Interesting news from Rome

What Does the Prayer Really Say? ^ | September 23, 2007 | Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

[Frank Sheed]

23 September 2007

Interesting news from Rome

CATEGORY: SESSIUNCULUM — Fr. John Zuhlsdorf @ 12:52 am

As you probably know I am in Rome right now.  I will be heading back to the USA via London early next week.

During my all too brief Roman sojourn, I have been catching up with people and news.

One of the very interesting things I have learned is that the Pontifical North American College, the seminary where most of the men from the USA live and receive their spiritual formation, is going to be … wait for it…

training seminarians to celebrate also using the 1962 Missale Romanum.

 

We will need to see what exactly is going to be done in this regard, of course.   But if this actually happens it is a matter of real joy.

It may be that many of the men so trained will not either want or need to celebration the older form of Mass.  Fine.

However, by learning about it, rather… by learning it, they will have much deeper insight into what saying Mass as a priest of the Roman Rite is all about. Coupled with their years in Rome, they will be shaped as "priests for the third millennium", as the former NAC rector and present Archbishop of Milwaukee called them in his book.

Pope Benedict’s Motu Proprio is principally for priests. It underscores their rights. In this Summorum Pontificum stands alone.  

The provisions aim especially to spark a rebuilding of the Church’s identity, especially through creating continuity in our liturgical practice with our deep past and traditions.

We must reinvigorate our Catholic identity from within, so that we have something by which we can shape the whole world.  Priests form the people who form the world. 

Thus, priests must be well formed. 

Use of the older Mass will have a powerful effect on the way younger priests see their priesthood, how they celebrate Mass, and therefore how lay people see the priest’s priesthood and what they understand Mass is in their lives.

[Frank Sheed]

Pope outflanks liberal Bishops. News at 11:00!

[Frank Sheed]

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[CatQuilt]

This is surprising (and wonderful) news. I had heard that they couldn’t/shouldn’t wear cassocks as they will appear to be too pious/too trad (oh no, not that!)

[maryz]

Pontifical North American College,

What exactly does "Pontifical" convey in the name of an institution? Does it signify any official status? Are they supposed to be responsible directly to the Pope? Especially loyal to the Pope? I ask mainly because I saw reference to an American seminary with "Pontifical" in its name that's apparently blowing off the motu proprio. I forget where I saw it or the details.

[livius]

This is very interesting news, and I have read that a couple of diocesan seminaries here plan to train the seminarians in the traditional mass, too. (Don’t recall which ones, sorry!)

Have you - or has anyone - noticed that the modernists seem to be speeding up their program? A modernist pastor in a nearby parish where I have friends suddenly announced that he was going to rip the communion rail out of their old church - he’s only been here one year, and for various reasons won’t be the pastor of that church next year, so he won’t even be at that church for long enough to “enjoy” the fruits of his destruction. But he said he wants to get it done so that people with a “different ecclesiology” can’t use it. The priest they expect will be assigned there is quite conservative and would obviously want the communion rail; this is the reason this evil man is getting rid of it.

I think we’re going to see a lot of preemptive strikes by modernists now. Their reign is abruptly coming to an end, much faster than I expected, frankly, and they know it - and they are furious. Hang onto your hats, folks. Or your birettas, depending...

[narses]

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[ELS]

I saw reference to an American seminary with "Pontifical" in its name that's apparently blowing off the motu proprio.

That would be the Pontifical College Josephinum. I think you read a thread about it on Fr. Z.'s blog. I defer to others as to the definition of "Pontifical."

[maryz]

Yes! Curiouser and curiouser as to whether “pontifical” has more than an honorific meaning. But thanks for refreshing my memory!

[maryz]

A modernist pastor in a nearby parish where I have friends suddenly announced that he was going to rip the communion rail out of their old church

Do major church renovations need the prior approval of the bishop, or does it depend on the diocese?

[jacero10]

Since nobody yet has jumped on it, I will.

A pontifical institute conveys pontifical degrees, that is degrees granted by the authority of the Holy See. These institutions may also grant degrees by the authority of the state in which they are located. There are pontifical institutions which do not bear that title in their name. The three pontifical degrees are the STB, STL and the STD, that is the bachelors, licentiate and doctorate in sacred theology.

These degrees are acknowledged universally within the church’s education system, though often not recognized by secular colleges. So an STD will get you a job at Catholic University in DC and any seminary in the world but not a job at Duke or even Boston College.

[maryz]

Interesting! Do you know to what extent the Holy See actually oversees the content/curriculum leading to the pontifical degrees? IOW, who’s in charge?

[jacero10]

It must be under congregation for catholic education. I cant remember who heads that—an american, I think.

[maryz]

Thanks; maybe I can track it down from that . . . when I can stand it — even reading about bureaucracy gives me headaches! ;-)

[Frank Sheed]

Close your eyes and visualize the Holy Father in New York (ahh...nice).

He is saying a Pontifical High Mass in the Extraordinary Rite (my word!).

It is happening in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in downtown Manhattan!

It is happening in April of 2008.

It is happening in front of 300 or more Bishops!

And, by the Grace of Our Lord, the Prefect of the Holy Office is taking attendance!!!....while it is being televised on EWTN!!!!! Supported by the Knights of Columbus whose TV uplinks are sending it to over 2 billion Catholics!!!!

By the Power of the Holy Spirit, it can be done.

Praise be God!

Rip out altar rails, Modernists. God will not be mocked. Your time is almost up.

Francis

[livius]

The pastor can do whatever he wants.

Except, of course, put into action the provisions of the MP... /s The latter was specifically assigned to him and forbidden to the bishops, and yet they’ve all issued “regulations” for the MP to prevent the pastor or priest from doing what the Pope told him he could do. It’s the most activity there’s been out of the bishops for decades. Meanwhile, they ignore everything else that goes on in the parishes and say it’s none of their business, it’s all up to the pastor. Go figure.

[livius]

What a fabulous image!

[Salvation]

** I had heard that they couldn’t/shouldn’t wear cassocks as they will appear to be too pious/too trad**

I hope they start wearing cassocks everywhere. I love them.

[Salvation]

**However, by learning about it, rather… by learning it, they will have much deeper insight into what saying Mass as a priest of the Roman Rite is all about. **

Bingo!

[Salvation]

Great answer!

pontiff = Pope

pontifical = from the Pope or with the Pope’s endorsement