now call "organic development" and "development" by some type of imposition of law (which may or may not have a negative connotation to it).
I have always believed that the Pauline Mass is valid and licit because the Church has the right and authority to say so. However, the more I study the Pauline and Pian rites (ie the "Novus Ordo" and "Tridentine Rite" respectively), the more I see the Pauline rite as merely a very artificial (yet valid and licit) rite created by a committee with a very myopic view of the 1960's which ignored the liturgical Tradition of the West (if not of the entire history of the Church) in spite of so many claims that the Novus Ordo sought to go back to the early Church.
I find that "early Church" claim to be an error given that the liturgy in the West had obviously developed for the last 1500 years since then. Abbot Boniface Luykx (who was part of the Vatican II liturgical committees) once stated that to reform the Western liturgy it was an error to go back to the "Early Church." Rather, to go back to the real "sources" of the Western rite, it would be more accurate to go back to the Charolingian reforms. However, even then, it would be foolish to ignore all liturgies since then.
Dom Christopher also talks about the development of custom vs. legal imposition of ritual. This is an area where I think some understanding needs to be reached in the modern mind of those in the Church. Overall, we have fallen into a very legalistic mentality. This is an issue because it often brings us right to the problem that was happening before Vatican II. Did we do things only because they were the law, or did we do them because there was actually some theological reason behind it?
This, in my opinion, is a great problem today. So many "fixes" of the liturgy boil down to making a law and enforcing it. However, the ideal would be that things are done due to a respect for the liturgy. Many priests and liturgists will try to get away with as much as they can, but this indeed shows a more legalistic view. It often results in the excuse "well it doesn't say I can't do that" which is really against the whole point of the ritual.
Rather, there should be a respect for the ritual and rite. A priest (and even laity) should have an attitude of respect for the rituals and rites that they would think "who am I to change things on my own? This is what the Church asks me to do. She has Her theological reasons (which I may or may not understand), and thus I will carry out the liturgy as She expects me to do."
Thus the more "positive" role of the liturgical instructions. They tell you what to do, nothing more, nothing less. If we follow those instructions we will have uniformity of worship, not just in external gestures and words, but also in obedient hearts.
This brings up another point that I often notice while working in a parish. Priests and liturgists are not the only ones who add or subtract from the Mass. I often see this happen with the laity as well. So many extra gestures and devotions are being introduced by the laity into the Mass that really don't belong. I good example is the response to the priests "the Lord be with you" followed by many people lifting their arms up to the priest as they say "and also with you." Or other private devotions which, while they are not intrinsically evil, are not appropriate to be introduced into the public worship of the liturgy. Why confuse the issue? Of course I will also admit that it is just ignorant zeal that often leads to these things. Which is why, not only priests and liturgists need to understand the rubrics, but the laity really need to understand the rite as well. If they are expected to "participate" then they also need to know what they are to do (and thus also what not to do).
Which brings me to what I feel was the biggest failure of the liturgical reforms of Vatican II. The problem was that before Vatican II, the liturgical reformers saw that there was a problem of ignorance of the liturgy in the faithful. I truly believe that one of the goals of the Second Vatican Council Fathers was to bring the faithful into a more focused and knowledgeable worship. However, rather than focusing on catechisis and elevating the laity, the result was a dumbing down of the liturgy so that the laity wouldn't have to make an effort to learn. How often do you hear those who are against changes being made to the current Pauline (Novus Ordo) rite that the faithful won't understand what is happening? My only answer is, "well, then teach them!"
RS
The Place of Custom and Tradition
(Please read his article, as I don't do his thesis justice and I probably go off topic in my comments below anyway)
It is a topic that I always find interesting given how much time I spend pondering the current liturgical mess in which the Church finds Herself.
Part of what I like about this essay is that it is not just a "how did we get ourselves into this" essay, but it also tries to take a look at how we might get ourselves out of it.
Part of the focus is on the relation between what we would now call "organic development" and "development" by some type of imposition of law (which may or may not have a negative connotation to it).
I have always believed that the Pauline Mass is valid and licit because the Church has the right and authority to say so. However, the more I study the Pauline and Pian rites (ie the "Novus Ordo" and "Tridentine Rite" respectively), the more I see the Pauline rite as merely a very artificial (yet valid and licit) rite created by a committee with a very myopic view of the 1960's which ignored the liturgical Tradition of the West (if not of the entire history of the Church) in spite of so many claims that the Novus Ordo sought to go back to the early Church.
