Humane Vitae

This year is the 40th anniversary of HV. I think the contraception rule must be the most flouted of all the Church's teachings. I only know one Catholic couple who are not and have never used any form of contraception. I know a wonderful Catholic woman who goes to Mass every Sunday and sees nothing wrong in taking the pill. I've heard brave young priests defend HV from the pulpit only to face hard strares and muttering from the pews. A good chunk of the laity has chosen to do as they please.

And let's not forget the priests and nuns who are loud about their rejection of HV. Perhaps it eases their consciences about not following all the requirements of the religious life.

Pope Paul VI , the author of Humanae Vitae was such a tragic figure. Was his heart completely broken by the time he reached his death bed? His predictions about widespread use of contraception have come true : women are less respected, children are less loved and Western society totters along like an old druken, syphillis ridden whore who is heavily painted up to look young and healthy from a distance.

Father forgive them for they know not what they do

The college professor that I mentioned in an earlier post claims to have desecrated a stolen Host. I won't link to the story because this evil person has had too much publicity already. Our Lord suffered many offenses during the Passion. He continues to be much offended today.

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.

sheltered Catholics

Steve Skojec has written an interesting post for Inside Catholic.com. He has a hair curling snarky quote from blogger and journalist, Hilary White about the traditional Catholics who :

have gone off into the woods to create a happy and comforting little Catholic world, well insulated from Outside. The kids are homeschooled, the women commonly wear the trademark shapeless plaid jumper/white t-shirt and sneakers combo, the men work at home, the books on the shelves are all from Ignatius or Angelus press, the jokes are clean and not very funny, conversation is always holy, the horrors of the squelching, seething pornographic world Outside are clucked at primly and the introduction of ironic humour is a wild and somewhat scandalous sensation.


Hilary, by her own admission doesn't like other women or domesticity much. I'll say it again, Hilary really dislikes other women. She finds us silly and irritating. She'd probably have no use for me at all. However, abrasive as she can be she has a bit of a point. Catholics are not called to hide out from the world. We are supposed to be counter coultural but we are not supposed to resemble the FDLS folks, squating feverishly in a compound.

Parents are supposed to shelter and preserve their children's innocence of course--- to do otherwise is to fail as a parent---but trying to raise them like Catholic Amish it doesn't do the Church a whole lot of good.

cling to the cross

Jesus, Jesus, my God, I love you!

wyd

I've said it before and I'll proabably be tiresome and say it again some time: WYD is mostly silly. However, there are moments when it's almost worth the time and money. Tonight Rocky is watching the Holy Father celebrate Mass in Oz on EWTN. It's beautiful.

If they would just drop the dumb stuff--- the rapping priests, the lousy fake pop music, and the carnival atmosphere. And for pity's sake, no more semi nude locals in loincloths in front of the pope!

I was reading a book last night, it's the memoir of a Bennedictine monk who spent a year with the Copts of Egypt. He went to a dinner at the home of Pope Shenouda (the Copts call their leader, pope) and was astonished. There were about 5000 people there. Most were teens and 20 somethings. They politely asked Shenouda questions and he answered them. That's it. No dancers, no singers, no jugglers. They didn't need to be entertained. That struck me. Later the monk was having dinner at the home of the American ambassador. The ambassador's wife was Catholic and asked him about the Copts. The monk told her that he thought the Copts did a much better job teaching their youth than we Catholics do. The ambassador's wife was offended but when I watch the WYD photos I have to agree with the young monk.

--------------------
A cranky thought about the Anglo-Caths has crossed my mind. Guys, if you are really serious don't wait for negotiations with Rome, don't wait for your "bishop" to make up his mind. Do what my husband and millions of others have done. Get up, get dressed and walk into the nearest Catholic church. Ask to be recieved. Endure the wretched RCIA and be confirmed.

the joys of matrimony

You're at a party in the parish hall. It's rather dull and you find your mind wandering. Then, you see him across the room. He's clearly the hottest man present and you're married to him. Whoo Hoo!

vocations crucifix

Our parish has an official vocations crucifix that is made of wood. It's touched to a first class relic of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and comes in its own litle reliquiary. Each week a different family takes it home and prays especially for priests, seminarians and anyone who is mulling over a vocation to the religious life.

This week it sits in a place of honor in my living room. Our new parochial vicar, Fr. Smeagal handed it to Rocky after Mass and blessed us both. I think it's going to be a special week.

In the end there is only one Church

The Catholic Church really is the one, the only true Faith in the world. The powers of darkness are constantly focused on her. In a way, this is a comfort. Nobody, except the Chinese government, for obviously reason, hates the Dalai Lama. No college going spoiled brat would dream of going into a Hindu temple and committing a desecration. None of the "sophisticated" set would have the guts to openly mock the Koran. No college professor would dare mess with the holy objects stolen from a synogauge and then brag about it in public. Why? Becasue none of these things really matters.

Only the Catholic Church terrifes and infuriates the lovers of the dark side. They write books, they make jokes, they come up with "new" discoveries every Christmas and Easter, they dedicate their whole lives to being her open enemy. Why? Because she is real, true, the Only. So, for the Mormon idiot teenaged missionaries who desecrate church grounds, to the college professors and students who plan blasphemy, to the goons who smash statues of the Blessed Mother, to those who strut into our churches and behave foully I pray:

Arise oh Lord and let thy enemies be scattered.

Let those who hate thee, fly before thy holy face.

A Prayer from St. Therese

"O Jesus, who in Thy bitter Passion didst become "the most abject of men, a man of sorrows", I venerate Thy Sacred Face whereon there once did shine the beauty and sweetness of the Godhead; but now it has become for me as if it were the face of a leper! Nevertheless, under those disfigured features, I recognize Thy infinite Love and I am consumed with the desire to love Thee and make Thee loved by all men. The tears which well up abundantly in Thy sacred eyes appear to me as so many precious pearls that I love to gather up, in order to purchase the souls of poor sinners by means of their infinite value. O Jesus, whose adorable Face ravishes my heart, I implore Thee to fix deep within me Thy Love, that I may be found worthy to come to the contemplation of Thy glorious Face in Heaven. Amen."

I'm late on this but...

What happened to the guy who wrote The Cafeteria is Closed blog? When I first began reading him he was amusing in a catty mean high school girl sort of way but with frequent outbursts of deep thought. Then he seemed to grow up a bit and his blog became a daily must read. Then, some time after his marriage he really changed. He was still funny but he began making comments about Church teachings that were contrary to what you'll find in the catechism. Then suddenly he closed down the blog and has gone to a new format. It's not a about Catholicism anymore and is more of a general news blog. I used to think that the other bloggers who criticized him were just jealous becuase his blog was so popular but I guess they were right.

the anglicans

The big bloggers are talking excitedly about the possibilty of a bunch of Anglicans coming over to Catholicism. My reaction is a shrug and a raised eyebrow. I hope the Vatican will be very, very cautious about this. How many of these people are converting becuase they realize that Catholicism is the one, true Faith or are they threatening to covert just to spite the liberal Anglicans? What will the Church do with a bunch of married priests, and bishops? Will they go to seminary for remedial training or will they just be set loose on a parish? How this whole thing will play out and whether they will be real Catholics is up in the air. I just can't get excited about it.

