The concept of natural law has its roots in the ancient pagan world. Which is not so surprising because natural law is, as St. Thomas says, "nothing else than the rational creature's participation in the eternal law."
Natural law is typically divided into three constituent parts, the discriminating norm, the binding norm (norma obligans), and the manifesting norm(norma denuntians).
The discriminating norm is the process by which natural law is discernible through the use of human reason, aided by the divine. The binding norm is the obligation to live in conformity to ones nature, in the universal order established by the Creator. The manifesting norm is reason which determines the moral quality of actions tried by the discriminating norm.
Much of our understanding of natural law was explored by St. Thomas Aquinas in The Summa Theologiae.
The notable factor of natural law as it applies to the modern Christian Catholic is that when applied to the matter of sin is that immoral actions which are discernible through the use of reason are by their nature not open to vincible ignorance.
Abortion is an excellent example. If we except, through the principle of natural law that killing of a human being is wrong, then the question becomes, as applies to the unborn, is a fetus a human being? This becomes a matter of ensoulment. A baby is a human being when it has a soul. When does this happen? The teaching of the Church is that a baby has a soul from the time of conception. Does this make sense through the discernment of reason? Well, we know that scientifically an individual human being is determined by their DNA. The DNA of each individual human being (with the possible exception of identical twins) is absolutely unique. So a baby, from the time it is conceived, is a unique organism. We are getting closer and closer to the time technologically when a fertilized egg (the first instance of the unique DNA combination which is a human being) will be able to, with technological support, be able to exist independently from its mother. So, by reason, that fertilized egg is in fact a unique independent organism, a human being. A human being with a soul. So through the precepts of natural law it is wrong to kill an unborn baby.
That being so, abortion is always wrong, and never open to invincible ignorance, and so always a mortal sin.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Natural Law
The concept of natural law has its roots in the ancient pagan world. Which is not so surprising because natural law is, as St. Thomas says, "nothing else than the rational creature's participation in the eternal law."
Natural law is typically divided into three constituent parts, the discriminating norm, the binding norm (norma obligans), and the manifesting norm.
The discriminating norm is the process by which natural law is discernible through the use of human reason, aided by the divine. The binding norm is the obligation to live in conformity to ones nature, in the universal order established by the Creator. The manifesting norm is reason which determines the moral quality of actions tried by the discriminating norm.
Much of our understanding of natural law was explored by St. Thomas Aquinas in The Summa Theologiae.
The notable factor of natural law as it applies to the modern Christian Catholic is that when applied to the matter of sin is that immoral actions which are discernible through the use of reason are by their nature not open to vincible ignorance.
Abortion is an excellent example. If we accept, through the principle of natural law that killing of a human being is wrong, then the question becomes, as applies to the unborn, is a fetus a human being? This becomes a matter of ensoulment. A baby is a human being when it has a soul. When does this happen? The teaching of the Church is that a baby has a soul from the time of conception. Does this make sense through the discernment of reason? Well, we know that scientifically an individual human being is determined by their DNA. The DNA of each individual human being (with the possible exception of identical twins) is absolutely unique. So a baby, from the time it is conceived, is a unique organism. We are getting closer and closer to the time technologically when a fertilized egg (the first instance of the unique DNA combination which is a human being) will be able to, with technological support, be able to exist independently from its mother. So, by reason, that fertilized egg is in fact a unique independent organism, a human being. So through the precepts of natural law it is wrong to kill an unborn baby.
That being so, abortion is always wrong, and never open to invincible ignorance, and so always a mortal sin.
Natural law is typically divided into three constituent parts, the discriminating norm, the binding norm (norma obligans), and the manifesting norm.
The discriminating norm is the process by which natural law is discernible through the use of human reason, aided by the divine. The binding norm is the obligation to live in conformity to ones nature, in the universal order established by the Creator. The manifesting norm is reason which determines the moral quality of actions tried by the discriminating norm.
Much of our understanding of natural law was explored by St. Thomas Aquinas in The Summa Theologiae.
