A Deo et Rege

Pope Paul VI made some excellent points in Humanae Vitae about married love.
Essentially married love is fully human, total, faithful, and fertile. In
today’s society, and sadly even among some Christian groups, such a position is
radical. And radically needed.

From Humanae Vitae
(emphases mine):

[Married] love is above all fully human, a compound of sense and spirit. It is not, then,
merely a question of natural instinct or emotional drive. It is also, and above
all, an act of the free will, whose trust is such that it is meant not only to
survive the joys and sorrows of daily life, but also to grow, so that husband
and wife become in a way one heart and one soul, and together attain their
human fulfillment.

It is a love which is total—that very special form of personal friendship in which
husband and wife generously share everything, allowing no unreasonable
exceptions and not thinking solely of their own convenience. Whoever really
loves his partner loves not only for what he receives, but loves that partner
for the partner’s own sake, content to be able to enrich the other with the
gift of himself.

Married love is also faithful and exclusive of all other, and this until death. This is
how husband and wife understood it on the day on which, fully aware of what
they were doing, they freely vowed themselves to one another in marriage.
Though this fidelity of husband and wife sometimes presents difficulties, no
one has the right to assert that it is impossible; it is, on the contrary,
always honorable and meritorious. The example of countless married couples
proves not only that fidelity is in accord with the nature of marriage, but
also that it is the source of profound and enduring happiness.

Finally, this love is fecund [i.e. fertile]. It is not confined wholly to the loving
interchange of husband and wife; it also contrives to go beyond this to bring
new life into being. "Marriage and conjugal love are by their nature
ordained toward the procreation and education of children. Children are really
the supreme gift of marriage and contribute in the highest degree to their
parents’ welfare.

The idea of Anglican Uniatism has been a topic of discussion among many Catholic and Anglican blogs (e.g. TitusOneNine, Pontifications, Against the Grain, Land of Hope and Glory and here). Many Anglicans, especially traditional Anglo-Catholics, like the idea in theory because it would mean a) Anglicans would become Catholic and in communion with the Pope and b) they would keep their beautiful liturgy and music and their unique customs. The Catholic Church would benefit in a couple ways too because a) good music and good liturgy could only be a positive influence on Catholics since sometimes we can be, ahem, lacking in both and b) this may be a golden mission opportunity to bring thousands (hundreds of thousands?) into the Catholic Church. However, alleged secret meetings with the Pope among Continuing groups aside, there are still many issues that would have to be resolved. I’m assuming now that these talks would be with traditional Anglo-Catholics or Continuing groups because issues like women’s ordination and practicing gay leaders would be an impediment that couldn’t be resolved from the Catholic perspective. Even with those issues lacking, here are a few of the big problems that would need resolution:

1. A Married Episcopate- I can see no way that the Catholic Church would allow this, except maybe giving a dispensation for the first generation. After that, I’d say no way. No apostolic body currently permits this. Even the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox, which allow married priests, take their bishops from the celibate.

2. Anglican Orders- Although the so-called "Dutch Touch" may have clouded the issue slightly, the Catholic Church still officially considers Anglican orders invalid. Whatever group comes to Rome will probably have to accept some form of re-ordination.

3. The History- We have histories that have gone in totally different directions and quite frankly are incompatible. A person could not credibly celebrate the feast day of St. Thomas More and venerate Thomas Cranmer. Likewise, how can Catholicism ever be reconciled to a tradition that has an authoritative document that says: "Transubstantiation…is repugnant to the plain
words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath
given occasion to many superstitions?"

4. Anglicanism is Western- All of the current non-Roman, yet Catholic Churches are Eastern. Anglicanism is Western and England has always been a part of the Western Church (although this is not the whole story, see the end of the essay). In creating a uniquely Anglican Rite there would have to be solid evidence such a rite is worth creating. I don’t think beauty and dignity of liturgy are enough. After all, the liturgy of the whole Western Rite should be made more dignified and beautiful (I think Benedict is on this one!).