I find that "early Church" claim to be an error given that the liturgy in the West had obviously developed for the last 1500 years since then. Abbot Boniface Luykx (who was part of the Vatican II liturgical committees) once stated that to reform the Western liturgy it was an error to go back to the "Early Church." Rather, to go back to the real "sources" of the Western rite, it would be more accurate to go back to the Charolingian reforms. However, even then, it would be foolish to ignore all liturgies since then.
Dom Christopher also talks about the development of custom vs. legal imposition of ritual. This is an area where I think some understanding needs to be reached in the modern mind of those in the Church. Overall, we have fallen into a very legalistic mentality. This is an issue because it often brings us right to the problem that was happening before Vatican II. Did we do things only because they were the law, or did we do them because there was actually some theological reason behind it?
This, in my opinion, is a great problem today. So many "fixes" of the liturgy boil down to making a law and enforcing it. However, the ideal would be that things are done due to a respect for the liturgy. Many priests and liturgists will try to get away with as much as they can, but this indeed shows a more legalistic view. It often results in the excuse "well it doesn't say I can't do that" which is really against the whole point of the ritual.
Rather, there should be a respect for the ritual and rite. A priest (and even laity) should have an attitude of respect for the rituals and rites that they would think "who am I to change things on my own? This is what the Church asks me to do. She has Her theological reasons (which I may or may not understand), and thus I will carry out the liturgy as She expects me to do."
Thus the more "positive" role of the liturgical instructions. They tell you what to do, nothing more, nothing less. If we follow those instructions we will have uniformity of worship, not just in external gestures and words, but also in obedient hearts.
This brings up another point that I often notice while working in a parish. Priests and liturgists are not the only ones who add or subtract from the Mass. I often see this happen with the laity as well. So many extra gestures and devotions are being introduced by the laity into the Mass that really don't belong. I good example is the response to the priests "the Lord be with you" followed by many people lifting their arms up to the priest as they say "and also with you." Or other private devotions which, while they are not intrinsically evil, are not appropriate to be introduced into the public worship of the liturgy. Why confuse the issue? Of course I will also admit that it is just ignorant zeal that often leads to these things. Which is why, not only priests and liturgists need to understand the rubrics, but the laity really need to understand the rite as well. If they are expected to "participate" then they also need to know what they are to do (and thus also what not to do).
Which brings me to what I feel was the biggest failure of the liturgical reforms of Vatican II. The problem was that before Vatican II, the liturgical reformers saw that there was a problem of ignorance of the liturgy in the faithful. I truly believe that one of the goals of the Second Vatican Council Fathers was to bring the faithful into a more focused and knowledgeable worship. However, rather than focusing on catechisis and elevating the laity, the result was a dumbing down of the liturgy so that the laity wouldn't have to make an effort to learn. How often do you hear those who are against changes being made to the current Pauline (Novus Ordo) rite that the faithful won't understand what is happening? My only answer is, "well, then teach them!"
RS
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Slow day
Sorry for not posting. I am feeling better, but the medication I am on is just knocking me out. The doc told me to get rest, and with this antihistamine, I am easliy complying.
The doc said this has been one of the worst allergy seasons in quite awhile, plus there have been several viral things going around.
Then to top it all off, I had just read in the paper that my area is the 2nd worst allergy place in the country.
Greeeaaaatttt!
RS
Monday, April 23, 2007
Illness
Ugh. Well, "Influenza Roman Sacristan" has been downgraded to "Sinus Infection Roman Sacristan" as its temperatures have dropped below 99 degrees. It should hit the Texas doctor region at about 8:45am Tuesday morning.
I guess it could be worse, I could have what these guys have.
(Rated PG for prime time television language)
Down With The Sickness
RS
I guess it could be worse, I could have what these guys have.
(Rated PG for prime time television language)
Down With The Sickness
RS
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Comparison of Prayers - 3rd Sunday of Easter
Sorry for taking so long to post. I think I have the flu, so this is just a quick post.
Collect (Opening Prayer)
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Semper exsúltet pópulus tuus, Deus, renováta ánimæ iuventúte, ut, qui nunc lætátur in adoptiónis se glóriam restitútum, resurrectiónis diem spe certæ gratulatiónis exspéctet.
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 look forward with hope to our resurrection, for you have made us your sons and daughters, and restored the joy of our youth.
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. May Your people always exult, O God, in the youth of their souls having been restored, that, he who now rejoices in his restored glory of adoption, may look forward to the day of resurrection with the hope of certain rejoicing.
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 múnera, Dómine, quaésumus, exsultántis Ecclésiæ, et, cui causam tanti gáudii præstitísti, perpétuæ fructum concéde lætítiæ.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, receive these gifts from your Church. May the great joy you give us come to perfection in heaven.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
My Own Literal Translation
Receive these gifts of Your exultant Church, we beseech You, O Lord, and to those whom You have given the cause of so great a joy, grant the fruit of perpetual happiness.
