A CHRISTMAS HYMN Adeste, Fideles

Roman Catholic Daily Missal    1962


O come, all ye faithful, triumphantly sing!  Come, see in the manger, the Angel's dread King!
To Bethlehem hasten, with joyful accord; oh, hasten! oh, hasten!  To worship the Lord.

True Son of the Father, He comes from the skies; the womb of the Virgin He doth not despise;
Not made but begotten, the Lord of all might, true God of true God, true Light of true Light!

Hark! to the Angels, all singing to heaven, "To God in the highest high glory be given."

To Thee, then, O Jesus, this day of Thy birth, be glory and honor, through heaven and earth!
True Godhead incarnate, omnipotent Word, Oh hasten! oh, hasten! to worship the Lord.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

ANTIPHONS (following Vespers)

1. (Joel 2:1)  Blow ye the tumpet in Sion, for the day of the Lord is near:  behold He shall come to save us, alleluia, alleluia!

2. (Agg. 2:8)  Behold the Desired of all nations shall come:  and the house of the Lord shall be filled with glory, alleluia.

3. (Is. 40:4)  The crooked shall become straight, and the rough ways plain:  come, O Lord, and tarry not, alleluia.

4. (Is. 9:6)  The Lord shall come, go forth to meet Him, saying:  Great is His sovereignty, and of His kingdom there shall be no end:  God the mighty, the Lord, the Prince of peace, alleluia, alleluia.

5. (Wis. 18: 15)  Thine almighty Word, O Lord, shall come forth from Thy royal throne, alleluia.

Antiphon at the Magnificat:  O Antiphon, according to the day:

THE GREATER ADVENT ANTIPHONS OR GREAT O's

December 17  Ecclus. 24:5; Wis. 8:1     O Wisdom, Which camest out of the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: come and teach us the way of prudence.

December 18  Ex. 3:2; 20:1     O Adonai, and Leader of the house of Israel, Who didst appear to Moses in the flame of the burning bush, and didst give unto him the law on Sinai:  come and with an outstretched arm
redeem us.

December 19  Is. 11:10     O Root of Jesse, Which standest for an ensign of the people, before Whom kings shall keep silence, Whom the Gentiles shall beseech:  come and deliver us, and tarry not.

December 20  Is. 22:22;
                       Apoc. 3:7; Lk. 1:79     O Key of David, and Scepter of the house of Israel, that openest and no man shutteth, and shuttest and no man openeth: come and bring the prisoner forth from the prison-house, and him that sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death.

December 21  Ps. 106:10     O Day-Spring, Brightness of light eternal, and Sun of Justice, come and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

December 22  Agg. 2:8;
                       Eph. 2:14,20     O King of the Gentiles and the desire thereof, Thou cornerstone that makest both one, come and deliver mankind, whom Thou didst form out of clay.

December 23 Is. 7:14; 33:22     O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the desire of the nations and the Savior thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God.

Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday

This Sunday, the third of Advent, is known as "gaudete Sunday" for the latin word which means "rejoice."  It is taken from the Introit to the Mass which is Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always..."  The usual violet vestment colors of Advent are replaced this day with pink/rose to remind us of the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ on Christmas.  We are encouraged during this penitential season to still "rejoice" at the dawn of the Son of Righteousness.

Roman Catholic Daily Missal         1962

On this day the Church urges us to gladness in the middle of this time of expectation and penance.  The coming of Jesus approaches more and more.  St. John, the holy precursor, announces to the Jews the coming of the Savior.  "The Savior," he says to them, "lives already among us, though unknown.  He will soon appear openly."  Now is the time for fervent prayers and for imploring Jesus to remain with us by His mercy.  Let us prepare the way for Him by repentance and penance and by a worthy reception of the Sacraments.  All the prayers of this Mass are filled with what the Church wishes our souls to possess at the approach of the Savior.

