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The transformative Word of God

From a guest post by Ray S. Anderson at the Faith and Theology blog: Encountering the Word of God: against effective preaching

If one should dare to preach Word of God, be prepared to be exposed to the —naked— event of proclamation

As some of you know, in the PNCC the Word of God – in its proclamation and preaching is considered a sacrament. This post makes that point very well – trust in God to deliver His word through you – not your magical oratorial skills or props. By doing so we are led to an encounter with God’s transformative Word.

Christian Witness, Perspective

They will know we are Christians…

Received the following through my Christian Newswire newsfeed: Pope Chooses ‘Political Correctness’ Over Christ

“In a very disturbing acquiescence to “political correctness,” the Pope Benedict XVI has chosen the approval of non- Christians and unbelievers over the truth of Christ,” said Dr. Gary L. Cass, Chairman and CEO of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission. “Because Christians are commanded by Christ to demonstrate love, they must pray for conversion non-Christians which Christians believe are lost. Christians single out the Jews for prayer out of a genuine concern for their souls.”

The Catholic Church has announced that the Pope Benedict XVI will rewrite the Good Friday prayer to remove what some have claimed are negative references to Jews. The prayer reads, “Almighty and everlasting God, you do not refuse your mercy even to the Jews; hear the prayers which we offer for the blindness of that people so that they may acknowledge the light of your truth, which is Christ, and be delivered from their darkness.”

The references to the “blindness” and “darkness” of the Jews are to be stricken from the prayer because of the efforts of people like Abraham Foxman and organizations like the Jewish Anti-Defamation League.

“Christians have always believed that Jesus is the only Savior of mankind and the true Light of the world,” said Cass. “To not believe in Christ is to not see Him as the Savior and therefore to be spiritually blind. If you do not live in the light of Christ, you therefore live in spiritual darkness. This is biblical Christian truth, even if it is “politically incorrect.” ”

“The temerity of some Jews to demand that a prayer for the conversion of the Jews be stricken from the prayers of the church is astonishing,” said Cass. “For two thousand years Israeli Jews have renounced Christ and Christians. Jewish teachers have belittled Christ and Christians in the most strident terms in their sacred writings, the Talmud. I do not see these same Jews demanding anti-Christian texts be removed from their Talmud…”

A few thoughts on this. I think that this statement is lacking in mercy – and Christian charity. While I fully acknowledge that no other faith group can direct Christian prayer, I am perfectly willing to allow the Bishop of Rome to speak on the matter – to understand where he is coming from. Charity demands that we listen to our brother and think before rushing to condemnation.

It is also interesting that this group, which has made nary a statement about Catholicism or the Roman Catholic Church (per a search of their site using their search box – criteria included: ‘Catholic, Catholicism, Rome, bishop, and diocese), would choose this particular issue on which to opine. Further, I do not think that the roots of the organization lend themselves to ventures in Catholic liturgical criticism.

On the issue of the prayer itself – the Roman Church will pray what it prays, and it has that right. The Bishop of Rome, in the Roman Church’s understanding, has full, immediate, and universal jurisdiction, so he can rewrite things and he can use his office to make them stick (as long as they are not heretical). Does this surprise anyone anymore.

On this issue of language, it does evolve – especially in the sense of its common usage and understanding. Meanings change over the years. The same can be said of the term blindness. Do we want to take the time to help people understand the metaphorical and varied intellectual meanings of the word blindness – or do we want to be clear?

You could even make a technical argument by stating that blindness is an inability to see, something that is not true for the human heart. Do we as Christians believe that God created hearts that are unable to find Him? Not at all! So are the Jewish people spiritually blind? I think not. I do not think anyone is. If we fully acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the way, truth, and life – we must rely on God’s grace in moving hearts.

Perspective, PNCC

Ya think?

From CNA: Communion in hand should be revised, Vatican official says

Archbishop Albert Malcolm Ranjith, Secretary of the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Cult and Discipline of the Sacraments has said that the policy of giving Communion in the hand should be revised.

