32nd Sunday Per Annum - Comparison of Prayers

32nd Sunday Per Annum (Ordinary Time)

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Omnípotens et miséricors Deus, univérsa nobis adversántia propitiátus exclúde, ut, mente et córpore páriter expedíti, quæ tua sunt líberis méntibus exsequámur.
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 power and mercy, protect us from all harm. Give us freedom of spirit and health in mind and body to do your work on earth.
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 Merciful God, graciously keep away from us all opposing things, so that, equally unhindered both in mind and body, we may carry out with free wills those things which are Yours.
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
Sacrifíciis præséntibus, Dómine, quaésumus, inténde placátus, ut, quod passiónis Fílii tui mystério gérimus, pio consequámur afféctu.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
God of mercy, in this eucharist we proclaim the death of the Lord. Accept the gifts we present and help us follow him with love,
for he is Lord for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
O Lord, graciously look upon these sacrifices in Your Presence, so that, with pious love we may pursue that which we carry out in this Mystery of the Passion of Your Son.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Grátias tibi, Dómine, reférimus sacro múnere vegetáti, tuam cleméntiam implorántes, ut, per infusiónem Spíritus tui, in quibus cæléstis virtus introívit, sinceritátis grátia persevéret.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, we thank you for the nourishment you give us through your holy gift. Pour out your Spirit upon us and in the strength of this food from heaven keep us single-minded in your service.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Having been nourished by this Sacred Gift, we return our thanks to You, O Lord, imploring Your clemency, so that, through the pouring forth of Your Spirit, the grace of uprightness may persevere in those whom Your heavenly strength has entered.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

How people find this site.

There seems to be a growing trend of posting what people are searching for when they find your site. So, I figured I'd jump on the bandwagon. This can be done rather easily with the "ego inflator" sitemeter info.

So let's see ...

- To the person searching by asking "Can one go to the Sunday Vigil and fulfill the obligation for the Immaculate Conception" the answer is "No". You cannot fulfill the obligations for two different days with one Mass, even if it does seem like a grey area. If you have two holy days of obligation in a row (eg if the Immaculate Conception fell on a Monday), you would have to attend a Mass for that Sunday, then you would also have to attend another Mass being celebrated for the Immaculate Conception.

-"blood of saint liquify during his feast": this is odd. Not because they are looking for information about Saint Januarius of Naples, but because I am not sure why my site came up in the search, since I have never mentioned him before on this blog. I believe that during the last feast day, his blood did liquify (apparently if his blood does not liquify on his feast, it is a sign bad things are going to happen. This happened with WWI and WWII and eruptions of Mt. Vesuvius, if I remember correctly).

-"University of Dallas Summorum Pontificum" although I've never blogged about these two topics together, I can say that from what I've been seeing about Stubenville's Summorum Pontificum controversy, UD's liturgies are usually much more "normal" (than some video clips I saw of Stubenville), and rumor is that there may be a TLM offered regularly at UD in the near future. If only UD could get a chaplain who doesn't change and "politically correct" the words of the Mass. Thankfully, there are many other good priests who help out there, and there are other easily accessable Masses within walking distance of the campus chapel.

-also, if you visit a "bad" site, before you come here, I can see that too. So please practice custody of the eyes and don't visit those places. I don't see the actual site, but I do see the url, and some of those url's are pretty obvious. And I also know which country you are in.

otherwise, not much interesting to note this round.

Last 100 visitors were from: U.S. and Canada, England, Eastern Europe, South Asia, South America, Panama, South Africa, and New Zealand.

And the "ego inflator" says we just passed 24,000 hits! (I only get an average of about 95 hits a day, which is pretty small time in the blog world, but still a little more than the majority of blogs out there.)

RS

Allergies stink!

.
So what's it take to take down a grizzly?


Apparently, something only this small.


Allergy season in this area has been absolutely horrible. My sinuses are just driving me nuts.


This year we literally had rain for May, June, and July, almost everyday, something that is not typical of a Texas summer. While the temperatures were much nicer this year than normal, it meant that the extra rain would help all the ragweed grow well.

And upon returning from my Rome pilgrimage, my body immediatly noticed it within 24 hours of returning.