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

December 8       The Roman Catholic Daily Missal   1962

"I will put enmities between thee and the woman."  In these words the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was announced to our first parents.  It was to be the reversal of the friendship with the serpent contracted by Eve, when she listened to his voice and fell under his power.  The second Eve was never to be under the power of the devil;  the enmity between them was to admit of no possible exception.  This involved the grace of being conceived immaculate.  Mary's Immaculate Conception was the foundation of all her graces.  The absence of any stain or spot of sin distinguished her from all the rest of mankind.  It distinguished her from the holiest of the saints, since they, one and all, were sinners.  Her perfect sinlessness was the source of all her glory and all her majesty;  it was this which opened the door of the unlimited graces that she received from God;  it was this that qualified her for her divine maternity, and raised her to her throne as Queen of heaven.
          "O Queen, conceived without original sin, pray for us, who have recourse to thee."

Obama Administrative Change

I must begin this blog with an unequivocal disclaimer:  I cut my political teeth during the Reagan years and, with a few exploratory ventures that were more academic than anything, have remained a conservative in that sense.  I say this to start because the position I take here is actually from a pro-Obama point of view.  More precisely, if I were given the charge to gain President Obama's re-election next year, what would I do?   Well, there are any number of steps that the president could/should take to win four more years but these would more likely fall into the goals of the Republican challenger (God help us with the current choices; these may be the only factor that Obama needs to secure another term).  Instead, I will suggest but one change he needs to make to solidify his base, reach out to other Democrats, and garner the coveted middle-ground and undecided voters:  tell Joe Biden he has served his purpose, whatever that was, and name Hillary Clinton to join him on the ticket. 

Now I'm sure most of you have heard this canard before and additionally will opine, "she doesn't want to play Obama's second fiddle anyway."  To which I retort, "not so fast this time."  There is no question that Ms. Hillary wants to wear the big pants in the Oval Office; shoot she had done so in her marriage to Bill all those years anyway.  If she were asked to become V.P. for his second term, just one "hear beat away" from the presidency, Obama could follow the advice of Don Corleone who said to keep your friends close but your enemies closer.  Having Hillary under his eyes in the West Wing, instead of off trotting the globe wispering lies and damnable lies in the ears of our erstwile "allies", would be one less worry for Obama's troubled brow.  For Ms. Clinton, she positions herself for a most formidable run at the presidency in 2016, heir to continue the "legacy" which President Obama will leave her (exactly what that will be by that time is anyone's guess).

As vice president Clinton she will have abundant opportunites to garner the white-hot spotlight of the D.C. press, in full view of the American people she so desparately wants to lead from the Oval Office.  A stark contrast to state dinners with rag-tag despots in third world hell holes which no one hears about anyway.  Where exactly is Madame Secretary these days?  With Hillary as his veep for the 2012 election, Obama curries the favor of all those who supported her run at him last time as they will have visions of her presidency four years later.  The president further solidifies votes from more moderate liberals who will view her as a steadying and centrist figure in the next administration while at the same time tantallizing the feminist wing of the party, well both parties (yes there are feminist conservatives as well) who simply want to see "one of us" be president. 

What possible Republican ticket could produce a challenge to an Obama/Clinton one?  The one that says wait until 2016 and hope to God that Obama's second term collapses under the crushing political and economic weight of "four more years."

BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

The first Sunday of the month at Saint Michael the Archangel's parish following mass is the ancient exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.  I am a member of this parish in Roswell, Georgia and while today was the second Sunday in Advent we still observed this venerable and holy rite of the Roman Catholic Church.  During this time, while the sacred Host of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ is adored in the golden monstrance, is chanted the ancient Pange Lingua, otherwise known as the Tantum Ergo in Latin.  What follows is the english translation:

Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory of His Flesh the mystery sing;
Of His Blood all price exceeding, shed by our immortal King,
Destined for the world's redemption from a noble womb to spring.

Of a pure and spotless Virgin, born for us on earth below,
He, as Man with men conversing, stayed the seeds of truth to sow.
Then He closed in solemn order wonderously His life of woe.

On the night of that last supper, seated with His chosen band,
He, the paschal victim eating, first fulfills the Law's command;
Then as food to all His brethren gives Himself with His own Hand.

Word made Flesh, the bread of nature by His word to Flesh He turns;
Wine into His Blood He changes: what though sense no change discerns,
Only be the heart in earnest, faith her lesson quickly learns.

Down in adoration falling, lo, the sacred Host we hail,
Lo, o'er ancient forms departing newer rites of grace prevail:
Faith for all defects supplying, where the feeble senses fail.

