One Body, One Spirit

Pray for Haiti

2010-11-05T09:35:00.000-05:00

Hurricane Tomas Strikes Haiti

Take some time to pray for the people of Haiti, who have suffered so much and who now must face a devastating new challenge.

New Saints in Roman Missal 3

2010-11-01T08:31:00.002-05:00

The USCCB has an article on their website regarding propers for saints added to the Third Edition of the Roman Missal. Check it out at the link below.

USCCB - Roman Missal New Kids on the Block

A New Enthusiasm

2010-10-11T09:13:00.008-05:00

What is needed at the present time is a new enthusiasm, a new joy and serenity of mind in the unreserved acceptance by all of the entire Christian faith, without forfeiting that accuracy and precision in its presentation which characterized the proceedings of the Council of Trent and the First Vatican Council. What is needed, and what everyone imbued with a truly Christian, Catholic and apostolic spirit craves today, is that this doctrine shall be more widely known, more deeply understood, and more penetrating in its effects on men's moral lives. What is needed is that this certain and immutable doctrine, to which the faithful owe obedience, be studied afresh and reformulated in contemporary terms. For this deposit of faith, or truths which are contained in our time-honored teaching is one thing; the manner in which these truths are set forth (with their meaning preserved intact) is something else.

These words sound as if they could have bee written today. Instead, they were proclaimed forty-eight years ago today, as Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council.

For people of my generation and older, Vatican II is part of our living history. For people in their 30's and younger, it is a thing of the past, something they read and hear about but have not really experienced. Still, Vatican II seems to be part of the collective Catholic lexicon, often cited with little real knowledge of why the Council was called, what the Council said, and what all of this means to the life of the Church and to each human person.

We argue about what the Second Vatican Council said about the Church Universal, the liturgy, the laity, the clergy, and many other important matters. But have we achieved the "new enthusiasm," called for by Pope John? Do we crave "that this doctrine shall be more widely known, more deeply understood, and more penetrating in its effects on men's moral lives?"

Today may be a good day to read Pope John's opening address to the Council. Towards its conclusion he reminded the gathered prelates of the importance of the Council saying,

The eyes of the world are upon you; and all its hopes.

Let us give thanks to God for his servant, Pope John XXIII and for all of those who so faithfully sought the counsel of the Holy Spirit during that important time in history. May we show our thanks by honoring their work and seeking the Spirit with the same fervor, charity and patience.

Workshop for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Added

2010-09-10T07:47:00.008-05:00

The Office of Worship has added an additional workshop for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at St. Mary Parish in Pardeeville this fall. The remaining workshops are listed below.

Sacred Hearts Parish in Sun Prairie
Wednesday, September 22 at 7 p.m.

Nativity of Mary Parish in Janesville
Saturday, September 25 at 9 a.m.
St. Peter in Madison
Wednesday, September 29 at 7:30 p.m.
for Madison east side parishes

St. Mary Parish in Pardeeville
Saturday, October 23 at 9 a.m.

For more information or to register, go to www.madisondiocese.org/emhc.

Over 5800 people have attended these workshops since September 2007.

(Artwork: La multiplication des pains by Corrine Vonaesch)

Pastoral Companion to the Roman Missal

2010-09-09T09:32:00.003-05:00

World Library Publications is preparing to publish a Pastoral Companion to the Roman Missal by popular scholar/author Fr. Paul Turner. While I have not yet seen it, the description looks like this will be a very useful tool as we begin to pray with the newly translated texts. Here is the information from the publisher:

This is the essential companion to the new English translation of the Roman Missal. Father Paul Turner walks you through the newly translated Entrance and Communion Songs, Collects, Prayers over the Gifts, and Postcommunion Prayers for Sundays and Solemnities. Helpful pastoral suggestions and historical background are provided in a clear, concise, accessible manner. This eminently pastoral book is packed with helpful scholarship, making connections between the texts of the Missal and the Lectionary. Special bonus: introductions and conclusions to the Prayer of the Faithful for each Sunday and Solemnity, written in new Missal "style." A must-have!

Click here for more information.

I'll be placing other resources on the blog as time moves forward. If you have any suggestions, let me know.

A Cause for "Great Concern"

2010-09-08T09:46:00.005-05:00

The Vatican released a communique from the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue concerning current events in our country and around the world.

VATICAN CITY, 8 SEP 2010 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue today released an English-language communique describing its "great concern at the news of the proposed 'Koran Burning Day' on the occasion of the anniversary of the 11 September tragic terrorist attacks in 2001 which resulted in the loss of many innocent lives and considerable material damage.

"These deplorable acts of violence, in fact, cannot be counteracted by an outrageous and grave gesture against a book considered sacred by a religious community. Each religion, with its respective sacred books, places of worship and symbols, has the right to respect and protection. We are speaking about the respect to be accorded the dignity of the person who is an adherent of that religion and his/her free choice in religious matters.

"The reflection which necessarily should be fostered on the occasion of the remembrance of 11 September would be, first of all, to offer our deep sentiments of solidarity with those who were struck by these horrendous terrorist attacks. To this feeling of solidarity we join our prayers for them and their loved ones who lost their lives.

"Each religious leader and believer is also called to renew the firm condemnation of all forms of violence, in particular those committed in the name of religion. Pope John Paul II affirmed: 'Recourse to violence in the name of religious belief is a perversion of the very teachings of the major religions' (address to the new ambassador of Pakistan, 16 December 1999). His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI similarly expressed, 'violence as a response to offences can never be justified, for this type of response is incompatible with the sacred principles of religion' (address of His Holiness Benedict XVI, to the new ambassador of Morocco, 6 February 2006)".

Lord, Give Success to the Work of Our Hands

2010-09-03T08:17:00.011-05:00

As we approach Labor Day, I think that it is good to reflect upon and to re-orient ourselves toward the role of work in God's mysterious plan.

Human work proceeds directly from persons created in the image of God and called to prolong the work of creation by subduing the earth, both with and for one another. Hence work is a duty: "If any one will not work, let him not eat (2 Thess 3:10, cf. 1 Thess 4:11)." Work honors the Creator's gifts and the talents received from him. It can also be redemptive. By enduring the hardship of work in union with Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth and the one crucified on Calvary, man collaborates in a certain fashion with the Son of God in his redemptive work. He shows himself to be a disciple of Christ by carrying the cross, daily, in the work he is called to accomplish. Work can be a means of sanctification and a way of animating earthly realities with the Spirit of Christ. Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2427

Our faith calls us to value work, to desire to work, and to put in an honest day's work. At the same time our faith requires employers to provide a just wage and to allow full access to employment without unjust discrimination (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 2426-2436).

There is so much talk about work these days, especially since so many people are unemployed and many, many more are underemployed. To make enough money to pay the bills or to have health insurance, many work long hours which impact the quality of their family lives. "Work is for man, not man for work," the Catechism reminds us (2428).

I think that Labor Day provides a chance for all of us to first thank God for the gift of work along with the many other gifts that he freely and generously gives us (life, faith, family, Church, creation, food, etc). It is also a time to pray for those who are in need of work.

Finally, I think it provides an opportunity to examine our own consciences about our view of human labor within the context of our faith:

If I have a job, do I put in an honest day's work? Am I honest and truthful? Am I respectful of other's property or do I feel entitled to take things from work that aren't mine? Do I treat coworkers with respect? Am I charitable? Do I put work ahead of family? Do I rest from work on Sundays?
If I do not have a job, have I done all that I can to search for a job? Have I tried to improve my skills or study a new field? Have I given up hope? Do I seek God's guidance and sustenance? Am I angry with God? Do I use the time that I now have doing something positive? Do I still seek to help others as best as I can?
Whether or not we have a job, all of us can ask ourselves, Do I respect all people regardless of whether or not they have a job? Do I respect all people or do I judge people based on status or job? Do I have compassion for people who work in difficult conditions? Do I value companies that provide fair and just labor standards when I consider a purchase? Do I begrudge someone who gets government or other assistance when unemployed or underemployed? Have I reflected upon the Catholic position regarding immigration?

Labor Day gives us the opportunity to thank God for the gift of work and to pray for people who want to work but do not have employment or are unable to work. I know that this year I will pray for those who have dangerous jobs, especially the trapped Chilean minors (and for their families).

A number of years ago I was asked by our Office for Justice and Peace to compose a litany to be used on Labor Day. I try to review it each year around Labor Day to remind myself of the dignity God has bestowed upon work and worker alike. I wrote about it last year and it can be found by clicking here.

Below is a prayer (slightly adapted, for personal prayer) from the Sacramentary (Masses for Various Needs and Occasions: For the Blessing of Human Labor):

God our Father,
by the labor of men and women you govern and guide to perfection
the work of creation.
Hear the prayers of your people
and give all men and women work
that enhances their human dignity
and draws them closer to each other
in the service of their brothers and sisters.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Here Come the Irish

2010-08-27T07:40:00.003-05:00

The University of Notre Dame's Center for Liturgy has an impressive site dedicated to web catechesis on the Roman Missal.

The site includes video presentations from Msgr. Bruce Harbert (the former Executive Director of ICEL who was in charge of the new translation), Fr. Michael Joncas, Fr. Douglas Martis, Msgr. James Moroney (a consultant to the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments), Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, Fr. Paul Turner and Sr. Joyce Ann Zimmerman, C.PP.S. The videos vary in length and include solid catechesis.

Topics vary from the theoretical to the practical and address all aspects of the Roman Missal, including the theology, explanation of translation changes and issues surrounding music. This definitely is a site to bookmark.

Roman Missal Workshop Added in Montello

2010-08-26T09:16:00.005-05:00

We have added one more location to our diocesan introductory workshops on the Roman Missal. It will be on Wednesday, October 6 at St. John the Baptist Parish in Montello. Go to the Office of Worship's Roman Missal page for more information.

One workshop already has been held in Madison and another will be offered today in Sun Prairie. Future workshops will be held in Lancaster (September 1), Madison (September 1), Beloit (September 8), Spring Green (September 23), and now in Montello (October 6).

An Educational Journey: The Roman Missal and Love

2010-08-23T10:22:00.008-05:00

Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, Director of Media Relations for the USCCB, wrote an interesting blog entry regarding the Roman Missal. "We Catholics are about to embark on an educational journey," she writes. The brief entry includes some thoughtful reflections on the use of less common-place words in the new translation. Click here to view her article.

The entry has also sparked a heated exchange on the USCCB Facebook page, with all of the usual accusations being thrown about. There are a lot of angry people out there who either love the new translation or love the old one. Unfortunately, they appear not to love each other.

I keep coming across the phrase that real charity doesn't mean being "nice" but sharing the truth. I heartily disagree! Saint Paul said (I Corinthians 13) that love is, among other things, kind, humble and not rude. The Truth is Love. God is Love. Name-calling and attributing motives to others with whom we differ is neither Truth nor Love. The First Letter of Saint John says: "Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love" (I John 4:8). Therefore it is important for us always to examine our hearts (and our words and actions) for the presence or absence of love.

Teaching others requires a great deal of love and discipline. Without this, I believe that we are on a slippery slope whereby we become a counter-witness, turning others away. We can plant the seed and live it ourselves, with God's grace. We can nurture it in others through prayer and example, through love and encouragement. As St. Francis of Assisi is said to have instructed others, "Preach the Gospel without ceasing. Use words when necessary."

Love does not require silence, acquiescence, timidity or capitulation. In fact, the opposite is true. Love is bold, zealous and all-conquering. Love makes one vulnerable and yet tenacious. It appears weak but is strong.

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us. (I John 4:7-12)

Roman Missal is Now Approved

2010-08-20T11:04:00.008-05:00

Cardinal Francis George, OMI, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops [USCCB], announced today the United States Bishops have received the final text of the Roman Missal. While the Order of Mass was approved in 2008, this marks the completion of the entire Roman Missal for the dioceses of the United States.

The approved text, previously available online, has some slight changes, according to a letter from the Bishops' Committee on Divine Worship Secretariat. These changes are:

the words of absolution in the Penitential Act have been modified (so that the text of the current Sacramentary is maintained);
the addition of "I believe" at three points in the Profession of faith;
several slight modifications to the texts of the Eucharistic Prayers;
the final doxology of the Eucharistic Prayer has been slightly altered.

In addition, it has been announced that the popular Memorial Acclamation, "Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again," is no longer an option in the Order of Mass. This had been an American adaptation to the 1985 Roman Missal and the inclusion of this acclamation had been in doubt since it was not in the Latin typical edition.

The Missal will be available for use in Advent 2011. The study text will be posted on the USCCB website soon at www.usccb.org/romanmissal.

A more complete article from Catholic News Service is available here.

Our own diocesan workshops for priests and parish leaders will begin next week and discuss the Roman Missal in detail. Go to www.madisondiocese.org/romanmissal for more information.

Altar Servers

2010-08-10T09:44:00.004-05:00

Catholic News Service reported yesterday that the Vatican's newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, included a story which praised the Vatican's 1994 decision, during the pontifcate of Pope John Paul II, to allow girls to serve as altar servers. The article appeared shortly after Pope Benedict XVI met with 25,000 altar servers in St. Peter's Square, of which 60% were girls and young women.

The report from CNS said,

Assisting the priest during Mass is both a service and a privilege and represents "a deep and responsible way to live one's Christian identity," said an article published Aug. 7 in L'Osservatore Romano.
"The exclusion of girls from all of this, for the sole reason of their being female, has always weighed heavily and represented a deep inequality within Catholic education," it said.

The CNS article concludes mentioning the 2001 clarification which stated that priests could not be required by their bishop to use girls and women as altar servers.

The full text of the article is available here.

Parishes provide Communion options to those with gluten intolerance

2010-07-01T12:13:00.001-05:00

Parishes provide Communion options to those with gluten intolerance National Catholic Reporter

Concert Season

2010-04-30T15:09:00.004-05:00

There are several choral concerts in our diocese during these next few weeks. Here are a few (click on the links for more information):

Saturday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center
Madison Diocesan Choir Spring Concert

Monday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m.
St. Andrew in Verona
The University of Notre Dame Liturgical Choir (pictured above)

Sunday, May 23 at 2 p.m.
Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Beloit
The OLA Parish Choir Concert

All of these concerts are free.

