Plenary Indulgence for Immaculate Conception

Announcement here, partial translations here. Thanks to Cacciaguida.

The indulgence is attached to taking part in some public rite in her honour, or to veneration of an image of our Blessed Mother set up in some public place, with recitation of the Our Father, the Creed, and some invocation of the Blessed Virgin conceived without sin (e. g. "Tota pulchra es, Maria, et macula originalis non est in te", "Regina sine labe originali concepta, ora pro nobis"). And usual conditions.


Cross-posted on laodicea.

The power of Latin over the Devil.

Brian at Ipissima Verba has blogged an interesting story about Italian Bishop Andrea Gemma who speaks of the Devils hatred for Latin. The original article can be found here.

Papa Latine loquitur!

As reported by kath.net. Don't worry if you don't read Deutsch; it gets on to Latin soon enough!

Not that I'd have understood that address if he'd said it remotely quickly. Fancy classical word order... I'm more at twelfth-century schoolboy standard, myself.

Quid es?
Sum puer.
Quid bibes?
Bibeo cervisium...

Or however that wee dialogue goes. I can't remember what I'm remembering, so if anyone is aware of a C12 textbook dialogue beginning with boys drinking ale, do say so. Hang on, I think someone called Aelfric is involved. And Google confirms this. Still can't remember the text, though. And is it bibeo, bibere, or bibo, bibere, anyhow?

Anyway, perhaps more relevantly: In case anyone doesn't read Pontifications, these two posts may be of interest. Ecce etiam commentarius Aristoteli nostri.

Finally, I must add to the chorus of praise for Amata Means Beloved. Delightful wee novel.

Oh, and finally finally - despite my infancy in the Faith I've been asked to stand sponsor to someone, so if you could pray for the confirmand and myself I'd be most grateful.

Pax et bonum omnibus! I hope Advent is a fruitful time for us all. Hora est jam nos de somno surgere... Benedicat nos Deus Omnipotens, miserator et misericors Dominus, patiens et multum misericors.

Just a note...

Does anyone else think that we need better terminology to refer to the lay singers in liturgical celebrations? If so, what? Because neither 'lay clerk' or 'vicar choral' is suitable most of the time these days and (certainly the women... did I say 'women singing'?!?!) can't come under this terminology... and we're not real cantors either.

Just a thought... but it's irritating when you have to distinguish between choir and choir, kwim?

In caritate Xp,

JMR Xx

The November New Year

I hope that everyone had a most glorious Sunday ushering in the new liturgical year in penitential shades of purple. I find it wonderful that we can celebrate these sorts of occasions with great joy, and the 'outside world' has almost no idea of what we are doing! The pagans deck their halls far long before the Christians.

There is a group of us looking to stage a production of Chesterton's 'The Surprise' in the early months of next year - things are looking interesting! :)

Does anyone know where I could possibly purchase a simple hand missal completely in Latin? I can't seem to be able to find one about the place yet. Deus benedicat nos :)

A Revolt of the Revolt?

Since I have been on the list of contributors to this blog it seems logical that I should contribute something. Here are some thoughts I have on a subject that I suppose to be precious to us all. (I hope I did not make to much grammatical errors since English is not my mother tongue).

The impression the different books and articles on the ‘reform of the reform’ made on me is that this movement starts with the observation that after the Second Vatican Council something went terribly wrong with the liturgical reform. A problem that goes beyond implementation but also touches the liturgical books itself. In this she is strongly influenced by the works of Mgr. Klaus Gamber but also on the thought of our current Pope. Liturgical reform itself is not rejected but there is a strong doubt whether the liturgical reform that followed the Council was actually intended by the Council, whether it was the intention of the Council Fathers. Therefore she wishes rethink the liturgy and her reform again: a revival of the Liturgical Movement.

On the short term mostly three complementary roads are mentioned. At first the reform of the contemporary liturgy, both by improving the Ars Celebrandi (with an important part for the Orientation), as well as further reform of the liturgical books itself, both aimed at the vision of the Council Fathers. Secondly, a strengthening of the position of the ‘Tridentine’ liturgy, as a lighthouse for the first point and because of her own specific value. Thirdly, a renewed study of the liturgy and her reform, a study without polemics but who does not hesitate to name the problem spots by their proper names.

At the middle long and long term the goal is to reform the reformed liturgy thus that she is inline with the original intentions of the council fathers. By this they hope to heal the rift with the precounciliar liturgy and bring both liturgies back together, to make them an organic whole again.

