Saturday, June 30, 2007
The two strands of tradition (2)
I was surfing through the blogosphere this afternoon, and found the latest news on the briefing on the Motu Proprio last Wednesday. This causes me to correct the previous blog slightly. The news from the briefing is that terms such as "Tridentine" or Novus Ordo" are no longer to be used. There is one Roman Rite (which is what I have been saying all along) with two forms "Ordinary" previously the Novus Ordo, and "Extraordinary" (the Mass of Bl John XXIII). We will be using these terms from now on.
Secularism's growing cloud
The problem of secularism is something that confronts us nearly every time we walk out of our door. Well, it depends on where you are headed (there is very little secularism present at Marian Valley) but if you are speaking of your modern school or university then you are definitely in the ballpark of secularism.
I'm interested in secularism not only because it impacts on me personally but because I'm interested in human nature itself. It's an interesting subject because man is an interesting creature. For one, he is entirely unique, being a union of spirit and matter. Such a combination makes him a complex creature due to these two entirely different realms of creation being fused into one being and the internal war that wages within him as a result of the fall makes him more complicated still. Given that secularism is an attitude adopted by many it is important that we engage with it.
Currently I'm reading a book called "Theology and Sanity" by Frank Sheed. It is an explanation of the Catholic view of reality and how only the Catholic view is totally sane. Sanity, after all, is seeing reality as it really is. There is a passage in there that I think is well worth quoting. Think about it and see how much it applies to your own situation. I'd be most interested in a comment.
"One calamitous result of this unawareness that the road of life leads anywhere in particular is that hope dies. 'The mass of men' says Thoreau, 'lead lives of quiet desperation.' I do not know how true that was of his generation but it is fiercely true of ours. Note that it is quiet desperation: not so much active despair as the absence of hope. Men live from one day to the next, hoping that tomorrow may be a little better than today, or if not better then not much worse, occasionally stimulated a little by some extra surge of hope that this or that venture, intellectual or financial or athletic or amatory or what you will, may turn out well. But for most men, even these hopes are impermanent; and just as there is no over-all purpose in life, so there is no over-all hope. They are not living toward anything. There is no great thing in the future drawing them on: no goal."
Of course it is important to distinguish between two main parties in the secularist camp. The first and larger camp are simply the folk that drift through life with no firm anchor. Religion of any sort barely plays a role in their lives. They would no doubt disagree with the Church on many matters but they are not what you would call overtly anti-religious, simply nonreligious. In fact they would be hardly aware of what the Church has to say on anything in the first place.
The second camp is deadly serious in their secularism. They are overtly anti-religious and work actively against it. The recent year has seen them produce several books that have sold well including "Letter to a Christian Nation" and especially "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins. This crowd is most certainly interested in religion if only to oppose it.
This brings me to Dawkins' book, a best seller. I confess I have dabbled in it a couple of times in a bookshop and read what is, to me, the part that matters most, viz his interaction and (badly attempted) refutation of Aquinas' five ways. Better attempts have been made before than Dawkin's. It has nothing new. The problem is that, whilst it doesn't take a great arsenal of philosophical training at one's dispoal to see through what he says, most people have never had that training. Given that Dawkin's is a talented writer he has quite a potential to convince the average person. It remains to be seen how effective he is on any mass scale. After all, that there is a God has been the common conviction of mankind throughout the ages.
Let me emphasis again though, that the potential Dawkin's has does not lie in the fact that the average person is stupid. It is a lack of formation.
In my next post I'll have a little more analysis of what I found when I investigated some of what Dawkin's had to say on Aquinas' arguments.
I'm interested in secularism not only because it impacts on me personally but because I'm interested in human nature itself. It's an interesting subject because man is an interesting creature. For one, he is entirely unique, being a union of spirit and matter. Such a combination makes him a complex creature due to these two entirely different realms of creation being fused into one being and the internal war that wages within him as a result of the fall makes him more complicated still. Given that secularism is an attitude adopted by many it is important that we engage with it.
Currently I'm reading a book called "Theology and Sanity" by Frank Sheed. It is an explanation of the Catholic view of reality and how only the Catholic view is totally sane. Sanity, after all, is seeing reality as it really is. There is a passage in there that I think is well worth quoting. Think about it and see how much it applies to your own situation. I'd be most interested in a comment.
