What Does The Prayer Really Say?
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My friend John Thavis in Rome has a CNS story entitled: Lefebvrite bishop says no progress on reconciliation with Vatican. Click here for the whole thing.  My emphasis.

EXCERPTS:

"I think probably the pope would like things to go quicker, and he’s probably facing a lot of opposition from the cardinals, from within," Bishop Fellay said Aug. 24.

In the interview, Bishop Fellay said the group had sought as a "sign of good will" the restoration of the Tridentine rite, the liturgy that was replaced after Vatican II. He said the Vatican should simply declare that the Tridentine rite can be used freely because it was never really abrogated.

"This would bring lots of graces, so it would be a help. We certainly say it would be a step, but it is not the whole thing," he said.

Bishop Fellay made clear that the society’s differences with the Vatican were broad. In the society’s view, he said, the church has experienced a "great, great decline" over the last 40 years—in liturgy, discipline, faith formation and education.

"We have pointed out to the authorities that a big part of the problem may come from the novelties introduced with the council," he said.

The question is not so much what the church should do about the Lefebvrite society, he said, but how the church should solve these more basic internal problems.

"We are absolutely persuaded that when church authorities take these problems in hand, then we will no longer be a problem," he said.

 

Time for another security upate for Wordpress.  [deep breath…]

Fascinating saints re found each day commemorated in the Roman Martyrology. In addition to the better known members of heaven’s choir, are somewhat obscure (for our times at least) but interesting people who – remember – are still part of Holy Church and members of our Christian family history.

Today is the feast of Saint Mena, a bishop and patriarch of Constantinople at the time of the Emperor Justianian. Perhaps of Egyptian origin (there are several saints named Menas and some confusion about them) he was consecrated bishop by Pope Agapitus in 536. Menas was involved in the Originism controversy (which he condemned) but supported the Emperor Justinian in his Monophysite tendencies (the heresy holding that Christ had only one nature). Pope Vigilius excommunicated himin 551, but Menas was later reconciled.

St. Menas consecrated the mighty church called "Holy Wisdom" or Hagia Sophiai. Here is some background:

The first church where Hagia Sophia now stands was begun by Constatine and it was built between A.D. 325-360. Constantius completed the church, which was the largest in the new city and was therefore called Megalo Ekklesia. The Constantinian church was consecrated on 15 October 360, but burned, alas, on 20 June 404 by a mob protesting the exile of St. John Chrysostom who had attacked the Empress in his preaching.

The Emperor Theodosius 11 (408-450) built a new basilica on the spot, which was opened 8 October 415, but it also was destroyed on 13 January 532 during an insurrection. Some of the western wall of that church survives.

Less than two months after the destruction of Theodosius’ church the Emperor Justinian set out to build a new church surpassing all others.
It was opened on 27 December 537 with a great ceremony. Leading the procession was the Emperor Justinian. He approached the church in a carriage and met the Patriarch Menas at the doors. Tradition says they linked arms and entered the church. It is said that Justianian, seeing the church, shouted, "Solomon, I have surpassed you!"

Here is the entry from the Roman Martyrology for Menas:

6. Constantinopoli, sancti Menae, episcopi, qui a sancto Agapito papa ordinatus, communione interdum suspensa cum Vigilio papa reconciliata, magnam ecclesiam ab imperatore Iustiniano aedificatem divinae Sophiae dedicavit. ... At Constantinople, [the feast] of Saint Menas, bishop, who, ordained by Pope Agapitus, when the communion with Pope Viligius which had for a while been suspended was reconciled, dedicated to "Holy Wisdom" the large church built by the Emperor Justinian.

You have all heard that Fox News reporter Steve Centanni and his cameraman Olaf Wiig was abducted in Gaza by a militant group.  I know Mr. Centanni from the time of "Papal April" in 2005 when many of the major players came to Rome to conver the historic events.  

I would kindly ask you to say a prayer at the time you read this, perhaps the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, for their safe release and return.

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God,
cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.