I can picture it now. It’s time for the homily at Sunday Mass. You resolve to pay close attention and remember details because you know that Fr. Z will ask…
Was there a good point or two made during the sermon at the Holy Mass which you heard to fulfill your Sunday obligation?
Let us know.
In case you haven’t seen it yet at the Daily Mail:
Terror in Indonesia: Axe-wielding ISIS jihadi, 18, stabs Catholic priest, 60, before trying to blow up hundreds of worshippers during Sunday Mass
JIhadi, 18, tried to set off homemade backpack bomb in the church on Indonesian island of Sumatra today
Priest Albert Pandiangan was slashed on arm and taken to hospital when fanatic, 18, attacked him with axe
Congregation then detained suspect, who was covered in blood when police later took him into custody
Officers found his ID card and a hand-drawn ISIS flag in his belongings and are trying to establish motive
There are lots of photos of the idiot.
It’s coming to a neighborhood near you.
Since today is the also the feast of St. Augustine of Hippo, here is an oldie post which some of you found helpful.
From a reader:
What I call: The biography of Augustine Pope Benedict would have wanted to write.
Thank you for the recommendation on the biography [of St. Augustine by Hollingworth]; I have purchased it at Amazon [UK HERE] through your site. Can you recommend a good translation of the “Confessions” and/or “The City of God”? Kindle is best, hard copy if necessary for a readable modern translation that is faithful to the original.
That is a good question. The Confessions is usually the only work most people are exposed to when it comes to the Doctor of Grace.
The best translation – for most people – is probably by Dame Maria Boulding, OSB, who was at Stanbrook Abbey. She captures the aspect of prayer in The Confessions without, for the most part, sacrificing accuracy of translation in the process. The Confessions is, of course, an extended prayer.
You can quibble about some of her choices, of course. All translations limp. For example, Augustine says in Book X that he was “loved and feared” (amari et timeri – 10.36.59) by his people. (Get it Your Excellencies? Fathers?) She choose to say “loved and esteemed” (or something woolly like that), which does not get at what Augustine really said.
By the way, I wrote about that “amari et timeri” HERE. I even have a mini PODCAzT with the Latin.
Boulding’s is better – for most people – than Pine-Coffin‘s. (I am not making up his name.) His translation is good but it is in a style of English many people are no longer used to. Pinecoffin, however, hits it out of the park sometimes. For example, when Augustine is talking about his profligate youth in Carthage, P. renders “amans vias meas et non tuas, amans fugitivam libertatem” (3.3.5) as “I loved my own way, not yours, but it was a truant’s freedom that I loved”. Not precise but dead on. “A truant’s freedom”. Wonderful.
Chadwick‘s… no thanks.
Boulding’s translation is also quite affordable. The paperback is only $9 and the Kindle version is only $8. UK Link HERE.
From a reader…
I am starting the academic year at ___ and attended Mass at the local parish for the first time this Sunday and was disheartened. The tabernacle is absent from the sanctuary, the church itself is round, and many practices during the liturgy felt/were irreverent: Singing a hymn in replace of the psalm, joining hands at the Pater and singing it to a tune vs chant, standing through communion, etc. I attend the Extraordinary Form back home whenever I can, but here there seems to be little to no opportunity to participate in the liturgy of our fathers. What can I do while here in ___ that can help me “get through” and feel as if I am receiving spiritual enrichment and nourishment that I do from the TLM?
Courage, Faith, and Honour,
In many places, there are options,even if those options mean driving a considerable distance or putting up with other unpleasantness. Sadly, there are also places where there are no other reasonable options or, if there are options, they all have considerable negative points. What’s a voter … errr, I mean, what’s a Mass-goer to do?
Prayer is always the obvious answer, but perhaps also the most overlooked.
Pray for hearts that have been deceived by the empty promises of liturgical experimentation, that they might be turned to a more orthodox, and effective approach to the worship of Our Lord.
Pray for others who have had to suffer, often for many, many years, putting up with banal attempts to make the Mass “more relevant.” Truly, in our midst, there are some who have attained the status of white martyrs for the pain and suffering they have undergone.
Pray for courage in the hearts of young priests as they face the daunting task of reversing unwise and unwarranted changes, often against hostile parishes, chanceries, fellow priests.
Pray for more vocations.
Alcoholics Anonymous has a simple, but not entirely unhelpful, prayer, originally composed by the American Protestant Divine, Reinhold Niebuhr.