The sign of division

I have a tiny brooch that is shaped like a monstrance and decided to wear it to work. Nobody noticed except one person, a fellow Catholic and she was quite disturbed. Odd. She asked me twice in an aggrieved tone about it. I should've asked her why she cared so much. Was she embarrassed? Did she think it made me look like a Trad? Was I suddenly not cool becuase my brooch looked like a monstrace? If she knew that I wear either veils or hats to Mass would she be horrified?

I guess I'll have to wear that brooch more often.

The 9/11 terrorists have won

No, not them personally. They're in hell and that's ultimate failure. But their cause must have won. That's the only thing I can conclude when I read stories like this . Ten years ago a teacher who told her public school class that they were going to pray to Allah would've been fired. Today, the kids who didn't want to pray to a false god were given detention. I guess everyone is so scared of terrorism that they are willing to jump through any hoop.

What the heck happened to England and Europe? What the heck is happening to all of us?

and now a word from the pope

"Only healthy people, ... only people with a profound personal life in Christ and who also have a profound sacramental life can be admitted to the priesthood ... It is more important to have good priests than to have many priests". We hope, he insisted, "to do everything possible in the future to heal this wound".

Pope Benedict, the 16th

Three of the saddest words a Catholic can ever read

The bishop knew.

The Washington Times reports that Bishop DiLorenzo of Richmond, Virginia knew that a young girl in the care of Catholic Charities was going to have an abortion.

There are only two decent things that can be done now. Catholic Charities in Richmond needs to get out of the child care business and the bishop should resign. A human being is dead-- slaughtered most cruelly.

The head of the Richmond diocese can't just say "sorry" and have this all go down the memory hole.

The bishop knew. Oh my God. The bishop knew.

sally quinn

I've never thought much of Washington Post, journalist Sally Quinn, other than that she certainly married well. At Tim Rusert's funeral she took Communion. She's not Catholic. I'm not sure what denomination she is or even if she's Christian at all. It was wrong of her to do this of course, but how many unworthy Catholics got into that Communion line as well?

I'll bet that most of the Catholics Sally Quinn knows are the go along and get along type who find Fr. Corapi embarrasing , mock their own devout grandmother's devotions in public and would no more go to Eucharistic Adoration than they would attend a square dance.

When we Catholics don't act right we make a statement to the world. Many of us behave as if we really don't care that the Host is Jesus Himself so why should non Catholics?

How many contracepting Catholics proudly take Holy Communion?
How many Catholic Obama supporters take Communion?
How many co-habiting Catholics take Communion?
How many Catholics "married" only civily take Communion?
How many Catholics who haven't been to Confession in years take Communion?
How many Catholics who only go to Mass on Easter, Ash Wednesday and Christmas go up for Communion?
How many single and fornicating Catholics take Communion without so much as a second thought?


Again, my opinion of Sally Quinn has never been very high but we Catholics need to get our acts together.

the tragedy of american girlhood

Yesterday as Rocky and I were going to Mass we saw three young prostitutes in front of the church. Our parish isn't in that kind of neighborhood and we were so startled that we had to stare. Then it dawned on me that these girls looked too healthy to be hookers. Their heaving bosoms-- each one wore a low cut strapless or spaghetti strap mini dress--- were dusted with glitter powder. Their makeup was precise, their shoes were shiny and new. There were no scrapes or bruises on their arms or thighs. The clothes they wore, while being little more than a few feet of material were made of quality material. They looked a bit like the Diamond Dogs from Moulin Rouge. It took a lot of money to look as cheap as they did.

I gasped because it occured to me that these were actually the teenaged daughters of parishioners and they were coming to Mass. Then they strutted past the church. They were headed to the nightclub down the street. Rocky and I wondered if their parents let them out like that and we were chagrinned to think that the clothes prostitutes wore in the late 70s and 80s are now ordinary fashion for young girls. What the heck went wrong with the adults in this country?

Teenaged girls are a lot like bison. They are amazing but surprisingly fragile under the right set of circumstances. They are high strung, easily spooked and when under stress they don't act at all with what you would consider good sense. They don't nessacarily know what is good for them. They can be easily destroyed with the right weapon and need careful protection by those who care about them.

Wow. A whole lot of Catholic women need to read this.

I was reading American Rumpo's blog when I came across this question and answer :

If you think your husband is not doing enough spiritually why don't you ask yourself what you are doing to encourage his lack of interest. Because your nagging and shaming is just going to make matters worse!

You can read the rest here.

I know a woman, a very fine person who is the mother of several children. She's dissatisfied with her husband in every way but financially. Boy, I wish I had the nerve to send this to her. It's the answer to her frustrations in a nutshell but I doubt that she'd even realize it. Misery blinds and binds.

a prayer for priests

O Mary, Mother of Jesus
you were with Jesus
at the beginning of His life and mission.
You stood beside Jesus when He was lifted
on the cross and gave His life for all.
We ask you now to be with our priests,
who give themselves in service to God's people.
Intercede for them that they may grow in holiness;
proclaim God's word with courage;
celebrate the sacraments with joy;
and be among God's people as Jesus,
the Good Shepherd, was.
We offer this prayer to God, the Father,
through your intercession,
in the name of your Son, Jesus,
and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen

The Holy Father makes a move

The serious, big time Catholic blogs are all attwitter because it seems like sort of agreement may be made between the Vatican and the FSSPX. What will happen? God only knows but this is an exciting time to be Catholic. The Holy Father may be 81, but he's not content to just be a placeholder pope for a few years. He's really taking care of business. I can't wait to see what he'll do next. The balls in Bishop Fellay's court now, I guess.

Please pray for these two priests

Whenever I think of Fr. Haley and Fr. Clark I feel sadness and shame for the diocese. The Arlington diocese is better than most but considering where the most are at, that aint saying much.

Oh gee! This is even yuckier than Theology of the Body class

Father Ksawery Knotz of Poland has a website on good old fashioned earthy but "creative " married sex. Please Father Knotz! Don't tell me any more.

rough week

There were two baby showers at work this week. I didn't go to either one. I've been grouchy all week and actually ran down a hall and on to an elevator to avoid a conversation with a co-worker who's mother-in-law is ill. I just couldn't stand to hear her sad story. It was more than my last good nerve could handle. My fight or flight reflexes were on high alert. Several people were laid off this week as well and that bothered me to no end. I liked three of them and didn't get to say good bye becuase they were hustled out of the office so fast.

Thank God for the weekend and thank God for my parish. Although, my mind wasn't really settled and I failed to pay attention for most of the Vigil Mass (mea culpa!) I was comforted by the Eucharist and it was good to see our Parochial Vicar, Fr. Aragorn before he leaves us for St. John, the Beloved. We are getting another PV, of course. I'm looking forward to meeting him and figuring out what his nick-name should be. And thank God, we still have our Pastor, Fr. Theoden, who is one of the finest priests I've ever been blessed to learn from.

And finally, thank God for my husband, Rocky, who's been very patient this week. Marriage isn't 50/50. Never has been, never will be. Sometimes it's 60/40, sometimes it's 80/10. This week Rocky gave 80+.