"One calamitous result of this unawareness that the road of life leads anywhere in particular is that hope dies. 'The mass of men' says Thoreau, 'lead lives of quiet desperation.' I do not know how true that was of his generation but it is fiercely true of ours. Note that it is quiet desperation: not so much active despair as the absence of hope. Men live from one day to the next, hoping that tomorrow may be a little better than today, or if not better then not much worse, occasionally stimulated a little by some extra surge of hope that this or that venture, intellectual or financial or athletic or amatory or what you will, may turn out well. But for most men, even these hopes are impermanent; and just as there is no over-all purpose in life, so there is no over-all hope. They are not living toward anything. There is no great thing in the future drawing them on: no goal."
Of course it is important to distinguish between two main parties in the secularist camp. The first and larger camp are simply the folk that drift through life with no firm anchor. Religion of any sort barely plays a role in their lives. They would no doubt disagree with the Church on many matters but they are not what you would call overtly anti-religious, simply nonreligious. In fact they would be hardly aware of what the Church has to say on anything in the first place.
The second camp is deadly serious in their secularism. They are overtly anti-religious and work actively against it. The recent year has seen them produce several books that have sold well including "Letter to a Christian Nation" and especially "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins. This crowd is most certainly interested in religion if only to oppose it.
This brings me to Dawkins' book, a best seller. I confess I have dabbled in it a couple of times in a bookshop and read what is, to me, the part that matters most, viz his interaction and (badly attempted) refutation of Aquinas' five ways. Better attempts have been made before than Dawkin's. It has nothing new. The problem is that, whilst it doesn't take a great arsenal of philosophical training at one's dispoal to see through what he says, most people have never had that training. Given that Dawkin's is a talented writer he has quite a potential to convince the average person. It remains to be seen how effective he is on any mass scale. After all, that there is a God has been the common conviction of mankind throughout the ages.
Let me emphasis again though, that the potential Dawkin's has does not lie in the fact that the average person is stupid. It is a lack of formation.
In my next post I'll have a little more analysis of what I found when I investigated some of what Dawkin's had to say on Aquinas' arguments.
Friday, June 29, 2007
The two strands of tradition
This blog has been about 2 weeks in formulation, which is why I have been relatively silent as of late.
Given that there is reference in the blogosphere to the "traditional" Mass versus the modern Mass, I wanted to say something about really how "traditional" is the Tridentine Mass and how "traditional" is the Novus Ordo Mass as in different documents both Masses claim to be the authentic conduit of tradition. The first question is "what is tradition?".
The Oxford Dictionary defines tradition as "the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation". However, tradition particularly in a sacred context, also evolves. Like a large building the edifice goes up layer by layer from the foundations, but is always supported by the foundations.
The liturgy has been an evolving process and the early liturgy we only have surviving fragments, namely St Paul, then St Justin Martyr, and then the full development of the Mass culminating in the reforms of Pope St Gregory the Great (6th cent AD). Both supporters of tradition and the fathers of the reform in the 1960s agreed that this is the starting point (the template).
The liturgy has been an evolving process and the early liturgy we only have surviving fragments, namely St Paul, then St Justin Martyr, and then the full development of the Mass culminating in the reforms of Pope St Gregory the Great (6th cent AD). Both supporters of tradition and the fathers of the reform in the 1960s agreed that this is the starting point (the template).
I then did a step by step summary of the elements of the Mass, and the furnishings of the sanctuary to compare to see what is the most authentic tradition. This has not been presented here as it is too detailed.
The Tridentine Mass has the elements of the Gregorian Mass as its core but heavily overlaid with prayers that developed between the 11th and 14th centuries. The Novus Ordo sought to simplify back to the Gregorian template, as well as introduce some new prayers which could be used in place of the tradtional. On the basis of general customs it can be said that the two Masses form different interpretations of the one tradition. IT IS THE SAME MASS. In this one tradition there are two streams or strands:
- a re-creation of the general Mass form of the first Millenium (with some modern add-ons) known as the Novus Ordo Mass (or the Mass of Paul VI)
- the continual flow of tradition from the first millenium through the second millenium culminating in the Tridentine Mass (or the Mass of John XXIII).
The photos that I took in Rome last year show the two strands as they exist in architecture. The first is of St John Lateran which although heavily renovated in the 17th century, has maintained the older tradition into the 20th century, with its strict basilica layout and free-standing Altar under a spectacular ciborium from the 14th century.
The second, is a photograph of the interior of what I call a "Counter-Reformation" church, Santa Maria della Vittoria, with the Altar arrangement generally consistent with that desired by the reforms after the Council of Trent for a parish church (not a cathedral church but more about that later).