Incoming Missal

2010-04-30T15:01:00.003-05:00

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a press release today announcing that the revised Roman Missal has received the required recognitio from the Holy See.

A timeline for implementation has not yet been announced.

Publication of Roman Missal is "Imminent"

2010-04-28T13:41:00.003-05:00

The National Catholic Register published an article today saying that the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments would issue the recognitio (approval) of the English-language Roman Missal today. While no official word has been given, Vatican radio reported on the meeting of Pope Benedict XVI and the Vox Clara working group of bishops preparing the final version of the Missal. Vatican Radio referred to the publication as "imminent."

As of noon CT, there is no official report acknowledging the recognitio.

In the Name of Jesus

2010-04-09T08:56:00.013-05:00

The first reading for today's Mass is taken from the Acts of the Apostles (4:1-12) and is one which visitors to the O'Connor Center may find familiar. The artistic highlight of the chapel is floor-to-ceiling mosaic depicting the scene from this Scripture.

The 30-foot mosaic is original to the chapel, which was dedicated in 1964. It was designed by a German-born artisan in Milwaukee, Felix G. Senger, and assembled in Berlin. Many people involved in the project remember its installation because it first was laid out in the lobby of the seminary and then assembled--piece by piece--on the chapel wall. The mosaic is composed of glass and marble and is made up of over 360,000 pieces.

The Risen Christ stands radiantly as the focal point of the artwork, showing the glorified wounds on his hands in the familiar orans position.

On the lower third of the mosaic is depicted the climax of the account of Peter and John healing a disabled man outside of the temple (previous portions of this were read on Wednesday and Thursday of this week).

Peter and John were going to the temple for prayer, and this man, disabled from birth, was begging for alms at the "Beautiful Gate" of the temple. Upon hearing him, Peter looked him in the eye and said, "I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, (rise and) walk" (Acts 3:6). The man did just that, amazing all who were familiar with him.

Peter and John began preaching to all who had witnessed the miracle, but they were arrested on orders from the temple leaders. Jailed over night, they were questioned the following day. When asked on what authority they had healed this man, Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and his testimony is inscribed in the mosaic:

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth
whom you crucified,
whom God has raised from the dead,
even in this name
does he stand before you sound. (Acts 4:10)

This inscription highlighted the original name of the building, "Holy Name Seminary." The building was built by the first Bishop of Madison, Bishop William P. O'Connor (1886-1973). His episcopal motto, In Nomine Jesu (In the Name of Jesus), gave rise to both the building's name and the mosaic's image. Bishop O'Connor was a "Council Father," having attended the first two sessions of the Second Vatican Council.

The Seminary was formally closed in 1995 and was renovated in 1998. The building was renamed to honor that first bishop and is now the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center. The Chapel was renamed the Bishop O'Donnell Holy Name Memorial Chapel. The chapel was beautifully renovated at that time and magnificent stained glass windows were installed depicting Christ, the saints (including one of the first depictions of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta--Mother Teresa--in the world), and the works of mercy that we are called to perform as the Body of Christ.

On a side note, I have always felt that mosaics shed some light on the nature of the Church. Hundreds of thousands of pieces of glass and marble are used in this particularly mosaic, and each one is important. Some are made in brilliant colors--gold, maroon and red. Some are less brilliant and in muted tones. Some make up important figures--the face of Christ or the hand of Peter--while others are relegated to seemingly less important areas--an apostolic toe or perhaps a simple piece of the background far from where the eye is drawn.

Yet each uniquely shaped and colored piece is important and adds to the beauty of the whole. Each has a place and a job. If even one piece of glass was removed from the least significant portion of this mosaic, we would notice. The beauty of the whole would be diminished. If one piece was too brilliant it, too, would diminish the whole, detracting from the overall beauty and calling attention to itself.

Like a mosaic, we can't all be the most beautiful, eloquent, or influential in the Church. But each one is needed or the entire Body is diminished.

Enjoy this Festival!

2010-04-07T08:43:00.006-05:00

My favorite Easter homily comes from the great Eastern saint, John Chrysostom (347-407). As priest and later Archbishop of Constantinople he was known for the eloquence of his preaching, earning the title Chrysostom (golden-mouthed).

The homily (below) is followed by a clip from J. S. Bach's (1685-1750) great Easter Cantata, Christ lag in Todesbanden (Christ lay in the bonds of death). This cantata's text and melody are based upon the Easter Sequence Victimae Paschali laudes (Praise the Paschal Victim). The homily and music...written 1300 years apart by the greatest Orthodox preacher and the most gifted Lutheran musician, seem to make a nice combination.

Happy Easter!

An Easter Homily by Saint John Chrysostom

Are there any who are devout lovers of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!

Are there any who are grateful servants? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!
Are there any weary from fasting? Let them now receive their due!

If any have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their reward.

If any have come after the third hour, let them with gratitude join in the feast!

Those who arrived after the sixth hour,let them not doubt; for they shall not be short-changed.

Those who have tarried until the ninth hour, let them not hesitate; but let them come too.

And those who arrived only at the eleventh hour, let them not be afraid by reason of their delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. The Lord gives rest to those who come at the eleventh hour, even as to those who toiled from the beginning. To one and all the Lord gives generously. The Lord accepts the offering of every work. The Lord honors every deed and commends their intention.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!

First and last alike, receive your reward.

Rich and poor, rejoice together!

Conscientious and lazy, celebrate the day!

You who have kept the fast, and you who have not, rejoice, this day, for the table is bountifully spread!

Feast royally, for the calf is fatted.

Let no one go away hungry.

Partake, all, of the banquet of faith.

Enjoy the bounty of the Lord's goodness!

Let no one grieve being poor, for the universal reign has been revealed.

Let no one lament persistent failings, for forgiveness has risen from the grave.

Let no one fear death, for the death of our Savior has set us free.

The Lord has destroyed death by enduring it. The Lord vanquished hell when he descended into it. The Lord put hell in turmoil even as it tasted of his flesh. Isaiah foretold this when he said, “You, O Hell, were placed in turmoil when he encountering you below.”

Hell was in turmoil having been eclipsed.

Hell was in turmoil having been mocked.

Hell was in turmoil having been destroyed.

Hell was in turmoil having been abolished.

Hell was in turmoil having been made captive.

Hell grasped a corpse, and met God.

Hell seized earth, and encountered heaven.

Hell took what it saw, and was overcome by what it could not see.

O death, where is your sting? O hell, where is your victory?

Christ is risen, and you are cast down!

Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!

Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!

Christ is risen, and life is set free!

Christ is risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead.

For Christ, having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Christ be glory and power forever and ever. Amen!

Below is the fifth movement of Christ lag in Todesbanden as sung by the gifted ensemble Cantus Cölln.

It was a strange battle where death and life struggled. Life won the victory, it has swallowed up death. Scripture has proclaimed how one death ate the other, death has become a mockery. Alleluia! (English translation for the fifth movement from www.bach-cantatas.com)

And, because it is such a wonderful piece of music, here is the first half of the cantata.

Christ lay in death's bonds handed over for our sins, he is risen again and has brought us life For this we should be joyful, praise God and be thankful to him and sing alleluia, Alleluia

EMHC Workshop on May 1

2010-04-07T08:41:00.001-05:00

The Office of Worship is presenting a workshop for extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at St. Bernard Church in Madison on Saturday, May 1 (9-10:30 a.m.). Contact the Office of Worship for more details.

The Oil of Mercy

2010-04-01T09:09:00.006-05:00

"In the lamp of our lives, the oil of mercy should never run dry."
Pope Benedict XVI, Chrism Mass Homily (April 1, 2010)

Earlier today the Chrism Mass was celebrated in Saint Peter's Basilica for the Diocese of Rome. In his homily, the Holy Father spoke very eloquently about the sacramental signs of the Church and the special symbolism of oil. The phrase above is certainly one that will remain with me for awhile (I hope!).

But more impressive (to me at least) was his discourse on love, joy and suffering.

In the early Church, the consecrated oil was considered a special sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit, who communicates himself to us as a gift from Christ. He is the oil of gladness. This gladness is different from entertainment and from the outward happiness that modern society seeks for itself. Entertainment, in its proper place, is certainly good and enjoyable. It is good to be able to laugh. But entertainment is not everything. It is only a small part of our lives, and when it tries to be the whole, it becomes a mask behind which despair lurks, or at least doubt over whether life is really good, or whether non-existence might perhaps be better than existence. The gladness that comes to us from Christ is different. It does indeed make us happy, but it can also perfectly well coexist with suffering. It gives us the capacity to suffer and, in suffering, to remain nevertheless profoundly glad. It gives us the capacity to share the suffering of others and thus by placing ourselves at one another’s disposal, to express tangibly the light and the goodness of God. I am always struck by the passage in the Acts of the Apostles which recounts that after the Apostles had been whipped by order of the Sanhedrin, they “rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the name of Jesus” (Acts 5:41). Anyone who loves is ready to suffer for the beloved and for the sake of his love, and in this way he experiences a deeper joy. The joy of the martyrs was stronger than the torments inflicted on them. This joy was ultimately victorious and opened the gates of history for Christ.

I have always been impressed by Pope Benedict's homilies and writings on love. We often say that it is misunderstood by "the world." I would argue that it also is misunderstood by many in the Church. I hope that a careful reading of, and deep reflection on, Pope Benedict's wise words will help remedy this.

We should glory in the cross

2010-04-01T07:00:00.010-05:00

"We should glory in the cross
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
for he is our salvation,
our life and our resurrection;
through him we are saved and made free."
(Galatians 6:14)

These words--the text of the introit or introduction of the Holy Thursday mass—start off these wonderful Three Days of prayer that we call the Easter Triduum. Lent ends sometime today without any fanfare. By the time we gather this evening for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Lent has ended. At the same time, Easter has not yet begun. It is as if we are standing in a threshold between rooms—we are in neither and both at the same time.

As the Triduum begins on Holy Thursday we savor the sweetness of the Eucharist in its fullest sense. We explore both the treasure and the cost. We eat and drink with “loins girt” as the Old Testament reading says—celebrating our Passover. We listen once again to Saint John's account of the Last Supper in which Jesus washed the feet of his disciples saying, "As I have done, you should also do."

On Holy Thursday we are reminded that Eucharist is both verb and noun…something received and given. It is something that we enter into. It is something that transforms our lives.

Below is a recording of the Benedictine monks of the Abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos singing the introit for the day (the text is from Galatians, quoted above).

"Let us resolve to make this week holy"

2010-03-31T09:00:00.006-05:00

Catholic News Service (CNS) published a brief story yesterday marking the twentieth anniversary of the death of Sr. Thea Bowman. She spent much of her life helping African-Americans through her ministry of education and music.

Weeks before her untimely death from cancer at age 52, she dictated a text about Holy Week for publication in the Jackson (MS) diocesan newspaper. Here is the text below as published by CNS.

Let us resolve to make this week holy by claiming Christ's redemptive grace and by living holy lives. The Word became flesh and redeemed us by his holy life and holy death. This week especially, let us accept redemption by living grateful, faithful, prayerful, generous, just and holy lives.

Let us resolve to make this week holy by reading and meditating (on) holy Scripture. So often, we get caught up in the hurry of daily living. As individuals and as families, reserve prime time to be with Jesus, to hear the cries of the children waving palm
branches, to see the Son of Man riding on an ass' colt, to feel the press of the crowd, to be caught up in the "Hosannas" and to realize how the cries of acclamation will yield to the garden of suffering, to be there and watch as Jesus is sentenced by Pilate to Calvary, to see him rejected, mocked, spat upon, beaten and forced to carry a heavy cross, to hear the echo of the hammer, to feel the agony of the torn flesh and strained muscles, to know Mary's anguish as he hung three hours before he died.

We recoil before the atrocities of war, gang crime, domestic violence and catastrophic illness. Unless we personally and immediately are touched by suffering, it is easy to read Scripture and to walk away without contacting the redemptive suffering that makes us holy. The reality of the Word falls on deaf ears.

Let us take time this week to be present to someone who suffers. Sharing the pain of a fellow human will enliven Scripture and help us enter into the holy mystery of the redemptive suffering of Christ.

Let us resolve to make this week holy by participating in the Holy Week services of the church, not just by attending, but also by preparing, by studying the readings, entering into the spirit, offering our services as ministers of the Word or Eucharist, decorating the church or preparing the environment for worship.

Let us sing, "Lord, have mercy," and "Hosanna." Let us praise the Lord with our whole heart and soul and mind and strength, uniting with the suffering church throughout the world -- in Rome and Northern Ireland, in Syria and Lebanon, in South Africa and Angola, India and China, Nicaragua and El Salvador, in Washington and Jackson.

Let us break bread together; let us relive the holy and redemptive mystery. Let us do it in memory of him, acknowledging in faith his real presence upon our altars.

Let us resolve to make this week holy by sharing holy peace and joy within our families, sharing family prayer on a regular basis, making every meal a holy meal where loving conversations bond family members in unity, sharing family work without grumbling, making love not war, asking forgiveness for past hurts and forgiving one another from the heart, seeking to go all the way for love as Jesus went all the way for love.

Let us resolve to make this week holy by sharing holy peace and joy with the needy, the alienated, the lonely, the sick and afflicted, the untouchable.

Let us unite our sufferings, inconveniences and annoyances with the suffering of Jesus. Let us stretch ourselves, going beyond our comfort zones to unite ourselves with Christ's redemptive work.

We unite ourselves with Christ's redemptive work when we reconcile, when we make peace, when we share the good news that God is in our lives, when we reflect to our brothers and sisters God's healing, God's forgiveness, God's unconditional love.

Let us be practical, reaching out across the boundaries of race and class and status to
help somebody, to encourage and affirm somebody, offering to the young an incentive to learn and grow, offering to the downtrodden resources to help themselves.

May our fasting be the kind that saves and shares with the poor, that actually contacts the needy, that gives heart to heart, that touches and nourishes and heals.

During this Holy Week when Jesus gave his life for love, let us truly love one another.

This is what the liturgy teaches us!

