Abbey-Roads2

The Incorruptibles.

April 27 is the feast of St. Zita, a holy domestic servant from Lucca, Italy who died in 1272.  Her body is said to be uncorrupted - others say mummified.  Sometimes the incorruptibles look kind of scary, as in the photo of St.Zita’s remains shown above.  St Clare of Assisi and St. Catherine of Bologna are two others that come to mind - those who do not make very beautiful corpses that is.  In-corrupt doesn’t always mean pretty.

[Photo: Source] 

The revolution.

1968… “The whole world is watching” - that famous chant from the Chicago Democratic convention came to my mind while the Pope was visiting the U.S. - when everyone seemed to be carrying on about the music during the mega-Mass in Washington.  The controversy provided a bit of distraction from this year’s political campaigns, the war, the failing economy, and other unimportant trivia.

“Rage and murder”. 

In 1968 both Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy were assasinated.  Race riots broke out in cities across the country, while anti-war protests increased, and Women’s liberation groups were organizing and coming to power.  I also think 1968 was a defining moment for the sexual revolution we now take for granted.  I’ll be posting on 1968 at this blog and my other blogs once in awhile - it is amazing how much happened in that year, how we have changed, and yet how much we have remained the same.

Did you know 1968 is the year Virginia Slims was introduced - a cigarette that celebrated the modern woman with the phrase, “You’ve come a long way, baby!”?  It was also the year the pantsuit came out for women.  In fact, Nan Kempner, a NY socialite was not permitted to enter a posh restaurant in NYC because she was wearing an evening pantsuit.  Undaunted, she removed the trousers and entered the restaurant wearing the elongated coat as a dress.  The rules quickly changed after that.  (It sounds trivial today, but for women these things were as symbolic as burning bras - I know!  LOL!)

“1968 - The great cultural crisis of the west.”

As we know, Pope Benedict XVI also recognizes 1968 as a pivitol year of social upheavel.  During a question and answer session with Italian priests last year, the Holy Father said:

…We must note that there were two great historic upheavals in the concrete context of the postconciliar period.

The first is the convulsion of 1968, the beginning – or explosion, I dare say – of the great cultural crisis of the West. The postwar generation had ended, a generation that, after seeing all the destruction and horror of war, of combat, and witnessing the drama of the great ideologies that had actually led people toward the precipice of war, had discovered the Christian roots of Europe and had begun to rebuild Europe with these great inspirations. But with the end of this generation there were also seen all of the failures, the gaps in this reconstruction, the great misery in the world, and so began the explosion of the crisis of Western culture, what I would call a cultural revolution that wants to change everything radically. It says: In two thousand years of Christianity, we have not created a better world; we must begin again from nothing, in an absolutely new way. - All Against All

[Photo:  Chicago policeman carrying injured child protestor.  1968]

Our Lady of Good Counsel
Feast day April 26

The Miraculous image. 

The original icon is in Genazzano Italy. It was transported miraculously by angels from Scutari in Albania. It was originally a fresco in a Church there when the Moslems were invading the area. It was rescued by angels, transported by angels and landed in an Augustinian Church. It remains there to this day.

It is a ‘living’ miracle because it is actually suspended in a niche, without support – a thread can be passed around the entire piece – there is no support! In addition, it is a very thin layer of fresco – that is plaster – and it never has been damaged. Existing miraculous images and shrines that come to mind that are comparable to this one are the Holy House of Loreto, the tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the Shroud of Turin. It’s an ongoing miracle.

This title of Our Lady is so dear, she is the spouse of the Holy Spirit and one of His gifts is the gift of counsel. Let us ask Our Lady to grant to us this gift and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Our Lady of Good Counsel, pray for us.

Narrative:

“It was found that the painting was executed not upon wood, or canvas, or metal, but upon a thin layer of plaster of porcelain texture and thickness—the thickness of an eggshell. No human skill could have detached it whole and entire from another wall, much less have transported it and placed it in its new location. This wafer-like sheet of plaster stands upright, with no support of any kind except the narrow ledge it rests upon.

”For well over five hundred years, this extraordinary phenomenon has remained unchanged, defying the law of gravity. Although it is now enshrined behind glass in a golden reliquary adorned with precious stones, at no place is this fragile painting supported or touched except at the base. The Commission found it possible to pass a thread in the front of the Icon around the top, down the back from top to bottom, proving there is no visible support.

During the Second World War a bomb fell through the sanctuary roof demolishing the high altar and causing terrible damage. The sacred picture was untouched, though only a few yards away. So Our Lady of Good Counsel continues to reign among her beloved of Genazzano and all who would seek her help and counsel which she, the Spouse of the Holy Spirit, is so desirous to share with her children. -OL Good Council

.

During these days when the West and Christianity itself is assailed by militant Islamic extremists we would do well to have recourse to Our Lady of Good Counsel and ask her to deliver us from terrorism and war. Our Lady of Good Counsel, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

More important things to be concerned about. 

