What Does The Prayer Really Say?
W D T P R S

Andrea Tornielli has reported that the positio for Servant of God John Paul II is ready.  Here is my translation:

The cause for beatification and canonization of John Paul II is proceeding smoothly.  The work on the Positio, the redaction of the volumes including the documented biography of the Servant of God and the testimonies, was completed, as Il Giornale confirmed through reliable Vatican sources.

This is another step towards beatification.  Now the Positio must be examined by the theologians of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.  Over a period of some months – some foresee not less than 8-9 – there may come a decree on his "heroic virtue", a fundamental stage of a cause.

At first a cause begins because an Actor requests that a cause, a like a juridical case trial, be opened to examine the question.  Then proofs are gathered, in the form of documents and testimonies, if there can be oral interviews.  Everything is assembled in the proper juridical order and the diocesan stage of the case is closed.  All the documents are sent to Rome and the Roman phases begins.

First, the Congregation examines the documents to see that everything was handled with the correct procedure.  If it was, they move to the next stages.  A Postulator has to make sure that the right selection of documents is made to demonstrate the heroic virtue of the person, or that he was a martyr, or that there was a miracle.  This selection of proofs is called the positio, whereby the case in question is "posited".

In the case of heroic virtue, the usual route for a blessed, unless it is a case of martyrdom, theologians must examine the proofs to determine if there is indeed heroic virtue.  Also, another groups is studying the documents and verifying that everything possible was collected and there was no problem on that score.  If everything works out, then the positio is placed before the members of the Congregation by the ponens, a member of the Congregation, Cardinal or Bishop.  If they issue a decree on the heroic virtue, that decree goes to the Pope in a secret consistory, and does with it what he wishes.

That is an abbreviated description of what is going on.
 

Those of you who are regular reades know that I am not much for the via media approach to things unless it is in reference to the principle in medio stat virtus. 

Nevertheless, I also hold fast to the old phrase of the late Msgr. Richard Schuler, who was wont to say, "You can go into the ditch on either side of the road, right or left, but either way you are still in the ditch."

With that in mind, consider these following videos.

First, I drag back into view, much like a decaying badger than needs closer examination, the closing "liturgy" of the Left Coast Call To Action folks.  This is pretty wacky… and tasteless!  An unbeatable combination, that.  As I mentioned elsewhere, I wouldn’t rule out alien life being involved with this.  just think, they got a retired bishop into enneagrams to do this, with big puppets, even. 

If you have seen this already, just skip ahead.

Creepy.

In the meantime, let’s play dress up!

Over in the other ditch, we find the liturgical hijinx of anti-pope Gregory XVII.

Yes, friends, we still have anti-Popes. 

This video, from 2001, shows the Spaniard, known for taxt purposes as Clemente Domínguez y Gómez aka "Gregory XVII", who proclaimed himself Pope back in 1978.  He is head of the Palmarian Catholic Church

He has visions! But without liturgical dancers or puppets… unless you count those dupes who are around him,



Biretta tip to Hallowed Ground for the video…   o{]:¬)

You will be pleased to know that His Anti-Holiness was succeeded in 2005 by Manuel Alonso Corral who omniously took the name of Peter II.  Ooooo…

We can find groups to fit our every ecclesiological fantasy.  And some of them have their own Popes!

For example, you can be a follower of Pius XIII, who probably has to pay state taxes in Montana as Lucian Pulvermacher.  He even had some white smoke to signal his election from his cottage’s chimney.

So it isn’t the Sistine Chapel… but hey!  Traditions are cool!

It is very important to stay in union with the Vicar of Christ, folks.  It is important to follow faithfully the liturgical books and stick to the Church’s teachings and laws. 

There is no precise "middle of the road" for Catholics… and the road is fairly wide.  And you can go off the road into the ditch.  Frankly, I think the right side of the road is the fastest, smoothest and safest lane to get to heaven. 

But pay attention there, too! 

Today is Wednesday in the Octave of Pentecost, or at least it ought to be in in the Novus Ordo as it is in the older, Traditional Roman Calendar. 

This is the third PODCAzT for the Pentecost Octave.

Thanks to your feedback after yesterday’s I decided to do another.  And thanks also for the donations!  That helped.

Today we learn about what Ember Day’s are, these beautiful days which helped Catholics for may centuries regulate the rhythm of their lives in the consecration of the seasons of the year, and learn to use God’s creation with moderation. 

Then we hear from St. John Chrysostom (+407) on the choice of St. Matthais to replace Judas who had fallen away.  I have comments about bishops.

Finally, we hear a marvelous old prayer invoking the help of the Holy Spirit, appropriate in this Octave of Pentecost.

Again, your feedback will determine if I keep this up for the rest of the Octave.

http://www.wdtprs.com/podcazt/08_05_14.mp3

 

I was alerted by Australia Incognita to an interesting pastoral letter for Pentecost issued by Archbishop Mark Coleridge of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn in Australia.  The letter concerns liturgical practice.

Find it here.

Let’s have a look at part of it with my emphases and comments.

PREPARING THE FEAST

A Pentecost Letter on the Liturgy
To the People of God
of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn

In the splendid words of the Catechism, the Holy Spirit is “the artisan of ‘God’s masterpieces’, the sacraments of the New Covenant” (CCC, 1091); and at this time of Pentecost I want to speak to you of the sacred liturgy in which “God’s masterpieces” are celebrated. In doing so, I am conscious of my role in the Archdiocese as the moderator of worship, charged with the duty of sanctifying the People of God, especially in the sacred liturgy.

A NEW PHASE

Pentecost Sunday was the day chosen by the Australian Bishops to implement the new General Instruction of the Roman Missal, albeit in a provisional translation to be replaced by a final version once the new translation of the Roman Missal appears, perhaps late in 2009. For a copy of the new translation, go to www.acbc.catholic.org.au/documents/200707031933.pdf. I would especially ask the clergy to read the Instruction as a whole.

The General Instruction sets out how Mass is to be celebrated in the Roman Rite, [Obviously, this is the Novus Ordo we are reading about.] and the new version has been drawn up in the light of forty years of experience of Mass celebrated according to the Missal of Paul VI. The changes it introduces are not great. For the celebrant there are a number of changes, but for the people there are just two:

The congregation stands immediately after the celebrant has said “Pray, brothers and sisters, that our sacrifice will be pleasing and acceptable to God, the almighty Father” and before praying “May the Lord accept this sacrifice…”.

Before receiving Holy Communion, communicants bow to the One they are about to receive. Bowing is the preferred gesture, but those who are accustomed to genuflect before receiving