Mother Angelica, foundress of EWTN, dies on Easter - click here
image - http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/mother-angelica-founder-of-ewtn-dies-on-easter-75329/
Showing posts with label Mass. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mass. Show all posts
March 27, 2016
Mother Angelica, foundress of EWTN, dies on Easter
Mother Angelica, foundress of EWTN, dies on Easter - click here
image - http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/mother-angelica-founder-of-ewtn-dies-on-easter-75329/
August 30, 2015
Me? Wear A Chapel Veil?
A little over a year ago, I purchased my first mantilla, or chapel veil. No one would have guessed that I would do such a thing, including me. Before I reverted to the Catholic Church in 1997, I was what I call a rugged feminist, along the lines of "No one, especially a man, was going to tell me what to do, women should be allowed to be priests, and the likes." I would have never guessed that I would return to the Catholic Church, never mind start wearing a chapel veil later on.
Of course, there were several years between the two, but it was all good and all in God's timing. Today, I love my mantilla. Years ago when I first came back to the Catholic Church, I could never have imagined wearing one. Chapel veils were for those really "far out Traditionalists," of which I was not one.
Years later, I found myself attracted to mantillas worn by other girls and women attending the Latin Novus Ordo Mass and Divine Office I frequented. I paid attention to the yearning because it happened several times. Eventually, I took it as a calling from God and I decided I was going to purchase one. I foresaw it as an expression of humility before Jesus in the Tabernacle. I saw it as an expression of my femininity, something I rejected while I strayed from the Church. It was a deepening of my love for Christ and I was so ready for these things.
But what color? What shape? What vendor? Some women/girls wore black, some dark purple, a few white, some green. I asked around. What was the meaning of the different colors? The most concrete answer I got was that they used to mean something way back when, but now, they don't really have a meaning.
I wanted to get a white one. Despite the general consensus that colors have no meaning, I imagined that white would have one. Purity, virginity. Since I had made an attempt at marriage earlier in my life (I have a Decree of Nullity), I wondered if white was appropriate for me, but I eventually found my way to the concept similar to that expressed here, "Renewed Purity for the Non-Virgin."
I decided it fit and I bought a white lace mantilla like the one in this picture.
This is lilac. And blue....
images - https://img1.etsystatic.com/051/1/6823702/il_fullxfull.665161485_ou3g.jpg
https://img0.etsystatic.com/026/1/6823702/il_fullxfull.651937682_alrt.jpg
http://catholicknight.blogspot.com/2007/12/chapel-veil-veiling-or-head-covering.html
https://img1.etsystatic.com/059/0/8974141/il_570xN.769318253_cnd1.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/37/84/5d/37845d39617370741c7807592d08b152.jpg
Of course, there were several years between the two, but it was all good and all in God's timing. Today, I love my mantilla. Years ago when I first came back to the Catholic Church, I could never have imagined wearing one. Chapel veils were for those really "far out Traditionalists," of which I was not one.
Years later, I found myself attracted to mantillas worn by other girls and women attending the Latin Novus Ordo Mass and Divine Office I frequented. I paid attention to the yearning because it happened several times. Eventually, I took it as a calling from God and I decided I was going to purchase one. I foresaw it as an expression of humility before Jesus in the Tabernacle. I saw it as an expression of my femininity, something I rejected while I strayed from the Church. It was a deepening of my love for Christ and I was so ready for these things.
But what color? What shape? What vendor? Some women/girls wore black, some dark purple, a few white, some green. I asked around. What was the meaning of the different colors? The most concrete answer I got was that they used to mean something way back when, but now, they don't really have a meaning.
I wanted to get a white one. Despite the general consensus that colors have no meaning, I imagined that white would have one. Purity, virginity. Since I had made an attempt at marriage earlier in my life (I have a Decree of Nullity), I wondered if white was appropriate for me, but I eventually found my way to the concept similar to that expressed here, "Renewed Purity for the Non-Virgin."
I decided it fit and I bought a white lace mantilla like the one in this picture.
Here are others. It is a beautiful thing to develop femininity in young girls. I am not talking about being doormats. I am talking about developing true personal and Christian power from within. It is endearing and empowering at the same time.
This is tan and black. And white.....
This is lilac. And blue....
Some women try to match the color of their chapel veils with the color associated with the current liturgical season.
A Biblical reference for the veil in general, is 1 Corinthians 11:1-16. I like to include all of it. The excerpt from the NABRE is below... More about this in a future blog entry.
1Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
2I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you.
3But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and a husband the head of his wife, and God the head of Christ. 4Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame upon his head. 5But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled brings shame upon her head, for it is one and the same thing as if she had had her head shaved. 6For if a woman does not have her head veiled, she may as well have her hair cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should wear a veil.
