Sunday, March 28, 2010

Offertory & communion motets in preparation for Easter

Mozart's "Jubilate Deo" a capella:


Mozart's "Jubilate Deo" with organ accompaniment:


Byrd's "Ave Verum":

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Swaying pots of smoke

What's with the Novus Ordo fetish with swaying pots of smoke by middle-aged people? Just trying to get them something to do so that they feel important? How about improving the singing and music first? If the Vatican can do nothing concrete against these nonsense, any Catholic worth his name should have nothing to do with the Novus Ordo, even for the so-called "reform of the Reform".



h/t to Rorate Caeli for this alert.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Happy Feastday

Besides being the Feast of the Annunciation today, it it worth noting that today is also the end for the SSPX Rosary Crusade for the intention of the Papal Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Besides that, it also happens to be the anniversary of the passing of the great missionary and defender of the Faith, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Holy Week Schedule

Second Sunday of Passiontide (Palm Sunday)
Rosary/Confession at 5:30 p.m.
Sung Mass at 6:00 p.m.
Blessing and distribution of palms before Mass

Wednesday in Holy Week (Spy Wednesday)
Rosary/Confession at 6:30 p.m.
Low Mass at 7:00 p.m.

Holy Thursday
Rosary/Confession at 6:30 p.m.
Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7:00 p.m.
followed by Transfer of the Blessed Sacrament and Stripping of Altar
and Adoration till midnight.

Good Friday
Rosary/Confession at 2.00 p.m.
Stations of the Cross at 2.30 p.m.
Good Friday Liturgy at 3:00 p.m.

Holy Saturday
Rosary/Confession at 10.30 p.m.
The Great Vigil of the Resurrection at 11:00 p.m.

Sunday of the Resurrection (Easter Sunday)
Rosary/Confession at 9:00 a.m.
Sung Mass at 9.30 a.m.

Is the Teaching of the Encyclical Humanae Vitae Taught and Practiced in the Church?

From Totus Tuus:

Fr. John A. Nariai (成相明人) of Humanae Vitae Research Institute (フマネ・ヴィテ 硏究會) in Japan gave a great speech at the Love, Life and Family Conference hosted in Daegu, Korea in 1998. The respectable Japanese father reported a quite deplorable reality of Catholic Church on the issue of contraception. His criticism on Catholic Church in Japan was also translated into Korean language.

Is the Teaching of the Encyclical Humanae Vitae Taught and Practiced in the Church? ?

"Now, Japan is not counted as one of the dissenting nations, however, in the statement of Japan Bishop's Conference of 1968, there is one too many "if." Listen carefully to the statement which I quote now: "If somebody, notwithstanding his good will to fulfill the directives of the encyclical Humanae Vitae, is unable to observe it in some matters because of objective and necessary circumstances, he should never think himself separated from the love of God...Rather we advise them to deepen their trust in God, and to participate fervently in the works of the Church and to receive the sacraments." Unquote. The words are open to a catastrophic interpretation of the worst kind. They could mean that those who think they must contracept are invited by the bishops to receive the Sacraments―confession and Holy Communion―without making a firm purpose of amendment. Are the bishops of Japan not seducing its people to sin? It looks like it. And that seems to be the practice for many in Japan. Martin Luther once gave this blasphemous advice; "Pecca fortiter, et confide fortius" (Sin bravely and trust even more strongly.) Regrettably our bishops in Japan acted like Luther. Japan's Catholic population is not growing at all. It is around 430 thousand since many years ago, and the seminaries are empty if I may exaggerate. Something drastic needs to be done. How can the Church in Japan expect God to give more baptisms and priestly vocations, while she is not fully faithful to the teachings of Humanae Vitae? She is only partially Catholic, if not heretic."

I cannot say that the situation of Church in Korea has been better than that of the Church in Japan. Although Catholic Bishops conference in Korea (CBCK) has occasionally made statements objecting abortion, the teaching of Humanae Vitae has been widely neglected and silenced. Actually, abortion and contraception has been very uncomfortable teachings for the most clergy in Korea and most Korean pastors let lays decide following whatever their own conscience tells them is right.

