Legion of Mary Blog

From Sacramentum Caritatis:

Liturgical song

42. In the ars celebrandi, liturgical song has a pre-eminent place. (126) Saint Augustine rightly says in a famous sermon that “the new man sings a new song. Singing is an expression of joy and, if we consider the matter, an expression of love” (127). The People of God assembled for the liturgy sings the praises of God. In the course of her two-thousand-year history, the Church has created, and still creates, music and songs which represent a rich patrimony of faith and love. This heritage must not be lost. Certainly as far as the liturgy is concerned, we cannot say that one song is as good as another. Generic improvisation or the introduction of musical genres which fail to respect the meaning of the liturgy should be avoided. As an element of the liturgy, song should be well integrated into the overall celebration (128). Consequently everything – texts, music, execution – ought to correspond to the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, the structure of the rite and the liturgical seasons (129). Finally, while respecting various styles and different and highly praiseworthy traditions, I desire, in accordance with the request advanced by the Synod Fathers, that Gregorian chant be suitably esteemed and employed (130) as the chant proper to the Roman liturgy (131).

The recent media attention of a ‘conservative’ radio talk show host has brought up again the issue of who should recieve Holy Communion.  It needs to be again re-stated, that Catholics who use (or support the use of) contraception, should not recieve Holy Communion.

3. If we consider the bimillenary history of God’s Church, guided by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, we can gratefully admire the orderly development of the ritual forms in which we commemorate the event of our salvation. (more…)

Kneeling at the consecration is not optional for Roman Catholics.  If a priest says that you need not kneel, he is sinning.  If a bishop says you need not kneel, he is sinning.  They have no such authority.  Roman Catholics must kneel during the consecration unless prevented by lack of space, health, or another good reason.  Not having kneelers is NOT a good reason, nor an excuse.

It is often thought that the the use of reason is required to receive the sacraments.  The idea is that someone must understand the sacrament in order to receive it.  This is obsured, as all the sacraments are mysteries and are beyond our ability to understand. 

According to the Council of Trent, “That infants and children not yet come to the use of reason may not only validly but even fruitfully receive the Blessed Eucharist is now the universally received opinion.” The reception of Holy Communion by baptized and confirmed children, is clearly supported by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, as well, it cites the very words of Jesus Christ for support, recalling the Lord’s words: “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them.” (more…)

As Cardinal Jospeh Ratzinger said in his book, Spirit of the Liturgy, “Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment.”

This is from the web page of Saint Benedict’s in Chesapeake…

It seems that people have no problem dressing appropriately for weddings, funerals, office parities, or dates; yet many seem to think that dressing well to meet Almighty God at the Mass is passé. It isn’t. Dressing properly for Mass is simply a matter of showing proper respect, not only for God, but for those around us.

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