To date, the Latin Church has only been "breathing with one lung", as one of these strands has been suppressed. Note the table Altar in front of the High Altar as a retrofit of the church to shift it from one strand of tradtion to the other. (This was a reasonably good retrofit, compared to some Italian churches, that I saw where a wooden "picnic table" has been set up in front of the main Altar).
The forthcoming Motu Proprio corrects this situation so that we can now enjoy the full tradition, PLUS the church is better secured to its foundations and sub-structures. Two strands may be necessary at this stage because the Church has such a rich tradition that one set of elements or themes cannot be contained in the one Mass.
However, I believe that there are some serious elements missing from the Novus Ordo Mass which have impacted on the manner in which it has been celebrated:
- Veneration of the Altar and the Sanctuary at the start of Mass is excessively abbreviated in a Mass without solemnity (which gets the Mass started the wrong way, particulalry when it is replaced by a mini-sermon)
- There is a general lack of knowledge on the ars celebranda and ceremonial resulting in inappropriate people stepping in and giving direction without any knowledge of the tradition.
Furnishings as interpreted in the reform (not the reform itself) has led to a number of problems
- The location of the chair as the priest’s “throne” (not previously done in any tradition - thrones were reserved to bishops), emphasising the celebrant as "presider"
- Tabernacle location is up to a personal decision leading to a poorly designed church, lack of focus and poor behaviours in church
- Lack of Altar rails (an ancient tradition mentioned by Eusebius and Augustine) leads to sanctuary being perceived as common space and encouraging unauthorised access (exacerbated by the presence of lay readers and EMHCs, particularly EMHC’s being in sanctuary for excessive lengths of time).
- Problems with badly designed Altars which are of a size, shape and location that emphasises the celebrant, and the community meal.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Medieval helpdesk with English subtitles
I found this video on you tube and just thought it was worth posting, after all sometimes i have the exact same problem with my book!
I think Brother Ansgar, is trying to read the GRIM or the latest encyclical from the Pope, but has the problem that some priests, religious and laity have!
A Special Intention
To all our readers and bloggers. Please pray for the soul of a girl who was tragically killed in a traffic accident in our city last week. She was only 15 and attended one of our Catholic high schools in the city. Her Requiem was today.
I thought that this Collect from Masses of the Dead sums up my sentiments at this time.
Quaesumus Domine, pro tua pietate miserere animae famulae tuae Caitlin, et a contagiis mortalitatis exutam, in aeternae salvationis partenm restitue. Per Dominum.
We beseech thee O Lord, by thy loving kindness to have mercy on the soul of thy handmaid Caitlin, and now that she is released from the contagion of this mortal flesh, to give her part in thine eternal salvation. Through our Lord.
I thought that this Collect from Masses of the Dead sums up my sentiments at this time.
Quaesumus Domine, pro tua pietate miserere animae famulae tuae Caitlin, et a contagiis mortalitatis exutam, in aeternae salvationis partenm restitue. Per Dominum.
We beseech thee O Lord, by thy loving kindness to have mercy on the soul of thy handmaid Caitlin, and now that she is released from the contagion of this mortal flesh, to give her part in thine eternal salvation. Through our Lord.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Latin mass Brisbane
Due to the much needed repainting of the interior of the Church of St Luke, the location of the indult mass for the archdiocese, the Latin mass community has been temporally moved to the Church of St Ignatius Toowong.
St Ignatius is an awesome church, in the words of my friends "You looked like a kid in a candy store". 
The church has 4 side altar and one magnificent high altar. I don't think any of these altars have been used for a long time. it's sad to see these awesome works of devotion, prayer and art sit and gather dust!
So far we have only had low masses, but hopefully next week with the cantata, we can really use the church to it's potential.
Stay tuned for more photo posts, especially with this church.
St Ignatius is an awesome church, in the words of my friends "You looked like a kid in a candy store". 
The church has 4 side altar and one magnificent high altar. I don't think any of these altars have been used for a long time. it's sad to see these awesome works of devotion, prayer and art sit and gather dust!
So far we have only had low masses, but hopefully next week with the cantata, we can really use the church to it's potential.
Stay tuned for more photo posts, especially with this church.
More Fun at Marian Valley
June 16th, the feast of the immaculate heart of Mary
A Marian feast day, coupled with a Marian Shrine, draws many generations who are filled with a love of their Mother
The Entrance procession
Fr Prior gives a catechizes on the Immaculate Heart.
During the canon.
The procession out.
