The face of the Cure of Ars?

Apparently it is.

The great saint refused to be photographed when he was still alive.

So, according to the website where I got this photo, this is a reproduction of how the saint would look like just before he died.

FYI, the site is in French.  :)

A priest's wishlist...

Usually I get request from my friend-priests like:

...a full traditional Mass set...
...a new organ for the Church...
...a set of liturgical or spiritual books...
...money for church renovation or for scholars...

Pretty normal thing, right?

But wait till you see what this Pinoy priest, Fr. Santos Castillo of the Diocese of Joliet, wrote in his Multiply Account:

... just in case you are running out of ideas for gifts, this might help you get a better view.

Microsoft Office Publisher 2003 with Digital Imaging - Windows A01-00017. (I am hoping to get one of these to orgainze my poems and journals. Available in Best Buy. Price = $199.00) [Tech savvy, not bad.]

Instant Immersion German Deluxe Edition - Windows CS-199 (I want this to improve my German before I go for the World Youth day next year. Available in Best Buy. Price = $19.95) [Rosetta Stone is better.  Watch out for the rest...]

Inside a Thug's Heart Angela Ardis, With Tupac Shakur (This is a book of personal journals and poetry by Tupac Shakur, and an exchange with Angela Ardis, yeah you see it. I don't know why I want it; maybe because of its honesty. Available in Barnes and Noble. Price = $16.80)

Elk Lake Track Jacket, white color, medium size. (Good for the winter, since I think I need more casual jackets. Exclusive at Abercrombie and Fitch. Price = 79.50)

Adirondack Trail Jacket, khaki color, medium size. (I actually love this one for the winter. If I do not get it as a gift, I will definitely buy it, regardless. Exclusive at Abercrombie & Fitch. Price = $129.90)

A&F Reversible Striped Hat, red color. (I keep losing these things, so I buy a few every year. Price = $24.50)

HugOO Comfort Pillow #SR359BLK. (These are so much fun to have around in bed... especially if you're celibate like yours truly. Heheheee. Available in Sharper Image. Price = $24.95)

Sliding 8x18 Pocket Binocular with Flashlight & Leather Case AK308 (Great for any situation. No, they are not x-ray vision binoculars. I mean, like going to concerts and plays, and stuff like that. Available in Sharper Image. Price = $59.95)

Serendipity Red Bed-In-A-Bag by Wamsutta (This one I really need. I am sleeping on worn and torn bedsheets. I need the king size. It does not even have to be this brand, as long as it's nice. I think I like something dark red, you know.. maroon. Available in Bed, Bath and Beyond. Price = $299.00)

Is there any place where I can buy TIME? I need that badly too... so if anyone can hook me up, please hurry up.

***

Is this a priest or what?

Can I wish for a priest less inclined to things of this world?

And I thought the Year of the Priest and the example of St. John Mary Vianney inspired them to greater simplicity, dedication to one's vocation, and holiness...

*Sigh*

GULP EXAM: "Spot the Not" Answers

I posted this photo and asked TPC readers to spot the liturgical no-nos and here are the answers:

1.  The proper attire of a priest offering the Holy Sacrifice are the following:  alb, stole and chasuble
Redemptionis Sacramentum says: "123. “The vestment proper to the Priest celebrant at Mass, and in other sacred actions directly connected with Mass unless otherwise indicated, is the chasuble, worn over the alb and stole.” [Take note.  The alb, then the stole, then the chasuble, meaning the chasuble covers the alb and stole.  Obviously, this means that the stole is placed over the alb and tied with a cincture.]

213 Likewise the Priest, in putting on the chasuble according to the rubrics, is not to omit the stole. All Ordinaries should be vigilant in order that all usage to the contrary be eradicated."

2.  Chalices must be made of precious metal and  NOT GLASS.
The GIRM states this:


289. Among the requisites for the celebration of Mass, the sacred vessels hold a place of honor, especially the chalice and paten, which are used in presenting, consecrating, and receiving the bread and wine.

290. Vessels should be made from materials that are solid and that in the particular region are regarded as noble. The conference of bishops will be the judge in this matter. But preference is to be given to materials that do not break easily or become unusable. [In Thailand, where that Mass was held, Gold is held as noble and NOT GLASS.  What you can see in the photo is obviously an ordinary water goblet.]


The New GIRM also states in 328-332 that:  "328: "Sacred vessels are to be made from precious metal."

Obviously, the glass goblet is a violation of these norms.  Glass is not a durable material thus, it is not allowed to be a material for chalices!

