My Broken Fiat
  • Blog
  • About / Contact Me
    • My 'Reversion'
    • Why "MyBrokenFiat?"
  • The Archive
  • Prayers
  • Blog
  • About / Contact Me
    • My 'Reversion'
    • Why "MyBrokenFiat?"
  • The Archive
  • Prayers

What Color Is This?

1/5/2014

3 Comments

 
Picture

My pastor and our deacon kindly allowed me to take a photo of them in front of our sanctuary after Mass on January 1st.  

I actually asked them to pose for the photo so I could snap a shot of Father's chasuble. All throughout Mass I kept thinking it was peach in color.  I kept cycling through the liturgical palate in my mind and I couldn't remember peach ever being part of our color cycle.  

While Father was greeting folks on the way out, I asked Deacon Strong if he knew what where the peach came from.  He laughed and said, "I didn't think it was peach!  But you're right.  It does look a bit pink.  Maybe it's pink from the 3rd week of Advent."  

I laughed and said, "No way.  I've seen that one. That one is way too dark to be peach."

He joked, "Maybe this one just faded."

At this point, our awesome Director of Liturgy joined in the conversation and pointed out that the vestment in question was actually beige. The lighting only made it look pink. It was to highlight the gold and red strip down the center.  Apparently my pastor, too, felt the chasuble was a bit pink in nature because Steve (our DoL) can only get him to wear it during Christmas because it matches the altar linens.  

*Grin*

When Father made his way back to where we were, I asked for a photo and he obliged.  

Truthfully, I like the vestments - mostly because they match the altar linens so well.  I wonder if a previous parishioner made them for him.  I know some of our vestments were hand-crafted by faithful women of the parish.  

Come to think of it, Steve would probably know the answer to that.  

Ah well.  I just thought I'd share this photo with you folks.  Does it look peach to you, too?

Picture
3 Comments

Archdiocesan Remembrance of the Holy Souls

11/12/2013

0 Comments

 
The Pastoral Center of the Philadelphia Archdiocese does something really cool each month. I think the Director of Liturgy, Fr. Gill, sets up a small corner of the lobby to reflect the Liturgical calendar.  In May, for example, a beautiful statue of Our Lady was perched atop a column with a gorgeously embroidered Marian banner as her backdrop.  

This month, a tryptych-reliquary is open and exposed so that passerby can prayerfully reflect on those saints who have gone before us.  Beneath the reliquary is a placard denoting each theca's contents.  

I just found the entire set-up to be beautiful.  
Picture
Picture
Sorry the photos are hazy.  I was snapping them with my phone.  

But you still get the idea.  I love that our Church has such a rich history and such beautiful sacramentals.  I love even more that we have the Holy Souls who have gone before us who continuously offer prayers on our behalf.  I can always rely on my Heavenly family.  

May God rain down immense blessings upon the Holy Souls and bring them all closer to their Eternal reward.
0 Comments

Squee-Filled Homily!

8/5/2012

2 Comments

 
Picture
Brace yourselves for one of the nerdiest "fan-girl" type entries ever.

And yes, it's about a homily.

I'm not even sure where to begin as I'm so giddy over the brilliance and no-nonsense approach this retired priest (who is filling in for Fr. Atlas while he's away).  It was his mission to defend the Eucharist and educate parishioners on the importance we should place on the Real Presence of Christ - what a gem!  If I didn't have Vince on my lap, I would've taken a pen and paper out for notes!

Wow!!!

To begin, this weekend's readings were very much Eucharistic in nature.  The first reading dealt with the manna from Heaven that nourished the Israelites as they wandered through the desert.  The psalm was a reflection of this reading and also foreshadowed the joyful thanksgiving we ought to sing in praise of His gracious institution of the Holy Eucharist.

The second reading reminds us that the bread that nourishes us it not only physical but spiritual.  Christ, the Word, is our sustenance.  His teachings and example are the gateway to Heaven.

Finally, in the gospel, we hear Jesus, Himself, affirm that He is the Bread of Life.  This is not some spiritual manner of speaking.  He is affirming His Presence in the Holy Eucharist - the greatest of all Sacraments.  He is preparing His followers to understand and accept this unfathomable mercy. 

Picture
Blessed Alexandrina
Upon walking out amongst the congregation, Fr. Eucharist (as I'll call him henceforth) spoke of several mystics who lived solely on the Body of Christ in the Eucharist. 

He didn't specify a particular mystic, but considering the scientific evidence he spoke of regarding the validity of these miraculous signs, my mind jumped to Blessed Alexandrina who subsisted on nothing but the Holy Eucharist for 13 years (to the astonishment of the many doctors and scientists who examined her).