For some reason, I have still been feeling something. After going to the doctor yesterday, I find out that mountain cedar is just starting to pick up. Today, I have been feeling better (the steroid shot and the antiboiotics probably help). But I don't like feeling like some type of druggie having been taking stuff for the last month now. But trying to get rest and waking up at the crack of 10:00 am is not very good for my personal productivity. As much as I like to rest and take it easy, I do hate days like today where I just don't do anything.



It's already 3:45pm, maybe I should consider getting cleaned up today.


I just hate the fact that Newton's first law of motion tends to be true for me today: "An object at rest tends to stay at rest unless acted upon by an external force."

I can't even come up with a clever blog topic. Oh, well, if you've gotten this far, I guess you have gotten enough entertainment.

RS

Monastic Diurnal

I just got my paws on the Monastic Diurnal from Saint Michael's Abbey Press (the same press that has Adrian Fortescue's book "The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described" updated for the 1962 Missal. I ordered it for my birthday (EDIT - with the B-Day money sent from Mom and Dad. Thanks!), and it just arrived today (2 days "late" isn't bad when it came by cheapest shipping from the United Kingdom).

This is the traditional Benedictine Divine Office. It has all the hours of the Office except for Matins (and I have a set of Breviarum Monaticum if I ever do want to say Matins). It basically has everything that the old Antiphonale Monasticum has except for the chant music. This was the Divine Office we prayed when I was a novice at the monastery in Norcia. I have an old Antiphonale Monasticum, but since I'll just be reciting this privately as I am able, I really don't need the chant. The other nice thing is that the Monastic Diurnal has the Latin and a good translation of it into English. It's also nice that the rubrics are in English, which makes figuring out what I have forgotten a bit easier.

Why am I starting to try and say the traditional Benedictine Office? Well, from what I have read, the traditional Benedictine Divine Office is probably one of the best preserved examples of the Divine Office of the old Roman Rite. The old Benedictine Office is practially the same as the way Saint Benedict laid out the structure in his Rule for monks. And he based much of it on the structure of the Roman Office of his day.

In Laszlo Dobszay's "The Bugnini-Liturgy and the Reform of the Reform," one of the things he looks at is the reform of the Divine Office, which after Vatican II was given a major overhaul and turned into the Liturgy of the Hours. Yet, interestingly enough, he notes that some of the changes of saying the Office more "efficiently" (which could be negatively translated as "not having to spend as much time praying the Office) had been made to the Roman Office with the reforms of Pope Pius X. And not only has the Liturgy of the Hours been watered down (you can say an entire day's required hours within 60 minutes), but the English translation of the Liturgy of the Hours is just annoying. I really don't like the Grail Psalter. It is a bit better than the NAB Psalms we have at Mass [cringe], but I just feel like I am missing so much with the Grail Psalter.

Unfortunately, with the reform of the Roman Office (from about 3 hours of prayer a day to less than one hour), many monastic communities abandoned the traditional Benedictine Office for either the Roman Liturgy of the Hours or some "homemade" office, which more often than not doesn't follow Saint Benedict's insistance that all 150 Psalms be recited by the monks in one week. This includes Cistercians and Trappists since their Offices were based on Saint Benedict's.

Plus, it's hard to understand the idea that the new Liturgy of the Hours frees a priest to do more. I would think that extra two or three hours praying to God could bear much more fruit than a priest "busying" himself with pastoral things.

Anyway, if I'm going to continue on to become a lay Benedictine Oblate, this Diurnal is a good way to be a bit more united with the monastery prayer-wise.

The quality of the book is nice (yes, it's nice to have most everything in one volume too), and the layout is pretty easy to figure out. I'm looking forward to using this.

RS

Fr. Z. answers a Roman Sacristan question.

Altar set up at the Mass for Deceased Pontiffs, the first Mass with Mons. Guido Marini as MC.
Wow, I was honored to see that Fr. Z. blogged about a question which I sent to him. It feels like when a little kid gets a reply to his letter from his favorite sports athlete.

I know the question seems to be liturgical minutia, but I was honestly surprised to see the altar crucifix facing that way given what I have been used to seeing in the past at Saint Peter's with Archbishop Piero Marini at the MC helm. I am also interested in liturgical minutae because I just want to learn liturgy as best I can, and because I respect the liturgy. When you don't pay attention to detail, the liturgy can get sloppy. I can say this from experience. Knowledge and planning of the liturgy can make a world of difference.