Through Christ our Lord.
Preface
Preface I of Easter (form for Easter outside of the Octave)
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salutáre: Te quidem, Dómine, omni témpore confitéri, sed in hoc potíssimum gloriósus prædicáre, cum Pascha nostrum immolátus est Christus.
Ipse enim verus est Agnus qui ábstulit peccáta mundi. Qui mortem nostram moriéndo destrúxit, et vitam resurgéndo reparávit.
Quaprópter, profúsis paschálibus gáudiis, totus in orbe terrárum mundus exsúltat. Sed et supérnæ virtútes atque angélicæ potestátes hymnum glóriæ tuæ cóncinunt, sine fine dicéntes:
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. We praise you with greater joy than ever in this Easter season, when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.
He is the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world. By dying he destroyed our death; by rising he restored our life.
And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise.
Holy, holy, holy ...
My Own Literal Translation
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation: You, Lord, are indeed confessed at all times, but most especially in this glorious time, when Christ was offered up as our Paschal Sacrifice.
For He Himself is the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world. Who destroyed our death by dying, and restored our life by rising.
Therefore, with an outpouring of Paschal joy, all on earth exult. And the Supreme Virtues and the Angelic Powers sing together the hymn of Your glory, saying without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...
Post-Communion Prayer
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Pópulum tuum, quaésumus, Dómine, intuére benígnus, et, quem ætérnis dignátus es renováre mystériis, ad incorruptíbilem glorificándæ carnis resurrectiónem perveníre concéde.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, look on your people with kindness and by these Easter mysteries bring us to the glory of the resurrection.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Look kindly upon Your people, we beseech You, O Lord, and, grant that those whom You have deigned to renew through these eternal Mysteries, may attain the incorruptible glorifying resurrection of the flesh.
Through Christ our Lord.
RS
Collect (Opening Prayer)
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Semper exsúltet pópulus tuus, Deus, renováta ánimæ iuventúte, ut, qui nunc lætátur in adoptiónis se glóriam restitútum, resurrectiónis diem spe certæ gratulatiónis exspéctet.
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 look forward with hope to our resurrection, for you have made us your sons and daughters, and restored the joy of our youth.
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. May Your people always exult, O God, in the youth of their souls having been restored, that, he who now rejoices in his restored glory of adoption, may look forward to the day of resurrection with the hope of certain rejoicing.
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 múnera, Dómine, quaésumus, exsultántis Ecclésiæ, et, cui causam tanti gáudii præstitísti, perpétuæ fructum concéde lætítiæ.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, receive these gifts from your Church. May the great joy you give us come to perfection in heaven.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
My Own Literal Translation
Receive these gifts of Your exultant Church, we beseech You, O Lord, and to those whom You have given the cause of so great a joy, grant the fruit of perpetual happiness.
Through Christ our Lord.
Preface
Preface I of Easter (form for Easter outside of the Octave)
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salutáre: Te quidem, Dómine, omni témpore confitéri, sed in hoc potíssimum gloriósus prædicáre, cum Pascha nostrum immolátus est Christus.
Ipse enim verus est Agnus qui ábstulit peccáta mundi. Qui mortem nostram moriéndo destrúxit, et vitam resurgéndo reparávit.
Quaprópter, profúsis paschálibus gáudiis, totus in orbe terrárum mundus exsúltat. Sed et supérnæ virtútes atque angélicæ potestátes hymnum glóriæ tuæ cóncinunt, sine fine dicéntes:
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. We praise you with greater joy than ever in this Easter season, when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.
He is the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world. By dying he destroyed our death; by rising he restored our life.
And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise.
Holy, holy, holy ...
My Own Literal Translation
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation: You, Lord, are indeed confessed at all times, but most especially in this glorious time, when Christ was offered up as our Paschal Sacrifice.
For He Himself is the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world. Who destroyed our death by dying, and restored our life by rising.
Therefore, with an outpouring of Paschal joy, all on earth exult. And the Supreme Virtues and the Angelic Powers sing together the hymn of Your glory, saying without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...
Post-Communion Prayer
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Pópulum tuum, quaésumus, Dómine, intuére benígnus, et, quem ætérnis dignátus es renováre mystériis, ad incorruptíbilem glorificándæ carnis resurrectiónem perveníre concéde.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, look on your people with kindness and by these Easter mysteries bring us to the glory of the resurrection.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Look kindly upon Your people, we beseech You, O Lord, and, grant that those whom You have deigned to renew through these eternal Mysteries, may attain the incorruptible glorifying resurrection of the flesh.
