NLM: Book Review: The Restoration and Organic Development of the Roman Rite
A review written for Usus Antiquior by Fr. Thomas Kocik. How is that journal doing? Is it ok to patronize the journal now, despite how Dr. Alcuin Reid was treated?
Also from NLM: Mozarabic Liturgy, In Exaltatione S. Crucis
Showing posts with label László Dobszay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label László Dobszay. Show all posts
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Items of Interest, 12 September 2011
Corporate Taxes: How Low Can You Go?
Srdja Trifkovic, 9-11, Ten Years Later: Islam’s Unmitigated Success
Scott Horton Interviews Michael Scheuer
Clark Stooksbury, For Shame
GARETH PORTER, The Terrorism Issue That Wasn’t Discussed
PATRICK COCKBURN, The Enemy That Barely Exists
Transition Voice: Organic Matters
Another Joel Salatin interview.
Discovering limits to growth by Tom Murphy (EB)
There be 'Isms': Saturday Book Pick: John Zmirak's guide to navigating college ideologies.
Morning Air with Sean Herriott
Fr. Paul Keller on Relevant Radio
Chris Masterjohn, How to Do a Proper Self-Experiment, and Why Your "N" Doesn't Equal "1"
NLM: Obsequies of Professor László Dobszay
The Chant Cafe: The Brilliance of László Dobszay
Saturday: Happy Birthday Christopher Hogwood
Kimberly Fraser: More useful links about Cape Breton and its music
Feature story: Bluegrass by the bay
The band Windy Hill finds its place in the close-knit Bay Area bluegrass scene
Srdja Trifkovic, 9-11, Ten Years Later: Islam’s Unmitigated Success
Scott Horton Interviews Michael Scheuer
Clark Stooksbury, For Shame
GARETH PORTER, The Terrorism Issue That Wasn’t Discussed
PATRICK COCKBURN, The Enemy That Barely Exists
Transition Voice: Organic Matters
Another Joel Salatin interview.
Discovering limits to growth by Tom Murphy (EB)
There be 'Isms': Saturday Book Pick: John Zmirak's guide to navigating college ideologies.
Morning Air with Sean Herriott
Fr. Paul Keller on Relevant Radio
Chris Masterjohn, How to Do a Proper Self-Experiment, and Why Your "N" Doesn't Equal "1"
NLM: Obsequies of Professor László Dobszay
The Chant Cafe: The Brilliance of László Dobszay
Saturday: Happy Birthday Christopher Hogwood
Kimberly Fraser: More useful links about Cape Breton and its music
Feature story: Bluegrass by the bay
The band Windy Hill finds its place in the close-knit Bay Area bluegrass scene
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
From Fr. Finigan: A participant in Professor Laszlo Dobszay's chant colloquium gives his personal account -- part 1 and part 2.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Spiritual exercises in the Bay Area?
By spiritual exercises, I don't mean specifically the work by St. Ignatius of Loyola or the regimen of prayer and meditations offered therein, but Catholic Christian retreats in general. In some situations "exercise" may be more appropriate, especially if one has lost the habit of frequent prayer.
Doing some searches on Opus Dei centers on the internet, I looked up Arnold Hall, the Opus Dei retreat center in Pembroke, MA. I went on retreat there once... I can't remember if I met the Cal grad student in Chinese history there or at Trumbull Manor. I think it was the latter.
A photo of the chapel in Lockwood @ Arnold Hall:
Having posted so much on Opus Dei recently, maybe I should go to one of the men's recollections one of these days... I don't know of anything comparable in the Bay Area. I believe there are days of recollection at St. Stephen in Sacramento. How about at the ICRSS's St Margaret Mary Church in Oakland? The Dominicans of the Western Province do maintain a retreat house, but I don't see any other spiritual exercises for the laity. Do the Dominicans do days or evenings of recollection, or is that too modern of a practice? I wouldn't entrust myself to the Jesuit retreat house in Los Altos or the Catholic Spirituality Center for the diocese of San Jose.
Wouldn't it be something if Opus Dei priests were to celebrate the liturgy of the eucharist ad orientem? How much resistance there is to the reform of the reform among members of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross? Kneeling for the reception of communion is observed at Opus Dei Masses. (I think receiving on the tongue is as well, if I remember correctly.)
When I last saw Mrs. O, she asked me if I was still involved with Opus Dei activities, and I said no, not since I went to the East Coast to take classes at Christendom. I've given my impressions of Opus Dei spirituality here. I had hoped to both improve my spiritual life and to meet young Catholics and make some friends through attendance at Opus Dei activities, but this hasn't happened in the past, and it didn't happen at Elmbrook. Maybe it's expecting too much from such a short time. There are some numeraries [professionals] living in the college student residences, I believe; still, it's probably only a temporary residence for the college students.
