Camerlengo, Camerlengo, Who's got the Camerlengo?

Sede Vacante....or "Peace out, homies"

You thought you saw drama before? Just wait! The process from "Sede Vacante" or "Empty Sea" until the installation of the new Pope is filled with drama and pageantry. For many of us, well, those under the age of 40, we don't get to see this happen that often.  Benedict was my 1st, Papa X will be the next (or last if the Big Guy decides to show up soon.) Either way, it is amazingly fascinating and very ancient. 

So, by now Pope Emeritus Benedict is snoozing away in Castle Gandalfo (being a Lord of the Rings fan, I chuckle).  What's next? 

Running the day to day operations is the Camerlengo of the Roman Church. No, he is not a cast member from the Sopranos. The Camerlengo, which is Italian for Chamberlain, is in charge of administration of property and revenue of the Vatican.  He is one of the only people whose office does not end with the absence of a Pope. Back in the day, the Archdeacon of Rome was the Camerlengo, but after the 16th century it was passed to a Cardinal.  In this case, Cardinal Bertone is in charge. He also has the task to oversee the start of the conclave.

Once a Pope dies or retires in this case, the Camerlengo takes the "Ring of the Fisherman" or the Papal Ring and smashes it along with the Papal Seal.  The Papal Office is sealed and any paperwork contained therein is only accessible to the new Pope.  During the interregnum, the Camerlengo calls a General Congregation of the Sacred College of Cardinals. Attendance is mandatory for all Cardinals present for the election of a new Pope. Their duties are to handle and discuss any major issues that are not handled by a Particular Congregation.  They choose 3 Cardinals, whose term is only 3 days, to be members of the Particular Congregation along with the Camerlengo who basically just handle routine daily matters.  Btw, they really can't do anything. They are just maintenance.  They have no jurisdiction to some degree in anything; just keeping things rolling until the new guy shows up.  Their real task is to bump elbows with other Cardinals and start getting their feelers out for who should wear the white cassock and get his face smeared on coffee cups and t-shirts.

Eventually, at a General Congregation, they choose the date of the start of the conclave.  Rumor has it that the first General Congregation will take place on Monday. My huntch is that the conclave will start next week. It usually begins 15 days after Sede Vacante begins.  This gives Cardinals a chance to fly to Rome if the case as when the Pope dies. However, Pope Emeritus Benedict last week issued a motu propio to allow the conclave to begin sooner if the Cardinals so choose. They will. There is a contingent pushing to get a new Big Kahuna by Holy Week. Plus, they are not caught off guard by a death, but by a retirement. 

Once the Conclave Day arrives, the Cardinals will celebrate in the morning a Mass for the Election of the Pope in St. Peter's Basilica. Usually, the celebrant is the Dean of the College of Cardinals.  In choir dress, they will then process to the Sistine Chapel to the singing of the Litany of Saints. From discussions with Cardinals who voted in a Conclave, this is one of the most powerful moments when you feel the whole Church praying with you. Staring them in the face as they enter the Sistine Chapel is the awesome image of Christ in Judgement by Michelangelo. Talk about intense!  Once they are all in and everyone has their seat, the Papal Master of Ceremonies locks the door and the conclave begins. Ding! Round 1.

From now until the conclave, votive Masses for the Election of the Pope may take place. However, we are during Lent which usually trumps that Mass. However, Bishops are allowing their priests to celebrate them. Either way, Papal Watch has now begun!

Next up, What happens in the Conclave.....

Nothing more to say....

Forgiveness

Sorry for the couple of days fasting from actively writing on the blog. I needed to catch up on a couple of things and prepare for others.  Mea Culpa.

