Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

The oldest Advent hymn we have dates from before 275 AD and was composed in Greek for the Divine Liturgy of St. James as a hymn of Eucharistic Devotion. Since the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus is a sacramental continuation of his Incarnation, this ancient Eucharistic hymn has become a Advent and Christmas carol that can be a moving meditation for believers all on its own. This three minute video below is worth every second.

Memories

Every time I hear this song, I think of George.  Thank you for the good memories, George.  
 

Communion lessons

Communion lessons: It is hard to believe that people once considered the Catholic press boring. At least when it comes to opinions, as opposed to news, it never lacks for controversy. Here is the money quote:  The necessity for such a revival underscores an ongoing failing of our Church, however, which is the lack of continuous Catholic faith formation. Most Catholics received formal education in their childhood. They may be devout or disengaged, but they are often thinking in childhood categories. As St. Paul advises, at a certain point we need to put away childish things.

Greg Erlandson hits the point squarely.  Often when talking to former Catholics they believe with their childhood's understanding and never advanced that comprehension.  No wonder they don't believe.  I don't either.  At least they read articles and hopefully listen to Bishop Barron or other Catholic apologists.  Let's pray for them.

Grandma's Skit for First Penance

First Confession            First Sacrament of Reconciliation                  First Penance

Setting:  Sitting in a church pew waiting for my turn to go see the priest.

Characters:           Child: (plays herself)
                                Big Brother: (priest)
                                Grandma :  Narrator

 

Narrator:  The first thing someone does is think what they are going to talk about to the priest.  This is called an Examination of Conscience. 

Child: I have to think.  Thinks Out Loud.

Do I pray?

Have I been obedient to my parents and others?

Am I kind to everyone?

Am I stubborn?

Am I selfish and not shared with others?

Have I made fun of any one?

Have I stolen anything?

Have I purposely destroyed someone’s property?

Do I do my chores?

Have I told lies?

Oh!  Now it’s my turn.

Narrator:  Child sits or kneels in front of the priest.

Priest:  Good Afternoon.

Child:  Good Afternoon.  While making the sign of the cross, the child says, “Bless me Father, for I have sinned.  This is my first confession.”

Narrator:  Then the child tells how she has been behaving and promises to  try to be better.  For example:

I am too shy and don’t always greet my teachers as I should.

I do not share all the time. 

I spend too much time on technical devices.

I don’t help my mother as much as I should.

Now it’s the child’s turn:

………………………………………………

…………………………………………………….

……………………………………………….

Narrator:  When we finish the priest may talk to the child to make sure they are finished and maybe they have some questions for the priest.  When the conversation is over, the priest will give the child a penance.
The penance is usually prayers.

Priest: Now say your Act of Contrition.

Child:  Prays Act of Contrition:

Oh My God, I am sorry to have offended You.  I promise never to hurt You again and to love everyone as You want me to.  Amen.

Priest:  Good.  God bless you.

Child:  Thank you, Father.

Narrator:  The child leaves and goes somewhere to say her penance before she forgets.

 

 

 

Baruch

 LECTIO:

Baruch 5: 1-9

Bar 5:1-9

Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery;
    put on the splendor of glory from God forever:
wrapped in the cloak of justice from God,
    bear on your head the mitre
    that displays the glory of the eternal name.
For God will show all the earth your splendor:
    you will be named by God forever
    the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.
    
Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;
    look to the east and see your children
gathered from the east and the west
    at the word of the Holy One,
    rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
Led away on foot by their enemies they left you:
    but God will bring them back to you
    borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones.
For God has commanded
    that every lofty mountain be made low,
and that the age-old depths and gorges
    be filled to level ground,
    that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.
The forests and every fragrant kind of tree
    have overshadowed Israel at God’s command;
for God is leading Israel in joy
    by the light of his glory,
    with his mercy and justice for company.

STUDIUM:

Whoever wrote these verses has been given the name, Baruch.  This book is not included in the Jewish canon or Protestant Bibles. But the message is similar to other postexilic prophets.  Baruch is addressing Jerusalem, which was destroyed by the Babylonians.  Everyone is filled with "sorrow."  So Baruch concludes with words of hope.  God will lead Israel with mercy and righteousness which is what God always intends--this is the right ordering of relationships, both among human beings and countries.

MEDITATIO:

This is God's vision of peace: mercy, righteousness and ever-lasting hope in the Lord.  When people wish you God's peace, this is what they are expressing.

