Saturday, December 31, 2011

Dawn Eden's latest book receives imprimatur from Cardinal Wuerl

Dawn Eden writes about her latest book, which you can pre-order now:

It's not the Catholic version of the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, but an Imprimatur still counts for something. Taking its name from the Latin word for "Let it be printed," an Imprimatur shows that an author has submitted his book to his bishop, and that the work has been judged to be free from doctrinal and moral error. And now, I am elated to have the first Imprimatur of my career, from my own bishop, Cardinal Wuerl, for my upcoming book My Peace I Give You: Healing Sexual Wounds with the Help of the Saints. The cardinal granted it on December 14, the feast of St. John of the Cross, after it received a Nihil obstat from his censor deputatus, Father Carter Griffin (who is himself an author).

See her full post at the Dawn Patrol: Let it be printed


BOOK REVIEWS FORTHCOMING

I have three book reviews in my list of things to do and I will bring these to you after the first of the year.  Have a look at check back in the coming weeks.



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Te Deum laudamus: te Dominum confitemur



At no other time of the year is the "Te Deum" googled or searched more than now  It is traditionally sung on the last day of the year.  Usually, we chant this at Assumption Grotto when a sizeable crowd gathers for the 11:00 PM Mass on New Years Eve for the Solemnity of the Mother of God.  But because it falls on a Sunday this year, Fr. Perrone is maintaining the weekend schedule.  There will be no 11:00 PM Mass tonight.  There is an orchestral Mass tomorrow at the 9:30 traditional Latin Mass, featuring, "Fountain of Beauty" - a Mass composed by Grotto's pastor, which he will be also be conducting.   I did not make it to the 7:30 AM Mass - perhaps he provided an opportunity there to sing it publicly.

It is no surprise that people googling for the "Te Deum" would land here at a blog which takes it's name from the hymn.  We have it in both Latin and English.

From the Treasury of Latin Prayers site on the Te Deum, the hymn after which this blog get's it's name.


Te Deum, also sometimes called the Ambrosian Hymn because if its association with St. Ambrose, is a traditional hymn of joy and thanksgiving. First attributed to Sts. Ambrose, Augustine, or Hilary, it is now accredited to Nicetas, Bishop of Remesiana (4th century). It is used at the conclusion of the Office of the Readings for the Liturgy of the Hours on Sundays outside Lent, daily during the Octaves of Christmas and Easter, and on Solemnities and Feast Days. The petitions at the end were added at a later time and are optional. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it in thanksgiving and a plenary indulgence is granted if the hymn is recited publicly on the last day of the year.
Below this video you will find the text for Latin and English



LATIN

Te Deum laudamus: te Dominum confitemur.
Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur.
Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi caeli et universae Potestates;
Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim incessabili voce proclamant:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt caeli et terra maiestatis gloriae tuae.
Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus,
Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus,
Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.
Te per orbem terrarum sancta confitetur Ecclesia,
Patrem immensae maiestatis:
Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium;
Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.
Tu Rex gloriae, Christe.
Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem, non horruisti Virginis uterum.
Tu, devicto mortis aculeo, aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum.
Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris.
Iudex crederis esse venturus.
Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni: quos pretioso sanguine redemisti.
Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari.

V. Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine, et benedic hereditati tuae.
R. Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum.

V. Per singulos dies benedicimus te.
R. Et laudamus nomen tuum in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi.

V. Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire.
R. Miserere nostri, Domine, miserere nostri.

V. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.
R. In te, Domine, speravi: non confundar in aeternum.


ENGLISH

O God, we praise Thee, and acknowledge Thee to be the supreme Lord.
Everlasting Father, all the earth worships Thee.
All the Angels, the heavens and all angelic powers,
All the Cherubim and Seraphim, continuously cry to Thee:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts!
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy glory.
The glorious choir of the Apostles,
The wonderful company of Prophets,
The white-robed army of Martyrs, praise Thee.
Holy Church throughout the world acknowledges Thee:
The Father of infinite Majesty;
Thy adorable, true and only Son;
Also the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.
O Christ, Thou art the King of glory!
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When Thou tookest it upon Thyself to deliver man,
Thou didst not disdain the Virgin's womb.
Having overcome the sting of death, Thou opened the Kingdom of Heaven to all
believers.
Thou sitest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father.
We believe that Thou willst come to be our Judge.
We, therefore, beg Thee to help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy
Precious Blood.
Let them be numbered with Thy Saints in everlasting glory.

V. Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thy inheritance!
R. Govern them, and raise them up forever.

V. Every day we thank Thee.
R. And we praise Thy Name forever, yes, forever and ever.





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Friday, December 30, 2011

Beautiful Imagery: Aurora!

Beautiful eye candy. Click on the full screen button (right between the "HD" and "Vimeo"). You'll be amazed.



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Metro Detroit: Memorial Tonight for Fr. John A. Hardon, SJ, at St. Joan of Arc



Each year on December 30th, there is a memorial Mass in metro Detroit for Fr. John Hardon, SJ, who spent his final years in an office on the grounds of Assumption Grotto.  He was a spiritual director to many. 

Fr. Lee Acervo will celebrate the Mass which will be held at 7:30 PM at St. Joan of Arc at 22412 Overlake Street in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.  The Churh parking lot is actually on Greater Mack.  Fr. Acervo is now an associate priest at St. Joan of Arc.

The Mass used to be held at Assumption Grotto, but since there is a cause for Fr. Hardon, others must have an opportunity to learn about this saintly priest.

