Full text of talk by Msgr Smitz on Motu Proprio

The other day I noted an article in Envoy Magazine online in which Msgr Smitz of the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, was quoted on the subject of the expected motu proprio on the Tridentine. Shawn Tribe at The New Liturgical Movement has brought us the full text of this speech via the Institute's website. You can read the full text by clicking the link below, or by following this link to the NLM post by Shawn which extracts a few interesting quotes. It is too lenghty to post in full. It does get into talk about issues pertaining to the Novus Ordo, as well, so whether you enjoy the Tridentine, or a more traditionally celebrated Novus Ordo, you will probably like reading this talk.

"The Classical Roman Rite and the Renewal of the Liturgy"

Conference by Monsignor R. Michael Schmitz

February 19, 2007

Sacred Signs by Romano Guardini: Walking

Image courtesy of Wendy Bumgardner,
About Walking Guide

Walking
from "Sacred Signs" by Romano
Guardini, c 1956
via the EWTN online Library

How many people know how to walk? It is not hurrying
along at a kind of run, or shuffling along at a snail's pace, but
a composed and firm forward movement. There is spring in the
tread of a good walker. He lifts, not drags, his heels. He is
straight, not stoop-shouldered, and his steps are sure and even.

There is something uncommonly fine in the right kind of walking.
It is a combination of freedom and discipline. It is poised, as
if the walker were carrying a weight, yet proceeds with
unhampered energy. In a man's walk there is a suggestion of
bearing arms or burdens; in a woman's an attractive grace that
reflects an inner world of peace.

And when the occasion is religious, what a beautiful thing
walking can be! It is a genuine act of divine worship. Merely to
walk into a church in reverent awareness that we are entering the
house of the Most High, and in a special manner into his
presence, may be "to walk before the Lord." Walking in a
religious procession ought not to be what so often it is, pushing
along out of step and staring about. To escort the Blessed
Sacrament through the city streets, or through the fields, "his
own possession," the men marching like soldiers, the married
women in the dignity of motherhood, the young girls in the
innocent charm of youth, the young men in their restrained
strength, all praying in their hearts, should be a sight of
festive gladness.

A penitential procession should be supplication in visible form.
It should embody our guilt, and our desperate need of help, but
also the Christian assurance that overrules them,--that as in man
there is a power that is superior to all his other powers, the
power of his untroubled will, so, above and beyond human guilt
and distress there is the might of the living God.

Walking is the outward mark of man's essential and peculiar
nobility. It is the privilege of man alone to walk erect, his
movement in his own power and choice. The upright carriage
denotes the human being.

But we are more than human beings. We are, as the Bible calls us,
the generation of God. We have been born of God into newness of
life. Profoundly, through the Sacrament of the Altar, Christ
lives in us; his body has passed into the substance of our
bodies; his blood flows in our veins. For "he that eats my flesh
and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him." These are his
words. Christ grows in us, and we grow in him, until being
thoroughly formed by him, we attain to the full stature of Jesus
Christ, and everything we do or are, "whether we eat or sleep, or
whatsoever we do," our work, our recreation, our pleasures and
our pains, are all taken up into the Christ-life.

The consciousness of this mystery should pass in all its joyous
strength and beauty into our very manner of walking. The command
"to walk before the Lord and be perfect" is a profound figure of
speech. We ought both to fulfil the command and illustrate the
figure.

But in sober reality. Beauty of this order is not the product of
mere wishing.

Commentary

May we walk in the presence of Our Lord, not only when in church, but in life. When we walk into church fully recollected and aware that Our Lord is in the Tabernacle, it should be reflected in our walk through the aisles and corridors: Slow, humble, and with all focus on God. We have the rest of the day to project His love to others, but these precious few moments per week or per day we have in Church should be given entirely to Him.



Blogpost series on Romano Guardini's meditations: Sacred Signs

Introductory Blogpost to Romano

Guardini's book, "Sacred Signs"
- The Sign of the Cross
- The Hands
- Kneeling
- Standing

Two New Bishops - One for Dallas; another for Lake Charles, LA

Dallas has finally gotten a bishop, and so has Lake Charles, Louisiana.

You can read what was posted on the USCCB site on both of them. However, this headline caught my eye at CWNews:

Bishop-elect Provost's parish a center of Gregorian chant, polyphony

Now we're talking! Check out the links in what is above, especially his choir music list for the parish he was at.

EDIT: At the Vivat Jesus blog, there are many more links on this.