I was going to post this famous setting of Ubi caritas by French composer Maurice Durufle (1902-86) tomorrow, but since Sr. Thea signed off with those words, it seems fitting today. The English text is below the video.

Where charity and love are, there God is.

The love of Christ has gathered us into one flock.
Let us exult, and in Him be joyful.
Let us fear and let us love the living God.
And from a sincere heart let us love each other.

Therefore, whensoever we are gathered as one:
Lest we in mind be divided, let us beware.
Let cease malicious quarrels, let strife give way.
And in the midst of us be Christ our God.

Together also with the blessed may we see,
Gloriously, Thy countenance, O Christ our God:
A joy which is immense, and also approved:
Through infinite ages of ages.Amen.

"You anoint my head with oil"

2010-03-30T14:13:00.000-05:00

Tonight we will celebrate the Chrism Mass in the Diocese of Madison. The Chrism Mass is proper to Holy Thursday but may be moved to another day near Easter "if it is difficult for the clergy and the people to assemble with their bishop on Holy Thursday morning" (Ceremonial of Bishops, 275).

The liturgy takes its name from the Chrism that is consecrated at the Mass. The Oil of the Sick and Oil of Catechumens are blessed as well. These oils are taken directly to each parish from the Mass and by week's end, many of them will have seen their first use.

The word "Chrism" comes from "Christ." This olive oil, perfumed with balsam and other scents, is anointed on the hands of priests at their ordination, poured onto altars and rubbed into walls of new churches at their dedication, traced in the form of a cross on people being confirmed as well as on the heads of babies at their baptism. It is yet another sign of Christ, reminding us that the priest stands "in the person of Christ;" that the altar--where the Sacrifice of Christ is re-presented--is itself a reminder of Christ; and that the church building itself stands as a witness to Christ in the community. It is used in baptism and confirmation to remind us all that we are "priests, prophets and kings" and that we are anointed in the Spirit preparing for a life of strenuous witness to God.

The Chrism Mass itself, "manifests the communion of the presbyters with their bishop...[and is] a clear expression of the unity of the priesthood and sacrifice of Christ, which continue to be present in the Church" (Ceremonial of Bishops, 274).

Unity is vital to the Church ("the essence of the Church" according to the Catechism). It is of such importance that it was on the mind of Jesus as he prayed in the Garden.

I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. (John 17:20-23)

Unfortunately, unity clearly is lacking in many aspects of Church life. Unity, like much of our faith, is difficult because God is the granter of unity (we can't make it happen on our own) but he wills our participation in this great work (he doesn't do it without us). He continuously provides us with models, most especially in the sending of his Son to become like us in all things but sin and to suffer, die and rise for us.

In my opinion unity today often takes on the form of "if you come to me we will be united." For Christians, we must always be willing to take the initiative (again and again, if necessary). It doesn't mean we compromise the Truths of our faith. It simply means that we follow Christ's example.

He is the Word that brings salvation.
He is the hand you stretch out to sinners.
He is the way that leads to your peace. (Eucharistic Prayer, Mass of Reconciliation II)

Following up on the oil theme, I have selected an excerpt from Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms as today's Holy Week choral selection. In this movement he combines a lush setting of Psalm 23 with a frenetic setting of Psalm 2. (The entire work is set in Hebrew.) I have often thought that the solo for boy soprano at the beginning of this music is one of the most sublime pieces ever written.

Behold and See

2010-03-29T13:40:00.004-05:00

I am sorry for the lack of posts these past few weeks, but I figure that most of the people who view this blog (and your numbers are over a dozen, if you count my family!) are also pretty busy this Lent.

Now we come to our high holy days. The mysteries that we celebrate have inspired some of the greatest choral music throughout history. I hope to find time this week to highlight some of these compositions (some old favorites, some that may be new to you). You can play them on your desktop while you're furiously finishing all of the other things that you need to do during Holy Week. I hope it helps all of us stay focused!

Below is a recording of cellist and composer Pablo Casals' O vos omnes. Casals (1876-1973) had a strong personality and, one story goes, that when asked at age 93 why he still practices the cello he responded, "Because I am beginning to see some improvement."

His sacred choral music is on the fringe of the standard repertoire--you hear it performed, but not often. This piece is probably the most popular and is sung by some larger and more proficient church choirs. The translation is:

O you people who pass by, behold and see:
if there is any sorrow like my sorrow.
Behold, all people, and see my sorrow
if there is any sorrow like my sorrow.

The video below is not much to look at, but it is well sung.

How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place

2010-03-14T00:01:00.002-06:00

Today, March 14, 2010, marks the fifth anniversary of the early-morning fire at Saint Raphael Cathedral in Madison. Thankfully no one was hurt but the Cathedral eventually had to be demolished. (The picture above shows the firefighters who removed the Blessed Sacrament from the locked tabernacle even as the fire burned.)

Several liturgical items, including the ciborium shown above, remain in use today. The wooden crucifix with the ivory corpus which hung above the cathedra was discovered in the rubble a few days after the fire and, even though one arm of Christ is broken, it has been used by the Cathedral Parish ever since for the veneration of the cross on Good Friday. The processional cross, blackened by smoke, was used by the Bishop at the Chrism Mass that was held just days after the fire. A silver statue of Mary was thought to be lost but eventually was found in the rubble and has since been refurbished. The statue is now enshrined at Saint Patrick Church on the other side of the square.

The prayer below was composed the day of the fire for distribution by the Diocese of Madison.

O God,
whose word is like a fire,
who spoke to your servant Moses in the burning bush
and who led your people Israel out of bondage
with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night:
hear your people as we call upon you both in gratitude and sorrow.

We thank you for the safety of the Cathedral staff and parishioners,
for those who fought the fire and for all who live and work in nearby buildings.

May this fire purify your Church in the Diocese of Madison
so that our hearts may burn with the knowledge
that your Church is built upon the bedrock of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Through the intercession of Saint Raphael,
your messenger of healing,
may we find comfort in our affliction
and the courage to continue proclaiming
the Good News of Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
Amen.

Saint Raphael, pray for us!

Richard Proulx (1937-2010)

2010-02-19T08:21:00.004-06:00

We have received news that Richard Proulx was born into eternal life last night, February 18, 2010. Dr. Proulx was arguably the most influential church musician in the United States over the past several decades. While he himself was a gifted conductor and organist, his most important contributions to the Church were his numerous compositions. It would be difficult to compile even a list of highlights, but many of his pieces are known by heart throughout the United States. In addition to original compositions he harmonized hundreds of chants and hymns and was influential in the editorial decisions of several hymnals.

He was a great proponent of traditional Catholic Church music in its best sense--drawing from the past and adding the best of current music by gifted composers. He promoted congregational singing and composed quality music that will enrich our Church for many, many years to come.

May the angels lead him into paradise,
may the martyrs come to welcome him
and take him to the Holy City,
the New and Eternal Jerusalem.

May he have eternal rest.

Following a different path

2010-02-17T09:44:00.005-06:00

At his General Audience today (Ash Wednesday), the Holy Father based his reflections on the two texts which may be used during the imposition of ashes.

Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the Church’s Lenten journey towards Easter. Lent reminds us, as Saint Paul exhorts, “not to accept the grace of God in vain” (cf. 2 Cor 6:1), but to recognize that today the Lord calls us to penance and spiritual renewal. This call to conversion is expressed in the two formulae used in the rite of the imposition of ashes. The first formula – “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” – echoes Jesus’s words at the beginning of his public ministry (cf. Mk 1:15). It reminds us that conversion is meant to be a deep and lasting abandonment of our sinful ways in order to enter into a living relationship with Christ, who alone offers true freedom, happiness and fulfilment. The second, older formula – “Remember, man, that you are dust and to dust you shall return” – recalls the poverty and death which are the legacy of Adam’s sin, while pointing us to the resurrection, the new life and the freedom brought by Christ, the Second Adam.

He added that "conversion means changing the direction of the path of our lives."

As we enter this holy season, I hope to consider my own path...is Christ at the end of the path as its goal? Do I take the most direct route? the easiest route? am I even on the right road?

This also reminds us that the goal of Lent is not simply self-denial, but rather dying to self and rising in Christ. Our Lenten disciplines teach and express our dependence on God and our willingness to leave all behind to follow him. We don't simply "give up" something for forty days...we seek to condition ourselves so that when Easter arrives we may rejoice in the Savior--Risen and Radiant--renewed in our baptism into Christ, carrying his light, clothed in his glory and waiting eagerly for his return in glory!

A Last Alleluia Before Lent

2010-02-16T10:23:00.004-06:00

Lent: A Time of Justice

2010-02-16T09:30:00.013-06:00

What is justice? Pope Benedict XVI's Lenten message for 2010 focuses on the justice of God, reminding us through the title, “The justice of God has been manifested through faith in Jesus Christ” (Romans 3:21-22).

The pope writes,

Injustice, the fruit of evil, does not have exclusively external roots; its origin lies in the human heart, where the seeds are found of a mysterious cooperation with evil.

God created us in his image and gave us a natural inclination for love and charity. God, says the Holy Father, intended that we should trust in love and in receiving what is needed from God, rather than seeking to rely solely on self. This self-centeredness becomes the root of injustice.

At the heart of the wisdom of Israel, we find a profound link between faith in God who “lifts the needy from the ash heap” (Ps 113,7) and justice towards one’s neighbor. The Hebrew word itself that indicates the virtue of justice, sedaqah, expresses this well. Sedaqah, in fact, signifies on the one hand full acceptance of the will of the God of Israel; on the other hand, equity in relation to one’s neighbour (cf. Ex 20, 12-17), especially the poor, the stranger, the orphan and the widow (cf. Dt 10, 18-19). But the two meanings are linked because giving to the poor for the Israelite is none other than restoring what is owed to God, who had pity on the misery of His people. It was not by chance that the gift to Moses of the tablets of the Law on Mount Sinai took place after the crossing of the Red Sea. Listening to the Law presupposes faith in God who first “heard the cry” of His people and “came down to deliver them out of hand of the Egyptians” (cf. Ex 3,8). God is attentive to the cry of the poor and in return asks to be listened to: He asks for justice towards the poor (cf. Sir 4,4-5, 8-9), the stranger (cf. Ex 22,20), the slave (cf. Dt 15, 12-18). In order to enter into justice, it is thus necessary to leave that illusion of self-sufficiency, the profound state of closure, which is the very origin of injustice. In other words, what is needed is an even deeper “exodus” than that accomplished by God with Moses, a liberation of the heart, which the Law on its own is powerless to realize. Does man have any hope of justice then?

The answer for Christians is, of course, a resounding yes! Our justice is in Jesus Christ.

Conversion to Christ, believing in the Gospel, ultimately means this: to exit the illusion of self-sufficiency in order to discover and accept one’s own need – the need of others and God, the need of His forgiveness and His friendship. So we understand how faith is altogether different from a natural, good-feeling, obvious fact: humility is required to accept that I need Another to free me from “what is mine,” to give me gratuitously “what is His.” This happens especially in the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. Thanks to Christ’s action, we may enter into the “greatest” justice, which is that of love (cf. Rm 13, 8-10), the justice that recognises itself in every case more a debtor than a creditor, because it has received more than could ever have been expected. Strengthened by this very experience, the Christian is moved to contribute to creating just societies, where all receive what is necessary to live according to the dignity proper to the human person and where justice is enlivened by love.

Expanding upon this at the Angelus this past Sunday (February 14, 2010), he related the days' Gospel reading (the Beatitudes) with his Lenten message.

...the Beatitudes are rooted in the fact that divine justice exists, exalting those who have been wrongly humiliated and humbling those who have exalted themselves. ... This justice, this Beatitude, will be realised in the Kingdom or Heaven, the Kingdom of God, which comes at the end of time but which is already present in history... Christ's Gospel responds positively to man's thirst for justice, but in an unexpected and surprising way. Christ does not propose a social or political revolution, but a revolution of love which he has already achieved with His cross and His resurrection. It is upon these that the Beatitudes rest, opening a new horizon of justice.

The pope's message is an invitation of sorts. He is letting us in on his own "program" for Lenten reflections. We, too, may reflect upon the Lenten Scriptures and our prayers, fasting and almsgiving through this lens to help more fully live a life of justice in Christ Jesus.

The Roman Missal & Hymnals

2010-02-09T11:45:00.003-06:00

Bob Batastini, the long-time managing editor for GIA Publications in Chicago, was recently interviewed by a new blog (Pray Tell) regarding liturgical music resources and the new Roman Missal. It's worth reading (click here to see the full text).

Bob gave an impressive talk in Madison regarding the state of Catholic Church music several years ago. He always maintained a position in parish ministry throughout his many years at GIA. He is an excellent church musician and remains a welcome voice!

"Love is God's Very Essence"

2010-02-01T08:28:00.010-06:00

At yesterday's Angelus, the Holy Father spent some time speaking about the day's Second Reading for Mass (I Corinthians 12:31-13:13), Saint Paul's wonderful description of love. Pope Benedict XVI himself described this as one of the most beautiful passages of the entire Bible.

The following comes from the Vatican News Service report of his remarks.

"Charity", the Pope explained, "is the 'greatest' gift, which gives value to all the others. ... In the end, when we find ourselves face to face with God, all other gifts will fail and all that will be left to last for eternity is love, because God is love and we will be like unto Him, in perfect communion with Him.

"For now", he added, "as long as we are in this world, charity is the distinctive mark of Christians. It is the synthesis of all their lives, of what they believe and what they do..."

The Holy Father went on: "Love is God's very essence, it is the meaning of creation and history, it is the light that gives goodness and beauty to the existence of each man and woman. At the same time love is, so to say, the 'style' of God and of believers, it is the behaviour of those who, responding to the love of God, order their lives as a gift of self to God and to neighbour."

Conversion

2010-01-25T09:51:00.013-06:00

Today (January 25) is the Feast of the Conversion of Paul the Apostle. One of the optional readings for the day recalls the dramatic story of Paul's conversion, knocked from his horse by the Lord himself (depicted in the painting to the left by the Renaissance master Caravaggio). Saul's conversion, which took place even as he was going to Damascus to persecute Christians, is yet another example of God's generous mercy and his tireless patience with imperfect men and women.