The spirituality of Opus Dei is a rather modern spirituality. I am still looking to develop a liturgical piety, a spirituality centered in the Church's liturgy and emphasizing a return to the praying of the Liturgy of the Hours, or the Divine Office. Of course, for those who seek a restoration of the liturgical tradition of the Roman Rite, there are problems with both the new office, and the 1962. (See Prof. Laszló Dobszay's "Critical Reflections on the Divine Office".)
This shouldn't become an excuse to avoid adopting any spirituality whatsoever... so what are the traditionally-minded to do? I don't foresee the divine office being reformed any time soon. There is the option of switching rites, but I still think I'm too much of a Latin to really do it. How does the office prior to the changes made under St. Pius X compare to the Anglican use Book of Divine Worship?
Today I found myself being able to pray better during the periods of silence of the Low Mass. It's not like the sung Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas, even though it is good that chant and polyphony are sung there. Would there be more periods of silence in a sung of high Mass of the EF? I'm not sure what is going on with myself.
What about the tendency to remake the liturgy in accordance with our preferences our ideas? To innovate for the sake of restoring a primitive (and therefore more authentic) liturgy and to develop a distinctive liturgy to identify a group? For example, there are the liturgical aberrations of the Neo-Catechumenal Way. Are the practices of the Neo-Catechumenal Way that are criticized by the bishops of the Holy Land several years ago still in existence there? An excerpt of that letter can be found in this article by Sandro Magister: The Lenten Season of the ‘Way’: Double Penance, in Rome and Jerusalem. It sounds like the Neo-Catechumenal missionaries are not respecting the native Christian communities (and their liturgical rites?). What could be worse than Latinization but a rather bizarre form of Latinization that goes against Eastern liturgical sensibilities? And what exactly can the Neo-Catechumenal Way do to coach Russian Orthodox priests? After the repression of the Orthodox Church by the Communists, skills of evangelization have undoubtedly been lost, but what is being done in Russian Orthodox seminaries to remedy this? And can ROCOR do anything to improve the situation?
Google Books: Statute of the Neocatechumenal Way
Playing around with the texts and rites isn't a problem with Opus Dei priests. Otherwise, though, their way of celebrating Mass isn't much different from you would find at a typical American parish. Maybe this is for pastoral reasons, since those who receive spiritual direction from Opus Dei and the like are also members of a parish in the local Church and there is some thinking that Opus Dei shouldn't be too different by celebrating a more traditional liturgy. Otherwise some might be tempted to see it as some sort of haven, rather than as a springboard for the lay apostolate.
Holy Transfiguration Monastery does offer unguided retreats, in which one follows the liturgy schedule of the monks and is left in solitude the rest of the time. I think for beginners who are recovering from acedia or dealing with ADHD, short attention spans, or bad acquired habits with respect to time management and so on, something that is more organized might be beneficial. I suspect that retreats at Clear Creek Monastery are similar, one of the differences being that those on retreat also participate in doing manual labor around the monastery.
I see that the Legionaries of Christ have a retreat center in Cupertino, and offer retreats for priests. Anything for the laity? One imagines there must be a local Regnum Christi presence as well. Do members of Regnum Christi ever travel in traditionalist circles? I don't remember if American women associated with Regnum Christi typically wear chapel veils. I don't think they do. Looks like the LCs, the Institute of the Incarnate Word and the Jesuits all offer some variation of the Ignatian spiritual exercises locally. (Now all we need are the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. Are there any other religious orders that offer the Ignatian spiritual exercises as a part of their apostolate?) Supposedly some RC members have been spotted at St. Joseph of Cupertino, but I wonder if they go there regularly. Anyway, the LCs have no problems celebrating private Mass in Latin, ad orientem. But I don't know if they would celebrate a more "traditional" sung Mass. They don't chant the divine office in common at the seminary, unless things have changed. I can't remember if they sing parts of it in English. I haven't talked to any LCs for a long time, and I'm not that eager to meet them. (Unless it's for making the kind of networking connections Sarge would like... haha.)
The Fathers of Mercy conduct parish missions. Sarge you should be able to recognize one of the priests in the back row of this photo:
More links:
Opus Dei - FROM THE PRELATE - The True Face of Opus Dei
By Michael Pakaluk: Opus Dei: In Everyday Life
Scott Hahn, Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace
My Spiritual Journey in Opus Dei by Dr. Scott Hahn (podcast)
Opus Dei: An Interview with John L. Allen, by John Romanowsky
Mr. Allen's book on Opus Dei
Catholic Information Center, Washington, D.C.
John Paul II - Erecting Opus Dei
You can see the distinctive Opus Dei cross on the books by Allen and Hahn:
John Parsons, Reform of the Reform?