7A man, on the other hand, should not cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9nor was man created for woman, but woman for man; 10for this reason a woman should have a sign of authority on her head because of the angels. 11Woman is not independent of man or man of woman in the Lord. 12For just as woman came from man, so man is born of woman; but all things are from God.
13Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head unveiled? 14Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears his hair long it is a disgrace to him, 15whereas if a woman has long hair it is her glory, because long hair has been give [her] for a covering? 16But if anyone is inclined to be argumentative, we do not have such a custom, nor do the churches of God.
images - https://img1.etsystatic.com/051/1/6823702/il_fullxfull.665161485_ou3g.jpg
https://img0.etsystatic.com/026/1/6823702/il_fullxfull.651937682_alrt.jpg
http://catholicknight.blogspot.com/2007/12/chapel-veil-veiling-or-head-covering.html
https://img1.etsystatic.com/059/0/8974141/il_570xN.769318253_cnd1.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/37/84/5d/37845d39617370741c7807592d08b152.jpg
May 26, 2015
Living Vicariously As A Nun Through Young Catholic Women Seeking to Become Nuns Themselves
Since my conversion back to Catholicism in 1997, I've had times when I've wondered if I would have been a nun if my circumstances fostered me toward such a vocation. It's not like it was a totally foreign idea in my family. Two of my maternal grandmother's sisters were nuns. See:
My French Canadian great grandparents had fifteen children:
I am not sure which ones are Maria and Clara, but they are in there, budding toward their religious vocations. My heart pines to talk with them as a young girl, to possibly receive encouragement to at least consider the religious life.
My mother and father's generation was where the practicing of the Catholic faith broke down even further in our French Canadian lineage. Along with alcoholism and contraception, my parents' marriage fell apart. My mother insisted that we go to Mass every Sunday, but she never came with us. And of course, like so many other families, once we were confirmed, we stopped Mass altogether.
With my conversion back to the Faith, I wondered what my vocation was and is. I was divorced, annulled, with two older children. There are convents that take people like me, but I never felt the inclination to pursue it seriously.
Instead, I live the life vicariously through other nuns and sisters like these folks:
Please read about them, about their devotion and their courage. We need more men and women like them. God Bless. +
bottom image - http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/five-young-women-aspire-to-be-nuns-and-begin-new-community-in-buffalo-20150524
 |
| My great grandparents with their two daughters, Srs. Maria and Clara. |
My French Canadian great grandparents had fifteen children:
 |
| My great grandparents with 14 of their 15 children. |
Despite the fact that my adult grandparents (step grandfather) could not receive Communion because my grandmother was previously married but never sought out a Decree of Nullity, they went to church every Saturday to the 4pm Mass. They sat in one of the back pews each time. They also prayed the Rosary. I don't condone their living in sin, but I do admire their continuing to live out their Catholic lives to the extent they were allowed to. In our generation, people simply leave the Church altogether in these circumstances.
My mother and father's generation was where the practicing of the Catholic faith broke down even further in our French Canadian lineage. Along with alcoholism and contraception, my parents' marriage fell apart. My mother insisted that we go to Mass every Sunday, but she never came with us. And of course, like so many other families, once we were confirmed, we stopped Mass altogether.
With my conversion back to the Faith, I wondered what my vocation was and is. I was divorced, annulled, with two older children. There are convents that take people like me, but I never felt the inclination to pursue it seriously.
Instead, I live the life vicariously through other nuns and sisters like these folks:
 |
| A small group of Catholic women working toward launching a new community of women religious. |
Five young women aspire to be nuns and begin new community in Buffalo (click on this link)
Eager to begin new community in Buffalo
Please read about them, about their devotion and their courage. We need more men and women like them. God Bless. +bottom image - http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/five-young-women-aspire-to-be-nuns-and-begin-new-community-in-buffalo-20150524
January 25, 2013
Making Communion Sacred Again
A few years ago, I learned about the overuse of Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist by priests. I realized this overuse is influenced by parishioners' impatience, parishioners who want to get out the door as quickly as they can, parishioners who want to make it to the parking lot so they will not be stuck behind the other cars. It saddens me to write that, but it is true.
It also saddens me that priests allow themselves to give into that kind of pressure. I was going to say "peer pressure", but that is not true. Priests are not our peers, which does not mean they should not socialize with us, but when it comes to the Faith, they are the pastors. They are the ones who are supposed to take our input into consideration and then do the right thing according to Jesus. Sometimes it is in sync with the opinion of most of the laity; sometimes it is not.
As for Communion, I have been to too many Tridentine Masses and Melkite Divine Liturgies to think that being in church for over an hour is too much to ask for. It is not, and I believe it is therefore not too much to ask us laity to be patient while the priest gives out Communion - to everyone. We should be encouraged to pray during that time.