Exhortation on the Eucharist coming March 13, 2007

CWNews is reporting that the Exhortation based on the Eucharistic Synod is forthcoming next Tuesday. Here's more:

Papal document on Eucharist due March 13

Vatican, Mar. 6, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict’s apostolic exhortation on the Eucharist will be released on Tuesday, March 13, the Vatican has announced.

The new papal document, entitled Sacramentum Caritatis, summarizes and concludes the deliberations of the Synod of Bishops, which met in October 2005 to discuss the Eucharist.

The apostolic exhortation will be introduced to the press at a briefing hosted by Cardinal Angelo Scola of Venice, who was the relator general for the Synod assembly; and Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, the secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops.

The Synod of Bishops met in October 2005 to discuss the theme, “The Eucharist: Living Bread for Peace in the World,” with 256 bishops from 118 countries participating in the discussions. In a break from the usual practice, the Synod fathers made public an “unofficial” list of the 50 propositions approved at the conclusion of their deliberations. Ordinarily the propositions remain confidential, to be used by the Pope in preparing an apostolic exhortation on the topic of the Synod's deliberations. But Pope Benedict approved the public release of the conclusions from this assembly.

During a February 22 meeting with priests in Rome, Pope Benedict had said that the release of his apostolic exhortation was imminent.

CWNews goes on to think outloud what the rest of us are thinking about:

Some Vatican sources have suggested that the unveiling of the apostolic exhortation could clear the way for another long-awaited papal document: a motu proprio allowing wider use of the pre-conciliar liturgy. In announcing the release of Sacramentum Caritatis, the Vatican press office made no mention of that other document

ARTICLE IN ENVOY MAGAZINE:

Also, Envoy Magazine Online has just released an article by Brian Merhson in which he brings forth some discussion from Monsignor Michael R. Schmitz, U.S. Provincial Superior for the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest.

Here are some excerpts with a link to the full article below:

For the moment, at least, it also appears that fears in some Catholic quarters that the Traditional liturgical calendar would give way to the reformed liturgical calendar, as well as some possible modifications to the Traditional liturgy itself, will not in fact be part of the expected motu proprio easing restrictions on the Traditional Roman rite. “The missal we use will be left unchanged,” Msgr. Schmitz said.

And this gem about the Reform of the Reform:

There have been some subtle signs that these two specific encouragements — offering Mass ad orientem and using a Latin canon and Gregorian chant during the ordinaries of the Novus Ordo liturgy — may indeed be part of the post-Synod on the Eucharist document, expected to be promulgated soon.

This too was quite interesting on the subject of Archbishop Piero Marini - the MC behind the papal Masses of the last half of Pope John Paul II's pontificate, and the beginning of Pope Benedict's:

Another notable newsworthy item that Msgr. Schmitz delivered at his February 19, hour-long presentation during the question-and-answer period was that Archbishop Piero Marini, whom many had speculated would have been removed long ago, has finally accepted another assignment.

“The Pope is before all else, a gentleman,” Msgr. Schmitz said, clarifying for many Catholics in the room why this particular step has taken as long as it has. Vaticanists have expected this move ever since the beginning of Pope Benedict’s pontificate. Msgr. Schmitz did not give any details as to the nature of Archbishop Marini’s new assignment.

The entire article at Envoy is well worth reading:

Traditional Liturgy Not Affected by “the Reform of the Reform”


Something else going around the blogosphere are some photos from Redemptoris Mater Chapel in Rome where the altar position has been changed in a way that appears more compatible with the ad orientem posture. Go to the New Liturgical Movement to read:

Redemptoris Mater Chapel; a barometer of the liturgical shift?

Altar in Redemptoris Mater Chapel BEFORE

Altar in Redemptoris Mater Chapel AFTER

Fr. Zuhlsdorf comments on a related subject [emphasis mine]:

Today I was strolling and found the Church S. Maria della Pace open. "Miracolo!", quoth I and entered. It is a gem. Standing before the church’s main altar I saw a picnic table pushed to the side of the sanctuary. What really got my attention, however, were a couple of young people looking at the sanctuary and talking about how beautiful it was. I heard one say, "Imagine, for Mass they put that nasty table (tavolaccia) in front of that!" They were all properly disgusted with the idea. The moral of the story? What the aging hippies think they need to do to engage "the people", "the people" don’t want. And today younger people, who are not hauling around the baggage of the ‘60’s don’t want what the hep-cats have pushed on us for years.

