I just wanted to re-iterate for those leaving comments that I have turned "Comment Moderation" to "on". This can be confusing when you first encounter it at a blog because it seems as if your comment didn't go anwhere after you send it.
With this feature checked on, when you leave a comment it goes into a cue and awaits my review and approval for publishing. You can tell when a blog has comment moderation turned on because it will often say it at the top of the comment section when you are writing your comment. The other way to tell is immediately after you post a comment. You will see a message that says that the comment is awaiting moderation.
Many bloggers I know have gone to this to prevent spamming. The "verification word" helps with computers trying to leave comments in my blog, but it does not prevent the individual who is going around posting advertisements and what not.
Aside from that, it enables me to keep out those things which I believe could lead others to scandal and prevents things like detraction being spread through my comboxes. Sometimes I'll see something that is inappropriate and I will be stuck at work unable to do anything about it.
I have no intention of censoring information out. That is, those who disagree with my opinion. However, there are certain things I will not post and I have outlined them previously.
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Sunday, June 17, 2007
Diocese of Saginaw: Vocations and Processions
There has been some excellent news for the Diocese of Saginaw - a once very troubled diocese before Bishop Carlson took over. He is one of our Bishops with Backbone after taking measures to get parishes to follow the GIRM.
Here is a look at the Eucharistic Procession on June 10th - the Feast of Corpus Christi. The procession was also part of the Eucharistic Congress they had. The diocese had two priests ordained after a long absence of vocations, and there are five men who just became transistional deacons.
Here is an interview of Bishop Carlson done in May 2006 on vocations
Deo Gratias!
SIDENOTE:
Happy Fathers Day to all the daddies out there (Scroll down for the words to the song - so appropriate. It was a song that came out just before my dad passed away years ago and the words are so fitting). H/T to Semper Fi Catholic (view their Corpus Christi Procession)
And, a Happy Fathers Day to all priests!
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
Saturday, June 16, 2007
June 16, 2007 - Immaculate Heart of Mary
Following the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I have just read part of Donal Anthony Foley's article on the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. While I have not yet finished reading it, I wanted to share the link with you.
Hat-tip to a Catholic Mom in Hawaii
Friday, June 15, 2007
CWNews: Motu Proprio Imminent
Vatican, Jun. 15, 2007 (CWNews.com) - A papal document calling for broader use of the Tridentine liturgy has been completed and signed, and is now being translated and prepared for publication, according to two different Roman news agencies.
The motu proprio will be released along with an accompanying letter from Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) to the world's bishops, according to Petrus, an Italian internet site devoted to news about the Vatican.
The Italian site quotes Msgr. Nicola Bux, a personal friend of the Holy Father, as saying that the document's publication is "imminent," saying that it is "a question of days." However, the site also suggests that the long-awaited motu proprio will be released as Pope Benedict begins his summer vacation in July.
The I Media news agency reports that Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, confirmed that the document is being readied for publication. According to I Media, a date has been chosen for the release of the motu proprio, but Vatican officials are not ready to disclose that date. One Vatican source told I Media that it might be wise to think in terms of weeks rather than days before publication.
The Petrus report said that the formal release of the motu proprio would be accompanied by a press conference at which three Vatican officials will introduce the document. Petrus even named the three prelate who will reportedly brief the press: Cardinals Francis Arinze, the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship; Dario Castrillon Hoyos, the president of the Ecclesia Dei commission; and Julian Herranz, the former president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.
More related articles from other blogs and sites:
Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Art Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
The people of Assumption Grotto celebrate this feast day with somewhat of a more solemn Mass with the choir. Last year when I went, there was also a Eucharistic Procession and benediction in the cemetary.
So, you may be thinking that it will be hot inside of Assumption Grotto Church and would rather remain in a nice cool place. As you will read (if you read this whole post and all of the links) the devotion to the Sacred Heart involves acts of reparation for offenses to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Going to Mass tonite and sweating a little is a good thing. You will have good, sweaty company. In fact, if you think it is hard on you, think of the priest in his vestment and altar boys in cassock and surplice. BTW - we do not wear shorts and tank tops at Assumption Grotto so if you do come, please take this into consideration. Solid Catholic and Christian living involves making sacrifices and this is one way to do it.
The following was taken from a diary entry of St. Margaret Mary in June of 1674 (emphasis mine):
On the First Friday of each month, the above-mentioned grace connected with the pain in my side was renewed in the following manner: the Sacred Heart was
represented to me as a resplendent sun, the burning rays of which fell
vertically upon my heart, which was inflamed with a fire so fervid that it
seemed as if it would reduce me to ashes. It was at these times especially that
my Divine Master taught me what He required of me and disclosed to me the
secrets of His loving Heart. On one occasion, while the Blessed Sacrament was
exposed, feeling wholly withdrawn within myself by an extraordinary recollection of all my senses and powers, Jesus Christ, my sweet Master, presented Himself to me, all resplendent with glory, His Five Wounds shining like so many suns. Flames issued from every part of His Sacred Humanity, especially from His Adorable Breast, which resembled an open furnace and disclosed to me His most loving and most amiable Heart, which was the living source of these flames. It was then that He made known to me the ineffable marvels of His pure love and showed me to what an excess He had loved men, from whom He received only ingratitude and contempt.
From an article written by Jean Bainvel, is an excerpt (via Catholic Encyclopedia) emphasis mine:
(d) The heart is, above all, the emblem of love, and by this characteristic, the devotion to the Sacred Heart is naturally defined. However, being directed to the loving Heart of Jesus, it naturally encounters whatever in Jesus is connected with this love. Now, was not this love the motive of all that Christ did and suffered? Was not all His inner, even more than His outward, life dominated by this love? On the other hand, the devotion to the Sacred Heart, being directed to the living Heart of Jesus, thus becomes familiar with the whole inner life of the Master, with all His virtues and sentiments, finally, with Jesus infinitely loving and lovable. Hence, a first extension of the devotion is from the loving Heart to the intimate knowledge of Jesus, to His sentiments and virtues, to His whole emotional and moral life; from the loving Heart to all the manifestations of Its love. There is still another extension which, although having the same meaning, is made in another way, that is by passing from the Heart to the Person, a transition which, as we have seen, is very naturally made. When speaking of a large heart our allusion is to the person, just as when we mention the Sacred Heart we mean Jesus. This is not, however, because the two are synonymous but when the word heart is used to designate the person, it is because such a person is considered in whatsoever related to his emotional and moral life. Thus, when we designate Jesus as the Sacred Heart, we mean Jesus manifesting His Heart, we mean Jesus manifesting His Heart, Jesus all loving and amiable. Jesus entire is thus recapitulated in the Sacred Heart as all is recapitulated in Jesus.
