Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland

Miriam Díez i Bosch of Zenit.org has an interesting interview with the Vicar General of the personal prelature, Opus Dei , Rev. Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz . Here is a small portion of that interview: Q: Opus Dei was born to help laypeople in their ordinary life. Are laypeople truly a part of the prelature of Opus Dei, or is the prelature only for the relatively few priests of Opus Dei? Monsignor Ocáriz: Opus Dei was born precisely to remind everyone, both priests and laypersons, of the universal call to holiness. As [the founder] St. Josemaría taught since 1928, the fact that this call is universal and that God calls each person, means that all upright human realities -- professional work, family and social relations -- can and should be a sanctified and sanctifying reality. As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger said when the founder of Opus Dei was canonized, the message of St. Josemaría Escrivá has helped to correct an erroneous idea of sanctity, as thought it were reserved only for the &quo

George Matysek, Jr. of the Catholic Review Online follows up his story on the Bicentennial of the Archdiocese of Baltimore with a list of the special events to take place . A special display of historical documents will be unveiled in Laubacher Hall at St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Roland Park, on April 12 at 2 p.m. The exhibit will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday from April 14 through May 14. [...] A series of 7 p.m. lectures named in honor of America’s founding archbishop, John Carroll, will be launched April 22 at the Baltimore Basilica. Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee will deliver the first lecture April 22, speaking about John Carroll. George Weigel, a Baltimore native and biographer of Pope John Paul II, who serves as a distinguished senior fellow with the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., will speak May 12. His topic will be “Popes, power and world politics: from Leo XIII to Benedict XVI.” Colleen Carroll Campbell, author of “The New Fait

Update : An update to this story was posted by Carl Olson on his blog on April 1st. The posted email and ensuing discussion can be found here . The April 2008 edition of Catholic World News carries an important story by Professor Germain Grisez on CRS . Here is just a small snippet from the Carl Olson blog : The Church never acts on her own in carrying on Jesus’ mission. Jesus is always with her when she preaches and teaches, administers the sacraments, and does charitable works. Thus, she fulfills his command to spread the Gospel and makes him really present, manifesting his love to each of his brothers and sisters in every nation until the end of time. When Catholic charitable agencies properly feed the hungry or provide health care, those who receive help meet Jesus, learn how much he offers, and are given a new opportunity—perhaps a unique one—to respond to his love and share in his kingdom.In 1943, the bishops of the United States established Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to

I am often "searched" for the location of a particular Abbey or Monastery online (and usually within the United States). I have just located two delightful websites! Both links have been added to the Favorites Sites in the right menu! This site is the official Order of Saint Benedict website which has a "search form" for locating Abbeys, Monasteries and Schools . This site is courtesy of Dr. Deborah Vess of Georgia College and State University. It has Monasteries located worldwide categorized by Religious Order and location . It is also marvelous!

WWW.Chiesa Online published two stories relating to the Baptism of Magdi Cristiano Allam by Sandro Magister. The first is here and the second, published today, is here .

Patrick Archbold of Creative Minority Report feels that "It's Morning Again in the Catholic Church ." I have to concur on this delightful take! Don't miss the YouTube clip! RORATE CAELI : Ave, Sancta Dei Genitrix ! Classic Rorate Caeli! The Latin Collect for the Feast of the Annunciation. Traditional Latin Mass Propers in English: THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

The Catholic Review is the Archdiocesan newspaper of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The online edition carries two stories of interest : Cindy Wooden reports that the liberalization of the Tridentine Mass is bearing fruit . The story deals with the interview of Cardinal Castrillon-Hoyos to L'Osservatore Romano widely reported on traditional blogs. George P. Matysek, Jr. reports on a tour by Archbishop O'Brien through the Carroll County area . His Excellency praised the Eucharistic Adoration that is prominent at some parishes such as Saint John's in Westminster and called for an increase in religious vocations.