Reform or Return? An Interview with Rev. Thomas M. Kocik
Google Books: The Reform of the Reform?: A Liturgical Debate : Reform Or Return (Ignatius Press)
An Introduction to the History of the Christian Liturgy in the West
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office)
Answer from an EWTN expert on the Liturgy of the Hours
The Book of Common Prayer
The 1662 Book of Common Prayer Website
The Book of Common Prayer | Church of England
Anglicans Online | Books of Common Prayer
Anglican Use Society
The Anglican Use Office by C. David Burt
The Anglican Use of the Roman Catholic Church
Hrm, how far is the Holy Cross Chapel in Houston from JushiFruiti?
Edit: I just asked her and she said she hadn't heard of it before. Downtown Houston is about 15 to 20 minutes away from her, assuming no traffic.
Doing some searches on Opus Dei centers on the internet, I looked up Arnold Hall, the Opus Dei retreat center in Pembroke, MA. I went on retreat there once... I can't remember if I met the Cal grad student in Chinese history there or at Trumbull Manor. I think it was the latter.
A photo of the chapel in Lockwood @ Arnold Hall:
Having posted so much on Opus Dei recently, maybe I should go to one of the men's recollections one of these days... I don't know of anything comparable in the Bay Area. I believe there are days of recollection at St. Stephen in Sacramento. How about at the ICRSS's St Margaret Mary Church in Oakland? The Dominicans of the Western Province do maintain a retreat house, but I don't see any other spiritual exercises for the laity. Do the Dominicans do days or evenings of recollection, or is that too modern of a practice? I wouldn't entrust myself to the Jesuit retreat house in Los Altos or the Catholic Spirituality Center for the diocese of San Jose.
Wouldn't it be something if Opus Dei priests were to celebrate the liturgy of the eucharist ad orientem? How much resistance there is to the reform of the reform among members of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross? Kneeling for the reception of communion is observed at Opus Dei Masses. (I think receiving on the tongue is as well, if I remember correctly.)
When I last saw Mrs. O, she asked me if I was still involved with Opus Dei activities, and I said no, not since I went to the East Coast to take classes at Christendom. I've given my impressions of Opus Dei spirituality here. I had hoped to both improve my spiritual life and to meet young Catholics and make some friends through attendance at Opus Dei activities, but this hasn't happened in the past, and it didn't happen at Elmbrook. Maybe it's expecting too much from such a short time. There are some numeraries [professionals] living in the college student residences, I believe; still, it's probably only a temporary residence for the college students.
The spirituality of Opus Dei is a rather modern spirituality. I am still looking to develop a liturgical piety, a spirituality centered in the Church's liturgy and emphasizing a return to the praying of the Liturgy of the Hours, or the Divine Office. Of course, for those who seek a restoration of the liturgical tradition of the Roman Rite, there are problems with both the new office, and the 1962. (See Prof. Laszló Dobszay's "Critical Reflections on the Divine Office".)
This shouldn't become an excuse to avoid adopting any spirituality whatsoever... so what are the traditionally-minded to do? I don't foresee the divine office being reformed any time soon. There is the option of switching rites, but I still think I'm too much of a Latin to really do it. How does the office prior to the changes made under St. Pius X compare to the Anglican use Book of Divine Worship?
Today I found myself being able to pray better during the periods of silence of the Low Mass. It's not like the sung Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas, even though it is good that chant and polyphony are sung there. Would there be more periods of silence in a sung of high Mass of the EF? I'm not sure what is going on with myself.
What about the tendency to remake the liturgy in accordance with our preferences our ideas? To innovate for the sake of restoring a primitive (and therefore more authentic) liturgy and to develop a distinctive liturgy to identify a group? For example, there are the liturgical aberrations of the Neo-Catechumenal Way. Are the practices of the Neo-Catechumenal Way that are criticized by the bishops of the Holy Land several years ago still in existence there? An excerpt of that letter can be found in this article by Sandro Magister: The Lenten Season of the ‘Way’: Double Penance, in Rome and Jerusalem. It sounds like the Neo-Catechumenal missionaries are not respecting the native Christian communities (and their liturgical rites?). What could be worse than Latinization but a rather bizarre form of Latinization that goes against Eastern liturgical sensibilities? And what exactly can the Neo-Catechumenal Way do to coach Russian Orthodox priests? After the repression of the Orthodox Church by the Communists, skills of evangelization have undoubtedly been lost, but what is being done in Russian Orthodox seminaries to remedy this? And can ROCOR do anything to improve the situation?
Google Books: Statute of the Neocatechumenal Way
Playing around with the texts and rites isn't a problem with Opus Dei priests. Otherwise, though, their way of celebrating Mass isn't much different from you would find at a typical American parish. Maybe this is for pastoral reasons, since those who receive spiritual direction from Opus Dei and the like are also members of a parish in the local Church and there is some thinking that Opus Dei shouldn't be too different by celebrating a more traditional liturgy. Otherwise some might be tempted to see it as some sort of haven, rather than as a springboard for the lay apostolate.