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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Detroit Free Press: Assumption Grotto pastor creates music for mass, lifts spirits at vulnerable parish

Fr. Perrone conducts a Mass his wrote, at the dress rehearsal before Christmas
Photo: Jarrad Henderson/Detroit Free Press

Detroit Free Press reporter, Niraj Warikoo, and photographer, Jarrad Henderson, paid a visit to Assumption Grotto on the Wednesday before Christmas as the dress rehearsal was going on for the orchestral Mass, composed and conducted by Fr. Eudard Perrone, the pastor.

I was quoted a few times in the article.  Tomorrow, I will elaborate on what I was  quoted on to give it greater context than could be made in this excellent feature story about Fr. Perrone's Mass.   I've added one note, bracketed in gold (since my link color is red - LOL).


Assumption Grotto: Pastor creates music for mass, lifts spirits at vulnerable parish

The Rev. Eduard Perrone, while on vacation last summer at his mother's home in Warren, awoke from an afternoon nap with a melody in his head. He scribbled it down before he forgot it.


Over the next few days, more musical ideas popped into his mind, often after he woke up.


That was the start of what has turned into a full orchestral piece for Catholic mass, a 30-minute composition being performed for the first time this holiday season. It's rare for a full-time priest to compose his own music for mass, but for Perrone, 63, it fit well with his role as pastor at Assumption Grotto, a historic Detroit church with a rich musical history.


Called "Fountain of Beauty," Perrone's composition is dedicated to the mother of Jesus.


"It's my belief that the Virgin Mary is the most beautiful of all God's creatures," Perrone said.


Divided into six parts, the piece is written for a 65-member choir and 38 musicians, some of whom are professionals with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Michigan Opera Theatre. On Dec. 21, it was performed for the first time with the full orchestra during a rehearsal under the neo-Gothic arches of the majestic church.


"That was stunning, Father," Diane Korzeniewski, a choir member and member of the church, said after the rehearsal.


Unifying the parish


Born to parents who were both musicians, Perrone learned music at Cass Tech High School and at a now-closed school in the Detroit archdiocese that taught church music [Fr. Perrone was referring to the famed Palestrina School]. He learned piano, organ and Gregorian chanting.


But his heart was set on a higher calling.

Read the rest at the Detroit Free Press... 

You can read a letter Fr. Perrone provided to the choir with details about his newly composed Mass. 

The article goes on to quote me a few more times as I spoke with Niraj after the interview with Fr. Perrone.  Tomorrow, I will elaborate. 


MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO HEAR THE MUSIC

If you are wanting to hear this beautiful music in the context of holy Mass, there are two more opportunities:  January 1, 2012 at 9:30 AM and at the noon Mass on January 8th.  Prelude music begins 15 minutes before Mass.  Parking and seating will not be a problem if you get there earlier.
 

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Magister: More Cardinals to be appointed in early 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI

Cardinal Raymond Burke being elevated at the
November 2010 consistory (Photo by Teak Phillips)


Veteran Vatican journalist, Sandro Magister says a consistory will be held on February 19, 2012 in which more Cardinals will be elevated by Pope Benedict XVI (possibly named as early as January 18th). As Magister points out, this means Cardinal-Electors named by Pope Benedict XVI will be in the majority.

The number of Cardinal-Electors is set at 120. A Cardinal may vote until he reaches the age of 80.   You can see in this Cardinal-Elector list at Catholic-Hierarchy who is about to turn 80 (hint: click on the birth date header to organize by age if it is jumbled)

 The Vatican journalist explains the current situation:

There are currently 192 cardinals. Those under the age of eighty amount to 109, dropping to 107 on February 19 (in addition to Zen, in fact, the Portuguese José Saraiva Martins will turn 80 on January 6. This means that at the next consistory, there will be at least 13 new cardinals, but more likely 15 or more, considering that in the following months of 2012 another 11 cardinals will turn eighty.

Sandro Magister explains likely candidates and you can bet that speculation will turn into a whirlwind leading up to the notification expected in mid-January. 

Magister believes Archbishop Dolan of New York will make this cut even though Cardinal Egan is not yet 80.  He turns 80 in late spring, not long after the consistory. 


What about Detroit?

Archbishop Vigneron
elevates the Host at
Assumption Grotto on
August 15, 2009
There is no mention in his column about the Archdiocese of Detroit.  Some have speculated in the past that Detroit's red hat will be lost due to the decline in number of Catholics.   There can only be so many Cardinals in the US (though there is nothing written in stone).   Other cities, like Houston, have seen increasing numbers and it became a cardinalatial see in 2004 with the elevation of Cardinal DiNardo.

While Archbishop Vigneron may not make this cut, even though Cardinal Maida is now over 80, I'm not convinced that Detroit has lost it's red hat.  Detroit is ranked 7th in Diocese of the United States based on 2004 statistics (which is all I can find at the moment).  Then, 33.4% of the 1.48 million people in it's boundaries were Catholics.  The diocesan page shows a figure for 2006 of 32.5% for 1.47 million.   Without later data from Detroit, and the other "red-hat" sees, it is hard to get a good picture of where Detroit truly stands.  If anyone knows of data which shows a later ranking of these sees, including Detroit, please drop some links or info into my combox.

The Catholic Hierarchy website is a very interesting place to sift through data.  Along with the list of Cardinal Electors shown above, you can find a listing of all past consistories

Here again, is  a link to Sandro Magister's article: Vatican Diary / The next cardinals, name by name

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Regrets... no pictures yet

Some have inquired about photos taken at Christmas and I know others are visiting here hoping to see some.

Since I am in the choir, I don't get to really take photos when there are orchestral Masses.

I do plan on getting some pics of the Christmas displays and perhaps of a weekday Mass, but I also need to re-load my Adobe Lightroom program, and do some other things related to computer maintenance first.

Thanks for understanding and Merry Christmas


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Monday, December 26, 2011

Interesting connection between Christmas, December 26th, and Our Lady of Guadalupe



What is special about December 26, Christmas and Our Lady of Guadalupe?

