What Does the Prayer Really Say? Epiphany
The cycle of Christmas was traditionally a magnificent drama in three acts. These different stages of the cycle reveal different aspects of the Incarnation of the Word. During Advent we are taught … Continue reading →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? 4th Sunday of Advent – Station: Twelve Apostles
Once in a while I get some feedback that makes my day, nay rather, my year. EM writes via e-mail: “I want to thank you … Continue reading →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? Christmas Day – Roman Station: 1st and 3rd Masses – Basilica of St. Mary Major, 2nd Mass – St. Anastasia
We have a new Secretary for the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the … Continue reading →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? 4th Sunday of Advent
Some feedback. MK of Lake View, NY writes concerning my claim in WDPTRS of 29 November last about the origin of the term “secret” which formerly identified the oratio super … Continue reading →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? 3rd Sunday of Advent – Gaudete – Roman Station: Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican
His Eminence Francis Card. Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments (CDWDS) … Continue reading →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? 2nd Sunday of Advent – Roman Station: Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem
Last week I wrote: “WDTPRS thinks there will soon be a significant change at the (Congregation for Divine Worship and … Continue reading →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? 1st Sunday of Advent – Roman Station: St. Mary Major
These WDTPRS articles carefully explore week by week what the Latin prayers of Holy Mass really say. The first year of this series … Continue reading →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? Holy Family – Sunday in the Octave of Christmas
A liturgical “octave” is an eight day period following and including the feast. In a way, the Church suspends time so that we can … Continue reading →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? Fourth Sunday of Advent
This Sunday is both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and also Christmas Eve. Thus, in the morning we can have the Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent and … Continue reading →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? Supplement
Because last week the regular WDTPRS column did not appear (e-mail difficulties, short week, the dog ate my homework), I am putting my regular ramblings in a separate article.
It’s Advent again, and time … Continue reading →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? The 2nd & 3rd Sundays of Advent
Due to technical difficulties and a short week, last week for the first time in four years WDTPRS did not appear. This week, we content ourselves … Continue reading →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? The 2nd & 3rd Sundays of Advent
Due to technical difficulties and a short week, last week for the first time in four years WDTPRS did not appear. This week, we content ourselves … Continue reading →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? The 2nd Sunday of Advent
When we approach difficult questions or topics, we must be humble before them, admitting the truth when made plain and ignorance when plainly we don’t have a clue. … Continue reading →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? The 1st Sunday of Advent
This is the first offering of the fifth year of WDTPRS. We begin anew. In this series we have been examining the original Latin prayers of Holy … Continue reading →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – Sunday in the Octave of Christmas
While our column today is being written before the Holy Feast of Christmas, it concerns the final prayer of … Continue reading →