The difference with blessings of the ordained and blessing of the laity

Someone praying over someone...

Priests praying over something, than becomes HIM

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Rome, May 14, 2013 (Zenit.org) Father Edward McNamara, LC

Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and dean of theology at the Regina Apostolorum university.

***

Q: I am a Catholic priest who believes that by sacred ordination what a validly ordained priest blesses is blessed. There is no half-way blessing. What is blessed is sacred and sacramental in nature. I feel uncomfortable seeing some priests bless the water to be used for consecration before adding it to the chalice -- the remaining of the blessed water they also use to wash hands and for ablution. The leftover is also kept for the same process in the next celebration. Is this liturgically correct? -- C.I., Imo State, Nigeria


A: I would first say that the rubrics do not foresee the priest blessing or making a sign of the cross over the water before placing it in the chalice.

The Roman Missal simply says, "The Deacon, or the Priest, pours wine and a little water into the chalice .…"

Therefore, if a priest using the ordinary form follows the rite properly, this confusion does not arise.  [Wow!  That is a big deal?!]

The practice of making a sign of the cross over the water cruet likely stems from the extraordinary form. In this form the priest makes a sign of the cross over the cruet as the server holds it up and he begins the prayer: "Deus, qui humanae substantiae"; when he reaches the words "da nobis per huius acque et vini mysterium" he takes the cruet in the right hand and pours water into the chalice.

Whatever the origin of the practice, making the sign of the cross over an object is not automatically equivalent to blessing it. The extraordinary form, for example, has many signs of the cross which are not, strictly speaking, blessings. Indeed, since some of these signs of the cross are made over the Sacred Species itself, they could never be regarded as blessings insofar as nobody can impart a blessing upon the Divinity. [And the priest, when making the multiple signs of the cross over the consecrated wine and host, do not seek to bless the Sacred Species. So it is not a blessing.  This is what the priest says when he makes the 5 signs of the cross over the Sacred Species in a TLM:  ..."a Victim + which is pure, a Victim + which is holy, a Victim + which is spotless, the holy Bread + of life eternal, and the Chalice + of everlasting Salvation."  Is that a blessing?]

Also there are blessings of various sorts. For example, the Church has a proper rite to obtain blessed or holy water and it requires a lot more than a simple sign of the cross. [Read my post about it here.] There is a long prayer which expresses the Church's intentions and goals in blessing water for devotional use. This prayer should normally be used, although it may be abbreviated in an emergency. These are called constitutive blessings which change the purpose of the thing and reserve it for sacred or liturgical use.

[Here comes the best part!]
It is not the same as when a priest blesses the table before meals. Here the food does not become sacred and may be reused if leftover. These are often called invocative blessings, as they simply call down God's favor upon persons or things without changing their nature or making them sacred.

Therefore it is not true that once a priest has blessed something it is always and permanently blessed. The Church recognizes several degrees of blessings, and different situations, and thus organizes her rites accordingly.


As you can see in the discussion above, the liturgical action of extending the hand or making the sign of the cross over a person of thing is an action reserved for the ordained, as their hands have been consecrated to bless.  And there are two kinds of blessings, invocative and constitutive.

But before we get to that, let us know what a blessing is.  This entry from the wonderful article at EWTN explains it:

Who can do a blessing? The Catechism states, "Every baptized person is called to be a 'blessing' and to bless. Hence lay people may preside at certain blessings; the more a blessing concerns ecclesial and sacramental life, the more its administration is reserved to the ordained ministry (bishops, priest, deacons)" (No. 1669).

Priests are the ordinary ministers of blessings, asking God's help for those people being blessed or dedicating something to a sacred service; the priest's blessing is imparted with the weight of the Church and therefore has great value in the eyes of God. The blessing of a layperson upon another, such as a parent blessing a child, is an act of good will whereby the person implores God's aid for the person; the value of this blessing in the eyes of God depends upon the person's individual sincerity and sanctity.
Blessings are categorized into two types: invocative and constitutive.

In an invocative blessing, the minister implores the divine favor of God to grant some spiritual or temporal good without any change of condition, such as when a parent blessed a child. This blessing is also a recognition of God's goodness in bestowing this "blessing" upon us, such as when we offer a blessing for our food at meal time. In blessing objects or places, a view is also taken toward those who will use the objects or visit the places.

A constitutive blessing, invoked by a bishop, priest or deacon, signifies the permanent sanctification and dedication of a person or thing for some sacred purpose. Here the person or object takes on a sacred character and would not be returned to non-sacred or profane use. For example, when religious Sisters or Brothers profess final vows, they are blessed, indicating a permanent change in their lives. Or, when a chalice is blessed, it becomes a sacred vessel dedicated solely to sacred usage.

So do lay people bless?  Certainly!  When we bless the food at our tables...when the elderly bless those who ask for their blessing. A perfect example is the traditional mano of Filipinos.  This practice is not Popish as what most Mason say to spread the lies about the Spanish friars inventing the gesture as a form of hand/ring kissing like.  Excuse me.  Kissing the hand of the priest is the respect a Catholic shows a priest because those are hands that forgive the sins of men, the hands that make the Lord present on the altar, the hands that baptize...The mano is not in imitation of the ring kissing!  It is the closest we get to the respect we show our priests.  We use the mano to respect those who are not only older than us, but to those who are, with their age, gained more wisdom than us.  That is why we put the hands that have gained more wisdom in life to give some of it to us by placing the hand on our forehead, the mystical part of the body where wisdom resides.  It is also the part of the body where blessings are usually conferred as in baptisms, confirmation, Ash Wednesday, Extreme Unction...

But what kind of blessings do lay people give?  Only one and it is very specific.  INVOCATIVE.

Lay people are not ordained to invoke constitutive blessings because only the ordained can invoke the Lord for the sanctification and dedication of a person or thing for a sacred purpose.

So, when we pray over a person like during the photo above, do we call upon a constitutive blessing?  No. It is invocative.

Second point.  The act of laying on of hands has been reserved for the clergy.  The liturgical custom and tradition of laying on of hands and praying over in the Catholic Church has always been reserved only to the ordained.  Why do we have then these priests who ask people to extend their hand while they bless other people or objects?

Simple.

These priests know for a fact that the outstretched hand of the layman does nothing to what or who is being blessed compared to the outstretched hand of the ordained.

Why then?  Charismatics!  Active participation.  Creativity brouhaha!

