Pope had a reverent, dignified and majestic Mass in León, Mexico

It has not been uncommon in the United States, and some other countries, to see some try to make papal Masses, "relevant", to certain groups - most often to young people. In my past Catholic life (pre-2005), I thought this was a good idea. But that preceded a time when I realized that the Mass was not about me, or anyone else. Worship is something we give to God for His sake, not ours. If we love our Creator, we will give our time to Him, and worship Him unconditionally. Worship should be God-centered and it seems that some large, papal and diocesan Masses have turned into something other than worship. Rather than having the nature of a sacrifice, it takes on the character of a big celebration.

I got to see the Mass in León, Mexico at Bicentennial Field. It was on EWTN today (you can view the raw video feed here).   This is a Mass where 300,000 were expected and about 700,000 showed up, as was reported by Raymond Arroyo during the broadcast. Some wondered why the Holy Father didn't go to Mexico City and it was pointed out that the altitude there would have adversely affected the Pope. 

What I saw of this Mass was very reverent, dignified, and majestic.  First, the simplicity of the make-shift sanctuary was quite beautiful, along with the altar.   The crucifix was a crucifix, not some modern piece of art that looked like wax had melted into something resembling one.  Our Lady of Guadalupe was represented also.  The music was all orchestra, and the atmosphere was very prayerful.  They didn't shake the music up by using orchestra for some things, then do something else.  They didn't put big stars or personalities "on display" during Communion.  Also noteworthy is what was missing at this big Mass in Mexico: Guitars.

Why did I think there would be guitars at Mass in Mexico?  Well, perhaps I've seen one too many big Masses here in the U.S. where well-intentioned people have worked to make Mass "relevant" for Latinos by having these things.   By the looks on people's prayerful faces there in León, I don't think they were missing the guitars during Mass. 

An entire ensemble of guitar players up in the stands played as the Holy Father drove by in the Pope Mobile

Now, I like guitar - outside of Mass. And, they had guitars in Mexico last night (view raw video), when the children gathered at the Plaza de la Paz in Guanajuato in León.  Do you see the difference?  Inside-of-Mass: No guitars.  Outside-of-Mass: guitars and more.  A gathering of joyful young people in a plaza, outside-of-Mass, greeted the Holy Father with all kinds of music, cheers, chanting, and signs.  A youth orchestra, with more violins than I could count, played some beautiful things.  I was awestruck.  But there was also another, very large group, all playing guitars and singing recognizable, Mexican tunes with great joy.  I was endeared.  Truly, if you want something joyful to watch, hit that raw video feed of the plaza event and watch the young people welcome an elderly cleric for whom much of the popular press has no love.  

Very large youth orchestra played some amazing music

While I'm sure Msgr. Guido Marini had much to do with some of this, we have seen some rather interesting things over the years at other, large papal Masses.  Either the bishop of this diocese in Mexico understands what the Holy Father has been trying to teach by example, or the instructions coming from Msgr. Marini got tightened.  

There is a time and a place to bring cultural identity into something.  But, I lean towards having the big, celebratory, cultural stuff outside of Mass, just as it was done last night when the youth greeted the Holy Father.  This doesn't apply just to ethnicity, but also to youth gatherings.  When we try to dress-up the Mass for them, I think we underestimate what they want, and that they are perfectly capable of worshiping when the environment is more solemn, reverent, and mindful that the Mass is a Sacrifice.

What do you think?


VESPERS TONIGHT
The Holy Father will be doing Vespers in about 15 minutes.  You can tune in to EWTN, or watch it live.  You have two options there:  Watch raw video, without any translations or interruptions, at the page set up for this visit at the Vatican's website.  Or, watch it streaming on EWTN (go to the Television tab at the top, then choose an option based on your location).

Since I missed the homily, I'm going to read it later.  You can  find all of the Holy Father's addresses and homilies at a page set up on the Vatican's website for the Mexico-Cuba visit.

---

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

George Weigel: The saints and angels in heaven aren't singing, "Gather us in"

People from many quarters are really beginning to speak up on matters liturgical. I was doing my daily news rounds and found this on New Advent:

If you like straight talk, you'll see it in George Weigel's column at First Things: Breaking Bad Liturgical Habits II.  Here are the first two paragraphs:

As I remarked late last year, the introduction of the third edition of the Roman Missal and the new translations of the liturgical texts offer the entire English-speaking Church an opportunity to correct some bad liturgical habits that have developed over the past four decades. The point of these corrections is neither liturgical prissiness nor aesthetic nostalgia; there is no “reform of the reform” to be found in lace surplices, narrow fiddleback chasubles, and massive candles. The point of correcting bad habits is to celebrate the Novus Ordo of Paul VI with dignity and beauty, so that Holy Mass is experienced for what it is: our participation in the liturgy of saints and angels in heaven—where, I am quite confident, they don’t sing treacly confections like “Gather Us In.”