A procession, especially a Eucharistic procession is the physical manifestation of the procession that life is, Man following Christ and the angels, back to God the Father in heaven.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Some thoughts on the two forms of the Roman Rite
Over on the New Liturgical Movement blog are some words by Dom Coureau Abbot of the traditionalist Benedictine community of Triors on how the Novus Ordo Mass should be seen in relation to the Classical Roman Mass, and the relationship between the two communities within the Church.
“A loyal co-existence [of those who use the Pauline and Pian Missals] seems to me to be an occasion for the first to rid themselves of contempt for the past ... and for the second, to rid themselves of an attitude of provocative confrontation with authority. The Motu proprio Ecclesia Dei has brought about the beginning a marriage of reason between the two Missals; we now need to pass from a level of forced co-existence to one of respect and compassion for persons. We also need to learn to see the value of one in the light of the other. The increased use of the old Mass cannot but invite nearby parishes to bring back incense and chasubles; the opposite is also true. The quality of certain “new Masses”, not as exceptional as it is often thought in the “traditionalist milieu”, obliges us not to fall asleep on the laurels of a too easy, too worldly, success, but to elevate the liturgical requirements of the faithful who come to us.”
In relation to the forthcoming Motu Proprio he states:
“If, speaking of the new Missal, someone says “At last, we can pray!” and people have said such things, he denigrates centuries of liturgical practice, and he dishonours holy Mother Church by seeming to involve her in a conflict between generations. On the other hand, those who say “The pope has no right to touch the Missal of the ages”, and people have said that too, discredit the authority of the common Father of all believers, sometimes with a disrespect that reminds me of the attitude of Chem towards the drunkenness of Noah. Such attitudes cannot be pleasing to God. The contempt that I just mentioned reminds me of the murmuring of the people of the Old Covenant, a murmuring which Yahweh condemned with the greatest severity ... But once these traps are recognized for what they are, I believe that co-existence is of benefit for both Missals. For the old, because it receives the justice that is its due ... For the new because it receives a healthier basis, one that purges it of the 1970s preconceptions that ruined its credibility, and worse, brought the authority of Rome into a position of weakness.”
This reflects my thoughts more eloquently than I could say myself, which means that Dom Coureau has prayed about, thought and lived this issue.
The blueprint for the Reform-of-the-Reform therefore is to purge the Novus Ordo Mass of "the 1970s preconceptions that ruined its credibility, and worse brought the authority of Rome into a position of weakness". How many of us are constantly struggling against 1970s mentalities in our parishes that prevent the Mass either in its classical or modern form, being seen in the glory that it deserves?
Monday, June 18, 2007
Pontifical Solemn Mass in Rome
On Sunday 19th November 2006, myself and one of my fellow servers attended Solemn Mass celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna in St Peters Basilica in Rome. The Mass setting was the "Coronation Mass" K317, sung by the Vienna Boys Choir and soloists, accompanied by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
I used the movie function to record the lesser parts of the Mass.
The Mass was celebrated in Latin with the Prophecy and the Epistle in Italian and German respectively (note that I use the correct terms - not first and second reading). The Introit and Responsorial Psalm were in Gregorian Chant. The Alleluia was from Mozart's "Exultate Jubilate" K165.
The Eucharistic Prayer was No.III. The Sanctus was sung before the Eucharistic Prayer. Then after the Consecration, the Acclamation from the Missa Angelus, the Benedictus was sung. Following that the Eucharisitc Parayer was continued.
Holy Communion was about 3 times faster than in our Cathedral.
Here are three clips of the Entrance Procession before the chanting of the Introit.
Then there is the Kyrie. The MC was a bit lazy and did not direct the people to sit. Therefore there were only three people standing:me, his Eminence and the redhead seminarian in front of me.
the Gloria
and as I got more confident with the camera: I took a longer clip during the Creed.
After that as we got into the serious praying of the Mass I turned the Camera off.
I took my handmade Latin Missal (downloaded off the Birmingham oratory website) which did have Eucharistic Prayer No III in it. It is really unfortunate that it is so hard to get proper Novus Ordo Latin Missals.
Finally - here is a pic of myself after the Mass. We attended the Angelus Address, and I tried hard to keep up with the Holy Father's Latin in the responses. In the afternoon, it was off to the Rome Opera for "Tristan and Isolde". So what a musical day!!
I agree with Richard Strauss who said 100 years ago: "All praise of the Vienna Philharmonic reveals itself as understatement."
Saturday, June 16, 2007
*****Warning Traditional Catholism*****
It has come to my attention, that some people do not agree with this site or it's contents.
Please note carefully: THIS IS A SHARED BLOG.
