Fr. Z's Blog | Formerly entitled: "What Does The Prayer Really Say?" – Clear, straight commentary on Catholic issues, liturgy and life by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf o{]:¬)

Anglican Use Mass – differences? Similarities?

Posted on 16 November 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Yesterday at the USCCB meeting it was announced that the Anglican Ordinariate for the USA would be set up officially on 1 January 2012 according to the provisions in Pope Benedict’s Anglicanorum coetibus.

I get questions occasionally about the liturgical worship of former Anglicans who are now in union with Rome. I must admit I don’t know much about it.

Today, however, someone sent a link to a page with two embedded videos. One of them shows the consecration during an Anglican Use Mass.

[wp_youtube]r5fYCFqGGWE[/wp_youtube]

It might be helpful for the whole readership here, and for me, to have a discussion of some of the differences and similarities of Anglican Use worship and the Roman Rite.

And Benedict XVI is the Pope of Christian Unity.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes | Tagged Anglican Ordiinariate, Anglican Use, Anglicanorum coetibus, Pope of Christian Unity
57 Comments

QUAERITUR: Priest’s role, duty when someone “misuses” confession

Posted on 16 November 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

When does the Seal of Confession actually take affect in that the priest can’t say anything outside of the Confessional? For example, if someone goes into the confessional/reconciliation room with no intention of confessing, but some form of misuse, would the seal of confession be in effect and the priest not able to rebuke the person outside the confessional, or if misuse became a problem among the congregation, speak out about it from the pulpit?

I must admit that I am not sure what you are talking about.

But let’s be clear about something.

If someone “misuses” the confessional, the priest or other people present should immediately put a stop to the “misuse”. If a person commits a crime around or in a confessional, that crime should be stopped and reported to the police. If someone gets into a confessional and makes problems, the priest is within his rights to raise his voice, to get out of the confessional, to seek help from bystanders or authorities, and to defend himself and others nearby.

Just because the priest is sitting in the confessional, that doesn’t mean he is forced by the Church’s law to take abuse and do nothing. He doesn’t have to allow others to be mistreated and do nothing. And once the incident is a matter of public knowledge the priest can speak about it.

You might also spend some time reflecting also on what a horrible sin sacrilege is.

To raise your hand against a priest is not only a sin because of the harm you might do to a person, it is also the sin of sacrilege, because the person is a sacred person, ordained. David did not spare the man who killed Saul, because that man raised his hand against the Lord’s anointed, in that case, the king. If this is the case for a king, it is also the case for sacred persons, and even more serious for a priest or bishop.

Misuse of sacred things, places and persons is the sin of sacrilege. The confessional is a sacred thing and place and the church is a sacred place. Intending to harm the Lord’s anointed by physical violence or by detraction is a serious sin.

ADDENDUM:

If someone get’s into the confessional to discuss something that has nothing to do with making a sacramental confession, I suppose that could be called “misuse” of the confessional. However, in that case, because no “problem” or “ruckus” was caused, even though there wasn’t any sacramental confession involving the Seal, the priest should probably just treat it as if it were under the Seal and not discuss it lest there by any risk that people think he is breaking the Seal. This is a tricky one, of course. It would depend on what was being discussed. If someone got into the confessional and reported that there was a crime being committed, but the person thinks there is anonymity similar to that properly expected by a penitent making a sacramental confession, the priest had better inform the person that the Seal may not apply.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged confession, confessional, sacrilege, self-defense
15 Comments

QUAERITUR: Traditional monasteries for silent retreats

Posted on 16 November 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

Do you know of any traditional abbeys or monasteries (specifically ones that offer the Extraordinary form of the Mass) that offer silent retreats?

Can the readership help?

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged retreats
28 Comments

Begin Lent (February) on a Rome Pilgrimage with Bp. Morlino (D. Madison)… and maybe also

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I was alerted about pilgrimage being arranged by Bishop Morlino of Madison.

12-23 February. Ash Wednesday is 22 February, this year. A chance to be in Rome and maybe even catch part of the Holy Father’s walk (or glide?) from Sant’Anselmo to Santa Sabina? 22 February is also the Feast of the Chair of Peter, when the Vatican Basilica is all jazzed up. I don’t know about how that will work with Ash Wednesday. I am digging.

Trips like these are sometimes planned by dioceses to coincide with a bishop’s ad limina visit to Rome. The late scheduling of the spring ad limina visits for US dioceses resulted in a tight turnaround.