But the question came up because I have seen priests make a big deal about this. At our parish, the priest has the crucifix facing him (as in the picture above). But at another place I go to Mass (which I would say is pretty conservative compared to many other places in the diocese), the powers that be insist the altar crucifix HAS to face the people.

It's good to have a reasonable answer now.

RS

31st Sunday Per Annum - Comparison of Prayers

31st Sunday Per Annum (Ordinary Time)

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Omnípotens et miséricors Deus, de cuius múnere venit, ut tibi a fidélibus tuis digne et laudabíliter serviátur, tríbue, quaésumus, nobis, ut ad promissiónes tuas sine offensióne currámus.
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 power and mercy, only with your help can we offer fitting service and praise. May we live the faith we profess and trust your promise of eternal life.
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. Almighty and Merciful God, from Whose gift it comes, that Your faithful serve You worthily and laudably, grant to us, we beseech You, that we may run to Your promises without stumbling.
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
Fiat hoc sacrifícium, Dómine, oblátio tibi munda, et nobis misericórdiæ tuæ sancta largítio.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
God of mercy, may we offer a pure sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
O Lord, may this Sacrifice be a spotless oblation to You, and a holy outpouring of Your Mercy on us.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Augeátur in nobis, quaésumus, Dómine, tuæ virtútis operátio, ut, refécti cæléstibus sacraméntis, ad eórum promíssa capiénda tua múnere præparémur.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, you give us new hope in this eucharist. May the power of your love continue its saving work among us and bring us to the joy you promise.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. May the workings of Your strength, we beseech You, O Lord, be made abundant in us, so that, having been refreshed by these Heavenly Sacraments, we may by Your gift be prepared for taking hold of that which they promise.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

All Saints - Comparison of Prayers

I did make a few minor changes from last year.

Comparison of Prayers for All Saints.

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui nos ómnium Sanctórum tuórum mérita sub una tribuísti celebritáte venerári, quaésumus, ut, desiderátam nobis tuæ propitiatiónis abundántiam, multiplicátis intercessóribus, largiáris.
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, all-powerful and ever-living God, today we rejoice in the holy men and women of every time and place. May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love.
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, Who grant us this one feast to venerate the merits of all Your Saints, we beseech You, that, through this multitude of intercessors, You might bestow on us the abundance of Your mercy which we desire.
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
Grata tibi sint, Dómine, múnera, quæ pro cunctórum offérimus honóre Sanctórum, et concéde, ut, quos iam crédimus de sua immortalitáte secúros, sentiámus de nostra salúte sollícitos.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, receive our gifts in honor of the holy men and women who live with you in glory. May we always be aware of their concern to help and save us.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
May these gifts, which we offer for the honor of all the Saints, be pleasing to You, O Lord, and grant, that, as we now believe in the security of their immortality, we may feel diligence for our own salvation.
Through Christ our Lord.

Preface
Preface of the glory of our mother Jerusalem

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salútare, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus:
Nobis enim hódie civitátem tuam tríbuis celebráre, quæ mater nostra est, cælestísque Ierúsalem, ubi iam te in ætérnam fratrum nostrórum coróna colláudat.
Ad quam peregríni, per fidem accedéntes, alácriter festinámus, congaudéntes de Ecclésiæ sublímium glorificatióne membrórum, qua simul fragilitáti nostræ adiuménta et exémpla concédis.
Et ídeo, cum ipsórum Angelorúmque frequéntia, una te magnificámus, laudis voce clamántes:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus ...

