O quam gloriosum est regnum

The New Liturgical Movement calls it the greatest hit of the 16th Century.

O quam gloriosum est regnum is a motet by Victoria usually "pulled-out" by many choirs for the Feast of the Transfiguration (tomorrow).

O how glorious is the kingdom, in which all the saints rejoice with Christ;
vested in white stoles, they follow the lamb, wherever he may go.

You can get a copy of the piece here.

Madonna vs religion

Religious leaders in Rome blast pop singer’s ‘crucifixion’

Rome, Aug. 04, 2006 (CNA) - In an uncommon show of solidarity, Rome's Catholic, Muslim, and Jewish leaders have collectively condemned pop star Madonna's decision to stage a mock-crucifixion during her concert in the Italian capital on Sunday, the AP has reported.
More...

When will this silly woman learn! She's not only offending Catholics, but Jews and Muslims. Maybe she's anti-Semetic...??

Update: American Papist has a piece here where Madonna invites the Pope to the concert! The nerve!

Speck is a ladies man

"I've never met an altar boy before...say something in Latin!"

And before you all ask or comment, no, being a server has never helped me with the ladies! I know, I need to join the seminary to get the girls' attention.

Feast of St. Dominic

St. Dominic organised a great preaching crusade against to oppose falsehood and error taught especially by the Albigensian heretics in the 12th Century. He founded the Order of Preachers and was especially devoted to the Blessed Virgin and a great promoter of the Holy Rosary. He died in Bologna on August 6 1221. (I won’t go into more detail – you all know the story.)

Collect: O God who, by the merits and teaching of blessed Dominic, Thy confessor, hast been pleased to enlighten Thy Church: grant that through his prayers, she may not be deprived of temporal help, and may continually advance in spiritual growth.

Alleluia: Os. 14. 6. Alleluia, alleluia. The just shall spring as the lily: and flourish for ever before the Lord. Alleluia.

Postcommunion: Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who are weighed down by the burden of our sins, may be relieved by the protection of blessed Dominic, Thy confessor.

Sancte Dominice. Ora Pro Nobis.

Message to servers

Pope tells altar servers to be open to the call of the Lord

Vatican City, Aug. 02, 2006 (CNA) - Pope Benedict XVI used much of his General Audience today to greet the thousands of altar servers who are visiting Rome as part of the international pilgrimage of altar servers, sponsored by Coetus Internationalis Ministrantium. He told the many servers gathered that they should be open to the call of the Lord and be prepared if he is calling them to serve as priests.

The Holy Father began his remarks by recalling his first year serving Mass in 1935. Pope Benedict, assuring them that he would keep his comments brief due to the heat, told the altar servers that he wished to offer a message, “that can accompany you in your life and your service to the Church.”

Calling them to serve as priests... does that include the serviettes?? Whole new generation of Womenpriests. Anyway, when will the Vatican come down on altar girls? And outright ban them. They are a disgrace and embarrasment. Makes us look Anglican. Com'on bishops have some guts!

Against the Grain does another fine wrap-up. This time about The Passion of Mel Gibson.

The Ratzinger school is in

Professor Ratzinger goes back to school. After Islam last year, Darwin topic this year

ROMA, August 2, 2006 – This year’s Ratzinger-Schülerkreis seminar
will focus on "Schöpfung und Evolution", creation and evolution. The private
meeting is set for Saturday, September 2, and Sunday, September 3, at the
Pontifical Villa in the pope's summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.

Hmm.. what I wrote yesterday didn't make much sence. Anyway an update for you. (I know that number of people that read have been in, or will be in the same boat as I am now.) I ate a couple of bowls of both custard and yoghurt yesterday and much of the bleeding stopped over night. Today consists of trying some warm pumpkin soup for lunch and plenty of mouth washes. There is very little swelling left and little pain (maybe because of the anti-biotics and drugs) and I'm really just quite bored. I can't do anything too strenuous - mind or body. However I am aiming for uni tomorrow afternooon to hand up an assignment and attend a tute or two even though I have a doctor's certificate until next Wednesday.

While I'm out of action

"...Then I said, 'Well, Your Excellency, if you want my advice...'"

Dominican preaching.

Dominicanus has posted a some old sermons he once typed up.
The Sense of Sin
A Vocations Talk to Young Men
Who shall shepherd the shepherds?
The Fathers of the Desert

Well, I’m out of hospital. Went under the knife at about 3.30pm. Was awake in Recovery at about 4.30pm. Ate a bit of custard. Was home by 6.00pm. Plenty of blood still coming out and plenty of swelling and numbness. But I’m doing much better than expected. Will be eating only cold foods today (custard, yoghurt, ice-cream) and maybe have some warm soup tomorrow.

Probably no posting for a little while. I’m having my wisdom teeth surgically removed tomorrow afternoon. On second thoughts, I won’t be able to talk so may write more!

Womenpriests & Redfern

Rocco (Whispers in the Loggia) will keep you updated on the "Roman Catholic Womenpriests" saga in the US. He's doign a grand job so far. Amy (open book) also has a post or two.

Church-Mouse has the Redfern parish-mural saga also under control. with a bit of help from Dominicanus.

stem cell funny

From Town Hall.

On the Origin and Development of Vestments

The New Liturgical Movement has posted Part II: Development and Future. As with Part I, it's definitely worth the read.

August 1

St. Peter’s Chains – the chains which fettered the Prince of the Apostles in his Roman prison – are held in the basilica of St. Peter ad Vincula at Rome. The chains are made up of two parts, manacles with eleven elongated links, and another chain of twenty-three links with two half-circles to be locked round the neck. The popes used sometimes to send as precious gifts some filings of these chains in a golden key, symbolical of Peter’s authority, and they were also put in rings or cross worn for preservation from harm.
A commemoration of St. Paul is made for two reasons. That one of the Apostles of Rome is never celebrated without commemorating the other, and that four links of St. Paul’s chains are preserved with those of St. Peter.

There is an optional commemoration today of the Holy Machabees. These were seven brothers martyred with their mother under Antiochus Epiphanes around 150 B.C.. The Fathers of the Church after preached in praise of their courage and pointed to them as a model for Christian martyrs. Some relics believed to be those of the Machabees are also held in the basilica of St. Peter ad Vincula.

John Howard (Australia's PM) will stay on and fight the next election attempting to win five-in-a-row. My personal opinion is that this is a fine decision and one that locks out Peter Costello. As to Howard's sucessor in two years or so... who knows. Realisticly I don't believe Tony Abbott has a chance and I'm not a big fan of Brendan Nelson or Malcolm Turnbull - among the other touted contendors. (Does either believe in anything?) We'll just wait and see.

Latest installment from Speck

"Light, Father?"

St. Ignatius of Loyola, Confessor

(I’m sure you don’t need a brief on who this man is!)

Introit: Philip. 2. 10-11 In the name of Jesus let every knee bow, of things in heaven, on earth and under the earth: and let every tongue confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. Ps. All they that love Thy name shall glory in Thee: for Thou wilt bless the just.

Collect: O God, who for the spreading of the greater glory of Thy name didst, by means of blessed Ignatius, strengthen Thy Church militant with a new army; grant that by his aid and by his example we may so fight on earth as to become worthy to be crowned with him in heaven.

Offertory: Ps 88. 25 My truth and My mercy shall be with him; and in My name shall his horn be exalted.

Pearson makes it to CathNews

Well known commentator and Traditional Latin Mass-type Catholic Christopher Pearson has finally made it in life. He has been quoted in CathNews! I'm sure he can retire now, having achieved the pinnacle of journalism.

See the article on Ethics and the Embryo in CathNews here or in The Australian here.