To the everlasting Father and the Son Who reigns on high
With the Holy Ghost proceeding forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing, might and endless majesty.
Amen.

V.  Thou hast given them bread from heaven. Alleluia.
R.  Containing in itself all sweetness. Alleluia

Let us pray.  O God, Who under a wonderful Sacrament hast left us a memorial of Thy Passion; grant us,
we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, that we may ever feel within
us the fruit of Thy redemption:  Who livest and reignest. Amen.

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Hymn, Roman Catholic Daily Missal 1962

Creator of the stars of night, Thy people's everlasting light,
Jesu, Redeemer, save us all, And hear Thy servants when they call.

Thou, lest the demon's ancient curse, Should doom to death a universe,
In love wast made, Thyself alone, The means to save a world undone.

Towards the cross Thou wentest forth, That Thou might'st heal the crimes of earth;
Proceeding from a virgin shrine, The spotless Victim all divine.

At Whose dread name, majestic now, All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
And things celestial Thee shall own, And things terrestrial, Lord alone.

O Thou, Whose coming is with dread, To judge and doom the quick and dead.
Thy heavenly grace on us bestow, To shield us from our ghostly foe.

To God the Father, God the Son, And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Laud, honor, might, and glory be From age to age eternally.  Amen.

V. (Is. 45:8) Ye heavens, drop down dew from above, and let the clouds rain down the Just One.
R. Let the earth open and bud forth the Savior.

ANTIPHON AT THE MAGNIFICAT      Lk. 1:30,31

Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with the Lord:  behold thou shalt conceive, and shalt bring forth a son, alleluia.

The Presentation of The Blessed Virgin Mary - Nov. 21

Roman Catholic Daily Missal - 1962

As soon as she could walk, Mary was brought to the Temple by her holy parents, Joachim and Anne.  With what an ecstasy of delight she must have entered into the Temple, crying out:  "How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts; my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord." (Ps. 83:1,2)  Have I any of the same desire to consecrate my life to the Lord?

O God, Who didst will that this day the ever blessed Virgin Mary, dwelling-place of the Holy Ghost, should be presented in the temple:  grant, we beseech Thee, that through her intecession, we may be worthy to be presented in the temple of Thy glory.  Through our Lord.                         
                                                                                       --  Collect of the Mass

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to Thee, holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God:  and that we should praise and bless and proclaim Thee in the Presentation of the blessed Mary ever Virgin:  who conceived Thine only-begotten Son by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost, and the glory of her virginity still abiding, gave forth to the world the eternal Light, Jesus Christ our Lord:  through Whom Angels praise Thy Majesty, Dominations worship, Powers stand in awe:  the Heavens and the hosts of heaven with blessed Seraphim unite, exult, and celebrate;  and we entreat that Thou wouldst bid our voices also to be heard with theirs, singing with lowly praise:
           Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts.  Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.  Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is He Who cometh in the name of the Lord.  Hosonna in the highest.

                                           -- Preface of the Blessed Virgin with The Sanctus 

Believing Him

John 11:26 "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?"

The strength of commitment that we have to our Lord Jesus Christ is challenged in so many ways today.  So much of our lives is sadly weak and superficial as to not warrant the drawing of the shades each morning.  We tend to live our days waiting for the next high point of excitment and satisfaction, expecting God to cater to our whims and fancies.  When our times are not filled with these exhilarating pinnacles of inspiration, do we not find ourselves simply trudging along and groaning "woe is me?"  What a poor and sickly form of Christianity this is.  Yea, in so doing we trample underfoot the very excellence, beauty, and grace of our precious Savior.  The faith that Jesus requires is no less than that which the Holy Spirit provides for fill us to overflowing.  However, it is up to us to make the decision how we will live; the Lord cannot and will not do that for us.  Man is created in the image of God and with that includes the privilege and responsibility to believe and act in our world.  Jesus Christ gave Himself to the point of death to set us free from the law, sin, and separation.  By surrendering ourselves to His good and gracious plans for our lives, we open the door to innumerable and eternal blessings poured out from His heavenly throne.  Patient perseverance in faith and it shall be accomplished.  Do you believe this?

The Feast of All Saints - Nov. 1

HYMN - Roman Catholic Daily Missal, 1962

The Father's pardon from above, O Christ, bestow, Thy servants spare;
And, bending from Thy throne of love, Regard the Blessed Virgin's prayer.