The notable factor of natural law as it applies to the modern Christian Catholic is that when applied to the matter of sin is that immoral actions which are discernible through the use of reason are by their nature not open to vincible ignorance.
Abortion is an excellent example. If we accept, through the principle of natural law that killing of a human being is wrong, then the question becomes, as applies to the unborn, is a fetus a human being? This becomes a matter of ensoulment. A baby is a human being when it has a soul. When does this happen? The teaching of the Church is that a baby has a soul from the time of conception. Does this make sense through the discernment of reason? Well, we know that scientifically an individual human being is determined by their DNA. The DNA of each individual human being (with the possible exception of identical twins) is absolutely unique. So a baby, from the time it is conceived, is a unique organism. We are getting closer and closer to the time technologically when a fertilized egg (the first instance of the unique DNA combination which is a human being) will be able to, with technological support, be able to exist independently from its mother. So, by reason, that fertilized egg is in fact a unique independent organism, a human being. So through the precepts of natural law it is wrong to kill an unborn baby.
That being so, abortion is always wrong, and never open to invincible ignorance, and so always a mortal sin.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Mortal sin
We've talked before about what is a mortal sin. One of the constituants of a mortal sin is that the sinner know that what he or she is doing is a sin. So unlike in a court of law ignorance is a defence. Technically what is ignorance? Ignorance is a lack of knowledge of something which can be known.
So if one does not know something is a sin then it is not.
But, wait a minute! Does that mean that if no one told me it is wrong to kill than I'm home free?
Not quite. Ignorance can be divided into two catagories, Vincible and Invincible. Ignorance is said to be invincible if an individual cannot rid himself of it through the exercise of moral diligence. Ignorance is vinicble if it can be cure throug the use of moral diligence.
What does that mean? It means that when making a moral decision a person must exercise a reasonable effort to attempt to discover the moral choice. Should the sin in question concern a matter of natual law then the person can reasonably be expect to know that his action are a sin.
We'll discus natural law tomorrow.
So if one does not know something is a sin then it is not.
But, wait a minute! Does that mean that if no one told me it is wrong to kill than I'm home free?
Not quite. Ignorance can be divided into two catagories, Vincible and Invincible. Ignorance is said to be invincible if an individual cannot rid himself of it through the exercise of moral diligence. Ignorance is vinicble if it can be cure throug the use of moral diligence.
What does that mean? It means that when making a moral decision a person must exercise a reasonable effort to attempt to discover the moral choice. Should the sin in question concern a matter of natual law then the person can reasonably be expect to know that his action are a sin.
We'll discus natural law tomorrow.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Deacons
Looming very large is an incident which happened in Buffalo, New York:
Now I'm a great fan of the deaconate. I have a good friend who is deacon, who has been a very great help in my spiritual growth.
It surprises many people that priests are not mentioned in scripture, at least not Christian priests, except possibly by the term elders or presbyters, which actually should be more closely translated as bishop. Deacons, however are a different story.
On the night he was betrayed Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles. then he dies, rose again, and ascended into Heaven. Pentecost came and the next thing you know the Apostles are saying, "We shouldn't ignore the Word of God to wait tables..." So they appoint deacons to do the serving. St. Steven, the first adult martyred in Christ's name, was one of these men.
Steven was a deacon and I think that has it's own significance. The Apostles were too busy to serve (the thing that Jesus told them was absolutely vital to their ministry) so they appoint others to do it. And God calls upon one of them to be killed while preaching the word of God, the first to die in his name. I wonder what the Apostles thought of that?
Now we have a modern deacon who is being persecuted for doing what his priest and bishop should be doing, which is pointing out to politicians who proclaim their Catholicism while voting against the tenants of the Church. Kind seems as if things never change.
So who and what are deacons? A deacon is a member of the Catholic clergy. They are ordained ministers. They are not members of the priesthood and do not have the facilities to say Mass or receive Confession, with the power to give absolution of sins confessed. They can perform Baptisms and Marriages. Deacons have a specific role at Mass. Among other things it is their duty to proclaim the Gospel, and a priest will only fill this role if there is no deacon serving.