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.
Today we keep the festival of your holy city, the heavenly Jerusalem, our mother. Around your throne the saints, our brothers and sisters, sing your praise for ever.
Their glory fills us with joy, and their communion with us in your Church gives us inspiration and strength as we hasten on our pilgrimage of faith, eager to meet them.
With their great company and all the angels we praise your glory as we cry out with one voice:
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:
For You granted to us to celebrate today Your city, which is our mother, the Heavenly Jerusalem, where the encompassing multitude of our brethren now greatly praise You for all eternity.
As pilgrims, we hasten quickly, to Your city, approaching through faith, rejoicing together in the glorification of the exalted members of the Church, whom You bestow as both helpers of our weaknesses and as examples.
And so, with the host of Saints and Angels, we glorify You as one, crying out with a voice of praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Mirábilem te, Deus, et unum Sanctum in ómnibus Sanctis tuis adorántes, tuam grátiam implorámus, qua, sanctificatiónem in tui amóris plenitúdine consummántes, ex hac mensa peregrinántium ad cæléstis pátriæ convívium transeámus.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Father, holy one, we praise your glory reflected in the saints. May we who share at this table be filled with your love and prepared for the joy of your kingdom.
where Jesus is Lord for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. We beg You for Your miraculous grace, O God, which perfects our sanctification in the fullness of Your love, and adoring Your one Holy Son in all Your Saints, may we pass from this table of pilgrims to the feast of the Heavenly homeland.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Liturgical Resource Site

I found another good liturgical resource site which I'll add to the sidebar.

CantemusDomino.net

I was also impressed by it's Liturgy Links page:

Liturgy Links

RS

Halloween

The other night a friend of mine (about a generation ahead of me) approached me after Mass, and we started talking about Halloween. We were noting how both of us grew up with the usual Halloween things and yet are Catholics today. While I certainly understand wanting to protect children from some of the absolutely crazy things in this world, I do sometimes find some rather extreme opinions on less serious things even among Catholics. For example, say "Harry Potter" and some will say you are one step away from practicing witchcraft.

I will admit that sometimes people can go a bit too far for Halloween in terms of decorating their house or dressing their daughters up like ..., anyway ...

I was told of a good post on the topic of Halloween among Catholics by Ma Beck. I found it rather balanced, and it does give an interesting perspective to celebrating Halloween. Ceremonial bow to Father Erik at Orthometer for pointing out the article.

Obligatory Hallowe'en Post

I prefer a good All Saint's party myself. I've seen some pretty good Saint costumes in previous years. Still, Ma Beck's post makes sense.

Roman Sacristan's cameo in the movie "Scream"
(which ended up being a deleted scene)
Whatever you do, don't answer the phone!
LOL!

RS

Update on Bloggers Choice Awards

OK, I just got the info from someone at the Bloggers Choice Awards themselves, when I asked about what was going on with everything appearing to be reset.

Thanks for reaching out to us. I am sorry for any confusion. The voting for 2007 has ended and the voting for 2008 has begun.
The winners will be revealed at PostieCon during a special BCA VIP Party at Tao Las Vegas on Nov. 10.
I hope this helps!
Happy Voting!

Jillian

So, I guess start voting for me early!

RS

Please vote again.

Is this logo from Blogger's Choice Awards a true picture of cheaters running away with the trophy?
I don't know what is going on over at the Blogger's Choice Awards. It looks like the entire thing has been reset. Hardly any blogs have votes now, and when I logged in, it said my account had not voted for anything. I know they have had some problems with cheating in the past, but if they are having to do this, I am starting to take this contest much less seriously. Anyway, if you wouldn't mind, please vote for me ... again. This time it is OK to do so. You have to have an account, but if you've signed up before, then your account should still exist. Otherwise, it is free and easy to create an account. (And vote for the blogs in my sidebar as well).

Roman Sacristan page on Blogger's Choice Awards

RS

All Soul's Plenary Indulgence

As a reminder, next week is the Commemoration of All Souls. In order to give this to you a bit earlier than last year, the link below has the requirements for obtaining a plenary indulgence (most appropriately for a soul in Purgatory) on All Souls Day. This will help you to get to Confession this Saturday (when most parishes have their Confessions) instead of putting it off until the last minute.
An even better idea would be to encourage your pastor or priest to make extra time for Confessions and to encourage this act. It's not merely a "devotion." If we truly care for our brethren in Purgatory, we should make an effort to help them in any way we can, and other than Mass, this is one of the best ways to help them obtain eternal rest. Feel free to copy the info from the link below.