On an individual level, a person can be exiled from God.  But don't lose hope that God can't bring them back.

ORATIO:

Lord, again I pray for my loved ones who are in exile, like Jerusalem. I have hope that you will secure them in Your arms.

CONTEMPLATIO:

I think of all the peoples who are in exile, migrants, Palestinians, Afghanistans, Sudanese, etc.  Come Lord Jesus, come.

RESOLUTIO:

I won't give up hope that God will restore all the way He meant it to be.

Good Response

 In the early days of Christianity, there lived a man called Simon.  This was a popular name.  Peter's former name was Simon, too.  But this Simon was a very good magician.  He was so good that some thought he was the messiah, due to his wondrous tricks.  There is even a statue along the Tiber River to the "holy god," which is attributed to the magician, Simon.

When Simon saw the success of Peter, curing the sick, healing the blind, etc., he wanted to do that, too.  So Simon asked Peter to give him the ability to lay on his hands and cure the sick.  Peter answered, "May your money perish with you because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!..." Evidently, Simon tried to buy the healing charism.  By the way, this is where the term "simony" originates.  

I'm not certain that Simon converts.  He says he believes and what he says I think is an excellent response: "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me."  I plan to use the "Pray for me" part, the next time I am corrected.

Friend:  "Faith, why didn't you come, last night."

Faith: "I just forgot.  Pray for me."

Should Children Be Believed?

As a child, I vividly remember toddling along the fence that marked the woods.  I saw something glistening and bent down and touched it.  Suddenly, the ground moved. I fell back and snakes crawled all over me. I was in a snake pit.

For years I believed it.  I used to tease my sister about it because being ten years older, she was my babysitter. At first, she said she didn't remember, but after years of my asking her, she finally said, "it was familiar."  

In my middle age to senior years, I googled the snakes.  Guess what.  They aren't in this area. Also, I remember my fat little legs and dimpled knees.  I was never a fat kid.  I was skinny.  Did I dream the incident?  I think I did.  And I even convinced my sister that it happened.  If you tell a lie often enough people will believe you.

This child certainty came to mind when I read Atonement, by Ian McEwan. A preteen found a note her older sister's lover wrote and in her childish mind she was shocked!  He described something he wanted to do to her sexually.  They were lovers.

But the tween had never heard, never mind read the words in the letter before.  All she could envision was her sweet, innocent sister was in danger of being raped.  Well, someone is raped and the tween shows the adults and the police the letter.  Worse, she says she saw her sister's lover running away from the crime.

All lies.

Yet, everyone believed the child.

The wrong man was convicted and sent to prison.

Decades later, the girl realizes her mistake--her lie.  She wants to apologize to her sister and her now husband and tell her parents the truth.  

Apologizing is not atonement.  The novel is mistitled, but it is still a riveting story.  

A day of gratitude or mourning?

A day of gratitude or mourning?: Last December 16, we marked the 400th Anniversary of the Pilgrims' disembarking in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and this year we celebrate the quatercentenary of the first Thanksgiving feast. 

But as this article in the Pilot tells us, the Wamponoags won't be celebrating.  I think it's a shame; we need to celebrate our survival.  But the native Americans feel they can't celebrate the Pilgrims' survival.  With the arrival of the Pilgrims came the beginning of their genocide.  

But if the Pilgrims didn't come, do you think the American Indians could have lived as they were, indefinitely?  Sooner or later, someone else would have come and done worse.  

What happened to the American natives is a tragedy.  History is overburdened with tragic stories.  

“Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning.”
-- Desmond Tutu

Move on.  Moving on doesn't mean you forget.  Learn from what happened.  Don't let it happen again.  Nurturing injustice just grows bitter resentment that hinders your success.  In fact, you are hurting yourself.  Focus on the future.  Make the world better than before.

What's Going On?

 Don't read The Sabbatical by Michael D. O'Brien if you want all the storylines tied up. The plot is open-ended.  The story purposely leaves the reader wondering what will happen.  I have to think that there will be a sequel.  What will happen to Ion, an important character?  What will happen to the Forschtenbergs?  Who is after them, and why?

The novel begins with the von Forschtenbergs playing outside.  Clement, the father sees a red laser dot bouncing around on his son's chest.  Disaster is averted.  This won't be the only close call.  Who is doing this?

The Forschtenbergs go into hiding on a Romanian estate of a distant relative, Count Alexandru Eszterhazy. This count has valuable connections, money, and the providential wherewithal to help the Forschtenbergs. 

