http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2008/04/one-of-great-disappointments-which.html
I am particularly happy that we have gathered in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Perhaps more than any other church in the United States, this place is known and loved as “a house of prayer for all peoples” (cf. Is 56:7; Mk 11:17). Each day thousands of men, women and children enter its doors and find peace within its walls. ... I would like to draw your attention to a few aspects of this beautiful structure which I think can serve as a starting point for a reflection on our particular vocations within the unity of the Mystical Body.The first has to do with the stained glass windows, which flood the interior with mystic light. From the outside, those windows are dark, heavy, even dreary. But once one enters the church, they suddenly come alive; reflecting the light passing through them, they reveal all their splendor. Many writers – here in America we can think of Nathaniel Hawthorne – have used the image of stained glass to illustrate the mystery of the Church herself. It is only from the inside, from the experience of faith and ecclesial life, that we see the Church as she truly is: flooded with grace, resplendent in beauty, adorned by the manifold gifts of the Spirit. It follows that we, who live the life of grace within the Church’s communion, are called to draw all people into this mystery of light....Like all Gothic cathedrals, it is a highly complex structure, whose exact and harmonious proportions symbolize the unity of God’s creation. Medieval artists often portrayed Christ, the creative Word of God, as a heavenly “geometer”, compass in hand, who orders the cosmos with infinite wisdom and purpose. Does this not bring to mind our need to see all things with the eyes of faith, and thus to grasp them in their truest perspective, in the unity of God’s eternal plan? This requires, as we know, constant conversion, and a commitment to acquiring “a fresh, spiritual way of thinking” (cf. Eph 4:23). It also calls for the cultivation of those virtues which enable each of us to grow in holiness and to bear spiritual fruit within our particular state of life. Is not this ongoing “intellectual” conversion as necessary as “moral” conversion for our own growth in faith, our discernment of the signs of the times, and our personal contribution to the Church’s life and mission?
For all of us, I think, one of the great disappointments which followed the Second Vatican Council, with its call for a greater engagement in the Church’s mission to the world, has been the experience of division between different groups, different generations, different members of the same religious family. We can only move forward if we turn our gaze together to Christ! In the light of faith, we will then discover the wisdom and strength needed to open ourselves to points of view which may not necessarily conform to our own ideas or assumptions. Thus we can value the perspectives of others, be they younger or older than ourselves, and ultimately hear “what the Spirit is saying” to us and to the Church (cf. Rev 2:7). In this way, we will move together towards that true spiritual renewal desired by the Council, a renewal which can only strengthen the Church in that holiness and unity indispensable for the effective proclamation of the Gospel in today’s world. ...The unity of a Gothic cathedral, we know, is not the static unity of a classical temple, but a unity born of the dynamic tension of diverse forces which impel the architecture upward, pointing it to heaven. Here too, we can see a symbol of the Church’s unity, which is the unity – as Saint Paul has told us – of a living body composed of many different members, each with its own role and purpose....So let us lift our gaze upward! And with great humility and confidence, let us ask the Spirit to enable us each day to grow in the holiness that will make us living stones in the temple which he is even now raising up in the midst of our world. If we are to be true forces of unity, let us be the first to seek inner reconciliation through penance. Let us forgive the wrongs we have suffered and put aside all anger and contention. Let us be the first to demonstrate the humility and purity of heart which are required to approach the splendor of God’s truth. In fidelity to the deposit of faith entrusted to the Apostles (cf. 1 Tim 6:20), let us be joyful witnesses of the transforming power of the Gospel!
Benedict XVI
Homily - Saint Patrick's Cathedral
April 19, 2
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Summorum Pontificum bringing back many separated bretheren, says Vatican cardinal
Vatican City, Mar 31, 2008 / 09:50 am (CNA).- In an interview with L’Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, president of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, explained that Pope Benedict XVI’s Motu Proprio “Summorum Pontificum,” which liberalized the use of the Tridentine Mass, is not a return to the past and has brought many separated brethren back into full communion with the Church.
During the interview, Cardinal Castrillon explained that the Pope’s letter, which renewed the possibility of celebrating the Mass according to the ancient rite, has led many Catholics to request to be received back into communion with the Church.