So next time a priest asks you or a prayer leader asks you to stretch your hands to pray for someone or something, do what I do:

DO A GANDHI.

Don't obey them.

Pray for the person but do not stretch out your arms.

You are not a priest.  You are not ordained.

So do what lay people do.

Fold your hands and pray.

That's what matters.

Let those who believe in that practice continue to dwell in the Evangelical Protestant practice of stretching their hands to bless.  Evangelicals did that because they do not believe in the ordained ministry.  So any Tom, Dick and Jane can magically stretch their hands whenever they please!

Traditionally overdoing things

Sigh

When you have too much acolytes in tunicles...

Why would they even wear a tunicle in the first place baffles me!

And white gloves???

What is this?  Some military honor guards or KofC honor guards in tunicles?

And what's that?

Surplice or Alb?

If the traditional movement does some of the excesses that the Novus Ordo group does, then where do we even say, "This is what the books says."

How can we even say "Say the Black, Do the Red." when we have too much liturgical excesses from all sides?!

Anyone who can give me a valid explanation why we have this, please chime in.  I won't regulate comments this time.

Holy See declares Morning-After Pill an attack on the unborn!

Hey!

Miriam Defensor Santiago!

Fr. Joel Tabora!

Fr. Joaquin Bernas!

MST Theologians!

Ateneo "professors" when some are mere clerks!

Are you reading this???

From Zenit.

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The so-called Morning After Pill, often called “emergency contraception” by the medical establishment, is not a “life-saving commodity,” the head of the Holy See delegation told the 66th World Health Assembly in Geneva this week. Such drugs are in reality “a direct attack” on the life of the unborn child.  [Guess the arrogant Jesuit in Davao and the neurotic senator will still beg to disagree!]

In his address, Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski responded to the World Health Organization’s Resolution EB132.R4, which urges member states to improve the quality, supply, and use of 13 “life-saving commodities.”  [it kills the unborn by a woman who is not needing a life saving commodity!  The woman just had sex and does not even intend to have a baby!  Sheesh!]

The list includes “emergency contraception.”

Archbishop Zimowski said the Holy See “strongly agrees with the need to achieve further reductions in the loss of life and prevention of illness through increased access to inexpensive interventions” but insisted that they must all be “respectful of the life and dignity of all mothers and children at all stages of life, from conception to natural death.”  [conception to natural death.  always remember that!]

While some of the WHO’s recommendations, he said, “are truly life-saving, that of ‘emergency contraception’ can hardly be labeled as such since it is well known that, when conception already has occurred, certain substances used in ‘emergency contraception’ produce an abortifacient effect.”  [ And yet the arrogant Jesuit in Davao and the neurotic senator will still beg to disagree!]

“For my delegation, it is totally unacceptable to refer to a medical product that constitutes a direct attack on the life of the child in utero as a ‘life-saving commodity’ and, much worse, to encourage ‘increasing use of such substances in all parts of the world,’” he said.

Patrick Buckley, the international affairs officer of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, commented that the intervention was well placed.

The World Health Assembly is the annual general meeting of the World Health Organization and is discussing universal health coverage, women and children’s health, and monitoring the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals, [which I call Millenial DEATH Goals!] all of which have relevance to the issue of abortion and artificial contraception.

Earlier this year, abortion advocates used the three-day Global Maternal Health Conference in Tanzania to promote the idea of universal coverage for abortion as part of the MDGs.

Buckley said, “It is good to hear the Holy See speaking out boldly on this fundamental issue. Women are entitled to the truth - and the Catholic Church is serving the best interests of women, children and families worldwide, when it proclaims the truth fearlessly on abortion and abortifacient products in world assemblies.”  [Do you think that arrogant Jesuit in Davao and the neurotic senator serves the best interest of families and women?  Nah!  Both are attention hungry. period.]

In another intervention, Jeanne Head, R.N., National Right to Life vice-president for international affairs and UN representative said that women, especially in the developing world, “face numerous risks with abortion, legal or illegal.”

“Yet some in the international community have focused their resources primarily on legalizing abortion at the expense of women’s lives and health,” she said.

In a submission to the meeting, Scott Fischbach of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life Global Outreach, said, “The evidence is overwhelming: Abortion is dangerous for women. Abortion is by its very nature a violent and damaging procedure.”  [Yet Risa "the Veteran Loser" Hontiveros, still pushes to legalize abortion here in the country.  Thank God for the constitutional ban!  By the way, is there a way to ban Veteran Losers in Senatorial Elections?]

Speaking for a coalition of international pro-life groups, Fischbach said, “We call upon the WHA to acknowledge that abortion needlessly puts women at serious risk, both physically and psychologically. We urge the World Health Assembly to adopt measures that protect women from abortion and improve women’s health care.”


***

Do you think the arrogant Jesuit in Davao and the neurotic senator will think that pills are abortifacients?

Do you think the arrogant Jesuit in Davao and the neurotic senator will still think that pills promote abortion?

No.

They will still brandish their geniuses and their infallible consciences as the be-all and end-all to all debates.

If you have a screwed up conscience and a spaghetti wired brain like that arrogant Jesuit in Davao and the neurotic senator, then you have a better chance of winning the lottery than getting a REAL CATHOLIC answer from those two!

Not even a papal statement about this issue could sway those two.

Oh sorry.  I forgot, Your Holiness.  Those two disregarded you already.

Oh well.  Mandaluyong residents...sa looban!

Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration on June 2!

June 2 is Corpus Christi in the new liturgical calendar!

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Pope Francis will lead a worldwide hour of Eucharistic adoration on Sunday, June 2, the Vatican has announced.

On that date, cathedrals all across the world will hold an hour of Eucharistic adoration at the same time, inviting the faithful to pray for the Pope’s intentions. The worldwide session of adoration will take place from 5 to 6 Sunday afternoon in Rome, and cathedrals worldwide will synchronize their vigils to match that time. The Pope has asked the universal Church to pray for two intentions during the hour of adoration:

1. For the Church spread throughout the world and united today in the adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist as a sign of unity. May the Lord make her ever more obedient to hearing his Word in order to stand before the world ‘ever more beautiful, without stain or blemish, but holy and blameless.’ That through her faithful announcement, the Word that saves may still resonate as the bearer of mercy and may increase love to give full meaning to pain and suffering, giving back joy and serenity.


