Adult Indult

My roommate was just received in to the Catholic Church. I love him, but I haven't blogged in a while. What makes me want to hop online for this?

Well, he received special permission to do it outside of RCIA and in the old rite.What is most surprising is for him to do it of his own volition. A brief overview:

After his home parish said absolutely not, he found a priest that allowed him to be catechized from Baltimore 4. This went on for three months, and a date was set. He is coming over from Protestantism - Baptist. So he had to warm up to the idea of taking on saints, and asking them for their intercession.

He chose St. John the Baptist for his baptismal patron... a homage to his past religion? X^D
He chose St. Francis de Sales for his confirmation patron. Perhaps because Introduction to the Devout Life is the book on tape I let him borrow.

Part One - He abjured his past heresies.(That was a real thing.) " I, (your name here), XX years of age in the church of St. Patrick's, before you Fr. Get-in-trouble-if-I-used-last-name." Very cool.

Part Two - He was conditionally baptized (That is why the whole thing had to be done in private. Just close friends present as the diocese doesn't like to admit the baptist religion may not have valid baptism (they don't believe in the washing away of original sin.) First, the baptism took place in the vestibule to symbolize my roommate was outside the church. I will work on getting a link to the ritual. He tasted the salt of wisdom, his eyes and ears were opened (Epheta... that is "Be thou opened") He was EXORCISED! Not exactly politically correct. But it shows the difference in the old rite and the new. Secondly he was led into the church proper under the purple stole of the priest. Then made to prostrate before the altar. Lastly he was brought to the baptismal font and anointed and and dunked. JK... the priest just poured water over his head... "If thou has not been baptized... Ego te baptizo." His god-parents touched him as it happened to secure the bond.

Part Three - Conditional Confession. Just in case one of the two times he attempted baptism were valid, he would need to atone for all the sins committed since. So off they went and came back for the next step.

Part Four - Father started off by saying "The bishop is the normal minister of this Sacrament, but he has delegated permission so that I may confirm today." While it did not have all of the pomp an circumstance of a episcopal confirmation, it was modest and honest. My roommates sponsor placed his hand on his shoulder to seal the other bond!

Part Five - I assisted as acolyte and it was rubric according to Holy Communion outside of Mass. That involved a Confiteor, Absolution prayer, and Ecce Agnus Dei! Very Nice. My roommate has looked forward to becoming Catholic for a long time, and the Sacraments given to him were given the due respect they deserve.

The priest said to me afterwards that it was a shame how the new rite of baptism is "butchered." I will pray that he no longer uses the butchered form, but that is his call.

Pictures to come.

Things I don't get

Why are people not talking in full sentences?

ex. "That moment when you go to the store and realize you forgot your wallet."

Okay... are you going to tell me about more?

Also, why are people saying "That ____, though" And they don't even spell though all the way.

ex. That cookie, tho 

Yeah, cookies are good. I know.

Hash tags outside of search functions. Is it really that fashionable to take the time to do that?

Selfies. They are narcissistic.

Guys taking selfies. Super gay.

People saying "_____ game is strong." Why can't you give a compliment like a normal person.

Also, why is this or that "life" 

Ex. Gym is life. 

I know your life revolves around the gym. Please just say "my life revolves around the gym.

And while we're at it... ____ Life. 

I live in Jacksonville, FL. There is a store here that has back window stickers that say Salt Life. It is a beach bum life style. I get that. It was even cute when all the different lifestyles borrowed from it. E.g. "Mud Life," and one that I always "God First Life." hahahahah. Did the whole world take off with this? I dont get it. Insult to injury its spelled "lyfe" 9 times out of 10.

Bae.

Hindsight is 20/20?