The story is told through the eyes of Owen Whitfield, a history professor.  It's during his sabbatical that the story's action unfolds. Likeminded intellectuals, like Whitfield, converge on Eszterhazy's estate to present their views related to current political, economic, religious, history, and what their present situation means in God's plan.  It is a highly Catholic referenced novel.  There is much ado about Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica, Question # 83 on freedom and the human will.  There are daily Mass, rosary, visits to the Chapel, and private prayer.

There are hints that Ion, whom the dark forces (whoever they may be) are after, represents the future--the future of the church, the future of civilization, the future of mankind.  Everyone prays for him.

The story frightened me.  I have children who don't see the value of religion.  I have grandchildren whom I teach religion to.  (One benefit of COVID is that Grandma is taking over teaching religion.)  I'm doing my best.  Pray for me.  Pray for my grandchildren.  Pray for the future of mankind.  Pray for our church.

Pray for Sainthood for Father Lataste

 Please pray for the canonization of Blessed Jean-Joseph Lataste, OP.  Here is the process he has gone through:   

On the 21st of November, the archbishopric held the canonical opening of a diocesan process on a presumed healing attributed to Blessed John Joseph Lataste. What is it about?
To obtain the beatification of a Christian, the task is very long because, after having verified that nothing in his writings deviates from the faith of the Church, it is necessary to demonstrate his heroic virtues and the existence of a reputation for holiness leading to the steps for private prayer. Once this is validated and the candidate has thus become venerable, firstly it begins with a miracle whose recognition leads to beatification. Thus, for father Lataste, the process opened in 1937 led to the recognition of his heroic virtues in 2008 and to the recognition in 2011 of a miracle allowing him to be beatified on June 3, 2012, in Besançon.

For canonization, things are simpler: it only takes a miracle…! Indeed, it is necessary to present to the Congregation for the Cause of the Saints an event that could be recognized as a miracle, and that took place after the beatification, as a form of ratification of this first stage. When such an event seems worthy of interest to the postulator in charge of the cause, then to the Roman Congregation, after consulting a Roman expert doctor, the postulator is authorized to request the local bishop where it took place the opening of a process which seeks to gather under oath the responses of the witnesses to a certain number of questions. However, the term opening of the process does not refer to an inquiry at the end of which the ecclesiastical tribunal would make a decision: it is an informative process, which is limited to gathering in the most serious way possible all the elements that could contribute to the establishment of the truth. Under the authority of the local bishop, it consists of a judge delegated by the bishop, a promoter of justice, who ensures in particular that no pressure is put on witnesses, a medical expert in the case of healing, and an ecclesiastical notary who establishes and authenticates the minutes of the hearings.
Once the opening of the diocesan process is over, the inquiry is far from over. After validation, by the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints, of the way in which the diocesan inquiry was conducted, the postulator with the help of an external collaborator writes a positio super miro, a synthesis report that presents in an understandable way all the documents and testimonies collected and that highlights the inexplicable nature of healing and its spiritual dimension. As was the case in the procedure for beatification, this position is examined by a committee of seven doctors, at least five of whom must pronounce themselves favorably, and then by a committee of five theologians. Additional information may be requested at this stage. If all goes well, the Pope finally decides whether or not to recognize the miracle, thereby triggering the canonization. But the process can also stop at each stage, from the first consultations of the Congregation for the cause of the saints to the two commissions.
In the case of the opening of an inquiry for the canonization of Blessed John Joseph Lataste, since the beatification, I have received several healing stories that I thought could not be presented in Rome. However, the unexpected healing of a patient following prayers addressed to Fr. Lataste in the diocese of Besançon in 2014, was more likely to succeed. After gathering the first accounts of the witnesses, I presented the file to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints in November 2017; having been authorized to proceed, medical opinion was requested from an expert doctor from this Congregation, who gave his report, which was favorable, in May 2018. Thus, the Congregation authorized us to submit to Bishop Bouilleret a file asking him to kindly open the diocesan inquiry.
To preserve the freedom of the witnesses and the tranquility of the person who has been healed, no further details will be published in this story. All participants take an oath to respect this confidentiality. That is why the postulation makes you suffer by telling you stories of procedure, but no details about the healing itself!

Msgr Bouilleret appointed father Georges Mesnier as the delegated judge for this process, brother Philippe Toxé, o.p., a judge at the Lyon Officiality as the promoter of justice, Mrs. Nicole Pillot, as notary and Dr. Hervé Ducret as the medical expert. The causes of Dominican canonization are under the responsibility of a Postulator General of the Order, fr. Gianni Festa; he entrusts the direct follow-up of each case to a vice-postulator who is usually on site. This is how I have been assuming this responsibility for father Lataste since 1992.

