Missing a Teachable Moment!

Read the following excerpt on this bizarre turn of events in Southern California - Okay, it would be bizarre were it to happen anywhere else...

There was no reluctance on Bishop Brown’s part in ordering a kneeling communicant to stand for Holy Communion in a way that can easily be perceived as demeaning, but he seems to have neglected an obvious teaching moment with a pro-abortion “Catholic” candidate who had been inappropriately invited to an all school Mass at an all boys’ Catholic school with students, some parents, and faculty in attendance. Why didn’t Bishop Brown publicly correct Loretta Sanchez at this Mass? Why, knowing she was present, did he not, at the very least, take the opportunity to defend rights of the unborn? Why was Ms. Sanchez allowed to receive Holy Communion?

A Jumbled Mass of Humanity

Photo Courtesy of St. Joseph News-Press

Many of you have already seen the photos and read some of the commentary by Wolftracker over at Kansas City Catholic . I wanted to pen a few of my own thoughts and observations about the procession before the moment slips away and these thoughts - not that they are all that profound - are lost forever.

As you read these thoughts, bear in mind that I am a cradle Catholic and I have little firsthand experience of other expressions of Christianity, let alone other faiths, but one of the most appealing aspects of Catholicism is its sacramental understanding of life and of the world. God uses created matter to convey to us truths that we can only stand, in awe, and ponder as mysteries beyond our comprehension, yet those mysteries resonate within us in ways indescribable - as St. Augustine said, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in you O Lord."

This sacramental principle - that God's Divine life, which we call Grace, is communicated to us through earthly matter - is expressed first and foremost in the Seven Sacraments proper - Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders, and the Annointing of the Sick. Each of these Sacraments carries the guarantee of God's grace in a very specific and detailed form, and each employs created matter to convey God's grace. Above all these Sacraments, we hold the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist in highest reverence and even adoration, for it is not only a conveyance of God's grace, but the dwelling of God among us - in the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ - present in a manner which excels those of all other "presences" of Christ.

In addition to these seven proper Sacraments, we also recognize the capacity for all of creation to evoke God's care and concern, his desire that we follow him in holiness. These lesser means we call sacramentals (notice the small "s"). Now most often when we think of Sacramentals, we think of religious jewelry, medals, rosaries, crucifixes, images of Our Lord and of the saints, Holy water, holy water fonts, etc. Sometimes, though I think we fail to see how a movement (such as a procession or a pilgrimmage) can also become a sacramental. Even something as basic as the opening procession at Mass - consider it, the priest and his servers begin the rear of the Church and they proceed forward toward the Sanctuary. When they arrive at the step, they ascend ("I will go up unto the altar of God") and so the sanctuary party represents the Christian people moving forward toward heaven - to that nuptial feast of the Lamb related in the book of Revelation. For this reason, priests, servers, lectors and anyone else involved in a procession should be trained to engage it deliberately and purposefully. We can lose sight of the sacramental significance of a procession if it is done in an undignified manner or simply as a means to get from point a to point b with little reference to what those points are. A professor of mine, who was training seminarians to serve (some men go to the seminary these days never having served Mass) made it clear that our movement in procession must bespeak the dignity of those redeemed by Christ, as those who anticipate a share in the resurrection.

Therefore, if the entrance procession at Mass is a sacramental, so much more is the solemn procession in which we accompany (follow) our Eucharistic Lord. As it turns out the procession spoke much to me about life and, what is more, about the life of discipleship. Following are a few of my thoughts as we walked along:

As we left the Cathedral, it seemed there were not as many people as one would have expected - a great many talk about their desire to follow Jesus, but when the rubber meets the road, a large number of them wind up having "better things to do" - let me handle this real estate transaction, let me go bury my father, Lord, I will follow you, but not just yet...

