Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

For September 1, 2013 which is the 15th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Hail, True Victim, Life And Light
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Inclina, Domine
4. Kyrie XI (Orbis Factor)
5. Gloria XI
   
6. Gradual: Bonum est confiteri
   
7. Alleluia: Quoniam Deus
   
8. Credo III
9. Offertory: Exspectans exspectavi
   
10. Offertory hymn: Panis Angelicus
11. Sanctus XI
    
12. Agnus Dei XI
    
13. Communion: Panis, quem ego dedero with Ps. 110
    
14. Recession: Soul Of My Savior

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

For August 25, 2013 which is the 14th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: All Creatures Of Our God And King
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Protector noster
4. Kyrie IX (Cum Jubilo)
   
5. Gloria IX
   
6. Gradual: Bonum est confidere
7. Alleluia: Venite, exsultemus
8. Credo I
9. Offertory: Immittet angelus
10. Offertory hymn: Concordi Laetitia
11. Sanctus IX
    
12. Agnus Dei IX
    
13. Communion: Primum quaerite with Ps. 36
    
14. Recession: Inviolata

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

For August 18, 2013 which is the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: All Hail Adored Trinity
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Respice, Domine
4. Kyrie IX (Cum Iubilo)
5. Gloria IX
   
6. Gradual: Respice, Domine
   
7. Alleluia: Domine, refugium
   
8. Credo IV
   
9. Offertory: In te speravi
   
10. Offertory hymn: Ave Maria (J. Arcadelt)
11. Sanctus IX
    
12. Agnus Dei IX
    
13. Communion: Panem de caelo with Ps. 77
14. Recession: Heart of Mary

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

For August 11, 2013 which is the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: All Creatures Of Our God And King
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Deus, in adjutorium
4. Kyrie IX (Cum Iubilo)
5. Gloria IX
6. Gradual: Benedicam Dominum
7. Alleluia: Domine, Deus salutis meae
8. Credo III
9. Offertory: Precatus est Moyses
10. Sanctus IX
11. Agnus Dei IX
12. Communion: De fructu with Ps. 103
13. Recession: Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

For August 4, 2013 which is the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Crown Him With Many Crowns
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Deus in loco sancto suo
4. Kyrie IX (Cum Iubilo)
5. Gloria IX
6. Gradual: In Deo speravit
7. Alleluia: Exsultate Deo
8. Credo I
9. Offertory: Exaltabo te
10. Offertory hymn: O Maria, Virgo Pia
11. Sanctus IX
12. Agnus Dei IX
13. Communion: Honora Dominum with Ps. 111
14. Recession: We Stand For God

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

For July 28, 2013 which is the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Glory Be To Jesus
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Dum clamarem
4. Kyrie XI
5. Gloria XI
   
6. Gradual: Custodi me, Domine
   
7. Alleluia: Te decet hymnus
   
8. Credo IV
9. Offertory: Ad te, Domine, levavi
   
10. Offertory hymn: O Sanctissima
11. Sanctus XI
    
12. Agnus Dei XI
    
13. Communion: Acceptabis with Ps. 50
14. Recession: Immaculate Mary (Fatima refrain)

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

For July 21, 2013 which is the 9th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: O God Of Loveliness
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Ecce Deus adiuvat me
4. Kyrie XI
5. Gloria XI
   
6. Gradual: Domine, Dominus noster
   
7. Alleluia: Eripe me
   
8. Credo III
9. Offertory: Iustitiae Domini
10. Offertory hymn: Ave Maris Stella
11. Sanctus XI
    
12. Agnus Dei XI
13. Communion: Qui manducat with Ps. 118
14. Recession: Salve Regina (solemn tone)
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

For July 14, 2013 which is the 8th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All
   
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Suscepimus
4. Kyrie XI
5. Gloria XI
   
6. Gradual: Esto mihi
   
7. Alleluia: Magnus Dominus
   
8. Credo I
9. Offertory: Populum humilem
   
10. Offertory hymn: Jesu, rex admirabilis (G.P. da Palestrina)
11. Sanctus XI
    
12. Agnus Dei XI
    
13. Communion: Gustate et videte with Ps. 33
14. Recession: Salve Mater

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

For July 7, 2013 which is the 7th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: By The Blood That Flowed From Thee (SBH1918#169)
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Omnes gentes
4. Kyrie XI
5. Gloria XI
   