Batter my heart, three person'd God; for, you
As yet but knocke, breathe, shine, and seeke to mend;
That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow mee, and bend
Your force, to breake, blowe, burn and make me new.
I, like an usurpt towne, to another due,
Labour to admit you, but Oh, to no end,
Reason, your viceroy in mee, mee should defend,
But is captiv'd, and proves weake or untrue,
Yet dearely I love you, and would be lov'd faine,
But am betroth'd unto your enemie,
Divorce mee, untie, or breake that knot againe,
Take mee to you, imprison mee, for I
Except you enthrall mee, never shall be free,
Nor ever chast, except you ravish mee.
John Donne (1572-1631) P. 1633

I don't give a dime to Catholic Charities

More than a workers at your local Catholic Charities aren't Catholic at all or don't profess everything the Church teaches. Here in my own Virginia, Catholic Charities workers provided a teenaged girl with a contraceptive device and when it didn't work helped her get an abortion.

Pray for our priests!

On Holy Thursday, Our Lord instituted the priesthood. On this day take a second to pray for our priests. I found a nice little video on priesthood on Gloria TV. Take a look here.


When I saw this at the Holy Cards blog, my eyes filled with tears of love. Let's never take our priests for granted.

My soul doth magnify the Lord

I was in such a snit after reading the Angelqueen posts on why Catholic women should NEVER get a college education (Good luck untrained ladies if your husband dies young or divorces you. Divorce happens, even to women whose husbands always said their prayers every night and didn't miss a Sunday Mass. Being left with the kids and no job skills is no picnic.). So I went to Gloria TV and listened to this beautiful version of the Magnificat in Russian.

silly

I was reading Angelqueen today and came across a conversation on whether young Catholic women should go to college. Most folks thought not. Apparently education turns Catholic girls into sluts/feminists and/or Protestants. It also apparently drives them from motherhood. What silliness. Now not everybody needs to go to college. I don't have a BA and I've done okay. I'm not sure I want one either but suppose I had the right mind to be a lawyer or a doctor and had been thrawted? That woud've been a tragedy. I have a Great Aunt who is a genius. She never got to go to college because she was a poor girl and because it was the segregation era. There is so much she could've done and never got the chance. St. Teresa of Avila was no dummy. St. Getrude, the Great was an educated woman. St. Gianna was a doctor. If you think these ladies were less than good Catholics you need to take that argument up with God and see how far you get.

Every forum has it's share of cranks but I was really shocked at the Angelqueen folks this time. They came off more like fundamentalist Muslims than American Catholics. I'm genuinely disgusted.

I hate June

It's Father's Day month which always depresses me a little and today we just found out that our parochial vicar is leaving us to go to St. John the Beloved. Farewell, Fr. Aragorn. I knew that brilliant mind wouldn't be allowed to stay long at our little parish but we will miss him.

i love being Catholic

With apologies to the Discovery Channel....



Boom de yadda, Boom de yadda, Boom de yadda

I love confessionals
I love that state of grace

I love the Holy Face
and the sacred space
Boom de yadda, Boom de yadda, Boom de yadda

I love being Catholic ......Ooooh!

I love Jesus and His Mama too
I love the scent of incense-- fresh and new
Boom de yadda, Boom de yadda

I love being Catholic.... Oooh!


Yeah, it's goofy but love 'll do that to ya.

Hope

I saw this picture of the Catholic Knight blog and something about it stopped me and held my attention. When Sharon Stone (revolting woman, yes) said that perhaps China was reaping what it sowed in sins with its earthquake many people responded angrily. She even lost her modeling gig with Dior. I know it's unpopular to even mention that God still judges the nations but didn't our Lady say at Fatima that war was a punishment for sin? Didn't she plead time and time again for nations to repent? And isn't there an horrible amount of bad right here, right now in this country? I'm not even going to get into the abortion crime -- Americans are obsesessed with mindless sex and teenagers chat blythely about acts of fornication that would've made their grandfather's blush with shame to even mention out loud. A good chunk of our population worships animals and nature. Homosexality has become something that you dare not criticize in public. Marriage has been horribly weakend by no fault easy divorce laws and cohabitation is practiced openly. Bastardy is not considered something to be avoided anymore. It's as if most of us have lost our minds. And yet, when I look at this picture I feel hope. Some bad stuff is coming down the pike for this country and being a democracy we will have it coming to us ---good and hard too---but the church that Christ handed to Peter will go on. Love will go on. In the end Mary's Immaculate Heart will triumph.

Of silly asses and priests who need prayer.

"He's a black Jesus stuck in a white man's body," said Oralee Williams, 48. "He's the best.".... She's talking about her pastor, Fr. Pfleger. Oralee, my sister.....

O Holy Father, may the torrents of love flowing from the sacred wounds of Thy Divine Son bring forth priests like unto the beloved disciple John who stood at the foot of the Cross; priests: who as a pledge of Thine own most tender love will lovingly give Thy Divine Son to the souls of men.
May Thy priests be faithful guardians of Thy Church, as John was of Mary, whom he received into his house. Taught by this loving Mother who suffered so much on Calvary, may they display a mother’s care and thoughtfulness towards Thy children. May they teach souls to enter into close union with Thee through Mary who, as the Gate of Heaven, is specially the guardian of the treasures of Thy Divine Heart.
Give us priests who are on fire, and who are true children of Mary, priests who will give Jesus to souls with the same tenderness and care with which Mary carried the Little Child of Bethlehem.
Mother of sorrows and of love, out of compassion for Thy beloved Son, open in our hearts deep wells of love, so that we may console Him and give Him a generation of priests formed in thy school and having all the tender thoughtfulness of thine own spotless love.’

Catholic Camps

To be Catholic in America is to belong to different camps. Some of us act like Pentecostals, some think it's eternally 1972, others have left the battlefield altogether and went to SSPX or became sedevatcantists. Others, perhaps the majority stayed but decided to have no part in the parish life other than toss a buck in the collection basket once a week. Those who send their kids to the parish school are heavily involved in the school but inadvertently make the parishioners who don't have kids feel second class.

The Hispanics have their own masses and groups and don't interact with the rest of the parish at all. They aren't encouraged to either. From what I've seen this is the way most of the non Hispanic parishioners like it and they go to sometimes comic lengths to avoid being around while the Spanish Mass or rosary is going on. The Koreans and Vietnamese Catholics are given their own parishes completely. Black Catholics either go to their own parishes or often times find themselves isolated at other parishes.

It could be argued that the Church in America has always accommodated ethic parishes---- I agree but look how it turned out. Those lovely old churches in the city that were all Polish or German or Irish emptied out in the 60s when desegregation came along those folks ran to the suburbs. Those churches are closed or have Mass only in the morning and lunch time for folks who come into the city to work. Isolation doesn't help the church and when the neighborhood changes things get greasy. I don't know what the answer is but this separatism just doesn't seem right.

north carolina

Rocky and I went to Hickory, North Carolina to buy furniture. The trip was successful. We stayed at the Park Inn and shopped on Twenty Miles of Furniture Highway and the Catawba Furniture Mall. On Friday we visited St. Aloyius in Hickory. It was very nice. The people were friendly and we saw both the pastor and the parochial vicar in the church. They have a lovely adoration chapel.
On Saturday we went to Blowing Rock, NC and it was incredible. It was like being in Fairyland. We will definitely go back for a vacation one day. The parish is Our Lady of the Epiphany and it's a mission church. They have Mass on Sundays at 10 and the pastor, Fr. Joe is a very fine man who took time from his very busy schedule to chat with us.