Conversion is an interesting word. In Church-speak it involves more than just embracing a new life. It also involves turning away from the things that interfere with the new life as well. In ancient times those to be baptized would face the west (the place where the sun set and from where darkness comes) to reject satan; they would then turn to face the east (the place of the rising sun / Son) to profess their faith, turning their backs on their former lives. Today, our baptismal profession still requires us to reject satan and all his empty promises and to profess our belief in the Triune God (although we no longer physically turn).

I often speak with liturgists about conversion. When planning liturgies people often approach from the angle of "I don't like (or understand or appreciate) this aspect of the liturgy...how can it be changed?" Instead, I think that the question should be, "I don't like (or understand or appreciate) this aspect of the liturgy...how can I change?" We don't change things to suit our vision. We allow our hearts to be changed to live in Christ.

Resources for Lent

2010-01-21T10:42:00.023-06:00

It's not too early to start thinking about resources to help parishioners fully celebrate Lent, Triduum and Easter.

I've listed some excellent Lenten resources below. Some are new, some are proven favorites from the past. Some are for everyone, some might just be for you. Feel free to suggest your own through the comments form.

From Liturgy Training Publications:

Bible Stories for the Forty Days, by Melissa Musick Nussbaum. A story book for children.
Forty Days and Forty Nights: A Lenten Ark, by Judy Jarrett and Peter Mazar. This is a Lenten version of an Advent calendar.
Introduction to Lent and Eastertime, by Gabe Huck. A wonderful booklet at a low price that can be used with small groups.
Keeping Lent, Triduum and Easter. A classic.
Keeping the Seasons. Reproducible resources (English and Spanish) for Lent, Triduum and Easter 2010.
What am I doing for Lent this year? (2nd edition), by Paul Turner. Also available in Spanish and in an edition for teens.

From the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC):

Bulletin Inserts for Lent, Triduum and Easter, by Thomas A. Dente.

From the Liturgical Press:

A Crucified Christ in Holy Week, by Raymond Brown.
Lent with Bishop Morneau.
Living Liturgy Lent Bulletin Inserts.
Not by Bread Alone: Daily Reflections for Lent 2010, by Jay Cormier. Also available as an e-book and in a large-print version.

Obviously, this list could go on and on. I hope that this is useful to you and, as I said above, share your own suggestions via the comment page.

The graphic is Jésus et la femme samaritaine ("Jesus and the Samaritan woman") from a series of works based upon the Gospel of Saint John by contemporary artist Corinne Vonaesch.

More on Haiti

2010-01-21T08:36:00.004-06:00

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have added a page to their website featuring news about Haiti. It is estimated that 1/3 of the population will need emergency assistance.

In addition to the extreme misery for the entire population, there has been an impact on this Catholic country's Church. The archbishop, along with many clergy and ministers, are among the casualties and Port-au-Prince's Cathedral and many parish churches were destroyed. According to a press release on the USCCB website:

The impact of the earthquake in Haiti will be felt for years, especially in the life of the Catholic Church. The cathedral, many parishes, Catholic schools and other church buildings have been destroyed. Pastoral programs will also need to be rebuilt so that the Church in Haiti will continue to be a place of sacramental life.

That they may be one

2010-01-19T13:16:00.004-06:00

This week (January 18-25, 2010) is the annual world-wide commemoration called the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In this country it is embraced by some communities and, sadly, ignored by others.

The Pontifical Council for Christian Unity co-publishes prayer and study guides each year. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops teams up with the Graymore Institute for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue to make these resources available in our country.

The centerpiece of this year's Week of Prayer is the 24th Chapter of Saint Luke's Gospel. According to the resources posted on the Vatican's website:

During the 2010 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we will reflect each day on chapter 24 of Luke's gospel stopping at the questions which it asks: Jesus' questions to his disciples; the questions the apostles ask of Christ.

Each of these questions allows us to highlight a particular way of witnessing to the Risen One. Each of them invites us to think about our situation of church division and about how, concretely, we can remedy that. We are already witnesses and we need to become better witnesses. How?

by praising the One who gives us the gift of life and resurrection (Day 1)
by knowing how to share the story of our faith with others (Day 2)
by recognizing that God is at work in our lives (Day 3)
by giving thanks for the faith we have received (Day 4)
by confessing Christ's victory over all suffering (Day 5)
by seeking to always be more faithful to the Word of God (Day 6)
by growing in faith, hope and love (Day 7)
by offering hospitality and knowing how to receive it when it is offered to us (Day 8)

Would our witness not be more faithful to the gospel of Christ in each of these eight aspects if we witnessed together?
Source: Resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Out of the depths

2010-01-13T11:51:00.006-06:00

Out of the depths I call to you, LORD;
LORD, hear my cry!
May your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. (Ps. 130:2)
Photo by Frederic Dupoux/Getty Images

Merciful and loving God,

you set the earth on its foundations

and covered it with the oceans.

Look with your great compassion on the people of Haiti:

welcome those who died into your heavenly kindgdom,

comfort those who still suffer amidst the rubble,

strengthen those who seek to help,

reunite those who are separated,

and console those who mourn their dead.

Grant that the people of Haiti

may rise from the depths of this great tragedy

trusting in your Divine Mercy and Providence.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

*****

UPDATE (Jan. 13 at 1 p.m.)

Click here for a link to another prayer

composed by Diana Macalintal,

Director of the Office of Worship of the Diocese of San Jose.

Her blog, The Work of the People, is a very thoughtful and well-informed addition to the blogosphere.

*****
UPDATE (Jan. 13 at 1:25 p.m.)

The Diocese of Madison announces plans for a collection to assist the people of Haiti (click here for Diocesan press release).

Many Have Seen the Star

2010-01-07T08:31:00.011-06:00

While the liturgical celebration of Epiphany has been transferred to a Sunday in the Dioceses of the United States, it is celebrated on the traditional date of January 6 in the Vatican.

Pope Benedict XVI has eloquently preached and written about the personal encounter of individuals with God--an encounter that God himself desires. The pope stresses the Church's desire that the listener recognize himself or herself in the people and events of Scripture (see Liturgiam Authenticam, 42). Thus, the Scriptures are not just about something that has already happened many centuries ago, but rather they are about how God is acting in the world today.

The Holy Father's Epiphany homily at Saint Peter's Basilica yesterday broke open the Scriptures in this very way. The Magi, he said,

were not the last but the first of the great procession of people who, through all ages of history, were able to recognise the message of the star, to follow the paths indicated by Sacred Scripture, and thus to find Him Who is apparently weak and fragile but Who, in fact, has the power to bring the greatest and most profound joy to the human heart.

He went on to say,

Many have seen the star but only a few have understood its message.

We can, then, ask ourselves why is it that some seek and find, while others do not? What is it that opens their eyes and hearts? What is lacking in those who remain indifferent, in those who show the way but do not move themselves? And we may answer that too much self-confidence, the belief they possess a perfect knowledge of reality, and the presumption of having already formulated a definitive judgement about things makes their hearts closed and insensitive to the novelty of God. They are sure of the idea they have of the world and do not allow themselves to be intimately moved by the adventure of a God Who wants to meet them. They place their trust more in themselves than in Him, and do not believe it possible that God is so great that He can become small, that he can truly draw close to us.

In the end what they lack is the authentic humility capable of submitting itself to that which is greater, but also the authentic courage which brings us to believe in that which is truly great, even if it shows itself in a defenceless Child. What they lack is the evangelical capacity to become children at heart, to be amazed and to abandon the self so as to start down the path indicated by the star, the path of God. (Translation from the Vatican News Service)

Humility is a word not often used--and even less often understood--in our culture. The word itself comes from Latin (humus, meaning earth). My personal definition, for what it is worth, comes from Saint Paul's letter to the Philippians (2:3-4).

humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
each looking out not for his own interests, but (also) everyone for those of others.

Humility isn't groveling and it doesn't mean you are invisible. In fact, most of the time being humble is hard work, sacrificing one's own interests for the good of others because of love. As the Holy Father was suggesting, if we are humble enough to dim our own light so that we may see the star and approach it as children, in wonder, awe and joy, we will see the face of God not simply lying in a manger, but in the faces of all whom he has created and redeemed.

On a lighter note, take a minute to enjoy the wonderful Epiphany hymn, "As with gladness men of old." You'll notice that, like the Holy Father's homily, it reminds us that we too are hurrying to the manger.

God is Love

2010-01-05T12:02:00.009-06:00

The First Letter of Saint John, which is assigned as the first reading for these days of the Christmas, is one of my favorites. Written towards the end of the first century, it is thought that this letter and the Gospel of Saint John come from the same school of Christian thought).

According to the introduction from the New American Bible, the author "insists that the concrete Christian life brings to life the deeper realities of the Gospel." In other words, we have to walk the talk.

The portions on love are most compelling to me. Love is not a by-product of faith...God is love! Four years ago this past Christmas Day, Pope Benedict XVI released his first encyclical which began with this famous Truth from 1 John 4:16:

God is love,
and he who abides in love abides in God,
and God abides in him.

This love, the author reminds us, comes first from God to each human being.

In this is love:
not that we have loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

The letter continues the discourse on love and the importance of loving neighbor and keeping the Lord's commandments.

These passages of Scripture are part of why I began this blog. Love, according to Saint Paul (I Cor. 13) is patient and kind, not jealous, pompous, inflated or rude, it forgives, it doesn't look out for self first, it is not quick-tempered and always rejoices in the truth. These are concrete manifestations of love, and for me they have also help to discern when I am truly expressing love and when I am not.

If "love is of God" (I John 4:7), then when we experience impatience, unkindness, hate, jealousy, rudeness or arrogance, these are not of God, because they are not love.

Pope Benedict's Encyclical, "God is Love," reminds us,

In a world in which the name of God is sometimes associated with vengeance or even a duty of hatred and violence, this message is both timely and significant. For this reason, I wish in my first Encyclical to speak of the love which God lavishes upon us and which we in turn must share with others (1).

The History of the Christmas Feast

2009-12-23T14:16:00.008-06:00

The Church, since it is a living organism (the Body of Christ) continually evolves. This is sometimes most noticeable in the celebrations of the liturgical year. We sometimes forget that the Holy Spirit left no liturgical calendar with the Apostles on that First Pentecost!

Prior to the fourth century, Sunday was the primary feast in the Church. A yearly commemoration of the Pasch (Easter) was celebrated from an early time and from that came related liturgical days (Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday leading to the Easter Vigil, for example).

The origins of the Christmas feast are not entirely clear. According to Adolf Adam's book, The Liturgical Year, there is concrete evidence that the celebration of the birth of Christ was occurring on December 25 in Rome in 336.

But scholars are divided as to the reason for the selection of December 25 for this feast. Some believe it was to "baptize" a pagan festival of "the Unconquered Sun-God" to the the Syrian sun-god Emesa established throughout the Roman Empire in 274 (to be celebrated each year on December 25, the day of the winter solstice). After all, Jesus Christ is the Sun of Righteousness, the Light of the World, never to be conquered.

Other scholars believe that third-century Christians wished to calculate the exact date of Jesus' birth.

The Christ-as-sun symbolism that was so deep-rooted in the Christian consciousness caused them to pay special attention to the equinoxes and solstices. One opinion was that John the Baptist was conceived at the autumn equinox and born at the summer solstice. But since according to Luke 1:26 Christ was conceived six months after John, he was conceived at the spring equinox (March 25) and was therefore born on December 25. (Adolf Adam, The Liturgical Year, p. 123)

Regardless of how or why, the date of December 25th took root in the west. In the fourth century the Church was neither as centralized as it is today nor did it have the ability to communicate quickly. Still, this feast spread rapidly even to those places in the east that celebrated January 6 as the date of the manifestation of God in flesh. In fact, many calendars had both celebrations.

Today in the western Church December 25th marks the date of Christ's birth into the world. God put on human flesh and became like us in all things but sin. In the west January 6 (Epiphany) celebrates the revelation of God in Christ to all the nations.

Midnight Mass also has ancient roots, dating back to the fifth century when the pope would celebrate Mass in a chapel (designed to be a replica of the cave of Christ's birth in Bethlehem) deep beneath the basilica of Saint Mary Major.

Lessons and Carols

2009-12-15T08:27:00.012-06:00

This Sunday, December 20, the Madison Diocesan Choir will present its annual Lessons and Carols at 4 p.m. in the Chapel of the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center. Bishop Robert C. Morlino will preside. Admission is free but all are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Catholic Multicultural Center food program. The O'Connor Center is wheelchair accessible.

The Service of Lessons and Carols was created in late-nineteenth century England. Today its most popular incarnation is at King's College (Cambridge, England) where the King's College Choir, founded by King Henry VI (1421-1471), presents a program each Christmas Eve which is broadcast to the world. Nine Scripture readings ("Lessons") recall salvation history, from the Fall in the Garden of Eden to Redemption in Christ Jesus. In between the Lessons the choir sings Christmas carols, anthems and motets and the congregation joins in on some popular carols.

The Diocesan Choir began this tradition in the early 1990s under the direction of dynamic conductor Jorge Gonzales. For nearly twenty years the Choir has ushered in the last week of Advent with this service, the only break coming in the Jubilee Year of 2000 when the choir performed J. S. Bach's great Magnificat in D-major (BWV 243) with the Madison Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in the newly-renovated O'Connor Center Chapel.

In recent years the Diocesan Choir has added a second performance on the Vigil of the Epiphany. This year they will sing at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Milwaukee on Saturday, January 2, 2010.

Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!

2009-12-14T08:53:00.006-06:00

Having celebrated the Third Sunday of Advent, our thoughts now turn to the final preparation for Christmas. While Advent has a dual nature--preparing to recall and celebrate the Lord's first coming as well as looking for his return at the end of time--the last days of Advent start to focus us more clearly on the former (see General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar, nos. 39-42).

O Come, O Come Emmanuel has become for many people the quintessential Advent hymn. It is based on the seven O Antiphons, which are still used today as the antiphons for the Magnificat at Evening Prayer December 17-23.

