Abbey-Roads2

With a fresh perspective on things.

On Catholic blogs and the coming indult:

“What is coming clear, now, is that a parting of the ways is coming: I predict the pope’s expected Motu Propriu will expose a fault-line — between those who genuinely want to pursue the “reform of the reform,” and those who really couldn’t care less about that, but rather are focused on the restoration of the old rite. Many of these self-styled “traditionalists” are being very plain: entirely scrap the Rite of Vatican II they derisively call Novus Ordo, a title they claim the Church herself gives the Mass (true in the barest technical sense: Paul VI used the expression, in a speech, once). A number of these folks, with little prodding, will proceed to tell you how heretical and evil the current rite of Mass is. And they don’t stop there.” Bonfire of the Vanities

Read Fr. Martin Fox on the Old and New Mass…he has some very good insights.

I drive, and don’t mind driving to a Church where liturgy is celebrated well. I’m still attending St. Agnes. Good solid young priests are there, just like Fr. Fox. I so hate the constant arguing about rites however. No, I do not like the abuses, and I’ve experienced many, I never have liked them, why do you think I hate contemporary liturgical music? - yet the Mass of Paul VI is the prayer of the Church, it is legitimate, valid, holy and efficacious and does indeed give glory to God. To claim otherwise is a source of scandal that has kept not a few from benefiting from the grace that flows from what has been condemned by some as the Novus Ordo Church.

There are a few traditionalists who like to say they are indeed more Catholic than the Pope on the basis of the rite they celebrate - perhaps, and that is a very slim perhaps - what they fail to realize however, is no one can be more holy, nor more Catholic than the Church, of which, Benedict XVI is the head, the Vicar of Christ.

Let the Motu come when it will - the Church remains One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic - with or without it.

I read once where he would never have been a saint if he hadn’t been martyred. Which reminds me of of Amy Welborn’s comment on her home page, “She could never be a saint, but she thought she could be a martyr if they killed her quick.” (This quote is what endeared Amy to me - one has to love such humility.)

I think Becket was Richard Burton’s best role. St. Thomas was very worldly, athletic, finely educated, and possessed exquisite taste. Amidst all the temptations of court it is said he remained virtuous and chaste. Always a just man, even though the king’s best friend.

He died opposing the State, murdered in his Cathedral at vespers. After his death his piety and asceticism were soon found out, he had worn a hairshirt, and privately lived a penitential life with minimal comforts. Actually, I think he would have been a saint regardless of the martyrdom.

Henry VIII dismantled his shrine and his relics were lost, undergoing a posthumous martyrdom of sorts at the hands of another king I’d say.

Catholic Online has a good biography on the saint while Fr. Nicholas has an interesting post on the feastday as observed in the UK.

St. Thomas Becket brings to mind a similar martyr - I wonder if Archbishop Oscar Romero will ever be canonized? He does have the title, “Servant of God”.

Catholic Devotions Meme (These things go around like a cold.)

1. Favorite devotion or prayer to Jesus?

Frequent spiritual communions throughout the day and uniting myself and all I do to His silent loving action in the Eucharist. The Divine Mercy chaplet and the prayers of the chaplet - it brings one into immediate union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass being celebrated throughout the world.

2. Favorite Marian devotion or prayer?

The Little Office of the BVM - the pre-Vatican II version, and of course the rosary, as many as I can pray each day.

3. Do you wear a scapular or medal?

Yes. The brown scapular and medal - the medal was for times I could once go shirtless - too fat now. Also a Miraculous medal and a St. Joseph medal.

4. Do you have holy water in your home?

Yes. But not in a font - it evaporates too quickly. I bless myself and the cats frequently with it.

5. Do you ‘offer up’ your sufferings?

Of course - the morning offering and acts of union with the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus takes care of that. However, I prefer to thank Our Lord for the sufferings I may experience. A holy Carmelite, Mother Mary Electa of Christ said, “Prayer is good, suffering is better.” I would add, “Gratitude in both is best.”

6. Do you observe First Fridays and First Saturdays?

I have done so several times over - there are specific requirements you know, 9 and 5 in a row, respectively. Having done that, I keep them more freely now.

