Vespers of Lazarus Saturday

Rejoice, rejoice, O Bethany!
On this day God came to thee,
And in Him the dead are made alive,
As it is right for He is the Life.

When Martha went to receive Him,
Grieving loudly with bitter tears,
She poured out the sorrow of her heart to Him
With great sadness, wailing her lament.

She at once cried out unto Him:
“My most compassionate Lord, my Lord,
At the great loss of my brother Lazarus
My heart is broken, help me.”

Jesus said to her, “Cease your weeping,
Cease your grieving and sad lament;
For your brother, My most beloved friend, Lazarus,
Very soon will live again.”

Then He, the faithful Redeemer,
Made His way unto the tomb,
Where he cried unto him who was buried four days,
Calling him forth, saying “Lazarus, arise.”

Come with haste, ye two sisters,
And behold a wondrous thing,
For your brother from the tomb has returned to life.
To the beloved Redeemer now give thanks.

To Thee, O Lord of creation,
We kneel down in reverence profound,
For all we who are dead in sin,
In Thee, O Jesus, are made alive.

–A Koinonikon for Lazarus Saturday

Passiontide

The shadow of the cross is looming large. We have journeyed over the last 5 weeks of Lent with prayer and fasting. The time of our Redemption is almost at hand. The night is dark.  The restless voices of hatred and violence begin to clamor loudly to silence Love Himself. We stand in Passiontide.

Passiontide is traditionally the last two weeks of Lent, i.e. the 5th Week and Holy Week. By now,the Roman Church has joined the Anglican Church in veiling images and covering crosses.  The Church adorns herself with the veil of mourning. The Sarum Rite began to wear crimson red vestments to mark this period marked with the drops of His Blood. We begin to see the Beloved embrace His Passion to free us from our sins and save us. We draw near to the Great Holy Week.

Today, the gauntlet is thrown. Lazarus dies and is buried. We know that Jesus raises him 6 days before the Passover, which would be this Saturday, "Lazarus Saturday." Lazarus laid in the tomb 4 days. In fact, on the Wednesday of the 5th Week of Lent, the Orthodox Church sings:

TODAY LAZARUS IS BURIED
AND HIS SISTERS SING IN LAMENTATION.
BUT IN YOUR DIVINE FOREKNOWLEDGE,
YOU HAVE PREDICTED WHAT SHOULD COME TO PASS:
LAZARUS IS SLEEPING, YOU PROPHESIED TO YOUR DISCIPLES,
BUT NOW I GO TO RAISE UP HIM WHOM I CREATED!
THEREFORE WE ALL CRY TO YOU: GLORY TO YOUR MIGHTY POWER!

This act of rising Lazarus not only stirs His enemies to silence Him, but foreshadows His Resurrection.

And so, we begin.  These days leading up to Our Lord's Passion, Death and Resurrection are mighty with power, grace and love. Stay near to Him.

"Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
AllAmen" - Church of England, Passiontide Collect

Don't cry for me Argentina.....

Hi

Pope Watch 2013 is now over. The white smoke has risen. Pope Francis now fills the shoes of the Fisherman.  What was most interesting to me was the audible gasp that came from the crowd when his surname "Bergoglio" was announced. I must admit, I was running through my list going..."what in the..." Although mentioned quietly as a front runner in Conclave 2013, he really was not expected to take over the keys.  But as I said in the first blog about the Conclave, those who go in as Pope, come out Cardinal.  Even my horse in the derby, Cardinal O'Malley came away wearing a red hat.  It is highly rumored that Pope Francis came in second to Ratzinger at Conclave 2005.  He supposedly made a huge emotional plea to the Cardinals during the voting to not elect him. What is fascinating is that almost 2/3rds of the College of Cardinals changed between 2005 and the present. Yet, he was elected.  Holy Spirit? One would pray so.  Apparently, there was some major discussion because it took 5 ballots. He wasn't a shoe in.  Benedict took 4, JPII took 8.  So, somewhere in the middle.  Hopefully it wasn't a rushed job to get a man in the chair by Holy Week.  But, either way, Francis is now the Big Kahuna.