My friend, Denise from Semper Fi Catholic, sent me a note from Fr. Paul Weinberger, pastor of St. William the Confessor Catholic parish in Greenville, Texas (which is home, btw, to former parishioners of Assumption Grotto who moved to that area *waves hello*).   I've added links and one note in brackets at the bottom.

Fr. Paul writes:

Today, December 26 is a most important date, especially in the history of the Americas.


Recently I was reviewing the book by Dr. Warren Carroll, Our Lady of Guadalupe: And the Conquest of Darkness. On this date, 480 years ago the Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was formally translated  from the private chapel of Bishop Zumarraga in Mexico City to the first public chapel which had been constructed in accord with Our Lady's specific request through St. Juan Diego.


The title of Dr. Carroll's book helps make the connection with the Feast of  Christmas. Our Lord came as the "Light of the World" and He came to us through His Mother.


Just as in Genesis the first day of creation brought the creation of light and the separation of light from darkness, so Our Lady's has a most important role in the Birth of the Savior. Through the Birth of Jesus, God brings into the world "the Light of Christ" who conquers the prince of this world - the prince of darkness.

Soon after his election in 1978, Bl. John Paul II began to speak to his brother Bishops about the need to begin to prepare for the Year 2000. Weigel's book, Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II, clearly details the inertia with which his appeals were met.


So many answered the young Pope by commenting that the Year 2000 was so far off in the distant future - just over 21 years.  As you know, 20 years will come and go so fast. We have to get out the word. [N.B. The 500th anniversary of the Guadalupe event will be in 2031].


Fr. Paul

This is a good time to mention that many of Fr. Paul's homilies are available online for listening, at Semper Fi Catholic.


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Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!

The Nativity | John Singleton Copley | 1776


Take a few minutes to watch this.  Hopefully, you have decent speakers.  Watch it to the end.  It is a  beautiful version of Pueri Concinite by J. von Herbeck.   It is sung by a young Jean-Baptiste Maunier of France, who is now 21.  The only translation I could find was this one:

"Sing, ye children; make a joyful noise to the newborn King. Sing in a
voice of prayer. He whom Mary bore has appeared. That which Gabriel
prophesied has been fulfilled. Behold, a virgin has given birth to God,
which divine clemency willed. Today he has appeared in Israel; a King
is born from the Virgin Mary, a King is born."



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Saturday, December 24, 2011

Assumption Grotto Christmas Season Schedule and More....


Here are related info (some of which may be easier to read in terms of schedule).


Other events coming up quickly:




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Thursday, December 22, 2011

History in the making at Assumption Grotto as pastor conducts his own orchestral Mass


As a member of the Assumption Grotto Choir, last night was both euphoric and historic. 

The Assumption Grotto choir got a real treat last night at the dress rehearsal for the Christmas season orchestral Mass.  We got to hear the full, roughly 40-piece orchestra as we sang a classical Mass composed this past summer by our pastor, Fr. Eduard Perrone.   We had only heard piano and choral voices since October when the music was first handed to us.  The musicians, the soloists, and the 60-65 voices brought to life something that was unimaginable to us when rehearsing it all this months. 

It is moving and uplifting at times while serene at others, and fully majestic at strategic points. 

Each year we are given a composed Mass set by one of the greats: Hadyn, Mozart, Schubert, Stravinsky, etc.   We wondered as summer came to an end who the composer would be, only to learn Fr. Perrone had composed his own Mass.  A couple of weeks ago, Fr. Perrone talked about his composition in a letter to choir members, which I posted here.

You have a chance to be a part of this historic moment in Detroit, and in the world of Catholic sacred music.  It will premiere at the midnight Mass (at midnight) at Assumption Grotto in Detroit.  Prelude music begins 15 minutes before.  It will be featured again at the 9:30 AM Mass on New Year's Day, an one last time at the noon Mass on January 8th, 2012. 

The midnight Mass will be a solemn high Mass in the extraordinary form.  It is a traditional Latin Mass using the 1962 Missal.  If you have a Missal you will want to use the "First Mass at Midnight" for Christmas.  Here is a version online you can print.  I'm hoping we will have some sheets available, but it is good if you can bring your own to be sure.

Related Posts:





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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Hilarious Video: Uzbeks experiencing an escalator for the first time



As pointed out in the UK's Daily Mail article, it's been over 100 years since the first people stepped on to an escalator in New York.  The video clip below shows the confusion some people in Uzbekistan have when encountering it for the first time in a shopping center.  The young children seem to have less of a problem than the adults who seem to get disoriented, wanting to fall back.  Have a look.  Reportedly no one was hurt.  There was a stop button that kept getting pressed. 





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Saturday, December 17, 2011

Occupy Christmas: Priests take Eucharistic Lord to the Mall



"Flash Mobs" involving a priest bringing the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance to a public place are on the increase.   I'm heartened to see so much love and devotion for the Eucharist, and on the other hand I am somewhat conflicted.   I think conflict can be healthy as it makes us think and generates discussions. I hope you will weigh in with your thoughts.

Here is the latest, uploaded on December 14th. It happened in California.



One thing I know for sure: The priests and people of St. Raymond Parish are right to ask people to occupy Christmas. We should invite people just the same. Another thing I know is that this action, on the part of the shepherd and members of his flock is a fruit of love for Jesus in the Eucharist. That alone is refreshing considering what we have been through for the past 40-50 years where such things couldn't even be found happening in a parish church! 

Before I got to Assumption Grotto, I don't recall seeing a monstrance here in the US. It was on Corpus Christi in 2005, one of my earliest visits to the parish that I witnessed a Eucharistic procession for the first time. All at once it felt quaint yet mysterious, so much so that I took an interest in understanding all that I was seeing better. It decided to suspend my judgment of the matter, and to come back again and explore some more. 