I’ve heard that the Diocese of Madison and organizers extended the sign-up period for a few days beyond their original deadline. Essentially, I think they need more people to sign up.

It seems to be a pretty good trip. They did not bite off too much to chew. They also included Orievto, which is always a treat.

You would meet the great Bp. Morlino, about whom I have written many times. Of course it is also a working trip for him, but there will certainly be occasions.

Short notice, but if enough of WDTPRS readers sign-up, I will probably go too.

Call Toll Free: 1-800 515-2632

It costs nothing to call and to ask some questions!

Posted in Just Too Cool, The Campus Telephone Pole | Tagged Bp. Morlino, D. Madison, pilgrimage
4 Comments

CNS: Saint Bonaventure University invited “medium” to contact the dead for students, administrator

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

?!?

I received this from the Cardinal Newman Society:

Catholic College Hosts Medium to Contact the Dead

A medium who claims contact with the dead told the Cardinal Newman Society she was invited to Saint Bonaventure University recently where she said she contacted the dead for over two dozen students. [Either really did, which is evil, or really didn’t, which is evil.]

A concerned alumnus of Saint Bonaventure forwarded this ad that appeared on St. Bonaventure University’s web bulletin:

“PSYCHIC READINGS THIS FRIDAY Have any questions about your love life, career, or future? Ever wanted to reconnect with a loved one who has passed? Maybe a spirit is trying to get through to you! Have these questions and more answered by registered medium, Peggy Rogers. Join us on Friday, Oct. 28, when Peggy Rogers, a registered medium from Lilydale, will be in hosted in Café La Verna from 6-10 p.m. to offer personalized one-on-one student readings. Individuals readings will be about 10 minutes each during which questions will be answered. A canned good or two will be the spiritual reading cost. Peggy will be doing sessions for four hours, so sign-ups are on a first-come-first- served basis because slots are limited.”

After reading this, CNS contacted the university but didn’t hear back from them. But CNS did speak with the alleged medium herself recently who corroborated the ad and spoke extensively about her experience at Saint Bonaventure University.

Peggy Rogers, who calls herself a “spiritual guide” said over 25 students and one administrator asked her to contact the dead for them. She said she “brought in spirits that they recognized and gave them good information.” She said the students could identify the dead because she relayed quirks about their personality or by identifying what ailed them in life.

[…]

?!?

This is called “necromancy”. It is a grave sin.

Necromancy is one of the reasons why Saul lost God’s favor and lost his throne.

UPDATE:

Prof. Peters, the Canonical Defender, has jumped in.

UPDATE 15 Nov 1823 GMT:

The University has given an explanation. I take it from the CNS website.

Update: Saint Bonaventure University released this statemnt concerning this incident:

While some university staff were aware of the students’ plans to host this event, there was a lack of awareness by these staff and students of the conflict of this activity with our mission. We therefore took the opportunity to educate our students and involved staff about the conflict with mission. Our students were earlier that same week involved with events associated with the Franciscan World Day of Prayer for Peace, and others dedicated their midterm break to volunteering at the St. Francis Inn Soup Kitchen in Philadelphia. Given these and countless other frequent activities that represent our mission, it would be irresponsible for anyone to characterize this isolated event as reflective of the University’s or our students’ Catholic-Franciscan character or identity.

Posted in Dogs and Fleas | Tagged medium, necromancy, spiritism, St. Bonaventure University
60 Comments

QUAERITUR: Extraordinary Communion Minister at a TLM if the priest is infirm?

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

May a duly commissioned Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion distribute the host at Mass in the Extraordinary Form when the celebrating priest is physically impeded from doing so?

It would seem that paragraph 28 of Universae Ecclesiae precludes the innovation of Extraordinary Ministers:

28 – Praeterea, cum sane de lege speciali agitur, quoad materiam propriam, Litterae Apostolicae Summorum Pontificum derogant omnibus legibus liturgicis, sacrorum rituum propriis, exinde ab anno 1962 promulgatis, et cum rubricis librorum liturgicorum anni 1962 non congruentibus.

This paragraph is commonly understood to exclude female altar servers and communion in the hand. Yet what of Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion when a genuine pastoral situation seems to necessitate these?

I double-checked with a canonist on this. It is a good question. Let’s find some solutions.

Universae Ecclesiae does seem to preclude the use of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

So, what should be done when the priest is infirm and there is no other priest or deacon or even instituted acolyte around?