7. Do you go to Eucharistic Adoration? How frequently?

Yes. Often. Not always in a specified Eucharistic chapel however. I never mind praying before a closed tabernacle. In addition, I neither count the visits, nor do I keep track of how long I’m there.

8. Are you a Saturday evening Mass person or Sunday morning Mass person?

Earliest and quietest Mass possible on Sunday morning.

9. Do you say prayers at mealtime?

Yes, even for snacks - but no one notices when I do - I don’t make a production out of it.

10. Favorite Saint(s)?

That’s a long list. Our Lady and St. Joseph and my guardian Angel and St. Michael are the first, and in that order. Otherwise, Therese and Francis. John and Teresa. Alberto Marvelli and Pier Giorgio Frassati. Benedict Joseph Labre and Joseph Moscati. John Macias and Martin and Rose of Lima. Pierina Morossini and Maria Goretti. Dominic Savio. Br. George and Conrad of New Melleray. Laura Vicuna and Charles Untz. Dorothy Day and Mother Grace of the Eucharist. Matt Talbot and Angela of Foligno. Bernardo of Quintivalle and Roch. Margaret of Cortonna and Catherine of Genoa. And two popes, John XXIII and John Paul I. These are just a few who immediately come to mind.

11. Can you recite the Apostles Creed by heart?

Of course - how can one be a Catholic otherwise?

12. Do you usually say short prayers (aspirations) during the course of the day?

Yes - but I mostly think and share my thoughts with Our Lord and Lady and St. Joseph all day long - And, I frequently say the act of contrition throughout the day for all the slips of my tongue and sins of pride.

13. When you pass by an automobile accident or other serious mishap, do you say a quick prayer for the folks involved?

Yes indeed - the school sisters taught us that. I also pray for people whose cars I notice abandoned on the freeway from the previous night, certain they may have been arrested for a DUI. And I pray for anyone having car problems. I like to pray for pedestrians I see as well - just in case no one prays for them. I designate all of these with a discreet sign of the cross using my forefinger as I pass by. And of course, I pray for ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars - the public servants in them, whenever I see or hear them.

14. (This should be here.) Do you tip your hat or make the sign of the cross when you pass a Catholic Church out of reverence for the Blessed Sacrament?

Without fail - usually by tracing the sign of the cross with my thumb over my forehead with a silent “O Sacrament most holy…”

So - whoever wants to do this meme, go ahead - it’s a good examine in a way. When younger and seeking my vocation, I often asked contemplative monks and nuns how they prayed. A meme is kind of like that, we can learn from others when we share some of our practices with one another.

The country begins it’s mourning period for Gerald Ford, the “accidental” President. He never aspired to be president, while he seemed to be rather charmingly accident prone, as Chevy Chase brilliantly mimicked - much to the delight of Jerry and Betty.

Most enemies of the Nixon administration never forgave President Ford for pardoning his predecessor. I thought it gallant of him to do so. Mercy is always peace-giving and healing, and our country sorely needed that at the time. Much as we do today.

The Fords were a rather ordinary family in many respects. One has to admire how they supported one another in crises. Betty’s breast cancer, her chemical dependency struggles.

It’s sad to think that Mrs. Ford is pro-abortion in view of all her troubles. Yet the majority of the elite do embrace such errors.

One does not have to agree with another’s politics to like the person, perhaps it is all the more reason to pray for them.

I just liked the guy. May he rest in peace.

Photo courtesy of the Ford Library and Museum.

Catholics are accustomed to pray for a happy death - rather, they ought to be. What is happy about death? It is dying in the state of grace, dying in the Lord.

Today’s gospel, the prophecy of Simeon captures it well.

“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation

which you prepared in the sight of your people,

a light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.” - Luke 2

It isn’t right to let him pass without comment. Everyone has their own opinion of course, I just hope the Christian opinion will not be biased by media or popular sentiment.

News is that his execution will be videotaped. Mussolini was photographed hanging after his execution. Video taping his death seems rather uncivilized. He has not been treated well since his capture, many undignified photos of him have blanketed media, even in his underwear, or footage of Saddam unshaven while his teeth were examined. The Vatican has protested all along. After all, he was head of State.