AmericanPapist has links to two YouTube segments on Saint John Vianney Seminary produced by the seminarians themselves Creative Minority Report says the Vatican confirms that Muslims now outnumber Roman Catholics worldwide The New Liturgical Movement carries a thoughtful post on community worship and the "golden calf" as gleaned from the Holy Father's writings The New Liturgical Movement carries a free " Compline " program offered for reprint

Updated: December 15th, 2011 TLM (Extraordinary Form) Masses in Maryland and Surrounding States, F.S.S.P Locations, N.O. Masses, N.O. Latin Masses, Shrines, Monasteries, Abbeys, Training in the TLM, Latin Propers Sacred Music, Chant, Chant Libraries (MP3s and text), Hymnals for Parishes Vestments and Other Items Needed for the TLM Mass Religious Orders: Benedictines, Carmelites, Dominicans, Search Forms The Traditional Latin Mass ( Tridentine ; Extraordinary Form ; Usus Antiquior; Missal of 1962 ) or Finding Regional Novus Ordo Sunday Masses This blog is called "Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland." What are you trying to accomplish? [ Answer: I am trying to assist people searching for the Traditional Latin Mass in the greater Maryland area to find a Sunday Mass which celebrates the Usus Antiquior or Extraordinary Form ]. Which States are covered? [ Presently, I cover Maryland, the D.C. suburbs, Washington, D.C. itself, Northern Virginia, some of West Virginia and So

Father Zuhlsdorf of " What Does the Prayer Really Say ?" has a good post today on the necessity of tracking statistics for the Extraordinary Form . Read his post here .

I received this update from a colleague about the TLM at Saint James the Greater Parish in Charles Town, WVA : Sarge, We had a beautiful Easter High Mass at St. James. The Schola, although newly formed, did a marvelous job, thanks to our Liturgy and Music Director (who had worked in Rome before coming to our Parish). The next two TLM Masses at St. James will be on: Saturday, April 12 at 9:00 am Sunday, April 13 at 4:00 pm Also, EWTN is announcing to televise a TLM Mass on the 3rd Sunday of Easter. From EWTN's web site: THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER MASS IN EXTRAORDINARY FORM LIVE 2 hrs Solemn High Mass of the Third Sunday of Easter in the Extraordinary Form. The Traditional Latin Mass from the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. 4/6/2008 8:00 AM ET & 5:00 AM PT Feedback is the life blood of any blog. Please contact me if you have information on new Masses, photos of your liturgy or any news of interest to the TLM community in our region .

Father Zuhlsdorf has a long post on an article taken from the magazine," Mass of the Ages, " written by Msgr. Ignacio Barreiro . The long "point by point" discussion is well worth reading. In short, what is allowed and what is proscribed now that the TLM is again freely available? [...] The strongest of them, and the one I have to ponder a while, is the argument that whoever wishes the principal also desires what is accessory . It seems to me that we can’t just leap to the assumption that all those old decrees and so forth from the Sacred Congregation of Rites are all revived with Summorum Pontificum or that canons in the old Code are still in force, for example obliging women to wear chapel veils, etc. True, true...

I am saddened that more Catholics are unaware of or do not actively support Adoremus. This site strives for beauty in our Masses and liturgy and is readily available on the web . The organization publishes a monthly newsletter and asks only for donations for support. Sadly, the questions/answers on the back page concerning routine "irregularities at Mass" or violations of the GIRMs is one of its most popular features. I have noted "seekers" who wish to find basic Latin hymns or even a "smattering of Chant" and want to know where to find it? Well, here is a link to a vital page that is a beginning. This is to what the Second Vatican Council considered to be the barest minimum of traditional Chants and Hymns taken from the Graduale Romanum . It came to be known as the Jubilate Deo and is published here by Adoremus . Note it is linked to an MP3 format. Here is a link to their full Table of Contents on music articles . Please join !

