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As an Army and Navy custom, the flag is lowered daily at the last note of retreat. Special care should be taken that no part of the flag touches the ground. The Flag is then carefully folded into the shape of a tri-cornered hat, emblematic of the hats worn by colonial soldiers during the war for Independence. In the folding, the red and white stripes are finally wrapped into the blue, as the light of day vanishes into the darkness of night. This custom of special folding is reserved for the United States Flag alone. Flag Folding Ceremony -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The...

I don’t write “vanities” often, if ever. I think this might be a justifiable occasion. If there is widespread disagreement, I will ask the moderator to zap it. Today’s Mass was concelebrated by Father R. I believe he’s French. On one occasion several months ago, my daughter knelt to receive communion, and he made her stand. I was so shocked, I didn’t say or do anything. In the intervening months, I have been studying, thinking, discussing, and praying about this issue. When I saw him at Mass today, I offered my lack of wisdom to Our Lord and asked Him,...

  On the heels of his directive on liturgical music, the Holy Father has now issued an Apostolic Letter (December 4, 2003) on the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium on the Sacred Liturgy. Unfortunately, it's only available in Italian at the moment. Catholic World News reports that the letter is focued on "calling for new thoughts on reform of the liturgy, and encouraging efforts to increase reverence for the Eucharist and respect for liturgical traditions."

The Power of the MassThe Greatest PrayerThe Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Compilation The Tremendous Blessings and Benefits of the Mass as Told by Popes and Saints Pope Paul VI "The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer!" Pope Benedict XV "The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death." St. Thomas Aquinas,Doctor of the Church "The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross." St. Gregory,Doctor of the Church "The...