Abbey-Roads2

As usual, Ken of Hallowed Ground has beautiful and interesting photos - this one of Blessed John XXIII is nice.  The Mass the Motu Proprio will permit is said to be that of the revised Roman Missal of 1962, now referred to by some as the Mass of John XXIII, since the revisions were made at his direction.  (Pius XII also made minor revisions.)  Ken’s post is entitled, “If only they had listened”.

(It promises to be a slow weekend for weblogs and Internet usage - holiday weekend and all.  Have a good one!)

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A post about nothing. 

I’m busy with things, so blogging may be light - maybe not.  But I’ll do an Eric here - only I won’t do links.

The Bishop-elect.

At Mass this morning, Father mentioned Fr. Peter’s appointment as Bishop-elect of Superior - bishops are ordained, so until that happens they are bishop-elect.  (Fr. Peter likes to be called Fr. Peter.)  Our priest mentioned Fr. Peter needed prayers because of the upcoming civil trial concerning Ryan Erickson, the priest who hanged himself after murdering two funeral home workers, one of whom was probably going to expose his predilection for teenage boys.  I feel sorry for Fr. Peter!  He can handle it though.

Erickson.

Fr. Erickson was a nut - very fond of traditional things, liturgy, devotions, vestments, cassocks, capes, etc..  (Nothing wrong with that, but it was a superficial obsession in his case.)  Fiery, impassioned preacher, hellfire and brimstone, but pretty much a fruitcake otherwise.  Of course, he had psychological problems, but he was “practiced at the art of deception.”

Immigrants.

As I’m coming into the house, an Asian neighbor stops to ask if I got my landscape materials free.  Huh?  I realized that being an immigrant, he was accustomed to getting a lot of things free.  I politely explained to him that in this country everyone pretty much has to buy everything they want or need.  I also asked him if his wife would please stop carrying their garbage over to the park and disposing of it in the trash bin there.  He acted like he didn’t understand what I was saying.

New Archbishop.

The new coadjutor Archbishop will be installed today at the Cathedral in St. Paul.  I never attend these things.

Blogs.

I was thinking this morning about weblogs again.  If you write about the Pope, or Roman things, or especially ride the JPII celebrity cult bandwagon, it is kind of an instant imprimatur for your writings isn’t it?  Have you noticed that?

I’ve been doing some silly posts about stats and hits and comments people get, playing around with the popularity idea - for fun really - or to poke fun at some of the ‘elite’ weblogger’s apparent sense of self-importance - not any of my blogging buddies or those in my blogroll!  I love all of you!  (Inspired, I might add, by Western Confucian’s post title, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole blogosphere yet loses his soul.”)  Provocative thought, don’t you agree?

Still, the question continues to hound me; what are weblogs anyway?  What is their purpose?  Who writes them?  What does the blog really say?

What else?

What is the term they use for women who cruise seminaries for a prospective husband, or those who work in a parish and marry the priest - after he is laicized that is?  I know there is a term for it younger women use, I just can’t think of it.

That’s all for now.

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Peter.

It was just announced a friend of mine was appointed  Bishop.  I am not at all surprised.  I’ve known him since his first assignment after ordination, and he soon became my regular confessor, and a friendship developed from there.

When he was appointed to the minor seminary as rector, we lost touch, except for a few meetings regarding our art, both of us are painters.  When he was appointed pastor at the Church of the Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul, we resumed our friendship for a short time, until other pursuits caused us to lose touch again.  He is a very hard worker, devoting all of his energies to the task at hand.  A good administrator, terrific manager, and caring pastor.

Beckett 

He is a good man.  I chose the image of Thomas Becket since he reminds me somewhat of the saint in his early days in many ways.  He is a highly cultured man, fond of good food and fine wines, albeit the model of temperance.  His sense of art and design is nearly impeccable.  He is very sensitive to liturgical design and music as well.

He loves to travel, and is something of a sailing enthusiast, so his appointment to the Superior diocese is an excellent choice.  He loves gardening, yet landscape is perhaps a keener instinct - complimenting his design skills.  He understands architecture and design.

A good choice.

A commenter on another weblog carrying the announcement of his appointment asked, “Is this a good thing?”  Of course it is.  The appointment of a Bishop should always be received with joy and optimism.  Father’s vocation and experience has prepared him very well for this appointment.  The appointment of Bishops has often been regarded as somewhat political, in so far  as the principals must recommend the right man for the position.