Receiving Holy Communion in the hand “produces a growing weakening of a devout attitude toward the Most Holy Sacrament,” wrote Archbishop Ranjith in the preface of a book from the Auxiliary Bishop of Kazakhstan, Bishop Athanasius Schneider.

The book’s title, printed by the Vatican Editing house, is —Dominus Est: Meditations of a Bishop from Central Asia on the Sacred Eucharist.”

Archbishop Ranjith says in the preface that the Eucharist should be received “with reverence and an attitude of devout adoration,” and claims that the practice of receiving Communion in the hand “was introduced in some places in an abusive and hurried manner.”

The Archbishop also highlights that the Second Vatican Council never promoted or legitimated such practice.

—I believe it is time to evaluate and reconsider such a practice, and if necessary, abandon it all together,” Ranjith concludes.

That and the whole idea of “Extraordinary ‘Ministers'” should be done away withThankfully the PNCC has neither. The Holy Eucharist may only be received on the tongue from a deacon, priest, or bishop. In the PNCC the Holy Eucharist is distributed under both forms by intinction..

I know of what I speak because in my R.C. days, back in Buffalo, I was one. Our parish had 3-4 priests at any one time and 20+ “Extraordinary ‘Ministers.'” The priests sat back and let the EM’s do the work – and there were no huge crowds at any one Mass. Beyond that, whenever I attend a R.C. Church (family funerals, other occasions) I sit back and am amazed at what I see during the distribution of the Holy Eucharist.

The most recent example was a woman with a walker. She could not possibly let go of the walker with both hands so as to follow protocol.

As I recall the protocolSee this Catholic Answers article., you are supposed to hold the right hand under the left. The ‘minister’ is to place the Eucharist into the cup of the left hand which is supported by the right. Then you are to take a step or two to the side, take the Eucharist up with the right hand, place it in your mouth – while facing forward, not on the ‘run.’ After consuming the Eucharist you proceed back to your seat.

As she could not do that, she let go of the walker with the right hand. The ‘minister’ placed the Eucharist there. Then she brought her hand up to her mouth and literally ‘hoovered’ the Eucharist into her mouth. I almost fell over.

In the U.S. the extraordinary is the ordinary. It is merely a subterfuge for, as Catholic Church Conservation would call, stealth priestesses and other abuses. The Young Fogey has mentioned that clown masses are a thing of the distant past – and perhaps so. What they’ve been replaced with makes those look absolutely Tridentine (check out the photos at CathCon and marvel at the inventiveness of it all).

If people have to “wait” and few extra seconds for the Eucharist – so what. Seek forgiveness, approach with joy and expectation, and most of all build up the desire within yourself. After all, you are approaching God.

PNCC, Poland - Polish - Polonia, ,

The Solemnity of the Presentation of our Lord and M. B. Gromniczna

Happy Candlemas Day – the traditional end of the Christmas season.

Na Gromniczną - Teodor Axentowicz (1859-1938)

This weekend we will bless candles – the traditional Gromniczna or Thunder Candle. The candle is kept in the homes of faithful Catholics and is used to ward off danger from storms and other threats. It is also used when the Holy Eucharist is brought to the home for distribution to the ill and home bound.

O Lord, Jesus Christ, Who wast presented by Thy parents in the temple, and Whom the venerable Simeon, illuminated by the light of Thy Spirit, recognized as his Savior, took into his arms and blessed: vouchsafe graciously to grant, that following the holy example of Simeon, we may always recognize Thee as our light and life, that we may always love Thee and follow Thee toward our way to salvation and eternal happiness. Who with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen.

PNCC, ,

Some recent conversations

Had a few interesting conversations recently with brother clergy.

The main topic was the PNCC – RC dialog and a few of the questions rising out of the recent Motu Proprio and the and the other more recent statements from Rome concerning the Roman Catholic Church’s understanding of itself.

As I pointed out at the time of both, I agree with the Motu Proprio in that it reconnects the Roman Church to its liturgical tradition, the riches the PNCC never lost. I also agree with others who saw the Roman Church’s statement on its self definition as exactly that. The Roman Church, as with the Orthodox, believe that they are the one and only true Church. The Roman Church said so – which is not surprising.