As we began making our way up tenth street, I became conscious of the neighbors who were opening their doors (many screen doors need to be oiled) and coming out onto the porch. I tried to keep my eyes focused ahead of me so as to avoid the distraction of those on the sidelines, but I marvel at the variety of responses the procession engendered - reverence, wonder, awe, shock, huh? perhaps even some scorn - though I think there was very little of that. I also began to notice that some people who had come for the procession were not walking in it, but along side - some seemed to be taking pictures (by which the blessed event was recorded for posterity) others offered their prayers along with the processors, but walked alongside instead of following our Lord. One man caught my curiosity - for as we passed his house, I noticed he was perched, in a rather precarious manner, upon the pitched roof over his front porch. I wondered what he was doing and when we finally got past his home, it seems he was working on a repair. A few young boys removed their baseball caps - but it wasn't clear that they knew why - they just did it instinctively. When Christ was passing by, some stopped in wonder, others carried on as if He wasn't even there. The reaction to the procession became, for me, a little barometer - a window into the response that people have to Christ in our world in general. I was most moved by the couple who was filling up at a gas station (someone said they had out of state plates) when they saw the procession they were visibly moved, both knelt down and remained kneeling until the procession had gone by - I saw them again at St. Mary's when the procession ended with Benediction.

The path, the way, the procession became an opportunity for different expressions of our faith. Some were content to process, with dignity, but in a stoic silence which bespeaks a loss for words in the face of the mystery. Others sang hymns - classic, traditional hymns which express our belief in Christs indwelling presence in the Holy Eucharist. Some prayed the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet. At one point, I heard the Litany of St. Joseph and so I joined in, but it was abruptly interrupted by another part of the procession singing "The King of Glory Comes..." All in all, these were expressions of our Faith in Christ, of His promise and of His Divine Presence. One could argue that some are more efficacious than others - and there are objective criteria upon which to base such a claim, but for some, they may be content with a less- edifying, more banal expression because they don't know any better. We may have a distance to go in restoring the Sacred, but nobody is able to say that we are not at least on that path toward doing so.

At the beginning of the procession - before we left the Cathedral - instructions were given about the route, two stops and the presence of a police escort and a water truck as well as an ambulance and a car for those who need to ride back. For what it is worth the police escort was executed by two officers - one a motorcop, the other one driving a van emblazoned with big, gold letters: "DWI Enforcement Unit." They did a fine job, but it made for an interesting photo-op. The perfect picture would have gotten the Police van and the water truck in the same shot - you see it was the local Budweiser distributor - a good Catholic, I am told - who sponsored the water truck, which was a small cargo van with Budweiser emblazoned on the side - all these vehicles were employed that Sunday afternoon for a sacramental purpose.

To be continued...

Kneeling at the Gates of Paradise

About a year ago I began subscribing to Touchstone - "a Journal of Mere Christianity" in which orthodox (Catholic, Orthodox and Evangelical) Christians discuss discipleship and culture in a civilized and rather accesible (even relaxed) manner - one might describe it as First Things on vacation - though, admittedly First Things has an inter-relgious angle that is not engaged by Touchstone.

Anthony Esolen, who regularly appears in the pages of Touchstone - and whose writing exemplifies the insightful, inspiring, yet entertaining work found there - has written a great first-person essay on the usefulness and signifcance of the Communion Rail for Catholic worship - this one in Crisis magazine. I will include a short snippet below, but please know that the full-text is a truly worthy read.

"What was it like to kneel there? Let me say what it was not like. It was not like that web of cheats and frauds called “the real world.” In the real world, you wait in the checkout line at the grocery store. You wait in line for a ticket to the movies. You wait in line at the ballpark. You wait for your number to be called at the delicatessen. You wait, per saecula saeculorum, at the Department of Motor Vehicles."

The Magnificent Procession - A Prologue

How the Children’s Prayer was Answered

H.E. Michael Cardinal von Faulhaber concludes his reflections:

"You will perhaps say: but hadn’t ever so many prayers been offered to obtain favorable weather? In many parishes of Chicago the children had been praying for good weather for the Eucharistic Congress for the past two years, and doesn’t the prayer of children pierce the clouds? I will say this: If the scorching heat had continued as intense during the three hours the procession lasted, as it was when the procession staffed on its way at 2 o’clock, hundreds of people, especially children, would have been overcome by sunstroke. Whoever has had to direct and manage crowds of people as on this occasion, knows that excessive heat is by far more dangerous than the heaviest rain. it is my firm belief that the rain saved the lives of many people and especially, those of children. So, after all, the children’s prayer was heard; not in a way we mortals look at it, but in a much better form. ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts” says the Lord.

