Christmas Eve warmth at the Hermitage: A gift of A. Bugnini

7 Responses to Christmas Eve warmth at the Hermitage: A gift of A. Bugnini

1. Elizabeth D

   2011/12/24 at 22:57

   To quote the hermit, yikes! But of course really it is good to reverently destroy it in this way and even be warmed!
2. Richard Rychetsky (@RichRych)

   2011/12/25 at 12:01

   The Archbishop has been so demonized [By whom? I think he did make comments from time to time, that he figured his work would only last some years, since it was done by way of "experts", and was not organic. This comment of his own (sorry, I can't give you a reference) is by far the most devastating comment that could possibly be made by anyone else.], and he was so influential throughout the entire liturgical movement (names in the Missal, Liturgy of the Hours, etc…..) that it has tainted the entire movement. [for which one can also look to Father Virgil Michel, O.S.B., whose protégé was Father Paul Marx, O.S.B., both of them in my home parish of Collegeville... et al.] While I am not a huge fan of His Excellency, I try not to give into the knee-jerk reaction against him either.[Good. It's good to be scientific about it. My burning here, if you were wondering, just a way to properly dispose of a sacred book and get some warmth at the same time. Burning such used liturgical items is a long tradition in the Church, for instance, for vestments, etc. I'm sure His Excellency would be the first to burn the volume on my behalf!]

   I have come to realize that I have to rely on my catechesis to inform my worship [O.K., but, be careful! Lex orandi, lex credendi. Christ's Sacrifice, into which He draws us, provides us with our faith, Tradition, which is explicated by the handing down of the faith quasi per manus (almost as if my hand: Trent, 8 April 1546, Sacrosancta) for it is the Holy Spirit who provides this faith. Yes, let the doctrine of the Church guide you, but know that the Church is guided by the Sacrifice with you. Actually, it's not a vicious circle.], and not think that some perceived [or even real, right?] “modernist infiltration of the ritual” will not harm my faith. [Right!]

   Christ’s guarantee of protection extends to the sacramental rites, themselves. [To a degree...] They are valid, effect grace, and will get my soul to heaven. [O.K.]

   I have also come to realize that, in promulgating the new form of Mass, Paul VI was not asking us to do something that is sinful. While that sounds obvious, it is a helpful reminder for those who are tempted to embrace radical traditionalism. [the Tradition of the Church is radical, by definition... Nothing wrong with that. The "ism" bit is ideological, and that would always be wrong, of course] The New Mass is not inherently sinful, not is it a danger to the faith. [Not sure if anyone's arguing that, at least here...] While it may not be as esthetic, traditional, or doctrinally explicit as the EF (my opinion), it does give God glory and will help you get to Heaven – the perfect, eternal liturgy.

   Like it or not[!], the liturgy is a gift of the Church[from our Lord]. It is not something that laymen have any business picking apart, analyzing, pontificating on, and trying to revise. [though laymen should, of course, police abuses, according to Holy Mother Church, having the right and duty to do this, so that they are even invited to contact the Holy See directly if necessary.] It is something to be received and nurtured. If reforms are to be made, it would come from the hierarchy. [And, as our Holy Father, Benedict XVI, pointed out somewhere, no "experts", be they bishops or not, should indulge in tinkeritis, which is utterly contrary to the proper development of the liturgy, which should be organic, not a new creation out of an elite group's imagination... be they hierarchy of not] Laymen should be about the work of sanctifying the temporal order (home, workplace, politics, etc…), not being “professional Catholics” who hang around the parish church all the time, correct priests, become liturgical policemen, and run all the church apostolate committees. [Busy-bodies are one thing, being helpful is another. When I'm in a new parish, I ask people to correct me if they see me doing something mistaken with the rubrics of whatever form of Mass, or in whatever other aspect of parish life...] That replaces devotion with activism, [which would be false dichotomy, no?] and it makes one feel like a good Catholic when, in truth, we are called to bring the light of Christ to the world outside. [Are you actually saying that parish apostolates have nothing to do with the world outside? Perhaps you might want to immerse yourself into what's happening at your local Saint Vincent de Paul soup kitchen or some such thing] The priest’s role is to empower us to do that via the Sacraments, of which he is a dispenser. [O.K. But make sure that the clericalism wrongly embraced by too many laity, as you point out, is not replaced for you with an Italian style laicism, which makes the Church stay in the sacristy and as far from the public square in any way whatsoever.]

   Neither the EF nor OF of Mass is perfect nirvana. [Nor would we want it to be that egotistic, utterly impersonal, non-prayer of those who do not know the goodness and kindness of our Lord.] I’ve learned not to seek some mystical experience praying the LOTH, Roman Breviary, or going to a traditional Latin Mass. [One needs to define "mystical", which doesn't refer to your feelings, does it?] These things are meant to lead me to a deeper relationship with Christ. [So, to be clear, the liturgy isn't a mere occasion of spirituality, but IS worship. Words and actions and singing are prayer, the work of the liturgy. That's what you mean, right?] If I focus too much on the ritual itself, I miss the point, [One is to be drawn by Christ through the words and actions and singing. Our "active participation" is not in our determination to focus on exteriors to any extent if that is seen as a mere preliminary to a real religious experience, but active pariticipation is especially meant to refer to receptivity to how Christ, through His Church's liturgy, draws us to Himself.] and it becomes mere religious games – or worse: spiritual pride. [In fact. I've seen that. Pretty horrific when that happens. One tries to outdo the other in "creative" liturgy, which is how "active participation" is defined by so many. Abuse, that? Yes. That's why it's good to be clear.] I’ve learned to be at peace with whichever form of Mass is available, and to focus on Christ himself. [O.K.] He is pleased with devotion in any form.