But times are changing rapidly. I think we will see more and more younger priests ridding their churches of iron-boards and re-orienting the Mass once again. We are getting constant hints that this is path of the future. I am guessing the Holy Father might even talk more about this in a document.

We can only hope!!!

We will be watching the many blogs and newscolumns closely in the next few weeks. Here is one more to digest:

It is the Holy Father that Will Decide - a Catholic Exchange article by Anthony Valle, which includes a recent interview with Archbishop Malcom Ranjith of the Congregation for Divine Worship (Cardinal Arinze's right-hand man)

***Te Deum Laudamus! Home***

Bishop Bruskewitz - keynote speaker for March 16 banquet in Michigan

THE RENEWAL OF CATHOLIC HIGHER EDUCATION NEEDS YOU!

PLAN TO ATTEND THE BENEFIT BANQUET --Friday, MARCH 16TH!

Please--if you have not done so already please plan to attend the benefit banquet that will support the founding of The Collegeof SS Peter and Paul--to be located in Michigan! This is a new Catholic Liberal Arts college--totally faithful to the Magisterium of the Church. Colleges like this one will bring the light of Christ to this dark time! It will serve to renew Catholic higher education! Please help make this college a reality. The banquet is Friday, March 16th. The cost of the banquet is only $40.00 per person. Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz is the keynote speaker--truly one of the most outstanding bishops in the whole country! The banquet is at the lovely St. John's Center located at 5 Mile and Sheldon in Plymouth, MI. For $150 dollars a private reception is provided with the bishop. Please call 248 347-3649

COME --BE A PART OF THE NEW SPRINGTIME OF THE CHURCH - see the website

Click here for a PDF flyer of the event

Fr. Perrone catechizes the parish on "praying hands"

In today's Pastor's Descant, Fr. Perrone talked about the need for us to be aware of our gestures during holy Mass. He specifically targeted how we approach for Communion. I couldn't help but think about what I had just read last night in Saint Bernadette Soubirous 1844-1879 by Abbe Francois Trochu.

Bernadette, following the first apparition, described Our Lady's hands as the Rosary was prayed. The author says that among the many details that came out during questioning, was the manner in which Mary held her hands:

"..... Her hands, when she kept them joined, where pressed together along their whole length, palm to palm...."

In any painting you see of Our Lady of Lourdes, you see this posture. And, it is appropriate to recall as we read Fr. Perrone's words for our own personal reflection. We can't change what others are doing or not doing, but we ought to be conscious of what we are doing when in prayer, in Church, or at Mass. Our Lady, among other roles, is a profound teacher. Perhaps we ought to follow her lead.

Without further delay, here is the March 4, 2007 Pastor's Descant:

"You’ve all seen those disembodied hands joined in prayer, etched so masterfully by Albrecht Dürer. They adorn greeting cards, advertisements and brochures, but were surely intended for the more noble purpose of representing Christian piety. Those hands returned to my imagination in writing today on a topic, seemingly but a trifle, that should concern everyone. This is the little-regarded subject of folding one’s hands in prayer. Now, why should I write about a thing of such relative insignificance? I hear you thinking: ‘has he nothing better to say?’ It’s because little things sometimes can make a big difference and because this subject came up in a recent adult catechism class that I’m taking it up here today.

It was pointed out to me that some of our Grotto people wend their way to and fro the Communion line with arms adangling, which is to say, with hands unfolded. Truth to tell, I had never noticed. (In fact, let it be known that I make it my business not to look much at the congregation lest I lose track of what I’m doing before God.) In this matter I’m reminded of the immense loss for the Church of the teaching Sisters. They were the ones who taught and who exemplified Catholic decorum. With their disappearance from the scene in nearly every parish, we have either forgotten or had never learned how to conduct ourselves reverently in church.

No doubt, you will have noticed that I require our altar boys to keep their hands joined at the breast and pointing upward when serving Mass. There’s more reason for this than merely the edification of the faithful, although that’s an important thing. I can’t adequately explain why, but the folding–or not–of the hands has a great deal to do with the way our minds pray. If you look at the representation of angels in our church–and elsewhere in art–you will see their hands joined in prayer. Likewise the Virgin Mary. To my mind, this discipline of the hands has the effect of helping to concentrate, to focus one’s thoughts more securely on God. It’s a posture we don’t employ for anything else except prayer. Hence, like kneeling, it’s an act of the recognition of God. You can swing your arms freely about wherever you may be, but you should not in church, and especially at Communion time, because you know you are in the august presence of the Most High.

