Okay, so I'm horrible at updating my blogs! Ah well, life generally keeps me busy so I don't have just a whole lot of time to come around to these things. At any rate, I figured you deserved an update!

Well first, the big news. Aprill and I will be moving back to Texas in December! My parents are going to help us buy a house, so we're really excited! Plus, we'll be really close to our family and friends. And hopefully we'll be there for a really long time. We're both sick of moving!

Which brings me to my next question. Is there anyone in the Arlington, Texas area that currently attends the extraordinary form of Mass? We're looking for a parish to call home there.

School is going well and it keeps me busy most of the time. Once we move back to Texas I'll be continuing my education through distance courses over the internet. It will be a bit different, but I have taken some online courses while I was here, so it shouldn't be too much of a change for me.

Overall, we're very excited and can't wait. We will definitely miss all of our friends that we made in Arizona, though.

Please keep us in your prayers, and we will certainly keep you all in ours!

PS Hopefully it won't be months until my next update =)

Summorum Pontificum Contact Database

The motu proprio has been released! The next step is to start putting the Catholic faithful who want to assist at the extraordinary form of the Holy Mass in touch with Catholic priests who want to say the extraordinary form of the Holy Mass.

Link Here

A Quiz

You are a 100% traditional Catholic!

Congratulations! You are more knowlegeable than most modern theologians! You have achieved mastery over the most important doctrines of the Catholic Faith! You should share your incredible understanding with others!

Do You Know Your Baltimore Catechism?
Make Your Own Quiz

Why is it...

Why does it seem that in some "traditionalist" Catholic groups the Pope (and the rest of the Vatican for that matter) gets such a negative wrap? There is such distrust and disdain for anything that comes from the Vatican.

Granted, the Church has seen some rough water in modern times, but it's not the first time that's happened. Christ's Church always prevails. Period.

I, for one, firmly believe that with prayer and support our Church will see the light of day again even if it isn't exactly how we expect it to happen.

In short, Christ left us a Church for a reason! Pray for it, for its leaders, and for everyone in it.

Dominus vobiscum!

Picture courtesy of http://www.vatican.va/news_services/or/photo/primi_piani/index.html

Sunny Tuesday

I was browsing through CafePress.com at the t-shirt section and found a couple of great ones. Enjoy :)

1962 Missal Sales Rise as Motu Proprio Expected Soon

Rome, Apr. 4, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Italian media outlets are once again reporting that a papal document liberalizing the use of the Mass of St. Pius V could be released during the Easter season.

Reports of the imminent release of a motu proprio allowing all Catholic priests to use the Tridentine rite have been circulating in Rome for a full year. The rumors have intensified recently, however, and this week saw the Vatican Secretary of State confirm that the document is close to publication. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone told the French publication Le Figaro that the Pope is prepared to take action soon-- although he did not give a date.

In expectation of the motu proprio, Catholic bookstores in Rome have begun selling copies of the 1962 Missal. Expecting brisk sales, publishing houses in Italy are reprinting the old Missal.

http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=77479

Chant Cast

If any of you are techies like me, you'll definitely like this podcast I found today: Chant Cast.

"What to learn the Latin Chants for the Mass? In this podcast I'm going to teach the Latin Mass parts, some beautiful Latin hymns and provide the sheet music for them. I might not have the best voice, but I'll do what I can!"

Here is the link to subscribe:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Chantcast

and here is the link for more information:
http://www.ipadre.net/chant.html

Enjoy!

Lack of Updates

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. My parents came into town for a week and then I got the flu and now Aprill has the flu, so we've been quite out of it! I'll try to post something meaningful soon :)

Homework Time

No real update today - I'm busy working with homework in the background. I found out that Aprill is getting transferred to another department at work and will be making 4 more bucks an hour which is really great for her! The only downside is that the schedules are set in stone and she has to work on Sundays =( I'm really bummed out that we won't be able to attend Mass together on Sundays =( We can go to a vigil Mass or early on Sunday mornings, but it won't be a Tridendtine Mass and just won't be the same... Hopefully something will work out...

Okay... back to homework I go!

