More Tears

He called himself a "poor" sucessor to the great Saint Peter. He asked for our prayers. He said repeatedly how weak he was and how "poor" he was in spirit.

His humility completely moved me.

Gracious Lord, thank You for our beautiful, wonderful, humble Holy Father!

Also, I love that his homily taught through the architecture of the cathedral. (There really are reasons they were built that way!)

Thank You, Lord, for our Teacher Pope! What a blessing!!





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Papal Mass, Part Two

Musical Selections for Yankee Stadium Mass (via First Things):

Entrance of concelebrants

• Symphony No. 9 in D minor – Ludwig van Beethoven
• I. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
• II. Molto vivace

Entrance of the Holy Father

• Hymnus Pontificius – Charles Gounod, arr. Alberico Vitalini
• Dixit from Vesperae Solennes de Confessore – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Music for Mass

• Jesus is Risen/ Cristo Jesús Resucitó – arr. John Rutter
• Tu es Petrus – Dom Lorenzo Perosi
• Kyrie, from Litany of the Saints - adapt. Richard Proulx
• Gloria, from Missa O Magnum Mysterium – Tomás Luis da Victoria
• Psalm – Dr. Jennifer Pascual
• Alleluia (VICTORY) - arr. Wm. Glenn Osborne
• Credo III
• Trilingual Intercessions – Michael Hay, orch. Wm. Glenn Osborne
• How Lovely is thy Dwelling Place – Johannes Brahms
• Sanctus from German Mass – Franz Schubert, adapt. Richard Proulx
• Christ Has Died/ Amen - Franz Schubert, adapt. Richard Proulx
• Agnus Dei from Missa O Magnum Mysterium – Tomás Luis da Victoria
• Panis Angelicus – Cesár Franck, Marcello Giordani, Tenor, Metropolitan Opera
• Sicut Cervus – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
• Ave Verum – Alexandre Guilmant, orch. Deborah Jamini
• Amén. El Cuerpo de Cristo - John Schiavonne, orch. Carl Maultsby
• Let Us Break Bread Together – arr. Carl Maultsby
• This is the Feast – Richard Hillert, arr. Richard Kidd
• Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee/ Jubilosos te Adoramos – from Hymn to Joy Fantasy – Bruce Saylor
• Symphony No. 9 in D minor – Ludwig van Beethoven
• IV. Presto

Sure to bring a smile to the face of the Holy Father. We'll have to make sure we watch this, as well. I'll be interested to see how this kind of arrangement of musical selections will do with so many thousands of people in a baseball stadium.







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Two Opposing Views

Father Trigilio was at the papal Mass (in vestments, mind you) in DC.

The altar was prepared according to the liturgical prescriptions of His Holiness with a conspicuous crucifix and seven candles on it. Everything was done REVERENTLY and PROPERLY according to the rubrics. The Ordinary Form of the Roman Missal was celebrated with full solemnity. Hopefully, bishops and priests across the USA will duplicate Pope Benedict's attention to lex orandi, lex credendi. No liturgical abuses, no aberrations and no nonsense. Imagine, if this took place in EVERY cathedral and every parish in the world? We would have to build new seminaries and noviates. And this is precisely B16's plan. The more people SEE and EXPERIENCE the proper reverence demanded by the Ordinary and the Extraordinary forms of the Roman Rite, the more they will mutually reinforce in each expression the organic and intrinsic need to identify the SACRED. The HOLY and Sacred mysteries of our faith deserve nothing less than our full, complete, active and conscious participation. This can only be done REVERENTLY and of course PROPERLY (in accord with the rubrics). Off-the-cuff, spontantaneous and innovative machinations have no place in divine worship.

Father Nuehaus watched it from EWTN's studio. (And I've got problems with Father Nuehaus talking over the pope and complaining during Mass, you know.)