Fr. Eucharist wanted to highlight that the Blessed Sacrament is not just symbol of Christ.  This Sacrament of Love is the fullness of Christ's Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.  When we say "Amen" in response to the priest's offering, we are saying "Yes, I believe!" that the consecrated Host we receive is, in fact, God.  He has chosen to use some of His saints to hit home this point through allowing them the grace of existing solely on His Body.  As He said, "My Flesh is true food, and My Blood is true drink."  Amen, indeed.

As such, the Eucharist is to be the most important thing in our lives.  It is the banquet that supercedes all other banquets. 

Upon this reflection, Father Eucharist then went on to describe some key elements that build up our Mass towards this miraculous banquet.

The procession and readings - our Liturgy of the Word - is like a cocktail hour.  I loved that comparison!  At a wedding cocktail, for example, we gather together with joy to catch up with family and friends we haven't seen in a while.  We see how the kids are doing, we find out what so-and-so's been up to, and we bask in the filial love present amongst us all.

During the cocktail hour, we also get tiny samples of the greater meal awaiting us at the main banquet.  For us, those morsels are the various readings and responses.  As Catholics, we believe that Christ is the Word, so we are blessed to receive Him with our ears before we partake of the "main course" of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. 

And oh... the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  Pardon me as I 'squee' ridiculously for a few moments.  He really took off running as he reflected on the Liturgy of the Eucharist.


Picture
Once again he discussed the spiritual reality of our physical presence at Mass. 

As St. John Chrysostom once said, "When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the divine victim
immolated on the altar."

Amen, St. John!

Fr. Eucharist reminded of this in such a reverent, direct way that I could have stood up to applaud him.  He said, "Yes!  There is truth beyond what we can see with our physical eyes.  At the words of consecration, Jesus is standing behind the priest!  God the Father and Holy Spirit are with Him.  Mary, His mother, is there with St. Joseph.  And filling the sanctuary are the angels and saints who, together with us, adore and praise Him."

How I managed to stay in my seat and not jump up to hug him is truly beyond me.  I felt as if my heart had doubled in size just so it could sprout arms and embrace him. 

Yes, Fr. Eucharist, yes!  TELL US!  TEACH US!  REMIND US THAT THE EUCHARIST IS GOD TRULY PRESENT!  Shine as an example to all other priests that THIS is the type of truth so desperately needed in the world today.  THIS is what Catholics must be reminded of so that we can properly appreciate the gift that is the Eucharist.

Did he stop there?  No no, folks.  My giddiness erupted as he went on.

Catholics, when they present themselves for the Eucharist, must make a throne with their hands with which to accept the Body of Christ.  Not with one hand.  Not with two haphazardly placed together.  Reverently accept Him as the King He is! 


*He then proceeded to show us what that would look like.*

And, bless him, he also gave a nod to acceptance on the tongue (which is how I receive anyway). 

SERIOUSLY! 

And to boot, he called out folks who leave after receiving the Eucharist.  He said, "And to those of you who leave after Communion, you're missing a lot of stuff!  From Consecration until the Recessional, the Blood of Christ covers the congregation, filling us with untold graces!"

He again didn't mention a specific mystic, but I'm about 99.9% sure he was referring to the revelations made by the Blessed Mother to Catalina Revas of Bolivia.
  I'd only recently learned of her (I would guess in the last 8 months or so), but the insights and revelations made to her by Christ and Our Lady have forever changed my participation in the Mass.  I would encourage all of you to read more about her!  But again, use the typical caution regarding private revelations.  Though not forbidden / approved by the Church, it us up to the individual to request guidance and discernment from the Holy Spirit.

Back to the wonderful priest, however, he closed his homily with a reminder that after reception of the Eucharist, we would do well to remember that God, Himself, dwells within us.  So as we walk back to our seats, it's not the time for saying "Hi" to friends, nor is it the time to get one's self ready to leave.  The time after Communion is meant for prayful reflection... a true and intimate conversation between us and God.

And don't you know after Communion, he graciously allowed us time to sit in silent contempation. 

Hmmmm... I've got a big old stupid smile on my face, and it's all because of this wonderful representative of Christ.  My prayers are with him and with all priests.  May they all have such ardent love for Him, and may they all seek to spread that love and understanding to others.  Bless him, and bless them!


2 Comments

"One Mass" of Triduum

3/6/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
This image is incredible!
I'm sorry, I'm sorry!  I know I promised to answer Laura's question yesterday, but as soon as I buckled down to write, I got a call from Vincent's daycare.  Poor little guy has a tummy bug, so I needed to pick him up and take him home.