2. For those around the world who still suffer slavery and who are victims of war, human trafficking, drug running, and slave labor. For the children and women who are suffering from every type of violence. May their silent scream for help be heard by a vigilant Church so that, gazing upon the crucified Christ, she may not forget the many brothers and sisters who are left at the mercy of violence. Also, for all those who find themselves in economically precarious situations, above all for the unemployed, the elderly, migrants, the homeless, prisoners, and those who experience marginalization. That the Church’s prayer and its active nearness give them comfort and assistance in hope and strength and courage in defending human dignity.

The worldwide hour of Eucharistic adoration is one of two initiatives for the Year of Faith, announced on May 28 by the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization. The other initiative is Evangelium Vitae Day, which will be observed June 15-16. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the president of the Pontifical Council, outlined plans for the observance.

On Saturday evening, June 14, a candlelight procession will advance down the Via della Conciliazione into St. Peter’s Square, with participants from all over the world, calling attention to the dignity of human life. Earlier that day, participants will visit the tomb of St. Peter, with an opportunity for Confession and adoration in the Vatican basilica. On Sunday morning Pope Francis will preside at Mass with all participants.

TLM and Guido Marini to stay under Pope Francis!

Here is a blog entry from Sandro Magister, which was published in Italian.  This one here is from Google translate.

My Italian is a bit rusty so I settled for this one.

***

Among the bishops who went by Italian Francesco in "ad limina" visits, those of Apulia were the most talkative in reporting things said to them by the pope.

There was only the "revelation" - then partly contradicted by Father Federico Lombardi - the bishop of Molfetta Luigi Martella on two encyclicals on the road: the first, on faith, signed by the current pope, but written by his predecessor, the would still finishing up in his hermitage, and the second, on poverty, all at the hands of the reigning Pope.

There were also some rumors regarding the liturgy.

He started the Archbishop of Bari, Francesco Cacucci, which the Vatican Radio said that Pope Francis would have urged the bishops to "live the relationship with the liturgy with simplicity and without superstructures."

Then it was the turn of the Bishop of Conversano and Monopoli, Domenico Padovano, who told their clergy that the bishops had complained of Puglia with the pope on the work of division created within the Church by the champions of the Mass in the ancient rite. [I wish I had a dollar every time I read or heard that!  As if the new Mass did not create any division when it was introduced!  Ha!]

And what would they answered the pope?

According to reports by Monsignor Padovano, Francis would have urged them to be vigilant over extremism of some traditionalist groups, but also to build on the tradition and make it live in the Church with innovation.  [innovation?]

To illustrate this last point, the pope would bring their own example:

"You see? They say that my master of papal ceremonies [Guido Marini] is a traditionalist, and many, after my election, they invited me to lift it [remove him] from office and replace it [him]. [Bad translation.  Many liberals don't like Guido Marini.  I am pretty sure the other Marini would want to get back at the helm.]  Actually meant, I said no, because I myself could draw on its [his] preparation and traditional at the same time he can benefit, in the same way, most of my training emancipated. " [Hmmm...Liberal training.....he learns from me and I learn from him?]

If authentic, words are instructive about the liturgical spirit and style of celebration of the pope.

But not sure in what sense the bishops have interpreted the Puglia region.

Another of them, and one of Cerignola Ascoli Satriano, Felice Di Molfetta, a former president of the Committee of the CEI for the liturgy, in a message to his diocese wrote among other things:

"I did not fail to rejoice with the pope on the style of celebration that has taken, a style inspired by the 'noble simplicity' sanctioned by the Council, showing particular attention to the subject and which has suffered from its high-profile considerations theological and pastoral shared by all the members present.

"I have enjoyed so much for the dialogue created, Having occupied by a life in teaching and sacramental liturgical theology in capturing the interest of the Holy Father on this vital aspect of the Petrine ministry, which he exercised both in the celebrations is working in Santa Marta in those solemn as in the Vatican Basilica for the canonization of the 800 martyrs of Otranto: A Celebration contained in time and in his overall performance ritual.

"Papa Francesco, in the light of certain phenomena of the recent past in which they were recorded in liturgy quite a few drifts, urged us bishops, referring also some concrete examples, to live the relationship with the liturgical action, since the work of God , as true believers beyond every pompous ceremonialism, fully aware that the 'noble simplicity' of which the Council speaks, but it is not sloppiness Beauty, beauty with 'B' capital. "  [Those are full of meaning!  If I read it right, Pope Francis would want to go beyond the ceremonialism but not to the point of being sloppy.  Well, problem is, who determines what is too pompous and what is too sloppy.  That is why you have rules.  Those are the purpose of the rubrics.  Say the Black, Do the Red.]

But Francis Pope enlist in the ranks of the progressives in the liturgical field is at least risky. It does not appear at all, in particular, that he is hostile to the liberalization of the Mass in the ancient rite, determined by Benedict XVI with the motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum" in 2007.

While it is true, that Monsignor Di Molfetta that year was one of the most combative critics of the motu proprio, before and after its publication.

He judged the Mass in the ancient rite "incompatible" with the post-conciliar and busied himself, without success, because the CEI produce an interpretative note - strictly - the "Summorum Pontificum".

***

Seems like Msgr. Guido will definitely stay, which good for him and for those hoping for the retention of the hermenuetic of continuity in the liturgy espoused by Pope Benedict.

And at least Summorum Pontificum stays.

But.....

Liturgy is still a work in progress.

Especially when you have this guy around.

Tabernacle Placement: Why is He there?

Notice this photo in my blog post yesterday?

See that wooden box near the image of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace?

Yup. That is the tabernacle.

Which brings me to a perpetual rant of mine.

Why is the tabernacle being placed on the side???

Sacrosanctum Concilium decreed that (emphasis and comment mine, of course, Z Style!

128. Along with the revision of the liturgical books, as laid down in Art. 25, there is to be an early revision of the canons and ecclesiastical statutes which govern the provision of material things involved in sacred worship. These laws refer especially to the worthy and well planned construction of sacred buildings, the shape and construction of altars, the nobility, placing, and safety of the Eucharistic tabernacle, the dignity and suitability of the baptistery, [if your church still has a baptistry!] the proper ordering of sacred images, embellishments, and vestments. Laws which seem less suited to the reformed liturgy are to be brought into harmony with it, or else abolished; and any which are helpful are to be retained if already in use, or introduced where they are lacking.