This morning we went to Mass at St. Francis of Assisi in Lenoir. That was weird. They cancelled Mass in order to have the church picnic. They left no sign on the door and about 8 people including us (tourists and locals) were standing around looking unhappy. Finally a nice woman showed up and told us all that the picnic was today. Rocky and I were disgusted. You cancel the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the mystery of Faith for a hotdogs, burritos and beer in the park? For shame.

There was one other weird thing we noticed. Every parish directory in the Charlotte diocese had a listing for the anullment contact person. Interesting diocese ya got there, Bishop Jurgis.

Praise the Lord!

Cardinal George has told Fr. Pfleger to sit down, hush up and think about himself for awhile.

Pray for the cardinal and pray for the poor priest who has been chosen to temporarily replace Fr. Pfleger. And pray for the parishioners of St. Sabina.

confessions

• I don't like G.K. Chesterton.
  
  
• I think C.S. Lewis should've stopped after Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. It was a truly great book. All the rest in the series bored me.
  
  
• I've never been able to get through the Reed of God by Caryll Houselander.
  
  
• I don't see the point of the Charismatic movement. If you start rolling around the floor and laughing in my presence unless you are three years old, I'm going to assume it's a seizure or the DTs and not the Holy Spirit.
  
  
• I think most professional lay apologists are half a step from Elmer Gantry.
  
  
• I wish the Church would just let the whole World Youth Day thing go.
  
  
• If I see that a parish has a NeoCatechumical Way group I leave----fast.
  
  
• I think that JPII was a very holy man but I don't want him to be cannonized yet. Let's calm down and give the Church time to prudently examine his case.
  
  
• I think Medjugorje is a crock.
  
  
• The Catholic Back to the landers make me roll my eyes.

Psst. Wanna improve vocations numbers?

Here are two suggestions:

1. Move the effeminate priests into the chancery or to non-parish assignments. Back when I was growing up there were so many soft looking and acting priests walking around that parishioners were startled and delighted when a priest came along who was manly. I'm not saying these guys are gay and that doesn't matter in this context. No young man wants to hang around with the squishy, effeminate guy. He may be polite to him. He may respect his office but he'd never in a million years want to go to the seminary if he believes all the other guys are going to be like Fr. Skippy.
   
   


2. Stop showing those horribly girly looking paintings of Jesus. No man wants to look like that and you frighten guys into thinking that holiness is strictly woman stuff:

A miracle in India

Ectopic pregnancies usually end in only one way: death for the baby and sometimes the mother. This one didn't. Thank God. May the Lord bless little Durga and may she have the most wonderful life.

Pray for Cardinal George and pray for our priests

Fr. Pfeger has embarrassed himself again. Poor Cardinal George.

Memorial Day

It's not about barbeques or shopping, although those thinks are good in themselves. Remember, your fat, soft life was paid for with an American soldier's blood, sweat and tears. And even if you're poor or live on welfare (consider the choices you've made in the past and take an honest look at the person in the mirror) your life is finer than that of 80% of the rest of the world. How'd you like to be an average African woman for a day? How'd you like to live like a Mexican peasant for one hour? Would you care to experience the simple "joys" of a Saudi woman's life for one night? Would you like to live like a Lithuanian for a year? They have the highest suicide rate in the world. Even the Japanese, who live in material comfort have the second highest rate of suicide in the industrialized world.

May all our departed veterans, through the mercy of God rest in peace. May you find a place in the mansions of the Lord.

Corpus Christi

On Sunday after Mass at our own parish, we visited two parishes, St. Michael's and St. John the Beloved. St. Michaels is a weird looking church. When we got there we hesitated because there was a fence and a sign saying "Private Road" and "No trepassing". Rocky said, "Do they not want us to come in?" We drove on anyway. Maybe they've had some trouble with the neighbors in the past.

The church looks like a small 1970s airport. There's nothing to make you think, Catholic Church at all. However, the people are pleasant and once we stepped inside we fell in love. Somebody put a lot of love into decorating that church. They have altar rails and the Blessed Sacrament is right in the middle on the altar. They also have a charming Adoration chapel that was filled with people of all races and ages. On Wednesdays an Opus Dei priest hears confessions from 1 to 4 PM. We said a rosary and were on our way.

I was longing to see St. John the Beloved because that's where Man in a Black Hat goes. The pastor there, has taken ill so please say a prayer for him. St. John's is quite handsome. They have a low traditonal Mass on Friday evenings and a relic of St. Jose Maria Escriva. We did the Stations of the Cross and went off to have lunch at Applebees.

that old familiar feeling

Last week a speaker was at my parish. He did not speak in the church but in the parish hall. His talk was on an admirable subject. Rocky and I did not attend because we had something else to do that night but I decided to Google the speaker to see if I could find any other parishes where he'd be lecturing. I found out that he belongs to a think tank that has a number of speakers who .... well, disturbed me a bit. They seem to dislike popular culture, blacks, anybody who doesn't want to return to a 19th century agrarian lifestyle and appear to avocate that the US turn in on itself and forget about the world (I actually have had that fantasy too. I guess we all have at some time or another but these guys are serious.)

My Catholic early warning system started to hum. My Normal American-faced-with-a-crank warning system was humming too.

I haven't found a single instance where this speaker appeared to agree with their line of thinking and I've found nothing but praise for him from people I respect but it worries me that he's hanging around with those other guys.

If he comes back to my parish I will try to attend his lecture and afterwards I hope I'll have enough courage to ask him a few questions about his colleagues.

The Holy Father may be thinking about limited those mega co-celebrations of Mass

So says an article that's discussed on the venerable New Liturgical Movements blog..

IF this is true I will raise my glass of sparkling water and sing "I like it! I love it! I want some more of it!"

quick! Go out and buy this book!

I've read a few books on the Holy Father and this is the best. Brennan Pursell can really write, he's charming and he never puts words in the Holy Father's mouth or pretends to know more than he does. He simply traces the Holy Father's life and shows how his beloved Bavaria made him who he is. Buy it!

i'm going to be sick

I've been annoyed with Rod Dreher in the past. But the man was driven to where he is now because of the "handling" of the homosexual priest scandal. Reading this story I can sympathize---though not approve---of his despair. Who in the hell thought it would be a good idea to let Fr. Mallinson or any priest who ever was involved in (WARNING DON'T CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE) St. Sebastian's Angels in any form or fashion, be a pastor at a regular parish? I thought Bishop Farrell was supposed to be one of the new smart bishops who was cleaning things up.

i bought a new veil from a lovely lady in Canda

It's gorgeous. It's made a crepe silk and it doesn't slip. No bobby pins required!

Sir Winston was a bit of prophet, wasn't he?

“How dreadful are the curses which Mohammed-anism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy.The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live.

A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property, either as a child, a wife, or a concubine, must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men.Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities, but the infence of the religion paralyzes the social development of those who follow it.

No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith.It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome.”

Sir Winston Churchill (The River War, first edition, Vol. II, pages 248-50, London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1899).

Hat Tip to Gem of the Ocean for reminding of this quote from England's last lion.

a beautiful woman

When she was young woman Irena Sendler saved the lives of over 2000 Jewish kids from Hitler. In 2007, she was nominated for Nobel Peace Prize and lost to Al Gore. In a world that worships Carrie Bradshaw and Playboy Bunnies and throws honors on a big boring bag of wind (Gore) this woman was an example of real beauty and courage.

Rest in Peace Irena.

You embraced the cross, now wear the crown Christ has prepared for you.