I know some object to bringing the Eucharist into a crowded mall like this. Those likely to object already have a deep understanding of the Real Presence. I have no doubts about the love and reverence for Our Lord that the priests in this video have, nor do I doubt their good intentions. I can't help but wonder how many people witnessing this, who are not fully aware of the Real Presence might be inspired by the same sense of mystery that captivated me on Corpus Christi of 2005.   It's with that frame of mind that I see a purity and innocence on the part of those who want to share Jesus this way. 

Processions, unlike an event like this, with all of their solemnity and majesty are truly the most reverent and worthy manner of taking Our Lord out on to the street. There, Our Lord is surrounded by many ministers and servers, and covered with an ombrellino or a canopy, somewhat mindful of how the Israelites moved the Ark of the Covenant.

I wonder if we need to do more to make the public and ordinary Catholics aware of the Real Presence inside of our parishes and dioceses.  Actually, I know we need to do more.  How many parishes do not have a monstrance, or have one sitting in some dark corner of a room or basement collecting dust? We need to look at making those events more visible with better advertisement that reaches people who are not in the pews.

I am reminded here of the most moving Eucharistic Procession recorded on these shores. I would like to see more of these organized processions in public, with all that a Eucharistic procession entails.

Yeah - I think stuff like this matters.  All the more splendor that surrounds it, the greater the witness. Perhaps something should be organized, at the diocesan level, on a grand scale during Advent to convince people to "occupy Christmas".   It may not be traditional to have such a Eucharistic procession in Advent, but there are many new traditions worthy of starting.  




* Post updated for clarity.

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Advent "O" antiphons begin: Pray Vespers with the Church!



While the world has already been celebrating a very secular "christmas" since before the Thanksgiving holiday, Christians ought not get caught up in the emptiness of it all.  Easter is now about bunnies and Christmas about buying and giving extravagant, and sometimes mountains of gifts for others.  Some will give to God what little time is left over, and other believers will give Him virtually not time at all.  Wtihin moderation, there is nothing wrong with gift giving.  But that should come secondary to something else..... 

We must all ask ourselves if the practice of our faith revolves around our lives or whether our lives are revolving around the practice of our faith.  If we truly believe that there is a God who created us, and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Savior of mankind, who truly was concieved by the Holy Spirit, born of a woman, and died on a cross for us, then ought not life revolve around the practice of our faith?

If so, then remember that it is still Advent, and we are anticipating Christmas which is about the birth of Our Lord and Savior. 


Pray Vespers During Advent

There are two liturgies and the one most known to Catholics is the Mass (or Divine Liturgy for Catholics not of the Latin rite).  There is also the Liturgy of the Hours (LotH), more commonly referred to as the breviary or divine office.   The main prayers of the day are Lauds (morning) and Vespers (evening).  Most secular orders, like secular Franciscans, Carmelites, etc., are required to pray these at a minimum with Compline (night prayer) often recommended.  Many voluntarily read the Office of Readings, which is longer, but quite rich with it's two, more lengthy readings.  Most often, the first reading comes from the Old Testament, following on a theme pertinent to the season.  The second reading very often involves the wirtings of the Church Fathers, Doctors and Saints, as well as other writers.  Sometimes the second reading is from an important Church document.  That is what makes the Office of Readings one of my favorite parts of the LotH.

Many lay people are finding the beautfy of praying the LotH, or parts of it, and some organizations have made it easy for anyone to follow.  For example, you can go to DivineOffice.org and click on the different hours of the day. 

As with any prayer, it should never be about what we get out of it, or how it makes us feel.  That is making prayer conditional on our comfort.  Prayer is most precious to God when we pray, even when we just cannot get into it, or are tired, or quite busy and stop to give Him ten minutes.   With that, I would encourage you to use what remains of Advent and pray some of the LotH, especially Vespers.  Make it a family thing.  It takes a mere 10 minutes, especially without having to jump from one section to another in the online version, as you would have to in the book itself.


The beautiful "O" Antiphons begin tonight.  Father Z has up an excellent post on this, with an indepth look at today's antiphon: "O Sapientia" (O Wisdom, who came from on High...).



The Christmas Novena is also, already underway.  It's never too late to join in. 


Info recently posted about Assumption Grotto and the Christmas Season

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Friday, December 16, 2011

Assumption Grotto's Christmas Season Mass and Confession Schedule


If you click the above, it will take you to the PDF at the Grotto website.  From there you can print it.

Please note also that the orchestral Mass in use this season is one that was just composed by Assumption Grotto's pastor, Fr. Eduard Perrone. 

Fr. Perrone talks about that in this post: http://te-deum.blogspot.com/2011/12/fr-eduard-perrone-composes-his-first.html


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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

St. John of the Cross - Carmelite, Confessor, and Doctor of Mystical Theology




Today is the feast day of St. John of the Cross, Carmelite priest, confessor and doctor of the Church.

Happy feast day to my Carmelite brothers and sisters in all branches!

Regardless of where we are in the spiritual life, revisiting what the great mystics say about beginners can serve as a very good examination of conscience. In the early chapters of the first book of the Dark Night of the Soul, the doctor of mystical theology goes through the difficulties experienced by beginners.  Here is Chapter 6 from the first book which discusses "The Imperfections of Spiritual Gluttony".

1. A great deal can be said on spiritual gluttony, the fourth vice. There are hardly any persons among these beginners, no matter how excellent their conduct, who do not fall into some of the many imperfections of this vice. These imperfections arise because of the delight beginners find in their spiritual exercises.