More reading on the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
- The Doctrinal Foundation of Devotion to the Sacred Heart by Fr. John A. Hardon, SJ
- Devotion to the Sacred Heart (Fr. William Wagner, ORC - Opus Angelorum)
- Prelate Consecrates Families to the Sacred Heart (CWNews)
- Devotion to the Sacred Heart, it's history and origin (Apostolate Alliance of the Two Hearts via EWTN)
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Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Comment Moderation is On
Just a note to all readers, especially those who comment......
I have turned on comment moderation. This means that when you post a comment it will drop into a box for my review prior to posting. Don't repost - it will be in a cue for me to release and I will try to check a couple times daily.
There are many subjects in which I can deal with differences of opinion. However, I do have a problem with people attacking the Catholic Church and/or the Novus Ordo Mass and I choose not to subject my readers to those kind of offensive remarks.
In a similar manner, I won't accept condescending remarks with regards to other faiths or various Christian denominations. I know many Protesants and I know them well enough to know the deep love they have for Jesus Christ and for Sacred Scripture. Some of my Protestant friends can put a Catholic to shame with the amount of hours they devote to the study of Scripture. Their love for the Lord is plainly visible to me and I respect them for that. Ditto for the time they put in to charitable works. While their interpretation of Scripture is not aligned with Catholic understanding, they deserve to be treated with charity and to be given the benefit of the doubt that they pursue God with the best of intentions. They ought not be the butt of jokes or on the receiving end of condescending remarks (direct or indirect) from people who consider themselves Christian and Catholic.
I say the same of members of the SSPX or of the Orthodox faith. I won't accept anyone taking an uncharitable jab there either.
I will also reiterate at this time a few points about links in my blogroll and elsewhere on the Te Deum blog. If anyone notices something to the contrary in any of my links, please notify me by email at TeDeumBlog@aol.com.
Again, if you discover something in a link on my blog which contradicts what I have here in this list, please send me an email so I can investigate and act accordingly. I simply cannot follow every link, every day.
There is a delay in more Corpus Christi photo posts because of an intense work schedule this week, so bare with me on this.
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
I have turned on comment moderation. This means that when you post a comment it will drop into a box for my review prior to posting. Don't repost - it will be in a cue for me to release and I will try to check a couple times daily.
There are many subjects in which I can deal with differences of opinion. However, I do have a problem with people attacking the Catholic Church and/or the Novus Ordo Mass and I choose not to subject my readers to those kind of offensive remarks.
In a similar manner, I won't accept condescending remarks with regards to other faiths or various Christian denominations. I know many Protesants and I know them well enough to know the deep love they have for Jesus Christ and for Sacred Scripture. Some of my Protestant friends can put a Catholic to shame with the amount of hours they devote to the study of Scripture. Their love for the Lord is plainly visible to me and I respect them for that. Ditto for the time they put in to charitable works. While their interpretation of Scripture is not aligned with Catholic understanding, they deserve to be treated with charity and to be given the benefit of the doubt that they pursue God with the best of intentions. They ought not be the butt of jokes or on the receiving end of condescending remarks (direct or indirect) from people who consider themselves Christian and Catholic.
I say the same of members of the SSPX or of the Orthodox faith. I won't accept anyone taking an uncharitable jab there either.
I will also reiterate at this time a few points about links in my blogroll and elsewhere on the Te Deum blog. If anyone notices something to the contrary in any of my links, please notify me by email at TeDeumBlog@aol.com.
I will not place links on my blog which are to known schismatic sites or
sites which speak out against the Catholic faith.
I will not place links on my blog which contain anti-semitic content or
follow an uncharitable path with regards to non-Christian faiths.
I will not place links on my blog which contain promotion or discussion of
apparitions or other phenomena not yet fully approved by the Catholic Church. There is an arsenal of fully approved private revelations that we need to explore and understand long before we get absorbed in things in which definitive judgments have not been made.I have removed some links to blogs by Catholics - some popular - in which the content is highly strident or focusing too much on the scandal of the day. We need to use our time more wisely and to guard against participating in what amounts to high-tech gossip and detraction. I won't encourage them in these things by contributing to their hit count. Our Lord did not teach us to have fun at the expense of people who are misguided. Such examples seem to be missing from the Gospels.
Again, if you discover something in a link on my blog which contradicts what I have here in this list, please send me an email so I can investigate and act accordingly. I simply cannot follow every link, every day.
There is a delay in more Corpus Christi photo posts because of an intense work schedule this week, so bare with me on this.
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Renovations: Churches before and after....
Shawn Tribe has a good post up on more renovations - something they cover periodically at the New Liturgical Movement.
You have to see these parishes and how they modifed the modern architecture into something about as traditional as they can get, given what they have to work with.
Deo Gratias!
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
You have to see these parishes and how they modifed the modern architecture into something about as traditional as they can get, given what they have to work with.
Deo Gratias!
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
Excellent Podcast: St. Thomas Aquinas on the Eucharist; Mass in Heaven?
I regret not having time to post more Corpus Christi photos today, but things are hectic at work and at home. Hopefully, I'll be able to post more tomorrow.
In the meanwhile, I would urge everyone to listen to this "Podcazt" by Fr .Z at his site. You don't need an IPOD and can listen to it right on your computer - even if you have dialup. Granted, you will need to download it at a time that you can just let it run - like overnight. They only come out once or twice weekly. Once you download it you could burn it to a CD if you have that capability so you can listen to it in the car while commuting.
I've listened to three thus far while working and th is particular one, I have already listened to twice, and will probably do so a third time with a notebook.
This particular topic and the way in which Fr. Zuhlsdorf covers it is intellectually stimulating while spiritually uplifting. Later in the segment Fr. Z addresses the question of whether we will have Mass in Heaven. The answer may surprise you.
Once you get to his post, you have several options from playing it in a popup window on your computer, to downloading it, or if you have an ipod, I strongly encourage you to subscribe to his "Podcazts"
It runs about 40-45 minutes which makes it perfect to listen to while you are doing something. If you actually have the time to just sit and listen, that is so much better. I've done it while driving with my iPod.
Here is a direct link to his post.
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
In the meanwhile, I would urge everyone to listen to this "Podcazt" by Fr .Z at his site. You don't need an IPOD and can listen to it right on your computer - even if you have dialup. Granted, you will need to download it at a time that you can just let it run - like overnight. They only come out once or twice weekly. Once you download it you could burn it to a CD if you have that capability so you can listen to it in the car while commuting.
I've listened to three thus far while working and th is particular one, I have already listened to twice, and will probably do so a third time with a notebook.