Dr. Edward N. Peters of In the Light of the Law puts forth the proposal that those who commit euthanasia should be excommunicated . For some months I have been researching and writing an article on euthanasia in canon law. I hoped against hope that it might remain an academic exercise, but (to judge from, say, this report on the practice of euthanasia in Belgium ) the speed with which the Western, specifically Christian, protection of innocent life is collapsing suggests that one of my projected canonical recommendations deserves an earlier hearing than appearance in a peer-reviewed journal can afford. Simply put, I recommend that euthanasia be made an excommunicable offense under the 1983 Code of Canon Law . I hope his proposal is given serious consideration in light of his arguments .

I received an email with some news on a local TLM Parish, Saint John the Baptist in Front Royal, VA : There is a very well established community in Front Royal, VA for the Traditional Mass at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church . We attend this Mass every once in a while. In addition to their Sunday Tridentine Mass at 12:30, their new Pastor, Fr. Fassano, has recently added two weekly masses: On Fridays at 7:00 pm , and on Saturdays at 8:30 am (except on 1st Saturdays). This is not in their website yet, but I called the Parish office and they confirmed this information. Thanks for the news tip!

Father Zuhlsdorf adds more information on what appears to be some shuffling imminent within the Curia .

Amy Wellborn urges us to give "props where props are due." This is a really nice story ! The NLM reports that a Justine Ward classic, "Advanced Studies in Gregorian Chant," is back in print . Here are the Traditional Latin Mass Propers in English for Easter Saturday. Rocco Palmo of " Whispers in the Loggia " has a beautiful story on the Archdiocese of Baltimore, William Cardinal Keeler and the restoration of the Basilica of the Assumption . This is a "local" must read and especially so for history buffs!

I am indebted to the Tridentine Latin Rite Missal Project for the Latin translations . Note that only a Missal such as the Baronius (F.S.S.P. edition, Summorum Pontificum ) will have all the Latin text. This Sunday is called from the first words of the Introit, the Sunday of Quasimodo , or Sunday in Albis ( deponendis ), because the neophytes on that day put aside their white garments. In English the term Low Sunday is in contrast with Easter or High Sunday. Another Latin name Pascha clausum is preserved in the French: Paques closes and in the Dutch or Flemish: Beloken Pasen : close of Easter, this Sunday ending the Octave. -- Let us proclaim our faith in the risen Lord, and in His divine Presence in the Holy Eucharist. INTROIT ¤ I. Peter 2. 2 Quasi modo geniti infantes, alleluia: rationabiles, sine dolo lac concupiscite, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. -- Exsultate Deo adjutori nostro: jubilate Deo Jacob. V.: Gloria Patri . . . Quasi modo . . . As newborn babes, alleluia, desire the

WDTPRS : Rumors about Curial changes Divine Worship and Doctrine of the Faith NLM : New Prefect of the CDW? [Update]

Thomas Peters of AmericanPapist does a really nice job of gathering five stories germane to the Holy Father's visit in April . One is the story posted below from The New Liturgical Movement . Highly recommended !

A new blog called Traditional Vocations Blog is now linked to the Blogroll on the right menu . The blog concentrates on vocations to both men's and women's traditional Religious Orders . One recent post featured a link to Monasteries, for example . Have a look!

Jeffrey Tucker of The New Liturgical Movement is not encouraged by what he has discovered . ..

This article was posted today on the Archdiocesan website : Pope Benedict XVI Will Recognize Baltimore’s Anniversary During Historic Visit April 15-20 03/28/2008 Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore, unveiled the official logo and program commemorating the Premier See of Baltimore’s 200th anniversary as an Archdiocese at a press conference at the Baltimore Basilica earlier today. The program of events kicks off the weekend preceding Pope Benedict XVI’s arrival to the United States with a ground-breaking ceremony on Friday, April 11 at 11 a.m. at the future site of the Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden, located at Charles and Franklin Streets. On Saturday, April 12 at 2 p.m. an exhibit commemorating the anniversary will be unveiled at St. Mary’s Seminary’s Laubacher Hall. The weekend culminates on Sunday with two events: The Anniversary Mass at the Basilica at 10:45 a.m., followed by the dedication of a bust honoring Cardinal William H. Ke

