Overheard in the Sacristy

Hope so!

Time Magazine’s commentary on Papal visit:

He may not have been thinking about it at the time, but Pope Benedict, in the course of his recent U.S. visit may have dealt a knockout blow to the liberal American Catholicism that has challenged Rome since the early 1960s. He did so by speaking frankly and forcefully of his “deep shame” during his meeting with victims of the Church’s sex-abuse scandal. By demonstrating that he “gets” this most visceral of issues, the pontiff may have successfully mollified a good many alienated believers — and in the process, neutralized the last great rallying point for what was once a feisty and optimistic style of progressivism.

Recipes: Cooking for the Pope | Three Recipes Lidia Bastianich Prepared for Pope Benedict XVI During His Visit to New York City | April 21, 2008

Lidia Bastianich, host of the popular PBS cooking show “Lidia’s Italian American Kitchen,” was chosen to cook for Pope Benedict XVI during his recent visit to New York. She made two dinners for the pope, one last Friday and another on Saturday. Each meal had several courses, and four of the recipes are below.

Spring Vegetable Risotto With Grana Padano Shavings | Recipe courtesy Lidia Bastianich | Makes 6 servings

For the spring “pesto”:

1 cup ramp leaves or young leeks

2 cups of spinach or Swiss chard leaves, cleaned and washed

½ cup of extra virgin olive oil

1/3 teaspoon salt

For the risotto:

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

½ cup minced scallions (approximately 6 scallions)

1 tablespoon minced shallots

2½ cups Arborio or Carnaroli rice

½ cup dry white wine

6½ cups hot vegetable stock

½ teaspoon salt, or as needed

½ cup fresh shelled peas

½ cup blanched, chopped asparagus

1 cup blanched, peeled and shelled fava beans

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into bits

½ cup grated Grana Padano

½ cup freshly shaved Grana Padano

Freshly ground black pepper

This beautiful Profession of Faith was sung today in the Bronx, NYC, Peoria, AZ, and most certainly in many other parts of the world as liturgical reforms continue under Benedict the Reformer.

Patrem omnipotentem, factorem cæli et terræ.
visibilium omnium et invisibilium.
Et in unum Dominum Iesum Christum,
Filium Dei unigenitum
et ex Patre natum ante omnia sæcula:
Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum vero de Deo vero,
genitum, non factum, consubstantialem Patri:
per quem omnia facta sunt.
Qui propter nos homines et propter nostram salutem,
descendit de cælis.

Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto
ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est.
Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato;
passus et sepultus est,
et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas,
et ascendit in cælum, sedet ad dexteram Patris.
Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, iudicare vivos et mortuos,
cuius regni non erit finis.

Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem:
qui ex Patre Filioque procedit.
Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur:
qui locutus est per prophetas.
Et unam sanctam catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam.
Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum.
Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum,
et vitam venturi sæculi.

Amen.

Kissing out of honor, respect, and even forgiveness is a tradition that is incorporated into many Christian denominations. The kissing of icons, painted images of Jesus and the Saints, is the primary form of veneration in Orthodox Christianity. Veneration of the holy images is an ancient custom dating back to the fifth and sixth centuries, and is still practiced today in Orthodox Christian worship. Through veneration, Orthodox Christians show reverence for the people and the events depicted in the icon. Another kissing tradition in Christianity is known as the “kiss of peace.” The root of this tradition comes from Apostle Paul’s instruction for Christ’s followers to “greet each other with a holy kiss” however today during the “kiss of peace” members of a church will exchange a handshake, hug, or kiss on the cheek as a sign of mutual forgiveness. The most relevant topic regarding religious kisses is the kissing of feet. Feet washing, which precedes the kissing, is a sign of humbleness and is looked upon as an “act of lowly service, of loving service, and of self-giving service.” This caring act “reflects the grace of God’s never-ending, unconditional love and, as such, its observance is surely a means of grace with exceedingly strong sacramental characteristics.” Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and then commanded them to “wash one another’s feet” with love and humbleness as a service through which one can express “the love of God and the saving, cleansing grace of our savior Jesus Christ to each other.” After cleansing, a kiss would be bestowed on the feet as an act of servitude. By simulating the actions of a servant, Jesus portrayed that all men are equal.

Kissing the Ring of the Fisherman, or the Pescatorio in Italian, is a Roman Catholic tradition that has been passed down for centuries. Each newly ordained Pope is given a gold ring with his name in raised lettering and the image of St. Peter in a fishing boat. The Pope is believed to be the descendant the disciple Peter who was known as one of the “fishers of men” . Originally the ring was used to seal documents, historically called papal briefs. However, this custom ended in 1842 when the wax seal was replaced by a stamp. Today, followers of the Catholic faith pay respect to the reining Pope by kneeling before him and kissing his ring. – Wikipedia

PERSONAL NOTE: Every Sunday I have about a dozen people kiss the garnet ring on my right hand or bow and take my hand to their forehead. This remains a custom from many different countries of the world. We must remember that a priest’s hands are consecrated with Chrism at his ordination; he was the one alone to handle the Sacred Species. Unfortunately, this aspect of the sanctity of the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ has been lost where the modernist practice of Communion in the hand has been introduced.

Sing to the Lord a New Song

Pelosi, ring. Judas, cheek.

Ludwig van Beethoven

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Johannes Brahms

Franz Schubert

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

The Supreme Pontiff and this simple priest are very, very happy!