This particular topic and the way in which Fr. Zuhlsdorf covers it is intellectually stimulating while spiritually uplifting. Later in the segment Fr. Z addresses the question of whether we will have Mass in Heaven. The answer may surprise you.
Once you get to his post, you have several options from playing it in a popup window on your computer, to downloading it, or if you have an ipod, I strongly encourage you to subscribe to his "Podcazts"
It runs about 40-45 minutes which makes it perfect to listen to while you are doing something. If you actually have the time to just sit and listen, that is so much better. I've done it while driving with my iPod.
Here is a direct link to his post.
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
Monday, June 11, 2007
Corpus Christi 2007 - Procession at Assumption Grotto
I decided to focus on capturing video of the Corpus Christi procession at Assumption Grotto this year, with the hopes of producing a short clip which captures the spirit of the day. It will be some time before I can release such a video as it will undergo much editing.
However, a good friend of Assumption Grotto, Michael Powell, whose wife and daughters are quite active at the parish, was kind enough to use his photography skills to capture still shots of the day. We start with the altars set up on the grounds of our parish.
We start with the procession toward's the first altar, which was set up on the south side of the cemetary.
More posts will be made when I receive additional photos.
Preliminary post on the Corpus Christi Procession at Assumption Grotto
Second post on the morning of Corpus Christi Sunday
Corpus Christi Procession at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Wyandotte, MI
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
However, a good friend of Assumption Grotto, Michael Powell, whose wife and daughters are quite active at the parish, was kind enough to use his photography skills to capture still shots of the day. We start with the altars set up on the grounds of our parish.
We start with the procession toward's the first altar, which was set up on the south side of the cemetary.
Altar boys, wearing festive white cassocks and gold shoulder capes, lead the way.
A priest of Opus Angelorum is carrying the Monstrance. He is flanked by Fr. Eduard Perrone - the pastor of Assumption Grotto. Fr. Perrone had been conducting the symphony and choir at the Noon Mass, which ended just moments before these photos were taken.
Here, we see that on the other side of the OA priest, is Grotto's new Deacon, Jim Wilder.
The monstrance holding the Eucharist at the first altar.
More posts will be made when I receive additional photos.
Preliminary post on the Corpus Christi Procession at Assumption Grotto
Second post on the morning of Corpus Christi Sunday
Corpus Christi Procession at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Wyandotte, MI
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Corpus Christi Procession - OLMC Wyandotte
OLMC Pastor, Fr. Walter Ptak is flanked by Deacon Richard Bloomfield as they sing Tantum Ergo, the 13th century hymn written by St. Thomas Aquinas. Benediction followed.
After a 40 year absence, the Corpus Christi outdoor Eucharistic procession was held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Wyandotte, Michigan, the site of the Call to Holiness 2007 west side conference. Photos were received from Debbie Bloomfield, wife of Deacon Bloomfield.
The solemnity of Corpus Christi (The Body of Christ) was celebrated June 10th. This year, the old custom of an outdoor procession with the Blessed Sacrament was revived at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Wyandotte . It had last been done 40 years ago. The attached pictures tell the story.
Head usher, Al Adamski leads the Corpus Christi Procession from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Wyandotte) followed by altar boys Martin Reed and Gabriel Huerta and banners from the parish societies.
Fr. Walter Ptak, pastor, carrying the Monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament (the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ) and Deacon Richard Bloomfield under the canopy carried by ushers and flanked by altar boys incensing and carrying torches, followed by parishioners coming from the church.
The procession included some of the children who made their First Holy Communion this spring (led by OLMC teacher Mrs. Michele Kooney). The choir and hundreds of parishioners followed the Blessed Sacrament in procession from the church, up Superior Boulevard to Eleventh Street and back along the boulevard to the Pope John Paul II Peace Garden …
More photos can be seen here at Picasa Web
Deo Gratias!
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Sunday, June 10, 2007
Feast of Corpus Christi - Sunday
For from the rising of the sun to its settingmy name is great among the nations,
and in every place incense is offered to my name,
and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations,
says the LORD of hosts.
Like other areas of the world, the Feast of Corpus Christi was moved to Sunday for celebration in our area. At assumption Grotto this is marked by a wonderful procession through the grounds of the parish, which includes a cemetary in which there is.....a Grotto.
Corpus Christi Processions explained at The Real Presence website. Therea are notes for altar boys, for ushers, for organizers. Great set of info for anyone serious about having a Corpus Christi procession or just wanting to learn more about them.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Pray for Priests. In fact, adopt one - spiritually!
June 15 will mark the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which many associate with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
It is also a special day for those who have chosen to spiritually adopt a priest, seminarian, or bishop through a program run by the sisters of Opus Angelorum (OA), more formally referred to as the Society of Sisters of the Holy Cross. Those who have been to Assumption Grotto in Detroit, seeing "recognizable nuns", have seen the sisters of OA.
Each year, those who sign up for the spiritual adoption of priests program, receive a new card in the mail with the name of someone to pray for, and to make sacrifices for, throughout the year. Often times, it is a priest we do not know. They enclose some prayers and ideas on how to pray for the priest(s) on your list. If you have a priest in mind, or a seminarian, or discerning young man whom you want to pray for you may give them the information and they will assign him to you, perhaps along with another priest in their pool of names.
WHY PRAY FOR PRIESTS?
Along with many people who grew up in the 60's-90's, no one really talked about the need to pray for other souls. Most especially, no one ever taught me to pray for vocations, or for priests - not until someone in a Catholic forum sent me an email that read, "Hey - do you want to pray for a priest? I have a sister who is a sister there at Assumption Grotto, and she takes care of the spiritual adoption program of priests". That was the beginning. How do you decline such humble request?
That led me to ponder more about praying for priests over the last two years that I have participated. Why should I pray for priests?
Well, first of all I had to ask myself if I believed that my prayers and sacrifices could somehow help a priest. The answer was very simple. It takes faith to believe it will be so. Amen. I CAN and SHOULD pray for priests and place my trust in the Blessed Mother to manage and direct those prayers accordingly (my parish priests and OA priests who work there heavily advocate the Consecration to Jesus through Mary, whereby we do the "work" and let the Blessed Mother apply them where needed).
I probed my thoughts deeper once again: Why pray for priests?
ANGEL OF DARKNESS - STRATEGY OF DARKNESS
I believe in God. I believe God created spiritual beings - namely angels. I believe some of those angels turned on God and work very hard at using people's weaknesses to get them to do the same, through attachment to sin.
The Angel of Darkness has little need to meddle with a soul who is on a self-destructive path by his own choosing. He can win this single soul with little influence. However, if he can snare just one priest, preying on his weaknesses to get him to fall from grace, the Angel of Darkness not only wins control of this single soul, he gains access to the many with whom the priest has contact. It can lead to simple things like the bulk of a parish blowing off a little doctrine to fit their relativistic lifestyle.