Bright Angels, happy evermore, Who in your circles nine ascend,
As ye have guarded us before, So still from future ills defend.

Ye prophets, and apostles high, Forgiveness for our sins entreat,
Who for our faults now weeping cry, Before the dread Lord's judgment seat.

Ye purple-clad, the Martyr band, Confessors, too, a shining train,
O call us to our native land, From this our exile, back again.

Ye choirs of virgins, pure and chaste, Ye hermits, who from deserts bare,
To heaven were called: O bid us haste, The thrones of Saints on high to share.

From Christian realms chase for away, The faithless host of evil men;
That all beneath one Shepherd's sway, Within one fold may come again.

To God the Father glory be, And to the sole-begotten Son,
With Holy Ghost eternally, While everlasting ages run.  Amen.

V. Be glad, O ye just, and rejoice in the Lord.
R. And be joyful all ye that are right of heart.

ANTIPHON AT THE MAGNIFICAT

O ye Angels and Archangels, Thrones and Dominions, Principalities and Powers, ye Hosts of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, ye Partiarchs and Prophets, and holy Doctors of the law, Apostles, and all Martyrs of Christ, holy Confessors and Virgins of the Lord, Hermits and all Saints, intercede for us.

Pride or the Lord?

"It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one's own glory is not glory."  Prov. 25:27

     There is a deep desire within the heart of sinful man to attain a level of esteem and preeminence.  All of us want to be known as being special and having a unique talent or gift that will somehow enhance and validate our yet infinitely meager existence.  In our effort to strive and achieve importance, we often stoop to extremely low levels in hopes of actually elevating our standing among others.  While we seek to be a star in the celestial expanse, all objectivity and perspective become warped as we exhalt ourselves as the new self-centered, egotistical "I AM."  It is at this point that our whole world comes crashing in on us.  For we have sought to lay claim to that which is eternal, and that is a condition we have absolutely no right to whatsoever outside of the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We place ourselves on the throne of a kingdom that exists only in the dark corridors of our fallen imagination.  God will share His power and glory with none other.  We have been bought by the priceless blood of the Son of the Most High.  There is nothing that we have done to deserve God's pardon, being but children of dust.  Therefore, "[H]e who glories, let him glory in the Lord" (1 Cor. 1:31).

Consecration Of The Human Race To The Sacred Heart Of Jesus

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thy altar.  We are Thine, and Thine we wish to be; but to be more surely united to Thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Thy most Sacred Heart.

Many indeed have never known Thee; many, too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee.  Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart.  Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee.  Grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.

Be Thou King of all those who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry and Islamism and refuse not to draw them all into the light and kingdom of God.  Turn Thine eyes of mercy upon the children of that race, once Thy chosen people.  Of old they called down upon themselves the Blood of the Savior; may it now descend upon them a laver of redemption and of life.

Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church, assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry:  Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and honor forever.  Amen.

           (ordered by His Holiness Pope Pius XI, December 11, 1925)  5 years indulgence

Imitation of Christ by Thomas a` Kempis

As the back of my copy of this book states, "After the Bible, The Imitation of Christ is the all-time favorite book of Catholics throughout the world and during the more than 500 years since its first appearance."  I would simply like to allow the author to speak for himself as I pull out some of my favorites from this classic.

"I had rather live a good life than a long life."
"Verily, when the Day of Judgment comes, we shall not be examined on what we have read, but what we have done; nor how learnedly we have spoken, but how religiously we have lived."
"It is then by resisting our passions, that we are to find true peace of heart, and not by being slaves to them."
"He that seeks here any other thing, than purely God and the salvation of his soul, will find nothing but trouble and sorrow."

And this certainly one of my favorites, especially in our day and age, is actually quoted from the Roman philosopher Seneca:  "As often as I have been amongst men, I have returned less a man."