In the response to our EWTN coverage, we received hundreds of complaints about the over-the-top stretch to be multicultural, along with some complaints by those were offended by our mentioning it. It’s hard to win on this score. And I have to remind myself that even mild criticisms of the way the Holy Father’s visit is being handled are taken amiss by people for whom even the chance to see the pope from a distance is one of the great moments of their lives. When over the years one has been present at papal events beyond numbering, one inevitably develops a measure of critical distance in which even mildly critical comments can clash with the intense piety of many of the Catholic faithful. Anything short of all-Wow!-all-the-time is taken as a sign of insufficient enthusiasm. Raymond Arroyo and I have multiple opportunities to remind one another of this dynamic.

Please take the time to read both, though. It's important that, when discussing the Mass, we don't all jump on the music as if that was the entirety of the Mass. Whether or not you liked (or could bear) the music, the rest of Mass was reverent. The faithful were, by and large, doing what they were supposed to. Let's not be like the mainstream media, St. Blog Parishioners, and nitpick and pull out the ten minutes of stuff we don't like in order to ignore the rest of the happenings.

Don't ignore the plank, folks.





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One More, Then Bed

I love his smile.






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Panis Angelicus

I have no problem whatsoever with the arrangement. (I read someone's comment somewhere that it wasn't very good. Nitpicking, I think. It was blessed relief after the other Communion music and quite condusive for prayer.) I was SOBBING by the end of this during Mass. And the Holy Father's beautiful smile made me cry all the more. He looked so happy right then.

Also...watch for the end, there...

Yes, boys and girls, take note. THAT is how you greet the Holy Father!

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wow...

just ...



wow.



I can't believe the tone of this article, as well as the misleading ways things are presented. And I love the snide "octagenerian" comment, too.



Unbelievable.



But...perusing some other articles...



What about this? Is this to make Catholics look just idiotic, or what?

The congregation drank Coke, munched on peanuts and applauded during spectacular moments. The scent of pizza wafted through the upper decks as Benedict prepared communion.

*sigh*



Serves me right for reading secular coverage - especially from post-Christian societies - about the Holy Father's visit.






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My Initial Thoughts on the Papal Mass

First, I have to say that I love our Holy Father! I love being Catholic! Thank You, Lord, for making me so!

The Holy Father's homily was absolutely beautiful. (My girls were a bit confused, as his accent is heavy and it is not one they're familiar with right now. Polish and Lebanese and Irish, yes. Germanic, no.) I love that he pointed us all back in the direction of Christ, called us ALL (Catholics and Protestants alike) to conversion. Warned us of the dangers of our increasingly secular society. God bless our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI! Thank You, Holy Spirit, for choosing him!

The man who sang "Panis Angelicus" (who knelt before the Holy Father and passionately kissed his ring) was inspirational. I sobbed throughout the song. It is one of my favorite pieces, and I wish I were able to hear it more often. To hear it at Mass, after receiving the Eucharist (even though we could only make a Spiritual Communion today) - ah! (Latin lyrics here, English translation here.) [Addendum: As I was getting ready to post this, I was searching for a picture of the man who sang so beautifully for the Holy Father and who greeted him with such reverence. It was Placido Domingo. I knew he had to be professional - it was so sublime to listen to him sing - but I honestly had no idea. I was, quite literally, in tears by the end, and continued to sob for the rest of Mass. Thank you, Placido, for that beautiful gift for the Holy Father and for the rest of us.]

I'm sad to say that I think that might have been the first piece of music that the Holy Father recognized. *sigh* I was really hoping that they would take into consideration the many writings (and lectures and discussions) the Holy Father has given us about the beauty of ancient music, Gregorian Chant, and Latin in the Liturgy. (They actually did not do the Agnus Dei correctly, finishing with "miserere nobis" instead of "dona nobis pacem.") Until "Panis Angelicus," there was no music that was any older than, say, about 45 years or so. And at one point, my six year old said, "It sounds like a carnival." The only time I actually felt compelled to mute the sound completely (aside from at Communion, when, as Big Girl put it, "The music is too jumpy,") was during the Responsorial Psalm. Why anyone would write Psalm 93 ("Lord, send out Your Spirit and renew the face of the earth") to diminished chords (kind of like a double-minor chord) is beyond me. It was bone-jarring, and at one point (just before muting it) I thought, "Oh, poor Holy Father. He can't mute them!"