All the members of the ecclesiastical tribunal met on November 21 in the Archbishopric under the chairmanship of Msgr Bouilleret, in the presence of the chancellor of the diocese and the prioress general of the Dominican sisters of Bethany. This first hearing, which was purely formal, was devoted to taking the oath and reading the opening decree of the inquiry.

A new stage in the long and fraternal collaboration between the diocese and the Dominican Order around the cause of Fr. Lataste is beginning, supported by the prayer of all so that this beautiful figure of holiness may be recognized by the universal Church!

Brother Jean-Marie Gueullette, o.p.
Vice-postulator for the cause of Bl Jean-Joseph Lataste

Raccolta

 The Raccolta was a book written in 1807 that contained Catholic prayers.  In it was a prayer by Saint Michael de Santis. He was a Trinitarian priest who was known for his devotion to the Eucharist.  He died in 1625.  Here is a prayer asking St. Michael de Santis' intercession for a greater love of Jesus in the Eucharist

.  Below is my prayer, modernizing his words.

Glorious Michael de Sanctis, seraph inflamed with burning love of Jesus in the most holy Sacrament; thou who, passing days and nights in his Royal Presence, didst find there those dear delights which, inundating not thy heart alone but thy whole body with surpassing sweetness, threw thee into an ecstasy of joy, and who, rapt in thy God, didst feel thyself faint for love, being unable to support the torrent of consolations; vouchsafe, I pray thee, powerful advocate, to obtain for me lively faith, firm hope, and burning charity towards this priceless treasure, the precious pledge of everlasting glory; so that by thy intercession I may, through the whole course of my life, be numbered amongst the true worshipers of Jesus in the Holy Sacrament, and hereafter enjoy Him face to face, together with thee, in an eternity of bliss. Amen.

St. Michail de Santis, you burned with love of Jesus in the Eucharist, spending many days and nights in Adoration. I pray that you intercede for my petition to grow closer to Jesus. Increase my faith and love of Jesus in the Eucharist. I hope to taste the living bread and feel Jesus' love burn in my heart. I ask this thru your intercession and the merits of my savior and redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen

Worship

 The word "worship," is bizarre.  I'm sensitive to it because as a Catholic, I have often been accused of worshiping statues. We Catholics are taken aback by this accusation.  Of course not, we worship God and how we think of the saints and Mary is not on the same level.  Catholics honor and reverence Mary and the saints, but we don't worship them.  Worship is for God alone.

It is not so simple.  Once while teaching RCIA, I was teaching worshipping God and honoring the divinities, when Francisco walked into the room.  Francisco teaches the same class in Spanish.  I asked him, "Francisco, do Catholics worship Mary?"  His answer, "Oh, Si!"  

My jaw hit the floor.

When Francisco saw the look on my face, he immediately backpedaled.   He explained that the worship is different.  God is a higher level of worship.

A discussion ensured on the word "worship."  Francisco said that "worship" in Spanish is a catch-all word for honor, reverence, and worship.  There is no differentiation.

So, that is why so many people say that Catholics worship Mary.  

Yesterday, that event was brought to mind in a TV show I was flipping channels through.  I can't tell you the name of the show because I really didn't watch it.  It was too gruesome.  But it was one of the mystery/crime shows.  A man was murdered and he was on the autopsy table. The medical examiners found that the victim had no visible signs of trauma.  He died from asphyxiation.  The deceased mouth was open and jammed full of ash.  The doctors in extracting the ashes found a gold tooth and bone fragments. Hence, they concluded that cremains were poured down the deceased throat.  That's when I turned the channel.

But while the coroners were doing their examining, they were talking.  One of them asked, "Why would anyone want to be cremated?"  The other doctor said, "That's what I want to do.  It's the fastest and cheapest."  The other doctor said, "Not me.  I think my family needs the ceremony to help them in the bereavement process.  And a headstone to visit, to worship me."

To worship him??????

So even some TV scriptwriters don't differentiate between "worship and honor the memory of someone."

No wonder some people think Catholics worship statues.

Resurrecting a Chapter

Too bad Wayne is cut out of this picture, but the people are me, Father Wayne Cavalier, op, Zephus, and Wayne.  Zephus and Wayne are former "cloistered brothers."  Now they are not behind the walls.  Maybe it's time to resurrect the Hope of Bethany Fraternity.  It was created in the first place, specifically for former "cloistered brothers."  It died because no one would step up to lead the group and the leaders were tired of being elected and doing everything.  They got burnt out.