6. Gradual: Venite, filii
   
7. Alleluia: Omnes gentes
   
8. Credo IV
9. Offertory: Sicut in holocausto
10. Offertory hymn: Jesu Dulcis Memoria
11. Sanctus XI
    
12. Agnus Dei XI
    
13. Communion: Inclina aurem tuam with Ps. 30
    
14. Recession: Inviolata

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

For June 30, 2013 which is the 6th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: To Jesus' Heart All Burning
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Dominus fortitudo plebis suae
4. Kyrie XI (Orbis Factor)
5. Gloria XI
   
6. Gradual: Convertere, Domine
   
7. Alleluia: In te, Domine, speravi
   
8. Credo III
9. Offertory: Perfice gressus meos
   
10. Offertory hymn: O Sanctissima
11. Sanctus XI
    
12. Agnus Dei XI
13. Communion: Circuibo with Ps. 26
14. Recession: Faith Of Our Fathers I

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

For June 23, 2013 which is the 5th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Exaudi, Domine... adiutor
4. Kyrie XI
5. Gloria XI
   
6. Gradual: Protector noster
7. Alleluia: Domine, in virtute tua
   
8. Credo I
9. Offertory: Benedicam Dominum
10. Offertory hymn: O Sanctissima
11. Sanctus XI
12. Agnus Dei XI
13. Communion: Unam petii with Ps. 26
14. Recession: All People That On Earth Do Dwell (tune: Old Hundredth)

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

For June 16, 2013 which is the 4th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Godhead Here In Hiding
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Dominus illuminatio mea
4. Kyrie XI
5. Gloria XI
   
6. Gradual: Propitius esto
7. Alleluia: Deus, qui sedes
   
8. Credo IV
9. Offertory: Illumina oculos meos
10. Offertory hymn: Cor Jesu, Caritatis Victima
11. Sanctus XI
    
12. Agnus Dei XI
    
13. Communion: Dominus firmamentum meum with Ps. 17
14. Recession: Soul Of My Savior
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Happy Feast of the Sacred Heart

  O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like unto Thine!

External Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

For June 9, 2013 which is the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, we will celebrate the External Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, since the chapel is dedicated to the same. Thus, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: To Jesus' Heart, All Burning
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Cogitationes cordis eius
4. Kyrie VIII (De Angelis)
5. Gloria VIII
6. Gradual: Dulcis et rectus Dominus
   
7. Alleluia: Tollite iugum meum
   
8. Credo III
9. Offertory: Improperium exspectavit
10. Offertory hymn: Cor, Arca Legem Continens
11. Sanctus VIII
12. Agnus Dei VIII
13. Communion: Unus militum with Ps. 88
14. Recession: To Jesus Christ, Our Sov'reign King
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

External Solemnity of Corpus Christi

For June 2, 2013, we will be celebrating the external Solemnity of Corpus Christi instead of 2nd Sunday after Pentecost:

1. Procession: Jesus, My Lord, My God All
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Cibavit eos
4. Kyrie IV (Cunctipotens Genitor Deus)
5. Gloria IV
6. Gradual: Oculi omnium
   
7. Alleluia: Caro mea
8. Sequence: Lauda Sion
9. Credo I
10. Offertory: Sacerdotes Domini
11. Offertory hymn: Panis Angelicus I
12. Sanctus IV
13. Agnus Dei IV
14. Communion: Quotiescumque manducabitis with Ps. 22
15. Processional Hymn: Adoro Te Devote
16. Processional Hymn: Lauda Jerusalem
17. Benediction: Tantum Ergo II
    
18. Recession: Hail, True Victim, Life And Light

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

The Most Holy Trinity

For May 26, 2013 which is the feast of the Most Holy Trinity, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: O God Almighty Father
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Benedicta sit
4. Kyrie VIII
5. Gloria VIII
6. Gradual: Benedictus es, Domine
   
7. Alleluia: Benedictus es, Domine
8. Credo IV
9. Offertory: Benedictus sit
10. Offertory hymn: Jam Sol Recedit
11. Sanctus VIII
12. Agnus Dei VIII
13. Communion: Benedicimus Deum with Tob. 13
    
