Got off the train in the wrong city.

The old high altar in Boise's Cathedral of St John the Evangelist has long puzzled many people for it's two flanking pillars, each topped with what appears to be a jar, or a vase.

The explanation is that the altar was built by a company that at the same time built the high altar for Salt Lake City's Cathedral of the Madeleine. Both were shipped west on the same train, but Boise's was unloaded in Salt Lake City, and theirs went to Boise! Hence, Boise's high altar has the "alabastar jar of costly spikenard" motif to remind us of Mary Magdalene's unself-conscious and generous anointing of our Lord before his death.

The high altar that was built for the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, Boise, was installed in the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City. It apparently fell victim to a post Vatican II wreckovation, I understand it was destroyed. It has, however, survived in photographic evidence (picture is from 1909).

So Boise, here's what we missed:

This copyrighted picture is from Utah State History collections, here



PS: Not only did Utah loose the high altar, even the stained glass windows behind the altar are gone, as this current picture attests:

Third Edition of the Roman Missal

Here's an interesting little video from the Corpus Christi Watershed folks. It addresses the form of the mass, particularly the replacement of the Introit with a hymn...

2011 GIRM 48. This chant is sung alternately by the choir and the people or similarly by a cantor and the people, or entirely by the people, or by the choir alone. In the Dioceses of the United States of America, there are four options for the Entrance Chant: (1) the antiphon from the Missal or the antiphon with its Psalm from the Gradual Romanum, as set to music there or in another setting; (2) the antiphon and Psalm of the Graduate Simplex for the liturgical time; (3) a chant from another collection of Psalms and antiphons, approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop, including Psalms arranged in responsorial or metrical forms; (4) another liturgical chant that is suited to the sacred action, the day, or the time of year, similarly approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop.

And of course, while we're at it, ccwatershed also has a new hymnal, the Vatican II Hymnal:

The Dominicans at St Albert Priory (and the Eastern Province) have chosen the New Edition of the St Michael Hymnal:

I'm pleased to see these fine efforts, but somehow I expect that I'll be subject to slight variations of the sameold-sameold instead of what the Church is asking for...

First Sunday of Advent

From the Fr Pius Pietrzyk OP of the Eastern Dominican Province, posting on Preacher's Sketchbook for First Sunday of Advent:

Dom Prosper Gueranger, The Liturgical Year

We find that this mystery of the coming, or Advent, of Jesus is at once simple and threefold. It is simple, for it is the one same Son of God that is coining; it is threefold, because He comes at three different times and in three different ways. ‘In the first coming,’ says St. Bernard, ‘He comes in the flesh and in weakness; in the second, He comes in spirit and in power; in the third, He comes in glory and in majesty; and the second coming is the means whereby we pass from the first to the third.’


This, then, is the mystery of Advent. Let us now listen to the explanation of this threefold visit of Christ, given to us by Peter of Blois, in his third Sermon de Adventu: ‘There are three comings of our Lord; the first in the flesh, the second in the soul, the third at the judgement. The first was at midnight, according to those words of the Gospel: At midnight there was a cry made, Lo the Bridegroom cometh! But this first coming is long since past, for Christ has been seen on the earth and has conversed among men. We are now in the second coming, provided only we are such as that He may thus come to us; for He has said that if we love him, He will come unto us and will take up His abode with us. So that this second coming is full of uncertainty to us; for who, save the Spirit of God, knows them that are of God? They that are raised out of themselves by the desire of heavenly things, know indeed when He comes; but whence He cometh, or whither He goeth, they know not. As for the third coming, it is most certain that it will be, most uncertain when it will be; for nothing is more sure than death, and nothing less sure than the hour of death. When they shall say, peace and security, says the apostle, then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape. So that the first coming was humble and hidden, the second is mysterious and full of love, the third will be majestic and terrible. In His first coming, Christ was judged by men unjustly; in His second, He renders us just by His grace; in His third, He will judge all things with justice. In His first, a lamb; in His last, a lion; in the one between the two, the tenderest of friends.’

