Sunday, May 31, 2009

Papal Blessing!


What a blessing to have a musician Pope! Sitting down after the third Pentecost Mass of the weekend, what a joy to turn on EWTN and see the Papal Mass for Pentecost. The parts of the Mass were from Haydn's 'Harmoniemesse,' with full orchestra and the choir from Cologne Cathedral. As the Pope said in his beautiful homily, this Mass was written for the glory of God by Haydn, and how appropriate to hear it, not in a concert hall, but in its proper setting. Unfortunately, it once again throws into relief the poor quality of the Sistine Chapel choir - Susan Boyle and the local karaoke group from her Pub would be an improvement.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Seeking clarification:

Owl of the Remove “Green Time”:
“On inquiring why the Octave of Pentecost was not being celebrated, the pope was told it had been abolished. When Paul VI asked who has abolished it, he was told – “You did!”

Benedictus PP. XVI “LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI TO THE BISHOPS ON THE OCCASION OF THE PUBLICATION OF THE APOSTOLIC LETTER "MOTO PROPRIO DATA" SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM ON THE USE OF THE ROMAN LITURGY PRIOR TO THE REFORM OF 1970”:
“As for the use of the 1962 Missal as a Forma extraordinaria of the liturgy of the Mass, I would like to draw attention to the fact that this Missal was never juridically abrogated and, consequently, in principle, was always permitted.”

"If you're not confused, you're not paying attention."
- Tom Peters

the owl of the remove said...

I think you have your answer. For your entertainment, read the story of King Canute - it must be exhausting trying to hold back the waves? Four new priests in Burlington - good news or bad news? The Church is young - and orthodox!

Anonymous said...

Is this the wave you are referring to: (http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4009475,00.html)? It certainly is exhausting. Ah shucks, they were probably just "cafeteria Catholics" anyway. Four new priests is always good news - it would be neat to see how recent seminarians have been trained (guess a lot depends on where that training has taken place) - I noticed one attended Fordham...hmmm...this intrigues me. Young...sounds good to me..."orthodox" - I guess that all depends on how one defines "orthodoxy." But then again labels/definitions are insignificant "Prech the Gospel, use words if you must" St. Francis was on to something... also with his trip to Egypt (like Obama).

As an American I try my best not to engage in reading about foreign monarchs - except for Christ the King (of course, but he isn’t foreign either…he is Universal). Give me another recommendation. I have a Barnes and Nobles certificate to burn. I almost had it spent just the other day but the Dorset street branch did not have Hans KUNG's "Disputed Truth: Memoirs II (v. 2) in stock. Either give me another bone to start chopping on or I will be ordering KUNG on-line.

BTW…
I still don’t have my answer. Either your story about Paul VI is definitively Swiss Cheese or Benedictus PP. XVI comments above are well…you tell me? Sorry for seeking the Truth.

I hope you are enjoying your summer...August will be two years since Jo-jo's baptism...

the owl of the remove said...

Two years flys by! The answer is the principal of non-contradiction - something cannot be both right/wrong, true/false, at the same time. The Old Rite was given an indult in England to be used - and in other parts of the world, so clearly it was never abolished. However, Paul VI, who was a lovely man, and who suffered greatly, handed over the liturgical "reform" to a committee - the committee made decisions, like the Pentecost Octave - Paul VI, if this story is true - and there is, indeed an "if", was clearly unaware of some of the decisions. The really interesting question is why Archbishop Bugnini who was in charge of all the "reform" was suddenly removed and sent to Iran as Nuncio - the Vatican has never denied the story that was all over the Italian press at the time, that he was removed because he was a Mason.....hmmm - what does that tell us about the "reform?"....hmmm (as someone I knew would say!) -By the way, I'm glad you are happy about the four new priests - maybe one will end up in your parish one day - and you can "debate" with him as he carries out the "hermeneutic of continuity" - lucky him!

Anonymous said...

Funny you should enter Mason conspiracies into the query. Just the other day I stumbled upon such a conspiracy alleging that Escriva and Pope John XXIII displayed Masonic-like sympathies and behaviors. You can read more about this phine piece of reporting here: (http://www.opusdeialert.com/modernistcult.htm). I’m not sure if the Vatican has ever denied the allegations made in the aforementioned link either. But then again, I haven’t followed it that closely either. Needless to say, I wouldn’t waste your time reading the link it is really quite disturbing. Perhaps neither of us should put too much stock into the Mason infiltration conspiracy theories floating out and about.

Finally, you know me better than this – don’t you Owl? – I would NEVER enter into “rupture of the reform” debates with anyone but you. Perhaps we better both pray that the Bishop of Vermont (whomever it may be at the time) never subjects a newly ordained “rupture of the reform” priest to any Parish tibotmorfenoO belongs to. The object is to keep these priests in active service as long as possible, right:)!

the owl of the remove said...

At least we can laugh!

Anonymous said...

How does one counter an Owl’s argumentum ex silentio? Why, by arguing their own argumentum ex silentio fallacy, of course. I’ve been giggling about this little exchange for the past 24 hours, my tummy is sore. You are a good sport Owl – or should I call you a “hoot.” If we get much more rain this summer I might be able to soon swim in the undercroft!!!