Holy Transfiguration Monastery does offer unguided retreats, in which one follows the liturgy schedule of the monks and is left in solitude the rest of the time. I think for beginners who are recovering from acedia or dealing with ADHD, short attention spans, or bad acquired habits with respect to time management and so on, something that is more organized might be beneficial. I suspect that retreats at Clear Creek Monastery are similar, one of the differences being that those on retreat also participate in doing manual labor around the monastery.
I see that the Legionaries of Christ have a retreat center in Cupertino, and offer retreats for priests. Anything for the laity? One imagines there must be a local Regnum Christi presence as well. Do members of Regnum Christi ever travel in traditionalist circles? I don't remember if American women associated with Regnum Christi typically wear chapel veils. I don't think they do. Looks like the LCs, the Institute of the Incarnate Word and the Jesuits all offer some variation of the Ignatian spiritual exercises locally. (Now all we need are the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. Are there any other religious orders that offer the Ignatian spiritual exercises as a part of their apostolate?) Supposedly some RC members have been spotted at St. Joseph of Cupertino, but I wonder if they go there regularly. Anyway, the LCs have no problems celebrating private Mass in Latin, ad orientem. But I don't know if they would celebrate a more "traditional" sung Mass. They don't chant the divine office in common at the seminary, unless things have changed. I can't remember if they sing parts of it in English. I haven't talked to any LCs for a long time, and I'm not that eager to meet them. (Unless it's for making the kind of networking connections Sarge would like... haha.)
The Fathers of Mercy conduct parish missions. Sarge you should be able to recognize one of the priests in the back row of this photo:
More links:
Opus Dei - FROM THE PRELATE - The True Face of Opus Dei
By Michael Pakaluk: Opus Dei: In Everyday Life
Scott Hahn, Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace
My Spiritual Journey in Opus Dei by Dr. Scott Hahn (podcast)
Opus Dei: An Interview with John L. Allen, by John Romanowsky
Mr. Allen's book on Opus Dei
Catholic Information Center, Washington, D.C.
John Paul II - Erecting Opus Dei
You can see the distinctive Opus Dei cross on the books by Allen and Hahn:
John Parsons, Reform of the Reform?
Reform or Return? An Interview with Rev. Thomas M. Kocik
Google Books: The Reform of the Reform?: A Liturgical Debate : Reform Or Return (Ignatius Press)
An Introduction to the History of the Christian Liturgy in the West
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office)
Answer from an EWTN expert on the Liturgy of the Hours
The Book of Common Prayer
The 1662 Book of Common Prayer Website
The Book of Common Prayer | Church of England
Anglicans Online | Books of Common Prayer
Anglican Use Society
The Anglican Use Office by C. David Burt
The Anglican Use of the Roman Catholic Church
Hrm, how far is the Holy Cross Chapel in Houston from JushiFruiti?
Edit: I just asked her and she said she hadn't heard of it before. Downtown Houston is about 15 to 20 minutes away from her, assuming no traffic.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Sunday Sunday
We didn't go to the Korean parish, but to Sacred Heart Church in Dunn instead for the extraordinary form (celebrated every Sunday at 12 P.M.). Sarge says that sometimes it is sung Mass, but yesterday it was low Mass with some singing by the choir. (Much like Holy Trinity in Boston.) There are a lot of young families there with children--more than one sees at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Mission Chapel. Still, I think I would prefer the sung ordinary form liturgy at St. Thomas Aquinas. It's too bad St. Dominic's is so far away. I'd go there, especially if it had the traditional Dominican-rite liturgy for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, or the Easter vigil. (Dominican chant books on the web. Ash Wednesday.) I still haven't found a parish to call home yet, nor have I visited St. Basil's. With the price of gas going up, attending a well-celebrated liturgy regularly at St. Thomas Aquinas or St. Basil may require too much of a sacrifice. No signs yet of a "Benedictine reform" taking a foothold in the diocese of San Jose.
If only Roman-rite churches would get rid of pews (in addition to the other needed reforms). If I ever visit Front Royal or that part of Virginia again, I'll have to visit Holy Transfiguration. Does Archimandrite Fr. Constantine-Paul Belisarius still celebrate Byzantine-rite liturgy in Front Royal? Maybe someday Fr. Christopher will be posted over here in California. But I don't think that will happen--his family lives on the East Coast. Which reminds me... I found a reference to Archimandrite Zacharias... was it over at the Crunchy Con blog or one of the Orthodox blogs? Can't remember.
From NLM: Announcement of Professor Laszlo Dobszay’s forthcoming publication
Links for Archimandrite Zacharias, Elder Sophrony, and Silouan the Athonite:
ORTHODIXIE ... Southern, Orthodox, Convert, Etc.: Archimandrite ...
