The Latin Mass is Babel?!

Recently the Catholic publication here in Sri Lanka featured an article that called rather desperately for the retention of the vernacular at Mass implying that the Latin Mass was a return from Pentecost to Babel. I had to reply. Thanks Carina for vetting it.

JMJ

27/6/2009

Tanya Fedinandusz’s May 31 article “Pentecost and Worship in the Vernacular (Part 2)” raises some interesting points. It basically argues for the retention of the vernacular in our liturgy. This issue really isn’t a question today. No one is calling for the complete removal of the vernacular Mass. What our Holy Father Benedict has done recently was to liberalize the Old Mass so that any of the faithful who wished to attend Mass in the Old Rite would not be hindered from doing so. That is also what those who call for the New Rite (the rite we celebrate each Sunday) to be celebrated more often in Latin ask for: certainly not the banning of Mass in vernacular. Where’s the harm in restoring something that has been (inadvertently*) forgotten for the benefit of the faithful?

I’ve had the privilege of attending a few Masses in Latin – both under the New and the Old Rites. Unedifying? Far from it! I’ve found them so beautiful! Because that’s what our Catholic liturgy is – whether in English, Sinhala, Tamil or Latin, Holy Mass is something sublime and heavenly, especially when celebrated with reverence and dignity. I really feel we should not use to use term “Babel” about anything related to Holy Mass. The sanctity of the Mass doesn’t depend on what language we say it in. It rests on (to quote Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) “in rendering tangible the Totally Other, whom we are not capable of summoning. He comes because He wills.”

What the Latin Mass (especially in Old Rite) does for me is to remind me that what goes on at the altar is not some mundane event; it’s not a festival or prayer-meeting. The celebration of Holy Mass is a profound mystery in which God becomes truly present on the altar, body, blood, soul and divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine. It is a sacrifice, a mysterious re-enactment of Christ's sacrifice on Mount Calvary. Every part of the Mass points to and leads to this. Every action takes us back to Calvary and to the ancient Temple of Jerusalem because what we celebrate is indeed the fulfilment of the Temple sacrifice of old. For me, the Old Rite Mass drives home a sense of mystery in the liturgy that points me to the mystery that God Himself ultimately is.

I once read Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith commenting that the idea of “active participation” has been “grossly misinterpreted” in recent years. I recently learned what this oft-used term really means in the context of Mass: it does not mean being able to sing every song, it certainly does not mean joining in the parts of the Mass that are meant to be said by the priest, it perhaps does not even mean understanding every word. What I learnt – and this enriched the way I look at every Mass I attend from then on – is that to actively participate at Mass is to immerse oneself in the mystery (yes, it is a mystery because we should never presume to be able to understand fully something as heavenly as the Mass) and to unite one’s soul with the soul of the priest in offering a sacrifice that is pleasing and acceptable to God.

What about the question of Latin? Yes, Latin is a dead language. This is good because then meaning of the words of the Liturgy are not allowed to change over time with the evolution of language. The words are frozen in time and cannot be twisted into anything different than its own original meaning. It might not be a great language for carrying out a casual conversation with a friend. But, as the saying goes, “as we pray, so we believe”. Isn’t it safer to be sure that what we’re praying is not at odds with the faith of the Catholic Church?

You don’t need to have a speaking knowledge of Latin to attend Mass in Latin. It would be great to know a few of the more common prayers. But you don’t even need that: the missal has the Latin-vernacular translation side by side. What’s more: the readings and the homily are in vernacular. I assure you, we Sri Lankans, can “say what we mean and mean what we say” even in Latin. It takes a bit of effort, but the effort has nothing to do with the language. An effort must be put in to place your heart, soul and mind before the altar at every Mass we attend. Of course, that’s the case for Mass in the vernacular too.

Something else interesting about Mass in Latin is that no matter where you on the globe, if you step inside into a Catholic Church during Mass, you feel right at home, you know, more or less, what’s going on. The entire faithful, across the globe, become one family, even speaking the same language.

Finally I recall something a priest once said at a homily (it was at the first Old Rite Mass I ever attended): do not let these debates about which rite to follow and which language to use interfere with the sole purpose of Holy Mass: to give God the adoration He deserves, to thank Him for His infinite goodness, to beg Him pardon for the times we’ve offended Him and to ask Him to give us each day our daily bread. Vernacular or Latin, Old Rite or New: there’s something mysterious and beautiful going on at each Mass we attend.

Nishantha Dominic Cooray,

Ratmalana.

* “...steps should be taken so that the faithful may also be able to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 54)

"To my Venerable Brother"

Via NLM:

To my Venerable Brother
Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don
Archbishop of Colombo

In the moment in which, with your appointment as Metropolitan Archbishop of Colombo, your service arrives at its conclusion as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, I wish to express my sincere thanks for the fidelity, the commitment and competence with which you exercised that office.