 In a letter after the Council, the Cardinal Prefect of the Concilium wrote:

Whatever the solution chosen .... the greatest care should be devoted to the dignity of the tabernacle. If the local Ordinary agrees to its location away from the altar, the place should be truly worthy and prominent, so that the tabernacle is readily visible and is not hidden by the priest during the celebration of the Mass. In a word, the location should make it possible for the tabernacle to serve unmistakably as a sign and to give a sense of the Savior's presence in the midst of his people. (Letter of Cardinal Lecaro to the Bishops, 30 June 1965, Concilium for Implementing the Decree on the Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council)

 Take note of the words nobility, used for a King, dignity, truly worthy and prominent have been used to describe the place where the tabernacle should be since the altar, after the liturgical reform, was made freestanding and the tabernacle was separated from the altar.

Reminder was also given so as not to place the tabernacle that it would be covered by the priest during Mass.  So, it means that the tabernacle should be at the center!

The Code of Canon Law specifically addressed and codified these issues  in 1983.

    Canon 938
    º1. The Most Holy Eucharist is to be reserved regularly in only one tabernacle of a church or oratory.

    º2. The tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved should be placed in a part of the church that is prominent, conspicuous, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.

Take note.  It should be prominent, conspicuous...

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that:

    1183   The tabernacle is to be situated "in churches in a most worthy place with the greatest honor." The dignity, placing, and security of the Eucharistic tabernacle should foster adoration before the Lord really present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.

Common denominator?

PROMINENT.

NOBLE.

GREATEST HONOR.

Now, here is the killer question.

Why is the tabernacle placed on the side like that on the photo?

Is the side altar or side of the main sanctuary the place of greatest honor, prominence, dignity in the entire church or chapel?

This is the Throne of Room of the British Monarch.

The throne is not at the side!

This is the throne room of Monaco.  Same thing!

The president of the United States when addressing Congress speaks at the center podium.  Hmmm...because it is the place of honor and prominence!  Imagine if presidents speak from the side like he is addressing a town meeting or conference!

Well, even the anti-Catholic Masons know that the place of honor is at the center!  Look where the Grand Master of the Lodge is seated!

Now, let us go back to the first photo above.

Why is the tabernacle on the side while the crucifix is at the center???

WHY?!

Is the presence of Christ in the crucifix the same as that in the tabernacle???

NO!!!!

The whole Christ is really, truly, and substantially present in the Holy Eucharist.

His presence in the Blessed Sacrament cannot be compared or even equaled to His presence in His images or even in the Bible!

Then, pray tell, WHY IS THE TABERNACLE WHERE THE LORD IS HIDING IN THE SIDE?

Is that the place of honor nowadays?

I invite you dear TPC readers....

Send photos of churches or chapels with tabernacles either on the side or at the center of the sanctuary and let us all commend priests who give the Lord His place of honor in the church or chapel, and call the attention of priests who seem to care more about getting the place of honor rather than giving it to the Lord.

Wish they'd do it here in the Philippines

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MARCH 18: Carabinieri police officers intervene as men dress up in fake cardinal gowns in St Peter's Square as workers prepare for the inauguration mass of pope Francis on March 18, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Inauguration Mass for Pope Francis will take place on March 19, the feast day for St. Joseph. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

***

Wish they'd have something for fake instituted acolytes, fake commissioned preachers, fake religious, fake priests, fake bishops...

Anywho, we have real priests doing liturgical abuses yet they too don't get uhm..."intervened"!

Dressing up in clerics clothes is no joke.

Only those who need a shrink dress up walking around, claiming to be one.

Case in point.

No, this is not just Teletubbie.

There is a lay person who works in a parish in a diocese in Quezon City, as, get this, Pastoral Assistant & Liturgist, and walks around wearing a clerical collar, while surprisingly, the priests in the parish wear ordinary street clothes!  No clericals!

So?

Is the world gone topsy turvy?

No wonder we have this.

Ugh!

GULP Exam: Who is not placed correctly in this photo?

From a recent diaconal ordination in the Archdiocese of Cotabato, and held, as my source said, at the chapel of the diocesan seminary.

Chime in your answers.

I'll blog about the answer tomorrow.

If you are a regular follower of the blog, you know the answer to this one.

GULP Alert: On the knees or Outstretched arms?

Warning!

I am ranting here!!!


***


Because everyone has the power to bless using the posture reserved only for priests!

It still is a big wonder to me why priests would ask those in the church to stretch out their hands and "pray over" those who they wanted to pray for.

Gosh!  Do you do this when you pray someone ALL THE TIME?!?!

The liturgical act of praying over someone, by laying hands over the person or object or place is reserved for the ordained!  This practice was only common among Protestants who do not believe in the ordained priesthood and which was "adopted" by Catholics right after Vatican II, no thanks to Cardinal Leo Suennens who "championed" Pentecostalism into the Church and ooo!, by the way, innovated and introduced Communion by the Hand, even if it was not approved by the Church or even practiced for hundreds of years...  call it rebellion sugar-coated as "organic development".

And mind you, the US Bishops even asked the Holy See to permit the faithful to pray with outstretched arms.  And what did you get?  A big fat NO!

So what do you have here?

Lay people praying over another lay person.

We love to become Protestant rather than being Catholic, don't we?

Thanks to this priest of San Isidro Parish, Las Pinas near SM Southmall who asked the congregation to pray over all mothers in attendance on Mother's Day.

As if his blessing is not enough!

As if the outstretched arms of the lay people would cause anything!

To my dear brothers and sisters in the Catholic Charismatic Movement!

I love you so dearly but please!  I beg of you!

STOP USING THIS GESTURE!

Praying on our knees is more Biblical!

"When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem; and he got down upon his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously."  (Daniel 6:10)

And you can read more about praying on your knees in Kings 8:54, Ezra 9:5, Psalm 95:6, Isaiah 45:23, Daniel 6:10, Micah 6:6,  Luke 22:41, Acts 7:60, Acts 9:40, Acts 20:36, Romans 11:4, Romans 14:11, Ephesians 3:14, Philippians 2:10.

So, Father, can I ask you this?

When you ask us to pray for you, do this for us ok?

Kneel and we'll pray over you that you may be granted your prayers!

When you ask for donations for the repair of the church or any project that needs financial assistance...

Kneel and we'll pray over you that you may be granted your prayers!

Go ahead dear lay people!  Keep stretching your arms!

Be the priest or cleric you are not!

Why don't you go find an empty confessional raise you arms as if giving an absolution and post it on Facebook?

Dear priests!

