A Treasure To Be Shared

Estne conflictus sola optio? Died-in-the-linen-or-polyester adherents of the Novus Ordo Missae and the Extraordinary Form, locked in a love-hate embrace—mostly hate (of the other) it seems—plug away at their respective polemics in ways that one wonders whether or not they love the very Church they claim to serve. One side brushes off the rubrical precision that supports an authentic  ars celebrandi , while the other rejects the use of the vernacular and an expanded lectionary. One side seems mired in liturgical abuses, the other preoccupied with conspiracy theories—at least, that’s how it appears if you take either set of opposing commentaries at face value. They remain in the uneasy comfort of their own stances, idly picking at a scab that only slows the healing process. Said actors seem to have missed a third way of being a Latin Rite Catholic. While many have been caught up in the pre/post-Vatican II fracas, there has appeared a missal brought together by a dedicated team assign...

THE CHRISTIAN YEAR by the REV. JOHN KEBLE Transcribed from the 1887 Cassell & Company edition by David Price. Third Sunday in Lent When a strong man armed keepeth his place, his goods are in peace; but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. St. Luke xi. 21, 22. See Lucifer like lightning fall, Dashed from his throne of pride; While, answering Thy victorious call, The Saints his spoils divide; This world of Thine, by him usurped too long, Now opening all her stores to heal Thy servants’ wrong. So when the first-born of Thy foes Dead in the darkness lay, When Thy redeemed at midnight rose And cast their bonds away, The orphaned realm threw wide her gates, and told Into freed Israel’s lap her jewels and her gold. And when their wondrous march was o’er, And they had won their homes, Where Abraham ...

The Love of God Tactical retreats are necessary to attend to one's spiritual well being in the midst of the workaday world to better cooperate with God in the ongoing mission to share the Good News for the salvation of souls. Right Way The Way of Jesus is to take up one's cross and know that Jesus is wed to our lives, sharing our journey as the lover of our souls. Are we faithful to our spouse, the Lord? Asking of God the grace to enter into our wounds in order to grow closer to Christ makes a place in us for God, to grow in holiness and the love of God and neighbour. Without the mercy of God's grace, we might as well make of ourselves a hell in which we are never touched by love nor know the blessing of authentic freedom. As the saying goes: know Jesus, know peace; no Jesus, no peace. Likewise: know Jesus, know truth; etc. Saint John Henry Newman, Doctor of the Church, offers wise counsel for making the most of Lenten practices. The earnest disciple would do well to take i...

A whale of a time? Well, what do you know? The Ordinary Form of the Mass is under attack once more. By now, word has probably spread far and wide about recent unusual acts, to put it mildly. Sword swallowing priest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkLmfuuV6pA&t=75s Whale sculpture in church.  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVKcE3FCC6b/ XANTEN, Germany — Serious concern has emerged after a life-size sculpture of a dead humpback whale was placed inside Xanten Cathedral, one of the country’s historic Catholic churches. The artwork, known as the Cast Whale Project and created by Gil Shachar, now lies prominently in the nave of the cathedral. Church officials say it is meant to symbolize the “vulnerability of creation” during Lent. However, many faithful Catholics view the installation as deeply inappropriate. Critics argue that placing the image of a dead animal inside a consecrated church undermines the sacred character of the sanctuary and shifts the focus away from Christ and t...

Does the weakening of Catholics' testimony to Christ stem solely from the Second Vatican Council? Council teaching was susceptible to manipulation by rival groups, each keen to assert their claim to magisterial power, given that it was established during a period of revolt. Easy scapegoat. Three tales concerning Annibale Bugnini, the president of the consilium tasked with revitalizing the holy liturgy and the poster child for conspiracy theories, are frequently shared by opponents of the liturgical reform. Some versions even claim that Paul VI was a Freemason or that an impostor took his place. Archbishop Bugnini was a Freemason who attempted to deceive Pope St. Paul VI and compromise the Liturgy. In order to appease Protestants, Bugnini purportedly changed the Catholic liturgy by deleting aspects that were essential to Catholic identity. This assertion is sometimes connected to a comment that Bugnini is said to have made about getting rid of everything that Protestants would find ...

A PENITENTIAL OFFICE for the BLESSING of ASHES EXAUDI NOS Psalm 69.17, 1     HEAR me, O Lord, for thy loving-kindness is comfortable: turn thee unto me according to the multitude of thy mercies. Ps. Save me, O God, for the waters are come in even unto my soul. Glory be… Hear me… The Celebrant now turns to the people and says: BRETHREN, it has been the custom in the Church from ancient times to observe with great devotion the days of our Lord’s Passion and Resurrection, and to prepare for the same by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided also a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for holy Baptism. It was also a time when such persons as had, by reason of notorious sins, been separated from the body of the faithful, were reconciled and restored to the fellowship of the Church by penitence and forgiveness. Thereby the whole Church was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution contained in the Gospel of our Saviour, and ...

The Legend of the Sand Dollar There's a pretty little legend That I would like to tell Of the birth and death of Jesus Found in this lowly shell If you examine closely, You'll see that you find here Four nail holes and a fifth one Made by a Roman's Spear. On one side the Easter Lily, Its center is the star That appeared unto the shepherds And led them from afar. The Christmas poinsettia Etched on the other side Reminds us of His birthday Our Happy Christmastide. Now break the centre open And here you will release The five white doves awaiting To spread Good Will and Peace. This simple little symbol, Christ left for you and me To help us spread His Gospel Through all eternity. Anonymous https://newmanrosaryguild.blogspot.com/2021/05/walsingham-chaplet-of-five-wounds.html