While you now prepare for this important new pastoral mission in your country to begin, we have reason to be encouraged by the good you will be able to perform among the peoples of your land.

I happily accompany you with my fervent prayer that the Lord will fill your ministry with abundant fruits, and entrust your person to special protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and I wish to impart to you and to the Archdiocese of Colombo my Apostolic blessing.

From the Vatican, 16 June 2009.

Farrah Fawcett and Mickael Jackson

Two icons of pop culture passed away today:


Michael Jackson (1958-2009)



Farrah Fawcett (1947-2009)

Te Deum Laudamus!

This is a bit late, but I haven't had access to the net for a week. Colombo will have a new Archbishop. The incumbent, the highly respected Oswald Gomis has handed in his resignation to the Holy Father upon reaching the age of retirement, and (the rumours where right), Pope Benedict has appointed Malcolm Ranjith to replace him. That's wonderful news! Following is an article that appeared in the Sri Lankan newspapers and in the Catholic news here:

------------------------------------------------

H.E. Msgr. Malcolm Ranjith new Archbishop of Colombo

By Commodore Shemal Fernando, RSP, USP, MSc

(June 18, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has appointed His Excellency Monsignor Malcolm Ranjith who presently serves as the Secretary of the Holy Father’s powerful Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments as the Archbishop of Colombo to guide the flock in his Motherland. Thus, Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith whose Vatican based Congregation is located in the precincts of the famed St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome will soon move to Colombo to spearhead the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka.

It was Pope Benedict XVI who appointed Archbishop Malcolm on 10th December 2005 to perhaps one of the key Congregations of the Roman Curia that attends to everything pertaining to the Apostolic See concerning the regulation and promotion of the sacred liturgy, primarily of the sacraments, without prejudice to the competence of the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith, after a few months of his election as the Holy Father. Archbishop Malcolm is the first Sri Lankan to be appointed Secretary of a Congregation.

Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith has had a fast rise in the church ranks. He was ordained a Priest at 27 by Pope Paul VI in Rome, appointed a Bishop at 43 by Pope John Paul II and elevated an Archbishop at 53 by Pope John Paul II. Known as a tireless servant of truth, justice and freedom, he has won love, respect and admiration of all walks of life and all strata of society as well as religious leaders all over the world.

Archbishop Malcolm has mastered ten languages - Italian, German, French, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Spanish, English, Sinhala and Tamil. His ability to converse and understand the problems of the Catholic Church spread throughout the world and his commitment and dedication in the execution of the enormous responsibilities of the Universal Church on his shoulders has made him one of the most influential voices in the Vatican.

Also, he has been blessed with many firsts in his 32 years in the ministry of the God Almighty. He is the first Sri Lankan ever to be appointed by the Holy Fathers for key assignments such as the Secretary of the Congregation for Divine worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Apostolic Ambassador and Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. Prior to that he was the first Bishop of Ratnapura.

He had his ecclesiastic studies at Pontifical Urban University and Pontifical Biblical Institute of Rome. Later, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he obtained a Baccalaureate in Theology, a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture and a Special Certificate in Biblical Studies.

Archbishop Malcolm has always promoted inter-faith dialog in Sri Lanka as he believes that this can eliminate potential causes of tensions and disagreements between the religious and ethnic groups that make up the country. He once said that dialogue is vital and fundamental and as Catholics we must celebrate the richness of the Word of God incarnate in our life, families and communities.

Many Sri Lankans who have worked with him say he "never says no" to any request, even in difficult situations. They describe him as having a way with words and a manner of conveying them laced with affection that puts people at ease, even though their problem may not have been solved for whatever reasons. His admirers say his "bright face is always lit up with a smile."

First Sri Lankan Papal Nuncio

Archbishop Malcolm is the first Sri Lankan Bishop to be appointed a Papal Nuncio. He served in Jakarta as the Holy Father’s Apostolic Ambassador to Indonesia and East Timor from April 29, 2004 until his current assignment. The Catholic Church in Indonesia which consists of 17,000 islands spreads to 37 Dioceses and has the biggest Catholic population amongst the countries in Asia.

During his tenure as Papal Nuncio he was instrumental in enhancing mutual relations between the Vatican State and Indonesia to greater heights. He won the admiration of the church hierarchy for the pivotal role he played in assisting the establishment of cordial relations between the local Churches and their Governments whilst ensuring that the rights of the local Church are respected by these governments.

First Sri Lankan Adjunct Secretary

Archbishop Malcolm is also the first Sri Lankan Bishop to be appointed to the Holy See. On October 1, 2001, he was made the Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples along with the appointment of the President of the Pontifical Mission Societies by Pope John Paul II. It is the Holy Father’s ministry for the coordination of the missionary efforts of the Church and involves overview and growth of the local Churches in mission countries.