One thing that leads me to accept this notion of demonic influence, is the example of many saints. The more holy they were, the greater their experience with temptations, and the Evil One himself. St. John Vianney comes to mind. More progressive people in the Church want to dismiss him as a nutcase, but the fruits of his work will not allow this. His was a life of sacrifice and for that he won many souls over to Christ often hearing confessions for 12 and 14 hours daily. His way of life proved that people respond to a priest in a confessional, but it must be aided with the kind of solid Catholic sermons that enable the faithful to probe their conscience. If they walk out, that's fine. They leave on account of their own pride, not Father's admonitions.
PRIESTS ARE NOT SAINTS!
Shocking isn't it: That the man with a Roman collar is actually human and susceptible to the effects of Original Sin? This does not excuse his behaviors because he is even more accountable than many by virtue of the knowledge he posseses. However, as many temptations as an ordinary soul may experience, how many more does a soul with the mark of the priesthood endure? It is that mark which draws fire. The Evil One sets that mark right in his cross-hairs. But, God gives priests graces to fulfill their vocation, just like a married couple is given the graces needed for theirs. However, both cases, they must be free from sin for those graces to be of full benefit.
The attacks may be subtle. Father may feel lonely and when a man feels lonely he may fall and seek it where Satan leads him. In fact, the Angel of Darkness may bring someone right to his door. Our prayers can give him strength and courage.
Father may become weary after putting in long hours - sometimes at multiple parishes, and often with people who complain without ceasing. In his weariness, he may neglect his prayers, or even be led to believe that the time is better spent on social needs. Some people have gone so far as to criticize Mother Teresa for the time she spent in prayer and not helping people. It is sad that these foolish people do not understand she would never have managed to accomplish all that she did, if it were not through the extraordinary, yet simple prayer-life she fulfilled each day, through a prolonged period of spiritual dryness. Rather than seek rest in prayer, Father may begin to seek that rest in worldly things, such as too much television. He may even begin to believe his job runs from 9:00am until 5:00pm.
Father may not see the need to get to know Our Lady, nor may he value Eucharistic Adoration. We must pray that he discovers the helpfulness of the Mother and the strength of the Son. If God could become the Word Incarnate, why then would we doubt his Divine Presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar? Pray that Father embraces Eucharistic and Marian Devotion. Pray a Rosary for a priest who is not praying it. Spend time in adoration for a priest who hasn't discovered the graces which spring from our Eucharistic Lord.
Priests and religious must seek comfort in God and in God alone. Our prayers can help Father to detach himself from the need for human comfort - even ordinary comfort which we all come to expect - so that he may pursue that comfort in God. That which seems humanly impossible becomes possible through grace. He will learn to recognize the opportunities the Lord presents him, to strengthen him, like gold is tested in fire. Holiness doesn't happen! It is a cooperative effort between a soul and his creator! But, grace obtained through his and our prayers can strengthen a priest's efforts and resolve.
HOLD A PRIEST UP THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS
Strengthen one priest through your prayers and sacrifices, and you will benefit hundreds of souls, if not thousands. Your prayers and sacrifices can strengthen Father to embrace the Sacrament of Penance the way few priests today emphasize in their parishes, and to teach his parish community to value it in a way that diminishes the subtle grip Satan has on his people.
Your prayers can shower other graces on your priest, such as courage to battle the worst temptations the Evil One can throw upon him. It can give him strength to perform his daily office faithfully, and the fortitude to preach the fullness of the faith without hesitation.
This says nothing of the fact that by virtue having the mark of the priesthood on his soul, he invites the cross into his daily life. He will walk the way of the cross each time he is calumniated for upholding the true faith and authentic moral code. He sacrifices popularity when he follows through with counter-cultural words and actions which are fully aligned with the Magisterium. He will have to stand like a warrior in the face of unimaginable attacks ordinary lay people can't even begin to fathom. All of it will test Father's resolve to die to self for the sake of Christ and His Church. His rewards are not of this world so we pray that he will stand as strong as the earliest Christians did in the face of physical martydom.
GREAT CONVERSIONS COME FROM PRAYER
When we think about priests with sinful pasts, whom do we think of first, if not St. Augustine? Where would he be without the prayers of his mother, St. Monica? We know St. Augustine for his great works, including his confessions. However, what if St. Augustine were living today - in the Internet age? Would fellow Catholics protest his call to be a priest based on his past life? Would the sordid details of his past life appear in the public media where people would form judgments upon him - something reserved only to God? Trial by Internet and lynchings by blog are common these days - without contemplating a little known sin called detraction. It is my prayer that priests in particular, will begin to challenge us Catholic bloggers to clear ourselves from participation of high-tech gossip.
I look at more modern day examples like that of Fr. John Corapi, SOLT and Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC. Their past-lives are well documented - by themselves, as are their conversion stories. Both of them have expressed the deep need for our continued prayers because temptations never cease - not until a tired body hits the grave. While Fr. Corapi credited his mother for prayers, I could not stop thinking about how Fr. Donald Calloway lamented "those Filipino women" who always seemed to be in Church. He said that every parish needs people like that. One of them first put the idea into his head about becoming a priest.
Less known to people, would be the example of Fr. Albert Lauer, deceased. He was a victim of namby-pamby seminary days, but he woke up and went on to do what some would consider miraculous. He WAS the loose priest many of us know who was lax on things like prayer and adoration, until he discovered them.
WHAT PRIESTS DO WE PRAY FOR?
First, we need to start with our own pastor and bishop. This is true if you are in a liturgical oasis with the finest liturgy and Catholic culture a parishioner could ask for. However, it also applies to those in parishes where the liturgy is less than ideal.
While we have a right to expect a liturgy as the Church intends us to have, we must always keep in mind that many, many priests have been "schooled" by a set of people who were misguided to say the least. Charity must lead the way to change. The more impossible a case may seem, the more need there is for prayer. Through Christ, and through love, mountains can be moved. But, it takes a submission of faith and patience for things to work in God's time, not ours. Aside from those in your parish, are those you encounter. Pray for those on TV and radio who aid your understanding of the faith. Pray for those who come to your parish for retreat and missions.
If you want to go the extra step, sign up for spiritual adoption of a priest through Opus Angelorum. Take the name of some unknown priest. It's easy to pray for a priest whom you like, or for one whom has helped you. But can you give your time to pray for a priest you don't know, don't like, or for a priest who has offended you in some way? Both are needed. We need to strengthen the good ones, and convert those in need of conversion.
