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/
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