Many, lured by the delight and satisfaction procured in their religious practices, strive more for spiritual savor than for spiritual purity and discretion; yet it is this purity and discretion that God looks for and finds acceptable throughout a soul's entire spiritual journey. Besides the imperfection of seeking after these delights, the sweetness these persons experience makes them go to extremes and pass beyond the mean in which virtue resides and is acquired.


Some, attracted by the delight they feel in their spiritual exercises, kill themselves with penances, and others weaken themselves by fasts and, without the counsel or command of another, overtax their weakness; indeed, they try to hide these penances from the one to whom they owe obedience in such matters. Some even dare perform these penances contrary to obedience.


2. Such individuals are unreasonable and most imperfect. They subordinate submissiveness and obedience (which is a penance of reason and discretion, and consequently a sacrifice more pleasing and acceptable to God) to corporeal penance. But corporeal penance without obedience is no more than a penance of beasts. And like beasts, they are motivated in these penances by an appetite for the pleasure they find in them. Since all extremes are vicious and since by such behavior these persons are doing their own will, they grow in vice rather than in virtue. For through this conduct they at least become spiritually gluttonous and proud, since they do not tread the path of obedience.


The devil, increasing the delights and appetites of these beginners and thereby stirring up this gluttony in them, so impels many of them that when they are unable to avoid obedience they either add to, change, or modify what was commanded. Any obedience in this matter is distasteful to them. Some reach such a point that the mere obligation of obedience to perform their spiritual exercises makes them lose all desire and devotion. Their only yearning and satisfaction is to do what they feel inclined to do, whereas it would be better in all likelihood for them not to do this at all.


3. Some are very insistent that their spiritual director allow them to do what they themselves want to do, and finally almost force the permission from him. And if they do not get what they want, they become sad and go about like testy children. They are under the impression that they do not serve God when they are not allowed to do what they want. Since they take gratification and their own will as their support and their god, they become sad, weak, and discouraged when their director takes these from them and desires that they do God's will. They think that gratifying and satisfying themselves is serving and satisfying God.


4. Others, too, because of this sweetness, have so little knowledge of their own lowliness and misery and such lack of the loving fear and respect they owe to God's grandeur that they do not hesitate to insist boldly that their confessors allow them the frequent reception of Communion. And worse than this, they often dare to receive Communion without the permission and advice of the minister and dispenser of Christ. They are guided here solely by their own opinion, and they endeavor to hide the truth from him. As a result, with their hearts set on frequent Communion, they make their confessions carelessly, more eager just to receive Communion than to receive it with a pure and perfect heart. It would be sounder and holier of them to have the contrary inclination and to ask their confessor not to let them receive Communion so frequently. Humble resignation, though, is better than either of these two attitudes. But the boldnesses referred to first will bring great evil and chastisement on one.


5. In receiving Communion they spend all their time trying to get some feeling and satisfaction rather than humbly praising and reverencing God dwelling within them. And they go about this in such a way that, if they do not procure any sensible feeling and satisfaction, they think they have accomplished nothing. As a result they judge very poorly of God and fail to understand that the sensory benefits are the least among those that this most blessed Sacrament bestows, for the invisible grace it gives is a greater blessing. God often withdraws sensory delight and pleasure so that souls might set the eyes of faith on this invisible grace. Not only in receiving Communion, but in other spiritual exercises as well, beginners desire to feel God and taste him as if he were comprehensible and accessible. This desire is a serious imperfection and, because it involves impurity of faith, is opposed to God's way.


6. They have the same defect in their prayer, for they think the whole matter of prayer consists in looking for sensory satisfaction and devotion. They strive to procure this by their own efforts, and tire and weary their heads and their faculties. When they do not get this sensible comfort, they become very disconsolate and think they have done nothing. Because of their aim they lose true devotion and spirit, which lie in distrust of self and in humble and patient perseverance so as to please God. Once they do not find delight in prayer, or in any other spiritual exercise, they feel extreme reluctance and repugnance in returning to it and sometimes even give it up. For after all, as was mentioned,1 they are like children who are prompted to act not by reason but by pleasure.


All their time is spent looking for satisfaction and spiritual consolation; they can never read enough spiritual books, and one minute they are meditating on one subject and the next on another, always hunting for some gratification in the things of God. God very rightly and discreetly and lovingly denies this satisfaction to these beginners. If he did not, they would fall into innumerable evils because of their spiritual gluttony and craving for sweetness. This is why it is important for these beginners to enter the dark night and be purged of this childishness.2


7. Those who are inclined toward these delights have also another serious imperfection, which is that they are weak and remiss in treading the rough way of the cross. A soul given up to pleasure naturally feels aversion toward the bitterness of self-denial.


8. These people incur many other imperfections because of this spiritual gluttony, of which the Lord in time will cure them through temptations, aridities, and other trials, which are all a part of the dark night. So as not to be too lengthy, I do not want to discuss these imperfections any more, but only point out that spiritual sobriety and temperance beget another very different quality, one of mortification, fear, and submissiveness in all things. Individuals thereby become aware that the perfection and value of their works do not depend on quantity or the satisfaction found in them but on knowing how to practice self-denial in them. These beginners ought to do their part in striving after this self-denial until God in fact brings them into the dark night and purifies them. In order to get to our discussion of this dark night, I am passing over these imperfections hurriedly.



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Sunday, December 11, 2011

Fr. Eduard Perrone composes his first orchestral Mass...



Update: Poster with Orchestral Mass Schedule click here  and full Christmas Season Mass & Confession Schedule click here, with additional info about Orchestral Masses.


There are orchestral Masses several times yearl at Assumption Grotto, the Christmas season no exception.  What is exceptional this season, is that Grotto's pastor has composed his first Mass for choir, soloists, and orchestra.  It will be heard at midnight Mass for Christmas (and midnight Mass is always at midnight at Assumption Grotto).  You can see the Mass schedule for the season and the three opportunities to hear it in the context of holy Mass, in this post.