I saw an interview and must admit it is very hard to watch. A) the interviewer is relentless but more so because B) you can see the realization on Bp. Fellay's face that he is now neutered. The future for Tradition is bleak now that the head of the SSPX has departed from Abp. Lefebvre's position at the price of the upcoming deal. Another thought crossed my mind. There are two people in the news who would not have let this interview get out of hand. That is of course Bp. WIlliamson and Donald Trump. Did I really just make that comparison? Think about it! Those two are the only people I can honestly say would speak there mind in the face of ridicule. Trump and Fellay, on the other hand, are nothing alike! Bp. Fellay is dangerous because (after watching this excruciating interview) its clear he doesn't have a backbone and he wields power to lead millions (from where did this power come, I know not.) Trump is dangerous because he doesn't have the Faith and has the power to lead millions (from where this power came, I know not either.) It will never work because as Abp. Lefebvre said "we are working to Christianize society, and [Trump] is working to dechristianize society.
At the risk of sounding dramatic, I'm reminded of the movie The Cardinal. When the Cardinal of Austria realizes Hitler broke his promise (and how His Eminence forsook his office by putting his hope in man) he exclaims "And to think, instead of saying praised be to Jesus, I said Heil Hitler." Following the campaign, I am afraid to say Trump's goals are Christ the King's. After watching this interview, I am forced to say neither are Bp. Fellay's goals.
Is the deal with Rome is premature? Depends on your conditions.
1) Obedience is infallible. The SSPX messed up when Abp. Lefebvre consecrated the four bishops. (Well, then you should be FSSP.) Traditionalists need to be approved and that is the end of it.
2) The SSPX will never get what they want, Rome is too far gone. Lets strike while the "approval" iron is hot. We will infiltrate Rome like the Trojan Horse despite the record of all approved Traditional groups in the last 50 years.
3) Abp. Lefebvre recognized a real crisis, one that is not over. His stance is to batten down the hatches and let the storm blow over. It might take 20 years, 50 years, 100 years, or more, but when the storm is over and the Pope acts like a Catholic again, then you simply submit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0eTadAYK6o
(link to interview. The Conflict Zone interviews Bishop Fellay.)

Another Head Scratcher

"(Benedict XVI) encourages us to read once again the documents of Vatican II with a particular frame of mind, interpreting these teachings in the continuity of church life rather than presenting Vatican II as a creative move to build a completely new church in contrast to past centuries."
-Bishop Estevez in The Saint Augustine Catholic February Issue of St. Augustine Catholic (Magazine)

"If it is desirable to offer a diagnosis of the text [Gaudium et Spes] as a whole, we might say that (in conjunction with the texts on religious liberty and world religions) it is a revision of the Syllabus of Pius IX, a kind of countersyllabus."- Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

What's the syllabus? Wait... you mean the pope admitted at one time that a Vatican II document said things that were contrary to the Church's teachings in these things?
http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius09/p9syll.htm

Conclusion:
A) Bishops (not just this one) do not know what Pope Pius IX wrote
B) Bishops (not just this one) know what Pius IX wrote and disagree with Him

because C is not a possibility
C Bishops (not just this one) know what Pius IX wrote and are confused with what Pius IX meant when he wrote the Syllabus of Errors and thought His Holiness meant something closer to what Vatican II said.

Bless Your Heart

Recently, I have been checking the "On This Day" app that Facebook provides. It is very interesting to me to see what I was posting as far back as 2007. Some good/some not so good posts. This was a good post from 2012.

"However, what we must never do is let this need for order translate into a strange sort of 'Catholic fundamentalism'... Sometimes our desire for a 'perfect Mass' can prevent us from seeing the beauty present in every Mass."
-Rev. Joseph Krupp

Some one asked "I would want to know the context of this priest's comment. Seems like the statement could easily be used to justify a very lax approach to the Holy Mass."

The answer: In the St. Augustine 2012 February/Match Catholic Diocesan Magazine. The article is entitled "How do I report liturgical abuse" or the "Ask Fr. Joe" column. It should have been titled "Awwww, you want a reverent Mass? How cute..."

As the ol' Southern saying goes "Bless your heart!" Allow this blogger to translate. "You think you know what Catholicism is because you grew up in it, Lady? Well, I studied at a fancy seminary. I've read more books that have come out since 1969 than you. Why don't you let the professionals handle this. Its what we get paid for." 

I posted this as my FB status to see what the reaction would be.After I got a few "Amens" I wanted to clarify what I felt the response should have been. I posted these responses. I guess no one took the bate because a discussion did not ensue. (I was a littler more feisty back in 2012. The number of 2014-2016 blogs should attest.)