In modern times, since Vatican II, there have been permanent and transitional deacons. A transitional deacon is one who has been ordained a deacon on the path to the priesthood. From ancient times there have been permanent deacons, but they fell out of favor in the last centuries. Besides St.Steven there have been other famous deacons. St. Francis of Assisi was one. St. Gregory the Great was a deacon at the time of his election as pope.
A deacon may be either a married or single man. Once he becomes a deacon a man may not marry. If a married deacon becomes a widower he may not remarry, though a dispensation may be granted if he has small children. A married man who wishes to take orders as a deacon must have his wife's permission.
Though he may serve in a parish under a priest, is to the bishop that a deacon is responsible. He serves at the parish not at the pleasure of the priest, but of the bishop.
Paul give us a descrition of the qualities necessary in a deacon in his First Letter to Timothy:
As might be expected this rather inflammatory story is not exactly what happened. Amy Welborn has a post in her comments by a parishioner who was actually there.The Buffalo Regional Right to Life Committee on Wednesday hailed a deacon who criticized Rep. Brian Higgins during Sunday Mass in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
Deacon Tom McDonnell's rebuke of the Buffalo Democrat for voting for federal funding for embryonic stem cell research led Higgins to walk out of the church during his sermon.
Now I'm a great fan of the deaconate. I have a good friend who is deacon, who has been a very great help in my spiritual growth.
It surprises many people that priests are not mentioned in scripture, at least not Christian priests, except possibly by the term elders or presbyters, which actually should be more closely translated as bishop. Deacons, however are a different story.
On the night he was betrayed Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles. then he dies, rose again, and ascended into Heaven. Pentecost came and the next thing you know the Apostles are saying, "We shouldn't ignore the Word of God to wait tables..." So they appoint deacons to do the serving. St. Steven, the first adult martyred in Christ's name, was one of these men.
Steven was a deacon and I think that has it's own significance. The Apostles were too busy to serve (the thing that Jesus told them was absolutely vital to their ministry) so they appoint others to do it. And God calls upon one of them to be killed while preaching the word of God, the first to die in his name. I wonder what the Apostles thought of that?
Now we have a modern deacon who is being persecuted for doing what his priest and bishop should be doing, which is pointing out to politicians who proclaim their Catholicism while voting against the tenants of the Church. Kind seems as if things never change.
So who and what are deacons? A deacon is a member of the Catholic clergy. They are ordained ministers. They are not members of the priesthood and do not have the facilities to say Mass or receive Confession, with the power to give absolution of sins confessed. They can perform Baptisms and Marriages. Deacons have a specific role at Mass. Among other things it is their duty to proclaim the Gospel, and a priest will only fill this role if there is no deacon serving.
In modern times, since Vatican II, there have been permanent and transitional deacons. A transitional deacon is one who has been ordained a deacon on the path to the priesthood. From ancient times there have been permanent deacons, but they fell out of favor in the last centuries. Besides St.Steven there have been other famous deacons. St. Francis of Assisi was one. St. Gregory the Great was a deacon at the time of his election as pope.
A deacon may be either a married or single man. Once he becomes a deacon a man may not marry. If a married deacon becomes a widower he may not remarry, though a dispensation may be granted if he has small children. A married man who wishes to take orders as a deacon must have his wife's permission.
Though he may serve in a parish under a priest, is to the bishop that a deacon is responsible. He serves at the parish not at the pleasure of the priest, but of the bishop.
Paul give us a descrition of the qualities necessary in a deacon in his First Letter to Timothy:
The deacons, in like manner, must be grave, not double-tongued, not giving themselves to much wine, not persons who earn money by base methods; holding fast the secret of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also be first proved; then let them exercise the office of the deacon, being without blame. The women, in like manner, must be grave, not slanderers; but vigilant, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling well their children and their families. For they who have performed the office of a deacon well, procure to themselves an excellent degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Jesus Christ.Ans so it is still true today.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Mary in the Heart of every Christian.