Chalice of Strength
More Prayers for Priests (scroll down for links to these prayers)
More on Spiritual Adoption of Priests
A FINAL NOTE
Periodically, people send me things about this priest or that bishop, or a particular theologian or scholar - things that may amount to detraction . I refuse to use my blog for that kind of thing so save yourself the work of sending me those emails. God didn't give us the Internet to spread detraction against priests and others, nor to broadcast all of the dirty liturgical laundry we can find. People would do so much more for Holy Mother Church if they just went to an adoration chapel to make an act of reparation for what they come across. Some spend more time looking for the scandal of the day than they do in actual prayer. What compels us to seek out such things with what little time we have on the Internet, if not the effects of Original Sin?
If you want to do something constructive to help the Church don't waste time seeking or spreading the next outrageous liturgical abuse or scandal. Pray! Sacrifice! Fast! Help one priest and you help hundreds if not thousands of souls. It takes an act of faith, an act of hope, and an act of charity to do so. You must believe it will help because Our Lord said to ask and we shall receive. You must have hope that through Christ, all things are possible. You must do so because it is the charitable thing to do.
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
It is also a special day for those who have chosen to spiritually adopt a priest, seminarian, or bishop through a program run by the sisters of Opus Angelorum (OA), more formally referred to as the Society of Sisters of the Holy Cross. Those who have been to Assumption Grotto in Detroit, seeing "recognizable nuns", have seen the sisters of OA.
Each year, those who sign up for the spiritual adoption of priests program, receive a new card in the mail with the name of someone to pray for, and to make sacrifices for, throughout the year. Often times, it is a priest we do not know. They enclose some prayers and ideas on how to pray for the priest(s) on your list. If you have a priest in mind, or a seminarian, or discerning young man whom you want to pray for you may give them the information and they will assign him to you, perhaps along with another priest in their pool of names.
WHY PRAY FOR PRIESTS?
Along with many people who grew up in the 60's-90's, no one really talked about the need to pray for other souls. Most especially, no one ever taught me to pray for vocations, or for priests - not until someone in a Catholic forum sent me an email that read, "Hey - do you want to pray for a priest? I have a sister who is a sister there at Assumption Grotto, and she takes care of the spiritual adoption program of priests". That was the beginning. How do you decline such humble request?
That led me to ponder more about praying for priests over the last two years that I have participated. Why should I pray for priests?
Well, first of all I had to ask myself if I believed that my prayers and sacrifices could somehow help a priest. The answer was very simple. It takes faith to believe it will be so. Amen. I CAN and SHOULD pray for priests and place my trust in the Blessed Mother to manage and direct those prayers accordingly (my parish priests and OA priests who work there heavily advocate the Consecration to Jesus through Mary, whereby we do the "work" and let the Blessed Mother apply them where needed).
I probed my thoughts deeper once again: Why pray for priests?
ANGEL OF DARKNESS - STRATEGY OF DARKNESS
I believe in God. I believe God created spiritual beings - namely angels. I believe some of those angels turned on God and work very hard at using people's weaknesses to get them to do the same, through attachment to sin.
The Angel of Darkness has little need to meddle with a soul who is on a self-destructive path by his own choosing. He can win this single soul with little influence. However, if he can snare just one priest, preying on his weaknesses to get him to fall from grace, the Angel of Darkness not only wins control of this single soul, he gains access to the many with whom the priest has contact. It can lead to simple things like the bulk of a parish blowing off a little doctrine to fit their relativistic lifestyle.
One thing that leads me to accept this notion of demonic influence, is the example of many saints. The more holy they were, the greater their experience with temptations, and the Evil One himself. St. John Vianney comes to mind. More progressive people in the Church want to dismiss him as a nutcase, but the fruits of his work will not allow this. His was a life of sacrifice and for that he won many souls over to Christ often hearing confessions for 12 and 14 hours daily. His way of life proved that people respond to a priest in a confessional, but it must be aided with the kind of solid Catholic sermons that enable the faithful to probe their conscience. If they walk out, that's fine. They leave on account of their own pride, not Father's admonitions.
PRIESTS ARE NOT SAINTS!
Shocking isn't it: That the man with a Roman collar is actually human and susceptible to the effects of Original Sin? This does not excuse his behaviors because he is even more accountable than many by virtue of the knowledge he posseses. However, as many temptations as an ordinary soul may experience, how many more does a soul with the mark of the priesthood endure? It is that mark which draws fire. The Evil One sets that mark right in his cross-hairs. But, God gives priests graces to fulfill their vocation, just like a married couple is given the graces needed for theirs. However, both cases, they must be free from sin for those graces to be of full benefit.
The attacks may be subtle. Father may feel lonely and when a man feels lonely he may fall and seek it where Satan leads him. In fact, the Angel of Darkness may bring someone right to his door. Our prayers can give him strength and courage.
Father may become weary after putting in long hours - sometimes at multiple parishes, and often with people who complain without ceasing. In his weariness, he may neglect his prayers, or even be led to believe that the time is better spent on social needs. Some people have gone so far as to criticize Mother Teresa for the time she spent in prayer and not helping people. It is sad that these foolish people do not understand she would never have managed to accomplish all that she did, if it were not through the extraordinary, yet simple prayer-life she fulfilled each day, through a prolonged period of spiritual dryness. Rather than seek rest in prayer, Father may begin to seek that rest in worldly things, such as too much television. He may even begin to believe his job runs from 9:00am until 5:00pm.
Father may not see the need to get to know Our Lady, nor may he value Eucharistic Adoration. We must pray that he discovers the helpfulness of the Mother and the strength of the Son. If God could become the Word Incarnate, why then would we doubt his Divine Presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar? Pray that Father embraces Eucharistic and Marian Devotion. Pray a Rosary for a priest who is not praying it. Spend time in adoration for a priest who hasn't discovered the graces which spring from our Eucharistic Lord.
Priests and religious must seek comfort in God and in God alone. Our prayers can help Father to detach himself from the need for human comfort - even ordinary comfort which we all come to expect - so that he may pursue that comfort in God. That which seems humanly impossible becomes possible through grace. He will learn to recognize the opportunities the Lord presents him, to strengthen him, like gold is tested in fire. Holiness doesn't happen! It is a cooperative effort between a soul and his creator! But, grace obtained through his and our prayers can strengthen a priest's efforts and resolve.
HOLD A PRIEST UP THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS
Strengthen one priest through your prayers and sacrifices, and you will benefit hundreds of souls, if not thousands. Your prayers and sacrifices can strengthen Father to embrace the Sacrament of Penance the way few priests today emphasize in their parishes, and to teach his parish community to value it in a way that diminishes the subtle grip Satan has on his people.