As a result of the pastoral neglect, Korean Catholics recorded almost the same rate of abortion as that of general population in Korea. According to Fr. Stephen Jae-Bong Jang's article that appeared on weekly bulletin of Pusan Archdiocese on May 27, 2007, 66% of Korean Catholic women have had abortions.

"Contraception facilitates the kind of relationships and even the kind of attitudes and moral characters that are likely to lead to abortion." - Professor Janet E. Smith, The Connection between Contraception and Abortion.

Monday, March 22, 2010

In Novus Ordo land, they don't even want to kneel to God anymore

From Fr. Z's blog with his emphases and comments:

Ottawa archbishop lays down law on kneeling
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
By Jennifer Green

OTTAWA — Ottawa’s archbishop has ordered all Catholics to conform in how they kneel during mass, despite widespread grumbling that uniformity doesn’t equal sanctity, or even unity. [Note the vocabularly choices. The writer doesn’t seem to like this.]

Archbishop Terrence Prendergast circulated a letter recently asking that everyone kneel for the entire Eucharistic prayer from "Holy, holy, holy" to the conclusion "Let us proclaim the mystery of faith"—about five minutes in all.

Currently, some congregations stand for most of the prayer, kneeling only as the priest prepares holy communion. Some stand for the whole thing; others kneel throughout.

Archbishop Prendergast said in his letter: "I have noted a wide range of practices … which present a lack of harmony in a matter where we should be united—the worship of God.

"I know that it may not be easy for some to accept. However, I am convinced its implementation will bring blessings to our archdiocese and I invite your co-operation with this directive." [Notice how we have moved from "order" to "ask" to "invite".]

In an interview later, he explained: "It’s a sign of reverence. People say, ‘I don’t like that. We are the people set free, we no longer have to kneel to God,’ and I said, ‘Wait a minute, we do have to kneel to God. Christ knelt in the garden. People knelt before Jesus. Why can’t we do that for a few minutes at mass?’ "

One woman told him her husband might not come to church because of this. [How stupid is that?] "She said, ‘we French Canadians have a bit of an inferiority complex. We don’t like people telling us what to do’." [Imagine.]

He replied that, if the husband does come, he is free to stand through the prayer, but at the back of the church, where he won’t confuse everyone else. [For heaven’s sake.]

It seems a small thing to ask the faithful to kneel [to GOD] during mass, but opponents say that’s just the point, especially since it is the archbishop’s first firm order since he arrived in this area last year.

[Now get this stunningly obtuse comment….] "Is that all they have to think about?" asked former Ottawa councillor Toddy Kehoe, a parishioner at St. Joseph’s parish on Laurier Avenue East. "I don’t see the Catholic church as doing loving things. I don’t see them as the caring community they should be. It isn’t whether you stand or kneel."

St. Joseph’s Rev. Richard Kelly declined to comment, [?!?] as did a staff member who said in an e-mail: "It is hard to believe that a kneeler is such a big topic, and I wish I could say something about this piece of furniture that was meaningful, [So do I. You ought to be able to.] and about the prayer posture we have been requested to assume, but we are in difficult times and the focus for us as a parish is really how can we participate in the truth and reconciliation process with the aboriginal community of Canada." [Connect this to the stunningly obtuse comment, above.]

Even Rev. William Burke, associate director of the national liturgy office at the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, refused to comment for fear of fanning the controversy. [?!?] Canadian bishops have already agreed to adopt this rule when the new missal, or Catholic mass book, is introduced in the near future.

Archbishop Prendergast acknowledged the underlying strains. "Every time you talk about liturgy, everything else going on in the church is reflected." [YES! He get’s it. Save The Liturgy – Save The World, too.]

Right now, the Catholic church is asking, "Is (the mass) our thing or is it God’s thing? There are certain tensions in the church about that.

