We are body and soul. Human beings need material means to approach the immaterial God. The means need to be suited to the end, or we’re liable to go astray. For that reason, destroying the beauty and religious distinctiveness of our churches does real spiritual harm.
First Comes Marriage; Blessed Margaret Pole
The connection between our sexual conduct and our societal health is incontrovertible. At least it is for those who haven't invested in the so-called "sexual revolution. It is clear that the societal endorsement of sexual license directly undermines the institution of marriage. The breakdown of marriage in turn has a profoundly negative impact on children most immediately, and from there on everything and everyone else. First comes marriage and all the rest follows. When we put the cart before the marital horse, well . . .
This Is No Time to Despair
Once one of these buildings no longer serves as a church, it still communicates something of its sacramental character. This is less of a problem if the building remains Church property. But what if it's up for sale?
The Pentecost Sequence
The Pentecost Sequence Today would be Monday in the Octave of Pentecost in the traditional liturgical calendar. Although the Octave of Pentecost has not been observed in the Ordinary Form of the Mass since 1969 (for more on this liturgical change, with feeling, see HERE and HERE on Fr. Z's blog), it would be a shame … Continue reading The Pentecost Sequence
Pentecost Persecution and St. Julia of Corsica
Christ sent the Holy Spirit down on his Church at Pentecost, the Church against which, he had promised Peter, the "Gates of Hell" would not prevail (Matthew 16:17) . . . but he had also promised persecution (Matthew 5:11). The Persecution was not long in coming. The same Peter who boldly addresses the wondering crowds on Pentecost will soon be writing to the early Christians: In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7)
Fickle Fame and Salieri’s “Gloria”
Fickle Fame Antonio Salieri, by Joseph Willibrord Mähler, 1815 Fickle Fame is a confounding thing. It's often the way that a well-regarded artist falls out of fashion. Despite the worthiness of his or her work, the artist is forgotten by subsequent generations. Even truly great artists can meet this fate: The 16th century poet John … Continue reading Fickle Fame and Salieri’s “Gloria”
More Than a Building: What is a Church?
More Than a Building In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . (John 1:1,4) Any truly Christian anthropology needs to start with the Gospel of John, chapter 1. The incorporeal Eternal … Continue reading More Than a Building: What is a Church?
Lobet Gott in Seinen Reichen (from Bach’s Ascension Oratorio)
Ascension Thursday This coming Thursday is the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord . . . at least in many dioceses. And of course, wherever the traditional liturgical calendar is followed. It may not surprise you, if you are a regular reader of this blog, that I'm not a fan of moving important feasts like … Continue reading Lobet Gott in Seinen Reichen (from Bach’s Ascension Oratorio)
Regina Caeli, by Gregor Aichinger (Easter Music)
Regina Caeli by Gregor Aichinger The Regina Caeli ("Queen of Heaven") is a prayer that we closely associate with Easter. We usually recite this prayer instead of the Angelus during the Easter Season. At this time it also serves as the Marian Antiphon at the end of Compline (Night Prayer). Numerous composers have set it … Continue reading Regina Caeli, by Gregor Aichinger (Easter Music)
Truth is Real – St. Athanasius in the 21st Century
The Church is supposed to be a Sign of Contradiction (Luke 2:34). If all she offers in the face of sin is a Nod and a Wink, however, what is she teaching? How is any distinction possible between her teaching and what the Conventional Wisdom has on offer? Do we not then give tacit assent?