There are 3 contributors
Roman433-myself
Stephen
Summa Theologica
Recently I have been informed the Summa Theologica's post "Girl Altar Boys", has offended a few people, particularly Ms Anonymous who commented on it. Please note that this post was written by Summa Theologica, so please take it up with him, not me!
Finally if you find this blog offensive, no one is forcing you to read it, so please don't.
If I have made any personal attacks against you in this blog, please e-mail me your complaint and I will merely apologies and remove it, if the complaint is in reason. I do not wish for this blog cause any problems for people, so as I said please e-mail me with your concerns and i will be happy to help resolve them with in reason. Further more please do not hassle any priest mentioned on this blog or associated with me about this blog, they have enough to worry about, please hassle me directly. At least i have done you the advantage of hinting at my identity and not hiding under the veil of being anonymous.
So let's sum up :
1) This is a shared blog!
2) The post on Girl Altar boys is not my post, so take up your complaints with it's creator
3) If you have a problem with the blog , E-mail me with your concerns and We will resolve them, if with in reason.
4) FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
I hope this post has cleared a few things up.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Allergic to incense?
Allergic to incense? It seems from a medical perspective that you can be allergic to incense, but can you really? Is the allergy natural or demonic? Isn't good Catholic incense that odor that the book of revelations describes as filling heaven and is offered to God most high?
So if incense is used in heaven, and it is a holy sacramental, how can people be naturally allergic to it? If people are allergic to it, is it because of some demonic infestation?
There is the old saying, that a protestant can not stand incense. I'm asking you my readers this, what do you think?
Just today, I was in the city with my friend and we happened to meet up with some of my friend's friends. We walked into Christian supplies a good supplier of devotionals in the city and out of no where my friend's friends commented, quite rudely of how the place smelt. My friend and I smelt nothing. It is said that infested people hate holy things, is this an example of it. I'm currently reading "an exorcist tells his tale" By Fr Gabrielle Amroth and Father mentions that the best way to see if someone is infested is to give him blessed clothes to wear, if he finds them uncomfortable or immediately takes them off, then the person is most likely infested. Would today's incident be an example of this? I'm beginning to suspect so!
It's obvious, just walk around a city and you can see how Satan is picking up his game again, especially among the Youth. Is the 1000years over of the rule of Christ, is Satan now let loose on the world for this short time? we can only hope and pray that it is not so!
So if incense is used in heaven, and it is a holy sacramental, how can people be naturally allergic to it? If people are allergic to it, is it because of some demonic infestation?
There is the old saying, that a protestant can not stand incense. I'm asking you my readers this, what do you think?
Just today, I was in the city with my friend and we happened to meet up with some of my friend's friends. We walked into Christian supplies a good supplier of devotionals in the city and out of no where my friend's friends commented, quite rudely of how the place smelt. My friend and I smelt nothing. It is said that infested people hate holy things, is this an example of it. I'm currently reading "an exorcist tells his tale" By Fr Gabrielle Amroth and Father mentions that the best way to see if someone is infested is to give him blessed clothes to wear, if he finds them uncomfortable or immediately takes them off, then the person is most likely infested. Would today's incident be an example of this? I'm beginning to suspect so!
It's obvious, just walk around a city and you can see how Satan is picking up his game again, especially among the Youth. Is the 1000years over of the rule of Christ, is Satan now let loose on the world for this short time? we can only hope and pray that it is not so!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Personal Update
You Guessed it, it's that time again. EXAM BLOCK, since this is primarily my blog, i will give a bit of a personal update on myself. Last time i did a post similar to this, it was Exam block, so i think I'll keep this trend and give personal updates every time exam block rolls around.
Exams, hmm yes, I'm an average student, I get B's on average now, so I can't complain.
Here is a photo of my home altar, notice the change of it's position and the color green is used to signify ordinary time, as apposed to the purple of lent i had in the last post.
A new addition to my room is my library section. The top shelf contains secular books such as the Lord of the rings, while the middle section contains spiritual books, such as "The spiritual combat" and "How Christ celebrated the First Mass" Finally we have the bottom shelf reserved for school books and the ordo, along with a few sacramentals.
Finally we have the down stairs home altar. This altar is used for home devotions and for private mass of any priest that needs an altar. As you can see it is covered with green for ordinary time and hopefully it will covered in purple for advent. You can also see my Lace MCing surplice to the left and my Sarum appareled alb to the right, they are hanging up due to them being washed not to recently.
To top it all off, I was generously given a thurbile by Fr Prior from Marian Valley, he is a very generous priest! So far it's been carted around to be used as an additional thurible, or as a replacement at several churches. Hec I've even set my own fire alarm with it!
