Pope Francis and the “exorcism”

Posted on 22 May 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Please… please…

STOP sending me links to the video of Pope Francis praying over the fellow in the wheelchair.

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A priest reacts to priests reacting to the new translation

Posted on 22 May 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Over at the Deacon’s Bench, Rev. Mr. Kandra has a great post.  A priest wrote to Dcn. Kandra as a reaction to the whiny survey of priests about the new translation.  My emphases and comments:

After reading this latest post on how priests reportedly dislike the new Missal, a priest friend dropped me an email to share his impressions:

One of the things going on here is very important, but I suspect most priests have never thought about it.

I concelebrated at a Funeral Mass with an older priest (about 75) about four months after the new Missal came into use. I was the main celebrant. His parts were reading the Gospel and the sections of the Eucharistic Prayer given to concelebrants.

He did this with real difficulty, the reason being that he kept trying to look at the congregation as he read. This is much easier with the older, easily memorized text. This book keeps you needing to read from it.  [It makes you think about what the texts mean, too.  One day some of these priests will actually think about the texts and they will realize that most of the time they are not talking to the congregation.]

Most priests do not seem to ever have thought about the nature of ritual at all. The priest who comes out on the altar and greets the folks in his own colloquial way, and then starts the Mass with the text, doesn’t realize that there IS a greeting in the Mass. He speaks in “real life” and then retreats to the formal worship. He does so at the end as well. “Have a nice day!”

This priest I concelebrated with did not seem to realize that in the Eucharistic Prayer we are speaking to God, not the congregation. [There it is.]

I believe that putting the priest celebrant behind the altar facing the people was a very serious, core error.   [Do I hear an "AMEN!"?] When I celebrate the Traditional Mass or the Anglican Use liturgy (which is generally celebrated with the traditional altar ceremonies), I come before the altar, face it in the same direction as the people, and begin Mass by addressing Him. I submit myself to the rite; the people submit themselves to the rite. We participate together.

The Novus Ordo has made the priest the focus. He starts by initiating a dialogue with the people. He keeps up this dialogue throughout the Mass. He stands behind the Altar like Julia Child doing a cooking demonstration at her kitchen island.  [Good one!]

[...]

A new translation cannot be expected to accomplish everything. Only with time will we recover a sense of the difference between going to the Altar of God and singing around the camp fire.

Read the whole thing over there.

 

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, The future and our choices, Vatican II | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

Dominican Sisters in FINALE of American Bible Challenge! PREVIEW VIDEO

Posted on 22 May 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist (decidedly not LCWR types!) are participating in a TV game show called the American Bible Challenge. More on them HERE.

They are in the FINALS!

My correspondent wrote:

Don’t forget to watch the Dominican Sisters of Mary competing for the Grand Prize  ($100,000) on the American Bible Challenge this Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 7:00 PM on GSN (Game Show Network, Ch. 71 Direct TV). Their winnings will go to a retirement fund for retired nuns. Let’s pray they win in this grand finale.

UPDATE:

There is a preview video.

Posted in Just Too Cool, The Campus Telephone Pole | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

A new Catholic “whistle-blower” group

Posted on 22 May 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From Newsmax:

Catholic Priests and Nuns Unite to Fight Church’s Abuse Problem

A group of priests and nuns calling themselves Catholic Whistleblowers are pressing Pope Francis and the American bishops to take on those in the church who are still protecting sexual predators. [They are "pressing" Pope Francis?  I'd like to know just how they are doing that!]

The group formed quietly about nine months ago and plans to go public with their campaign this week. Of the 12 members in the steering group, some have exposed abusers before, three are canon lawyers who have represented the church in abuse cases in the past, and four say they were sexually abused as children, The New York Times reports.

The whistleblowers say they aim to provide support for victims and others who would come forward as well to expose areas where the church is falling short in dealing with the abuse problem. They also want the world to know that there are good priests and nuns in the church who are fighting against the sex-abuse scandal that has plagued the Catholic Church in recent years.

[...]

They may be wasting their valuable time scrutinizing the American bishops.  They have pretty successfully cleaned up their act. I suspect that the bishops in these USA are as jittery as cats in a rocking chair factory when it comes to this issue.