This Ministry coordinates over 1100 Archdioceses, Dioceses, Apostolic Vicarates and Apostolic Prefectures as well as Sui Juris Missions. The Adjunct Secretary is the World President as well as the International President of the Pontifical Mission Societies, which are the instruments of the Pope for enhancing support through prayer and contributions for the mission of the Church.

First Bishop of Ratnapura

Archbishop Malcolm was also the first shepherd to be appointed by the Holy See to the newly carved Diocese of Ratnapura. His appointment was hailed as a welcome spark to kindle the fire of missionary zeal in the hearts of the clergy and laity in his diocese. It was evident from the unprecedented numbers of well wishers of all religions that thronged to welcome him. The unflagging zeal and leadership displayed by him in guiding the flock of Ratnapura perhaps paved him the way to the Holy See.

Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo

He started his episcopate as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo in 1991. He served as the Vicar General in charge of Parochial Apostolate and Lay Apostolate from 1991 to 1995. His peers elected him the Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka as well. As the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Beatification of Ven. Joseph Vaz and the visit of Pope John Paul II to Sri Lanka in January 1995, certainly impressed the Church leaders.

Early Life and Priesthood

Born on November 15, 1947 as the only son of Don William and Mary Winifreeda and baptised in Polgahawela, he had his education at De La Salle College, Mutwal. He joined St. Aloysius’ Seminary at Borella in 1965 and after 3 months entered the National Seminary at Ampitiya. During the regency, Bro. Malcolm served SEDEC in the district of Ratnapura building homes for the needy. Thereafter, he joined the tutorial staff of St. Thomas’ College, Kotte.

Missionary Work

On his return from Rome, he was appointed Assistant Parish Priest of Pamunugama in 1978 and his dynamism and enthusiasm certainly had its impact on the villages of Kepungoda and Dungalapitiya. He literally shook that sleepy, backward fishing villages with its rocky beaches and was instrumental in supplying electricity, building houses and modernising the area.

His missionary odyssey then took him through the parishes of Payagala and Kalutara where he blazed a trail of total commitment to uplift the poverty stricken fisher folk and built a vibrant Christian community. "Seth Sarana" the Archdiocesan Centre for Poor Relief is his brain child and remains a lasting monument to his commitment to alleviate the sufferings of the poor.

In 1983, Fr. Malcolm was appointed the National Director of Pontifical Mission Societies and under his enthusiastic direction a new and urgent sense of mission was created among the clergy and the people. He revived the Society of the Holy Childhood to inspire a spirit of missionary zeal in children. As Diocesan Co-ordinator for Human Development he introduced bold initiatives in areas such as housing, fisheries and various self employment projects.

Archbishop Malcolm is a warm and gentle friend gifted with enough charisma to enthuse others. He is a lucid and popular teacher of Holy Scripture; a brilliant though self-effacing intellectual; a preacher par excellence; a benefactor of countless projects; a sparkling companion... but above all, a missionary fired with apostolic zeal to proclaim Christ as the Redeemer of the World.

At the airport

Phew. I've been rather stressed. I tried to check-in online as the Emirates Airlines SMS suggested I was in the second stage of the process when I realised I would probably need a printer. Perhaps I should have thought of that earlier, but they should have mentioned it at the outset right? So I didn't proceed. Was worried that we'd have trouble at the check-in counter. Thank God nothing happened. So now we're waiting to board.

Ooops I spilled my coffee...thank God it didn't spill on the laptop. :p

It's been a long and challenging semester, thanks to my thesis. I thank God for guiding me every step of the way, and helping me grow along the way too. I thank God for my friends, both old and new, in Singapore.

It's been an exciting sem!

Deo gratias!

I'm off to Sri Lanka!

Corpus Christi Mass in Latin

I attended Corpus Christi Mass with Gregorian Chant this afternoon with my sister and Carina. It was so beautiful! Jon was right when he said you find objective beauty at a well-celebrated Holy Mass.

The hymns were beautiful! And it was a blessing to be able to take part in the Eucharistic procession. We ended off with a favourite hymn of mine: Soul of My Saviour, and the ringing of the Angelus bells, another thing that I really love. :)





I had a big smile on my face as I left the chapel :)

I'm not really looking for the rather mediocre liturgical practicies we have in my parish in Sri Lanka...Hopefully Bishop Malcolm Ranjith, when he moves to Colombo, will begin the reform of the reform there too!

Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ

Deus, qui nobis sub sacraménto mirábili passiónis tuæ memóriam reliquísti, tríbue, quaésumus, ita nos Córporis et Sánguinis tui sacra mystéria venerári, ut redemptiónis tuæ fructum in nobis iúgiter sentiámus.
Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

O God, Who under this wondrous Sacrament, left to us a Memorial of Your Passion, grant, we beseech You, so as to venerate the Sacred Mysteries of Your Body and Blood, that we may constantly experience the fruit of Your Redemption.
You Who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Pange Lingua
Sing, My Tongue

Written by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, this hymn is considered the most beautiful of Aquinas' hymns and one of the great seven hymns of the Church. The rhythm of the Pange Lingua is said to have come down from a marching song of Caesar's Legions: "Ecce, Caesar nunc triumphat qui subegit Gallias." Besides the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, this hymn is also used on Holy Thursday. The last two stanzas make up the Tantum Ergo (Down in Adoration Falling) that is used at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

PANGE, lingua, gloriosi Corporis mysterium, Sanguinisque pretiosi, quem in mundi pretium fructus ventris generosi Rex effudit Gentium.	SING, my tongue, the Savior's glory, of His flesh the mystery sing; of the Blood, all price exceeding, shed by our immortal King, destined, for the world's redemption, from a noble womb to spring.
Nobis datus, nobis natus ex intacta Virgine, et in mundo conversatus, sparso verbi semine, sui moras incolatus miro clausit ordine.	Of a pure and spotless Virgin born for us on earth below, He, as Man, with man conversing, stayed, the seeds of truth to sow; then He closed in solemn order wondrously His life of woe.
In supremae nocte cenae recumbens cum fratribus observata lege plene cibis in legalibus, cibum turbae duodenae se dat suis manibus.	On the night of that Last Supper, seated with His chosen band, He the Pascal victim eating, first fulfills the Law's command; then as Food to His Apostles gives Himself with His own hand.
Verbum caro, panem verum verbo carnem efficit: fitque sanguis Christi merum, et si sensus deficit, ad firmandum cor sincerum sola fides sufficit.	Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature by His word to Flesh He turns; wine into His Blood He changes;- what though sense no change discerns? Only be the heart in earnest, faith her lesson quickly learns.
Tantum ergo Sacramentum veneremur cernui: et antiquum documentum novo cedat ritui: praestet fides supplementum sensuum defectui.	Down in adoration falling, Lo! the sacred Host we hail; Lo! o'er ancient forms departing, newer rites of grace prevail; faith for all defects supplying, where the feeble sense fail.
Genitori, Genitoque laus et iubilatio, salus, honor, virtus quoque sit et benedictio: procedenti ab utroque compar sit laudatio. Amen. Alleluia.	To the everlasting Father, and the Son who reigns on high, with the Holy Ghost proceeding forth from Each eternally, be salvation, honor, blessing, might and endless majesty. Amen. Alleluia.

Preface of the Holy Eucharist II
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation, that we always and everywhere give thanks to You, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God: through Christ our Lord.
Who, when eating the last supper with His Apostles, and about to carry out the saving Memorial of the Cross for all ages, a Lamb without blemish He offered to You Himself, the acceptable Sacrifice of perfect praise.
You sanctify by this venerable Mystery nourishing Your faithful, so that one world contains, one faith enlightens, and one love joins together the human race.
Therefore we now approach the table of so wonderful a Sacrament, so that, having been filled with the sweetness of Your Grace, we may be transformed into the image of the Divine Form.
Thus, the Heavens and the earth, adoring, sing together to You a new song, and with all the armies of Angels, we proclaim, saying without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...

Why do Catholic women traditionally wear veils at Holy Mass?

Because we're a patriarchal religion that oppress women?
Well that's what the radical feminist would probably say. But, just as they're wrong on contraception, abortion, modest dress, and a host of others issues, they'd be wrong on this too.

We should not unload our preconceived ideas onto something we do not know a lot about. To the world, asking a woman to cover her head at Mass seems oppressive. But we shouldn't judge the Catholic Church through the misconceptions of the world. We must ask the Church what her rationale is for this practice.

To do that, let's look at other objects that the Church veils.

We veil our tabernacles, for that's where God dwells:

We veil our chalices. They are our Lord's thrones during Holy Mass:

We shelter our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament when we take Him on procession:

Traditionally, the priest bows close to the host and pronounces the words of consecration softly and slowly: we even veil the words of consecration, as this is the most sacred part of our worship.

At the moment a woman conceives a child, God Himself, Creator and Redeemer of the universe, personally visits the mother's womb to impart to the new child a soul.

The most powerful act man can perform is the act of consecration.
The second most powerful act is the act of procreation. A woman's womb is where this act takes place. Like the chalice and the tabernacle, therefore, she is sacred.

And so that is why Catholic women wear veils.

Thanks Jon for pointing us to this explanation. It one of the most beautiful things I've heard in a long while. It made me appreciate and treasure the Catholic women I know even more. You are all so precious.

Divine Office Podcast

Yesterday Jon told us about the importance of realizing that liturgy extends out from the Holy Mass to include the Divine Office and liturgical prayers and blessings. Even eating becomes a prayer to God when using the liturgical forms.

If you'd like to pray the Divine Office, and it seems confusing, here's a podcast that might help.