Keep on doing this liturgical nonsense especially inviting the uncatechized and you add more people who get confused about the laity and ordained ministry!

Go ahead!  Continue the confusion!

All for the sake of making the Mass.......LESS BORING!


PS:  Priests who work so hard to make the Mass less boring are telling Catholics, that the Mass, Calvary re-enacted, itself is boring, so they need to run it like it is their own Wowowee show!

You see this as boring?

Then go!  And entertain us!

Pfft!

Altar boys' cassocks should be!!!

BLACK!

From the great Fr. Z!

***

From a reader:

Is there any significance between altar boys who wear black cassocks as opposed to those who wear red ones in the TLM?

No, there is no significance.  This is a matter of aesthetics.   Back in the day colored cassocks were tolerated by the Sacred Congregation for Rites.  To my mind it is a thing of fairly small importance.

I prefer to see black cassocks… but… hey!

That said, in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the servers wear paonazza, the same violet color that monsignors, canons and bishops use.  That is a long established honor.  The boys also attend the Pre-seminario San Pio X.  They are as close to being the chierichetti that chierichetti once were, if that makes any sense.

Also, the MC for a bishop or cardinal often wears paonazza, by custom.  I believe also the guy who carries the end of the prelate’s cappa magna wears paonazza.

The most important thing, however, is that they treat the cassock respectfully. [Read that Teletubbie?!]  It is a privilege to serve at the altar, not a right. [And not a costume either which you just pick up wear, and play dress up as if you were an instituted acolyte which in fact you are not!]  The cassock helps establish a good esprit de corps, which is important for boys.  The cassock is an indication that the boy or man is substituting for a cleric. It could help inspire some of the boys and young men to think about priesthood.  [That is why it is a bad idea to have altar girls.]

UPDATE (brought to you by…..:

A reader asks:

Related to the recent post on the color of cassocks, how do you feel on an alb and cincture being used to replace a cassock and surplus?

Feel?  FEEL?  I feeeeeeeeellllll…..  ill.

(I don’t like it.)

And a surplice is almost never surplus.

On a slightly related note, is there a specific side the cincture hang down on? I believe I heard a seminarian saying that lay people should wear it on one side, and seminarians on the other.

I’ve never heard of such a thing.

This sounds like moving your tassel from one side of your mortar board to the other when you get your diploma.

***

This excellent blog post from Fr. Z leads me to share this!

Nope this is not an ordinary group of folks posing in one of the chapels of the Edsa Shrine after the Mass of His Eminence.

These are a group of altar boys in their "liturgical" barong (ugh!).  When did a cultural garb become a liturgical garb huh?

I love Fr. Nilo and support him 100% but by God!  I beg of him to stop this thing with the altar boys of Edsa Shrine!

THE BARONG IS NOT A LITURGICAL GARB!

At the end of the day, this is how it goes:

If it ain't written, it is illegal.

I don't see cultural dresses being allowed as a liturgical garb.

Unless of course, you try squeezing something out of the liturgical timebombs in recent liturgical documents, like SC.

Right, Fr. Diwa?

Priest who refuses to leave Freemasonry is defrocked!

Good riddance!

Rorate reported that a French priest got the boot after he chose his membership in the Lodge over his membership in the Catholic Church.

Remember that being a Freemason carries stiff penalties in the Church.  I have blogged about this many times.

On that note, will we see some of our friends in Cavite who still are members of the Lodge even though they are...

Just asking.

TLM for Trinity Sunday

BREAKING NEWS: Benedict XVI's last papal encyclical to come out soon!

Vatican City, May 24, 2013 / 02:19 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- According to an Italian bishop, Benedict XVI is concluding work on what was to have been his encyclical on faith, and Pope Francis will be writing an encyclical on poverty.

“Benedict XVI is finishing writing the encyclical on faith which will be signed by Pope Francis. Following this, he himself will prepare his first encyclical on the poor: Beati pauperes,” Bishop Luigi Martella of the Molfetta-Ruvo-Giovinazzo-Terlizzi diocese wrote  May 23 on his diocesan website.

“Beati pauperes” is Latin for “Blessed are the poor,” and Bishop Martella added that it is to be about poverty “understood not in an ideological and political sense, but in the sense of the Gospel.”  [Goodbyeeeeeee.....Liberation Theology!  That means all of those in MST!  Ha!]

Bishop Martella learned of these developments from Pope Francis earlier this month, while meeting with him. The bishops of the Italian region of Puglia travelled to Rome for their “ad limina” meeting with the Roman Pontiff from May 13 to 16.

The Bishop of Rome “wished to make a confidence, almost a revelation,” to the Puglian episcopacy, Bishop Martella wrote, in telling them of the encyclicals.

In April, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi had said he “would not exclude” the possibility of Pope Francis issuing his first encyclical “within this year.”

Benedict's had been preparing an encyclical on the virtue of faith when he announced his abdication on Feb. 11.

The following day, Fr. Lombardi said it “remains an awaited document, but one that we will not have in the way we expected, perhaps we will have it in a different way.”

Should Pope Francis promulgate Benedict's faith encyclical, it would not be the first time that one Pope has signed off on the work of another. It is reported that “Deus Caritas est,” Benedict's first encyclical, was based on unfinished writings of John Paul II.

In October, a high-ranking curial official told “Vatican Insider” that the text, even unfinished, “is beautiful. Benedict XVI manages to express even the most complex and very deep truths using simple language which has a widespread reach that goes beyond all imagination.”  [That is the gift of Benedict XVI which made this blogger and die-hard fan of his writings.]

The initial intention of the encyclical on faith was to form a trilogy with two of Benedict's other encyclicals on the theological virtues, “Spe salvi” and “Deus Caritas est.”

Before Benedict's decision to abdicate his role as Bishop of Rome, a Vatican official said “we expect it will be published during the Year of Faith.”

In his revelatory post on his diocesan website, Bishop Martella discussed the general topics touched on at the Puglian ad limina. He called Pope Francis an “extraordinary man” of “disarming simplicity.”

The Roman Pontiff spoke of his predecessor with “great kindness,” saying Benedict is “doing much better now,” after looking rather exhausted during their first meeting at Castelgandolfo, shortly after Pope Francis' election.

During ad liminas, bishops relate to the Roman Bishop the situation in their dioceses. Bishop Martella says he stressed to Pope Francis the goodness of the people of Molfetta, and that the area is “a land of welcome and of immigration.”  [Do we have lots of Pinoys there?  Both legal and TNTs?  The World Youth Day in 2000 saw a lot of Pinoy migrants to Italy sadly, most of them pilgrims of the Great Jubilee Year and some of them are nuns and priests.]