What is my take on Pope Frank? Well, I am withholding judgement, fully.  What a person does as a Cardinal and what one does as a Pope can be two different things.  So, what are some things we know:

• From Latin America, yet born of Italian Immigrants. Italians still win!
• Takes the name "Francis."  The Vatican released that it was a nod in honor of St. Francis of Assisi and not St. Francis Xavier.  That name means something.  People immediately jumped to his cry for unity and love for the poor, all marks of Francis.  However, the first thought in my head was the cry of Our Lord from the cross to Francis, "Rebuild My Church!" I am hoping that becomes Francis' motto. The Vatican needs a scrubbing.  The Church needs to have some cracks patched and become relevant to the world again. 
• He is the first Jesuit Pope.  All of my spiritual directors have been Jesuits.  I have a fondness for them, especially for St. Ignatius and St. Francis Xavier.
• On the other hand, as a Liturgist....Oy Vey. Pope Frank, from all that I have seen and read, isn't much of a Liturgist. His opening address was very plain.  No mozzetta. No stole, until he put it on to bless and then took it off.  He definitely seems like a man who is about people and reaching people, though.  But, the New Evangelization cannot happen without a fruitful and spiritual liturgy.  That worries me.  There is an old saying, "More confused than a Jesuit during Holy Week." You can also substitute "a Franciscan" just as easy to that statement.  Ugh.  Benedict was a true Liturgist. I hope Frank doesn't come across as too casual and blah.  Beauty attracts, buffoons make people vomit. Sloppiness doesn't transform people.
• He does seem very holy. In fact, you can't read an article without noticing that people think that of him.  I wondered what took him so long to get out on the balcony.  We find out that he requested to go into a chapel to pray alone before stepping out to see the world. I find that noble.  The fact that he bowed his head and asked for the Faithful to pray that the Lord would bless him is very noble and very humble.  
• He is social justice oriented.  He is a voice for the poor.  He made visits to AIDS hospitals where he kissed and washed patients feet.  He gave up a luxurious palace and driver to live in a small one bedroom apartment and take the public bus to work. He may make the Papacy more reachable.  He is much more like John Paul I than people realize.  Go search the thoughts of JPI.  We may find out what the Papacy of the "Smiling Pope" would have looked like if he got more than 30 days. 
• When he stepped out on the balcony, he looked like a deer in headlights.  He looked stunned, maybe overwhelmed. That's a given. To me, however, he looked tired.  Very tired.  He is 76.  The whole thing looked tired and sloppy.  I was very excited when the white smoke poured out of the chimney.  But, when he emerged, it all seemed to drain from me.  Is he merely a clean up Pope to bow out when he hits 85 as well? Who knows. At some point, the Cardinals need to realize they look like a "geriocracy" and keep choosing "geriatric rule." It's hard to evangelize the world when the Pope gets a good 4 years before he looks like the Crypt Keeper and drools all over himself.  Bad show. Every single person at my job said the same thing, "He is 76? Ugh." Come on, guys.  This is the youthful Bride of Christ, not the "Shady Pines" Nursing Home.  Are you afraid the young will mess it up or aren't as experienced? Please. If you all couldn't bring the Church to her knees, no one can! You have done a pretty good job of putting the Body of Christ in hospice.
• I think Papa Frankie is going to tick off both sides of the altar. The Traditionalists are already shaking in their boots. He is no fan of the "Extraordinary Form." Yet, he did give a plenary indulgence at his blessing and led the Faithful in the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Glory Be. The Left isn't going to like him fully either. He is very conservative on social issues like referring to gay adoption as "child abuse." However, I like people who tick off both sides.  That means, he is his own person. Remember the seagull that appeared on the chimney all day.  The seagull historically is a sign of honesty, personal freedom, and deliverance.  Pope Frank may be just that.
• Pope Francis gets huge props for me for his devotion to Our Lady. He mentioned her twice in his opening address. He ended by saying that "tomorrow I will go to see the Madonna." Nice! Even if he is a lack luster Pope, Mom will whip him into shape quickly.  

So, what's next? We shall see.  Inaugural Mass on the Solemnity of St. Joseph.  I am curious to see what that liturgy will look like as well as the rest of this Papacy.  Until then, back to business. It's Lent! You will now be returned to your regularly scheduled fasting.

First Day of Voting

For some reason, I can't stop thinking of Cardinal Sean O'Malley from Boston.  He is the Cardinal from Boston.  Humble man, Capuchin friar, cleaned up the abuse crisis, sold the Bishop Mansion to assist the victims, speaks 7 languages.....  Dunno. Maybe he needs our prayers..or maybe, he REALLY needs our prayers.

Maybe his name is in that chalice?  We shall see when the white smoke rises.

Until then....Veni, Sancte Spiritus.

Forget "pop n' lock!" Let's "lock n' vote!"

It's time for the world's favorite game.....

PICK

THAT

POPE!


Here is a little tour guide of Conclave 2013:

10:00am (Rome Time/5:00am Eastern) - 115 Cardinals and faithful gather in St. Peter's Basilica for the "Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff." They will be wearing the liturgical color "red" invoking the Holy Spirit to enlighten them to whom He has chosen and not whom CNN wishes.

4:30pm (Rome Time/11:30 Eastern) - The Cardinal electors process from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel while chanting the Litany of Saints. They enter the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo's "Christ in Judgement" with hand raised saying, "Pick the right man or you get the back of my hand."

4:45pm (Rome Time/11:45 Eastern) - The Cardinal Electors now conduct the swearing in ceremony promising to observe the rules and secrecy with punishment being excommunication. Afterwards, the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations cries out "EXTRA OMNES!" "Everybody out!" He then shuts and locks the Sistine Chapel Doors. Cardinals giggle. Immediately following, a senior Cardinal gives a sermon to the Cardinals basically telling them that this is the most important thing they can do as a Cardinal, so don't mess it up.

I elect as Supreme Pontiff......Jason Prati

Then, we vote!

Three Cardinals are chosen to be "scrutatores": they will be the overseers of the voting process, three will be "revisores": they will be counting and announcing the votes, and if needed "infirmarii": they will collect votes from Cardinals who are ill and can't leave their rooms to come vote in the Sistine. Whaa Whaa.

Each Cardinal will get a ballot like the one on the right.  They will write the name of the man whom they feel God is calling.  Each Cardinal then walks with the ballot held high in the air up to the Altar at the Sistine Chapel.  They each will say "I call to witness the Lord Jesus Christ, who will be my judge, that I am electing the one whom according to God I think ought to be elected." Wouldn't it be great if we had to say that when we have US elections?

The Cardinal then places the ballot on a plate and tips it into a special chalice on the altar, making sure that he isn't dumping in several ballots. When all have voted, the revisores shake the chalice -  "I like my Papal votes shaken, not stirred." One will look at the name and hand it to the second who will also look at the name and hand it to the third who will announce the name.  The Cardinals will receive a check list of all the names of Cardinals present. Most keep count at their places.  The revisores will then count and tally the votes for accuracy.  A person needs a two-thirds majority to be elected.  If received, the votes are burned in an oven with the famous chimney for its voice box.  If a Pope is elected, the votes are burned alone causing the white smoke, if not, they are burned with a chemical to announce a non-winner. If a vote does not produce a Pope, they will vote again.  There will be 4 votes a day.  Tomorrow, there should only be one vote. I doubt there will be white smoke on day one.  Cardinals need to see who is running the field first. I would expect a Pope Thursday, Friday at least.

If a Pope is elected, the Cardinal Dean calls back to the chapel the Papal Master of Ceremonies and the Secretary of the College of Cardinals.  The Cardinal Dean asks the man elected if he accepts his canonical election as Supreme Pontiff and what name will he choose.  If he says, "yep", he is then taken to the "Room of Tears" and vested in the white cassock.  The Cardinals all greet him and profess loyalty.  He is escorted to the balcony of St. Peter's and gives his first blessing. That's the first time we get a "peak of the Pope."

