Sunday, September 8, 2013
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Holy Thursday and Explanation of the Easter Triduum
Today is Holy Thursday already -- the beginning of the Easter Triduum. Tonight I'm going to Mass for Holy Thursday -- which celebrates both the institution by Christ himself of the Eucharist and of the institution of the sacerdotal priesthood (as distinct from the 'priesthood of all believers'). For in this, His last supper with the disciples, a celebration of Passover, He is the self-offered Passover Victim, and every ordained priest to this day presents this same sacrifice, by Christ's authority and command, in exactly the same way. The Last Supper was also Christ's farewell to His assembled disciples, some of whom would betray, desert or deny Him before the sun rose again. -- the priest will, depending on how some priests want to do it, wash the feet of 12 people or have anyone get it done. This symbolizes Christ's washing the feet of the Apostles, the first priests. After Mass there is Eucharistic Adoration for anyone who wants to stay.On Good Friday we have a service at, depending on the Church, noon or 1pm. Father Bob had a great explanation of what goes on that day in the videos I posted a couple posts before.
The entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, in the Adoration of the Cross, in the chanting of the 'Reproaches', in the reading of the Passion, and in receiving the pre-consecrated Host, we unite ourselves to our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord.
The Church - stripped of its ornaments, the altar bare, and with the door of the empty tabernacle standing open - is as if in mourning. In the fourth century the Apostolic Constitutions described this day as a 'day of mourning, not a day of festive joy,' and this day was called the 'Pasch (passage) of the Crucifixion.'
The liturgical observance of this day of Christ's suffering, crucifixion and death evidently has been in existence from the earliest days of the Church. No Mass is celebrated on this day, but the service of Good Friday is called the Mass of the Presanctified because Communion (in the species of bread) which had already been consecrated on Holy Thursday is given to the people .
Traditionally, the organ is silent from Holy Thursday until the Alleluia at the Easter Vigil , as are all bells or other instruments, the only music during this period being unaccompanied chant.
The omission of the prayer of consecration deepens our sense of loss because Mass throughout the year reminds us of the Lord's triumph over death, the source of our joy and blessing. The desolate quality of the rites of this day reminds us of Christ's humiliation and suffering during his Passion. We can see that the parts of the Good Friday service correspond to the divisions of Mass:- Liturgy of the Word - reading of the Passion.
- Intercessory prayers for the Church and the entire world, Christian and non-Christian.
- Veneration of the Cross
- Communion, or the 'Mass of the Pre-Sanctified
And of course Saturday is the Easter Vigil (which we celebrate with Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) when those who have been preparing to join the Catholic Church finish their steps in becoming Catholic. This is always such a happy time =)
The entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, in the Adoration of the Cross, in the chanting of the 'Reproaches', in the reading of the Passion, and in receiving the pre-consecrated Host, we unite ourselves to our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord.
The Church - stripped of its ornaments, the altar bare, and with the door of the empty tabernacle standing open - is as if in mourning. In the fourth century the Apostolic Constitutions described this day as a 'day of mourning, not a day of festive joy,' and this day was called the 'Pasch (passage) of the Crucifixion.'
The liturgical observance of this day of Christ's suffering, crucifixion and death evidently has been in existence from the earliest days of the Church. No Mass is celebrated on this day, but the service of Good Friday is called the Mass of the Presanctified because Communion (in the species of bread) which had already been consecrated on Holy Thursday is given to the people .
Traditionally, the organ is silent from Holy Thursday until the Alleluia at the Easter Vigil , as are all bells or other instruments, the only music during this period being unaccompanied chant.
The omission of the prayer of consecration deepens our sense of loss because Mass throughout the year reminds us of the Lord's triumph over death, the source of our joy and blessing. The desolate quality of the rites of this day reminds us of Christ's humiliation and suffering during his Passion. We can see that the parts of the Good Friday service correspond to the divisions of Mass:- Liturgy of the Word - reading of the Passion.
- Intercessory prayers for the Church and the entire world, Christian and non-Christian.
- Veneration of the Cross
- Communion, or the 'Mass of the Pre-Sanctified
And of course Saturday is the Easter Vigil (which we celebrate with Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) when those who have been preparing to join the Catholic Church finish their steps in becoming Catholic. This is always such a happy time =)
Friday, January 1, 2010
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Mary’s divine motherhood broadens the Christmas spotlight. Mary has an important role to play in the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. She consents to God’s invitation conveyed by the angel (Luke 1:26-38). Elizabeth proclaims: “Most blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:42-43, emphasis added). Mary’s role as mother of God places her in a unique position in God’s redemptive plan.
Without naming Mary, Paul asserts that “God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4). Paul’s further statement that “God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out ‘Abba, Father!’“ helps us realize that Mary is mother to all the brothers and sisters of Jesus.
Some theologians also insist that Mary’s motherhood of Jesus is an important element in God’s creative plan. God’s “first” thought in creating was Jesus. Jesus, the incarnate Word, is the one who could give God perfect love and worship on behalf of all creation. As Jesus was “first” in God’s mind, Mary was “second” insofar as she was chosen from all eternity to be his mother.
