And now...

And Now for something completely different:

Ecclesial Pussification

edit 06 June 2007 21:38 EST

This week as I was visiting a local parish, I happened to read the bulletin for this upcoming Sunday. The mystery was solved. Last week, I happened to notice a drum set in church and found this most unusual. Why on earth would you ruin the beauty of the church with a drum set? What need was there exactly for such a thing in the Liturgy? To my disgust, I read in the bulletin that St. Joseph’s would now be offering the “Life Teen” mass (with a lowercase m) on the first and third Saturday evening of each month. (The Life Teen mass will replace the usual weekend Mass at that time.) If you attend Saturday evening Mass traditionally, and this new method makes you uncomfortable, tough, it’s what “the young people want.” Or is it? If this is what the young people want, why do vocational trends indicate otherwise? Saying that all young people “want” Life Teen is like saying all Irish people all drunks, it’s a terrible and most inaccurate stereotype.

There are some in “pastoral leadership” who would say “If we don’t make the Mass ‘fun,’ young people will leave the Church.”

I have one response to that statement: When last I checked, crucifixion was certainly no picnic. However, Christ loved us so much that He made the ultimate sacrifice. During the Triduum, we hear the final HOURS of Christ’s suffering and ultimately His death. His gift to us (among other things): the Eucharist. ONE HOUR A WEEK. Sixty minutes. That’s less time than it takes to watch a movie, a football game, or play a video game. Less time than a high school dance.

The Mass, fun? Since when did Truman Capote and Andrew Lloyd Weber take a seat on the College of Cardinals? Why is it that the music of the Mass has to sound like something off Broadway in order for young people (and some adults) to desire to attend? Why should we “dummy down” the mystical supper in order to appeal to young people. This generation is spoiled. In our classrooms, in our shopping malls, television, everywhere you go, we cater to make things “fun.” To make the Mass fun is like slapping Jesus in the face. Each and every youth who sleeps in on Sunday because “Mass is boring” is personally telling Christ “Thanks for dying on the cross and all, but your sacrifice bores me.”

There was a time when Catholic young people dressed up for Mass. You would never see a female’s mid-drift, nor did young men dress up nicer for the homecoming dance than they do for Mass. (I had a Catholic priest tell me once, that the reason he did not turn away people who dressed inappropriately was that he feared “sexual harassment.” Give me a break. The bottom line is that he feared angering those who put money in the collection basket. That’s another problem. Priests are too afraid to preach for fear they will anger parishoners. Let’s face it, sometimes, the truth hurts.) When are shepherds act sheepish, what are we to do? When our clergy caves into the youth’s request for fun, what does that teach them?

There was a time when young people would gather with their family at the Church on Sunday night for Benediction, there was a time young people knew how to pray the Rosary, the Angelus, and the Stations of the Cross. These days, if they aren’t set to a rock beat, Pastoral leadership claims “our youth doesn’t want it.” Interesting theory isn’t it? If we don’t add some “pep” to the Mass, our youth apparently turn their backs on Christ. What kind of lesson are we teaching if we give in to this sad demand?

Let’s take a moment to really take a careful examination of Christ on the cross, and really adore the Eucharist, and think to ourselves, how selfish is it to demand the Mass be more fun and enjoyable. Never once did Christ ask for a less painful death for our sins.

When Pope Benedict was elected to the Papacy, needless to say, I was delighted. Having read most of Cardinal Ratzinger’s books I knew we were in for something wonderful. However, a couple of times he has let me down. Why? Honestly, I think he is letting the media have too much control. Before his election, he was seen as the “Rottweiller,” the one who really upheld tradition. For the media this was apparently a concern. During world youth day, we tune in for evening prayer and see a clown juggling fire on the stage. Why on earth was this necessary? If Benedict is so traditional, why would he stand for such a thing during Divine Office? Simple, because it “made the youth feel good.” Does that make it right? No. But if the Pope’s doing it, why shouldn’t parishes?

Over the past few months, we have read time and again that Pope Benedict will be granting universal approval for the use of the 1962 Roman Missal. We have read that talks between the Vatican and the Society of St. Pius X are progressing very well. Who on earth is the source of all this information?

Thus far, not one inkling of it has held water. Last week, TIME magazine online ran an article that stated how this fall Benedict would really be getting into full gear and really giving the world an idea of his platform. His platform? It read more like a fall movie preview than an article, but honestly, what platform are we talking about? The Cardinal Ratzinger we knew and loved? Or the Servant of the Servants of God, Pope Benedict XVI who doesn’t seem to be very firm on much of anything? I certainly hope this fall marks the beginning of the downfall of several liberal tendencies in the Church. I hope the “watchdog” of the faith gets out of the dog house and gets to work. Enough of these articles speculating, let’s see some action! His Holiness can not hep but know that it's out there, and so I would like for him to stop playing the game we all know and despise, that of silence and obfuscation which has won us so many friends lately, and speak. I am a hardcore Papist, everyone knows that. But sometimes those who love you most, must be your staunchest critics.