"If thou wouldst oftener think of thy death than of a long life, no doubt thou wouldst more fervently amend thyself."
"When a certain person in anxiety of mind was often wavering between hope and fear, and, on a time, being overwhelmed with grief, had prostrated himself in prayer in the church before a certain altar, he resolved these things within himself saying, 'If I did but know that I should persevere'; and presently he heard within himself this answer from God:  'And if thou didst know this what  wouldst thou do?  Do now what thou wouldst then do , and thou shalt be very secure.'
"When a man is come to this, that he seeks comfort from nothing created, then he begins perfectly to relish God; then likewise will he be well content, however matters happen to him. 
  Then will he neither rejoice for much, nor be sorrowful for little, but will commit himself wholly and confidently to God, who is to him all in all; to whom nothing perishes or dies, but all things live to Him and serve Him at a nod without delay."
I desire "to live under the eye of Jesus Christ by means of recollection, in His hands by resignation, and at His feet by humility."
"...for a good conscience is that which is either exempt from sin by fidelity, or cleansed from it by repentance."
God says to us, "I am accustomed to visit My elect in two ways, that is by trial and by comfort.  And I read them daily two lessons, one to rebuke their vices, the other to exhort them to the increase of virtues."
"Write, read, sing, sigh , keep silence, pray, bear thy crosses manfully; eternal life is worthy of all these, and greater combats."
"...hence are we constrained to fight incessantly against the motions of nature, and to follow those of grace.  Without offering this holy violence to ourselves, by which we subdue and renounce our own inclinations, it would be impossible to be saved."
"Boast not in the stature nor beauty of thy body, which is spoiled and disfigured by a little sickness."
"Faithfulness can never be measured in terms of success, but only in terms of commitment."
"Thou knowest what is expedient for my progress [Lord], and how serviceable tribulation  is to rub away the rust of sin."
"We are all frail: but see thou think no one more frail than thyself."

And lastly, "But he who has not his heart within, nor God before his eyes, is easily moved with a word of censure.  Whereas he that trusts in Me, and desires not to stand by his own judgment, will be free from the fear of men."

Friends, I earnestly encourage you to invest in this paperback treasury of gems from one of the great hearts and minds of Catholic history.  Regardless of your Christian heritage you owe it to yourself, especially if you have been moved by some of these brief quotations. 

Go with God!

"Waiting for Wings" Isaiah 40:31

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."


"Wait."  Oh, don't we love that word!  What?!  You're telling me to wait?  We have fast food, high-speed internet, world-wide satellite cable connections that bring anything and everything into our living rooms instantaneously, cell-phones, emails, Facebook, on and on... And did I say they are fast!  Yet God is telling us to wait.  Yes, Lord grant me patience NOW!  You see when we wait on all of these temporal, worldly things we will be disappointed in short order.  You know what I'm talking about; the fast food line isn't so fast (and the food, well...);  the computer system crashes or a virus invades; a storm knocks out the satellite reception, and the cell phone won't function clearly, if at all, with the person your talking with.
But that is not what the verse says.  Let us read on, "But they that wait upon the Lord.  Now that is where our focus must be if we are not to be let down.  "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth:  for I am God, and there is none else" (Is. 45:22).  "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last" (Rev. 1:11).  These are the very words of Jesus Christ Himself, the Lord who is changeless and faithful when all around us in this world is always changing, and often for the worse.
Those who focus on Him "shall renew their strength."  Oh, how we are tired and worn out so much of the time.  The rat race is all-consuming and as it has been said the rats are winning.  But our God is omnipotent, all-powerful and ever ready to come to our aid.  "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength" (Is. 40:29). 
"They shall mount up with wings as eagles."  What a beautiful picture!  Can you see that majestic bird even now my soul?  The eagle not so much flapping it's wings but rather gliding, sailing throught the air, seemingly without effort.  The eagle has learned how to actually use the harsh currents of the wind, the very air that seems bent on hurling it to the ground in destruction, as the means to rise above it's trials and tribulations.  The Lord Jesus has given each one of us a set of spiritual wings with which we too can rise above our pains and sorrows through having  recourse to prayer, that too often forgotten weapon.  "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31). 
"They shall run, and not be weary."  Again, we are beset by so many demands each day from family and work that to run our course to the end of the week just seems impossible.  How will I make it through this week, there is just not enough time?  We become exhausted just thinking of what lies ahead.
"They shall walk, and not faint."  Each day becomes a monumental task that would cause us to faint straightaway.  One day at a time can be much easier to say than do.  We wake up each day and instead of beaming "good morning, Lord!" we groan, "good Lord... it's morning."  Yet remember, who is our focus to be upon?  If it is upon ourselves or our fellow companions we will quickly be weak and weary, ready to faint.  But thank the Lord we have a Savior who is mighty to save!  Let Jesus Christ be your Guardian, Guide, and Stay and you will never be defeated by life's tempests.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."  And all God's children said, Amen. 