Should you think I am making too much of this, I will let our Holy Father Pope Benedict have a word. In his important and highly influential book, Spirit of the Liturgy, after recalling Saint Paul’s admission, “I train my body and subdue it” (1 Cor 9:27), the Pope says that the body needs to be trained, so to speak, for the resurrection it is meant to share. “The body has a place within the divine worship of the Word made flesh, and it is expressed liturgically in a certain discipline of the body, in gestures that have developed out of the liturgy’s inner demands...” Then, recalling that the practice of joining hands in prayer came out of the custom in feudal times of placing one’s joined hands into the hands of his ruling lord as an expression of loyalty and fidelity, the Holy Father concludes that when we fold our hands in prayer we symbolically place our hands in God’s, pledging to Him our fidelity.

Getting to my point, I’d like those hitherto ‘unyoked’ in their Communion habits to give due consideration both to the impression their nonchalant mannerism may have to onlookers and to how its correction might contribute to an improved mental disposition after receiving the holy Sacrament. Speaking for myself, I find it hard, without summoning the body’s cooperation, to concentrate in prayer. Joining my hands seems to help arrest the powers of my mind, feeble though they may be, and fixing them more pointedly on God.

There are many things of a like kind in our liturgical comportment that I might single out for ‘airing,’ such as the bowing of the head at the name of Jesus or Mary, the closing of one’s eyes at the moment of receiving Communion, and–here’s another
thing to rail against–the slipshod way we dust ourselves with the sign of the cross. But these are more for another time when my zeal might be roused to suggest other ways better to use our bodily powers to assist in our prayer. “Glorify God,” wrote the Apostle, “in your body.” (1 Cor. 6:20)."

Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, Msgr Breier, Fr. Perrone, Fr. John, and Fr. Amah during the early 2006 Marian Catechist memorial liturgy for Fr. John A. Hardon

I do hope Fr. Perrone will continue with this kind of catechesis for those of us who were busy tending to our fingerpaintings while our folks thought we were learning about the faith.

As for the book mentioned, I highly recommend it. There are many historical pictures in the book, and it is just a good read. It obviously goes much more deeper than any movie. I'm actually reading many books right now, but I only read a few pages of one of them each day.

More on the expected liberation of the Tridentine

Visit Fr. Z's blog for more info on the expected motu proprio (and consider that it is second hand). It may or may not be an actual glimpse of some of what is to come.

Go read, "Some contents of the motu proprio?" at the blog of Fr. Z.

Pope Benedict on the Transfiguration

In his Angelus address, Pope Benedict spoke on the Transfiguration. From Zenit:

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

On this Second Sunday of Lent, the Evangelist Luke underlines that Jesus went up the mountain "to pray" (9:28) together with the apostles Peter, James and John and, "as he was praying" (9:29) the luminous mystery of his transfiguration took place.

For the three apostles, to go up on the mountain meant to be involved in Jesus' prayer, who often withdrew to pray, especially at dawn or after sundown, and sometimes during the whole night. However, on that occasion alone, on the mountain, he wished to manifest to his friends the interior light that invaded him when he prayed: His face -- we read in the Gospel -- his countenance was altered and his raiment became dazzling, reflecting the splendor of the divine person of the Incarnate Word (cf. Luke 9:29).

There is another detail in St. Luke's narrative which is worth underlining: It indicates the object of Jesus' conversation with Moses and Elijah, who appeared next to him when transfigured. The Evangelist narrates that they "spoke of his departure (in Greek, 'exodos'), which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem" (9:31).

Therefore, Jesus listens to the Law and the prophets that speak to him of his death and resurrection. In his intimate dialogue with his Father, he does not leave history, he does not flee from the mission for which he came into the world, though he knows that to attain glory he will have to go through the cross. What is more, Christ enters this mission more profoundly, adhering with all his being to the will of the Father, and he shows us that true prayer consists precisely in uniting our will to the Father's.

Therefore, for a Christian to pray is not to evade reality and the responsibilities it entails, but to assume them to the end, trusting in the faithful and inexhaustible love of the Lord. For this reason, the proof of the Transfiguration is, paradoxically, the agony in Gethsemane (cf. Luke 22:39-46). Given the imminence of the passion, Jesus experiences mortal anguish and entrusts himself to the divine will; at that moment his prayer is a pledge of salvation for us all. Christ, in fact, would implore the heavenly Father to "save him from death" and, as the author of the Letter to the Hebrews writes, "he was heard for his godly fear" (5:7). The Resurrection is proof that he was heard.

