Traditional Catholic Charismatic Orthodoxy

Our young priest made a comment just after "the Greeting of the Assembled People" yesterday. He reminded the assembly that as we celebrate the Mass we are joining in heavenly worship with the angels and saints. He then said that sometimes he wonders if the angels and saints are laughing at our lackluster responses and singing.

I wrote this post last year about reverence, especially while receiving Holy Communion. Reading that post would be helpful to better understand my position about a few liturgical issues. But here's a snapshot from that post:

I was born in 1967, post Vatican II, so my childhood saw remnants of the past being replaced, changed, or removed. I remember going to Mass as a very young boy and watching my parents receive Holy Communion at the altar rail. By the time I received Holy Communion for the first time, the altar rail had been removed, and we were taught to receive on the tongue or in the hand. I have always preferred to receive on the tongue, and truth be known, I would love for the Communion rail to come back. I embrace the few times we get to respond or sing in Latin. I love that connection to Church history.

Other thoughts I have posted with regards to Liturgy or related topics are here, here, and here just to note a few.

I absolutely love the reverence shown in the TLM and the Orthodox Liturgies and what that reverence teaches us...reminds us of.

For several years, when I lived in Louisiana, I attended a church that was part of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. (For those that are unfamiliar with this, the Charismatic Renewal is in full communion with Rome.) I guarantee that there was never a lackluster response or less than maximum effort in the singing or participation in the Mass.

When preparing for the Revised Roman Missal translation changes, the Bishops stated that their hope was that the effort would bring about more "full, active, and conscious participation" in the Mass. As we prepared in our parish here in Texas, I often thought of those days in the charismatic Catholic church.

The charismatics I associated with could not be described as irreverent for sure. But at the church I attended there was time during each Mass where the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit were...well, on display.

I state it in this manner because I firmly believe that such should be practiced outside of Mass. It's not that I think that the gifts of the Spirit are irreverent, but what is "the better part" given to us...charismatic gifts, or the Mass itself?

I believe that the true focus was lost. Case in point; a strong and mature Catholic who attended Mass there regularly once told me that they had to attend Mass at a "regular parish" for several straight weeks, and that it was good to get back to "real church". I wonder...did Jesus forget to show up in the Eucharist at that other parish?

I often wonder if I am an oddity. I love the Mass we celebrate today post-Vatican II, but I believe that much of our tradition, especially the reverence once shown has been lost. Being honest, it actually hurts.

Can't we bring the richness and beauty of all of these together?

Sometimes I just wish for some sort of Traditional Catholic Charismatic Orthodoxy.

When it's time to sing, sing! When it's time to respond, respond fully knowing what you are saying! Stop going through the motions; pretty please. Quick checking your mobile device. Focus on Jesus before, during, and after Communion. Please don't be so quick to rush out of church or nearly kill someone getting out of the parking lot.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O Good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from thee. From the malignant enemy defend me. In the hour of my death call me. And bid me come unto Thee, That with all Thy saints, I may praise thee Forever and ever. Amen.

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Amen.

O Lord, deprive me not of thy heavenly blessings. O Lord, deliver me from eternal torments. O Lord, if I have sinned in mind or thought, in word or deed, forgive me. O Lord, deliver me from…littleness of soul and stony hardness of heart. O Lord, deliver me from every temptation. O Lord, enlighten my heart which evil desire hath darkened. O Lord, I, being man, have sinned: do thou, being God, in loving kindness forgive me. O Lord, send down thy grace to help me, that I may glorify thy holy name. O Lord Jesus Christ, enroll me thy servant in the book of life. O Lord my God, even though I have done nothing good in thy sight, yet grant me, according to thy grace, to make a beginning of good. O Lord, sprinkle on my heart the dew of thy grace. O Lord of heaven and earth, remember me thy sinful servant, cold of heart and impure, in thy kingdom. O Lord, receive me in repentance. O Lord, leave me not. O Lord, lead me not into temptation. O Lord, grant me thought of good. O Lord, grant me tears, a remembrance of death, and a sense of peace. O Lord, grant me mindfulness to confess my sins. O Lord, grant me humility, charity, and obedience. O Lord, grant me endurance, magnanimity, and gentleness. O Lord, plant in me the root of all blessings, the fear of thee in my heart. O Lord, vouchsafe that I may love thee with all my heart and soul and in all things obey thy will. O Lord, shield me from evil men and devils and passions and all other unlawful things. O Lord, who knowest thy creation and what thou hast willed for it; may thy will also be fulfilled in me a sinner; for thou art blessed for evermore. Amen.

Liturgy: What is said when there is no Pope?

During the Eucharistic Prayer this past Sunday, recognizing that it would be the last Sunday Mass with Pope Benedict XVI as our pope, I wondered what would be said this coming Sunday when there is no pope. Later that evening, my wife Kendra asked that very question of me, so that made it a little more important for me to find out. :-)

Well, long story short, the Priest will simply omit the papal reference. The USCCB has released a document, LITURGICAL NOTES AND RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR USE UPON THE RESIGNATION OF THE POPE which among other things addresses this:

The Eucharistic Prayer 

In accord with liturgical norms, the Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs I is appropriately used. 

Until 2:00 PM Eastern time, February 28, 2013, the formula for mentioning the name of the Pope in the Eucharistic Prayer is to be followed as usual. After that time, during the sede vacante, the formula is adjusted as follows: 

Eucharistic Prayer I (The Roman Canon) Be pleased to grant her peace, to guard, unite and govern her throughout the whole world, together with N. our Bishop, and all those who, holding to the truth, hand on the catholic and apostolic faith.7 

Eucharistic Prayer II Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with N. our Bishop and all the clergy. 

Eucharistic Prayer III May this Sacrifice of our reconciliation, we pray, O Lord, advance the peace and salvation of all the world. Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity your pilgrim Church on earth, with N. our Bishop, the Order of Bishops, all the clergy, and the entire people you have gained for your own. 

Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs I Lord, renew your Church (which is in N.) by the light of the Gospel. Strengthen the bond of unity between the faithful and the pastors of your people, together with N. our Bishop, and the whole Order of Bishops, that in a world torn by strife your people may shine forth as a prophetic sign of unity and concord

--------------------------------
Thanks to Sr. Dorothy Eggering, SSND from the Office of Worship, Diocese of Dallas

Why did God make you?

Why did God make you?

This morning, when I read "How to Practice Catholicism" by Lisa Graas, there were several thoughts I had on the subject.

First, she writes

It’s one thing to be Catholic and quite another to practice Catholicism.

It sure is. A former pastor of mine used to say quite frequently "Being a Catholic is more than having your membership card."

If you have a membership card to the gym, but never use it, what good is it? And when you need to use those muscles that you would have built up at the gym, they probably won't respond properly.

and later, this

That is why study is necessary, but study is just an initial step. After you know what to practice, you can then become a practicing Catholic.

Back to the membership card thingee (that one's for my wife); If you do use the card, go to the gym to work-out, but don't take the time to learn how to use the equipment properly, there's a good chance you will hurt yourself and possibly others as well.

continuing

As the Church is employing social media more and more in bringing Christ to the world, we would all do well to remember our brokenness and to understand that it is not our intellectual brilliance in writing and creating fancy graphics that will bring souls to Him as much as it is our prayers and our desire to always seek to get to know Him better ourselves...

No doubt, I am not blowing anyone over with my "intellectual brilliance". I hope you enjoy reading this blog, but I sure hope the things I post "about me" are really about how much work God has left to do with me.

Over the course of the last 7 1/2 years, I have lost over 110 pounds. Honestly, sometimes I can get lazy or careless about what and how much I eat. This is dangerous, and the same is true if we become "comfortable" with our relationship with God. We must always seek Him in prayer, especially when it seems "difficult" or even worse "unnecessary" to pray.

and finally

If we don’t know Jesus personally, we cannot possibly project the real Jesus to the world. What’s more, if we don’t get to know Jesus, we will never get to know our true selves. Our hearts were made for loving Him. Know Him, love Him, serve Him.

This last comment is so "back to the basics" of Catholicism. Do you remember the Baltimore Catechism ("there he goes")? Well, maybe you don't. Back in the 70's, when I was a kid, I know there was an effort to get rid of all that "rigidness". Ugggggg!!!!!

The Baltimore Catechism (of 1891), in "Lesson First" (Question #6), states

6. Q. Why did God make you?
A. God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him for ever in heaven

So much is said in that little question and answer. Isn't that what so many are searching for in asking "Why am I here?"

I have often posted about liturgy, the Sacraments, etc. These may seem to some to "not really matter" as long as "I have a personal relationship with God". This is exactly why I post such things. Because how we worship God does matter to Him, and our relationship with Him is tied to and perfected in their PRACTICE.

Those who with God's help have welcomed Christ's call and freely responded to it are urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world. This treasure, received from the apostles, has been faithfully guarded by their successors. All Christ's faithful are called to hand it on from generation to generation, by professing the faith, by living it in fraternal sharing, and by celebrating it in liturgy and prayer - (Catechism 3)

Why did God make you?

God made you to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him for ever in heaven

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Necessity or Convenience

This weekend, I read an article by Fr. Rick Hellman; Extraordinary Ministers No More *Gulp*. Fr. Hellman  decided that the use of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass in his parishes (2) were more of a convenience than a necessity. He states:

This weekend we made the move to refrain from the use of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Thanks to this internet age in which we live, the appropriate teaching on this was hard to escape. Up to now, I hid behind my “ignorance”, but once I received the truth, the culpability of my dissent became more grave. I could no longer cower behind my lack of knowledge. My conscience got the better of me as I realized my dissent would now be direct.

I posted the link on my facebook page, and there were a few comments and questions as I suspected there would be. I knew almost immediately that I wanted to blog about this to try to help "clarify" some things, but it turns out that Fr. Z has already done this. (What a shocker.) Fr. Hellman linked to Fr. Z's blog post, The question of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Please, please read Fr. Z's post.

I realize that many times, people will, as I did in this instance, read an article without checking the included links. I seriously urge you to read the articles which I have linked in this post. Pretty please?

Some may find many topics which I post are "difficult" and my involvement in many of the ministries (especially liturgical) in my parish may perhaps lend one to misunderstand some of what I "say".

With that in mind, I want to make a few points.

I like to post articles which draw attention to a more reverent attitude toward the Liturgy, the Sacraments, and especially the Eucharist. My posting of such topics is not intended to be a criticism of valid and acceptable liturgical practices. I have a preference (and true belief) for many things that some would say are "traditionalists" views. However, most real "traditionalists" would not call me that at all (and I'll leave it at that for now). While Liturgical decisions as this are in the hands of our bishops, then our respective pastors, I have a personal opinion which questions if the US bishops have taken too much into their own hands. But that's for Rome to decide.

Also, I strongly urge you to take advantage of the wealth of information available about our Faith. Here are some very good starting points:

Redemptionis Sacramentum - Because of the nature of this topic, if you do not read any other links below, READ THIS ONE.

General Instruction Of The Roman Missal - for the United States

Adaptations to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal - for the United States

USCCB Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion 

Catechism of the Catholic Church (searchable index) - This one should be a permanent bookmark.

Okay, one last thing; did I say READ FR. Z'S BLOG POST?

Advent: Another chance to jump into God's time machine

I have always been fascinated with the thought of time travel. I watch as many nerdy television shows as possible which address the topic through any genre.

So for me, it's only natural to be especially interested in God's existence outside of time and His choosing act within the confines of time and even more so, His joining of the two.

Time - and Time Again

A former pastor of mine once preached about chronos and kairos time. Very simply, chronos time may be explained by the answer to the question "What time is it?" while kairos time is better explained by the statement "I had a great time". While chronos refers to sequential time, kairos refers to a moment.

In the Eastern Church, before the Liturgy begins, the deacon exclaims "Kairos tou poiesai to Kyrio"; which means "It is time for the Lord to act", recognizing the joining of our earthly and heavenly worship.

Lost in Translation

In the Western Church, when we hear the words "Do this in memory of me" in the English translation, we can lose the real meaning of the word "anamnesis" which is the Greek word from which we draw upon. Anamnesis more specifically means "made present". We don't just "remember" the Paschal mysteries. By the working of the Holy Spirit, we enter into them; on God's awesome time machine if you will.

Back to the Future

Advent is now upon us, and here is a little something I found in the catechism:

When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. (Catechism 524)

I just love the chance to time travel. Don't you?

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof

Today is officially one year that the English-speaking Catholic Church began using the Third Revision of the Roman Missal. Since the announcement by Blessed Pope John Paul II in 2000, it has been the hope of the Church that the revised translation would be an opportunity for everyone to grow closer to the Lord through a more  "full, conscious, active participation" in the Mass.

One of my favorite revisions is

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Have you ever heard someone say. "I just don't get anything out of Mass."? Perhaps you have even said or thought this before? One of the beauties of the Catholic Mass is that it is true worship of God. Worship is directed toward God, not toward one's self. Why do we think there has to be "something in it for me" to go to Mass? Do we think we actually deserve some benefit or are "worthy" of such on our own accord?

Remember where those words come from. In Matthew 8:8, the centurion says to Jesus, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed." He doesn't think Jesus owes him anything. He sees himself as not being worthy of the presence of the Lord.

Jesus responds by saying, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.” Wow! Jesus recognizes that "the chosen people" have become dry, lacking in faith, and perhaps complacent. I think we can and have become like that too. Jesus rewards the centurion's faith by healing his servant.

Well, we also are not worthy, and we don't deserve anything. But here's the thing; God wants to give it all to us anyway. What all? Himself, His life, and all that that implies.

We say these words just before receiving Him in Holy Communion, the Eucharist, and having properly prepared ourselves to receive Him, we receive the Grace which He desires for our lives.

This is from the Commentary on the Order of Mass:

Nonetheless, despite these Biblical origins, speaking of “my roof” may seem strange before Holy Communion, since Christ is coming to us in the form of food – not literally entering into our houses. Certainly, the clear association with Matthew, chapter 8, has a figurative intent, but it may also be helpful to recall that Saint Paul says, “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you” (1 Cor 6:19). 

We are therefore to make our bodies into fitting homes for God’s grace to dwell within our souls. The Eucharist is true food that provides spiritual nourishment, which is why we will refer more specifically to “my soul” in the last line. But this sacramental strength for our souls in turn informs both our mental and physical deeds (recall the Confiteor also incorporates both types of action – “in my thoughts and in my words”), such that the totality of our bodies, souls, and lives may become suitable instruments of the Lord.

The Body of Christ. Amen!

I love the Mass. In fact, I love Liturgy in general. I serve in various liturgical ministries in my parish, and love serving at Mass as often as possible.

One of those ministries is as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.  I've seen enough on social media outlets to know that some Catholics just stopped reading. That's a post for another day, maybe. However, there is a need in my very large parish, I was asked several times, and I finally gave in, serving as a substitute when there is a shortage of ministers.

I am marked but don't label me

I was born in 1967, post Vatican II, so my childhood saw remnants of the past being replaced, changed, or removed.  (Just lost a few more I think.)  But please don't stick any labels on me.

I remember going to Mass as a very young boy and watching my parents receive Holy Communion at the altar rail. By the time I received Holy Communion for the first time, the altar rail had been removed, and we were taught to receive on the tongue or in the hand. I have always preferred to receive on the tongue, and truth be known, I would love for the Communion rail to come back. I embrace the few times we get to respond or sing in Latin. I love that connection to Church history. That doesn't mean that I think something's wrong with you if you think otherwise.

Steam-punk Sacred

However, there is a serious reason that I long for a past that I really never experienced. It's called reverence. For quite some time I have noticed a lack of reverence for the Eucharist, and I'm sorry to say that it does not appear to be improving very much.

The Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ present in the Eucharist should make us tremble with awe and Holy Fear of the Lord. Too often, though, it is evident that for many it is just another "altar call" or that time when we get to get up out of our seats and walk around a bit.

“The faithful should receive Communion kneeling or standing, as the Conference of Bishops will have determined”, with its acts having received the recognitio of the Apostolic See. “However, if they receive Communion standing, it is recommended that they give due reverence before the reception of the Sacrament, as set forth in the same norms” (Redemptionis Sacramentum)

Residential Reverence

Don't get me wrong, my pastor (and his predecessors) and our Liturgy Commission have spent quite a bit of time and effort trying to educate people about properly receiving Communion. More than one priest has reminded people that Judas was the first to leave the table. It seems as though some do not listen, or worse, do not care.

Let's face it. Children are going to learn to show reverence (or not) for the Eucharist in the example of their parents first and then that of those who they regularly observe at Mass. No matter what our priests and catechists teach, they will watch closely and emulate. As if approaching Christ is not enough in and of itself, let us all be mindful of the children, the future of the Church.

Begin With Basics

This is a video which was approved by my pastor for our parish. It is not all-inclusive but it at least touches on some of the very basics. Norms outside of our parish may differ. If you are ready for something beyond the basics, read Redemptionis Sacramentum.