This same question about glass chalices was also discussed in Zenit and archived in EWTN.

God commanded that precious vestments and vessels be used when offering sacrifices to Him.  These can be read in Exodus 28,

Precious things for our Precious Lord!

St. John Marie Vianney, patron of parish priests did this.  He invested A LOT in sacred vessels and vestments but lived the life of a pauper.  See my post here.

Here are sample photos:

The saints personal effects.

Now compare this with the vestments he used.

See, where the heart of the great Saint lied?


How many priests do we see today wearing signature clothes and shoes instead of their cassocks or clerical collar but wear flimsy and cheap vestments?

Peter said "Lord you know everything you know that I love you."
Christ answered to something like "Oh yeah?  PROVE IT!"

Sex scandals hurt image of priesthood, prelate says

Courtesy of CBCP News

***

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 4, 2010—The recent media play-up of sex scandals involving some priests and bishops across the globe has somewhat tainted and damaged the image of priesthood, according to a prelate.[This is the first time a Filipino bishop addressed this issue! As far as I could recall.]

Delivering his homily before a jam-packed Cathedral of St. Augustine in Cagayan de Oro on April 30 during the ordination of Bishop Jose Cabantan, Surigao Bishop Antonieto Cabajog said the media coverage of the issue have led some people to lose their faith and respect for the clergy. [Making mountains out of molehills.  But concrete steps must be undertaken to prevent this from happening.  But I digress.]

Cabajog lamented that people seemed to forget “that majority of the ordained ministers are serving seriously, wholeheartedly and joyfully the people of God.” [Bingo!  The magic word!] The anti-Catholic media who have an agenda to undermine the moral authority of the Church in society will attack the Church on this front.  Stay informed and know the facts.  There are those who will inflate a condom of lies, if I may use the term.]

“What adds great damage to the scandal is the irresponsible handling of the issue by people in the media and by some groups who are unsympathetic to the Catholic Church,” the prelate said.

Cabajog said the celebration of the “Year for Priests,” is an opportune time for the Church to acknowledge “in a special way the services of faithful and holy priests.”

He then cited the significant contribution of Bishop Jose Araneta Cabantan in the archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro serving in various capacities as a member of the clergy.

Fr. Joe, as called by his friends, served as parochial vicar, parish administrator, seminary formator and later on as vicar general of the ecclesial province and recently Director for the ad extra ministry of Cagayan de Oro.

“For more or less 20 years, Fr. Joe fulfilled his assigned tasks silently, diligently and lovingly and in spite of his high educational attainment and noble status in the archdiocese, Fr. Joe remains a simple, humble and faithful servant of God,” the prelate from Surigao said.

Cabajog said the people also recognized the sacrifices of priests in large and small parishes, in mission areas, in schools, in hospitals, in monasteries, retreat houses, the military and in other various ministries.

“For all shepherds of souls who, without counting the costs and with no personal interests, are serving God’s flock untiringly, thank you very much,” he added.

He said there is no better way to express the people’s gratitude to these dedicated priests than “to support them in their struggle towards spiritual perfection through our daily prayer for their sanctification.”

The prelate from Surigao said the “Year for Priests" provides the clergy the opportunity to make a personal, deep interior conversion in order to make themselves credible ministers of God’s people.

Quoting Pope Benedict XVI, the prelate said “the effectiveness of a priest’s ministry particularly depends on his spiritual strength.”

Cabajog said human weaknesses including laziness, mediocrity, selfishness, lust and pride [which are some of the seven deadly sins, which unfortunately are not being taught in Catechism classes nowadays.] could easily impede a priest’s desire to serve as the Church encourages all ordained ministers to “rekindle their ideals of the priesthood” and to “once again give their best efforts to observe the promises and vows they had made during their ordination day.”

Many have an inadequate or wrong understanding of priesthood as there are people who consider the priesthood as “a way of improving one’s status in life,” Cabajog said. [Ouch!  I know a lot some of them media hungry ones.  "Can you say good morning to the one seated beside you?"  I often suspect these types of priests who use the Mass as their own variety shows to have questionable lifestyles.  Okay before you even bring out your pitchforks and demand that I be burned at the stakes and call your own Torquemada, I know all of these priests.  Some of them struggling to stay faithful to their ministry and some are just plain too lukewarm.  They couldn't care less for what they do even if they live their flamboyantly scandalous lives right under their own parishioners noses.  Some are too scandalous, I would not dare post it here.  Thank God we do not have our own New York Times here, though the Philippine Daily Inquirer is trying to be one, attacking the Church at whim.  But these men should just go quietly and leave the ministry if they cannot be faithful to their vocation.  They do more harm than good to the Body of Christ.  Once again, before you demand for my head on the stake, I KNOW THESE MEN PERSONALLY.  Pray for them that they make the right decision in life.  The Church does not need another Maciel!]