Dear Brothers and Sisters: Prayer is not something accessory, it is not "optional," but rather a question of life or death. Only one who prays, that is, who entrusts himself to God with filial love, can enter into eternal life, which is God himself. During this season of Lent, let us pray to Mary, mother of the Incarnate Word and teacher of the spiritual life, to teach us to pray as her Son did so that our life is transformed by the light of his presence.

Michael Barber continues to discuss the "finding of Jesus' bones"

Michael Barber is only just beginning and today he posts 7 Reasons why Cameron's Theory is Sinking.

I'll start you out here, and then you can follow through to Michael's blog, where he has additional links:

Yesterday and today I taught classes where I was asked to address this "Jesus Tomb" story. In fact, a lot of news outlets are already reporting on the massive problems made with the claims being made. Well, here I want to list seven reasons why this story sinking.

1. Cameron found no bones of Jesus. Everyone looks over that--in fact, when I first posted on this I was even under the impression that Cameron was talking about finding "bones" of Jesus. Even if this was the tomb of the founder of Christianity, there is still no body in it. Of course, it isn't Jesus' tomb anyway as we will explain, I just thought I ought to point that out.

2. There is no way to know whether or not the "Yeshua" in question here is the "Yeshua" who founded Christianity. As I explained in the last post, Yeshua was the sixth most common name of Jewish males in Jesus' day. Joseph was the second. Miriamne (=Mary) was the most popular name for Jewish girls--in fact, 21% of all Jewish females were named Miriamne. So even if this Yeshua was married to a woman named Miriamne.........continue reading at Singing in the Reign

More posts on this subject by Michael Barber:

Titanic Claim: Jesus' Body Found?

This is only the beginning. Mr. Cameron invited scholars to look at the find, and there is no doubt that this whole issue will find itself buried at sea along with the Titanic.

Lenten Series by Fr. Zuhlsdorf

Father John Zuhlsdorf - aka, "Fr. Z" at his blog, "What does the prayer really say?", is in the midst of a Lenten series which examines the prayers of Holy Mass a little closer. Visit the WDTPRS Homepage each day to read his latest translation, and lenten reflection.

Here is an excerpt from the First Wednesday in Lent:

Sometimes it helps for us to identify ourselves with the gifts placed on the altar for consecration. Moments before the Super Oblata prayer, we are invited by the priest to unite our sacrifices to those he offers in his manner of offering. We all have both burdens and reasons to rejoice. These we can consciously place into the chalice as the priest prepares it for their own change and elevation and "completion". In a way, the water can be like our own human and earthly portion being joined, absorbed and changed into the wine (the divine), even before they are stupendously raised as the Eucharist.

Online Video of Local News Segment on Mary Mother of the Eucharist Dominicans

Click the pic to go to the Mary, Mother of the Eucharist website

I first notified readers a couple days ago here of the upcoming video segment that Detroit's local ABC affiliate - Channel 7, WXYZ-TV would be doing on the Mary Mother of the Eucharist Dominicans. They are a very young community (in more ways than one) which began with just four sisters ten years ago. Now they are 70 with an average age somewhere in their 20's.

The segment aired last night and that video is now online. I don't know how long WXYZ-TV will keep it there. If the video is taken down, you may want to email them and ask if they can archive it somewhere online for future reference, or get permission to upload it to YouTube, if that is possible.

Here is a direct link to where the online video of that news segment by Ray Sayah on the Mary Mother of the Eucharist Dominicans.

The introduction is as follows:

By Ray Sayah
February 27, 2007

Today more young women are saying no thanks to married life and high-powered jobs. Instead they’re pursuing a higher calling

Some young women in their 20’s and 30’s have already gone after money, careers and material possessions, but it didn’t make them happy. They say they’ve found what’s missing in a lifestyle that’s making a comeback.

If you're reading sisters - all I can say is....



.....for your example, your prayers and sacrifices, and for saying, "Yes" when He called.

Fr. Zuhlsdorf on the Ad Orientem Posture....and Confession too.

Fr. Perrone celebrates the liturgy ad orientem at the 7:00pm outdoor evening Mass on August 15, 2005

Fr. Zuhlsdorf has a commentary up on one of our favorite topics here: Ad Orientem!

Fr. Z also reminds us that Lent is a good time to be considering confession and puts his Examination of Conscience up on his blog.

Michael Barber takes on James Cameron

You've probably heard by now, that the director of Titanic, James Cameron is claiming to have found a box of bones belonging to Jesus.