Through Christ our Lord.
RS
Friday, April 20, 2007
Survival Story
or "How a friend and the election of the pope saved my life."
Well, today is an odd anniversary for me personally. Two years ago, I almost didn't make it to see the next day.
To make a long story short. There's a reason why they say on those heating pad warning labels not to fall asleep on them. Having had a pain in my back, I decided to sleep on my heating pad, this also caused me to sweat all night and become extremely dehydrated. When I got up, I felt horrible, so I didn't eat, which just made things worse. Eventually, I was rather disoriented and apparently fainted.
Thanks be to God a friend of mine came by to celebrate the new pope with a few beers. However, he found me in a stupor and pretty sick. He took me to the emergency room, and I really don't remember anything for the next two weeks.
Turns out I had gotten rhabdomyolysis to a very serious degreee that it caused sudden kidney failure. The doctors did not think I would make it through the night. So much so that my pastor came up and gave me last rites.
They transferred me to a bigger hospital and after two weeks I slowly came out of the fog I was in and after a few dialysis treatments, my kidneys "turned back on." Overall, I was in the hospital for a month.
I can't thank my friend enough. It's amazing how Divine Providence works. I do wonder if there was any connection to the devil being angry about having a new pope and I got hit with some "splashdamage" of his wrath.
Te Deum laudamus ...
RS
Well, today is an odd anniversary for me personally. Two years ago, I almost didn't make it to see the next day.
To make a long story short. There's a reason why they say on those heating pad warning labels not to fall asleep on them. Having had a pain in my back, I decided to sleep on my heating pad, this also caused me to sweat all night and become extremely dehydrated. When I got up, I felt horrible, so I didn't eat, which just made things worse. Eventually, I was rather disoriented and apparently fainted.
Thanks be to God a friend of mine came by to celebrate the new pope with a few beers. However, he found me in a stupor and pretty sick. He took me to the emergency room, and I really don't remember anything for the next two weeks.
Turns out I had gotten rhabdomyolysis to a very serious degreee that it caused sudden kidney failure. The doctors did not think I would make it through the night. So much so that my pastor came up and gave me last rites.
They transferred me to a bigger hospital and after two weeks I slowly came out of the fog I was in and after a few dialysis treatments, my kidneys "turned back on." Overall, I was in the hospital for a month.
I can't thank my friend enough. It's amazing how Divine Providence works. I do wonder if there was any connection to the devil being angry about having a new pope and I got hit with some "splashdamage" of his wrath.
Te Deum laudamus ...
RS
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Happy Anniversary Pope Benedict XVI
Two years ago today was an amazingly happy day!
I was at the church working on some handouts and had just been emailed a website that was a webcam pointed at the smokestack of the Sistine Chapel. So, I turned it on and nothing was going on, but I left it open and continued working.
A few minutes later, I looked at the site and this time saw something going on.
I went over to the TV room (which had EWTN) and something was going on. However, nobody was quite sure if it was really white smoke or not. Apparently in the past there has been some confusion on the smoke colors, so people were a bit hesitant to say something was going. However, as they showed the piazza in front of Saint Peters, you could see more and more people were congregating in the piazza. Every channel was covering it. Something was going on.
At this point I notified Father that something was going on. By the time he got to the TV room, the bells of Saint Peters had begun to ring. According to a friend who was there, at this point people began pouring into the piazza and surrounding streets.
It seemed to take quite a while for any activity to be noticed. However, FINALLY, a cardinal came out onto the upper balcony. Looking at what he read, it isn't very long, but at that time, it was like an eternity. Talk about the excitement and tension. It was like the entire world was on the edge of its seat.
I was at the church working on some handouts and had just been emailed a website that was a webcam pointed at the smokestack of the Sistine Chapel. So, I turned it on and nothing was going on, but I left it open and continued working.
A few minutes later, I looked at the site and this time saw something going on.
I went over to the TV room (which had EWTN) and something was going on. However, nobody was quite sure if it was really white smoke or not. Apparently in the past there has been some confusion on the smoke colors, so people were a bit hesitant to say something was going. However, as they showed the piazza in front of Saint Peters, you could see more and more people were congregating in the piazza. Every channel was covering it. Something was going on.
At this point I notified Father that something was going on. By the time he got to the TV room, the bells of Saint Peters had begun to ring. According to a friend who was there, at this point people began pouring into the piazza and surrounding streets.
It seemed to take quite a while for any activity to be noticed. However, FINALLY, a cardinal came out onto the upper balcony. Looking at what he read, it isn't very long, but at that time, it was like an eternity. Talk about the excitement and tension. It was like the entire world was on the edge of its seat.