Perhaps this new committee, or whatever it is, should turn their attention to American nuns.

SNAP has – unsuccessfully – been urging the LCWR to cooperate in dealing with the abuse of children by sisters.  HERE and HERE and HERE

Do they get a pass?

Posted in Clerical Sexual Abuse of Children, Women Religious | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

Ed Peters on the suicide at Notre-Dame de Paris

Posted on 22 May 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Over at the blog of the gentlemanly though trouble-making canonist Ed Peters (aka The Canonical Defender) there is a post about the ramifications of the suicide at Notre-Dame in Paris.

 Suicide—whatever mental/emotional problems induce some to commit it and which might even mitigate its culpability—is objectively a gravely evil action (CCC 2280-2283) and may never be licitly chosen. When committed in a sacred place such as a church or shrine, suicide effects the “violation” of that space and divine worship (as opposed to personal prayers) may not be offered there until the place is rehabilitated in accord with canon and liturgical law (1983 CIC 1211, olim 1917 CIC 1172; see also 1983 CIC 1376).

When Dominique Venner killed himself with a shotgun blast to the head inside Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral (indeed, it seems, within the sanctuary itself) he desecrated that great church. If it turns out that Venner killed himself in protest over France’s new “gay marriage” law, then, besides condemning the classical scandal his deed produced, one may further observe that all he really accomplished was to make opponents of “gay marriage” look like kooks, and to deprive, for a time, the faithful of France of a particularly powerful place of worship from which to ask God’s help in preserving the natural and holy institution of marriage in their nation.

Only the Evil One would take pleasure in that.

First, there are certain rites that have to be performed in the church because it was desecrated.

Also, Peters is right about how certain parties will use this against true marriage.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, The Drill | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can Father require all servers to stand to receive Communion?

Posted on 22 May 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

My 10-year-old son, who daily receives Holy Communion on his tongue while kneeling (and in fact has never received standing) just completed altar server instruction. He was told that when he serves, he must receive standing!!! (for the sake of uniformity!) I realize that serving is a privilege and not a right, but does exercising this privilege allow for his right to receive kneeling to be restricted? He has been looking forward to serving for so long now and would have the opportunity to serve nearly daily. It’s tearing us apart to think that he would have to go from always kneeling to almost always standing.

Indeed.  Lay people do not have rights when it comes to serving at the altar.  They cannot simply demand to serve and then serve only on their own terms, in their own way and style.

This is tough question.  On the one hand, the right of the faithful to receive whilst kneeling is inviolate.  This is affirmed in Redemptionis Sacramentum.  On the other hand, the priest may choose whom it pleaseth him to choose as altar boys.  If Father wants to make posture for the reception of Holy Communion a litmus test, he can.  Service at the altar is not a right.  Lay people serve at the pleasure of the priest.

Frankly, I would like priests to require all the altar boys to kneel to receive, and of course to use the Communion paten properly.

And wouldn’t it be great use as a litmus test the state of grace?

You might try to win the priest over to another view of the matter, but as a parent you can through good instruction and good example and practice help your children receive only when in the state of grace.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , , | 46 Comments

Lest We Forget: Of surveys, liturgical translations and whining

Posted on 21 May 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

It has been brought to my attention that there is a survey about how priests in these USA are accepting – or not – the new, corrected ICEL translation of the Roman Missal.

STILL?  Are they still grizzling on about THIS?

The survey was conducted and now publicized by the usual über-liberal suspects.

Just guess what results they obtained?  You’ll be shocked to learn that the majority of those surveyed do not like new translation?  Are you not shocked?

Two points.

First, if you don’t like the new translation, brothers, just use Latin.   It is, after all, the liturgical language of the Church you belong to.   People can bring or refer to whichsoever translation they prefer.

Second, shall we review for a moment the differences between the Latin original, the obsolete 1973 version and newer 2011?   Just for kicks.   Remember, contrary to which naysayers claim, the 2011 version is not a slavishly literal version.  It does not follow the Latin word for word.