Speaking of Forgiveness, the Orthodox Church has a really neat Liturgy which begins the Season of Lent. It is called "Forgiveness Vespers." It takes place on the Sunday prior to the 1st Sunday of Lent. The evening service begins the usual way.  Towards the end of the vespers, the priests take off their bright vestments and exchange them for black or dark vestments. The bright fabrics behind the icons get turned to dark.  The lights of the Church are dimmed.  Clearly, we are beginning a new period in the Church's Year. Then, a Liturgy of Forgiveness beings with the following prayer:

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust of 
power, and idle talk. (The clergy and people prostrate.)
 But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to Thy servant. 
(The clergy and people prostrate.)
 Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother; 
for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen

Then, it gets awesome. The priest turns towards the people and asks them to forgive him for any time that he offended them during the year.  His family then goes to him as he asks forgiveness and they ask for his.  Then, each member of the congregation asks forgiveness from each other.  Sometimes its a quiet "forgive me a sinner" and people respond "God forgives."  It is extremely moving.  It usually ends in tears and embraces. Could you imagine a service like this in the Roman or Anglican Liturgies?  How moving to be reconciled with each other.  Even though we do not have a particular service such as this, maybe during this Lent, God is asking you to reach out to ask forgiveness of people in your life.  Forgiveness is life changing. Forgiveness makes us whole. Imagine a world where we ask each other to forgive! The humility, the depth, the love. It is then that God is glorified in His Mercy and we can truly be called His disciples.

Collect of the Day

Collect for Friday in the First Week of Lent

Lord Christ, our eternal Redeemer, grant us such fellowship in your sufferings, that, filled with your Holy Spirit, we may subdue the flesh to the spirit, and the spirit to you, and at the last attain to the glory of your resurrection; who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. - BCP

OOoooooooooooo. This collect for the day gets ya', doesn't it?  This is the first Friday of the Lent...well, last week was, but technically this is still week one! So, 10 days into the whole Lenten fast, how are you doing? By now, those easy Lenten promises we made on Ash Wednesday start getting a little annoying, don't they? Whether you made a fasting choice or a prayer choice or a good deeds choice, on this first Friday, you wonder...."welll....maybe I should change it to something easier!"  Thus the need for the prayer!

Sometimes, we really don't understand how our raging, out of control wants need to be roped in until we give them up.  Our bodies can behave like 2 year olds with tantrums. But, it is only in subduing those irrational wants that truly lets our spirits become free.  The Lord gave me a pretty interesting challenge this Lent.  At first, I thought..."ohhhhhh, say what?" But, I have stuck to the deal for Lent. My body feels lighter, my mind is sharper, I seem to be much more at peace.  God knows what is best. Is is only in dying to self, that we can truly rise with Him to new life.

Ummmmm...Where you going?

I love this picture of Jesus and St. Peter. There is an old legend that when Peter realized persecution was happening in Rome, he decided to bolt out of the city. As he was jetting out of the city, he saw Jesus on the road heading back to the city.  Peter asked him, "where are you going?" Jesus responded, "I am going to Rome to be crucified again."  

Don't run when times get tough during Lent.  Christ is there with us. Remember, the Head and the Body are one during Lent.  We take up our cross just like He did.  If we die with Him during Lent, we will surely rise with Him at Easter!

Atttende Domine

I will be posting from time to time great Hymns of the Church, especially for the seasons. Hymns are very important to us.  The most important part of our hymns is the text. Remember, what we pray is what we believe.  Texts=theology.  This particular hymn is a very ancient Lenten hymn from the 10th century: Attende Domine. It is quite haunting, yet graceful. Take some time and listen. Pray along!


R. Attende Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.
R. Hearken, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against Thee.

Ad te Rex summe, omnium redemptor, oculos nostros sublevamus flentes: exaudi, Christe, supplicantum preces. R.
Crying, we raise our eyes to Thee, Sovereign King, Redeemer of all. Listen, Christ, to the pleas of the supplicant sinners. R.

Dextera Patris, lapis angularis, via salutis, ianua caelestis, ablue nostri maculas delicti. R.
Thou art at the Right Hand of God the Father, the Keystone, the Way of salvation and Gate of Heaven, cleanse the stains of our sins. R.