Here's the "transcript" of my thoughts through what seemed like an eternity of anticipation.
Cardinal announcing: "Fratelli e suorelli carissimi ..."
Me: OK, Italian greeting to the faithful
"Carissimos hermanos y hermanas ..."
Spanish? I think. Oh no, is he going to go through every language?!
"Ches frères et soeurs ..."
French! He is ...
"[something I didn't understand]"
NOOOO! languages I don't recognize! This could take forever!
EDIT - Turns out it was German ("Liebe Brüder und Schwestern")
"Dear brothers and sisters ..."
Hey! English!
"Annuncio vobis, gaudium magnum ..."
Hey, Latin! ... THEY'RE ANNOUNCING IT!
"Habemus papam ..."
Yes, we pretty much figured that, get on with it!
"Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum,"
OK, it's a cardinal, figured that ...
"Dominum Josephum..."
Josephum, Josephum ... Joseph! ... JOSEPH! Ratzinger is named Joseph, but how many other cardinals are named Joseph?!
"Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem"
Aaargh! We know the title of a cardinal, get on with it!
"Ratzinger!"
Oh my gosh! I don't believe it! RATZINGER IS THE NEW POPE! YES!!!!!!
And look, the crowd is thrilled, the people are loving it!
[At this point I am jumping up and down cheering along with Father]
"qui sibi nomen imposuit ..."
Oooh, his name, what will his new name be?
"... Benedictum XVI"
Benedict! How cool! How classic!
Here's the clip of what seemed like an eternity.
EDIT - Notice how much Latin there is, but for some crazy reason, people understand it!
Then the the new pope came onto the balcony. It was great!
He looks like a natural.
Wow! This is amazing! Deo gratias!
We had a Mass of thanksgiving a bit later since we had the Mass scheduled in the afternoon anyway. It was great to hear "una cum famulo tuo Papa nostro BENEDICTO."
Wow, what a great day!
Happy Anniversary, Pope Benedict!
VIVA IL PAPA!
Two years ago tomorrow was one of the worst days, which I almost didn't make it through. I think the devil was in a rage over the new pope and I got hit with the splashdamage of his wrath. More later.
RS
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
An Inside Story on Sudan and Darfur
As most readers of this blog know, I am very interested in the media and the information or misinformation it can provide. I have recently come across a "news agency" called Vice Broadcasting System or VBS.tv (I won't directly link to their site as contains some "more-than-just-PG-13" articles or topics).
While VBS does seem to be made up of many who would probably have a more liberal bent on their worldviews, one thing that does interest me is their desire to get more of an inside story than what the major news networks get (ie NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, BBC, etc.), and yet I don't think VBS is sensationalistic jounalism.
What impressed me with this story on Sudan and Darfur was that it was not limited by the usual politically correct bias that most mainstream news networks have. This story is based on them going into Sudan and looking at the history of war there and what the causes were, the state of each the areas of Sudan, and quite possibly what the lies are.
I think these videos would be appropriate for this blog, although they are more PG in nature. Anyway, this is not quite the "average news outlet" story on Sudan.
Here is "Inside Sudan" in five parts.
Pt 1
Pt 2
Pt 3
Pt 4
Pt 5
RS
While VBS does seem to be made up of many who would probably have a more liberal bent on their worldviews, one thing that does interest me is their desire to get more of an inside story than what the major news networks get (ie NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, BBC, etc.), and yet I don't think VBS is sensationalistic jounalism.
What impressed me with this story on Sudan and Darfur was that it was not limited by the usual politically correct bias that most mainstream news networks have. This story is based on them going into Sudan and looking at the history of war there and what the causes were, the state of each the areas of Sudan, and quite possibly what the lies are.
I think these videos would be appropriate for this blog, although they are more PG in nature. Anyway, this is not quite the "average news outlet" story on Sudan.
Here is "Inside Sudan" in five parts.
Pt 1
Pt 2
Pt 3
Pt 4
Pt 5
RS
Monday, April 16, 2007
Movie Review - Into Great Silence
Last Friday, I went to go see "Into Great Silence" with dadwithnoisykids and his family (including Histor the Wise), with TheEngineer's family, and Fr. X.
dadwithnoisykids has his own movie review and I just saw that Histor the Wise has his review up also.
I think my viewing of this movie is going to be a bit different from most peoples, because I have stayed in a Carthusian Monastery on a vocation retreat, so I have experienced their life first hand. And from that, I can say this movie is excellent in showing Carthusian life.
There were several little details I noticed. Here's a few:
For instance, when the monks gather in the chapel, as each monk comes in, they will take charge ringing the bell until another monk comes in.
