IS THE "GEE-TAR" REALLY THAT BAD?

Hat tip once again to Gerald!

Off the Record thinks so!

As for me - well: I love a good rock guitar. I am a big time classic rock and power pop fan. That is, in the secular world! I wouldn't touch these styles in church. At least not in a Catholic church. Truthfully, I wouldn't mind listening to Joe and Mike rock out at a youth meeting. Those guys do quite well. However, they also know and respect the difference between musical qualities useful to a youth meeting in the parish hall and musical qualities useful to Holy Mass.

Now, I did mention quite a while back, probably close to a year ago at this point, that not all guitars are bad at Holy Mass. I can justify a well-picked classical guitar, especially as part of a good ensemble. Well-played, it can sound as good as, let's say, a harp! Incidentally, one of my tenors, Bryce (son of Jude, who is one of my sopranos), is studying classical guitar. But, anyhoo, I would have no problem with a good classical guitar played for, let's say, The Call, which is from the Five Mystical Songs of Ralph Vaughan Williams. The same with some of the works of Alexander Peloquin.

Would I say the same about the folksy strumming a la the Saint Louis Jesuits or the Minnesota Trinity? No. I'll keep it at that so my positive remarks outweigh my negative remarks HA HA HA!

Peace,
BMP

MUSIC for IV EASTER at HOLY GHOST CHURCH

MAY 7, 2006 - IV EASTER
Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:30 PM
Sunday Morning Masses at 7:30, 9, and 10:30 AM (10:30 is choral Mass)

Introit: ELLACOMBE - I sing the mighty pow'r of God (Music Issue, #438)
Penitential Rite: parrot the celebrant
Gloria: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Responsorial Psalm: O FILII ET FILIAE, adapt. Page - The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone
Alleluia: from O FILII ET FILIAE
Offertory: OLD HUNDREDTH - All people that on earth do dwell (Music Issue, #312)
- Note: On 5/14, the choir will debut the Vaughan Williams "Old Hundredth Psalm Tune" arrangement
Sanctus, Anamnesis, and Amen: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Lord's Prayer: Sacramentary Chant in English
Agnus Dei: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Communion: BICENTENNIAL - You satisfy the hungry heart (Music Issue, #337)
Marian Meditation: Mode VI - Regina Caeli, laetare (Missalette, #75)
Recessional: SALZBURG - At the Lamb's high feast we sing (Missalette, #67)

Peace,
BMP

LITURGICAL DANCE-FREE ZONE

This sign appears on the website of St. James Church in Ogden, Utah. You should check out the site and see the new church construction (link is to index of slews of pictures) as it comes along. Very nice. Father Erik J. Richtsteig is the pastor there.

Hat tip to our good friend Gerald from the left coast, who sees to it that The Cafeteria Is Closed!

BMP

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION - FORCED DOWN OUR THROATS

Shawn at The New Liturgical Movement has posted Part 1 of a two-part series called Active Participation in the Modern and Ancient Liturgy: Its True Nature and the Myth Surrounding.

Shawn writes:
I. The True Nature of Active Participation
For decades people have heard of or spoken about active participation. In fact, one cannot hear from a liturgist these days it seems without hearing about the conciliar desire for "full, conscious and active participation" in the sacred liturgy. In fact, it's thrown out there so much, and so carelessly, that it has had the unfortunate effect of producing an eye-rolling response in the faithful who are concerned with the liturgical changes that occured after the Council.

It seems to me according to modern litur-geists that "full, conscious, and active participation" means that the congregation MUST sing everything, despite the GIRM's citation of certain pieces that "may be sung by the choir alone, or..."

Read the rest of the article here.

By the way, would THIS constitute "full, conscious, and active participation"?

Photo courtesy of The Cafeteria is Closed

Peace,
BMP

MORE DESIGNER TABERNACLES

Gerald has some more of these oddities. I was able to come up with a caption for these three, but there are three others that I couldn't come up with.

New compact entertainment center - speakers on top, console and storage on bottom - powered by BOSE!


DING! Mommy, pizza's done!


His Master's Voice! (My wife Ann was thinking a mummy's tomb! My daughter Brittany was thinking tuba!)

Peace,
BMP

LOOKING GOOD IN HOUSTON - Post #400

Click here to see photos a-plenty from the April 2 open house at the forthcoming Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral in Houston TX. Though this edifice is far from finished, it looks to be impressive. If you remember from previous postings, this Cathedral promises to have a choir loft. Look at the very first picture on the page. I see choir loft! The squared "arches" between pillars (unlike the pointy ones you see in Gothic-style churches) are quite nice. Reminds me somewhat of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore MD.

Keep up the good work, Houston!

Peace,
BMP

ROUND UP THEM CATS!

A bit off-topic, but I got this from the Disciples with Microphones Blog.
Enjoy! I have a hard enough time with one cat. Let alone thousands!

Peace,
BMP

DESIGNER TABERNACLES

The Curt Jester has found several of them, including this one, which he captioned:

"I can't seem to find the remote control."

My thought would have been the center blur moving (like in the visualization of a sound file) as it says:

"Greetings. This is your leader speaking."



This one won "Best of Show" in Ministry and Liturgy's "Visual Arts Award for Devotional Art and Spaces".

Now, we all know that the best protection for Jesus was to have him placed in a Tabernacle. However, I don't think he was supposed to be fenced in.

Says Andy Kosmowski in his post in his Live Journal: It reminded me of the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Allegiance" I saw when in Texas. Click Andy's name above and you get to see the pic he's talking about.

Now, this Tabernacle was commissioned for the new Disney Chapel in Orlando, Florida. There will be another one like it in Anaheim, California. This pic courtesy of Gerald at the Closed Cafeteria.


















Poor Jesus! The houses they make for him these days! Art? Yes. Sacred art? I'm still scratching my head here.

Peace,
BMP

Dissenting Enigmas and 5 new Bishops

Hats off to The Ox Files for the latest entries on the discovery of an Enigma encoder, and the Pope's latest episcopal appointments. Ox posted them a while ago, but it's the first time I've looked over there since the Haugen/Haas 10-step program. So they're new to me, and I didn't recall anyone else on the CV Team posting anything here.

~nb

Easter 3 at the Cathedral

Prelude: "The peace may be exchanged..." (RUBRICS) -- Dan Locklair

Entrance: At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing / SALZBURG

Gloria: Melodic Gloria (Peter Jones at 9:30)

Psalm 4: Michel Guimont

Alleluia: Salisbury Alleluia -- Christopher Walker

Offertory Hymn: I Know That My Redeemer Lives / DUKE STREET

Offertory Anthem: Laudate Dominum -- Gordon Young

Ordinary: Community Mass

Agnus Dei: Proulx in F

Communion Hymn: This is the Feast / FESTIVAL CANTICLE

Anthem: Ave Verum Corpus -- Mozart

Recessional: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus / HYFRYDOL

Postlude: Procession, from Partita on the Hymn Tune LAUDATE DOMINUM -- Charles Callahan

(O/T) Just when you think you've heard it all....

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) - A father fed up with his son for spending too much time on the computer, allegedly fired shots at the monitor, authorities said.

Joseph Langenderfer, 44, was arrested Monday afternoon at his home, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Langenderfer allegedly told deputies he was angry that his son had neglected the laundry and was spending all his time playing computer games. He told deputies the gun accidentally fired and the bullet hit the wall a few feet from where his son, Tim, was sitting.

Tim, 22, called 911 and said he and his dad were arguing and his dad had just shot at him.

Langenderfer was taken to the Pinellas County Jail and charged with one count of attempted murder.

THE POPE and his iPOD

Hat tip to the Curt Jester for posting this link to a cool commercial parody. You'll like it. I guarantee it.

Peace,
BMP

THIS COMPARISON IS TOO FUNNY

If anyone remembers any of the "MahonyFest" pictures that Gerald had posted, you'll love this post by Andrew Cusack! Hilarious!

Peace,
BMP

TODAY'S LITURGY, SUMMER 2006

Ah yes, got my copy of the ever popular liturgy "planning guide", if you want to call it that. I only get it because we still have their missalettes and music issues in the pews. Anyhoo...

The big brag on the back page with their LicenSing ad is the NPM top three: Eagle's Wings, Here I Am, Lord, and Be Not Afraid. Popular, yes. Appropriate for revival meetings and to listen to in concert or on CD? Absolutely! Appropriate for Holy Mass? Not really.

Open the rag to the inside front cover - what do you see? THE ST. LOUIS JESUITS ARE BACK! OK - good! When's their next gig around here? Just don't make the same mistake you made the first time by inserting this material in hymnal and sticking said hymnal into pew.

Page 3 - 2005 UNITY AWARD WINNERS - all performers of sacro-pop! I start to wonder now -- the name of the magazine is Today's Liturgy! Just what does this have to do with liturgy?

Page 29 - The interview with Michael Joncas where he actually praises Eagle's Wings, despite just months before wishing he never wrote it. Who paid him to recant? Next page: Eagle's Wings in English AND Spanish! Double barf!

