Catholic Thought discussion

There’s also an old song by Betty Grable called Kokomo, Indiana

Our parish's televised Palm Sunday Mass was quite a new experience this year. Most years our high school students enact the Gospel in a very well-performed Passion Play in full costumes, and we all look forward to a long Gospel some of us may have groaned over. But they did not even have the chance to practice this year, so I wondered if our priests, beleaguered as they must be, would even attempt to enhance the experience. Enter our new assistant pastor, Father Paul, who loves to chant, especially in Latin, announcing at the start that the Gospel would be chanted. My thought: this will take forever. But wow. We have some beautiful voices in our choir, and a young soprano took the narration, her voice steady and strong through it all, Fr. Paul the voice of Jesus, and he has the beard and voice to match, and various other choir members took the rest. It was a Gregorian chant doing opera (they had to have practiced this!) And the words were captioned on-screen as they sang them. It was riveting and solemn and lovely. One more positive and blessed adaptation to our life in captivity. I am once again very grateful for our parish and our ministries.

How beautiful, Madeleine. Thank you for letting us imagine it.

Oh what an experience, Madeleine!

We watched again Mass from our former parish. It is such a treat for us. They read the Gospel with three voices. Then Fr. Jim did his homily Fulton Sheen-style. He had a white-board and illustrated as he preached. It was very effective.

Kerstin, that is awesome. It seems this lockdown is having a positive effect on our pastors, and bringing out the creativity in our clergy!

I watched my bishop, Cardinal Dolan, celebrate Palm Sunday Mass from St. Patrick's Cathedral in NY. Very nice, but I miss not having the palms. I hear they may save them for a later date when things get back to normal.

By the way, I haven't forgotten to post a new chapter in Introduction to the Devout Life. I'm a little behind. I should by tomorrow.

The daughter of a friend of mine posted a picture of some paper palms she had made. They looked real. I wish I'd thought of that.

I don't know how many of you may have seen this, but the New York Times did an excellent report on how priests are ministering to those hospitalized with COVID-19. It also just so happens that the priests interviewed are my seminary professors.

A Reminder That We Are Not Alone https://nyti.ms/3dEtL47

Joseph wrote: "I don't know how many of you may have seen this, but the New York Times did an excellent report on how priests are ministering to those hospitalized with COVID-19. It also just so happens that the ..."

For some reason my computer is not opening the NY Times article. Are you at St. Joseph's seminary, Joseph? Actually I think you told me once and have forgotten. I apologize for asking again.

Joseph wrote: "I don't know how many of you may have seen this, but the New York Times did an excellent report on how priests are ministering to those hospitalized with COVID-19. It also just so happens that the ..."

Very moving. Thank you for sharing, Joseph.

Manny, yes I'm a student at St. John's in Boston. I'm not sure why it wouldn't open though, it's a photo essay more than anything else and the print version was on yesterday's front page.

Joseph wrote: "Manny, yes I'm a student at St. John's in Boston. I'm not sure why it wouldn't open though, it's a photo essay more than anything else and the print version was on yesterday's front page."

I'm on my work network and perhaps they have a firewall. I'll try on my personal tonight when I switch over.

My big questions is: Pope Francis is not speaking “ex cathedra” but how can we separate his private views as an individual when it is coming from the Pope?

https://theweek.com/articles/945048/d...

In the meantime something hardly covered in the US media; more than forty churches were destroyed or damaged in Chile, principally in Santiago:

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/ne...

Let us pray for Pope Francis and Chile.

I have a friend who's fluent in Spanish and a priest, and what the Holy Father actually said doesn't actually say anything about same sex civil unions. Unfortunately, the actual interview seems to be lost in the storm of coverage about what the director of the film said the Pope said.

Pope Francis has had a communication problem from the start of his papacy. At this point you would think he would have straightened it out. Unless, of course, he wants to play both sides. I take what came out and has been blasted across the world news at face value. Has he corrected the confusion? I haven't seen it.

As to what he said, no it is not ex cathedra. It is essentially his opinion. I don't think he would have the authority to say that ex cathedra anyway. Homosexuality is a sin directly from both the old and new testaments. He can't change that. He can't change the words of St. Paul.

What makes this a really dumb thing for the Pope to get involved in is that now he personally advocates people living in sin. He should have just left things alone.

Thank you gentlemen for your explanations. This is not the first time when statements made by Pope Francis called for explanations and he never responded. Four cardinals, American Cardinal Raymond L. Burke among them sent five questions to Pope Francis to clarify matters on communion and moral law raised in his “Amoris Laetitia: Apostolic Exhortations on the Family”, Chapter 8, and asked him to answer yes or no. They did not receive an answer and decided to go public with the questions. (This group read this in 2016.)

Galicius wrote: "Thank you gentlemen for your explanations. This is not the first time when statements made by Pope Francis called for explanations and he never responded. Four cardinals, American Cardinal Raymond ..."

Take this for what it's worth - my personal opinion and nothing more, and perhaps it shouldn't even be brought up. But he's caused quite a stir and so it will be impossible to tamp down this conversation. Pope Francis doesn't have the skills to be pope, neither the communication skills, nor the political skills to manage a billion Catholics across the world, nor the intelligence of his two predecessors. Perhaps he feels insecure which leads him into these confused positions. Perhaps he thinks his charm - which he does have - will win the day. Whatever it is, I don't ever recall feeling turmoil within the church with Popes JPII or Benedict XVI. Perhaps it's not Pope Frances' fault; perhaps it's the times we live in and he is just the unlucky one to be in the papacy. Whatever it is, he's the wrong man for the job. I pray for him.

Well, in today's news, the Vatican insists the news about Pope Francis' approval of civil union was misinterpreted. I guess if they insist. Another miscommunication error? A crawling back after the blowback? I don't know. They didn't exact clear the matter up.

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2...

I think we need to be careful about jumping to conclusions until the full transcript of this interview is made public. We all know that people can be misquoted, that statements can be taken out of context to serve a different agenda than they were originally intended to say. I personally am grateful that the Holy Spirit has given us Pope Francis at this time. I think he has been able to communicate the mercy and gentleness of the Good Shepherd to a wider world. And, I believe that, whether or not any particular Catholic thinks that he has the skills to be pope, the Holy Spirit chose him for the Church at this moment in history. I trust that the Holy Spirit is leading us through Pope Francis.

Irene wrote: "I think we need to be careful about jumping to conclusions until the full transcript of this interview is made public. We all know that people can be misquoted, that statements can be taken out of ..."

Agree. It does seem like the Vatican is attempting to correct what was printed. My disappointment is that this sort of miscommunication happens way too often with Pope Francis.

I should correct one thing you said above Irene that has nothing to do with the controversy. The Holy Spirit does not pick the Popes. Cardinal Ratzinger before he became Pope BXVI made a theological statement over it. Jimmy Aikin at Catholic Answers not only includes Ratzinger's statement but explains it here:
https://www.catholic.com/magazine/onl...

And it makes sense. Think of it this way. Not all popes have been good. Some have been bad and even evil. God does not do evil so He would not have picked an evil pope. God may allow an evil to happen, but it's the humans who actually do the evil. So the people who pick the pope are making their humanly decisions in the selection. Aikin explains that those picking are supposed to listen to the Holy Spirit but there is no guarantee that the do or discern correctly.

And to tie it to the St. Catherine discussion, this is not how Popes have always been selected. You may be shocked at how some popes were selected. Mobs of Roman citizens would riot unless a particular pope was picked and popes who they did not like feared for their lives. That is why the papacy was moved to Avignon, and we will see that Pope Gregory, who Catherine convinced to move back to Rome, was reluctant because he believed the Romans would kill him.

We were so spoiled with our two previous popes, and I fear they were the exception. They were towering intellects who spoke, once they were on the world stage of the Papacy, with deliberate clarity. I don't see such diligence with Pope Francis. It makes for a rough ride sometimes and I don't believe it serves the faithful well nor all the clergy who have to deal directly with the fall-out in their parishes.

Manny, yes I know that the election of the pope by a conclave of cardinals has not been the method of selecting a pope for our entire history. I accept your correction that the cardinals may not always allow themselves to be lead by the Spirit when choosing a pope. However, unlike others in this thread, I think Pope Francis is a blessing, a man of mercy, compassion, faithfulness whose voice is just what our world needs right now. I have no reason to doubt that the cardinals were being unfaithful to the Holy Spirit as Pope Francis was elected. So, I continue to believe that the holy Spirit has given us Pope Francis and I continue to trust that the Holy Spirit is working through him at this time. I am so grateful that God has blessed the Church with his leadership.

Irene, you voiced my feelings far better than I could have. I tend to stay out of the pro/con conversations about our Holy Father, but in my heart I too feel he is a blessing in many ways. But he's not always polished and he's from a very different culture than our previous two popes were from. And the media love to take things out of context. I cringe when I hear the vitriol hurled at and about Pope Francis by people who say they are Catholic (not anyone here - I'm mainly talking about what I see on Twitter). I believe the Holy Spirit is leading our Holy Father, and I keep him always in my prayers.

I’m jealous. I wish it was by me. ;)

"Massive Catholic Center Planned for East Texas"

It’s a great idea. We need more monasteries and centers like this across the country and ultimately the world. The best evangelization is to show our true devotion.
https://www.ncregister.com/news/massi...

Now that's good news! How inspiring.

I'm a bit concerned that the article doesn't say anything about the endeavor being faithful to the Magisterium. Maybe it does and I missed it.

This looks amazing. I actually sent in the form for residential status as my wife and I are looking to relocate soon anyway. The faithful are in dire need of Catholic Communities again.

Gerri wrote: "I'm a bit concerned that the article doesn't say anything about the endeavor being faithful to the Magisterium. Maybe it does and I missed it."

Gerri wrote: "I'm a bit concerned that the article doesn't say anything about the endeavor being faithful to the Magisterium. Maybe it does and I missed it."

It looks like it’s associated in some way with Bishop Joseph Strickland, and he is one of the more conservative bishops in the country. If he will have anything to do with it, it will be in line with the Magisterium.

Zac wrote: "This looks amazing. I actually sent in the form for residential status as my wife and I are looking to relocate soon anyway. The faithful are in dire need of Catholic Communities again."

Zac, welcome. I take it you’re new to this book club. I don’t know Texas well enough to know if that is a nice place to work and live. My best to you and your family.

Manny wrote: "I’m jealous. I wish it was by me. ;)

"Massive Catholic Center Planned for East Texas"

It’s a great idea. We need more monasteries and centers like this across the country and ultimately the world..."

The issue of National Catholic Register you reference Manny has also an interesting article on an issue that gets mentioned here occasionally. It is an overview with examples where Pope Francis made confusing statements publicly, later edited by the Vatican when they were published: “The Puzzling Pontificate of Pope Francis.” (I wonder if that is why he always seems to read prepared text when he addresses the faithful.)

Gallicius, I'm not sure what you're referring to. When I pull up the article “The Puzzling Pontificate of Pope Francis" it is dated May 9, 2019. Perhaps what you saw were links to popular articles. The controversy discussed in that article I think was resolved with the Vatican correcting themselves. I do remember it. A number of theologians corrected the Pope. We should all know at this point that communication is not Pope Francis' forte. He talks well, even off the cuff. The problem is what he says and the frequency of having to retract what he says and the confusion he causes. At this point it is what it is.

@Manny, I’m not sure how to directly reply on here, but yeah I’m relatively new, and really just lurk. We weren’t planning on relocating to Texas, but this seems like a great place to be, next to Stubenville of course. My wife is able to work remotely and I’m a student, and especially if they build a theology institution on site we would never have to leave! Lol

Manny wrote: "Gallicius, I'm not sure what you're referring to. When I pull up the article “The Puzzling Pontificate of Pope Francis" it is dated May 9, 2019. Perhaps what you saw were links to popular articles...."

Manny, the article cited is at the bottom of the URL you gave yesterday. It is a commentary by Father Raymond J. de Souza with the title “The Puzzling Pontificate of Pope Francis.”

https://www.ncregister.com/news/the-p...

Zac wrote: "@Manny, I’m not sure how to directly reply on here, but yeah I’m relatively new, and really just lurk. We weren’t planning on relocating to Texas, but this seems like a great place to be, next to S..."

Well best of luck there. We're just starting our next read and it's Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross. If you want to join us, we'll have a discussion going here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

Galicius wrote: "Manny wrote: "Gallicius, I'm not sure what you're referring to. When I pull up the article “The Puzzling Pontificate of Pope Francis" it is dated May 9, 2019. Perhaps what you saw were links to pop..."

Galicius, if you open that article and look for the date, it says it was published on May 9, 2019. So it's a bit of old news.

I just read a very powerful article: Why I Am Entering a Monastery in 2021
https://www.crisismagazine.com/2021/w...

Kerstin wrote: "I just read a very powerful article: Why I Am Entering a Monastery in 2021
https://www.crisismagazine.com/2021/w..."

And it's a Dominican monastery. ;) Dominicans have both Sisters who engage the world, many of them teachers, and nuns, who lead a monastic, contemplative life. The woman in the article is becoming a nun.

Let me post this in this category. Today Pope Francis released an Apostolic letter, CANDOR LUCIS AETERNAE. It celebrates the great poet Dante Aligheri and his work The Divine Comedy. This year, 2021 marks the 700th anniversery of Dante's death, and so be prepared for a number of events marking it. I haven't read the Apostolic letter yet but i have seen several articles about it. Two articles from the same writer (Inés San Martín) from the same magazine (Crux) released on the same day. Doesn't make sense but both are very good. This one on the Apostolic letter:
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2021/03/p...

and this one on Dante's relationship with Popes:
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2021/03/7...

And this one from the Religious News Service:
https://religionnews.com/2021/03/25/p...

Now if you want the actual apostolic letter, you can read it here:
https://www.vatican.va/content/france...

I haven't read it yet, but I hope to. Those who were part of the Divine Comedy read several years ago (and our discussions are still in our folders) you know my love for Dante and The Divine Comedy. Perhaps this Apostolic letter culd be a short read for us one day.

Manny wrote: "Kerstin wrote: "I just read a very powerful article: Why I Am Entering a Monastery in 2021
https://www.crisismagazine.com/2021/w..."

And it's a Dominican monastery..."

If I was younger I would be right behind her.

MaryAnn (EmilyD1037) wrote: "If I was younger I would be right behind her.
"

Welcome MaryAnn. Are you new to our group?

Hi Manny. Thanks for the welcome !

I have been in and out.
I have soooo many books, so try not to buy any I don't have that come up in the votes. That means I don't read many, but I still want to read the ones I do have (3 six-shelf bookcases crammed full of just the Catholic ones).

Welcome MaryAnn!
You can always nominate from your bookshelf. I am sure many of us have done so, including myself, and see how it plays out.

I guess this is current events. We have a new Dominican saint, and she was of the third order! If you didn't catch this in today's Catholic news: "Pope Francis Declares Blind 14th-Century Lay Dominican a Saint: Margaret of Castello was born blind and with a severe curvature of the spine in 1287."

You can read about it here:
https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-...

From the article:
"Margaret of Castello was born blind and with a severe curvature of the spine in 1287 in Castello della Metola, present-day central Italy. In 1303, her parents abandoned her inside a church. She was discovered by local townsfolk, who began caring for her.

She came in contact with the then recently founded Dominican order and was admitted to the Third Order of St. Dominic. While remaining a lay woman, she received a religious habit, which she wore for the rest of her life.

To thank her neighbors for raising her, she opened a small school, where she taught children the Psalms, which she had learned by heart, and instructed them in the Catholic faith."

I am continuously amazed in how many ways we are given examples of exemplary lives in the saints to come closer to Christ! It is a manifestation of the superabundance of God's love and His love for us.

I thought this newsworthy. Pope Francis commemorates the 800th anniversary of the passing of St. Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers, in a public letter to the current Master General of the Order. This is a big deal to the Dominicans.

"To Brother Gerard Francisco Timoner, O.P.,
Master General of the Order of Preachers

Praedicator Gratiae: among the titles attributed to Saint Dominic, that of “Preacher of Grace” stands out for its consonance with the charism and mission of the Order he founded. In this year that marks the eight hundredth anniversary of Saint Dominic’s death, I gladly join the Friars Preachers in giving thanks for the spiritual fruitfulness of that charism and mission, seen in the rich variety of the Dominican family as it has grown over the centuries. My prayerful greetings and good wishes go to all the members of that great family, which embraces the contemplative lives and apostolic works of its nuns and religious sisters, its priestly and lay fraternities, its secular institutes and its youth movements."

You can read the entire letter, here:
https://www.vatican.va/content/france...

The meaning of the Eucharist and worthiness to partake has been in the news and the NY Times had an article on it. "Beyond the Politics of Communion, a 2,000-Year-Old Holy Mystery"
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/26/us...

Though not perfect it's actually a fair article, which surprised me coming from the NY Times. I looked up the two writers and they both attended Wheaton College, which is a prominent Protestant college.

Also in the news is Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI 70th year anniversary as priest. He is such an endearing man to me. Good articles.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/ne...

and

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2021/06/b...

I saw the NY Times article on Eucharist and thought it was very respectful.

Irene wrote: "I saw the NY Times article on Eucharist and thought it was very respectful."

It was respectful. My only criticism was that it felt they were looking at Catholic beliefs and practices as if we were some remote culture under an anthropological study. I’m mean we’re Catholics and we’re all around the country. We’re your neighbors. So that’s what made me look up the background of the authors. Though not Catholics, I assume since they went to Wheaton College both are believing Christians.

I took the article as an explanation for those outside the church as to why the Eucharist could be such a contentious debate issue for Catholics and the bishops. Even though Catholics are all over the country, most people don't understand what the Eucharist means, even members of the Catholic Church don't always understand what it means.