KEEP THY MIND IN HELL AND DESPAIR NOT: A Word of God for Our Generation
North Texas Orthodox Missions: Archimandrite Zacharias CD & DVD
Youtube: Archimandrite Zacharias at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery
Spiritual son of the Elder Sophrony visits Diocese of the South
Sophrony (Sakharov) - OrthodoxWiki
Photos of Fr. Sophrony Sakharov
On Prayer; His Life is Mine
Patriarchal Stavropegic Monastery of St. John the Baptist (Maldon ...
St John the Baptist Monastery, Essex - Monachos.net Discussion ...
MOUNT THABOR PUBLISHING - Books by Elder Sophrony
If You Would Celebrate Pentecost - Love Your Enemies « Glory to ...
In the Presence of God - Elder Sophrony « Glory to God for All Things
Silouan the Athonite - OrthodoxWiki
Photos of St. Silouan the Athonite
CyberDesert - Philokalia Webzine -St. Silouan the Athonite
Silouan the Athonite
Home - St. Silouan the Athonite Orthodox Christian Mission
Also from SVS Press: Greek East and Latin West by Andrew Louth and Christian East and the Rise of the Papacy by Aristeides Papadakis
After Mass, Sarge and I went to lunch at the Carino's near the Raleigh-Durham Airport. I was surprised to see a group of 7 or 8 Korean teenagers there. I don't think I heard any Korean--just English. The exterior design of the chain's restaurants reminds me of Macaroni Grill, but I don't know if they are owned by the same company. I still have to go to Firehouse Subs some time, see how it compares to Togo's or Jimmy John's. I suggested it, but Sarge had a hankering for Italian. (As usual.) I ordered the chicken milano, which was good, but I think I'd have to agree with Sarge--Pierro's is probably better. (Though the bread that is given by Carino's is quite good.) I didn't really like his five cheese tortellini dish, and I was reminded why I don't like many Italian dishes, the ones that use a lot of cream for the sauce. They're just too creamy and my stomach doesn't like that.
On Thursday, after the graduation I did see a Korean--she is the wife of one of the grads, and was, as Watcher says, quite "fobby." A lot of Koreans live in the area, being associated with the military in one way or the other, though Sarge jokes that the new ACUs will put many of them out of work, since the ACU makes a lot of use of velcro for patches and such so there will be no need for them to sew them on. (Though I suppose they can still do alterations.)
Anyway... since I was with Sarge for 4 days, there was some discussion of potential spouses, and I was thinking once again about what is necessary for compatability and what isn't. I don't think I could live with someone who wasn't familiar with and interested in Latin and Western culture, or the Catholic intellectual tradition. (I can make some allowances with respect to Anglo-Celtic-Latin culture, since I'm still learning about it myself.) At the very least if she weren't familiar with these, she should be a good Catholic who recognizes the importance of these and defers to them. (And of course, obeys the Church and lives out the Church's teachings.)
I can't get along with cheerleaders for either party, though my aversion to most in the Democratic party is still stronger than it is to the Republicans. At this point it is better to just avoid talking about politics with the true believers who fall in the mainstream of either party--it's not a retreat to the ghetto, but acknowledging that it is unlikely that people will be persuaded, even if you can lead them back to their first principles and fight on that territory. It just isn't worth the exasperation. I suppose I would have the same wariness with respect to those who take Faux News too seriously.
Now it might seem that "political differences" shouldn't get in the way of a good marriage, but maybe that is tied to a rather "thin" view of what political participation is. It shouldn't be just voting, though that is what the system considers to be citizenship. We should be working for a certain kind of change, and how many of those who think the welfare state is the solution (who can and do have good intentions) would really be willing to consider a radical alternative, one that is truly just and allows people to take responsibility for their own lives, while allowing that government does have a role to play, particularly with fostering economic freedom? What can we put in practice at home to influence the community? I don't know if I want to say the domestic sphere is private, as if it is completely cut off from the "public" sphere. Rather, the political begins at home.
I joke that I am a hobbit, but it does seem to me that finding a hobbit wife is necessary for the sake of harmony within the home.
From Boundless Line:
Let's Talk About Dating, Part 1: Be Realistic
Let's Talk About Dating, Part 2: Holding Out
American Conservative: What is Left? What is Right? Does it Matter?
Hmm... the TAC Alumni website is still up.
CNN coverage of the presidential campaign was being televised at the airport, since it was the day after the Texas primary (among others). I haven't watched many of the Obama and Clinton ads, but while I was looking at some blogs over at Sarge's apartment, I did come across references to the Obama ads done by celebs... I played two for JB, who actually likes the "Yes We Can" video. I hope Sarge's nephew has forgotten the Obama chant. (I was repeating the chant for JB, and the nephew picked up on it.)