Note to Celebrants (not “Presiders”): If you’ve fallen into the bad habit of concluding Mass by some variant of “May almighty God bless us all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” please cease and desist. You were not ordained to the ministry of Word and sacrament to invoke, generically, the divine blessing, which anyone can (and should) do before and after meals; you were given the power to confer the divine blessing by being configured to Christ in Holy Orders. Catholics who embrace the truth of Catholic faith do not enjoy clericalism. But they do not find comfort, much less evangelical leadership, from priests who imagine they can avoid clericalism by unwittingly denying the truth of their own sacramental vocation and its distinctiveness.

Read the rest of Weigel's: Breaking Bad Liturgical Habit's II, at First Things.  You might also be interested in reading his first article: Breaking Bad Liturgical Habits

My attention was just drawn to this comment by Tony Esolen (I'm assuming this is Anthony Esolen who also contributes to First Things) in the combox there (at 1.4.2012 | 6:28am)

Emphasis mine in bold:

Tony Esolen says:

But our complaints about music extend far beyond matters of taste, into matters of liturgical fitness (whom do we celebrate, God or ourselves?), and matters of doctrine. Saint Paul said we were to become all things to all men, to save some; but I don't think he meant that we were to become stupid for the stupid.


In no particular order:


We should stop calling the treacle "folk music." It isn't. It has not risen from the folk and their traditions (unlike Negro spirituals). It does not have the rhythms that make folk music singable by large groups of people (unlike shape note hymns). Stuff like "On Turkey's Wings" has the melodic characteristics of (very bad) show tunes, to be sung by show-off soloists.


If we're going to sing all the verses of a hymn -- and I think we should, unless we're talking about fifteen verses -- then those verses had better be what the poet or translator actually wrote, and not the mangled and mutilated and castrated and stultified things that the committees have turned them into.


I am around young people all the time. I teach them for a living. That is, in a couple of weeks I'll be returning to the first year of our twenty-credit course in Western Civilization; my teammates and I are responsible for 147 freshmen. We meet them every day. In short -- I get a pretty fair idea of what impresses young Catholics. Anybody who thinks that the young Catholics (especially the young men) actually LIKE the cadres of middle-aged Caruso wannabes and Leontyne Price wannabes, crooning some effete nonsense, is seriously mistaken. If I offered an informal course on singing polyphony, I'd have forty students signing up for it overnight.


Let's have the priests choose the hymns, and not the music directors. The music directors should choose appropriate music that does not involve the congregation: preludes, for instance.       

Bingo!  That's what I'm seeing.  Organizers for youth events are always trying to make the music "relevent".  I once played in one of those so-called, "folk bands" in my 20's all the while I yearned for sacred polyphony. Chant I could not have imagined, but the first time I heard it - at Assumption Grotto in Detroit - it was so unlike the music I heard when I got in my car and turned on the radio.   That is how liturgical music is suppose to be - different from our experience outside of the Mass.  

Don't  misunderstand me: I like classical guitar.  In fact, I love it - outside of the Mass.

If you go around the country and look at the Traditional Latin Mass communities and parishes where the new Mass is celebrated in a reserved manner, you should note the demographics of the group.  It was the first thing I noticed at Assumption Grotto was the many young faces and big families. 

I think one of the worst things I experienced in the years before I found Grotto was when a monsignor, taking over as pastor of my childhood parish, removed the stations of the cross.  In their stead, were what I often refer to as the "Dating Game" pansies.  These ugly, tin asterisks doted the walls of the parish and there was an aroma of potpourri.  The entire church had been entirely emasculated.  What is even more amazing is that people would wonder why men were disinterested in coming to Mass. 

What I noticed was masculinity of the sights, sounds and smells of Assumption Grotto when I first got there and it did not surprise me to find the pews well balanced with men and women.  Wood and marble make up the structure; there are beautiful gold chalices and ciboriums rather than the speckled fake precious metal, with painted something or other on it; there is brass - lots of it.  The pick up the scent of incense before you even walk through the door, at any time of the day.  There are the sounds of bells ringing and chains clanging delicately as the thurible swings, such as those in the pic below from Corpus Christi 2010.  Altar boys, and men work the sanctuary with a graceful cadence, dressed in cassock and surplice.  There are no females in the sanctuary and it does not bother me in the least.  Even when I'm not singing in the choir, I would dare anyone to say I'm not fully participating in the Mass when I head deeply into prayer as I listen to Gregorian chant. 

