No Surprise, Josemaría Escrivá Was a Latin in His Piety

For Papa Francisco on his 84th birthday; a message of love from
St Josemaria Escriva. 🙏❤️ pic.twitter.com/Tn1lgxMwSO

— Holly ❄️ (@HollyMRodriguez) December 17, 2020

Written by an Opus Dei Member?

Did I link to the original Crisis article when it was first published?

Which reminds me of the allegation that Byzantine spirituality has been dominated too much by monastics... something to ponder.

Instead of "slave morality" do we have "wage-slave spirituality"?



(Imaginative Conservative)

Fr. Rutler on Scientific Opinion

Making Dogma Out of Unsettled Science by by Fr. George W. Rutler

Also from Crisis:
An Intimate Portrait of the Founder of Opus Dei by Richard Bastien
The Vast Majority Myth by William Kilpatrick
The Contemporary Denial of Reality by Anthony Esolen

Masses for Feast of St. Josemaria in the US (2015)

a list

A Mass in Oakland but not in San Francisco.

But There is No Common Good

The problematic premise upon which this piece is based: Some Catholic Preliminaries to the Presidential Campaign by Fr. C. John McCloskey.

There is no common good because we do not live in a political community but in a unitary nation-state which replaced the federation of states that existed before Abraham Lincoln, a nation-state in which physical mobility, industrial capitalism, the growth of megapoleis, the creation of neo-Yankee "proposition nation" identity, and other causes have wrecked many local communities in which a true common good was instantiated.

If Opus Dei (of which Fr. McCloskey is a prominent American spokesman) cannot get its politics right, its take on lay spirituality will remain lacking. (And the advice of priests on American politics will be erroneous.)

Video Summary of Ordination of 32 Priests (Future Priests Talk About Their Priesthood)

Primer on Lay Spirituality

While I was visiting Holy Cross Chapel and its bookstore, I did have some time to skim through Eric Sammons's book on "the practical Spirituality of St. Josemaría Escrivá." As I suspected, it did not go into questions of social justice (the rectitude of the political economy and various professions, especially within FIRE and the corporate world) or discuss the order of charity. One might argue that the order of charity is obvious, and so it doesn't need treatment in a beginner's book on spirituality. Is it so obvious to mobile American Catholics who move far away from their parents and family? The American Church needs to start talking about what our priorities as lay people should be and acknowledge the difficulties we have in living in accordance with the order of charity. Only then can we start looking for solutions (for the improvement of the local parish community and the civic "community" at large).

Most lay Catholics probably would not want to read a tome on moral theology that includes a treatment of the order of charity. I have not come across any popular books that deal with the order of charity and community properly, though Dorothy Day does talk about community. Dr. Fleming's book is more philosophical than theological; there are the essays of Wendell Berry. What other books might be helpful for lay Catholics?

Related:
Review of MoEL in Modern Age.

Feast-day of St Josemaria, June 26, 2012.
Masses to be celebrated around the world.

I don't see anything listed for San Francisco; the Mass last year was at St. Mary's Cathedral. Maybe something will be listed later, or... I found a listing for Masses in the U.S. It's Oakland this year, with the bishop celebrating the Mass. I was going to say that I might not be in town, but I should be back by then, especially since Pete Takeshi will be in town. But I may not go to Oakland for the Mass. Even if it would be rather convenient to go to True Burger beforehand... hmm... then again I probably wouldn't meet any OD people afterwards.

Nvm. I just checked the time again - 7:30 P.M. I should be having dinner with Pete Takeshi at that time.

An intro to St. Josemaría Escrivá's teachings on lay spirituality

Holiness for Everyone
A recent book by Eric Sammons looks at the inheritance St. Josemaría left to the Church. As Scott Hahn says in the foreword: "I could not have written a book as useful as Eric’s, for he sees my family inheritance from a different perspective."

Opus Dei - Holiness for Everyone
The Practical Spirituality of St. Josemaría Escrivá
by Eric Sammons

Scott Hahn has his own book about his experiences with Opus Dei.

Worthy of a review; who wants to obtain a copy for me? Does it mention love of parents and family while neglecting how the ordo caritatis is an ordering principle for one's life? Does it give the theological foundation for Catholic "relocalization"? I wonder if the local Catholic bookstore might carry it, or the bookstore at the shrine.

Mr. Sammons was on The Catholics Next Door several days ago, but the show isn't archived, as far as I can tell.

