Resources for clergy:
http://web.me.com/frmarkwithoos/Missa_Cantata/Resources_for_the_Priest/Resources_for_the_Priest.html
Sunday, December 28, 2008
December 27: wine blessing day...
In the Roman Ritual there is a blessing of wine each 27th of December on the feast of St. John the Evangelist. Pastors, advertise for this blessing and let the faithful know to bring their wine.
What is an "onomastico" day?
Having grown up in a Calvinist country I never knew anybody who celebrated their own or another's onomastico. Then, a non-practicing Orthodox from Eastern Europe married into the family and his onomastico day was more important to him than his own birthday.
An onomastico day is your saint's day. At baptism everybody gets a Christian name. On Palm Sunday in the year of salvation 1979 I received the Sacrament of Baptism and was given the name John. So, December 27th is my onomastico day, the feast of St. John.
Try to celebrate your name day. Have a devotion to your saint. Read the lives of the saints. Follow the Church's liturgical calendar. Enrich your life and that of your family.
An onomastico day is your saint's day. At baptism everybody gets a Christian name. On Palm Sunday in the year of salvation 1979 I received the Sacrament of Baptism and was given the name John. So, December 27th is my onomastico day, the feast of St. John.
Try to celebrate your name day. Have a devotion to your saint. Read the lives of the saints. Follow the Church's liturgical calendar. Enrich your life and that of your family.
The Apostolic Palace: command center...
The Catholic Church, 1 plus billion, is managed from this little control center. Simply amazing.
From Mr. Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians...
A very happy new year to all Anno Domini MMIX (2009)!
Play it loud Auld Land Syne and you be the one in the group to propose a toast to our Holy Father in Rome. And do as the Russians do and enjoy champagne with oranges!
Auguri a tutti voi!
Play it loud Auld Land Syne and you be the one in the group to propose a toast to our Holy Father in Rome. And do as the Russians do and enjoy champagne with oranges!
Auguri a tutti voi!
FOCA (Freedom of Choice Act): prayer and fasting...
Today is red vestments; it's the feast of the Holy Innocents in the pre-1962 ordo.
Catholics who vote for "pro-death" candidates sadly crimp the pro-life movement. It's already a cold winter, but on inauguration day this coming January the new president, with one signature, will set the pro-life movement back decades. And who is responsible for this blood? The voters.
Without harshness Christians who vote for pro-death candidates are to be severely rebuked and to be encouraged to employ every diligence to excite themselves to contrition. The pride of some Christians who seek by a folly of excuses to justify or extenuate their voting for pro-death candidatesis is to be carefully repressed.
With Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa we seek to build up the culture of life. Do not dismiss the voices of the holy innocents, those babes slaughtered on the altar of "choice."
Catholics who vote for "pro-death" candidates sadly crimp the pro-life movement. It's already a cold winter, but on inauguration day this coming January the new president, with one signature, will set the pro-life movement back decades. And who is responsible for this blood? The voters.
Without harshness Christians who vote for pro-death candidates are to be severely rebuked and to be encouraged to employ every diligence to excite themselves to contrition. The pride of some Christians who seek by a folly of excuses to justify or extenuate their voting for pro-death candidatesis is to be carefully repressed.
With Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa we seek to build up the culture of life. Do not dismiss the voices of the holy innocents, those babes slaughtered on the altar of "choice."
DVX: Berlusconi as seen in Rome...
Last week while walking down the Via Veneto a Lancia sedan pulled up and out jumped il Berlusconi with his hair-gel brigade. He was on his way to lunch at the Ambasciatori Palace, where Count Ciano used to go, too, back in the day (a favorite for the Palazzo Chigi crowd).
Why don't we own this place.?
Better late than never: can somebody with a net worth of at least one billion units of currency kindly swing in on the chandelier with an army of attorneys and buy this property so as to be a Catholic student centre in Rome?
From the Vatican City State...
Yours truly will always treasure the moment when in front of this same fountain Papa Wojtyla drove by after Midnight Mass, 1999 in his old Mercedes (now kept in the Vatican Museums). The cab light was on and he even waved!
Rome vestments: the Oratorians know quality...
The Chiesa Nuova in Rome has some of the finest vestments in the City (which are still used). The London Oratorians are number one!
Catholic culture: "silence" sign in sacristy...
Pastors, frame and display a similar sign in your sacristy and so remind yourselves and others that the sacristy, too, is not a place for idle conversation.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Catholic culture: to reverence the "sacred" foot...