Grotto altar boys dressed in their white cassocks and gold shoulder capes, used on Corpus Christi and in Easter Season

Brick by brick!

---

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Report: New Vatican commission to crack down on church architecture

It's hard to believe this is a Catholic church building.  It is Église Sainte-Bernadette du Banlay, in Nevers.  It was designed in the 60's and 70's (no surprise).  Source

Vatican journalist, Andrea Tornielli, is reporting that the Holy See is about to form a commission under the Congregation for Design Worship to assist dioceses with their architectural plans.  It seems that the Holy Father has seen enough cubes, space eggs, and "garage churches", among  other oddities.  Tornielli writes (emphasis mine in bold; comments in red):

A team has been set up, to put a stop to garage style churches, boldly shaped structures that risk denaturing modern places for Catholic worship. Its task is also to promote singing that really helps the celebration of mass. The “Liturgical art and sacred music commission” will be established by the Congregation for Divine Worship over the coming weeks [It can't come fast enough]. This will not be just any office, but a true and proper team, whose task will be to collaborate with the commissions in charge of evaluating construction projects for churches of various dioceses. The team will also be responsible for the further study of music and singing that accompany the celebration of mass. [Deo gratias!]




Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Benedict XVI, consider this work as “very urgent”. The reality is staring everyone in the eyes: in recent decades, churches have been substituted by buildings that resemble multi purpose halls [and space eggs, space ships or just "worship spaces" - a word I refuse to use in reference to a Catholic Church where the Sacrifice of the Mass takes place]. Too often, architects, even the more famous ones, do not use the Catholic liturgy as a starting point and thus end up producing avant-garde constructions that look like anything but a church. These buildings composed of cement cubes, glass boxes, crazy shapes and confused spaces, remind people of anything but the mystery and sacredness of a church. [Bingo!] Tabernacles are semi hidden, leading faithful on a real treasure hunt and sacred images are almost inexistent. [In the geographical parish I grew up in, there were green blobs that were suppose to represent Mary and Joseph, and the tabernacle looked like something worthy of the Borg, complete with a 1970's pukey green door.  Thankfully, the new pastor, some years ago, replaced them with some real treasures he obtained from closing parishes and Our Lord is housed in a beautiful gold tabernacle]. The new commission’s regulations will be written up over the next few days and will give precise instructions to dioceses. It will only be responsible for liturgical art, not for sacred art in general; and this also goes for liturgical music and singing too [I hope guidelines are used for mega-Masses for youth and other large venues.  Pope Benedict XVI and his MC, Msgr. Guido Marini, have restored some dignity, but you can see that not everyone is getting the message]. The judicial powers of the Congregation for Divine Worship will have the power to act.

Well, that last sentence basically says it won't be a commission full of wall-flowers.

Keep in mind, this is just a report.  We've had reports like these only to have, "the Vatican" refute them days later.  I'll believe it when I see the press release from the Holy See.
But, for the pure pleasureful thought.... Continue reading Tornielli's report...

---

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Altar rails are making a comeback....

The altar rail, long in use at Assumption Grotto, saw the comeback of the altar rail cloth
on Holy Thursday, 2011

The other day, the National Catholic Register had an article up about the return of altar rails.  It seems they are gaining in popularity as people desire to kneel to receive Holy Communion.

The altar rail is so called, because it is an extension of the altar.  Assumption Grotto has gone one step further during most Masses using the 1962 Missal (when there are enough servers).  That is, the use of an altar rail cloth was re-introduced on Holy Thursday this year.  People fold their hands in prayer and put them under the cloth, leaning against the rail, not on top of it. 

Go read this interesting, and detailed article about the altar rail, and it's new surge in popularity.  It includes some interesting history. 

• Altar Rail Returning to Use

---

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Holy Week Mass, Confession and Orchestra Mass Schedule at Assumption Grotto

NOTE: I'm reposting this from the other day.  With the Triduum upon us starting tomorrow, I will leave this post up and spend my time focused on Holy Week. 

UPDATE: I have photos from Holy Thursday. Grotto was packed.  I also have photos from the Tre Ore service on Good Friday.  I will be editing these and post them sometime soon after Easter, along with what I get in the coming days.

The Lourde's Legacy is out and in it is the schedule for Holy Week.  My understanding is that the Triduum will be in the Extraordinary Form (1962 Missal).  You can see photos from the 2009 Triduum in EF in this post.