Rogamus, Deus, tuam maiestatem: auribus sacris gemitus exaudi: crimina nostra placidus indulge. R.
O God, we beseech Thy majesty to hear our groans; to forgive our sins. R.

Tibi fatemur crimina admissa: contrito corde pandimus occulta: tua Redemptor, pietas ignoscat. R. We confess to Thee our consented sins; we declare our hidden sins with contrite heart; in Thy mercy, O Redeemer, forgive them. R.

Innocens captus, nec repugnans ductus, testibus falsis pro impiis damnatus: quos redemisti, tu conserva, Christe. R.
Thou was captured, being innocent; brought about without resistance, condemned by impious men with false witnesses. O Christ keep safe those whom Thou hast redeemed. R.

Ugh.....Its Lent...

I used to hate Lent.  Yuk.  It always begins during the coldest, deadest time of our year. The hymns turn into minor chord blahs. Crosses and Statues are covered.  You gotta give up something. Ugh. Pain. Just get to Easter when we could be happy again! I remember a priest once saying to me, "Jason, its Lent. We are all miserable."

Sadly, "grumpy cat" sadness and sorrow really has a big old zippo to do with Lent.  Even the Church herself doesn't mention in her prayers how miserable and sorrowful we Lenten pilgrims should be! Take a look at these two prefaces (the introductory prayers for the Eucharist):


"You bid your faithful people cleanse their hearts, and prepare
with joy for the Paschal feast; that, fervent in prayer and in
works of mercy, and renewed by your Word and Sacraments,
they may come to the fullness of grace which you have
prepared for those who love you." BCP, Lent II


"For by your gracious gift each year
your faithful await the sacred paschal feasts
with the joy of minds made pure,
so that, more eagerly intent on prayer
and on the works of charity,
and participating in the mysteries
by which they have been reborn,
they may be led to the fullness of grace
that you bestow on your sons and daughters." Roman Missal, Lent I

This actually is a season of great joy! Coming back to the house of the Father, leaving behind all that separates us from him, is a moment to celebrate. We are slowly moving from death to life. That is why we are joyful.  Christ is inwardly transforming us.  We are getting our hearts in right order through our prayer and fasting.  Think of a workout program. The exercise, the diet, and sweat really pay off. Why? Because you start to feel amazing.  You get on the scale and scream for losing 2 lbs! That is Lent! There is joy in transformation! Think of the parable of the Prodigal Son.  As the son begins to walk back to the Father's house, the Father runs to greet him in joy. That, my friends is Lent.  Passiontide: well that is a horse of a different color.  There is sorrow there to watch what our Savior did for our salvation. But the days of Lent should be filled with joy.

So turn off the grumpy cat.  We are headed to the house of the Father!

"When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you." Mt 6:16-18

1st Sunday of Lent - Temptation in the Wilderness

"The Gospel shows us Christ in a double role, as a penitent and as a warrior.  First, we follow Him as the penitent par excellence into the desert of self-denial to fast with Him for forty days.  Our fast will be spiritually fruitful if we keep it in unity with Him. Awareness of the union between the members of the Body and their Head ought to arouse a greater respect towards Lenten practices.  The fast of Christ formed a part of His work of redemption; for us too the forty day season of penance contributes to His mission of constructing God's Kingdom on earth.  The next six weeks may well be the most important time of the year.   In any case, Head and members are now entering upon the great season of penance.  

Our Redeemer also goes before us as a warrior.  We see the divine Hero victorious on three fronts.  Two princes stand face to face: the Prince of this world and the King of God's Kingdom.  The Prince of this world deploys his whole army: the world and its splendor, hell, the ego with its insatiable desires. But Christ emerges as the victor.

