Who is Fr. Richard Fragomeni? (vanity question)

We will be having a priest come to our parish March 13-16th to speak about the "On-going Call to Conversion: Lived Out Through the Liturugy and the Sacraments."

His name is Fr. Richard Fragomeni, I have never heard of him (which isn't unusual). He has recently spoken at the Catechetical Congress in Los Angeles (first hesitation), and some staff members at our (liberal) parish are very enthusiastic that he is coming to our community. It is being highly encouraged that all parishoners attend his talks during that time.

Are any of you familiar with his writings? Work? More and more I get skeptical about how these "priests" are being promoted, not knowing what their background is. I'd like to do some homework before attending his talks, so I can be in the right frame of mind.

True. I hate the hand holding stuff though. I ran across this as well:

Liturgical Gymnastics
Question on 06-04-2002:
There has been an ongoing debate concerning the holding of hands during recitation of the Lord’s Prayer in Mass, often times accompanied by other personal gestures and physical demonstrations. Some folks like it; others do not. I fit in the latter category for one simple reason: To me, holding hands while praying or any other form of liturgical gymnastics, for that matter, are absolutely meaningless and empty gestures.
Some people have stated that by holding hands, they are uniting themselves with Christ. That is what Holy Communion is all about! If you are searching for Christ through holding hands, you miss the entire point of the Mass as well as a good portion of our Catholic faith. To be physically one in union with our Lord Jesus is the greatest gift that He left us.

Our separated brethren don’t have access to this most Blessed Sacrament and the powerful unifying and sanctifying graces that accompany it, so they resort to holding hands. But at that point, it often becomes reduced to a search for a rush or a spiritual high. Such a rush, however, never lasts since you inevitably have to come crashing down sooner or later.

The Lord’s Prayer is placed at the particular point in the Mass that it is, in order to help us mentally prepare for what will be, in a few moments, the physical uniting of us poor wretched sinners with our almighty, merciful and loving God who is really and truly present in the flesh. As such, there should be absolutely nothing that can distract us from this mental and spiritual preparation.

In studying the lives of the saints, (pick any one), none of them ever went around seeking contact with God by any means other than through the sacraments. The saints knew that Heaven was gained by personal suffering and sacrifice, denial of our personal will in deference to God’s own will, all the while participating in a sacramental life and undertaking spiritual sojourns that traversed vast deserts and dark valleys wrought with pitfalls and dangers of all kinds. Perseverance in ascending God’s steep and difficult Holy Mountain was the only path for them.

Another point - Our Lord Jesus gave us what is tantamount to an open book exam in His description of the events surrounding the Last Judgment. He makes it abundantly clear that He isn’t going to judge us by how often we hold hands in Mass. He will judge us by how often we hold hands with others AFTER Mass. It’s easy to hold hands with like minded people and those whom we love. But did we hold hands and sing hymns to God with the store clerk that cheated us? With the mechanic who made your car run worse than when you brought it in? With the road rage driver who cut us off in traffic? With the neighbor who plays his boom-box so loud that it makes the windows of our houses rattle? And don’t forget about that difficult coworker! It isn’t so easy to hold hands with these folks. They are usually the ones most in need of the sacraments, our prayers and intercessions. Yet, it is how we deal with these same difficult people whom we encounter in life that God will judge us. Love them and God Himself will give us that eternal warm and fuzzy feeling in Heaven to enjoy. We need not look for that adrenaline rush while on earth; rather we find ourselves challenged and compelled by God to work to make it an eternal reality in Heaven. Paul

P.S. – Fr. Levis: God’s Blessings and our thanks to you for all that you do for us!

Answer by Fr. Robert J. Levis on 06-05-2002:
Dear Paul, Wow! I wish I had written this! Many, many thanks. It never occurred to me to take this hand-holding to our life after Mass, in the day-to-day struggle with the world. How right you are, Paul! Mother Teresa held not only the hand of the dying poor, but their whole body as she dragged it along to get it some shelter and food and warm love. God bless you, Paul. Fr. Bob Levis

"The use of glass cups for distribution of the Precious Blood is perfectly licit (all the GIRM says is the use of a non-porous substance). The principal chalice is to be of precious metal."

From the GIRM:
328. Sacred vessels are to be made from precious metal. If they are made from metal that rusts or from a metal less precious than gold, then ordinarily they should be gilded on the inside.
329. In the Dioceses of the United States of America, sacred vessels may also be made from other solid materials that, according to the common estimation in each region, are precious, for example, ebony or other hard woods, provided that such materials are suited to sacred use and do not easily break or deteriorate. This applies to all vessels which hold the hosts, such as the paten, the ciborium, the pyx, the monstrance, and other things of this kind.

Glass, even expensive glass is easily breakable. Some of the cheap stuff I have seen used flies in the face of church teaching on these matters.