Today, however, Daddy's with him.  That means Mommy can answer Laura in peace!

Anyway, in order to understand the answer, I must first explain what the Triduum is.  For Catholics, the Triduum is the holiest time in our Liturgical Calendar.  It is the most important part of Salvation History as Christ, in those three days, fulfilled the promise of God when He said He would send a Savior who would reconcile humanity to Himself.

The Triduum, thus, becomes Holy Thursday Mass (when we remember the Last Supper), Holy Saturday (when we remember Christ's descent into Hell), through the Easter Vigil and Easter celebrations (when we remember His Glorious Resurrection and triumph over Death). 

Anyway, since this is the most sacred part of the year for the Church - the finite point in linear history that somehow encapsulates the timeless Sacrifice of Christ - our Liturgy reflects our solemn, adoring and anguished spirit.  We see ourselves, the Church, as dying WITH Christ. 

This is also why throughout Lent, things are slowly removed from our Masses.  Statues are draped (or even removed), fewer candles are lit, our beautiful "Alleluia" is laid to rest, and floral arrangements are typically absent.

As I explained to my children, something very special happens after Holy Thursday Mass.  The priest removes Christ from the tabernacle and processes with Him to a place of repose.  This signifies that Christ has begun His Sacrifice (which truly did begin with the moment of Consecration at the Last Supper - more on that in a bit). 

The Mass on Holy Thursday does not "end."  There is no "Go forth" or "Thanks be to God."  There is only the procession of Christ to His place of repose and the silent, prayerful adoration of the faithful that stay watch with Him as He endures His Passion (akin to the Apostles as Christ led them to the Garden of Gethsemane to keep watch as He began His Agony in the Garden).

In fact, to further this point, after the Procession, the Church is stripped bare.  Linens are removed from the pulpit, altar, tabernacle, etc.  Furniture (like chairs, microphones, lecterns, etc) are taken into the sacristy.  Candles aren't just snuffed out - they are removed entirely.  Carpets are rolled away.  Remaining statues may be taken down.  Every movable object is taken away from our sanctuary and all lights (be they candles, spot-lights or chandeliers) are deadened.  Our Church, symbolic of the spirit of all the faithful who create Her, dies with Her Master.  He who is the Light of the World is consenting to become obscured and entombed.

As His faithful Spouse, we acknowledge our desolation... our mourning... our grief. 

On Good Friday, there is "no Mass."  Again, this is because technically, the Mass from Holy Thursday has not ended - nor will it until the close of the Vigil on Holy Saturday.  Instead, we continue the Mass through Stations of the Cross, Adoration, communal and private meditation, recitation of the Rosary (specifically the Sorrowful Mysteries), Tenebrae etc. 

This is to signify that we, the Church, the faithful Bride of Christ, follow Him on His Path towards Salvation.  We consent to die with Him in order to take part in His Resurrection.

This moves us to Holy Saturday.  On Holy Saturday, we remember in a special way Christ's descent into Hell, Limbo and Purgatory.  We remember His Triumphant opening of the Gates of Heaven that were closed against us as a result of Original Sin.  There is actually no "liturgy" for Holy Saturday until the vigil.  This is a continuation of Christ's Sacrifice which began during Holy Thursday.

Finally, we arrive at our Easter Vigil.  This special vigil is held after sundown.  This is significant because this darkness is indicative of the spiritual darkness we are experiencing as we await the Light of the World.  Again, this vigil does not start with the typical "opening Mass prayers" we're used to.  Instead, the priest blesses a special fire which is typically made of Holy Oils from the previous year, salt, and twigs.  This special fire is the first light we see and is symbolic of the Resurrection.  This light is what's used to light our brand new Paschal Candle (the Christ Candle), and after the Candle is lit, the light begins to spread throughout the Church, from member to member, as a flame is passed between individual candles all are given at the opening of Mass.

As a sacristan who has been at the front of the Church awaiting the Exsultet (when we flip on all the lights, light all the candles, and bust out all the finery we've got to offer), seeing this light slowly spread throughout the entire Church... it's incredible.

Anyway, this is the point in the Liturgical Calendar in which we celebrate and acknowledge Christ's Triumph over Death.  The Sacrifice has been complete and Salvation has been granted to us.  Through His Offering, we have become reconciled and all the promises of God the Father to His Creation regarding the Messiah have been fulfilled.  We rejoice in being reborn through His Death and Resurrection.