Pages 38-40 - Now, here is a section that usually gets rather good, and this issue is no exception. Two columns on hymnody, one by Alice Parker, the other by Don Sailers.
The Parker column this month is Let It Sing and Dance, featuring four hymns in triple meter. Ms. Parker writes well of these pieces, though the only part I beg to differ is her interpretation of The King of Love My Shepherd Is. She hears it at 148 on the metronome and says that it might be more clearly noted in 6/8. I hear it more as something very meditative, and not so rushed at all - perhaps at about 80 on the metronome, and with no stops brighter than 4' (although a good fluty 1-1/3' can blend well with the 8' and 4'). Now, like I've said in the past, not all of OCP is bad! I give Alice Parker kudos for a good article here.
The Sailers column, Chants in Honor of Mary, is also good. Personally, I wouldn't touch the Norbert Ave with a "thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot pole", but he does use it to sample a bilingual English/Latin effect. The other four are all chants - Ave Maria, Alma Redemptoris Mater, Salve Regina, and Regina Caeli. My chief complaint of this column - Alma Redemptoris Mater isn't in the Music Issue. Why??? (It made the new JourneysongS, which really is improved - not completely, but far better than the Music Issue or any previous OCP issue).

Now we get to the planning pages. Here's where I get to take issue with Dr. Elaine Rendler. Now, first, let's go to a previous issue where, within the planning pages, mind you, she writes:
"...As a Catholic, I am embarrassed at some of the un-Christian web sites and online conversations regarding muscal styles. I am friendly with music ministers of other faith traditions who have clued me in on some of the vitriolic postings that are available for public comsumption by musicians who call themselves Catholic Christians. ....I just happened upon a web site for people who want to eliminate certain composers from church music. I couldn't believe it! These postings are giving us - Catholic musicians who see our work as a sacred trust, a gift from God, a calling, and a true pastoral ministry serving the faithful - a bad name. If this is someone's idea of fun, then some people have too much free time. Think of all the hours wasted tearing down other people when they could be used to build up the kingdom of God."
There, there, Doctor. I wouldn't be so much embarrassed at such sites. You're probably referring to a good portion of the Catholic blogosphere, the Moratorium, and maybe a few other musicians and organizations who are equally embarrassed by the music that gets slopped in front of them each Sunday at Holy Mass. I mean, COME ON! Anyone can write bad music and call it a ministry, but for the sake of good liturgy, let the "bad music" ministry be a private one. Remember this really bad O Holy Night? That was written off as a ministry too - can you believe it??? I think this every time I see or hear All are welcome, Table of plenty, and Song of the Body of Christ, and similar ilk. So, before we, who want nothing more than to give our Lord the best possible praise we can give him and within the very guidelines given to us by Holy Mother Church, would be glad to stop mocking such bad music if only people would quit mocking the Holy Eucharist by programming such crap.

Dr. Rendler DOES have a point I agree with highly - in the planning page for 7/2/06, she writes:
"Tuesday, Independence Day, is not included in the liturgical calendar. Ask what the liturgy has to say to us as a people this year on this holiday. Don't overuse patriotic songs."
Now THAT is something I do agree on big time. I love my country just as much as my neighbor, and his neighbor, and his, etc., but one thing that irks me is in many parishes almost every time a secular holiday comes up, whether it's the Fourth, or Labor Day, or Memorial Day, etc., they fill their weekend music with at least two patriotic songs, one of them guaranteed to be America the Beautiful, not on the holiday itself, but on the Sunday closest to it! I'm sorry - but secular holidays should take no precedence over the Sunday at Mass. Save it for the secular celebrations - and of course, the ball game.

Now, on the page for 7/23/06, my attitude changes here.
"A reader wrote that her pastor would like more traditional entrance songs in the music suggestions. I'm not quite sure what she or her pastor meant by 'traditional'."
I would more or less guess that she means actual hymns and not hootenanny music. I don't think this pastor is asking for anything out of line.

Finally, I differ again with the doc:
"What takes place at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist is the Preparation of the Gifts (formerly the Offertory).
Formerly??? The Offertory was never banished, and wrong again is when she says:
"However, the offering of Jesus to the Father takes place in the Eucharistic Prayer, after the Sanctus".
How about "Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer..." (same with the wine). It's in the Eucharistic Prayer that the Church (via the priest) asks to "let it become for us the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, AT WHOSE COMMAND, we celebrate this Eucharist." The GIRM still calls the hymn that takes place at the "Preparation" the "Offertory Chant". It's been the "Offertory" for centuries. If it's not broken (and I don't think it is), don't fix it.

That's my "book review" for the day.
Peace,
BMP

BISHOPS IN SPORTS - PLAYOFF EDITION

Here is the Special Playoff Edition of Bishops in Sports. The NHL and NBA are now in their Playoff stages of the season. So, let's see how it's shaping up.





NHL PLAYOFF - CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
(Best of seven)
Lynch Lightning vs. Gervais Senators - series tied 1-1
Turcotte Canadiens vs. Gossman Hurricanes - Cdl. Turcotte leads 1-0
Egan Rangers vs. Myers Devils - Abp. Myers leads 1-0
Rigali Flyers vs. Kmiec Sabres - Bp. Kmiec leads 1-0
Collins Oilers vs. Maida Red Wings - series tied 1-1
Chaput Avalanche vs. Grahmann Stars - Abp. Chaput leads 1-0
Brown Mighty Ducks vs. Henry Flames - series tied 1-1
McGrath Sharks vs. Choby Predators - series tied 1-1

NBA PLAYOFF - CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
(Best of seven)
Dolan Bucks vs. Maida Pistons - Cdl. Maida leads 1-0
Favalora Heat vs. George Bulls - Abp. Favalora leads 1-0
Buechlein Pacers vs. Myers Nets - Abp. Buechlein leads 1-0
McCarrick Wizards vs. Lennon Cavaliers - Newly-appointed Bp. Lennon leads 1-0
Weigand Kings vs. Gomez Spurs - Abp. Gomez leads 1-0
Mahony Lakers vs. Olmsted Suns - Bp. Olmsted leads 1-0
Mahony Clippers vs. Chaput Nuggets - Cdl. Mahony leads 1-0
Grahmann Mavericks vs. Steib Grizzlies - Bp. Grahmann leads 1-0

Bishops with two teams in the playoff picture:
Cardinal Maida (Red Wings and Pistons)
Archbishop Myers (Devils and Nets)
Archbishop Chaput (Avalanche and Nuggets)
Bishop Grahmann (Stars and Mavericks)
Cardinal Mahony (Lakers and Clippers)

Neither of the O'Malley teams (Bruins or Celtics) are in the playoffs.

Peace,
BMP

MUSIC for III EASTER at HOLY GHOST CHURCH

APRIL 30, 2006 - III EASTER
Saturday Mass at 4:30 / Sunday Masses at 7:30, 9, and 10:30

Introit: OLD HUNDREDTH - All people that on earth do dwell (Music Issue, #312)
Penitential Rite: parrot Father
Gloria: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Responsorial Psalm: Alstott - Lord, let your face shine on us
Alleluia: from O FILII ET FILIAE (v. sung to t.2)
Offertory: ADORO TE DEVOTE (Mode V) - Godhead here in hiding (Music Issue, #497, in English)
Sanctus XVIII
Anamnesis, Amen: Jubilate Deo
Lord's Prayer: chant, English
Agnus XVIII
Communion: ST. AGNES - Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless (Music Issue, #352)
Out: SALZBURG - At the Lamb's high feast we sing (Missalette, #67)

+In Christ,
BMP

WELCOME BACK STRANGER

Adam Barnette is finally blogging again after a five-month hiatus, and it's good to hear from him again. Adam has an interesting insight in his latest article about the reform of the reform.

Could this lead back to 1965? The world may never know!

Peace,
BMP

LET THE NUMBERS DO THE TALKIN'

New policy from the Holy Ghost Music Department:
NO MORE ANNOUNCING THE HYMN!

We've had two number boards now since January 2005. I think it's high time we quit defeating the purpose of having these boards. For now, my only announcement comes about a minute before Mass - In order to ensure a smooth flow of the liturgy, please follow the number boards, as there will be no further announcements. Thank you.

Reminders will probably go on until summertime, then that will stop too. Does it work? I'll put it this way: Listen to Christus Vincit Podcast #25 (The Easter Special), and right at the beginning, you'll hear some pretty dang good singing - at 7:30 AM, mind you. The hymn: Alleluia, alleluia, let the holy anthem rise.

Of course, that means I now play whole verse intros as much as I can get away with, to give people the chance to check the board and find the page. I never favored the 2-4 bar intro. I had a deacon once tell me I "play like a Protestant". Though I'm a cradle Catholic, I take that as a compliment. ;)

Peace,
BMP

HOW MUCH MONEY IS THE EXXON DUDE REALLY GETTING

Photo courtesy of The Cafeteria Is Closed

Folks, meet Lee Raymond, retiring as chairman of Exxon. Man, he's getting one heck of a package - something to the tune of $400 million. How coincidental can that be with the skyrocketing price of gasoline over the past month?! Regular unleaded in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts averages near $2.90 a gallon, and will hit the $3 mark soon.

On a lighter note, a report on the Late Show with David Letterman stated that Raymond will only be receiving $20 million. The other $380 million will be used for research on how to drill the oil from his enormous neck.

Peace,
BMP

A FAVORITE OLD QUOTE

This from the late C. Alexander Peloquin (1918-1997), printed in a magazine in 1981:

If the music is good and the spoken word is bad, it's a concert.
If the spoken word is good and the music is bad, it's a talk show.

Peace,
BMP

365 DAYS AGO TODAY

On April 19, 2005, Cardinal Medina-Estevez gave us the news:
"Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; HABEMUS PAPAM: Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Josephum Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Ratzinger qui sibi nomen imposuit Benedictum XVI"

Picture this: I had turned on EWTN and watched from my living room couch for a good 20 minutes before the announcement. Once the name Ratzinger was announced, I was screaming, yelling, jumping, and yee-hawing for joy as if the Red Sox had won yet another World Series! My wife didn't know what to make of it. Definitely the happiest day in my life as a Catholic.