A note on the local Mary Jo Copeland situation.  I talked to my Ward’s city councilman - Scott Benson, asking him to go to bat for Caring and Sharing Hands.  I asked about her ‘hearing’ today.  That isn’t what it is exactly.  It is a closed meeting with the city regulatory board in an attempt to work out the security issues.  So keep praying, please. 

There are so many obscure news stories that have grabbed my attention, yet if I were to write and comment on all of them, I’d be online all day.  A few other blogs have done it for me however… these guys write about stuff I really care about, and I’m always surprised that very few other Catholic bloggers seem to even notice.  So here is my list of stories we should care about:

Threats to the family and religious freedom.

The Texas debacle concerning the Fundamentalist Mormons.  Hardly anyone says a word that over 400 children and mothers were abducted from their homes by the Texas Rangers all because of a false report of child abuse.  The Western Confucian has noticed, start reading what he says beginning with Shocking News From Texas  and work your way down.

The food shortage.

Maybe Catholics just refuse to believe these things because of all the conspiracy theories out there, but gosh darn, the price of gasoline is pretty darn high, as is food, and - oh no!  Food shortages are looming on the horizon.  Although the monk in me would never permit me to stock pile food - some “experts” are suggesting we do.  Again, Confucius say, A Warning from the Wall Street Journal.  Western Confucian is not the only blog who pays attention to this stuff, Vox Nova happens to be a very aware website too.  In fact, I found this interesting morsel on the subject of the rising cost of food, Grocery Bills. 

Many experts seem to think we are burning our food rather than eating it, check this story out, Backlash builds against bio-fuels.

It is never enough.

Then finally, Off the Record  has a post concerning reactions to the Holy Father’s apology regarding the Sexual Abuse Crisis in the Church.  The Holy Father repeatedly apologized while he was in the U.S. but evidently that isn’t enough for many people.  Some of whom will only be happy if heads of bishops roll.  Yeah, that stuff only happens during events such as the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution.  Read the complaints here. 

Okay, so that is all I’ve got.  But don’t worry - be happy.

Make a lot of money.

Well, not that much.  Anyway.  You know that guy, the one who was on EWTN with Raymond and Fr. Neuhaus when the Pope was here; you know, the one who is the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, did you know he makes $1,167,721.00 a year?  That kind of money can pay for a lot of marabou.  Story here.  (To be fair, his income really is modest by current CEO standards - it’s not a lot of money now days.  It’s fun to point out however.)

Have a nice Friday, you envious people at California Daily.  Who says it’s not all about money, huh? 

Today the remains of St. Pio have been placed on display for the veneration of the faithful.  This year marks the 40 anniversary of his death.  Story here.

Many graces usually occur when such exhibitions take place.

St. Pio, pray for us!

Where I think it all started - a layman’s perspective.

Recently Archbishop Ranjith, secretary of  the Congregation of  Divine Worship at the Vatican,  has been in the news asking that the now common practice of receiving Holy Communion in the hand be reviewed.  The practice “evolved” after the reform of the liturgy took place with the imposition of the Mass of Paul VI - otherwise known as the Novus Ordo.  As we know well, the reformed liturgy has been a source of contention with traditionalists ever since.

After I returned to the Church in 1972, I attended two churches which remained intact from pre-Conciliar days - in other words, the altars were never turned around.  Yes, one church was St. Agnes in St. Paul, but the other church I frequented daily happened to be Assumption in downtown St. Paul.  The “new” Mass was celebrated in both churches, and as far as I could tell at the time, with little distinction in form from the TLM.

And I don’t think it is just a problem of language.

Of course the vernacular was used, which I immediately appreciated, since I could hear and understand what was being said without using a book.  I liked it for the simple reason - being a new convert, in my first fervor - I had the grace of recollection and could “contemplatively” follow the prayers of the Mass along with the priest.  (I know TLM people will want to correct me on this - but it is true.  Also, some priests who favor the TLM are now talking about inserting the vernacular in the Extraordinary rite - it will happen.)

At both churches, Holy Communion was distributed kneeling at the altar rail, on the tongue, by the priest, just as I had been taught in my youth.  Since I wasn’t a liturgist, I experienced the Mass as being the same as the one as before the Council, except of course, it was in English - which as I said, I appreciated and liked.  I still do.

Turning the tables.

My point is this - and I’m convinced of it.  The disrespect for the Eucharist, and subsequent lack of faith in the real presence, began when the altar of sacrifice was turned around to face the congregation, or as in many newer churches, placed in the middle of the assembly.  Yet it isn’t limited to that - I think it involves a key change of focus in the “turn-around” process  of the Mass as well.

In other words, the “new” emphasis in the Mass, or Eucharistic Celebration, centered around the idea that what was happening was more a banquet, a celebration - that everyone present must partake in.  Much  like an ancient  ”love-fest” - and the partaking meant the apparently mandatory reception of the “bread and the wine”.  I also think this “turn-around” was responsible for the increased participation by the laity in sacredotal duties during the celebration of the Eucharist.