In Catholic countries this is sometimes seen: metal feet/foot on a statue. In this manner the faithful can most conveniently kiss or touch the foot in an act of reverence. These cute little feet were on a statue of the Baby Jesus as seen in Rome.
Parish life: the reception after Holy Mass...
For lack of a better word, it's always good to have time for "fellowship" after High Mass. This way the kids are happy, moms get to chat, dads get to eat and parishioners have the joy to greet and thank the clergy. This photo was taken at the FSSP Rome Christmas reception after sung High Mass in Rome.
Liturgical custom: the torch bearer...
The youngest servers always start as torch bearers (the kids love the flaming light!). This is a fine way to start - once a week during High Mass. This way the boys become acquainted with the rites by watching the older kids.
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Christmas greeting in Latin: how it's done...
This nice Christmas greeting in Latin was on Facebook and this is how it's done, friends (and it's oh so Catholic!):
FELIX•ET•FAVSTA•DIES•NATALIS•DOMINI•NOSTRI•IESV•CHRISTI!PACEM•ET•BONVM•NECNON•COMPLVRES•A•DEO•OPTIMO•MAXIMO•BENEDICTIONES•PRO•TE•POSTVLO•ANNO•DOMINI•MMIX VOTA•A•RVDOLPHO•VARGAS•RVBIO•SODALITII•INTERNATIONALIS•PASTOR•ANGELICVS•PRAESIDIS•ACCIPIATIS
Pastor Angelicus group you can join to show your support:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=16653145943
PRO•CAVSA•PII•XII•P•M
FELIX•ET•FAVSTA•DIES•NATALIS•DOMINI•NOSTRI•IESV•CHRISTI!PACEM•ET•BONVM•NECNON•COMPLVRES•A•DEO•OPTIMO•MAXIMO•BENEDICTIONES•PRO•TE•POSTVLO•ANNO•DOMINI•MMIX VOTA•A•RVDOLPHO•VARGAS•RVBIO•SODALITII•INTERNATIONALIS•PASTOR•ANGELICVS•PRAESIDIS•ACCIPIATIS
Pastor Angelicus group you can join to show your support:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=16653145943
PRO•CAVSA•PII•XII•P•M
FSSP In Urbe: Midnight Mass in Rome...
In the uppermost photo the statue of the baby Jesus can be seen veiled. In the photo below that the statue can be seen after the veil was removed. In the bottom two photos can be seen an example of a "tridentine" era cotta (circa late sixteenth century model).
FSSP In Urbe: Midnight Mass in Rome...
In stile Romano. The baby Jesus was veiled as can be seen and then unveiled at the Gloria to the sound of a collective awe.
Rvssicum: for Christmas Eve...
If you want to have a really special Roman Christmas eve then just go to the "Russicum" (Russian seminary) for 6 p.m. vespers. At the very end your forehead will be anointed (just after this you kiss the hand of the cleric) and then you will be offered a piece of bread as a gift and sign that the fast ends at that moment and the celebration starts.
Christmas in Rome: the ascot...
Yours truly went native and for the first time ever wore an ascot to Christmas brunch.
The Cappelleria: for those who love hats...
The Fratelli Viganò a Roma is a must if you want to buy yourself a formal hat.
Located on the Via Marco Minghetti, 7, 8, 9, you will find this wonderful old and dusty hat shop to be a delight. Founded in 1873, Viganò has been famous for years.
This is because they were the "fornitrice" of the Sacred Apostolic Palaces (the Vatican) and the Royal Family (the Savoia clan).
Fratelli Viganò
Fornitrice del Sacri Palazzi Apostolici
Fornitrice della Real Casa
Fornitrice di S.A.R. il Duca di Genova
Stazione San Pietro: as the pilgrims arrive/depart...
Midnight Mass in St. Peter's Basilica with the noon Urbi et Orbi blessing on Christmas morning is just about as heavenly as it gets!
Christ in CHRISTmas: parents instruct...
Parents, the Church looks to you to instruct your kids. Christian parents, purchase a nice manger scene and put it up with your children just before each Christmas. On Christmas morning have the kids put the little baby Jesus in the manger.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Le caldarroste: holiday cheer in the air...
Average tourists go wild with joy when they see these nice castagne arrostite sul fuoco. But just make sure that when you order some you're getting the freshly cooked ones and not the ones that were cooked some hours before.
Le zampogne: holiday cheer in the air...
Christmas in downtown Rome. These guys arrive from the south with their bagpipes and play their hearts out and really add a lot to the cheer.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Rome gypsy angels...