"He is called accursed, who doth the work of God negligently…  No other work can be performed by the faithful so holy and divine as this tremendous mystery itself, wherein that life-giving victim is daily immolated on the altar by priests. It is also sufficiently clear, that all industry and diligence is to be applied to this end, that it be performed with the greatest possible inward cleanness and purity of heart, and outward show of devotion and piety. --22 Session of the Sacred Council of Trent
We order them in virtue of holy obedience to chant or to read the Mass according to the rite and manner and norm herewith laid down by Us and, hereafter, to discontinue and completely discard all other rubrics and rites of other missals, however ancient, which they have customarily followed; and they must not in celebrating Mass presume to introduce any ceremonies or recite any prayers other than those contained in this Missal. ----Pope St. Pius V, Quo Primum
I agree that God knows we are humans, and that if the priest or the altar boys or the choir messes up, its not the end of the world, and the Sacrifice of the Mass was still pleasing to God. But when priests are “being creative” and adding prayers to instruct the people…?  Trent says that the priest should be as OUTWARDLY diligent as possible (inwardly too) because the Mass is the most perfect thing on this planet, and we should strive to have it as perfect as humanly possible! A perfect Mass is reading what is on the page and following the instructions given on the page. Nothing more, nothing less. If ‘Catholic fundamentalism’ means wanting a priest to stick to that, St. Pius would say we have a problem…

Conclusion:

A) These priests do not know about St. Pius, Trent, or anything before Vatican II (brainwashed)

or

B) They do know about St. Pius and Trent, but think they know better. (pride)

Can you think of another possibility?

St. Pius V, pray for us.

Silver Linings and wedding bells.

My roommate was just married. It was the most beautiful wedding I've ever been to. Let me tell you about it.

1. The bride was beautiful.

2. It was at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. It is the prettiest church in Jacksonville, and I daresay prettiest church between the cathedral in Savannah, GA and Gesu in Miami, FL.

3. My roommate dug deep and hired a choir to sing a polyphonic Mass. They weren't cheap and he got what he paid for.

4. Everybody was beautiful, and they really took the invitation to the TLM seriously. I was impressed with how modestly everyone was dressed. The ladies even dawned courtesy chapel veils provided by the bride and groom!

5. I served the Mass with four of my best friends. (I'm so glad the groom and I share friends.) Three of the servers never served the Traditional Latin Mass before, let alone a Missa Cantata. But they did it for their friend, the groom and God. We had a Crucifer, Thurifer, two Acolytes, and an MC. The guys really practiced hard and I, as the Master of Ceremonies, and the Groom are very thankful to them. NO MAJOR MESS UPS!

6. There was a special Greek incense used.

7. We busted out the Communion cloth for those who received Communion in the Sanctuary. Unfortunately, the rails did not have a cloth for the lay faithful. Hopefully the pastor will see our example and adhere to the rubric.

8. I am also deeply touched, and admit... a little tickled, that my friends put my fathers Mood^3 blocks out at the reception. I hope people enjoyed them. I know a couple of people took them home. I know he would have enjoyed seeing people turn the blocks for the first time.

While the Traditionalist in me wants to nit pic some things, this joyous post is not the time or the place. My prayers are with the newly wedded couple. My father RSVPed he was going. It was very sad not having him there. He wanted the Bride and Groom to have a beautiful wedding, and would have been proud with the way things went.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pray for us.
St. Nicholas of Bari, Pray for us.
St. Mary, Pray for us.
St. Joseph, Pray for us.

Good bye, Dad.

My dear father, David, passed away. He had baldder cancer that spread throught his poor body. Having cancer coupled with sepsis, he had a rare gift from God: knowing Our Lord would call him soon.

A little miracle happen that I would like to share with you. After my dad stopped taking a very toxic antibiotic at the hospital to keep his full body infection down, the illness really affected his mental capacity. He came home under the care of hospice and immediatly got worse. After a few days with no sign of improvement the doctor said we could possibly have entered a 72 hour window. His family was on their way to be what was certainly his last few days. Dad said very little the passed few days, but mumbled for Holy Communion. The next day we dressed up and sat in the living room awaiting Our Lord to come to us. The priest walked in and unveiled the Blessed Sacrament. He said confidently, "Mr. Walker,  would you like your confession heard." I was surprisedd that little weak man said yes and I was happy to excuse myself. Whether there were specific sins or a general "I am sorry" it os not for me to know, but I came back in when I heard a knock. There was my father in his chair, looking very contemplative. The priest asked me to start the Confiteor. As I began, who should join me in Latin, but the man who taught me the prayer 15 years before. He finished the last Mea Culpa, and let his son take over. Father let us behold the Lamb of God Who takest away the sinsnof the world, and then we received Holy Communion. Then the priest begins the Apostolic Blessing to the dying and tells my father to think of his sins and tell Jesus he was sorry. I then took the picture that will stay with me for a long, long time.

After rallying some strength, my father gave his best for two weeks. We took a shot of whisky, went down to the river and said our prayers.

Then God called my father,  His servent, to be judged. I pray the Lord had mercy on my father, a poor sinner. Please join me in praying for the repose of his soul.