You will want to bring a missal, or special booklet that was being sold some years ago for the Triduum, or go to this site and print out what you will need for the respective day (go with post 1955). 

http://mysite.verizon.net/missale/#passiontide

SCHEDULE

April 21 Holy Thursday: 7:00 p.m. Mass (No morning Masses are permitted.)
Confessions: 10:30-11:30 a.m.; 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

April 22 Good Friday: Services from Noon until 3:00 p.m.
Confessions: 10:30-11:30 a.m.; 3:30- 4:30 & 7:30-8:30 p.m.

April 23 Holy Saturday: Blessing of food at 1:00 p.m. (No morning Masses are permitted.)
Confessions: 10:30-11:30 a.m.; 3:30- 4:30 p.m.

Easter Vigil Mass: 8:00 p.m. (Note: There is no Mass at 4:00 p.m.)
April 24 Easter Sunday Masses: 6:30, 9:30 a.m. 12:00 Noon Mass (No confessions)


UPCOMING ORCHESTRA MASSES
Note: These will be in the Extraordinary Form (1962 Missal). More than likely they will be Solemn High Masses, but it is always subject to availability of clerics.

Here is the schedule found on Assumption Grotto's homepage for Orchestra Masses. 

EASTER SUNDAY
April 24, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. Mass

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
May 1, 2011 at 12:00 Noon Mass

MUSIC
Paul Creston - Missa Solemnis
Paul Creston - Symphony No. 6
Flor Peeters - Jubilate Deo
Dvorak - Te Deum

---

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Laetare Sunday

You can listen to the Introit for today while reading the information below and looking at pictures.

Lent - Fourth Sunday: Introit from Corpus Christi Watershed on Vimeo.

[Reposting from a few years ago]

The fourth Sunday in Lent is known as Laetare Sunday when some parishes use the traditional rose colored vestments. I have long wanted to capture the beautiful rose, Roman chasuble during the extraordinary form (aka, Tridentine). In this week's Grotto News, Fr. Perrone explains:

Laetare means Rejoice! It is the first word of the Introit (opening song) of the Mass. What is there, you ask, to rejoice about? Is it merely the recognition that Lent is half done? That may be part of the reason, but I fear that with most Catholics doing little to nothing during Lent anymore, there’s little concern about being freed from fasting or from other penitential practices that aren’t being done in the first place. Even so, the deeper reason for being glad about this point in Lent is that we are the closer to Easter, the time when we will relive with Christ the joy of His resurrection.

In a related way, we are also to be glad in that Lent’s practices are accomplishing their intended purposes in firming up our Christian life and in making reparation for our sins. I make my complaint again: one can’t get happy (Laetare) over this if no penances have been done. Without Lent, without discipline and the austerities appropriate to the season, there will be so much less the experience of rejoicing. That’s a tough message to sell nowadays. People want what they want when they want it. Without self-denial, however, there will be no contrast in the Christian life that will make one have a deeper appreciation of its joys. It’s those who know how to do penance who get the most delight out of being a Christian, and maybe out of life in general.

"Our help is in the name of the Lord..."

"Be blessed by Him in Whose honor thou art burnt. Amen"

May our prayers rise to heaven and be as pleasing to God as the sweet smell of incense.

"I will wash my hands among the innocent: and will compass Thine altar, O Lord..."

"My Lord and my God!"

"My God and my All"

"What shall I render to the Lord for all He hath rendered unto me? I will take the Chalice of Salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord. Praising, I will call upon the Lord and I shall be saved from my enemies."

" Ecce, Angus Dei..."




Te Deum Laudamus! Home

---

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Perpetual Mass Society (Canons Regular of St. John Cantius)

Please visit the webpage the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius has for their Perpetual Mass Society

---

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Video Interview: Cardinal Burke discusses abortion, extraordinary form of Mass, and more...

There is an excellent interview with Cardinal Burke on a number of topics.  He starts out first discussing abortion, then it shifts into the Mass - mostly the extraordinary form (1962 Missal).  Listen carefully to all that he says.  Keep in mind that His Eminence is the Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura (think "supreme court" of the Church) and he is a member of 4 other congregations including the Congregation for Divine Worship (you can see a list of his assignments which I compiled some months ago here)

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Magister: Pope's best pupils on Liturgy are Archbp Ranjith and Bishop Schneider

Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC, distributes Holy Communion

at Assumption Grotto in Detroit when he visited in 2008. 

(see list of photopost collections at the bottom of this blog entry)

Veteran Vatican journalist, Sandro Magister has a new article up in which he speaks about Pope Benedict's liturgical initiatives, and speaks about who is following the Pope's lead... on distribution of Holy Communion.  Here is a lead in...