Argent has pictures a-plenty.

Peace,
BMP

BISHOPS IN SPORTS

UPDATE 4/24/06: Buffalo is corrected - Bp. Kmiec is the Ordinary, not Bp. Grosz. Somehow the USCCB site, which usually lists the Ordinaries first, listed the Auxiliary first for Buffalo. Sorry, folks!

Here it is - the comprehensive list of Bishops and their respective major sports teams (Major League Baseball, NFL, NHL, and NBA). Notice that not every bishop has a team, but every team certainly has a bishop. ;-)

ROLL CALL (in order by Bishop's surname):
Cdl. Ambrozic (Toronto Blue Jays/MLB, Toronto Maple Leafs/NHL, Toronto Raptors/NBA)
Abp. Beltran (New Orleans-Oklahoma City Hornets/NBA)
Bp. Brom (San Diego Padres/MLB, San Diego Chargers/NFL)
Bp. Brown (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim/MLB, Anaheim Mighty Ducks/NHL)
- I gave the Angels to Bp. Brown as Angel Stadium is in Anaheim, of the Orange Diocese.
Abp. Brunett (Seattle Mariners/MLB, Seattle Seahawks/NFL, Seattle Supersonics/NBA)
Abp. Buechlein (Indianapolis Colts/NFL, Indiana Pacers/NBA)
Abp. Burke (St. Louis Cardinals/MLB, St. Louis Rams/NFL, St. Louis Blues/NHL)
Bp. Campbell (Columbus Blue Jackets/NHL)
Abp. Chaput (Colorado Rockies/MLB, Denver Broncos/NFL, Colorado Avalanche/NHL, Denver Nuggets/NBA)
Bp. Choby (Tennessee Titans/NFL, Nashville Predators/NHL)
Abp. Collins (Edmonton Oilers/NHL)
Bp. DiMarzio (New York Mets/MLB) Shea Stadium is in the Brooklyn Diocese.
Abp. DiNardo (Houston Astros/MLB, Houston Texans/NFL, Houston Rockets/NBA)
Abp. Dolan (Milwaukee Brewers/MLB, Milwaukee Bucks/NBA)
Cdl. Egan (New York Yankees/MLB, New York Rangers/NHL, New York Knicks/NBA)
Abp. Favalora (Florida Marlins/MLB, Miami Dolphins/NFL, Florida Panthers, NHL, Miami Heat/NBA)
Bp. Finn (Kansas City Royals/MLB, Kansas City Chiefs/NFL)
Bp. Fitzgerald (Utah Jazz/NBA)
Abp. Flynn (Minnesota Twins/MLB, Minnesota Vikings/NFL, Minnesota Wild/NHL, Minnesota Timberwolves/NBA)
Bp. Galeone (Jacksonville Jaguars/NFL)
Cdl. George (Chicago White Sox/MLB, Chicago Cubs/MLB, Chicago Bears/NFL, Chicago Black Hawks/NHL, Chicago Bulls/NBA)
Abp. Gervais (Ottawa Senators/NHL)
Abp. Gomez (San Antonio Spurs/NBA)
Bp. Gossman (Carolina Hurricanes/NHL) in the Raleigh Diocese.
Bp. Grahmann (Dallas Cowboys/NFL, Dallas Stars/NHL, Dallas Mavericks/NBA)
Abp. Gregory (Atlanta Braves/MLB, Atlanta Falcons/NFL, Atlanta Thrashers/NHL, Atlanta Hawks/NBA)
Bp. Henry (Calgary Flames/NHL)
Abp. Hughes (New Orleans Saints/NFL, New Orleans Hornets/NBA)
Bp. Jugis (Carolina Panthers/NFL, Charlotte Bobcats/NBA)
Cdl. Keeler (Baltimore Orioles/MLB, Baltimore Ravens, NFL)
Bp. Kmiec (Buffalo Bills/NFL, Buffalo Sabres/NHL)
Bp. Lennon (Cleveland Indians/MLB, Cleveland Browns/NFL, Cleveland Cavaliers/NBA)
Bp. Lynch (Tampa Bay Devil Rays/MLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers/NFL, Tampa Bay Lightning/NHL)
Cdl. Mahony (Los Angeles Dodgers/MLB, Los Angeles Kings/NHL, Los Angeles Lakers/NBA, Los Angeles Clippers/NBA)
Cdl. Maida (Detroit Tigers/MLB, Detroit Lions/NFL, Detroit Red Wings/NHL, Detroit Pistons/NBA)
Cdl. McCarrick (Washington Nationals/MLB, Washington Redskins/NFL, Washington Capitals/NHL, Washington Wizards/NBA)
Bp. McGrath (San Jose Sharks/NHL)
Bp. Murphy (New York Islanders/NHL) in the Rockville Centre Diocese.
Abp. Myers (New York Jets/NFL, New York Giants/NFL, New Jersey Devils/NHL, New Jersey Nets/NBA) All these teams play in the Meadowlands, Newark Archdiocese.
Abp. Niederauer (San Francisco Giants/MLB, San Francisco 49'ers/NFL, Golden State Warriors/NBA)
Bp. Olmsted (Arizona Diamondbacks/MLB, Arizona Cardinals/NFL, Phoenix Coyotes/NHL, Phoenix Suns/NBA)
Cdl. O'Malley (Boston Red Sox/MLB, New England Patriots/NFL, Boston Bruins/NHL, Boston Celtics/NBA)
Abp. Pilarczyk (Cincinnati Reds/MLB, Cincinnati Bengals/NFL)
Cdl. Rigali (Philadelphia Phillies/MLB, Philadelphia Eagles/NFL, Philadelphia Flyers/NHL, Philadelphia 76ers/NBA)
Abp. Roussin (Vancouver Canucks/NHL)
Bp. Steib (Memphis Grizzlies/NBA)
Cdl. Turcotte (Montreal Canadiens/NHL)
Bp. Vann (Texas Rangers/MLB)
Bp. Vigneron (Oakland A's/MLB, Oakland Raiders/NFL)
Abp. Vlazny (Portland Trail Blazers/NBA)
Bp. Weigand (Sacramento Kings/NBA)
Bp. Wenski (Orlando Magic/NBA)
Bp. Wuerl (Pittsburgh Pirates/MLB, Pittsburgh Steelers/NFL, Pittsburgh Penguins/NHL)
Bp. Zubik (Green Bay Packers/NFL)

Peace,
BMP

THIS IS IMPRESSIVE, BUT...

Sounds like a new butter product by Kraft, doesn't it? But it's not. It's the Missa Normativa celebrated so well that you won't believe it's not Tridentine either!

It is true! Missa Normativa CAN be celebrated ad Orientem!

Take a look at these photos, courtesy of Gerald at The Cafeteria Is Closed!


Assumption Grotto, Detroit MI
(Detroit is also home to such beautiful churches as St. Josephat, St. Joseph, and Sweetest Heart of Mary)

More impressive Assumption Grotto pictures at Gerald's blog


















Saint Agnes Church, St. Paul MN
(This church was The Good in a previous episode of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, which aired on the Christus Vincit Podcast, episode #21)

More impressive St. Agnes pictures at Gerald's blog

















And music? Done with class! Chant, polyphony, all things truly Catholic!

Peace,
BMP

Candid Camera

One more photo of the Fatima organist on Good Friday before the commemoration. Here, I'm looking mighty snazzy in my red tunic for the chanting of the Cantor part in the St. John Passion. We removed the tunics after the Gospel, so I didn't have to conduct the polyphony from under that heavy vestment. Far in the background, under the ledge near that square light fixture is Jeremy Coleman, dressed like me -- he sang the Synagogus. We stood at podiums draped in black fabric. The choir and congregation sang the Turba. The alto you see toward the front of the stalls inspecting her music is Maedra Kellmann. She is also an organist, and studied with Helmut Walcha, as did my own organ teacher.

Easter Photos

Here are two photos taken in Fatima Church. On the left you see the Fatima Church organist hanging out in the baptistry on Good Friday before the solemn commemoration. On the right, you see the same organist in the sanctuary with his mom on Easter Sunday after low Mass.

CHRISTUS VINCIT SCOREBOARD 4/19/06

OK - here's a new twisted way of displaying the scores.

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS (Complete, yet normal):
Red Sox 7, Devil Rays 4
Nationals 10, Phillies 3
Pirates 12, Cardinals 4
Indians 15, Orioles 1
Blue Jays 10, Stankees 5
Marlins 12, Reds 6
Braves 7, Mutts 1
White Sox 4, Royals 1
Astros 13, Brewers 12
Angels 8, Twinkies 2
Rockies 3, Padres 2
Diamondbacks 7, Gigantes 4
Rangers 7, Mariners 4
A's 4, Tiggers 3 ("g" doubled on purpose for short "i" sound)
Dodgers 2, Cubbies 1

COMPLETE STANDINGS (of each (arch)bishop):
AMERICAN LEAGUE
EAST:
O'Malley Red Sox 10-4
Ambrozic Blue Jays 7-6
Keeler Orioles 8-7 (though tied with Blue Jays in games out of first, Keeler is just five percentage points behind Ambrozic)
Lynch Devil Rays 7-7 (Tampa is actually in the St. Petersberg diocese)
Egan Yankees 6-7
CENTRAL:
George White Sox and Lennon Indians tied at 9-5
Maida Tigers 7-7
Flynn Twins 6-7
Finn Royals 2-11
WEST:
Brown Angels and Vigneron A's tied at 7-7 (Though named the "LA Angels of Anaheim", the ballpark is in Anaheim, which is in the diocese of Orange)
Vann Rangers 6-8 (Arlington TX is in the Fort Worth diocese)
Brunett Mariners 6-9

NATIONAL LEAGUE
EAST:
DiMarzio Mets 10-3 (Shea Stadium is in the Brooklyn diocese)
Gregory Braves 7-8
Rigali Phillies 5-8
McCarrick Nationals 5-9
Favalora Marlins 4-9
CENTRAL:
DiNardo Astros 10-4
George Cubs 8-5
Burke Cardinals and Pilarczyk Reds tied at 8-6
Dolan Brewers 7-7
Wuerl Pirates 5-11
WEST:
Niederauer Giants 8-5
Chaput Rockies 8-6
Mahony Dodgers 7-8
Olmsted Diamondbacks 6-8
Brom Padres 5-8

Notice the only one that really has two teams is Cardinal George?

