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Monthly Archives: July 2014
DPPL 7: Pious Exercise
Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (DPPL). First special term with which we familiarize ourselves: Pious Exercise. What on earth …? 7. The expression “pious exercise” in this Directory refers to those public or private expressions of Christian piety which, … Continue reading
Pope Francis on Creativity I
In his Saturday meeting with priests from the diocese of Caserta, the Holy Father picked up on a priest’s use of the word “creativity” in his comment. Pope Francis’ response was long, and it meanders a good bit, but it … Continue reading
EG 264: Personal Encounter With The Saving Love Of Jesus
Pope Francis turns our gaze to a “Personal encounter with the saving love of Jesus” in Evangelii Gaudium 264-267. He begins with a classically Ignatian stance. God has loved me and saved me, so how do I respond? Many people, when in … Continue reading
DPPL 6: Terminology
Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (DPPL) gives a brief history: 6. The history of the Western Church is marked by the flowering among the Christian people of multiple and varied expressions of simple and fervent faith in God, of … Continue reading
Wedding Extras
The wedding I served as a musician this past weekend had no unity candle, but a ceremony for washing feet. One of our recent graduates married in another state the same day. A few of my staff colleagues attended. They … Continue reading
Examen for a Wedding Day
I played a wedding Saturday. I was at church early to get my usual Saturday duties out of the way. Looking for a few moments to practice a few classical pieces on my palette, the nave was largely bustling with … Continue reading
Adventures in Second Marriages
dotCommonweal looks at some Cardinal Kasper detractors. Some of their own readers take them to task for giving a platform to one of the more conservative enclaves. Indeed, my friend Crystal offers the obvious question in the commentariat: Interesting how … Continue reading
EG 263: Evangelization Today Not Harder But Different
Pope Francis is not too concerned with the modern environment for sharing and urging people to the faith. Saints of history, especially during the Roman Empire, might actually have had a tougher go of it: 263. We do well to … Continue reading
Reconciliation Lectionary: Colossians 3:1-10, 12-17
The Wedding Lectionary offers verses 12-17 as a possibility. You can check a wedding-friendly essay here. Scripture scholars have remarked on the similarity between this section of Colossians and Ephesians 5 on which we posted last month. The main difference … Continue reading
The Gardens of Castel Gandolfo
Catholic watchers know of the summer vacation spot for popes. Astronomy buff may know of it as the location for the Vatican Observatory, run by Jesuits–even before Pope Francis. BBC has a nice video feature on Pope Francis opening up … Continue reading
DPPL 5: For Clergy and Religious Heads
We hear who the intended readers are for the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (DPPL). It’s a hierarchical thing: first bishops, then clergy, then heads of religious communities: 5. The operative proposals of this Directory, which are intended solely … Continue reading
EG 262: A Renewed Missionary Impulse
Pope Francis, giving “Reasons for a Renewed Missionary Impulse” in Evangelii Gaudium, suggests a believer pray and work. He begins by making a very audacious statement: 262. Spirit-filled evangelizers are evangelizers who pray and work. Mystical notions without a solid social … Continue reading
DPPL 4: Nature and Structure of the Document
Let’s examine the “Nature and Structure” of the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (DPPL). 4. This Directory contains two parts. The first, entitled Emerging Trends, provides the elements necessary for the harmonization of Liturgy and popular piety. It draws … Continue reading
EG 259-261: Spirit-Filled Evangelizers
Let’s begin the fifth chapter of Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium, and let’s take up the topic of “Spirit-filled evangelizers. 259. Spirit-filled evangelizers means evangelizers fearlessly open to the working of the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, the Spirit made the apostles … Continue reading
Catholic Sensibility 
Revolution?
It is interesting to see how various church people “market” their offerings to people within the Body and outside of it. A few posters have appeared in my parish promoting NFP. Full disclosure here: my wife and I practiced NFP … Continue reading →