The Peacemaker

Pope Benedict XVI has decided to send one of the staunchest supporters of his liturgical reform in the Roman Curia away from the Eternal City. Why?

By Robert Moynihan

VATICAN CITY, June 12, 2009 — The Pope has decided that Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith (photo), the Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments and one of the strongest supporters of Benedict's liturgical reform, will be transferred this summer to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka (his native country), where he will become archbishop, reliable Vatican sources confirmed today. The decision will be announced publicly in the next few days, the sources said.

According to veteran Vaticanista Andrea Tornielli (but this has not been confirmed), Ranjith will be replaced by the American Dominican J. Augustine Di Noia (photo), who has been Undersecretary of the Congregation of the Doctrine for the Faith (CDF) since 2002, where he was in daily working contact with then-Cardinal Ratzinger, the Prefect of the CDF before he became Pope. "After having been the number three of Ratzinger, he (Di Noia) will now become the number two of the 'little Ratzinger,' a nickname given to Spanish Cardinal Cañizares Llovera, who leads the Congregation of Worship," Tornielli wrote in Il Giornale recently. "The liturgical dicastery is the Vatican office that has most oft en changed its Secretary in recent years: Di Noia will be the fourth in just seven years."

Many Vatican observers believe that the decision to send Ranjith away from Rome is a "victory" for liturgical progressives, and a "defeat" for liturgical traditionalists, since Ranjith has been a prominent champion of more solemnity and decorum in the celebration of the Mass in the new rite, and a supporter of wider use of the old rite, and this interpretation can be found in numerous articles and blogs on the internet.

However, it is not certain that this is the true interpretation. And there are reasons to interpret the appointment in a different way.

Colombo is not presently a cardinalatial see, but there has been a cardinal in Colombo in the past, so it is certainly a possibility that Ranjith could receive the red hat in an upcoming consistory — something he could not have received if he had remained as a secretary of the Congregation.

Ranjith was a bishop in Sri Lanka in the 1990s, but in 2001 Pope John Paul II called him to Rome, appointing him secretary under Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe at the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (Propaganda Fide). Due to tensions between the two, in April 2004, Ranjith — who was not a Vatican diplomat — was named the nuncio in Indonesia and East Timor. Then, after Pope Benedict was elected, in April 2005, he called Ranjith back to Rome, making him secretary of the Divine Worship Congregation in December, 2005.

Some thought that Ranjith would succeed Cardinal Francis Arinze as head of the Congregation upon Arinze's retirement for reason of age, but, Tornielli writes, Ranjith was "considered by his adversaries too close to the traditionalists and Lefebvrists."

Tornielli sums up the consensus view: "Ranjith's presence on the front lines in Asia will be important, because there the Church faces a decisive challenge. But it is difficult not to view his appointment as a 'promoveatur ut amoveatur' ('let him be promoted that he may be removed')."

Still, there is a Sri Lankan proverb: "The tiger who is outside of his cage is more dangerous than the tiger who is inside of his cage."

Ranjith, once in his own archdiocese, will have a chance to help bring true peace to his war-torn country, and to fight for social and economic justice in his homeland, something he has written and spoken about often in the past.

It is known that the president of Sri Lanka twice visited Rome in recent years, and twice told Pope Benedict that he would appreciate Ranjith's contribution to the peace process in his country, as Ranjith is respected by all sides.

In this perspective, one could perhaps imagine that Benedict has actually followed the opposite logic from that which most Vatican watchers see here: "amoveatur ut promoveatur" ("let him be removed that he may be promoted").

Only time will tell whether Ranjith will rise to the challenge his new post poses, and become a true peacemaker, binding up the wounds caused by a long civil war, as well as continuing to be a supporter of reverence and decorum in the Church's liturgy, as desired by Pope Benedict.

Via NLM

St Anthony of Padua, Doctor of the Church, Wonder Worker, Professor of Miracles

It's the feast of dear St Anthony, probably the most beloved saint in Sri Lanka.

Here's why he's called the wonder-worker:

Among the many miracles St. Anthony wrought in the conversion of heretics; the three most noted recorded by his biographers are the following:

• The first is that of a horse, which, kept fasting for three days, refused the oats placed before him, till he had knelt down and adored the Blessed Sacrament, which St. Anthony held in his hands. Legendary narratives of the fourteenth century say this miracle took place at Toulouse, at Wadding, at Bruges; the real place, however, was Rimini.
• The second most important miracle is that of the poisoned food offered him by some Italian heretics, which he rendered innoxious by the sign of the cross.
• The third miracle worthy of mention is that of the famous sermon to the fishes on the bank of the river Brenta in the neighbourhood of Padua; not at Padua, as is generally supposed.
• Preaching one night on Holy Thursday in the Church of St. Pierre du Queriox at Limoges, he remembered he had to sing a Lesson of the Divine Office. Interrupting suddenly his discourse, he appeared at the same moment among the friars in choir to sing his Lesson, after which he continued his sermon.
• Another day preaching in the square des creux des Arenes at Limoges, he miraculously preserved his audience from the rain.
• At St. Junien during the sermon, he predicted that by an artifice of the devil the pulpit would break down, but that all should remain safe and sound. And so it occurred; for while he was preaching, the pulpit was overthrown, but no one hurt; not even the saint himself.
• In a monastery of Benedictines, where he had fallen ill, he delivered by means of his tunic one of the monks from great temptations.
• Likewise, by breathing on the face of a novice (whom he had himself received into the order), he confirmed him in his vocation.
• At Brive, where he had founded a convent, he preserved from the rain the maid-servant of a benefactress who was bringing some vegetables to the brethren for their meagre repast.
• At Padua also took place the famous miracle of the amputated foot, which Franciscan writers attribute to St. Anthony. A young man, Leonardo by name, in a fit of anger kicked his own mother. Repentant, he confessed his fault to St. Anthony who said to him: "The foot of him who kicks his mother deserves to be cut off." Leonardo ran home and cut off his foot. Learning of this, St. Anthony took the amputated member of the unfortunate youth and miraculously rejoined it.
• Regarding the celebrated apparition of the Infant Jesus to our saint, French writers maintain it took place in the province of Limousin at the Castle of Chateauneuf-la-Forêt, between Limoges and Eymoutiers, whereas the Italian hagiographers fix the place at Camposanpiero, near Padua. The existing documents, however, do not decide the question. We have more certainty regarding the apparition of St. Francis to St. Anthony at the Provincial Chapter of Arles, whilst the latter was preaching about the mysteries of the Cross.

This very popular saint was born in Portugal in 1195. He was baptized "Ferdinand." He received an excellent education from the Augustinian friars and joined the order. When he was twenty-five, his life took an exciting turn. He heard about some Franciscans who had been martyred by the Moors in Morocco. These friars were St. Berard and companions. We celebrate their feast on January 16. From then on, Ferdinand felt a strong desire to die for Christ. He joined the Franciscans. This order was very new. St. Francis himself was still alive. Ferdinand took the name "Anthony." He went off to Africa to preach to the Moors. But he soon became so sick that he had to return to Italy. No one in his new religious order realized how brilliant and talented he was. They were not aware of how much education he had received. He never spoke about himself. So the Franciscan superiors assigned him to a quiet friary in Italy. There he washed pots and pans. One day, at a large gathering of priests, Anthony preached a marvelous sermon. From then on, until he died nine years later, St. Anthony preached all over Italy. He was so popular that people even closed their stores to go to hear him. St. Anthony is frequently called on in times of physical as well as spiritual needs. Many miracles have taken place through the intercession of St. Anthony. Large numbers of people have obtained favors by praying to him. That is why he is called the "wonder-worker." The statue of St. Anthony shows him with Baby Jesus because Baby Jesus appeared to him. Other pictures show St. Anthony holding a bible. This is because he knew, loved and preached the Word of God so well. In fact, St. Anthony was so well educated especially in Sacred Scripture that Pope Pius XII proclaimed him the "Evangelical Doctor," or Doctor of Sacred Scripture. St. Anthony died at Arcella, near Padua, Italy, on June 13, 1231. He was thirty-six. He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Gregory IX one year later.

"The man who is filled with the Holy Spirit speaks in different languages. These different languages are different ways of witnessing to Christ, such as humility, poverty, patience, and obedience; we speak in those languages when we reveal in ourselves these virtues to others."
-sermon by St. Anthony


The Responsory in Honor of St. Anthony

If you ask for miracles,

Death, error, all calamities,

The leprosy and demons fly,

And health succeeds infirmities.

The sea obeys, and fetters break,

And lifeless limbs thou dost restore;

Whilst treasures lost are found again

When young or old thine aid implore.

All dangers vanish at thy prayer,

And direst need doth quickly flee,

Let those who know thy power proclaim—

Let Paduans say—these are of thee.

The sea obeys, etc.

To Father, Son may glory be,

And Holy Spirit eternally.

The sea obeys, etc.

Pray for us, blessed Anthony,

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Almighty God, you have given St. Anthony to your people as an outstanding preacher and a ready helper in time of need. With his assistance may we follow the Gospel of Christ and know the help of your grace in every difficulty. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

St. Anthony, God has helped me abundantly through your prayer and has strengthened me in my need. I thank God and I thank you. Accept this prayer and my serious resolve which I now renew, to live always in the love of Jesus and of my neighbor. Continue to shield me by your protection and pray to God for the final grace of one day entering the kingdom of heaven to sing with you the everlasting mercies of God. Amen.

The zeal with which St. Anthony fought against heresy, and the great and numerous conversions he made rendered him worthy of the glorious title of Malleus hereticorum (Hammer of the Heretics). Though his preaching was always seasoned with the salt of discretion, nevertheless he spoke openly to all, to the rich as to the poor, to the people as well as those in authority. In a synod at Bourges in the presence of many prelates, he reproved the Archbishop, Simon de Sully, so severely, that he induced him to sincere amendment.