Sources in the Vatican (Cardinal Martino) are against his execution. If there was a way to allow him to live without influencing others toward violence or to obtain his freedom and restoration to power, I would prefer his life to be spared. Despite the brutalities and mass murders of his regime. For what it is worth, when he ruled, Iraq experienced a form of peace - at least Christians were free to worship.

Nevertheless, he will be executed, and sadly, I do not believe his execution unjustified - yet I cannot cheer it on. As Christians, I hope everyone prays for him. It is unusual that we know of a person’s death before it occurs, except in the case of those we put to death, I hope everyone will pray for the soul of Saddam - especially the Divine Mercy chaplet, as Our Lord requested for the dying.

Gerald from “The Cafeteria Is Closed” has a post about Martino’s opposition to Saddam’s death sentence.

“If I collapse, someone is sure to find me.” -Therese of Lisieux on being sick. (Reminds me of Cyndi Lauper’s song.)

Last night I did collapse and a friend found me. I fainted after a sharp pain and coughing while attempting to post last night. It was so weird. The last thing I remember is leaning over in my chair, then I awakened to find myself on the floor, dreaming about what I had been posting, hearing someone call my name. I had no idea as to what happened or how long I had been unconscious.

My face was scraped a bit, my jaw knocked out of line, and my left elbow sore and swollen, with a pounding headache. I was rather disoriented as well. I refused to go to the hospital and went to bed instead.

Today I felt pain, dizziness, and just plain sick. I decided not to go to the ER because the wait was a couple of hours - or so I had been told the day before. I made an appointment with my regular Dr. instead.

The fainting isn’t that unusual, indeed it has happened before - I just worry it could happen when I’m driving. The sharp pain in the chest indicates more heart stuff - not a heart attack - but something called pericarditis. It’s like an inflammation - viral perhaps, that’s causing a fever and other things. It’s not so serious. It could also be related to the fact I’ve been on antibiotics going on the second month now. My health is like a soap opera. The worst part is being a burden, as well as a disappointment to others.

“We would like never to fall. What an illusion! What does it matter, my Jesus, if I fall at every moment? I come to recognize by it how weak I am and that is gain for me. You see by that how little I am able to do and You will be more likely to carry me in your arms. If you do not do so, it is because you like to see me prostrate on the ground. Well, then, I am not going to worry, but I will always stretch out my suppliant arms toward You with great love. I cannot believe You would abandon me.” (Letter to Celine, April 26, 1889)

I’m stunned. I met this guy when I lived in Assisi - we shared a room at the Atonement Sisters, just up from the Basilica Santa Chiara. I had a photo of myself with him - that I sent to David and Stephanie - they were supposed to send it back! David! I want it back!

Jeff was in Assisi because he loved St. Francis and was spiritually seeking after acting in “Godspell”. He was very humble - he told me he was in “Godspell” but I hadn’t realized he had a starring role in it. We became friends in that short time. We went to the Carceri together, I stayed for a few days, when I returned, he was gone.

Tonight, as I was looking for a good looking character to post for my profile photo, I came upon Jeff. I was so sad to learn he had died. I know we all die, but it’s stunning to find out, no matter when. I’m absolutely stunned.

We were the same age…I’m jealous…and deeply saddened. He died in 1986.

Wow! I’m just so saddened. I didn’t know.

Jennifer Holiday.

You know - I still listen to her CD with “And I’m Telling You - I’m Not Going!” The very best rendition ever - from the original Dream Girl! Although I haven’t seen “Dream Girls” the movie yet. I think Jennifer Hudson will do it justice however. (Her best break came when she was voted off American Idol.)

Anyway, while we’re on the subject of Kwanza. Yeah, it’s not going to catch on, no matter how much media likes to pretend. I mean, Christmas is Christmas, ask any practising Christian of African descent.

Kwanza is an intellectual forgery, seeking to supplant the Christian celebration of Christmas with a nature based, ethnic parody of a religious festival. Do people really buy it? Gosh, I don’t think so.

Nevertheless, I’ll go see “Dream Girls” as part of my celebration of Misrule. For the lowdown on the Kwanza thing, MSN has the details.

Oh, and happy Festivus too!