Catholic Tradition since Vatican II

The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) ushered in not so much a series of changes in the Catholic Church as it brought about a major revolution. While it is beyond the pervue of this article to address every facet of the Council, we will try to touch upon what we see as some of the more salient results. I would commend to my reader the voluminous trilogy by Michael Davies: Cranmer's Godly Order, Pope John's Council, and Pope Paul's New Mass for a most thorough history of the changes that have taken place within the Church and that ultimately led to the tragic consequences of Vatican II, along with the struggle to preserve the changeless Mass of all time.

I would start out by making some observations regarding the Novus Ordo Mass that was the result of the Second Vatican Council. One thing that always bothered me when Holy Communion was given was the unanimous receiving of the Host in the hands of the communicants, and that virtually always being distributed by laymen, not the priest. I thought, how could I, or any other sinner, dare to abuse our Lord by handling His sacred Person myself? It is the priest, set apart through the sacrament of Holy Orders, who is the only acceptable person deemed worthy by our Lord to consecrate and distribute His sacred Body and Blood. Reception of the Host is to be on the tongue. This practice dates back explicitly to Pope Pius V (1566-1572). As Davies points out, Pius' Bull Quo Primum Tempore in 1570 "did not legislate on the manner in which Mass should be celebrated but gave legal sanction to the manner in which the Mass was being celebrated.  The primary characteristic of liturgical development until Vatican II was that legislation codified development, not that development was initiated by legislation" (Pope Paul's New Mass).  What this says is that from the night our Lord first instituted the Blessed Sacrament, the Mass had been conducted the same way, passed on by the apostles, to the time of Pius V.  It was his pontificate that simply set out and codified that liturgical form of the Mass of all time.  The Second Vatican Council had no authority to alter the decrees of two hundred and sixty previous papacies back to Saint Peter himself. 

With the loss of the sense of the Sacred in the Mass that resulted after Vatican II, it is no surprise that the sense of one's sinfulness was largely lost as well.  Enter the forgotten Sacrament of Penance.  With most parishes numbering in the hundereds of families is it not a bit surprising to see only perhaps a dozen penitents in line for confession each week?  Is Rome readying itself for an enormous canonization ceremony with all of these saints in our very midst?  Well, you know who you are; point made I believe.

Lastly, but certainly not least, is the loss of a spirit of prayer.  When the loss of the sacred is combined with a loss of our sense of sin, surely then prayerlessness will follow.  As but one example, how many parishes still hold regular Rosaries before Mass or during the week?  For those who believe the Rosary is just a superstitious practice for old ladies may we remind our readers that the fifteen traditional  mysteries are the prayers of the gospel!  From the Annunciation to the Nativity, from the Agony in the Garden to the Crucifixion, from the Resurrection to our Lord's Ascension and Descent of the Holy Ghost, these are facts recorded in the Bible.  Our Lady's Assumption and Coronation are events that can be deduced from other parts of scripture such as the Apocalypse chapter 12.  Such prayer will surely be heard by our Lord on behalf of His Mother and ours'.

We could go on to discuss the grave crisis in vocations, the closing of seminaries, and the emptying of  the pews and churches by those who have grown up in the wake of the Second Vatican Council.  When the divine liturgy that was established by the Good God Himself, He who does not change, was jettisoned as the direct result of Vatican II for a "protestantized" communion service, we have the desolation of the Traditional Roman Catholic Church.  The Altar was torn down for a table facing the congregation, thereby destroying the very sacrificial nature of the Mass:  a sacrifice, which is what our Lord became for us, requires an Altar not a table for a meal which suited our Protestant friends just fine thank you.  May I go further and claim there is no difference today between a Novus Ordo Mass and an episcopal communion service, or any other protestant communion service for that matter. 