I also noticed the "Carthusian prostration" which is a bit different from the typical lie-down-on-your-stomach-with-your-face-to-the-floor-prostration we think of when we hear that. Carthusians will lie down pretty much on their right side. It almost looks like they are just reclining.
At the end of a Psalm, they will also sing the Gloria Patri much more slowly and deliberately than the regular pace of the Psalms.
The monks' cells at the Grande Chartreuse are similar to the ones at the Charterhouse of the Transfiguration in Vermont. It is not quite what you would consider a typical monastic cell. It is in fact more like a small house. It has two levels. The bottom level contains a work area (usually where the monk will cut and chop his firewood out of the large pieces of wood that are brought to his cell by the lay brothers) which opens out onto a small outdoor garden which is completely surrounded by walls.
The upper level is the actual living space of the monk, where his bed, work table, and chapel will be. I have descibed this in a previous post.
One thing that suprised me was that this movie is one of the few times you will actually see a Carthusian's face. Even in the vocational liturature I got from them, all the pictures of monks had them with their hood on or in a shadow so you could not see their face. However, several times, the director will just have a monk look right into the camera for about 30 seconds to a minute. It's almost awkward, but it does make them seem much more real and you realize they are men just like anyone else.
The only thing that was not conveyed was the intensity of that silence and solitude. It's one thing to sit through a 3 hour movie that is basically silent, but it is quite another thing to be sitting in a cell completely alone with God for most of your day. That to me is what makes their vocation so heroic. I am sure it is something you do get used to and do fall in love with if that is your vocation, but it really is hard to imagine it until you experience it.
The other reason the solitude is not conveyed well is because you feel like you are right there with the monk. So in a way, you, as a viewer, do not feel alone. It's not a problem with the director's filming, it is just something that is intrinsic to the process.
But I do have to give the director credit. This movie is rich in details, and shows a lot about the life of the monks. It shows both the activities of the priest monks and the lay brothers. It shows their manual labor and their prayer life. It shows their solitude and their community life too. The director did a supurb job of allowing the viewer to enter into the life of the monastery without it feeling like a documentary or some avante guarde art piece.
Overall, this movie is excellent and I highly recommend it. I don't think you can get more a more candid and authentic view of the Carthusians without actually experiencing it firsthand. This is what vocational videos should be like.
I can't wait to get it on DVD.
RS
Which (insert whatever) are you.
OK, three which (whatever) are you quizzes:
1) WHICH CHURCH FATHER ARE YOU?
I find this rather ironic for me, but I am supposedly most like:
Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!
I always thought I was more of a Saint Pammachius (in relation to Saint Jerome)than Saint Jerome himself.
However, I still love Saint Jerome, and am honored to be compared to him. I wonder if it is any coincidence that of all the Saints' pictures in my collection, I probably have more of him than any other Saint. He was certainly a popular Saint with the artists.
2) WHICH FANTASY/SCI-FI CHARACTER ARE YOU?
At least they picked the best picture of Elrond rather than his wussy Rivendale garb. :P
3) WHICH 20th CENTURY POPE ARE YOU?
Which Twentieth Century Pope Are You?
Oh, yeah!
Hat tip to Histor the Wise for pointing out these quizzes.
RS
1) WHICH CHURCH FATHER ARE YOU?
I find this rather ironic for me, but I am supposedly most like:
You are Saint Jerome!
You’re a passionate Christian, fiercely devoted to Jesus Christ and his Church. You are willing to labor long hours in the Lord’s vineyard, and you have little patience with those who are less willing or able to work as you do. Your passions often carry you into temptation zones of wrath, lust, and pride.
Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!
I always thought I was more of a Saint Pammachius (in relation to Saint Jerome)than Saint Jerome himself.
However, I still love Saint Jerome, and am honored to be compared to him. I wonder if it is any coincidence that of all the Saints' pictures in my collection, I probably have more of him than any other Saint. He was certainly a popular Saint with the artists.
2) WHICH FANTASY/SCI-FI CHARACTER ARE YOU?
Elrond
A stern yet benevolent organizer who often knows best, your wits are keenly fixed on aiding efforts you deem worthy.
Now at this last we must take a hard road, a road unforseen. There lies our hope, if hope it be. To walk into peril to Mordor.
Elrond is a character in the Middle-Earth universe.
Now at this last we must take a hard road, a road unforseen. There lies our hope, if hope it be. To walk into peril to Mordor.
Elrond is a character in the Middle-Earth universe.
At least they picked the best picture of Elrond rather than his wussy Rivendale garb. :P
3) WHICH 20th CENTURY POPE ARE YOU?
Which Twentieth Century Pope Are You?