A local ordinary, Bishop Bullock was very influential in the vocation of Father.  Throughout his ministry, Father has been in the sightline of many influencial people.  Being an outgoing, social man, he naturally attracted people from all walks of life to himself.  Without any self-promotion, because he really is a humble man, his friendship and advice was frequently sought out.

A spiritual man.

Father is neither a liberal or a conservative, while I expect he hates those terms, he is decidedly a moderate.  Though some may describe him as approaching worldly - this is a misunderstanding.  Despite his being rather sophisticated to the ways of the world, the focus of his life is indeed the Church and serving the faithful is his greatest devotion.

In my opinion, his spirituality may best be described as liturgical.  While he has a fine sense of justice and equity, directing souls along the paths of their personal piety.  He is a man always available to each and everyone who seeks his help.  He just recently dropped everything to visit a man dying of cancer at the man’s home.  The man had left the Church years ago, angry at a priest; Father went to his side immediately - to reconcile the Church with the man, and then, the man with the Church.

I can’t say enough good about him, and I am so proud to know him.  Like Thomas Beckett, I’m convinced the grace of his vocation will flower and come to fruition in this new appointment.  He will grow even more in holiness and faith, and will surely discharge his duties with extraordinary skill, growing in wisdom and grace.

God bless Bishop-elect Peter F. Christensen.  Congratulations, prayers and warmest best wishes!

And congratulations to the people of the diocese of Superior, Wisconsin - you have been gifted with a very good Bishop-elect, you will not be disappointed.  Praise God!

The official notice:

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2007 (VIS) – The Holy Father:

 - Appointed Fr. Peter F. Christensen of the clergy of the archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, U.S.A., pastor of the parish of the Nativity of Our Lord, as bishop of Superior (area 40,701, population 443,209, Catholics 81,885, priests 71, permanent deacons 57, religious 104), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Pasadena, U.S.A., in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1985. He succeeds Bishop Raphael Michael Fliss, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese, the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

Art:  St. Thomas Becket  

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Good for some, bad for others. 

So the Motu Propio is expected to be released July 7, 2007 - not to eclipse the Live Earth Concerts, to be sure.  Yet it will be like Christmas in July for some long suffering souls.  Whatever will the Traddies-in-waiting blog about after it’s release?  And what does it all mean?  To use the expression visionaries answer when asked if Our Lady’s warnings are good or bad; “It will be good for some, bad for others.”  Answering the question, what will everyone gossip about now?  One word; “plenty”.

Forgetting about those who are concerned the Novus Ordo will be forced into oblivion - that won’t happen; or the Bishops who fear they won’t have control over the liturgy - they always will; there are a myriad of Traditionalists who will have plenty to discuss and keep the liturgical debate hot and heavy.  The discussions, anticipation, impatience, speculations, and everything else that has been tossed around for all this time, aside from making some people look stupid, always comes down to this:  Wait and read the document and remain obedient to your Bishop.

The kalaidesope of Traditionalism. 

I’m not here to write about the MP.  My purpose here is to offer a glimpse into the labyrinth of Catholic Traditionalism - it isn’t an exhaustive list to be sure - just listing a few of the principal groups.  Although some Trads, like angels, are a species unto themselves.

The List:

Traditional Catholics:  The majority accept the Novus Ordo as a valid Mass, and will attend if they have to do so, but they prefer the Tridentine rite Mass and sacraments, etc..  Among this group are people who are highly suspicious of Vatican II, though accepting it, some remain dubious it was an infallible Council - the arguments are many and varied - however, they definitely accept the current reigning Pontiff and hierarchy as legitimate.   Some harbor reservations that the reforms of Vatican II led to the abuse and crises in the Church as regards liturgy and vocation issues.  A few resent the reforms and revisions to the Roman Missal under Pius XII and John XXIII as well.  All in all, they are perfectly good, balanced Catholics, in complete conformity with the teachings of the Church and perfectly obedient to their Bishops.

Rad-Trad:  This group often out and out refuse to accept the changes “perpetrated” by Vatican II, especially as regards the Mass, although they remain obedient to their Bishops and the Pope.  Many tend to regard all the reforms of Vatican II as the triumph of Modernism, so vehemently condemned by previous Popes, most notably Pius X.  They pretty much hold suspect much of the theological thought after 1960.  (I sure can’t hold that against them.)  These faithful souls would be some of the last people on earth willing to support the canonization of John Paul II, who definitely was not “great” in their eyes.  They remain, to be sure, faithful and devout Catholics nonetheless.