The above is a well written reminder that the Lord who came amoung us a Bethlehem and died for our salvation on the cross, has kept his promise to "be with us always". Now is the time to make friends with Him. When He comes in judgment, that time will be past.

Truth Be Told issue #19 - Newsletter of the Laity of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

The 19th issue of "Truth Be Told," the newsletter of the Laity of the Province of the Holy Name of Jesus has been posted to the web.

The newsletter is available for download at the provincial web page here:
http://laydominicanswest.org/newsletter/

Benedict XVI on "We are Church"

The Holy Father made a reference to the "we are church" dissident movement in a speach to seminarians in Germany.

APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO GERMANY
22-25 SEPTEMBER 2011
MEETING WITH SEMINARIANS
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI

St Charles Borromeo Seminary Chapel, Freiburg im Breisgau
Saturday, 24 September 2011
Personally being with Christ, with the living God, is one thing: another is that we can only ever believe within the “we”. I sometimes say that Saint Paul wrote: “Faith comes from hearing” – not from reading. It needs reading as well, but it comes from hearing, that is to say from the living word, addressed to me by the other, whom I can hear, addressed to me by the Church throughout the ages, from her contemporary word, spoken to me the priests, bishops and my fellow believers. Faith must include a “you” and it must include a “we”. And it is very important to practise this mutual support, to learn how to accept the other as the other in his otherness, and to learn that he has to support me in my otherness, in order to become “we”, so that we can also build community in the parish, calling people into the community of the word, and journeying with one another towards the living God. This requires the very particular “we” that is the seminary, and also the parish, but it also requires us always to look beyond the particular, limited “we” towards the great “we” that is the Church of all times and places: it requires that we do not make ourselves the sole criterion. When we say: “We are Church” – well, it is true: that is what we are, we are not just anybody. But the “we” is more extensive than the group that asserts those words. The “we” is the whole community of believers, today and in all times and places. And so I always say: within the community of believers, yes, there is as it were the voice of the valid majority, but there can never be a majority against the apostles or against the saints: that would be a false majority. We are Church: let us be Church, let us be Church precisely by opening ourselves and stepping outside ourselves and being Church with others.

Contextual article by Sandro Magister at Chiesa Online is here
the Holy Father's full text is here

November Chapter meeting

The November Chapter meeting will be held at St Paul Newman Center, BSU, instead of in Caldwell. It also will start earlier, at 9:30AM Saturday, Nov 19, 2011. Fr Vincent Kelber OP will be with us, and it is planned that he will offer mass at approximately 10AM in the chapel.

there will be a Thanksgiving potluck meal, turkey provided! Sides should be coordinated with Stephanie DeNinno - ssdeninno [at dog] yahoo.com

So I said...

I know. I said I don't spend a lot of time looking at Chant and Music sites, but sometimes they find me anyway! This one is worth passing along, it's the Liturgy of the Hours set to Gregorian Chant.

All Souls of the Dominican Order

For those who have gone ahead of us in the Order, we celebrate All Dominican Souls day today. May we join you in the heavenly chorus!

All Saints of the Dominican Order

From the Provincial web site, http://opwest.org

All Saints of the Dominican Order
Feast for the Order

Today we faithfully remember "those who have gone before us in the family of Saint Dominic and who offer us the example of their way of life, their company in the communion of saints, and the help of their intercession. By this celebration may we be moved to imitate them and be strengthened in the spirit of our vocation." [LCO, nn. 16, 67]

Prayer:
God, source of all holiness, you have enriched your Church with many gifts in the saints of the Order of Preachers. By following their example may we come to enjoy their company forever in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Fr. Vincent Benoit, O.P.

Cool find

I found this over at Dominican Liturgy blog in a post titled Dominican Prayers on the iPhone

Behold the golden dawn arise;
The paling night forsakes the skies:
Those shades that hid the world from view,
And us to dangerous error drew.

May this new day be calmly passed,
May we keep pure while it shall last:
Nor let our lips from truth depart,
Nor dark designs engage the heart.

So may the day speed on; the tongue
No falsehood know, the hands no wrong:
Our eyes from wanton gaze refrain,
o guilt our guarded bodies stain.