“I spontaneously told him: 'Your Holiness, visit Molfetta, we would be very happy,'” Bishop Martella wrote. “In response I got a beautiful smile, and I realized that the request was premature.”


***

I can't wait for these two encylicals!

The Left and Right Wings of Vatican II

“Although I left the journal a long time ago and I am just a reader, I have felt closely tie to it since the day it was founded and will do for the rest of my life,” Ratzinger wrote, referring to his special bond with the theological journal Communio (established by Swiss theologian, H.U. von Balthasar, in 1972).The letter was sent to the editor of the German version of the Communio International Catholic Review, Professor Jan-Heiner Tück, on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of the launch of the Italian and German editions.  [Communio was founded to counter the uber liberal theological journal Concilium led by the following suspect heretics: (hold on to your seats) Anton van den Boogaard, Paul Brand, Yves Congar, Hans Küng, Johann Baptist Metz, Karl Rahner, and Edward Schillebeeckx.  Need I say more what they publish in that journal?]

“We are now republishing this letter, as a sign of gratitude to the Pope who gave up the Petrine ministry, in an act of extreme love for the Church…” writes the editor of Communio’s Italian edition, Fr. Aldino Cazzago.

In his letter, Ratzinger recalls his friendship with Hans Urs von Balthasar, Henri de Lbac, Loui Bouyer, Marie-Joseph Le Guillou and other theologians who were members of the International Theological Commission. At its annual meeting in 1969, the commission – which aimed to keep the work of theologians in tune with the work of the Magisterium – came up with the idea of launching an international journal.  [That is the background behind the foundation of Communio, and why the name itself.  Compare it with THE OTHER group who is nothing more but wolves in sheep's clothing.  Ergo!  All the theologians in THAT paper are MODERNISTS!]

“We were right in the midst of the drama of 1968, when it seemed all sense of balance had been lost and that people had everything at their fingertips. It seemed as though the whole world - and the Church along with it - was being created all over again. [Wasn't that how the Council was described?  Wasn't that how the conservative wing saw it during the Council?  Wasn't that how Pope Benedict kept on saying about the hermeneutic of discontinuity vs. the hermeneutic of continuity?] During these discussions, it became clear that internationality – or rather, catholicity – could not equal uniformity. Although the tsunami of 1968 was wreaking havoc across the whole of the West, cultural contexts differed hugely,” Benedict XVI explained.

Theology’s big three in those years were: Balthasar, de Lubac and Ratzinger. The aim of the journal that was about to be born was “to look beyond the confines of theology, at the core elements of human existence, from which faith takes shape.” “Our goal was to create a journal that did not just address a closed circle of readers...It had to be a dynamic exchange. We didn’t want it to be just us talking to our readers, but them speaking to us, so that through this dialogue we could delve deeper and deeper into the realities they lived in.”

Is this kind of dialogue between readers and listeners possible in today’s world? Is it possible to move a journal out of a purely intellectual context and turn it into a force that is able to mould Church life? These are the challenges Communio is called to take on and Ratzinger mentions them in his letter.

“For some years now Communio’s heads have been committed to establishing a dialogue with readers, letting the latter act as inspiration, in an exchange of doctrine and wisdom, shaped by a Christian vision of the world,” said Fr. Aldino Cazzago.

Pope Benedict XVI’s letter can be found in issue no. 235 of the Communio journal, published by Jaca Book

***

We must remember that Vatican 2 was called upon by the "good" Pope Blessed John XXIII with uhm...a not so clear reason why.  Councils are usually called to address an issue of theological importance, to denounce a heresy... but this Council was a PASTORAL Council, to address on how the Church should act as shepherd in the changing world.

Unfortunately, liberal theologians hijacked the Council.  I could go and on and on about this.

But just read what Pope Benedict XVI said in his farewell address to the priests of the Diocese of Rome.

You'll get what I meant.

Vatican Insider: Pope Francis performed an exorcism in front of live TV!

Here is the video of the supposed exorcism.

• Cronaca

Al termine della messa di Pentecoste, Papa Francesco ieri ha imposto le mani sulla testa di un malato. Questo gesto rappresenta - secondo l'emittente della Cei TV2000 un vero e proprio esorcismo. In m...

Al termine della messa di Pentecoste, Papa Francesco ieri ha imposto le mani sulla testa di un malato. Questo gesto rappresenta - secondo l'emittente della Cei TV2000 un vero e proprio esorcismo. In m...

According to a panel of clergy specialized in exorcism who spoke on the religious satellite channel TV2000's program Vade Retro, at the end of yesterday’s Pentecost mass, Pope Francis allegedly said a prayer to liberate a young boy from demons, performing an exorcism.
We are in St. Peter’s Square, near the Arch of the Bells. Pentecost mass ended a short while ago. As usual, Pope Francis heads over to the sick who attended the celebration. He approaches a young boy. The Pope is introduced to the boy by a priest who is accompanying him but it is impossible to catch exactly what is being said. Francis’ facial expression changes all of a sudden. The Pope appears pensive and concentrated as he stretches out his hands, places them on the boy’s head and begins an intense prayer. The boy’s mouth drops wide open.

Exorcists who saw the scene are adamant it was a prayer to free the boy from evil, in other words, an exorcism. Next Friday's program on the religious satellite channel will focus on "Pope Francis' battle against the devil and his seductions," the program conductor said.

***

If exorcists said it was an exorcism, then it is.

Personally, I think the Holy Father prayed a Deliverance Prayer.

Note to Catholics:  THIS IS A JOB FOR PROFESSIONALS!

I have seen teens, good Catholics, who have the best of intentions of trying to have a DIY exorcism course.

THIS IS NO JOKE!  Leave it to exorcists!

As Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis is the chief exorcist of his diocese as all other bishops of each diocese are.

God is real, just as his nemesis the Devil is.

You think it is just in Hollywood movies?

Think again.

He might look like this!

and this!

Common denominator?

Enemies of the Church.  Pushes for Anti-Life legislation.

Need I say more?

Modern Catholic churches are ugly says Vatican Museum chief

VATICAN MUSEUM DIRECTOR Antonio Paolucci today criticised contemporary-style churches for lacking “form” and harked back to the Baroque era when he said that shrines embodied religious faith.  [The buildings should evoke a sense that it is a house of worship, not some ghastly grotesque building with irregular shapes!]

