Summer Garden Party

"The Garden Party" by Karl Scheninger, Jr.

I was away last week and so didn't post much and will be busy the next few days as well.  Not only is it the Feast of Ss Peter and Paul on Friday (one of the few Holydays of Obligation left to us - Masses at [OF] 9.30am and Low Mass [EF] 7pm) but on Sunday at 3pm we are having a Garden Party in the church grounds to raise funds for the local Hospice - also by chance called St Catherine's but named after St Catherine of Sienna (the Hospice, like so many, was started by a Catholic lady who had a devotion to her).  A number of our parishioners have had excellent care there in the past.  All the usual fun to be had, so come along if you live nearby.

There will be a Sung Mass in Latin (Novus Ordo) at 2pm before the Garden Party arranged for those travelling but everyone is welcome to come along

Anyone any ideas for a Saint to intercede for fine weather?

Vatican Moves

The re-ordered chapel at the Pastoral Centre for the Diocese of Leeds, Hinsley Hall.  I'm not sure there will be many such places to offer Mass in at the Congregation for Divine worship.

The move of Bishop Arthur Roche from Leeds Diocese to the Congregation for Divine Worship as Secretary is part of a small re-shuffle in the Vatican departments.  He replaces Archbishop Augustine Di Noia, who goes as vice president of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei (which oversees matters to do with the Extraordinary Form of the Mass).  The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (under which Ecclesia Dei operates) has put out a comment saying that, "The appointment of a high-ranking prelate to this position is a sign of the Holy Father’s pastoral solicitude for traditionalist Catholics in communion with the Holy See and his strong desire for the reconciliation of those traditionalist communities not in union with the See of Peter." So Bishop Roche replaces someone with a strong understanding and care of the traditional form of the Mass.  

This is interesting considering that even Wikipedia notes of Bishop Roche that, "He has earned a fair amount of controversy during his tenure for issuing restrictive guidelines for the implementation of Summorum Pontificum and for closing parishes in his diocese."

Fr Z notes the move and has this to say: "Bishop Arthur Roche, head of ICEL, has been named Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship.  He remains for the nonce Administrator in Leeds. I don’t know what this means.  The cynical part of my id tells me that, since there are quite a few sees in Blighty opening up in the near future, this might be part of a larger plan to adjust the balance in the episcopate of the region."

His new boss at the Congregation will be the Spanish Cardinal Llovera (known sometimes a the "Little Ratzinger").  He is also a member of Ecclesia Dei and has said of the Traditional Form of the Mass, "[The] intention of the Pope has not only been to satisfy the followers of Monsignor Lefevbre, nor to confine himself to respond to the just wishes of the faithful who feel attached...to the liturgical heritage represented by the Roman Rite, but also, and in a special way, to open the liturgical richness of the Church to all the faithful, thus making possible the discovery of the treasures of the liturgical patrimony of the Church to those who still do not know it...even if there were not a single 'traditionalist' whom to satisfy, this 'discovery' would have been enough to justify the provisions of the Pope." 

In 2008 Cardinal Llovera also spoken of the best way to receive the Eucharist: "What does it mean to receive communion in the mouth? What does it mean to kneel before the Most Holy Sacrament? What does it mean to kneel during the consecration at Mass? It means adoration, it means recognizing the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist; it means respect and an attitude of faith of a man who prostrates before God because he knows that everything comes from Him, and we feel speechless, dumbfounded, before the wondrousness, his goodness, and his mercy. That is why it is not the same to place the hand, and to receive communion in any fashion, than doing it in a respectful way; it is not the same to receive communion kneeling or standing up, because all these signs indicate a profound meaning."

Perhaps Bishop (now to be Archbishop) will soon be seen, like other prelates in Rome, presiding at the Traditional Form of the Mass.  Anyway, here is the statement via Zenit released by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, explaining why Archbishop Di Noia has been moved.  It seems to be that he (his skills and  / or views) are thought to be a necessary help to the ongoing work with the Society of St Pius X.

Vatican: Appointment Shows Pope's Desire for Reconciliation With Traditionalists

American Prelate From Liturgy Congregation Named to Ecclesia Dei.

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 26, 2012.  The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith today issued a comment about the appointment of Archbishop Augustine Di Noia as vice president of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, the commission charged with the efforts to bring about reconciliation with the Society of St. Pius X.