The bottom line, I can sit here and write about how much I despise Life Teen, I can write my disgust for Pastors who allow such things, and I speculate on liberal Bishops, but ultimately, at some point, IF the Pope really does have a conservative card up his sleeve, he needs to play it. Ecumenism has gotten out of hand. The modern church looks very protestant in many ways, and unfortunately, not much sets us apart from those who broke away centuries ago. If we continue to cave in to the requests of the youth and everybody else, what kind of church are we really? Is this a rock … or somehow has the foundation turned to clay? I hate Life Teen, yes. I don’t believe it should be permitted, but obviously the Holy Father doesn’t have a problem with the movement, so it can carry on.

Sunday after Sunday, our pastors can tell young people “let’s have fun at Mass, this is supposed to be exciting.” Meanwhile, Jesus hangs there on the cross looking miserable -- and only if your sanctuary happens to have a Crucifix. When we start to replace bread and wine with cookies and milk, maybe then somebody will say something. Until that time, enjoy the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, after all, IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!

For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.

Reading

From an ancient homily for Holy Saturday

The Lord's Descent Into the Underworld

Something strange is happening - there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.

He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried outto everyone: “My Lord be with you all.” Christ answered him: “And with yourspirit.” He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper,and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

I am your God, who for your sake have become yourson. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authoritycommand all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darknessto be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper,to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from thedead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who werecreated in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me andI am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated.For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form ofa slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneaththe earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man withouthelp, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I wasbetrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

See on my face the spittle I received in order torestore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks ofthe blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image.On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burdenof sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree,for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol oflife, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.

Long Time No See

I've been told that I should update my blog.
I've been told that I should start journaling again.

So I'll combine the two and give you something inane to read.

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About three years ago I submitted an application to the Archdiocese of Boston for sponsorship to seminary. My application was turned down with concerns of my experience of the Church being limited, and with their fear that I was being forced into applying. At the request, and the recommendation of His Excellency, Archbishop Seán O’Malley, I spent a propædeutic year at Madonna House in Combermere, Ontario, Canada.

I was reluctant at first to go; I would be leaving my family, and friends, and not just to go away to school, but to be almost entirely isolated from them for a period of nigh on seven months. My spiritual director and then-pastor Fr. Bill Sullivan accompanied me to the Lay Apostolate in the heart of Ontario, and spent three days with my new family and me. He left Madonna House on my 20^th birthday, a day of endings and new beginnings.

Madonna House is, canonically, an “Apostolic Association of Lay Faithful.” Their central dictum is enclosed in a short “poem” that they call The Little Mandate which the Baroness Catherine de’Hueck Doherty (“The B”) believed she received from Christ over the years in her meditations. The B was the founder of the community. She was raised Russian Orthodox, and then at the time of the revolution she fled the country for England, and then the United States, and finally Canada. During her migration she fell in love with the Catholic Church, and converted. She still held very close ties to the Eastern traditions, and eventually her community in Combermere became unofficially bi-ritual.

When I first arrived at Madonna House, I had quite a closed mind about the Eastern Church. It was my incorrect belief that if one wanted to be in full communion with Rome, that one should celebrate as Rome, and no other way. Over the months I spent there, as an altar server and a member of the small choir, I learned not only to accept and appreciate the Eastern Liturgy and Tradition, but to love it as well. I still have many questions about the theology behind some of the liturgy, but my acceptance of that is as simple as surrendering to the teachings of the Holy Father.

In the months at Madonna House, I not only grew more and more to love the Eastern traditions, but grew closer to our Western Tradition and traditions. We celebrated many feast days with more then the usual, cursory observance. For example, on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe we processed from our main building to our Island Chapel with Our Lady leading the way. We sang hymns to Our Lady in swath of languages. We had members sing in English, Latin, French, Korean, Ukrainian, Spanish and others. We celebrated with vigour the feasts of Sts. Lucia, John Climacus, and various other “minor” Saints’ feast days.

In addition to my growing in love for the liturgy, my spiritual director, Fr. Bob Sharkey, OP led me on the path to a deeper and more fruitful prayer life. Before I spent time at Madonna House, I had hardly ever prayed to the Holy Spirit. I would often, and most usually, pray to God as Lord, and sometimes Father, less frequently Son, and hardly ever as Holy Spirit. He taught me this prayer: “Heavenly King, Consoler, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, treasury of blessings and giver of life; come and dwell in us and cleanse us from all stain and save our souls O’ Good One.” Fr. Sharkey, also encouraged my personal prayer time in addition to the communal prayer time. We always said Morning Prayer together and Lectio Divina after lunch, and had daily Mass, and Rosary as well. Father encouraged my evening prayer, and night prayer for my personal peace and sanctity.

As part of the programme that I was in I, with two other young men my age, attended four hours of class a week. Throughout the time I spent there, we studied liturgical prayer in the book God Acts, We React by Msgr. Tom Rowland. It is my understanding that this book is used in many, seminaries in North America. Our course was taught by Msgr. Rowland himself. We also studied Pastores Dabo Vobis, Redemptoris Mater, Redemptionis Sacramentum, and briefly looked at Fides et Ratio and Veritatis Splendor. We watched the video series by Dr. Scott Hahn Our Father’s Plan, and read his books Rome Sweet Home, and A Father Who Keeps His Promises.