At this point is there much to be said about Dr. Paul's campaign? Daniel Larison offers Some Thoughts on the Paul Campaign. While some of his supporters at Lew Rockwell may have thought he had a chance, I wasn't as "optimistic." Still, it is somewhat of a letdown to see things coming to a close this way, though Dr. Paul has said he will continue to fight for the ideas that have helped him get so much support, and ensure they get some attention until the convention (and at the convention itself?). A restatement from Dr. Paul while being interviewed with Neil Cavuto.
The homeschooling controversy did lead me to think about these struggles with various authorities and others who oppose the Law. They may seem minor, but is there a possibility that they will lead to something more serious in the future? A new persecution of Christians in the name of promoting tolerance and the values of secular humanism?
Whose side is God on? It is a staple line in some movies that if armed conflict does happen between two religious/sectarian groups, we should "let God sort it out" and judge who is right, in the name of some sort of neutrality, sometimes implying that neither side has the support of God. Does God offer grace to everyone so that they may be saved? Yes. Does He offer them the grace to act in accordance with His law and justice? Yes. Is it possible for someone to contravene God's Law or to advocate such actions with a "good" (that is, sanctified or holy) will? At times I doubt it.
If disagreements about what is owed to God and society cannot be resolved peacefully or through separation (secession), then what other alternative is left? Assuming that armed resistance can be successful, is it therefore an option? (I think it is, contra those Christians who are absolute pacificists. Christians would be fighting not to impose their religion on others, but to protect their communities from being destroyed by pernicious influences or a government hostile to the divine order.) Unfortunately, if the South couldn't succeed, what chance do small groups of right-thinking and acting Americans have?
If such resistance cannot be successful, must one submit to the regime? Or is leaving for a different political community then an acceptable choice? While it is necessary for happiness for man to live in community with others, it does not seem necessary for him to live in a specific community. If the community is disordered and impedes his fulfilling higher obligations or obligations to his family and dependents, or threatens their spiritual well-being, then it seems that they should leave for somewhere else, even if in justice they may be required to render something back to the community for what it has given to them. The higher obligations override the lower. Charity may dictate that we do the good that we can do for our neighbor, but prudence and wisdom should enable us to recognize when our efforts will be limited and outweighed by the dangers that we risk to ourselves and our families? We should have a "thick" view of what "living well with others" means and requires, not a thin view that of course comports to the American way of life as it exists now in most places (especially the suburbs). While living with others in friendship is a good in itself, it must be open to the transcendent--the political order is not a separate sphere unto itself, as if it could be a source of complete happiness to man, because only God is man's ultimate end.
Living well with others requires justice, but justice is further ordered to friendship. Here Aristotle's account of friendship, given in the Nicomachean Ethics, can possibly be improved. Just as Aristotle did not know of the supernatural end to which man is called, he did not know that the best and highest friendships are rooted in the same supernatural end. The private good of man is not his ultimate end and as it is private, by definition it cannot be shared. Friends must have something else in common, and for Aristotle, the highest friendships were founded upon having virtue (or the pursuit of virtue) in common. This was the basis of the friends' life together. But virtue that is separate from charity is imperfect virtue--for virtue to be perfect it must be ordered to God through charity. So not only are we called to union with God, but also our friendships with others are ordered towards Him.
If one cannot leave, then one must pray for the grace and the heroic virtue to endure the persecution that will come.
Martyrology
The Roman Martyrology - Contents
Speaking of friendship... all in all, it was a good trip to North Carolina--Sarge was very hospitable and generous, and I enjoyed meeting his family and spending time with them. Thank you very much Sarge! I will have to try to write you a real thank-you when I can. I don't think he will be moving to California. That's too bad. I did appreciate the time spent at Bragg and around things military. While I do respect those who are serve in the military, especially the quiet professionals, there are things to be lamented about the state of the U.S. military. I heard some complaints from one of Sarge's friends, through Sarge, about SF being squandered and misused, and not being properly trained but going through finger drills instead. Apparently the Regular Army mentality has seeped into SF and even CAG (if the second-hand complaints are true).
AMERICA'S ARMY: SPECIAL FORCES - HOME PAGE
Needless to say, one can respect the grunts and POGs in the U.S. Army (and those in the other branches) without endorsing the National Government that makes use of them. Now back to states' rights and true American republicanism... some articles for LRC by David Dieteman:
Of Contracts and Constitutions
Three Views of the Constitution
Contra Claremont
Joseph Stromberg archive--gis "The Neo-Unionists’ Rope of Sand" and The Trouble with the Constitution
Is this enough to lure Sarge away from Milwaukee back to PR? I can't but help think of a certain blonde schoolteacher here in California... she was rather cute (and girly) when she asked me to sub for her class. I don't really know anything about her, if she is a Democrat like so many others at her school or if she has a boyfriend. Ha. I don't think there is much of a chance happening. Maybe I can go to PR with Sarge's mother and she can introduce me to a Puerto Ricana. Boricua!