Thank you, Mama

Mass was an endurance test today. I have a horrible cold and an ear ache and it feels like someone has stuck a lit cigarette down to my ear drum. It hurt so long and hard that I felt dizzy and thought for a minute that I was going to pass out during the Gloria. I didn't, thank God. Rocky noticed and hustled me home to bed.

Father Theoden wished all the mothers a happy Mother's Day and I thought of Mama. She's is that highly prized but very rare Southern specialty: A Great Lady.

I can barely express how devoted she was when I was recovering from surgery last year. Rocky never left my side except to go to work and my mother was there for both of us. She cooked for us both, helped me bathe, helped me get dressed, and was there in a flash when I called for her. I couldn't move much in the first few days home so I had to call her a lot. That couldn't have been much fun. She held my hand, she listened to me, she made small talk with the priest who came to give me the sacraments. She was a gentle rock of solace for Rocky.

She, who had never seen the inside of a police station in her life and who, like many black people her age is uncomfortable around cops; went to the local police station with my husband to get a parking pass for her neighborhood so he could stay at her place with me without worrying about our car being ticketed. When Rocky couldn't make it she went to the hospital with me for my post-op appointments. She was vigilant about my comfort. She never let me be cold, and seemed to know long before I would admit it that it was time for a pain pill. She was the best nurse I could have ever had and when I said "thank you, Mama", she just shrugged her shoulders and said, "I'm your mother, Baby. What else would I do?"


John Mary Thomas, pray for your Grandma. May she one day see your precious face in Heaven.

Repulsive

That's all I have to say.

For Mr. M. --- a discernment story

Once there was a preacher. I won't say his name because unless you are black and grew up in the 70s or 80s it would mean nothing to you. He was a Protestant and his sermons were so magnificent that people began taping them and selling them. He was beloved, respected and held in awe.

He was known for his kindliness towards the young, boys mostly. He took in boys who needed help or who were interested in singing and needed a wise father figure to guide them along. The people loved him for this "giving back." And then one day, one of those boys told someone that the Rev. was molesting him. He was ignored and probably called a filthy liar. The years went on and in the fullness of his years the reverend died. Suddenly there were rumors that he'd actually been a secret homosexual. Most of his followers and fans reacted angrily to this but the rumors kept on. One of the boys, by then a young man gave an interview where he plainly stated what had been going on in the Rev's house. To this day there are people who deny that the Rev. did anything wrong and will get into a fight with you for bringing the whole story up. Others are saddened and can't figure out how this scandal happend.

Looking back on it. A couple things come to mind. Too many women trusted the Rev. blindly with their sons. Too many people looked the other way when little things seemed odd. Discernment means when you get that feeling that something isn't quite right you pay attention to that feeling.


If a priest or nun doesn't seem "right" to you; DON'T send your child to him or her for hours of alone time together. If a lay person in a position of church authority or in self appointed authority-- the lay apologetics industry--- says or introduces something to the parish that makes you sit up and go "hey, I aint no theologian but I don't think that's in the catechism or hey, St. Therese and my Grandpa Nino wouldn't recognize that teaching, " DON'T hang around them anymore. DON'T send your child to them for CCD or confirmation class, get up and walk out of their bible study class, DON'T attend their lectures and DON'T bring their books into your house.

Discernment is another word for common sense. Even when other Catholics at your parish or the blogs mock or curse you for it, use that common sense.

This will help

I was reading Colleen Hammond's blog and she heartily reccomended this book. I ordered a copy and I have to say it's great. Yes, it is published by Angeleus Press. I don't have a problem with that and I'll add that their missal booklet is the best I've come across. It's much better than the beautiful one published by Roman Catholic Books and it even beats my old one by Eclesia Dei.

Tridentine Mass at St. Rita's

Last night on the traditional feast of the Assension we went to St. Rita's for a high solemn Mass. It was awesome and I mean that. We had a priest, a deacon and a subdeacon. We have five beautifully trained altar boys and Dominican monks. The guest homilist was an old Dominican and he really made us all sit up straight and listen. Everyone's biretta was crisp and shiny, the vestments were dazzling and the chant was sublime. When Fr. Aragon (his nickname) began the concecration it came to me in a flash that this was reminesent of the Jewish temple days when the high priest went alone to the Holy of Holies to offer insense. At the end of Mass the priests and brothers all departed in silence.

The pews were filled with young people and I saw quite a few couples with babies and young kids. Oh beautiful divine litury of the Church, ever ancient ever new. How I I do love the TLM.

FDLS and their Catholic defenders

I am shocked at how many Catholic bloggers are defending the FDLS freaks. I have read hysterical rants claiming that if the government can take the FDLS kids away from their parents it will come for Catholic kids next or the FDLS kids are now going to be exposed to the evil modern world and that's child abuse in itself.

People! I'm from the rugged individualist school of thought myself, and I tend to view the government with a jaudiced eye but there is a fine line between cynicism and paranoia.

If you think it's okay for a 13 year old to be raped everynight by a 50 year old man because Marie Antoinette was 14 when she got married (the marriage was not consumated until she was grown) or becuase arranged marriages have worked out fine for society for centuries then I have no words for you. I can not see you. I can not hear you. You are beyond the frigging pale.

So far 41 kids have been found to have bone fractures and old healed broken bones. My husband and his brother played football from roughly the ages of 10 to 21. Southern, smashmouth, run with the big dogs football. In all those years they only have one fracture or break between them. FDLS kids are not allowed to play sports so how'd they get those fractures? Isn't beating a kid or working him so hard that he breaks child abuse? Are you for child abuse in the name of family privacy? And do you consider plural marriage finacned by welfare fraud a genuine marriage or in anyway pleasing to Christ? If you do I can not see you. I can not hear you. You simply don't exist in the realm of civilized discourse or thought.

SSPX

Come back to the church guys and gals. Come back. You can even bring crazy Bishop Williamson with you but come back.

visiting Holy Trinity

In our continuing quest to visit all the parishes in our diocese last Sunday we went to visit Holy Trinity. It's a new parish in Gainesville, VA. It is incredibly beautiful. I thought Our Lady of Hope was the prettiest of the new parishes but Holy Trinity blows it away. It looks like a good parish. They have perpetual adoration, three levels of the Legion of Mary and Knights of Columbus. Their pastor, Fr. Pelfrey seems like and interesting person. Alas, they aren't used to visitors and when we ran into members of the choir they stared as if they had never seen such a sight before. One kid stared with google eyes and an an open mouth. I almost laughed.

Rocky's only comment was that these folks don't seem to get out much.

Simplex priests

Are there still simplex priests? I was listening to Fr. Theoden give the homily yesterday when I was suddenly reminded of just how smart he is. I mean, he has a really superior mind. What do men do who feel called to be a priest but know full well that they don't have the academic mind for it?

Pray for our priests!

We offer you: no salary, no recompense, no holidays, no pension.

But much hard work, a poor dwelling, few consolations, many disappointments, frequent sickness, a violent or lonely death, an unknown grave.

THIS COMES FROM AN 1812 POSTER RECRUITING SEMINARIANS TO BECOME MISSION PRIESTS IN AMERICA. IT'S STILL NOT EASY, WE STILL NEED THEM DESPERATELY. PRARY FOR OUR PRIESTS AND SEMINARIANS.

the cardinal mccarick rumor rises again

Richard Sipe has openly accused Cardinal McCarrick of being a homosexual. I've met the cardinal and never got a gay vibe from him and frankly, let's consider the source. Mr. Sipe is a former priest and apparently has his own axe to grind. If he's had evidence of immorality on the cardinal's part why didn't he use it years ago? Don't just dredge up an old story ---- the beach house in Jersey rumor has floated around like sewer gas for years--- tell us names, dates, and provide witnesses. Put up or shut up.