Here is, just as an example, the Collect for the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time.  No translation is perfect, but summon back to your minds where we were before.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus,
qui abundantia pietatis tuae
et merita supplicum excedis et vota,
effunde super nos misericordiam tuam,
ut dimittas quae conscientia metuit,
et adicias quod oratio non praesumit.

SLAVISHLY LITERAL VERSION:
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the abundance of Your goodness
surpass both the merits and the prayerful vows of suppliants,
pour forth Your mercy upon us,
so that You set aside those things which our conscience fears,
and apply what our prayer dares not.

CURRENT ICEL (2011):
Almighty ever-living God,
who in the abundance of your kindness
surpass the merits and the desires of those who entreat you,
pour out your mercy upon us
to pardon what conscience dreads
and to give what prayer does not dare to ask.

OBSOLETE ICEL (1973):
Father,
your love for us
surpasses all our hopes and desires.
Forgive our failings,
keep us in your peace
and lead us in the way of salvation.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, The Drill, Throwing a Nutty, WDTPRS | Tagged , | 53 Comments

ATTENTION PRIESTS

Posted on 21 May 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I belong to a group of priests who get together for a few days each summer.  Because I have mentioned this on the blog for the last couple years, several priests from different areas of North America have been able to join us.  Several bishops belong to the group, though – understandably – they have a hard time making it.

This year, we are meeting from 21-25 July.  We will be joined by His Excellency Most Rev. Robert C. Morlino, the indomitable Bishop of Madison.

Drop me a line, Fathers, if you are interested in more info.  Use the email link on the top menu or go HERE.

We now have our location finalized, in Wisconsin, not too far from a couple decent airports.  Nice location!  And those of you who play golf might think about bringing clubs.

Posted in Priests and Priesthood, The Campus Telephone Pole | Comments Off

Disasters, Death, and You

Posted on 21 May 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Terrible things happen to people through natural disasters or attacks or human error. We now see the images virtually in real time splashed on our screens.

Misery, loss, pain come in the blink of an eye to people who, the day before… even hours or minutes before… were going about their daily lives.

Now and then I post here about the need to have a plan for when or if something really bad happens.  I am especially concerned that parents of small children have some sort of plans in place for some different scenarios.  Obviously you can’t cover every possibility, but some basic steps could make a difference.  Having clean drinking water and food for 72 hours, warm clothing, a way to communicate, means of self-defense and so forth.

So, make some basic plans.

Also, because we have to be concerned not merely with the body, please look at this image…

This could be your life.

Please develop the good practice of examining your conscience every day and going to confession regularly.  Please teach your children to examine their consciences and take them to confession, teaching them what to do and why.

Fathers, this could be your parish.  You will be called to account for the souls entrusted to you.  Preach about sin, about the Four Last Things, about the Sacrament of Penance.

“A subitanea et improvisa morte… From a sudden and unprovided death, spare us O Lord.”

A sudden death can be a blessing.

A sudden and unprovided death – unprovided in the sense of having no recourse to the sacraments when you are not in the state of grace – is a horrifying prospect.

Make plans for, provide for, the needs of both body and soul for yourselves and those in your charge.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Semper Paratus, TEOTWAWKI | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Learning from disaster

Posted on 21 May 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I watched with measures of horror and sympathy the TV coverage of the aftermath from the tornadoes in Oklahoma.  I am sure all of you will offer prayers for the people there and perhaps also find other concrete ways to help them.

What I found interesting from the coverage, however, were a couple of snippets from CNN.

For example, a CNN reporter asks a fellow who has lost everything what he is going to do now.  Without missing a beat, the man said “Pray.”

In another example, the same CNN reporter says to the governor “the country’s pulling for you”.  The governor responded, “Thanks for the prayers.”

Apparently the separation of church and… all of public life has not taken place in Oklahoma.

Out here in fly-over country the first reaction of those suffering from the storm damage has not been to ask “When is the government going to help us?”

We Catholics in some areas of the country, perhaps in areas more heavily Catholic than Oklahoma, should take some notes.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Our Catholic Identity, Semper Paratus, The Drill, The future and our choices | 19 Comments