14. Recession: Firmly I Believe And Truly (tune: Halton Holgate)
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Pentecost Sunday

For May 19, 2013 which is Pentecost Sunday, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Come Down, O Love Divine (tune: Down Ampney)
2. Vidi aquam
3. Introit: Spiritus Domini
4. Kyrie II
5. Gloria II
6. Alleluia: Emitte Spiritum tuum
7. Alleluia: Veni, Sancte Spiritus
8. Sequence: Veni, Sancte Spiritus
9. Credo III
10. Offertory: Confirma hoc, Deus
11. Offertory hymn: Beata nobis gaudia
12. Sanctus II
13. Agnus Dei II
14. Communion: Factus est repente with Ps. 67
15. Recession: Regina Caeli Laetare (Solemn Tone)

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Sunday after the Ascension

For May 12, 2013 which is the Sunday after the Ascension, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: New Praises Be Given
2. Vidi aquam
3. Introit: Exaudi, Domine
4. Kyrie I
5. Gloria I
6. Alleluia: Regnavit Dominus
   
7. Alleluia: Non vos relinquam
   
8. Credo I
9. Offertory: Ascendit Deus
10. Offertory hymn: Ave Maris Stella
11. Sanctus I
12. Agnus Dei I
13. Communion: Pater, cum essem with Ps. 121
14. Recession: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (tune: Blaenwern)
    

Fifth Sunday after Easter

For May 5, 2013 which is the Fifth Sunday after Easter, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Great King Of Kings
2. Vidi aquam
3. Introit: Vocem iucunditatis
4. Kyrie I
5. Gloria I
6. Alleluia: Surrexit Christus et illuxit
   
7. Alleluia: Exivi a Patre
   
8. Credo IV
9. Offertory: Benedicite, gentes
10. Offertory hymn: O Maria, Virgo Pia
11. Sanctus I
12. Agnus Dei I
13. Communion: Cantate Domino with Ps. 95
14. Recession: Immaculate Mary I (Lourdes refrain)

Fourth Sunday after Easter

For April 28th, 2013 which is the Fourth Sunday after Easter, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: The Strife Is O'er
2. Vidi aquam
3. Introit: Cantate Domino
4. Kyrie I
5. Gloria I
6. Alleluia: Dextera Dei
   
7. Alleluia: Christus resurgens
   
8. Credo III
   
9. Offertory: Iubilate Deo universa terra
10. Offertory hymn: Ad Regias Agni Dapes
11. Sanctus I
12. Agnus Dei I
13. Communion: Dum venerit Paraclitus with Ps. 33
    
14. Recession: Regina Caeli Laetare (Solemn Tone)

A Meditation on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Who can doubt anymore the heavy price paid by Our Lord Jesus Christ for our sins?

Third Sunday after Easter

For April 21, 2013 which is the Third Sunday after Easter, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Hail Redeemer, King Divine (C. Rigby)
2. Vidi aquam
3. Introit: Iubilate Deo
4. Kyrie I
5. Gloria I
6. Alleluia: Redemptionem
   
7. Alleluia: Oportebat
   
8. Credo I
9. Offertory: Lauda, anima mea
   
10. Offertory hymn: Regina Caeli (solemn tone)
11. Sanctus I
12. Agnus Dei I
13. Communion: Modicum with Ps. 33
14. Recession: O Lord, I Am Not Worthy

Click on the links to hear samples and scores where available.

Second Sunday after Easter

For April 14, 2013 which is the Second Sunday after Easter, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: At The Lamb's High Feast We Sing
2. Vidi aquam
3. Introit: Misericordia Domini
4. Kyrie I
5. Gloria I
6. Alleluia: Cognoverunt discipuli
   
7. Alleluia: Ego sum pastor bonus
   
8. Credo IV
9. Offertory: Deus, Deus meus
   
10. Offertory hymn: Ad Regias Agni Dapes
11. Sanctus I
12. Agnus Dei I
13. Communion: Ego sum pastor bonus with Ps 22
14. Recession: Christ The Lord Is Risen Today (AH#415) (tune: Llanfair)