The priest is a “celebrant” and lay-servers are “ministers”.  (Now that’s a language problem.) 

As the reform took root, lay people, most often more women than men, began taking their places in the sanctuary alongside the priest.  Transporting the Eucharist from the tabernacle to the table, and then handing it out to the dinner guests who stood around or in line; the “participants” in turn took the ”wafer”  from the “minister”.  Eventually, as more and more  license was taken, the focus seemed to be placed entirely upon the people; “Grams and gramps have been married 50 years - round of applause!” or, “A round of applause for the music ministry!  Aren’t they great?”  Hence, the centrality of the Eucharist, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,  diminished and became obscured.

So there you have it - “They” screwed up when they turned the altars around and permitted lay people to have free reign in the sanctuary.  It is not so much about the vernacular, or even communion in the hand - it is about the desacralization of the sanctuary and the eroding effect it had on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  Anyway - that is my take on it.   

(Maybe my next post should be, “Liturgists with academic degrees, but absolutely no taste.”  LOL!  They mean well.)

[Top photo:  Just a comment.  For over 20 years JPII sat through some very weird liturgies and never really said anything publicly against them.  No offense, but I wonder what he was thinking?] 

I would so do the same thing!

Evidently, Lino Mailo, a man from the Phoenix area has come forward and admitted he set off sky-lanterns, which others mistook for UFOs.  Watch this video to see what they do.  Read the rest of the story here. 

Now I know what to do on warm summer evenings when I am bored.

Why some monks and nuns wear hair-shirts.

Have you ever read a wonderful book on spirituality and the author is simply identified with the signature,  ”By a Carmelite Nun”, or “By a Carthusian”?  One reason for their anonymity is similar to why they sleep on straw mattresses and wear coarse clothing, and in some instances, even wear a hair shirt.  In the case of apparel, aside from the spirit of poverty, another intention is to mortify the senses, or discipline one’s appetite as regards vain rejoicing in sensate goods.  John of the Cross addresses the dangers that follow from the excessive indulgence of this joy:

“Enjoyment in the touch of soft objects foments more numerous and more pernicious kinds of harm, and by it the senses more quickly pervert the spirit and extinguish its strength and vigor.” - Ascent III; Chapter 25: 6

St. John goes on to list various vices resulting from such indulgence; effeminacy or incentives toward it, lust, timidity and unmanliness, moving  the senses towards flattering, honey-mouthed speech, disposed toward sin and the causing of harm, and so on.  St. John concludes by saying, “Some temperaments receive more detriment from one small occasion than others do from many.” - Ascent; Chapter 25: 7

Vainglory.

So we now understand better a couple of reasons why some ascetics wear coarse clothing and seek to mortify the natural will for sensory goods.  The indulgence of the will in vain rejoicing in sensate goods, as well as in natural  and intellectual goods easily induces the soul towards “flattery and vain praises.”  As St. John of the Cross cautions:

“Flattery and vain praises, involves deception and vanity, as Isaias warns: ‘My people, whoever praises you deceives you.’ [Is. 3:12]” -  Ascent III; 22: 2 

 St. John rightly points out the harm that results from flattery and vain praise when he notes that the reason these things cause harm is that even though the truth may be told by lauding natural talents or grace and beauty, “this praise never fails to cause some harm, either to cause the person praised to fall into vain complacency and joy, or by directing one’s imperfect affections and intentions toward the person” who possesses these gifts.  (All of our works should be to please God alone and for his glory, since all of our gifts and talents, grace and beauty, are from him.)

Self-exultation and pride.

The case is similar as regards vain rejoicing in intellectual, spiritual and moral goods, or gifts.  At times, this is clearly apparent on certain Catholic websites as well as in certain religious organizations or communities.  It is a danger all of us fall prey to.  Again, I like to accommodate St. John’s observations in this regard.  Naturally, he sees that vainglory, vanity, pride, and presumption are the first types of harm caused by our reliance on praise and recognition.

The saint  also mentions how these dispositions give rise to boasting, looking down upon others as inferior, working  for one’s own personal  satisfaction or the recognition of others.  Some work very hard to gain praise for their works, others desire thanks, while others desire that they and their works be celebrated with awards and recognition, much like the priests in the Gospel who sounded the trumpet when they gave alms. 

The need for mortification.

Someplace in the Gospel, Jesus asks, “How can you believe when you seek praise from men?“  I often think of this, because I, like many others - perhaps even more so - delight in the approval of others; my nature seeks affirmation and praise, and tends towards jealousy and envy when this is denied me.  Hence, I constantly need to mortify these desires, and seek God and His glory alone; because, as today’s Gospel affirms, “Without Jesus we can do nothing.”

Thus, we also come to understand why some monks and nuns signed their books, “By a monk”, or “By a nun”.