TODAY'S GAMES (All times EDT):
Burke at Wuerl 12:35
Favalora at Pilarczyk 12:35
Egan at Ambrozic 12:37 (is that precisely 12:37, or is that give or take a few seconds?)
Gregory at DiMarzio 1:10
Finn at George (AL) 2:05
Brom at Chaput 3:05
McCarrick at Rigali 7:05
Lennon at Keeler 7:05
Lynch at O'Malley 7:05
Dolan at DiNardo 8:05
Brown at Flynn 8:10
Niederauer at Olmsted 9:40
Vann at Brunett 10:05
Maida at Vigneron 10:05
George (NL) at Mahony 10:10

Peace,
BMP

CV Scoreboard

I hope I got all the teams we're following.....


LAST NIGHT'S GAMES

Boston 7, Seattle 6
Houston 8, Milwaukee 7
San Francisco 10, Arizona 9
San Diego 5, Colorado 2

TODAY (Times ET)

Tampa Bay at Boston, 7:05
Washington at Philadelphia, 7:05
NYY at Toronto, 7:07
Milwaukee at Houston, 8:05
San Diego at Colorado, 8:35
San Francisco at Arizona, 9:40

STANDINGS

Boston: 1st, AL East (9-4)
Milwaukee: 5th, NL Central (7-6)
NYY: 4th, AL East (6-6)
Toronto: 4th, AL East (6-6)
San Francisco: 1st, NL West (8-4)
San Diego: 4th, NL West (5-7)
Philadelphia: 3rd, NL East (5-7)

DETERGENT FOR YOUR SOUL!

A new Curt Jester product so good, Proctor and Gamble had to bow out! Let the Risen Christ cleanse you!

Peace,
BMP

Easter II at the Cathedral

Prelude: Sanctus IX -- Charles Callahan

Entrance: Christ the Lord is Risen Today / LLANFAIR

Gloria: Melodic Gloria -- Rev. James Chepponis

Psalm: Michel Guimont

Gospel Acclamation: Salisbury Alleluia -- Christopher Walker

Offertory: We Walk by Faith / NEW BRITAIN

Ordinary: Community Mass

Agnus Dei: Proulx in F

Communion: O Sons and Daughters / O FILII ET FILIAE

Recessional: Jesus Christ is Risen Today / EASTER HYMN

Postlude: Festive Trumpet Tune -- David German

MUSIC for LOW SUNDAY (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY)at HOLY GHOST CHURCH

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
Traditionally known as LOW SUNDAY or QUASIMODO SUNDAY (the latter begins the Introit Proper of the Day)
Declared by Pope John Paul II as DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

SATURDAY 4:30 / SUNDAY 7:30, 9, 10:30

Introit: SALZBURG - At the Lamb's high feast we sing (Missalette, #67)
Penitential Rite: parrot Father
Gloria: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells (listen here at GIA - you need Real Player)
- Note: Performance at GIA site is by the Gregorian Concert Choir, directed by Fr. Anthony Mancini.
Responsorial Psalm: O FILII ET FILIAE, adapted by Page - Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love is everlasting
Alleluia: from O Filii et Filiae
Offertory: ADORO TE (Mode V) - Godhead here in hiding (Music Issue, #497)
Sanctus, Anamnesis B, Amen: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Lord's Prayer: Sacramentary chant - English
Agnus Dei: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Communion: O FILII ET FILIAE - Ye sons and daughters, let us sing (Missalette, #66, starting with v. 4)
Recessional: ST. ANNE - We walk by faith and not by sight (Music Issue, #489 - tune different than what is written)
- Note: ST. ANNE is the tune most often associated with the hymn "O God, our help in ages past"

Peace,
BMP

HAEC DIES QUAM FECIT DOMINUS

This is the day that the Lord has made!
Let us rejoice and be glad!

Best wishes to all our readers and their families for a Happy and Blessed Easter!

+In Christ,
Your Christus Vincit Team,
Brian, Nick, and Jason
(often known as BMP, ~nb, and JP)

SPECIAL WORD OF THANKS

This has been one wacky Triduum, transportation to work wise!

The story starts with Thursday morning when my van's amp gauge was reading a lot lower than it was supposed to be. Having a similar problem before, and knowing that the negative connection on my battery might have been loose, which it had done in the past, I went and changed the terminal end. OK - amp gauge goes back up. I drive to the church to get my paycheck that morning, cash my paycheck - fine. I stop at Burger King to get a bite for my wife and myself. Amp gauge is low AGAIN! This time, I take it to Pep Boys. They did tests on my electrical system - battery was fine (surprisingly), but the alternator was trash. So, we changed the alternator. Leaving Pep Boys - guess what? Amp gauge still low! I called the mechanic over and showed him. He said, as you're driving and the engine's revving, it should go back up.
Well, got home, still low. Drove to the parts store on the way to Mass and grabbed a battery, then installed it in the church parking lot just before Mass. Still low!

Anyways, I took the van back to Pep Boys yesterday morning and waited a bit. Come to find out - the new negative terminal came loose on me, which shorted out my alternator, and my negative cable came yay close to catching fire! Worse - Pep Boys ran out of alternators, so they had to get one at another store, as well as replace the cable. One thing left - the external regulator, which Chrysler calls a "battery harness" and mounts on the back of the alternator, was missing some wires. Van's apart, not drivable - just my stinking luck - part had to be ordered and won't be in till Monday! Now I'm livid, as I still had to get to church last night for the Passion liturgy. Running out of avenues, I landed up taking a cab home ($25.00 ride - OUCH!). I finally was able to secure a ride to church from Elaine, one of the altos in my choir.

Then, just before the liturgy started, Bill, the husband of Jude (one of my sopranos), asked me, "Where's your van?" After I told him what happened, he said that he had an extra vehicle and offered to let me borrow it for the weekend. I would have never expected such an offer, and I don't like to impose, but, for this most important weekend of the Church Year, I had to secure my rides back and forth to tonight's Easter Vigil, and for three Masses tomorrow morning, so I took him up on it. Bill definitely saved my behind this weekend, something he did not have to do - he just did.

So, to Elaine, Jude, and Bill, I can't thank you enough. This is living proof that Holy Ghost Church is a wonderful parish to work with, not only for the wonderful pastor I have, but for its parishioners. Thanks much!

Have a happy and blessed Easter!
+In the Risen Christ,
BMP

CV SCOREBOARD 4/15/06

SCORES YESTERDAY:
Brian's Red Sox 2, Mariners 1
Mets 4, Dave's Brewers 3
Braves 5, Gerald's Padres 4
Twins 5, Jack's Yankees 1
Ann's Blue Jays 13, White Sox 7
Nick's Phillies 10, Colorado 8
Giants 2, Dodgers 1

STANDINGS:
Brian's Red Sox 7-3
Giants 6-3
Dave's Brewers and Ann's Blue Jays tied 6-4
Jack's Yankees 5-5
Nick's Phillies 4-6
Gerald's Padres 3-6

GAMES TODAY (All times EDT):
Dave's Brewers at Mets 1:10
Mariners at Red Sox 1:20
Ann's Blue Jays at White Sox 2:05
Gerald's Padres at Braves 7:05
Jack's Yankees at Twinkies 7:10
Nick's Phillies at Rockies 8:05
Giants at Mahonyville 10:10

Peace,
BMP

FORTHCOMING PODCAST

This Sunday's podcast will be the Christus Vincit Easter Special, running down music from the Sacred Triduum and Easter Sunday, featuring music sung by the Holy Ghost Choir as well as other clips. A little different from other episodes.

Gerald Augustinus has his own special going as well.

Peace,
BMP

CV SCOREBOARD 4/14/06

YESTERDAY'S SCORES:
Jack's Yankees 9, Kansas City 3
Florida 9, Gerald's Padres 2
Dave's Brewers 4, St. Louis 3 in 11 innings
Gigantes 5, Houston 3 (Game 1)
Houston 8, Gigantes 0 (Game 2)
Ann's Blue Jays 8, Brian's Red Sox 6 (wife beats me again)
Nick's Phillies 7, Braves 6

STANDINGS:
Brian's Red Sox and Dave's Brewers tied 6-3
Giants 5-3
Jack's Yankees and Ann's Blue Jays tied 5-4
Gerald's Padres 3-5
Nick's Phillies 3-6

TODAY'S GAMES (All times EDT):
Mariners at Red Sox 7:05
Dave's Brewers at Mets 7:10
Gerald's Padres at Braves 7:35
Jack's Yankees at Twinkies 8:10
Ann's Blue Jays at White Sox 8:35
Nick's Phillies at Rockies 9:05
Giants at Mahonyville 10:40

Peace,
BMP

CV SCOREBOARD 4/13/06

RESULTS YESTERDAY:
Jack's Yankees 12, Royals 5
Gerald's Padres 7, Marlins 2
Ann's Blue Jays 8, Brian's Red Sox 4 (wife gives me the "raspberry" and says "oh, and what?")
Phillies 7, Braves 5
Cardinals 8, Brewers 3
Giants/Astros rained out again.