Now the battlefield is not far from any one of us; it is in my soul where the higher and lower man are ranged against each other.  Christ in us must be victorious.  From this conviction flow strength and solace; we are not alone in this battle, Head and members fight together, Head and members win together.  Thus, the Gospel is our first lesson in the training school of Christ; today we are raw recruits, at Easter we will be proven soldiers." - Pius Parch, The Church's Year of Grace, First Sunday of Lent. 

"... Love is a battlefield.."

Pat Benatar isn't the only one who thinks "Love is a Battlefield." Lent, for the Christian, is a battlefield. Why? Because ultimately every penance, every fast, every alms giving is an act of love. Slowly we are killing off our selfishness and depriving ourselves of anything that is not Christ, of anything that is not love.  And you know what, it isn't easy! Just think about a time where you gave up something whether it was meat or sweets during Lent.  Yep, the days you are fasting are those bizarre days that you are craving that stuff! Or those are the days people at work decide to bring in a truckload of homemade cupcakes! I just had a conversation with an amazing friend last night who told me how a love one didn't want to be seen with her on Ash Wednesday because of the "dirt mark" on her head. It's a battlefield.

There is a really neat collect that goes back to the time of the Gelasian Sacramentary (around 750 A.D.) It was used for the Eve of Pentecost.  Eventually it was moved into position immediately following the Blessing of Ashes.  Now, it is used at the opening prayer on Ash Wednesday in the Roman Liturgy.  No matter how it developed, I think it is very powerful:


Concede nobis, Domine, praesidia militiae christianae
sanctis inchoare ieiuniis,
ut, contra spiritales nequitias pugnaturi,
continentiae muniamur auxiliis.

Before we get to the translation, lets look at some of the key words:  praesidia, militiae, pugnaturi, muniamur.  All of these words smack of a military campaign (in order): defense, military campaign, "to combat in battle," and "to defend with a wall." It is actually verbiage used to describe actions of the Roman Legions.  Here is the translation:


Grant us, O Lord, to commence the defenses of the Christian field campaign by means of holy fasts,
so that, we who are about to do battle against spiritual negligences,
may be fortified by the weapons of self-denial.

When the Roman Legions were on march and needed to rest for the night, they literally built a wall to protect themselves.  Those Italian boys weren't playin'. During Lent, either are we. But, look who our enemy is: spirituales nequitias or "spiritual negligence." It literally means vileness or bad moral quality. It usually refers to a negligence in duty. During Lent, it is time to get our spiritual lives running like a 57' Chevy.  We have neglected our Christian duty. We have neglected prayer, became selfish, ran from Christian witness, you name it. Stopping in course and re-correcting things isn't that easy. In fact, it feels like a battlefield. We do have weapons to combat our negligence, i.e prayer, fasting, alms-giving, self-denial. These tools should empty us of anything that is not of Him and fills us with everything that is Love.  No weapon shall proper against Love! But, it isn't easy. Yet, with the help of God's grace, we will win our fight with ourselves. The goodness of Lent is that it takes us to the Cross and Easter. Love has already won the battle. As the hymn goes:


Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!

Where your heart is...

If you think of Lent and Easter as a long walk through a large Gothic Church with the bulk of Lent the nave, Maundy Thursday/Good Friday at the altar, and Eastertide at the Tabernacle where we find the Risen One in the Breaking of the Bread, we stand today, the Friday after Ash Wednesday, still in the entry way.  The Church has slowly became more and more aware of her need for conversion and the fruits of our Lenten penance.

Today's Collect is pretty striking of where we have come since Wednesday (btw "collect", for those just going your regularly scheduled program, is the opening prayer for Mass and the closing prayer for the Daily Offices. It sums up or "collects" the intentions of the Body of Christ and offers them up as one prayer to the Father. It really gives us a huge glimpse into the intentions of the whole Church today as well as some deep theology. If you really want to know what the Church believes, listen how she prays).  So, today's collect:

Ancient Translation
Look down with favor, we beseech Thee, O Lord,  upon the fast we have begun, that fulfilling this observance with our body we may accomplish it with a sincere heart. Through Christ our Lord. 