Monsignor Ganswein----Some folks need to rediscover so called Catholic guilt.

I find it very creepy how so many Catholic women bloggers and a few men seem to be obsessed with the sexiness of Monsignor Ganswein, the Holy Father's assistant.

People, the man is a priest.Cut the crap and practice custody of the eyes. His life, his words, deeds and attractiveness all belong to God. Lusting after him is just as bad as going into the sacristy, removing the chalice from the safe and using it to drink Kool-Aid. It's just as base as going into the vestment drawers and using an altar cloth to blow your nose. It is as low as washing your hands in the sacrarium. That which is dedicated to God is not for vulgar or profane thought or use. Okay?

Mary, exterminatrix of heresies and impurity, pray for us.

TLM in May

There will be a solemn high TLM at St. Rita's in Alexandria, Virginia on May 1rst.

the most beautiful thing this side of Heaven

Last night at 6:30 Rocky and I went to the traditional Latin mass at St. Rita's. It was a low mass which was great becuase I got to really follow the responses of the altar boys. Fr. Scalia will be celebrating the TLM again soon. Once again Rocky and I were left wondering how on earth Catholics let this go.....

pics from the papal mass

filth and fury

When I read this I started to shiver and thought I was going to vomit. Then I got angry. It is apparently a hoax. I hope to God it is but this young woman either needs a smack upside her empty head or a series of appointments with a competent pyschiatrist.

My God what is wrong with this girl?

Is this was going to Yale will do to a mush mind or was she this messed up before she even hit campus?

Rocky & Dymphna go to Mass with the Pope!

Well, us and 47,000 others. I have to say that the National's Stadium is an excellent venue. It's almost as terrific as Camden Yards. Next, I have to say that taking the Metro was almost ridiculously easy. Rocky and I spent the night at my mother's house so we'd already be in DC by 5AM when the Metro trains started running. The trains were packed but it was the happiest crowd I've ever seen. Everyone was delighted, polite and kind to one another. We ran into a seminarian friend and his classmates.

I chatted with sisters from the Nashville Dominicans, the Servants of the Lord and the Sisters of the Assumption. Wonderful, upbeat young women. At 6AM confessions started and we got in line, which moved quickly. After that we headed up to our seats and bought souveneirs. Our seats were so high we actually above the Secret Service snipers. No problem, it just gave us more of a veiw.

There was a happy buzz of excitment in the air as the priests, bishops and cardinals streamed in and took their seats. The music was not great but the sound system at National's Stadium was so poor that I didn't hear much of it. The best thing was soprano Denyce Graves who managed to overcome the poor sound. And then suddenly on the jumbo tron we saw a Secret Service agent walk down a corridor. A cheer went up because right behind him was the Popemobile. Cameras went off, people waved and cried. The Holy Father looked so genuinely happy to see us. He did one lap around the field and then left to get vested. He's quick for 81 and soon the holy sacrifice of the Mass began.

The sound system failed miserably and we heard not a word of the pope's homily. One thing struck me as sad. Marty Haugen's music has become the "official" music of the American church. The dude isn't even Catholic and his stuff isn't very good or singable but it's all most of us know. Sad. It seemed to be a mediocre offering.

The choirs. What can I say about the choirs? There were four or five and it was a mess. The whole thing was a weird jazz/gospel/ mariachi type mishmash of styles to show how diverse America is and was it more like a free concert in the park than liturgical music. The children's choir, bless their innocent hearts was very good. Too bad we could barely hear them.

Finally, after the dross and muck came pure gold. Placido Domingo sang Panic Angelicus and miraculously the problems with the sound were fixed. He was magnificent and Pope Benedict seemed to really enjoy it. He even got up and went over to Placido who was really emotional when he knelt to kiss the Holy Father's hand.

There were no slip ups with Communion that I saw. Most people recieved in the hand but I didn't notice anyone walking away with the Eucharist. I wasn't the only woman to wear a veil, nor was I the youngest. Neat. After Mass the pope was mobbed by delighted people. He blessed us all and any holy objects we had with us and left for the Nat's dugout.

Afterward Rocky and I took photos and had a hot dog. The concession stands opened right after the pope left the field. Again, I've never seen such a huge and thoroughly happy crowd. I don't like outdoor mega masses but this was as decently done as it can be.

Upon leaving the stadium we visited St. Vincent DePaul a small, very lovely church near the stadium. It is run by the Josephite order and is a mostly black parish. Then we took Metro back to my Mama's house. A beautiful day. I hope the Holy Father gets some sleep tonight. He's got a grueling schedule for an 81 year old.

May God bless him and keep him with us for many more years.

requiem

Today is the anniversary of my father's death. He was 42 years old. Mama was 40. I was 13. I had a glow in the dark rosary and it was my only comfort. In the days and months after his death I started saying the rosary every night for his soul. Those were horrible days and I've never forgotten the feeling that Mary was right there with me each night. I was a very shy, highly sensitive, anxious child and the shock of my father's sudden death was almost too much to bear.

I was terrified that my mother would die and for months I would freak out if I didn't know exactly where she was. I was terrified and of the insecure feelings that overtook me, so I did my crying in private. I was stoic, quiet and as controlled as a Vulcan. Looking back I know that wasn't healthy.

I didn't want my mother to worry about me-- she had so much to deal with and I didn't want to be another problem so I said nothing about my fears. It's funny how when you are backed up against the cross that you get closer to God. When daddy is never coming home, when the baby dies, when the telegram from the Dept. of Defense comes, when the hurricaine blows the house away---- when there is no-one for you prop yourself up with and nothing to distract you from the pain --- then you realize that your suffering is "only the shade of His Hand outstretched caressingly."

Oh daddy, daddy, daddy, how I miss you, if I should forget you, may my right hand forget what it's supposed to do.

Dear God, let him rest in peace.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;Lord, hear my voice!Let your ears be attentiveto my voice in supplication:
If you, O Lord, mark iniquities,Lord, who can stand?But with you is forgiveness,that you may be revered.
I trust in the Lord;my soul trusts in his word.My soul waits for the Lord,more than sentinels wait for the dawn.More than sentinels wait for the dawn,let Israel wait for the Lord;
For with the Lord is kindnessand with him is plenteous redemption;And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously recite the psalm Out of the depths (Ps 129).

grumpy

For the last few days I've not felt well. I've been having smashing headaches, been dizzy, cranky and tired. It's mainly due to working too hard and not eating lunch until I start feeling sick and longing to smack my boss over the head, (silly woman saw a movie on TV last week and now thinks she knows all about my "oppressive" church). Rocky was/is very concerned which made me feel guilty.......

There was a respite. Today I stayed home instead of my usual schedule and felt human again. On Sunday I stayed in bed until I had to go out. Mass was lovely and Father's homily got my attention. He reminded us that the happy sheep obediately follow the Good Shepherd. When they wander off they get into trouble. Fr. asked us how many times we play cafeteria Catholic and pick and choose what we will deign to obey from Mother Church. He reminded us that Tradition comes from the apostles, who of course got everything from Jesus. When we play games with the truth we are rejecting Christ, who is the Truth.