Besides the rain other disagreeable experiences were complained of: umbrellas and thermos bottles were broken, the lunch stations could not be reached, the return to Chicago was not possible till after midnight, children were separated from their parents and for a time lost in the crowds. — Oh, you of little faith All these little annoyances will soon fade away and in your memory you will retain that one great picture of world-encircling manifestation of Catholic Faith, of Catholic unity of Faith. Despite these inconveniences you would not cancel from the diary of your life the date, June 24, 1926. Your having taken part in the procession at Mundelein will ever remain one of the great graces of your life.

The last quarter of the way, the sun and warmth could again sing the Benedicite. After the procession had returned to the church, the triple solemn Benediction was given by the Papal Legate as a closing ceremony of the Eucharistic Congress. The Congress, like solemn Pontifical High Mass, was to close with solemn Benediction. May this Benediction descend like dew over the Eastern and Western Hemispheres:
over the seminaries in which the future dispensers of the Divine Mysteries clothe themselves with justice; over the priests and religious, that they may walk worthy of their vocation; over all the faithful, that they may persevere in the communion of the breaking of bread, the Holy Eucharist; over non-Catholics, that their eyes may he opened at the breaking of bread, as those of the disciples at Emmaus. God’s blessing accompanies us everywhere. Oh, that we were but prepared to receive it at all times!"

An attentive eye - and one paying attention to the "Liturgy Wars" - would have caught the Cardinals reference to "Dew" - why must he insist on using such archaic language?

God in the Streets!

As the feast of Corpus Christi draws near - and as the diocese gears up for its second annual Diocesan Eucharistic Procession - I wish to call your attention to a video production highligting last year's 24-hour Eucharistic procession through New York City. The monstrance used to contain the Sacred Host was one of six travelling monstrances blessed by Pope John Paul and sent to the four (six?) corners of the earth during the year of the eucharist - with the stipulation that those adoring pray deliberately for vocations. The film was made by Grassroots Films and is also available at their website.

The Magnificent Procession Part 3

All Nature Renders Tribute to Its Creator

Already having described the setting and organization of the great procession and the Solemn celebration of the Pontifical High Mass, In this third installment, H.E. Cardinal v.Faulhaber describes the procession proper which itself became a canticle of praise for Our Lord - a canticle in which the choirs of all creatures raised the glad strain.

"The processional way led around the lake, partly through groves. “All the trees
of the woods rejoiced before the face of the Lord,” says the Psalmist in the
95th Psalm. The birds of the woods sang their psalms, and on the leaves of the
trees were written the words: God is love!
In a many-voiced choir creatures
joined in singing the “Tantum Ergo Sacramentum! — Down in adoration falling, Lo!
the Sacred Host we hail.” Come, all ye creatures, and in profound adoration
adore this great Sacrament.


In the immediate vicinity of the Eucharistic King were the Bishops in their
purple, the twelve Cardinals in Cappa Magna with long trails; all walking with
bared heads, alternately singing psalms mid litanies, and praying the rosary.
Again it became manifest: We are come to adore Him (Matt. 2:2). (we have
not come to be photographed.) We have not come to he celebrated or to he
idolized. We have come to adore the one King of the Congress. Catholic Liturgy
is the Praise of God, the service of God, not human cult. Human praise in the
sanctuary were a theft against the burnt offering.


In the long lines of Priests and Bishops and Cardinals the most diversified
nations of the five parts of the globe were represented. Bishops and Cardinals
from North and South America walked side by side with Bishops and Cardinals from
Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia—side by side, with negro and Indian priests.
It was a spectacle of Catholic unity for the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. In
the unity of faith the diversity of tongues disappeared. When the Cardinals of
Italy, America, Hungary, Austria, Germany, France and Ireland gave each other
the, kiss of peace, it reminded one of the primitive times at the apostles, who,
according to the testimony of St. Paul (Gal. ii. 9), extended to each other “the
right hand of fellowship.” Lord, give to Thy Church the grace of unity and
peace. Grant that we all, who have partaken of one table, may likewise be of one
heart and one mind!