The two interesting things I took away from those conversations were that fellow clergy saw the Motu as a break in the Church’s teaching on the role of the Bishop as the overseer of the liturgical life in his diocese and the fact that this restatement of the Roman Church’s self understanding was difficult for some.

As to the Motu, in an address to the Institut Supérieur de Liturgie of the Institut Catholique de Paris Cardinal Francis Arinze stated:

Obviously ecclesial communion has to mean “communion” with the diocesan bishop and between bishops and the Pope. In the diocese, the bishop is the first steward of the mysteries of Christ. He is the moderator, promoter and guardian of the entire liturgical life of the diocesan Church (cf. “Christus Dominus,” No. 15; Code of Canon Law, Canon 387; “Redemptionis Sacramentum,” No. 19). The bishop directs the administration of the sacraments and especially of the holy Eucharist. When he concelebrates in his cathedral church with his priests, with the assistance of deacons and minor assistants, and with the participation of the holy people of God, “the Church reveals herself most clearly” (“Sacrosanctum Concilium,” No. 41).

The Motu’s delegation of authority of parish priests breaks the bond between the priest and the diocesan bishop, and would seem to negate the role of bishop as “first steward”.

While the Motu has a worthy purpose, this end run may be a vexing problem in Catholic ecumenical circles. It strengthens the role of the Bishop of Rome as the actual bishop of every diocese; the full, immediate, and universal jurisdiction issue.

Prime Bishop Emeritus of the Polish National Catholic Church, the Most Rev. John Swantek wrote extensivly on this issue in the most recent edition of God’s Field (God’s Field, Vol. 85, No. 22, October 30, 2007). Therin he quoted Canon II of the First Council of Constantinople:

Diocesan bishops are not to intrude in churches beyond their own boundaries nor are they to confuse the churches… Unless invited bishops are not to go outside their diocese to perform an ordination or any other ecclesiastical business.

Now, I imagine that an argument could be made stating that diocesan bishops are so out of control, and universally so, that the Bishop of Rome had to act. Yet that begs the question of the Roman Church’s own discipline.

There are all types of approaches that could be used, but what it seems to have come down to is a choice between correcting those who have wandered far afield, or taking direct control from everyone.

An interesting discussion.

As to the Roman Church’s self understanding, what I found most heartening was an affirmation of our own self understanding – that the PNCC fully believes that we have it right.

For someone who has not been a lifelong PNCC member that affirmation of our conviction was something I had longed to hear – and I have. Something that does not negate our brotherhood with all who proclaim the name of Jesus Christ as Lord, and something that does not diminish our commitment to dialog, nor our prayer for unity.

Christian Witness, Current Events, Perspective, PNCC,

Congratulations, on your documents

A hearty congratulations, and welcome back:

I would like to begin by offering a hearty congratulations to my Roman Catholic brothers and sisters on the occasion of the issuance of Benedict XVI’s Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum.

The Bishop of Rome has taken steps to reclaim something very precious, something that was lost for the vast majority of Roman Catholics, especially in the United States. That is, a spirit of deep and abiding reverence and Godwardness in the Liturgies of the Church.

I pray that your reclaiming of the Church’s patrimony will enrich your faith, deepen it, and strengthen it. I pray that this small seed will grow, and in its growth that it will support and nourish all the Rites of the Church.

A note on language:

SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM cura ad hoc tempus usque semper fuit, ut Christi Ecclesia Divinae Maiestati cultum dignum offerret, "ad laudem et gloriam nominis Sui» et "ad utilitatem totius Ecclesiae Suae sanctae».

Ummm, ok.

Mean much to you?

Me neither.

Many have posited that the Tridentine Mass is not about Latin. They continually repeat, ‘it is not about Latin.’

I understand the point. It is about focusing the congregation, the entire Church, on God.

Our relationship with God, as members of the Church, is completely interwoven with the Liturgy, most especially the Holy Mass. The Holy Mass, performed properly and devoutly, changes our perspective and enriches us.

That being said, based on my personal experience, rambling on in Latin, while quaint, will cause many of the pew dwellers to draw away, leaving behind geeky church types. The intended lesson will be wasted.

