“The beauty of all these liturgical things is not so much about trappings and fine fabrics than about the glory of our God resplendent in his people…” – Pope Francis
Archive for category Ordained Ministry
In his book The Long Dark Winter’s Night: Reflections of a Priest in a Time of Pain and Privilege, Father Philip Bergquist, formerly of St. Raphael Catholic Church in Fairbanks, Alaska, uses the metaphor of living through the long Alaskan winter to describe his own struggles with the crisis gripping the Roman Catholic church over the sexual abuse committed by priests and the reactions of bishops to that abuse. Theologically, it is a liturgical treatise on Good Friday, filled with stories and reflections about how a Church Grieving meets its suffering Savior at the foot of the cross, “where heaven’s hope and humanity’s wounds meet.”
This would be distinct from the office of male deacons, to be commissioned by a blessing rather than sacramental ordination.
For the Eucharistic liturgy to manifest its hierarchic and communal character, its optimal form would involve a bishop presiding, surrounded by a college of presbyters and a college of deacons, and an assembly of the faithful.
“Then we must keep thinking intensively about such things,” the Cardinal said. “Perhaps it is not yet the end of the path that we continue on with each other.”
Article 19 wisely reminds pastors that there is no “one size fits all” liturgical education/formation program, but that initiatives in pastoral liturgy must take into account worshipers’ wide variety of educational backgrounds, interests and depth of catechesis/mystagogy.
Learning about shepherding
Aug 26
Worshiping with the monks of Saint John’s Abbey is a transformative experience for many of us.
Today the Chicago Times has an article on St Nicholas Church in Evanston, Illinois, which is seeking clarification on whether women can be ordained to the diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church.
What blessing should extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion give to those who request one?
“Late in life I have begun to grasp why some pulpits confront the preacher graphically with the request of the Greeks to Philip: “Sir, we would like to see Jesus” (John 12:21). How simple a request… and how stunning! Here is our burden and our joy: to help believing Christians to see Jesus — not with our eyes, but with their own.”