Church sign

Posted on 16 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Speaking of signs, a reader sent me this shot taken somewhere in Dallas, TX.

It made me chuckle.

church sign

Posted in Lighter fare |
14 Comments

Change to the coat-of-arms of the Roman Curia?

Posted on 16 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I found something you should know about.

Preamble:  Surely someone with little intellectual flexibility will opine that all the heraldry stuff is meaningless in our sophisticated modern world, or that people who are interested in it are, well, as effete as they really are behind closed doors.

I respond that symbols make a difference.  They herald something.

That said… you will remember the dust up a few weeks ago when for the Papal Sunday Angelus, a new drapery was suspend at the Holy Father’s window at the Apostolic Palace.  The drapery, with the Pope’s personal coat-of-arms, included the traditional papal tiara rather than the miter which was adopted at the time of his election.

The coat-of-arms was designed by soon-to-be Card. Montezemolo.  The miter, rather than the tiara, is an innovation.  The change means something.

Furthermore, there is a difference between the Pope’s personal coat-of-arms and the coat-of-arms of the Holy See and therefore the entities of the Holy See.  You will see, for example, on the letterhead of a Vatican dicastery the crossed keys surmounted by the papal tiara.

Now take a look at this:

Papal Tiara

When the papal coat-of-arms was introduced as the Pope’s personal symbol the Secretary of State said that the tiara remains in use for the offices of the Holy See.

It would be good to know precisely what the policy of the Holy See is in this regard.

Changing important symbols means something.

In this case we are considering a heraldic “grammar”, if you will.  In my view, that grammar should be respected.  In our liturgical worship formal changes caused a change in identity.  Some changes are simply not good even when they are well-intentioned.

A change of the tiara to a miter seems to have something to do with a change in someone’s view of the authority of the Roman Pontiff.

Posted in The Drill | Tagged ,
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A priest wonders why there is a revival of exorcists; Fr. Z rants

Posted on 15 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Take a look at this, from CWN and then… well… just take a look.

Prominent US priest bemused by exorcism conference

Father Richard Vega, a priest of the Archdiocese of band president of the National Federation of Priests Councils, has told The New York Times [Why am I not surprised to see that publication involved?] that when he heard that the US bishops were offering a conference on exorcism, “My immediate reaction was to say, why?”

The Times reported:

The conference on exorcism comes at a time, he said, when the church is bringing back traditional practices. The Vatican has authorized the revival of the Latin Mass, and now a revised English translation of the liturgy, said to be closer to a direct translation from the Latin, is to be put in use in American parishes next year.

“People are talking about, are we taking two steps back?” Father Vega said. [?] “My first reaction when I heard about the exorcism conference was, this is another of those trappings we’ve pulled out of the past.”

But he said that there could eventually be a rising demand for exorcism because of the influx of Hispanic and African Catholics to the United States. People from those cultures, he said, are more attuned to the experience of the supernatural.

I don’t trust Hell’s Bible to report things clearly.  That said, is there is – what – touch of condescension in this?  Sure, it is filtered and passed along.  But, I get a sense that this mean:

“Let those primitives dabble in that sort of thing.  If that does it for them, we’ll have to be accommodating.”

After all, we are so very grown up now.  We know that most of this is based on superstition, or exaggerated devotions and psychological imbalances they produce.  We are people of nuance.

I think we are more in need now of good and holy exorcists than ever because the Enemy is bold, cunning and has succeeded with the help of men who ought to know better in belittling his malicious work to the point where the “devil” is a punchline.

But consider: the enemy has ability of fallen angels.   They have knowledge and patience.  They never sleep.  They are never distracted.  They never forget.  They never flag in their malice.

Priests would do well to think about the four last things before going to bed.  A priest will be judged by the Just Judge as a priest, not as Joe Sixpack.

Then think about what must go through the mind of a soul during those first ten seconds in hell.

They had better think about hell good and hard, because they are going to go to hell if they by negligence prompt people to stop believing in the attacks of the enemy and the possibility of a judgment that could go very badly indeed.  And he would be, in hell, also a priest forever, with particular torments, special pains.