For evening prayer, they follow this order:

O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
O Adonai (O Sacred Lord of Ancient Israel)
O Radix Jesse (O Flower of Jesse's Stem)
O Clavis David (O Key of David)
O Oriens (O Radiant Dawn)
O Rex Gentium (O King of All Nations)
O Emmanuel (O Emmanuel)

These texts date back to the earliest centuries of Christianity and, in what seems a precursor to backmasking, they are arranged to provide a hidden message. If you take the first letter of each Latin title and reverse the order, it spells: Ero cras, which at least some scholars believe was a hidden message of the hymn meaning, Tomorrow, I come!

The hymn, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, rearranges the verses and uses a translation by nineteenth-century hymn writer John Mason Neale. The origins of the tune are unclear, but it seems to date back into at least the fifteenth century.

I always find it amazing, that for centuries Christians have been calling on the Lord to come, using basically these same texts and often the same tunes. How many times has God heard this plea? How many times has the Church lifted her voice in this manner? After so many generations it may be easy for the Church to become complacent. But we know he will come when we least expect it, like a thief in the night!

I hope you enjoy the clip below. It is a setting of Veni, Veni Emmanuel by twentieth-century composer Zoltan Kodaly. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!

We go together or not at all

2009-12-10T09:30:00.011-06:00

I sometimes hear people who consider themselves to be very orthodox Catholics disparage other Catholic people whom they judge to be un-Catholic. This seems to mirror the political divisions with the underlying presumption that if you believe something different than me you are un-patriotic or even un-American.

Division such as this is a tough issue for those of us in the Church. There are beliefs that all Catholics are called to profess. These beliefs are meant to shape the very way that we live our lives. If individuals don't accept aspects of the faith or if they don't allow these beliefs to shape their actions, they are not able to live the life to which they have been called.

At the same time we acknowledge that all are sinful and fall short of our call. People who consider themselves very holy often treat others as obstacles to their own salvation. People who feel that creed and dogma are meaningless often lack the foundation to live out their deep and faithful convictions.

So what are we to do?

Yesterday (December 9) the Holy Father appointed one of Detroit's auxiliary bishops, Daniel Flores, as the new bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville in Texas. At age 45 he is the second youngest bishop in the U.S. He seems to me wise beyond his years, as witnessed in his opening statement at a press conference yesterday.

...we walk together on the pilgrimage of life and history toward our heavenly homeland. (Hasta que en el cielo descansamos.) God calls us to an unimaginable glory, and we travel this pilgrimage of life together. We journey together with hope. We work so that no one grows too weary on this road we travel. If we leave behind anyone who might be discouraged on this road, if we do not make such a person's interests our very own, then Christ will not let us cross to the heaven he has prepared for us. We go together, or we do not go at all.

This is why unity is so important to Christians. Notice that he didn't say, "Come with me or you will be left behind" or "this is what the Church teaches and if you don't like it, you can go to another church." No. We have a responsibility to help each other.

I believe that St. Paul's metaphor of the body is a key to our understanding this. "If (one) part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy" (I Cor. 12:26). We also have the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and, of course, the Prodigal Son (all in Luke 15). We don't ignore what separates us. Rather, we always seek reconciliation. Unity is a reality of the Eucharist.

Christ personally unites himself with each one of us, but Christ himself is also united with the man and the woman who are next to me. And the bread is for me but it is also for the other. Thus Christ unites all of us with himself and all of us with one another. In communion we receive Christ. But Christ is likewise united with my neighbor: Christ and my neighbor are inseparable in the Eucharist. And thus we are all one bread and one body. A Eucharist without solidarity with others is a Eucharist abused.

Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience on December 10, 2008

I certainly don't have all of the answers. However, the concept which I hear more and more that there should be a smaller, more faithful Church seems to deny the Eucharistic reality of unity. More faithful? Yes! Smaller? No!

Unity isn't just about bringing other people with me. It perhaps has less to do with others and more with myself. And unity isn't simply something that would make things nicer. "Unity is the essence of the Church" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 813).

God of power and might,
we praise you through your Son, Jesus Christ,
who comes in your name.

He is the Word that brings salvation.
He is the hand you stretch out to sinners.
He is the way that leads to your peace.

Eucharistic Prayer for Masses of Reconciliation (II)

Christ (and those who bear his imprint and name) does the action. He brings salvation, reaches out to sinners and provides the road to peace. He doesn't point and say, "Salvation is over there." He doesn't look at sinners and say, "When you come over to me I will forgive." He doesn't say, "I'm going ahead, I hope you find the way."

Theologians such as Bonaventure and Thomas Aquinas do not consider this understanding of Eucharist as a sacrament of unity something trivial or arbitrary, the fruit of pious exaggeration, something that one might just be permitted to say after dealing with the dogmatic truths of the real presence and the sacrificial character of the Eucharist. On the contrary, this understanding is essential in their eyes; indeed, it is the essential truth about the Eucharist…the unity of the Church is the reason why the Eucharist exists.

Cardinal Walter Kaspar. Sacrament of Unity, pages 119-120.

This Advent would be a great time to reach out to one with whom you need to be reconciled. Be the one to stretch out your hand, to be the way of peace, to live out the reality of the Eucharist!

"This Sacred Council"

2009-12-04T09:24:00.015-06:00

Forty six years ago today--December 4, 1963--the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium) [CSL] was promulgated during the Second Vatican Council. This was the first document of the Council that was approved and promulgated, and its opening lines establish the goals of the Council in general:

This sacred Council has several aims in view: it desires to impart an ever increasing vigor to the Christian life of the faithful; to adapt more suitably to the needs of our own times those institutions which are subject to change; to foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ; to strengthen whatever can help to call the whole of mankind into the household of the Church. The Council therefore sees particularly cogent reasons for undertaking the reform and promotion of the liturgy.

The CSL was the first of four Constitutions promulgated during the Second Vatican Council. The others were on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum), the Church (Lumen Gentium), and the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et spes). Constitutions are the most authoritative documents issued by a Council. The Second Vatican Council also issued three declarations and nine decrees.

There is much division in the Church today over what the Council "really wanted" or what the documents produced by the Council "really said." While it is healthy and good to vigorously debate these important aspects of our faith, I have failed to see a real debate of these issues during the past decade. What I mostly observe is an apologia from this perspective or that, which skewers the opponent and shows the ultimate wisdom and holiness of the "correct" interpretation. In fact, one blog I visited recently referred to those who thought differently as "evil," and said that they want to bring the Church down. While we certainly have issues that must be resolved, I have to say that I have never worked with anyone, regardless of their ideology, who wanted anything less than a flourishing and vital Catholic Church!

The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy built upon nearly a century of papal pronouncements. Pope St. Pius X (1903-14) described the necessity of the faithful's "active participation" in his motu proprio on sacred music, Tra le sollecitudine (1903). Pius XII's (1939-58) encyclical Mediator Dei (1947) speaks of the Mystical Body of Christ. During his pontificate the liturgical movement was gaining momentum. While Pope Pius severely discouraged innovation and experimentation at the local level, he allowed for limited use of the vernacular language, outside of Mass and mostly in mission lands, for some of the rites. He reformed the rites of Holy Week (1951, 1954) and reformed the calendar, eliminating all celebrations of the octaves, with the exception of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost.

Pope Pius X wrote in Mediator Dei:

The Church is without question a living organism, and as an organism, in respect of the sacred liturgy also, she grows, matures, develops, adapts and accommodates herself to temporal needs and circumstances, provided only that the integrity of her doctrine be safeguarded. (paragraph 59)

This certainly prefigures the opening of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy quoted above. The Constitution goes on to say:

In order that the Christian people may more certainly derive an abundance of graces from the sacred liturgy, holy Mother Church desires to undertake with great care a general restoration of the liturgy itself. For the liturgy is made up of immutable elements divinely instituted, and of elements subject to change. These not only may but ought to be changed with the passage of time if they have suffered from the intrusion of anything out of harmony with the inner nature of the liturgy or have become unsuited to it.

In this restoration, both texts and rites should be drawn up so that they express more clearly the holy things which they signify; the Christian people, so far as possible, should be enabled to understand them with ease and to take part in them fully, actively, and as befits a community. (paragraph 21)

This brings liturgical reform, 60+ years old, to its next level and has set the stage for what has followed. I think that any level-headed person sees that the reforms, though often awkwardly implemented, have been a source of grace for the Church.

In my own mind, I have seen two major issues that all of us who prepare and celebrate liturgy need to address. The first is a rather cavalier attitude toward the liturgical texts, rubrics and rituals of the Roman Rite. There is a sense that if something doesn't work or feel right, I will change it. Conversion requires the exact opposite: If something doesn't work or feel right, I must change. I think that this conversion requires a great deal of humility and trust in the Spirit. While often the most visible infractions in this area occur when a priest omits a part of the Mass or changes words, this often manifests itself quietly in the return to practices which were changed or omitted during the reforms, thus nullifying paragraph 21 of the CSL (above). (In any honest approach we have to first remove the plank from our own eye before helping our neighbor remove the speck of dust from his own!)

The second issue has to do with ongoing catechesis for the congregation regarding their important role in the liturgy.

...in order that the liturgy may be able to produce its full effects, it is necessary that the faithful come to it with proper dispositions, that their minds should be attuned to their voices, and that they should cooperate with divine grace lest they receive it in vain. Pastors of souls must therefore realize that, when the liturgy is celebrated, something more is required than the mere observation of the laws governing valid and licit celebration; it is their duty also to ensure that the faithful take part fully aware of what they are doing, actively engaged in the rite, and enriched by its effects. (CSL 11)

Notice that the liturgy's effectiveness doesn't depend on the priest, the organist, the choir, the lector, the environment, or any of the myriad of things that we fuss about. It depends on the people in the pew!

Helping people "take part fully aware of what they are doing, actively engaged...and enriched" is not easy and can't be accomplished with a bulletin article now and then. This type of catechesis requires a full-court press in the schools and religious education programs, in adult education, through homilies and, most importantly, through well-celebrated liturgy. It has been my experience that people want to know more about the liturgy and about their faith. We don't want to sell them short.

Finally, I think that we have to acknowledge some inherent tensions in liturgical norms and documents. For example, we know that the Council confirmed Latin as the language of the Roman Rite (CSL 36). At the same time it said that the people should be able to understand the liturgy with ease (CSL 21) and take part fully aware of what they are doing (CSL 11). This creates a tension and no sentence trumps another. We have to reflect on ways to reconcile these two seemingly different approaches.

So happy anniversary. Much has been accomplished but much more lies ahead.

You may want to check out this blog sent to me by a colleague: http://www.liturgicalleaders.blogspot.com/

Making Time

2009-11-30T13:51:00.005-06:00

Christians used to express their relationship with Jesus. ... The meaning of the expression advent also includes that of 'vistatio', ... a visit, which in this case means a visit from God: He enters my life and wishes to address Himself to me...

In daily life we all know the experience of having little time for the Lord, and little time for ourselves. We end up becoming absorbed by 'doing'. Is it not often true that it is activity itself that possesses us, society with its multiple distractions that monopolises our attention? Is it not true that we dedicate a lot of time to entertainment and leisure activities of various kinds?

Advent, this potent liturgical period we are entering, invites us to remain silent as we come to appreciate a presence. It is an invitation to understand that the individual events of the day are signs God addresses to us, signs of the care He has for each of us. How often does God make us aware of some aspect of His love! To maintain what we might call an 'inner diary' of this love would be a beautiful and rewarding task in our lives. Advent invites us and encourages us to contemplate the living Lord. Should not the certainty of His presence help us to see the world with different eyes?

Homily of Pope Benedict XVI
First Vespers for the First
Sunday of Advent
November 28, 2009
Translation from Vatican News Service

It's not too early to think about......Easter!

2009-11-30T10:13:00.003-06:00

The Liturgical Institute, housed on the grounds of Mundelein Seminary outside of Chicago is hosting a one day conference, Treasures of the Triduum, on Friday, January 22, 2010. Registration materials and workshop descriptions are available by clicking on the link above.

Advent Online

2009-11-25T13:41:00.001-06:00

The U. S. Bishops have a nice page devoted to Advent, including an online Advent Calendar. Check it out at www.usccb.org/advent.

Giving Thanks

2009-11-25T08:13:00.011-06:00

Tomorrow our nation celebrates Thanksgiving, a day that, unfortunately, is in danger of being overshadowed by the shopping frenzy of "Black Friday." In the United States most consider the celebration of pilgrims together with native Americans as the origin. It seems that our ancestors had a real sense gratitude to God for the blessings received.

Giving thanks to God lies at the heart of prayer in the Judeo-Christian tradition. In fact, our word Eucharist comes from a Greek word, eucharistein, which means "to give thanks and praise." It grew out of the Jewish prayer of blessing, often used during meals, recounting God's great works of creation, redemption and sanctification. (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1328).

When people speak to me about their participation in the Mass, they often speak of in terms of the many graces that they receive from God--spiritual refreshment, peace, forgiveness, etc. These are excellent things, but I think what we receive is only part of the story. The other part is what we give back to God.

The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy says,

the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows. (paragraph 10)

Font and summit.

This, to me, is a reminder that we are not simply there to receive, but to give back to God the things we have (that he has given us). We give back our lives, our hearts, our work and our joys with the realization that everything that is good comes from him because he loves us (not because we deserve it!). We also give back our pain, suffering, sadness, and troubles. It was through pain, suffering and humility that God saved the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If we give the challenges of our lives back to God, he can transform them into something magnificent as well (if not in this world, in the next).

Gratitude also needs to be part of our daily prayer. In my own prayer life I feel much more centered when I am able to thank God for creation, life, family, work, Church and the countless blessings seen every day. When I do so, I find that there seems to be less for which to ask.

I often find myself focusing on what I "need" rather than the great blessings God has bestowed on me. I have a wonderful wife and children, loving and generous parents, a nice home, meaningful work, and plenty of food (to name a few of the most important blessings). Many, many fathers go to sleep every night wondering if their children will have a meal the next day or if they will be safe from community or ethnic violence. Many women and children are abused and don't know where to turn. Many elderly are abandoned. Many children are starving. My "needs" certainly are insignificant in comparison.