This past Wednesday, Fr. Perrone gave some notes to the choir about the composition.  I asked him if I could share it with my readership.  Yesterday, I received the electronic version with permission to upload.  Here is that letter to the choir.  I have added one link to the bio of Paul Paray, whom he mentions. 



December 7, 2011
Vigil of the Immaculate Conception


Dear Choir Members:


I wanted to jot down some thoughts about the Mass I composed during my July vacation because I think that understanding the music better will help you in performing it.


Let me say first that composing an orchestral Mass is a daunting project in view of the illustrious composers who have written in this form. I decided to have a hand at it for two reasons: from the encouragement given by some people and by my desire to give something to honor the Mother of God, like the offering made by the juggler before the image of Notre Dame. It’s my belief that the Virgin Mary is the most beautiful of all God’s creatures in view of the fact that God chose Her for the Incarnation of His Son. All created beauty, in my view, must then be a participation in Her unparalleled beauty which is reflected in the many great works of art which Her beauty has inspired. I wanted therefore to make my own contribution, however small, to this vast cultural treasure. For this reason I dedicated it to Her under the title Fountain of Beauty.

********************

KYRIE ELEISON
The musical idea for writing this movement came several years ago. I jotted the opening theme down at once and later tried (unsuccessfully) to develop it. I then abandoned it, though that melody stayed with me. There are the two climactic moments, at bars 34 and again at 41. Paul Paray gave me the idea of having the orchestra play the opening melody of the Kyrie (following the Christe section) while the choir sings a descant over it. I wanted this movement to be as lovely an offering as I could make for the Virgin Mary.


GLORIA
The opening of the Gloria is grandiose, rather like music for an epic film, in order to depict the glory of God. The et in terra pax theme is decidedly Italian romantic music, Puccini-like. The sunny gratias agimus music recalls Paray’s Mass even though it is not a copy of it. The character of the piece changes considerably from bars 100 and following because it is the recognition of our sins which plead for Christ’s mercy. You may note that the plaintive melody of the flute here (and later of the clarinet) is the tune of the opening Gloria but in a minor mode, as if to indicate that sin detracts from God’s glory. Quoniam tu solus is an abrupt shift, extolling Christ as the Lord. The Trinitarian fugue of the Cum Sancto recalls Bach somewhat (in the contrapuntal writing of the music) with some modern harmonies. This section of the Gloria has the most involved orchestral writing and promises to be a real challenge for us in rehearsal. At 215-220 there is only one monotonous chord, driving the piece to a somewhat frenzied breakout of praise at 221. The closing fanfare for the orchestra uses the fugue theme in a brief canon.

CREDO
The music is straightforward, befitting a profession of belief, for which reason also it is formulaic so that many of its musical phrases are similar. There’s only a little word painting in invisibilium (where the music becomes soft) and the descending line for the descendit music for the coming down of God in the Incarnation. The et incarnatus, at the heart of the Credo has music which is tender, in contrast to the relentless tug of the opening music. The tone darkens appropriately at the mention of the crucifixion and burial of Christ. The et resurrexit and last judgment music is triumphal. The concluding section returns to the creedal declaration of the opening, and there is a perfunctory Amen, omitting the customary fugue for the et vitam text.


SANCTUS
Two ideas are set forth in this music: it addresses the Lord of Armies (the meaning of Sabaoth). This then is martial music but with an insistent drive that portrays the fullness (pleni sunt) of heaven and earth in the singing. The fugue is meant to give the idea of the whole universe involved in the acclamation.


BENEDICTUS
This movement is basically a duet for soprano and tenor, the idea being derived from Paray’s Mass. This is unabashedly romantic music to convey the idea of the blessedness (benedictus) of Christ who has come in the Holy Eucharist.


AGNUS DEI
This text setting follows in the path of Gounod, Fauré, and Paray in that the Agnus Dei is a plea for mercy but in a loving appeal to the Lamb of God. The music is generally serene though with a strong and subtle underlying rhythm. There are moments when the pleading becomes more intense (miserere) but the original, serene mood always returns. The brief reprise of the Gloria music for bars 95 and following refers to the word ‘peace’ which is found in both movements (the promised peace–pax–in the Gloria, and its delivery by Christ in the Mass–the pacem of the Agnus Dei). This device also serves to unify the music of the Mass.


I hope these few comments will increase your understanding of this music.


Fr. Perrone


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Saturday, December 10, 2011

Orchestral Mass Schedule for Christmas Season at Assumption Grotto


Take note that this Mass was written by Fr. Perrone - both choral and instrumental parts.  It is the first Mass that Fr. Perrone has ever penned, and it's first performance will be heard in the context of holy Mass at Midnight on Christmas Day.  

I will try to bring more information to you before Christmas.  I would encourage anyone involved with sacred music magazines, periodicals and websites, to call the rectory and ask for further info, or an interview (don't tell Fr. Perrone I suggested this, but he is much too humble to do any kind of self-promotion).  I am in the choir, and have heard some professionals who are involved that this is very complex music.   Father gave the choir a sheet with some explanations about his composition and why certain movements sound as they do.  I am trying to get permission to put that online.  [UPDATE: I received the electronic text, with permission to upload.  Please see this post to read Fr. Perrone's commentary on his first composed Mass]

MASS SCHEDULE

I have been getting many inquiries about the orchestral Mass schedule for the Christmas season, as well as questions about the other Masses.  I have put a number of questions forth to Fr. Perrone.  In the meantime, please refer to the above, along with these things that I do know....