The Proper attitude when fasting

St. John Chrysostom, in this excerpt from Homily III of his "Homilies on the Statues," summed it up well:

7. ...We have this fast too as an ally, and as an assistant in this good intercession. Therefore, as when the winter is over and the summer is appearing, the sailor draws his vessel to the deep; and the soldier burnishes his arms, and makes ready his steed for the battle; and the husbandman sharpens his sickle; and the traveller boldly undertakes a long journey, and the wrestler strips and bares himself for the contest. So too, when the fast makes its appearance, like a kind of spiritual summer, let us as soldiers burnish our weapons; and as husbandmen let us sharpen our sickle; and as sailors let us order our thoughts against the waves of extravagant desires; and as travellers let us set out on the journey towards heaven; and as wrestlers let us strip for the contest. For the believer is at once a husbandman, and a sailor, and a soldier, a wrestler, and a traveller. Hence St. Paul saith, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers. Put on therefore the whole armour of God." Hast thou observed the wrestler? Hast thou observed the soldier? If thou art a wrestler, it is necessary for thee to engage in the conflict naked. If a soldier, it behoves thee to stand in the battle line armed at all points. How then are both these things possible, to be naked, and yet not naked; to be clothed, and yet not clothed! How? I will tell thee. Divest thyself of worldly business, and thou hast become a wrestler. Put on the spiritual armour, and thou hast become a soldier. Strip thyself of worldly cares, for the season is one of wrestling. Clothe thyself with the spiritual armour, for we have a heavy warfare to wage with demons. Therefore also it is needful we should be naked, so as to offer nothing that the devil may take hold of, while he is wrestling with us; and to be fully armed at all points, so as on no side to receive a deadly blow. Cultivate thy soul. Cut away the thorns. Sow the word of godliness. Propagate and nurse with much care the fair plants of divine wisdom, and thou hast become a husbandman. And Paul will say to thee, "The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. He too himself practised this art. Therefore writing to the Corinthians, he said, "I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase." Sharpen thy sickle, which thou hast blunted through gluttony--sharpen it by fasting. Lay hold of the pathway which leads towards heaven; rugged and narrow as it is, lay hold of it, and journey on. And how mayest thou be able to do these things? By subduing thy body, and bringing it into subjection. For when the way grows narrow, the corpulence that comes of gluttony is a great hindrance. Keep down the waves of inordinate desires. Repel the tempest of evil thoughts. Preserve the bark; display much skill, and thou hast become a pilot. But we shall have the fast for a groundwork and instructor in all these things.

8. I speak not, indeed, of such a fast as most persons keep, but of real fasting; not merely an abstinence from meats; but from sins too. For the nature of a fast is such, that it does not suffice to deliver those who practice it, unless it be done according to a suitable law. "For the wrestler," it is said, "is not crowned unless he strive lawfully." To the end then, that when we have gone through the labour of fasting, we forfeit not the crown of fasting, we should understand how, and after what manner, it is necessary to conduct this business; since that Pharisee also fasted, but afterwards when down empty, and destitute of the fruit of fasting. The Publican fasted not; and yet he was accepted in preference to him who had fasted; in order that thou mayest learn that fasting is unprofitable, except all other duties follow with it. The Ninevites fasted, and won the favour of God. The Jews fasted too, and profited nothing, nay they departed with blame. Since then the danger in fasting is so great to those who do not know how they ought to fast, we should learn the laws of this exercise, in order that we may not "run uncertainly," nor "beat the air," nor while we are fighting contend with a shadow. Fasting is a medicine; but a medicine, though it be never so profitable, becomes frequently useless owing to the unskillfulness of him who employs it. For it is necessary to know, moreover, the time when it should be applied, and the requisite quantity of it; and the temperament of body that admits it; and the nature of the country, and the season of the year; and the corresponding diet; as well as varous other particulars; any of which, if one overlooks, he will mar all the rest that have been named. Now if, when the body needs healing, such exactness is required on our part, much more ought we, when our care is about the soul, and we seek to heal the distempers of the mind, to look, and to search into every particular with the utmost accuracy.