From Vatican's Agenzia Fides:
The presence of the Mother of God in our lives is closely connected with the plan for sanctification and transformation which the Father, in Christ, has for each of us. Christ’s words “Behold your mother” (Jn 19, 27) are also the words of the Father consigned with the Holy Spirit to every disciple.Mary is only mentioned 19 times in scripture, but every time she is mentioned she points to her Son or to God the Father. From the Annunciation to Pentecost her purpose is to show us how a true disciple accepts God's grace and follows her Son. Her last recorded words in the Gospel of John (2:5):
The Blessed Virgin Mother has at heart our conversion which naturally depends on a life of prayer which opens us to charity. As at Cana, Mary intercedes for us as an Advocate of grace.
His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”shows us the way.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Mother Mary
Busy week, plus at least one day of computer problems. Early today I took my car over to Best Buy to get my Christmas present installed (XM radio). While waiting for the installation I went across the street to the Barnes & Noble bookstore and perused the Christian book section to kill time.
I couldn't resist The Complete Idiot's Guide to Mary of Nazareth. I spent an hour of so reading the first couple chapters and bought the book when the installation folks called to tell me my car was ready. (With another Christmas present; a B&N gift card.)
I'll steal material from it mercilessly for my Catechism class. Still have some cash left on my gift card, so I'll probably visit B&N again soon.
I couldn't resist The Complete Idiot's Guide to Mary of Nazareth. I spent an hour of so reading the first couple chapters and bought the book when the installation folks called to tell me my car was ready. (With another Christmas present; a B&N gift card.)
I'll steal material from it mercilessly for my Catechism class. Still have some cash left on my gift card, so I'll probably visit B&N again soon.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Sign of the Cross
Mac McLernon at Mulier Fortis has some information on the Sign of the Cross.
The sign itself originated in the sixth century, at least in the form used now, but goes back in some form to at least the second century. No where is it mentioned in scripture, but is a cultural tradition. As mentioned at Mulier Fortis the Blessed Virgin Mary made the Sign of the Cross when she appeared to St. Bernadette. In the Eastern Churches the sign is done from right-to-left. In the Latin Churches from left-to-right. It should always be done with the greatest reverence.
Often making the sign includes the use of Holy Water, as when entering or leaving Church. Holy water is, of course, a sacramental, and its use in this manner is intended to be a reminder of the Sacrament of Baptism.
We also begin and end our prayers with the Sign of the Cross. It is proper to use it as a personal devotion when receiving Communion. It is also properly used when saying the doxology during Liturgy of the Hours, which are also begun and ended with the Sign of the Cross (except for the Invitatory, which starts with a cross made on the forehead, which is the original form of the sign.)
The sign itself originated in the sixth century, at least in the form used now, but goes back in some form to at least the second century. No where is it mentioned in scripture, but is a cultural tradition. As mentioned at Mulier Fortis the Blessed Virgin Mary made the Sign of the Cross when she appeared to St. Bernadette. In the Eastern Churches the sign is done from right-to-left. In the Latin Churches from left-to-right. It should always be done with the greatest reverence.
Often making the sign includes the use of Holy Water, as when entering or leaving Church. Holy water is, of course, a sacramental, and its use in this manner is intended to be a reminder of the Sacrament of Baptism.
We also begin and end our prayers with the Sign of the Cross. It is proper to use it as a personal devotion when receiving Communion. It is also properly used when saying the doxology during Liturgy of the Hours, which are also begun and ended with the Sign of the Cross (except for the Invitatory, which starts with a cross made on the forehead, which is the original form of the sign.)
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Service Day
Service day yesterday. We took a small group to finish a job that we were unable to complete at last summer’s work camp. The teens were wonderful. Hard workers doing the nastiest jobs with joy. I thank God for how blessed I am to be able to work with them. They truly live the words of St. Francis, “Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words.”
Friday, January 12, 2007
Round up
Jimmy Akin discusses rules for penitential days on his blog. Lent is coming quicker than you think, get ready.
Amy Welborn covers Bishop Trautman’s latest speech to the Catholic Academy of Liturgy. Once more an extended discussion on Pro multis. Will the ICEL ever get it right? More at What Does The Prayer Really Say.
