Monthly Archives: January 2012

Philip Glass at 75

Iowa State’s music & theatre department hosted a “75th Birthday Celebration” tonight. My wife and I left the young miss at home and enjoyed an evening of music. I’ve enjoyed listening to Philip Glass since the mid-80’s. When I saw … Continue reading

Posted in Music | 1 Comment

GDC 125-126: The Deposit of Faith

Two sections under the title of “The Deposit of Faith and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.” The Catechism is seen as a “reference text.” It is heavily footnoted, and there one can find the source texts in Scripture and … Continue reading

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GIRM 204: More Than One Mass A Day

When can a priest preside or concelebrate more than once a day? Here’s what the GIRM says: 204. For a particular reason, having to do either with the significance of the rite or of the festivity, the faculty is given … Continue reading

Posted in GIRM, post-conciliar liturgy documents | 6 Comments

The H-Word From Harrisburg

More from the Pope Benedict School of Public Relations, Harrisburg PA bishop Joseph McFadden: In totalitarian governments, they would love our system. This is what Hitler and Mussolini and all those tried to establish: a monolith so all the children … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | 11 Comments

Funeral Lectionary: Daniel 12:1-3

If Daniel isn’t one of our favorite prophets, he should be. In fourteen action-packed chapters, you have unforgettable narratives: three young men dancing in a blast furnace, the handwriting on the wall, fierce animals (lions and a dragon), the sweep … Continue reading

Posted in Order of Christian Funerals, Scripture | 1 Comment

Almost Missing Eros

I guess I’ve been too busy with family and Church things to pay much attention to the skies lately. Universe Today startled me this morning with a post on the (relatively) close approach of the asteroid Eros. Tomorrow: sixteen million … Continue reading

Posted in Astronomy | 4 Comments

GIRM 200-203: More on Concelebration

The following sections provide some basic legislation on the practice: 200. Visiting Priests should be gladly admitted to concelebration of the Eucharist, provided their Priestly standing has been ascertained. I’ve always wondered how priests present their credentials when traveling. As … Continue reading

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GDC 124: The Literary Genre of the Catechism

Did you know the Catechism has a literary genre? We continue our examination of the Catechism (GDC 119-136) with a description of the kind of book we are talking about. 124. It is important to understand the literary genre of … Continue reading

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GIRM 199: Concelebrated Mass

Numbered sections 199 through 251 treat concelebrated Mass, the form of liturgy in which two or more priests serve the community in a ritual role. These occasions involve a number of particulars for the clergy. But here are the very … Continue reading

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GDC 123: Orientation to God and the Human Person

Let’s discuss under the banner of “The inspiration of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: trinitarian christocentricity and the nobility of the vocation of the human person.” 123. The axis of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is Jesus Christ, … Continue reading

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Thomas Aquinas Novena, Day Nine: Doctor of the Church

Opening Prayer Glory Be … Scripture The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of … Continue reading

Posted in Parish Life, Saints, Scripture, spirituality | 1 Comment

GIRM 194-198: The Functions of the Reader

Five brief sections cover the Introductory Rites (194-195) and the Liturgy of the Word (196-198): 194. In the procession to the altar, in the absence of a Deacon, the reader, wearing approved attire, may carry the Book of the Gospels, … Continue reading

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GDC 122: Structure of the Catechism

This section is titled, “Structure of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.” If you know your catechism well, this will be old news. 122. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is structured around four fundamental dimensions of the Christian life: … Continue reading

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Thomas Aquinas Novena, Day Eight: Saint

Opening Prayer Glory Be … Scripture After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed … Continue reading

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Four-Word, Two-Word

Deacon Greg suggested this as a quote of the day: The Obama administration has just told the Catholics of the United States, “To Hell with you!” There is no other way to put it. Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh getting … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | 7 Comments