St Anthony, preaching to the fish

Immediately after his death he appeared at Vercelli to the Abbot, Thomas Gallo, and his death was also announced to the citizens of Padua by a troop of children, crying: "The holy Father is dead; St. Anthony is dead!" Gregory IX, firmly persuaded of his sanctity by the numerous miracles he had wrought, inscribed him within a year of his death (Pentecost, 30 May, 1232), in the calendar of saints of the Cathedral of Spoleto. In the Bull of canonization he declared he had personally known the saint, and we know that the same pontiff, having heard one of his sermons at Rome, and astonished at his profound knowledge of the Holy Scripture called him: "Ark of the Covenant". That this title is well-founded is also shown by his several works: "Expositio in Psalmos", written at Montpellier, 1224; the "Sermones de tempore", and the "Sermones de Sanctis", written at Padua, 1229-30.

The name of Anthony became celebrated throughout the world, and with it the name of Padua. The inhabitants of that city erected to his memory a magnificent temple, whither his precious relics were transferred in 1263, in presence of St. Bonaventure, Minister General at the time. When the vault in which for thirty years his sacred body had reposed was opened, the flesh was found reduced to dust but the tongue uninjured, fresh, and of a lively red colour. St. Bonaventure, beholding this wonder, took the tongue affectionately in his hands and kissed it, exclaiming: "O Blessed Tongue that always praised the Lord, and made others bless Him, now it is evident what great merit thou hast before God."

Stephen in Iraq

Check out this very good Colbert Report episode from Iraq. It's a good tribute to the troops fighting there: there's a certain dignity to the whole thing. :)

Pro-lifer kills straw man

"Thanks Mr. Gietzen for your service to the unborn. Now shut up." says CMR. Find out why here.

WTH of the day

Thanks Carina for the caption and for the video.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Dag Soderberg
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Stephen Colbert in Iraq

My goodness...what next?

Fisking

I enjoy a good fisk. Here's one, via Insight Schoop:

A few days ago I stumbled upon a post on Daily Kos titled, "There are two kinds of Christianity." Other than being poorly constructed, badly written, overtly insulting, condescending, historically illiterate, theologically clueless, and completely off the mark in every way possible, it was a great post. I had planned to lower the fisking boom on it—in large part because it does, I think, capture the "thinking" of a significant number of people—but a friend beat me to it.

He told me, "I have been frisk-free for a long time, but I couldn't pass this one by." And since he did such a wonderful and efficient job, I had to share it. As you will see from his comments, he's a retiring, low-key sort, so I told him I would give him a pseudonym. How about "Johnny C."? The Daily Kos article is in blue type; "Johnny C." is in black type:

Christianity is not monolithic. It is instead highly fragmented, highly confused, and highly confusing.
I'm wondering how Christianity can be "confused", and, if it's so "highly confusing", how is it that the author can explain it all to us in a short article?

It is feverish and quarrelsome.
Unlike this article.

Over the centuries many of its practitioners were violent, and some no doubt are so today.
Guess it is highly confusing after all, at least to this writer. How does faithfully practicing Christianity produce violence? I can call myself a surgeon, but would you want me to take out your appendix?

Others, by preaching hatred, incite it,
Christianity is primarily known for its hatred. That's why its churches are the largest provider of health care services on the planet. Because it's a tough job preaching hatred to sick people.

still others proclaim that love is the answer, and most, in my opinion, are swept this way and that by the winds that blow from pulpits, television programs, blogs, newsletters, websites, radio programs, religious books, music CD’s, DVD’s, video games, and the like,
These people are also known as the "Ignorant, Unwashed, Mindless Masses".

and when the multitude hunger they are too often fed political dogma instead of manna.
I find political dogma to be feverish, quarrelsome, and highly confusing.

This roiling, boiling, highly fluid situation is understandable when one remembers that the Christian Religion, like political parties, the Supreme Court, the Congress, and the Executive Branch, is made up of human beings, none of whom are divine, or chosen by God, but many of whom think they are – and many of those are in positions of leadership.
If the Jews hold that they are God's Chosen People, is this now turning into an anti-Semitic piece?

Tyranno-Christianity threatens the world and your soul with God-imposed death and destruction should its tenets not be obeyed.
Well, if "its tenets" are not God's tenets, what's the big deal? But if they are, then maybe you should rethink this point? [Carl: Also, I seem to recall that Jesus said a thing or two about judgment, damnation, Sheol, darkness, wailing, and gnashing of teeth for those who refuse to follow him.]

It brings more trouble into an already troubled world.
Which is why Christianity has so many adherents. People don't think they have enough trouble.

