Evangelii Gaudium

Pope Francis has released an Apostolic Exhortation on the New Evangelization as a follow-up to the recent synod on that topic.  Folks are saying it is a dynamite presentation and offers a kind of "program" or agenda for his papacy.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium_en.html

Happy St. Cecelia's Day

Happy feast day to all of the musicians who bring beauty to our celebrations through the gift of music.  As St. Augustine would say, "The one who sings, prays twice."

Advent Penance Service from the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions

The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions is undergoing a restructuring and refocusing of its mission.  One of the goals is greater communication and additional benefits for its members.  Here is an Advent Penance Service that can be used.

http://www.fdlc.org/Liturgy_Resources/documents/FDLC_Advent_Penance_Service_2013.pdf

St. John's celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council

St. John's is sponsoring a series of presentations in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council.  The first event is Wednesday, December 4.  It looks like fun and I wish I could go but other obligations make it impossible.

Here is the link.

http://www.csbsju.edu/SOT/Lifelong-Learning-and-Events/Diekmann-Center/Vatican-Council-II-and-Ecumenism.htm?utm_source=email_marketing_system&utm_medium=email&utm_content=19935701&utm_campaign=11/20/13%2520Massimo%2520Event

News from the Fall Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops - All liturgy items approved

BALTIMORE—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved five liturgical items presented by the Committee on Divine Worship during the annual Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, November 12. The approved items include the use of the Mexican missal to draft the U.S. Spanish-language missal with appropriate adaptations, adding adaptations to the marriage ceremony and on proposed English-language translations of the Order of Celebrating Marriage and the Order of Confirmation.

With 193 votes in favor, 11 opposed and 4 abstained, the U.S. Bishops approved the use of the Spanish-language translation of the Misal Romano from Mexico as the base text for the U.S. version of the Spanish-language Missal, which will include additional texts and adaptations.

Those approved adaptations include replacing the Mexican calendar with the liturgical calendar for the United States; translation of the U.S. Norms for Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds; adding translations of liturgical texts and prayers for U.S. saints, including Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos; adding 20 Latin American patronal feasts for use by immigrant groups from those respective countries; and adding the U.S. adaptations for the General Instructions of the Roman Missal.

The bishops also approved the Order of Celebrating Marriage by 212 votes in favor, 5 votes against and 1 abstaining. The final translation from the International Committee on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), includes some prayers and rites not previously included in the first edition, for example, an additional text that may be used after the exchange of vows, and a rite for the renewal of marital commitment on anniversaries. Upon approval, the book will be sent to Rome for recognitio and later published as the English-language ritual for marriage.

Also approved by a 218-5-2 vote, were four adaptations to the Order of Celebrating Marriage. Those include the option of an alternative forms of vows (already an option in the current Rite), the option of moving the Nuptial Blessing to follow the Prayer of the Faithful during Mass, the option to include a Litany of the Saints (including the invocation of many married saints) at the beginning of the Marriage Rite, and translating into English the Hispanic cultural adaptations of the Exchange of Coins and the Blessing and Placing of the Lazo or Veil over the couple during the nuptial blessing.

The bishops also voted 213-4 on the Order of Confirmation. This is a retranslation by ICEL of the order of Confirmation according to the norms of the document Liturgiam authenticam.

The U.S. version of the Misal Romano in Spanish would be available by late 2014 or the spring of 2015.

New Chair for the Bishops' Committee on Divine Worship

From the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions website.

Election News at the USCCB. In November 2012, Cardinal DiNardo was elected to chair the Committee on Divine Worship for a term beginning this week. Since his election as USCCB vice president prevents him from assuming leadership of the committee, the bishops elected Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli of Paterson, New Jersey to chair the committee in place of Cardinal DiNardo, beginning November 14. Bishop Serratelli was chosen in a 114-112 vote over Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of Detroit. Bishop Serratelli previously chaired the committee from 2007-2010.

Congratulations Bishop Serratelli!

For all the saints

Artist John Nava created a stunning series of tapestries at the L.A. Cathedral.  They depict the "great cloud of witnesses" and we find, mingled between the saints whose names are known, depictions of the saints of ordinary life. 

http://www.olacathedral.org/cathedral/art/tapestries.html

Year of Faith Closing Celebrations

The Diocese of Winona closed the year of faith with a series of deanery based celebrations.  The area parishes gathered in a single place for prayer, reflection and a message from our Bishop.  I was in Owatonna and it was a great celebration with around 350 people in attendance.  Our young people were on for greeting and helping serve the dinner.  They did a great job. 

In his video, Bishop Quinn highlighted that in September, 2014 we will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of our diocese in 1889.  He spoke of the coming year as a year of thanksgiving - for faith and for the local communities that have nurtured the faith in the past and will continue to do so into the future. 

The Board of Directors of the FDLC with Archbishop Marini

Board member Christopher Ferraro took some great pictures at the recent FDLC National Meeting.  Most of the Board was available for this picture with our keynote speaker, Archbishop Piero Marini.

 

Press Release on the National Meeting of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions

LITURGISTS FROM ACROSS THE USA GATHER TO REFLECT ON

FIFTY YEARS OF THE CONSTITUTION ON THE SACRED LITURGY

Truly, "the liturgical renewal is the most visible fruit of the entire work of the Council." So spoke Archbishop Piero Marini as he addressed the participants at the annual meeting of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. Archbishop Marini, President of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses and Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations for Blessed Pope John Paul II and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, was actually quoting the 1985 Extraordinary Synod of Bishops.

First, Archbishop Marini set the Second Vatican Council in its historical context providing background on the decades that led up to the Council. He noted that it was the first Council to be a truly universal council, not simply European nor regional. Moreover, it was rightfully called a pastoral council -- unique in that this was called to address Church issues, not to react to a crisis of thought from outside entities. This fact, he assessed, tends not to lessen, but to increase, the weight of conciliar decisions.

Drawing on the writings of Blessed john XXIII, Archbishop Marini offered theological reflection on the nature of councils. "Precisely in her Councils, the Church both celebrates Christ’s union with herself and points to the presence of Christ in history. Historical events must therefore, in some sense, be interpreted by believers as a new manifestation of the incarnation: the signs of the times are signs of the continuing presence of the risen Christ in history, through his Spirit."

Certainly, this year the Church is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the
Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (12-4-1963). But Archbishop Marini also asked the participants to look ahead. "The reform has proved faithful to the will of the Council Fathers and the basic principles on which it was built are enduring. Its concrete implementation, however, could not and cannot ever be perfect or complete. The Council is not behind us; it still precedes us."

Archbishop Marini was one of several scholars who were asked to speak on the meeting’s theme: "The Christian Mystery and the Enduring Value of
Sacrosanctum Concilium." Other Study Day presenters included Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver who reflected on the history of Confirmation as a sacrament of initiation. He offered an historical overview of the sacrament from the Acts of the Apostles to our present age. He drew on his experience of restoring the order of the sacraments of initiation in his former Diocese of Fargo.

Alluding to Pope Benedict XVI’s words in
Sacramentum Caritatis, Archbishop Aquila noted that this practice "better enables the faithful to put the sacrament of the Eucharist at the center, as the goal of the whole process of initiation."

Further, Archbishop Aquila noted that "Confirmation is anticipated by Baptism, but the full strength and mission given by the Holy Spirit is lacking without Confirmation… The gift of the Holy Spirit given in Confirmation is ordered to the life of worship. St. Thomas Aquinas affirms that the seal given in Confirmation qualifies the Christian to participate in worship..."

Sr. Dianne Bergant, CSA, noted Scripture scholar and professor at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, emphasized how the
Constitution affirmed the role of Sacred Scripture in the life of the Church and set it as an integral part of all liturgical celebrations.

The Council called for an increased use of Sacred Scripture and a renewed appreciation of the Bible using the methodology of historical criticism. One must appreciate the genre of the text, the culture of the times, and for whom it was written. A preacher, then, Sr. Bergant noted, has to examine the text in all its dimensions – the word that the text creates, the world that the author creates, and the world of the hearing assembly. "The story of the Bible is that God remains faithful."

The meeting was held in the beautiful city of Erie, Pennsylvania. Emeritus Bishop Donald Trautman addressed parish liturgical ministers and spoke on the four pillars of Vatican II -- the
Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, The Constitution on the Church, the Constitution on Divine Revelation, and the Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. He outlined the contributions of each to modern theological understanding and pastoral practice.

He noted that the phrase ‘the People of God" was used 140 times in the Council documents. He thanked the liturgical ministers for their role in the authentic and reverent celebration of the Church’s liturgies.


THE 2013 McMANUS AWARD

On Friday, October 11, the Federation awarded its prestigious Frederick R. McManus Award to Father Paul Turner. Father Turner is a priest of the Diocese of Kansas City -St. Joseph and a noted scholar on the liturgy. He is past president of the North American Academy of Liturgy and a prolific writer of books and articles. This award particularly recognized his outstanding contributions to dioceses, presbyterates, and parishes, as they prepared for the new English translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal.

He accepted the award in his usual humble and eloquent fashion -- "I’m the wrong guy," he quipped. But he also encouraged the assembly to listen to God’s call. "Other people might know you better than you do. Always, God knows you better than you do…. You may not know what all your gifts are. But when you figure them out, you’ll also realize that you got them for a reason. You got those gifts because you are the right person. Give them back for the glory of God."

ABOUT THE MEETING

The meeting was co-sponsored by the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions and the Bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship of the USCCB. Archbishop Gregory Aymond, current chair of the BCDW, and his staff provided updates on the upcoming translations of liturgical rites and the status of those texts which the Bishops have already approved.

On Tuesday, October 8, Msgr. John Burton, Chair of the Board of Directors, officially welcomed the FDLC’s new Executive Director, Mrs. Rita Thiron. She is the former Director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan. Throughout the course of the week, members heard reports and participated in enthusiastic discussions regarding the future of the Federation.

The meeting was graciously hosted by Bishop Lawrence Persico of the Diocese of Erie and the dioceses of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions was founded in 1969 by the United States Bishops as a vital network for sharing the vision of the Council and for teaching about the revised liturgical books.

Catechetical Day

Yesterday was our diocesan catechetical day.  We are in a series of formation days around the faith with our catechetical leaders and the topic yesterday was Sacraments.  I gave a presentation on preparing to celebrate Mass with children in schools and faith formation programs. 

In her book, Preparing Parish Liturgies: A Guide to Resources (Liturgical Press) Rita Thiron has a list of "Ten Basic Principals of Liturgical Preparation" that I used as a kind of summary of my talk.  They are: 

• It's all about the paschal mystery!
• Every liturgy is the function of the priestly office of Jesus Christ
• Recognize the role of the assembly
• lex orandi, lex credendi
• Always begin with the rite
• The Word is essential
• Allow the ritual to speak
• Environment affects worship
• Music is integral
• Preparation and evaluation is imperative

Among other points I tried to impress on the folks that we prepare the liturgy not plan it.  The Church has already given us the plan, we then need to prepare to celebrate the various rites. 

I also proposed planning "from the inside out.'  By this I mean starting with Sing to the Lord being intentional about planning acclamations, dialogues, etc. rather than trying to figure out what our favorite song is and how we will find a place for it.

I hope the folks took some good principals with them from the very hot room, non-airconditioned room.

We began with Mass and used one of the Michel Guimont/Delores Dufner pieces from Amen to the Body of Christ - Bread of Life, Cup of Blessing.

Diocese of Winona Harvest Mass

On August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary the Diocese hosts a "Harvest Mass" on one of the farms in the Diocese.  The local committee works very hard in welcoming almost 500 people to the event.  This year the Mass was near East Chain, MN. 

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Happy Feast Day!  Today we celebrate Mary's Assumption, body and soul into heaven.  In establishing this feast Pope Pius XII declared:  "By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own authority, we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory."

There are many wonderful representations of this event.  It has inspired artists of every age.  One of my favorite depictions has the disciples gathered around the tomb of Mary which is filled with flowers.  Often their faces show their consternation.  Above, Mary is shown being taken up to heaven.  I love how it unites the earthly and the heavenly in Mary. 

In preparing for my homily I reflected on  Deacon Greg Kandra's reprinted homily on The Deacon's Bench.  In it he tells of a journal entry by Henri Nouwen in which a priest that he has met describes Mary's meaning for the world,  “To look at Mary is to see God’s original plan for humanity.”  Both in her life and in her Assumption Mary reveals to us what God desires for us. 

The Feast of Maximilian Kolbe

I have had, for many years, a special affinity for St. Maximilian Kolbe.  It results from having had the opportunity to be a part of the "guide choir" at his canonization.  This is the choir that sings the people's part of the Mass at large Vatican liturgies.  I don't know if this practice is still in place but it was in the 1980's when I was in seminary.

One of my profound memories of the day is the figure of the man for whom St. Maximilian Kolbe gave his life.  Here is a link to his story and a picture of the St. Maxmilian and Franciszek Gajowniczek.

http://nealobstat.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/16670/

Back again

After a rather busy year I am hoping to be more faithful in posting on the blog.  I found the last year in the Office of Divine Worship for the Diocese of Winona to be focused on planning for diocesan liturgies.  And as much as I enjoy it I was left with little time for other enjoyable endeavors.  Hence the silence on the blog.

Looking forward to the new year and some additional help from Fr. Patrick Arens of our diocese I am hoping to find a better balance in the tasks of the Office. I am also hoping to have some of our Liturgical Commission members do an occasional post.  I would hope for at least a weekly posting if not more often.

One of the great adventures of my summer was to study Spanish at the Mexican American Catholic College in San Antonio, Texas.  It is an intensive, pastorally focused program that I found very effective.  While in San Antonio I had the opportunity to celebrate Sunday Mass at some of the local churches.  One weekend I travelled to Houston to visit friends and worshiped at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in The Woodlands, Texas.  It is a large, newly built church.  The music ministry, as is so often the case during the summer, consisted of a cantor and keyboard player.  People sang well and the whole community seemed quite welcoming.

The next Sunday several of us travelled to Mision Concepcion which is one of four missions that formed the early stages of what became San Antonio.  The others are Mision San Jose, Mision San Juan and the Alamo (!) which was originally a mission.  Mision Concepion was filled to capacity with a diverse crowd.  Some were local parishioners and sopme were tourists.  The music was by an ensemble that led us in bi-lingual song although the Mass was in English.  The decor is very close to the original from the 1700's when the mission was founded.  Very simple and quite beautiful. 


The next Sunday we went to San Fernando Cathedral for Mass.  This is one of the oldest cathedrals in use in the country.  The original church was begun by Portuguese immigrants and forms the front section of the church.  Later another church was built that was attached to the old church.  This later church is the primary seating area of the cathedral.  In the old section are three beautiful retablos which are the Mexican version of the high altar.  All three were quite stunning but the central one which houses the tabernacle is especially beautiful and is gilded with gold leaf.  Unfortunately it is not wanting to upload but I will see what I can do in a later post.

Chrism Mass in the Diocese of Winona

The Diocese has put together this wonderful video of the Bishop's homily at the Chrism Mass at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus.  It includes some scenes from the other parts of the Mass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg5equ-BPvY&feature=youtu.be

All I can say is "wow!" The Pope's Chrism Mass homily

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This morning I have the joy of celebrating my first Chrism Mass as the Bishop of Rome. I greet all of you with affection, especially you, dear priests, who, like myself, today recall the day of your ordination.

The readings and the Psalm of our Mass speak of God’s “anointed ones”: the suffering Servant of Isaiah, King David and Jesus our Lord. All three have this in common: the anointing that they receive is meant in turn to anoint God’s faithful people, whose servants they are; they are anointed for the poor, for prisoners, for the oppressed… A fine image of this “being for” others can be found in the Psalm 133: “It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down upon the collar of his robe” (v. 2). The image of spreading oil, flowing down from the beard of Aaron upon the collar of his sacred robe, is an image of the priestly anointing which, through Christ, the Anointed One, reaches the ends of the earth, represented by the robe.

The sacred robes of the High Priest are rich in symbolism. One such symbol is that the names of the children of Israel were engraved on the onyx stones mounted on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, the ancestor of our present-day chasuble: six on the stone of the right shoulder-piece and six on that of the left (cf. Ex 28:6-14). The names of the twelve tribes of Israel were also engraved on the breastplate (cf. Es 28:21). This means that the priest celebrates by carrying on his shoulders the people entrusted to his care and bearing their names written in his heart. When we put on our simple chasuble, it might well make us feel, upon our shoulders and in our hearts, the burdens and the faces of our faithful people, our saints and martyrs who are numerous in these times.

From the beauty of all these liturgical things, which is not so much about trappings and fine fabrics than about the glory of our God resplendent in his people, alive and strengthened, we turn now to a consideration of activity, action. The precious oil which anoints the head of Aaron does more than simply lend fragrance to his person; it overflows down to “the edges”. The Lord will say this clearly: his anointing is meant for the poor, prisoners and the sick, for those who are sorrowing and alone. My dear brothers, the ointment is not intended just to make us fragrant, much less to be kept in a jar, for then it would become rancid … and the heart bitter.

A good priest can be recognized by the way his people are anointed: this is a clear proof. When our people are anointed with the oil of gladness, it is obvious: for example, when they leave Mass looking as if they have heard good news. Our people like to hear the Gospel preached with “unction”, they like it when the Gospel we preach touches their daily lives, when it runs down like the oil of Aaron to the edges of reality, when it brings light to moments of extreme darkness, to the “outskirts” where people of faith are most exposed to the onslaught of those who want to tear down their faith. People thank us because they feel that we have prayed over the realities of their everyday lives, their troubles, their joys, their burdens and their hopes. And when they feel that the fragrance of the Anointed One, of Christ, has come to them through us, they feel encouraged to entrust to us everything they want to bring before the Lord: “Pray for me, Father, because I have this problem”, “Bless me Father”, “Pray for me” – these words are the sign that the anointing has flowed down to the edges of the robe, for it has turned into a prayer of supplication, the supplication of the People of God. When we have this relationship with God and with his people, and grace passes through us, then we are priests, mediators between God and men. What I want to emphasize is that we need constantly to stir up God’s grace and perceive in every request, even those requests that are inconvenient and at times purely material or downright banal – but only apparently so – the desire of our people to be anointed with fragrant oil, since they know that we have it. To perceive and to sense, even as the Lord sensed the hope-filled anguish of the woman suffering from hemorrhages when she touched the hem of his garment. At that moment, Jesus, surrounded by people on every side, embodies all the beauty of Aaron vested in priestly raiment, with the oil running down upon his robes. It is a hidden beauty, one which shines forth only for those faith-filled eyes of the woman troubled with an issue of blood. But not even the disciples – future priests – see or understand: on the “existential outskirts”, they see only what is on the surface: the crowd pressing in on Jesus from all sides (cf. Lk 8:42). The Lord, on the other hand, feels the power of the divine anointing which runs down to the edge of his cloak.

We need to “go out”, then, in order to experience our own anointing, its power and its redemptive efficacy: to the “outskirts” where there is suffering, bloodshed, blindness that longs for sight, and prisoners in thrall to many evil masters. It is not in soul-searching or constant introspection that we encounter the Lord: self-help courses can be useful in life, but to live our priestly life going from one course to another, from one method to another, leads us to become pelagians and to minimize the power of grace, which comes alive and flourishes to the extent that we, in faith, go out and give ourselves and the Gospel to others, giving what little ointment we have to those who have nothing, nothing at all.

The priest who seldom goes out of himself, who anoints little – I won’t say “not at all” because, thank God, the people take the oil from us anyway – misses out on the best of our people, on what can stir the depths of his priestly heart. Those who do not go out of themselves, instead of being mediators, gradually become intermediaries, managers. We know the difference: the intermediary, the manager, “has already received his reward”, and since he doesn’t put his own skin and his own heart on the line, he never hears a warm, heartfelt word of thanks. This is precisely the reason for the dissatisfaction of some, who end up sad – sad priests - in some sense becoming collectors of antiques or novelties, instead of being shepherds living with “the odour of the sheep”. This I ask you: be shepherds, with the “odour of the sheep”, make it real, as shepherds among your flock, fishers of men. True enough, the so-called crisis of priestly identity threatens us all and adds to the broader cultural crisis; but if we can resist its onslaught, we will be able to put out in the name of the Lord and cast our nets. It is not a bad thing that reality itself forces us to “put out into the deep”, where what we are by grace is clearly seen as pure grace, out into the deep of the contemporary world, where the only thing that counts is “unction” – not function – and the nets which overflow with fish are those cast solely in the name of the One in whom we have put our trust: Jesus.

Dear lay faithful, be close to your priests with affection and with your prayers, that they may always be shepherds according to God’s heart.

Dear priests, may God the Father renew in us the Spirit of holiness with whom we have been anointed. May he renew his Spirit in our hearts, that this anointing may spread to everyone, even to those “outskirts” where our faithful people most look for it and most appreciate it. May our people sense that we are the Lord’s disciples; may they feel that their names are written upon our priestly vestments and that we seek no other identity; and may they receive through our words and deeds the oil of gladness which Jesus, the Anointed One, came to bring us. Amen.

Chrism Mass 2013

On Monday we had our beautiful Chrism Mass at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus in Winona.  The church was almost filled with folks from across the Diocese.  Fr. Jason Kern, our most recently ordained priest, gave a reflection which was followed by a Holy Hour and opportunity for confessions.  We then gathered for dinner.

Mass began at 7 p.m.  Among the highlights was the singing of the Gospel by two deacons using a setting based on a collection that will be published by Liturgical Press soon.  Two lovely musical pieces were the O Redeemer by Luke Mayernik which was very chant-like and Sacramentum Caritatis by Michael Joncas which was the Communion processional song.

The Bishop's homily started with a story about his mother who assured her children after they had broken a treasured family heirloom, "I loved that figurine, but I love you more." He went on to connect that to God's love for us - no matter what.

The preparations are in high gear

With Holy Week starting on Sunday folks are working hard to get everything ready so that we can pray together.   As Bishop Quinn's MC he has frequently told me that he just wants to pray so he will do whatever I ask.  Oh the responsibility!  But, I think that is a great way for us to approach these great feasts and liturgies - as much as possible, let's pray.  What a great service to the community that some step forward to take on roles of service to the liturgy so that others' prayer will be enhanced.  Have a prayerful Holy Week.

As if being elected pope were not enough

Can you imagine?  Your world turned upside down, thrust into one of the most visible, important roles in the world, your privacy gone - and then you have to spend a couple weeks in a "motel." 

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/new-pope-will-have-to-wait-to-move-in/

Super cool from our friends at FOCUS

FOCUS - the Fellowship of Catholic University Students has a great post on how to know who the pope is faster (almost) than anyone else.  The other neat thing is that they have video clips of the last several announcements and some really interesting archival clips going all the way back to Leo XIII who is the first pope on film. Enjoy.

http://www.focus.org/blog/posts/how-do-they-announce-who-the-pope-is.html

Cardinal Dolan invites us to pray a novena to St. Joseph

From Cardinal Dolan's blog:

Asking St. Joseph to Help Us Prepare for a New Pope

It seems so providential that we would meet here in Rome for this extraordinarily significant event during Lent.
These forty days are a sacred occasion of recalling the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus – the Paschal Mystery – uniting ourselves to the death of Jesus by dying to sin, through prayer, sacrifice, and acts of charity, so that we might rise with Him to life at Easter.
Sure enough, the Church is experiencing death, as we observe the passing of a beloved Pontiff, and await the rebirth that comes with the election of a new one.
And these days of transition allow us as the Church to die to sin, corruption, scandal, and evil, even in the members of the Church – including her leaders – so that the Church can then rise to renewed life.
It also seems providential that we undergo this passing of one Pope and the rising up of a new one during March, classically devoted to St. Joseph (whose feastday is March 19^th).
St. Joseph, a man of silence – and we need quiet reflection as the College of Cardinals and members of the Church;
St. Joseph, a man who dealt with emergencies – – think of his virgin wife’s “untimely,” embarrassing pregnancy; the birth of Jesus in exile, in a stable; the flight to Egypt to escape a murdering tyrant, the three-day loss of his boy – – with calmness, trust in God, and responsibility. What an example he is as we see so many “emergencies” in the Church and the world today!
St. Joseph, ever attentive to God’s will, placing Jesus and Mary at the heart of his life, reliable in his duties to care and protect his virgin wife and adopted son; a working-man who took pride in his profession as a carpenter.
No wonder we call him the Patron of the Church Universal. Wouldn’t it be great to have a new Pope by his feastday?
I’m going to begin a novena to him on March 11, nine days of prayer in preparation for his feastday (two days after St. Patrick’s Day), asking him and his virgin-wife to look after the Church, and get us an inspired new Successor of St. Peter. Will you join me?

Although there are a number of prayers which can be used here is one to get you started:

O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.

O Saint Joseph, assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. Amen

O Saint Joseph, hear my prayers and obtain my petitions. O Saint Joseph, pray for me. (Mention your intention)

The Date is Set

The conclave to elect the next pope will begin on Tuesday, March 12. 

Here is the prayer for the election of a pope from the Roman Missal.

O God, eternal shepherd,

who govern your flock with unfailing care,

grant in your boundless fatherly love

a pastor for your Church

who will please you by his holiness

and to us show watchful care.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

We will be having a time of adoration one night early next week.  Probably Monday since that will put us before the conclave begins.  (By Tuesday evening the first meeting of the conclave will already have happened because of the time difference.)

Rocco Palmo at Whispers in the Loggia had a link to the program used at the Cardinal's prayer earlier this week.  I am thinking we will use the same - but in English.  A nice way of joining with the Cardinals in prayer.

http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/libretti/2013/20130306.pdf

The Furnace has arrived!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6D21BC6b-FE

Sede vacante

The Chair of St. Peter is vacant with the resignation of His Holiness, Benedict XVI, Pope-emeritus. 

Did you have a chance to watch any of the events surrounding the final hours of Pope Benedict's pontificate?  I found it a very moving experience.  Not, perhaps, on par with the death of Blessed John Paul II but quite emotional in its own way.  We now turn our prayers to the process of electing a new Pope.  In the Diocese of Winona Bishop Quinn has given permission for the use of the Mass for the election of a pope from the Roman Missal on those Lenten days when it is allowed.  Resources are available from the USCCB.

http://player.vimeo.com/video/60756419"

A Church apse painted by graffiti artists

I heard about this the other day as I was driving from one place to another.  It sounded interesting.  The priest used local graffiti artists but would not let them begin until they studied the Romanesque style he was interested in.  They went to Barcelona and came back and began to paint.  I think the end effect is pretty stunning.

 BBC has an article with pictures
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21529832

Liturgical resources for the papal transition

The USCCB has provided some great resources for the papal transition.  Here is the link:

http://www.usccb.org/about/leadership/holy-see/pope-benedict-xvi/upload/Pope-Resignation-Resources.pdf

Bishop Quinn has given permission to use the Masses "for the Pope" and "for the election of a Pope" during the Lenten season on days that allow these Masses.  Marked with a V1 in the ordo.

Farewell, Pope Benedict

Tomorrow afternoon, Pope Benedict will leave the Vatican for Castel Gandalfo and the beginning of his retirement.  His last public event was the General Audience that ws held in St. Peter's Square rather than the audience hall because of the expected crowd.  Italian authorities estimate that between 150,000 and 200,000 people joined the Holy Father for this audience.  Here is a video of the audience.

http://player.vimeo.com/video/60660027

Here is a link to his final blessing at the end of the audience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=bTvNMk4mIfo

The Knight of Columbus have circulated tha following prayer which can be used to pray for Pope Benedict and the Holy Spirit's guidance for the cardinal electors who will gather soon in conclave to elect the new Pope.

O Lord Jesus Christ , Supreme Pastor of Your Church, we thank you for the ministry of Pope Benedict XVI and the selfless care with which he has led us as Successor of Peter, and Your Vicar on earth.

Good Shepherd, who founded Your Church
on the rock of Peter's faith
and have never left Your flock untended, look with love upon us now, and sustain Your Church in faith, hope, and charity.

Grant, Lord Jesus, in Your boundless love for us, a new Pope for Your Church who will please You by his holiness and lead us faithfully to You, who are the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Amen."