If you never heard of Richard Fragomeni and you are a practicing Catholic, that is surprising. Fr. Fragomeni is an incredibly gifted preacher and teacher; intellectually brilliant, a man of deep prayer and integrity, and one who gives himself continuously and selflessly to ministry around the country. His is quite possibly the best Catholic preacher in the United States today — always passionate and will touch your soul. Devoted also to Mary.
He is a professor of liturgy and preaching at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and also teaches in numerous other theology programs around the country. His former students, who are legion, will tell you what an amazing, inspiring teacher he is — one who deeply affects his students and changes lives. In other words, he is a beloved teacher.
He is in great demand all over the country for missions, retreats, talks,
adult education, diocesan gatherings and countless other gatherings.
In addition to all this, he is Vice Rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago, where he is the spiritual leader of a vibrant community that serves the entire archdiocese of Chicago. You will also find he is utterly beloved there as well — what a fortunate community to have him as pastor and spiritual director.

it is interesting. This is my first post. Below I see the caution that there are to be NO PERSONAL ATTACKS. I have to ask how on earth that is defined by whoever moderates this, because I am reading many personal attacks on Fr. Fragomeni in this thread. Most who are writing rather vicious comments do not know Fr. Fragomeni and have never heard him, or read his books. I guess personal attacks are o.k. on certain people?
For some who claim to be orthodox, the orthodoxy of charity seems lost on many here. Ignorance is not bliss, it is rather perverse.

And what's this nonsense about tarot cards and so on? More ignorance of the facts. Fr. Fragomeni is an expert in the occult and is often called upon to assist in the understanding or interpretation of these practices in contemporary society, and how the church can and should respond to this — occult and new age both. He educates, something sorely needed by many writing these senseless comments. He is a theologian of great
integrity and is highly respected in the Church. His expertise and research in areas like the occult are a gift to the church . . . to keep us from sounding like ignoramuses when mouthing off about such things.
I suggest you purchase some of his audio tapes from St. Anthony Messenger Press and hear him for yourselves. Buy his books on sacraments. Educate yourselves. This viciousness is simply shocking
and unworthy of anyone who professes to be Christian. It never ceases to amaze just how vicious alleged Christians can be.
It is Holy Week — perhaps you could pray and seek forgiveness for your judgements, slander and venom. If you disagree with something he is teaching, namecalling and vicious epitaphs are hardly the way in which adults, let alone Christians, respond and question, dialogue and
love one another.
Happy Easter boys and girls!!

If you never heard of Richard Fragomeni and you are a practicing Catholic, that is surprising.

It only would be surprising to you, had you not known I've been a "practicing" Catholic for only about five years now. I am still relatively new to The Church, and am continously seeking knowledge and the wisdom of tradition from the elders. I've also learned that there is much deception out there, and one must be discerning when learning.

Welcome to FR. This thread is a month old, and since then I have listened to him speak at our parish. Yes, he is a spiritual man. I was impressed with his particular topic, about conversion through the sacraments. I particularly liked his story about his own conversion that happened in his early 30's.

He did bring up many good points and views to conversion. He spoke much about how God changes our hearts, and the types of on-going conversion(s) one will go through in their spiritual journey. I liked that he mentioned "reverence" and thanking God in our daily prayer life.

He lost me on the second night, when he brought up a small part on "ecclesial conversion" and quoted something from a Seymore Fisher about "Body Consciousness." Fragomeni talked against the structure of The Church and how it can be "improved" with "ecclesial conversion. It was a bit of a dig on the tradtional male hierarchy (a "triangle") of The Church, the "circular" understanding...(maybe a little too "kum-by-ya" for me...but maybe that's just my hard-headiness talking).

He is very much a feminist. He quoted Fisher in his book, saying, "The more you went up the triangle, the more you dressed like a woman." Ours is a liberal parish, and of course, he got cheers from many of the ladies.

I thought he should have quit while he was ahead after I heard him the first night. I liked what he had said up until that point. But that's just my opinion. It was only about 10% of his whole lecture.

He will be returning back to our parish sometime next year to teach some of the enrichment classes there.

Freegards.

I have heard this man speak. He spoke at a very Amchurch, dissenting parish. He struck me as liberal. After reading your post I see I was correct. I have no idea where lilly is coming from.

The fact that this priest is embraced by those who deride the Vatican and call the hierarchy sexist and homophobic is enough for anyone who is Catholic to be very careful in discerning if his talks are edifying and helpful in leading one to salvation.

As an aside, I went to a retreat two weeks ago by a priest who is well known nationally. He is head of some youth group in the diocese of Chicago. His name is Fr. Cusick. He came with all types of credentials and was heralded by the local priests here. The guy was incredibly secular in his retreat.All he talked about was honoring your inner self. My point in mentioning this is that he has great credentials. That means nothing today!

You sound reasonable in your reply for the most part, and I'm glad to hear you went and heard for yourself. He is indeed a very spiritual man.
Your own comments are at least more also have a note of humility, which is not present in the really nasty responses to your original query.
If you are a relatively new Catholic, yes there is a lot of deception. That is as old as the Church. But this is the point — there is certainly deception on this thread — it's anyone calling themselves Catholic or Christian and spewing the venom and slander that one can read here.