Donald DeMarco has a fascinating story in the latest issue of the National Catholic Register . It is an essay on Pierre Duhem . Here is just a small snippet: [...] Pierre Maurice Marie Duhem was born June 10, 1861, in Paris. He distinguished himself as one of the most brilliant students ever to attend the highly prestigious Ecole Normal Supérieure. Of the 800 or so graduates in France in 1882, he was and remained throughout his years at Ecole, first in his class in the science department. His doctoral thesis on thermodynamics, unfortunately, contradicted the position of the chemist Marcelin Berthelot, who was a powerful figure in the French academic establishment at the time. Though Duhem’s position was later vindicated, Bertholet ensured not only that the thesis would be rejected, but that Duhem would never teach in Paris. Duhem wrote another thesis, of a more mathematical nature, that three examiners accepted. But his career was permanently hampered as a result of his clash with B

Traditional Latin Mass Propers in English , Easter Friday WDTPRS : Eucharistic fast before the TLM - how long ? WDTPRS : Fr. Zuhlsdorf analzyes the interview by Cardinal Castrillon given to L'Osservatore Romano --very helpful! The Traditional Mass in Michiana has some beautiful photos of Fr. Gabet's first Mass at Saint John the Baptist Church in South Bend, IN

The Decree of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments of May 5, 2000, which added this title to the Sunday after Easter ( "Low Sunday" or "Quasi Modo Sunday "), did not intend to leave this as an optional title. The requirements for this Feast of Divine Mercy are recounted here . Additional information can be found here on personal preparations . It is impossible to assemble a complete listing of Parishes which have the Divine Mercy liturgy . In most cases, the Divine Mercy liturgy is held after the last Mass on Sunday and is followed by Benediction. For that purpose, you will need to go to the Parish closest to you and to see the Bulletin for this coming Sunday for times. There are Divine Mercy Sunday liturgies scheduled at most major Cathedrals including that in Washington, DC and Baltimore. The National Shrine of the Grotto of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, MD also has a liturgy scheduled.

RORATE CAELI : C astrillón speaks: On the SSPX: "Discussions may take place inside the Church ." (New Catholic provides more information on the story reported earlier) WDTPRS : Father Zuhlsdorf responds to an earlier post today on " Shouts in the Piazza " concerning Confession on Good Friday by Fr. Selvester

Gregor Kollmorgen of The New Liturgical Movement carries an interview from L'Osservatore Romano with Cardinal Castrillon-Hoyos with some fascinating disclosures . Here is just one: [...] "The pope offers to the Church a treasure which is spiritual, cultural, religious and catholic. We have received letters of agreement also from prelates of the orthodox churches, from anglican and protestant faithtful. Lastly there are some priests of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X who, exceptionally, are searching to regularize their position. Some of them have already signed the formula of adhesion. We are informed that there are traditionalist lay faithful, close to the Fraternity, who have begun to frequent Masses in the older rite offered in the churches of the dioceses." His full translation is here .

The TLM Mass in Saint Lawrence Chapel at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Harrisburg, PA has also been added to the menu. The Mass is celebrated each Sunday at 10:00 AM . I can find no TLM Masses in either York or Southern Lancaster County.

After consulting the Diocese of Arlington's website under "Celebrations of the Extraordinary Form ," I have added Saint John the Beloved Parish in McLean, VA which has a Solemn High Mass (or Sung Mass) each Sunday at Noon . The Parish is also linked in the TLM menu to the right . Laus Deo!