So, who is going to get elected.  There is an old Italian saying, "Those who go into the Conclave as Pope, come out as a Cardinal." My gut tells me the person who will get elected is the one whom everyone is not really talking about.  Ratzinger was way low on the media's list the last time around. Yet, he was the one chosen. Right now, the Barque of Peter looks like the inside of Noah's Ark....post flood.  Imagine how that place smelled.  It is in dire need of a clean sweep and the Cardinals know that.  The sexual abuse crisis, the Vatican leaks, corruption running like an episode of the Sopranos...the list goes on.  The Cardinals know they need an administrator this time around. We had two intellects like Paul, now the Church needs a Peter.  This nonsense that an American can't be Pope is ridiculous.  Anytime the Vatican needs to clean something up, they call on Americans.  My gut tells me, the next Pope will be not only an administrator, but someone from a country that can handle the clean up.  Europe, Africa, and South America is not up to the task.  I am throwing my dice towards Cardinal O'Malley from Boston or Cardinal Burke.  Both are holy men who can purge the Church of the corruption.  Either way, it's going to be a good show.  Get your popcorn and white smoke ready....ITS CONCLAVE 2013!

Laetare Sunday

Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation. Psalm: I rejoiced when they said to me: "we shall go to God's House!


Sunday is "Laetare Sunday" taken from the first word of the introit of the Mass, "Rejoice!"  It is like a little oasis during Lent.  Some actually call it "Refreshment Sunday." The solemn violet is placed aside for the day for the subdued joy of rose as shown to the side. No, it's not pink! It's rose! Flowers can be placed on the altar for the first time since before Ash Wednesday. The pipe organ is free to play! The night is long spent. The bright dawn of Easter draws near. We have been journeying now for 4 weeks through the desert of Lent.  Today, we get a glimpse of our destination, Jerusalem.  

Today is also called "Mother Sunday."  If you noticed from the introit, we rejoice over Jerusalem, Our Mother: the holy place that will be the setting for the next 3 weeks, the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord.  During the time of Christ, pilgrims would now be close to Jerusalem and coming to her to celebrate the Passover Feast. When they would see the city from a distance, they would errupt in great joy! They would sing the Psalm, "I rejoiced when they said to me: Let us go to the House of the Lord!" On this day, since about the 11th Century, a custom arose in England and Europe to journey to the "Mother Church" of the Diocese, the Cathedral to celebrate this day. This also is the Church's "Mother's Day" for you would honor your mother on this day to remind us of the introit above.  

The dawn of Easter is slowly rising. The "red rosy fingers of dawn" are starting to climb on the horizon. I hope you see the rose color in your Church today.  We only get to see it twice a year: today and the 3rd Sunday of Advent.  It is such an ancient and lovely custom.  If your priest does not have rose vestments, buy them for the Church! If the parish has them, ask to use them! These little customs for us carry such a deep meaning.  Why not celebrate these customs! Priests: You get enough of violet during Lent! One day will not kill you!

Celebrate this day! Loose up from the Lenten fast for the day! Eat some chocolate! Call your mother! Rejoice a bit before we head into the Solemn Passion and stand in sorrow in the shadow of the Cross! But, today, Laetare!

I am back in Lenten Array

First off, I apologize for my lack of responses over the last week. I have been busy typing up a 28 page document and needed some time to pray and write! Soli Deo Gloria! It is accomplished, so I can now get back to Blog-fest: Lenten Style!

I want to start hitting on some unique practices and customs during the Lenten Season.  One of my favorites is the "Lenten Array" found in some Anglican and Episcopal Churches. This custom finds its origins in the ancient Sarum Rite, the ancient liturgy found in England as early as the 11th Century. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, all images are covered until Easter Day.  To cover everything during that time would have been costly to use the Roman Violet, so a form of unbleached linen was used to cover crosses, images, and even the reredos itself as seen above. Images of the passion are roughly painted or sometimes sown into the linen.  It really brings us back to the use of sackcloth which was a sign of penance and mourning. During Lent, we are mourning our sins and turning back to the Lord. Crosses and Images are covered for various reasons: 1) Crosses are covered because during the passion Christ "hid" his Divinity to bear our sins and redeem us in great humility, 2) We are mourning our sins and clothing ourselves in the garments of penance, 3) Even the Church building itself "fasts" from the glory of images during this season, and 4) We put everything aside during these 40 days to focus on the Love of God shown to us during the Passion and Death of our Lord.  Fasting like this makes Easter all the more glorious when the whole Church erupts in joy and clothes herself in the bright Spring garments of Our Lord's Resurrection!