The MD and her family are supposed to be coming up next weekend. Maybe I'll have the opportunity to take the niece to the park so she can go on the slide. (She continues to mention it whenever she talks to me on the phone.) And today is KCC's birthday--Happy Birthday! I haven't gotten a hold of her on the phone yet. Is she celebrating over at Fiddler's Hearth tonight?
(Turns out she was in Chicago having dinner with her husband, who is in Chicago for a business trip. They had dinner at the Brazilian bbq restaurant.)
If only Roman-rite churches would get rid of pews (in addition to the other needed reforms). If I ever visit Front Royal or that part of Virginia again, I'll have to visit Holy Transfiguration. Does Archimandrite Fr. Constantine-Paul Belisarius still celebrate Byzantine-rite liturgy in Front Royal? Maybe someday Fr. Christopher will be posted over here in California. But I don't think that will happen--his family lives on the East Coast. Which reminds me... I found a reference to Archimandrite Zacharias... was it over at the Crunchy Con blog or one of the Orthodox blogs? Can't remember.
From NLM: Announcement of Professor Laszlo Dobszay’s forthcoming publication
The Restoration and Development of the Roman RiteOther volumes in the T&T Clark Fundamental Studies in Liturgy include The Collects of the Roman Missal by Lauren Pristas (September 2009) and Being Liturgical. The Subject of Worship by Laurence Paul Hemming (November 2009). If the economy crashes, may the press survive to publish these important books.
Edited and with a foreword by Laurence Paul Hemming
T&T Clark London , July 2009, 240pp, app. £25.00
ISBN 9780567033864
Links for Archimandrite Zacharias, Elder Sophrony, and Silouan the Athonite:
ORTHODIXIE ... Southern, Orthodox, Convert, Etc.: Archimandrite ...
KEEP THY MIND IN HELL AND DESPAIR NOT: A Word of God for Our Generation
North Texas Orthodox Missions: Archimandrite Zacharias CD & DVD
Youtube: Archimandrite Zacharias at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery
Spiritual son of the Elder Sophrony visits Diocese of the South
Archimandrite Zacharias is the author of two recent books published by Mt. Tabor Publishing, The Enlargement of the Heart and The Hidden Man of the Heart. Both books are an outgrowth of the life long experiences of the Elder Zacharias who is the spiritual son of the Elder Sophrony (1896-1993) the founder of the St. John the Baptist Monastery in Essex. The Elder Sophrony was the disciple of St. Silouan the Athonite (1866-1938). Thus his teachings are part of an unbroken chain of spiritual teachers of two great Fathers of the Church.
Sophrony (Sakharov) - OrthodoxWiki
Photos of Fr. Sophrony Sakharov
On Prayer; His Life is Mine
Patriarchal Stavropegic Monastery of St. John the Baptist (Maldon ...
St John the Baptist Monastery, Essex - Monachos.net Discussion ...
MOUNT THABOR PUBLISHING - Books by Elder Sophrony
If You Would Celebrate Pentecost - Love Your Enemies « Glory to ...
In the Presence of God - Elder Sophrony « Glory to God for All Things
Silouan the Athonite - OrthodoxWiki
Photos of St. Silouan the Athonite
CyberDesert - Philokalia Webzine -St. Silouan the Athonite
Silouan the Athonite
Home - St. Silouan the Athonite Orthodox Christian Mission
Also from SVS Press: Greek East and Latin West by Andrew Louth and Christian East and the Rise of the Papacy by Aristeides Papadakis
After Mass, Sarge and I went to lunch at the Carino's near the Raleigh-Durham Airport. I was surprised to see a group of 7 or 8 Korean teenagers there. I don't think I heard any Korean--just English. The exterior design of the chain's restaurants reminds me of Macaroni Grill, but I don't know if they are owned by the same company. I still have to go to Firehouse Subs some time, see how it compares to Togo's or Jimmy John's. I suggested it, but Sarge had a hankering for Italian. (As usual.) I ordered the chicken milano, which was good, but I think I'd have to agree with Sarge--Pierro's is probably better. (Though the bread that is given by Carino's is quite good.) I didn't really like his five cheese tortellini dish, and I was reminded why I don't like many Italian dishes, the ones that use a lot of cream for the sauce. They're just too creamy and my stomach doesn't like that.
On Thursday, after the graduation I did see a Korean--she is the wife of one of the grads, and was, as Watcher says, quite "fobby." A lot of Koreans live in the area, being associated with the military in one way or the other, though Sarge jokes that the new ACUs will put many of them out of work, since the ACU makes a lot of use of velcro for patches and such so there will be no need for them to sew them on. (Though I suppose they can still do alterations.)