Ratzinger's Best Pupils Are in Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan



They are the bishops Ranjith and Schneider. They follow the pope's example in the liturgical camp more and better than many of their colleagues in Italy and Europe. One revealing test is the manner of giving communion at Mass

Go read what Magister has to say on Bishops Ranjith and Schneider....


Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.



Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC, distributes holy Communion at the altar rail in Assumption Grotto during a 2008 visit to the parish. People at the parish choose to receive Communion kneeling, and on the tongue. Bishop Schneider is the author of the book, Dominus Est in which he takes a look at how early Christians received Communion, and shares a testimonial from his childhood where he had to make his First Communion in secrecy behind the Iron Curtain.

The Italian, Vatican journalist, Sandro Magister, has an excellent article in the English section of his blog on kneeling for holy Communion.  Here is his summary paragraph:

Why Kneel for Communion

Benedict XVI wants it that way, at the Masses he celebrates. But very few bishops and priests are imitating him. Yet this is one reason why churches were given ornate floors. A guide to the discovery of their significance

Go read Why Kneel for Communion at the blog of Sandro Magister




Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Photopost: Call to Holiness 2009

Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, author of Dominus Est was one of many speakers at the 12th Call to Holiness in metro Detroit at the National Shrine of the Little Flower.

I would like to give a special thanks to the Blessed Mother, whose help I always seek when photographing liturgical events and conferences.  I credit her and my guardian angel for helping me to see the beauty of the background and integrating it for compositions most pleasing to the eye.  I was especially blessed this year with the help of St. Therese, whose feast day had just passed on October 1st.  The parish was decked out with large photographs and roses which are seen throughout these photos.  Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

The event was held at the National Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak, Michigan. 

Dr. Michael P. Foley spoke on, "How the Mass shaped the western world".

In his talk, "Treasures of the Mass", Fr. Eduard Perrone, Pastor of Assumption Grotto, spoke about the parts of the Mass - ordinary and extraordinary - with the aid of demonstrations on the two large screens.

Bishop Schneider looks up at the on screen demonstrations.

People view liturgical text on the big screen during Fr. Perrone's talk

Bishop Schneider gives his talk, "The Sacredness of the Holy Eucharist and the Fathers of the Church"

Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, aka Fr. Z, speaks on, "Mystery Both Fearsome and Alluring: Holy Mass and True Active Participation".  

Quotable Fr. Z: "The greatest form of active participation is worthy reception of Holy Communion"

Dr. Ronald Prowse of Sacred Heart Major Seminary teaches basic chant in his talk, "Let's Sing Sacred Music". It later used in the parish vigil Mass, with the Gregorian notation and Latin shown on the big screens.

Bishop Schneider was the celebrant for the 4:30pm vigil Mass.

Recently ordained, Fr. Charles White IV with his eyes fixed on the Precious Blood during Elevation of the Chalice.

Awwwwww!

If you want to see all of the pictures taken from the day (118 in all), see the slideshow below, or use on of the several options below to view them directly in my smugmug gallery.  Bloggers and webmasters are free to use them for stories, but please provide a courtesy link back to this post (copy shortcut on title or timestamp link at the bottom).  For professional use, please contact me at TeDeumBlog@gmail.com

You can start the slideshow from the beginning by placing your cursor over to the left on the filmstrip and an arrow should appear. You can also change the speed. I recommend "fast".  If it doesn't work for you, use the gallery link below.

Click here to view the gallery of 118 pictures from the 2009 Call to Holiness.

As mentioned yesterday, Fr. Zuhlsdorf will be the main celebrant for the 9:30am Mass which will be a Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form. 

At Noon today, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC will be the celebrant at the ordinary form Mass, which is partically in Latin and always celebrated ad orientem.

Updated at 9:00pm to include Abp Vigneron's letter on the Call to Holiness Conference.

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Bishop D'Arcy and his new NORMS for TABERNACLE placement

This is awesome news....(h/t to Fr. Z)

Bishop D'Arcy, who heads the Fort Wayne - South Bend, Indiana Diocese has issued new norms to better align Tabernacle placement with universal norms, and the sentiments of the faithful. The people have been heard by their bishop and he responded.

Here is his lead in, with my emphases in bold and comments bracketed in red.

July 19, 2009
Bishop promulgates norms for tabernacle placement

To Priests, Deacons, Religious, and to All the Faithful,

The presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament is at the center of our faith and of the devotional life of our Catholic people.

In recent years, the place of the tabernacle in our churches has become a source of controversy. This should not be. The Eucharist, whether we are referring to its celebration or to the place of reservation, should always be a means of unity and communion, and never of division [and he is putting an end to that division in his diocese, God bless him!]

The place of the tabernacle in our church should reflect our faith in the real presence of Christ, and should always be guided by church documents.

