Christ is risen. He is risen indeed, alleluia.

Labels: catholic, liturgical calendar

Or not so happy, I guess.

CONDITOR alme siderum,
aeterna lux credentium,
Christe, redemptor omnium,
exaudi preces supplicum.

Labels: liturgical calendar

Or at least those of the Hebraic persuasion.

Labels: jewish, liturgical calendar

Or more properly, perhaps prayerful liturgical new year? Advent isn't exactly a partying season.

Labels: catholic, liturgical calendar

As I sit by the phone waiting for a call from the emergency room about my father, I finished reading Come be my Light, the book detailing the private writings of Mother Teresa, as preserved in the thousands of letters and notes she wrote. I have been reading this book for a couple months and it is appropriate I finish it this morning, the feast of Mother Teresa, and the day I am scheduled to enter into a religious community. With my father in the hospital I wonder if I will still be moving today, but all is in God's hands.

This book, and Mother Teresa's Secret Fire written by MC priest, Joseph Langford, have more than any other writings aside the Gospels themselves, influenced my spirituality and been a great source of strength. I encourage everyone who struggles with darkness, or feels called to serve the poor, to take a close look at the life and spirituality of Mother Teresa. Her mission of responding to "I Thirst" and a life of quenching the thirst of Jesus, is really a mission for us all. You would do very well to start with these two books.

Labels: books, liturgical calendar, religious life, saints

Sometimes different than you remember!

The part that I find funny in all of this is that when you inform people of these things (and it doesn't match with their childhood memories of Holy Week) they immediately inquire if this is something "new" or recently enacted by "the American bishops" (as though we aren't subject to the Conference of Bishops of our own country). Well, no, actually. Pope Pius XII got the ball rolling on changing the face of Holy Week when he issued "De Solemni Vigilia Paschali Instauranda" in 1951. That's right...1951.

Labels: catholic, liturgical calendar, liturgy

Liturgically speaking, of course.

Labels: catholic, liturgical calendar

Happy feast of Christ the King!

Just a reminder that Christ's kingship is one of his three primary roles: prophet, priest, and king. I have been reflecting a lot lately on this concept of kingship. It may seem a bit outdated when it has been a while since we were ruled by or respected kings, but the imagery of royalty of the Messiah is everywhere in the Bible. I am beginning to grow in fondness for this title of Christ because it helps me to put myself in right relations with my God (humility before the King of the Universe!)

The link above has some suggestions for properly celebrating today's feast day. It's not too late to read a little Quas primas!

Labels: liturgical calendar