Of course, even with these big issues (and there are more), there are solutions. As mentioned above, Rome could allow the first generation of bishops to be married and then only allow married priests in the future. In terms of ordination, I see no other option than a Catholic ordination or the slight possibly of conditional ordination. Historically speaking, the Anglicans could repudiate the anti-Catholic elements of their tradition, while retaining liturgy, music, and custom so long as it doesn’t go against Catholic doctrine. The Eastern Catholic example shows there can be some wiggle room. Finally, the English Church has always been Western, but Celtic Christianity always had some unique elements. Perhaps this would be the basis for a uniquely Anglican expression within the Western Rite. Of course, the connection of Anglicanism to the historic Celtic Church is quite tenuous. But who knows?

Will there be an Anglican Rite within Catholicism? Do most traditional Anglicans even want to be Catholic? After all, an Anglican can simply convert (like I did). Only time will tell if this idea gets any traction, but I think it’s quite an opportunity that at least needs to be explored.

Today I took my grandma to the doctor. It was nothing major, just a followup appointment for an earlier cataract surgery. I don’t like doctor’s offices and I really don’t like the waiting. So, I brought along a copy of Humanae Vitae the encyclical issued by Pope Paul VI on artificial birth control that I had gotten free at pre-Cana, the Catholic marriage preparation program. It was an amazing, enlightening, and certainly prophetic read. Paul VI saw the decay of the coming sexual revolution with uncanny accuracy. I am working on some more detailed thoughts and I will blog on this in the upcoming weeks.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux from Commentary on the Song of Songs, Sermon 3:

To you, Lord Jesus, how truly my heart has said: "My face looks to you. Lord, I do seek your face." In the dawn you brought me proof of your love, in my first approach to kiss your revered feet you forgave my evil ways as I lay in the dust. With the advancement of the day you gave your servant reason to rejoice" when, in the kiss of the hand, you imparted the grace to live rightly. And now what remains, O good Jesus, except that suffused as I am with the fullness of your light, and while my spirit is fervent, you would graciously bestow on me the kiss of your mouth, and give me unbounded joy in your presence. Serenely lovable above all others, tell me where will you lead your flock to graze, where will you rest it at noon?" Dear brothers, surely it is wonderful for us to be here, but the burden of the day calls us elsewhere. These guests, whose arrival has just now been announced to us, compel me to break off rather than to conclude a talk that I enjoy so much. So I go to meet the guests, to make sure that the duty of charity, of which we have been speaking, may not suffer neglect, that we may not hear it said of us: "They do not practice what they preach." Do you pray in the meantime that God may accept the homage of my lips for your spiritual welfare, and for the praise and glory of his name.

Source: Glorify His Name

All I can say is: I can’t wait until December 9th!

See the trailer of the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe HERE

Hat tip: Extreme Catholic

Awhile back I and some commenters on the blog discussed Anglican Use Catholic parishes. These parishes, created for former Anglican priests and congregations, use a modified 1928 Book of Common Prayer. Thus, they retain large parts of their Anglican heritage while embracing the Catholic tradition and being in communion with Rome and their local bishop. This Anglican Use liturgy and pastoral provision (allowing married Anglicans to become Catholic priests) were championed by none other than Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, currently known as Pope Benedict XVI. I think this is a good option for those Anglicans who want to become Catholic, but hate to leave behind the beautiful liturgy of the old Book of Common Prayer. I would expect to see an increase of these parishes under Pope Benedict XVI. I’d love to visit one myself.

Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Church (Anglican Use parish)
Order the Book of Divine Worship (the Anglican Use "BCP")
Pastoral Provision

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers, especially my own! As a Catholic, I also have the Blessed Virgin Mary as my mother too. Happy Mother’s Day to her as well. On this Mother’s Day, I leave you with some excerpts from the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium) on the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The predestination of the Blessed Virgin as Mother of God was
associated with the incarnation of the divine word: in the designs of
divine Providence she was the gracious mother of the divine Redeemer here
on earth, and above all others and in a singular way the generous
associate and humble handmaid of the Lord. She conceived, brought forth,
and nourished Christ, she presented him to the Father in the temple,
shared her Son’s sufferings as he died on the cross. Thus, in a wholly
singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope and burning
charity in the work of the Savior in restoring supernatural life to
souls. For this reason she is a mother to us in the order of grace.