I hate to complain. Honestly, I do. But that musical selection was just poor. It was very jarring at times, and those diminished chords have no place in a Mass! One thing that I've always felt about them - right from the time I learned about them in music classes and piano lessons - is that they sound awful. Not awful as in they can never sound right musically, but awful in the sense that they sound - well, I'll just put it out plain and simple - devilish. Demonic. I'm sorry, I am talking about the composition used for our Responsorial Psalm, but it was just awful and made me feel kind of creepy inside. That's why I finally muted it and apologized to the girls. If you hear a recording of it, or if you heard it on television today, please let me know if you agree. I honestly think that diminished settings of music are depressing and just ... off. And in all my life, I never thought I'd hear it in a Mass setting. I've always felt they sounded kind of evil because they are dissonant. They don't flow. They are definitely not uplifting.

The only other thing that really bugged me was the absolute slavishness to multiculturalism. Instead of worshipping as one Church, I felt very divided and separate from the Mass at times. With each petition in the Intentions being in a different language, I just plain couldn't understand what was being said! I just felt as though it was much more divisive than anything at Mass ought to be, and focused on all the neat-o kinds of people there rather than Christ, who was about to become Present on the altar!

However, nitpicking aside, understand this:

The miracle - the jaw-dropping, amazing, utterly fantastic miracle - happened again.

Jesus Christ became present - Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity - on the altar.

He was Present. He was there. Once again, He came to us.

We who are full of failings. We who are sinful and prideful and complaining. We who are totally and completely undeserving.

Christ came to us.

Christ, our Hope and Salvation!

Christ, our Lord and God!

Christ, our Shepherd and High Priest!

We must never lose sight of the fact that this is what the Mass is for, what it is about. The Eucharist, the source and summit of our lives as Christians! The Center of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass! No matter what the musical selections might be, no matter how the petitions are presented, Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity become Man, is physically present on the altar during Mass. And we enter Heaven's never-ending worship of God when we assist at Mass.

Remember that Christ was there.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming.

Thank You, Father in Heaven, for the gift of Your Son.

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for guiding our Church - YOUR Church - throughout time.

Thank You, God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - for bringing our Holy Father Benedict to us safely and allowing us to learn from him and be with him. May his journey in our country be safe, and may it bring the spiritual fruits that we all so desperately need. Glory be to God now and forever, amen.

[image source]

[Placido Domingo image source]

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Get Thee in Front of a TV!

Hey, Mass begins in less than an hour! You can watch on EWTN (there's also streaming video at their site - just click that link and look under the "Television" tab at the top of the page for live TV) or listen on the radio (Sirius and, apparently, XM, too). Here's your chance to watch or hear a papal Mass!

Hurry up! And you don't even have to fast for an hour because you aren't receiving Holy Communion. So you can even drink a cup of coffee while you pray.

How often can you get blessed by the POPE? (Yes, if you are watching live and he has the intent to bless those watching TV or listening to the radio - and do you doubt that he does? - you will be blessed by the Holy Father.)

[image credits - popemobile, Holy Father at Mass]

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Soccer Practice vs. Holy Father

I JUST realized that Big Girl's soccer practice interferes with my papal watching. We are supposed to be across town for a 4:15 practice, and they actually want us early today.

BOOO HISS! ;)

Well, we might be a little later than they want us to be. We're going to watch the Holy Father land, by golly. I've been waiting a long time for this moment!





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Holy Father's Schedule: Beginning TODAY!

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, is arriving today. Coverage begins with his 3:30 arrival, but I'd tune in early.