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Low Sunday (Dominica in albis)

For April 7, 2013 which is Low Sunday, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: At The Lamb's High Feast
2. Vidi aquam
3. Introit: Quasimodo
4. Kyrie I (Lux et Origo)
5. Gloria I
6. Alleluia: In die resurrectionis
   
7. Alleluia: Post dies octo
8. Credo III
9. Offertory: Angelus Domini
10. Offertory hymn: Regina Caeli Jubila
11. Sanctus I
12. Agnus Dei I
13. Communion: Mitte manum tuam with Ps 117: 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,
    21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29
    
14. Recession: Rejoice, O Mary, Heavenly Queen

A Holy And Blessed Pascha To All! Christ Is Risen!

Christus resurrexit! Resurrexit vere!

Χριστός ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!

! המשיח קם! באמת קם

Paschal Vigil

For March 30, 2013 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. Offertory hymn: Regina Caeli (A. Lotti)
12. Sanctus I
13. Communion hymn: O Filii Et Filiae
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 March 29, 2013 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 March 28, 2013 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
   
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: Benedictus Qui Venit
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.

Palm Sunday

For March 24, 2013 which is the 2nd Sunday in Passiontide (Palm Sunday), we are going to sing:

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. Antiphon: Cum angelis (during procession)
5. Hymn to Christ the King: Gloria, laus (during procession)
6. Responsory: Ingrediente Domino (on return to the church)
7. Introit: Domine, ne longe facias
8. Kyrie XVII A
9. Gradual: Tenuisti manum
10. Tract: Deus, Deus meus
    
11. Credo IV
12. Offertory: Improperium
13. Offertory hymn: Vexilla Regis Prodeunt
14. Sanctus XVII
    
15. Agnus Dei XVII
    
16. Communion: Pater, si non potest followed by Ps 21: 2, 3, 5, 7, 15cd, 17ab, 17c–18,
    22, 23, 24, 28, 30c–31a, 31b–32
17. Recession: To Jesus Christ, Our Sov'reign King

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Passion Sunday

For March 17, 2013 which is Passion Sunday (1st Sunday of Passiontide), we are going to sing:

1. Procession: O Kind Creator
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Iudica me, Deus
4. Kyrie XVII A
5. Gradual: Eripe me, Domine
6. Tract: Saepe expugnaverunt
7. Credo I
8. Offertory: Confitebor tibi, Domine
   
9. Offertory hymn: Vexilla Regis Prodeunt
   
10. Sanctus XVII
    
11. Agnus Dei XVII
    
12. Communion: Hoc corpus with Ps 22: 1–2a, 2b–3a, 3b, 4ab, 4cd, 5ab, 5cd, 6ab
13. Recession: Crown Him With Many Crowns

Click on the links to hear samples where available. NOTE: No Gloria Patri at the end of the Asperges and Introit!

Fourth Sunday in Lent

For March 10, 2013 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.

Novena for the election of the Sovereign Pontiff

In this time of the interregnum, all are requested to participate in this novena for the election of the Sovereign Pontiff: Here is a link to a pdf with the prayers in Latin and English.

Third Sunday in Lent

For March 3, 2013 which is the Third Sunday in Lent, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Blessed Lamb
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Oculi mei
4. Kyrie XVII A
   
5. Gradual: Exsurge Domine
6. Tract: Ad te levavi
   
7. Credo III
   
8. Offertory: Iustitiae Domini
   
9. Offertory hymn: Jesu, Salvator Mundi (B. Cordans)
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.

Second Sunday in Lent

For February 24, 2013 which is the Second Sunday in Lent, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: The Son Of Man (tune: Newman)
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Reminiscere
4. Kyrie XVII A
5. Gradual: Tribulationes cordis mei
6. Tract: Confitemini Domino
7. Credo I
8. Offertory: Meditabor
   
9. Offertory hymn: Audi Benigne Conditor
10. Sanctus XVII
    
11. Agnus Dei XVII
    
12. Communion: Intellige clamorem with Psalm 5:2-4
13. Recession: God of Mercy And Compassion

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

On veneration of ancestors

Since it is Chinese New Year again, the topic of ancestral veneration done in certain Novus Ordo churches crops up again and here are some thoughts from yours truly and the response from Rev. Fr. Daniel Couture and Rev. Fr. Francois Lainey on this matter.