This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues
uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the
Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross,
until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she
did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession
continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation.[15] By her maternal
charity, she cares for the brethren of her Son, who still journey on
earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into
their blessed home. Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church
under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.[16]
This, however, is so understood that it neither takes away anything from
nor adds anything to the dignity and efficacy of Christ the one
Mediator.

No creature could ever be counted along with the Incarnate Word and
Redeemer; but just as the priesthood of Christ is shared in various ways
both by his ministers and the faithful, and as the one goodness of God is
radiated in different ways among his creatures, so also the unique
mediation of the Redeemer does not exclude but rather gives rise to a
manifold cooperation which is but a sharing in this one source.

The Church does not hesitate to profess this subordinate role of Mary,
which it constantly experiences and recommends to the heartfelt attention
of the faithful, so that encouraged by this maternal help they may the
more closely adhere to the Mediator and Redeemer.

By reason of the gift and role of her divine motherhood, by which she
is united with her Son, the Redeemer, and with her unique graces and
functions, the Blessed Virgin is also intimately united to the Church. As
St. Ambrose taught, the Mother of God is a type of the Church in the
order of faith, charity, and perfect union with Christ. For in the
mystery of the Church, which is itself rightly called mother and virgin,
the Blessed Virgin stands out in eminent and singular fashion as exemplar
both of virgin and mother. Through her faith and obedience she gave
birth on earth to the very Son of the Father, not through the knowledge
of man but by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, in the manner of a
new Eve who placed her faith, not in the serpent of old but in God’s
messenger without wavering in doubt. The Son whom she brought forth is
he whom God placed as the first born among many brethren (Rom. 8:29),
that is, the faithful, in whose generation and formation she cooperates
with a mother’s love.

The Church indeed contemplating her hidden sanctity, imitating her
charity and faithfully fulfilling the Father’s will, by receiving the
word of God in faith becomes herself a mother. By preaching and baptism
she brings forth sons, who are conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of
God, to a new and immortal life. She herself is a virgin, who keeps in
its entirety and purity the faith she pledged to her spouse. Imitating
the mother of her Lord, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, she keeps
intact faith, firm hope and sincere charity.

But while in the most Blessed Virgin the Church has already reached
that perfection whereby she exists without spot or wrinkle (cf. Eph.
5:27), the faithful still strive to conquer sin and increase in holiness.
And so they turn their eyes to Mary who shines forth to the whole
community of the elect as the model of virtues. Devoutly meditating on
her and contemplating her in the light of the Word made man, the Church
reverently penetrates more deeply into the great mystery of the
Incarnation and becomes more and more like her spouse. Having entered
deeply into the history of salvation, Mary, in a way, unites in her
person and re-echoes the most important doctrines of the faith: and when
she is the subject of preaching and worship she prompts the faithful to
come to her Son, to his sacrifice and to the love of the Father. Seeking
after the glory of Christ, the Church becomes more like her lofty type,
and continually progresses in faith, hope and charity, seeking and doing
the will of God in all things. The Church, therefore, in her apostolic
work too, rightly looks to her who gave birth to Christ, who was thus
conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, in order that through
the Church he could be born and increase in the hearts of the faithful.
In her life the Virgin has been a model of that motherly love with which
all who join in the Church’s apostolic mission for the regeneration of
mankind should be animated.

Images of Our Lady of All Nations and Our Mother of Perpetual Help, believed to be in the public domain, from St. Charles Borromeo Church Image Gallery

Document Source: RC.Net

Chuck, David, Carmel, and the priests at Catholic Ragemonkey also make the Mary/Mother’s Day connection (or something close to it). Visit their excellent posts.

Today is the solemnity of the Ascension in my Diocese and many others throughout the world. I think Ascension should probably remain on the Thursday of the 6th week of Easter universally, but I respect and submit to the judgment of the Holy See and my Diocese.