Just as the procession with the Most Blessed Sacrament reached the south side of
the lake, the point farthest from the church, a heavy thunderstorm arose.
Lightning flashed, accompanied by terrific thunderclaps, and in half an hour the
pouring rain had changed the road along the lake into large pools of water. The
lightning and the thunderclaps, too, wished to sing the Benedicite of the
creation. Have you not read in Holy Scripture (Dan. 3) how all the creatures of
God, not only the angels and heavenly hosts, not only the sun, the day and
light, but also the rain, the lightning and stormclouds, the night and darkness
are called upon to unite their voices in singing the Benedicite of creation? The
voice of God over the waters! St. Francis would say, ‘Brother Lightning and
Sister Cloud also wished to participate.”

Amidst thunder and lightning the Lord of Hosts would ask His children of the
20th century: Con you believe, too, when the weather Is disagreeable? That
would be a weak, tottering faith, which would falter and fall, because a new
hat or new shoes got wet In the rain, Having accepted from God’s hand the
good weather on the first four days of the Congress, why should we not
accept the bad weather? Some of the people fled for shelter, others remained
quietly along the roadside, while the procession itself moved on in perfect
order, without interrupting its prayer.

Never in my life shall I forget the pictures of the
heroes of the faith which I was then privileged to see. Men and women knelt on
both knees in the pools of mud and water on both sides of the road, to adore with folded hands the Lord of the Universe who was passing by under the form of bread. Such faith I have not found in Europe. Sympathizing persons offered us their umbrellas, hut we declined because in this procession clothes and health were secondary matters. What did we care for the wet banners, the drenched uniforms and vestments and scarlet trains if only Christ was proclaimed and adored! In the sunshine of the forenoon, the Lord appeared to us in the robe of beauty — in the thunderstorm of the afternoon He appeared to us girded with strength. "

"Turning Towards the Lord"

While the U.S. Bishops debate and prepare to vote on the most recent ICEL translation proposed for the Roman Missal, liturgical experts gather in Italy to discuss and debate the significance of posture and orientation in the celebration of the Sacred Mysteries.
Shawn Tribe provides a full text article from Catholic News Service along with thoughtful commentary on the conference as well as the article.
The headline (of the CNS story) betrays a particular bent, but is it all that helpful - "Priest facing east at Mass won't ensure focus on Jesus." Perhaps, it won't ensure anything at all, but neither does that mean that the versus populum orientation is somehow objectively more favorable to directing the hearts of the faithful to a true and sacrificial worship.

Reception of Communion v. Communion as commodity

A parishioner (we will call him "Fred") approached me after Mass this morning - a daily communicant and a friendly and generous man - and at the end of our otherwise mundane conversation he added, "I would like to begin receiving Holy Communion on the tongue." At first, I thought it odd that he seemed to be asking my permission to do what Catholics do all over the world when they approach our Lord in Holy Communion(which, were it necessary, he would readily be given) when it occurred to me that he must have indicated his wish during Mass and I somehow missed it. As long as I have been here, this particular man has received Holy Communion in the hand (as do the majority of my parishioners). I generally know those who choose to receive in the customary manner and I do my best to accomodate them. This morning "Fred" approached as he normally does with his hands extended (one over the other so as to "make a throne for our Lord") but he also slightly opened his mouth - in a manner which would indicate that he was unsure what to do - which prompted this conversation after Mass.

Now I know this conversation has been had all over the country and all over the blogosphere and I have no intention to launch a tirade to eradicate the practice of receiving Holy Communion in one's hand. Yet it seems that reasonable people must agree that a decline in reverence for - and belief in - the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist coincides (whether causally or not) with the widespread practice (at least in North America and in many Western European countries) of receiving Holy Communion in one's hand. Many (dare I say most?) Catholic grade schools and religious education programs fail to even address reception of Holy Communion in the traditional manner - the instructors leaving mom and dad to teach their kids at home - "if they insist on that" - presenting reception in the hand as the norm (rather than the exception for which we have received an indult - can you imagine the same instructors brushing aside the normative Mass in favor of popularizing the Old Roman Rite?).