This is mostly in response to the articles written by Rev. Fr. Michael Cheah (of the Penang Diocese) part1, part2 and Deacon Sherman Kuek (Melaka-Johor Diocese)

Many Catholics in Malaysia of ethnic Chinese-descent are converts. I do not agree if it is done during Holy Mass. Even Fr. Michael Cheah concedes that it is to be considered as a 'para-liturgy', but you can't force everyone to take part in it if it is a 'para-liturgy'.

As a Chinese, we must also bear in mind the common pagan/superstitious belief that the spirit of the dead ancestor resides in the tablet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_tablet) a.k.a. 神主牌 or 神位 (seat of the spirit). See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancestor_veneration_in_China. I would think that the very idea of the dead having power or effect over the living descendants would have been anathema .

I still cannot find a valid reason why is there a need to do it in church, more so since it is also causing scandal among Catholics (Chinese and non-Chinese alike). We can visit the graves to clean it, but I don't see a need to offer joss-sticks, food, tea/wine, paper money, etc.

Some Catholics might not have those pagan/superstitious ideas when they perform the rites, but certainly it can't be said for all Catholics. Thus, I think Deacon Sherman Kuek's article is considered the moderate approach to this controversy.

"In other words, our way of evangelization should not make it more difficult than necessary for people to accept the Gospel. In the days of ancient China, to insist on terminating veneration rites actually scandalized the populace and prevented them from accepting the Gospel.

This cannot be said of most disapora Chinese today. It is reasonable to hold that neither forbidding nor permitting veneration of ancestral tablets would gravely affect the success of the Church’s mission to evangelize the Chinese community in a place like Malaysia.

If anything, non-Christians probably find it strange that Catholics would do such a thing in the course of performing our liturgical rites. It is perhaps wise to ask ourselves if such a practice truly serves its evangelistic purpose or if we do it just because we can."

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Response by Rev. Fr. Daniel Couture:

In all these matters, one has to remember some essential doctrinal issues:

1) At death the soul is separated from the body, is judged, and goes to heaven, purgatory or hell (we speak here of those who have reached the age of reasons “ancestors”)

2) We can only know for sure the state of a deceased soul in the case of a canonisation, when the Church, and only the Catholic Church, tells us that that soul IS in Heaven, and we can pray TO it. For all the other souls, we can only pray FOR them (although the saints do say that we can also pray TO the souls in Purgatory). (I do not enter here in the questionable modern canonisations.)

3) Reincarnation – in another person, an animal or a tablet – is absolutely false, both philosophically and theologically.

4) Souls separated from their body do not eat.

5) We can certainly honor the memory of our ancestors, honor their photo, out of filial piety, but it must have nothing that includes or implies their presence in a thing, their power of intercession, their material needs.

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Response by Rev. Fr. Francois Laisney:

Father Couture has given all good principles on the matter. There is one additional consideration that I would add: to distinguish between natural and supernatural veneration. But first of all, let us explain what is veneration.

To venerate, to honour, means to give a testimony to the excellence of someone, as St Thomas teaches. Now there are four kinds of excellence on earth that is given special honour: 

1) excellence of knowledge: e.g. Nobel prices for scientists, titles (such as university titles: Doctor …), and even prizes in school (e.g. first prize of English, of science, of math, of history…)

2) excellence in virtue: e.g. military medals to reward the courage of some soldiers, even Olympic medals (for bodily virtue…)

3) excellence in authority: presenting arms when a general reviews his army, or titles given to people in authority (your lordship,…). This is given to government authorities, to judges, … 

4) the special excellence of parents, which St Thomas explains is the excellence of being at the ORIGIN of what the children have: they received their life from their parents, and a very great many other things. If we would reckon how much we owe our parents, we would easily understand that we can hardly repay them enough. To honour them is to acknowledge this excellence that THEY have over us. Note that benefactors – in a much lesser way – also participate of that kind of excellence, and honour is due to them for that reason.

Now every one can easily see that in all these four domains, God possesses the supreme excellence:

1) He knows absolutely everything, not only which has existed, exist and will exist, but also all that could have existed if He had so created them… and above all the created things, He knows Himself comprehensively.