How’s that for something pulled out of the past, padre?

Posted in Our Catholic Identity, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged
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Of nuntii and bishopese and the “New Evangelization”

Posted on 15 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I had intended relay this the day Damian posted it on his blog at The Daily Telegraph.  I was reminded of it tonight over supper with friends (including the great Fr. Finigan).

First, think about the “New Evangelization” that is supposed to be a priority.

Are you thinking?

Now read this, with my emphases and comments.

Wanted: a Papal Nuncio who will improve the calibre of our Catholic bishops

By Damian Thompson

Archbishop Faustino Sainz Muñoz, the Papal Nuncio to Great Britain, is retiring early because of ill health. It’s sad for him, of course: I wish him a full recovery, a happy retirement and shall try to forget his attempts to silence this blog. But now, [NB] PLEASE, will the Vatican recognise that the Catholics who responded so warmly to Benedict XVI deserve a Nuncio willing to recommend bishops motivated by the Pope’s programme of orthodox renewal? [I think it is fair to say that the Catholic Church in the USA experienced a “bump” after the visit of Pope Benedict.  The Holy See needs to strike while the iron is hot.] I don’t want to single out Archbishop Sainz, because he was just one of a string of Apostolic Nuncios or Delegates who represented the Bishops’ Conferences to the Pope rather than the other way around. Like secular diplomats who go native, the Holy See’s ambassadors have allowed the Magic Circle to force the names of second-rate church politicians on to ternas. The results are plain to see, especially in the North-West of England, its Catholic heritage left to rot by complacent prelates, and in the liberal protestant dioceses of the south coast with their 1970s retro liturgies. So…  [I think many in the Roman Curia are overawed by people who speak with some sort of English accent (perhaps few excluded).  Italians in particular go all wobbly.]

Wanted: a Papal Nuncio, inspired by the writings and teachings of Joseph Ratzinger, preferably a native English speaker, with a bullshit detector that’s set off by Eccleston Square Bishopese and a knack for spotting dynamic orthodox priests capable of turning round a moribund diocese. I can name a dozen such priests off the top of my head, but none of them stands a cat in hell’s chance of receiving a mitre until we get a decent Nuncio.

Some of the English priests I have met would be outstanding bishops.

Perhaps you readers out there, of whatever nationality and origin, might stop right now and say a prayer to the guardian angels of those who must make a determination about the new Nuncio.  The Holy Father himself will probably have to make this particular determination, since this Nuntiature is so important.  But the Holy Father will be advised, and I dare say even pressured by human forces.

Oremus pro pontificeHelp to sustain him with your prayers in this matter.  Pray for the Pope and perhaps also offer some fasting for him and this particular decision.

V. Let us pray for our Pontiff, Pope Benedict.

R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and bless him upon earth, and deliver him not to the will of his enemies.

Our Father.  Hail Mary.

Let us pray.

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Benedict, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Posted in New Evangelization, The future and our choices | Tagged
10 Comments

Parenting: nintendo during Mass, Communion

Posted on 15 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Some food for thought for parents and for priests alike.

I remember once how I caught hell from a weak-kneed pastor because I wouldn’t give Communion to a girl quite obviously chewing gum.

Nintendo DS on the Communion Line
BY MATTHEW ARCHBOLD

I traveled yesterday with my five children to attend my niece’s confirmation. It was a beautiful event that was so well attended my kids and I had to park in a nearby neighborhood.

But there’s a reason I’m telling you the story. Look, I know it can be difficult to have kids in church. Believe me I know. I’ve had kids knocking their chins into the pews and crying, I’ve had kids vomiting and then crying that they vomited, I’ve had kids accidentally tearing the missal and crying because they thought they’d be in trouble. But I couldn’t believe what I saw yesterday at the confirmation Mass. [Remember… above, he was calling it a “beautiful event”.]