They look at the priest as somebody who is economically rich, politically influential and socially high above the others, he added.

“There are also others who would like to reduce the priestly ministry to the dispensation of sacraments, while others would merely equate it with community leadership,” he emphasized. [Dispensation of the Sacraments is the primary reason for ordination.  No matter how Protestant pastors and clergy of questionable orders wave their hands or sprinkle buckets of water on you, all of these are not sacramental.  I am not against community leadership but as I always say, Basics First!  Some priests spend more time in the streets and in their offices and boardrooms rather than in the confessional or at the altar, then that is a red flag for the superior and/or bishop.  But I digress.]

He said during the “Year for Priests”, the people should increase their knowledge of the priesthood “in the light of the priesthood of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve because the priesthood of Christ is rooted in the love of God and is practiced by way of teaching, sanctifying and shepherding.”

Bishop Cabajog with the pope

 He further said Pope Benedict XVI used the words of St. John Vianney who once said “Priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.” [There is also a reason why St. John Vianney was made Patron of all Priests, because I believe the Pope wants all priests to be like St. John Vianney,  TO STICK TO THE BASICS!]

Cabajog said it is a fitting reminder for priests that in doing their ministry, they are to embody and carry the love of Jesus for his people and in this way, a priest is really to be called alter Christus or another Christ in the midst of God’s flock.

The prelate from Surigao said many would look at Bishop Jose Cabantan as someone going up the ladder of the hierarchy with his elevation to the episcopacy.

“[But] Bishop Joe, in the Christian community, you are actually going a step lower in order to serve more people,” Cabajog said.

***

Beautiful sermon!  Hope we can get the full text.

Huzzah to Bishop Antonieto Cabajog

Great new Facebook Group

I found this great new group on Facebook.  "GET BACK IN THE BOX".  It is a "Movement to Encourage Catholics to frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation / Penance".  It was recommended to me by a very dear friend and I encourage those with Facebook accounts to join in.



When was the last time you received this sacrament?

See the guy behind the confession screen?

Other great FB groups are SLAP (Survivors of Liturgical Abuse of Parishes), GULP (God's Undercover Liturgical Police).  Come and join!

Pass the word!

***

Just in...from Zenit


Benedict XVI Invites Faithful to Confession 

Notes 25 Years Since John Paul II's Document on Sacrament

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 2, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI today encouraged the faithful -- and particularly priests -- to trust in God's goodness and approach the sacrament of confession.

The Pope spoke of this sacrament today as he concluded the general audience in St. Peter's Square. In his customary greeting to youth, the sick and newlyweds, he observed that today marks the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's apostolic exhortation, "Reconciliatio et paenitentia."

The document "called attention to the importance of the sacrament of penance [hmm interesting term the Holy Father used.] in the life of the Church," the Holy Father said. And he pointed to some "extraordinary 'apostles of the confessional,' tireless dispensers of divine mercy: Sts. John Mary Vianney, Joseph Cafasso, Leopold Mandic, Pio of Pietrelcina."[Another reason why Papa Benny declared the Year of the Priest!  I personally experience priests who are devoted to this Sacrament exude an aura of holiness around them.  And related to that, they celebrate Mass, solemnly!  Do you notice the same in your priests?  Share your thoughts.]

Turning to youth, he expressed his hope that the witness of these saints would be an encouragement "to flee from sin and to plan your future as a generous service to God and neighbor."

The Holy Father continued: "May it help you, dear sick people, to experience in suffering the mercy of Christ crucified. And may it solicit you, dear newlyweds, to create in the family a climate of faith and of mutual understanding."[Calls to mind the great apostolic letter of John Paul II, "Salvifici Doloris".  Worth reading!]

Finally, the Pontiff expressed his wish that these saints -- "assiduous and faithful ministers of divine forgiveness" -- would be for priests especially and for all Christians "an invitation to always have confidence in God's goodness, approaching and celebrating with trust the sacrament of reconciliation."

Words of Wisdom: Holy Communion

"If we could comprehend all the good things contained in Holy Communion, nothing more would be wanting to content the heart of man. The miser would run no more after his treasures, or the ambitious after glory; each would shake off the dust of the earth, leave the world, and fly away towards heaven." 