Plenary Indulgence on All Souls

RS

30th Sunday Per Annum - Comparison of Prayers

"The Pharisee and the Publican" by Gustave Dore
30th Sunday Per Annum (Ordinary Time)

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, da nobis fídei, spei et caritátis augméntum, et, ut mereámur ássequi quod promíttis, fac nos amáre quod praécipis.
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, strengthen our faith, hope, and love. May we do with loving hearts what you ask of us and come to share the life you promise.
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, give to us an increase in faith, hope, and charity, and, so that we may merit to attain that which You promise, make us to love that which You command.
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
Réspice, quaésumus, Dómine, múnera quæ tuæ offérimus maiestáti, ut, quod nostro servítio géritur, ad tuam glóriam pótius dirigátur.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord God of power and might, receive the gifts we offer and let our service give you glory.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Look upon these gifts, we beseech You, O Lord, which we offer to Your Majesty, so that, That Which is brought forth by our service, may above all be directed to Your Glory.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Perfíciant in nobis, Dómine, quaésumus, tua sacraménta quod cóntinent, ut, quæ nunc spécie gérimus, rerum veritáte capiámus.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, bring to perfection within us the communion we share in this sacrament. May our celebration have an effect in our lives.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O Lord, we beseech You, may Your Sacraments perfect in us that which They contain, so that, we may truly grasp the things, which we now bring about in outward signs.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Updated sidebar

I have been updating the sidebar. I have added some new blogs, some new sites, some sections for resources on both the ordinary form and the extra-ordinary form of Mass, as well as some Eastern rite Catholic religious Orders in the Men's Religious section.

RS

Oh no! You'll have to go to Mass 2 days in a row!

As I was looking ahead at some preparations for work, I noticed that one of the few exceptions to my rule on whether you have to go to Mass will occur this year. I believe this will only be the case in the United States (or any other area where the Immaculate Conception is the patron of the region).

Sadly, as many of you know, with the liturgical reforms following Vatican II, options were allowed for local bishops' conferences to adapt some laws regarding holy days of obligation. Thus, I think all of the bishops' conferences in the English speaking world have now removed the obligation if the holy day of obligation falls on a Saturday or a Monday. Personally, I don't think this really benefits the faithful, but for whatever reason, the bishops allow it.

So, in general the rule goes: "you have to go to Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation, but you never have to go to Mass two days in a row."

In the U.S.A. the only exceptions are Christmas and the feast of the Immaculate Conception, because Mary, under that title, is the patroness of the United States. The obligation for these is NEVER removed.

This year, the feast of the Immaculate Conception falls on a Saturday, and the obligation is NOT abrogated. This will be a bit confusing nowadays, because so many people regularly fulfill their Sunday obligation by going to the Sunday vigil Mass on Saturday (a quasi-liturgical abuse in my opinion, but that is for a different post). So, basically this will be like having two Sundays in a row, and you have the awkward confusion of what happens Saturday evening: is it still the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, or is it now the vigil of Sunday? Will priests have Saturday evening Mass of the Immaculate Conception, or will they have the Sunday Vigil Mass; another way of putting it: which day "trumps" the other? Technically a Solemnity trumps even Sunday. BUT a Sunday of Advent is a bit more "important" than a regular Sunday and I think it would even "bump" the Immaculate Conception if it fell on a Sunday in Advent (which I think happened back in 2002). So, it is just absolutely confusing. Even on a different topic, do you say Evening Prayer II of the Immaculate Conception, or do you pray Evening Prayer I of the 2nd Sunday of Advent? Usually the only way to find out is to get a hold of an ordo and see what it says. Unfortunately, I have not yet gotten our ordo for the new liturgical year (which begins with the beginning of Advent, December 2nd this year).

Off the top of my head I would say that the 2nd Sunday of Advent liturgically "trumps" the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. (Just wait until Lent and Easter of 2008 when the early date of Easter bumps all sorts of things around: Saint Joseph gets "bumped" to the Saturday before Palm Sunday and the Annunciation gets "bumped" to the Monday after Easter Week).

Pastorally, I would say the safest thing would be to keep the usual Sunday (and Sunday Vigil) Masses the same. The problem is that often "pastoral" is used as an excuse to do something incorrectly. Rather than catechize or educate the faithful, pastors will be "pastoral" and just adapt something to what the uneducated faithful would think or do.