Without love . . . it's all as clanging symbols, as the great Saint said.

If someone was "in error" — does anything think that a lynch mob like this is going to have a positive effect. It is utterly shocking to read the viciousness here — under the guise of any religion.
I am not referring to you — but to many of the other posts in reply to you. I'll say it again: The rules of the thread say "no personal attacks."
There is nothing here BUT personal attack.

Yes, Richard is a feminist. Absolutely.
As to the Kumbaya remark — that is such an utterly ridiculous, unwarranted hurl — it's like you all are just looking for something bad to say. Just looking for trouble, basically!
Richard is a classical musician. In addition to his Ph.D. in theology from Catholic University of America, his seminary training at Louvain in Belgium — the best in the world, he also has a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from CUA, and is a stunning organist/pianist as well.
In his travels, few people get a chance to hear that. He would NEVER allow the triteness of a Kumbaya — which frankly I haven't heard since
the 70's anywhere. He sings classical, often difficult pieces and has an incredible range — though he is a baritone. He has arranged concerts in his home church in Chicago involving musicians from the symphony, vocalists from the Opera, and others. He commissioned a gorgeous, new composition for the Passion of the Lord according to John a couple of years ago.
He is an artist — in other words. In both music and in the art of preaching.

Preaching is not necessarily good or bad based on whether we "agree" with the words. If preaching was about agreeing rather than being challenged and drawn toward deeper conversion, it would be a weak and silly enterprise.

Remember St. Paul again: "Let no evil talk c ome out of your mouths, but only what is useful for the building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And DO NOT GRIEVE THE HOLY
SPIRIT of GOd, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitternes and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven you." (Eph. 4:29-32)

And what should be be thinking about on this Holy Day?
"Finally beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things . . . and the peace of God will be with you."
(Phil. 4:8ff)

There is none of the above on this thread — and it is shameful.
Repentance is called for here for all the vileness written, for I see no sign of the Gospel in this thread at all.

For you, young one — find some new friends, FAST!

The credentials were simply by way of a "bio" to someone who did not know the man or his work. Deriding his authority — by way of church and education at the only pontifical university in this country, is ignorrance.

It's funny how people with NO credentials to hold forth on things quickly deride someone who does have credentials. A Ph.D. from CUA and seminary training in Louvain is top of the heap. Considering his deep love for the sacramental life and his selfless giving — it is again, shocking to read such venom. Are you a club of pathologically
angry people who need a target? Go shoot some skeet!

Cusick is well respected too — though he is by no means in the same league as Fragomeni. Cusick is simply a parish priest. Fragomeni is a major theologian. Cusick's world is small — Fragomeni's is big — for good reason.
Cardinal George is a big supporter of Fr. Fragomeni, by the way.

Now it's Holy Thursday, and I'm not going to post any more — enough said. I pray you find something constructive to do during the Easter triduum, rather than slandering the servants of God.
Try washing some feet.

It's funny how people with NO credentials to hold forth on things quickly deride someone who does have credentials. A Ph.D. from CUA and seminary training in Louvain is top of the heap.

What rubbish! These are two of the most homosexualist schools in the world. Louvain is a hotbed of dissent and heterodoxy.

It's funny how people with NO credentials to hold forth on things quickly deride someone who does have credentials.

You kave no idea what my credentials are or are not. I am an informed catholic who has heard both men speak.

Cardinal George is a big supporter of Fr. Fragomeni, by the way.

True or not, I am not impressed.

I pray you find something constructive to do during the Easter triduum, rather than slandering the servants of God. Try washing some feet.

I will pray you are less arrogant, more meek and more open to the Truth.

As to the Kumbaya remark — that is such an utterly ridiculous, unwarranted hurl — it's like you all are just looking for something bad to say. Just looking for trouble, basically!

To each their own opinion. I heard what I heard that night, and Fragomeni's liberalism and willing to bend the rules in a few instances does not sit right in orthodoxy and traditional teachings of The Church.

"Liberalism is a Sin" by Fr. Salvany (sp?). Ever read it?

I don't' look for something bad to say, if I have none. I won't take your comment , re: Kum-by-ya, as a personal attack since you have no idea who I am, my background (other than a fairly new Catholic). I'll take it just as an ignorant slam on my conservative beliefs and foundation.

I am not the one looking for trouble by injecting your sharp comments for a valid inquiry posed and following discussion that was posted a month ago. If you call looking for trouble to someone who desires to stay faithful to Catholic orthodoxy and continues to search through a lot of mud to find it, then I'd say you need to try again.

You called him by his first name, "Richard," as opposed to Fr. Fragomeni. You are a personal friend of his, then? In that case, I can excuse your pointed comments in defending him. I would too, to those who do not know him on that level. If you know him personally, then perhaps you will be able to enlighten this forum as to where he is coming from, instead of telling us to put our skeet rifles down.

Have a great Triduum.

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