STANDINGS:
Brian's Red Sox 6-2
Dave's Brewers 5-3
Giants 4-2
Jack's Yankees and Ann's Blue Jays tied 4-4
Gerald's Padres 3-4
Nick's Phillies 2-6

GAMES TODAY (All times EDT):
Royals at Jack's Yankees 1:05
Gerald's Padres at Marlins 1:05
Dave's Brewers at Cardinals 1:10
Astros at Giants doubleheader - 1st game at 3:35
Hubby and wife fight it out again at Fenway 7:05
Nick's Phillies at Braves 7:35

Peace,
BMP

GLORY AND PRAISE GONE PUNK

Check out the "Punk Priest's" version of Here I Am, Lord.

Hat tip to Dave at Improvised.

Peace,
BMP

TUNE IN TOMORROW...

...to see if there will be any more update on this "document" that Pope Benedict XVI is to sign.

According to Rorate Caeli:

"Several sources confirm that tomorrow, Holy Thursday, an important Papal document should be released, having as its subject the current validity of the Tridentine liturgy. This document --in the form of a Motu Proprio, it is said -- has already been signed and would simply be officially promulgated. Very recent Papal audiences with card. Arinze allow [us] to reasonably suppose that the date of publication shall be precisely tomorrow."

Poll: What is the biggest cliff hanger?
A. "Another World"
B. "One Life to Live"
C. "The Guiding Light"
D. the release of a Papal document

Peace,
BMP

GERALD IS GIVING AWAY TRIDDY BEARS

Gerald has created this Triddy mascot to support the cause to liberate the Tridentine Mass.



Triddy is an altar cub. I'm guessing he was trained by the FSSP or the SSPX, but he could have been trained by a handful of diocesan priests who also support the 1962 Mass. Get your Triddy Bear today.

Peace,
BMP

HAPPY SPY WEDNESDAY

Now THERE'S a greeting that may have some people scratch their heads and go "huh?" Some who remember, or still attend Mass according to, the 1962 Roman Missal (Tridentine Mass) might remember the name Spy Wednesday. I had never heard of it until seeing a Tridentine calendar in the sacristy at Holy Name a few years back.

It doesn't take much to realize the course of events within Holy Week to guess why the Wednesday in Holy Week was named Spy Wednesday. Consider this - the Last Supper (Holy Thursday) obviously took place before the Lord's Passion and Death (Good Friday). It is just before the Last Supper when, according to Gospel accounts of the Passion, hit man Judas was hired by the mafia of chief priests and elders, for thirty silver pieces, to hand Jesus over. It was on that day, Spy Wednesday, when the "deal was made".

Tomorrow we recall at Supper: one of you is about to betray me.

Peace,
BMP

CHRISTUS VINCIT SPORTS SCOREBOARD 4/12/06

RESULTS YESTERDAY
Brian's RED SOX 5 Ann's Blue Jays 3 (sorry honey hehehehe)
Jack's Yankees 9, Royals 7
Gerald's Padres 9, Marlins 3 (finally another win for Gerald's team)
Giants rained out at home vs. Astros
Nick's Phillies and Dave's Brewers were off anyways

STANDINGS
Brian's Red Sox 6-1
Dave's Brewers 5-2
Giants 4-2
Jack's Yankees and Ann's Blue Jays tied 3-4
Gerald's Padres 2-4
Nick's Phillies 1-6

GAMES TODAY (All times EDT)
Royals at Jack's Yankees 1:05
Gerald's Padres at Marlins 1:05
Hubby and wife fight it out again at Fenway 7:05
Nick's Phillies at Braves 7:35
Dave's Brewers at Cardinals 8:10
Astros at Giants 10:15

Peace,
BMP

Easter Sunday at the Cathedral

THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD

Prelude: Toccata in Seven -- John Rutter

Entrance: Jesus Christ is Risen Today / EASTER HYMN

Kyrie: chant, arr. Proulx

Gloria: Melodic Gloria -- Chepponis (Peter Jones at 9:30)

Psalm 118: Gelineau

Sequence: as set in the Lutheran Book of Worship (see below...)

Gospel Acclamation: Salisbury Alleluia

At the Sprinkling: Alleluia Psalm from Easter Vigil (chant, Mode VI)

Offertory Hymn: Crown Him with Many Crowns / DIADEMATA

Offertory Anthem (9:30): Christ the Lord is Risen Again -- John Rutter

Sanctus/Mem. Acc. C/Amen: Community Mass

Agnus Dei: Proulx in F

Communion:
This is the Feast / FESTIVAL CANTICLE
That Easter Day with Joy was Bright / PUER NOBIS
O Sons and Daughters / O FILII ET FILIAE
(may be omitted or cut short at 9:30 to allow for anthem)

Anthem: Hallelujah! -- Georg Friederich Handel

Recessional: Christ the Lord is Risen Today / LLANFAIR

Postlude: Toccata, from Symphony No. 5 -- Charles-Marie Widor

-----------------------------------
So why do I use the Sequence out of the LBW?? Because surprisingly, they use the same text as our Lectionary. The GIA hymnals and Collegeville Hymnal use the Scagnelli text, which is NOT the Lectionary text.

Holy Saturday at the Cathedral

NIGHTWATCH OF THE RESURRECTION

Traditional/normal chants for the fire, candles, Exsultet.

Psalm 104: Michel Guimont

Exodus 15: Jay Hunstiger

Isaiah 12: Michel Guimont

Gloria: Peter Jones

Alleluia Psalm: Mode VI alleluia, with Ps. 118 chanted to an Anglican psalm tone. Organ improvisation and modulation between each verse.

Litany of the Saints: chant, Roman Missal

At the Baptisms: Celtic Alleluia

At the Sprinkling: Vidi aquam

At the Confirmations: Veni Sancte Spiritus -- Jacques Berthier

Offertory: Hallelujah! -- Georg Friederich Handel

Sanctus/Mem. Acc. C/Amen: Community Mass

Agnus Dei: Proulx in F

Communion: This is the Feast / FESTIVAL CANTICLE

Anthem: TBD (possibly Mozart "Ave verum")

Recessional: Jesus Christ is Risen Today / EASTER HYMN

Postlude: Toccata from Symphony No. 5 -- Charles-Marie Widor

Good Friday at the Cathedral

CELEBRATION OF THE LORD'S PASSION

Psalm 31: Gelineau

Gospel Acclamation: chant

At the Collection for the Holy Lands:
Lacrymosa, from REQUIEM -- W. A. Mozart

At the Veneration:
This is the Wood of the Cross -- Sacramentary chant
The Reproaches -- Peter Jones
All You Who Pass This Way -- Jacques Berthier
Were You There / WERE YOU THERE
Drop, Drop, Slow Tears -- Orlando Gibbons (choir)

At the Communion:
Psalm 22 -- C. Alexander Peloquin
O bone Iesu -- Marc'Antonio Ingegneri
God So Loved the World -- Sir John Stainer

Holy Thursday at the Cathedral

MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

Prelude: Le Banquet Celeste -- Olivier Messiaen

Entrance: Lift High the Cross / CRUCIFER

Kyrie: chant

Gloria: Missa Iubilate Deo

Psalm 116: Michel Guimont

Gospel Acclamation: chant

Mandatum: Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love / CHEREPONI

Offertory: Ubi Caritas -- Chant, Mode VI

Sanctus XVIII

Mem. Acc. B: chant

Simple Amen

Agnus Dei XVIII

Communion: Take and Eat (not my choice)

Anthem: Thee We Adore -- T. Frederick H. Candlyn

Transfer of the Eucharist: Pange lingua gloriosi

Meditation: Stay Here and Keep Watch -- Jacques Berthier

THE SCOREBOARD FOR 4/11/06 by CHRISTUS VINCIT SPORTS!

RESULTS YESTERDAY:
Braves 5, Nick's Phillies 3
Cardinals 6, Dave's Brewers 4

STANDINGS:
Brian's Red Sox 5-1
Dave's Brewers 5-2
Giants are 4-2
Ann's Blue Jays 3-3
Jack's Yankees 2-4
Gerald's Padres 1-4
Nick's Phillies 1-6

GAMES TODAY (All times EDT):
Royals at Jack's Yankees 1:05
Ann's Blue Jays at Brian's Red Sox 2:05 (Husband/Wife battle LOL)
Gerald's Padres at Marlins 4:05
Astros at Giants 10:15
Dave's Brewers and Nick's Phillies are off today.

Peace,
BMP

THIS IS A DISGRACE!!!

Here's the video that Gerald and others have been talking about.
That a Cardinal would allow this crap to happen at Holy Mass right in front of his face, and in the faces of thousands of others in his flock.

It's high time Los Angeles gets a REAL archbishop who can LEAD the people and not just PLEASE the people! For those who opposed my KoolAid spoof, I pose this question - NOW WHO is mocking the Eucharist here? Mahony had it mocked before the KoolAid spoof, just by them pitchers he used! That made things look cheap right there. Now we see the video, with liturgical dance at Mass (which is not allowed, mind you), people acting out the Gospel reading (which is NOT the Passion, btw), and music that I haven't heard since the last time I stumbled on to a Billy Graham crusade on TV. To boot, get a load of the lady thanking everyone and getting them one round of applause after the next. It is plain awful!