For God all-seeing from on high
Surveys us with a watchful eye:
Each day our every act he knows
From early dawn to evening’s close.

All laud to God the Father be;
All praise, eternal Son, to thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the Holy Paraclete. Amen.

Melody: Old 100th L.M.
Music: Louis Bourgeois, 1500-1561
Text: Sol ecce surgit igneus, eleventhth century Anglo Saxon
Translation: John M. Neale, 1818-1866

No, I don't have an iPhone, but I do love Old 100th!

I'll also confess that I spend almost no time on the music and liturgy blogs, I get too depressed. I used to, but it's like window shopping when you have no money; you want but you can't have, and the intense beauty drives one a bit nutters with desire because it has been banished and demonized in this part of the world, where it is preferred to sing(sic) music(sic) set to "I wish I were an Oscar Mayer weener" and suchlike. OK, some are nice campfire songs, but I don't see a campfire when I look at the candles on the altar...

Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace: recommendation of a global financial authority

A couple days ago the  Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace issued a position paper recommending, as a solution to the world's financial problems, what some would attribute as "more of the cause." The Document, titled: "TOWARDS REFORMING THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND MONETARY SYSTEMS IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBAL PUBLIC AUTHORITY", can be read here.


The paper, which doesn't seem to have an attribution of authorship, and certainly does not bear the imprimatur of the church, much less the Holy Father, has been written about by more competent authors than me, so I'll let you find those articles on your own and form your own opinions. What strikes me as a layman, is that the Vatican, with it's scandal-plagued Vatican Bank, would offer suggestions of this nature when it has clearly demonstrated deficiency in this department; a department that it seems lies outside the competence of the Church. From a moral standpoint, if the world had embraced Christ and lived a devout faith, there would be no financial crisis, right? given fallen human nature, there will always be crisis of one sort or another, as man seeks to assert his will over his fellow man, rather than serve his neighbor as one created in the image of God.

So it seems to this financially-challenged mind, that a document that suggests that to make things right, the world needs to live as though the fruits of charity were present and could be counted upon, without ever mentioning the name of Jesus, from whom all charity flows, has missed the mission statement:

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” [Mt 28:18ff]

Chrysostom on Withholding Communion

Leon Suprenaut has started blogging for the Diocese of Kansas City, Kansas. here's an interesting post he put up!

Today is the feast of St. John Chrysostom, the famous Bishop of Constantinople at the turn of the fifth century. He was given the title “Chrysostom, which means “golden mouthed,” because of his eloquent sermons. He’s also known as a doctor of the Church because of his timeless, orthodox teaching.

In his book Luminous Mysteries, Scripture scholar Tim Gray quotes at length from St. John Chrysostom’s homily “On the Institution of the Eucharist,” which I reprint below. I think you’ll agree that it’s quite instructive on the controversial subject of the sacred minister’s duty to withhold Communion from a notorious sinner:

“I speak not only to the communicant, but also I say to the priest who ministers the Sacrament: Distribute this gift with much care. There is no small punishment for you, if being conscious of any wickedness in any man, you allow him to partake of the banquet of the table: ‘Shall I not now require his blood at your hand?’ (2 Sam. 4:11). If some public figure, or some wealthy person who is unworthy, presents himself to receive Holy Communion, forbid him. The authority that you have is greater than his. Consider if your task were to guard a clean spring of water for a flock, and you saw a sheep approach with mire on its mouth–you would not allow it to stoop down and pollute the stream. You are now entrusted with a spring, not of water, but of blood and of spirit. If you see someone having sin in his heart (which is far more grievous than earth and mire), coming to receive the Eucharist, are you not concerned? Do you try to prevent him? What excuse can you have, if you do not?

“God has honored you with the dignity of priesthoood, that you might discern these things. This is not to say that you should go about clothed in a white and shining vestment; but this is your office; this, your safety;
this your whole crown.

“You ask how you should know which individual is unworthy to receive? I am speaking here not of some unknown sinner, but of a notorious one. If someone who is not a disciple, through ignorance, comes to Communion, do not be afraid to forbid him. Fear God, not man. If you fear man, you will be scorned and laughed at even by him; but if you fear God, you will be an object of respect even to men. But if you cannot do it, bring that sinner to me, for I will not allow anyone to dare do these things. I would give up my life rather
than give the Lord’s Blood to the unworthy.

“If, however, a sinful person receives Communion, and you did not know his character, you are not to blame, however. I say the things above concerning only those who sin openly. For if we amend these, God will speedily reveal to us the unknown also; but if we let these flagrant abuses continue, how can we expect Him to make manifest those that are hidden? I say these things, not to repel sinners or cut them off, but I say it in order that we may bring them to repentance, and bring them back, so that we may take care of them. For thus we shall both please God and lead many to receive worthily. And for our own diligence, and for our care for others, we will receive a great reward. May we attain that reward by the grace and love that God gives to man through Our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, world without end. Amen.”

Link

A day...

Today was my second day back at work after being off for three weeks due to pneumonia. Glad to say I'm improving but not quite all there yet!

Today I received a reminder that yesterday marked the 1 year anniversary of the passing of Deanette Pease OPL, whom I met at Lourdes last year while on pilgrimage. Deanette had taken Bl Margaret of Castello's name as her Dominican profession name. While Lourdes did not cure Deanette's cancer, it certainly helped her prepare to meet that part of our family which has gone before us. Ann, who took Deanette on pilgrimage, found my email and contacted me today.

If that wasn't enough for the day, when I got home there was a package from Italy waiting for me. Last month I had written the Dominican Nuns in Italy and requested a first class relic of Bl Margaret for our chapter house and shrine at Homedale. I was told by more than one person it was unlikely that they would send it. Maybe its the prayers of Deanette, Gwen, Jim, Janet, and all our lay Dominican family on the other side?

here's a bit more of a close up.

Yes, the genuine article. Now, I just need to find someone to translate the rather long letter in Italian!

Br Corwin Low OP of the Dominican Studentate was kind enough to translate the letter for me.

Truth Be Told issue #18 - Newsletter of the Laity of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

The 18th issue of "Truth Be Told," the newsletter of the Laity of the Province of the Holy Name of Jesus has been posted to the web.

The newsletter is available for download at the provincial web page here:
http://laydominicanswest.org/newsletter/



This issue completes the third year of publication of Truth Be Told! Although it will probably never attain 100% original content, I am pleased by the steady increase of original material appearing in these pages.

There is a new feature on the website where the newsletter is posted. Previously, the same version of the newsletter appeared there as I send subscribers by email. Now, the version available on the web for download is a higher resolution, printer-ready edition that is about 300% larger in size, and the smaller email version is also availble through a link. We have done this so that people who want to print a clearer, sharper copy can do so. The emailed version is intentionally smaller and optimal for online reading, as well as for downloading over a slower connection speed.

Liturgiam Authenticam - Trailer

New movie from the Dominicans at Kindly Light



This probably won't be playing at your local multiplex, but it ought to play at your parish!

Index of Forbidden Songs

Fr Eric Richtsteig has posted a series of delightful entries at his blog Orthometer. He's made a list of bad music which should be banned. Way to go!

Index of Forbidden Songs (Gather Part III)
Index of Forbidden Songs (Gather Part II)
Index of Forbidden Songs (Gather Part I)

and

Index of Forbidden Songs (Music Issue, Part IX)
Index of Forbidden Songs (Music Issue, Part VIII)
Index of Forbidden Songs (Music Issue, Part VII)
Index of Forbidden Songs (Music Issue, Part VI)
Index of Forbidden Songs (Music Issue, Part V)
Index of Forbidden Songs (Music Issue, Part IV)
Index of Forbidden Songs (Music Issue, Part III)
Index of Forbidden Songs (Music Issue, Part II)
Index of Forbidden Songs (Music Issue, Part I)

However, it would appear that the only banned music is Gregorian Chant, Latin hymns, and polyphony. Yeah, the crap is easier to sing, I will grant that. however a diet of peanut butter sandwiches, french fries, and coke tends to weigh one down with bloat. we've effectively banished beauty and truth, and distorted love, justice, and mercy. Is it any wonder that we fail to respect and obey God who is Beauty, Truth, Love, Justice, and Mercy?