Feeneyites:  This is a complex division - overlooking the fact they carry a lot of baggage, within this group you can have all sorts of Trads, yet the one outstanding characteristic of Feeneyism is their tenacious hold onto the literal understanding of Catholic teaching;”There is no salvation outside the Roman Catholic Church” - no if’s, and’s, or but’s.  Feeney was excommunicated by Pius XII, but the excommunication was lifted shortly before he died by Paul VI.  (I wonder if it was the real Paul VI?)  Anyway, Feeney was known to be extremely antisemitic, yet his followers sometimes will dispute that.  The Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary are Feeneyites.  Feeneyites profess fidelity to the current reigning Pontiff and are in good standing within the Roman Catholic Church.

The groups briefly described above all enjoy union with the Roman Catholic Church and remain in good standing with the hierarchy.  Many, many good people consider themselves Traditionalists, and seem to be very holy people.  Their conscientious fidelity to the perennial teachings of the Church and Her tradition is invaluable to the body of Christ.  Within the Traditional movement, as I mentioned, exist a variety of personal beliefs which really cannot be sufficiently categorized by these brief generalizations.

Schismatics.

I won’t deal with these, except to list a couple of the groups briefly:

Sedevacantists:  The Chair of Peter is empty - Benedict is not a true Pope, no one has been since Pius XII.  This group, hardly unified, can be broken down into various sub-groups, too numerous to mention.  Within this classification are many dueling factions - it’s a mess - sometimes brilliant people, as well as arguments - but watch out!

Lefebvrism:  This is the SSPX-ers who are/are not in schism, depending which way the wind blows.  Some suspect the Motu Proprio was to placate them.  Not so much.  It would take a lot to make them happy, after all, most of them are more Catholic than the Pope.  That is a tough one to beat.

This has simply been my offering of a glimpse into the Trad Labyrinth - as I understand it - which is a complicated garden of Roman Catholicism - very beautiful indeed, but not all of the paths lead to Rome.  In itself, The Motu Proprio will do little to unify these groups, and please note,  I haven’t even included the progressivists on the other side of this divide - but that is because I consider myself to be a traditional Roman Catholic.  (And yet I like a well celebrated Novus Ordo Mass - go figure.)  

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Standing during the Consecration.  (A serious post.)

Where did this come from?  (I really do know!)  But I don’t like it, I always kneel - the rubrics instruct us to do so.  I found a document wherein Fr. Joseph Fessio addressed this issue:

“It is not an insignificant detail. That is why the Church regulates the
posture as well as the words of liturgical celebrations. In this case, the rubric in force is from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM). no. 21, requiring that people

“should kneel at the Consecration unless prevented by lack of space, large numbers, or other reasonable cause.”

This is the norm—and has been since at least 1201 A.D.—in the Roman Rite. The bishops of the United States of America asked for and received approval from Rome for the congregation to remain kneeling throughout the Canon of the Mass (from the end of the <Sanctus> through the Great Amen) and from the <Agnus Dei> until the
Postcommunion prayer. This remains the norm in the U.S. In fact, in June of 1995 at their annual summer meeting, the U.S. bishops rejected a proposal that kneeling at this time should be optional rather than mandatory.” - EWTN Library

Nevertheless, liturgists like to make up their own rules - read this from the bulletin Fessio is commenting on: 

“It has to do with the slow recovery of the importance of the eucharistic prayer in the Mass. We are talking about the prayer that begins with “The Lord be with you,” “Lift up your hearts” and ends with the Great Amen. This is one prayer. It has an integrity of its own; and it is important not to single out one moment or part (such as the moment or words of consecration) as more important than the rest. To underline that integrity it is best to take the same bodily posture during the entire prayer. The eucharistic prayer is basically a prayer of praise and thanksgiving (even if it includes an intercessory part), and as a prayer of praise and thanksgiving it calls for the bodily posture of standing.

Moreover it is a communal prayer, a prayer of the community even if it is proclaimed by the presider. As a communal prayer it calls for all to take the same bodily posture.