"After 40 years since the Vatican Council, we have gotten away from certain aspects of reverence; we’re trying to have more harmony and co-ordination. Harmony will help bolster a sense of divine worship, something that has slipped away.

"What has happened with the liturgy is that it is being asked to bear too many things." [That is interesting.]

At one mass, people got so enthusiastic about greeting each other at the exchange of the peace that it took 45 minutes to get back to the pews and resume the service. [!]

"That’s not what mass is about. It’s about worshipping God," Archbishop Prendergast said.

"At one time, nobody ever applauded. Now, they applaud for everything. It becomes more like a concert." [grrrr]

As to his authoritarian message, he said, "The bishop is the mentor of the liturgy, moderator, the one who calls the shots. I try to do it gently."

Nevertheless, to both clergy and congregants, he says, "I know you disagree, but I would like you to come along."

If someone comes to church and stubbornly stands, they won’t be asked to leave. But, the archbishop says, "You sort of wonder, what are they proving when there are two people standing in a church of 500 kneeling? Some people always have to let you know they’re right."

Friday, March 19, 2010

St Joseph, pray for us!

The just man shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

--Introit from the Mass of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Confessor, Patron of the Universal Church

Thursday, March 18, 2010

How to get young people to be involved in the parish?

Answer to be found here.

N.b. The Sacred Heart Choir members could certainly attest to the truth of this article, since it was formed by young people, with only young people as members, all with the encouragement of the priest.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Resurrection of Our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ (the Solemnity of Solemnities)

For April 4, 2010 which is the Resurrection of OLJC, we are going to sing:
  1. Procession: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (SBH#044)
  2. Vidi aquam
  3. Introit: Resurrexi
  4. Kyrie I
  5. Gloria I
  6. Gradual: Haec dies
  7. Alleluia: Pascha nostrum
  8. Sequence: Victimae paschali laudes
  9. Credo III
  10. Offertory: Terra tremuit
  11. Offertory hymn: Salve Festa Dies
  12. Sanctus I
  13. Agnus Dei I
  14. Communion: Pascha nostrum with Ps 117: 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,
    21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29

  15. Recession: The Strife Is O'er
Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Paschal Vigil

For April 3, 2010 which is the Paschal Vigil, we are going to sing:
  1. Canticle: Cantemus Domino
  2. Canticle: Vinea facta est
  3. Canticle: Attende caelum
  4. Litany of the Saints (until "Omnes Sancti et Sanctae Dei, intercedite pro nobis")
  5. Canticle: Sicut cervus
  6. Litany of the Saints (cont. from "Propitius esto, parce nobis Domine")
  7. Kyrie I
  8. Gloria I
  9. Alleluia: Confitemini Domino
  10. Tract: Laudate Dominum
  11. Sanctus I
  12. Offertory hymn: Jubilate Deo (W.A. Mozart)
  13. Communion hymn: Ave Verum Corpus (W. Byrd)
  14. Communion: Alleluia (repeat after the end of Laudate Dominum)
  15. Antiphon: Et valde mane
  16. Canticle: Benedictus Dominus (repeat Antiphon Et valde mane at the end)
  17. Recession: The Strife Is O'er
Click on the links to hear samples where available. NOTE: The Credo and Agnus Dei are not sung/said in the Paschal Vigil Mass.

Good Friday

For April 2, 2010 which is Good Friday, we are going to sing the following:
  1. Responsorium I: Domine audivi
  2. Responsorium II: Eripe me, Domine
  3. Responses to Ecce lignum Crucis in ascending tone: Venite adoremus (1) (2) (3)
  4. Improperia: Popule meus (during solemn adoration of the Cross)
  5. Antiphon: Crucem tuam (during solemn adoration of the Cross)
  6. Hymn: Crux fidelis (during solemn adoration of the Cross)
  7. Antiphon I: Adoramus te Christe (when the Blessed Sacrament is returned to the altar)
  8. Antiphon II: Per lignum (when the Blessed Sacrament is returned to the altar)
  9. Antiphon III: Salvator mundi, salva nos (when the Blessed Sacrament is returned to the altar)
  10. Communion: Psalm 21
Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Maundy Thursday

