Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Council of Nicea II: Proper Respect for the Mother of God

4. But since the salvation of our race was accomplished by the mystery of the Cross, and since the Church, dispenser of that salvation after the triumph of Christ, was founded upon earth and instituted, Providence established a new order for a new people. The consideration of the Divine counsels is united to the great sentiment of religion. The Eternal Son of God, about to take upon Him our nature for the saving and ennobling of man, and about to consummate thus a mystical union between Himself and all mankind, did not accomplish His design without adding there the free consent of the elect Mother, who represented in some sort all human kind, according to the illustrious and just opinion of St. Thomas, who says that the Annunciation was effected with the consent of the Virgin standing in the place of humanity.[5] With equal truth may it be also affirmed that, by the will of God, Mary is the intermediary through whom is distributed unto us this immense treasure of mercies gathered by God, for mercy and truth were created by Jesus Christ.[6] Thus as no man goeth to the Father but by the Son, so no man goeth to Christ but by His Mother. How great are the goodness and mercy revealed in this design of God! What a correspondence with the frailty of man! We believe in the infinite goodness of the Most High, and we rejoice in it; we believe also in His justice and we fear it. We adore the beloved Savior, lavish of His blood and of His life; we dread the inexorable Judge. Thus do those whose actions have disturbed their consciences need an intercessor mighty in favor with God, merciful enough not to reject the cause of the desperate, merciful enough to lift up again towards hope in the divine mercy the afflicted and the broken down. Mary is this glorious intermediary; she is the mighty Mother of the Almighty; but-what is still sweeter -- she is gentle, extreme in tenderness, of a limitless loving-kindness. As such God gave her to us. Having chosen her for the Mother of His only begotten Son, He taught her all a mother's feeling that breathes nothing but pardon and love. Such Christ desired she should be, for He consented to be subject to Mary and to obey her as a son a mother. Such He proclaimed her from the cross when he entrusted to her care and love the whole of the race of man in the person of His disciple John. Such, finally, she proves herself by her courage in gathering in the heritage of the enormous labors of her Son, and in accepting the charge of her maternal duties towards us all.

15) If anyone shall not confess the holy ever-virgin Mary, truly and properly the Mother of God, to be higher than every creature whether visible or invisible, and does not with sincere faith seek her intercessions as of one having confidence in her access to our God, since she bare him, let him be anathema!

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

MAGDALENE RETREAT, SATURDAY, 22 JULY 2006

The Blessed Margaret of Castello, OP Chapter is sponsoring a Retreat on July 22, 2006 at the Dominican Chapterhouse in Homedale, Idaho. Please check the website at http://www.dominicanidaho.org/ for more information and for a map to the Chapterhouse. More information will be posted here very soon.

The Da Vinci Code/Hoax. You've heard the lies. We hope you've heard the truth. A day of prayer and meditation on the feast of Mary Magdalene, in reparation for the offense given Our Lord.

YOU ARE INVITED.

Don't Touch My Hand

From Mark Gross, OPL, when he first became a Catholic nearly 9 years ago, Fr. Ritchey had this delightful item in the bulletin during Mark's first year as a Catholic:

"Not long ago, someone asked me 'Father, do I have to hold hands with those around me during the 'Our Father.'' I had to answer 'no, you do not have to.' People holding hands during the Lord's Prayer or people holding up their hands in the 'orantis position' is not part of the Roman Rite. Holding hands, or holding one's hands up during the Lord's Prayer is a tradition that came from different movements in the Church like Search, Cursillo and charismatic prayer groups. People then brought those customs or expressions to the Sunday liturgy with them. Holding hands or holding your hands up in prayer during the Lord's Prayer is neither mandated nor forbidden. I personally do not like to hold hands with anyone during the Lord's Prayer. But that is okay, I am standing behind the altar by myself. As for everyone else, do as you please, but do not impose yourself on those around you. I used to struggle with the spiritual bullies that insist on holding my hand, whether I like it or not. On the other hand, it would not be a very Christian act to snub the person next to you when they try to reach for your hand. Maybe they could use a human touch. It is a delicate situation that calls for charity and sensitivity.

God bless, Fr. Tim Ritchey
Sunday Feb 2, 1997
Feast of The Presentation of the Lord"