My wife--the real liturgist in the family--began a practice in our family as part of our dinnertime prayer. Each person needs to say something for which they are thankful. When I am being terrorized by my children or am disappointed with my work, it's always good to give thanks for these things. The terror or disappointment will pass, but God's great gifts remain for ever!

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
to sing praise to your name, Most High,
To proclaim your love in the morning,
your faithfulness in the night,
With the ten-stringed harp, with melody upon the lyre.
For you make me jubilant, LORD, by your deeds;
at the works of your hands I shout for joy.
How great are your works, LORD!
How profound your purpose!

The just shall flourish like the palm tree,
shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon.
Planted in the house of the LORD,
they shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall bear fruit even in old age,
always vigorous and sturdy,
As they proclaim:
"The LORD is just; our rock,
in whom there is no wrong."

Psalm 92:2-6, 13-16 (NAB)

Appear and Inspire

2009-11-20T14:06:00.013-06:00

Blessed Cecilia, appear in visions
To all musicians, appear and inspire:
Translated Daughter, come down and startle
Composing mortals with immortal fire. W. H. Auden (1907-73)

November 22 is the annual day to honor Saint Cecilia, patron saint of musicians and sacred music. Unfortunately, this will not be celebrated liturgically this year, but we can still remember and feast in honor of this holy saint!

Saint Cecilia lived in the second or third century in Rome. As with many early Christian saints there is relatively little known about her life. It is thought that she came from a noble Roman family and that she was given in marriage, against her will, to a non-Christian named Valerian. After evangelizing Valerian and his brother, the two were baptized and were soon martyred. While trying to bury their bodies, Cecilia was captured and condemned to death. According to legend, her persecutors first tried to kill her by suffocating her with steam, but that failed. They eventually cut her throat with an axe. Legends say that she still sang a hymn of praise to God as she lingered on for three days.

Devotion to St. Cecilia began quickly thereafter (she is one of the women mentioned in the Roman Canon). She had founded a house-church, and Pope Paschal I erected a church above her house in the Trastevere region of Rome in the ninth century. Her body, along with her husband and his brother and another man martyred with them were exhumed from the catecombs and were buried in the church.

The photo above is of one of my favorite pieces of art. Stefano Maderno (1576-1636) carved this emotional portrayal of the saint after her body was moved in 1599 to its current place under the main altar. This is how her incorrupt body was found lying before it was moved. The axe marks were visible in her neck and her arm was outstretched with three fingers extended (which was, of course, explained as a testimony to her faith in the Triune God). While at first glance the statue is graceful and flowing, a longer examination reveals the awkwardness of her position. Carved into the floor in front of the altar is this statement:

Behold the body of the most holy virgin Cecilia,
whom I myself saw lying incorrupt in the tomb.
I have in this marble expressed for you the same saint
in the very same posture.

A nice description of the church is available by clicking here.

While there is absolutely no evidence supporting it, legend claims that St. Cecilia invented the organ. In honor of the Saint I thought that you might appreciate the clip below--the last two movements of Handel's Ode for Saint Cecilia's Day, HWV 76, led by the great Baroque interpreter Ton Koopman.

But bright Cecilia raised the wonder higher:
When to her Organ vocal breath was given
An Angel heard, and straight appeared
–Mistaking Earth for Heaven.

Preparing Children for Advent & Christmas

2009-11-20T13:19:00.004-06:00

It seems to me that children's books dealing with faith and church have been getting better. Perhaps more than any other season, the Advent-Christmas cycle provides fertile ground to capture the imaginations of children with some quality books. I asked an expert--my wife--to put together a very short list of her favorites. I have added links to Amazon.com so that you can learn more.

The Donkey's Dream by Barbara Helen Berger (especially good for Advent)

How Jesus Came by Thomas Wahl, OSB (especially good for Advent)

B is for Bethlehem by Elisa Kleven

Jesus The Word by Mark Francisco Bozzuti-Jones, illustrated by Shelly Hehenberger

What Star Is This? by Joseph Slate, illustrated by Alison Jay

The Animals' First Christmas Adapted by Gaby Goldsack, illustrated by Linda Clearwater (especially good for toddlers and preschoolers)

Who Is Coming to our House? by Joseph Slate, illustrated by Ashley Wolff (especially good for toddlers and preschoolers)

Enjoy!

U.S. Bishops Approve Final Missal Texts

2009-11-18T08:26:00.005-06:00

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is meeting this week in Baltimore. The Conference has embraced communications' technology and has a webpage dedicated to the meeting and streaming video is available. You can also follow this on Facebook and Twitter. With all of this technology you can follow the latest debate on their discussion of end-of-life issues, the sanctity of marriage, or "Hotel's choice of muzak makes for some odd juxtapositions with the bishops. This morning: Livin' la Vida Loca" (posted this morning on Twitter). If only Twitter had been around during the Second Vatican Council!

In liturgical matters, the bishops approved several components of the translation of the Roman Missal including the Proper of Saints, the Roman Missal Supplement, the Roman Missal Commons, Propers for the USA, and USA adaptations for the Roman Missal. All of these will be sent to Rome and must receive the recognitio (confirmation or ratification) of the Holy See.

More on Catholics with Disabilities

2009-11-17T08:36:00.009-06:00

Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that fully conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy. Such participation by the Christian people as "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed people" (1 Pet. 2:9; cf. 2:4-5), is their right and duty by reason of their baptism.

In the restoration and promotion of the sacred liturgy, this full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else; for it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit... (C0nstitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 14; emphasis added)

Over the years I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on this particular paragraph of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. "Participation" is a loaded word, and we learn more about it as time marches on. We have come to recognize that our participation has both external and internal components. The external both shapes and expresses the participation of the spirit. This can be done through singing, listening, kneeling, or even sitting in silence.

The baptismal rights and duties of Catholics with Disabilities often are not a parish priority, even though the participation by all the people is called for by the very nature of the liturgy itself! There are many practical issues surrounding making worship accessible, but the vast majority of the parishes tend to quietly set these aside rather than taking time to work with people with disabilities to come up with solutions. We are fortunate in this country to have the National Catholic Partnership on Disability. Their knowledgeable staff and useful website provide resources for all Catholics. The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions also has published an excellent resource, Guiding Principles & Strategies for Inclusion in the Liturgy of Catholics with Disabilities, which can be downloaded from their website.

Today the Holy See announced that it will host a conference, Effata! Deaf people in the life of the Church, in the Vatican's new synod hall November 19-21. A press release from the Vatican News Service said that this conference "arises from the need to promote and improve commitment in this field of disability in order to achieve true integration for deaf people."

We have done some work with deaf ministry in this diocese. This has been accomplished because of some very dedicated lay people and their unwavering support of deaf people. St. Joseph Parish in Madison has become a home of sorts for this ministry. St. Joseph and St. Dennis Parishes in Madison each have a signed Mass each week. A priest who is fluent in American Sign Language occasionally comes from the Green Bay diocese and meets with the deaf community and celebrates the Sacrament of Penance, counsels people as needed, and celebrates the Mass.

While this small band of dedicated ministers do so much, there is much more to be done. The first step always is to ask! Consult those with disabilities in your parish and get input on how we can make our parishes and the Sacraments accessible so that all of the baptized may exercise their right and duty of participation!

Solemnity of Christ the King

2009-11-16T08:53:00.010-06:00

We are approaching the end of our liturgical year, the Solemnity of Christ the King. Its position on the liturgical calendar helps remind us that all that we do as Christians leads us into the Kingdom of Christ, one with God the Father.

The feast was established only 84 years ago by Pope Pius XI, partially in response to the ongoing celebration of the sixteenth centenary of the Council of Nicea (325) which defined the dogma of the Son and the Father "of one being," (consubstantial) and added the words "whose kingdom shall have no end" to the Profession of Faith (still known as the Nicene Creed).

In the years following the First World War, Pope Pius XI was concerned that the great devastation brought by modern warfare had taught nothing to nations and peoples. In his encyclical Quas Primas (December 11, 1925) he began:

Men must look for the peace of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ; and that We promised to do as far as lay in Our power. In the Kingdom of Christ, that is, it seemed to Us that peace could not be more effectually restored nor fixed upon a firmer basis than through the restoration of the Empire of Our Lord. (Quas primas, 1)

Rather than commissioning studies or convening a conference, Pope Pius XI determined that the best way to help people understand the concept of Christ's sovereignty was by commemorating it in the liturgy.

For people are instructed in the truths of faith, and brought to appreciate the inner joys of religion far more effectually by the annual celebration of our sacred mysteries than by any official pronouncement of the teaching of the Church. Such pronouncements usually reach only a few and the more learned among the faithful; feasts reach them all; the former speak but once, the latter speak every year - in fact, forever. The church's teaching affects the mind primarily; her feasts affect both mind and heart... (Quas primas, 21)

He declared the final Sunday of October to be the date of this feast's observance. He believed that it would provide a fitting introduction to the Feast of All Saints, who considered Christ their glory. He also felt that this date, late in the Church year, vividly expressed "the crowning glory upon the mysteries of the life of Christ already commemorated during the year." (Quas primas, 29)

With the reform of the liturgical calendar after the Second Vatican Council, the solemnity was moved to the last Sunday of the Church year.

Primary source: The Liturgical Year: Its History and Its Meaning After the Reform of the Liturgy (Adolf Adam, tr. Matthew J. O'Connell), Liturgical Press.

Veterans' Day

2009-11-11T07:44:00.004-06:00

God of power and mercy,
you destroy war and put down earthly pride.
Banish violence from our midst
and wipe away our tears
that we may all deserved to be called your sons and daughters.
We as this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
--From the Sacramentary, "Mass in time of war or civil disturbance"

Ninety-one years ago today the hostilities of the war to end all wars ended on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month with an armistice. In our country, of course, this is Veterans' Day.

We owe a great deal of thanks to all veterans who have protected and defended our nation. Perhaps the greatest thanks we can offer is our own heroic efforts to promote peace and to love one another as members of the heavenly household--God's sons and daughters.

The Communion of Saints

2009-11-04T15:18:00.015-06:00

In the earthly liturgy we take part in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the holy city of Jerusalem toward which we journey as pilgrims, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, a minister of the holies and of the true tabernacle; we sing a hymn to the Lord's glory with all the warriors of the heavenly army; venerating the memory of the saints, we hope for some part and fellowship with them; we eagerly await the Saviour, Our Lord Jesus Christ, until He, our life, shall appear and we too will appear with Him in glory. (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, no. 8)

One of the frequent criticisms of the way we celebrate the reformed liturgy is that it lacks reverence or that it has lost its sense of the mystery. It's a criticism with which I tend to agree (at times). However, the critique often goes on to disparage the liturgical reform, liturgy in the vernacular, communion in the hand, and many other things that have become common place since the reform. These are criticisms which I heartily reject!

The "Mystery" of course, refers to the Paschal Mystery. We don't use the word mystery as Agatha Christie does. We won't ever have enough clues to "solve" this mystery. Instead, it is "mysterious." It is hidden. It is something we can never fully comprehend. No matter how much we study, how intensely we pray, or how often we go to church, this is not something that can be grasped by mere mortals!

November seems like an appropriate time to speak about the heavenly nature of the liturgy. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy says that through our participation in our parish (earthly) liturgy we take part in a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy. These are difficult words for me to grasp, because our earthly liturgies often seem anything but heavenly! In the earthly liturgy the choir may sing out of tune, the organist forget the key signature, the lector may mumble or mispronounce "brazier" in a way that makes you giggle, the priest may preach too long or never really prepare, there are people present whom we don't like, it may just be plain boring. Surely this is not what the heavenly liturgy is like!

I often like to "translate" the phrase of paragraph 8 cited above to say that the liturgy gives us a "glimpse" of heaven. While glimpse doesn't necessarily do justice to "foretaste," I think it can foster a meaningful reflection. Every parish church is somehow (mysteriously) present at the heavenly altar, praising the Father through the Son in unity with the Holy Spirit and with the angels and saints. I like to consider looking up at the ceiling and seeing it as a window to heaven. The alternative is imagining a mirror on the ceiling, so that instead of seeing heaven we only see ourselves with all of our shortcomings!

The glimpse that we have is imperfect as is our own participation. However, by seeing what is really there, we see through the earthly things to the heavenly realities.

For example:

God gathers a people to himself, not just the ones I would invite to church but even people I don't like (gasp!).
Christ speaks to us in the Holy Scriptures. We don't just hear about events in salvation history or about Christ. God isn't bound by time and space like we are! They are made present for us now! That is why in the Exsultet we sing "This is the night" rather than "That was the night."
Having prepared us with his word, Jesus Christ feeds us with his very own Body and Blood. Pope Benedict XVI made the keen observation,

If man eats ordinary bread, in the digestive process this bread becomes part of his body, transformed into a substance of human life. But in holy Communion the inverse process is brought about. Christ, the Lord, assimilates us into himself, introducing us into his glorious Body, and thus we all become his Body. (General Audience, 10-Dec-2008)

Could this be what heaven is like? Perfect reconciliation, perfect praise, perfect union with and in Christ? These are but a few of the things which we glimpse in our liturgy.

While many critiques of contemporary liturgical practice in our country are legitimate, I have to say that getting in touch with the mystery goes far beyond language and other actions. At its core is how we participate in the liturgy and how well we look for glimpses of heaven!

Sing to the Lord Workshop

2009-11-04T14:47:00.004-06:00

The Office of Worship is presenting a workshop for liturgists and musicians on Saturday, November 14 at Saint Mary Parish in Platteville.

The U. S. Bishops’ document, Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship will be the focus of the morning’s discussions. The workshop will cover both theological and practical information about music in the liturgy.

Please pre-register for this workshop by visiting www.madisondiocese.org/worship or by calling the Office of Worship at (608) 821-3080. A registration fee of $5 per person ($15 total for three or more people from the same parish) is requested. Copies of the document Sing to the Lord ($10) may be purchased when you pre-register. Purchasing this document is recommended but not required. They are available as supplies last.

Saint Mary Parish is located at 130 West Cedar Street in Platteville. It is wheelchair accessible. If you have other special needs, please contact the Office of Worship.