Mind you, the church was packed so my children and I were standing and couldn’t see a whole lot but in my limited field of vision I saw at least five kids either texting or playing their Nintendo DS in their pew. And I’m talking 9,10,11 year old kids on their DS while sitting right next to their parents.

But the worst part happened later. I saw one 11-ish year old girl walking up to the altar to receive Communion while playing her hand held video game. I guess we all should’ve just been thankful that she had it on mute. The usher who looked like Bowzer from Sha-na-na stood there not knowing what to do. I could see he wanted to say something but he simply looked perplexed. He implored with his eyes Nintendo girl’s parents and an older woman I suspect was her grandmother as they walked past him. But he was ignored. As Nintendo girl walked up the aisle her face reflecting digitized glory I could see Bowser looking around at a nearby usher who also mysteriously looked like Bowzer for an answer on what to do. Bowzer 2 simply shrugged his shoulders as in “Hey watcha gonna do?”  [Indeed.]

The Church seemed intent on playing “Speed Jesus” because there were probably a dozen Eucharistic ministers. The line moved double time and Nintendo girl got to within about twelve steps of the altar rail before closing the DS, shoving it in her pocket, putting on her solemn face, and receiving the Eucharist. [Beautiful.]

And while you can blame the kid, to me the real fault lies with the parents [D’ya think?  And there is the priest.  What has his liturgical style tacitly condonned?  By his preaching and his ars celebrandi has he communicated that what happens in church is important?  Maybe he does… and those who go to church would hear it.  But I suspect that lots of those confirmands don’t go too often.] for not conveying to their children the importance of the holy sacrifice. And clearly, this child’s parents didn’t feel she was doing anything wrong. Or they knew it was wrong but they just didn’t care.

And let me tell you, before Communion the church was standing room only but right after there were plenty of seats available.  [Beautiful.] So my kids and I sat down in an empty pew like those people at ballgames who move into box seats in the seventh inning after all the people who were just there for business left.

My eight year old daughter looked shocked when she saw a young boy playing a video game and the boy’s sister crowded up next to him watching the screen and whispering instructions. As I looked at that my two year old fell over the kneeler and bent her fingers back and she cried. Loudly. And then – get this – Bowzer 2 looked at me like I was a terrible parent.

I guess he thought that if she had a Nintendo she would’ve at least sat still.

Let’s save time.  Just station some unnecessary ministers of Communion outside before Mass so people don’t even have to be bothered to come in and wear out their batteries.

This raises some questions about Catholic identity.

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged ,
49 Comments

QUAERITUR: survey at sermon time

Posted on 15 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

Today at Mass, instead of a homily the priest invited a member of the
Parish Council to the podium to inform us that it would be helpful to
them if we’d fill out a survey regarding the parish finances.

Then the ushers proceeded to distribute the survey throughout the
church, fully expecting folks to fill it out right then and there. The
priest sat patiently while people filled out the surveys.

I was astonished and felt almost violated. This is a time of worship
and we’re going to stop to fill out a survey?

Was this really as great an afront as I take it to be or am I
overreacting here? I wanted to walk out of the church then and there
but my dear wife counseled more patience.

I think that sermon time should be for the sermon.

Yet, there are announcements during Mass also.  There are times when news must be given, simple or important.  Collections are taken up at Mass, sometimes more than once.

The sermon time should be for the sermon.  But there are rare, hopefully, rare occasions when other business must be conducted.  Parish finances are important, … at least if you want to continue to have a parish where you can worship.

But I agree… a survey would be a bit of a mood killer.

It would be a different matter if people would remain in large numbers after Mass for some of this stuff… but they don’t.

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 |
46 Comments

QUAERITUR: Mozart’s Requiem too distracting from prayer?

Posted on 15 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

Just an interesting link that highlights a requiem mass presided by
three FSSP priests set to Mozart’s Requiem…if I only could be so
lucky to have it like this for my funeral!! Even though I must
ask…is this performance of the piece too distracting during Mass?

No.

Well… decidedly yes, if it’s poorly performed.