To close may I strongly encourage my Catholic friends, if there is any possible way, to seek out and attend a Traditional Tidentine Mass.  You owe it to yourself to discover the rich historical legacy of the Church.  If you are looking for something more deep, profound, and intimate with the Good God I can guarantee you will not be disappointed and you will never go back to what you were before. 

Democracy or Aristocracy?

With the countdown on in the looming American debt crisis the whole situation would be comical if it didn't have such tragic implications. While the partisan finger pointing continues "our" polarized democracy careens towards the precipice of self-destruction. The matter of who is to blame has long ago become obsolete. Can a governmental structure such as we have long continue to survive? Should it?

Let us remember that this experiment we call "government by the people, for the people" is still an infant in the larger historical context. A system that is just over two hundred years old is a mere blip on the radar of human societies. Ostensibly voting for one's leaders is such a trivial notion that all but our most recent progenitors would never recognize it, let alone endorse it. I would argue that the most common form of government since the rise of the nation-state some six hundred years ago has been one manifestation of aristocracy or another.

Now before the reader gets worked up over this supposition let us keep firmly in mind the situation in which the United States now finds itself. The political system under which we live is gravely ill if it doesn't already have a foot in the grave. How did this happen you ask? The give and take of compromise which makes up a "healthy" democracy (an oxymoron?) has become morbidly emaciated. Does not the very sight of what is taking place in D.C. make every sane person want to become violently ... well violent? For past elections, certainly since the advent of mass comunications, political posts have been open to the highest bidder, not the most qualified. I do believe that the White House has long had a "FOR SALE" sign on it. Politicians as well as pundits no longer make any pretense about it when discussing upcoming elections that it is the candidate who can raise the most money, the one with the deepest pockets, the one to amass the largest war chest, who will win office. I suppose that gives the word "win" a whole new meaning.

Now in truth I am not advocating the development of a ruling aristocracy; just a casual review of history gives light to the tragic abuses and other forms of corruption that plagued millions under that yoke. Yet certainly there is a better way in which to discern our leaders other than their ability to make persuasive speeches or outspend their rivals only to act like selfish children once in office. There is no arguing that the current president is one of if not the least experienced man to hold this highest office. By the same token, many congressmen have a great deal of experience in legislating but it is that very entrenched careerism that spawns the corruption we have been witnessing. "Off with their heads!"

I supppose until we can find a way to truly measure the worth of the man or woman to be elected, for it is indeed the quality of the ingredients that determine the tastefulness of the cake, we will be forced to do a better job at our homework before casting our ballot. When we can achieve that level of aristocracy, men and women worthy to lead based on their merits alone, then perhaps we may create a new age of enlightenment.

[writer's note: my dog just came up to me after I gave her a bath today and reminded me that despite the mess our nation is in, yes, dogs still rule!]

Of (More) Dogs and Men

On my previous post I expounded on the virtues of our dearly departed dog Oreo. He cannot be replaced. Yet considering that I have been volunteering at the Canine Assistants Center down the road, working with dogs in various ways in order to acquaint them with a person in a wheelchair (yours truly), I suppose it was not altogether surprising that an opportunity to adopt another dog would soon follow. A brief aside: the Canine Assistants Center, or CA, has an awful lot of dogs on their property which is affectionately know as "the farm." These range from whelping pups to grizzled two year olds. Yet just like their bipedaled friends (us humans), dogs have differing personalities and temperments, thus not all are going to become full-service, in public dogs. If you knew my father you would understand and be very grateful for this distinction. Additionally, waiting lists nationally for full-service dogs can be as long as six or seven years.
One of the dogs that I had worked with several times was an eighteen month old female named Jules. Jules is a very smart golden retriever mix who despite her intelligence has a quirky, skitterish personality and so would never become a public service dog. She is far too excitable and easily loses attention and concentration. In all this she in not unlike many blonde women I have known (now I have done it; pay no heed to the man behind the curtain). Still, Jules' trainer remarked with great surprise that from the moment I first encountered her, Jules was so much more calm and following of my commands and lead than she had ever witnessed. Expert trainers will tell you that it is the dog that chooses the future owner, not the other way around. This too has been my lonely experience with members of the fairer sex.
If you are a keen observer, you can probably tell where this is all leading. Having gone through all of the files of potential owners and finding no suitable matches, including the no-show of a would be match, Jules' trainer approached me and asked if I would be willing to give her a try. The rest is as they say "history." I have had Jules now for over two weeks, or maybe more accurately she has had me. As I write this she is sleeping at my feet in the cool of our basement, escaping from a sweltering Georgia June afternoon. The emptiness of this basement that a month ago was heartwrending has been filled with the youthful excitement of my spastic, joyful, flakey, loving, devious, loyal new companion. With my apologies to all lovers of the vast multiplicity of our animal friends around the globe: excuse me but DOGS RULE!!!!