11. I have said these things, not that we may disparage fasting, but that we may honour fasting; for the honour of fasting consists not in abstinence from food, but in withdrawing from sinful practices; since he who limits his fasting only to an abstinence from meats, is one who especially disparages it. Dost thou fast? Give me proof of it by thy works! Is it said by what kind of works? If thou seest a poor man, take pity on him! If thou seest an enemy, be reconciled to him! If thou seest a friend gaining honour, envy him not! If thou seest a handsome woman, pass her by! For let not the mouth only fast, but also the eye, and ear, and the feet, and the hands, and all the members of our bodies. Let the hands fast, by being pure from rapine and avarice. Let the feet fast, but ceasing from running to the unlawful spectacles. Let the eyes fast, being taught never to fix themselves rudely upon handsome countenances, or to busy themselves with strange beauties. For looking is the food of the eyes, but if this be such as is unlawful or forbidden, it mars the fast; and upsets the whole safety of the soul; but if it be lawful and safe, it adorns fasting. For it would be among things the most absurd to abstain from lawful food because of the fast, but with the eyes to touch even what is forbidden. Dost thou not eat flesh? Feed not upon lasciviousness by means of the eyes. Let the ear fast also. The fasting of the ear consists in refusing to receive evil speakings and calumnies. "Thou shalt not receive a false report," it says.

(Source: http://www.fisheaters.com/fasting.html)

A good read

A friend of mine posted this link on his blog. I found it a very good read and recommend you read it. Read it here.

Prayer, fasting and almsgiving

The three traditional pillars of Lenten observance are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The key to renewed appropriation of these practices is to see their link to baptismal renewal.

Prayer: More time given to prayer during Lent should draw us closer to the Lord. We might pray especially for the grace to live out our baptismal promises more fully. We might pray for the elect who will be baptized at Easter and support their conversion journey by our prayer. We might pray for all those who will celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation with us during Lent that they will be truly renewed in their baptismal commitment.

Fasting: Fasting is one of the most ancient practices linked to Lent. In fact, the paschal fast predates Lent as we know it. The early Church fasted intensely for two days before the celebration of the Easter Vigil. This fast was later extended and became a 40-day period of fasting leading up to Easter. Vatican II called us to renew the observance of the ancient paschal fast: "...let the paschal fast be kept sacred. Let it be celebrated everywhere on Good Friday and, where possible, prolonged throughout Holy Saturday, so that the joys of the Sunday of the Resurrection may be attained with uplifted and clear mind" (Liturgy, # 110).

Fasting is more than a means of developing self-control. It is often an aid to prayer, as the pangs of hunger remind us of our hunger for God. The first reading on the Friday after Ash Wednesday points out another important dimension of fasting. The prophet Isaiah insists that fasting without changing our behavior is not pleasing to God. "This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own" (Is 58:6-7).

Fasting should be linked to our concern for those who are forced to fast by their poverty, those who suffer from the injustices of our economic and political structures, those who are in need for any reason. Thus fasting, too, is linked to living out our baptismal promises. By our Baptism, we are charged with the responsibility of showing Christ's love to the world, especially to those in need. Fasting can help us realize the suffering that so many people in our world experience every day, and it should lead us to greater efforts to alleviate that suffering.

Abstaining from meat traditionally also linked us to the poor, who could seldom afford meat for their meals. It can do the same today if we remember the purpose of abstinence and embrace it as a spiritual link to those whose diets are sparse and simple. That should be the goal we set for ourselves—a sparse and simple meal. Avoiding meat while eating lobster misses the whole point!

Almsgiving: It should be obvious at this point that almsgiving, the third traditional pillar, is linked to our baptismal commitment in the same way. It is a sign of our care for those in need and an expression of our gratitude for all that God has given to us. Works of charity and the promotion of justice are integral elements of the Christian way of life we began when we were baptized.

Source: http://www.americancatholic.org/newsletters/CU/ac0302.asp#F4

Lent

So I've been thinking of what to give up for the Lenten season this year... Having such an appreciation for and connection with the ancient traditions of the Church, I will be giving up all food/drink during the daytime hours and having one meal after sunset.

Giving Up:

• Food/drink during sunlight hours, except Sundays. (Water if needed - this is the desert...)
  
• Meat on all days except Sunday (diet permitting)

Doing:

• Rosary/Divine Mercy Chaplet once a day (at least)
• Spiritual reading every day
• No swearing (should this be under "giving up"? =P)
• Grace before meals
• Brown Scapular - started wearing already, but why not further the practice?

This is going to be difficult, but I think it will help me really grow spiritually.

What are you giving up/doing for Lent?