Oh, yeah!
Hat tip to Histor the Wise for pointing out these quizzes.
RS
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Dancing Skills
Ok, just to top off Easter week, here are some pretty incredible guys who can dance. You just have to watch the videos to see why I say they can dance pretty darn well.
This first one has been going around the web awhile, but it is pretty impressive DDR moves. I can't play Dance Dance Revolution at all:
This one is a new one I hadn't seen before, try some Salsa dancing:
Don't worry this blog is still:
RS
This first one has been going around the web awhile, but it is pretty impressive DDR moves. I can't play Dance Dance Revolution at all:
This one is a new one I hadn't seen before, try some Salsa dancing:
Don't worry this blog is still:
RS
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Comparison of Prayers - Divine Mercy Sunday
aka The 2nd Sunday of Easter.
Collect (Opening Prayer)
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus misericóriæ sempitérnæ, qui in ipso paschális festi recúrsu fidem sacrátæ tibi plebis accéndis, auge grátiam quam dedísti, ut digna omnes intellegéntia comprehéndant, quo lavácro ablúti, quo spíritu regeneráti, quo sánguine sunt redémpti.
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 of Mercy, you wash away our sins in water, you give us new birth in the Spirit, and redeem us in the blood of Christ. As we celebrate Christ’s resurrection increase our awareness of these blessings, and renew your gift of life within 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 everlasting Mercy, Who in this recurring Paschal Feast enkindle the faith of the people consecrated to You, increase the grace which You have given, so that with a worthy understanding all may comprehend, by what waters they were cleansed, by what Spirit they were regenerated, and by Whose Blood they have been redeemed.
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, quaésumus, Dómine, plebis tuæ oblatiónes, ut, confessióne tui nóminis, et baptísmate renováti, sempitérnam beatitúdinem consequántur.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, through faith and baptism we have become a new creation. Accept the offerings of your people and bring us to eternal happiness.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
My Own Literal Translation
Accept, we beseech You, O Lord, these offerings of Your people, that, renewed through the confession of Your Name and through Baptism, they may attain eternal blessedness.
Through Christ our Lord.
Preface
Preface I of Easter
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salutáre: Te quidem, Dómine, omni témpore confitéri, sed in hac potíssimum die gloriósius prædicáre, cum Pascha nostrum immolátus est Christus.
Ipse enim verus est Agnus qui ábstulit peccáta mundi. Qui mortem nostram moriéndo destrúxit, et vitam resurgéndo reparávit.
Quaprópter, profúsis paschálibus gáudiis, totus in orbe terrárum mundus exsúltat. Sed et supérnæ virtútes atque angélicæ potestátes hymnum glóriæ tuæ cóncinunt, sine fine dicéntes:
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. We praise you with greater joy than ever on this Easter day when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.
He is the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world. By dying he destroyed our death; by rising he restored our life.
And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise:
Holy, holy, holy ...
My Own Literal Translation
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation: You, Lord, are indeed confessed at all times, but most especially on this glorious day, when Christ was offered up as our Paschal Sacrifice.
For He Himself is the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world. Who destroyed our death by dying, and restored our life by rising.
Therefore, with an outpouring of Paschal joy, all on earth exult. And the Supreme Virtues and the Angelic Powers sing together the hymn of Your glory, saying without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...
Post-Communion Prayer
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Concéde, quaésumus, omnípotens Deus, ut paschális percéptio sacraménti contínua in nostris méntibus persevéret.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Almighty God, may the Easter sacraments we have received live forever in our minds and hearts.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech You, Almighty God, that the partaking of this Paschal Sacrament may persevere in our hearts continually.
Through Christ our Lord.
RS
The Divine Mercy with the Sacred Heart
Collect (Opening Prayer)
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus misericóriæ sempitérnæ, qui in ipso paschális festi recúrsu fidem sacrátæ tibi plebis accéndis, auge grátiam quam dedísti, ut digna omnes intellegéntia comprehéndant, quo lavácro ablúti, quo spíritu regeneráti, quo sánguine sunt redémpti.
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 of Mercy, you wash away our sins in water, you give us new birth in the Spirit, and redeem us in the blood of Christ. As we celebrate Christ’s resurrection increase our awareness of these blessings, and renew your gift of life within 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 everlasting Mercy, Who in this recurring Paschal Feast enkindle the faith of the people consecrated to You, increase the grace which You have given, so that with a worthy understanding all may comprehend, by what waters they were cleansed, by what Spirit they were regenerated, and by Whose Blood they have been redeemed.