Your prayers can shower other graces on your priest, such as courage to battle the worst temptations the Evil One can throw upon him. It can give him strength to perform his daily office faithfully, and the fortitude to preach the fullness of the faith without hesitation.
This says nothing of the fact that by virtue having the mark of the priesthood on his soul, he invites the cross into his daily life. He will walk the way of the cross each time he is calumniated for upholding the true faith and authentic moral code. He sacrifices popularity when he follows through with counter-cultural words and actions which are fully aligned with the Magisterium. He will have to stand like a warrior in the face of unimaginable attacks ordinary lay people can't even begin to fathom. All of it will test Father's resolve to die to self for the sake of Christ and His Church. His rewards are not of this world so we pray that he will stand as strong as the earliest Christians did in the face of physical martydom.
GREAT CONVERSIONS COME FROM PRAYER
When we think about priests with sinful pasts, whom do we think of first, if not St. Augustine? Where would he be without the prayers of his mother, St. Monica? We know St. Augustine for his great works, including his confessions. However, what if St. Augustine were living today - in the Internet age? Would fellow Catholics protest his call to be a priest based on his past life? Would the sordid details of his past life appear in the public media where people would form judgments upon him - something reserved only to God? Trial by Internet and lynchings by blog are common these days - without contemplating a little known sin called detraction. It is my prayer that priests in particular, will begin to challenge us Catholic bloggers to clear ourselves from participation of high-tech gossip.
I look at more modern day examples like that of Fr. John Corapi, SOLT and Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC. Their past-lives are well documented - by themselves, as are their conversion stories. Both of them have expressed the deep need for our continued prayers because temptations never cease - not until a tired body hits the grave. While Fr. Corapi credited his mother for prayers, I could not stop thinking about how Fr. Donald Calloway lamented "those Filipino women" who always seemed to be in Church. He said that every parish needs people like that. One of them first put the idea into his head about becoming a priest.
Less known to people, would be the example of Fr. Albert Lauer, deceased. He was a victim of namby-pamby seminary days, but he woke up and went on to do what some would consider miraculous. He WAS the loose priest many of us know who was lax on things like prayer and adoration, until he discovered them.
WHAT PRIESTS DO WE PRAY FOR?
First, we need to start with our own pastor and bishop. This is true if you are in a liturgical oasis with the finest liturgy and Catholic culture a parishioner could ask for. However, it also applies to those in parishes where the liturgy is less than ideal.
While we have a right to expect a liturgy as the Church intends us to have, we must always keep in mind that many, many priests have been "schooled" by a set of people who were misguided to say the least. Charity must lead the way to change. The more impossible a case may seem, the more need there is for prayer. Through Christ, and through love, mountains can be moved. But, it takes a submission of faith and patience for things to work in God's time, not ours. Aside from those in your parish, are those you encounter. Pray for those on TV and radio who aid your understanding of the faith. Pray for those who come to your parish for retreat and missions.
If you want to go the extra step, sign up for spiritual adoption of a priest through Opus Angelorum. Take the name of some unknown priest. It's easy to pray for a priest whom you like, or for one whom has helped you. But can you give your time to pray for a priest you don't know, don't like, or for a priest who has offended you in some way? Both are needed. We need to strengthen the good ones, and convert those in need of conversion.
Chalice of Strength
More Prayers for Priests (scroll down for links to these prayers)
More on Spiritual Adoption of Priests
A FINAL NOTE
Periodically, people send me things about this priest or that bishop, or a particular theologian or scholar - things that may amount to detraction . I refuse to use my blog for that kind of thing so save yourself the work of sending me those emails. God didn't give us the Internet to spread detraction against priests and others, nor to broadcast all of the dirty liturgical laundry we can find. People would do so much more for Holy Mother Church if they just went to an adoration chapel to make an act of reparation for what they come across. Some spend more time looking for the scandal of the day than they do in actual prayer. What compels us to seek out such things with what little time we have on the Internet, if not the effects of Original Sin?
If you want to do something constructive to help the Church don't waste time seeking or spreading the next outrageous liturgical abuse or scandal. Pray! Sacrifice! Fast! Help one priest and you help hundreds if not thousands of souls. It takes an act of faith, an act of hope, and an act of charity to do so. You must believe it will help because Our Lord said to ask and we shall receive. You must have hope that through Christ, all things are possible. You must do so because it is the charitable thing to do.
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Sunny skies, 80F, predicted for Corpus Christi here in Detroit
If you have been thinking of commuting to Assumption Grotto for the day, this Sunday would be one day to do it!
You have until noon to get there (but it is wise on such feast days to get there 30 minutes earlier for decent parking).
It will start with an Orchestra Mass at Noon. It will lead into a grand outdoor procession that will run until mid-afternoon.
Processions are beginning to take hold in parts all across the globe as younger people discover the graces - the graces many older people have always cherished. Don't do this for yourself because this would self-centered. Rather, make the day God-centered and GIVE your time to Our Lord in adoration for a few hours.
We think nothing of going to birthday parties, graduation parties and the like - for those people. But when it comes to religious activities we often take stock of what they do for us and if we don't feel like going, or if we don't feel it brings us some kind of benefit, we skip it (and I'm guilty of this myself before Assumption Grotto's priests and culture set me straight).
The best prayer is one in which we ask for nothing, but merely give of ourselves to God.
Come to Assumption Grotto on Corpus Christi and give God some extra time and attention.
Corpus Christi 2006 Post 5
Corpus Christi 2006 Post 6
I'll leave you with this fantastic video called, God in the Streets of New York. It is of a recent Eucharistic Procession and I believe it is the order of Fr. Benedict Groeschel leading the way. While our procession is on the grounds of Assumption Grotto and not through the city (which requires permits), it is the point of giving God the time that matters. If you cannot make it to Assumption Grotto, then take advantage of one of many around the country. Call your diocese and ask where the processions are. Call your parish and ask that you and your parishioners have access to a Eucharistic Procession on Corpus Christi.
Bring back Eucharistic Processions!!!
If you know of a Eucharistic Procession taking place somewhere in the world this weekend, list it here so others may go. Put it in the combox.
Here is one: Feast of Corpus Christi takes to south, Kansas City Streets
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
You have until noon to get there (but it is wise on such feast days to get there 30 minutes earlier for decent parking).
It will start with an Orchestra Mass at Noon. It will lead into a grand outdoor procession that will run until mid-afternoon.
Processions are beginning to take hold in parts all across the globe as younger people discover the graces - the graces many older people have always cherished. Don't do this for yourself because this would self-centered. Rather, make the day God-centered and GIVE your time to Our Lord in adoration for a few hours.
We think nothing of going to birthday parties, graduation parties and the like - for those people. But when it comes to religious activities we often take stock of what they do for us and if we don't feel like going, or if we don't feel it brings us some kind of benefit, we skip it (and I'm guilty of this myself before Assumption Grotto's priests and culture set me straight).