Several authors have already made schemes for this reform of the reform. Each of them has, in my opinion, more in common with the original precounciliar liturgy than with the contemporary liturgy (and for certain with the prevailing liturgical practice). Personally these schemes give me the impression that this is not a ‘reform of the reform’ but rather a ‘revolt of the revolt’. I do have the impression that a part of the ‘reform of the reform’-movement is of the same mind. Especially Aidan Nichols O.P. leaves the impression that the needed reform is more a ‘revolt of the revolt’. Other authors such as Thomas Kocik (pr.) seem to consider the intended reform to be more an organic ‘reform of the reform’. Whatever it might be, the end goal is more or less the same, and I think that for the welfare of the Church this difference of terminology is not very important. What for one person might be a strong correction of the roman rite, might for an other person be a recovering of the roman rite that is nowadays replaced by a rite that is more neo-galician than roman. These different valuations do not necessary need to jeopardise a fruitful cooperation and a fruitful renewed study of the liturgy and its reform. When one sees the final goal of the ‘reform of the reform’ as a break with the contemporary liturgy and the other doesn’t, doesn’t matter for the welfare of the Church (especially since the whole process will be accompanied by a profound prayer and study). What does matter is a holy and dignified liturgy.

Magnificat...

anima mea Dominum...

Well, I spent yesterday afternoon composing my first fabourdon (English Discant) setting of the Magnificat in tone viii. The idea being that it's really, really simple and, ergo, suitable by use for a parish choir that's perfectly conversant in Gregorian chant (really, it's true) but only seldom ventures into polyphony. The idea is to alternate with the chant verses. I'll do the other seven tones too, before I try anything more complicated. The only trouble is where you have a lot of mi contra fa problems in certain tones and therefore I may have to resort to fauxbourdon (French-style fourths and fifths) instead.

I'm re-reading 'Amata means beloved', a novel written by the now novice mistress here Recommended.

1962 Mass in Ireland

The Catholic Monarchist reports:

The Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, will celebrate the Tridentine Mass on Sunday, November 27th at St Audoen's Church (Dublin). There has been a regular Mass there at 11am on Sundays, but I think this is the first time that the Archbishop has celebrated.

Also Bishop John Buckley, of Cork, is allowing the Latin Mass in his diocese on Saturdays starting with the first Saturday in December (St Peter & Paul's Church - 10AM).

Finally, Bishop Hegarty of Derry recently praised the old Latin rite as "a most perfect way of offering the Holy Sacrifice."

Hopefully in the near future Sunday Mass will be permitted in Cork also.

'November 19' and musical musings by a real pleb! :)

For a little while I have been hearing around the place of a favourable announcement that is set to be made by the Holy See about the liberalisation of the celebration of the Latin Mass. The date that has been passed around for such an event is November 19 - or the 20th for us de profundis! *waves!* During Mass today Father made mention of an important announcement that is expected before the end of the month. He is quite hesitant about these sorts of rumours, but apparently sources are becoming more reliable! Hooray! I await in great hope and prayer :)

It is Friday today, and we had Benediction. It makes me sad that while I am still learning the O Salutaris Hostia, I know with little trouble classic parish greats such as Here I am Lord, Come as You Are, and Gather Us In. It is an occasion of great joy when some great treasure finally 'sticks'. Sort of like discovering a new little shoot that has sprung forth overnight. I'm sure I'll continue to catch on as I am in wonderful company :) Please forgive my 'newness' and retreat to the Missal!

Minor clarification: we were singing O Salutaris Hostia, Tantum Ergo, and Adoremus in Aeternum at Benediction, not that other stuff! :)

A short request...

May I please ask you, dear brethren, to offer a short prayer for my entire class as we prepare to sit our Latin exam in the next few hours? Personally, I am quite nervous. My eyes seem to be passing over everything! I am not going to attempt any Latin here just for the moment, either! My heartfelt thanks in advance, and assurance of my prayers :)

Still waiting for those trumpets...

Last night there was quite a spectacular storm - thunder, lightning, the works! Even though I am sure that it was confined to the inner suburbs of Melbourne, I still had an ear out for trumpets from the East! :)

More appropriately however, was the great joy at Mass today for St Albert the Great's feast day. It's awfully special when you have actually visited and given veneration at the tomb/relics of one whose feast is celebrated. "Alas, Albert is here no more..."

A glorious Sunday for a picnic in the park!

What can I say? Today was a glorious day, and I have new photos to show you all so you might have a little taste! Today was our community picnic in the lovely park across the road from the church. We had many visitors from the Polish community who had brought along a relic of St Stanislaus Kostka. We had a glorious Missa Solemnis as we have for the past few weeks, but there was just something more today. Father T gave a wonderful sermon on suffering for the Church, and just as the procession was to go forth after the last (I almost typed 'lost'!) Gospel, popped back up into the pulpit to give another pew-shaking delivery on the evils of mobile phones (cells) going off during the Mass! "Yes, it must be someone terribly important!" One must personally apologise to the celebrant.

Following the book sale, and the wonderful picnic (as you will see by the photos), we had Vespers and Benediction. Goodness me. 'Moving' doesn't describe it. Our Choir director, Hugh Henry, very kindly took us through the basic chants and hymns. The congregation, filling the front rows and backed up by the choir, responded in parts beautifully. We gave our best efforts to our God.

Then came Benediction...

The Tantum Ergo was simply stunning, the angels were truly singing with us. Chillingly, echoingly, magnificent - I'm having a very hard time to describe it. Us, our Fathers, and our Lord.