  • The "Midnight Mass" is at Midnight. 
  • Since Christmas falls on a Sunday, people have asked if Grotto will be able to have a "Tridentine" at both Midnight and 9:30 AM Sunday.  Fr. Perrone has said that we have permission to do both using the 1962 Missal.  (Summorum Pontificum does not typically permit more than one such Mass on Sundays).
  • There will be a 6:30 AM Mass in the vernacular, as there is on all Sundays and holy days of obligation. This Mass does not usually have any singing or chant, but like all Masses at Assumption Grotto is celebrated ad orientem at the high/wall altar, and in a very reserved manner.  The new translation of the Roman Missal are in use, as they would be at any parish, with laminated cards in the pews.  

I'm still waiting on answers to the following questions:

  • Will the midnight Mass be a solemn high Mass?
  • Will the Saturday vigil Mass, usually at 4:00 PM, still be at 4:00.
  • Will the 9:30 AM "Tridentine" feature chant only, or choral music (Grotto has a men's schola which offers both chant and polyphony; I'm not sure if they are singing on Christmas Day and whether it would be at the 9:30 or noon Mass).


I"m also waiting on the answer to this question: What is the Confession schedule for Christmas?

Every Thursday night there is the Passio Domini, held by the ORC priests.  Adoration and a serious of meditations on the Passion take place through all seasons.  I am fairly certain this will be taking place the Thursday before Christmas, and we may have more opportunities for Confession that evening.  Of course, most evenings, especially on M-W-F, there are Confessions heard prior to the 7:00 PM Mass, and you can always go the sacristy before or after Mass and request a priest go to the Confessional.  They are very accomodating.   Right now, it seems to me that the priests do not offer sacramental Confession on Christmas day, and perhaps not even before the midnight Mass.  That is what I am trying to find out right now.

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Friday, December 9, 2011

Bishop Sample on the "Lost Generations" (link to full text interview with CWR)


I'm so glad that Catholic World Report offered this interview in full, online.  It was a valuable contribution, and much of what the Marquette, Michigan bishop says will resonate with Catholics who have suffered for the last 40 years. 

Here is an excerpt:

You’ve described yourself as a member of “the first lost generation of poor catechesis,” which “raised up another generation that is equally uncatechized.” What’s wrong with catechesis and what have you done to help solve the problem?


Bishop Sample: My generation was the first in the wake of Vatican II. While I certainly don’t blame the Council, much upheaval occurred in the Church in its aftermath. Culturally, society was experiencing the sexual revolution, the women’s liberation movement, and the anti-war movement, among others. There was an anti-authoritarian spirit.


In this time of great confusion, catechesis suffered. We booted the Baltimore Catechism out the door, but there wasn’t anything to replace it. I was taught the faith in Catholic schools using materials that were weak and insubstantial. I wasn’t being taught my faith. The liturgy suffered from experimentation as well.


When I speak about this publicly, invariably people of my generation come up to me to agree with what I’m saying. This includes many bishops.

My generation raised up the next generation. Since we weren’t taught the faith, we raised children who weren’t either.


We need a renewal in catechesis. I feel passionately about this. In my Diocese of Marquette, I directed the development of a diocesan curriculum for faith formation for grades K-8. It is a solid, substantive, systematic, and sequential curriculum, which builds from one year to the next. It is topical, based on the pillars of the catechism. Every parish is expected to follow this curriculum.


Now I’m turning my attention toward adult faith formation. If we can get catechesis and the liturgy right, we’ll be well on our way to the renewal and growth of the Church for which we hope.

One thing I would encourage Catholics to do, is NOT to dwell in what we were cheated out of.  It is good to take the time to understand that this or that happened, but don't stay there.  It can cause bitterness and anger.  We have to move past that, and move in a constructive direction, forward.  Seeing a bishop affirm, publicly, what we have painfully experienced is the first step to healing open wounds.  This is all just a very hopeful sign to me that bishops are beginning to open up and speak frankly about the problems.   I might add, that I know people who were at the forefront of the "spirit of Vatican II" who now look back, and are questioning things, or having regrets about having done this or that.  It is important to recognize that many people are taking a closer look and rediscovering what was right with Vatican II and what was wrong with how it has been spun for the last 40-50 years.


What he said about the spiritual life also struck a chord with me, and he gives the recipe for an authentic, interior renewal with God.  It is one that I went through very soon after arriving at Assumption Grotto where these very things were emphasized and offered.  It's not uncommon to see priests head to the confessionals outside of posted hours when there is some kind of event.  He also discusses mental prayer, which is something Fr. Perrone has talked about very often.  Sitting silently before the Blessed Sacrament, especially, provides an opportunity for us to "hear" God, above all the other voices in our lives.

What is a basic program of spirituality you recommend to the faithful?


Bishop Sample: That is a good and important question. I emphasize the importance of a strong sacramental life, especially participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I recommend frequent reception of the sacrament of penance; the fall-off in its use worries me greatly. We priests and bishops need to preach often about the importance of confession and be available to hear confessions.


It’s important that we learn to pray on a deep level, not just vocal but mental prayer and contemplation. We’re so busy in our lives and the world is so noisy; we need to learn to be quiet and listen. We need to develop a personal, deep relationship with the Lord and pour our hearts out to him in prayer.


And, we need to stay close to the Lord as part of the Body of Christ, the Church. This means being part of the local Church under the diocesan bishop, being docile to the word of God and humbly accepting the teachings of the Church.

See the full interview with Bishop Sample at Catholic World Report



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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Prevenient grace? Fr. Perrone explains...


The new translation of the Roman Missal had us hearing the words "prevenient grace" at the Offertory on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.  It was a perfect opportunity to catechize the faithful during the homily and Fr. Perrone did just that.  In the process, we broadened our vocabulary and didn't lose any self-esteem because we had to be taught it's meaning. I'm sure I wasn't the only one feeling pretty glad that he saw the opportunity and seized it.