"The appointment of a high-ranking prelate to this position is a sign of the Holy Father’s pastoral solicitude for traditionalist Catholics in communion with the Holy See and his strong desire for the reconciliation of those traditionalist communities not in union with the See of Peter," the statement from the doctrinal congregation declared.

The Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei was established in 1988 by John Paul II to facilitate 'full ecclesial communion of priests, seminarians, religious communities or individuals until now linked in various ways to the Fraternity founded by Archbishop Lefebvre' and to promote the pastoral care of the faithful attached to the ancient Latin liturgical tradition of the Catholic Church. In 2009, the Pontifical Commission was structurally linked to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to address the doctrinal issues in the ongoing dialogue between the Holy See and the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X.

"As a respected Dominican theologian, Archbishop Di Noia has devoted much attention to these doctrinal issues, as well as to the priority of the hermeneutic of continuity and reform in the right interpretation of Vatican Council II - a critically important area in the dialogue between the Holy See and the Priestly Fraternity," the statement noted.

Archbishop Di Noia previously served as secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.

"Archbishop Di Noia’s experience and continued association with the Congregation for Divine Worship will facilitate the development of certain desired liturgical provisions in the celebration of the 1962 'Missale Romanum,'" the congregation continued. 

"In addition, the broad respect that Archbishop Di Noia enjoys in the Jewish community will help in addressing some issues that have arisen in the area of Catholic-Jewish relations as the journey towards the reconciliation of traditionalist communities has progressed."

Breaking News

Embargoed until today comes the news that Bishop Arthur Roche of Leeds has been appointed to be Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship & the Discipline of the Sacraments.  He is "surprised and not a little shocked" at the news.

Since 2002 Bishop Roche has been Chairman of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy and thus has been heavily involved in the work of implementing the new translation.

Vocation discernment weekend

(Picture: FSSP seminarians praying the Divine Office 

in the FSSP parish church in Rome)

Vocation discernment weekend: 
27-29 July 2012 in Reading:

For any English-speaking Catholic men 

between 18 and 35 years of age 

(under 18 please contact us).

Starts on Friday 27^th July 2012 at 6pm (arrivals from 5pm) 

– ends on Sunday 29^th July 2012 at 3pm.

Led by Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP, 

assisted by Fr Matthew Goddard, FSSP 

and Rev Alex Stewart, FSSP.

Location: St John Fisher House, 

17 Eastern Avenue, 

Reading.

RG1 5RU

England.

Programme: Spiritual conferences, socials, Holy Mass each of the three days (Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite), silent prayer, and optional private talk with Fr de Malleray, FSSP. Fr de Malleray will explain what a vocation is in general and to the priesthood in particular.

Cost for the whole weekend, 2 days + 2 nights, full board: no set price for students or unemployed – any donation welcome; others: £50 suggested.

Contact: Tel: 0118 966 5284; Email: malleray@fssp.org; website: www.fssp.co.uk/england

Eucharistic Congresses - past & present

The setting for the main Masses today

(I couldn't help noticing that there were rather a number of empty chairs)

This week sees the 50th International Eucharistic Congress taking place in Dublin.  I'm sure that there must be plenty of good things going on there (I hope so) although having seen some of the televised Masses, I'm not sure how uplifting I would have found them if i'd been there.  For example, the ladies wafting around open bowls of incense as they danced through the congregation. 

 The setting for Mass in Dublin's last Eucharistic Congress in 1932.

I recalled that last year someone  involved with the Congress from Ireland told me that the Archbishop of Dublin had "forbidden" any talks on Eucharistic Adoration.  I looked at the web-site of the Congress and found that there are, in fact, times of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with adoration and prayer.  However, looking through the extensive programme of talks, I couldn't see any talks on Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  Perhaps I've missed them and am wrong and someone who is actually there could put me right.  It does strike me as a little odd, as many of the thriving new communities in the Church are very focused on Adoration and indeed, Perpetual Adoration, of the Blessed Sacrament.   Indeed, the Holy Father was speaking about this on Corpus Christi last week - a theme he has returned to quite often.