Book of Common Prayer
Support us, O Lord, with your gracious favor through the fast we have begun; that as we observe it by bodily self-denial, so we may fulfill it with inner sincerity of heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Roman Missal (New Translation)
Accompany with gracious favor, Lord, we pray,
the works of penance we have begun,
that we may have strength to accomplish with pure minds
the observance we undertake with our bodies.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, 
for ever and ever

As you can see, the Church has now taken up our Lenten observance with prayer and fasting.  But, it is just not in doing the outward gestures that matter, but the inner heart.  The Fast that the Lord requires is one of humble contrite spirit.  Fasting keeps us in "check" so to speak. This prayer acknowledges that need.  What we are doing in our bodies is an outward gesture of what should be happening on the inside: getting rid of anything that is not Him.  So go to Mass, pray the Office, and make this prayer your own today.  When you are crunching on your fish or fasting in whatever way the Lord is asking, you can say "Lord make my heart match my outward fasting." It is only then that fasting doesn't become a chore, but a love and a plunge deeper into the Mystery.

St. Valentine

St Valentine Baptizing

"At Rome, on the Flaminian road, in the time of the emperor Claudius, the birthday of blessed Valentine, priest and martyr, who after having cured and instructed many persons, was beaten with clubs and beheaded."  - Roman Martyrology

So what is the deal with St. Valentine? This day is no longer listed as a proper feast in the Roman or Episcopal Calendar. Although not a proper feast anymore, St. Valentine is still a saint and listed in the Roman Martyrology as shown above.  He is even revered in Orthodox Church as well but in July.  Well, why no feast?  There is a historical reference for Valentine along with a couple of other Valentines as well. All we know about Valentine is what is recorded above. Historically, his execution took place on Feb. 14, 270 A.D. However, there are many stories about him that cannot be proven as fact.

Legends that helped to shape the modern holiday of Valentine's Day revolve around the actual saint(s) himself(themselves). One says that while he was imprisoned awaiting his trial and execution, Valentine sent letters to his flock stating his love for them. He signed these letters "Your Valentine". Another legend revolves around events leading to his arrest in the first place. It recalls that during this time, the emperor became frustrated that young men resisted joining the army because they did not want to leave their wives and families in order to serve. Therefore, the emperor decreed that young men of a certain age would not be able to marry, thus freeing them to join the army. Valentine violated this imperial decree by performing the forbidden ritual, thus bringing him to the notice of officials who had him arrested. Yet another legend states that while in jail, he fell in love with the jailer's daughter, who he had cured of an unknown disease by prayer. Before his execution, he sent a letter stating his love, signing it "Your Valentine."

In any case, the man or men did exist and gave his (their) life(s) to Christ to the point of shedding their blood.   In the Modern Calendar fiasco renewal (btw, that is a post in and of itself and if you are really in the mood to hear me rant, ask about Archbishop Bugini and hand me a glass of whiskey...) St. Valentine's Day was removed.  But, the world has never given it up. I really think the Church dropped the ball on this one, big time. If the secular world keeps celebrating a religious feast, there is something in that day that people are longing.  In this case, love.  Wanna stop the nonsense about fat baby cherubs and chocolate everything? Talk about agape.  Talk about the deep satisfying love of Christ that caused Valentine to want to give up his life to hold on to it. Talk about the values of giving love to others and entering into a sacred covenant.  Somehow, I don't think there is a Hallmark card for that! But, it clearly is something the world is longing to hear! So, bring back Valentine!

Almighty and everlasting God, who kindled the flame of your love in the heart of your holy martyr Valentine: Grant to us, your humble servants, a like faith and power of love, that we who rejoice in his triumph may profit by his example; through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Ashes

Today, I think, is one of the most moving days in the Church and the most real. Ashes have a tendency to speak to us to our core. Churches seemed to be filled today. Why?