Below is that homily by Assumption Grotto's pastor, given at 6:30 AM today - December 8, 2011.  I had to work and could not go to the 9:30 am "Tridentine", so I opted for the early-bird Mass, which is the ordinary form, in English.  It was the perfect opportunity for me to experience the new translation.  The ceiling didn't fall and I didn't see anyone go into a grand mal seizure. 

While the word "consubstantial" was not unknown to me because of the teachings at my parish, it was the first time my ears heard the words, "prevenient grace".  I wondered if I had heard Fr. Perrone correctly, and he said it more than once in his homily.  Whatever does it mean? 

Here is the full text of the homily.




Homily of Rev. Eduard Perrone, Immaculate Conception 2011


File photo from August 15, 2011.
The beautiful Assumption Day
chasuble was worn today for
the solemnity.
The splendid new English texts of the Roman Missal which we put into use two weeks ago contain a great deal of theological richness that had been, for reasons one cannot fathom, withheld from the English speaking Church. The formularies for today’s Mass are good examples of the depth of meaning which the original Latin texts have wanted us to know about and pray about but which were not previously communicated. Before examining these, I note that the subtitle of the feast given in the priest’s edition of the American altar missal. It says, The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patronal feastday of the United States of America. This is a reminder that our country has been claimed, and long ago, by wise and foreseeing bishops–claimed in being given over to the care of our Lady under this title. Just as She Herself was wrapped in the robe of salvation by the overflowing of God’s grace, so we American Catholics are clothed by Her merits and protected by Her intercession.


The One selected to become the Mother of God was given a unique kind of preservative so that She would not be in any way contaminated and thus unfit for Her divine maternity. This intervention of God, this reaching out into history to interrupt the normal flow of the ‘bug’ of original sin is given its precise theological name in the prayer that I will say after the Offertory; the name for it “prevenient grace.” I dare say that the word ‘grace’ alone is a word that, while common enough in our language, is little understood by the majority of Catholic people. When one adds to that the rare word ‘prevenient’ many will not have a clue to the meaning. And while this usage of some uncommon terminology was one of the major criticisms of the new English text (it is supposed to be too lofty for the comprehension of the lay people), one cannot on that account omit or dismiss the realities such theological words signify. ‘Prevenient grace’ is a gift that God gives ‘before’ or ‘in anticipation of’ some benefit. In this case, God gave to Mary beforehand the gift of sanctifying grace which was not yet given to the rest of humanity until Christ’s redeeming death on the cross. In this Mary was ‘ahead’ of us all in having this preview of the benefits of redemption. (The astounding thing to think about is that it would be by means of Her own Son, yet to be born, that She already received this gift.) Yet the Virgin Mary was not only the first one to be graced since the original human couple, but She was in a state of grace always, even at the instant She was conceived in Her Mother’s womb. There is that prevenient action of God, withholding the contamination of original sin from touching Her.


She was kept pure for Christ’s sake certainly, but also for ours. Other prayers in the missal express that thought. Through the sinlessness of Mary we are helped to be kept from committing sin. Her symbolic robe of purity and grace are placed on us as a protection and also as a gift so that we share in what She had been given. Mary, in other words, is not only a protective parent who shields uS from dangers but a provident parent who shares with us what She had been given by God. She is a distributor of grace, a channel of God’s benefits. It’s of no concern to us that God might have done without Her mediating role in that regard. God can act upon us without any intermediary. The point is that God did not will to deal with us in that direct way. He rather set up various means of go-betweens. The reason for this is that we are not worthy of direct dealings with God (although He has often made exceptions to this) and so He established intervening links in a chain of agencies from Himself down to us as His ordinary manner of communicating with us. For this reason you have priests as middle men between God and yourselves; you have angel messengers performing in a similar capacity; you have sacraments of the Church as things which transmit God’s power; you have saints who make special pleadings on your behalf, though you might seem to be perfectly well capable of speaking for yourselves. Mary is one of those divinely made and divinely willed middle agents between God and ourselves. We have no competency or right to discard the ways of God and suggest to Him alternative methods for His dealing with us.


There is another aspect of our celebration of the Immaculate Conception of Mary that needs to be recognized. This is the fact that not only was She protected from sin at the start of Her life (something only God could do for Her) but that She avoided every possible sin that was offered to Her all life long. There is something else to marvel about. Not even a venial sin crept into Her Immaculate Heart. ‘Entirely focused,’ we might say today, on God. We surely have some experience with that since all of us have, from time to time but not always, refused to commit a sin. On our part however, these refusals often came with a struggle because of the fact that we have an internal disorder that makes us gravitate towards sin. Holy Mary did not have this nagging drive to contend with. This does not mean that She had an easier life than we. Far from it. Her battles were with the archenemy of mankind–the devil–and She, with Her Son, made war on all sin. The proof of Her heroism was Her privileged participation in Christ’s passion. Nowhere more than there did She show Her maternal love for us than to consent to the torture and killing of Her own Son. There’s a valor in the heart of the Virgin Mary, a strength that is superhuman; it is in fact supernatural; it is the power of grace.


So for us, we need the medicine of God’s healing grace while Mary had the preventive medicine of grace all Her life long. She has this healing remedy in Her hands and She is all too happy to distribute it to us for the asking. For this reason we turn to Her today and beg that by Her privileged position and by the merits of Her sinless life She obtain what we need to be saved and to become holy ourselves.


May Holy Mary watch over us, protect us and clean us up as a shining follow-up to Her Immaculate Conception.

Note: Painting at top is by Spanish artist Jose Antolinez and is circa 1672.





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