Book: The Search for the Historical Francis, A Penitent from Assisi

I haven’t written much for a while, but that is not to say that I haven’t been busy!

This last weekend I traveled to California, for the 40th reunion of my high school class of 1971. Because I graduated a year early in 1970 I did not receive an invitation, but I went at the suggestion of a childhood friend whom I’d lost track of for nearly 30 years, who invited me to rejoin my original class. The event was very interesting. I spent over 5 hours on my feet talking to people I hadn’t seen in over 40 years. Oh, old creaky memories!

I had planned to stay at St Albert Priory in Oakland, and it just so happened that the Corpus Christi lay Dominican chapter was holding a retreat this weekend, and they graciously allowed me to join them. I must say it was a wonderful retreat, and it made the trip much more fulfilling. I have to say it was quite a contrast, the worldly and the other-worldly.

The retreat featured two presentations by Fr Augustine Thompson O.P. Father gave two presentations. The first was based on his book “Cities of God: The Religion of the Italian Communes, 1125-1325.” I’d heard a version of this presentation last year at the Lay Provincial Council meeting, but it has grown since then and it was really delightful. I will definitely have to buy the book!

However, it was the second presentation that really got my attention. It built on the first, and included a bit of an advance on Father’s next book (due out March, 2012, in honor of the conversion of St Clare). The presentation title was “The Search for the Historical Francis, A Penitent from Assisi.” A bit of a humorous play on “the search for the historical Jesus” in the title notwithstanding, it was a fascinating presentation which brought to light some of the current research. In the last ten years, there have been 220 biographies of St Francis published, all of which dress up and present the same standard version of Francis, which, it turns out, is a bit of a Santa Claus to St Nicholas! Well, not quite that bad, but pretty bad. This book will knock a few socks off, and instead of the standard initial printing of 2,000 copies, the publisher is planning a first edition run of 10,000 copies! I will get one, you may want to too!

What was so delightful about Fr Thompson’s presentation is that he comes across as a historian who is like a kid in a candy store, reveling in the rich flavors of nuggets of history mined from the various new sources unearthed in the last decade.

I'm looking forward to a fascinating read next March!

Holy Father Benedict and the removal of Bishop Morris of Toowoomba

There is a petition to support Benedict XVI's action in the resignation of Bishop Morris of Toowoomba, Australia. Click image below to add your support!

Blessed St Dominic Day!

Please remember that today, Monday, August 8, 2011, is the Solemnity of St. Dominic, the day we celebrate his death and entrance into Heaven. At 7PM we will gather at the day Chapel at Holy Apostles at the corner of Meridian Road and Chinden Blvd in Meridian for prayer. We will be praying the Evening Prayer and the Office of the Dead for those who have gone before us in the friendship of God. We will gather briefly thereafter for coffee or other refreshments. Thank you.

John Keenan, O.P.(Lay)

Utopia of Usurers?

From the Social Credit list, the following comment:

I think it is fairly easy for most people to understand that all credit money comes into existence as a debt to some operator within the financial system. This is true, by definition, and some 97% of monies in the system is credit money. The crux of the matter is that the debt system, controlled by private financiers, is simply a tool for controlling the population at large by putting most everybody in a position of dependence on the financiers by way of debt.

The fundamental understanding that needs to dawn upon people is that this is a form of abuse because people are made to borrow, at interest, what they already own.

How long has it been since the Church last addressed the question of Usury? (ON USURY AND OTHER DISHONEST PROFIT. Vix Pervenit. Encyclical of Pope Benedict XIV promulgated on November 1, 1745)

In the intervening centuries, that which we borrow has changed. It is now credit instead of the capital which was the subject of Vix Prevenit; which that that the collection of reasonable interest on capital borrowing was deemed to not be usury. Does this hold for credit, though? When I, or a nation, borrows and what transacts is not transfer of capital but entries into legers, a very useful legal fiction, but a fiction none the less, is it not usury to demand more of the fiction in return? Especially if the fiction is backed by the "full good faith of the nation" which is the common stock of us all, as the quote above states?