All Saints Evening Prayer

2009-10-30T08:14:00.005-05:00

On Sunday, November 1 at 5 p.m. the Madison Diocesan Choir will join musicians from the Luther Memorial Choirs for an ecumenical celebration of Evening Prayer.

Luther Memorial celebrates Evening Prayer on All Saints Day each year and this year the director of music, Bruce Bengston, invited our Diocesan Choir to join them. The combined choirs will sing two anthems together. Both the Youth Choir and Bell Choir of Luther Memorial also will provide music.

The liturgy will be celebrated in the beautiful Luther Memorial Church on University Avenue and starts at 5 p.m. It will last less than an hour. All are welcome.

They Follow the Lamb Wherever He Goes

2009-10-30T08:10:00.001-05:00

Sunday is All Saints Day, one of the great solemnities of the Church. When solemnities of the Lord fall on an Ordinary Time Sunday, they normally take precedence over that Sunday (as All Saints does this year).

As early as the fourth-century, there is evidence that there was a feast of all martyrs. Contemporary accounts show that this feast was celebrated on May 13 in some locations. In others it was celebrated on the Sunday after Pentecost and still others on the Friday after Easter.

Around the year 609 Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon (a former pagan temple given to him by the emperor) to the Blessed Mother and all of the martyrs. May 13 was the date of the consecration and reports show that 28 wagonloads of bones were brought to the Pantheon from the catacombs. The Pantheon, of course, still stands today with altars to the saints encircling the rotunda.

In the eighth century Pope Gregory III dedicated a chapel in Old Saint Peter's Basilica to All Saints. At some point (perhaps because of this), All Saints began to be celebrated on November 1. [The source for all this info is The Liturgical Year: Its history and its meaning after the reform of the Liturgy by Adolf Adam (tr. Matthew J. O'Connell).]

One of my favorite Latin motets is O quam gloriosum est by the Spanish priest-composer Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611). The text continues to be part of our liturgy, as the Magnificat antiphon for Evening Prayer II for All Saints Day.

How glorious is that kingdom where all the Saints rejoice with Christ
clothed in white robes, they follow the Lamb wherever he goes.

I hope that you enjoy this rendition!

For Christ Will Be His All

2009-10-29T09:18:00.006-05:00

I received the following email from MorningStar Music Publishers this morning:

Beloved composer, organist, and church musician Dr. Paul Manz passed away in St. Paul Minnesota on Wednesday evening, October 29, after several weeks of hospice care. He was 90 years old. He died surrounded by his family while they sang his famous motet "E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come." Funeral services will be held in St. Paul on Sunday afternoon, November 8. Paul's many compositions, recordings, and hymn festivals have influenced the art and practice of church music in the United States since the 1960's. His playing and teaching has influenced untold numbers of organists throughout this country who considered him a mentor and friend.The staff at MorningStar has had the privilege of working with Dr. Manz over our 22 year history, and we will miss him greatly.

More information is available at the MorningStar Music Publishers' webpage.

May the angels lead him into paradise,

May the martyrs come to welcome him

And take him to the Holy City,

The new and eternal Jerusalem.

May he have eternal rest.

Images of God in the Roman Missal

2009-10-28T16:28:00.022-05:00

A little over one month ago, the St. John's College Seminary hosted their annual "Godfrey Diekmann, OSB Lecture" on the images of God in the new translation of the Roman Missal.

The major presentation was given by Msgr. Bruce Harbert, Executive Director of the International Commission for English in the Liturgy (ICEL) and the mover and shaker behind much of the new translation. A response was given by Rev. Dr. Carl P. Daw, Jr., best known to many for his wonderful hymn texts and as Executive Director of the Hymn Society. Both talks are available online. Both talks are worth reading.

Msgr. Harbert spoke in detail about the philosophies of the new translation, citing many specific instances. "Retranslating the Missal," he said, "is like cleaning the Sistine Chapel: the work enables us to see riches that have been previously hidden." Examples discussed (the translations of digneris, dignatus, benignus, pius, pietas, etc.) were well-documented and showed a desire to ensure an appropriate attitude toward God--one which acknowledges him as Creator and us as Created; one which confirms his consistent justice and mercy and our need for that mercy.

In general, there is an attempt to "elevate" the language. "Those who claim that the liturgy should follow the patterns of ordinary speech," Harbert said, "overlook the existence of a silent consensus that liturgical language should have a degree of formality."

Rev. Daw's response addressed many of these points. He spoke of the roots of the English language and the influence other languages have had on our own. He expressed concern regarding some conflicting points in Liturgiam Authenticam (the document governing the translation) and addresses inconsistencies in the way some phrases are translated. The issues he cites are not simply nit-picking the work of another. He addresses underlying theological concerns in a very thoughtful matter. In conclusion, he says,

I can fully appreciate the impulse to lend dignity to the language of the liturgy, but I am concerned about the attendant implication that God works only in situations removed from ordinary existence. It seems to me that the language of the liturgy ought to avail itself of every opportunity to affirm that God can make the common holy, can redeem that which seems least promising, can turn persecutors into proclaimers, can transform what seems worthless into something beyond price.

As I stated earlier, these presentations are both interesting and insightful. They show that translation is not a science. Often many words are available and the translator must sort through appropriate words and, ultimately, translate them as best he or she can within the guiding philosophy. However, when all is said and done, regardless of one's praises or critiques of these translations, we will have a Roman Missal that some will love and some will hate--but we all must use! And this prayer is the prayer that expresses and forms our unity as the Body of Christ!

On a final note, the namesake of this lecture, Fr. Godfrey Diekmann, OSB (1908-2002), is a prominent name in the liturgical movement. He was one of a handful of scholars who assisted in preparing liturgical material for the Second Vatican Council and he taught for decades at St. John's in Collegeville. His unswerving confidence in the aims of the reform were infectious.

Fr. Diekmann taught many of my friends and colleagues. I met him (briefly) about ten years ago when I was attending a meeting in Collegeville with other directors of Offices of Worship from the Midwest. I still recall that he waited outside the chapel for us one day after Morning Prayer enthusiastically greeting us and encouraging us to keep working! I was so very impressed that this brilliant and influential man was humble enough that he'd wait around just to say hello to a bunch of diocesan employees! He, like Christ whom he tried to imitate, was greatest because he made himself least of all.

The Madison Diocesan Choir

2009-10-28T08:33:00.013-05:00

The Madison Diocesan Choir's Christmas CD, "With Joyful Steps" is available for sale and can be ordered online or by emailing the choir.

This is a live recording of the Choir's 2007 Lessons and Carols. Soprano Jamie-Rose Guarrine and cellist Karl Knapp are the featured soloists, and their performances (which include selections from Mozart's Great Mass in C-minor and Handel's Messiah, as well as favorites such as Gesu Bambino, Fantasia on Greensleeves and Ave Maria) are beautifully done. The Choir teams up with Jamie-Rose for The snow lay on the ground and Gustav Holst's Christmas medley, Christmas Day.

The Diocesan Choir is composed of nearly 70 singers from numerous parishes in our Diocese. I have had the privilege of conducting this ensemble for over 17 years. While it sounds like a cliche, they are like a family and are always there for each other in both the good and bad times. The Choir is partially funded by the Annual Catholic Appeal, but members support the Choir through donations. They also pay their own expenses when traveling to the far-flung corners of the Diocese to sing for parish or diocesan events.

The Diocesan Choir has a long and rich history. Founded in 1972, the group has had a quiet impact on the Madison music scene. They originally formed as a group whose sole mission was a tour of France. Of course, they all loved it and continued under the auspices of the Diocese. They were then named the Diocesan Festival Choir. In 1975 the choir split into two distinct groups--the Diocesan Choir, which was funded in part by the diocese and sang for diocesan liturgies, and the Festival Choir, which became a prominent Madison concert choir under the direction of David Lewis Crosby. The Festival Choir is still active and performs unique and quality programs.

The Diocesan Choir also developed a children's choir. At some point, the diocese ceased funding this and the group struck out independently as the Madison Children's Choir which eventually was incorporated with the Madison Boychoir as the Madison Youth Choirs.

The Choir also supported (through the loan of our handbells) the foundation of the popular Madison Area Concert Handbells, conducted by our former accompanist and assistant director, Dr. Susan Udell. They also assisted the Diocese of Superior as they founded their own diocesan choir through the loan of music and consultation with their founders. The Choir was instrumental in the founding of our own Diocesan Hispanic Choir, conducted by former member Toni Kellor. This first-of-its-kind ensemble began in 2001 and the two choirs performed together on occasion. Unfortunately, this choir was eliminated in the budget cuts of this past summer.

In my mind, the Diocesan Choir is one of the success stories of our Diocese. It has supported the prayer and musical formation of the people of our diocese for nearly 40 years and it has been involved with community and ecumenical outreach from the beginning. It has received the support of the bishops of Madison but is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors (all members) who help sustain and grow the Choir. Retired members continue to be part of the choir family and support the choir in many different ways. I'm glad they have put up with me these past 17 years!

A Real Head-Scratcher

2009-10-27T13:25:00.006-05:00

At many of the workshops that I present, I often like to share this story, so forgive me if you have heard it before.

One of the first presentations that I ever gave as a parish liturgist/musician many years ago was to candidates seeking initiation through the RCIA. After spending some time with what I thought was a magnificently detailed and inspiring presentation on the Mass, I asked if there were any questions. A hand went up and a woman asked: "Why do Catholics scratch their heads before the Gospel is read?"

It took me a moment to grasp what was being asked. Then I explained that many people use their thumb to trace the sign of the cross on their foreheads, lips and hearts. Some older Catholics learned a prayer to go with this, but the basic idea is that we remind ourselves (before Christ speaks to us through the Gospel about to be proclaimed) that we desire the cross of Christ to be on our minds, lips and hearts.

The following Sunday I watched people in the congregation before the Gospel, and it did indeed look as if everyone (including myself, I suppose) had an itch at the same time! It was a moment of conversion for me. How often have I done this gesture (which, interestingly, is not prescribed by the General Instruction of the Roman Missal) without a thought? How often have I genuflected, bowed, dipped my fingers in the baptismal font, or done any number of gestures without a thought? How often have I said "Amen" without fully hearing the prayer? How often have I prayed the Lord's Prayer with more thought to asking forgiveness than for the grace to grant it?

This list could go on and on.

The visionary Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (no. 11) reminds us that while God grants graces to all freely, those that "cooperate" with this grace will reap its full effects.

But in order that the liturgy may be able to produce its full effects, it is necessary that the faithful come to it with proper dispositions, that their minds should be attuned to their voices, and that they should cooperate with divine grace lest they receive it in vain...

The U.S. Bishops made it even clearer in their original 1972 document, Music in Catholic Worship (3):

We are celebrating when we involve ourselves meaningfully in the thoughts, words, songs, and gestures of the worshiping community ‑‑ when everything we do is wholehearted and authentic for us ‑‑ when we mean the words and want to do what is done.

Both texts remind us that our participation isn't an end in itself, but rather a means to an end. Our gestures and words aren't simply part of a magic formula. They both express and shape our belief. If I think about tracing the cross on my forehead, lips and heart, maybe I will listen to the Gospel more attentively. Maybe I will pray more fervently to live my faith. Maybe each day I will find my mind turning more readily to God, my lips more likely to proclaim his life-giving words, and my heart softening to his will. This simple gesture thus expresses my desire for faith and shapes it! What a gift we have in the Church's liturgy--when we choose to "cooperate with divine grace."

Preparing to Prepare

2009-10-21T12:59:00.008-05:00

Believe it or not, there are only four more Sundays left before the beginning of Advent! Now is the time to consider how best to help the people of your parish celebrate Advent in a way that really helps them prepare a place in their heart for the Word Incarnate.

Liturgy Training Publications (LTP) has a booklet, available in English and Spanish, called "What Am I Doing for Advent This Year?" This affordable booklet ($1 each, with significant discounts available for 25 or more copies) would be a wonderful gift for parishioners. Rather than adding one more thing to people's hectic schedules, this allows them an opportunity (on their own schedule) to reflect upon how they will use the days of Advent to prepare for Christmas.

LTP also recently released "Keeping the Seasons / Celebremos los tiempos litúrgicos: Reproducibles for Advent-Christmas 2009 - 2010." This seems to be the heir of their popular Welcome Yule series of bygone days. As the title states, this resource provides handouts with text and graphics that can be used in parish bulletins, newsletters, or in any number of interesting ways. Since it is available on a CD-ROM, the material can be manipulated to the specific needs that you have.

For children, "Build Your Own Bethlehem" is an activity book to help the Gospels come alive. Two new publications, "Advent Calendar Activity Sheet" and "Create Your Own Christmas Season Booklet Activity Sheet," provide an opportunity for families to come together during the season and talk about faith.

LTP has other resources for Advent and Christmas at www.ltp.org. Advent comes upon us like a thief in the night!

Can you drink the cup that I drink?

2009-10-20T08:10:00.012-05:00

This past Sunday's Gospel (Mark 10:35-45) provides, in my mind, one of the most compelling reasons for offering Communion under both species. The sons of Zebedee wanted a prestigious place in heaven, seated on the right and left of Jesus Christ. In short, they wanted to be great.

Jesus answers with a question: "Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" This question foreshadows Jesus' prayer in the Garden: "My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!" (Matthew 26:39)

Humility--submitting wholly to God--is an active pursuit, always done with God's help. We carry our own cross, drink from the cup of suffering, die to our own ambitions and seek God's will.

Many seem opposed to Communion under both kinds. I suppose the argument is that it is not necessary, since the Catholic Church teaches that "Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts" (Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 1377). Others are worried about profanation because of the possibility of spilling the consecrated wine. There also are concerns regarding health issues, particularly for individuals with suppressed immunity. All of these issues must be considered and addressed so that if Communion is offered under both species it is "preceded and continually accompanied by proper catechesis" (Redemptionis Sacramentum no. 100).

But current liturgical documents state (although in an increasingly guarded manner) that Communion under both species shows the Eucharistic banquet through a fuller sign (see General Instruction of the Roman Missal nos. 85, 283; Redemptionis Sacramentum nos. 100-107). I also would add that it provides us with the opportunity to answer Jesus' question ourselves, "Can you drink from the cup that I drink?"