To wrap it all up, at the moment I'm praying and contemplating a vocation to the institute of Christ the King, apparently they are coming to adeilade Australia. So please keep me in your prayers.
Exams, hmm yes, I'm an average student, I get B's on average now, so I can't complain.
Here is a photo of my home altar, notice the change of it's position and the color green is used to signify ordinary time, as apposed to the purple of lent i had in the last post.
A new addition to my room is my library section. The top shelf contains secular books such as the Lord of the rings, while the middle section contains spiritual books, such as "The spiritual combat" and "How Christ celebrated the First Mass" Finally we have the bottom shelf reserved for school books and the ordo, along with a few sacramentals.
Finally we have the down stairs home altar. This altar is used for home devotions and for private mass of any priest that needs an altar. As you can see it is covered with green for ordinary time and hopefully it will covered in purple for advent. You can also see my Lace MCing surplice to the left and my Sarum appareled alb to the right, they are hanging up due to them being washed not to recently.
To top it all off, I was generously given a thurbile by Fr Prior from Marian Valley, he is a very generous priest! So far it's been carted around to be used as an additional thurible, or as a replacement at several churches. Hec I've even set my own fire alarm with it!To wrap it all up, at the moment I'm praying and contemplating a vocation to the institute of Christ the King, apparently they are coming to adeilade Australia. So please keep me in your prayers.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Roman433 has kindly asked me to contribute to this blog, and, God willing, I hope I can add as much value to the blogsphere with comments and discussion starters regarding the sacred liturgy, tradition, and the condition of the Holy Roman Catholic Church in Australia and my home state.
To introduce myself, I serve at one of Australia's capital city cathedrals (people "in the know" will easily guess at which). I have begun serving quite late in life as I was not able to serve when I was younger (it was discouraged). It also marks something of a conversion back to the Church, and Christ has rewarded me with so many blessings, far more than what I have been able to put in. The Eucharist is truly a fountain that gives so much refreshment, without drying-up, and it is truly a privilege, to be so close to the Eucharist and serve at God's holy Altar.
It is a very exciting time to be serving. I believe we are entering one of the most dynamic periods in the history of liturgical development in the church; comparable with those times following the Second Vatican Council and the Council of Trent. Out of each of these Councils came quite different and separate Missals - both claiming to be the voice of sacred tradition and adapted to current pastoral needs. Unfortunately my upbringing in the Church has been impacted by the arguments on which is the better, which was exacerbated by the fact that the earlier Missal (the Tridentine Missal or Mass of Pius V)) was first implicitly "banned" following the promulgation of the second - something as Benedict XVI has observed, was unprecedented in the history of the Church. The older Missal, is now able to be celebrated with permission, but this is made very subjectively.
The newer Missal (known as the Novus Ordo Missal or Mass of Paul VI) has been overtaken by various left-wing agendas, to the extent that, in many parishes, it is almost unrecognisable as the Roman Rite. As a reaction to this a movement has arisen known in the English speaking world as the "Reform-of-the-Reform". There is virtually no definition of what "Reform-of-the-Reform" (RoR) actually means, but has been generally to mean realigning the liturgy to what the Council Fathers at the Second Vatican Council thought they were getting with liturgical reform, and discarding later developments after the Council. These later developments include Mass entirely in the vernacular (1967), celebration facing the congregation (1969), Communion in the hand (1973), female Altar servers (1993), and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (1977). In addition to this has been a rejection of the folk music popular in the 60s and 70s, and its replacement with more liturgically suitable music.
Celebration of RoR Masses have been much at the initiative of the local congregation or the celebrating priest. (The Pontifical Low Mass celebrated on Sunday is an example). Support of RoR at the hierarchial level has been through the encyclicals of Pope John Paul II (Ecclesia in Eucharista, Redemptionis Sacramentum and Liturgicam Authenticum) and most recently pushed by Benedict XVI through Sacramentum Caritas and his numerous talks and writings on the subject before coming Pope. Although much of this material has been ignored by the local Church, the first tangible result is a new English translation of the Roman Missal. This will be in a more formal and poetic English, designed to be as faithful to the Latin original as possible, and not at the ideological flavouring of the translator. How this will be received in Brisbane will be interesting, particularly as its adoption is unlikely to be negotiable.
The other major impact is the publication in the next few weeks or months of a Motu Proprio, at the Pope's own initiative. Although the exact contents of this document are unknown, enough leaks have been made for us to know that it will lift all restrictions of the older Roman Missal(s), and establish them as "extraordinary" forms of the Roman Rite alongside the "ordinary" form, namely the so called Novus Ordo Missal that we use each Sunday.
