Post #55

Topics: Book Review by James Spencer: Manual of Episcopal Ceremonies... Novus Ordo Liturgy Change: Pope Benedict XVI Considers Moving the Sign of Peace ...Blast from the Past Picture: Our Lady of Guadalupe...Learning About the Mass: The Introit, the Collect, The Sung Ordinary...Kansas City: Website of Traditional Latin Mass...

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Book Review
Reviewed by James Spencer

Manual of Episcopal Ceremonies, fifth edition, in two volumes, by Rt. Rev. Aurelius Stehle, O.S.B., D.D. Originally published in 1961 by The Archabbey Press, Latrobe, PA; reprinted in 2008 by Preserving Christian Publications, P.O. Box 221, Boonville, NY 13309, www.pcpbooks.com, (315) 942-6617. ISBN 978-0-9802084-3-6. Hard cover, 6.5” by 9.25.” Volume one has 240 pages; volume two has 216 pages. Each volume has a ribbon place marker. Price: $60 ($52 + $8 S&H, within U.S.A.)

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By reprinting this two-volume set, PCP is promoting wider use of the Extraordinary Form (EF) of Mass throughout the English-speaking world. These books contain, in great detail, all the rubrics necessary for each participant in the various EF episcopal ceremonies, that is, the ceremonies in which one or more Bishops, Arch-Bishops, Abbots, or Cardinals participate. Proper rubrics are almost transparent to most people in the congregation. Improper rubrics are a distraction and sometimes an embarrassment. Ideally, each person in the sanctuary should do his job so smoothly and should interact with the others so precisely that, collectively, they seem to perform like a well-coached, well-coordinated athletic team. Together they should make the entire ceremony so beautiful, so inspiring, that the congregation never realizes how extensive and detailed the rubrics are for each “player.”

Who are the “players”? Well, depending on the ceremony, they may include one or more Bishops (Abbots, Arch-Bishops, and/or Cardinals), an Assistant Priest, a Deacon, one or more Assistant Deacons, a Subdeacon, a Master of Ceremonies, a Choir, a Book-Bearer, a Candle-Bearer, a Staff-Bearer, a Miter-Bearer, a Thurifer, several Acolytes, a Gremial-Bearer, a Train-Bearer, a Cross-Bearer, plus “Other Ministers”! Clearly, with so many folks moving about within the sanctuary, each one must do his individual job precisely and in proper coordination with all other participants. Otherwise, the ceremony would quickly become pandemonium, with people running into one another, tripping one another, and so on. Without good rubrics and participants well-trained therein, sanctuary space might have to be allocated for emergency medical personnel!

Happily, this two-volume set presents all of the sometimes complex rubrics for each participant in each ceremony in great but easily understood detail. Therefore, with this book and a reasonable amount of training and practice, those involved in any of these ceremonies can perform faultlessly and so transparently that God will be properly adored and the congregation will be properly edified.

What ceremonies are covered? Volume I contains rubrics for “Ordinary Episcopal Ceremonies,” which are: Pontifical Mass at the Throne; Pontifical Mass at the Throne for the Dead; Pontifical Mass at the Faldstool; Pontifical Mass at the Faldstool for the Dead; Solemn Mass in the Presence of the Ordinary, Cardinal, Papal Legate, or Metropolitan; Solemn Mass in the Presence of the Ordinary in Cappa Magna and Biretta; Solemn Mass in the Presence of the Ordinary when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed; Solemn Mass for the Dead in the Presence of the Ordinary; Solemn Mass in the Presence of the Ordinary in Rochet and Mozetta; Low Mass in the Presence of the Ordinary, a Cardinal, Papal Legate, or Metropolitan; Low Mass celebrated by a Bishop; Confirmation; Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament when a Bishop officiates; and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the Presence of the Ordinary. Volume I also contains detailed instructions on the rubrics for Incensation and the Pax, and for the choir at Pontifical Mass.