The sweetheart on the top has for years called me "Raymond." She plays Christmas music on a radio and sits or stands in front of the Holy Office of the Vatican. The cute little treasure on the bottom just holds out her hat and the tourists drop in coins enough to make her a rich little kid who likes Coke from a glass bottle!
As the light dances at whatever hour...
Dawn or dusk, bring your camera and kindly know that as the clock turns, the tiara lives!
Abortion: ever old and always grave...
Abortion is industry, giant corporate industry. Some think it's new, but it's old. Grandpa grew up during the great depression and like he always said: "If there's a dollar to be made..."
Here's a quote from four hundred years ago:
"...and therefore married persons who, to prevent conception or procure abortion, have recourse to medicine, are guilty of a most heinous crime - nothing less than wicked conspiracy to commit murder."
-Catechism of the Council of Trent
The Sacrament of Matrimony
Here's a quote from four hundred years ago:
"...and therefore married persons who, to prevent conception or procure abortion, have recourse to medicine, are guilty of a most heinous crime - nothing less than wicked conspiracy to commit murder."
-Catechism of the Council of Trent
The Sacrament of Matrimony
A note about parents...
As somebody who goes to Mass every Sunday, Italians will sometimes ask me why I am "religious." Religious, for them, means to practice the Faith.
My answer is always simple: "Grace, yes, but both my parents believed and taught me to believe, too."
And how did they do it at a time when everybody else seemed to fail?!
This is what they did right:
"The faithful should also be shown that there are three blessings of marriage: children, fidelity and the Sacrament. These are blessings which to some degree compensate for the inconveniences..."
-Catechism of the Council of Trent
The Sacrament of Matrimony
My answer is always simple: "Grace, yes, but both my parents believed and taught me to believe, too."
And how did they do it at a time when everybody else seemed to fail?!
This is what they did right:
"The faithful should also be shown that there are three blessings of marriage: children, fidelity and the Sacrament. These are blessings which to some degree compensate for the inconveniences..."
-Catechism of the Council of Trent
The Sacrament of Matrimony
Christmas wish list: season of giving..
No lie, the tour industry is in meltdown here. In recent weeks it has become evident that there is just no work.
Some see it contemptible to ask for donations on a blog, but a wealthy benefice has never been conferred upon yours truly. He's just been a poor college student for nine years. But, graduate school is important and so is the sacred science (of theology).
Donations from blessed Christians will be accepted to pay my tuition bill in Rome. As a full-time graduate student I can only say one thing: it is really expensive and getting more so every year.
This intention is being entrusted to the holy intercession of Sts. Peter and Paul. Lord, if You want theologians, then You'll have to give us sustinence as student hirelings to get us through the long winters!
Mail your donations here and the Father who hears all things will hear you:
JPSonnen
406 Saint Peter Street
Saint Paul, Minn. 55102
Some see it contemptible to ask for donations on a blog, but a wealthy benefice has never been conferred upon yours truly. He's just been a poor college student for nine years. But, graduate school is important and so is the sacred science (of theology).
Donations from blessed Christians will be accepted to pay my tuition bill in Rome. As a full-time graduate student I can only say one thing: it is really expensive and getting more so every year.
This intention is being entrusted to the holy intercession of Sts. Peter and Paul. Lord, if You want theologians, then You'll have to give us sustinence as student hirelings to get us through the long winters!
Mail your donations here and the Father who hears all things will hear you:
JPSonnen
406 Saint Peter Street
Saint Paul, Minn. 55102
Monday, December 22, 2008
From Stazione Roma San Pietro...
A fine welcome for pilgrims as they arrive for the Santo Natale celebrations. Some conductor once told me they still have a law where if anybody is going to a Papal Christmas or Easter Mass at the Vatican they don't have to buy a train ticket.
Gregoriana and Angelicum mangers scenes....
In the top photo can be seen the Rome Jesuit manger scene while in the bottom photo can be seen the Rome Dominican manger scene. Notice how the Baby Jesus has not yet arrived? Holiday cheer is in the air!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
"Benignitas" through the eyes of a tour guide...
Some religious pilgrims arrive in Rome are are horrified to see this statue in the Eternal City. But this image is not a vulgar or erotic one. It is "benignitas" and the mother simply shares her milk with others who are not her own children. Benignitas means to be kind, friendly, generous, abundant, bounteous, etc. In Maria benignitas...!
A joy of living in Rome: u get the good books first!
A Rome friend of mine has the mother of all liturgical book collections - a giant caché of only the best that has been amassed while living abroad over a number of Rome years. Although not in writing, it's been rumored that yours truly might get it all in the end.
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