Pope Benedict XVI Rocks!

There are many reasons why I love our Pope, but THIS is at the top of the list.....

From "The Ratzinger Report~An Exclusive Interview on the State of the Church" by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger with Vittorio Messor.

     "The liturgy is not a show, a spectacle, requiring brilliant producers and talented actors.  The life of the liturgy does not consist in 'pleasant' surprises and attractive 'ideas' but in solemn repetitions.  It cannot be an expression of what is current and transitory, for it expresses the mystery of the Holy.  Many people have felt and said that liturgy must be 'made' by the whole community if it is really to belong to them.  Such an attitude has led to the 'success' of the liturgy being measured by its effect at the level of spectacle and entertainment.  It is to lose sight of what is distinctive to the liturgy, which does not come from what we do but from the fact that something is taking place here that all of us together cannot 'make'.  In the liturgy there is a power, an energy at work which not even the Church as a whole can generate:  what it manifests is the Wholly Other, coming to us through the community (which is hence not sovereign but servant, purely instrumental)."

He goes on:  "Liturgy, for the Catholic, is his common homeland, the source of his identity.  And another reason why it must be something 'given' and 'constant' is that, by means of ritual, it manifests holiness of God.  The revolt against what has been described as 'the old rubricist rigidity', which was accused of stifling 'creativity', has in fact made the liturgy into a do-it-yourself patchwork and trivialized it, adapting it to our mediocrity."

Further:  "The Council rightly reminded us that liturgy also means actio, something done, and it demanded that the faithful be guaranteed an actuosa participatio, an active participation."  The interviewer then expressed that he regarded this as a good thing.  The Cardinal continued:  "The concept is no doubt correct.  But the way it has been applied following the Council has exhibited a fatal narrowing of perspective.  The impression arose that there was only 'active participation' when there was discernible external activity-speaking, singing, preaching, reading, shaking hands.  It was forgotten that the Council also included silence under actuosa participatio, for silense also facilitates a really deep, personal participation, allowing us to listen inwardly to the Lord's word.  Many liturgies now lack all trace of this silence."

I came across this passage as I was doing some follow up reading to the book "Mass Confusion" that I mentioned here.

Over the years, I have seen some pretty serious liturgical abuses.  Sometimes subtle and sometimes blatant.  In any case, I have noticed, lately, that the trend has begun leaning toward orthodoxy once again.  It is refreshing.  Many religious orders are returning to more traditional practices...like wearing habits and living in community. As a matter of fact,  I have been told (from a very reliable source) that the orders that were growing like wildfire in the late 60's and early 70's (the ones without habits) are pretty much dying off.  Those religious orders are not growing like they once were.  However, the orders that are growing the fastest are those that choose to wear the habit. 

I understand that there are benefits to both sides of the "habit" issue.  There is an excellent blog post at A Catholic Life regarding this very subject.  Take a few minutes to read it and see what you think.

It's interesting to me how my own preferences about these issues are changing.  I'm being drawn to a more quiet, traditional way of life and I can't really explain why.  There is so much noise in my life...between work, the TV., the phone,   the radio, and three kids ages ten and under....I'm craving more silence.  I no longer turn on the radio when I'm in the car.  My time with Glenn Beck on my way home from work has been replaced with some quiet time to reflect on my day.  The T.V. is never on during the day anymore!  I don't miss it at all.  As a society, we are so busy 'doing'...that we miss out on just 'being'.

Even Sunday Mass has become a place for constant noise.  It's seems as though  in many churches someone has decided that there can't be any silence during Mass at all.  I know that people are craving some quiet time, especially after communion so that they can pause and speak to the Lord directly and concentrate on what He might be trying to say to them.

How do you deal with the constant noise in your life?

Mass Confusion

Have you read this book?  You should.  Seriously.

Recently, I was having a discussion with a friend about the practice of holding hands during the Our Father.  I shared the results of that discussion with my mother in law and right away she suggested this book!  I've spent the last day or so perusing it's contents.  Wow!  All I can say is...you will be AMAZED!

In the introduction, Jimmy Akin states, "This work is intended as a guide to the Church's law concerning the proper way to celebrate the liturgy.  It also attempts to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about what are and are not liturgical abuses."

Here are some examples...