As THIS VIGIL MASS commences, we finally are able to hear again the priest's command to "Go Forth" and respond with a jubilant "Thanks be to God!"  We acknowledge that the sacred Triduum that marks Christ's Sacrifice has reached its fulfillment, and we take our charge to "Go Forth" with zeal.  We are charged to take the message of Salvation to all people who still "live in darkness."

So that, dear Laura, is why the answer to number 11 on the test was "One."  There is but one Mass celebrated over 3 days during the Triduum. 

As these three days recall the three long days of Christ's consummation by the Fire of His Love, we, too, offer these three days in solidarity with Him. 

0 Comments

    Top Rated Entries

    My Darkest Secret

    Do Animals Have Souls?

    10 Things a Parent of an SPD Kid Wants to Say

    Fun and Easy Lenten Crafts

    Tattoo Taboo

    Blessed Mother as Intercessor

    Loss of Life

    Women Priests II

    Animal Sacrifices

    Render Unto Caesar

    Veiling

    The Godparent Poem

    Broken Friendships

    Miscarriage Reflection

    NYT Anti-Catholic Ad

    Categories

    All
    180
    Abortion
    Adoption
    Adoration
    Adultery
    Agnosticism
    Angels
    Animals
    Annulment
    Apparitions
    Art
    Atheism
    Bahamas
    Baptism
    Blessed Mother
    Blessed-mother
    Blogging
    Books
    Boycott
    Breastfeeding
    Bullying
    Cafeteria Catholic
    Cafeteria Catholics
    Cats
    Ccd
    Celibacy
    Chaput
    Children
    Christmas
    Churches
    Confession
    Conscience
    Contests
    Contraception
    Cookies
    Corapi
    Crafts
    Creation
    Cross
    Defense Of Faith
    Depression
    Divine Mercy
    Divine Providence
    Divine-providence
    Divorce
    Dolan
    Donation
    Dreams
    Easter
    Education
    Eucharist
    Euthanasia
    Evangelization
    Family
    Feasts
    Food
    Forgiveness
    Free Will
    Friendship
    Fun
    Gaza
    Guest Post
    Hat Tip
    Health Care
    Heaven
    Hebrew
    Hhs
    Holy Week
    Homeschooling
    Homily
    Homosexuality
    Illumination
    Incarnation
    Incorruptibles
    Indulgences
    Infertility
    Inspiration
    Intentions
    Intercession
    Intercessions
    Interview
    Islam
    Jewelry
    Kidney
    Komen
    Language
    Lawsuit
    Lbm
    Lent
    Lightbulb Moments
    Liturgy
    Mandate
    Marriage
    Martyrs
    Mass
    Media
    Medjugorje
    Mercy
    Mexico
    Miracles
    Miscarriage
    Moderation
    Moses
    Motherhood
    Music
    Myla
    Nuns
    Old Testament
    Parenting
    Parishes
    Pedophilia
    Pentecost
    Persecution
    Personal
    Philadelphia
    Philly
    Pilgrimage
    Planned Parenthood
    Poetry
    Politics
    Poll
    Pope
    Prayer
    Pregnancy
    Priests
    Prophecy
    Propoganda
    Purgatory
    Question Box
    Quick Takes
    Random
    Recipes
    Reflections
    Relics
    Religious Freedom
    Reviews
    Ridiculous
    Rosary
    Sacrament
    Sacrifice
    Saint
    Saints
    Scandal
    School
    Science
    Seed
    Sewing
    Sexuality
    Sin
    Social Issues
    Social Issues
    SPD
    Spiritual Dryness
    St Anthonybd986ec1d5
    Steubenville
    Suffering
    Tattoos
    Terrorism
    TLM
    Triduum
    Trinity
    Trust
    Twa
    Vatican
    Veiling
    Veils
    Vincent
    Visionaries
    Wedding
    Women Priests

    Pages I Stalk

    A Woman's Place
    Dymphna's Road
    Having Left the Altar
    Fr. Z @ WDTPRS
    Spirit Daily
    These Stone Walls
    St. Joseph's Vanguard
    Catholic Sistas
    Catholic Icing
    Liturgical Time
    Traditional Latin Mass
    Shameless Popery
    Life Victorious
    Catholic Dads
    S'aint Easy
    Truth, Beauty and Goodness
    The Way Out There
    Written by the Finger of 
       God
    Little Catholic Bubble
    So You're a Church Musician
    There and Back Again
    Make It - Love It
    St. Monica's Bridge
    Seeking Renewal 
    Picture

    Archives

    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    December 2010
    October 2010
    October 2005

    RSS Feed

Copyright 2023