Volume II contains rubrics for “Occasional Episcopal Ceremonies,” which are: Pontifical Vespers at the throne; Pontifical Vespers at the Faldstool; Vespers in the presence of the Ordinary, a Cardinal, Papal Legate, or Metropolitan; Pontifical Vespers for the Dead; Pontifical Compline; Pontifical Matins and Lauds on Solemn Feasts; Pontifical Matins and Lauds for the Dead; Annual Episcopal Ceremonies (Candlemas Day, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Tenebrae, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Rogation Days, Corpus Christi); Holy Orders (Ordination); and the Investiture of a Monsignor.

WOW! What an array of ceremonies! About all I couldn’t find in these two books is what to do during a non-episcopal church ceremony if a Bishop, Abbot, Arch-Bishop, or Cardinal happens to drive by on his way to the airport or wherever. Perhaps I just didn’t look closely enough. I wouldn’t bet it isn’t in there somewhere.

These two volumes are a reprint of the 1961 edition of this classic rubrical text, which is the edition that applies to the 1962 liturgical books. Every Bishop, Abbot, Arch-Bishop, and Cardinal who intends to participate in EF liturgies should have a copy. So should parishes, chapels, and monasteries where these episcopal ceremonies are likely to take place. It’s another PCP reprint of an old, out-of-print treasure that has again become relevant since the publication of Summorum Pontificum in 2007. For more such reprints, go to the PCP website.

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Copyright, 2008, by James B. Spencer. First Serial Rights

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Novus Ordo Liturgy Change
Pope Benedict XVI Considering Moving the Sign of Peace ('bout time)
Associated Press foreign, Sunday November 23 2008

VATICAN CITY (AP) - A high-ranking Vatican official says Pope Benedict XVI is considering introducing a change to the Mass liturgy.

Cardinal Francis Arinze, who heads the Vatican office for sacraments, says pope may move the placement of the sign of peace, where congregation members shake hands or hug.

Arinze told the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano in an interview published Friday that the pope has asked bishops to express their opinions and will then decide.

Under the change, the sign of peace, which now takes place moments before the reception of communion, would come earlier. Arinze said the change might help create a more solemn atmosphere as the faithful are preparing to receive communion.

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Blast from the Past Picture:
Our Lady of Guadalupe Appears to Juan Diego

"Listen and let it penetrate your heart…do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?” (Our Lady’s words to her servant Juan Diego.)

click image for bigger version

This picture hung on the wall of my parent's house since I was born (or before). Having been born in Mexico (coming to the States as children), my parents had a special devotion to Blessed Mother and the Miracle of Tepeyac.

On Dec. 9, 1531, the Virgin appeared on a hill named Tepeyac to a Chichimec neophyte named Juan Diego, born with the name Cuauhtlatoatzin, which means “the talking eagle.”

According to traditional Catholic accounts of the Guadalupan apparitions, during a walk from his village to the city on the early morning of December 9, 1531, Juan Diego saw a vision of the Virgin - a young girl of fourteen to sixteen, dark skinned and black haired, surrounded by light- at the Hill of Tepeyac.

Speaking in Nahuatl, imploring him in the diminutive case, the Lady asked for a church to be built at that site in her honor. After much hand wringing and imploring for release of such a responsibility, Juan Diego spoke to the Spanish bishop, Fray Juan de Zumárraga, the bishop asked him for a miraculous sign to prove his claim.

The Virgin asked Juan Diego to gather some flowers at the top of the hill, even though it was winter when no flowers bloomed. He found there Castilian roses, gathered them, and the Virgin herself re-arranged them in his tilma. When Juan Diego presented the roses to Zumárraga, the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe miraculously appeared imprinted on the cloth of Diego's tilma.

I remember marveling at this story because the Blessed Virgin appeared dark skinned ...which was comforting to me (as well as the poor oppressed natives in 1531) because in the early 60's our families still had to sit in the back of the church.

For a most wonderful telling of this story please follow this link to catholicism.org

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Learning About the Mass: The Introit, the Collect, the Sung Ordinary

The Introit (Latin: introitus, "entrance") is part of the opening of the celebration of the Roman Catholic Mass . Specifically, it refers to the antiphon that is spoken or sung at the beginning of the celebration. It is part of the Proper of the Mass; that is, the part that changes over the liturgical year.