[Here is the kicker] My experience is that our people, with their instinct of faith, have always desired that the tabernacle be central and visible. They find it confusing when the tabernacle in their churches is not visible, and if possible, central. [He went by his experience, but somewhere along the line people were communicating to him what they wanted. If you want your bishop to follow suit, write him a letter and refer to Bishop D'Arcy's norms, or even send him a copy. Always be courteous, keep it brief (1 page), let him know you are praying for him and then be sure you follow through!]

Because of my responsibility to foster the devotional life of our people [Eucharistic devotion is back from the abyss where it was stuffed for the last few decades], and to keep it sound, I have asked our Office of Worship to prepare norms for the placement and design of the tabernacle in this diocese. These norms were brought before the Presbyteral Council, the Liturgical Commission and the Environment and Arts Committee. Suitable refinements and improvements were prepared [read that, "everybody's on board so lets implement this smoothly].

These norms are promulgated to the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend on June 14, 2009, the feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of the Lord. They will be effective on Aug. 4, 2009, the feast of St. John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of priests, in whose honor the present Year for Priests has been dedicated by the Holy Father Benedict XVI.

I urge all priests to follow these norms carefully and completely, and most importantly — to foster devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

Sincerely yours in our Lord,

Most Reverend John M. D’Arcy

Fr. Z has extracted a couple of interesting points from the actual document. I provide them here, as well. I have a link to the FWSB Diocese webpage which has the full text of the document.

4. In the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, the Bishop has judged that the tabernacle is normally to be prominently located in the sanctuary of the church, along the central axis behind the main altar. Under this arrangement, the tabernacle should be at an elevated, open location in the apse area, or in another central place in the sanctuary that is equally conspicuous. Where a high altar with a tabernacle remains in place, it is appropriate to continue using this noble structure for the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament

5. This prescription is to be observed in all future construction or restoration projects involving places of sacred worship (including all churches, oratories, and private chapels) in the Diocese. Any exception to this norm must be approved by the Diocesan Bishop, and must clearly demonstrate itself as a worthy alternative that would accentuate the sacramental nature of the church building and contribute to the spiritual life of the worshiping community.

6. In those existing places of sacred worship where the tabernacle is currently located elsewhere in the sanctuary or the main body of the church, a liturgical consultation with the faithful and with the Diocese should begin, regarding the possibility of moving the tabernacle to a central position in the sanctuary. Especially if the tabernacle in a particular church was central at one time and then was moved, it should be returned to its original location.

[snip]

24. Aside from tending to the tabernacle itself, we must ensure that the faithful receive proper guidance and formation with respect to reverence before the Blessed Sacrament.Today there are many of all ages who inadvertently do not genuflect or bow in the correct situations.

Care should be taken to instruct the faithful that genuflection is the appropriate sign of adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, “whether reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration.” Before or after Mass, when the tabernacle is visible somewhere in the church, genuflection should be directed towards it. Although those who genuflect when a tabernacle is not present or when the Blessed Sacrament is clearly removed from the tabernacle (for example, during much of the Sacred Triduum) typically do so out of a commendable pious habit, they should instead bow out of reverence towards the altar.

25. Every church should strive to make the tabernacle accessible for prayer during the day, and to preserve a peaceful setting favorable to prayerful visits. Meetings and other activities without a strictly spiritual purpose should therefore be held elsewhere on the church premises whenever possible. Under extraordinary circumstances, such as if it became necessary for a church to host an event of a purely secular nature, the Blessed Sacrament may be removed from the tabernacle and transferred to the sacristy or another suitable place. The location should be secure, with the ciboria veiled and the Lord’s presence clearly marked.

As I said, if you like what Bishop D'Arcy has done, print out a copy of the document and cover letter and send it with a kind note to your own bishop.

Go to this page at the FWSB Diocese website to read the entire document in several formats. I recommend the PDF in Sequential Order, which has nice formatting and pictures.

Pray for our bishops and our priests!

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Bishop Vasa on Devotions and Active Participation in the Mass

I'm slowly getting back into my routine following the death of my mother. Thanks again for the many prayers and words of support.

I could have went scouring the news for something to blog on, but if you go to any number of popular blogs, you begin to see the news recycled over and again. I was in this grind and I am currently leaning towards finding interesting things like this, which are not as widely circulated.

Bishop Vasa of Baker, Oregon is one of several bishops whose websites I like to visit for articles written. It has been a good two months since I have done this. I found a great article by His Excellency, dated June 11, 2009. He looks back at how devotions like the Rosary were prayed during Mass, and he takes a closer look at devotions in general, and addresses attempts to dismiss or forbid them in the name of Vatican II.