Jesus Christ, 40 days after his glorious resurrection, leaves his followers and returns into heaven to reign with God the Father. I can imagine it as a time of sadness for his followers. After all, Jesus had just been raised and now he must leave them again. However, his bodily departure is not the end of his presence. Not only that, but he will send the Holy Spirit and the apostles can really get down to their business of building up the Kingdom of God and spreading the Gospel. We celebrate the solemnity of Pentecost next week.

Not only do we have the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, but we have, daily if we choose, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, body, soul, and divinity, in the consecrated elements. The Ascension is not the departure of Jesus’s presence, just an opportunity to experience his presence in new and wonderful ways, especially the Eucharist, the Source and Summit of the Christian life. And of course, we celebrate the feast of his Most Holy Body and Blood two Sundays after Pentecost.

Hail the day that sees Him rise,
Ravished from our wistful eyes!
Christ, awhile to mortals given,
Re-ascends His native heaven.
There the glorious triumph waits,
Lift your heads, eternal gates!
Wide unfold the radiant scene,
Take the King of glory in!

Charles Wesley

Blessed Ascension to all of you!

Image, believed to be in public domain, taken from St. Charles Borromeo Church Image Gallery

"Let him kiss me with kisses of his mouth" (Song of Songs 1:2, NAB)

St. Bernard of Clairvaux from Commentary on the Song of Songs, Sermon 2

But he, the one whom they proclaim, let him speak to me, let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth. I have no desire that he should approach me in their person, or address me with their words, for they are a watery darkness, a dense cloud; rather in his own person let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth; let him whose presence is full of love, from whom exquisite doctrines flow in streams, let him become a spring inside me, welling up to eternal life. Shall I not receive a richer infusion of grace from him whom the Father has anointed with the oil of gladness above all his rivals, provided that he will bestow on me the kiss of his mouth? For his living, active word is to me a kiss, not indeed an adhering of the lips that can sometimes belie a union of hearts, but an unreserved infusion of joys, a revealing of mysteries, a marvelous and indistinguishable mingling of the divine light with the enlightened mind, which, joined in truth to God, is one spirit with him.

Source: Glorify His Name

St. Bernard of Clairvaux from Commentary on the Song of Songs (Sermon 1):

We must conclude then it was a special divine impulse that inspired these songs of his that now celebrate the praises of Christ and his Church, the gift of holy love, the sacrament of endless union with God. Here too are expressed the mounting desires of the soul, its marriage song, an exultation of spirit poured forth in figurative language pregnant with delight. It is no wonder that like Moses he put a veil on his face, equally resplendent as it must have been in this encounter, because in those days few if any could sustain the bright vision of God’s glory. Accordingly, because of its excellence, I consider this nuptial song to be well deserving of the title that so remarkably designates it, the Song of Songs, just as he in whose honor it is sung is uniquely proclaimed King of kings and Lord of lords.

Source: Glorify His Name

I decided to read the biblical book Song of Songs again, something I’ve been meaning to do since I’ve been Catholic. I don’t believe in the private reading of Scripture. Now, by "private" I don’t mean sitting alone and reading your Bible. That is something everyone should do. What I mean is that I don’t believe when we read Scripture alone (i.e. by ourselves) we should be reading Scripture alone. We must always read the Scriptures in conjunction with the Tradition of the Church, since we as Catholics believe the Holy Spirit who inspired the Scriptures inspires the Church today.

Now, Song of Songs is one of those books that, read apart from the Church, could be quite confusing and misleading. I think many would even wonder how it could be included in the canon! However, the Church has always seen in it more than just a description of romantic love, but of the love of Christ for his Church. It has also been frequently applied to the Blessed Virgin Mary. As such, I’ll be reading Song of Songs, along with the Commentary on the Song of Songs by St. Bernard of Clairvaux. I’ll be posting quotes and other observations occasionally on this blog.

Yes, it’s true. Those words do appear in the Bible in the same sentence, except it’s not in the way many people think. James writes, "You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone." (RSV). I love the Book of James and have always loved it, even when I read it as a hard core Protestant. Of course, my Protestantism (admittedly not always hardcore) was Methodism and Anglicanism, where I don’t think justification by faith alone is really much of an issue except among certain groups.