Of Dogs and Men

When I first moved to Georgia last October to live with my sister and family, they had a great dog named Oreo. He was a black lab with white markings on his chest, paws and face. O.K. maybe the white on his face was grey hair. In any event, as I said Oreo was indeed a great dog from the moment I arrived, most always laid back and calm: except when it was time to eat. At this point in time he would break into what I could only describe as his pattented "dinner dance." Keep in mind Oreo was over twelve years old ( that's 50,000 years old for humans I'm told, but I question the reliability of my source). Oreo would circle around the floor almost like chasing his tail but always with an eye on you as you bagan to prepare his meal. He would also give little jumps in the air and pant with uncontrolable ecstasy. It was quite the sight. When he finished his meal he would retire to his bed in the corner, thoroughly contented or exhausted I'm not quite sure which. Later before the end of the evening, we fed him around eight, Oreo would often engage in a robust game of tug-a-war with his favorite tug-toy. Again amazing energy for a 50,000 year old dog. He was like Yoda who normally gimped slowly around all day but when he broke out that light saber he was suddenly the bionic man.
Oreo's heart and entire inner being was so full of love of life and especially love for his masters that one afternoon we got home and could quickly see he was not well at all. As has been said in another context, and forgive me for borrowing, Oreo had given his last full measure of devotion. He was given peace that night. My eyes well even now as I write this. I will end with this unknown quote:

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

Couch-potato Christianity

Tonight I attended a Bible study where we discussed the trials of the early church that begins to be fleshed out in the book of Acts. As the historical record makes clear, not just the bible but extra-biblical sources of the first several centuries after the resurrection of our Lord, these Christians faced unimaginable persecution. That is why they were forced underground into the dark, cold catacombs to practice their faith. People don't do such things if their lives are not at risk. "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." Precisely when the enemies of Christ thought they had aborted this infant movement, those so persecuted rose up to spread the gospel around the entire Mediterranean world.
Would we do the same today? In our cities and suburbs we can find churches mere blocks away from each other, all well heated or air-conditioned with cushioned theater seats and uplifting "I'm o.k you're o.k." messages. Don't want to upset anyone, especially when the offering plate makes the rounds. And just to make things convenient, like drive-thru fast food open at any hour, we can chose any service time to attend.
"Don't cramp my style, besides the game starts in half an hour".
God help us. If the church had to have been started in the 21st century, we would still be praying to rocks and trees. But the good news is that it is not left in the hands of weak, fallible sinners like us. The church came from the side of the crucified Lord of life and belongs to Him alone. As Christ declared to Peter after the apostle's confession of His being the messiah, "thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build MY church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"(Matt. 16:18). The gates of hell have indeed been trying since the beginning of the church. They have yet to succeed. With Christ for us they won't. "And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world"(Matt. 28:20).

"Veni, Vidi, ..."

For starters, we have all come to something and that something is right now.  The past cannot be undone, and what lies in the furture is all hypothetical.  That leaves you right here, now, reading this blog.  "Wherever you are be all there" is a timely quote from somewhere in the recesses of my memory whose author I fail to remember.  Leaving all philosophical questions aside for now, I suppose my chief objective in this endeavor is to try and grapple with some of the current events of the day through the prism of their possible politcal, religious, historical and well, all right, their philosophical implications.  If you're confused right now that makes two of us.  Coming from an undergraduate degree background of politcal science and history, along with a graduate degree experience involving theology and psychology, this could be either thoroughly stimulating or sedatively boring.  Oh, did I mention that five months after graduating from college I contracted spinal meningitis, nearly died, and have lived ever since partially paraplegic with an acute hearing loss?  Just details.
We will have time enough to cover all of that and much more in the future . . . or will we?