While still a Roman Catholic I attended indult Masses in Buffalo (at St. Vincent de Paul parish, since closed). I remembered it fairly well, because my very traditional Polish parish kept the old Mass alive up to 1974. I had my old missal and I was psyched for the experience.

They were very nice Masses, reverent and all, but they left me cold. I followed along, tried to be prayerful, understood what I was supposed to experience, but eh… I was looking for the glory, honor, and praise of God, and I got eh… Nice Mass, but I don’t get it…

Reading in silence is a great activity for evenings at home. It’s wonderful when you can delve into the experience of words, but it doesn’t quite work when reading distracts from focus, and focus is useless without the fullness of the context (that is culturally, linguistically, and aurally made present).

Another example.

I love Gorzkie Żale devotions during Lent. I grew up with them.

Gorzkie Żale are sung bitter lamentations reflecting on the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, as seen though Mary’s eyes and emotions, and as seen by us, in our complicity in what occurred.

The context for these Lamentations was explained to me by my mother. I was young, but I understood. I would serve at these devotions. I would reflect on the context, listen to the beautiful singing, and was often moved to tears. I didn’t understand a word… they were sung in Polish.

When I joined the PNCC, which still actively promotes these devotions, I was overjoyed. I went to Gorzkie Żale one Wednesday evening, and it was sung in English.

I was crushed. Not because it was in English, but because I understood every word and every nuance. I was guilty, He bore my sins. It hit me full force and I will never forget it.

A third example.

While I was dating the future Mrs., she was still an Episcopalian. She took me to St. Boniface in Guilderland, NY. It was the first time I had ever been in an Episcopal church.

I didn’t know what to expect. My limited knowledge of Protestants left me thinking that I was in for long winded sermonizing and happy-clappy music.

The Albany Episcopal Diocese is very High Church (didn’t know what that meant at the time), and I got the Mass. I think my jaw hit the floor. The Tridentine Rite in English?

Again, the experience was enriched by my ability to understand.

So, it is about Latin in a very big way. Latin will be the disconnect for all but a few, most particularly in the United States where education in the classics, and a wider view of world history, is lacking.

As the Young Fogey rightly points out, Godward and understandable work. That will move the pew dwellers, and ease a more thorough integration.

Documents, we don’t need no … documents:

A Motu on the election of the Bishop of Rome, a Motu re-integrating the old mass, and a forthcoming document cited at Reuters and elsewhere:

The Vatican will issue another text on Tuesday [July 10, 2007] expected to declare Roman Catholicism the only true church of Jesus Christ

Quite a few documents in a three week period (by the by – I was wrong here).

The problem with documents is that they do not replace discipline. How do the Orthodox or the PNCC retain Church discipline and the faith once handed down?

To be sure, we have documents, but besides our shared heritage built upon Sacred Scripture, the Fathers, and the commonly held Councils, how do we all do it?

With the forthcoming document stating that the rest of Catholicism (not to mention Christianity) is a conglomeration of schismatics, heretics, and other such bad/misguided people, I’d wonder if it would not be so, if we had documents ❓

On a more serious note, everyone is entitled to his self declaration (why I don’t buy into the whole – oooh, the Tridentine Rite will offend the Jews – as if they have a right to define another’s core beliefs).

The Roman Church is entitled to Her own declaration and to further clarify that declaration.

That defining is not for us, nor against us. It is Her own.

A final thought:

In all, faith is the key element. It is the binding and the salve that joins the Catholic faithful.

I have found the fullness of Catholic expression in the PNCC. Godward, faithful to tradition, understood by the people. In the end I am thankful to be part of Christ’s one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. May I be granted the grace that it ever be so. As we pray before communion:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God,
by the will of the Father
and the work of the Holy Spirit
Your death brought life to the world.
By Your holy Body and Blood free me
from all my sins and from every evil.
Keep me faithful to Your teaching and
never let me be parted from You.

Current Events, Perspective

Tingling ears – gnats or drats

I couldn’t resist this one 🙂 .

Shawn Tribe, of the very classy NLM Blog, posted Roman Ears are tingling on June 25th.