2) He possesses the supreme virtue, i.e. goodness in all His actions, His being is pure Act, pure Goodness. Thus He always acts with supreme wisdom, supreme goodness, fortitude, kindness, mercy, etc.

3) God possesses supreme authority, and all authority come from Him (Rom. 13:1)

4) God is at the origin of all created beings, of all good.

And in this matter of excellence, there is an essential difference between God’s excellence, which He possesses by Himself, not having received it from anyone, and any creature’s excellence, which is only relative: it always came ultimately from God, Who is the First Cause of all good and therefore of all excellence. God alone can be the FIRST in any of the above domains. He also is the source of life; parents only transmit life; He alone is the source of goodness; anyone else can only transmit goodness… 

Therefore there is due to God a unique veneration, called Worship. It is a very grave sin to worship anyone else than God.

So now we come to my point. There are two levels of excellence: natural excellence and supernatural excellence. All the examples above were of natural excellence. But God also offers to men a supernatural excellence: sanctifying grace, a participation in the divine life. Not all men accept it and live it. It is received at baptism, is lost by mortal sin, is recovered by penance, grows through the Sacraments and prayer and the practice of good works, etc.

One can find also supernatural excellences of the four kinds expressed above:

1) the Doctors of the Church had an excellent knowledge of Revelation, of the Doctrine of Christ, and they receive for that reason a special honour: the title of Doctor of the Church. 

2) Saints excelled in supernatural virtue, and receive the veneration of “dulia”. 

3) those in authority in the Church: Pope, bishops, priests receive for that reason special honours. 

4) Those priests and others who have given us the supernatural life in Baptism, the supreme Food in the Holy Eucharist, and many other supernatural benefits ought also to be honoured for that reason too.

Now the business of the Church is above all to give worship to God and in a lesser degree to give that supernatural honour to those who deserve it, i.e. to the Saints. It is also the business of the Church to pray for our departed relatives.

It is NOT the business of the Church to give NATURAL veneration to those who – even truly – deserve it: the Church does not confer Nobel prizes, Olympic medals, etc. Hence it seems to me that it is not befitting to have in the church the veneration of ancestors – which, when done without superstition, is perfectly legitimate, acknowledging all the good natural things one has received from them, as explained above. That natural veneration may well be done at home, when it is without superstition.

In order to clearly distinguish between the natural veneration of ancestors and the supernatural worship to God and (lesser) honour to the Saints, it is particularly important not to mix things up: venerating the ancestors in the church brings the danger to forget that essential difference. Thus it is not only out of place, it is also dangerously misleading.

It should be noted that when Pius XII permitted the veneration of ancestors, it was NOT in the churches, but only as a natural honour as explained above. To bring it into the churches is the wrong inculturation of Vatican II. It seems to me that this settles the matter. What do you think?

Domine, non secundum peccata nostra

This is the hauntingly beautiful Tract from the Ash Wednesday liturgy

First Sunday in Lent

For February 17, 2013 which is the First Sunday in Lent, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: The Glory of These Forty Days
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Invocabit me
4. Kyrie XVII A
   
5. Gradual: Angelis suis
6. Tract: Qui habitat
7. Credo IV
8. Offertory: Scapulis suis
9. Offertory hymn: Attende Domine
10. Sanctus XVII
    
11. Agnus Dei XVII
    
12. Communion: Scapulis suis with Psalm 90:4-5
13. Recession: O Sacred Head Surrounded

Click on the links to hear samples where available

Quinquagesima Sunday

For Feb 10, 2013 which is Quinquagesima Sunday, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: O God Almighty Father
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Esto mihi
4. Kyrie XI (Orbis factor)
5. Gradual: Tu es Deus
6. Tract: Iubilate Domino omnis terra
7. Credo III
8. Offertory: Benedictus es... in labiis meis
9. Offertory hymn: Ave Maria (J. Arcadelt)
10. Sanctus XI
11. Agnus Dei XI
12. Communion: Manducaverunt et saturati with Psalm 77:29, 30
13. Recession: Soul Of My Savior

Click on the links to hear samples and to obtain the scores where available.