Related:
author's website
The Thin Veil review (weekly giveaway)
Jennifer Fitz's review (Amazon)

Josemaria Escriva. Founder of Opus Dei -News


Peter Hitchens on Philip Larkin: They Tuck you Up, Your Mum and Dad
Saint Benedict of Nursia (ca. 480 - ca. 547)

Items of Interest, 24 October 2011

Full Text: Note on financial reform from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
Vatican Radio
Peter Daniel Haworth, Prudential Questions About the Vatican’s Call for New International Authority Over Financial Institutions and Policy
Fr. Z, The new “white paper” from the Pont. Council Justice and Peace. Fr. Z rants like loon.
Richard Spencer, The Vatican Calls for Global Usury
Marc DeGirolami
Rod Dreher
CHT

Relocalization:
Distributist Review: Mondragon Revisited
Local residents galvanize around agricultural issue
By Matthew Renda
Kitchen Table Talks: A Food Activist’s Guide to Growing the Movement
Economic Solutions Worth Spreading
Slow Money: Sign the Principles

Farming:

Rodale Institute: The Farming Systems Trial
Eric Herm:


The Shocking, Graphic Data That Shows Exactly What Motivates the Occupy Movement
Robbing Us Blind by David S. D'Amato
The Occupation Movement Reader by Brad Spangler


Peak Oil:
Commentary: Oil and the economy by Chris Martenson (EB)
Special call with Chris Martenson, Tues. 10/25
Richard Heinberg on "The End of Growth: Adapting to our New Economic Reality (mp3)
A Peak Oil Primer AKA Why Daniel Yergin is a Dumbass Corporate Whore for Big Oil (EB)
Daniel Yergin massively reduced his energy estimates by Jeffrey J. Brown
The Olduvai Theory
Paul Ehrlich Global Collapse Warning

Water:
California: So cities can have water, farmers are paid if they don’t plant

Counterpunch:
PATRICK COCKBURN, Fury Mounts Among Greek People
MARSHALL AUERBACK, The Myth of Greek Profligacy
PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS, Totally Corrupt America
DEEPAK TRIPATHI, Killing Gaddafi
ANTHONY DIMAGGIO, What the Establishment Isn’t Telling You About Libya


NPR: Deadly Monopolies; Patenting the Human Body

The Gaddafi I Knew
Daniel Larison, Follies of Self-Determination

The Decline of American Intellectual Conservatism by Claes G. Ryn
Pat Buchanan, What is it We Wish to Conserve
Yet another “progressive” argument for an unlimited Commerce Power doesn’t add up

Catholic:
Rome Reports:


Zenit: Pope Explains Basis for Vatican Dialogue
ZENIT Leaders Look to Future
Q-and-A With Faces From Behind the Scenes
And Notes the Choices That Should Be Discouraged

Order of Malta: Grand Prior of England Installed

What is the Holy Rosary?


FBI Says Gangs Infiltrating the US Military
A post by John Robb.

US Army: Uniform Traditions

Mass for the Feast of St. Josemaría Escrivá

Begun on June 18.

Two Saturdays ago I woke up later than planned but I still made it in time to San Francisco for the Mass for St. Josemaría Escrivá. The parking lot at the cathedral was already full when I arrived, so I found metered parking in Japantown. (How many of those regularly attending Masses at the cathedral live close by?)

The principal celebrant was one of the auxiliary bishops of San Francisco, William Justice. (The presence of an auxiliary bishop, along with the recent appointment of an auxiliary bishop for San Jose, got me thinking about auxiliary bishops and their titular sees -- is there a better way to arrange this, without having non-existent sees as legal fictions? Metropolitans and bishops?) The homilist was the priest in charge of Opus Dei in the region. In the homily, he mentioned that Opus Dei  is celebrating 48 years of presence in San Francisco.

