Current Reading

I'm currently reading (and re-reading) Theological Reflection, Connecting Faith and Life by Joye Gros, O.P., D.Min. for a class.  It's a good introduction to the topic.  I may comment further on this TOPIC at a later date.  I plan to NOT quote or reference directly any material received from the program I'm in or any material recommended I read for the program.  This is simply a note that I'm reading this book, and I recommend it.

Re The Priesthood

I just read Sr. Sara Butler's paper "Women's Ordination: Is It Still An Issue?"  Butler gives an excellent explanation of the Church's Teaching on this topic.  I hope to learn more on this subject, but this is a GREAT over-view and she references other sources I hope to eventually explore.

To find this paper, google Sr. Sara Butler and then find in the list: Mar7dunwoodie.doc  (I don't know how to link a ".doc")

An Unaltered Faith

The  following texts are excerpts I've highlighted while reading The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM).  From the Introduction; Testimony of an Unaltered Faith:

The sacrificial nature of the Mass, solemnly defended by the Council of Trent, because it accords with the universal tradition of the Church, was once more stated by the Second Vatican Council, which pronounced these clear words about the Mass: "At the Last Supper, Our Savior instituted the Eucharistic Sacrifice of his Body and Blood, by which the Sacrifice of his Cross is perpetuated until he comes again; and till then he entrusts the memorial of his Death and Resurrection to his beloved spouse, the Church."
..."for whenever the memorial of this sacrifice is celebrated the work of our redemption is accomplished..."
So, in the new Missal the rule of prayer (lex orandi) of the Church corresponds to her perennial rule of faith (lex credendi), by which we are truly taught that the sacrifice of his Cross and its sacramental renewal in the Mass, which Christ the Lord instituted at the Last Supper and commanded his Apostles to do in his memory, are one and the same, differing only in the manner of their offering; and as a result, that the Mass is at one and the same time a sacrifice of praise, thanksgiving, propitiation, and satisfaction.
...the royal Priesthood of the faithful... For the celebration of the Eucharist is the action of the whole Church... For this people is the People of God, purchased by Christ's Blood, gathered together by the Lord, nourished by his word, the people called to present to God the prayers of the entire human family, a people that gives thanks in Christ for the mystery of salvation by offering his Sacrifice, a people, finally, that is brought together in unity by Communion in the Body and Blood of Christ.  This people, though holy in its origin, nevertheless grows constantly in holiness by conscious, active, and fruitful participation in the mystery of the Eucharist.

Singing To The Lord

This is one of my favorite quotes from "Sing To The Lord; Music In Divine Worship":
"Persons designated for the ministry of psalmist should possess 'the ability for singing and a facility in correct pronunciation and diction.'"

;)

reference:
GIRM, no. 102
LFM, no. 56

Faithfulness is powerful!

Re-reading the GIRM (General Instruction for the Roman Missal).  It seems to me there isn't much changed in the GIRM, even though the translation for the prayers, etc. are changed in the RM.  Even so, this is a manual I should re-read at least once-a-year!  There's so much to know!  Even so, what most amazes me is how well we do liturgy together even though most of us don't know the GIRM, not even the parts that pertain to our own specific ministry.  I think that testifies to the power of example and tradition.  It also goes to show that all those who make it their business to correct us along the way have a very important ministry too: that of keeping the faith, in more ways than one!  It's true, it doesn't take a degree to do liturgy well.  It doesn't take a degree or even a manual to teach and follow a plan.  It does however take great personal humility as well as devotion to the Lord to remain true, in this case true to "Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi" in its deepest sense.  Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ; thanks be to Jesus for the Holy Spirit; thanks be to the Spirit of becoming One! :)

Russell's Classics

For the past several blog posts I've been listing books recommended by James M. Russell's Spiritual Classics.  I have not included in my listings all the books he includes in his collection; my listings and comments are not meant to be a summary of his work.  Also, I'm not sure I can heartily recommend Russell's book as an introduction to these works; his point of view is too often foreign to mine.  I am however glad that I am reviewing this work and that I have learned of a few more "spiritual classics" I hadn't previously encountered.

Teresa, mystic and reformer

The Interior Castle
by Teresa of Avila
1577

Read also: The Life of Saint Teresa.

Teresa was a mystic and a reformer.  To some, this seems a mystery to be resolved.  To me, one gives veracity to the other, much like faith and works.  "Faith without works is dead."  And works without faith is futile vanity.