Could it be???

There is a rumour abroad that the Holy See is about to republish the Missal of 1962, possibly with the addition of some extra prefaces and a revised calendar. Wow! But is it true? I don't know. I find it difficult to believe. But I also found it difficult to believe that Pope Benedict would convoke a special meeting of the Curial bosses to discuss the issue of the traditional Mass and its devotees. However, that was true. And I found it even more difficult to believe that he would convoke a meeting of all the Cardinals to discuss the very same issue. But that, too, was true. So maybe, just maybe, this latest rumour is also true. It would certainly explain a recent heart failure.

A quote from the late Michael Davies: "In a discussion with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger recently, I asked His Eminence for his assessment of the future of the 1962 Missal as an approved liturgical book. He assured me that it was completely secure. For this reason, and because of the publishing event you see here, it is certain that the use of the 1962 Missale Romanum will increase dramatically in years to come. The remarkable increase in young priests ordained with the Pope's approval to use this Missal gives great hope by itself."

Digitus Dei?

Rocco reports:

'Reports of a Marini health scare came to light on the same day [Monday 27 March] that Liberta, a newspaper in his home-diocese of Piacenza, aired speculation that the lead ceremoniere was the in pectore cardinal named by John Paul II at the 2003 consistory but never published before the late pontiff's death. Confronted with the question last week at the Milan presentation of his latest book, "Liturgia e bellezza," a study of the modern history of papal ritual, the publication said Marini seemed to be caught in "a moment of surprise." "He smiled but, above all, he didn't deny it," Liberta reported.

A source in Rome related that the archbishop underwent an angioplasty which, so it's said, took place earlier today [Tuesday 28 March]. The procedure is often employed where an arterial blockage exists, but is not at the point where bypass surgery is the sole feasible option. He is expected to return to work in a week or so.'

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc?

Let us pray for the Archbishop's speedy recovery, that he may soon take up his new position as (non-Cardinal) Archbishop of Carriera Finita (in partibus infidelium).

Levada struts his stuff

We like: the Roman chasuble; the pectoral cross worn UNDER same (extra marks for that); the colored cincture.
We dislike: the color - should be rose; the absence of tunicle; the fact that he is not really going to say the Old Mass.

Our Pope - Our Mass

Go on, Ben - give us back our Mass!

Disaster in Arlington

So the bishop of Arlington has given with his little finger, and taken away in large handfuls. He has permitted the classical liturgy in two parishes, and dealt a massive blow at the Priesthood in them all. Have no doubt about it, that is what the introduction of altar girls is: the ultimate attack on the Priesthood. Pace the Rev. Jim Tucker, who seems to have suffered an uncharacteristic lapse of judgment in this area, girls serving Mass send out even more wrong signals than lay readers and Holy Communion distributors. Those folk make only momentary appearances in the sanctuary, and in no way serve at the altar. By dressing girls up as little priestesses, and having them in the sanctuary, and at the altar, right through Mass, the message goes out loud and clear: the Priesthood is for girls! Now we know that it is not, but I'm not addressing dogma here, but the image of the Priesthood communicated by the liturgy, and the long-term implications for vocations. Do your homework. What happens when the girls enter the sanctuary? They take over, and the boys depart. This is not my theory; it is my experience. Of course the Lord can continue to work despite his Bishops' stupidity, but it will be despite that stupidity. Arlington held out long in this area, and thank God. But that only accentuates the sense of disappointment. We can only hope that pastors will opt to maintain the status quo, but it will be hoping against hope. Even good men will have to give way, since they cannot cite the Bishop's prohibition. Those who are stalwart will be resented, and strife will be engendered. Yes, disaster has come to Arlington.

Amice a-missing

How hideous is that brown hood, unhidden! Has the Archbishop of Boston no style/taste? Has he not read Redemptionis Sacramentum: [122.] “The alb” is “to be tied at the waist with a cincture unless it is made so as to fit even without a cincture. Before the alb is put on, if it does not completely cover the ordinary clothing at the neck, an amice should be put on”.



Yes, we know you're a Capuchin. But do try a little more to show us that you're a Catholic.

Benedict in full, free flight

This morning Pope Benedict delivered the first in a new series of Wednesday Audience instructions. Up until now his Wednesday talks have followed a program inherited from Pope John Paul, but now Benedict is doing his own thing. He has chosen as his topic the relationship between Christ and the Church. This morning there was a very clear affirmation of the historicity of the call of the twelve Apostles. The concluding words:

"The twelve Apostles are thus the clearest sign of the will of Jesus with regard to the existence and the mission of his Church, the guarantee that between Christ and the Church there is no opposition. Therefore a slogan such as 'Jesus, yes; Church, no' (fashionable some years ago) is completely irreconcilable with the intention of Christ. There is a profound, indissoluble, and mysterious continuity between the Son of God made flesh and his Church; by virtue of which Christ is present today in his people, and in particular in those who are the successors of the Apostles."