Along those lines, this article expresses some of my deepest yearnings about Communion and its sacredness.
image - http://www.epiphany-net.org/Epiphany_About_Us.html
It also saddens me that priests allow themselves to give into that kind of pressure. I was going to say "peer pressure", but that is not true. Priests are not our peers, which does not mean they should not socialize with us, but when it comes to the Faith, they are the pastors. They are the ones who are supposed to take our input into consideration and then do the right thing according to Jesus. Sometimes it is in sync with the opinion of most of the laity; sometimes it is not.
As for Communion, I have been to too many Tridentine Masses and Melkite Divine Liturgies to think that being in church for over an hour is too much to ask for. It is not, and I believe it is therefore not too much to ask us laity to be patient while the priest gives out Communion - to everyone. We should be encouraged to pray during that time.
Along those lines, this article expresses some of my deepest yearnings about Communion and its sacredness.
Communion Rails: Restoring a Sense of the Sacred
image - http://www.epiphany-net.org/Epiphany_About_Us.html
November 01, 2010
Novus Ordo or Traditional Latin Mass?
.
Novus Ordo Mass
Ever since Vatican II (1962 -1965), there has been a debate within the Catholic Church about which Mass is best and/or authentic. Is it the Traditional Latin Mass, also known as the Tridentine Mass, or isit the new Mass promulgated by Vatican II, called the Novus Ordo?
I am embarrassed to say, but the debate has gotten so intense at times, it has divided the people within our very own Church. With the little research I have done, my sense is that both Masses are beautiful, valid and authentic - when done properly by the priest and congregation. (Yes, the congregation needs to do its part properly too.) Both Masses have their place, and like it is with so many other things in the Catholic Church, it is not an either/or, but a both/and.
Traditional Latin Mass
Having said that, it is clear that the Novus Ordo has gotten a bad rap because it has been abused so widely; that is, the priest and congregation have gone outside the limits of what Mass is supposed to be. One priest recently wrote about his experience celebrating the Novus Ordo. Click here
The bottom line is that we do not have to divide ourselves and put one form of Mass down over another. Instead, we can join together and celebrate both forms for what they literally bring to the Table.
Click here for the text of the English Novus Ordo Mass.
Click here for the text of the Traditional Latin Mass.
.
images - http://www.davidmacd.com/catholic/mass.htm
http://blog.adw.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/elevation-of-host.jpg
.
Novus Ordo Mass
I am embarrassed to say, but the debate has gotten so intense at times, it has divided the people within our very own Church. With the little research I have done, my sense is that both Masses are beautiful, valid and authentic - when done properly by the priest and congregation. (Yes, the congregation needs to do its part properly too.) Both Masses have their place, and like it is with so many other things in the Catholic Church, it is not an either/or, but a both/and.
Traditional Latin Mass
Having said that, it is clear that the Novus Ordo has gotten a bad rap because it has been abused so widely; that is, the priest and congregation have gone outside the limits of what Mass is supposed to be. One priest recently wrote about his experience celebrating the Novus Ordo. Click here
The bottom line is that we do not have to divide ourselves and put one form of Mass down over another. Instead, we can join together and celebrate both forms for what they literally bring to the Table.
Click here for the text of the English Novus Ordo Mass.
Click here for the text of the Traditional Latin Mass.
.
images - http://www.davidmacd.com/catholic/mass.htm
http://blog.adw.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/elevation-of-host.jpg
.
September 18, 2010
Mass On TV
.
I was taking a break from cleaning the other day and I turned on the television. Daily Mass was on the screen, live. I was thrilled because I recently stepped down to Basic Cable and I thought I did not have access to Catholic-TV It was a nice surprise, especially since I missed Daily Mass at my parish earlier in the day, and I now had a good reason to sit a little longer and put my cleaning aside.
As I mentioned, the Mass was on Catholic-TV, and when I researched the web site, I found that video replays are available on-line. Another backup. It is not the same as being in church, but it is still uplifting. It is on the more traditional side, which I prefer. The vestments, flowers and music bring one closer to Jesus. They are done just right.
And, of course, hearing the Word of God is always nourishing, hearing the words of consecration is always breath taking, and hearing a good homily is always energizing. I never tire of watching the Preparation of the Gifts and the Consecration, even if it is on TV. Having access to this at home is wonderful.
Another nice touch is the Spiritual Communion Prayer scrolled across the screen while those physically present with the priest receive Communion.
I think of my elderly aunt. She is a Third Order Franciscan who was a Daily Communicant for years, when at some point, her church closed. She used to walk to it and now the walk is too long for her to get to the closest Mass at the remaining church. When she can't get a ride, she watches Mass on TV instead. I feel like God is watching over her, over all of us.