To get to the point, on a very basic level - quite apart from legitimate arguments made about whose hands have been consecrated and whose have not - I will share the insight that led to my own conversion in this matter. The reception of Holy Communion in the traditional manner (ie. "on the tongue") better stresses the disposition of the one who is receiving - that is, that they are receiving and not taking Holy Communion - a subtle but very important distinction that has been lost - and with it - in many cases - a sense of reverent reception. Oftentimes, those who style themselves, "traditional Catholics" will make the argument that the hands of the priest have been consecrated - and so they have and that is an important observation, but there is more at stake than simply having consecrated hands.

In the new rite of the Mass, priests regularly concelebrate the Mass when more than one priest is present. In that concelebration, all priests who are con-celebrating are required to receive Holy Communion (under both kinds) to complete the Sacrifice. In such a case, since each is "offering the Mass" each one takes Holy Communion in the same manner that he would if he were a sole priest offering the Sacrifice in his own parish. Outside of concelebration (and normal celebration of the Mass), however, when a priest receives Holy Communion he receives as everyone else does - albeit, ideally he should be wearing the stole which is a vestment of his priestly office.

In the old Roman Rite, concelbration was rare - I believe it was only practiced at the ordination Mass - and then only by the newly-ordained. Even in those cases, however, the concelebrants - the newly-ordained still received Holy Communion (on the tongue) from the hand of the Bishop. Keep in mind that the Chrism was still "fresh" on the newly-consecrated hands of these new priests, and yet they still received the Sacred host in that traditional manner.

Does anyone wish to discuss?

The Magnificent Procession - part 2

Here follows the continuation of His Eminence's (Michael Cardinal von Faulhaber of Munich) description of the Eucharistic Procession at the 28th International Eucharistic Congress - Chicago, 1926.

The day at Mundelein was more than that. The American Catholics cannot
only organize, they can likewise pray. They are not only masters of
technic, they are also ministers of the Eucharist. At 10am, the solemn
Pontifical High Mass was celebrated under the blue dome of heaven by His
Eminence the Cardinal Legate Bonzano, with that dignity and devotion which
everywhere characterized the representative of the Holy Father. No church
would have been large enough to contain the million of men that thronged in the
open, on the roads and throughout the grounds, on the banks of the lake and far
into the adjacent woods. At the multiplication of the loaves in the
desert, there were present five thousand; here there were two hundred times five
thousand. The Cardinals occupied elevated seats on both sides of the
altar, and consequently, could observe from their places how, in the broiling
heat of the sun, persons, now and then, fainted or became otherwise indisposed,
and how swiftly and ingeniously they were hurried off to the “first aid
stations.” One thing to be regretted was the annoyance of the
photographers who, on this as on the preceding days, made their appearance
during the holiest parts of the services, even at the Consecration. The
public, however, among them many non-Catholics, maintained silence, and
preserved that correct deportment characteristic of the American people in
church.

The Pontifical High Mass was followed by a luncheon. People grouped
together as formerly in the desert at the multiplication of the loaves.
The prelates and priests likewise took some refreshments so as not “to
faint in the way.” AT 2 o’clock pm, the procession was set in
motion. Like fiery darts the rays of the sun fell upon us. “With
joyful shouting and with the sound of the trumpet,” the Ark of the Covenant,
which was only a shadow of the Holy Eucharist, was carried in procession to
Mount Sion (2Kings 6:15). With hymns of joy and Alleluias of the heart, we
escorted our King under the lowly form of bread. “Set out, proceed
prosperously, and reign” (Ps. 44). The Most Blessed Sacrament in a
glittering monstrance “upon a new cart,” like unto the Ark of the Covenant in
the Old Testament was held by the Cardinal Legate, and followed by the
consecrated ministers of the Eucharist, the Catholic Knights of Columbus,
Knights of St. Gregory, of St. John, of Malta, and other Catholic Knights and
representatives of various societies.

The great masses of people flanked both sides of the procession looking on and
praying, but unable to take part in the procession itself. It seemed like
a picture from the Apocalypse of St. John, where thousands and tens of thousands
surround the throne of the Lamb casting their crowns before the Lamb and singing
psalms. From those sparkling eyes, from the prayerful, moving lips, from
the folded hands and bended knees, one could read the words: How happy are we,
that we are Catholics! “Neither is there any other nation so great, that
hath gods so nigh them as our God is present to all our petitions” (Deuteronomy
4:7). There He is enthroned in our midst, really and substantially, and
“His delights are to be with the children of men” with the whole plenitude of
His Divinity, in the whole Gospel of His earthly life, with all the graces of
His death on the Cross, with the entire love of His Sacred Heart, with all the
riches of His Heaven.