In Sunday's Gospel, Jesus instructed the Apostles on greatness. It is not about status, power or control. It is about service as the "slave of all." This is the prize for those who drink from the cup of Christ.

Can we be "Simply Catholic?"

2009-10-12T13:10:00.005-05:00

Cardinal Francis George, OMI, the cardinal archbishop of Chicago, has written a book called The Difference God Makes: A Catholic Vision of Faith, Communion and Culture. I have not yet read the book but it sounds as if it would be a good read for those of us concerned about polarization within the Church.

When interviewed for the National Catholic Reporter, Cardinal George noted that he believes we are losing our proper focus as Catholics:

For both [liberal and conservative Catholics], bishops take on an importance that’s disproportionate. Liberals and conservatives both define themselves vis-à-vis authority...
Liberals are critical of [authority], although they’ll use it when they’re in power. Conservatives would tend to be less
critical, but equally dependent upon it.
Consequently, when you get into the church, you get the conservatives unhappy because bishops aren’t using power the way they’re supposed to, the way they want them to. You get liberals who are unhappy because [the bishops] have any power at all. Both of them are defining themselves vis-à-vis the bishops rather than vis-à-vis Christ, who uses the bishops to govern the church. It’s not a Christ-centered church, as it’s supposed to be, it’s a bishop-centered church.

According to press reports, he goes on to speak about being "Simply Catholic," helping those in need and living a life steeped in prayer. Sounds like a great idea!

Liturgical Lexicon

2009-09-25T08:40:00.007-05:00

Have you ever come across a word or phrase in liturgical books or conversation that was new to you? Did you ever wonder why we call the lectern an ambo? What does the phrase ex opere operato mean?

The National Association of Pastoral Musicians has a "Liturgical Decoder" online. While it isn't exhaustive, it is a useful first resource when we come across a word or phrase that is foreign to us or when we want to learn the origin of a particular word. The answers are clear and succinct and the information is reliable.

While you are on the NPM website, check out some of their other excellent resources.

Wisdom

2009-09-21T16:25:00.007-05:00

Each Sunday, prior to praying the Angelus with pilgrims, the Holy Father offers a brief reflection or gives some type of remark. Below is the Vatican News Service account of yesterday's Angelus, which the Holy Father based on the second reading of Sunday's Mass. These seem to be appropriate words for our Church and country. (The complete English text should be posted by the Vatican in the next day or so.)

VATICAN CITY, 20 SEP 2009 (VIS) - At midday today, before praying the Angelus with faithful gathered in the inner courtyard of the Apostolic Palace at Castelgandolfo, the Holy Father commented on a passage for the Letter of James, the second reading of today's Mass, which focuses on the question of true wisdom.
"Like God from Whom it comes, wisdom does not need to impose itself by force because it possesses the indomitable vigour of truth and love, which is self affirming", said Pope Benedict. "Therefore is it peaceful, mild and compliant; it is not partisan, nor does it use lies; it is indulgent and generous, and may be recognised by the fruits of goodness it brings forth abundantly.
"Why not pause now and again to contemplate the beauty of this wisdom?" he added.
"Why not draw - from the uncontaminated font of the love of God - the wisdom of the heart which detoxifies us from the dross of lies and selfishness? This applies to everyone but, first and foremost, to those who are called to be promoters and 'weavers' of peace in religious and civil communities, in social and political dealings, and in international relations."
The Holy Father noted how, "in our own time, perhaps because of certain typical internal dynamics of mass societies, we not infrequently see a lack of respect for truth and for keeping one's word, alongside a widespread tendency to aggression, hatred and violence."
Yet, "in order to accomplish works of peace, we must become men and women of peace", he said, "enrolling ourselves in the school of the 'wisdom that comes from on high', in order to assimilate its qualities and produce its effects."

"If each person, in his or her own environment, manages to reject lies and violence in their intentions, words and actions, carefully cultivating feelings of respect, understanding and esteem for others, this would perhaps not resolve all the problems of daily life, but it would make it possible to face them more serenely and effectively."

Liturgy and Catechesis

2009-09-17T08:19:00.011-05:00

This Sunday marks the annual observance of Catechetical Sunday in the United States. The theme is "Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word." This usually passes by without a lot of fanfare. Some parishes may bless catechists at Mass or highlight this important ministry in some way or another. Liturgists tend to roll their eyes at another "liturgical add-on" imposed by the catechists.

Each year, the USCCB issues excellent resources for this weekend (resources that, unfortunately, rarely make it into the hands of parish liturgists and musicians). It is a sad fact in our Church that those responsible for catechesis and those responsible for liturgy often don't talk. It's not the fault of anyone--it is simply reality.

That's why I am particularly impressed with one of the articles that the USCCB posted this year called Catechesis and Liturgy: Harmony or Fragmentation? It provides an honest look at the relationship between catechesis and liturgy in the average Catholic parish.

...the intimate relationship between catechesis and liturgy is not always evident in our ministry. There has been an unintended but real “disconnect” on the pastoral level between catechesis and liturgy, and between catechists and liturgists. In fact, the General Directory for Catechesis (GDC) identifies this relationship as one of the problematic areas of our ministry in recent years, affirming that, although “catechesis is intrinsically bound to every liturgical and sacramental action,” it is nevertheless often the case that frequently. . . the practice of catechetics testifies to a weak and fragmentary link with the liturgy: limited attention to liturgical symbols and rites, scant use of the liturgical fonts [traditions], catechetical courses with little or no connection with the liturgical year; the marginalization of liturgical celebrations in catechetical programs. (GDC, no. 30 [Washington, DC: USCCB, 1997])

If you have the time, the entire article is worth reading (it isn't very long). It might even be good to share this with your pastor and other staff members as a starter for discussion. Liturgists and catechists need to talk. And we all need to listen and learn so that the liturgy truly is, as it says in the Catechism (1074), the "privileged place for catechizing the People of God."

Memo from the Bishop's Office

2009-09-15T11:42:00.006-05:00

Bishop Morlino has issued a memorandum regarding the liturgy and influenza. Click here to read the memo or visit the Office of Worship web page.

Glory in the Cross

2009-09-15T08:45:00.016-05:00

In the midst of gearing up for school and choir, the additional meetings and training sessions, as well as trying to squeeze the last bits of summer out of September, two important dates of the liturgical calendar often sneak by without much notice: the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14) and Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15).

The date for the feast of the Holy Cross dates back to fourth-century Jerusalem. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was dedicated on September 13 and the next day the True Cross was brought outside the newly-dedicated church for all of the faithful to venerate. Today we still venerate that cross every time we make the sign of the cross or pray before the cross. In fact, we glory in the cross (Galatians 6:14).

The next day (September 15) we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Mary stood at the foot of the cross next to her son and this day stands immediately next to the feast of the cross.

These two days allow us to contemplate one of the great mysteries of God's plan, that of the role of suffering. Most of us spend our lives trying to avoid suffering, but suffering and sorrow are integral to the whole plan of salvation:

The one who desires to avoid suffering, to keep it at bay, keeps life itself and its greatness at bay...There is no love without suffering - without the suffering of renouncing oneself, of the transformation and purification of self for true freedom. Where there is nothing worth suffering for, even life loses its value. The Eucharist - the centre of our Christian being - is founded on Jesus' sacrifice for us; it is born from the suffering of love which culminated in the Cross. We live by this love that gives itself. It gives us the courage and strength to suffer with Christ and for him in this world, knowing that in this very way our life becomes great and mature and true. (Pope Benedict XVI, June 28, 2008).

The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows also is one of the few days on the calendar that still has a sequence, "Stabat mater dolorosa." One the most beautiful (and sorrowful) musical settings of this is by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-36) who himself died at a young age due to tuberculosis. Below is the first movement, for soprano and alto soloists (sung in this video by a countertenor).

September 11th

2009-09-11T08:12:00.004-05:00

Lord Jesus Christ,
who are called the Prince of Peace,
who are yourself our peace and reconciliation,
who so often said, "Peace to you,"
grant us peace.

Make all men and women witnesses of truth, justice, and brotherly love.
Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace.
Enlighten our rulers
that they may guarantee and defend the great gift of peace.
May all peoples of the earth become as brothers and sisters.
May longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always over us all.

Prayer for Peace of Blessed Pope John XXIII

***

Father, all powerful and ever living God,
we praise and thank you through Jesus Christ our Lord
for your presence and action in the world.

In the midst of conflict and division,
we know it is you who turn our minds to thoughts of peace.

Your Spirit changes our hearts:
enemies begin to speak to one another,
those who were estranged join hands in friendship,
and nations seek the way of peace together.

Your Spirit is at work when understanding puts an end to strife,
when hatred is quenched by mercy,
and vengeance gives way to forgiveness.

For this we should never cease to thank and praise you.

Preface from the Eucharistic Prayer for Masses of Reconciliation (II)

Community, Unity, Love

2009-09-10T08:25:00.007-05:00

The Holy Father often uses his time during his Wednesday General Audiences to teach about the great saints. Yesterday (September 9), he preached about St. Peter Damian, the 11th-century monk, reformer, and "intrepid man of the Church," according to Pope Benedict XVI.

There were two very profound thoughts in the pope's talk, as related by the Vatican News Service. First, he spoke about St. Peter's life as a hermit, where he sought solitude and rigorous self-denial and penance as a way to break his ties to the world and deepen his communion with the Lord. Pope Benedict added:

"Today too, even if we are not monks, it is important to know how to create silence within ourselves in order to listen to the voice of God. ... Learning the Word of God in prayer and meditation is the path of life."

For most of us, silence is difficult. But it can't be a luxury, for indeed God uses the silence to speak to us. Even in our public prayer, the liturgy, silence is required so that we may hear the Lord's voice and let it speak to our inmost being.

However, as Christians, we don't live for ourselves only. As wonderful as our communion with the Lord may be, it calls us to something more. Pope Benedict continued:

"[C]ommunion with Christ creates a unity of love among Christians..."

How many times have we heard people (including ourselves), in faithful zeal and love of the Lord, deny this Communion not in word, but in lack of love? We speak often of the secularization of society and the Church. Perhaps this is most clear when the language of division encroaches upon our Church. In our country, this often is fueled by political differences as well.

I sometimes pray that I may see others as the Lord sees them. We know that God has created all people in his image and that each life is important. He loved us first (I John 4:19), even before we loved him and he will love us to the end (John 13:1). He loves us with all our faults, yet he wishes us to overcome these; he loves us even while in sin, but he seeks our repentance; he loves us even while in darkness, but he leads us to the light.

And what is love? According to the Apostle Paul (I Cor. 13:4-13) it is patient, kind, neither jealous nor pompous, not inflated or rude, it is not selfish and not quick-tempered, and doesn't brood over injury. Love doesn't rejoice when things go wrong but in the truth. It endures for ever in hope.

For me, this is how I discern a person's message of faith (including my own). Are they (or I) kind and patient? If the answer is "yes," love is there (and God is love). Are they arrogant and pompous? Rude, rash, selfish? If so, then love is not there. And when love isn't there, it doesn't let us off the hook. We still have to love that person or those people who may dislike us or even hate us.

This is a life-long project (at least it is for me!). Pope Benedict's words about St. Peter Damian help keep us focused and remember:

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. (I John 4:7-8, NAB)

Overture Organ Festival

2009-09-08T10:17:00.011-05:00

The Overture Center will play host to the Madison Symphony Orchestra's Fourth Annual Overture Concert Organ Festival , September 18-20, 2009.

The program opens with a Friday evening (September 18) concert of music for trumpets and organ, featuring MSO organist Samuel Hutchison, MSO principal trumpet and UW Professor John Aley, and guest Andrew Balio, principal trumpet with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Tickets ($15) are required for this event.

On Saturday morning (September 19) at 11 a.m., organist Bruce Bengston will lead a free community hymn sing. The free Saturday morning hymn sings have been a tradition at the Overture Center for some time. Bruce is the long-time director of music at Luther Memorial Church and is a magnificent musician (and a great person!).

On Sunday afternoon, budding trumpet players won't want to miss the free master class for young trumpet players on the stage of the Overture Center. John Aley and Andrew Balio will serve as the master teachers. While the event is free, reservations are required (by September 15).

Resources for Commemorating September 11th

2009-09-08T08:55:00.009-05:00

This Friday marks the eighth anniversary of the attacks of September 11th, "a dark day in the history of humanity, a terrible affront to human dignity" (Pope John Paul II, September 12, 2001 Audience), which he said left him (and all of the world) "heartbroken." Many parishes have Masses, Vespers, or some other liturgical prayer that day while others will commemorate the event at the Saturday evening and Sunday Masses.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has had a page with prayers, intercessions and homily resources posted for several years. Even if you have referred to this in the past, it's worth another look. There are prayers for peace, for our nation, for our troops and for our leaders. This Friday also may be a good day to look once again at Pope Benedict XVI's prayer that he offered at Ground Zero when he visited New York last year.

Two days after the attacks, Pope John Paul II welcomed a new American ambassador to the Holy See. In his remarks, the Holy Father said:

I pray that this inhuman act will awaken in the hearts of all the world’s peoples a firm resolve to reject the ways of violence, to combat everything that sows hatred and division within the human family, and to work for the dawn of a new era of international cooperation inspired by the highest ideals of solidarity, justice and peace.

Sometime this week most of us will recall where we were and what we were doing as these horrific attacks took place and their impact began to sink into our hearts. It might be a better exercise to consider --both personally and as a nation--where we have been since September 11th and what we are doing to "work for the dawn of a new era...inspired by the highest ideals of solidarity, justice and peace."

Give Success to the Work of Our Hands

2009-09-04T11:33:00.006-05:00

The following litany was developed by the Office of Worship a number of years ago at the request of our Office for Justice and Peace. It was intended to help us remember to pray for all of those who do not have work or who are oppressed because of unsafe or unethical working conditions.

A Litany for Labor Day

Leader: Friends, let us offer our prayers to God who pronounced all creation good, who sent his Son to live and work as one like us, and who calls us to serve in love the poor and those oppressed by any need. Lord, give success to the work of our hands.

Response (all): Lord, give success to the work of our hands.

Reader: For those who are unemployed or underemployed, we pray: