Nine hours of Eucharistic adoration in Cardiff

At St David's Cathedral, Charles Street on 24th June from 9am to 6pm

PRAYING FOR DISCERNMENT FOR FUTURE PRO-LIFE

ACTIVITIES

Could you not watch one hour with Him?

Photo: Oxford Oratory

Which Mass does Jesus Christ want?

I mean, it has got to come down to this, surely?

There are two basic types of Mass in the Roman Church, the Ordinary (OF) and the Extraordinary (EF).

Please do not say at this stage: "But all Masses are the same". They are evidently not.

One is in the vernacular and is missing many of the key elements that Quo Primum stated quite clearly, should be preserved and the other is a reasonable representation of the Mass that gradually evolved over the four or five hundred years after the death of Our Lord - in Latin.



The OF Altar

Some may say that both Masses are the same because the outcome, in the manner of the renewal of the sacrifice of Calvary in an unbloody fashion, and the subsequent changing of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ are identical at both forms of Mass.

But that still leaves the question hanging in mid air; the two are different in format - so which one does Jesus Christ want?

Many would claim that He wants both kinds but that does not wash; let me change the question to: 'Which Mass does Our Lord prefer?' Which one does He believe will benefit us the most?
Which Mass attracts the most grace?

                     The EF Altar                     (Civitas Dei)

My conclusion, which, of course,  I believe to be perfectly logical, is that Our Lord prefers the Mass that is closest to the one that His Church first created; the one that was so greatly influenced by the Apostles who loved and served the Lord.
 The Mass that is the more comprehensive of the two, more demanding of the celebrant (and of the server) and requiring a greater demonstration of reverence and piety from those attending.

The Mass that is not divisive in areas where a variety of tongues are spoken, a Mass that is, as the Faith itself, universal.

A Mass that is basically unchanged since early times and ratified by The Council of Trent in 1535.

A Mass that does not allow for personal liturgical expression by the priest or the laity; a Mass that is easy to follow (if you have a missal) and easy to meditate at if you haven't.

So why is this Extraordinary Form of Mass so ignored by the priests?

I can understand the episcophobic issue, the Bishop might well come down heavily on any priest wishing to introduce the EF Mass.

I can understand, also, the fear of upsetting the liberal parishioners who, quite frankly, have no concept of the matter other than an irrational dislike of the Latin.

But some priests also come up with the corny line: "I just don't speak Latin"

That is a copout. They quite merrily take their holidays overseas and indulge in café French or Italian as the case may be. To learn to read and pronounce Latin is not hard.

As a child, all altar servers in our parish had to be able to give the Mass responses in Latin by the age of seven. Hard at that age but far from impossible.

So, we come back to the question as to which Mass Our Lord wishes us to take part in.

The answer seems plainly clear to me.

Father's Day.....3 books, two robins, a bomb and...a nutjob!

Despite the fact that it's origins are horribly commercial, I suspect most Fathers look forward to receiving a gift of sorts from their offspring.

I was providentially fortunate to receive gifts from all four of my sprogs; they all remembered, DG.

Dealing with them in descending order, I received 'Holloway' from my son (we share a love of the writings of Robert Macfarlane (I know not his fellow authors); and the fact that the book is dedicated to the memory of the late Roger Deakin (he who used to swim in every type of stretch of water in the British Isles; from bogs to lochs and canals to salmon rivers, makes it extra special).

The subject matter is the area of Dorset made famous by Geoffrey Household's novel 'Rogue Male' - the patch of land around the parish of Chideock.

In the novel, Household's hero takes refuge in a Catholic Chapel (Our Lady and the English Martyrs at Chideock) while on the run from Nazi agents who want to do rather unpleasant things to him.

                             A section of the wall from the sacristy in Chideock

He then moves from the Chapel to an old drover's lane, so overgrown with trees and brambles that a natural and very private archway (Holloway) is formed and this is where he holes up. 

This disused track is still there today (if you can find it) and thus the subject matter of the book focuses on track and chapel.

If there were Michelin stars awarded for Churches, the Chapel of Our Lady and the English Martyrs would surpass the normal three.

On the first floor, in the old sacristy, you may make out faded frescoes on the walls; the very same that would have been brightly visible to the martyrs of Chideock: among them being, Fr Thomas Pilchard and his lay companion and convert, William Pike (yes, really). Fr Hugh Green (who was beheaded and his head used as a football by the loutish mob) and Fr Cornelius.

But, I digress. Two iron robins and a jar of Fortnum and Mason nuts formed gift number two.

I have never eaten F & M nuts before but can vouch for the fact that they are so good that one may inhale them. 

The robins, as I write, are perched on my shelf watching every move I make, ready to flit down for a meal of a few iron filings.

The third gift was another book but one comprising photographs from a recent family get together; making a memorable record of a memorable day. One that will now stay as clear in my mind as the day itself.

And, finally, a book on Latin. 

Ho hum you may say but this is 'Latin for Gardeners' and it deals with the origins of plant names proving yet again, as in medicine and zoology, Latin is far from dead and in constant use. 

And the bomb?

Well, this is a seed bomb, more hand grenade really, impregnated with seeds of the blue cornflower.

You just remove the firing pin, John Wayne fashion, and lob into the middle of a flower bed.

The rain and nature does the rest.

My sort of gardening.

But.....has a Father been forgotten? A Father overlooked?

Yes, remember that our priests are, of course, our most important Fathers, and, if you have not bought a gift for your priest, remember him in your prayers.

A prayer for Priests

O Jesus, eternal Priest, keep Thy Priests within the shelter

Of Thy Sacred Heart, where none may touch them.

Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch

Thy Sacred Body.

Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with

Thy Precious Blood.

Keep pure and unworldly their hearts, sealed with

the sublime mark of the Priesthood.

Let Thy Holy Love surround them

From the world’s contagion.

Bless their labours with abundant fruit,

And, may the souls to whom they minister,

Be their joy here and their everlasting

Crown forever.

Mary, Queen of Priests, pray for us:

Obtain for us numerous and holy Priests.

Amen

Are Latin Masses increasing in number under Pope Francis?

The question is purely rhetorical; I have no evidence to suggest that EF Masses have either increased or decreased under Pope Francis but, I have suspicions.

"Brick by brick" Does that mean more or less?

Those suspicions are based on feedback (so they are strictly anecdotal in evidence terms) from liberal Catholics who gush and spout about how humble the new Holy Father is and how he just hates all that ritual and grandeur (by which they mean the orthodox liturgy) and how he has cut through all that liturgical lace (by which they mean that he has reverted back to the dreary old Novus Ordo format of poncho vestments with modern motifs).

I do not know many liberal priests but, my guess is that they are saying much the same sort of things; most of the bishops will also be singing off the same hymn sheet, no doubt.

There is a sort of air of despondency in some circles and only an occasional straw from Rome for traditionally minded Catholics to clutch at.

But, how goes the fight in England and Wales?

Are Latin Masses still plodding forward, brick by brick in Fr Z fashion or, are they retreating into pre 2007 oblivion?

I do not know if the Latin Mass Society has done the sums on this one as yet but my feeling is that orthodox priests are, once more, on the back foot and that any growth in EF Mass numbers has died the death and may, even be decreasing.

Yet the shouts from the seminaries seem to state the opposite - so what's to worry about, this could be a temporary glitch that will right itself in 5 or 6 years time.

Possibly.

But we all know what happens next, do we not?

A young priest, about to assume control in his first parish, meets with his Bishop for the first time since he was ordained a few weeks previously.

And the Bishop gives him the chat; nothing too direct, just a few menacing words based upon the following:

1. "I would remind you of your obedience to me (forget about Rome Sonny, this is where it all happens")

2. "Remember, you have a good parish in St Apathetic's, please do nothing to upset this calm and offend the parishioners (if you do I can promise you a public humiliation in front of your flock")

3. "Now you are a employee of the Diocese, of course all of your pension rights and retirement plans will be looked after by me and my successors (step out of line by getting all latiney and I'll chop off your superannuation tout suite")

4. "Remember, I want none of this EF Mass nonsense (celebrate just one Mass and I'll have you transferred to the Convent of the Sisters of the Blue Cardigan where you will be on call as chaplain to five major hospitals, 23 nursing homes, the League of Charismatic Nutters and a committee member of the ecumenical group forging links with the local Freemasonry Lodge")

5. Now kneel my son while I give you my blessing (and if you so much as make a move towards kissing my ring you're toast!")

A good initiative for the Bishops.....

....and not too challenging.

Father John Abberton on Stella Maris has a brief cri de coeur post on the parlous state of Catholic Education in the west.
He has posted that, along with homosexual factions within the Vatican and a general lack of adherence to Church teaching on homosexuality, the Holy Father should look next to Catholic Education in schools and, I suspect Fr A would also include, parishes.

Of course, if we had Bishops of any calibre, they would have already sorted this problem, it's not rocket science.

But, it occurs to me that there is one move that could be implemented quickly and effectively.

Maybe 'Catholic Doctrinal Studies?'

The Bishops, collectively, could develop a GCSE level course on Catholic Doctrinal Teaching; there is no reason why it should remain at this level, it could also be developed as a National Diploma in time.

Catholic Secondary schools would be directed to include this course as a mandatory part of the curriculum and application made to resolving the restrictions posed by the national curriculum (believe me, there are ways around this obstacle).

This qualification would provide a useful foil to the standard Religious Education examination that focuses on comparative studies.

Now, provided that the syllabus was designed in a manner faithful to Catholic teaching (and not handed over to a bunch of liturgical harpies) this would be a good way of reclaiming lost ground; not the only way by any means, but a good start.

So what are the chances of their Lordships taking up a scheme along these lines?

Hen's teeth, flying pigs and rocking horse dung spring to mind.


 

What's the difference..............

....between an egg and a Latin Mass?



An egg.......

A Latin Mass 

You can beat an egg...

New kid on the blog

Please welcome Nicandro Porcelli to the Catholic blogosphere.

I do not know Nicandro other than, I believe, he hails from the Cardiff area (?) - it may not sound like a Welsh name, but, after all, Wales is populated by a mix of Italians and Irish with a few Anglos down in the far West....that comment should bring me a heavy penance next time I go to Fr J for the Sacrament of Confession!

His blog is called Contemptus Vanitatum Mundi and its meaning should be clear even to the Latin challenged among you (not many of those, I suspect).

And the other good bit of news is that (again I'm guessing), Nicandro is a young man, well, on the right side of forty....(I hope).

Please pay him a visit or, better still, place him on your blogroll.

Why have Catholic Schools and Colleges?

 Umm…. to demonstrate that all faiths are one really? That we're all members of the same club? To provide for pupils of all faith backgrounds?

A few extracts from the website of a Diocese that has integrity and truth
 at its heart….

“Teachers in Catholic schools have the privilege of leading pupils in the faith, nurturing them to a fuller knowledge and love of God working in the Church.  This is or course no easy task, but there are many resources that can be of help”.

and….

“In a Catholic school the following will be integrated into the induction standards:

·        The distinctive nature of the Catholic school;

·        Provision for spiritual and moral development across the curriculum;

·        Curriculum religious education in the Catholic school;

·        Worship in the Catholic school;

·        The teaching of the Catholic Church.”

….and also….

“The Church as always promoted education.  God made the world, and everything and everybody in it; and the more we understand the world, its history, and our place in it as human beings, the better equipped

we are to increase our faith and hope in God, our love for God and our neighbour, and our love for the Church on earth, in and through which God invites us all to come to know, love and serve him.

As the Catechism says, “Parents are the principal and first educators of their children”.  So all schools exist to help parents to fulfil this duty and privilege of providing education.  A short answer to the question “Why have Catholic schools and colleges?”  is, “So that Catholic parents can have the best opportunities for enabling their children to grow to responsible adulthood in the knowledge and love of God and neighbour”, or putting it another way, “the best opportunities for helping their children to develop a deeply-rooted and fully mature Catholic faith and life”.

This means that the schools and colleges must be good schools and colleges – they must do their best to provide competent or even excellent teaching through a full and well-balanced curriculum, in a good atmosphere which encourages achievement.  And they must be Catholic schools and colleges: not in theory or in name only, but by way of a readiness to promote understanding of and commitment to the fullness of Catholic truth and sacramental life, even in the face of the increasing rejection of Catholic values (which are truly human values, to be embraced by everybody, not only Catholics) by people with power and influence in today’s world.

It is a great blessing that there are many Catholic schools and colleges in England and Wales.  The majority of these schools are “maintained schools” and most are classed as voluntary aided schools which since 1944 have been able to provide education for Catholic pupils and other pupils without school fees, as all the recurring expenses of the schools are paid by Government”.

Now, could you please hazard a guess as to which Diocese in England and Wales has these aspirations and standards?

Answers in the comment box please, no prizes, sorry.

Oh no! An insight into Catholic Education in Southwark

Health warning: Please do not read this if you suffer from hypertension,heart problems or, if you are prone to hysteria.....or bouts of violent rage....

"Parish Liturgist approaching....."

We are back in the Archdiocese of Southwark, in their little set up that facilitates education for permanent deacons, parish administrators, ex nuns, catechists, feminists and so on.

The organisation is the Education Parish Service and, if you recall, I made passing reference to them in a post last week.

The EPS has a policy with regard to inclusive language (wouldn't you know it?) and it makes stirring reading.

You see, what I had not realised is that it's just not right that we exclude nice people when we pray or discuss matters theological.

It's quite wrong, bordering on a mortal sin (except we don't do mortal sin any longer), to talk of God as our Father because that excludes the 'Mother' side of God.

Our Lord was not quite on the right track when He said: "When you pray, say Abba (Father)" - the EPS regulations don't specify precisely what He meant by that but we can surmise that Our Lord was talking about a Swedish pop group that would revitalise the Faith in the wake of Vatican 2 ('By the Rivers of Babylon').

So HERE is their website page that tells us how we should phrase things - scroll down to 'EPS Policy on inclusive language' (it's a little lengthy but please stick with it until the thin red mist descends, and then go and lie down in a darkened room (I have not fisked it, I would not know where to begin):

 EPS POLICY ON INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE

In line with many theological publishing houses and universities in

this country, it is the policy of Education for Parish Service to

require inclusive language.

1. The terms ‘man’ and ‘men’ are to be used only for males.

Where both women and men are intended then other terms must

be found.

thus we may say:

the human person

the human being

each person

humanity

humankind

the human race

turns to God in faith

2. The use of the possessive:

rather than: the hearts of men

use: people’s hearts

or perhaps better: human hearts

3. The persistent use of ‘he’ and ‘his’ to refer to a person of either

sex is NOT acceptable. For example:

Man is saved through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

He is conscious of his past sins and he experiences God’s

forgiveness.

The use of the plural can often be used to avoid exclusivity. Thus:

Human beings are saved through the death and resurrection of

Jesus Christ. They are conscious of their past sins and they

experience God’s forgiveness.

Education for Parish Service Version 2

Policy on inclusive language 2 November 2009

4. It may not always be possible to avoid using ‘he’ ‘him’ and

‘himself’ in relation to God, without sounding stilted or losing some

of the intended meaning. Nonetheless it is NOT acceptable to use

these pronouns unnecessarily, or where an acceptable alternative

is available. Whether the following alternatives are acceptable or

not will be a matter of individual judgement.

Let us consider the following two sentences, which are overloaded

with male pronouns:

God himself, in his goodness, sent his only Son into the world. In

doing so he gave himself for the salvation of the world he had

created.

And now let us consider some possible alternatives:

‘God himself’. The reflexive pronoun in this phrase is often used

automatically, out of habit and piety. If all that is meant is ‘God’,

then only ‘God’ should be used. If the point is that this is the very

God, then ‘The very God’ should be used. If what is meant is that

this was truly God, then ‘It truly was God’ should be used.

in his goodness. ‘out of goodness’ loses very little of the sense of

‘in his goodness’ apart from the false implication that God is male.

sent his only son into the world It may be that the ‘his’ in this

instance is the best option we have to date. However ‘sent God’s

only son into the world’ would be an acceptable alternative.

he gave himself This could be replaced by ‘God gave of God’s

own self’.

the world he had created This could be replaced by ‘the world that

God had created.’

What might we end up with?

God, out of goodness, sent his only Son into the world. In doing

so God gave of God’s own self for the world that God had created.

It is clear that work on inclusive language has a long way to go.

As a minimum requirement students should avoid the routine use

of ‘God himself...’

Education for Parish Service Version 2

Policy on inclusive language 3 November 2009

WHY INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE?

1. When referring to the human being

The reason for inclusive language when referring to the human

being is to guard against exclusion. In the 1970s and 1980s the

International Commission on English in the Liturgy recognized the

need to stop using male-only nouns and pronouns in theology and

liturgy when both male and female were intended.

‘The failure of much of liturgical and theological language

adequately to recognize the presence of women seems effectively

to exclude them from full and integral participation in the life of the

Church, and this exclusion can prevent the whole Church from

experiencing the fullness of the Christian community’. (Eucharistic

Prayers ICEL October 1980)

It is for this reason (to prevent the exclusion of women) that the

words of consecration, which refer to the blood of the new and

everlasting covenant that ‘will be shed for you and for all men’

have been changed by our bishops, so that the word ‘men’ is

deleted.

The historical background to the prevalence of exclusive language

makes its use all the more unacceptable. It was not simply that it

was more convenient to use ‘men’ to refer to people generally.

Men were seen to be the norm for humanity, and women a lesser

or deficient version. This teaching is now officially rejected by the

Catholic Church.

Education for Parish Service Version 2

Policy on inclusive language 4 November 2009

2. When referring to God

The reason for inclusive language when referring to God is to

guard against idolatry: the worship of a false male ‘god’. The

Christian tradition has tended to exclude from its liturgical practice

and prayer life the female images for God used in Scripture. The

persistent use of male pronouns reinforces the maleness of the

images that are consistently used, and has led many to believe

that God IS male. God, who is above and beyond sexuality, who

indeed brought the distinction between maleness and femaleness

into being, is reduced in the mind of the believer to the level of the

created world.

To compound the distortion, when God is viewed as male, the

male human being is seen to have a closer identification with God.

The status of woman as creature made in the image and likeness

of God is then called into question.

Now please tell me that this is all a nasty dream and that I should stop drinking that excellent Algerian red wine after 8 o'clock at night.

I have never read such unadulterated twaddle in my short life.

Small wonder that we have Muslim Prayer Rooms in ten (yes, ten) of Southwark's Catholic Schools.

No surprise that Catholic parishes have been taken over by Uriah Heep doppelgangers to greet you as you enter church for Mass or that catechesis is handed over to George who has a rather unsavoury personal odour, or that the liturgy is in the hands of a bossy harridan who crushes all who have the temerity to question why Year 4 has been commissioned to perform their interpretation of the 'Offertory Dance' during Holy Mass.

I know this is an oft repeated mantra but, for heaven's sake, what are our Bishops thinking of?

I cannot help but recall that old joke about getting into a lift (elevator) with a gun that has only two rounds. 

In the lift is the Parish Liturgist and two terrorists..... 

...what do you do?

Answer: Put two rounds into the Parish Liturgist on the grounds that you can always reason with terrorists!

"Hallo Mary, full of grace.........."

                                       

There is a particular type of academic, or pseudo academic, who appears to place more importance on the political correctness of the spiritual life than in, say, piety or reverence or, even, prayer.

Now, as most of you will know, I am untainted by the Novus Ordo, I only attend, if necessary, at funerals or weddings (more funerals these days).

And the high jinxes of the congregation and, very often, the priest, leave me feeling that my purpose in life has ended and the world has finally gone round the twist.

A few weeks ago, at the candlelight procession in Fatima, the Rosary was recited as normal.

Just as at Lourdes, different nationalities took it in turns to say the decades.

First we had the Portuguese version, (naturally), then the French, Spanish and so on until it was Britain's turn.

I have often wondered what is meant by 'estuarial English', now I know.

The female's voice was distinctly the wrong end of the Thames Valley, not improved by the fact that she appeared to have a clothes peg on the end of her nose.

But worse was to come. She recited the Hail Marys in the fashion of the day.

No 'Thys' or 'Thous'......it went something like this:-

"Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus"

Perhaps that is how everyone says the Rosary these days; but it grated, sounding vile and worldly and it has led me into researching more into the sin of inclusivity that seems to have permeated HMC over the past 25 years in particular.

This may seem trivial but, as Father Baker of Downham Market once said about the post V2 changes: "The Church has been put in a boiler suit".

And saying the 'Hail Mary' in this fashion is just another example of pc stupidity, reducing what should be holy to street level.

In my researches I have come up with some interesting findings......more, much more on the inclusive language agenda that is being shoved down the throats of the gullible Catholic; but that is something thee will have to wait for.

Cameron's England

This picture comes form my school chum whom I haven't seen for nearly fifty years, Gudgeon (we called each other by our surnames then, nothing like the namby pamby Christian name form these days).

Gudgeon is a man of  many skills, coming, as he does from a talented family and also linked, to the Gillick clan.

The picture is of a sordid encampment of Romanians living...where?

In the wastelands around Calais? No.

OK, then next to high rise inner city area? No.

They are squatting in makeshift shacks made of pallets and plastic sheeting in Hendon.......home to a large population of Jewish people, among many other well heeled folk.

Property prices begin at 400k, yet these dregs of society live in hovels.

I am not making any particular point here other than, it is disgraceful that any human should live under these conditions.

The rights and wrongs as to whether they belong here or what should be done with them, I leave for someone else to post on....my concern is that they should not be living like this.

Imagine the slums of Naples in the 18th century, the misery of the poor and the diseased, the abused and homeless.

I think that you would have seen a few priests and more than a few nuns in those areas of degradation, taking succour to those in dire need.

What a great example could be set by our Bishops if they released some priests (OK, maybe not priests, but, certainly, some nuns) to go and minister to the dispossessed in Hendon.

Better still, could you imagine a Westminster bishop leading the way in this initiative and carrying a basket of bread to the settlement?

No? Neither can I.

Full story HERE

This post is...how can I say it?...

...a little judgemental?

Definitely.

A little snide? Not really, I'm just pointing out some of the key elements regarding a training programme for those who wish to be involved in parish admin., counsellers (and councillors), Catechists, Lay Chaplains, Permanent Deacons and so on.

Catholic Formation - the home kit!

I know a little about training, literally.

I have spent 25 years in education but.....whisper it softly, I'm not an academic.

You guessed? How?

OK, let's move swiftly on.

The organisation is called Education for Parish Service and they describe themselves as a small independent charity.

Furthermore, they are linked to another organisation called

The Centre for Catholic Formation (not 'Reformation', note) and they, also, provide a range of courses, here is their menu:

Deanery Catechists Course

Exploring Discipleship and Mission

Time for Reflection and Prayer

Ongoing Formation with Parish Readers

Ongoing Formation with Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Partnership in Ministry (e.g. Parish Councils, Parish Teams)

Developing and Supporting RCIA Teams

Support for Liturgy of the Word with Children

Inclusion of People with Disabilities in the Life and Mission of the Church

Support with Parish Disability Access Audits

Ways to dialogue with people of Other Faiths

Disability Awareness in Schools and Parishes

Preparing the Parish for the New Translation of the Missal

    Phew! One might be forgiven for thinking that we no longer need priests!

    Forget all that vocations crisis nonsense, Marjorie from 34, Railway    

    Cuttings will step up to the mark and deliver the goods.

   And, whilst in a snarky mood, what is all this 'Liturgy of the Word'

   nonsense? Do they mean the Mass?

   If so, why not call it the Mass or, Holy Mass - better still.

   But, back to the Education Parish Service, or EPS for short. 

   They are partnered with St Mary's University, Twickenham.

    Is it really a University?

    And the academic programme on offer is a preparation for a Foundation   

    Degree in Pastoral Ministry....I'm beginning to feel queasy.

    This little nugget of theological excellence runs for one day a week over two

    years.   

    Hmm...I do think it so unfair to place this kind of pressure on adult

    students.....one day each week for two years why, that's a total of 104  

    days, for a degree sorry, Foundation Degree.

   To those who may be unfamiliar with this qualification I would say that it is

   not an  actual degree, more a sub degree; but one that, in my experience,

   has little value in industry or commerce. It may be used as a stepping stone   

    to a full degree but, my guess is that two A Levels would probably take you

   there more efficiently.

   And, if you wish to take a peek at the academic staff, you may do so HERE.

   One member is described as a freelance catechist ("have nun, will travel")  

   and a liturgical artist.........that's enough nurse, wheel me back to the  

   asylum, quick!

* Apologies for the poor layout in places, the gremlins are in the system!