The Magnificent Procession

In preparation for the coming Feast of Corpus Christi and the diocesan Eucharistic Procession through the streets of St. Joseph, Mo., I offer the following reminiscence in several installments.

The Magnificent Procession Part 1

What follows is the text of an article Written by Michael Cardinal von Faulhaber of Munich. His Eminence, writing in Tabernacle and Purgatory*, describes the Eucharistic Procession on the grounds of the, then newly-constructed, Mundelein Seminary – the climactic event of the 1926 International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago.

*Tabernacle and Purgatory was a monthly devotional magazine published by the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (Motherhouse at Clyde, MO - in the diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph). The sisters still publish a monthly magazine (or is it now quarterly?) which is titled Spirit and Life.

"The fifth day of the Eucharistic Congress witnessed the climax of the grand demonstration: the magnificent procession with the Most Blessed Sacrament at Mundelein, forty miles north of Chicago. Every procession has a three-fold object: 1. To proclaim loudly our joy over the happiness of possessing the Holy Eucharist; 2. To make a public profession of faith in this “Mystery of Faith;” 3. To bear the blessing of the Holy Eucharist through the streets and over the meadows.

The Chicago-Mundelein procession was to demonstrate this threefold object in monumental, universal and secular grandeur. In all tongues and languages, before the eyes of ten time a hundred thousand men, an international feast of Corpus Christi was to be celebrated. Venite, exultemus Domino! Come, ye nations of the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, tune your harps! “Sing to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord all the earth. Praise and beauty are before Him. Say ye among the Gentiles: the Lord hath reigned” (Ps. 95) His Name shall be glorious from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same!

A grand picture requires a grand frame. Thousands of hands with all the means of recent science at their disposal had been busy for years making the outward preparations for the procession. It is not the custom of His Eminence Cardinal Mundelein, to erect small triumphal arches or to pour new wine into old bottles. “Recedant veteran, nova sint omnia. – Let old things pass away and all things be new.” All around the lake, a paved road had been constructed specially for the procession. On the banks of the lake, the ingenius hand of a skilled gardener had designed in flowers of all colors, visible at a great distance, a monstrance, the Papal coat of arms, Cardinal Mundelein’s coat of arms and the Star-spangled Banner. The extensive terrace from the lake to the Church of St. Mary of the Lake, and the palatial seminary buildings to the right and left of the Church, like Levites escorting the high priest at a solemn Pontifical, formed an exquisitely picturesque frame for the celebration of the Sacred Mysteries. Before the portals of the church, under the blue dome of the heavens, has been erected an altar which, like a capitol, crowned and commanded its surroundings. Magnificent fireworks which, the preceding evening, flooded the banks of the lake with fairy-like pictures, were intended to inscribe indelibly on the minds of young and old: “Tomorrow, the King of glory will accomplish His triumphal entry.” By means of loudspeakers, which were used also at the last Eucharistic Congress in Amsterdam, the singing at the altar, the choral chant of the choir, the hymns during the procession, the sermon of His Eminence Cardinal Hayes of New York, and all announcements made to the people, were brought to the ears of all on the extensive grounds, in the green woods and the long procession.

The day at Mundelein has shown to the world that the Catholics of America can, on a magnificent scale, organize and utilize the inventions of our times in the service of the sacred Liturgy, the same as the Catholics of Europe made the arts of the Middle Ages serve to beautify and enhance Divine services. “Quantum potus tantum aude, quia major omni laude nec laudare suffices. – Strive thy best to praise Him well, Yet doth He all praise excel; None can ever reach His due.” The day at Mundelein was the Canticle of Canticles of the art of organization and technic."

To Be continued...

What God Has Joined, Let No Man Rent Asunder

Well, I was pondering the advice and encouragement I received from two other KC area bloggers, and I decided to begin with a post on the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
Yesterday I recevied a telephone call at the parish from a giddy young bride-to-be who wished to inquire about having her wedding in our parish church.