This is not a question I can answer, but I wish the Church would offer guidance in this.

800 years young

The Dominican Order is approaching its 800th anniversary, which is only 5 years from now. What has been a key to this life in the spirit? certainly one aspect has been adapting to the times without being absorbed by the thinking of the times. Br Corwin Low has made an exquisite commentary in the picture below, which is from his blog Cantate Domino. read it here

Mary Magdalene, Patroness of the Dominicans

From the Friars of the Eastern Province:

In this video series Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P. explains why Mary Magdalene was chosen as a patroness of the Dominican Order.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

There's even some DaVinci Code (remember that?) thrown in!

Priests, religious, and lay faithful asked to offer sacrifices and prayers for the health of the Apostolic Nuncio

From the Friars of the Eastern Province:

July 26, 2011 - Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America, has been placed on assisted ventilation after complications following a delicate surgery. The Apostolic Nunciature and the Nuncio's family kindly ask that Bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful offer sacrifices and prayers for the health of the Apostolic Nuncio.

link

Truth Be Told issue #17 - Newsletter of the Laity of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

The 17th issue of "Truth Be Told," the newsletter of the Laity of the Province of the Holy Name of Jesus has been posted to the web.

The newsletter is available for download at the provincial web page here:
http://laydominicanswest.org/newsletter/


This issue was released late due to holding it for the results of the Lay Provincial Council meeting held at St Albert Priory July 8-9.  I expected two extra pages and got about 10 instead! Lots of good stuff, including new original material. My thanks to all the authors, especially Jim Likoudis, who will be a regular contributor for some time to come.

Mike Lee - graduated, ordained, home

Mike Lee and family are due in Boise today.

Five years ago Mike Lee took his family to Austria to work on his doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Institute. On June 11th Mike receiving his diploma from Cardinal Schönborn.

What Mike hadn't plan on was falling in love with the Byzantine Divine Liturgy and Eastern spirituality. No, when he left behind youth ministry and Life Teen masses, I seriously doubt he would have guessed that five years later he would be ordined to the deaconate on May 8th of this year by Bishop John Kudrick.

It is my understanding the Mike's goal is to be ordained to the priesthood, and to that end after a brief visit in Idaho, he travels to Ohio on Aug 4. I hope you all have the chance to bump into Mike and bid him your best!

Retreat wrapup

The Blessed Margaret of Castello Chapter would like to thank Thelma Prisco OCDS for joining us today on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel to speak to us on contemplative prayer and about the local Secular Discalced Carmelite group.

The pictures show our group quietly and attentively listening to Thelma. We know how to behave when needed, but the retreat also included that seemingly ubiquitous Dominican 'tradition' of eating and good company and discussion over meals. The last diehards are still at the Chapter House as I write, and will finally break up tomorrow; having been at it since Friday evening, when we started with a beautiful votive Mass of the Precious Blood in the Extrordinary Form at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Caldwell (I didn't take pictures, too busy with the chant!). Stephanie DeNinno and Carolyn Reese both did the consecration to the Precious Blood, which was beautiful. Followed by dinner at Mr V's in Caldwell, it was a late evening for all!

Good company, good food, sacraments, divine office, and serious discussion makes a well rounded event!

COMMEMORATION OF ST. DOMINIC'S FEAST DAY; MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2011

On August 8, 2011, after 7:00 p.m., at the day Chapel at Holy Apostles Catholic Church in Meridian, Idaho (SW corner of Meridian Road and Chinden Blvd), the Dominican Laity will join in the Liturgy of the Hours and Rosary in celebration of St. Dominic's Feast Day. The Dominicans will also say the "Office of the Dead" for those who have earlier departed in the friendship of God. Please join us. We will meet for a meal after the prayer time.