It punishes children for the sins of their fathers.
I thought that was what Gaia did.

It is intolerant on several levels. It is obsessed with sex.
Or is it that Christianity doesn't consider sex to be held as cheap and common?

It is antisocial (hostile to the well-being of society) and separatist.
That’s why people gather together in churches, and organize charitable and educational works, and keep inviting others to share in their faith.

Rather than using the public school system like everybody else, it builds its own schools, but wants tax dollars to fund them.
Yeah, those damn tax-payers! A school system that forbids prayer or Christmas celebrations is not separatist.

It prides itself on its charity but wants tax dollars to fund it.
One wonders how many people are cleverly writing off their own taxes as "charitable contributions" on their 1040?

It is anti knowledge and pro ignorance, and therefore anti progress.
Wait a minute! I thought they had their own separatist school systems!

It promotes hatred.
Unlike this article.

It is absolutely certain of itself.
Unlike this author.

It knows the mind of God—except when it is asked to explain the suffering of innocents.
Like those who read this piece.

It lives to tell others how to live.
And that's the last thing any religion ever wants to do.

It exhibits many of the characteristics of Antisocial Personality Disorder. It perfectly fits Jimmy Carter’s definition of Christian fundamentalists – it favors "rigidity, domination, and exclusion." It is the more hypocritical of the two varieties of Christianity.
And if, as the author holds, this type of Christianity preaches violence, ignorance and separatism, where then is the hypocrisy?

It practices the Tyranno-Golden Rule of Reciprocity: You are to love your neighbors as yourself, and to do this you must persuade, or require, them to live their lives the way you want.
Persuasion is the cruelest tactic of all.

Liberto-Christianity offers peace, love, and forgiveness to a troubled world.
How?

It is more tolerant, for which it is attacked by the tyranno-sect.
Tolerant of whom, or what?

It is certain that it does not know the mind of God.
I thought he was against ignorance.

It often follows the teachings of Jesus Christ, a libertus.
But when it doesn't follow those teachings, is that where the tyrannos get a say?

It practices charity and pays for it itself. It sends its children to the public schools and tries to make the schools better.
Obviously a failing effort, but maybe they should not only pay for their own charities, but even extra for the public schools?

It works with all its neighbors to make society better and America stronger and safer. It recognizes that the Christian God wrote two books: the Christian Bible and the Book of Nature.
They believe in “non-Christian gods”? I believe his two-book theory comes from a confusion with Mormon belief.

Liberto-Christianity sees no problem with knowledge and Science. It wants its children to understand God’s Creation.
How can they understand God’s Creation when you can’t say “God” in their public schools?

It practices "live and let live." It does not suffer from a personality disorder.
Christianity is a person? And you are the diagnostician?

All Christians claim that they belong to liberto-Christianity even though most do not. It is the less hypocritical of the two varieties of Christianity. It practices the Liberto-Golden Rule of Reciprocity: You are to love your neighbors as yourself, and to do this you must protect their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
So one “form” of the faith is only less hypocritical than the other. All Christianity is hypocrisy. Where’s the “live and let live” going on here?

So when diaries or comments appear on DKos that cricize Christianity the diarists and commenters are talking about Tyranno-Christianity, but the Christians respond defensively because they think the attacks are against Liberto-Christianity.
If they’re both hypocritical, just in different degrees, why should you care? Slam ‘em all! (Or was it “live and let live”?….I’m getting confused now.)

This is the cause of the constant bickering I see here. Tyranno-Christianity is bad, Liberto-Christianity is good.
I think what he means is “less” Christianity is good.

So, Christians, please don't be so quick to lash out, give the critics the benefit of the doubt.
Which he, himself, so generously extends to those he writes of here.

They are talking about Tyranno-Christianity not your Liberto-Christianity. America would be a better place if Tyranno-Christianity could be converted to Liberto-Christianity.
He’s not trying to tell Christians how they ought to live, is he? That sounds a lot like religion.

Yes it does, Johnny C., yes it does.

Talking Faiths

That's the title of the new series of interfaith dialogue sessions initiated by the NUS Muslim Society, under the auspices of the newly formed NUS Interfaith Group. I hope this will be the blossoming of closer cooperation between the faiths. There is a lot we can achieve together, a lot of good we can do for society.

We talked about the Concept of God. I wish more people from CSS took part. No one helped with the research - it was entirely a Legion thing. Too bad, because we discovered some interesting things about our own faith.

Gerg did a great job presenting, though his preparation was so last minute that it was rather worrying.

Here's to some more fruitful sessions of Talking Faiths.

Preparing at YIH, the night before

Ahmed Badawi gives the welcome address.

Peta did a great job as moderator.

Gerg goes first...

...followed by Rafi.

The Q&A session:

Our funny MC, Aizat.

Tokens of appreciation:

Justin from CSS.

Krizia represents Legion

The representative from the Buddhist Society

And finally to Peta.