The call is the same one many priests get from time to time - it was the call of a non-parishioner who wished to "use" the church for a wedding because it is central between her hometown and that of the groom. While it is not the practice of Catholic parishes to "lease out" their churches (though some in larger cities will do so - provided the couple is being married before a priest or deacon). This call left me particularly flummoxed when the would-be bride expressed the intended date (in short order no less - two months from now) and that no marriage prep nor priest would be necessary as her uncle is a judge. I inquired whehter she was practicing her faith and she said yes, further I asked her who the priest was in her rural parish and she gave me the correct name - indicating that she has, at least, some familiarity with the church in her local town. I guess I was most surprised that a Catholic of some practice would see no trouble inquiring about what amounts to the rental of a church for a non-sacramental and basically a non-existent wedding. So far have we gotten from proper sacramental catechesis.

I decided to do this post, however, when the morning mail came and there was a bridal supplement in the local paper entitled: "To Have and To Hold." As I browsed this - admittedly secular - supplement I noticed the following headlines:
Tips for a memorable, appropriate Best man toast
Grooms take an active role in planning
Professional advice: Wedding day hairdos and don'ts
How to plan a wedding on a budget
Wedding etiquette for second-time brides (huh?)
Select the perfect wedding Gown
Choosing the right caterer for your wedding
Simple ways to get in shape for the big day
The Seven most common wedding regrets
A stress-free guide to seating plans
Preserve your bridal bouquet for a lifetime (forget the flowers, how about the marriage?)
Tux terminology for the Groom-to-be
...and, last, but certainly not least...
Wedding photography tip sheet

Of course one is left with the impression that if the happy couple gets all these things right, their marriage may last beyond the pay-off date on the wedding bills, but of course, we who read the papers and pay attention to statistics know better - unfortunately, the 50% divorce rate reflects the reality for Catholics as much as for anybody else - and that reflect a virtual ignorance of catechesis and sound marriage preparation.

Unfortunately, I don't think I will hear from that troubled soul again, I hope I got the poor girl to at least stop and think, to at least give her parish priest a call before she begins living in sin with the thin veneer of a civil "wedding."

Solid marraige preparation (which requires at least 9 months just to fit in a very rudimentary program) must encompass full catechesis on the Sacrament of Marriage - what it means and how it images the marriage of the Eternal Bridegroom to his Bride of which we are members by our own baptism. Couples should be required (and, in this diocese, they are, at least on paper) to complete a course in Natural Family Planning and understand why it is so essential (this is NOT a tack-on option so Catholics can have something to fall back on since artificial contraception is illicit - but rather NFP actually addresses the realities of Spousal love as they express so eloquently the Sacramental nature of Marraige - please make no mistake here, I am not using "NFP" as codeword for "avoid a pregnancy at any costs").

Sadly, so few couples spend even a fraction of the time preparing for marriage that they do preparing for "that special day."

I guess I shouldn't be too upset with the secular press' secular take on "marriage" for it only reflects the attitudes of the culture. But would that our Catholics at least knew the difference between a sacramental marriage, which conveys God's grace and images Divine realities and a civil arrangement which satisfies the requirements of the state, but fails to give life beyond the here and now. And when our Catholics come to know and understand the difference - and live it with their lives - they can then witness those Transcendent Truths to the wider world.

None of this is to suggest that the clergy have no role in properly catechising the faithful, and adequately preparing young couples for a true Sacramental Marriage. Indeed it is a great and awesome responsibility. Please pray that we may cooperate with God's grace givne us in ordination so as to boldly proclaim and teach what the Bridegroom has charged us with.

As a footnote, I would just like to add that some of the happiest (and longest married) couples I have known were married in (very) low-key ceremonies. You know, the sort of affairs that used to happen early on Saturday morning in the presence of (only) a priest and two witnesses - in one case the two witnesses were nuns who didn't speak English - that wedding was in Scandinavia. That is not to say that a marriage begun with an elaborate ceremony is doomed to failure, but if the "happy" couple puts more effort into preparing for "that special day" than they do in preparing for "as long as we both shall live" then failure is building their house on sand.
St. Anne and St. Joachim, Our Lady and St. Joseph, Pray for us.

A priest forever

I have actually started this blog that I may be allowed to comment on other blogs, but who knows, maybe I will begin writing down my thoughts more regularly.