Sacramentum Caritatis (Feb.22, 2007) is a treasure for each of us
No one seems to be talking about it much, but we should be: Pope Benedict XVI's post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis (The Sacrament of Charity), issued February 22, 2007, is important.
The Holy Father's message (click on this post's title) is a treasure-trove of Catholic truth about the Eucharist, the Mass and the Christian life. We can read and re-read it, meditate on it, pray along with it and thank God for it.
And as long as we've been talking here about the Latin Mass, I'm going to quote an especially unsung section of Sacramentum Caritatis (I've quoted it here before, too) because it could radically change both American seminary education and parish pastoral practice:
"62. ...Speaking more generally, I ask that future priests, from their time in the seminary, receive the preparation needed to understand and to celebrate Mass in Latin, and also to use Latin texts and execute Gregorian chant; nor should we forget that the faithful can be taught to recite the more common prayers in Latin, and also to sing parts of the liturgy to Gregorian chant."
It's interesting that the Holy Father made this request before he issued Summorum Pontificum, isn't it?
We should each write the Ordinary of our archdioceses and dioceses, quoting this request from the Vicar of Christ and politely asking the Ordinary what he has done, is doing or will do soon to implement the Holy Father's desire.
What do you think about Pope Benedict's request? It is epochal but will be widely ignored. If only it came with an enforcement provision, because nowadays so many bishops pick and choose what they will deign to obey.
The Holy Father's message (click on this post's title) is a treasure-trove of Catholic truth about the Eucharist, the Mass and the Christian life. We can read and re-read it, meditate on it, pray along with it and thank God for it.
And as long as we've been talking here about the Latin Mass, I'm going to quote an especially unsung section of Sacramentum Caritatis (I've quoted it here before, too) because it could radically change both American seminary education and parish pastoral practice:
"62. ...Speaking more generally, I ask that future priests, from their time in the seminary, receive the preparation needed to understand and to celebrate Mass in Latin, and also to use Latin texts and execute Gregorian chant; nor should we forget that the faithful can be taught to recite the more common prayers in Latin, and also to sing parts of the liturgy to Gregorian chant."
It's interesting that the Holy Father made this request before he issued Summorum Pontificum, isn't it?
We should each write the Ordinary of our archdioceses and dioceses, quoting this request from the Vicar of Christ and politely asking the Ordinary what he has done, is doing or will do soon to implement the Holy Father's desire.
What do you think about Pope Benedict's request? It is epochal but will be widely ignored. If only it came with an enforcement provision, because nowadays so many bishops pick and choose what they will deign to obey.
posted by Quintero at 11:25 AM
8 Comments:
I think the Holy Father's suggestion that Latin be used in Eucharistic Liturgies that encompass more than one language group is very practical and, to my mind, superior to bi-lingual or multi-lingual celebrations.
Dear Liam,
Yes, and our Archdiocese has a lot of bilingual Masses, so...maybe Latin has a bright future here.
Yes. but this Exhortation, like so many of the Pope's teachings, is beign very widely ignored. And the disobedience continues. Only a few of our bishops are adhering to Rome in these matters, sad to say.
BUT I do have hope that for those who are obedient to the Holy Father, that they will provide the leaven that will lift up the holy Church.
Ave Maria!
ps--I find it ironic that in my home parishes and diocese, that 'diversity' is claimed but Latin is totally shunned.
Dear Ave Maria!,
You have a very good e-mail name!
That's a good point you make about the good bishops providing leaven to lift up the Church.
Your diocese sounds like ours. The Archdiocesan website "Liturgy in Your Language" section tells which parishes have Masses in which of umpteen languages but relegates "Tridentine Indult Masses" to a separate page.
They need to start admitting that Latin is a Catholic language -- is a "your language" for Catholics.
Dear Q,
I would expect that after September, the Indult Masses will be discontinued since there will no longer be a need for them and Summorum Pontificum pretty much makes the Indult Ecclesia Dei moot.
Dear Liam,
Thank you! Before Sept. 14, you and I and everyone should ask the Archdiocese to revamp the website as necessary and in a timely way.
If Mass in Latin will continue at the present indult Mass sites, the Archdiocese should tell us.
The Archdiocese should also tell us, and keep updating the info. as needed, which parishes will have the Latin Mass and at what times.
Also, the Archdiocese should express all this in a generous and glad spirit of obedience to the Pope. They should tell us, "This is the Pope's wish!"
The Archdiocese should say all this without badmouthing the Latin Mass and spouting the party line and cliches such as that the Pope did this ONLY to win back the SSPX, few of the faithful will want the Latin Mass, it will be hard to learn and follow, etc.
Ole Q:
I am sure web designer (and resident homosexual activist) Deacon Eric Stolz will want to highlight diversity by emphasizing on the website where the faithful can locate a Latin Mass. After all, aren't gays especially sensitive to the isolation and neglect felt by suppressed minority groups?
Liam: Do you want to repeat here your admiration for the "excellent" job the LA Archdiocese is doing with its ministry office for gays and lesbians? You have the chutzpah to take umbrage when people wonder out loud about the crypto-liberal tendencies you keep revealing, when you can heap praise upon one of the worst elements of Mahoney-style Catholicism. It's unbelievable.
Although I'm officially done with debating minutiae with you, "Liam", I did take the time to answer you on my blog htt://seizethedei.blogspot.com, if any Quinterians are interested.
Dear Patrick,
As I recall, I said that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles' ministry to gay and Lesbian Catholics is very Christ-like because it accepts and embraces homosexuals where they are and challenges them to live the Gospel more intensely, including living chastely.
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