Some people will prefer Gregorian chant or unaccompanied polyphony.  Some prefer the orchestral Mass.  Some like silence.  It’s all one.

You cannot be distracted from prayer by prayer.

[Note that I do not include above any mention of the usual music people hear in parishes.]

Music for Mass must be sacred in its texts and its idiom and it must be art, in its composition and its performance.   An idiom can shift over generations, but generally people who know music recognize when something is suited for divine worship or not.  When people who do not know what the terms “sacred”, and “art” imply, then they should not be making choices about the use of music in churches.

Alas, the barbarians took over.

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged
50 Comments

The Pope of Christian Unity changed an Anglican bishop’s mind

Posted on 15 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From CNA:

Converting Anglican bishop says papal action changed the landscape

Richborough, England, Nov 14, 2010 / 06:45 pm (CNA).- The Anglican Bishop of Richborough told his flock that he plans to become Catholic because Pope Benedict XVI’s  apostolic constitution “completely changed the landscape” for Anglo-Catholics and he now believes that he must lead the way to union with the Universal Church. [Benedict XVI is the Pope of Christian Unity.]

Bishop Keith Newton of Richborough, England said in a pastoral letter to priests and people in the Richborough area that he will resign as bishop as of Dec. 31. He will not conduct any public episcopal services. This “difficult” decision followed much thought and prayer, he remarked.

“I will, in due course, be received into full communion with the Catholic Church and join the Ordinariate when one is erected in England, which I hope will happen early next year.”

Pope Benedict established the proposed Anglican Ordinariate, a special jurisdiction within the Catholic Church, in his apostolic constitution “Anglicanorum Coetibus.”

Bishop Newton explained that although the issue of the ordination of women as Anglican bishops has been an important factor in his decision, it is [NB] “not the most significant.”

Noting the “surprise” of the Pope’s action on Anglican-Catholic relations, he said that most Anglicans have prayed for union with the Catholic Church. However, this union has seemed less likely because of “the new difficulties concerning the ordination of women and other doctrinal and moral issues affecting the Anglican Communion.”

“Although we must still pray for sacramental and ecclesial unity between our Churches that now seems a much more distant hope,” Bishop Newton said. The ordinariates provide an opportunity for “visible unity” and Anglicans are able to retain “what is best in our own tradition which will enrich the Universal Church.”

“I hope you will understand that I am not taking this step in faith for negative reasons about problems in the Church of England but for positive reasons in response to our Lord’s prayer the night before he died the ‘they may all be one’,” the bishop continued.

While expressing sympathy with the position that Anglicans with traditional views need leadership at a “vital” time, he rejected the example of a leader who should “stay to the bitter end like the captain of a sinking ship.” Rather, he noted the scriptural image of the shepherd, who must lead his flock from the front rather than follow it from behind. [Do I hear an “Amen!”?]

“This is what I hope I am doing. I am leading the way and I hope and pray that many of you will follow me in the months and the years ahead,” he explained.

Bishop Newton acknowledged those who want to remain in the Church of England, but he said he could not continue to be their bishop “with any integrity” and cannot provide the episcopal leadership they deserve.

“You need a new Bishop of Richborough who has the same vision as you have and one for whom a solution in the Church of England is a priority. My priority is union with the Universal Church,” he added.

He said he has enjoyed being Bishop of Richborough for more than eight years and is grateful for the support he has received from so many Anglican priests and laity. The bishop asked forgiveness from those he has disappointed and sought continued prayers for himself and his wife.

Bishop Newton is one of three active Anglican bishops who are joining the Catholic Church. These so-called “flying bishops” [lappets flapping…] have been serving Anglicans in different areas who do not accept the ordination of women to the priesthood and other changes in the Anglican Church.

Two retired Anglican bishops are also entering full communion with Rome.

Posted in Pope of Christian Unity | Tagged
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QUAERITUR: Our “presider” for this “liturgy” … as “we” pray the Eucharistic Prayer…

Posted on 14 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

Today at Mass, the lector introduced Father as the “presider.” Is it
more proper to call the priest a presider or a celebrant?