The Collect is both a short, general prayer, also part of the Proper. In the Middle Ages, the prayer was referred to in Latin as collectio, but in the more ancient sources, as oratio. In English, and in this usage, "collect" is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable.

Traditionally, the liturgical collect was a dialog between the celebrant and the people. It followed a hymn of praise (such as the "in Excelsis Deo", if used) after the opening of the service, with a greeting by the celebrant "The Lord be with you", to which the people respond "And with your spirit." The celebrant invites all to pray with "Let us pray". In the more ancient practice, an invitation to kneel was given, and the people spend some short time in silent prayer, after which they were invited to stand.

The Sung Ordinary
Tip O' the Hat to the Monterey Traditional Mass Blog
http://monterey-tlm.blogspot.com/2008/11/faq-on-music-13-sung-ordinary.html

Q.What is the sung Ordinary?

A: The Ordinary refers to the parts of the Mass that are generally repeated in each liturgy. These include the introductory and penitential rites, the Preface dialogue, the communion rite, and the concluding rites. The sung Ordinary refers to the five principal Ordinary chants, which are identified by their opening word(s): Kyrie (Lord have mercy), Gloria (Glory to God), Credo (Creed), Sanctus and Benedictus (Holy, holy), and Agnus Dei (Lamb of God). Traditional polyphonic Mass settings consist of these five movements.

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Kansas City: Website of Traditional Latin Mass

Christopher over at Lost Lambs, http://www.lostlambs.net , pointed this site out to me: Kansas City Latin Mass at http://www.kansascitylatinmass.org/ which features three different churches on both sides of the state line. Old St. Patrick Oratory, St. James Parish and St. Philipine Duchesne Latin Mass Community at Blessed Sacrament Church are listed (with links).

Please support these communities by visiting their sites and churches and, as always, don't forget to mention Venite Missa Est!

Post #54

Topics: Should We Be Ashamed of the Crusades?: By Jerrilyn Szelle Holladay ...Featured Parishioner: Diana D'Amato...Random Thoughts: Day Dreaming...EWTN Priests: Learning the Latin Mass...

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Should We Be Ashamed of the Crusades?: By Jerrilyn Szelle Holladay
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Submitted by Larry Bethel with a special thanks to Jerrilyn Holladay
for allowing us to link to this article.

Jeri Holladay writes from Wichita, Kansas, where she has been Director of Adult Education at the Spiritual Life Center of the Diocese of Wichita, Associate Professor of Theology, Chairman of the Theology Department and founding Director of the Bishop Eugene Gerber Institute of Catholic Studies at Newman University. She teaches moral theology and church history.This is the first in a series she will offer to the readers of Catholic Online.

Using the Crusades as a club to bludgeon the West into guilty silence is a modern practice that has more to do with twentieth century events like the First and Second World Wars and the strains of passivism these engendered, than with the reality of the 12th and 13th centuries.

In fact, the Muslims were proud of the Crusades. After all, they won. And the Europeans? The Crusades were the first stirring of coordinated defense against centuries of attack by Muslim forces. Until the 20th century the Crusades were viewed as honorable wars, by all sides.

So, be ready when someone flips you the Crusades trump card. The historical context is the key to this puzzle, not 20th century sensibilities. The events leading up to and following the Crusades place them where they belong in the flow of history.......follow this link to web article

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Featured Parishioner: Diana D' Amato

You can hear her voice, floating above the pews, rising and falling in song. You may have seen her bring donuts for our Sunday sweet treats. Perhaps you have seen her at communion, or kneeling to pray the rosary...perhaps you have served along side her ....but no doubt you know her. It's Diana D'Amato, St. Anthony parishioner!

Diana Madeline D'Amato (confirmation name Bernadette, after her 3rd grade nun) has been a St. Anthony parishioner since 1993 and has proven to be an inextricable church servant ever since.

Born in Middletown, NY. Diana found St. Anthony to be reminiscent of the churches back East. "I was amazed at all the statues and how traditional it was, just like back in New York...most Wichita Catholic churches are so plain and severe looking."