Lastly, Pope John Paul II was an advocate of new technology to spread the Word of God: "Do not be afraid of new technologies! These rank 'among the marvelous things' – inter mirifica – which God has placed at our disposal to discover, to use and to make known the truth, also the truth about our dignity and about our destiny as his children, heirs of his eternal Kingdom."
Do not be afraid of new technologies!! What a surprise statement that was in his Apostolic Letter.
Peace to you and your loved ones,
Kathleen
.
image - http://www.saintgeo.com/April%202009%20E-Newsletter.htm
.
As I mentioned, the Mass was on Catholic-TV, and when I researched the web site, I found that video replays are available on-line. Another backup. It is not the same as being in church, but it is still uplifting. It is on the more traditional side, which I prefer. The vestments, flowers and music bring one closer to Jesus. They are done just right.
And, of course, hearing the Word of God is always nourishing, hearing the words of consecration is always breath taking, and hearing a good homily is always energizing. I never tire of watching the Preparation of the Gifts and the Consecration, even if it is on TV. Having access to this at home is wonderful.
Another nice touch is the Spiritual Communion Prayer scrolled across the screen while those physically present with the priest receive Communion.
I think of my elderly aunt. She is a Third Order Franciscan who was a Daily Communicant for years, when at some point, her church closed. She used to walk to it and now the walk is too long for her to get to the closest Mass at the remaining church. When she can't get a ride, she watches Mass on TV instead. I feel like God is watching over her, over all of us.
Lastly, Pope John Paul II was an advocate of new technology to spread the Word of God: "Do not be afraid of new technologies! These rank 'among the marvelous things' – inter mirifica – which God has placed at our disposal to discover, to use and to make known the truth, also the truth about our dignity and about our destiny as his children, heirs of his eternal Kingdom."
Do not be afraid of new technologies!! What a surprise statement that was in his Apostolic Letter.
Peace to you and your loved ones,
Kathleen
.
image - http://www.saintgeo.com/April%202009%20E-Newsletter.htm
.
August 20, 2010
Winding Down With Mass & Rosary
.
I was feeling the need for a Mass this evening, so I attended the local 6pm Mass followed by a Rosary. It was a Portuguese Mass, but foreign languages have never stopped me. I have either attended or still do attend Masses or Divine Liturgies in Latin, Portuguese, Arabic, Coptic, Spanish, Greek and French. English is feeling kind of foreign these days. ;-)
I do not always understand the meanings of the specific foreign language words, but thanks to the Universal Catholic Church, I usually understand where we are in the Mass. I can then join in on some level with everyone else.
The same is true with the Rosary. Tonight, I did not understand one of the prayers said after each decade. When I listened more closely, the rhythym was familiar and I realized it was, "Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy." I then started saying it under my breath in English whenever the rest of the congregation said it aloud in Portuguese.
That is what I do when I do not know the meaning of the specific foreign language words. That is what I can do because the basic construct is the same for all languages. The Catholic Church took to heart the directive of Jesus, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:19)
It was a nice way to wind down from a somewhat chaotic week in which I finished up a newspaper article entitled, A Woman In Support Of An All-Male Priesthood. It is a shortened version of my entry, Why Catholic Woman Can Not Be Priests. I hope the editor accepts it, especially because the newspaper is a secular publication going out to mainstream America (well, ok, mainstream MA/Southern NH).
Maybe some day I will submit it to a Catholic publication, especially because many Catholics need to hear that message too.
Peace in Christ,
Kathleen
.
image - http://www.lionsliema.com/news.htm
.
I do not always understand the meanings of the specific foreign language words, but thanks to the Universal Catholic Church, I usually understand where we are in the Mass. I can then join in on some level with everyone else.
The same is true with the Rosary. Tonight, I did not understand one of the prayers said after each decade. When I listened more closely, the rhythym was familiar and I realized it was, "Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy." I then started saying it under my breath in English whenever the rest of the congregation said it aloud in Portuguese.
That is what I do when I do not know the meaning of the specific foreign language words. That is what I can do because the basic construct is the same for all languages. The Catholic Church took to heart the directive of Jesus, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:19)
It was a nice way to wind down from a somewhat chaotic week in which I finished up a newspaper article entitled, A Woman In Support Of An All-Male Priesthood. It is a shortened version of my entry, Why Catholic Woman Can Not Be Priests. I hope the editor accepts it, especially because the newspaper is a secular publication going out to mainstream America (well, ok, mainstream MA/Southern NH).
Maybe some day I will submit it to a Catholic publication, especially because many Catholics need to hear that message too.
Peace in Christ,
Kathleen
.
image - http://www.lionsliema.com/news.htm
.
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