Interior Participation is the Real Goal
by Bishop Robert Vasa

The Catholic Church incorporates into its liturgical practices a significant number of devotions. The most notable and traditional of these is the devotion known as exposition and benediction with the Blessed Sacrament. Others include stations of the cross, the recitation of litanies, recitation of the rosary, May crowning, statues and images of saints. One of the illegitimate interpretations of the liturgical adaptations of the 1960s was that such devotions were to be diminished and limited. The unfortunate interpretation seems to have arisen, in part, because of a previous overemphasis on devotional practices which sometimes eclipsed even the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. One still occasionally hears the stories of Mass attendees reciting their rosaries throughout Mass or engaged in other private devotions while Mass was being celebrated. My own recollections include images of my grandparents reciting Czech prayers and the rosary during Mass. The modern liturgist cringes at the thought of such a perceived aberration. Yet, I know that my grandparents had a tremendously deep and rich devotion to the Eucharist and while they may have engaged in other devotions during the course of Holy Mass they were never far in thought from the Lord whose sacrifice they were also recalling.

Nevertheless, those spiritual activities which were classified as “devotions” were frowned upon, discouraged and even forbidden. This was done, in many instances, without a suitable catechesis and without a legitimate interpretation of what full and active participation in the Eucharistic Sacrifice entailed. Full and active participation, which is the phrase from the liturgical documents, was often interpreted in an inappropriately superficial fashion to mean physical activity. Thus there was a great increase in “participation” through recitation of the Mass parts in English, reading the scriptures, leading the prayers of the faithful, and singing, but whether this actually led to a deepened “full and active participation” in the Holy Sacrifice on the part of the congregation as envisioned by the Council is certainly questionable. It is legitimate to wonder whether my grandparents were not just as fully and actively participating in the Eucharistic Sacrifice even though their participation would have had all of the external appearances of great passivity. Our secular age certainly recognizes and praises “activity” and liturgical “activity” has been presumed to be the same as “active participation” and this is not necessarily so. In the training video for lectors and acolytes this active participation is divided into that activity which is from the neck down and that which is from the neck up. There has been a great increase in the neck down form of participation and this is not necessarily bad but the real goal is for greater “neck up” activity throughout the whole of the Holy Sacrifice on the part of all in the congregation. This is a much greater challenge.

Two things bring this topic to mind for me. The first is the more and more frequent reference to the future Roman Missal with its more careful, intentional and perhaps even more devotional translation. This new translation will most likely be available for liturgical use in the fall of 2010. There is a founded hope that this new work can help accomplish more completely the “full and active participation” intended by the Council. While it was the intent that this participation be interior as well as exterior, it is highly possible that the actual result was a replacement of the interior participation by the exterior participation. Since the interior looked to be more passive and the exterior more active a false sense of “greater participation” was generated. The second is the Year of the Priest which formally begins on Friday, June 19 with a holy hour, benediction and the recitation of the Litany of Our Lord Jesus Christ Priest and Victim. Every deanery has been asked to sponsor such a holy hour and to gather in prayer for priests. Throughout the course of the Year of the Priest I hope that many such holy hours are sponsored and attended at both the parish and deanery levels. There will undoubtedly also be diocesan sponsored devotions once we are able to use our retreat center.

The more somber and dignified language of the new translation as well as beautifully ceremonial devotions have the potential of helping us lift minds and hearts to God and to Godly things a bit more effectively. Liturgy and devotions are concerned with both the mind and the heart. Beautiful, dignified language, while not always appealing to the mind, can and does appeal to the heart. The ceremony of solemn exposition and benediction may not appeal to the secular or practical mind but it appeals very strongly to and touches the heart. I think it enhances the possibility of a deeper interior participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass where the host used for adoration is consecrated. Without the devotions we run the risk of losing our hearts. With an exaggerated emphasis on devotions we run the risk of undermining intellectual knowledge and understanding. Both are necessary. They complement one another.

I started out with a reference to the Litany of Our Lord Jesus Christ Priest and Victim. This is a litany used by Pope John Paul II as a seminarian and it is both devotional and challenging. For us priests the series of petitions to which we answer, “Deliver us Jesus,” includes the following: “From the unworthy administration of the Church’s treasures; From the love of the world and its vanities; From the unworthy celebration of Your Mysteries; Through Your priestly spirit.” These are powerful petitions and they are also powerful reminders to us of how much we must rely on the Lord.