Radio Show Host and Professor of Theology, Scripture and Catholic Thought at John Paul the Great Univeristy in San Diego, CA - Michael Barber - takes a few shots at Cameron's claims.

No pun intended, but Cameron's ship is going to sink. But, how many souls will be taken in by the media hype?

Local News station will discuss why young women are flocking to this Convent

If you are within the metro Detroit viewing area for ABC - Channel 7 in Detroit, tune in at 11:00 or tape the broadcast. Ray Sayah has done a story that will air about the vocation "problem" they are having at Mary Mother of the Eucharist (at least, so it appeared by their habits). The problem is that the young women are "coming in droves".

Catholic Culture has an article archived from 1997 in which covers the origins and beginnings of this local Dominican order in Ann Arbor. It is an offshoot from the Dominicans of popular notoriety in Tennessee. As I've mentioned before, good orders grow by sending out small groups of sisters to begin new communities. This one will have to do something soon (and it would be nice to see some sent out to the east side of Metro Detroit to run a Catholic school).

Yes Virginia, it is springtime for traditional convents, holy orders, and dioceses!

If you don't live in the viewing area, skim the Channel 7 Action News website at 11:00, or even tomorrow for anything they may have online. It's not likely to be online for very long.

Another Pastoral Letter on Pornography - This time from Bishop Robert W. Finn

Bishop Loverde of the Arlington Diocese released a pastoral letter on pornography not that long ago, and now Bishop Finn of Kansas City - St. Joseph Diocese has done the same.

Hat tip to the Bishop Finn Fan Club and Kansas City Catholic.

I'll start you out here and let you follow the link to the diocesan website for the full document.

Bishop Robert W. Finn
Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph

Blessed Are The Pure In Heart
A Pastoral Letter on the Dignity of the Human Person
and the Dangers of Pornography
Kansas City, Missouri ~ February 21, 2007

To the clergy, religious, lay faithful of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and to all people of good will:

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8): A way of discipleship

In the Beatitudes Christ offers us a perfect model for true Christian living. Even more than the Ten Commandments themselves, they are a charter for the high moral calling Christ sets for His disciples.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. This one line from the Beatitudes offers a most sublime beginning point to our reflection. It tells us about God, ourselves and our ultimate goal. A pure heart is “blessed” or “happy.” Seeing God and being with Him forever in heaven is God’s plan for our eternal well-being. The Old Testament teaches that this purity is required if we are to approach God. “Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false” (Psalm 24, 3-4).

To be pure in heart implies that our love is wholly directed toward the good of the other person. We are “single-hearted,” and not divided in our love. Israel ’s first and most important commandment is to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength (Deut 6: 4-5). Jesus added definitively that we must also love our neighbor as our self (Mk 12: 29 -31). This pure love – as demanding as it may be – is the high destiny to which we are called as children of the Father. Is it possible to fulfill such a love? Yes. It is possible because God has first loved us (1 Jn 4:10 ). As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to the happiness that comes from a clean and undivided heart.

Pornography: Epidemic Attacking Human Dignity

Daily there are challenges to this pure Christian love. For some months, representatives of our Catholic Diocese have been working with leaders of other faith traditions to address the serious dangers represented by the steady increase of pornography in our culture. Pornography is not new, but it has become a kind of plague in our society, reaching epidemic proportions. It is being propagated more widely than ever. Well beyond magazines, it is widespread on the internet, television, movies and videos, and now on cell phones and other handheld devices, many of which are marketed to children and youth. Pornography has become the secret entertainment of many people of all ages, walks of life, and economic backgrounds. Use of internet pornography is perhaps the fastest growing addiction in the world.

Continue reading Bishop Finn's Pastoral Letter......

This kind of document has been sorely needed. It's a sad state of reality that many Catholics today - especially young people, do not see the sinfulness of pornography. Hollywood makes television programs aimed at youth which sell sex when the TV characters are still in high school - as if it is a normal part of the curriculum. They grow up thinking it is part of high school life. Some go to church each week, oblivious to how saddened God is with the offenses against his Commandments.

This kind of letter is exactly the leadership we so badly need. There is no doubt that we need bishops to speak up on helping the poor, and on matters of justice. However, there has been relative silence for decades on issues of morality with respect to issues such as pornography.

This is also an excellent follow up to the Pope Benedict's Encyclical, Deus Caritas Est. We need more priests and bishops to continue contrasting the difference between true love and false love.

Please pray for our priests and bishops!