And just to throw out a quick rant: I think this is why the faithful are so ignorant and apathetic, because everything is made so easy for us that nowadays we Catholics really only have to make a minuscule effort to practice our faith. We really only think that we have to go to Mass on Sundays and (not even all of the) holy days of obligations and go to Communion once a year (and how many of the faithful even know this?). (Yes, I know there is much more to living the faith, but I just wonder how many "practicing" Catholics' only act of religion is going to Mass weekly and on Christmas and Easter.)

Many Catholics' reaction upon hearing they have to go to Mass on a day other than Sunday
Anyway, just giving you a heads up. You have been warned. LOL.

RS

29th Sunday Per Annum - Comparison of Prayers

OK, so let's see if I can get these going again. I don't think I had any major changes this week from last year.

As always, you can do a search on this blog for "comparison of prayers" and find any comparison of prayers I've done since the beginning of the blog.

"Victory, O Lord" by John Everett Millais
(Israelites defeating Amelek)
29th Sunday "Per Annum" (Ordinary Time)

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, fac nos tibi semper et devótam gérere voluntátem, et maiestáti tuæ sincéro corde servíre.
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, our source of power and inspiration, give us strength and joy in serving you as followers of Christ,
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, make us to bear a will always devoted to You, and to serve Your Majesty with a sincere heart.
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
Tríbue nos, Dómine, quaésumus, donis tuis líbera mente servíre, ut, tua purificánte nos grátia, iísdem quibus famulámur mystériis emundémur.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord God, may the gifts we offer bring us your love and forgiveness and give us freedom to serve you with our lives.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Grant us by Your gifts, we beseech You, O Lord, to serve You with free minds, so that, purifying us by Your grace, we may be cleansed by these same Mysteries by Which we serve You.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Fac nos, quaésumus, Dómine, cæléstium rerum frequentatióne profícere, ut et temporálibus benefíciis adiuvémur, et erudiámur ætérnis.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, may this eucharist help us to remain faithful. May it teach us the way to eternal life.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Make us, we beseech You, O Lord, to advance by the frequent use of these Heavenly Things, so that we may both be supported by temporal goods and be perfected by Eternal Ones.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Confirmations went well.

Confirmations went well. The bishop seems like a good man, although I really only got a brief chance to be introduced to him. (At least he didn't freak out when I kissed his ring, and he didn't get annoyed I called him "your excellency," so those are good signs.) I didn't really get to talk with him at any length because I was trying to take care of last minute altar boy organization. (I apologize to any altar boys who didn't get to serve, but Father wanted to keep the servers to a minimum so we could focus on the bishop.)

Overall things went pretty smoothly. I do regret that I was not able to get plans solidified earlier so that getting the deacon and servers prepared wasn't a last minute thing. Still, they all did a good job and any mistakes were not very noticable. Being a Master of Ceremonies is a challenge, especially when you have deacons and priests and bishops (oh my!). Still, just a bit more training and I think things would have been done with exsquisite precision and impressive ceremony (well, to try and impress God I mean).

But it went well, we got the candidates Confirmed and had Mass. Thank you for all your prayers. They certainly helped on that front. Now to try and take care of the bigger situations I am facing.

RS

Suffering

9/11 was a very surreal event for me. I was a novice Benedictine monk in Norcia, Italy. For me, the attacks happened in the afternoon. When I first heard the story from a friend, I thought he was just making up some joke. But he wasn't kidding. It was very sobering yet very upsetting. Since all of us in the monastery were from the U.S.A. we were all in a flurry of trying to find out more, wondering what was going on, and generally freaking out. Our Prior noticed this and sat us down in an impromptu chapter meeting, and very simply said one thing. He told us that a monk is not to panic when things get crazy, especially in situations like this where no amount of running around and gathering information will do any good. A monk is to just go to the foot of the Cross and remain there with our Lord. We left the impromptu chapter meeting rather sobered. He was exactly right.

Although I never went on to take vows, I am now a Benedictine novice oblate, and I have just remembered those words. The hard part is that it is much easier said than done. Although I can remember the words, when those times come it is very hard to just go to the foot of the Cross and remain there with our Lord. Yet how much solace that can give Him, to see us come to Him and willingly suffer with Him.