Tim Jones of " Old World Swine " posted this story on the Jimmy Akin blog . His comments are perfect : Her problem is this; How does she expect scientists to mathematically disprove the existence of God, when they can't prove the existence of mathematics? I'm puzzled how she hopes Science will go about proving that faith is un reasonable, when it can't begin to demonstrate even that reason is reasonable. All Ms. Azpurua's faith is in Scientism, her chosen religion, and she is on the verge of a religious ecstacy, overtaken by mysterious utterances that sound a great deal like gibberish; " At some point will it be possible to find proof that God or the Ultimate Designer does not exist?" or, " What about possible contributions toward finding a final theory? Would that upset religious believers? " I don't care how many theories and equations you stack on one another, explain "2+2=4". For that matter, explain why "2&quo

I have added a new TLM Mass to the right menu. The Mass is celebrated at Saint John the Baptist Parish in Front Royal, VA on Sundays at 12:30 PM . Saint John's is in the Diocese of Arlington and it is a TLM Mass as is the one at St. Lawrence. You will find both now listed in the menu bar . I have also specified which Masses are Latin Novus Ordo . If the Mass location does not stipulate "Latin Novus Ordo ," the Mass location is celebrating the Usus Antiquior . I may have erred, but I believe the menu is accurate . If one of the Parishes is now holding a Mass in the Extraordinary Form , or if you know of one not listed, please contact me ! I am particularly interested in adding TLM Masses in West Virginia or Southern PA . I also wish to update the Saint James the Greater website when it is complete.

Traditional Latin Propers in English, Easter Thursday The New Liturgical Movement: Church for Juventutem Celebrations during World Youth Day in Sydney announced RORATE CAELI : Brussels--From Merovingian to Mohammedan Charlotte Was Both : Is the Easter Vigil too long ? (Amy doesn't think it is up for a vote!) WDTPRS : How do Americans view the Pope and the Church ?

Basilica of the Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore, MD, Sundays at 9:00 AM, Latin Novus Ordo Saint Matthew's Cathedral, Washington, D.C., Sundays at 10:00 AM, Latin Novus Ordo

I am indebted to Shawn Tribe of The New Liturgical Movement for the link to this story on Clear Creek Monastery. It is absolutely beautiful ! "By some estimates, more people have climbed Mount Everest than have slept inside these cloistered walls..." Don't miss it !

His Excellency Archbishop Edwin O'Brien has posted his homily from the Chrism Mass in his weekly column entitled, "Thoughts on Our Church," in the Catholic Review Online . Here is a part of his homily: Good Catholic people – and I humbly address all of you and all whom you represent – deacons and consecrated sisters and brothers, seminarians and laity at every level of diocesan and parish leadership: I know that I speak for your priests, here in such impressive numbers, in expressing our thanks for your indispensible collaboration in preaching the love of Christ and promoting the life of the Church in this great Archdiocese. And I pray that you will see in this Mass a significant opportunity to demonstrate your love and appreciation of your priests. If it be God’s will, may the intended priestly focus of this Chrism Mass stress the uniqueness of ordained priesthood and generate the graces so necessary to encourage many more priestly vocations of the kind we see here. A

Father Zuhlsdorf has an interesting discussion going on about a post by Fr. Ray Blake of the Saint Mary Magadalen Blog . " Retro liturgy...? "

One of the largest "small cities" in the state of Maryland is the University of Maryland, College Park Campus . (I don't know how often the Sitemeter read "Masses, Univ. Md., College Park"). Finally, the Catholic Terps website is up again and I have posted it on the Blogroll and Favorite Website menu to the right . Check it out! It has a full Mass schedule and a nice activities calendar as well with links to a number of great sites. Special activities are also listed!

I have had a number of visitors searching for information on Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas . This is an "Anglican Use" Parish. By using the helpful locator of the Archdiocese of San Antonio , and by stipulating "Latin" as the language, I found the Church website . The Mass schedule is here . Note the description of the Solemn High Mass for this Parish : Worship at Our Lady of the Atonement is a spiritually enriching experience, in which the faithful are called to holiness by both the form and substance of the liturgical action. A Solemn High Mass involves the traditional use of incense, bells, a full procession, and Sacred Music from both the traditional Latin and English Catholic heritage . The Gloria, Credo and a number of hymns are always sung by the entire congregation, encouraging active participation by the laity. Other movements such as the Kyrie, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei are mo

The Saint Alphonsus online bulletin has some news of interest from Monsignor Bastress . On March 30th, Divine Mercy Sunday (Low Sunday), the Tridentine Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 AM . Also: Reverend Mr. Jonathan Romanoski invites you to: His ordination on Friday, May 30th at the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter in Lincoln, NE His Solemn High Mass on Sunday, June 8th, will be held at St. Alphonsus Church Reception in our Courtyard, following the Solemn High Mass For further information, please contact the President of the Gregorian Society, Mrs. Rita Dent .

