Liturgy
Pope Francis and the Beauty of the Liturgy
Father Richard N. Fragomeni Comments Off on Pope Francis and the Beauty of the Liturgy
I have taught liturgical presiding and preaching for the past 33 years at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. During this tenure, I have worked with seminarians from all over the globe. Our course sessions engage the students in the art of celebrating the divine mysteries of the Latin-rite Catholic tradition, especially the Eucharist. In Read More
The Beauty and Significance of Reverence in the Liturgy
Father Paul Turner Comments Off on The Beauty and Significance of Reverence in the Liturgy
“Reverence” is an elusive word that nonetheless governs some critical judgments on the celebration of the Mass. It is subjective. To some people, reverence means silence; to others, certain inspirational visual stimuli. To some, it means faithfulness to rubrics; to others, an increased use of Latin. Some Catholics become “judgy” of others when it comes Read More
Our Doxology
Bishop David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Our Doxology
When I was a little boy, I vividly remember attending holy Mass every Sunday as a family. Typically, we sat in the first pew. My parents wanted us to be close to the action. At a very young age, I came to appreciate the beauty and mystery of the Mass. In fact, I was so Read More
A Modest Proposal
Father Alexander Masluk Comments Off on A Modest Proposal
“The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed … the fount from which all her power flows.” — Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Second Vatican Council, No. 10) Before retirement, I spent 42 years in active ministry, all of which were spent in parish work, and for Read More
Learning from the Liturgy
Msgr. Michael Heintz Comments Off on Learning from the Liturgy
Pope Pius XI (r. 1922-39) is quoted as having said that the primary instrument of the ordinary magisterium is the sacred liturgy. He was quite correct. What he did not mean is that we need to make our liturgical celebrations “catechetical” or “didactic” (heaven save us from that — it was tried and failed quite Read More
The Lectionary Cycle
Father Patrick M. Carrion Comments Off on The Lectionary Cycle
Is the Lectionary an oxymoron, since it is a book that assures “constant change”? The Catholic Church starts Year C of the liturgical cycle beginning the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 28, 2021. Obviously, Year B was just completed and, this time next year, Year A begins and hence the hands of time turn again. Read More
The Beautiful Hands of a Priest
Father Alexander Masluk Comments Off on The Beautiful Hands of a Priest
We have all seen, and maybe even used for our ordination holy cards, the verses penned by an anonymous poet about the “beautiful hands of a priest.” The piece speaks of the many occasions priests use their hands to be the hands of Jesus himself in administering the sacraments to his people. It’s a little Read More
Independence (Sun)Day
Father Dennis Gill Comments Off on Independence (Sun)Day
July 4, 2021, is the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, and it is also Independence Day. As Catholics, we will assemble to celebrate the Eucharist to keep the Lord’s Day holy. As Americans, we will join with citizens throughout the nation marking the anniversary of the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence. An important Read More