Fr. Erik Richtsteig at Orthometer speaks on the changes to the Requiem Mass.
Richmond embezzlement case. This is my diocese, unfortunately. Maybe time for the bishop to think about better oversight.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Ordinary Time
Ordinary Time begins following the Baptism of the Lord, which in the United States is on the Monday after the Sunday on which the Epiphany is celebrated, unless the diocese celebrates the Epiphany on the traditional January 6 date, in which case the The Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the Sunday after Epiphany and Ordinary Time then starts on that Monday. It continues until Ash Wednesday.
The term Ordinary Time corresponds to the Latin Tempus per annum (literally "time through the year"). The term Ordinary does not mean common or plain, but is derived from the term ordinal or "numbered." Sundays are then designated in the style First Sunday of Ordinary Time, Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, etc. Several Sundays, such as the Trinity Sunday or the Feast of Christ the King are part of Ordinary Time, but have names because they are Feasts.
Even though Ordinary Time is divided into two periods, one after the Christmas Season and one after the Easter Season the Sundays are number sequential. So if there are seven weeks of Ordinary Time before Lent, as there is this year, the Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time will be after the Easter Season. Last year there were eight weeks of Ordinary Time between the Christmas season and Lent, so the Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time was the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.
Green is the Liturgical color for Ordinary Time, though other colors are worn for specific Feasts and Solemnities during Ordinary Time, typically white.
The term Ordinary Time corresponds to the Latin Tempus per annum (literally "time through the year"). The term Ordinary does not mean common or plain, but is derived from the term ordinal or "numbered." Sundays are then designated in the style First Sunday of Ordinary Time, Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, etc. Several Sundays, such as the Trinity Sunday or the Feast of Christ the King are part of Ordinary Time, but have names because they are Feasts.
Even though Ordinary Time is divided into two periods, one after the Christmas Season and one after the Easter Season the Sundays are number sequential. So if there are seven weeks of Ordinary Time before Lent, as there is this year, the Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time will be after the Easter Season. Last year there were eight weeks of Ordinary Time between the Christmas season and Lent, so the Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time was the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.
Green is the Liturgical color for Ordinary Time, though other colors are worn for specific Feasts and Solemnities during Ordinary Time, typically white.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Catechist Formation
I might have mentioned, or perhaps not, that the Diocese of Richmond is involved in certification of Catechists throughout the diocese. The certification consists, at the most basic level, of filling out a form Pathways for Catechist Formation. Completing the form requires watching about six hours of video and reading a number of booklets and articles. The books are put out by the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership.
The set is long on process and short on Catechetical fact. It seems mostly concerned with the kinds of information I learned in my classroom management class and not terribly concerned with checking the catechists knowledge of Church teaching.
I suppose this is only natural. It is aimed primarily at volunteer catechists, most of who have no teaching experience. It appears the course counts on the professional Youth Minister and Pastor to ensure orthodox materials are used in actually teaching the children and youth.
There are higher levels of certification. I'll post about their content when I get to them.
The set is long on process and short on Catechetical fact. It seems mostly concerned with the kinds of information I learned in my classroom management class and not terribly concerned with checking the catechists knowledge of Church teaching.
I suppose this is only natural. It is aimed primarily at volunteer catechists, most of who have no teaching experience. It appears the course counts on the professional Youth Minister and Pastor to ensure orthodox materials are used in actually teaching the children and youth.
There are higher levels of certification. I'll post about their content when I get to them.
Saturday, January 6, 2007
The Epiphany
Today is the traditional day on which the Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated in the western Church. Epiphany is from the Greek επιφάνεια, which means miraculous appearance. It is the celebration of the revelation of Christ in human form. Because the Eastern Church still uses the Julian calendar it is celebrated on a different date.
Part of the celebration has always been the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles in the persons of the Magi. The names of the Wise Men are never given in the bible, but traditionally they are known as Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar. Thier number is also not given in the Bible, and it is likely that the traditional number of three comes form the three gifts given to the Baby Jesus, gold, frankincense and myrrh .
The gift themselves have meaning. They are most often ascribed as being prophetic. Gold as a symbol of kingship , frankincense as a symbol of priestship, and myrrh used as an embalming oil as a symbol of sacrifice.