The best prayer is one in which we ask for nothing, but merely give of ourselves to God.
Come to Assumption Grotto on Corpus Christi and give God some extra time and attention.
Corpus Christi 2006 Post 5
Corpus Christi 2006 Post 6
I'll leave you with this fantastic video called, God in the Streets of New York. It is of a recent Eucharistic Procession and I believe it is the order of Fr. Benedict Groeschel leading the way. While our procession is on the grounds of Assumption Grotto and not through the city (which requires permits), it is the point of giving God the time that matters. If you cannot make it to Assumption Grotto, then take advantage of one of many around the country. Call your diocese and ask where the processions are. Call your parish and ask that you and your parishioners have access to a Eucharistic Procession on Corpus Christi.
Bring back Eucharistic Processions!!!
If you know of a Eucharistic Procession taking place somewhere in the world this weekend, list it here so others may go. Put it in the combox.
Here is one: Feast of Corpus Christi takes to south, Kansas City Streets
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
"I don't personally believe in abortion, but...."
A bishop with backbone, Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island, stood up to Rudy Giuliani for a position commonly held by pro-choice pols. As you read the article you will see just how easy it is to clearly and briefly articulate church teaching. It's really quite simple.
I'll get you started here and you can follow the link to Zenit for the rest.
Go to Zenit.org for Prelate Blasts Rudy Giuliani
Incidentally, lightening struck the building just as Rudy Giuliani was explaining his position on abortion. The American Papist has it covered, along with a video clip from YouTube. That's two strikes. We can only pray that Mr. Giuliani is getting the message loud and clear.
Te Deum Laudamnus! Home
I'll get you started here and you can follow the link to Zenit for the rest.
Code: ZE07060515
Date: 2007-06-05
Providence Prelate Blasts Giuliani
Calls His Abortion Stance "Pathetic"
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, JUNE 5, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Bishop Thomas Tobin blasted Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani in the Rhode Island Catholic newspaper, calling the former New York mayor's position on abortion "pathetic and confusing" and "hypocritical."
In a column published Thursday, Bishop Tobin spoke out against the candidate's positions, citing a speech Giuliani gave at Houston Baptist College.
Giuliani said he believes abortion is morally wrong but that the viewpoints of those who think it is right must be respected.
Bishop Tobin wrote: "Rudy's explanation is a classic expression of the position on abortion we've heard from weak-kneed politicians so frequently in recent years:
Go to Zenit.org for Prelate Blasts Rudy Giuliani
Incidentally, lightening struck the building just as Rudy Giuliani was explaining his position on abortion. The American Papist has it covered, along with a video clip from YouTube. That's two strikes. We can only pray that Mr. Giuliani is getting the message loud and clear.
Te Deum Laudamnus! Home
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
A Marriage at Assumption Grotto
Molly Murphy and Jason Kucel - May 26, 2007
I've long wanted to capture more of sacramental life at Assumption Grotto, but just have not had not gotten around to it. The very sacraments I've participated in and witnessed, are so different from what I grew up with in the 70's and 80's. I feel it is well worth sharing. I never cease to be surpised with ordinary life at this great parish. I've experienced many weddings at Catholic parishes in my lifetime. However, I have NEVER been to a wholly Catholic wedding until just over a week ago.
A member of the Assumption Grotto Choir - Jason, who has also been active in the music program at Grotto in a variety of other ways, was married on Memorial Day weekend. The choir sang, so I was there singing, as well as taking photos for Fr. Euteneuer's visit. I decided to take a few wedding shots from the balcony. This photo is still undergoing some editing and the camera in the foreground will disappear eventually. Jason and Molly gave their permission for me to post their photo, to use their names, and to use the sermon provided by Fr. Perrone.
In the photo above, the couple gazes upon the Body of Christ just moments after they were united in sacramental marriage. May they always bring themselves back before the Lord with thanksgiving for the many blessings they will receive in their marriage. And, may they always bring themselves before Him, together, with their trials and difficulties. Spending time in adoration rains down graces to embrace and endure all that God wills for them to experience. It leads a humble human to meditate on sacrifice - something that is very unpopular to even mention today, yet so necessary for a successful marriage.
Below is a solid Catholic wedding sermon. There is a good deal of catechesis involved. The sermon is something all married couples should ponder, as well as those who will some day enter marriage. There are some things for all of us to reflect on, as well. The emphases in bold are mine...
May 26, 2007, Sermon of Rev. Eduard Perrone
The festivity of a church wedding has remained, even in our very non-religious time, a very desirable and impressive thing. Everybody puts forth his finest efforts to make this an impressive and memorable event. The detailed preparations made for this day are now unfolding as the day moves on.
In the midst of all those matters of dress and ceremony and protocol, there is a very brief moment of absolute significance, a moment without which all this pomp and display would be entirely vain, empty and thus, ultimately, meaningless. I speak of that great but ever so swift ‘happening’ that’s about to take place in just a moment from now: the exchange of the wedding vows. It’s all so simple and unostentatious at one might easily overlook it. It’s the moment of the “I do” when–invisibly to all of us who are intently looking-on–a transformation will take place.
We call it marriage, a uniting of two persons in an unseen but essential change, whereby they are made one thing: a married couple. ‘Looks’ can’t inform us about it. By human nature, Jason and Molly will appear to be every bit the same after as before their vows. But what a deception. An act of God almighty will be worked in their souls that will change them, and raise them to a new height of status, dignity and holiness.
If I may, I would liken this to the sacramental action of the Mass itself: bread and wine remain what they are only until the priest’s transforming words make something new out of them, so that they become the true flesh and blood of the Lord. Marriage, as you know, is one of the Sacraments. It produces a change, an interior change that’s substantial. Surely, married couples remain who they are and don’t become someone else than who they were. But between the two of them there comes to exist something that did not exist before. They become a couple.
I said that they remain, as individuals, the same after as before the vows. This is true in one sense, but not in another. What stays the same is obvious in their looks and personalities. What can and should change is the manner in which the Sacramental union affects each of the individuals. God’s grace should make them grow in such a way that the good of what they already are should increase and the bad points (dare I even mention imperfections?) about what they are should diminish. This is not a magical change of course, even though the Sacrament itself makes its change infallibly. These secondary and enhancing effects of matrimony’s grace happen only as they become willing partners with God’s grace.