Saints Bonaventure and Aquinas

The following is a delightful offering for today, the feast of St Bonaventure.

The Crucifix is a Book

I remember having read, under this title, a beautiful story in “Christian Perfection;” it relates to St Bonaventure. At the time when he was in great repute, teaching theology in Paris, and attraction general esteem and admiration by his works, St Thomas Aquinas went one day to see him, and requested him to show him what books he used for his studies. Then St Bonaventure, conducting him to his little chamber, showed him some very common books that were on his table. But St Thomas gave him to understand that he desired to see the other books from which he derived so many marvelous things. The Saint then showed him a small oratory, with nothing in it but a crucifix: “There, Father,” said he, “is all my other books; this is the principal one from which I draw all I teach, and all I write. Yes, it is by throwing myself at the foot of that crucifix, and begging of Him whose image it bears, the enlightenment of my doubts, and assisting at Mass, that I have made more progress in the sciences, and have gained more true fights than I should have done by the reading of any books whatsoever.” You did not expect this, that whilst men study much and know but little, the Saints content themselves with this crucifix, and attain to this most sublime genius.

Catholic Gems and Pearls, Rev J. Phelan, 1900

July Retreat

MAGDALENE RETREAT

SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011, DOMINICAN CHAPTERHOUSE, HOMEDALE, IDAHO

The 7th Annual Mary Magdalene retreat at the Dominican Chapter House in Homedale will be on the subject of Contemplation in the Dominican and Carmelite traditions. We are blessed to have Thelma Prisco OCDS to speak to us about the Carmelite tradition, as well as the Secular Carmelite community in the Treasure Valley.

The retreat begins with Mass at 9:00 AM at the Chapter House, followed by breakfast (provided). The morning presentation will be on the Dominican tradition, and the afternoon presentation on the Carmelite tradition (lunch provided). Expect it to be very "interactive" with discussion. There will be a Holy Hour (3-4PM) and the retreat will close with Mass at 5:00 PM, followed by BBQ dinner (Please bring a salad, chips, or cookies to share both for the lunch and the BBQ dinner). Please call Stephanie (850-9688) for a count.

There is also an optional Friday evening mass as well. This will be at Our Lady of the Valley in Caldwell at 7 PM on July 15. It will be a Missa Cantata Votive Mass of the Precious Blood in the Extraordinary Form. Stephanie and Carolyn will do the Consecration to the Precious Blood. Dinner to follow at a local establishment TBD.

Directions to Chapter House in Homedale:(Map)
You can email me at for further information (at "mgross at integrity dot com").


My apologies for the late notice!

Discussion on Vatican II

The following is an excellent analysis on Sandro Magister's Chiesa Online.

A proposal for the fiftieth anniversary of Vatican II

THE SUPERNATURAL WAY TO RESTORE PEACE BETWEEN
THE PRE- AND POST-COUNCIL

by Enrico Maria Radaelli

Third question: If we deny the infallibility of the doctrinal developments of the Council that depart from previous doctrines of the faith or close to the faith, won't we weaken the power of the continuist thesis?

Of course you weaken it, dear Fr. Cavalcoli, and even more: you annihilate it. And you strengthen the opposite thesis, as it should be, that there is no continuity.

No rupture, but also no continuity. So what then? The way out is suggested by Romano Amerio (1905-1997) with what the author of "Iota Unum" calls "the law of the historical preservation of the Church," revisited on page 41 of my book, according to which "the Church would not be lost in the case that it did not 'match' the truth, but in the case that it 'lost' the truth." And when does the Church not match the truth? When it forgets its teachings, or confuses them, muddies them, mixes them up, as has happened (not for the first time, and not for the last) from the Council until today. And when would it lose the truth? (In the conditional: it has been seen that it cannot in any way lose it.) Only if it struck it with anathema, or if vice versa it dogmatized a false doctrine, things that could be done by the pope and only by the pope, if (in the metaphysically impossible hypothesis that) his dogmatizing and anathematizing lips were not supernaturally bound by the two aforementioned oaths of Our Lord. I would insist on this point, which seems decisive to me.

read this fascinating article here