Throughout most of the United States Epiphany is celebrated on the Sunday that occurs between January 2 and January 8. Some traditional Catholic parishes continue to celebrate it on January 6. It is the end of the twelve day festival of Christmas and occurs after the Octave of Christmas.
Part of the celebration has always been the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles in the persons of the Magi. The names of the Wise Men are never given in the bible, but traditionally they are known as Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar. Thier number is also not given in the Bible, and it is likely that the traditional number of three comes form the three gifts given to the Baby Jesus, gold, frankincense and myrrh .
The gift themselves have meaning. They are most often ascribed as being prophetic. Gold as a symbol of kingship , frankincense as a symbol of priestship, and myrrh used as an embalming oil as a symbol of sacrifice.
Throughout most of the United States Epiphany is celebrated on the Sunday that occurs between January 2 and January 8. Some traditional Catholic parishes continue to celebrate it on January 6. It is the end of the twelve day festival of Christmas and occurs after the Octave of Christmas.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Slovac Bishop Statement
Story from the BBC
There has been uproar in Slovakia after the archbishop of Bratislava described life in the fascist wartime Slovak state as "a time of well-being".This is not the Archbishop's first PR problem, Archbishop Jan Sokol has been accused of cooperation with the secret police of the former communist regime and has also been accused of being antisemitic and and a supporter of Czechoslovak Leader Fr. Jozef Tiso, who ruled the country during WWII and sent many to Nazi death camps. .
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Feast of the Circumcision
Amy Welborn has some very interesting comments on January 1, the Feast of the Circumcision and its change to the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, or was it the other way around. Father Elijah's post is very informative, as are many of the others.
Later in the comments it degenerates into pro/con on the Novus Ordo, but interesting none the less.
I tend not to discuss or debate those issues on this blog. Both the Novus Ordo and Tridentine Mass are licit, though at the present time celebration of the Tridentine Mass requires an Indult. Contrary to popular belief the Novus Ordo can be said in Latin, with the Gregorian Chant used for the ordinary of the Mass, should the celebrant wish.
I am more concerned with the Mass being said reverently and in accordance with whatever copy of the Missale Romanum is being used. This is never a problem with the Latin version, but has been with the Mass in the Vernacular. In my opinion this is a problem of catechesis, because if the faithful know what is licit and what is not it is likely to help put a stop to liturgical abuses. A parishioner who knows an abuse is happening and can site the proper reference on it is in a much better position to discuss the problem with his priest or even take the problem to the bishop if necessary. Most times it will not be necessary.
I am lucky to have a priest who is a stickler for following the proper order of the Mass. I might not agree on all of the music choices he okays, and I might not agree with all of his administrative decisions, but I have confidence in his adherence to the Missal. He says the prayers as written and does the forms as required. That is a good thing.
Later in the comments it degenerates into pro/con on the Novus Ordo, but interesting none the less.
I tend not to discuss or debate those issues on this blog. Both the Novus Ordo and Tridentine Mass are licit, though at the present time celebration of the Tridentine Mass requires an Indult. Contrary to popular belief the Novus Ordo can be said in Latin, with the Gregorian Chant used for the ordinary of the Mass, should the celebrant wish.
I am more concerned with the Mass being said reverently and in accordance with whatever copy of the Missale Romanum is being used. This is never a problem with the Latin version, but has been with the Mass in the Vernacular. In my opinion this is a problem of catechesis, because if the faithful know what is licit and what is not it is likely to help put a stop to liturgical abuses. A parishioner who knows an abuse is happening and can site the proper reference on it is in a much better position to discuss the problem with his priest or even take the problem to the bishop if necessary. Most times it will not be necessary.
I am lucky to have a priest who is a stickler for following the proper order of the Mass. I might not agree on all of the music choices he okays, and I might not agree with all of his administrative decisions, but I have confidence in his adherence to the Missal. He says the prayers as written and does the forms as required. That is a good thing.