Copies of this video should be sent to Cardinal Arinze and Pope Benedict XVI, along with a link to the LA Religious Education Conference website (laden with pictures over the years), so they really know what kind of a circus is going on in Los Angeles, with Roger Cardinal Mahony as their ringleader. If this is really geared toward youth, then he's doing these youths a real disservice here.

Peace,
BMP

MAHONY=WEST::TRAUTMAN=EAST

I think I had mentioned in a previous post that if there was something that stands out in the West, there's bound to be something like that in the East. Gerald is in San Diego, not far from Cdl. Mahony's empire Los Angeles. Nick and I are both east coast. I'm in metro Providence, Nick's in Harrisburg. Though Nick is not in Bp. Trautman's diocese (Erie PA), he's closest to the Bishop of those on the Christus Vincit Team (Jason is farthest, a benefit for him).

You see, while Mahony is corrupting liturgies in the West with liturgical dance, KoolAid pitchers, and some of the worst music you can find (Gerald has plenty of posts on it), here in the East, we have Trautman, the head of the US Bishops Committee on Liturgy. The bad thing about Bp. Trautman heading the BCL---he's pro-inclusive language, and about as progressive as they come. Here's the latest from Catholic World News:

Bishop Trautman strongly criticizes proposed Mass translations; 'incarnate,' he says, is 'not intelligible to the vast majority of those in the assembly'; on translating 'praeclarum calicem' as 'precious chalice': 'Should the agenda of a sacred vocabulary, no matter how well-intentioned, be allowed to circumvent the inspired word?'

You can read Bp. Trautman's full missive here. Worse, it's addressed to St. John's Seminary in Collegeville, MN, where the Liturgical Press, one of the better Catholic publishers, is located. Here's a sample of such foolishness:

Paul’s Letter to the Romans 8:14; Pentecost, “C” Reading:
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
The New Revised Standard Version translates the phrase “sons of God” as “children of God”, making the text inclusive. Certainly women are also led by the Spirit of God and cannot be called “sons of God”.

Certainly they can. When you refer to mankind, you're referring to man AND woman.

An earlier post I made shows the ICEL's response to Trautman's missive.

On a sidenote regarding all this "inclusive language" BS, check out the mis-translation we landed up with in this classic hymn:

Sing, my tongue, the Savior's Glory (Fortunatus, tr. Neale), verse 3
Original text:
Eating of the tree forbidden, man had sunk in Satan's snare...

Now, get a load of this (as appears in OCP's Today's Missal, Holy Week/Pentecost 2006 edition, hymn #51):
Eating of the tree forbidden, humans sank in Satan's snare...

like this treasured hymn was meant to be sung by beasts of the wild, or perhaps, Martians. It's enough to send both of these great authors, Venantius Fortunatus and John Mason Neale, rolling in their graves.

Peace,
BMP

CV SPORTS SCOREBOARD FOR 4/10/06

Sunday's results:
Brian's Red Sox 4, Orioles 1 -YAY!
Devil Rays 5, My wife's Blue Jays 2
Nick's Phillies take a doubleheader split with the Dodgers, winning 6-3 (first win), then getting beat 6-2
Nick's Pirates 5, Reds 3 (also first win)
Jack's Yankees 10, Angels 1
Rockies 10, Gerald's Padres 4
Giants 6, Braves 5
Diamondbacks 7, Dave's Brewers 0 (first loss)

STANDINGS:
Dave's Brewers and Brian's Red Sox (tie) 5-1
Giants are also 4-2
Ann's Blue Jays 3-3
Jack's Yankees 2-4
Gerald's Padres 1-4
Nick's Phillies 1-5
Nick's Pirates 1-6

TODAY'S GAMES (all times EDT):
Dodgers at Pirates 1:35 PM
Brewers at Cardinals 4:10 PM
Phillies at Braves 7:05 PM
All other blogger teams are off today

Peace,
BMP

THERE'S A STREET SIGN NAMED AFTER US ON MARS

Hat tip to Dymphna's Well, who tipped her hat to A Catholic Life

Make your own sign here!

Peace,
BMP

MUSIC for THE SACRED TRIDUUM at HOLY GHOST CHURCH

HOLY THURSDAY - April 13, 2006 - 7:00 PM

Introit: CRUCIFER - Lift high the cross (Music Issue, #723)
Gloria: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Responsorial Psalm: Page - Our blessing cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ
Gospel Acclamation: Tone 2 - Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory
Washing of Feet: Peloquin - Faith, hope, and love (from Lyric Liturgy)
- Note: the antiphon here fulfills one of six antiphons that the Church assigns for this ritual -
Faith, hope, and love, let these endure among you, and the greatest of these is love.
Offertory: Mode VI - Ubi caritas (Music Issue, #424)
- Note: appointed by the Church as the Offertory
Sanctus: Mass XVIII (Latin)
Anamnesis: Jubilate Deo chant - Mortem tuam annuntiamus, Domine...
Amen: single (with slurred last syllable)
Lord's Prayer: Sacramentary chant (English)
Agnus Dei: Mass XVIII (Latin)
Communion: Mozart - Ave Verum Corpus
Solemn Transfer of the Holy Eucharist: Mode III - Pange Lingua Gloriosi (Latin) (Missalette, #4 on page 22)

GOOD FRIDAY - April 14, 2006 - 7:00 PM

Responsorial Psalm: Page - Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
Gospel Acclamation: Tone 2 - Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory
Veneration of the Cross (sung as time permits):
- 1. Mode III - Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory (Missalette, #51)
- - Note: this is the Crucifixion text (Fortunatus, tr. by Neale)
- 2. PASSION CHORALE - O sacred Head, surrounded (Missalette, #48/vv. 1a, 2a, 3a)
Communion (sung as time permits):
- 1. Spiritual - Were you there when they crucified my Lord (Missalette, #49)
- 2. Peloquin - A Great Harvest

THE EASTER VIGIL - April 15, 2006 - 8:00 PM

Readings 1, 2, 3, and 5 from the Old Testament will be proclaimed. Their respective responsorial Psalms will be chanted to Tone 8:
- 1. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth
- 2. You are my inheritance, O Lord
- 3. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory
- 5. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation
Gloria: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Alleluia: O FILII ET FILIAE, adapted by Page (all three verses sung)
Sprinkling of Holy Water (following the Renewal of Baptismal Promises): Mode VIII - Vidi Aquam
Offertory: FESTIVAL CANTICLE - This is the feast of victory for our God (Music Issue, #597)
Sanctus, Anamnesis, and Amen: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Lord's Prayer: Sacramentary chant (English)
Agnus Dei: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Communion: O FILII ET FILIAE - Ye sons and daughters, let us sing (Missalette, #66)
Recessional: EASTER HYMN - Jesus Christ is risen today (Missalette, #61)

EASTER SUNDAY - April 16, 2006 - 7:30, 9:00, and 10:30 AM

Introit: HOLY ANTHEM - Alleluia, alleluia, let the holy anthem rise (Missalette, #68)
Gloria: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Responsorial Psalm: O FILII ET FILIAE, adapted by Page - This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad
Sequence: Mode I (Missalette, #21 on page 86)
- Note: English at 7:30 and 9:00; Latin at 10:30
Alleluia: from O FILII ET FILIAE
EVERYTHING FROM SPRINKLING TO RECESSIONAL: same as Easter Vigil, above

Peace,
BMP

CHRISTUS VINCIT SPORTS SCOREBOARD for 4/9/06

Here's how our bloggers' favorite teams fared yesterday:

First the good news
RED SOX 2, Orioles 1
Angels 3, Jack's Yankees 2 (well, if you're Jack, that's bad news)
My wife's Blue Jays 8, Devil Rays 4
Dave's Brewers 5, Diamondback's 4

Neutral news
Nick's Phillies were rained out yesterday.

Gerald got double-cursed yesterday
Rockies 12, Padres 4
Giants 12, Braves 6
(Gerald supports THREE teams: the Padres, the Red Sox, and whoever can beat the Giants) ;-)

STANDINGS:
Dave's Brewers 5-0 (could be THE best Brewers team since being shifted to the National League!!)
Brian's Red Sox 4-1
Ann's Blue Jays 3-2
Giants are also 3-2
Gerald's Padres 1-3
Jack's Yankees 1-4
Nick's Phillies 0-4

Peace,
BMP

GETTING WARMER, WARMER, WARMER..., ARE WE?

This from The New Liturgical Movement:

"One of our most trustworthy sources has finally broken the general silence and has confirmed that truly a document of great importance on the liturgy of the Latin Church "has been signed".
"However, just as yesterday we mentioned "...the Rite of the Mass...", this source cannot or will not confirm if this document of great importance impacts (a) the Traditional Roman Rite (or, as it is usually called in more adequate terms, "the liturgical rite and discipline, according to the prescriptions of Saint Pius V, with the adaptations introduced by his successors up to Blessed John XXIII"); or (b) the New Roman rite (which, regarding the rite of the mass, was approved on Holy Thursday, 1969, by the Apostolic Constitution "Missale Romanum", of Paul VI); or (c) both rites."

Source: Rorate Caeli

At the rate things are going, followups are going to be titled Are You Sitting Down?, Are You Ready?, and Are You Sure?