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, quaésumus, Dómine, plebis tuæ oblatiónes, ut, confessióne tui nóminis, et baptísmate renováti, sempitérnam beatitúdinem consequántur.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, through faith and baptism we have become a new creation. Accept the offerings of your people and bring us to eternal happiness.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
My Own Literal Translation
Accept, we beseech You, O Lord, these offerings of Your people, that, renewed through the confession of Your Name and through Baptism, they may attain eternal blessedness.
Through Christ our Lord.
Preface
Preface I of Easter
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salutáre: Te quidem, Dómine, omni témpore confitéri, sed in hac potíssimum die gloriósius prædicáre, cum Pascha nostrum immolátus est Christus.
Ipse enim verus est Agnus qui ábstulit peccáta mundi. Qui mortem nostram moriéndo destrúxit, et vitam resurgéndo reparávit.
Quaprópter, profúsis paschálibus gáudiis, totus in orbe terrárum mundus exsúltat. Sed et supérnæ virtútes atque angélicæ potestátes hymnum glóriæ tuæ cóncinunt, sine fine dicéntes:
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. We praise you with greater joy than ever on this Easter day when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.
He is the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world. By dying he destroyed our death; by rising he restored our life.
And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise:
Holy, holy, holy ...
My Own Literal Translation
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation: You, Lord, are indeed confessed at all times, but most especially on this glorious day, when Christ was offered up as our Paschal Sacrifice.
For He Himself is the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world. Who destroyed our death by dying, and restored our life by rising.
Therefore, with an outpouring of Paschal joy, all on earth exult. And the Supreme Virtues and the Angelic Powers sing together the hymn of Your glory, saying without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...
Post-Communion Prayer
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Concéde, quaésumus, omnípotens Deus, ut paschális percéptio sacraménti contínua in nostris méntibus persevéret.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Almighty God, may the Easter sacraments we have received live forever in our minds and hearts.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech You, Almighty God, that the partaking of this Paschal Sacrament may persevere in our hearts continually.
Through Christ our Lord.
RS
Friday, April 13, 2007
Scary Mary Poppins
Since I now know how Histor the Wise feels about Mary Poppins, I figured he would appreciate this trailer.
RS
RS
Thursday, April 12, 2007
If you didn't believe me
If you thought my "Easter with a Texas Accent" was unique, then you should see the post of dadwithnoisykid (a fellow Texan) on his Easter Week.
RS
Fishing Fun
Fishing shows would be much more popular if they showed this stuff instead of some guy just sitting there fishing.
I think the second one is the funniest:
RS
I think the second one is the funniest:
RS
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Altering an Altar
I just saw this over at Fr. Z and The New Liturgical Movement, and I have to post this as well. This is awesome! With a bit of simple carpentry and some nice linens, you too can turn your dull sanctuary "table" altar into something that's actually beautiful for the Mass.
As a side note, a couple of simple pre-dieu kneelers make excellent "makeshift" Communion rails.
RS
As a side note, a couple of simple pre-dieu kneelers make excellent "makeshift" Communion rails.
RS
Good vs Evil Foosball
I came across a rather interesting foosball table. When I saw the title I thought it might be some home foosball table based on this classic soccer commercial from Nike with some of their sponsored soccer stars beating the forces of hell in a soccer match:
However, upon closer inspection it was a bit more interesting as it uses some real life and literary heros and villians. Interesting selection, a few are curious.
Good Team:
God, Mary Poppins, Ghandi,
Dr. Jekyll, Christopher Robin, Saint Francis of Assisi, Flash Gordon, Blessed Mother Theresa,
Saint Thomas More, Bobby Moore (a famous English footballer),
and Santa Claus
Evil Team:
Lucifer, Vlad the Impaler, Caligula,
Mr. Hyde, Pol Pot, Adolph Hitler, Idi Amin, Jack the Ripper,
Rosa Klebb (from From Russia with Love), Lady MacBeth,
and The Child Catcher (from Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang)
It's got Saint Francis, you gotta love it!
RS
However, upon closer inspection it was a bit more interesting as it uses some real life and literary heros and villians. Interesting selection, a few are curious.
Good Team:
God, Mary Poppins, Ghandi,
Dr. Jekyll, Christopher Robin, Saint Francis of Assisi, Flash Gordon, Blessed Mother Theresa,
Saint Thomas More, Bobby Moore (a famous English footballer),
and Santa Claus
Evil Team:
Lucifer, Vlad the Impaler, Caligula,
Mr. Hyde, Pol Pot, Adolph Hitler, Idi Amin, Jack the Ripper,
Rosa Klebb (from From Russia with Love), Lady MacBeth,
and The Child Catcher (from Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang)
It's got Saint Francis, you gotta love it!RS
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