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
As you settle into this new parish, realize that, as a college student, you might be perceived as an outsider and a part-timer. That will likely minimize your ability to enact any real change in the lamentable liturgical life of the parish. Still, the parish is probably (like so many other parishes) eager to have young faces become active. Talk with the pastor to see if there are any volunteer opportunities that don’t hinder your first job… you are a student Learn! You don’t necessarily have to single out liturgical roles or work. Perhaps there is a food pantry that needs stacking, a CCD class that needs teaching, some gardening that needs to be done. Suggestions of liturgical change will come more pleasantly from someone who has an actual, vested interest in the life of the parish.
In the meantime, you can use a hand missal for the Extraordinary Form in your private time. Pray and reflect on the prayers of the Holy Mass. Spend time before the Blessed Sacrament, before and after Mass. Unite your prayers with those of your brothers and sisters throughout the world who are even less liturgically blessed than you! There are people in in mission lands who have to wait even months between Masses. Unite your prayers with those of your ancestors in the faith, with all the Saints who have gone before us.
As you settle in, you will likely come in contact with other Catholics who are similarly unhappy with the current situation in the parish. While it will be important to build good friendships with like-minded folks, it will be spiritually important not to settle into some unofficial Confraternity of Complainers. There may be much to complain about, but there is even more to DO. Take positive steps, with others, to make changes. More importantly, take positive steps to become holier in your personal lives.
Holiness is the answer to all of the problems that the Church faces today. The holier we are, the better we will be able to weather the storms that are coming, and the better we will be able to rebuild the Church now and in the future.
In the midst of ongoing bad news, seemingly on all fronts, I had some good news.
My friend Fr. Dave Ireland in S. Euclid OH had at his beautiful Church of St. Gregory, a Solemn Mass in the Traditional Roman Rite in reparation for the sacrileges and blasphemies perpetrated a little while ago by amateur Satanists in Oklahoma City.
Some photos.
Over at the Catholic Herald there is an piece by Damian Thompson about the status quaestionis of the Anglican Ordinariate in England established in the happier times of Benedict XVI.
What interests me in a special way is found toward the end of his essay. There are parallels in the wider Roman Church in the cases of parishes which readjust, return to the basics, and revitalize their liturgical worship with tradition: the bleeding stops, pews and collection baskets get fuller, the average age of Mass goers drops, etc.
Here’s Damian about a friend of mine Fr Tomlinson of the Ordinariate.
[…]
Ordinariate priest in England is determined enough, he can find a way of taking charge of a parish and offering a Divine Worship Sunday Mass.
When Fr Ed Tomlinson, former Vicar of St Barnabas, Tunbridge Wells, joined the Ordinariate he was sent to St Anselm’s, Pembury, Kent – an unlovely community hall with a chapel where the congregation sat on plastic chairs and knelt on linoleum.
Fr Ed – a rugby-obsessed married father of three with un-PC views on the evil of Islamism and the wimpishness of liberal bishops – decided this wasn’t good enough for God.
Five years on, on a tiny budget, he has acquired two altars, altar candles, pews, a lectern, a pulpit, Stations of the Cross, altar rails, vestments, chalices, icons, a reredos, an organ, a confessional and stalls. (Our pictures show stages in the transformation, which is not complete.)
As for the Divine Worship Mass, his cradle Catholic parishioners mostly love it. “It’s a fabulous liturgy and I’m passionate about it,” he says. Weekly attendance has risen to 130 while the average age of parishioners has dropped sharply thanks to an influx of children.
Now imagine that, in five years’ time, Fr Tomlinson’s success has been replicated in a handful of English parishes. The Oratorians have surprised everyone by exporting their worship – once considered impossibly exotic – to failing churches that mysteriously stop failing once they arrive. Each punches above its weight.
What is to stop Ordinariate priests from doing likewise? Only two things. Spanners thrown into the works by unfriendly bishops, and their own lack of confidence.
My unexpectedly upbeat conclusion, after taking a fresh look at an initiative I thought was dying, is that an Ordinariate Mark II can spring to life once its leaders see that these problems feed off each other.
Anti-Ordinariate bishops herd members of the ecclesial structure into remote “Mass centres” where they don’t want to be and won’t survive. It’s time our new fellow Catholics turned round and reminded their Lordships that they have no jurisdiction over them – and that, if the Church in England and Wales continues its deplorably mean policy of hanging on to every last parish building, then they will buy their own churches.
But first we have to sort out the money, say the permanently anxious old guard of the Ordinariate.