        But once a "cloistered brother," you always miss the fraternity of the group.  Maybe now is the time.  Any thoughts?

 

Literature will Save the World

 I have this small book I've been reading.  It's Alexander Solzhenitsyn's Nobel Lecture.  He won the Nobel prize for literature in 1970.  

Solzhenitsyn posits that mankind will always have conflict.  The only saving factor to have peace is justice.  And the best place to understand justice is religion.  Alexander Solzhenitsyn was a devout Russian Orthodox.

And the only way to win against the secular world and its intrusive evil is art, in particular, literature.  He should know.  He was in trouble more than once in his own beloved Russia.

I think that world literature has the power in these frightening times to help mankind see itself accurately despite what is advocated by partisans and by parties. It has the power to transmit the condensed experience of one region to another, so the different scales of values are combined ...

Who Knew?

 Representatives from countries around the world will gather in Glasgow, Scotland, for the latest round of climate talks—the twenty-sixth Conference of the Parties (COP26)—during the first two weeks of November.  

Some of the demonstrators blame their grandparents for destroying the climate.  Of course, that's the first question many people ask, "Who did this?  Who is responsible?"

These types of questions have always annoyed me.  The answers to those questions don't help the problem NOW.  The answers will surface later as we deal with the situation.

What can we do now?  Switch our cars to hybrids and electric.  Use solar and wind for heat and air conditioning.  Plant trees.  All of these and more will be agreed upon at COP26.  Everyone, the whole world must work together to fix the problem because everyone caused it.  We thought our resources were endless.  Fools that we were and are.

Go Halainn!

 This poem reminds me of my husband's family.  It is from the caretaker and historian of Littermullen, Ireland, John Bhaba Jack O'Chonghaola  John Bhaba Jack O'Chonghaola is at Ionad Oidhreachta Leitir Mealláin.

But this Peter is from the family of Mayor Peter Flaherty, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, mayor - 1969-1977.

.

Bittersweet

 Today we walked a story walk. The story was Chirp by Jamie A. Swenson, illustrated by Scott Magoon. We walked along and read each one.  Supposedly, the story was applicable for 3-6 years old children.  Near the beginning, the author used the word "bittersweet."  I remarked that I didn't think the adjective "bittersweet" was in the vocabulary of a six-year-old child, never mind a 3-year-old. In fact, we had a discussion of the word, "bittersweet."  I thought it described a taste.  So we googled it.  It is also a plant.  But the book used "bittersweet" to describe an emotion.  And the author used it four more times!

Actually, following the path along the story walk, we almost got lost.  But for the most part, it was enjoyable.  I guess you could say it was "bittersweet."

Denying Communion

 As everybody knows, I'm no theologian.  In fact, as everybody knows, I'm just a simple, old lady.  Even so, I'd like to describe my dinner table--at least my guest list.

Everyone's invited.  If I thought everyone was coming, I'd have to rent a hall, but I'm envisioning the guest list would include my immediate family. That means, those who have broken laws, don't share our political views, nor our religious views, never mind our morality.  Even so, they're family and welcome to sit at the table.

I know parents who are very authoritarian and say that in my house, it's my rules, or leave.  And don't let the door hit you on the way out!!!!

But I've seen that that doesn't bring anyone back into the fold. In fact, it just causes deeper division.

I believe hubby's and my way to be better.

BTW, if you're coming for dinner, just let me know, so I can add more to the soup. You're welcome to share what we have.

God on TOP of the World

 My granddaughter who will be making her First Holy Communion in 2022 drew God.  This is what she imagines Him.  He's male, with a beard.  He's on top of the world but not in the world.  See the world?

 I asked her why He was frowning and she said, "What difference does it make?"

I couldn't think of an answer.  

Look again.  

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No Columbarium

 My grandchildren affirmed a decision hubby and I were discerning.  You see today is All Soul's Day, so I took my grandchildren to the cemetery today to pray for the poor souls.  My grandchildren are half Italian, hence they called their grandfather, Nono.  So we visited Nono's grave.  

I was showing my grandchildren the columbarium.  Hubby and I are deciding whether we want to be cremated or not.  I expressed these thoughts to my grandchildren.  They were upset.  They want us to be buried the traditional way.  

I had no idea they would feel that way.