   Do I prefer an EF Mass? Yes. Do I see some fruits of the liturgical movement? Yes.

   Thus endeth the rant.

   [Thanks for the comment, Rich. Personally, I'd like to see a gravitational pull from both ways. Many prefaces can be reworked a bit and injected into the Extraordinary Form. I'd like to see "and what I have failed to do" (sins of omission) added to the Extraordinary Form confiteor. The offertory, for instance, of the Extraordinary Form, could offer quite a bit to the Ordinary Form. And so on. I'd like to see common calendars, etc.]
3. acardnal

   2011/12/25 at 15:25

   I use Firefox Mozilla version 9.01 and I have no problems viewing your posted photos or other graphics.
4. Richard Rychetsky (@RichRych)

   2011/12/25 at 15:51

   Father,

   First off, Merry Christmas to you!

   I did not mean to imply that you are anti-OF by posting about a book burning. That, in and of itself, is a knee-jerk reaction many may have. It seems to harken back to the Nazi days when opposing views were stifled. You are simply doing what is proper. Personally, I am glad to see it go. The translations were in much need of replacement.

   As to your comments on my post:

   H.E. Bugnini is attacked by most groups I have come across. Michael Davies, the SSPX, and many others write critical comments of his secretariat at the CDWDS, his role in Vatican II, and his work in the Consilium. Insinuations of Freemasonry do their job of throwing a dark cloud of suspicion over Bugnini and the entire reform of the liturgy. While I try to be scientific about it (well put words of yours), I often struggle to resist the urge to be suspicious when I see his name attached to official liturgical worship books.
   ———
   Yes, I am much aware of the good works that are made possible by organizing at the parish level. People are needed to man SVDP soup kitchens, prison apostolates, etc….. I am not talking about that. I am referring more to the temptation we all have to gauge our holiness by how much we do at the parish (altar server, choir member, parish council member, bingo game coordinator, usher, etc….). While much work is needed to make a parish go, we should realize that what is given to us at the parish is meant for our own sanctification as well as others in all spheres of our secular. I agree with you that we should not fall into extremes on clericalism. Your analogy of italian Catholicism is very appropriate. But I think we should remember that priests have a unique role that no layman can supplant. The priest empowers us through the sacraments and his preaching.
   ————–
   “Mystical”, meaning some overpowering, sensational experience bordering on the Beatific Vision itself. While I agree that liturgy should draw us above our earthly sufferings and keep our focus on Heaven, it should not be sought as a mere religious titillation. I think you would agree. If it uplifts us, great. Sometimes it’s just work (“liturgy”). Sometimes, I feel like Traditionalists can idolize the ’62 rite itself, to the point that only it will do…only it is Catholic. I’m not saying you are one of those types, I’m just saying I’ve seen it.
   ——————
   I understand and agree with your comment on “creative liturgy”. These are another type of religious game, where rubrics go out the window and personal preferences are injected into “official worship” and passed off as authentic liturgy. Not only are the results oftentimes stale and lifeless, but they can easily lead to bad theological conclusions.

   However, what I was referring to was the opposite extreme: hyper-observance of ritual behavior to the point that it no longer is a means of worship, but rather, a mindless and empty gesture that simply makes me feel like I am doing my Sunday duty…..and it never changes me. If I go to confession but do not resolve to amend my life, what does it avail me? If I go to Mass, but don’t really pray or use that grace to struggle against sin, to spread the Gospel, and to love my neighbor, then what is the point of going to Mass? It is not just an empty ritual or a religious game. It is a participation in eternal realities. It is the greatest act a man can partake in.

   Thanks for your comments! I am much honored that you took so much time to respond. Your clarifications are golden.
5. Holy Souls Hermitage

   2011/12/25 at 16:24

   Great! I’m sure we’ll survive! I know people are VERY sensitive about the liturgy. Being aware of this was a huge part of my course on the E.F. liturgy at the Josephinum.

   Roboticism (not to be confused with precision) is not thought to be a problem until you see it, with all it’s hyperventilation and so on!

   Anyway, the ashes are still providing warmth. H.E. is on the list for prayer for priests and bishops who are going through the purgatory of this life or, possibly, the next. Join me! Hail Mary…
6. J. Roberts

   2011/12/26 at 16:44

   Speaking of Bugnini, this article written by him may interest you: http://queenofmartyrspress.blogspot.com/
7. Holy Souls Hermitage

   2011/12/26 at 18:02

   Thanks for that. However, I’m much more given to a hermeneutic of continuity, whereby that which is misunderstood by our separated brethren is to be explained to them, not swept under the carpet. Benedict XVI (or was it Cardinal Ratzinger back then?) had it that the sweeping under the carpet bit, however sweet and nice and all lovely with good intentions, will only serve, in the long run, to create more division than ever was witnessed with the post “Reformation” (Rebellion) aftermath, for there will be those of a future generation on either “side” who will get themselves entrenched for the sake of entrenchment. To avoid this, one must simply have the enthusiasm to share the faith. For instance, I love the way Pope Benedict XVI revised the 1962 Good Friday prayer for the Jews. He explained the old with the new without abandoning anything of the old, but perhaps making it even more pointed.

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