At International Eucharistic Congresses there should be a place set aside where the Blessed Sacrametn is adored throughout the time of the Congress.  Not an ancient injunction by any means, but one approved by Pope Paul VI on 13th April 1967 in the wake of the Second Vatican Council in the Instruction on Eucharistic Worship from the Congregation of Sacred Rites, emphasising also the place of "solemn processions".

VI. Eucharistic Congresses

67. In Eucharistic congresses Christians seek to understand this mystery more deeply through a consideration of its many aspects. But they should celebrate it in accordance with the norms of the Second Vatican Council and should venerate it through devotions and private prayers, especially by solemn processions, in such a way that all these forms of devotion find their climax in the solemn celebration of Mass.

For the duration of the Eucharistic congress of an entire region, it is fitting that some churches should be reserved for perpetual adoration.

In the audience granted on the 13th of April, 1967, to His Eminence Arcadio M. Cardinal Larraona, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, His Holiness Pope Paul VI, by his authority approved and confirmed this instruction, ordered that it should be published, and established that it should come into effect on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 15 August 1967.

All things to the contrary notwithstanding.

 The ubiquitous (off centre) logo for today

 The logo from the last Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932

Holy Father on Divorced and Remarried

The Holy Father receives a Malaysian girl during the meeting 

The Holy Father was in Milan at the start of this month for the 7th World Meeting of families.  During an evening of witness he spent time answering questions. You can read the questions and answers here but I thought his pastoral care whilst still upholding the teaching of the Church when answering a question about those who are divorced and remarried.was of particular note. Good as well that he gives some practical advice.

 So often we seem to cave in to the prevailing secular attitude when faced with difficult situations.  We seem to feel we can't "demand" what appears so out of step with the prevailing culture without seeming harsh and unforgiving - and yes, the unforgivable one - old-fashioned.  I do know just what the difficulties are, as my own family background suffered in this very this way.  Here is the relevant question and answer.

MANOEL ANGELO: Some of these remarried couples would like to be reconciled with the Church, but when they see that they are refused the sacraments they are greatly discouraged. They feel excluded, marked by a judgement against which no appeal is possible. These sufferings cause deep hurt to those involved. Their wounds also afflict the world and they become our wounds, the wounds of the whole human race. Holy Father we know that the Church cares deeply about these situations and these people. What can we say to them and what signs of hope can we offer them?

THE HOLY FATHER: Dear friends, thank you for your very important work as family psychotherapists. Thank you for all that you do to help these suffering people. Indeed the problem of divorced and remarried persons is one of the great sufferings of today’s Church. And we do not have simple solutions. Their suffering is great and yet we can only help parishes and individuals to assist these people to bear the pain of divorce. I would say, obviously, that prevention is very important, so that those who fall in love are helped from the very beginning to make a deep and mature commitment. Then accompaniment during married life is needed, so that families are never left on their own but are truly accompanied on their journey. As regards these people - as you have said - the Church loves them, but it is important they should see and feel this love. I see here a great task for a parish, a Catholic community, to do whatever is possible to help them to feel loved and accepted, to feel that they are not “excluded” even though they cannot receive absolution or the Eucharist; they should see that, in this state too, they are fully a part of the Church. Perhaps, even if it is not possible to receive absolution in Confession, they can nevertheless have ongoing contact with a priest, with a spiritual guide. This is very important, so that they see that they are accompanied and guided. Then it is also very important that they truly realize they are participating in the Eucharist if they enter into a real communion with the Body of Christ. Even without “corporal” reception of the sacrament, they can be spiritually united to Christ in his Body. Bringing them to understand this is important: so that they find a way to live the life of faith based upon the Word of God and the communion of the Church, and that they come to see their suffering as a gift to the Church, because it helps others by defending the stability of love and marriage. They need to realize that this suffering is not just a physical or psychological pain, but something that is experienced within the Church community for the sake of the great values of our faith. I am convinced that their suffering, if truly accepted from within, is a gift to the Church. They need to know this, to realize that this is their way of serving the Church, that they are in the heart of the Church. Thank you for your commitment.

Corpus Christi in Clifton Diocese

The Latin Mass Society in Clifton Diocese has its own blog, which is no mean feat to keep up for a local area of the Society.  In the above photo you can see Fr Alexander Redman, who runs the blog, in procession with the Blessed Sacrament for Corpus Christi last Thursday.