Award-winning architect Richard Meier’s Church of God the Merciful Father in Rome (pictured) “could just as well be a museum in Texas or an auditorium in Melbourne”, he wrote in the Vatican’s official Osservatore Romano daily.

Paolucci, who is also the head of cultural heritage for the Vatican, said what was lacking in these structures was the “church form”.

“The beautiful, functional, symbolically efficient building that can serve as a model still does not exist, or at least I have not found it,” he said.

Paolucci said that religious faith in Russia survived through 70 years of Communist atheism thanks to the many churches that were preserved.  [The beautiful Russian Orthodox churches survived the communist regime!  Now it is different!  The beautiful churches cannot survive the hysteria of priests, religious and bishops of the Catholic Church barking mad the so-called Spirit of Vatican II!]

The Vatican official said he spoke about the matter with Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno and the cardinal vicar of Rome Agostino Vallini this week at the presentation of a book illustrating 45 new churches built in the Italian capital since 2000.

Paolucci is not the first Vatican voice to criticise contemporary churches.

Vatican culture chief Gianfranco Ravasi has said many modern churches are “inhospitable” and even compared them to “pretentious and vulgar houses” that were as alienating as a concert hall.


***

I once talked to a priest who saw a new massive church built.  He belonged to a religious order.  I told him how beautiful the church was, trying to be polite and all, but in my opinion the church is massively ugly.

The elderly priest said "Brother!  This church is ugly!  It is too ugly to be called a Catholic Church! Too ugly to be called an auditorium!  And to beautiful to be called a gymnasium!  You know why?!  Most gyms don't have a resurrected Christ and marble stage!"

Taj Mahoney fever!!!!

This is the former cathedral of Los Angeles, Sta. Vibiana.

And this is the new cathedral, Our Lady of the Angels, aka Taj Mahoney

Which looks like a house of worship for you, huh?

Don't be fooled!

It is not just the exterior that is suspect!  Most eco-friendly and feminist nuns like to "design" their chapels and altars with lots of plants and jars.

NEW AGE ALERT!

If I find the photos I'll share them with you soon.

Here is one example!

Shared by a friend.  Our Lady of Grace in Caloocan City.  I heard that a nun, a member of the Oblates of Notre Dame "designed" this.

Is this another expression of Maria Makiling or what?!  See that jar lying on its side?  Made me laugh.  Hahahaha!!!

SJs Bernas and Tabora should attend this conference!

The conference is about the rise of secularism and intolerance to religious freedom.

Society of Judas members Bernas and Tabora wrote heavily to defend pluralism in the country but never did they give an inch for the protection off religious freedom and liberty of Filipino Catholics.

Now you know why they are members of that Society.

All it takes is 30 pieces of silver.

It's all about the money, money, money...

We have heard it talked about many times... but what baffles me is that even those in the vineyard of the Lord are most of the times guilty of that same crime the Church is calling out as evil.

How many priests and bishops have we witnessed living a life of financial impropriety, living out of the Sunday collection as if it were their own personal piggy banks?

It has to start from us!

And this is where Liberation Theology fails.  We don't have to be in solidarity with the poor by selling all of the patrimony of the Church and reducing our liturgy to simplistic expressions of Marxists plays!  No.  The churches, shrines, and basilicas and cathedrals, with all its treasures and beautiful vestments and vessels in its sacristy stays! But let us change how we live our lives.

St. Pius X wore his papal tiara and did not do away with the beautiful vestments of his pontifical office.  But he lived simply and stated in his last will " I was born poor, I have lived poor, and I wish to die poor."

The Cure of Ars also lived the same way as the saintly pope.  Here is my post about it.

So to prove that money is not the root of all evil..

For the clergy...live simply!  Remember that God is everywhere.  You cannot hide your secret bank accounts.

For the laity...live simply!  Give to the needy and hungry.  The world has enough Kardashians and Hiltons.

Remember this parable?

Luke 16:19-34

PS:  The world is such in a bind because it mostly run by lawyers and economists.,

Still true.

Fr. Joel Tabora is WRONG!

This genius pseudo-Catholic says that Catholicism is losing members in the Philippines.

Just as how Archbishop Oscar Cruz said that Catholicism in the Philippines is growing...

Here comes a new report from the Vatican about the number of Catholics in the whole world.

Fr. Tabora....go collect your money from condom companies!

SJ now stands for Society of Judas Iscariot!  Hot all Jesuits are members

Tabora and Bernas are members.

Comparing Benedict XVI with Francis

This is just plain....ugh!

Thanks to Sensei for bringing this up.


***

7 DIFFERENCES POPE FRANCIS HAS MADE IN ONE APPEARANCE.

1. Changed the golden throne by a wooden chair... Something more appropriate for the disciple of a carpenter.  [Jesus Christ the carpenter Jew did not use a chair.  Jews did not use chairs before.  They reclined when eating like the photo below.  That one is more accurate than the Leonardo da Vinci painting.  So this one...Stumped!]

2. Did not want the gold-embroidered red stole, Heir of the Roman Empire, nor the red chasuble...
[Red is the color of the popes and cardinals to symbolize the color of the blood of Christ and the martyrs, from which the Church was born.  The red in their garbs especially that of the papal stole means THAT, martyrdom!  Check facts first.  Oh by the way, the Roman Empire did not use stoles.]

3. Uses same old black shoes, not the classic red.  [John Paul used brown.  So?]

4. Uses a metal cross, not of rubies and diamonds. [Because crosses with rubies and diamonds are for choir dresses.  Francis never wore his choir dress.  Better Google it to know what choir dress is.  Duh!] 


5. His papal ring is silver, not gold.  [Uhmm... not this one?  That's Pope Francis hand and finger receiving his ring.  Base metal is silver plated in gold.  Much like Benedict's ring which was plated also in gold.  So????]

6. Uses the same black pants under the cassock, to remember that he is a another priest.  [Same black pants???  Never washes them?  Ha!  Wow!  Black pants are a mark of a priest.  No wonder these guys look odd.  I think are not wearing the standard issued black pants from the diocese, no?]

This one is in khaki, whenever he is not running or whenever he is dragged by the police for causing some trouble

This guy is busy trying desperately so hard to look good he only cares about his jeans and posing with one hand on the floor and an onion-like haircut.