This is, of course, about the long awaited Motu Proprio from the Bishop of Rome re-establishing the Tridentine form of the Holy Mass for (most) Roman Catholics.

His article points out that ‘sources’ were convinced that the Motu Proprio was being printed and was ready for release.

According to the NY Times, BBC, AP and others the sources were right, at least in part: Pope Tightens Voting Rules for Election of Successors

ROME, June 26 —” Pope Benedict XVI has changed the rules for electing a pope by reinstituting the traditional requirement that two-thirds of the cardinals in the conclave agree on a candidate, no matter how long the process takes.

…

In a document [given Motu Proprio], in Latin, Pope Benedict said he was returning to the traditional voting norm, requiring a two-thirds majority throughout. The document was signed by the pope and dated June 11…

Should the other Motu Proprio ever come, I imagine it won’t be for a while. They don’t release these things like candy…

Then again, I haven’t been left wanting. I already have the Traditional Rite of the Holy Mass, in the vernacular, as has always been practiced in the PNCC.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings,
and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths.

Current Events, Perspective, PNCC

Motu photo (Lingua latina fugat)

Someone should have taken a picture of the eager faces of R.C.’s who are awaiting the return of the Traditional Rite of the Holy Mass in Latin (something the PNCC has always had – and in the vernacular) as word creeps out that the Pope’s Motu proprio on its restoration will be a no-go. This word is in opposition to the word from other sources here, here, here, and here.

As The Young Fogey points out – it’s not about Latin, but rather Godwardness, holiness, and respect for what one is doing in the Sacrifice of the Mass.

He picked up on the story in No Motu proprio. He also picked up on another story I read last night: Pope’s Latinist pronounces death of a language in which the Rev. Reginald Foster says of the Motu porprio:

He said reports that Pope Benedict will reintroduce the Tridentine Mass, which dates from 1570 and is largely conducted in Latin, were wrong —“ not least because of the Pope’s desire to avoid more controversies. A speech last year offended Muslims and more recently he gave initial support to a Polish archbishop who was eventually forced to resign, after admitting that he had collaborated with the communist-era secret police.

“He is not going to do it,” Fr Foster said. “He had trouble with Regensberg, and then trouble in Warsaw, and if he does this, all hell will break loose.” In any case, he added: “It is a useless mass and the whole mentality is stupid. The idea of it is that things were better in the old days. It makes the Vatican look medieval.”

The whole exercise tells me that R.C.’s have less respect for the Pope than the Orthodox, Orientals, and PNCC combined. Sure he’s a great figurehead (sort of like the Queen of England), but if he tries to play the part the ultramontane want, he gets shut down. Can anyone say committees (Curia, local bishop’s conferences) run amok.

As to the Rev. Foster’s points, that medievalist attitude has paid his room and board for a long time, dead languages and all. He’s gotten his fill at the table of academic exercise. I’d like to see him in a poor rural parish now that his skills are no longer necessary, medieval, and simply old. There’s no going back Rev. Foster, there’s no going back.

PNCC, , , ,

Music Scholarship Sunday

God ascends amid shouts of joy,
Yahweh at the sound of the horn.

Praise God, praise him with psalms!
Praise our king, praise him with psalms!

For God is the ruler of all the earth;
praise him to the utmost of your ability.

— Psalm 47:5-7

The PNCC observes Music Scholarship Sunday on the last Sunday in January.

Polish National Catholics are encouraged to support the scholarship program and are asked to encourage youth in their pursuit of music education, to pray for our organists, choir directors, and choir members, and to take part in the ministry of song – raising their voices unto the Lord. We are also asked to pray for all those who have gone before us and who have worked for the glory of God through music ministry.

Persons wishing to apply to the National United Choirs scholarship program may obtain an application from their pastor or choir director or by writing to:

Music Scholarship Committee
National United Choirs
280 Valley View Dr
Westfield, MA 01085.

Applications are available between January 1st and March 20th. Applications must be received no later than April 1st.

There is also a Junior Incentive Award. Applications may only be obtained through your pastor, assistant pastor, administrator, deacon, choir member, director or organist, or Parish Committee member.

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