Traditional Latin Mass Propers in English for Easter Wednesday WDTPRS : Cistercian monks of Holy Cross sign Major Record Contract to Sing Gregorian Chant WDTPRS : Saint Dismas, the Good Thief AmericanPapist : New Legionary of Christ Director Meets with Pope Shouts in the Piazza : Benedictine Ain't the Word for It

I have had numerous searches for such things as "sacred music for Lent" or "Latin hymns for Easter." This is a hard subject for me to broach as I am not a musician and I am not sure what the individual is searching for. I suspect that a great "all around" Church hymnal for the Novus Ordo Mass is the Adoremus Hymnal . It is respected by many for fidelity and beauty. For those who wish to tackle the entire gamut of sacred music, Sancta Missa has a copy of the 1961 Graduale Romanum online for download in a PDF version of over 60 MB . That is "as good as it gets." The MusicaSacra website is probably the closest thing I can think of for being THE FIRST stop for those involved in music liturgy . It has an entire library of music available in the right menu and publishes "Sacred Music." The website includes the aforesaid Graduale Romanum with a search function. I hope that proves helpful. I don't know of any online reso

Amy Wellborn of Charlotte Was Both has an excellent post linked to the Papa Ratzinger Forum on the length of time it takes for faithful translations of the Holy Father's communications to happen . Teresa Benedetta is on a roll! Shawn Tribe of the New Liturgical Movement announces a Solemn High Mass to be televised on EWTN scheduled for the 3rd Sunday of Easter (April 6th) . My good friend at DC Catholic posts a piece from someone at Georgetown University concerning the Pope's visit .

I am indebted to The New Liturgical Movement for pointing me to this beautiful blog, Dignare Me Laudare Te, Virgo Sacrata . "Matthew" has a beautiful photoessay on the Easter Vigil at Saint Alphonsus Church in Baltimore . The celebrant was Monsignor Arthur W. Bastress . Matthew also included this comment: For the third time in four years, I traveled up to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Baltimore, Maryland for the Easter Vigil according to the 1962 Roman Missal (Traditional Latin Mass). This church is a favorite of mine, not merely because of the beautiful Gothic architecture and decoration, but also because of its connection to St. John Neumann, who was pastor there before becoming Bishop of Philadelphia. He was also consecrated a bishop in this church. By "travel up," I assume he means from Arlington, VA which is to the south. It is a gorgeous Church as these photos show . Thanks, Matthew! He also posts photos from the Easter Sunday Mass at Georgetown Un

Lest I forget, Steven D. Greydanus posted the news that the gifted British actor, Paul Scofield, has died . Mr. Scofield had many memorable roles as this post notes, but he is best known for his depiction of Saint Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England, under King Henry VIII . The film was an adaptation of a stage play by Robert Bolt and Mr Scofield had played the part on stage. Mr. Greydanus reviewed the film which is listed on the Vatican's best films list . One of my favorite lines of the film mentioned by several of those who commented is a part of an exchange between St. Thomas More and the Duke of Norfolk: And when we die, and you are sent to heaven for doing your conscience, and I am sent to hell for not doing mine, will you come with me, for fellowship? Please read the post, see the movie, and marvel at Scofield's craft in bringing this saint to life ...

Shawn Tribe of the New Liturgical Movement has a long interview with Fr. Joseph Fessio on the Usus Antiquior and the Reform of the Reform . Don't miss it! Go here for the English translations of the Propers for the TLM of Easter Tuesday courtesy of RomanCatholic Deacon.