And skip the stupid news stations. Watch it on EWTN if you can. Then at least you know you won't have to deal with dissenting priests and such who give the usual talking points about how young people don't actually believe what the Holy Father teaches us. (And in case you didn't know, the pope only teaches what Christ teaches us. He doesn't have personal opinions on things floating around much. When he says, "No contraception, no abortion, love your enemies, pray for the conversion of the Islamic terrorists" and all, he's giving us the same message as Christ Himself would give. That's his job.)

Here's the schedule:


Radio Coverage

ARRIVAL:
LIVE (90:00) Tue Apr 15 3:30 PM
Tue Apr 15 8 PM Encore

WELCOME AT THE WHITE HOUSE (2 1/2 hrs):
Wed Apr 16 10 AM
Wed Apr 16 9 PM Encore

ADDRESS TO THE BISHOPS OF THE UNITED STATES:
LIVE (2 1/2 hrs) Wed Apr 16 5:00 PM

MASS AT NATIONAL STADIUM, WASHINGTON DC:
LIVE (2 1/2 hrs) Thu Apr 17 9:30 AM

MEETING WITH EDUCATORS AT CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA:
LIVE (90:00) Thu Apr 17 4:30 PM

MEETING WITH EDUCATORS AT POPE JOHN PAUL II CULTURAL CENTER:
LIVE (90:00) Thu Apr 17 6 PM

ARRIVAL AT JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, NYC:
LIVE (1 hr) Fri Apr 18 9:30 AM

ADDRESS AT THE UNITED NATIONS, NYC:
LIVE (90:00) Fri Apr 18 10:30 AM
Fri Apr 18 8 PM Encore

VISIT TO SYNAGOGUE & ECUMENICAL MEETING AT ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, MANHATTAN:
LIVE (2 hrs) Fri Apr 18 5:00 PM

MASS AT ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL, NYC:
LIVE (3 Hrs) Sat Apr 19 9 AM
Sat Apr 19 8 PM Encore

NATIONAL CATHOLIC PRAYER BREAKFAST:
(90 min) Sat Apr 19 1 PM

MEETING WITH YOUTH AT DUNWOODIE SEMINARY:
LIVE (2 ½ Hours) Sat Apr 19 4 PM

VISIT TO GROUND ZERO, NYC:
LIVE (90:00) Sun Apr 20 9 AM
Sun Apr 20 11AM Encore

HOLY MASS AT YANKEE STADIUM, NYC:
LIVE (3hrs) Sun Apr 20 2 PM

POPE BENEDICT DEPARTS:
LIVE (1 hr) Sun Apr 20 7:30 PM


Television Coverage

ARRIVAL
Pope Benedict XVI arrives at Andrews Air Force Base and is greeted by President and Mrs. Bush, local dignitaries of the Church, and the apostolic nuncio.
Tuesday, April 15, 3:30PM Eastern
Encore April 15, 8PM; April 16, 4AM

THE WHITE HOUSE

Pope Benedict XVI is received by President and Mrs. Bush at a White House welcoming ceremony, followed by a private meeting between the President and the Pope, and the dignitaries of the two states.
Wednesday, April 16, 10:00 AM Eastern
Encore April 16, 2PM & 9PM.

ADDRESS TO THE BISHOPS OF THE UNITED STATES
Pope Benedict XVI gathers with the bishops of the United States for a prayer service and address at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.
Wednesday, April 16, 5:00 PM Eastern
Encore April 16, 11:30PM. April 17, 4AM

MASS AT NATIONAL STADIUM, WASHINGTON DC - LIVE
Pope Benedict XVI offers Mass at the new Nationals Park in Washington D.C.
Thursday, April 17, 9:30 AM Eastern
Encore April 17, 1PM; April 18, 12AM

MEETING WITH EDUCATORS AT CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
Pope Benedict XVI will address hundreds of Catholic University heads and diocesan superintendents on the importance Catholic education at the Catholic University of America.
Thursday, April 17, 4:30 PM Eastern
Encore April 17, 9PM; April 18, 5AM

