Overheard in the Sacristy

The Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, Wisconsin has written to priests, deacons, and directors of music and worship in his diocese:

“The question arises, does some of the music routinely sung embody the incorrect overemphasis on the presence of Christ in the assembly, so that people are confused as to the importance of the sacramental intensity of His presence, especially under the signs of bread and wine.

“Certain songs come to mind where the lyrics raise a real question for me. For example: “We are called, We are chosen, We are Christ for one another, We are a promise, We are sower, We are seed, We are question, We are creed.” Singing that song repeatedly teaches people something, and I am afraid that it is something that I as Bishop do not want to teach them, but we certainly need to begin a dialogue about these matters.

“Another example of this same problem would be the lyrics of the hymn Gather Us In, where a seemingly endless explanation is given to God about who We are, who are gathered in.”

This young man is ready for:

A. the next conclave.
B. his closeup.
C. visting our homes tonight.
D. trading “up” for a white one.

Pagan inmates are given a day off from work for Halloween — thisislondon.co.uk

Prison Service bosses have instructed staff to grant the convicts, who include Devil worshippers and Satanists, special privileges on Tuesday Hundreds of Pagans serving prison sentences are to be given the day off work for Halloween out of respect for their religious beliefs.

Prison Service bosses have instructed staff to grant the convicts, who include Devil worshippers and Satanists, special privileges on Tuesday. While fellow prisoners sew mail bags and undertake other jail work, the Pagans will be allowed to celebrate their ‘holiday’. They can use certain artefacts, including rune stones, flexible twigs and hoodless robes, provided they are kept in their cells or worn during communal worship. Robes with hoods are banned for ’security reasons’, however.

The move is revealed in Home Office documents handed to The Mail on Sunday, which disclose that prisons have been instructed to allow inmates to pursue their religions so the Government can avoid being sued by prisoners. The orders, issued by the Prison Service’s Director of Personnel, Gareth Hadley, apply to every religion from Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism to Hinduism and Islam and, in the interests of equality, Paganism, too.

There are currently 282 Pagans in jails in England and Wales. Critics attacked the policy, saying it was pandering to a ‘mad’ politically correct agenda. Brian Caton, general secretary of the Prison Officers’ Association, said last night: “People are sent to jail by the courts as a punishment. Taking this punitive element away by pandering to what some might see as political correctness gone mad is all wrong.”

The Home Office papers reveal that Pagans can choose a day off work on two dates from eight of their festivals each year. These include the Spring Equinox on March 20, the Midsummer Solstice on June 21 and Hallowe’en - the Samhain, or Summer’s End, as it was known in Celtic times - on October 31. Christian prisoners are allowed three days off - on Good Friday, Easter Day and Christmas Day. Muslims are entitled to the most time off - 26 days to pray, including the fast of Ramadan. Buddhists get three days, Hindus ten and Jews seven.

The individualised approach has led some prisoners to complain of discrimination. Many inmates are unhappy that they must eat Halal meat even though Muslims make up less than eight per cent of the 77,000-strong prison population. One Christian, serving a sentence at Ford open prison in West Sussex, has lodged a legal challenge against the Prison Service for allegedly refusing to allow Christian inmates to attend midnight mass at Christmas. Prison sources say the service is ‘hell bent’ on pandering to the demands of minorities. But Home Office guidelines say the measures are crucial for reducing ‘exposure to litigation’. A spokesman said: “The Prison Service is committed to treating all prisoners with decency and humanity, which includes respecting those of all religions.”

In the Sacred Presence of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar this day, the Lord gifted me with this vision after meditating on the following:

We must not complain or run away in time of darkness, because out of darkness is born the light. — Saint Catherine of Siena

Standing in shadow with head bent, and shoulders stooped before a glorious monstrance upon a beautifully appointed altar came a brillant light eminating from the Sacred Host. This warm light, brighter than any earthly glow, enveloped me in warmth. In an instant my body was healed of any discomfort and fatigue. I stood erect as the brillance diminished, and I was again able to see the altar, candles, and ostensorium. Brought to wholeness I praised God for this gift. The gift of fortitude and perserverance to continue our mission for the salvation of souls.

Jesus Caritas Brothers,

Thank you again for the fine prayer, conversation and dinner today. I truly appreciate our commitment to sacerdotal spirituality. May God continue to bless us in our ministries.

Today in Saint Peter’s Square, the Latin text of the Angelus was shown on large screens to allow the faithful to pray together with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae,
R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum; benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

V. Ecce ancilla Domini,
R. Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.

Ave Maria…

V. Et Verbum caro factum est.
R. Et habitavit in nobis.

Ave Maria…

V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix.
R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.

Oremus.
Gratiam tuam, quaesumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde; ut, qui, angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui incarnationem cognovimus, per passionem ejus et crucem, ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum.
R. Amen.

World Apostolate of Fatima is pleased to announce that the US Papal Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Pietro Sambi will be officiating the Mass for the renewal of country’s Consecration to Our Patroness, the Immaculate Conception. All are invited to come to our nation’s Basilica, The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, November 11, 2006 at twelve noon.

All bishops have been invited to participate at the Mass. However due to scheduling conflicts, the bishops may sign the Consecration prayer for their dioceses, which has been provided to them by the World Apostolate of Fatima which will be offered at the Mass.

The prayer for the Consecration was composed by our bishops in 1959 at the dedication ceremony of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception whereby they consecrated the country to Our Patroness, the Immaculate Conception. However by this consecration on November 11th our country will be Consecrated to the Heart of Our Patroness which is our apostolate’s mission for world peace.

During World War I His Eminence Francis Cardinal Bourne who was the Primate of England Consecrated England to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary which he claims and many others as well that it stopped World War I. The Armistice was signed ending World War I after the Consecration on November 11th incidentally the same day which this Papal Nuncio chose to officiate the Mass for the United States.

During the 1720’s when the Bubonic plague was rampant in Marseille, France that the 50,000 died out of the town’s population of 90,000 in a matter of months. Thousands were laying dead in the streets for people feared to bury them and risk catching it as well. The Archbishop consecrated Marseille to the Sacred Heart to end the plague which it did without any medical means or vaccinations.

The Country, Portugal was Consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary before World War II and was protected from the war.

Transfiguration

A little gift for my friends on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. Blessings to you all.

Today is the Feast of Christ the King according to the pre-Novus Ordo calendar.

On this day, we pray for the conversion of all to Christ, and for all governments to recognize Him as King and conform their laws to His teachings. This is the only way to peace!

“And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp two-edged sword, that with it he may strike the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God the Almighty. And he hath on his garment and on his thigh written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” — Apocalypse 19:15-16