An Altar Ego

My first visit to Mike Aquilina's 'blog The Way of the Fathers showed me a quiz, which I dutifully took.

The result?

You’re St. Melito of Sardis! You have a great love of history and liturgy. You’re attached to the traditions of the ancients, yet you recognize that the old world — great as it was — is passing away. You are loyal to the customs of your family, though you do not hesitate to call family members to account for their sins. Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!

Old Dog, New Tricks

It has been a long time since I have posted something original or new.  Thank goodness for this forwarded e-mail via Catherine Garcia.  With all that is happening in my life right now, a good chuckle is sorely needed.  Some editing has been done for clarity.

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One day an old German Shepherd starts chasing rabbits and, before long, discovers that he's lost. Wandering about, he notices a panther heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having him for lunch.  The old German Shepherd thinks, "Oh, oh! I'm in deep trouble now!"

Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the panther is about to leap, the old German Shepherd exclaims loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious panther! I wonder if there are any more around here?" Hearing this, the young panther halts his attack in mid-strike. A look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees.  "Whew!," says the panther, "That was close! That old German Shepherd nearly had me!"

Meanwhile, a squirrel who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the panther. So, off he goes.  The squirrel soon catches up with the panther, spills the beans, and strikes a deal for himself with the panther.  The young panther is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here, squirrel; hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine!"

Now, the old German Shepherd sees the panther coming with the squirrel on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?" Instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet.  Just when they get close enough to hear, the old German Shepherd says, "Where's that squirrel? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another panther!"

2012 Easter Card

He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him.

Mark 16:6

May the Resurrection of Jesus Christ bring you blessings beyond all telling.  May the joy you find in the Risen Savior bring you a fullness of grace.  May this ultimate victory over sin and death bring you life, love, and peace.

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

Happy Easter, everybody!

A "New" Proclamation

With the revision of the Roman Missal, there also comes a restoration of the Exsultet, or, as it is know in the Missal, the Paschal Proclamation.  The revision is more in line with the original Latin, including the reference to the material in the candle.  Those who have studied the text loving joke, "The bees are back!"

This past March 29,  I assisted at a Chrism Mass for the first time in my life.  While I knew that the second part of the Exsultet has a similar chant formula to the Eucharistic Prefaces, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the prayer over the chrism also uses that formula as well.  Quite the nice musical connection.

Unfortunately, I will not be intoning this proclamation tonight at my parish's Easter Vigil; in fact, I was not assigned any of the Triduum liturgies.  Having made the connection above, I also realized these prayers rightfully belong to the ministerial priesthood, although the Missal allows a lay person to chant the Exsultet.  Having made this connection, to hear a female voice or even a choir in some type of arrangement sing this, no matter how well, is disconcerting to me.

Nevertheless, I present both the Latin and English versions of this absolutely joyous proclamation, the announcement of the rising from the dead of our Savior and our salvation.

Compare, contrast, and enjoy.

Remembering Divine Mercy Again

The "hour of mercy" is reckoned by Tradition at 3:00 in the afternoon, the moment when Jesus Christ died and gave His life as ransom for many.  It is the time when parishes begin the Good Friday Liturgy.  I have come across a rare case or two when the announcement of His death as told in the Passion Narrative of St. John was timed so as to be at that exact moment.

It is also the time when the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is recited.  I refer you to my first post on this subject (a week short of six years ago) for details about this devotion.

For those who practice this, no reminder is needed.  For those who wish to practice it, this reminder is for you.

"Last Words": Round Six

As perennial as my re-posting of my series of meditations on the "O" Antiphons, it is time once again to display my meditations on the "Seven Last Words", the statements Jesus Christ made while hanging on the cross.

There are other more detailed thoughts about this subject out there; I encourage you to seek and use them.  My purpose is to get you, dear reader, to pause and reflect on what they mean to you; I am just providing a simple idea, an appetizer, if you wish, to whet you appetite.

Because they are re-posts, they may appear earlier than what the post time actually states.  Just an inconvenience using Blogger.  No matter when you view them, I hope you still enjoy them and pray they are of use to you.

Let us once again hear the words of our Savior before he "suffers death" and is "buried".

April 2012 Morning Offerning Prayer Intentions

Here are the intentions for this month when reciting the Morning Offering:

General:  Vocations.  That many young people may hear the call of Christ and follow him in the priesthood and religious life.

Mission:  Christ, Hope For Africans.  That the risen Christ may be a sign of certain hope for the men and women of the African continent.