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Monthly Archives: December 2014
Synod on the Family 51: Divorced and Remarried
Read the full synod document here. The bishops finally get to the matter that gained the most attraction before, during, and perhaps still after the synod. What to do with so many Christians who have remarried after a divorce? 51. Likewise, … Continue reading
DPPL 172: What The Sacred Heart Cultivates
The DPPL looks at the fruits of the devotion to the Sacred Heart: 172. Devotion to the Sacred Heart is a wonderful historical expression of the Church’s piety for Christ, her Spouse and Lord: it calls for a fundamental attitude … Continue reading
Boxing Day
My wife asked me what “Boxing Day” is–part of the headline during the Premier League matches today on tv. NBC host Rebecca Lowe referred to the “feast of football.” I wonder how many English employers still present a “Christmas box” … Continue reading
Synod on the Family 50: Divorced, Single Catholics
Read the full synod document here. Not all divorced people are out of the good graces of the institutional Church. Community and clergy bear responsibility here: 50. Divorced people who have not remarried, who oftentimes bear witness to their promise of … Continue reading
Curia Criticism
I notice a lot of commentary on the pope’s Christmas speech to the curia. Perhaps an unexpected piece of support was from that radical, Walter Kasper, who views Pope Francis as a “Jesuit spiritual guide”: The fundamental thing is he wants … Continue reading
DPPL 171: Modern Sacred Heart Devotions
Readers are likely familiar with this list: 171. Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus are numerous. Some have been explicitly approved and frequently recommended by the Apostolic See. Among these, mention should be made of the following: • personal … Continue reading
Imagine
To begin with, let me say “Imagine” is not one of my favorite John Lennon songs. From there, I’m not quite sure I would interpret it as godless, as Bishop Mark Davies did. “Heart-chilling” can be a drop of praise, … Continue reading
Christmas Vindication, Sorrow, and a Symphony
Not many parishes adopt the Christmas Vigil readings these days. Perhaps that long genealogy is considered child-unfriendly material. The annunciation to Joseph, wonderful as that optional shorter portion may be, seems out of place. Get on with the baby Jesus … Continue reading
Synod on the Family 48-49: Issues of Validity, Nullity
You can read the full synod document here. Today, let’s cover two paragraphs that garnered significant dissent, then resume after Christmas Day. First, a summary of fact–what the bishops were talking about during and before the synod on declarations of nullity: … Continue reading
DPPL 170: Saints and the Sacred Heart
The Sacred Heart moderated the excess of Jansenism, as the Church lurched through the Tridentine period: 170. In the modern period devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus underwent new developments. At a time when Jansenism proclaimed the rigors of … Continue reading
Synod on the Family 47: Pastoral Help for Victims
Read the full synod document here, but today, a longer paragraph exploring the beginning of a pastoral need: 47. A special discernment is indispensable for pastorally guiding persons who are separated, divorced or abandoned. Respect needs to be primarily given to … Continue reading
DPPL 169: The Sacred Heart in the Middle Ages
After Saint Augustine beckoned us to enter Christ through the lance wound, medieval saints expounded on the theme of the Heart of Christ. Women seem well-represented; do you think that has significance? 169. Devotion to the Sacred Heart was particularly … Continue reading
Just Get Some Rest
It’s not just the curia who could be looking at Pope Francis’s blistering message. It occurred to me that many of the ailments describe the sicknesses of pastoral ministry. I was struck by the second one as personally applicable, that … Continue reading
The Armchair Liturgist: Christmas Liturgy Schedules
By now, the Christmas liturgy schedule at your parish should be set. We all recognize that, over the years, Catholics have drifted to an earlier observance. I noticed in my old Kansas City parish has cranked their Christmas Eve schedule … Continue reading
Posted in Christmas, The Armchair Liturgist
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Synod on the Family 46: Respectful Accompaniment
Read the full synod document here. But in this paragraph, we focus briefly on the theme of accompaniment. It’s not a surprise that a Jesuit like Pope Francis would adopt and speak of this theme. The Society of Jesus was … Continue reading
Catholic Sensibility 