Our Christian practice of ashes is heavily steeped in our Jewish roots. There are many passages in the Old Testament connecting ashes with mourning and penance. The mourner sat in it or rolled in it; even mixing his food with ashes as a sign of sorrow. There is also an understanding of the cleansing property of ashes seen in the need for the ashes of a Red Heifer, which mixed with water, purified the unclean.  To sum up ashes: Mourning, Cleansing, Penance and Renewal.

Today, you heard as ashes were placed on your foreheads: "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return." I told that to my roommate this evening and he looked at me with a stare. A few seconds later he said, "well, that's just plain scary." Honestly, it is. This phrase is first mentioned in the Scripture by God Himself.  It is spoken to Adam and Eve after the Fall before they are expelled from the Garden.  Pius Parsch commented that this is the "first sad Ash Wednesday."  We have been given the gift of life. We were created from the dust.  When our time is over, our lives handed back to God, our bodies once again return to the dust. That is a pretty sobering thought.  Ever since that time in the Garden, we have been remembering those words.  We mourn because we cut ourselves off from the source of Life. We grieve and long to come back to the Garden. We look to God with faces covered in ashes and dirt. A reminder to ourselves that everything is fleeting and everything will pass away. All that will remain is Love.

We place those ashes in the sign of the cross on our foreheads, the peak of our mortal bodies.  Talk about cleansing. Ashes no longer are the end. By the cross, we will find cleansing. By the cross, we will find true repentance.  By the cross, we will be renewed. By the cross, our mourning will be turned to joy. So, how do we get from the ashes to the empty tomb? A 40 day hike to the cross.  It is by the cross that the Garden is now open back to us. That the words, "from dust you shall return," now have no more sting.  Love has triumphed.  Love no longer is held by death. The place to return is not to the dust, but to the House of the Father.

So yes, sit today in your ashes.  Don't rub them off. Don't wash them off.  Wear them.  We are but dust. All is fleeting. Now is the acceptable time.  Now is the time to cleans our hearts from anything that is not Love. Like the Phoenix, the symbol of the Resurrection, we will rise from the ashes to new life in Him.  By His Cross and Resurrection, the world of ashes will be transformed into the world of Glory.

Lent 2013 - Returning to the House of the Father

                                                 Its time to return to the House of the Father




"Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great
devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and
it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a
season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided 

a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy
Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of
notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful
were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to
the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation
was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set
forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all
Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the
observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance;
by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and
meditating on God's holy Word. And, to make a right beginning
of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now
kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer."

Exhortation for a Holy Lent - Ash Wednesday, Book of Common Prayer

If you are going to go out, go out big!

Last Day for the Alleluia! If you are going to go out, go out big! Here comes Lent! Brace yourself for the Grace! Happy Fat Tuesday, all!

What to give up for Lent?.....

     hmm..What to give up for Lent? What to give up for Lent?...

Yep. Today came as a shock to me. I think today came as a shock to everyone.  Many of my friends have either a love/hate relationship with Pope Benedict. Maybe because he had huge "Shoes of the Fisherman" to fill succeeding Blessed John Paul II? Maybe because his Pontificate was too short to really know the man named the "Rottweiler of God" during his time as Prefect for the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith? Maybe because he kinda did look like the Emperor from Star Wars? But, as promised, this blog isn't about politics or Ecclesiastical Pissing Contests.  