-  St. John Marie Vianney

***

That's St. (Padre) Pio of Pietrelcina receiving Holy Communion from the priest celebrant which is the right thing.  Before the changes after Vatican II, priests in attendance do not get the Hosts by themselves (or self-communicate).  They go down on their knees and receive the Lord from the priest who offered the Holy Sacrifice.

We fall on our knees not because we honor the one giving us Communion.  But we honor Him who we are about to receive. That's what Moses did in the sight of the burning bush.  That's what people did when they saw and recognized Christ (Luke 5:8).

Oh, if we could just comprehend what we are receiving...

Words of Wisdom from St. John Marie Vianney

"I throw myself at the foot of the Tabernacle like a dog at the foot of his Master." 

"When we go before the Blessed Sacrament, let us open our heart; our good God will open His. We shall go to Him; He will come to us; the one to ask, the other to receive. It will be like a breath from one to the other."

St. John Marie Vianney

Thoughts on Year of the Priest

I was looking for articles to comment over the web and read some articles telling how the Church should celebrate the Year of the Priest.  Before the Holy Father's intent for the celebration of the Year of the Priest falls victim to those with "dissenting views opinions", like what happened with the interpretation of Vatican II documents, (we're so used to hear things like, "In the spirit of Vatican II..."  or "As part of the reforms of Vatican II..."), I have gathered a few excerpts from the letter of the Holy Father, announcing the celebration of the Year of the Priest.

***

This Year, meant to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal  for the sake of a stronger and more incisive witness to the Gospel in today’s world, will conclude on the same Solemnity in 2010. "The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus”, the saintly Curé of Ars would often say. [It's what's in the inside that matters for a priest. You will definitely witness a priest who has a very deep prayer life.  The signs?  How they celebrate Mass, how they deliver their homilies, how much time they spent dispensing God's Grace through the sacraments.  If a priest celebrates Mass as if it were his own show, you get a good idea of what motivates him to lead the Mass.  It's not for the praise and worship of the Almighty by making present the same sacrifice on Calvary Christ did.  It's for the clapping, the smiles and the accolades after Mass.]

***

“All good works, taken together, do not equal the sacrifice of the Mass” – he would say – “since they are human works, while the Holy Mass is the work of God”. [Never will it be the priest's own show!] He was convinced that the fervour of a priest’s life depended entirely upon the Mass: “The reason why a priest is lax is that he does not pay attention to the Mass! My God, how we ought to pity a priest who celebrates as if he were engaged in something routine!”.  [I know some priests who complain of getting bored at Mass that is why they are into liturgical creativity.  My!  If you love someone, nothing will ever be boring!  As Thomas Carlyle once said, "The merit of originality is not novelty; it is sincerity.”  If you love what you are doing, there is no room for boredom.]  He was accustomed, when celebrating, also to offer his own life in sacrifice: “What a good thing it is for a priest each morning to offer himself to God in sacrifice!”

***

The Curé of Ars immediately set about this patient and humble task of harmonizing his life as a minister with the holiness of the ministry he had received, by deciding to “live”, physically, in his parish church: As his first biographer tells us: “Upon his arrival, he chose the church as his home. He entered the church before dawn and did not leave it until after the evening Angelus. There he was to be sought whenever needed." [In other words, the Holy Father also expects priests to stay at their posts! And not spend time gallivanting, appearing in TV and other radio programs, or running in the streets, or in picket lines, or in.... ok nuff said.]

***

If someone was troubled by the thought of his own frailty and inconstancy, and fearful of sinning again, the Curé would unveil the mystery of God’s love in these beautiful and touching words: “The good Lord knows everything. Even before you confess, he already knows that you will sin again, yet he still forgives you. How great is the love of our God: he even forces himself to forget the future, so that he can grant us his forgiveness!” 

To a priestly confrere he explained: “I will tell you my recipe: I give sinners a small penance and the rest I do in their place”. Aside from the actual penances which the Curé of Ars practised, the core of his teaching remains valid for each of us: souls have been won at the price of Jesus’ own blood, and a priest cannot devote himself to their salvation if he refuses to share personally in the “precious cost” of redemption.  [Again the Holy Father impresses upon priests the grace of the Sacrament of Penance which so many priests disregard nowadays.  Quack psychology became a fad.  Priests spent more time reading new age materials masked as self-help books.  It so influenced the Church even becoming the yard stick of vocations to those in seminaries and monasteries.  Imagine, if the Cure of Ars and St. Therese lived today and entered the priestly and religious life!  They would have been sent out by their superiors using these psychological tools as a gauge for their "worthiness".]