No. First, you need risk-taking local leaders with a mission that attracts donors.
[…]
Do I hear an “Amen!”?
UPDATE:
Dom Cassian Folsom has some reflections on the earthquakes which shook the monastery at Norcia. HERE
UPDATE:
For the time being, the monks of Norcia have moved down to Rome and are at the Benedictine community on the Aventine Hill, Sant’Anselmo.
Today the Great Roman Fabrizio texted to say that they will be singing for Mass on Sunday at SS. Trinità dei Pellegrini! This is the traditional Rite, FSSP parish in the City.
Apparently the monks left a couple guys behind to look after things.
SAVE THE BEER!
Last night as I was turning in another friend in Rome texted that he could feel aftershocks… again.
UPDATE:
A couple photos from inside the church.
I’m told that there is damage to the bell tower.
UPDATE:
From the Norcia Benedictines:
Dear Friends,
Many of you have by now heard of the earthquake that struck us during the night. The quake was a powerful one with a magnitude of 6.2. We’ve taken the past few hours to assess the situation.
First: We are OK. We are alive, and there are no serious injuries to report. Sadly, there are many injuries to report among the people of the region, especially those in small mountain villages. Please pray for them. We monks will do what we can to contribute here on the ground, but we’ll need your spiritual support in a special way during this period.
Second: We, as many others in Norcia and surrounding areas, suffered a lot of damage to our buildings and especially to our basilica. It will take some time to assess the extent of the damage, but it is very sad to see the many beautiful restorations we’ve made to St. Benedict’s birthplace reduced, in a moment, to disrepair.
Third: What can you do? Please, pray for us, for those who have lost their lives, who have lost someone they love, who have lost their homes and livelihoods. We will need your help, as always but now in a special way, to start the project of rebuilding. Please consider making a gift to help us get started.
The Monks of Norcia
UPDATE:
From someone in situ:
There is property damage, and damage in the churches, but all human lie is well. Reports are that my house is fine. They’re all standing in the piazza eating today’s cornetti, and praying the Rosary with the monks.
You might make a post that everyone in Norcia is fine, although the aftershocks continue.
However, it sounds like Amatrice got hammered. This is the place that gave the name to the famous spaghetti all’amatriciana. People are, as I write, trapped. I have Sky going.
In Norcia, there was some damage in the monastery church, to the St. Benedict altar.
_____
I have been getting texts from friends in Italy. There was a series of earthquake – one at least 6.5 – near Norcia, Italy, where the wonderful Benedictine Monks are.
Keep them and all those in the area in your prayers. Pray against aftershocks, which do so much damage.
Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui réspicis terram et facis eam trémere: parce metuéntibus, propitiáre supplícibus; ut, cujus iram terræ fundaménta concutiéntem expávimus, cleméntiam contritiónes ejus sanántem júgiter sentiámus. Per Dóminum.
Almighty and everlasting God, who by a glance dost make the earth tremble, spare the fearful, be propitious to the suppliant, that we may feel Thy mercy healing our afflictions; whose anger we fear rending the foundations of the earth. Through our Lord.
In a story via the ESO and APOD I have read about
PROXIMA b
That cool sounding name is the newly spotted planet orbiting the very closest star to your planet other than your yellow sun. Proxima Centauri can’t be seen with your unaided human eyes, unlike the brighter cousins Alpha Centauri AB. Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf. Proxima b orbits at some 5% Earth/Sun distance, so it is closer to its sun than Mercury is to your yellow ball. However, since it is relatively cool, it is in a distance zone that could permit water. Being only some 4 lightyears out, it is within range of relatively real-time communication, with a turn around time of only 8 years and change.
This has me thinking about the book by Michael O’Brien Voyage To Alpha Centauri, in which the author makes his remarkably able first foray into sic fi. US HERE – UK HERE Or read it on a Kindle.
There are some pretty harrowing points in O’Brien’s book… harrowing to anyone paying attention to what is going on here and now, that is. As with most of his books, he could stand to listen to an editor a bit more. But it is a great read.
Proxima b!
I have a short story in my head already.
C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters! Oft’ imitated. Never really rivaled.
If you haven’t read this book yet…. what on your planet at you waiting for?!?
My favorite method to absorb Lewis’ window is the audiobook reading by John Cleese. Imagine: John Cleese as Screwtape. UK audio cassettes HERE
Some of the imitations of the Letters are pretty good. I have in mind especially Peter Kreeft’s valiant attempt. US HERE UK HERE
However, I was notified about the effort at the blog Mercy For Marthas (which I admit I had not seen before… how many blogs are there, I wonder…). This time, nasty old Screwtape has written to a demon named Bitterwench who as as a patient a homeschooling mother.