The precise title “Mother of God” goes back at least to the third or fourth century. In the Greek form Theotokos (God-bearer), it became the touchstone of the Church’s teaching about the Incarnation. The Council of Ephesus in 431 insisted that the holy Fathers were right in calling the holy virgin Theotokos. At the end of this particular session, crowds of people marched through the street shouting: “Praised be the Theotokos!” The tradition reaches to our own day. In its chapter on Mary’s role in the Church, Vatican II’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church calls Mary “Mother of God” 12 times.
Without naming Mary, Paul asserts that “God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4). Paul’s further statement that “God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out ‘Abba, Father!’“ helps us realize that Mary is mother to all the brothers and sisters of Jesus.
Some theologians also insist that Mary’s motherhood of Jesus is an important element in God’s creative plan. God’s “first” thought in creating was Jesus. Jesus, the incarnate Word, is the one who could give God perfect love and worship on behalf of all creation. As Jesus was “first” in God’s mind, Mary was “second” insofar as she was chosen from all eternity to be his mother.
The precise title “Mother of God” goes back at least to the third or fourth century. In the Greek form Theotokos (God-bearer), it became the touchstone of the Church’s teaching about the Incarnation. The Council of Ephesus in 431 insisted that the holy Fathers were right in calling the holy virgin Theotokos. At the end of this particular session, crowds of people marched through the street shouting: “Praised be the Theotokos!” The tradition reaches to our own day. In its chapter on Mary’s role in the Church, Vatican II’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church calls Mary “Mother of God” 12 times.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Give Me Your Eyes
I pray that I can see my family/friends through His eyes when I don't understand reasons behind their actions.
We all have struggles and reasons for why we do things - whether it be something we went through recently or from our past. I just pray I can see them through His eyes and look past their actions with love and compassion.
We all have struggles and reasons for why we do things - whether it be something we went through recently or from our past. I just pray I can see them through His eyes and look past their actions with love and compassion.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday
Yesterday was pretty good. Leslie ended up coming to the 9:30 Mass this morning so that was cool to see her!I stayed to help Esther lead the rosary before the 11:45 Mass and then headed to work.
After work I went to Esther's house (we were going to watch Juno but their DVD player isn't working) and Lilia ended up coming later. I had a nice time just talking and being with Lilia and Esther
After work I went to Esther's house (we were going to watch Juno but their DVD player isn't working) and Lilia ended up coming later. I had a nice time just talking and being with Lilia and Esther
Friday, April 17, 2009
Some things happen for a reason
Last night I met up with Ruth, Esther, and Lilia at Hacienda (we saw Patti, Sean, and a few other people from Q of P there as well). When we were in the parking lot afterwards we said good-bye to Lilia and she headed off.
Ruth, Esther, and I talked for a while. I was finally able to give Esther the blanket I made for her birthday and she gave me a big hug and thanked me for it. What she said to me after that meant so much and let's just say that some things are meant to happen - I appreciate and love my friends more than ever!
I thank God for bringing them in my life!!
Ruth, Esther, and I talked for a while. I was finally able to give Esther the blanket I made for her birthday and she gave me a big hug and thanked me for it. What she said to me after that meant so much and let's just say that some things are meant to happen - I appreciate and love my friends more than ever!
I thank God for bringing them in my life!!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Vigil
Yesterday around 4ish Ruth and I stopped by Diane Martin's house to visit. While we were there she made home-made pizza and invited us to eat dinner there - it was delicious!
After that we went to Family Dollar to buy stuff for some of the people that were coming into the Church later that evening. We parked in the Q of P parking lot and put together the arrangements and waited until a little after 8.
I saw Linda walking in to the choir room so I went and talked to her. She helped calm me down (I was feeling a bit nervous because I have never sponsored anyone before) and prayed for the sponsors and those entering the Church this night.
I'm glad I had the opportunity to sponsor someone - it was such an honor & everything went smoothly and of course we went to the reception afterwards.
Michael, Brianne, and Mike
Aaron and Laurie
Patti
Krystal, Brady, Kira, and Brianne (I was Krystal's sponsor & Brianne was Kira's godmother)
Brianne and Me
I hope everyone has a Blessed Easter! Now you can sing your "Alleluias" loud & strong :)
After that we went to Family Dollar to buy stuff for some of the people that were coming into the Church later that evening. We parked in the Q of P parking lot and put together the arrangements and waited until a little after 8.
I saw Linda walking in to the choir room so I went and talked to her. She helped calm me down (I was feeling a bit nervous because I have never sponsored anyone before) and prayed for the sponsors and those entering the Church this night.
I'm glad I had the opportunity to sponsor someone - it was such an honor & everything went smoothly and of course we went to the reception afterwards.
Michael, Brianne, and Mike
Aaron and Laurie
Patti
Krystal, Brady, Kira, and Brianne (I was Krystal's sponsor & Brianne was Kira's godmother)
Brianne and Me
I hope everyone has a Blessed Easter! Now you can sing your "Alleluias" loud & strong :)
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