Nonetheless, with exemplary obedience he never abandoned his post, consumed as he was by apostolic zeal for the salvation of souls. [Again as I blogged before, remember your job description!  Remember why God called you according to your state of life.  So many priest are confused of their roles.  I know of a priest who spends more time managing the school but would not even celebrate one single Mass in the schools chapel.  Not even ONE!  You don't need ordination to run a school!  Ordination is for....THE SALVATION OF SOULS not building a brotherhood of men!]

***

The Curé of Ars lived the “evangelical counsels” in a way suited to his priestly state.

His poverty was not the poverty of a religious or a monk, but that proper to a priest: while managing much money (since well-to-do pilgrims naturally took an interest in his charitable works), he realized that everything had been donated to his church, his poor, his orphans, the girls of his “Providence”, his families of modest means. Consequently, he “was rich in giving to others and very poor for himself”. As he would explain: “My secret is simple: give everything away; hold nothing back”. When he lacked money, he would say amiably to the poor who knocked at his door: “Today I’m poor just like you, I’m one of you”. At the end of his life, he could say with absolute tranquillity: “I no longer have anything. The good Lord can call me whenever he wants!”.

His chastity, too, was that demanded of a priest for his ministry. It could be said that it was a chastity suited to one who must daily touch the Eucharist, who contemplates it blissfully and with that same bliss offers it to his flock. It was said of him that “he radiated chastity”; the faithful would see this when he turned and gazed at the tabernacle with loving eyes”.

Finally, Saint John Mary Vianney’s obedience found full embodiment in his conscientious fidelity to the daily demands of his ministry. We know how he was tormented by the thought of his inadequacy for parish ministry and by a desire to flee “in order to bewail his poor life, in solitude”.  Only obedience and a thirst for souls convinced him to remain at his post. As he explained to himself and his flock: “There are no two good ways of serving God. There is only one: serve him as he desires to be served”.  He considered this the golden rule for a life of obedience: “Do only what can be offered to the good Lord”

[Well what can I say?  The Holy Father nailed it.]

***

The Year of the Priest is not only for priests but more importantly for the laity.   Priests need our support.  Not financial support but moral and spiritual support.  Prayers are more important for them than money.  They need our prayers more than ever that they stay true to their vocation, THAT THEY BE FAITHFUL TO THEIR JOB DESCRIPTIONS, and that they be an Alter Christus when celebrating the Holy Sacrifice and the Church's rites.

Quotes from a great saint

"All the good works in the world are not equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works of men; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is nothing in comparison for it is but the sacrifice of man to God; but the Mass is the sacrifice of God for man."

*St. John Marie Vianney*

More about St. Jean Marie Vianney

I read this from the Wikipedia entry on the life of this great saint.  The words of the saint, mentioned in Bl. John XXIII's encyclical are highlighted.

Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia

In 1959, Pope John XXIII issued Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia, an encyclical on St John Vianney, praising him for several things, including:

  * his "voluntary affliction of his body" which "led him to abstain almost completely from food and from sleep, to carry out the harshest kinds of penances, and to deny himself with great strength of soul." Vianney engaged in these mortifications as penance on behalf of the sinners he ministered to: "I impose only a small penance on those who confess their sins properly; the rest I perform in their place."

  * his life of poverty, "a life that was almost completely detached from the changeable, perishable goods of this world." The encyclical points out that Vianney said "My secret is easy ... give everything away and keep nothing for yourself" and that "There are many people keeping their money hidden away while many others are dying of hunger."

  * his life of chastity. The encyclical points out that Vianney said "A soul adorned with the virtue of chastity cannot help loving others; for it has discovered the source and font of love—God."

  * his life of obedience, living in such a way that he "burned himself up like a piece of straw being consumed on fiery coals."

  * his administration of the sacrament of Penance, which Vianney took so seriously that he said: "So many crimes against God are committed that they sometimes incline us to ask God to end this world! ... You have to come to the town of Ars if you really want to learn what an infinite multitude of serious sins there are... Alas, we do not know what to do, we think that there is nothing else to do than weep and pray to God." The encyclical also notes that Vianney said: "If there were not very innocent souls to please God and make up for our offenses, how many terrible punishments we would have to suffer!" Yet, the encyclical also points out that Vianney said: "God is quicker to forgive than a mother to snatch her child from the fire."