The liturgy: the sacred music was a mix -- some chant, some polyphony, some hymns, some modern worship music (for Communion: "Gift of Finest Wheat"!). I am guessing the readings were not taken from the generic propers for a confessor (or the equivalent in the OF). The readings:

• Genesis 2:4b-9, 15 (relevant to the lay spirituality Opus Dei and "work")
• Romans 8:14-17 (divine filiation)
• Luke 5:1-11 (for St. Josemaria as a fisher of men)

The homily, like the readings, was directed toward his teachings and his personal sanctity. St. Francis de Sales was mentioned as a "precursor" in some respects. The homily rightly priority of love of God, caritas. This is not some abstract goal, as some might think from an incorrect understanding o the relationship of means to end in practical reasoning, but it is the motivator, the driver of action. But charity cannot be separated from truth, particularly moral truth, in particular moral truth regarding the economic sphere (or the political economy) and this is where things can get tricky. How do we order our actions towards the good of society and of others? Are those who pawn stolen goods in ignorance guilty of any sin? Do they need to make restitution if they find out the goods that they have exchanged were actually stolen? This is the old question of material cooperation and how responsible we are for finding out the truth about our actions? Can we assume that we are involved in something just, or are we obligated to do some investigating? (Another example: Is our system of distributing oil a just one, simply because it respects "contractual justice"? Or are there other important moral considerations that are being ignored? What if oil is not being fairly shared with poorer nations? What of us who benefit from that system? Are we free to make use of the gasoline which we buy?)


The homilist emphasized the universal call to holiness. He also  stated that we do not need to abandon place in the world, by which he meant temporal society, not the different, negative meaning of "world" which is used by St. John and St. Paul in their admonishments (~being in the world and not of it). This is somewhat of a truism, as we have not left our "place" in the natural communities into which we are born to serve God (i.e. become religious). We are to "transform it, work done with love to the best of our ability"


Do we Catholics (and not just those who are associated with Opus Dei) desire a respectable, comfortable bourgeois spirituality? I wouldn't accuse Catholics of having a gospel of wealth or prosperity like some Protestants, but are we too lukewarm despite our appearances of being pious? If what we are doing now is good enough, then how are things going to change in society or in the Church? People do what they can with respect to finding and keeping a job in order to support their families, but... how much is enough? A more radical witness to the simple life and detachment from material things might be needed. This isn't only for the sake of credibility, but more importantly, so that we better live up to the demands of charity and social justice.

Too often we fall into the trap of thinking that there is a checklist for being a good Catholic, and that all we need to do is frequent the sacraments, attend Mass regularly. There is a place for examining one's conscience but this too can become a crutch for complacency. Rule-following isn't enough; we must develop and exercise prudence. With a better understanding of the nature of our political economy, we might not be able to find guidelines that are applicable to all. But certainly we can be challenged to reconsider our comfort zone and live more wisely.


There were a lot of couples, families, and Filipinos at the Mass; not so many young or professional women.  A few. but not many. I think there were more single males, probably associated with one of the local centers. They looked like single professionals, I don't think they were all numeraries. They appeared to be nice Catholic men, even if they were not all dressed in suits. How many of them would be acceptable to American Catholic women? There was a group of female high school students sitting in front of me -- they were helping pass out programs before the Mass. I don't know what their association with Opus Dei is.

I don't doubt the parents are zealous in bringing their children. But I couldn't help but question whether they were doing enough to prepare their children for marriage. Were they doing any networking for matchmaking purposes, whether with other people in Opus Dei or at their parish? Of course these questions could be asked of most American Catholics in our parishes, who give little thought to living in community with other Catholics.


The wearing of jacket and tie was observed by the majority of the older men present at the Mass. "All I saw were sheeple." I could be wrong, maybe the men just look that way because they are assisting at Mass. But they didn't exude a strong masculine presence? But I could be a poor recognizer of an alpha aura, with my judgment being distorted by my experiences. Certainly they looked non-threatening. Some might say this is a good thing, especially during the liturgy.


Cheap energy does foster anonymous living in the United States -- the mobility that a car provides, private entertainment at home, and so on.Without cheap energy, will Opus Dei in the United States be able to continue its apostolate? What will happen to Opus Dei when the age of cheap energy is over? I suppose God knows. The situation of Opus Dei in Europe and other countries may differ, since public transportation is more readily available.

There was a small reception after the Mass; maybe a potluck would have been better? I didn't stay as there were too many people in a rather small room. I don't know if the auxiliary bishop stayed.

Cathedrals
As I looked at the altar in the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, I pondered whether Western cathedrals weren't too big; the amount of space does convey something about God, but I am thinking specifically of the sanctuary and the altar -- whether it was too big on the one hand, and yet not significant enough. It was bare, and there weren't any markers or boundaries for the sanctuary, other than the raised platform. There was also a lot of room between the altar and the lectern on one side and the presider's chair on the other. There wasn't a clear focus, or the actions in the sanctuary were too spread apart? The cathedral is in the modernist style. I think cathedrals of older forms of Western architecture may have better sanctuaries, but there is still the problem of space. Do they really observe a proper scale for those participating in the liturgy? If there are no microphones and speakers, can someone in the back of Notre Dame or Westminster Cathedral participate in a liturgy that is more dialogic in character? What has the Eastern/Orthodox experience been like with respect to large cathedrals? Would I have had the same reaction attending the litugy in Hagia Sophia?