As a member of the community it was part of my responsibility to help keep the community running, and in shape. As a short recap of some of the tasks we (my brothers and I) helped with throughout the year; we helped harvest the crops, clean, transport and prepare them for eating. We shoveled snow, cleaned stables, received, sorted, packaged, transported and distributed donations; we sorted boxes, destroyed boxes, helped in the slaughter and many other things. We learned another dictum which really helped us with the monotony and the toil; “Do little things well, for love of God.” And Blessed Mother Theresa’s saying “There are no great deeds, only little deeds done with great love” helped as well.

Overall, my experience of being denied sponsorship, and then being sent to Madonna House and finally to the seminary couldn’t have been anything less than a blessing, and a gift. I can recognize now that I was not ready for seminary, and I am aware that never will I be worthy of it. However with God’s grace, and my desire to love and serve Him, I am sure that whatever mountain that He puts in front of me, I’ll make it up as long as I trust in Him.

\\//

We must all trust in Him and His way for us.

Gaude Natus ad me!

Happy birthday to me! On October 6th I'll be flying home, and then flying back out on October 10th.

On Saturday 7 October, my 22nd Birthday, there will be funness and happiness involving smoke and liquor. And probably a good deal of happy conversation. If you're thinking of a gift, bring yourself. If you must, bring an offering of incense, or smokes. I'm always in the market for a new pipe. But, yourself is always sufficient.

Please consider this an open invitation if anyone's in the area. I'll be inviting a few explicitly, but everyone else is implicitly invited!

Valete fratrem meum et Benedicant Deus!

-D the Dragonslayer

Oh Israel, what have you done now?

Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Olmert was born the three years before the re-establishment of the State of Israel and has been in politics since 1981. Being a former soldier and a volunteer in the IDF, one would think that he would have some sense of history.

One could argue, and I would, that Israel has the right to protect itself against all aggressors internal and otherwise, and the abduction of two of it's soldiers is certainly a grievous act of aggression. One could also argue that if a nation will not do it's part to rid itself of aggressors (Lebanon to Hezbollah) then the aggrieved nation would have recourse to invasion. But is it prudent?

In June of 1914, Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (AHE). This Sarajevo-assassination launched a string of dominos that could not be stopped. The AHE declared war on Serbia, and was assisted by Germany. Russia came to the defense of Serbia. Germany invaded Luxembourg, and France and Britain came to the defense of the small Nation-State, and all hell broke loose.

Now imagine this in the Middle East ninety-some-odd years later, where tensions run high as it is, and many pundits, mullahs and heads of government have declared their intention and desire to "push Israel into the sea." I'm not sure how wise it is to unilaterally bombard, and attack another nation when you are literally surrounded by Lebanon's allies. One must assume that if Lebanon is threatened (read invaded), Syria will come to their aid, Yemen, Jordan, Iran and Egypt, who itself must still be seething from the effects of the 6 Day war, accompanied by the entire host of fundamentalist Islamic nations who are vehemently opposed to the very existence of Israel. One must also recognize the likeliness of the United States, the World's last super-power, getting involved; as well as the United Kingdom and possibly even the United Farce, er Nations becoming embroiled in the conflict, as it was by United Nations 1947 Partition Plan that the State of Israel was created.

I just simply ask that you reflect upon this brief recap of history and this vague prediction of the future if Israel continues on it's course. I would be happy for your comments and observations.

With great fear and trepidation that we are standing on the threshold of World War III and, God forbid, a nuclear conflict I remain yours,

D

"We will fight terror wherever it is because if we do not fight it, it will fight us. If we don't reach it, it will reach us."

- Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, Israeli ACoS

Edit: Apparently Frm. Secretary of State Madeline Albrite agrees with me. ( Watch ) this FoxNews interview.

Second star on the right, and straight on 'till morning!

So my friends, we're on a journey; About to enter another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. Next stop, Virginia!
Virginia, where the women are serene, full bosomed, every one a queen, for they are Lees, damnit, Lees of Old Virginia!

Pease pardon those bizarre outbursts -- Ten points to whoever can accurately name all three 'quasi-quotations.' I am actually on my way to Virginia. Heading down to the Ol' UVA to visit Mistresses Laura Clapp and Elissa Kaufhombre, and possibly Mistress Bridget Prisk in Virginia Beach. I plan to be there until a week from today, being Tuesday the 18^th of July.

I am currently in Waterbury, CT, in the home of Mr., Mrs., Michael and Caity Casey. I am spending the night here after having a pleasant evening. In the morning we plan on attending (defined: fully, actively and knowingly participating in) the Celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. And after the H.S.o.t. Mass, we'll breakfast and then, once again I shall be rollin', rollin', rollin' on a river; much like Proud Mary (CCR). Estimating my time of arrival in Charlottesville, VA to be around 1800hrs (6:00pm).

And so, for now, this weary traveler is going to lay his weary head. And until we meet at last, God Bless, God Bless.

FORWARD HO!