Patrick Gorman, director of the Office of Worship for the Madison diocese: “The idea is we’re going to put Christ in the most central place in the Church because that’s the position he has in the Church, in the body … Continue reading
Category: Mass and the Liturgy
O Antiphons Date Back to Eighth Century
National Catholic Register, Marge Fenelon: We’ve begun the “O” Antiphons. Every year from December 17-23, the Catholic Church sings what’s known as the “O” Antiphons, the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer. They’re called such because each … Continue reading
Advent Hymn: Drop Your Dew, Ye Clouds of Heaven
While I’m on the subject of Advent hymns, here is one written by Michael Denis in 1774 (the music that goes with is was probably written by Michael Haydn). The text is drawn from Holy Scripture, Old and New Testaments: … Continue reading
Maria Walks Amid the Thorn
Here is one of our favorite Advent hymns. It is sung in two parts, one of which is a haunting counterpoint. The carol comes from sixteenth century Germany (although it is probably much older) and commemorates the barrenness of the … Continue reading
Adelante La Fe’s Exclusive Interview with Monsignor Schneider: Vatican II, Communion in the Hand, Crisis, SSPX
With the gracious permission of the Spanish language web site, Adelante La Fe, we reproduce here their own English translation of their complete interview with Bishop Athanasius Schneider, O.R.C., the auxiliary bishop of Astana, Kazakhstan and titular bishop of Celerina. His Excellency says … Continue reading
Anniversary of Quo Primum: For Those Who Have Not Read This Magnificent Decree for Awhile
The Papal Bull of Saint Pope Pius V granting in perpetuity the right of every priest use the venerable and traditional Latin Missal in offering Holy Mass. Issued July 14, 1570. Rorate Caeli: [From the very first, upon Our elevation to … Continue reading
Saint Norbert and the Octave of Corpus Christi
Today is the feast of Saint Norbert. It also continues the “phantom octave” of Corpus Christi. Two days ago, I mentioned the concurrence of Saint Francis Caracciolo and the Feast of Corpus Christi. The day Saint Francis Caracciolo died was the eve of … Continue reading
Three Versions of the ‘O Sacrum Convivium’ (and one more)
One of the problems with the 1962 liturgical reforms was the senseless suppression of the glorious Octave of Corpus Christi. The suppression of the Octave of the Epiphany is another. (There are many more!) We consider both of these, in … Continue reading
Cardinal Zen to Offer Traditional Latin High Mass Sunday April 12
Rorate Caeli: His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Zen, S.D.B., Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong will celebrate a Pontifical High Mass for us this upcoming Sunday (12th April, Low Sunday), at 3:00pm in St. Teresa’s Church, Kowloon, Hong Kong. More here.
The Drama of Holy Week
Contrary to custom, I’m reposting/resending this piece I wrote for Holy Week four years ago. A blessed Holy Week, Triduum, and Easter to all our readers! If the Church’s liturgical calendar were a temple of time consecrated to God, what we are … Continue reading
It’s March 25: HAPPY NEW YEAR!
At the risk of upsetting my good friend Gary Potter, who does not care much for Twitter, I’m going to quote a couple of “tweets.” Fear not, it is to a good purpose. Yesterday, in advance of today’s sublime Festival, I … Continue reading
Lenten Music: Jan Dismas Zelenka’s ‘Miserere’
The Jesuit educated Czech Catholic composer Jan Zelenka, sometimes called the “Catholic Bach,”* is too little known. Worthy to be listed alongside his contemporaries, Bach, Händel, Vivaldi and Telemann, his music presents fine specimens of glorious Baroque counterpoint. Damian Thompson has … Continue reading
This Theologian Needs a Ninth Doctorate on the Subject of Vernacular Babel
The Tablet: Gerald O’Collins, one of the Church’s top theologians and biblical scholars, has issued a stinging critique of the “clunky and Latinised” 2011 translation of the Missal. Fr O’Collins SJ, who was a professor at the Gregorian University in … Continue reading
March 9, First Anniversary of the Death of a Great Catholic Father and Lawyer, Mario Palmaro
I link back to the Rorate Caeli eulogy of last year and the post telling about the clever ploy this young defender of the Faith, a professor, bioethicist, lawyer, writer, husband and father of four little ones had to resort to to get … Continue reading
Benedictine Nuns Offer Traditional Song and Liturgical Chant
CNA: Together with the joys of the Resurrection and feasting, this Easter will have an added delight: listening to the new album by the hit-making, Missouri-based Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. “Many people do not realize that the Easter … Continue reading