MEETING WITH EDUCATORS AT POPE JOHN PAUL II CULTURAL CENTER
Pope Benedict XVI meets with representatives of various religions for a prayer service at the John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington D.C.
Thursday, April 17, 6:00 PM
Encore April 17, 10:30PM; April 18, 6:30AM

ARRIVAL NYC
Arrival at JFK International Airport.
Friday, April 18, 9:30 AM
Encore April 18, 4:00 PM and April 19, 1 AM

ADDRESS AT THE UN
Pope Benedict XVI will address the United Nations, after an early morning flight to New York.
Friday, April 18, 10:30 AM
Encore April 18, 2:30 PM and 8PM; April 19, 2AM

VISIT TO SYNAGOGUE & ECUMENICAL MEETING AT ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, MANHATTAN - LIVE
Visit to Park East Synagogue and prayer service with leaders from other Christian denominations at St. Joseph's, founded by German Catholics, in Manhattan.
Friday, April 18, 5:00 PM
Encore April 18, 9:30PM. April 19, 3:30AM

MASS AT ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL, NYC
Mass for priests, deacons and members of religious orders at St. Patrick's Cathedral in the heart of New York City.
Saturday, April 19, 9:00 AM
Encore April 20, 1PM and 11PM

MEETING WITH YOUTH AT DUNWOODIE SEMINARY
Pope Benedict XVI meets with thousands of young people from around the country; the event includes a rally/prayer service and a speech from the Pope.
Saturday, April 19, 4:00 PM
Encore April 19, 8PM; April 20, 4AM

VISIT TO GROUND ZERO
Pope Benedict XVI visits the former World Trade Center site known as Ground Zero in New York City.
Sunday, April 20, 9:00 AM
Encore April 20, 11AM; April 21, 1AM

HOLY MASS AT YANKEE STADIUM, NYC
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Holy Mass at Yankee Stadium in New York bringing his historic U.S. visit to a close.
Sunday, April 20, 2:00 PM
Encore April 20, 10 PM

DEPARTURE
Pope Benedict XVI leaves the US.
Sunday, April 20, 7:30 PM
Encore April 21, 2:30AM

All Times US Eastern













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Christine






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HE'S COMING!

Two more days!!!!!

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I Don't See Any Reason to be Upset

There are SO many bigger fish to fry, and this ad just doesn't come across as disrespectful in the least. I especially love the guy with the Car and Pontiff magazine who chants!



Really, I think we ought to lighten up. Just a little, folks.





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Tickets to the Papal Mass in Washington, DC

We are mailing in our lottery entries to get tickets to the Papal Mass in April. Our diocese (Richmond) has 400 tickets to give away, and each person may request up to two tickets. Two.

So Soccer Dad and I each entered with a girl's name on our entry. If we get drawn at all, chances are only two of us will go. And whoever is on the ticket MUST be the one to go. Government-issued ID and all that for the adults at the gate. No transferring tickets.

So it could turn out that I, who have waited more than 30 years to see the pope in person, will not go in favor of my husband, who has been Catholic for three years this Easter.

Or none of us could go.

What we are NOT counting on is that all four of us going. There is a formidable stack, from what I hear.

If I could just convince Soccer Dad that going even without tickets, wandering DC and hoping to catch a glimpse of the Holy Father (and get his blessing!) would be worth the expense. The hotel room is free, though if we don't have tickets for the Mass, we could always stay with our friends in Leesburg, VA, for free. And it would be a field trip! Arlington! The Basilica (again)! The Franciscan Monestary! The Smithsonian! Whoopee!

On the other hand, there is this young man I used to know casually in the Orlando diocese. He attended the Life Teen Masses and was a core team member for that program. He was an altar boy, too. He wound up entering the seminary for the Orlando diocese, and he'll be assisting at the Papal Mass in DC!!! Holy cow! (I've also got to tell you this. Looking at the poster of the 2007 seminarians for Orlando's diocese, I notice there are three men from my old parish. Warning: Link requires Adobe reader.)

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