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.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
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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