Monday, January 1, 2007
Spiritual Devotion Meme
In response to Jimmy Akin's non-meme of his readers I've included my answers to this spiritual devotion meme:
1. Favorite devotion or prayer to Jesus.
The Fatima Prayer
2. Favorite Marian devotion or prayer.
The Rosary, of course, although I say a Mariam Antiphon each night as part of Night Prayers. Usually Hail Holy Queen, but often the Star of the Sea antiphon at this time of year.
3. Do you wear a scapular or medal?
Not usually. I did at one time ( A Sacred Heart medal), but have spent so many years working around rotating machinery that I got into the habit of not wearing any jewelry or hanging objects.
4. Do you have holy water in your home?
No.
5. Do you "offer up" your sufferings?
Yes. I often offer them up for the repose of the souls of my Parents, and aunt and uncle.
6. Do you observe First Fridays and First Saturdays?
No, I have not.
7. Do you go to Eucharistic Adoration? How Frequently?
Yes, at least once a month.
8. Are you a Saturday evening Mass person or a Sunday morning Mass person?
I typically go to the youth Mass at 9:30 am on Sundays, but sometimes when I'm forced to work on Sundays I attend 5:30 Mass on Saturday evening.
9. Do you say prayers at mealtime?
Yes, though I usually eat way too much between meals, when I typically do not pray.
10. Favorite saints.
Mary, Lucy, Isadore of Seville. I also often ask for help and guidance from Fr. Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus and John Paul II (the Great).
11. Can you recite the Apostles' Creed by heart?
Yes, but I have to be careful or I drift into the Nicene Creed.
12. Do you usually say short prayers (aspirations) during the course of the day?
Yes.
Yes.
Happy New Year
Today is the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. What is a Solemnity and how is it different from a Feast or a Holy Day of Obligation?
Feast Days are days which are celebrated in commemoration of the sacred mysteries and in memory of the Virgin Mary, the Apostles, martyrs, and saints. In earlier times they were Holy Days (holi-days) when people abstained from work, business were closed and were observed by special services.
A Solemnity is a principle holy day celebrating events in the life of Jesus, Mary or the saints. In earlier times they were Major Feast Days, which were not just days of rest but full fledged celebrations.
Liturgically the observance of Solemnities begins on the evening of the day prior to the holy day. Fridays which fall on solemnities are not days of fast or abstinence and no substitute penitential act is required. So when saying the Liturgy of the Hours on Solemnities there are two Evening prayers. Evening Prayer I is for the day before and Evening Prayer II is for the evening of the Solemnity itself, just as there are for all Sunday Hours.
Memorials are lesser feast celbrated in honor of a saint. Among other differences, the Gloria is not said or sung at a Memorial, but is at a Feast, and the Creed is added on Solemnities.
Some Solemnities are also Holy Day of Obligation. In the United States today is such a day. However whenever January 1 falls on a Saturday or a Monday, as it does this year, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated, provided you attended Mass as required yesterday, on Subday.
Feast Days are days which are celebrated in commemoration of the sacred mysteries and in memory of the Virgin Mary, the Apostles, martyrs, and saints. In earlier times they were Holy Days (holi-days) when people abstained from work, business were closed and were observed by special services.
A Solemnity is a principle holy day celebrating events in the life of Jesus, Mary or the saints. In earlier times they were Major Feast Days, which were not just days of rest but full fledged celebrations.
Liturgically the observance of Solemnities begins on the evening of the day prior to the holy day. Fridays which fall on solemnities are not days of fast or abstinence and no substitute penitential act is required. So when saying the Liturgy of the Hours on Solemnities there are two Evening prayers. Evening Prayer I is for the day before and Evening Prayer II is for the evening of the Solemnity itself, just as there are for all Sunday Hours.
Memorials are lesser feast celbrated in honor of a saint. Among other differences, the Gloria is not said or sung at a Memorial, but is at a Feast, and the Creed is added on Solemnities.
Some Solemnities are also Holy Day of Obligation. In the United States today is such a day. However whenever January 1 falls on a Saturday or a Monday, as it does this year, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated, provided you attended Mass as required yesterday, on Subday.
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