Since Diana became a Wichitan she has worked for the Wichita Eagle and Westar and is currently enjoying retirement. "At this time I am doing volunteer things at the Humane Society and have volunteered at the Orpheum theater for many years." Diana enjoys music, reading and movies and has two nieces and 3 great nephews in California.

It's Diana's work at St. Anthony that benefits us directly...she sings in the choir (multiple masses), cleans the church, helps with coffee and donuts, works on the parish council and used to lead rosary before the Traditional Latin Mass. "I feel I am a member of the entire parish and as such should help where ever I can" she says. "A parish is like a family and you would do anything for that family."

I asked Diana about the Traditional Latin Mass (Extra Ordinary Form of the Latin Rite).

"Whenever the Latin Mass is mentioned, I get on my soap box. There is no worship of God that can be found anywhere else (that is) better. I mean it is the ultimate form. I don't understand how people cannot like or understand it. I must have charity towards them though...both Masses offer up the same thing, but the Latin satisfies the senses so much more. I think too, the Latin Mass teaches better with the different readings than the English Mass (Ordinary Form of the Latin Rite)."

Thank you for your service to our community Diana. And as always, these short interviews do not do a person justice in portraying a life, a personality or a faith. So give Diana a smile, a wave and thank her in person for her service.

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Random Thoughts: Day Dreaming

I have a tendency to see things in mundane occurrences and situations. You might call it an active imagination or (mistakenly) personal insight. I call it ...daydreaming.

Today at mass, as I sat as an acolyte listening to Father's homily, my mind began to wander(ok, I know, I know...forgive me). As I sat listening, ram rod straight, eyes affixed ahead, I was mesmerized by the thurible. It hangs on a stand in the sacristy when not being used, amidst the soft shadows and soft colorful light of the stained glass. As I sat I watched the smoke of the incense and coals pour out of the holes and curl and sway in the cool sacristy air.

I got to thinking that this smoke was so much like many a man's personal journey within their faith.

The lighted coals, smoldering in the thurible, represent the smoldering power, love and omnipotence of God. Once realized the incense of faith and love (in every man) is sprinkled atop this ever burning coal. Once the incense is lit it pours forth, hurriedly, heavily rushing out to greet the world...running into obstacles head on, flowing unabated, full tilt, full of life rushing headlong to and fro.... until it hits something it cannot overcome.

How many times have we been at this point? Something in life, circumstances, trials, loss...life in general...makes us question who we are, who God is... our faith is shaken.... our "smoke" hits a wall and is temporarily halted, turning on itself over and over.

But then something happens...time passes, a window is opened, a crack is revealed and our faith slowly gravitates to it....hesitantly at first but gradually faster and with more assurance.

In this instance the smoke of the incense had reached a level around 7 feet (the ceilings are perhaps 12 feet) leveling off in mid air, now not so hurried but settling into a layer of "fog"...more relaxed, more dense not as concentrated but more pervasive. "This is like maturity" I thought, "when the urgency of youth is replaced by the mellowness of age. "

The layer of smoke slowly and deliberately curled up around the door...the open door. How many doors has God opened for us when we thought all were closed? As the smoke left the sacristy and flowed into the sanctuary it rolled up in long curls and floated upward like so many prayers of the fervent and the needful, curling around the columns and past the statues ascending the stenciled walls toward the ceiling and God.

"Ahh", I thought "This is like our love and faith. Even with walls in it's way, it will find a way to seep through, wedge into, break out of and find a way to continue..."

And as the sweet odor of incense permeated the church I imagined it embracing, co-mingling and marrying our prayers of supplication and devotion to God almighty.

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1962 Missal

May the Lord be pleased to bless this incense and to receive its sweet fragrance through the intercession of the Blessed Archangel Michael who stands at the right hand of the altar of incense and of His chosen ones, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Psalm 141
Douay-Rheims Bible
I have cried to the, O Lord, hear me: hearken to my voice, when I cry to thee.
Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight; the lifting up of my hands, as evening sacrifice.
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Catholic Online Web Article
http://www.catholic.org/prwire/headline.php?ID=5425

EWTN: Priests Learn the Latin Mass

11/23/2008 - PST

CHICAGO, IL (NOVEMBER 23, 2008) - The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, based in the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama, recently sent two of their priests to the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius in Chicago to learn to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass.

