[Click here for readings.] Last week, the music world lost a giant: jazz legend Dave Brubeck. He died Wednesday, the day before his 92nd birthday. He was the first jazz artist to sell a million records; he was only the second one, after Louis Armstrong, to make the cover of TIME magazine. He was also a man of faith. In 1980, Dave Brubeck was baptized into the Catholic Church. He didn’t like to call himself a convert, since that implies... Read more
[Click here for readings.] In his new book about the infancy of Jesus, Pope Benedict mentions one powerful detail in the gospel we just heard—and it’s something that I have to agree is striking. It is Mary’s aloneness. The pope wrote: “I consider it important to focus on the final sentence of Luke’s Annunciation narrative: ‘And the angel departed from her.’ The great hour of Mary’s encounter with God’s messenger–in which her whole life is changed–comes to an end, and... Read more
…comes this awesome video. Thanks, Bosco! Read more
Deacon James Keating dropped me a note about this upcoming gathering and said: Greg, this is big news. In the midst of tensions between bishops and theologians, the CTS has designated it annual meeting as a place for theologians to think about their role as EVANGELISTS! In my college years at three Catholic universities, no one cared if I practiced the faith, only if I got the footnotes right… I think he was kidding. I think. From the online announcement:... Read more
And clinched the deal with “Les Miserables.” Tony Rossi has a winning video of a wedding flash mob performing “One Day More.” Not exactly my first choice for a sentimental wedding song (“One day more to revolution, we will nip it in the bud…”) but, boy, it’s done with gusto and a lot of good cheer. Check it out! Read more
Do you have vestments like these? Over at our CNEWA blog, ONE-TO-ONE, there’s an interesting look at the clergy in that part of the world: Traditionally, a priest’s primary duty is the celebration of the Qeddase — in Ethiopia, typically five priests concelebrate — and other liturgical rites, particularly burials. Liturgical festivals feature rhythmic dancing, the chanting of hymns and the recitation of religious poetry. They require the participation of numerous priests, deacons and scribes, or debtera, a class of... Read more
From the Clarion Herald newspaper: There were so many men to be ordained as permanent deacons Dec. 1 at St. Louis Cathedral – 20 in all – that the carpeted sanctuary was not big enough to accommodate them for the centuries-old liturgical ritual of lying prostrate in front of the altar for the Litany of Supplication. Instead, the men prostrated themselves in a single line on the marble floor in front of the sanctuary – a sign of their submission... Read more
From the Clarion Herald newspaper: There were so many men to be ordained as permanent deacons Dec. 1 at St. Louis Cathedral – 20 in all – that the carpeted sanctuary was not big enough to accommodate them for the centuries-old liturgical ritual of lying prostrate in front of the altar for the Litany of Supplication. Instead, the men prostrated themselves in a single line on the marble floor in front of the sanctuary – a sign of their submission... Read more
Over at our CNEWA blog, ONE-TO-ONE, there’s an interesting look at the clergy in that part of the world: Traditionally, a priest’s primary duty is the celebration of the Qeddase — in Ethiopia, typically five priests concelebrate — and other liturgical rites, particularly burials. Liturgical festivals feature rhythmic dancing, the chanting of hymns and the recitation of religious poetry. They require the participation of numerous priests, deacons and scribes, or debtera, a class of learned men unique to the Ethiopian... Read more
From the mailbag of Fr. Z: From a deacon: Dear Father Z, my parish priest is leftist and modernist (like the vast majority of priests and bishops here in ___) and always changes the words of the Missal, adding his personal opinions. His homilies are more about ___ than the Gospel. My question is: as a permanent deacon, would I sin if I went on strike and quit acting as a deacon at Mass? I strongly advise against any cleric... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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