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Everything Else,

They’re coming back…

I received a CM Almy 2006-2007 liturgical catalog today. Since I am not independently wealthy I do not shop at Almy, but I like to look.

I noticed that this version of the catalog has a lot more in terms of dalmatics (some nice traditional styles and some modernist stuff) and they have maniples!

Maniples are certainly used in some PNCC parishes (we have several beautiful sets in our parish), and I know that they are used in traditionalist R.C. circles, as well as by some Anglo-Catholics, but finding them in this kind of catalog —“ well where have I been?

I’ve always been a firm believer in ‘the clothes make the man.’ Too many rush through the process of getting vested, skipping the vesting prayers. Careful attention to detail helps us remember whom we are to re-present and how we are to conduct ourselves. It is also a good lesson for altar servers. I also try to pray with our altar servers before the beginning of Holy Mass.

Here are vesting prayers that are commonly (or uncommonly) used:

When washing the hands: Give virtue to my hands, O Lord, that being cleansed from all stain I might serve you with purity of mind and body.

With the amice: Place upon me, O Lord, the helmet of salvation, that I may overcome the assaults of the devil.

With the alb: Purify me, O Lord, and cleanse my heart; that, being made white in the Blood of the Lamb, I may come to eternal joy.

With the cincture: Gird me, O Lord, with the girdle of purity, and extinguish in me all evil desires, that the virtue of chastity may abide in me.

With the maniple: Grant, O Lord, that I may so bear the maniple of weeping and sorrow, that I may receive the reward for my labors with rejoicing.

With the stole: Restore unto me, O Lord, the stole of immortality, which was lost through the guilt of our first parents: and, although I am unworthy to approach Your sacred Mysteries, nevertheless grant unto me eternal joy.

With the chasuble: O Lord, Who said: My yoke is easy and My burden light: grant that I may bear it well and follow after You with thanksgiving. Amen.

With the dalmatic: Lord, endow me with the garment of salvation, the vestment of joy, and with the dalmatic of justice ever encompass me.

Everything Else,

Finding Deacons

If you’ve read some of the comments I’ve received from Deacon Dan or from our seminarian Adam, you’ll note that a few of the comments mention the lack of deacon bloggers.

My mini mission, since I redesigned my blogroll, is to identify worthwhile blogs run by Catholic deacons. I’ve just added another link to Deacon Dean who blogs at Life on the (L)edge. He is chronicling the struggle his family is facing in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

As we’ve just passed the first anniversary of this tragedy, please make a special intention this week for Deacon Dean, his family, community, and all affected.

I should also note that I’m not including all deacon sites that I trip across. I look at several things to determine whether a deacon will be included:

  • Catholic content, i.e., reflecting the Catholic faith whether in discussion of the Catholic faith itself or in politics, sports, family life, etc.
  • Good design with readable content
  • No extremes except in the preservation of the faith, i.e., no ultra neo-Cath content, far left, far right, far out agendas
  • Ecumenical, Orthodox, Roman, PNCC, Oriental, basically Catholic (anyone who has a Catholic understanding of the Diaconate)

If you would like to recommend someone, let me know.

Everything Else, ,

A new ministry

A colleague from our ecumenical group has offered me an opportunity to assume his nursing home ministry.

I begin tomorrow.

The nursing home is run by the Daughters of Sarah. There is a small group of Christians who live there and meet once a month for prayer, scripture, and fellowship.

In my seminary days I had a nursing home ministry. When I lived in Buffalo I worked at a senior respite center and in a hospital based skilled nursing facility. I look forward to resuming this type of work. I always found it to be rewarding. The Lord works in marvelous ways through us and teaches us greatly through the challenges such a ministry brings.

I pray that the Holy Spirit will work through my hands and words to bring our Lord’s healing love to these folks.

Please keep me in your prayers.

[dels]blogs4god/ministries[/dels]

Everything Else,

Vocation to the Diaconate

A reader asked:

…can [you] provide some information about how you came to become a deacon, and offer your advise for others who are discerning that call, it would be greatly appreciated.

As they say —“ start with humor. Asking a blogger to talk about himself is an oxymoron…

And here I was going to begin writing about discernment, formation, the time it takes to have an understanding of yourself and your relationship with Christ in the context of the Church.

It would all be good, sound, doctrinal stuff. It would also be insipid.

What I suggest is that you go on over to the Ancient Faith Radio website or directly to the Our Life in Christ website and listen to their podcasts regarding the Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian (he was a deacon by the way).

Here’s the prayer:

O Lord and Master of my life,
Take from me the spirit of sloth, despair,
lust of power and idle talk;
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my
own transgressions and not to judge my brother,
for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.

The key to any vocation and to life in Christ is the humility found in this prayer.

The Lord needs to be the Master of your life. He should be enthroned as its center and seen as its purpose and goal.

For a deacon, humility is ultimately important. Some might look on the vocation as social work and charity under the guise of a confirmed role in the Church. That is very far from the truth. If people want to do charity, enter into social work, or just ‘do good’, there are plenty of opportunities both in the secular world and in parishes.

My vocation had its roots in my family life, the examples of the saints and heroes of the faith, regular attachment to the Church, and the struggles during the dark times of life. Ultimately, my vocation came from my desire to set myself aside; to let the fullness of Christ shine through me and through my service to Him. It is the desire to be an object the Lord uses to accomplish His purposes.

Can I say I am there? Absolutely not! I can only say that I try each day to orient myself to what God desires. It is difficult. It is tempting to focus on the self. Temptation and struggles abound. But when I am in Christ’s presence at the Holy Altar, I cannot help but be overwhelmed with the desire to serve Him; to perform the most menial of tasks, and from that deprecation of the self, to receive the grace to care for my brothers and sisters.

That sense or desire is more than a momentary impression or feeling. It grows with time into a longing desire. Everything flows from Christ and the way He taught us to follow the Father’s will. It flows from His very presence in the Holy Eucharist. It fills the nooks and crannies of your life, your relationship to work, school, friends, family, those who dislike or hate you, the whole world.

I have also written on vocations for our parish website. Check out: Do I have a vocation?

The becoming part is something that happens in your life. It is the way Jesus is moulding you. If you are allowing Him to mould and form you, then you are ready to inquire. There is a process of course, and I would refer you to Fr. Czeslaw Kroliczkowski, Vice-Rector of the Savanrola Theological Seminary for more information on the particulars.

Savonarola Theological Seminary of the
Polish National Catholic Church
1031 Cedar Ave
Scranton, PA 18505
School, (570) 961-9288
Office, (570) 343-0100

If you wish, send me a private E-mail and I will forward your inquiry to him by E-mail.

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