Critics allege that the grand scale and luxuriousness of such edifices obscures the Gospel message--the amount of time, effort, money, and material spent on the construction of such grand and immense edifices. But what is the sort of participation that should be expected from the laity during the liturgy? What was the norm for the Roman rite in the past? What is the ideal, as conceived by the proponents of the New Liturgical Movement? The Byzantine rite seems to be more dialogic in character, especially with the use of litanies, than the Roman rite. But it is not clear to me that transformation of the dialogue Mass of the EF into the OF is the right direction for reform (if the changes in the Missal can be accurately characterized as such).

I'll have to attend more liturgies in the Byzantine rite and pay better attention.


Afterward:

I did end up going to Kinokuniya SF since I was in the area. I was thinking of this song while driving back from SF:


Went to Armadillo Willy's Cupertino for lunch -- they've revamped the look of the restaurant, with a new look for the menu and new dishes and baskets. They've done away with the take out option for their daily specials, and sides are no longer included for the sandwiches and burgers -- about $2 or so for a side. The burger was decent, probably not much difference sin I last had it. I suppose it might still be economical to order a burger for lunch on Saturday, but I'd be better off learning how to make cole slaw, which I should try to do this week, if cabbage is on sale.

Related:
San Jose Auxiliary Bishop Ordination (includes video)

Information about special Masses for the feast day of St. Josemaría Escrivá this June. (The local celebration is today, at the Cathedral of the Assumption in San Francisco at 10 A.M.)

Charlie Cox on the Challenges of Portraying Saint Escriva

There Be Dragons from the Actors' Perspective

Iffy statements ("We're created to make mistakes...") but they're actors. And Joffe on "Child of God" is iffy too. (Too often we think of "child/son of God" as referring to everyone, regardless of their personal state (grace or sin), but a creature is not a child of God in virtue of being a creature, but in virtue of being elevated to a supernatural union with God. I don't doubt that what is taught by Opus Dei with regards to divine filiation is orthodox in this respect. If the movie is viewed with a proper understanding of grace and charity as love, then there probably won't be problems. But if love is understood as referring to natural love, then it may seem Pelagian.



Romana: Some publications about St. Josemaría and Opus Dei
Children of God

Jacques Philippe
Scepter
Zenit interview from 2008

The Community of the Beatitudes (US)

Marta Manzi speaks on There Be Dragons

Zenit: Communicating Opus Dei Through Film
Interview With Spokesperson on "There Be Dragons"

There Be Dragons

New trailer for There Be Dragons

There Be Dragons Official Movie Trailer - In U.S. Theaters May 6


I wish they could have just done the movie in Italian, Spanish, etc., instead of English. When the actors speak, I am reminded of bad voice dubbing (like what you'll hear in some of those foreign-made movies put out by Ignatius Press about various saints).

San Josemaría Escrivá Church

Prompted by this post at Rorate Caeli, I had to look up San Josemaría Escrivá Church / Javier Sordo Madaleno Bringas.

ME Design Mag
World Buildings Directory

I am assuming that this is a church for a diocesan parish? Are there any supporters of modernist architecture in the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross?

Aggie Catholics: There Be Dragons (via Insight Scoop)

We were privileged to get see the first screening of There Be Dragons outside of LA tonight. It is a new movie which will be released in theaters this fall. It is a major motion picture and is currently in post-production, so we saw an unfinished version of the movie. Because of a confidentiality agreement, I can't give details, but suffice it to say - this one isn't your run-of-the-mill "Catholic" film that doesn't have the budget to put together a nice production. Rather, it is a major motion picture with a message for us all.

Who's distributing the movie? Will Protestants see the movie?

There Be Dragons teaser

There's a teaser trailer (and website) for There Be Dragons, the movie by Roland Joffé about St. Josemaría Escrivá during the Spanish Civil War.


Writings of Josemaría Escrivá

A post about the movie from September last year.







Mannrentoy has more videos about St. Josemaria Escriva and Opus Dei.