I don’t follow many mommy bloggers, mind you. Yes, that’s a term. I rather enjoy One Mad Mom. Some mommy bloggers really need to be… expunged… if you get my recent reference. This one, however, is pretty good. Go spike her stats and see her essay into the genre of Screwtapism.
And, she has twist on the Letters in the form of an intercepted angelic, not demonic, letter. Check it out.
From Crux we find some information from Pope Benedict about why he abdicated. On 30 August in Italy, an Italian biography of Benedict will be release. He did an interview head of this biography release. However, his book/interview will be released
In an interview as part of a new biography set for an Aug. 30 release in Italy, emeritus Pope Benedict XVI once again knocks down speculation about the motives for his resignation, saying it was solely because he was tired and unable to take up another grueling international trip.
ROME- Ever since February 28, 2013, when emeritus Pope Benedict XVI unexpectedly, and in Latin, announced his resignation, theories regarding why became too numerous to count: scandals over leaked confidential documents, his health, an alleged “gay lobby” in the Vatican, and so on.
Benedict said at the time he was stepping down because he was 86 and lacked the strength to continue with his mission of leading an institution present in every corner of the world, with over 1.2 billion members.
In a recent interview he expanded on that explanation, adding more details. Among other things, he said that his March 2012 trip to Mexico and Cuba had taken such a toll that he knew he’d be incapable of making another grueling international trip. He says he agreed with his doctor it’d be better if he didn’t make such a demanding outing.
He had one looming: A July 2013 trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to lead millions of youth from around the world in a week-long festival known as World Youth Day in July 2013. Hence he saw it as his “duty” to resign from the papacy, sooner rather than later after his return from Mexico and Cuba.
That snippet was shared by the emeritus pope himself in an interview with Italian Elio Guerrero, author of the upcoming book “Servant of God and Humanity: The biography of Benedict XVI.” It’ll be released in Italian on August 30, and no date for an English publication has yet been announced.
The book includes not only a preface by Pope Francis, but also an interview Guerrero had with Benedict.[…]
I, for one, would like to know what he has to say. Would that he will be able to keep saying things for a long time.
I miss him.
US Hardcover – HERE
UK Hardcover – HERE
US Paperback – HERE
UK Paperback – not yet
Coat of Arms by D Burkart
jhogan on Germans… “for many” in the Consecration formula, rather than “for all”: “I find it curious that the German bishops are apparently not considered in schism for changing the actual form (words)…”
on ROME 26/10-11 – Day 33: All Souls: “Like many others I have some family members that I disagree with on several issues. However, one thing a few…”
on Germans… “for many” in the Consecration formula, rather than “for all”: ““ it undermines the authority of the Roman Pontiff in the matter of the regulation of the Church’s sacraments.” My…”
on ROME 26/10-11 – Day 35: Penultimate: “Safe travels to your destination. Let us know how +Atticus is doing. Saw an interview of the CEO of United…”
on Germans… “for many” in the Consecration formula, rather than “for all”: “Jesus, save your Church.”
on ROME 26/10-11 – Day 35: Penultimate: “The illumination is a fun one. It literally shows Christ the Pharmacist, which is not a title you read every…”
on ASK FATHER: “Why isn’t the Male Only Holy Orders a Dogma?”: “TonyO: Don’t you realize that the “spirit of Vatican II” only speaks in one direction can can only be discerned…”
on ROME 26/10-11 – Day 33: All Souls: “Whoever thought it was a smart idea to link the refrigerators and freezers to the Internet should have to thoroughly…”
A Daily Prayer for Priests
They find you a pro-life agent in your area who commits to giving a portion of the fee to a pro-life group!
PLEASE subscribe via PayPal if it is useful. Zelle and Wise are better, but PayPal is convenient.
A monthly subscription donation means I have steady income I can plan on. I put you my list of benefactors for whom I pray and for whom I often say Holy Mass.
In view of the rapidly changing challenges I now face, I would like to add more $10/month subscribers. Will you please help?
For a one time donation...
Help Monks in Wyoming (coffee – UPDATED LINK) and Norcia (beer) and the wonderful "Soap Sisters" of Summit, NJ!
Please follow me on Twitter!
Visits tracked by Statcounter
since Sat., 25 Nov. 2006:
