Sr. Marie Amanda Allard, OP, died October 7, 2018, at St. Dominic Villa.
Tag: Vatican II
Mass begins as an encounter with Jesus
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As many Catholics know, the Second Vatican Council famously referred to the liturgy as the “source and summit of the Christian life.” And following the prompts of the great figures of the liturgical movement in the first half of the 20th century, the Council Fathers called for a fuller, more conscious, and more active participation in the liturgy on the part of Catholics.
Thoughts on Mass before and after Vatican II
To the editor:
While not yet Catholic, I attended many Latin Masses before Vatican II. The formal beauty and solemnity of the processions, the cross, the priest’s vestments — all inspired reverence.
I followed the spoken Latin, although not all of it was audible. Many parishioners not understanding Latin prayed the Rosary, following which they received Communion on the tongue, kneeling at a rail.
Hopes Church will continue to offer Mass in both rites
To the editor:
R. Jared Staudt’s article (July 27 issue of Catholic Herald) suggesting the Church use both the Extraordinary Form (with priest facing ad orientem) and Novus Ordo rites was interesting.
The Extraordinary Form offers much rich music, protocol, vestments, rubrical gestures, and the ranking and roles of the celebrants. God is adored and worshiped, and this worship is strictly conducted. Much attention is given to well-defined ritualistic human behaviors and postures which are meant to indicate the pious devotion of each worshiper.
The Novus Ordo offers a simpler worship . . . a community called by Christ nourished and fed in Word and sacred sacrament, and gathered around the living and active Christ who is present in the celebrant, the Word, His holy body and blood . . . and His people.
Watching for the Risen Lord together
Dear Friends,
As autumn approaches as well as the start of the new school year, I hope and pray that the summer has been good to you, each in accord with your needs and the Lord’s Providence.
The summer (though too short, of course) has finished with a great flourish of late, as I’ve been able to bless or consecrate a number of new altars around the diocese.
Parish renovations
In the first place, a few parishes have recently completed renovation projects — some minor but beautiful, some more involved — in order to enhance their sanctuaries and especially to have a fitting place for the tabernacle in the middle of the sanctuary.
Thank you to all the pastors and people who have worked hard on these projects to date. (And thanks to all those who are working on projects for the future.)
In addition, two weeks ago I blessed the lovely chapel built into the tremendous new development at the Catholic Charities’ All Saints Community. It is a fitting centerpiece for that growing retirement community and assisted living facility. Jackson Fonder and his team, along with the All Saints Board, should be proud.
Prefers use of Novus Ordo Mass
To the editor:
Fr. John Zuhlsdorf’s recent columns on the Pontifical Mass create a very nervous Catholic here. It feels as though these columns are opening shots on banning the Novus Ordo Mass celebrations here in the Diocese of Madison. Or imposing the use of Latin.
I much prefer the Roman Rite Novus Ordo to the other. I do not hope in the least for any return to the other form. I recall the Mass before Vatican II and not with any joy. Mass then was cold and isolated people.
Yves Congar and Vatican II
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One of the most theologically fascinating and entertaining books I’ve read in a long time is Yves Congar’s My Journal of the Council.
Most Catholics under age 50 might be unaware of the massive contribution made by Congar, a Dominican priest and one of the most important Catholic theologians of the 20th century.
After a tumultuous intellectual career, Congar found himself, at age 58, a peritus or theological expert at the Second Vatican Council. By most accounts, he proved the most influential theologian at that epic gathering, contributing to the documents on the Church, on ecumenism, on revelation, and on the Church’s relation to the modern world.
John XXIII and John Paul II: Canonizing the bookends
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Pope Francis’ bold decisions to canonize Blessed John XXIII without the normal post-beatification miracle and to link good Pope John’s canonization ceremony to that of Blessed John Paul II just may help re-orient Catholic thinking about modern Catholic history.
For what Francis is suggesting, I think, is that John XXIII and John Paul II are the twin bookends of the Second Vatican Council — and thus should be canonized together.
Summoning an ecumenical council
On January 25, 1959, less than three months after his election, John XXIII surprised the Catholic world by announcing that he would summon the 21st ecumenical council in history.
The Holy Eucharist: History of the Mass, part four
This is the final installment in a four-part series on the Eucharist.
In the last segment of this history of Holy Mass, we noted the rise of the “Liturgical Movement” in the 19th century — an effort to achieve genuine and deep renewal of the sacred liturgy. In the United States, certain monasteries led the movement in a particular way, much as had been the case in Europe.
What is there to celebrate about Vatican II?
To the editor:
Over the last 50 years, we have seen many incredible changes in our Roman Catholic religion, even the use of the word “Roman” seems to have been eliminated. I wonder that anyone realizes what it used to be like before the “open window/fresh air” policy of liberalism was welcomed in.
Recent discussions about the use of Gregorian chant at Mass and whether or not birth control and abortion are sins, in my estimation, are just a couple of examples of the confusion within the Roman Catholic Church, oops … Catholic Church, today!