Father John Trigilio who posts " The Black Biretta " has an important essay this morning about the priesthood. It is addressed to Bishops, Priests, Deacons and the laity . Here is just a small portion: [...] A growing concern, however, is for the orthodox, devout, parish priest who literally says the black and does the red is that he may inadvertently neglect his spiritual NEEDS. Too many good and doctrinely sound priests and deacons burn out or become discouraged, disenchanted and disillusioned. These men have NOT lost their faith , but they are very close to losing HOPE . These men do not leave the priesthood, but they can lose their zeal and their love of what they do IF they do not take care of their own spiritual needs. Secular progressive bishops who use a corporate business paradigm to run the diocese instill a dangerous mindset among the presbyterate. If BEING a priest becomes less important than DOING priestly things, trouble is not far behind. As B16 (and Fr Z)

Michael D. O'Brien, the noted author of such books as "Father Elijah," has posted a fascinating essay on his website . As always, he evaluates the "mega-trends" in modern Catholic life and helps us to interpret them. Here is just a glance: “If God is dead, then everything is permissible,” says one of the characters in Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov . But what if a person still believes in God and goes to church, perhaps even devotedly, yet his instinctive feelings and his choices remain those of a practical materialist? For such a person, “everything” is still permissible, but it is considered an unfortunate unavoidable necessity. Thus, he will need to find a self-justifying political philosophy, without which he could not live with himself. His philosophy may be brilliantly articulated or hardly articulate at all, but in its various degrees of sophistication it will do a common thing: It will deny that moral absolutes are authoritative in every sph

I have just added another item to the Blogroll and Favorite Websites to the right side. The site is New Advent . It is listed in menu as a Catholic Encyclopedia but it is far, far more . New Advent is a compilation of encyclopedia , the Summa Theologica , the Church Fathers , the Douay-Rheims Holy Bible (Challoner) and a Library . If you want to find out about the Council of Chalcedon, it is there . If you want to look up Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, a particular saint, Church history, whatever--it is here. This is a treasure trove and I find myself browsing on it from time to time. I just wanted you to know it is here.

Shawn Tribe of The New Liturgical Movement has a "point-counterpoint" article of an exchange between Fr. Pierre-Marie Gy, O.P. and Cardinal Ratzinger on The Spirit of the Liturgy ! Shawn Tribe of The New Liturgical Movement has the first of many photoessays he will be posting from the Octave. Today's photos are from Saint John Cantius . Matthew Archbold of the Creative Minority Report has a disturbing story of an abortionist who does "very late term abortions" who spoke at an NEA Conference and was applauded ! The details are pretty disturbing!

Laura Crimaldi of the BostonHerald.com has a great article on the new generation of altar boys coming forward for the TLM. This is a must read!

Amy Wellborn of Charlotte Was Both does a really nice essay on Pope Benedict, "Man of Mystery" and the befuddlement of the "main stream press." It's a delightful read ! Patrick Archbold of the Creative Minority Report has a post in which "Bishop Williamson Responds ." This refers to his earlier post on the Bishop which created " discussion ." Father Selvester of " Shouts in the Piazza " (who was a priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore for a time before going to Rome, by the way) loves the Papal mozetta which has returned for the Octave of Easter ! The English Propers for Easter Monday from the TLM are to be found here . Shawn Tribe of The New Liturgical Movement has a historical photoessay of the Usus Antiquior celebrated by Pope Paul VI .

George P. Matysek, Jr. of Catholic Review Online has a summary of the upcoming trip to Rome by Archbishop Edwin O'Brien to receive his pallium . Here is a snippet from the article: As Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien prepares to travel to Rome to receive his pallium, he views the occasion not so much as a personal honor, but as a way of celebrating what the Archdiocese of Baltimore represents. Pope Benedict XVI will confer the pallium, a white woolen vestment worn over the chasuble, on Archbishop O’Brien June 29 at St. Peter’s Basilica. In the Latin rite, the pallium symbolizes the office of a metropolitan archbishop. As archbishop of Baltimore, Archbishop O’Brien is the metropolitan of the Province of Baltimore, made up of the Baltimore archdiocese and the suffragan sees of the dioceses of Richmond, Va.; Wilmington, Del.; Wheeling-Charleston, W.Va.; and Arlington, Va. “It will be a great privilege for me to represent the great people of this archdiocese,” said Archbishop O’Brien. “I

A new link has been added to the "Blogroll and Favorite Websites." The site is called "TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS PROPERS IN ENGLISH. " RomanCatholic Deacon hopes to post English Propers each day for the TLM. For Latin Propers, the site under construction , Tridentine Latin Rite Missal Project is still the best bet. Hat Tip to both bloggers!