It seems right now is bordering on one of those times. Although I myself am not having the problem, a situation has arisen which has caused me to be in a flurry to find out more, wondering what is going on, and generally freaking out. There still may be a chance that I can help the situation, but it seems like it is becoming either more delicate or, without despairing, that the odds of a positive resolution are worse than I first thought. Spiritual battle can be very tough. The hard part is to see and accept that it is the Cross that actually gives me strength.

Another time, my Prior said something to me that I have found to be so true. He said, "there is no growth without suffering." Looking back over my life, I have found that to be so true. Maybe the suffering has been due to my own decisions, or maybe it has been because of others, but it is often in those times that I learned the most and gained wisdom. I hope that I am currently growing because this situation is causing me a great deal of internal suffering. In some sense, I guess all I can do right now is go to the foot of the Cross and remain there with our Lord.


RS

Preparing for Confirmations

Confirmations are almost here and the new bishop is coming. I really want us to put our best foot forward and do all the ceremony attached to having a bishop at Mass, so we can give the bishop the respect his office deserves and also to show him that we care about doing liturgy right. As usual, the coordination of trying to get all the info I need and to get the people involved trained so they know what they are doing is probably going to end up being done at the last minute which always drives me absolutely nuts!


Oh how I need the Holy Spirit's help.

"Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and endkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created, and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth."

EDIT - no, this post has nothing to do with the post above. Completely differnt situation.

RS

Power of Intercessory Prayer

Praying
I would just like to say a thanks to all the readers who have included me in their prayers. I know that some of the difficulties I have had to face lately have been made more possible to deal with through your help.

I continue to ask for prayers as another big situation has popped up in my life. It's something I don't feel very prepared to deal with, so I am going to need quite a bit of Divine help.

So, thanks again for your prayers and please keep them up. When I pray for all my family and friends, I include my readers as well in that.

RS

Yet another book.

My reading list is a mess. I have an odd reading habit of reading about 5 or 6 books at once. This usually means it takes me forever to read a book all the way through.

Anyway, I just started reading a rather interesting book mentioned at least a few times over at The New Liturgical Movement. The book was written in 2003 and is available in pdf format courtesy of Church Music Association of America at the following link:

The Bugnini-Liturgy and the Reform of the Reform by Laszlo Dobszay.

I've gotten through the first three chapters (about 45 pages) and it is pretty interesting. From the title you can see that he analyzes the reform of the liturgy following Vatican II. It is a very honest critique, and he doesn't hold back any punches. However, I really like his approach to the book, and I think it gives a proper outlook to the liturgy:

"The critical approach to the "Bugnini Liturgy" presented here reflects neither disobedience toward higher authority nor a practical opposition to liturgical regulations. In everyday life, I am ready to accomodate myself to the currently valid liturgical prescriptions even though as an expert dealing with the liturgy, I consider them wrong or unsuccessful in many respects. Thus, my remarks are made in a spirit of service and not of contestation."

Dobszay's approach appears to be exactly the same attitude that Cardinal Ratzinger has in "Spirit of the Liturgy" ie an honest critique of the liturgy yet remaining faithful to the current liturgical laws. (It shouldn't be any suprise that he dedicated the book to Cardinal Ratzinger.)

Dobszay also uses the same "hermenutic of continuity" as Cardinal Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI when examining the current liturgy, looking at the new Mass not just vis-a-vis the Tridentine reform, but with the whole liturgical tradition of the Roman rite. And he is not scared to note that even in the Tridentine reform some things were not done in an ideal way.

It's a good and suprisingly engrossing read so far, and I hope to finish it. Supposedly it is going to be republished in book form soon. I'd really like to buy a copy when that happens.

UPDATE - The book is now available from CMAA at this site (at the bottom of the page):

Catholic Music Association of America Books

RS

Shooting the Spirit of Vatican 2 with a shotgun.

Ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha. Got the priest's panties in a wad over at the Spirit of Vatican 2 blog with my post on Saint Francis. They hate it when those of us who are more traditional are able to reclaim our Saints and our heritage! ROTFLOL!


The "motivational poster" of Saint Francis was made by Hummerbrecher at the now defunct anathema-sit blog, and lovingly preserved by the Catholic Caveman.

Yours truly has been "banned" by the Spirit of Vatican 2 blog for awhile now, so I'd say I'm not doing too bad!

RS

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