For April 1, 2010 which is Maundy Thursday, we are going to sing:
  1. Introit: Nos autem gloriari
  2. Kyrie IV
  3. Gloria IV
  4. Gradual: Christus factus est
  5. Antiphon: Mandatum novum (antiphons 5-12 are sung only if feet washing rite takes place)
  6. Antiphon: Postquam surrexit Dominus
  7. Antiphon: Dominus Iesus
  8. Antiphon: Domine, tu mihi lavas pedes
  9. Antiphon: Si ego Dominus
  10. Antiphon: In hoc cognoscent omnes
  11. Antiphon: Maneant in vobis
  12. Antiphon: Ubi caritas
  13. Offertory: Dextera Domini
  14. Offertory hymn: Quis Sicut Te
  15. Sanctus IV
  16. Agnus Dei IV (end with "miserere nobis" instead of "dona nobis pacem")
  17. Communion: Dominus Iesus with Psalm 101: 2–3, 5, 18
During translation of the Most Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose:
  1. Hymn: Pange lingua gloriosi
During stripping of the altar:
  1. Antiphon: Diviserunt and Psalm 21 (Deus, Deus meus)
Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Palm Sunday

For March 28, 2010 which is the 2nd Sunday in Passiontide (Palm Sunday), we are going to sing the following:
  1. Antiphon: Hosanna filio David (before blessing of palms)
  2. Antiphon: Pueri Hebraeorum, portantes (during distribution of blessed palms) followed by Psalm 23
  3. Antiphon: Pueri Hebraeorum, vestimenta (during distribution of blessed palms) followed by Psalm 46
  4. Hymn to Christ the King: Gloria, laus
  5. Introit: Domine, ne longe facias
  6. Kyrie XVII A
  7. Gradual: Tenuisti manum
  8. Tract: Deus, Deus meus
  9. Credo IV
  10. Offertory: Improperium
  11. Offertory hymn: Vexilla Regis Prodeunt
  12. Sanctus XVII
  13. Agnus Dei XVII
  14. Communion: Pater, si non potest with Ps 21: 2, 3, 5, 7, 15cd, 17ab, 17c–18,
    22, 23, 24, 28, 30c–31a, 31b–32

  15. Recession: To Jesus Christ, Our Sov'reign King
Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Monday, March 08, 2010

From WDTPRS: Priest constantly ad libs

From Fr. Z of WDTPRS:

From a reader. You can make your own comments.

I have just returned from Mass. As usual, during the Mass I was constantly distracted by the consistent ad libbing by the priest celebrant. Permit me to offer a sample:

Before the Sign of the Cross: Father reads a snippet from a "liturgical cheat sheet" that introduces the "theme" of the Mass.

Introduction to the Penitential Rite: Father gives a introductory monologue that gives the weather report and welcomes our visitors, who we are always happy to have with us. He then calls us to recall "the times when we have been too much to ourselves and loved each other less."

The Prayers of the Faithful: After the banal intercessions from the "liturgical cheat sheet," Father improvises prayers for the suffering in Haiti, announcing how much money was collected and thanking the parishioners for their generosity; for those serving in the military—living and deceased—their "parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and surrogates" (I’m NOT making this up); and on and on and on. The Prayers of the Faithful went on for 5 minutes! I realize that, in the great scheme of things, 5 minutes doesn’t seem long, but it is an eternity at Mass.

The "Orate Fratres": "Let us pray that this our sacrifice and all that we do will become acceptable to God the Almighty Father."

The "Mysterium Fidei": "In song, let us proclaim this great mystery of our faith."

The "Per ipsum et cum ipso": "For it is through Him, and with Him and in Him…."

The Invitation to the Our Father: "Let us with faith and love, in union with God our Father and as one family, we proclaim that prayer which Jesus taught us."

The "Ecce Agnus Dei": This is Jesus Christ, our hope and our peace, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. How happy and blessed are we to be called to supper."

