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Monthly Archives: October 2022
DSCAP 12-13: Principal Requisites for Sunday
The Directory for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest gets to the essence of Sunday and its observance with these sections. 12. The following are the principal requisites for the Sunday assembly of the faithful. a. the gathering … Continue reading
Considering Themed Masses
I noticed PrayTell blogger Fr Neil Xavier O’Donoghue pondering “Days of Prayer” here. From the essay, this lead-off: Last Sunday was observed as Mission Sunday. Yet this is not, strictly speaking, a liturgical observance. I have often seen observances such … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, Parish Life
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DSCAP 10-11: The Importance of Gathering
No attention here yet from seventh day believers, so let’s join the DSCAP as it looks to set the table for a modern sense of Sunday’s importance. What is the first value cited? Gathering: 10. From the earliest centuries pastors … Continue reading
The Mass as Safe Space
Talking about the Mass with me, a friend recently pondered the notion of the liturgy as “safe space.” I’m aware the concept began as a consideration for non-hetero people to be able to learn, work, and express themselves in some … Continue reading
DSCAP 8-9: Sunday and its Observance
Chapter I of the Directory for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest, sections 8 through 17, constitute a catechesis on SUNDAY AND ITS OBSERVANCE. 8. “By a tradition handed down from the apostles and having its origin from the … Continue reading
M6: The Butterfly Cluster
Let’s continue this site’s survey of Messier objects. Check some basic info if you’re joining us in mid-star-stream. Today, a return to the Scorpio constellation where we encountered M4. Unlike the globular clusters M2, 3, 4, and 5, the Butterfly … Continue reading
DSCAP 5-7: The Situation Today
The Directory for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest continues with the final three paragraphs of the preface: 5. On other grounds today, namely, the scarcity of priests, in many places not every parish can have its own … Continue reading
DSCAP 3-4: First Gatherings
The Directory Preface continues with Rome’s view of history. Very briefly … 3. In some regions, after their first evangelization, the bishops have put catechists in charge of gathering the faithful together on Sunday and, in the form of a … Continue reading
The Worst of Times, The Worst of Times
I see Pope Francis has extended the current stage of the universal synod. According to this secular note, this is what inspires the shift: limited participation by the laity and seeming resistance to his reforms from the hierarchy Some imperfect … Continue reading
Posted in bishops, Commentary, synodality
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DSCAP 1-2: Sunday’s Origin
The Preface of the Directory for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest begins with a lesson in history: 1. From the day of Pentecost, after the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Church of Christ has always faithfully … Continue reading
Leo, In The Sky
Be it in the sky or on the “horrorscope” summary in print or electronic media, Leo is easy to find. The sky is what interests me, and if you are likewise inclined, this constellation has bright stars you might easily … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, constellations
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DSCAP Introduction, Structure
The directory is a 1988 composition of the Congregation (now Dicastery) for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The English translation is copyright © 1988, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The DDWDS … Continue reading
Do They or Don’t They?
An exchange about priests getting promoted to bishop on a social media site: Every good priest I know swears it’s the last thing on earth they desire. And they are rather vehement about hoping to avoid the burden. … From … Continue reading
Posted in bishops, Politics
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DSCAP Introduction, Three Factors
Let’s dive into the Directory for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest. This is a 1988 composition of the Congregation (now Dicastery) for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The English translation is copyright © 1988, … Continue reading
Catholic Sensibility 
A Mundane Vocabulary
Twice in the past few days, a social media feed has alerted me to a new wordonfire book: Friends, Advent is the liturgical season of vigilance or, to put it more mundanely, of waiting. During the four weeks prior to … Continue reading →