There are also prayers for priests: “That You would deign to provide Your people with pastors after Your own heart; That you would deign to fill them with the spirit of Your priesthood; That You would deign to give them gentleness in their ministry, resourcefulness in their actions and constancy in their prayer; That through them You would deign to promote the veneration of the Blessed Sacrament everywhere.” The good and holy response, which needs to be both interior and exterior: “We beseech You, hear us.”

Source: Interior participation is real goal



Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

I missed Leonardo Defilippis and ended up doing penance at a Mass with Children's Eucharistic prayers. Arghh!!!!

I had the camera bag packed last night and was looking forward to going to 9:30am EF Mass at Grotto, socializing after Mass and then hitting the one-man show by Leonardo Defilippis, on the Gospel of John. Let's just say that something unexpected derailed my plans this morning. Nuts! I was really looking forward to it too.

I ended up a local parish doing penance through a children's liturgy (I was clueless). It featured the infamous Eucharistic Prayer I in Masses for Children. Here is just a sampling of this mush which thankfully, is being dropped by the Holy See when the new Missal comes out! (emphases mine in bold).

Priest: On the night before he died, Jesus was having supper with his apostles. He took bread from the table. He gave you thanks and praise. Then he broke the bread, gave it to his friends, and said:

Take this, all of you, and eat it:
this is my body which will be given up for you.

When supper was ended, Jesus took the cup that was filled with wine. He thanked you, gave it to his friends, and said:

Take this, all of you, and drink from it:
this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Then he said to them: do this in memory of me.

We do now what Jesus told us to do. We remember his death and resurrection and we offer you, Father, the bread that gives us life, and the cup that saves us. Jesus brings us to you; welcome us as you welcome him.

It's Sunday. It's not suppose to be penitential!!!

Now, in this setting it was not even appropriate to be using a children's liturgy. The USCCB states that use of this Eucharistic Prayer is only to be used in Masses where the participants are either exclusively children, or where they make up the vast majority of participants. That was hardly the case.

When may the Eucharistic Prayer for Masses with Children be used? Is it the decision of the priest celebrating the mass or are there guidelines for this?

Concerning Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children, I would refer you to number 4 of the 1974 decree of the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, Postquam de Precibus:

"Use of a Eucharistic Prayer for Masses with Children is restricted to Masses that are celebrated with children alone or Masses at which the majority of the participants are children.

"A community of children means one so considered by the Directory for Masses with Children, that is, one consisting of children who have not yet reached the age referred to as preadolescence." [source]

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

The Fourth Sunday in Lent: Laetare Sunday

From Intermerifica.org:

The fourth Sunday in Lent (Mid-Lent) derives its Latin name from the first word of the Mass text, "Laetare Jerusalem" (Rejoice, O Jerusalem). It is a day of joy within the mourning season. The altars may be decorated with flowers, organ playing is permitted, and the priests may wear rose-colored vestments instead of purple. The reason for such display of joy is explained in a sermon by Pope Innocent III (1216):

"On this Sunday, which marks the middle of Lent, a measure of consoling
relaxation is provided, so that the faithful may not break down under the severe strain of Lenten fast but may continue to bear the restrictions with a refreshed and easier heart."[31]

As a symbol of this joy the popes used to carry a golden rose in their right hand when returning from the celebration of Mass. Pope Leo IX (1051) calls this custom an "ancient institution." Originally it was a single rose of natural size, but since the fifteenth century it has consisted of a cluster or branch of roses wrought of pure gold and set with precious stones in brilliant workmanship by famous artists. The popes bless it every year, and often they confer it upon churches, shrines, cities, or distinguished persons as a token of esteem and paternal affection. In case of such a bestowal, a new rose is made during the subsequent year. The meaning and symbolism of the golden rose is expressed in the prayer of blessing. It represents Christ in the shining splendor of His majesty, the "flower sprung from the root of Jesse." From this ecclesiastical custom Laetare Sunday acquired its German name, Rosensonntag (Sunday of the Rose).

In this country Laetare Sunday receives much publicity in the papers because of Notre Dame's bestowal each year (since 1883) of the Laetare Medal on an American lay Catholic distinguished in literature, art, science, philanthropy, sociology, or other field of achievement. It is an adaptation of the papal custom of the golden rose, and the medal is made of heavy gold and black enamel tracings bearing the inscription "Magna est veritas et praevalebit" (Truth is mighty and shall prevail). It is suspended from a bar on which is lettered "Laetare Medal."

Since I had to go to 6:30 am Mass today (and was glad to hear another great sermon by Fr. Perrone which I will try to get for the blog), I have no fresh pics of Laetare Sunday. Those shown here are from 2008. If you would like to see more, click the link below:

- More Photos from Laetare Sunday 2008 at Assumption Grotto

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!