So these two initiatives will set to revolutionise how we will view the Roman Rite. Already, they are upsetting people in the local Church, as articles on the Brisbane Liturgical Commission's website attest.
In the next few weeks and months I would like to talk about issues such as what is tradition, and how much "tradition" is really in the Novus Ordo Mass versus the Tridentine Mass. Conversely, can the vision of the Second Vatican Council shine through the older Tridentine Mass (as well as other usages and rites)? What does the future hold for either form of celebration?
I will intersperse these discussions with bits of movies, pics, observations and comments on current issues.
To introduce myself, I serve at one of Australia's capital city cathedrals (people "in the know" will easily guess at which). I have begun serving quite late in life as I was not able to serve when I was younger (it was discouraged). It also marks something of a conversion back to the Church, and Christ has rewarded me with so many blessings, far more than what I have been able to put in. The Eucharist is truly a fountain that gives so much refreshment, without drying-up, and it is truly a privilege, to be so close to the Eucharist and serve at God's holy Altar.
It is a very exciting time to be serving. I believe we are entering one of the most dynamic periods in the history of liturgical development in the church; comparable with those times following the Second Vatican Council and the Council of Trent. Out of each of these Councils came quite different and separate Missals - both claiming to be the voice of sacred tradition and adapted to current pastoral needs. Unfortunately my upbringing in the Church has been impacted by the arguments on which is the better, which was exacerbated by the fact that the earlier Missal (the Tridentine Missal or Mass of Pius V)) was first implicitly "banned" following the promulgation of the second - something as Benedict XVI has observed, was unprecedented in the history of the Church. The older Missal, is now able to be celebrated with permission, but this is made very subjectively.
The newer Missal (known as the Novus Ordo Missal or Mass of Paul VI) has been overtaken by various left-wing agendas, to the extent that, in many parishes, it is almost unrecognisable as the Roman Rite. As a reaction to this a movement has arisen known in the English speaking world as the "Reform-of-the-Reform". There is virtually no definition of what "Reform-of-the-Reform" (RoR) actually means, but has been generally to mean realigning the liturgy to what the Council Fathers at the Second Vatican Council thought they were getting with liturgical reform, and discarding later developments after the Council. These later developments include Mass entirely in the vernacular (1967), celebration facing the congregation (1969), Communion in the hand (1973), female Altar servers (1993), and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (1977). In addition to this has been a rejection of the folk music popular in the 60s and 70s, and its replacement with more liturgically suitable music.
Celebration of RoR Masses have been much at the initiative of the local congregation or the celebrating priest. (The Pontifical Low Mass celebrated on Sunday is an example). Support of RoR at the hierarchial level has been through the encyclicals of Pope John Paul II (Ecclesia in Eucharista, Redemptionis Sacramentum and Liturgicam Authenticum) and most recently pushed by Benedict XVI through Sacramentum Caritas and his numerous talks and writings on the subject before coming Pope. Although much of this material has been ignored by the local Church, the first tangible result is a new English translation of the Roman Missal. This will be in a more formal and poetic English, designed to be as faithful to the Latin original as possible, and not at the ideological flavouring of the translator. How this will be received in Brisbane will be interesting, particularly as its adoption is unlikely to be negotiable.
The other major impact is the publication in the next few weeks or months of a Motu Proprio, at the Pope's own initiative. Although the exact contents of this document are unknown, enough leaks have been made for us to know that it will lift all restrictions of the older Roman Missal(s), and establish them as "extraordinary" forms of the Roman Rite alongside the "ordinary" form, namely the so called Novus Ordo Missal that we use each Sunday.
So these two initiatives will set to revolutionise how we will view the Roman Rite. Already, they are upsetting people in the local Church, as articles on the Brisbane Liturgical Commission's website attest.
In the next few weeks and months I would like to talk about issues such as what is tradition, and how much "tradition" is really in the Novus Ordo Mass versus the Tridentine Mass. Conversely, can the vision of the Second Vatican Council shine through the older Tridentine Mass (as well as other usages and rites)? What does the future hold for either form of celebration?
I will intersperse these discussions with bits of movies, pics, observations and comments on current issues.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Corpus Christi- The actual procession
After much running around and exclaiming "O God" and "God is Good" the procession finally starts, with the altar boys and the clergy processing to the altar stage.
Here is the MC leading the Nuncio and his priest assistants.