At the heart of the sacrament of unity (which the eucharist is) we would not want to be doing different things.  It is true that, for a long time, we did not have this appreciation for the eucharistic prayer. The moment and words of consecration were given so much importance that they virtually eclipsed the rest of the eucharistic prayer. Bells would be rung, the choir would not sing, everyone would observe silence, all but the priest would be on their knees. While all this spoke of immense faith and devotion, the disadvantage of that was (in retrospect) that we tended to overlook the rest of that one prayer of which the words of consecration are “only” a part.” - EWTN Library

I know - this is an old tired issue - but lately some bloggers have been  reprising old issues, such as everyone going to communion in swimsuits, and chest-bumps and moose-licks during the sign of peace, etc., so I thought I’d throw this into the mix.

“I’m mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore!” - A quote from C. of A. I think…or was that from ‘Network’?

ANYONE CARE TO COMMENT?

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You know that word verification thing you have to go through on some blogs when you want to make comments?  I sometimes find it annoying, but sometimes it can be fun.  It can be like that scramble game in the newspapers where you have to unscramble letters to make a word.

I just ran into one that spelled, “tymafyi” - which when sounded out reminded me of Tina Faye.  See how fun that is.  (I know!  I didn’t even have to unscranble it.) 

Then - this is really weird, I was commenting on a post about gay pride - you will not believe the letters I had to copy out, “lesfggy” - “lesbian faggy” is what I got from that.  Some blogs have numbers too, I encountered one that had “2 g d 2 g 4″ - which I immediately identified as “too good to go for”.  Isn’t that so cool?  And what about this one on a blogspot where the blogger may be mentally ill (not you!); “mpdjir” - which I read as “multiple personality disorder jerk”.  (I’m not making this up either.)

Commenting - it’s fun!  Try it on my blogs sometime. 

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If you have ever been to Rome, you will know what I mean.  Tell me the Sistine Chapel isn’t soft porn!  What is next, an illustrated “Theology of the Body” series, or “The Joys of Theology of the Body”?

(Just trying to get my stats up here!  I only get an average of 255 hits a day, and very few comments.)

[Watch for my upcoming expose on Roman priests.] 

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Masons!

I found an interesting interview on Zenit with a Spanish priest’s investigation into Masonry.  (I’ll link to it and post a snippet or two after a few quick anecdotes of my own.)

Certainly, the Masonic influence upon society and politics since the French Revolution must be realized as certain by many knowledgeable Catholics, so I don’t really want to deal with all of that here.  Of course Masons are the bane of conspiracy theorists throughout the world, sede-vacantists, SSPX-ers, as well as neo-Nazis and white supremacists.  (Although, you rarely hear that liberals call people Masons - kidding.)

The cult effect.

Locally, there is a rather charismatic priest who genuinely believes most of the ills in society and the Church are due to the international Masonic conspiracy.  A good deal of his followers seem to agree.  Within those ranks are one or two who claim there are Masons even in the local Church.

One fellow, a PI (private investigator) now retired, suggested that even at one of the most conservative local Catholic parishes, Masons were stalking the sanctuary.  Alas - I quit my job before I could get details.  Intriguing huh?  Of course, people have accused Marcel Lefebvre of being a Mason as well, so it slices both ways.  (Although everyone knows Anibale Bugnini was a Mason.)  I think the nuns who taught me were Masons too, because we used to get tickets for the Shrine Circus.  No wonder Sr. Vivian was such a… 

Years ago I stopped in Chicago with a friend, on our way home after we drove to see JPII in Detroit.  My friend wanted to visit a weeping statue of Our Lady.  It was one of the weirdest experiences of my life.  An old Felician sister was there selling books and religious articles, spouting off about the infamous Cardinal Bernardin.  “He was a Mason!” she said, insisting he was in cahoots with the grand International Conspiracy of Masonic Jewish Bankers.  She was a nasty little woman indeed.  (Although I like the word cahoots.) 

This is really a serious post despite the labels.

(I just don’t want to come off as a conspiracy theorist.) 

Anyway, that’s all I have today on the subject, but here are a couple snips from the article with a link to read the entire thing.  Enjoy!

New Age connection.

Q: Does Masonry substitute itself for religion?

Father Guerra: Masonry, in line with one of its products, the New Age, prefers to use the term “spirituality,” which has a more subjective resonance than the term “religion.”

Some Masons say that they are Christians and deny that Masonry is a religion. They should rather recognize that they belong to two religions: the Catholic one and the Masonic one.