At the conclusion, Father quite movingly expressed his thanks for being our pastor. Father, how blessed we are to be your sheep! DEO GRATIAS! :)

Ward Method video

The Church Music Association of America has released a video (WMV format) of the Ward Method of music instruction in action. Gisbert Brandt is the instructor, and the students are from the Koelnerdomsingschule (Cologne Cathedral Choir School).

The Ward Method is unique amongst all methods of music instruction in that it has a basis in Gregorian Chant. Thus, it is a uniquely Catholic method of music pedagogy.

[soapbox]While the reason this method was suddenly discarded in the late 1960s is obvious to anyone conversant in Catholic liturgical history, it does not change the fact that its lack of use by schools that bear the name Catholic is a grave injustice to Catholic art specifically, and art in general. It is past time for this method to be re-implemented on a large scale.[/soapbox]

(crossposted to CantemusDomino.net)

Latin Mass, Edinburgh, Scotland

Every Sunday in St Andrew’s Church, Belford Road, Edinburgh, at 11.30 am.

Here is some background information on this recent development that was twenty years in the making.

'30 Days' Interview with Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, President of Ecclesia Dei

CASTRILLÓN HOYOS: At the World Day of Youth in Cologne there was a considerable group of young people attached to the traditional mass. The echoes have been positive. And it shows how short-sighted it is to consider the traditionalist phenomenon as on the way to exhaustion. The article can be find in its entirety here.

Ex Cathedra - sort of!

I thought I might share some photos that I took this afternoon at the Cathedral (St Patrick's). Of course, I actually went to pray, but you know office hours, and it was closed... Scroll over for more details! I am not sure if the alt tags are working - so the pictures are a number of different angles of the Cathedral, pictures of the sculpture of the venerable Archbishop of Melbourne, Daniel Mannix (with awesome cape and biretta!), and the Latin Mass advocating militant herself! Special mention goes to the presbytery shot - KEEP OFF, you hear? hehe! I've been wanting to share that for a while :)

To my French fellow pilgrims -

A short message thanking you for your apostolic zeal - a love for Christ, and His Church in all her glory, that will surely never fade. Ne timueritis, Christus Rex!

Oh X-U, how I weep over thee...

Would somebody kindly tell the likes of Christendom and Thomas Aquinas College that they are missing some really theologically prominent minds on their reading lists? Who could possibly do theology and the arts and not study the venerable Karl Rahner? I mean Hilaire Belloc? Who is she?

When the time comes for the 'title' of B.Theol to be bestowed after my name, I will have to begin paying back thousands of dollars for a dead theological education. Dead in many senses of the word. It was the Will of the Lord that I came this way - I had to - but I find the whole situation quite comical. I'm not worried about myself, I'm worried for all the little children who will be put under the care of graduates in RE classes. Deo gratias though of course for the ones slightly younger than myself who now have the opportunity to attend a place like Campion College to get a solid Catholic liberal arts education. I used to live in the suburb in which it has been erected, too! Haha!

Yes, beloved contradiction! What is the Latin Mass loving P.BTheol (almost) to do, when she reveals to her fratres she is a graduate of X-U? I love it.

Only the Lord knows what is going to happen to His poor servant next year, and I quite like that. If I knew, I would quite easily get in the way!

I think I'll end with a thought from dear Father McD's sermon today for the resumed 5th Sunday after Epiphany. He said something along the lines of that even though the devil has the ability to sow weeds amongst the wheat, the very fact that he must do so in the same field is testament to his state as a creature - the one who seeks to destroy can never conquer try as he might, for he remains always subject to the Creator. Father of course said it much more beautifully, and expounded the consequences much more. Imagine being confounded like that for eternity... Quis ut Deus?

Expectations for Juventutem 2008

Hello,

Now that WYD for 2005 has well and truly passed, and fast disappearing into the mists of time, and with the benefit of nearly 3 months hindsight, I'm wondering what sort of things people would like to see in Sydney in 2008? Suggestions, improvements, ideas gratefully appreciated. For example, should there be more opportunities for daily Office, perhaps more catechesis, more freedom or less freedom to pick and choose events etc

Any information would be helpful. Thank you.

Pilgrim returns

I'm back from the below mentioned Christus Rex pilgrimage. I couldn't walk the whole distance, but I prayed for you all along the way. I have never done something so penitential in my life, never have I had to rely on prayer and saintly intercession so much. Marching under the Cross, reaching the Cathedral at the end... glorious. It is hard to describe in words. On Friday we stopped at a beautiful little country church along our path, and the incense was so intense that I could see little clouds passing by my eyes! I hear there is quite a science behind it! I have decided that another good idea for pilgrimage would be to visit the Archdiocese's worst churches, making acts of reparation along the way. I have one in mind already...

It is so hot here, I really should go to the air-conditioned library to try and learn all these Latin lists - hic haec hoc and all those other lovely things...

We have Solemn Requiem tonight at 7:30pm. Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Yesterday, Melbourne had a public holiday for a silly horse race (that we ended up watching at a bistro with the Fathers!), but it was wonderful claiming the day for the Saints :) Please say a prayer for me! :)