“In Spain,” he said, “the Oasis of Jesus the Priest, an entire cloistered monastery of 30 nuns led by their founder, has been recognized and regularized by the Pontifical Commission.”
“On the other hand there are American, German and French groups, and other members of the laity, who contact us, write us and call in search of reconciliation. And there are many faithful who express their gratitude to the Pope for issuing the Motu Proprio,” the cardinal said.
“There is one thing that needs to be stressed,” he continued. “This is not a return to the past, but rather progress, because now there are two treasures instead of just one. And this way the other treasure is available, thus respecting the right of those who are particularly attached to the ancient liturgy.”
The Colombian cardinal noted that there have been some practical problems in implementing the directive, but the Ecclesia Dei Commission is planning to provide more help to “seminaries, dioceses and bishops’ conferences” to eliminate the difficulties.
“In addition,” he went on, “it is important that there are already priests who use the extraordinary form and make themselves available to celebrate or explain the Mass according to the 1962 missal.”
Cardinal Castrillon stressed that “the Pope has been clear” that it is “an error” to assert that the use of the Latin language is only for the ancient rite, as it is foreseen in the Missal of Paul VI.” He also reiterated that the Motu Proprio grants any priest the rite to celebrate the extraordinary form of the Mass and that the faithful have the right to this form “when the conditions specified in the Motu Proprio exist.”
“The Pope is offering the Church a treasure that is spiritual, cultural, religious and catholic,” he continued, noting that the Commission has received letters of support from Orthodox, Anglican and even Protestant ministers. Cardinal Castrillon also said priests and faithful of the Society of St. Pius X have sought to regularize their status with the Church in the wake of the Motu Proprio. He pointed out that the members of the SSPX are not separated from the Church. “The excommunication applied only to the four bishops” who were ordained by Archbishop Lefebrve. Mass celebrated by priests of the Society is “undoubtedly valid, but not licit. Therefore, attendance at these Mass is not advised, unless there is no other possibility on Sundays,” he said.
Cardinal Castrillon offered his own personal reflection on the new directive. “I very much like the novus ordo which I celebrate daily. I have never celebrated the Mass according to the 1962 Missal after the liturgical reform. Now, in joining in the extraordinary rite on a few occasions, I have rediscovered the richness of the ancient liturgy which the Pope wants to keep alive,” he said.
“We should never forget that the supreme point of reference in the liturgy, as in life, is always Christ,” Cardinal Castrillon added. “We are not afraid, therefore, in the liturgical rite as well, of turning to Him, towards the Crucified one, together with the faithful, in order to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice, in an unbloody way, as the Council of Trent defined the Mass,” he said.
During the interview, Cardinal Castrillon explained that the Pope’s letter, which renewed the possibility of celebrating the Mass according to the ancient rite, has led many Catholics to request to be received back into communion with the Church.
“In Spain,” he said, “the Oasis of Jesus the Priest, an entire cloistered monastery of 30 nuns led by their founder, has been recognized and regularized by the Pontifical Commission.”
“On the other hand there are American, German and French groups, and other members of the laity, who contact us, write us and call in search of reconciliation. And there are many faithful who express their gratitude to the Pope for issuing the Motu Proprio,” the cardinal said.
“There is one thing that needs to be stressed,” he continued. “This is not a return to the past, but rather progress, because now there are two treasures instead of just one. And this way the other treasure is available, thus respecting the right of those who are particularly attached to the ancient liturgy.”
The Colombian cardinal noted that there have been some practical problems in implementing the directive, but the Ecclesia Dei Commission is planning to provide more help to “seminaries, dioceses and bishops’ conferences” to eliminate the difficulties.
“In addition,” he went on, “it is important that there are already priests who use the extraordinary form and make themselves available to celebrate or explain the Mass according to the 1962 missal.”
Cardinal Castrillon stressed that “the Pope has been clear” that it is “an error” to assert that the use of the Latin language is only for the ancient rite, as it is foreseen in the Missal of Paul VI.” He also reiterated that the Motu Proprio grants any priest the rite to celebrate the extraordinary form of the Mass and that the faithful have the right to this form “when the conditions specified in the Motu Proprio exist.”