The first possibility is simply to announce that Holy Communion will not be distributed at that Mass. The faithful are not obliged to receive Communion, even on a day of precept. Attendance, not Communion, fulfills the precept. If the priest is physically impeded from doing so, he is not obliged to distribute Communion. He is not bound to do something that is not possible. People can make a spiritual communion in such a case. No doubt they will want to pray for vocations.

There would be a possibility of an duly commissioned Extraordinary Minister distributing Communion before or after Mass with the proper prayers, etc.

The exclusion of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass in the Extraordinary Form is disciplinary law, not constitutive law. Therefore, in accord with canon 87, the diocesan bishop could grant a dispensation from this provision. I don’t especially like that solution, but it is a possibility.

If this is going to be happening often, in a regular way, it would be a good idea to seek the dispensation from the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei“. A dispensation would probably be more readily given were an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion were he an instituted Acolyte stably part of that group. Also, the group could petition the local bishop for a deacon (permanent or transitional) to help with Holy Communion at those Masses if a priest would not be available.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, Universae Ecclesiae | Tagged can. 87, EMHC, UE 28, Universae Ecclesiae
22 Comments

Will Justice Kagan recuse herself about Obamacare after “smoking gun” email?

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From Catholic Vote comes this shocker… yes.. I’m shocked! shocked! to find duplicity in this party!

Efforts by the watchdog group Judicial Watch to demand that Justice Elena Kagan recuse herself when Obamacare is brought before the Supreme Court later this year resulted in the release of emails between Kagan (back when she was Solicitor General) and a top Department of Justice official which, unsurprisingly, confirm what pro-lifers have been saying all along about the phony agreement.

Namely, that the executive order signed by President Obama to give cover to Bart Stupak and his “pro-life” Democrats for them to support Obamacare was a joke: [And let us never… never forget the cover given to catholic Dems by the catholic Health Association and the Magisterium of Nuns. It’s all about the cover]

Kagan, while serving as President Obama’s Solicitor General, exchanged emails with her then-colleagues in the Justice Department indicating her support for the Obamacare legislation when it was under consideration in Congress.

“I hear they have the votes, Larry!! Simply amazing,” Kagan wrote, in an email obtained by Judicial Watch, on the day Obamacare passed through Congress. Larry Tribe, a Harvard Law professor and Supreme Court attorney who served as “senior counselor for access to justice” in the Department of Justice (DOJ), replied to Kagan that the bill’s passage was “remarkable.”

“And with the Stupak group accepting the magic of what amounts to a signing statement on steroids!” Tribe added in delight, and in derision for the pro-life Democrats.

Here’s what Tribe means by a “signing statement on steroids” — he means the executive order was little more than a photo-op. Why? Because the president doesn’t write the law – Congress does.

In other words, Obama got Stupak and the last Democrat hold-outs to accept the “magic” (fake political theater) of voting for a bill while claiming they didn’t vote for it because the executive order changed it. But the executive order did no such thing, because Obamacare is the law now, not any executive order.

[…]

Posted in Dogs and Fleas, Emanations from Penumbras | Tagged Catholic Health Association, CHA, Elena Kagan, magisterium of nuns, Rep. Bart Stupak
13 Comments

QUAERITUR: Advent wreaths, lumps of coal, and you

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

Do you have any suggestions for where I can buy a good Advent wreath online?

Why, yes! I do! Since the Mystic Monks don’t have Advent Wreathes, I suggest that you use my links to Amazon. They have some nice wreathes, as it turns out.

Consider also this: In a time when we should all be concerned about helping fallen away Catholics come back to their faith, perhaps giving an Advent Wreath to someone as a gift at the beginning of Advent, with a good explanation, could help them reconnect a bit. A small gesture, but perhaps effective. And don’t forget to introduce at some point the aspect of returning to confession before Christmas.

First, it can be tough sometimes to find candles. I don’t like the scented candles. Here is a pack of four (three purple and one rose). Click HERE.

Since I usually make my own, something like this might be useful for others who want to shape their own. Click the images.

Something ready to go. There is a base with candles included HERE.

Something with pine cones. I am not sure, but I think some people understand pine cones to be obligatory.

Here is a “celtic” lookin’ base. Perhaps you could make the Church in the poor Ireland the object of your prayer during Advent.

This one has glass things for the candles. in case you are worried about setting the cat on fire. I never worry about setting cats on fire, but some people find that disconcerting… indoors, at least.