Peace,
BMP

Good Friday at Fatima Church, Lafayette

First Lesson: chanted, solemn tone
Gradual: Psalm 31
Second Lesson: chanted, solemn tone
Tract: Domine, exaudi
Passon according to St. John: chanted, solemn tone
INTERCESSIONS, chanted, recto tono
COLLECTION
Vere Languores Nostros, Lotti
HYMN: O Jesus, King most wonderful (St. Agnes)
INVITATION TO VENERATE
“This is the wood”: chanted.
VENERATION
Popule Meus, Roff, choir
God So Loved the World, Stainer
HYMN: Savior When In Dust to Thee (Spanish Chant)
Chorale: O Darkest Woe, choir
HYMN: Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken (Hyf.)
COMMUNION
At the translation: silence
COMMUNION
Hymn: O Sacred Head Now Wounded
O Bone Iesu, Palestrina
Hymn: Were you There?

Maundy Thursday at Fatima Church, Lafayette

Prelude: O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden, Brahms
Procession: O Living Bread from Heaven (Aurelia)
Kyrie: Missa XVII
Gloria: Missa VIII/Sounding of the organs and bells
LITURGIA VERBI
First Lesson, chanted, solemn tone
Gradual, Psalm 116
Second Lesson, chanted, solemn tone
Tract: Ab ortu solis
Holy Gospel, chanted, solemn tone
Lotio Pedum:The 7 Antiphons
Final antiphon: HYMN: Where Charity and Love Prevail, choir/cong.
Hymn: Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service (In Babylone)
Universal Prayer, chanted, tono recto
Presentation of the holy oils, versicles chanted, tono recto
OFFERTORY
O Salutaris #1, Elgar
Chorale: Soul, Adorn Thyself With Gladness, choir
O Lord I am Not Worthy, (Non sum dignus)
LITURGIA EUCHARISTIAE
Sursum: intoned
Sanctus: Missa VIII
Benedictus: Missa VIII
Mysterium: Christ has died, etc.
Amen: Missa VIII
Pater: tone IV
Agnus: VIII (final petition: miserere nobis, instead of dona nobis pacem!) Ordinary
COMMUNION
Ave Verum Corpus, DesPres, schola
Chorale: Lord, Jesus Christ, Thou Hast Prepared, choir
Christus Factus est, Palestrina
Hymn: O Jesus We Adore Thee, Cong. & choir
Hymn: Humbly We Adore, Cong. & choir
TRANSLATIO
Pange Lingua, choir
Tantum Ergo, Smit, schola
Tantum Ergo, Wasner, schola

CHRISTUS VINCIT SPORTS presents SCOREBOARD 4/8/06

Last night's scores from blogger's teams:

Christus Vincit teams:
Brian's RED SOX smoke the Orioles 14-8
The Yankees got beat by the Angels 4-1 for even more good news.
Ann's (Brian's wife) Blue Jays get edged by Tampa Bay 9-8 (sorry honey)
Nick's Phillies get beaten by the Dodgers 5-3

The Cafeteria Is Closed:
Gerald's Padres get taken for a ride by Colorado 10-4
The bright side for Gerald is that the Braves smoked Barry and the Gigantes 14-6

Improvised:
Dave's Brewers edged the Diamondbacks 3-1

Standings:
Milwaukee 4-0 (1st in NL Central)
Boston 3-1 (1st in AL East)
Toronto 2-2 (tied for 2nd in AL East with Baltimore and Tampa Bay)
San Francisco 2-2 (4-way tie for 1st with Arizona, Colorado, and Mahonyville)
San Diego 1-2 (last in NL West)
NY Yankees 1-3 (last in AL East)
Phillies 0-4 (last in NL East)

Peace from your Christus Vincit Sports correspondant (LOL)
BMP

THE IMPROVED ICEL

Definitely a sign that ICEL's getting better.

In the spirit of fair play, I asked Fr. Bruce Harbert, executive director of ICEL, if he would like to offer a defense of the new translations. The following is Harbert's reply.

Previous liturgical translations followed a mistaken theory which saw language merely as a medium for communicating facts. Many elements rejected as "outmoded rhetoric" were in fact expressions of feeling.
When we call Jesus' mother "blessed," we are expressing our love for her. When we call God "almighty and everlasting" we voice our respect; when we ask God to do something "kindly" or "graciously" we gratefully acknowledge his mercy. Similarly, we speak of the apostles and the church with reverence as "holy," we say that we have sinned "greatly" to express horror at our sins, and we even speak lovingly of the Host as "spotless" and the Chalice as "precious."
Sometimes we convey emotion by three-fold patterns, as when we give "three cheers" for a person or team. Thus, in the liturgy, we echo the angels' song "Holy, Holy, Holy," we lament that we have sinned "through my fault, through my fault, through my grievous fault," we honor Christ as "the pure victim, the holy victim, the spotless victim."
Bishop Trautman, a fine Biblical scholar, says the New Testament uses "ordinary language, spoken in the market place, on the streets and at the supper table." True, but it also uses emotionally heightened language, as in Revelation or in John's Gospel at the Last Supper, where Jesus utters thoughts of the most exquisite intimacy. The liturgy must do the same: it must speak the language of Gethsemane as well as of the supermarket.
Much criticism has been voiced of the proposed response "And with your spirit" to the priest's greeting. "'And also with you' is enough," people say. But some Americans, instead of saying "Come here," will say, "Get your butt over here," to express impatience. When we speak of "your spirit" we are using a similar device, but in this case to express respect for the priest as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
We hear much about "active participation" in the liturgy as desired by Vatican II. I wonder whether that is the best possible translation of the Council's words. I can participate in an event without getting really involved, and I can get involved as a spectator at a game of football without participating. I think "active involvement" expresses better what the Council wanted: not merely "joining in," but being drawn in, heart and mind. For that to happen, the liturgy must express feelings as well as facts.

Source

If only Father Harbert could go over Bishop Trautman's head a little bit - just enough to erase the Trautman/Mahony agenda.

Doesn't it seem funny, btw, that one coast has a replica of whatever is on the other. For example:
PROGRESSIVE/LIBERAL LITURGICAL AGENDAE:
Left coast: Mahony / Right coast: Trautman
ALLEGED STEROID USE:
Left coast: Barry Bonds / Right coast: Gary Sheffield
PRIESTS IN ORDERS WHO HAVE AN EXCELLENT SENSE OF THE SACRED:
Left coast: Fr. Jeff Keyes, C.PP.S. / Right coast: Fr. Bill Casey, CPM

Peace,
BMP

DO YOU KNOW WHO THIS MAN IS?

Correct answer here!
Peace,
BMP

BASEBALL TONIGHT IN THE CATHOLIC BLOGOSPHERE

Hi! This is your friendly bush league correspondant Brian Michael Page from the Christus Vincit Sports Desk!

Tonight's schedule:
The Red Sox (my team) take on the Orioles at Camden Yards!
The Yankees (who I root against) play the LA Angels in Anaheim.
My wife Ann's Blue Jays host the Devil Rays at the Rogers Centre.
Nick's Phillies are looking for their first win as they take on the Dodgers at home.
Gerald's Padres host the Rockies. (Gerald also supports the Red Sox, making him good company)
Dave's Brewers look to remain undefeated as they take on the Diamondbacks at home.

While Gerald boos Bonds, I'll be booing the right coast equivalent, Gary Sheffield.
Any other Catholic Blogger with a baseball team they support, feel free to let me know and I'll include you in the fun. ;)

Peace,
BMP

ARINZE IN ENGLAND

Hat tip to Argent by the Tiber

LONDON (CNS) -- The head of the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments urged Catholics to be reverent during Mass and to venerate the Eucharist properly. During a talk in Westminster Cathedral April 1, Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze called on priests to restore tabernacles to central positions in churches and for Catholics to rediscover the tradition of reverent genuflection in the presence of the Eucharist. He also called for an end to adding details to and subtracting them from the approved rites of the Mass and for an end to soft background music during Mass and other times when people were trying to pray in church. "This is doubtless well intentioned, but it is a mistake," said the cardinal. "People enter churches to pray, not to be entertained." The cardinal told about 400 audience members that Mass was the "supreme act of adoration, praise and thanksgiving which humanity can offer God."

I laugh because people from one certain liturgical music message board I formerly frequented once wrote that Cdl. Arinze is "clueless" and has been in the Vatican too long. They're more the Mahony/KoolAid type.

In the meantime, in obedience to the good Cardinal Arinze, here's our tabernacle, in the center - where it belongs.



And this hat tip to Shawn at The New Liturgical Movement

Cardinal Arinze discourages "liturgies to order"

Signs are growing that Benedict XVI intends to bring the liturgy back to a more traditional form after a top Vatican official protested the use of "do-it-yourself" services.

In a keynote speech delivered at Westminster Cathedral recently, Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, also said that individual priests should not add to or subtract from the approved rites, mentioning the practice of playing background music in particular as one practice that should stop.

"The Mass is the most solemn action of the sacred liturgy, which is itself the public worship of the Church," the cardinal said

Quoting John Paul II, he said liturgy is not a "private property" and that priests and lay faithfuls are "not free to add or subtract any details" from the official liturgy. He said communities that are faithful to the Church's liturgical norms demonstrate their love for the Church."

A do-it-yourself mentality, an attitude of nobody-will-tell-me-what-to-do, or a defiant sting of if-you-do-not-like-my-Mass-you-can-go-to-another-parish, is not only against sound theology and ecclesiology, but also offends against common sense," the Cardinal said.

"Unfortunately, sometimes common sense is not very common, when we see a priest ignoring liturgical rules and installing creativity, in his case personal idiosyncrasy, as the guide to the celebration of Holy Mass."

The cardinal's comments come a week after proposals were announced by a Vatican commission to outlaw the use of drums and electric guitars from church services. The commission outlined 50 proposals on reforming the liturgy, with Vatican insiders saying that the commission also proposed to increase the use of Latin during mass.

