now, dear brothers and sisters, that as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, so by leave of God's mercy we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection, who is our Savior.
On the 22nd day of February will fall Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season
On the 8th day of April you will celebrate with joy Easter Day, the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the 17th day of May will be the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. On the 27th day of May the feast of Pentecost. On the 10th day of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. On the 2nd day of December the First Sunday of Advent of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Pope upholds primacy of Gregorian chant
Vatican City, May 31, 2011 / 05:05 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Benedict XVI has reminded church musicians of the primacy of Gregorian chant in the Mass, describing it “as the supreme model of sacred music.”
The Pope set out his views in a letter for the 100th anniversary of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music. The letter was read at the institute on May 26 and made public on May 31.
He praised Gregorian chant as being “of huge value to the great ecclesial heritage of universal sacred music.” But Pope Benedict also noted that sometimes it was erroneously “considered an expression of an idea corresponding to a past, gone and to be forgotten, because it limited the freedom and creativity of the individual and the community.” This was a view he wanted to counter.
“We always have to ask again: who is the true subject of the Liturgy? The answer is simple: the Church. It is the individual or group that celebrates the liturgy, but it is primarily God's action through the Church, which has its own history, its rich tradition and creativity.”
Gregorian chant, often referred to as plainchant, is named after the 6th century Pope Gregory the Great. He both simplified and cataloged the sacred music of the Church used throughout the year. It’s been the normative music of sacred liturgy ever since.
The present Pope stressed that there’s no tension between tradition and genuine progress in the development of sacred music.
“The liturgy, and therefore sacred music, lives in a correct and consistent relationship between healthy traditio and rightful progressio, always keeping in mind that these two concepts - that the Council Fathers clearly emphasized - complement each other because the tradition is a living reality and, therefore, it includes in itself the principle of development and progress.”
Music is a topic of particular interest to the Pope. He’s a great lover of classical music in general with a special fondness for Mozart and Bach. He’s also an avid pianist who has an upright piano in his Vatican apartment.
Pope Benedict noted in his letter that all his musical conclusions are mandated by the Second Vatican Council’s constitution on the sacred liturgy, “Sacrosanctum Concillium.”
Missal Moment #3
Father Brandon Jones of the Diocese of Charlotte, NC continues his series of teachings about the new revision of the Roman Missal. In this segment he discusses changes to the Liturgy of the Eucharist and talks about the Centurion and Jesus.
New guidelines for Tridentine Mass – 10 key facts
Vatican City, May 13, 2011 / 10:55 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Local dioceses should give a “generous welcome” to any laity who wish to attend Mass in the “extraordinary form” and to priests who wish to say it.
That’s the key message of new Vatican guidelines regarding the extraordinary form of the Mass – often popularly referred to as the “Tridentine Mass” or “old Latin Mass.”
The “extraordinary form” is the rite of Mass contained within the Roman Missal which was universally used from 1570 to 1962. It was almost always celebrated in Latin.
The “ordinary form”, on the other hand, is the newer rite of the Mass approved for use by Pope Paul VI in 1969. This Mass is most often said in parishes around the world.
Today’s guidelines were issued to clarify various questions from around the world about the Pope Benedict's 2007 document “Summorum Pontificum.”
25. The worship of the Eucharist outside of the Mass is of inestimable value for the life of the Church. This worship is strictly linked to the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice. The presence of Christ under the sacred species reserved after Mass – a presence which lasts as long as the species of bread and of wine remain – derives from the celebration of the sacrifice and is directed towards communion, both sacramental and spiritual. It is the responsibility of Pastors to encourage, also by their personal witness, the practice of Eucharistic adoration, and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in particular, as well as prayer of adoration before Christ present under the Eucharistic species.
It is pleasant to spend time with him, to lie close to his breast like the Beloved Disciple (cf. Jn13:25) and to feel the infinite love present in his heart. If in our time Christians must be distinguished above all by the “art of prayer”, how can we not feel a renewed need to spend time in spiritual converse, in silent adoration, in heartfelt love before Christ present in the Most Holy Sacrament? How often, dear brother and sisters, have I experienced this, and drawn from it strength, consolation and support!
. . .The Eucharist is a priceless treasure: by not only celebrating it but also by praying before it outside of Mass we are enabled to make contact with the very wellspring of grace.
With these words Blessed John Paul encourages us all to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament. Bishop Jugis and and the pastors of the Diocese of Charlotte continue to encourage the faithful to heed the words of the Holy Father. Numerous parishes across the diocese have regularly scheduled Eucharistic Adoration. These schedules are maintained in the diocesan directory of parishes.
"In his apostolic letter inaugurating the Year of the Eucharist, Pope John Paul II asked that we maintain a sense of Eucharistic amazement in the church, that we allow ourselves to be amazed -- to be in awe and in wonder -- at the miracle of the holy Eucharist. Eucharistic adoration is an integral part of expressing the Catholic faith in the Eucharist. We have the celebration of the Mass, and we have Eucharistic processions, but an equally valid expression of our faith in the Real Presence is the silent adoration of our Lord, when we allow him to speak to us and move us."
Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, JCD Bishop of Charlotte