Religion and Technology

I just got back from my Professional Skills class at school where I was just lectured on critical thinking. Most of the lecture consisted of covering the "great thinkers" of the world which he named as Socrates, Descartes, Newton, and Einstein. I love reading about these thinkers and in the past have studied them in depth. But what I do not appreciate is when a teacher steps in front of me in a non-religious and non-philosophical related class and proceeds to tell me that these "great thinkers" of the world are great because they all disproved God.

*blinks*

"I want to know God's thoughts; the rest are details." -Albert Einstein

"Gravity explains the motions of the planets, but it cannot explain who set the planets in motion. God governs all things and knows all that is or can be done." -Isaac Newton

It seems to me that this sort of anti-religion/anti-establishment mindset permeates everything relating to technology. Now don't get me wrong, I respect other's opinions to believe whatever they wish to. However, I do not feel that it is right that I should be subject to this methodology in an environment that is supposed to lead to higher education and free thinking.

Does anyone else face the challenges of being religious in the technology world? How do you deal with being such a small minority among so many?

*sad*

It's Official

According to the SelectSmart.com Belief System Selector, my #1 belief match is ROMAN CATHOLIC. What do you believe? Visit SelectSmart.com/RELIGION

Interestingly enough, I also scored a 100% for Eastern Orthodox. Apparently I'm breathing with "both lungs". *smiles at those who caught it*

The Lamb's Supper

The Lamb's Supper: Mass as Heaven on Earth

I received this book as a birthday gift and just recently finished it. I recommend that you go read it! I love Scott Hann's writings.

From the front flap:
"The Lamb's Supper reveals a long lost secret of the Church: The early Christians' key to understanding the mysteries of the Mass was the New Testaments' Book of Revelation. With its bizarre imagery, its' mystic visions of Heaven, and its' end-of-time prophesies, Revelation mirrors the sacrifice and celebration of the Eucharist. Beautifully written in clear, direct language, this new book by best selling Catholic author Scott Hann will help readers see the Mass with new eyes, pray the liturgy with a renewed heart, and enter into the Mass more fully, enthusiastically, intelligently, and more powerfully than ever before."

NO Latin

Okay, so Aprill and I attended a NO Mass in Latin today. Unfortunately, we both felt that it lacked a particularly spiritual sense. This is not to say that it was not valid, etc., only that we did not find it a home for us.

Instead of critiquing the Mass I only want to offer up our plans of what we're going to do now. =) We are considering finding another parish that is close to us which offers the Mass (Tridentine or Novus Ordo) in Latin.

We will continue to pray about this and will keep you updated!

I would like to say something positive about the parish that we attended today. We both *loved* the Perpetual Adoration chapel they have there. They have a small library of pamphlets/books, plenty of chairs, several rosaries, and was overall very nice. If nothing else, we'll probably be returning to that parish just for Adoration! =)

Tridentine, Novus Ordo, and Latin

Wow! It's been awhile since I've posted here. I actually forgot that I created this page! Well, with the transition of moving and then going to Texas for the holidays, it was quite easy to do. *smile*

As some of you know, since I've been in Arizona, I've been attending a Tridentine Mass along with some friends of mine. For those of you who don't know what that means, I encourage you to check out: This Page In a nutshell, the Tridentine Mass is the liturgy that was followed until the 1960's when Vatican II created the Novus Ordo liturgy (in Latin, for the record).

I have really enjoyed attending Mass in this style. The reverence, chant, and incense. To attend the Tridentine liturgy is to attend in body, mind, and soul.

This week, however, I am doing something different. I am going to attend a Novus Ordo Mass in its original Latin language. I have heard many things (good and bad) about the Novus Ordo, even in its' native language. I am hoping that the good things I have heard will be true and the bad things won't be. ;-)

I have grown up with the NO, so I know how to pray it. Having attended the Tridentine Mass, I found myself the rest of the week trying to better prepare myself for the next time I went. Trying to find deeper ways to invest myself in it and how to pray it more deeply and reverently. But again, since it is new to me, I still find trouble doing such no matter how much I like the Mass.

That is why I am going to attend a NO this weekend. I think that Latin being the universal language of the Universal Church that it is an essential part of the liturgy, but I hope that because it is in a form more to what I am used to that it will be easier to put myself into a state of spiritual contemplation, worship, and reverence.

I'll post later and let you know how it goes! ;-)