Putting all of that aside, I think several years from now we will come to see what I believe is Papa Ben's biggest strength, he was a Master Liturgist. In fact, he is one of my favorite Liturgists; a true Liturgist in the fullest sense of the word because he viewed the Liturgy through the lens of a Patristic. He wasn't swayed to a mere "smells and bells" approach to things, although he did look pretty fabulous in the ancient vestments he brought back with a modern twist. He also wasn't focused on the tide of the age and the whim of those who think Liturgy isn't built on the Shoulders of Giants: You know, that little Holy Spirit thing that has been guiding the Church for a couple millennia now. His work The Spirit of the Liturgy is by far one of the greatest influences in my understanding of the Sacred Liturgy.  I usually study the Liturgy with a Bible in one hand and this book in the other. But it really is one book of many different writings and teachings on the Sacred Liturgy. All of them show a deep understanding of the title of this blog, "Mystery." The Liturgy is just not about what we "do" in the Liturgy, but what God does in us.  We truly find out who we are when we look at Christ. This looking, this authentic life, this "Undoing of the Fall in us" happens when we meet Christ on the Holy Mountain of the Sacred Liturgy and become transformed by His Love and His Gaze. That my friends is Liturgy and the encounter with The Great Mystery. This is what is needed. Not a turning to either side of the ecclesiastical scale, but a true encounter with the Lord. May we live up to that Mystery.

“The glory of God is the living man, but the life of man is the vision of God', says St. Irenaeus, getting to the heart of what happens when man meets God on the mountain in the wilderness. Ultimately, it is the very life of man, man himself as living righteously, that is the true worship of God, but life only becomes real life when it receives its form from looking toward God.” 
― Pope Benedict XVI, The Spirit of the Liturgy (pg. 18)

This is a very ancient hymn which announced the Burial of the Alleluia.

Bury the Alleluia

Today is sometimes known as "Alleluia Sunday" or the "Sunday of the Burial." We are just on the threshold of the beginning of Lent.  Today we bid a fond farewell to the phrase "Alleluia."  The omission of Alleluia from the Liturgy goes back to around the 5th century.  Alleluia is a Hebrew word meaning "Praise Jah" or "PraiseYahweh." Traditionally it is seen as the highest form of praise of the angels during the Heavenly Liturgy.  Therefore, its a word that is associated with the highest form of joy.  During Lent, we "fast" from using this word until it springs forth anew to announce the exuberant joy of the Resurrection. In the Middle Ages, a tradition arose of actually burying the Alleluia. The text would be sung joyfully from a scroll and then laid in a coffin and sealed. There would be a solemn procession from the Church and the casket would be actually buried during the 40 Days of Lent.  On Easter Sunday, there would be a solemn procession back to the place of burial where it would be dug up and processed back to the Church.  The deacon would said, "I announce to you great joy: Alleluia" and the Church would break forth in song. So, today is a day to get it all out of your system.  Crank out the Alleluias and let them ring! For in a few short days, we shall fast from the Alleluia until we stand at the empty tomb to sing it anew!

In the Beginning

For a great while, the Lord has kept calling me to publish a blog. Right..I know. Believe me, that is what I have kept telling him over and over again for months. I guess I should start at the beginning. I am a devotee of the Sacred Liturgy. I guess, I always have been.  One of the earliest memories I have as a young child is holding my own "Bible procession" with my family's Bible.  Oh, it was a very solemn event, you know. I would grab my parent's ginormous Bible that seemed to be bigger than my head and slowly walk to my bedroom with arms outstretched as high as they would go.  I would gently lay it down on my bed and look through the pictures contained inside. After a period of time, I would reverse the procession back to their room.  From that time, I have always been captivated by things liturgical. I must admit, there are some great blogs out there on the Sacred Liturgy.  But, they tend to travel back and forth into the silly land of politics and "who is more orthodox than the next." I am quite tired of Ecclesiastical Pissing Contests. Yet, know one really has a blog that peers into the depths of the beauty of our encounter with Christ in the words we pray and the actions that follow.  Maybe that is why the Holy Spirit has been chirping in my ear. Maybe its the itch to be creative?  Who knows. I will come with an open heart and a deep love for Christ and His Church.  I hope you join me. This blog will be dedicated to what we believe through what we pray: Lex orandi, Lex credendi - The Law of Prayer is the Law of Belief. What we pray is what we believe. Not the foolish pursuits of who is right and who is wrong. But merely the awesome wonder of our encounter with the Great Mystery.  So, here we go. Let us go to the altar of God, to God, the joy of my youth.