Finally, Fr. exorted us to read the words of the Holy Father and not to just blindly accept what the media says he said. He also reminds us the Holy Father wears a pallium (bishops do too) that is a symbol of his sent-by-God- to- be- a- shepherd of our souls status.

Pray for Cardinal George

He has a deep problem with his priest Fr. Pfleger. Flagrant disobedience, a cult of personality, defiance and scandal. If you look at the website for Fr. Pfleger's parish, St. Sabina's you'll see that a lot of funky things are going on there but none seem Catholic.


The parishoners have threatened to leave the Faith and follow Fr. Pfleger apparently to wherever or whatever "church" he wants if Cardinal George dares to transfer him. Plus, what poor innocent parish wants Fr. Pfleger? There a several scenarios as to how this situation is going to end. Barring a miracle, which could happen, of course, none of them looks good.

adoration tonight

Tonight Rocky and I went to adoration at a nearby parish. It was lovely as usual until a young mohter came in with a toddler. He was having a bad night. He didn't want to leave but he didn't want his mommy praying and not paying attention to him either. That child had remarkable lung power. I hope his parents give him singing lessons someday. That much vocal strength has got to be good for something. He was just tall enough to walk under the altar rail and that's what he did. He headed straight for Jesus and I tensed up thinking that he was going to get hurt by knocking over a candle or the monstrance.

The other adorers were annoyed and one man told the mother frankly that she ought to remove her little boy. She did for a time and when he quieted down she brought him back for a few minutes. The poor thing meant well.... I normally can't stand noisy children but tonight I wasn't bothered. The little fellow actually made me pray harder so I guess all things really do work to the good.

demograhpics are destiny

There are now more Muslims in the world than Catholics. We shouldn't be shocked. Afterall, the Faith is in a free fall in most of Europe and European women don't seem to want to have children anymore. The Muslim woman doesn't have a choice, of course. Nobody envys her. In her case she'd better have a bunch of boys or she could find herself dead or cast out on the street but demographics are destiny. Look for things to get much, much worse in the next 10 to 20 years.

But the West has no-one to blame to but ourselves. I wonder if the French really believe that a Muslim majority will allow them to live as they are used to? The fashion industry, the wine industry and tourism will have be destroyed. And merry old England isn't looking to healthy these days either.

I got to thinking about all this because of an interesting post at the Athanasius blog. He's considerably harsher on JPII than I could ever be but though it hurts me to say it; I think he's more right than wrong. Admitting that makes me feel a bit like Frank Sinatra in the very last scene of Manchurian Candidate where he turns away from the camera so he can cry for his lost friend Raymond.

Guess what?

I just got an e-mail from my parish. Rocky and I have tickets to the papal Mass on April 17.

Hellllllllllllooooooooooo Papa!

Sister Bovary?

Sr. Barbara Markey stole money from the archdiocese of Omaha to spend it on gifts, trips and gambling. The Cafeteria is Closed has a post on this sad story here. Prosecutors say that Sr. Barbara spent more than $307,000.

I don't understand how this happend. What does a nun need with $31,000 on clothing and furniture? I don't really trust nuns who don't wear habitsbecause I've had too many bad experiences with them but I've never known one who approached this kind of lavish living. An unhabited nun only needs four plain blouses, three simple skirts, two sweaters, a light all weather coat and a good heavy coat and two pairs of shoes a year. That doesn' cost $31,000, especially if she goes to Good Will. And what's this about furniture? No nun should be living alone unless she's a hermit and hermits don't have fancy furntiture.

Judging by this photo she's not unfamilar with the hair salon either. Come on somebody had to know that aint right.

She spent $67,000 in casinos. Why in God's name is a nun in a casino? And did nobody question how Sr. Barbara could afford to give expensive gifts? The only gifts I've ever gotten from nuns were prayers (precious!) or handmade crafts. Sr. Barbara may very well be the nicest woman in Omaha and she most likely never meant for any of this to happen. Like Madam Bovary she probably started out with some romantic dreams and things got horribly out of hand. This pathetic story shows why a strong superior is necessary to religious life.

The Laredo Kid gets ordained

"Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are.

Believe what you read.

Teach what you believe.

Practice what you teach."

From the deacon's ordiantion rite

One of our friends was ordained as a deacon yesterday at the Basilica in DC. The Laredo Kid (um, no that aint his name, it's what I call him) will be a deacon for a year and then next year he'll be ordained as a priest. Thanks be to God.

Afterwards friends and family went back to the Kid's seminary for a beautiful reception. I enjoyed the food far too well and happily ate more than I usually do. My scale showed the result this morning. Ah well. Two things really struck me: After looking down at the floor for a while and studying the feet of of the priests and seminarians I noticed that there are a vast array of sensible black shoes for a man to buy. The second thing that I noticed was how badly young Catholic women dress. Who told us that we have to wear shapeless schmattas in public? Who ever said that unkempt hair was virtuous? Ugh!

After the reception we went to the Newman bookstore. It's the biggest Catholic bookstore in DC and it was a feast for a book lover. After that we headed over to the Icon and Bookstore that is run by the Holy Cross Monastery. If you go to DC please stop by. It's an incredible place. I was astonished by the beauty of the icons and the dear lady who runs it is a charmer. Rocky and I plan to go back as soon as we can.

My King

My King!

By the cross her station keeping, stood the holy mother weeping

Close to Jesus, to the last.

Stick close to Mary, she'll never take you anywhere but to her Son.

night of seven churches -- Maundy Thursday

Last night was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. Rocky and I went to Holy Thursday Mass at our parish, St. Rita's. It was gorgeous. All of the altar boys served and I have congratulate Fr. Scalia and the layman who train them. Those boys were fantastic. Not a single mistake, no fooling around, total concentration. I was proud of them. After Mass they stripped the altar with remarkable speed and silence. And I do mean stripped. They took away everything that wasn't nailed down, chairs, rugs, pedestal... everything.

One odd/funny thing happened. Last year a man sat behind us and gave a play by play explanation of the Mass to his child. This year, we got the same guy! Once again, he did a running commentary for his little boy. I wanted to tell his to shut the heck up but that would've been unkind. At least he had his kids at Mass and was trying to teach them. Last year one of those kids couldn't resist petting my hair under my veil. This year, one of them has discovered the joy of spitting. He didn't get me but I hope somebody cleans his pew today.

Father Donahue, our pastor gave a moving homily. He pleaded with us to go to confession, to heal our broken hearts and if anyone was far from God ;to take the precious opportunity to return to Him, tonight. He asked us to remain with Jesus at the alar of repose for a while and asked us to be thankful for the great gift of the Blessed Sacrament. The Eucharist is the medicine of immortality and the antidote to death, so St. Ignatius of Antioch said. Fr. asked us to go to communion as often as we can and reminded us that there is nothing to keep us away except for mortal sin. This is one of the many times when I wish somebody was recording Father's homily. I wish this one could be saved for the future.

I was so carried away with love that I almost bit the parochial vicar during communion. It sounds weird, I know but I usually don't see or feel very aware of the priest at communion. I see myself at the foot of the cross, I hear the words, "Body of Christ" and I recieve. This time I was so far away, so mentally in Jerusalem that I heard the words almost in slow motion. My teeth came together with a bit of force and Fr. pulled back in time but lost his balance with the Host. It's a good thing he's young and has good reflexes. The save was made and communion went on without incident. Anyway.... after Mass Our Lord was carried in a slow, solemn procession around the church and then placed in the altar of repose. The rest of the church was darkened. The only light came from the white drapped altar of repose. I was gratified to see that quite a few people staid to watch and pray after Mass.