The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word were founded in 1987, by Mother Mary Angelica, PCPA, who also founded the Eternal Word Television Network.

Fr. Joseph who serves in Irondale, AL, at the EWTN studios, and Fr. Miguel, who is stationed at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama, where Mother Angelica and the Poor Clare Nuns are cloistered, came to St. John Cantius ready to work intensely on the rubrics and ceremonies of the Traditional Latin Mass, referred to by Benedict as the "Extraordinary Form."

Each day Fr. Joseph and Fr. Miguel took the opportunity to study and observe the various forms of the Traditional Latin Mass with the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius.

They attended Low Mass, High Mass, High Mass with Incense, Requiem High Mass with Incesnse and the Absolution over the Catafalque, Nuptial High Mass, Baptisms as well as Solemn High Mass and Solemn High Requiem Mass.

Since the Summer of 2007 the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius have trained almost 175 priests to celebrate the Extraordinary Form of the Mass through the "Sancta Missa Latin Mass Workshops."

Future workshops are planned for the Winter and Spring of 2009 to be held on the campus of Mundelein Seminary at the Cardinal Stritch Retreat House. See: http://www.sanctamissa.org/workshops/for-priests/

After one week of intense instruction with the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius these priests began to offer Low Mass in the Extraordinary Form. In a short time they were able to offer the High Mass.

They studied certain variations in the celebration of Mass, such as the differences that pertain to the Requiem Mass, Ember days, Rogation days, and Passiontide, and they have each offered Requiem Low Mass.

Priests who are interested to learn Low Mass or High Mass should enroll in the SANCTAMISSA WORKSHOPS offered periodically by the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius. Visit this link for details: http://www.sanctamissa.org/workshops/for-priests/

The next Priest-Seminarian Training Workshop is offered at the Cardinal Stritch Retreat House on the campus of Chicago’s Mundelein Seminary from February 9 – 13 , 2009.

In the final week of training for the priests from the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word ending November 21st, Fr. Miguel offered his first Solemn High Mass according to the 1962 Missale Romanum. Fr. Scott Haynes, SJC, served as Deacon and Fr. Joseph served as Subdeacon. The brothers of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius served and sang for the special Mass.

Rev. C. Frank Phillips, Founder of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius delivered the homily at Fr. Miguel’s First Solemn Mass on the Feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

Also in attendance was Fr. David McLeod of the Military Archdiocese of Canada, who sat in choir for the Solemn Mass. Fr. McLeod arrived recently to study the celebration of the Extraordinary Form under the tutelage of Fr. Bartholomew Juncer, S.J.C.

On Friday, November 21, 2008, Fr. Joseph offered his first Solemn Mass according to the 1962 Missale Romanum. Fr. Miguel served as Subdeacon and Fr. Scott served as Deacon.

To thank the Blessed Mother, who is the mother of all priests, for the rich graces bestowed upon these priests learning the Traditional Latin Mass, Solemn Vespers in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary was chanted in Latin from the 1962 Liber Usualis. Fr. Scott Haynes, S.J.C. was the celebrant and Fr. Joseph and Fr. Miguel served as coped assistants.

Post #53

Topics: Book Review: Islam at the Gates by Dr. Diane Moczar...Pictures: Solemn High Pontifical Mass Denver_Bishop Conley...Video: Godspeed! Chapel of Bones, Évora, Portugal...Our Anniversary: One Year of Venite Missa Est!...Old Saint Patrick Rededication/ Consecration Pictures: Lost Lambs Blog...Blast from the Past: Old Pics

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Book Review
Reviewed by Jim Spencer
Islam at the Gates: How Christendom Defeated the Ottoman Turks, by Dr. Diane Moczar (published in 2008 by Sophia Institute Press, Box 5284, Manchester, NH 03108; 1-(800) 888-9344; www.sophiainstitute.com. ISBN 978-1-933184-25-8. Softcover, 8.5” X 5.5”, 243 pages. $17.95 plus s&h.)