This guy would rather look like your Prosperity Gospel Protestant preacher than be a Catholic priest.  Hey!  He preaches how to be wealthy!  His best proof for the success of his preaching?  himself.

This guy is busy playing with the hosts he needs to wear his play clothes!

This guys are so homey they need to get down and comfy and do whatever they planned to do that day...Hang a stole on your shoulder so people would think you are a priest...then when they believe you, go say the Mass.


Have you discovered the 7th?

7. Removed the red carpet... He is not interested in fame and applause...  [Was he taking a jab against John Paul II instead of Benedict XVI?  I swear he is talking about the Blessed Pope and not Benedict XVI here, and here and here described as shy.  Where in the hell did he get these crap?]

Source: MalayalamNews



***

So what's the difference of this post to that Facebook post.

The guy who write that probably belonged to the same mold of guys who made this Facebook petition page.

Bum.  Nothing to do.  Didn't even bother to use their intellect to Google.

Pathetic.

Nice way to trash not only Benedict, but all the saintly popes before Benedict who wore what Benedict wore.  And they look like they are not impressed.

Pope Francis: Sovereign of Vatican City State no more?

Much ado about a title...

From the Vatican Insider.

***


A misunderstanding over one of Pope Francis’ titles, published in the 2013 Pontifical Yearbook, caused a media frenzy this morning. [this was a few days ago.] The Bishop of Rome, Francis and the Pope Emeritus, Ratzinger, both appear in the 2013 edition of the yearbook [as in all yearbooks of each diocese where the emeritus in still alive] which was presented in the Vatican this morning. It seemed initially as though Bergoglio had renounced the title of “Sovereign of the Vatican City State”. But a message on the popular Papa Ratzinger Blog read: “later on, however, the Vatican Press Office confirmed he will be keeping the title. It was hard to imagine the Vatican transforming itself from a constitutional monarchy into a Parliamentary Republic.” [run by Masons!  Oooooo....here come the conspiracy theorists!]

The reference to Rome in the papal title on the front page of the 2013 Papal Yearbook which was presented to the Pope this morning, is new. Part of it reads: “See of the Vicar of Jesus Christ, [Uhm....not See of Peter anymore?   Hmm... semantics.] Successor of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles”. The yearbook attributes the title of pontiff to two individuals: Francis “Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy and Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province” and Benedict XVI “Supreme Pontiff Emeritus”, setting the record straight on an issue that has caused a great deal of dispute over the past three months.  [Uhm... it was settled after his resignation.  I never knew it wasn't settled yet.]

Both names appear on the yearbook’s Diocese of Rome page. After the reference to Pope Francis, the yearbook specifies: “The spiritual leadership of the Diocese of Rome is entrusted to His Eminence Cardinal Agostino Vallini, His Holiness’s Vicar General; the Vatican City is entrusted to His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Comastri, pro tempore Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, Vicar General of His Holiness for Vatican City State. Benedict XVI’s title “Supreme Pontiff Emeritus” is accompanied by a biographical note which ends: “Resigned February 28th, 2013”.

Ratzinger’s name has also been included in the list of Supreme Pontiffs, above John Paul II. His election and resignation dates appear next to his name. A footnote has been added to the latter, specifying that it refers to the date of Ratzinger’s resignation (28/II/2013). Francis’ name appears after Benedict XVI in the list, along with his election date. The Vatican Press Office stressed that Pope Francis is still “Sovereign of the Vatican City State”. The Press Office had initially distributed a photocopy of page 1 of the Pontifical Yearbook, which contained an abbreviated version of the Pope’s title: Bishop of Rome, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop of the Province of Rome. Benedict XVI’s official title (Supreme Pontiff Emeritus) also appears on the same page, hence why the Vatican Press Office sent out a copy of the page.


The deputy editor of the Vatican Press Office, Fr. Ciro Benedettini, later showed journalists the page with the complete list of Francis’ papal titles, which is no different to the list of titles given to Benedict XVI in the 2012 edition, when he was still Pope. So Pope Francis’ titles are: Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, Servant of the Servants of God and Sovereign of the Vatican City State. The titles given to Francis and Benedict XVI appear on the Pontifical Yearbook’s Diocese of Rome page.

***

So all this brouhaha about the lost title seemingly all boils down to one thing.

Somebody forgot to type it in!

So, cool down.

He still has his titles.

Pope Francis that is.

And Benedict is Supreme Pontiff Emeritus.

Keep it cool.

Catholic Devotions for your Android Phone

There are so many apps available for download but you can go ahead and save the video on your phone!

Great to pray the rosary while you are stuck in traffic.

Plug in your earphone, and keep the noise away!

Do remember me in all your prayers ok, as I do you for visiting my blog.  :)

Click here for the link.  The video will start immediately.

I recently learned that you can set an alarm for 3PM on your phone and the Chaplet for Divine Mercy or 3'o clock Prayer will play!  Cool!

No more excuses.

In solidarity with the workers...

You go ahead and disrespect your priestly vestments....

I got these horrible photos here.

Since it's Labor Day, and workers eat always Boodle Fight style, might as well do it while we are still wearing our liturgical vestments.

Nothing wrong with eating with workers to show your solidarity with them, but by GOD! Why can't you not just take off your liturgical vestments first before you take your first handful of rice and meat?!

You wanna be identified as a priest while eating?  Sure!  Just take off your vestments which are worn ONLY during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass!

Or is it because underneath those vestments is nothing but plain layman's clothes?

No drama or media value if you eat looking like the workers you are in solidarity with no?

So, go ahead, and disrespect the holy vestments!

Anyway, God does not mind.  Or does he?

Read Exodus 28.

Even simple graduation rites respect their academic regalia!

No Communion in the Hand for you sweet old lady!

When it comes to receiving Communion, most people prefer the indult rather than the norm.

Yup.  Communion in the Hand is an indult, and not a UNIVERSAL INDULT.

But when it come to the Mass, most people would like the norm rather than the indult even if this indult is UNIVERSAL.

FYI.  The liturgical discipline of receiving communion only in the tongue in Papal Masses remains in force even if the discipline was instituted by Pope Benedict XVI.  Pope Francis has not rescinded it.

FYI.

Liturgical abuse at Lourdes Basilica

Thanks to a TPC reader for this.

Unless a clear cut solution is made to address liturgical abuse around the Catholic world, we'd continue to have this kind of nonsense going all around us.




Surprisingly, makes you think why these "open-minded" liturgists are writhing in pain whenever they hear Gregorian chant.

Makes you wonder.