“The Pope is offering the Church a treasure that is spiritual, cultural, religious and catholic,” he continued, noting that the Commission has received letters of support from Orthodox, Anglican and even Protestant ministers. Cardinal Castrillon also said priests and faithful of the Society of St. Pius X have sought to regularize their status with the Church in the wake of the Motu Proprio. He pointed out that the members of the SSPX are not separated from the Church. “The excommunication applied only to the four bishops” who were ordained by Archbishop Lefebrve. Mass celebrated by priests of the Society is “undoubtedly valid, but not licit. Therefore, attendance at these Mass is not advised, unless there is no other possibility on Sundays,” he said.
Cardinal Castrillon offered his own personal reflection on the new directive. “I very much like the novus ordo which I celebrate daily. I have never celebrated the Mass according to the 1962 Missal after the liturgical reform. Now, in joining in the extraordinary rite on a few occasions, I have rediscovered the richness of the ancient liturgy which the Pope wants to keep alive,” he said.
“We should never forget that the supreme point of reference in the liturgy, as in life, is always Christ,” Cardinal Castrillon added. “We are not afraid, therefore, in the liturgical rite as well, of turning to Him, towards the Crucified one, together with the faithful, in order to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice, in an unbloody way, as the Council of Trent defined the Mass,” he said.
Diocese calls for Boycott of Komen
"Another Catholic diocese has gone on record as urging Catholics and local parishes to boycott the Komen Race for the Cure because of its ties to abortion." http://uvcarmel.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/catholic-diocese-in-indiana-wants-komen-race-boycott-over-abortion-ties/
Speaker Series in Carmel, Indiana
Also, Una Vocel Carmel is hosting a speaker series: http://uvcarmel.wordpress.com/category/speaker-series/. For more information, contact them at: (317) 581-0315 or info@uvcarmel.org.
Tridentine Mass for Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
A Tridentine (Latin) Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 6, in the Day Chapel at St. Elizabeth Seton Church. Father Gerard Saguto, FSSP will celebrate the Tridentine Low Mass. Latin/English missals will be available. The next Tridentine Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, April 20. For more information, call 317-581-0315 or 317-313-6467 or visit the Web site of Una Voce Carmel at http://uvcarmel.wordpress.com/2008/03/29/tridentine-mass/
Monday, January 21, 2008
Diocese bishop opts for circus Mass over Ave Maria's dedication ceremony
By LIAM DILLON (Contact)Friday, January 18, 2008
Last Sunday, Diocese of Venice Bishop Frank Dewane celebrated Mass at a Sarasota church accompanied by priests wearing colorful Ferris wheels, clowns, giraffes, unicycles, lions and merry-go-rounds on their vestments.
This was the annual circus Mass, Dewane said, honoring the nearly 100-year history of the Ringling family on Florida’s west coast and the importance of itinerant people like circus performers to the Catholic universal church.
Last Sunday, Ave Maria founder Tom Monaghan spoke inside his new 100-foot-tall, $24-million oratory at Ave Maria town accompanied by residents and supporters of the private university in the Catholic tradition.
This was the Picnic at the Prep honoring the first year of Ave Maria’s K-12 Grammar and Preparatory school.
Last Sunday was the day Monaghan and university President Nick Healy had invited Dewane to celebrate dedicatory Mass at the oratory after consecrating it as a sacred place.
Last Sunday came and went.
Without Dewane’s consecration, no one can celebrate Mass inside the oratory.
The diocese and the university confirmed that conversations between the two sides are continuing, but there’s been no resolution. No one directly involved in the discussions will address details other than to say negotiations are confidential.
“I’m here for a different celebration today, my good friend,” Dewane said when asked about the oratory after the circus Mass.
He declined further comment.
“We won’t make any comment about the relationship with the diocese,” Healy said last week. “We’re very hopeful that things will get resolved and it will become clear. There are issues that are not easily understood and hard to explain and we don’t want to comment on it.”