But in fact, at least for many, above all for the Masons who are agnostics and deists, Masonry is a substitute for religion. Indeed, Masonry is called a “religion” and sometimes “the religion” in Masonic writings and those of Masons.

They are everywhere.

Q: Is the famous Masonic conspiracy a myth?

Father Guerra: It is necessary to distinguish between Masonry and the Masons. Masonry, as such, does not aspire to power or at least to having it serve its own principles and interests.

Nevertheless, Masons are in fact present in every international organization in which decisions are made and in the multinational corporations that have an influence on economic and political power.

It is logical to think that they try to pass on their ideological principles — relativism, atheism, gnosticism — wherever they are and to irradiate them beyond their own context. - Zenit

“You can’t handle the truth!” - Jack Nicholson

So what if all of these Protestant converts coming into the Church - well some of them - are really Masons?  Or the Trads - yes the Trads - what if they…Or Fr. Richard McBrien- yeah, he has to be.  (Look for that little Fez thing they wear.)

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More reflections on blogging. 

Continuing to reflect on the art of web logs, it seems to me that some writers may indeed be newbie’s to the Church, hence their enthusiasm and absolutism when it comes to morality, worship, liturgy, spirituality, and so on.  Spiritual writers often refer to these as beginners, or those in their first fervor.  It is a lovely time in the spiritual life, and our souls are fired with zeal.

We can’t forget those who have been around a long time either – the faithful brothers to these prodigals.  As in the parable of the Prodigal Son, these can become a bit indignant with their “revert” brothers and sisters lack of experience or knowledge in the spiritual life.    

For myself, I’m learning the need to be discreet in my writing, reigning in any tendency to rash judgments or sweeping generalizations about people, places, and things.  I hope I am becoming more discerning in the process, and avoiding the critical spirit that can be so offensive.  (I believed I have always tried to do this, yet I recognize I have failed in the past, while I suspect I will again.)

Deception. 

It seems to me, after writing several blogs for well over a year now, I have, and I’m assuming everyone has, encountered a few people who may or may not be the people they represent themselves to be.  (They are practiced at the art of deception – as the Stone’s lyrics say.)  Call me naïve, but I doubt any are actively out to deceive; it may simply be attributed to a lack of experience and first or second fervor that they come off as genuine, even authoritative regarding “Church Stuff” as I’ll refer to it hereon in.

I often tell the tale of an acquaintance who was a recent convert, turned Trad, extremely knowledgeable about dogma, discipline, etc., who eventually returned to Wicca.  Anyone listening to her in her uber-orthodox stage would be convinced the woman was on her way to sainthood, and as wise – well she would have said, wiser than the Pope.  I’m certain everyone has received edifying comments from this or that blogger, convinced they are very good Catholic, spiritual people.  And hopefully they are.  Sometimes they are not.

Even saints can be duped. 

This brings my post to the story I wanted to tell in the first place.  (Yeah Ray, I go on and on and on.  LOL!)

In the life of St. Therese, actually, shortly before she died, she, along with her community were taken in by a hoax.  A man by the name of Leo Taxil perpetrated a hoax concerning the conversion of a woman from Satanism to the Catholic Church.  The woman’s name was Diana Vaughan.  Her conversion was said to have taken place while praying before a statue of St. Joan of Arc.  (I believe the beatification or canonization of St. Joan took place around this time, hence the added sensationalism of the story.)

The nuns and especially Therese were so impressed with the story, Therese was inspired to write a play celebrating Diana Vaughan, whom Therese hailed as the new Joan of Arc.  To make a long story short, Leo Taxil declared the entire story a hoax, seeking to make fools of those who believed in faith.  Strangely enough, the Carmel of Lisieux, and Therese especially became a mockery of sorts because Taxil made his revelations before the now famous photograph of Therese dressed as Joan of Arc.  Needless to say, the community was rather embarrassed about the entire matter.  Therese died shortly thereafter.

Discernment and prudence.      

The story illustrates my point better than all my stammering regarding web logs.  It seems to me we need to be careful, not only with our own presentations, but as regards those we read on other web logs as well as opinions and judgments expressed in our comment boxes.  Sometimes people are out to discredit the Church, or the faith of others, deliberately or inadvertently – we have to be careful.

Today’s Gospel says it best:  “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.” – Matthew 7

I’ve seen it happen on the Internet.

That’s all.

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