Although history, and well-written history at that, this book offers much more than history to 21st century readers. It offers a clear and most unsettling picture of what we face if the Muslims of today launch an all-out offensive as their ancestors did against Eastern and Western Christendom from the seventh through the seventeenth centuries. Dr. Moczar presents this offensive as a “Drama in Five Acts.” She summarizes the pre-Ottoman centuries as Acts One through Three in her Prologue, and then devotes Chapters One through Nine to the almost successful onslaught of the Ottoman Turks from the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries. In her final Chapter, “Islam at the Gates Once More,” she assesses our situation today relative to the once again rising power and ambition of Islam.

The Story

The Ottoman Turks started as an almost insignificant band of nomads. However, beginning with their leader, Osman (hence the name “Ottoman”), in the fourteenth century, they benefitted from a long series of outstanding leaders who gradually made them dominant throughout Islam. Once in control of Islam, these Ottoman Turk leaders launched successful jihad after successful jihad against Christendom, starting of course in the east and working ever westward. They conquered Constantinople in 1453. Then they swept through the Balkans, conquering the rest of Greece, Serbia, Albania, Croatia, Bosnia. By 1552 they had conquered all of Hungary and were moving toward Vienna, the gateway to Europe.

The Turks belatedly developed sea power, but during the 16th century they came to dominate the Mediterranean Sea.

One major reason for Turkish success through these ten centuries conquest was that various countries of Europe failed to cooperate for their mutual defense. They were often too busy squabbling with one another to present a united front. More than one country went so far as to side with the Turks against another European country. One Italian State even provided oceanic transportation for Muslim soldiers and the Muslim slave trade!

Of course, we’re all familiar with the story of Pope St. Pius V and the victory of Don Juan of Austria in the sea battle of Lepanto in 1571. We’re also familiar with the story of the Polish King, John Sobieski’s successful defense of Vienna in 1683, when he routed the Turkish army, which retreated in disarray, never to return.

The Consequences

Following every successful jihad, the Ottoman Turks inflicted a savagery beyond imagination on their victims. First, they brutally slaughtered enough men to get the full attention of the conquered people. Then, they gathered as many slaves, men and women, as they felt they needed and shipped them to other parts of the Ottoman Empire. The men became common slaves, while the women were either delivered into the clutches of amorous soldiers or put into various harems. Through these centuries, countless millions of Christians men and women were thusly enslaved. The conquering Turks also took as many young boys as they felt they needed as Devsirme and Icoglan. The Devsirme, 14 to 20 years old, were converted to Islam and trained, most as elite infantrymen for the Janissary Corp, while some were trained for diplomatic service. The Icoglan, six to ten years old, were converted to Islam and trained for fourteen years for service in various positions in the Sultan’s administration. It was also a custom to require conquered people to supply some annual number of slaves as well as Devsirme, and Icoglan. It has been estimated that about one-fifth of the young males in these conquered lands were thusly taken from their parents.

Forced conversions were common under such a terrorist regime. But what about those who refused to convert? They, the dhimmi, were taxed heavily but allowed to live, provided they recognized themselves as “subdued.” They had to wear identifying clothes, step aside with visible humility to allow any Muslim to pass, and so forth. Any dhimmi who failed to act properly subdued could be (and usually was) summarily killed.

The Future

In her final chapter, Dr. Moczar sounds a wake-up call for those who feel this could never happen again. She makes an interesting comparison between Islamic occupation and Communist occupation, a comparison that rings our collective chimes because we’re so familiar with the horrors of Communist occupation.

Overall, this is a very timely book, It’s also a very well organized and a very well written book.

End

Copyright, 2008, by James B. Spencer. First Serial Rights

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Pictures: Solemn High Pontifical Mass
In Denver Celebrated By Bishop James Conley

From the Our Lady of Mount Carmel (FSSP) website at http://www.olmcfssp.org/cms/index.php/olmc/ .