The Nuncio ascends the altar steps with a bit of difficulty, but he finally manages to get to the altar without falling down.
The blessed sacrament is exposed. This year I made sure that his Excellency's zuchetto was off before Jesus was exposed. Archbishop ordinary unfortunately left his on last year and people actually picked up on it!
The Blessed sacrament is in motion to begin the procession.
This year we had a flanking guard of 6 torch bearers!
We had two thurifers, two MCs, 6 torch bearer, 1 mitre bearer, 2 acolytes , a crucifer, two priest assistants, 1 priest in Choir and an Apostolic Nuncio! 
As mentioned before, this year we made sure that the Nuncio's skull cap was off!Unfortunately Fr Jordan could not wrangle up for the nuncio a crosier, which in a way was good because our crosier bearer did not make it to the procession.
about 3/4 of the procession the Nuncio, understandably was tired, so he switched with one of the assistant priests. His excellency then moved to walk behind the blessed sacrament and the MC took the assistant priests place as cope holder. I wished that we had at least 2 deacons come for the procession, it sure would have been great to have the whole range of holy orders!
After the procession reached the altar again, we had the litany of the sacred heart which was lead by the priest to the right and then a gospel was proclaimed by the priest to the left. It was quite unstatisfying to see a bishop just sit by himself on a plastic chair, but unfortunately we didn't really have time to set up a throne flanked by two chairs. Also i don't think it is possible to obtain those mobile thrones of the old mass anymore?
His excellency preach a ripper of a sermon on the true presence. 
After the sermon, we sung tantum ergo and moved straight into benediction.
The torch bearers line up for benediction.
Trumpets and bells sounded as the Nuncio gave triple benediction with the blessed sacrament.
After benediction the divine praises were said, one of the assistant priests reposed the blessed sacrament and the recessional hymn was sung. 
There were about 17 servers and priest , if my memory serves me correctly, only 3 priest from the actual archdiocese came.
I'd personally like to thank, his excellency Amborse De Pauli the Apostolic Nuncio to Australia for presiding over the procession and for being so receptive of such a young MC. The Nuncio really is a holy bishop, a great asset to the church!
Corpus Christi was a great success, also people were not confused with a change in the order of procession. I'd like to thank the servers, for showing up on time and getting their respective Jobs done. At such a big event as this, the time for the servers to show up at 12 is not a big ask and is quite reasonable, 1 hr to get everything ready, 30 min to establish positions and practice and 30 minutes to fix what ever Satan has tired to do!
Corpus Christi- Prep for Procession
Here we have a few photo's my photographer took of the preparation for the actual procession.
The above photo is of the two MCs Davo and my self discussing with the servers that actually turned up on time what needed to be done.
Here is one server from the local polish parish and myself vesting by my mobile base of vestments and gear.
I had the great privilege of greeting the priests and informing them of their roles. Here is Fr Merlino OFM cap the priest who does the first Friday vigils, Father took the time to slow me down and told me that I was running around like a lunatic trying to get everything ready.
There is even a photo of me, flying!
Corpus Christi- Mass with the nuncio
I told you there would be lots of good photos from the procession! so many that I need two whole posts for them. First off we have the nuncio's pontifical low mass, with me as his assistant! It was done on a constructed and converted altar stage.
Here the servers process out with the Nuncio
Here are the opening rites, we had a lot of microphone trouble so no one really heard the opening rites!
Here his excellency sits for the readings. Unfortunately i couldn't find him a nice throne like chair, so we had to settle for a crappy plastic chair not befitting his excellency, but he was okay with it.
We were scarce for resources, so we had to use a pillow as a missal stand and I flanked his excellency with a microphone, whilst at the same time assisting with the missal.
His excellency celebrated mass ad orientam and was quite skilled in doing so, his excellency even knew when to turn around!
For the Roman canon, I assisted by his excellency's side with the missal and Eddie and Rainier served with torches and the bell. 
His excellency and I exchange the sign of peace.
Ecce Angus dei
His excellency distributes communion
Finally we process out with his excellency
Stay tuned more photo posts from Corpus Christi, It was a great honor to serve for the Apostolic Nuncio.
His excellency celebrated mass ad orientam and was quite skilled in doing so, his excellency even knew when to turn around!
For the Roman canon, I assisted by his excellency's side with the missal and Eddie and Rainier served with torches and the bell. 
His excellency and I exchange the sign of peace.
Ecce Angus dei
His excellency distributes communion
Finally we process out with his excellency
Stay tuned more photo posts from Corpus Christi, It was a great honor to serve for the Apostolic Nuncio.
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