Rocky and I then went to Blessed Sacrament and prayed at the repose altar there. Blessed Sacrament is an incredibly ugly church but the parish is blessed with very good priests and someone put a ton of love into making the repose altar beautiful. It was touching. I thought of the scene from The Passion of the Christ where Jesus is in the dungeon at the high priest's home. Mary lies prostrate on the floor and Jesus in the dark dungeon below looks up. There is just a tiny bit of light and it's coming from him. No words are spoken, the only communication is love.

After Blessed Sacrament we stopped to pray at Queen of Peace. I was sad to see that there was no-one there. Not even a priest. I wasn't shocked though. The worst Mass I've ever sat through was at Queen of Peace so nothing there startles me anymore. Next we went to St. Anthony's. That was amazing. I saw young men, tough looking guys on their knees. I saw young couples and whole families. White people, Hispanics, black Americans, Africans, and Asians were all there next to Jesus. Their altar of repose reminded me of the upper room where Jesus said the first Mass.

From St. Anthony's we drove to St. Thomas Moore Cathedral. I don't have a high opinion of how the cathedral is run by the lay staff. I really didn't expect it to be open but it was and the repose altar was beautiful. Again, Catholics of all races and ages were there sitting, kneeling, lying prostrate before the Lord. Bishop Loverde sat there too, praying from his breviary. It was good to see him.

Our next stop was Queen of the Apostles. It's also a relentlessly ugly 1970's styled church. It's like a big bowling alley with dirty looking white brick and amphitheater type seating. However, the parish has been blessed with good men for priests and somebody tried very hard to make the area around the repose altar look soft and lovely with masses of flowers and candles. We saw two orders of nuns praying. Some people sat and prayed. Others knelt or lay prostrate.

Finally, we ended up at St. Mary's in Old Town. Three priests sat praying near the altar and we saw a young man who looked like he ought to be rocking on the stage at Madison Square Garden. He was on his knees praying before the altar. God calls everyone. At St. Mary's we saw people of various age groups. At midnight the pastor stood up and grunted at his parochial vicar. They walked to the sacristy and returned with his humeral veil and I think, incense and Jesus was removed from the altar in slience. I felt like Mary Magdalene... "they have taken Him away."

We've wanted to do the seven churches prayer circuit for a while and we were delighted to be able to do it this year. It's a profound prayer experience.

The Lair of the Catholic Cavemen on the Fr. Skippy problem

Warning! The guys at the Lair are tough but gallant Catholics and they use harsh language. If you are tender minded don't click on this post, okay?

The Lair of the Catholic Cavemen







Fr. Vincent Capadano, pray for your brother priests. Especially the ones who have forgotten the whole manhood thing.

tenebrae

Last night Rocky and I went to Tenabrae at the Franciscan Monastery in DC. Usually we go to the Holy Wenesday tenenbrae at St. Matthew's Cathedral but there was a bomb threat-- suspicious package--right in front of the cathedral. There were anti-war protestors in DC yesterday. This is the second bomb threat in the area this week. It's ironic how violent anti war people really are.

Anyway, we went to the monastery and it was lovely. The singing was done by the Suspicious Cheese Lords. I've wanted to hear them for some time and they're great. They will be singing at the monastery for all the Holy Week services. Rocky later said that he thought the tenebrae service at the monatery was actually better than the one at St. Matthews. Tonight we're going to the Mass of the Lord's Supper at St. Rita's.

Happy Holy Week.

Holy Week begins

I saw this picture on Terry Nelson's Abbey Roads blog. He somehow finds photos of the most magnificent statues of Jesus. I don't know where this is or when it was made but I suspect it's Spanish. Although it is not bruised or scarred enough to be realistic it does show a bruise under Our Lord's eye that corresponds with what is shown in the Shroud of Turin. Nice touch.

Pope pic

No particular reason for posting this except that seeing our dear Papa makes me happy.

An unpleasant fact: Obama's preacher man aint all that unusual

A number of sweet, innocent and decent hearted people are shocked because it looks like Barrack Obama's preacher, Jerimiah Wright hates white people and America in general. They wonder how Obama could sit in that church for 20 years unless he agrees with Wright. Well, I don't know what's in Obama's head but I can tell you this: Rev. Wright's views (thank you Fr. Philip for posting this on your most excellent blog) are actually pretty common. Visit a black Protestant church and you'll probably hear something similar. Perhaps it will be a little bit more polite or perhaps it will have more oratorical flourishes but it will be essentially the same. Rev. Wright was formed in the pre Civil Rights era. He's probably seen some bad stuff in his day and bears the scars.

I remember going to an AME Zion service back in 2003 (I had to, the church was founded by my ancestors and my family was there for our reunion and it was the last time I went to a non Catholic church on Sunday) and the preacher spoke about the wickedness of America and how God would punish us because poor Saddam Hussein's sons were dead. He also bemoaned the fact that so many black boys were in jail. I wanted to stand up and say "Hey Rev! What about all the black women who have been raped, robbed and killed by those black "boys". Don't we count for anything? Or are we supposed to take being victimized and not call the police?" I didn't want to cause a problem with my family so I remained in cowardly silence. It wasn't my best moment. Perhaps I should have gotten up and gone outside or perhaps, like my cousins who had white spouses and were warned that things might get uncomfortable during the service; I should've simply should have made and excuse and not gone at all that morning.

I still remember listening to my mother's people applauding and shouting "Amen" and realizing how different I was my own kin. Don't be surprised at Rev. Wright. His damn America sermon was probably one his more mild ones. So what's the answer to this? The usual: love, patience, mercy, tolerance (real tolerance--- not ignoring ugliness) and facing up to reality. The racial situation in America is not as bad as it used to be but it's not pink ponies and rainbows either.

May God have mercy on his soul

It looks like Archbishop Bishop Paulos Faraj Raho of Mosul has been murdered by the filthy scum who kidnapped him.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation 2:10

some times my fellow Catholics embarrass me

A nun has actually petitioned the UN to help get a pedophile -- a man who found sexual satisfaction in forcing himself on a nine year old girl--released from prison. You can read the about this disgusting development here.

Can you imagine St. Therese asking that child rapist be released? She'd pray for his convesion and final repentence but released? Released to rape again? Never.

If this nun is a typical Sister of Mercy then the order needs to be destroyed because this is not at all what the foundress, Venerable Catherine Elizabeth McAuley had in mind.

old sins

My parish, the most wonderful parish in Virginia is having a mission this week. Tonight is the last night. The priest leading it, is from Connecticut and he's a very fine speaker and confessor. Two nights ago while listening to him talk I remembered an old sin. I'd already confessed it long ago but on this night it suddenly hit me how pathetic it was. I didn't mean to wound the heart of Christ when I committed this particular sin--- far from it. I was able to compartmentalize God in those days and I just wanted to be like all the other "sophisticated" girls.

The people she hangs around with, the books and magazines a girl reads can be deadly.

Thank God for His mercy! A year or so later He arranged for Rocky and I to meet and my life has been amazing ever since. God has been very gentle with me all these years.