But Fr Tom Jordon from the National Conference of Priests, said he was unaware of any deviation from the Rubrics provided by the Roman Missal in the nation's churches but added that since Vatican II in was inevitable that the personality of priests shone through during Mass.

Source: Catholic News

Things are looking up, little by little, I think. That means, a certain LA Cardinal and a certain Erie PA bishop will be hiding those KoolAid pitchers pretty soon.

Peace,
BMP

A CLARIFICATION

I want to clarify a few things regarding a certain Kool-Aid pitcher and some remarks that I have received and have made as well.

In addition to posting the Kool-Aid pitcher picture (starring none other than Roger Cardinal Mahony) on this blog, I had e-mailed Gerald Augustinus at The Cafeteria is Closed, and gave him the link to the post I made. Gerald did not take from me. I gave to him.

As with any good blogger, and even many of the best bloggers, Catholic or otherwise, controversy can very often be drawn by a post, whether it is correct or not. Funny thing is, I drew much more controversy on Gerald's blog than I did on my own. It is not fair to Gerald that his post is getting the flack for something I gave him. Some viewed my post and my picture as something else, though that something else was not in the least bit intended. My apologies to Gerald for taking the flack. Gerald was not hiding when he said the picture was mine. He was absolutely right.

I had been accused by a couple of commenters of "mocking the Blood of Christ". The Most Precious Blood of Christ would NEVER be an intended target of any comic joke, prank, mockery, parody, or what not. I cannot make myself clear enough on that. My intended target was not His Precious Blood, but the ridiculous containers that Cardinal Mahony, in blatant ignorance of Redemptionis Sacramentum, used to store His Blood. Only those "liberal Catholics" would make such an accusation, merely to support ones own argument that it's OK to "break some of the rules", in this case, the very rubrics of the liturgy pointed out by bishops like Cardinal Mahony himself.

I do apologize to "Jesuit John" for barking back with some comments and did vent on the "typical Jesuit", thus probably not only further offending "Jesuit John", but others from the Society of Jesus who may have read it. That line was ill-tempered, and I am heartily sorry for that particular attack.

What peeves me, however, is, as I mentioned above, when people make some twisted accusation merely to support a liberal agenda. I apologize for any misunderstanding. However, please realize that my spoof was not on the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, but on the vessels that the Cardinal (who should know better) used.

Peace,
BMP

MUSIC for CLOSING MASS of our PARISH MISSIONat HOLY GHOST CHURCH

Tonight's the last night of our parish mission, and we will be closing with Mass. The Mass of the day will be celebrated.

Introit: LOBE DEN HERREN - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Missalette, #132)
Responsorial Psalm: Tone 2 - The Lord remembers his covenant for ever
Gospel Acclamation: Tone 2 - Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory
Offertory: IN BABILONE - There's a wideness in God's mercy (Music Issue, #423)
Ordinary of the Mass: same as the Sundays of Lent
Communion: Deiss - Grant to us, O Lord
Recessional: DIX - For the beauty of the earth (Music Issue, #542, vv. 1, 4, 5)

This verse of For the beauty of the earth fits quite nicely:
For the Church, that evermore lifts its holy hands above,
Off'ring up on ev'ry shore His pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.

The readings and propers pertain mainly to "covenant". This verse from Grant to us, O Lord often comes to mind:
Behold, the days are coming says the Lord our God, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel.

Peace,
BMP

GOOD NEWS ALL AROUND

Good news:
The RED SOX took the lead for good in the 7th with a two-run blast by Trot Nixon. Josh Beckett settled down after the 1st and pitched quite nicely.
RED SOX 2, Rangers 1

More good news:
The Yankees blew a 4-0 lead, gave Oakland a 5-run 8th inning.
A's 9, Yankees 4

Both the Sox and Yankees are off tonight.

AL EAST STANDINGS:
Baltimore 2-0
Boston 2-1 (1/2 game out)
Yankees and Toronto both 1-2 (1-1/2 games out)
Tampa Bay 0-2 (2 games out)

Peace,
BMP

MORE ON MISSIONS

There has been a couple of really good definitions of "parish mission", as heard by two different priests.

Fr. William Casey calls it a "crash course on Catholicism". When I heard Fr. Casey mention this the other day, it made me think of two years ago, when I heard Fr. Anthony Mancini call it "the classroom of Christ".

Both priests I just mentioned put on excellent missions. Fr. Mancini is known in these parts for his music. He directs the Gregorian Concert Choir, the resident professional choir at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence, RI. He became Cathedral music director upon the retirement of Alexander Peloquin in 1990, and was appointed Cathedral rector just a couple of years ago. But little did I know until 2004 how well he preaches.

Fathers Casey and Mancini have been my two favorite priests that I've heard a mission from, not only in my 25 years as a church organist, but in the 41 years I've been on this earth.

So, perhaps, collectively - a "crash course on Catholicism in the classroom of Christ"?

Peace,
BMP

PARISH MISSION: DAY 4 of 5

Today, Fr. William Casey talked about the Pride and Humility.

Music:
Opening hymn: NICAEA - Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty (Missalette, #140)
Readings/Talk
Exposition: Werner - O Salutaris Hostia
Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus
Benediction: Mode III - Tantum Ergo
Divine Praises: chanted (monotone)
Recessional hymn: GROSSER GOTT - Holy God, we praise thy name

Peace,
BMP

HEY KOOLAID!!!

Now, check out the wine pitcher on the left. The kids thought it REALLY was KoolAid.

Peace,
BMP

ROGER THAT --- NOT!

Snippets from The Cafeteria is Closed, with my replies to the Archbishop right here.

Susan: "Cardinal, how do I encourage my adult children to attend Mass? My daughter especially refuses to join me because she says she can pray on her own and that the Mass is boring. I have asked her every week for 2 years now and she only attends on Christmas and Easter. In all other areas, she is a very good daughter. Please help!"

Cardinal Mahony: Adult children need to discover the deeper meaning of the Eucharist. Maybe she is not "getting anything out of Mass" because she is not "putting anything into Mass." Have her attend a Mass for Young Adults near your parish.

His first two sentences are right, but the last sentence would be a total disservice. It's like fighting miseducation with miseducation, especially if this is a typical "young adults" Mass equipped with Christian Rock and Sacro-pop and the like. You're better off sending her to a far more reverent Mass with far more reverent music. Otherwise, in her 30's and 40's, she'll be looking for that Christian rock music. Kinda like what happened to the Glory and Praise folks that are now in their 50's and 60's.

Archilochos: Did I miss the reply to the question "Do you think the Church will restore the female diaconate, and if so, when"?
Cardinal Mahony: I responded to it, but it may have gotten lost in cyberspace! The female deaconate was studied, and it turned out to be something far different than the Order of Deacon.

It didn't turn out anything like this did it?

If so, then that's why the idea was lost.

Matt: "Just curious about some new things I've seen at church. May a priest change the liturgy as he sees fit? For example, may he change the words given by ICEL, use a wooden or glass chalice, or allow a lay person to read the Gospel or give a homily? Thank you."
1. Cardinal Mahony: Matt: every priest must follow and use the Roman Missal as published, and may not change any words. In fact, the Bishops are now developing a new English translation.
2. Cardinal Mahony: The material for sacred vessels needs the approval of the Local Bishop, but must be fitting for the Eucharist. *
3. Cardinal Mahony: At Mass, the deacon and priest are the only ones to proclaim the Gospel and give the homily. Now and then, others may give a reflection.

1. Yeah, and look who's heading up the BCL? Trautman, who is just as liberal as Mahony. A lot of good that does. It's no wonder the Tridentine Mass is being sought in many places.
2. Gerald rightly points out this citation from Redemptionis Sacramentum:
Reprobated, therefore, is any practice of using for the celebration of Mass common vessels, or others lacking in quality, or devoid of all artistic merit or which are mere containers, as also other vessels made from glass, earthenware, clay, or other materials that break easily. This norm is to be applied even as regards metals and other materials that easily rust or deteriorate.
Therefore, I suppose his eminence approved these restaurant quality glasses and the KoolAid pitchers (oh, such a rule doesn't apply to certain left coast Cardinals?):

3. First sentence is right. Second sentence is dead on wrong!

Joe: Hello Cardinal. With the growing interest in traditional worship of the Catholic Church are we going to see a more generous use of the Traditional Latin Mass?
Cardinal Mahony: It is not correct to say "traditional worship" in our Church. For a small slice of Church history, Latin was the language of Mass. But the Council moved us beyond that to a new Roman Missal. We must continue forward with the Church. However, it is important to bring with us our Latin hymns and other treasures from the past ages.

Small slice??? How about nearly two milleniums? And Latin is STILL the language of the Mass, with the Vernacular now being allowed. The Vernacular was NEVER mandated. Yeah, you have to continue forward, but within the mandates set forward by Holy Mother Church, not some progressive agenda as this Cardinal seems to promote. His last sentence is right on, though you may want to bring the Proper of the Mass with you too.

Mariette: Does Your Eminence believe there is a place for liturgical dance in the US Church?
Cardinal Mahony: Liturgical dance should never dominate or overwhelm the celebration of the Eucharist. It must be tasteful, and must always lead us to deeper prayer and reflection. A good rule: if liturgical dance leads to applause by the participants, then it failed.

Liturgical dance isn't allowed at Mass, period. A better assumption is that liturgical dance will nearly ALWAYS lead to applause. Remember this? What did all that crap lead to in the end? Applause. Thank you very much!

Gerald got it right when he introduced his "pinhead" series of photos.


Peace,
BMP