This said, my question is this: after over 35 years of priesthood and over 35 years of "doing his own thing" at Mass, will he, all of a sudden with the new translations, actually start to "say the black and do the red"? Will bishops and those entrusted with implementing the new translations, actually INSIST that priests not do what this man has been doing Sunday after Sunday for years and years since his first Mass? And who is going to hold them accountable? Bishops? The laity? In fairness to the bishops, bishops can’t be everywhere. As to the laity, priests often resent, no matter how tactfully, respectfully, and charitably states, any constructive criticism about the way a priest celebrates Mass.

My great fear is that, despite the new translations, priests will continue to do whatever they wish with their parts in the Mass simply because no one is going to hold them accountable for otherwise.

Thanks for listening

Sunday, March 07, 2010

Fourth Sunday in Lent

For March 14, 2010 which is the Fourth Sunday in Lent, we are going to sing:
  1. Procession: Nearer, My God, to Thee
  2. Asperges me
  3. Introit: Laetare Ierusalem
  4. Kyrie XVII A
  5. Gradual: Laetatus sum
  6. Tract: Qui confidunt
  7. Credo IV
  8. Offertory: Laudate Dominum
  9. Offertory hymn: Ave Maris Stella
  10. Sanctus XVII
  11. Agnus Dei XVII
  12. Communion: Ierusalem, quae aedificatur with Psalm 121:3,4
  13. Recession: Adoramus Te Christe
Click on the links to hear samples where available.

New Mass devised by "arid" people who knew "nothing" about liturgy

From Boniface's blog:

Msgr. Bartolucci: New Mass devised by "arid" people who knew "nothing" about liturgy

KL Archdiocese seeks apology from journalists

Malaysia: Church Seeks Apology From Journalists
Reporters Desecrated Eucharist, Criticized Christians
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, MARCH 5, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur will not pursue legal action against two journalists who desecrated the Eucharist, but it is looking for an apology.

The FIDES news agency reported today that Archbishop Murphy Pakiam of Kuala Lumpur made a public statement in which he said the Church wanted to move on from the incident, which had caused outrage in the Christian community.

"Forgiveness is an integral part of our mission," he said.

Last May two Muslim journalists attended a Mass and, posing as Christians, took Communion. They later criticized and ridiculed Christian beliefs in an article published in Al-Islam magazine.

The incident was reported to the police, who accused the two of having "caused disharmony, feelings of enmity and hatred, and undermining religious harmony in the country."

Penalties for this offense in Malaysia include imprisonment for two to five years.

FIDES reports that the Church in Malaysian hopes that with this gesture, they will successfully "reach out to Malay Muslims (majority in the country) in the hope of finding solutions, in an atmosphere of dialogue and friendship, to the question of the use of the name Allah for Malay-speaking Christians."

In 2007, the Catholic Church launched a legal challenge regarding legislation in the country that states that the word Allah should be used exclusively by Muslims.

The case came to a head on New Year's Eve when the Malaysian High Court ruled that Catholics should be allowed to use the term Allah.

After the ruling, protests immediately broke out and as a result the high court suspended its ruling pending an appeal, and Christians suspended the use of the word Allah.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Consecration of Bishop Dominic Vendargon

FIRST MALAYAN BISHOP VENDARGON CONSECRATED aka FIRST MALAYAN BISHOP

Monday, March 01, 2010

Third Sunday in Lent

For March 7, 2010 which is Third Sunday in Lent, we are going to sing:

  1. Procession: O Kind Creator
  2. Asperges me
  3. Introit: Oculi mei
  4. Kyrie XVII A
  5. Gradual: Exsurge Domine
  6. Tract: Ad te levavi
  7. Credo IV
  8. Offertory: Iustitiae Domini
  9. Offertory hymn: Media vita
  10. Sanctus XVII
  11. Agnus Dei XVII
  12. Communion: Passer invenit with Psalm 83:4-5
  13. Recession: Alas! And Did My Saviour Bleed (tune: Martyrdom)
Click on the links to hear samples where available.