I recently bought the New Catholic Answer Bible and am highly impressed with it. It features the basic text and notes of the New American Bible (NAB), which is on the sterile side, but otherwise not too bad. It also includes, however, notes by Paul Thigpen and Dave Armstrong that explain the biblical basis for Catholic beliefs. I know Catholic theology quite well, but I want to know more about the biblical basis for many doctrines, especially those we don’t share with our separated brethren. Contrary to popular belief we do (or are supposed to) read and have a love and veneration of the Holy Scriptures.

We continued looking around the crypt area, but since there was a mass, we were somewhat limited in where we could visit. After the mass we went into the main crypt area where they have all the services. It was a beautiful place, especially all the various altars done in mosaic style. This made me feel like I was taken back to the early Church, especially in the Saints they chose, like St. Lucy, St. Cecilia, St. Agatha, St. Anastasia, etc.

The main crypt area also included Our Lady of Good Health (Vailankanni), an Indian shrine and Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Antipolo), a Philippine shrine. Both were beautiful and moving. We said prayers for all our sick friends and loved ones (there are a lot right now) at the Our Lady of Good Health altar and an Indian woman handed us a holy card with a novena from her purse. Such a small act ministered to us in such a grand way!

Next, we moved upstairs, where another mass was finishing up. We first encountered Mary, Queen of Ireland, a beautiful shrine with a working fountain. We also encountered an African pilgrim who seemed to be caught up in the Spirit and was oblivious to us, other than giving us a smile. It was beautiful in so many ways.

We moved along to more of the side altars, including St. Vincent DePaul among others. We prayed all the prayers and were followed by the African woman. Her faith was inspiring.

One of the most poignant of the Upper Church side altars for me was the one dedicated to Mary, Help of Christians. This meant so much to me because I’ve really been struggling lately about several things, mainly about where God wants me to best serve him. I know that he has a plan and this altar really brought the reality of his grace and the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

One more segment to come…

Image on left of Mary, Queen of Ireland; image on right, Mary, Help of Christians.

All photos by Jonathan Bennett

We started the drive into Washington DC about 8:30am and our route took us through the mountains of Maryland and West Virginia on I-68. A friend said that this is the most beautiful part of the country and I’m inclined to agree with him. The mountains and the scenic views are lovely. In fact, in parts of Maryland and West Virginia spring hasn’t even arrived yet the elevation is so high. It’s interesting to be warm and see the flowering of spring one minute and 30 minutes later to look upon bare trees, brown grass, and to see your breath when you talk.

Yahoo! Maps took us to the basilica via downtown Washington DC. Note to readers: never, ever, ever, never take this route. We missed a turn and found our way back on the route, but not after a great headache and horrible traffic. But, at about 4:15 we finally arrived at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The sheer size was absolutely amazing and it confronted us immediately. We first went to the gift shop and it was huge as well. I bought some souvenirs and the customary candle and holy water container. Then, I began my pilgrimage at the Shrine.

First, we visited the downstairs crypt including the many different altars and statues. Most of the altars had prayers and a kneeler for those interested. Of course, we were interested. The Eastern Rite chapel was beautiful and was special to me because of my interest in Eastern Christianity. The chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes was moving, especially since it was carved into rock (or fake rock). This was also near the Mother of Africa altar which included a statue of the Blessed Mother and our infant Lord with African features.

I was especially impressed by the many different ethnic altars and chapels. This is a theme I often encounter since I’ve been Catholic. When we call ourselves Catholic, it is more than just being theologically universal. We are also universal in that we are around the world and include people of diverse backgrounds, races, etc. It is a good reminder when we in the West get triumphalistic that the Catholic Church is not just white and that’s a good thing.

More to come…

Photo on left of the outside of the Shrine; photo on left of Mother of Africa. All photos taken by Jonathan Bennett.

Here is a photo from my recent visit to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It’s Our Lady of Siluva, which I chose because I have Lithuanian ancestry. I will post more on my trip later.