Here is an excellent gallery of pictures from the Solemn High Pontifical Mass at the Cathedral Basilica in Denver Colorado. Celebrating is Bishop James Conley, formerly the pastor of Blessed Sacrament, Wichita, and liaison and co-celebrant (along with Fr. Jarrod Lies) to Bishop Jackels for the Latin Mass Community (EFLR) of St. Anthony, Wichita.

I'm digging those groovy shoes and gloves...can someone tell me the proper names for these accoutrements (leave in comments section below)?

Follow link here for a great gallery of pictures.

http://www.olmcfssp.org/cms/index.php/gallery/category/C7/

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Our Anniversary: One Year of Venite Missa Est!

It has been just about a year now that a small group of Latin Mass devotees decided to start a blog to celebrate, honor and comment on the Usus Antiquior, especially the celebration at St. Anthony Catholic Church(but not limited to) in Wichita Kansas.

We started as a support team built around a professional, central writer (thank you Jim Spencer) then moved to less formal writing and contributors...missing a few issues now and then, losing some readers and gaining some fans...stumbling here and soaring there...but always with the spirit of the ancient liturgy in our hearts...so impassioned with the love of the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite and Mother Catholic Church.

We've had readers from all over central Kansas and the KC area, from around the world...Japan, Netherlands, India, Brazil and many more....but most importantly we have had you, our fellow mass attendees, at our side to read (or ignore) our posts , to comment on, laugh, sigh or shake your head to...and we appreciate your support. Thank you.

A special thanks to Jim Spencer, whose professional writing, experience and wise guidance steered us from the beginning (and returns to us to write book reviews). Thank you to Larry Bethel for the inspiration and bell ringing at mass, thank you to Father Lies and Bishop Conley for offering the sacrifice on our behalf. We are so appreciative of Bernie Dette and the choir for the heavenly sounds that emanate from the balcony...where would we be without you Mr. Tony Strunk, our Master of Ceremonies (and avuncular leader to the servers) for so long.

Thank you Bob Walterschied and Bob Wells for the longevity of faith and all those great old stories that you tell and don't think anyone really remembers...and to all, thanks for the donuts and coffee, for showing up in the pews with bleary eyes, sleepy thoughts, but open and loving hearts...thank you Your Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for your Apostolic Letter "Summorum Pontificum" issued Motu Proprio but most of all thank the Blessed Mary ever virgin, St. Michael, St. John, Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints and Almighty God for the sacrifice for our sins: Jesus Christ.

Please continue to read Venite Missa Est!, subscribe, share and feel free to contact us to contribute writings, pictures or comments. Your support is most appreciated.

Dominus tecum.

Mark Llamas

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Old Saint Patrick Rededication/Consecration Pictures: Lost Lambs Blog

Christopher over at Lost Lambs, http://www.lostlambs.net/ , has taken some very nice pictures of the (re)dedication/consecration of Old Saint Patrick Oratory in Kansas City, MO.

Thank you Christopher...please visit Lost Lambs often and mention Venite Missa Est!

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Video: Godspeed! Chapel of Bones, Évora, Portugal

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Blast from the Past: Pics and Images from Days Past

Here are some images from my childhood home in which I now live. It is nice to uncover these old images that I remember from childhood.

clockwise from upper left:

The Santo Niño de Atocha is a Roman Catholic depiction* of the Infant Jesus and is popular in the Hispanic cultures of Spain, Mexico, and the southwestern United States, especially New Mexico. * If I am correct the Nino de Atocha is NOT a saint but, again, a depiction of Jesus Christ as a child.
San Lorenzo/Saint Lawrence was one of seven deacons under Pope St. Sixtus and was condemned to death by the Prefect of Rome. The story goes that he was slowly roasted to death and even joked: "Turn me over, I`m done on this side!" Then he prayed that the city of Rome might be converted to Jesus and that the Catholic Faith may spread all over the world.
He is shown with a grill and garlic and is the Patron saint of cooks (apropos).
Prayer tract from 1944 with an imprimatur by samuel Alphonsus Stritch, Archbishop of Chicago.