Now there are three words that stood out in the readings Jason and Molly selected for the wedding Mass that could be taken as their life’s plan for making the grace of their marriage work. Here they are: virtue, order, love. Just a brief word about each one:
1. Virtue. Here’s a reminder of what you already heard from the first bible reading: “The beauty of a virtuous wife is the radiance of her home.” A happy marriage has a certain ‘radiance’ about it, a kind of pleasant light. Where does that light come from? We can say, of course, that it comes from God, or from His grace–true–but that’s too broad a cause. The radiance of a happy marriage comes from virtue. The word of God calls virtue a form of beauty. One can’t mistake it when looking upon someone whose life has been formed by virtue. They’re beautiful! And we are drawn to them because of this spiritual kind of beauty that shines through their eyes and graces their speech. With God’s grace behind them, Jason and Molly can be beautiful through the goodness of their lives.
2. The second word comes the second reading. It is Order. That word may sound a little cold, ‘order’–but it’s something that a good marriage can’t be without. Order is where there’s a structure, a hierarchy, an ordering of things in life according to their rightful place. Here’s the biblical and theological right ordering–what we would call priorities. Christ should reign supreme over all. (In effect that means ‘the Catholic faith.’ Nothing should even take precedence over it.) The husband is then head of his wife and over his household in his responsible role as leader. His wife is subordinate to him. Their children, subordinate to their parents. All other matters, interests and concerns take their place after these. This order, when it is motivated by faith and exercised in charity makes for marital happiness. Dis-order, or bad structuring, brings on martial sadness and misery. Subverting this right structure has been the ruin of many marriages and the cause of much suffering, spiritual and emotional.
3. The last word is Love–a word one can never omit when speaking about marriage. Too often, however, the singular emphasis of that word is on the couple’s mutual love. The biblical understanding is much more comprehensive than that. Love is first the love of God, of the Church, of the Catholic faith, and then love for others. The teaching of our Lord in this Gospel specifies what this loving of God means. “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love.” Love, according to the doctrine of Christ, then is interchangeable with obedience to the commandments. No sentimentalism here in the doctrine of Christ’s love!
So we have three concrete ways for Jason and Molly to grow in the matrimonial grace that will receive momentarily. By choosing the ways of virtue, order and charity they will show themselves very wise in the ways of God. They will also find themselves undergoing a wonderful change. By them, they will become a happy and holy married couple–and, we pray–family. May our Lord and our Blessed Mother grant them the things they have so prudently identified as the program for their married life!
Deo Gratias!
May 26, 2007, Sermon of Rev. Eduard Perrone
The festivity of a church wedding has remained, even in our very non-religious time, a very desirable and impressive thing. Everybody puts forth his finest efforts to make this an impressive and memorable event. The detailed preparations made for this day are now unfolding as the day moves on.
In the midst of all those matters of dress and ceremony and protocol, there is a very brief moment of absolute significance, a moment without which all this pomp and display would be entirely vain, empty and thus, ultimately, meaningless. I speak of that great but ever so swift ‘happening’ that’s about to take place in just a moment from now: the exchange of the wedding vows. It’s all so simple and unostentatious at one might easily overlook it. It’s the moment of the “I do” when–invisibly to all of us who are intently looking-on–a transformation will take place.
We call it marriage, a uniting of two persons in an unseen but essential change, whereby they are made one thing: a married couple. ‘Looks’ can’t inform us about it. By human nature, Jason and Molly will appear to be every bit the same after as before their vows. But what a deception. An act of God almighty will be worked in their souls that will change them, and raise them to a new height of status, dignity and holiness.
If I may, I would liken this to the sacramental action of the Mass itself: bread and wine remain what they are only until the priest’s transforming words make something new out of them, so that they become the true flesh and blood of the Lord. Marriage, as you know, is one of the Sacraments. It produces a change, an interior change that’s substantial. Surely, married couples remain who they are and don’t become someone else than who they were. But between the two of them there comes to exist something that did not exist before. They become a couple.
I said that they remain, as individuals, the same after as before the vows. This is true in one sense, but not in another. What stays the same is obvious in their looks and personalities. What can and should change is the manner in which the Sacramental union affects each of the individuals. God’s grace should make them grow in such a way that the good of what they already are should increase and the bad points (dare I even mention imperfections?) about what they are should diminish. This is not a magical change of course, even though the Sacrament itself makes its change infallibly. These secondary and enhancing effects of matrimony’s grace happen only as they become willing partners with God’s grace.
Now there are three words that stood out in the readings Jason and Molly selected for the wedding Mass that could be taken as their life’s plan for making the grace of their marriage work. Here they are: virtue, order, love. Just a brief word about each one:
1. Virtue. Here’s a reminder of what you already heard from the first bible reading: “The beauty of a virtuous wife is the radiance of her home.” A happy marriage has a certain ‘radiance’ about it, a kind of pleasant light. Where does that light come from? We can say, of course, that it comes from God, or from His grace–true–but that’s too broad a cause. The radiance of a happy marriage comes from virtue. The word of God calls virtue a form of beauty. One can’t mistake it when looking upon someone whose life has been formed by virtue. They’re beautiful! And we are drawn to them because of this spiritual kind of beauty that shines through their eyes and graces their speech. With God’s grace behind them, Jason and Molly can be beautiful through the goodness of their lives.
2. The second word comes the second reading. It is Order. That word may sound a little cold, ‘order’–but it’s something that a good marriage can’t be without. Order is where there’s a structure, a hierarchy, an ordering of things in life according to their rightful place. Here’s the biblical and theological right ordering–what we would call priorities. Christ should reign supreme over all. (In effect that means ‘the Catholic faith.’ Nothing should even take precedence over it.) The husband is then head of his wife and over his household in his responsible role as leader. His wife is subordinate to him. Their children, subordinate to their parents. All other matters, interests and concerns take their place after these. This order, when it is motivated by faith and exercised in charity makes for marital happiness. Dis-order, or bad structuring, brings on martial sadness and misery. Subverting this right structure has been the ruin of many marriages and the cause of much suffering, spiritual and emotional.
3. The last word is Love–a word one can never omit when speaking about marriage. Too often, however, the singular emphasis of that word is on the couple’s mutual love. The biblical understanding is much more comprehensive than that. Love is first the love of God, of the Church, of the Catholic faith, and then love for others. The teaching of our Lord in this Gospel specifies what this loving of God means. “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love.” Love, according to the doctrine of Christ, then is interchangeable with obedience to the commandments. No sentimentalism here in the doctrine of Christ’s love!
So we have three concrete ways for Jason and Molly to grow in the matrimonial grace that will receive momentarily. By choosing the ways of virtue, order and charity they will show themselves very wise in the ways of God. They will also find themselves undergoing a wonderful change. By them, they will become a happy and holy married couple–and, we pray–family. May our Lord and our Blessed Mother grant them the things they have so prudently identified as the program for their married life!
Deo Gratias!
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