Catholic Things

I found two interesting articles from The Catholic Thing and linked them up here:

Facing East by Brad Miner
Latin Rising by David Bonagura, Jr.

Conversi ad Dominum

This blog is named "Conversi ad Dominum" for nothing. Of course, first and foremost, the reason is my continuing struggle as a Catholic Christian to "turn towards the Lord" every aspect of my life and journey towards Him. Also, this blog posts certain aspects on Catholic culture, Pro-Life alerts, etc. - to show that our daily life should be turned and tuned towards the Lord, if we consider ourselves as his creatures and servants.

Also, as a Catholic who loves the liturgy and sees it as a vital part of Christian life, I support the "reform of the reform" movement in Catholic liturgy. I see the necessity of interpreting the documents and instrcutions of the popes, especially Pope Benedict XVI, happily reigning, the Second Vatican Council and the authentic Magisterium of the Church in the light of the hermeneutics of continuity especially with regards to the liturgy. While, I rejoice with the promulgation of Summorum Pontificum clarifying that the 1962 Missal of Pope John XXIII (or the Traditional Latin Mass) was never abrogated and considering the celebration according to pre-conciliar editions of the Missal (Roman Ritual, etc) as the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, I am convinced, that since the Missal of Pope Paul VI (revised by Pope John Paul II) is the Ordinary Form of the same Roman Rite, the tradition of "lex orandi, lex credendi" (the rule of praying of the rule of beloef) should be better observed by the celebration of Masses faithful to the rubrics laid down by the competent authority and when there are some 'vagueness' in the instructions, the long-standing liturgical tradition of the Church (represented by the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite) is the best guide.


Both the rubrics of the modern Pauline Order of the Mass and the liturgical tradition represented by EF form, 'features' the 'ad orientem' posture wherein, the priest and the assembly of the faithful faces the "east" - the direction of the "Rising Sun", symbol of Jesus and his second coming either by facing the geographical east, or when it is not possible, the "liturgical East" - the apse with the icon of Christ of, as explained by the Pope Benedict XVI while still a cardinal - to the cross, symbol of the Christ Crucified and Risen.

It is my goal, for my personal reading and hopefully for the readers of this blog, if there are any, to link articles from various internet resources that will give us some light in this licit and wonderful liturgical tradition.

"Benedictine" Altar Arrangement in the Archdiocese of Ozamis (Philippines)

I found these interesting photos from the website of the Archdiocese of Ozamis in Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental, Philippines. They are images from the Dedication of their Cathedral last April 10, 2008. Particularly interesting is their use of the "Benedictine" altar arrangement (there are only six candles although the Archbishop is celebrating); they kept the (possibly) original high altar (which is far more traditional and better than the new) and the position of the cathedra; and the deposition of relics in the altar.












They also have a number of articles about the Holy Father including some regarding the changes in the Liturgy and Mass celebrated ad orientem (though in the vernacular).

High Schoolers Facing East

(Standing on My Head blog of Rev. Fr. Dwight Longenecker)

Six high school boys stayed after Thursday's daily Mass at St Joseph's Catholic School:

"Father, why didn't you celebrate Mass facing East today?"

"I'm doing so on two days of the week, and on the other two the usual way. Do you like the Mass when I celebrate facing East?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"It feels more holy. It's older right? But you're not really facing East here."

"There's something called 'liturgical East.' It's when the priest faces what used to be the East 'cause all the churches were built to face the rising sun, which was a symbol of the resurrection and also because Jesus would return to Jerusalem, which was in the East."

"Like Muslims facing Mecca."

"Sort of, but I'm not going to start wearing a turban"

"You could wear your biretta more often."

"Shall I?"

"I like Mass when you face East because it feels like you are offering the Mass for us more."

"I just like stuff that's more traditional."

"I think it feels more, well, manly. Do you know what I mean. Is that dumb?"

"That's interesting. No, I don't think it's dumb, but I have to think about why it might be true."

"I think it's good because I was thinking more about God and not you, and when you elevated the host it was like Jesus floating there. It was more mysterious. It was cool."

"Would you like me to continue saying Mass facing with you to the Lord?"

"Yes please."

"You don't feel slighted because I have turned my back to you? You sure I haven't hurt your feelings?"

Laughter all around. "You're not that good looking anyway Father."

"OK, why don't you all go to lunch now?"