And
Father said, “As we pray TOGETHER the Second Eucharistic Prayer….”

Do the people actually pray the Eucharistic Prayer WITH the priest?

No kneelers either… But I consider us lucky to have a priest at
all… After all, Mass is not offered every day at this Church…

First, most “lectors” in parishes don’t know their Ashur from their Eldad.   They read what is on the paper.  I suspect that this is not the “lector’s” fault.

Also, I seriously doubt that the person who read it was actually an instituted lector.  I will bet all the money in my pocket right now that the person was a reader substituting for a lector.

While priests do “preside” at the church’s “liturgies”, they are better called “priest” or “celebrant”, both more priestly words. Anyone can be a “presider”, but only a priest can be a priest.  Also, I think we should call what goes on “Mass” rather than just “liturgy”.

A “presider” at “liturgy” strips the action of its sacrificial character.  Mass is a Sacrifice.  For there to be a Sacrifice there must be a priest, not a presider.  Not all liturgies are Masses.  There is a circumstance in which a bishop or pope, for example, can “preside” at Mass celebrated by a priest or a bishop.  But that is not the usual state of affairs in a parish.

We should correct our sloppy, protestantizing language (vague “presiders” and “ministers” of this and that) with clearer more Catholic language which more accurately reflects what we believe as Catholics.

Today this “presider” language is very pervasive.  It is so commonplace now that many priests who are quite sound in their theology and ability to express themselves use this language unconsciously.

What the sloppy language does is erode the distinction between the priesthood of all the baptized and the priesthood of the ordained, which are qualitatively different.  In fact, the language erodes the idea of priesthood in itself.

That leads to the next part of the question.  Usually one question is enough, but these are related.

The congregation can and should unite their intentions with those of the priest during the Eucharistic Prayer.  But I am not sure about this “praying along” with the priest.  I am sure they mustn’t, whatever they do, pray aloud with the priest.  That would be quite wrong indeed.  However, do they pray the prayer, silently, along with the priest?  I don’t know.

First, it is a priestly prayer.  Yes, the baptized have a priesthood of their own, by which they are about to offer spiritual sacrifices.  No, the baptized are not priests as the priest is a priest.  Second, while sections of the Eucharistic Prayer are prayers as such, the institution narrative is something rather different.  It isn’t so much prayer as a priestly, sacramental relating of what occurred which has the effect Holy Church says it has according to Christ’s own command, etc.   I am not sure the priest himself “prays” that part in his role as priest.  You can tell by the different tone of that section and how the tone changes immediately after the consecration.   I digress.

I am not sure about this “praying” the Eucharistic Prayer with the priest.  I think people should at least pay attention, consider the meaning of the many petitions, consider their own petitions and strive to join them to offerings on the altar, etc.

It might be that this talk of “pray the Eucharistic Prayer with the priest” comes from a kind of sentimentality, a romanticism, or perhaps that oh-so-prevalent notion of “active participation” whereby everyone at all times has to be singing or saying every word like coordinated automatons.  There is also an odd, and I think deadly sort of clericalism at work in some cases, whereby lay people are driven to do what priests properly do, otherwise they aren’t “active” enough.  This is insulting, of course.  Lay people should not be made to do what priests properly do in order have a sense of their dignity or participation.

Anyway, those are a few thoughts.

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged
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A forgotten award

Posted on 14 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

His Hermeneuticalness reminded me of a great award for certain bishops.

In this case, Fr. Finigan awarded it to Bp. Robert Morlino of Madison, WI.

Good award.  Good choice.

Episcopal Backbone Award

In the meantime, also with a tip of the biretta   o{]:¬)   to His Hermeneuticalness, I found this quote on another blog:

Priestly bloggers face the additional threat of being abandoned to their fates by the very bishops who should be supporting them as a matter of principle.

Posted in Just Too Cool, The future and our choices | Tagged
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