This site contains music from the Vatican Easter Mass archived by the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music (Vatican) . This includes music from the Graduale Romanum and Graduale Simplex including the " Resurrexi ."

New Catholic of RORATE CAELI has an eye-popping post: the Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Vingt-Trois, has announced the return of the Usus Antiquior Mass to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris (Notre-Dame de Paris) sometime in June . Laus Deo!

Thomas Peters of the AmericanPapist has a link to the AP text of the Holy Father's " Urbi et Orbe " address . Shawn Tribe of The New Liturgical Movement has a link to the F.S.S.P.'s Easter Vigil from Rome . Shawn Tribe of The New Liturgical Movement re-caps highlights of the Triduum from Rome looking in terms of a liturgial perspective . Matthew Archbold of the Creative Minority Report decries the attacks on Christian beliefs at this time of year. This year, the subject is "The Papacy is a Sham." Christ warned us of this stuff...

Click on the figure to bring up the Lectionary Readings for the day!

Click the image to find Mass Times for any location in the world. Choose from ten languages plus English. The site is self explanatory. Note: Novus Ordo Easter Masses are likely to follow the normal Sunday schedule. MassTimes.org is also to be found in the Blogroll and Favorite Menu to the right side of this window. Just scroll down.

I listened to the Homily of His Holiness Pope Benedict at the Chrism Mass and I was enthralled by his thoughts. He had many "nuggets" for thought in his reflection. He ended by mentioning this sentence, " In the early Church there was a custom whereby the Bishop or the priest, after the homily, would cry out to the faithful: " Conversi ad Dominum " – turn now towards the Lord . As many of you know, this subject of " ad orientem " worship has been discussed fairly often by Father John Zuhlsdorf of " What Does the Prayer Really Say ?" He has an analysis of the Holy Father's Homily and it is a MUST read .

The Gregorian Society of Baltimore is dedicated to the return of the Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland and has a website called " Ad Altare Dei " ( "to the altar of God" ). You will find this site linked in my "Blogroll and Favorite Websites" and called " The Gregorian Society of Baltimore ." If you click on their home page , you'll find a "sign-up" link for a new TLM at Saint John's Church in Westminster, Maryland ( Westminster, Maryland Latin Mass ) and a "sign-up" link for the TLM in other locales within the State of Maryland ( Latin Mass in Maryland ). Under " Links to Other Sites ," you'll find a link to a "Yahoo Group" which will be used for information and discussion on beginning the Traditional Latin Mass at Saint John's in Westminster, MD . One must register to be included in any "Yahoo Group." If you have information on events concerning the TLM in Maryland, my ema

Sitemeter is fascinating since the "search strings" show what people are searching for. Apparently, the term "Easter Vigil" is misunderstood since many Catholics have their routine Sunday "Vigil" Mass at 4:30 or 5:00 on Saturday. This is taken from the USCCB website : 9. When should the Easter Vigil take place? The Vigil, by its very nature, ought to take place at night. It is not begun before nightfall and should end before daybreak on Easter Sunday. The celebration of the Easter Vigil takes the place of the Office of Readings. The Easter Vigil begins and ends in darkness . It is a nocturnal vigil , retaining its ancient character of vigilance, and expectation, as the Christian people await the resurrection of the Lord during the night. Fire is blessed and the paschal candle is lighted to illumine the night so that all may hear the Easter proclamation and listen to the word of God proclaimed in the Scriptures. For this reason the Service of Light tak