DID YOU KNOW (according to Jimmy Akins book)...

.......that it is permitted for a homily to be omitted during mass on a weekday?
.......that it is prohibited for people at the altar to receive communion at the same time as the priest?
.......that it is prohibited for women to have their feet washed on Holy Thursday?
.......that it is prohibited for peopled to imitate gestures made by the priest that are appropriate to his role?
.......that it is prohibited for people to stand around the altar holding hands during the consecration?
.......that it is discouraged for people to hold hands during the Our Father?
.......that it is prohibited for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to be used excessively or unnecessarily?

I highly recommend reading this book if you have not done so.   It's definitely opened my eyes to a few things.

Is it just me?

A couple of weeks ago I posted a short note (click here to read it) regarding the letter to the USSCB regarding the use of the word "Yahweh" during mass. I had no idea that it would end up being my own parish that went against the rules....and so quickly!! I have read the letter that was sent to the Bishops from the Congregation For Divine Worship. It seems pretty clear to me. Today, after mass, some other parishioners and I were talking about it and it seems they either heard or were told that the reason this came about was so as to not offend our Jewish brothers and sisters. Hmmm. It's funny, the letter doesn't mention this at all. In case you're interested, here is the document. You read it and see for yourself...go ahead....I'll wait.

Inspite of this...we sang "Yahweh, I Know You Are Near" today. I'm not really sure what to make of this. I consider our pastor very orthodox. I mean, liturgically speaking, I think we follow the rules pretty well. I can't tell if this is just an honest mistake...as in "oops, I forgot" or if this is a purposeful, in your face "I don't like this rule so I'm not going to follow it" kind of thing. I know our pastor pretty well and I am also very fond of him. Likewise, our choir director is a wonderful man who just recently came into the Church. Since we (actually "I") are on the subject of liturgical abuses....let me mention a few others that really bug me.

1. As if singing "You Are Near" was not enough...we also applauded today during mass. We applauded all of the catechetical ministers (teachers). Apparently, we were recognizing all of the people in our parish who participate in teaching our children. Now, don't get me wrong...I appreciate them VERY much, but, I don't think the middle of mass was the appropriate time to do this. After or before mass would have been much better...that is....in my humble opinion. I'm sure that there are very valid arguments in favor and/or opposing this practice. It just bugs me.

2. I am totally speechless with how people are dressing for church these days. I know we live in Florida...but, geez. It isn't just the teenagers either. I have seen adult women in halter tops and shirts so low cut that I was scared something might fall out. I wonder how some of these parents can let their children out the door like this. Is it laziness? Is it a blatant disregard for the Holiness of God? Do these people not realize that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist? Daisy Duke shorts are not appropriate...sleeveless shirts are not appropriate....flip-flops are not appropriate. Why doesn't anybody say anything? It needs to come from the pulpit! When Dan and I visited St. Peter's in Rome...there were signs all over the place (with pictures for those who can't read) showing what is NOT APPROPRIATE to wear inside of a church!! Even here in Jackonville there is at least one church I know of where there is a sign, upon entering, asking everyone to dress appropriately. I could not envision myself going up to communion to take Our Lord into my mouth....half naked! It's just not right.

3. Sitting in the cry room sometimes gives you a vantage point that you would never get otherwise. What you would see...would amaze you! For one thing...about half the church leaves before the priest. I can't get over it. People make the decision and effort to come to mass, but don't have the courtesy to wait until the priest has exited the church. I guess they are in a great hurry...to what? To turn the tv on for the football game? To get something to eat? To be the first one out of the parking lot? What is it that makes spending even one extra minute in church so devastatingly horrible that they can't wait for the priest to leave first?

4. I am part of a ministry at our church called the Altar Rosary Society. We are a group of women that take turns on a weekly basis to make sure the church and the sanctuary are cleaned and taken care of. As far as I'm concerned, it is a blessing and privilege to be able to do this. When we clean the pews...we find some of the most disgusting things......crushed and sticky cheerios....fake fingernails.....hair.....and not long ago....we found a Consecrated Host with a bite taken out of it! What is wrong with people???!!!!

Ok...so my complaining is not really getting us anywhere. I guess it's kind of like dealing with children....you pick your battles and go from there.