There are a zillion more. In any event, once you click one of those links and start exploring, I believe WDTPRS will get a small percentage of the sale. Therefore, I hope that about 5000 of you will buy Advent Wreathes today after using one of my links.

Think of the fun you can have drinking Mystic Monk Coffee or Tea, even the flavored stuff, from a WDTPRS mug, while assembling and talking about your Advent Wreath with your kids!

And don’t forget that this Sunday is Stir-Up Sunday!

There are wonderful customs for Advent and we should plan for them. Do you have a good supply of coal and twigs for St. Nicholas Day? Amazon also has – I am not making this up – lumps of coal.

If you don’t have stockings – guess where you can get some – you can get your lumps of coal in a – I am not making this up – gift bag.

You’ve got to love the entrepreneurial spirit.

Here is a 10-pack (!) of anthracite coal lumps. Snark and economy at the same time!

For twigs you are on your own, though I am sure Amazon could help with that too.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Brick by Brick, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices | Tagged ADVENT, Advent wreath, Stir Up Sunday
32 Comments

A wise, thoughtful, intelligent, cultured, classy, diligent, thrifty reader!

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

A reader sent a splendid photo of coffee things be prepped as gifts!

What a wise, thoughtful, intelligent, cultured, classy, diligent, thrifty reader!

Can you guess where this stuff came from?

Imagine what a great combination that would have made with stuff from HERE.

Posted in The Campus Telephone Pole | Tagged gifts, Mystic Monk Coffee
6 Comments

England/Wales: efforts to bring back lapsed Catholics

Posted on 14 November 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

We have heard from time to time of efforts to bring lapsed Catholics back to the practice of their Faith. WDTPRS thinks this is very important.

To that end, I read in – of all places – The Guardian that the Bishops of England and Wales will launch an effort to bring Catholics lapsed in the Faith back into the fold. Re-Evangelization?

My emphases and comments:

Catholic church plans campaign to re-evangelise inactive members
National tour of talks and workshops to help clergy and parishioners reach out lapsed membership of five millionRiazat Butt, religious affairs correspondent

The Roman Catholic church in England and Wales has launched its first outreach campaign to get people back into the pews, with its lapsed membership thought to number as many as five million.

It started at the weekend in York with Crossing the Threshold, a national tour of talks and workshops to help clergy and parishioners re-evangelise friends and family. Around a million people regularly attend mass on Sundays, but church leaders say there are many more who are baptised but do not go to church. Kieran Conry, bishop of Arundel and Brighton, said no-shows were more likely to do with laziness and children’s extra-curricular commitments than controversies surrounding the pope or clerical sexual abuse scandals. Conry said: “We have something we’re trying to market and we’re just reminding people there’s something that can bring you happiness, satisfaction and friendship.” [Not to mention salvation.]

“There are probably people out there who would like to come back but don’t know how to go about it. There is a fear of standing out, of doing the wrong thing.” [A good point.]

The tour will also take in Birmingham, Crawley and Cardiff. Catholic churches could be intimidating places, said Conry, and it was important for those taking part to offer a personal invitation to lapsed Catholics to come back. [And there it is. The Personal Invitation! I have mentioned this many times in these electronic pages. Moreover, the great Fr. Finigan, p.p. of Blackfen, His Hermeneuticalness himself, in preparation for the patronal feast of his parish, Our Lady of the Rosary, asked his flock to invite people to come with them for their celebration. He said that the turnout this year was bigger than ever. It works. Invite people!]

“Some congregations can be entirely white, middle-class and wealthy and if you don’t fit in you might not feel comfortable. I don’t think clergy are always friendly and sometimes Catholics appear quite cold. [On the other hand, some people do like to be left alone.] We had a tradition of not speaking out of respect: you said your prayers and minded your business. We have to be careful about that.”The York event attracted around 140 people. Topics for discussion included how to reach out to someone and how to make “small, effective gestures in parishes“. One of those attending was 73-year-old Shelagh Preston, from Sheffield. “It’s important to discover why people don’t go to church, to listen. Most of they time they can’t be bothered, they’re doing other things. It’s not about hating God.

“Some people do come back and they have to be welcomed back. We’re not as good as we should be at that.”

Evangelisation was not about standing on the corner with a Bible or knocking on peoples’ doors, she added. [Hmmm.]

Last year the Pope opened a new Vatican department to try to reinvigorate belief among Catholics in developed countries where church attendance has dropped.

The Church of England, along with other Christian denominations, heavily promotes Back to Church Sunday, an annual event to reconnect with the lapsed.