Those issues may relate to intricacies of Catholic church laws relating to the relationship between the official church and individual Catholics. The laws, known as canon laws, govern all interactions in the church regarding authority, ownership and control over spiritual and practical matters alike.
Canon law experts said there’s little precedent to address the situation facing Ave Maria’s oratory, both as the most high-profile symbol of a university founded and administered by Catholic laymen and the center of a new town.
The oratory’s consecration is both a simple and complicated issue in the law, experts said.
“In one sense it’s very complex; in another it’s not complex at all,” said the Rev. Phillip J. Brown, an associate professor at Catholic University’s School of Canon Law. “Nothing can be done without the authority of the bishop.”
By law, the bishop can grant a number of statuses to the oratory after consecration. The broadest would be parish church status. A parish would serve more than the university community, likely town residents as well.
Parishes are individual Catholics’ most direct tie to the official church and all sacred celebrations, like baptisms, weddings and funerals are performed inside parish churches.
The university requested the oratory receive parish church status more than three years ago. A parish’s head priest, known as a pastor, is traditionally appointed by the bishop.
One difference between Ave Maria and some of the older Catholic universities in the country is that Ave Maria’s founders are laymen, not members of Catholic religious orders like Jesuits or Franciscans.
Some parishes are attached to Catholic universities like at Jesuit schools Creighton (Neb.) University, Xavier (Ohio) University and Saint Louis University.
The pastors there, officials at all three schools said, are nominated by the school’s Jesuit community and then confirmed by the bishop — a power in canon law called the “right of presentation.”
But should Ave Maria want to present a pastor for a potential Ave Maria parish church it would have two strikes against it, experts said.
Today, Catholic laymen are rarely, if ever, granted that power and changes in canon law nearly 25 years ago have made doing so nearly impossible.
“A right of presentation would never be granted to a new parish today,” Brown said.
The Rev. Francis Morrisey, an adjunct canon law professor at the University of Saint Paul in Ottawa, Canada, said since the church revised its laws in 1983, he’s not aware of any lay group that has been granted a right of presentation.
Instead, the prerogative for choosing pastors is the bishop’s alone, Morrisey said.
A status less broad than a parish church would be one where the oratory would serve as no more than the university’s chapel. That’s the situation at the majority of Catholic universities, although exactly how it works differs depending on the school.
At the University of Notre Dame, the school’s famed Basilica of the Sacred Heart — next to the “Golden Dome” landmark to which Monaghan has compared the oratory — is not a parish church.
Instead, a parish is located in the crypt below the basilica and Masses are celebrated at both locations. Public worship occurs at both.
“It is unique,” said the Rev. Peter Rocca, the basilica’s rector. “It evolved out of the very nature of the needs of the parish versus the needs of a college-educated community.”
But Ave Maria falls into a different canonical category than Notre Dame.
According to the church, Ave Maria is not a “Catholic university,” but rather “a private university in the Catholic tradition.”
The distinction means more than pure semantics. Catholic universities must agree to follow a number of church norms on education, usually under the administration of the bishop.
Instead, according to Healy, the university community is a “private association of the faithful,” a status granted by Dewane’s predecessor Bishop John Nevins.
Nevins, Healy said, confirmed the Rev. Robert Garrity, a university employee, as the association’s chaplain or more technically a spiritual adviser.
The 1983 changes in canon law, Brown said, helped codify the status of private lay associations in the official church and were in keeping with the landmark Second Vatican Council of the 1960s that encouraged more lay participation in the church.
Private associations are required to submit to the bishop’s authority in different ways than Catholic universities, but it is unclear whether this status would impact the oratory’s consecration.
“It’s not an association that represents the church publicly,” Brown said. “It’s purely private.”
As the center of the new town, presumably both Ave Maria and the diocese would want the oratory open for public worship and not limited to the university community, whether it’s a parish or not.
Masses at Notre Dame’s basilica are televised and its landmark status attracted roughly 100,000 visitors last year, according to statistics provided by Rocca.
At Ave Maria, already the oratory is hosting community and university events, with a lecture and Byzantine choir concert held on Saturday.
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/jan/18/diocese-bishop-opts-circus-mass-over-ave-marias-de/
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