Sr. Thea Bowman on Holy Week

Let us resolve to make this week holy by claiming Christ’s redemptive grace and by living holy lives.

The Word became flesh and redeemed us by his holy life and holy death. This week especially, let us accept redemption by living grateful, faithful, prayerful, generous, just and holy lives.

Let us resolve to make this week holy by reading and meditating Holy Scripture.

So often, we get caught up in the hurry of daily living. As individuals and as families, reserve prime time to be with Jesus, to hear the cries of the children waving palm branches, to see the Son of Man riding on an ass' colt, to feel the press of the crowd, to be caught up in the "Hosannas” and to realize how the cries of acclamation will yield to the garden of suffering, to be there and watch as Jesus is sentenced by Pilate to Calvary, to see him rejected, mocked, spat upon, beaten and forced to carry a heavy cross, to hear the echo of the hammer, to feel the agony of the torn flesh and strained muscles, to know Mary’s anguish as he hung three hours before he died.

We recoil before the atrocities of war, gang crime, domestic violence and catastrophic illness. Unless we personally and immediately are touched by suffering, it is easy to read Scripture and to walk away without contacting the redemptive suffering that makes us holy. The reality of the Word falls on deaf ears.

Let us take time this week to be present to someone who suffers. Sharing the pain of a fellow human will enliven Scripture and help us enter into the holy mystery of the redemptive suffering of Christ.

Let us resolve to make this week holy by participating in the Holy Week services of the church, not just by attending, but also by preparing, by studying the readings, entering into the spirit, offering our services as ministers of the Word or Eucharist, decorating the church or preparing the environment for worship.

Let us sing, "Lord, have mercy," and "Hosanna." Let us praise the Lord with our whole heart and soul and mind and strength, uniting with the suffering church throughout the world -- in Rome and Ireland, in Syria and Lebanon, in South Africa and Angola, India and China, Nicaragua and El Salvador, in Washington, D.C., and Jackson, Mississippi.

Let us break bread together; let us relive the holy and redemptive mystery. Let us do it in memory of him, acknowledging in faith his real presence upon our altars.

Let us resolve to make this week holy by sharing holy peace and joy within our families, sharing family prayer on a regular basis, making every meal a holy meal where loving conversations bond family members in unity, sharing family work without grumbling, making love not war, asking forgiveness for past hurts and forgiving one another from the heart, seeking to go all the way for love as Jesus went all the way for love.

Let us resolve to make this week holy by sharing holy peace and joy with the needy, the alienated, the lonely, the sick and afflicted, the untouchable.

Let us unite our sufferings, inconveniences and annoyances with the suffering of Jesus. Let us stretch ourselves, going beyond our comfort zones to unite ourselves with Christ's redemptive work.

We unite ourselves with Christ's redemptive work when we reconcile, when we make peace, when we share the good news that God is in our lives, when we reflect to our brothers and sisters God's healing, God's forgiveness, God's unconditional love.

Let us be practical, reaching out across the boundaries of race and class and status to help somebody, to encourage and affirm somebody, offering to the young an incentive to learn and grow, offering to the downtrodden resources to help themselves.

May our fasting be the kind that saves and shares with the poor, that actually contacts the needy, that gives heart to heart, that touches and nourishes and heals.

During this Holy Week when Jesus gave his life for love, let us truly love one another.

Entering Holy Week

Holy Week has arrived.  As we enter the week in which we commemorate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus we pause to remember what it is all about.  This video is from Busted Halo, a great site for young adults.

Sir, We would like to see Jesus

In today's Gospel, some Greeks came to Philip with the request, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus."  Who introduced you to Jesus?

The Gloria in Ritual Masses

As we continue to get acquainted with the new Roman Missal we uncover more changes to the way we celebrate the liturgy.  It is good to see that so many of those who plan liturgy are carefully reading the rubrics of the Missal and discovering the change there.  Jerry Galipeau commented on this at his "Gotta Sing, Gotta Pray" blog. 

As many of you know, I volunteer on the liturgy committee at my parish, Saint James, on the near South Side of the city of Chicago. We had our final "touching bases" meeting last night, talking about some of the details of our Triduum liturgies.

Something really struck me during the meeting, and it did not have to do with the actual words in the new English translation at all. At several points during the meeting (in discussion about the "stripping of the altar" and the incensation of the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday), people kept asking, "Well what does the new Missal say?" I kind of sat there chuckling to myself because, at least in my past experience, very few people would say things like, "Well, what does the Sacramentary say?" The questions usually asked at liturgy committee meetings were along the lines of, "Well, what did we do last year?" I have been in parishes, my own present parish included, where some kind of innovation during the Triduum developed over time and most people just assumed that the practice was embedded in the liturgical books. Case in point for me is the "stripping of the altar." The first time I attended Triduum at my parish, this "stripping" actually took on more significance than the footwashing (actually we washed hands that year-thank God that misguided practice was short-lived!) During the stripping, there was a song of lament sung and a dramatic reading of a psalm. I sat there and kind of wondered where it all came from. The answer was two-fold. There had been some innovation with the "stripping" in the parish in the past, as well as in the past life of the director of worship. The two strands came together and the result was something never envisioned in our current liturgical books.

So, I do think that the advent of The Roman Missal, Third Edition has been a good thing for liturgy committees like ours at Saint James. We are actually looking at the Missal as a primary source, the first place we go for answers, rather than to a history of liturgical innovations that may have meant that we strayed from the intentions of the official liturgical books.

Hardly a week goes by that I don't get a call in the office about some change or another.  This week it is the use of the Gloria at Confirmation.  In fact, I had just reviewed the recent Newsletter of the Bishops' Committee on Divine Worship where they give an update on this question.

In the Roman Missal, Third Edition, the rubrics call for the Gloria more frequently than before. Nine out of the ten Ritual Masses prescribe the Gloria, the only exception being the Mass for the Institution of Lectors and Acolytes. These Masses are all treated as if they were Feasts, and the Gloria is used for them even when celebrated during Advent or Lent. Thus for example, Masses for Confirmation, Holy Orders, or Marriage would include the Gloria, even when they occur during Advent or Lent. (It should be noted, though, that Ritual Masses are prohibited on Sundays of Advent and Lent.)

So, both Confirmation and Marriage both include the Gloria in a sung or recited form. 

The mornings of the Triduum

What does your community do on the mornings of the Triduum.  Most parishes have a regular and faithful group who comes for daily Mass and they miss gathering on those days.  Our parish has begun doing Morning Prayer on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning.  We use the format found at ebreviary which is simple to use and is available in easy to print format.  We sing the opening hymn and recite the psalms and other prayers.  A community might also want to sing the Canticle of Zechariah.  I encourage you to give it a try.  It is a wonderful way to introduce this official prayer of the Church into a parish community.

The Prefaces for Lenten Sundays

The Missal contains special prefaces for the Sundays of Lent.  They are found with the other presidential prayers for the Mass.  On the third, fourth and fifth Sundays the prefaces are based on the Gospel readings for Year A which are also read when there are scrutinies as part of the RCIA. 

On those Sundays in the other years one of the prefaces for Lent are used instead of these Gospel-specific prefaces.  Or you may want to take the opportunity to use one of the Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation.

Also, although they are optional on weekdays, the Prayer over the People are to be used as part of the Final Blessing and Dismissal on the Sundays of Lent. 

Where can I find that in the Missal?

As we continue to become familiar with the new translation and layout of the Roman Missal we are discovering that some things are not in the places we have come to expect them. 

For example, many of the date or feast specific prefaces are found with the other presidential prayers for that Mass.

Today a pastor called wondering about where to find the Sprinkling Rite which can replace the Penitential Rite.  It is found in an appendix in the back of the Missal beginning at page 1453.  (Isn't it nice to have the pages match in all of the editions of the Missal?)

Singing the Paschal Proclamation (Exsultet) Redux

There has been a lot of interest in my post on singing the Exsultet.  More pageviews than any other post.  So, I thought I would add the links to two resources to help in this endeavor.

The National Association of Pastoral Musicians has a webpage with both PDF files and sound files.

http://www.npm.org/Chants/proper.html

ICEL has PDF files with the chants.

http://www.icelweb.org/musicfolder/openmusic.php

I hope these links assist in your preparation. 

Bishop Aquila of Fargo, North Dakota Receives Papal Praise for Restoring the Traditional Order of the Sacraments of Initiation

Rome, Italy, Mar 8, 2012 / 03:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo said he is delighted to have first-hand papal approval for changing the order by which children in his diocese receive the sacraments.

“I was very surprised in what the Pope said to me, in terms of how happy he was that the sacraments of initiation have been restored to their proper order of baptism, confirmation then first Eucharist,” said Bishop Aquila, after meeting Pope Benedict on March 8.

Bishop Aquila was one of five bishops from North and South Dakota to meet with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican as part of their March 5-10 “ad limina” visit to the Rome.

Over the past seven years the Diocese of Fargo has changed the typical order of the sacraments of initiation. Instead of confirmation coming third and at an older age, it is now conferred on children at a younger age and prior to First Communion.

Bishop Aquila said he made the changes because “it really puts the emphasis on the Eucharist as being what completes the sacraments of initiation” and on confirmation as “sealing and completing baptism.”

When the sacraments are conferred in this order, he said, it becomes more obvious that “both baptism and confirmation lead to the Eucharist.” This sacramental assistance helps Catholics live “that intimate relationship of being the beloved sons and daughters of the Father in our daily lives,” he added.

The Bishop of Fargo said the changes have also distanced the Sacrament of Confirmation from “some false theologies that see it as being a sacrament of maturity or as a sacrament for ‘me choosing God.’”

Instead, young people in Fargo now have “the fullness of the spirit and the completion of the gifts of the spirit” to assist them in “living their lives within the world,” especially “in the trials they face in junior high and high school.”

Bishop Aquila explained his theological thinking to Pope Benedict during today’s meeting.

In response, he said, the Pope asked if he had “begun to speak to other bishops about this.” He told the pontiff that he had and that “certainly bishops within the Dakotas are now really looking towards the implementation in the restoration in the ordering of the sacraments.”

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity

Today we celebrate the Feast of Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, a noble woman and her servant.  The Acts of the martyrdom of these two courageous women is fascinating.  One unique feature is that a portion of the Acts is written in Perpetua's own words.  Here is an excerpt from that section.

"The day before we fought, I saw in a vision that Pomponius the deacon had come hither to the door of the prison, and knocked hard upon it. And I went out to him and opened to him; he was clothed in a white robe ungirdled, having shoes curiously wrought. And he said to me: Perpetua, we await you; come. And he took my hand, and we began to go through rugged and winding places. At last with much breathing hard we came to the amphitheatre, and he led me into the midst of the arena. And he said to me: Be not afraid; I am here with you and labour together with you. And he went away. And I saw much people watching closely. And because I knew that I was condemned to the beasts I marvelled that beasts were not sent out against me. And there came out against me a certain ill-favored Egyptian with his helpers, to fight with me. Also there came to me comely young men, my helpers and aiders. And I was stripped naked, and I became a man. And my helpers began to rub me with oil as their custom is for a contest; and over against me saw that Egyptian wallowing in the dust. And there came forth a man of very great stature, so that he overpassed the very top of the amphitheatre, wearing a robe ungirdled, and beneath it between the two stripes over the breast a robe of purple; having also shoes curiously wrought in gold and silver; bearing a rod like a master of gladiators, and a green branch whereon were golden apples. And he besought silence and said: The Egyptian, if shall conquer this woman, shall slay her with the sword; and if she shall conquer him, she shall receive this branch. And he went away. And we came nigh to each other, and began to buffet one another. He tried to trip up my feet, but I with my heels smote upon his face. And I rose up into the air and began so to smite him as though I trod not the earth. But when I saw that there was yet delay, I joined my hands, setting finger against finger of them. And I caught his head, and he fell upon his face; and I trod upon his head. And the people began to shout, and my helpers began to sing. And I went up to the master of gladiators and received the branch. And he kissed me and said to me: Daughter, peace be with you. And I began to go with glory to the gate called the Gate of Life.

And I awoke; and I understood that I should fight, not with beasts but against the devil; but I knew that mine was the victory.

Thus far I have written this, till the day before the games; but the deed of the games tehmsleves let him write who will."

Singing the Exsultet

In just a few short weeks we will have arrived at Easter.  A highlight of the Easter Vigil is the singing of the Exsultet.  This long poem is a hymn to the candle and the light and celebrates, among other things, the bees who have given their wax to the creation of this pillar of light. 

The Exsultet is not easy to sing.  And especially, with a new translation this year, it is even more important that those who will be singing the Exsultet prepare themselves carefully.

In the recent issue of Pastoral Liturgy (published by LTP) Fr. John Mark Klaus, TOR, offers some practical suggestions for those preparing this important task:

• Listen to a recording.  LTP has a set of CDs with all of the chants of the Missal in two volumes.  The National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) also has sound files which can be used as an aid in preparation.
• Begin practicing the Exsultet early.  Take one section each week.  This will not only help with learning but will help increase stamina which is necessary for effective singing.
• Find a good pitch in the middle of your voice range.  This might not be the pitch which is found in the Roman Missal.  As a bass I would not be able to sustain the higher register so I take it down to a pitch that is more comfortable and sustainable.

The Liturgical Press has published a beautiful book with the Exsultet and illuminated pages.  It is a beautiful, worthy book.  I will be using mine to prepare the Exsultet by meditating on both the music and the illuminations.  Here is the link to a sample of the pages.

http://litpress.org/excerpts/9780814633649.pdf

Bishop Quinn on his ad limina

Bishop Quinn, along with Bishop Harrington, and Fathers Colletti and Melvin celebrated Mass at the Church of St. Mary Major.  It is the largest church in the world dedicated to Mary.  It also contains a special relic.  Do you know what it is?  The crib of Jesus.

The Second Sunday of Lent -- Abraham our Father in Faith

On Thursday I was a part of performance of Benjamin Britten’s incredible work, War Requiem, at the University of Minnesota.  Composed for the 1962 dedication of the newly rebuilt Coventry Cathedral which was destroyed during World War II, it is a powerful reflection on war and faith.   The texts of the traditional Requiem Mass are interspersed with poetry by Wilfred Owen, a young poet who was killed in World War I.  During the Libera Me movement, Britten sets a poem which turns the story of Abraham and Isaac on its head.  It struck me, as I listened, that this poem is also a good metaphor for our reflection this Lent.  All too often, God provides us with every means that we need to be faithful and yet we turn our back on the gift.  We prefer to go our own way, to follow our own counsel.  Lent encourages us to listen to God and to take advantage of the graces that the Lord is pouring out on us to help us be faithful and holy.  Here is Owen’s poem. 

So Abram rose, and clave the wood, and went,
And took the fire with him, and a knife.
And as they sojourned both of them together,
Isaac the first-born spake and said, My Father,
Behold the preparations, fire and iron,
But where the lamb for this burnt-offering?
Then Abram bound the youth with belts and straps,
And builded parapets and trenched there,
And streched forth the knife to slay his son.
When lo! and angel called him out of heaven,
Saying, Lay not thy hand upon the lad,
Neither do anything to him. Behold,
A ram, caught in a thicket by its horns;
Offer the Ram of Pride instead of him.But the old man would not so,
but slew his son, -
And half the seed of Europe, one by one.