Anyway... since I was with Sarge for 4 days, there was some discussion of potential spouses, and I was thinking once again about what is necessary for compatability and what isn't. I don't think I could live with someone who wasn't familiar with and interested in Latin and Western culture, or the Catholic intellectual tradition. (I can make some allowances with respect to Anglo-Celtic-Latin culture, since I'm still learning about it myself.) At the very least if she weren't familiar with these, she should be a good Catholic who recognizes the importance of these and defers to them. (And of course, obeys the Church and lives out the Church's teachings.)
I can't get along with cheerleaders for either party, though my aversion to most in the Democratic party is still stronger than it is to the Republicans. At this point it is better to just avoid talking about politics with the true believers who fall in the mainstream of either party--it's not a retreat to the ghetto, but acknowledging that it is unlikely that people will be persuaded, even if you can lead them back to their first principles and fight on that territory. It just isn't worth the exasperation. I suppose I would have the same wariness with respect to those who take Faux News too seriously.
Now it might seem that "political differences" shouldn't get in the way of a good marriage, but maybe that is tied to a rather "thin" view of what political participation is. It shouldn't be just voting, though that is what the system considers to be citizenship. We should be working for a certain kind of change, and how many of those who think the welfare state is the solution (who can and do have good intentions) would really be willing to consider a radical alternative, one that is truly just and allows people to take responsibility for their own lives, while allowing that government does have a role to play, particularly with fostering economic freedom? What can we put in practice at home to influence the community? I don't know if I want to say the domestic sphere is private, as if it is completely cut off from the "public" sphere. Rather, the political begins at home.
I joke that I am a hobbit, but it does seem to me that finding a hobbit wife is necessary for the sake of harmony within the home.
From Boundless Line:
Let's Talk About Dating, Part 1: Be Realistic
Let's Talk About Dating, Part 2: Holding Out
American Conservative: What is Left? What is Right? Does it Matter?
Hmm... the TAC Alumni website is still up.
CNN coverage of the presidential campaign was being televised at the airport, since it was the day after the Texas primary (among others). I haven't watched many of the Obama and Clinton ads, but while I was looking at some blogs over at Sarge's apartment, I did come across references to the Obama ads done by celebs... I played two for JB, who actually likes the "Yes We Can" video. I hope Sarge's nephew has forgotten the Obama chant. (I was repeating the chant for JB, and the nephew picked up on it.)
At this point is there much to be said about Dr. Paul's campaign? Daniel Larison offers Some Thoughts on the Paul Campaign. While some of his supporters at Lew Rockwell may have thought he had a chance, I wasn't as "optimistic." Still, it is somewhat of a letdown to see things coming to a close this way, though Dr. Paul has said he will continue to fight for the ideas that have helped him get so much support, and ensure they get some attention until the convention (and at the convention itself?). A restatement from Dr. Paul while being interviewed with Neil Cavuto.
The homeschooling controversy did lead me to think about these struggles with various authorities and others who oppose the Law. They may seem minor, but is there a possibility that they will lead to something more serious in the future? A new persecution of Christians in the name of promoting tolerance and the values of secular humanism?
Whose side is God on? It is a staple line in some movies that if armed conflict does happen between two religious/sectarian groups, we should "let God sort it out" and judge who is right, in the name of some sort of neutrality, sometimes implying that neither side has the support of God. Does God offer grace to everyone so that they may be saved? Yes. Does He offer them the grace to act in accordance with His law and justice? Yes. Is it possible for someone to contravene God's Law or to advocate such actions with a "good" (that is, sanctified or holy) will? At times I doubt it.
If disagreements about what is owed to God and society cannot be resolved peacefully or through separation (secession), then what other alternative is left? Assuming that armed resistance can be successful, is it therefore an option? (I think it is, contra those Christians who are absolute pacificists. Christians would be fighting not to impose their religion on others, but to protect their communities from being destroyed by pernicious influences or a government hostile to the divine order.) Unfortunately, if the South couldn't succeed, what chance do small groups of right-thinking and acting Americans have?
If such resistance cannot be successful, must one submit to the regime? Or is leaving for a different political community then an acceptable choice? While it is necessary for happiness for man to live in community with others, it does not seem necessary for him to live in a specific community. If the community is disordered and impedes his fulfilling higher obligations or obligations to his family and dependents, or threatens their spiritual well-being, then it seems that they should leave for somewhere else, even if in justice they may be required to render something back to the community for what it has given to them. The higher obligations override the lower. Charity may dictate that we do the good that we can do for our neighbor, but prudence and wisdom should enable us to recognize when our efforts will be limited and outweighed by the dangers that we risk to ourselves and our families? We should have a "thick" view of what "living well with others" means and requires, not a thin view that of course comports to the American way of life as it exists now in most places (especially the suburbs). While living with others in friendship is a good in itself, it must be open to the transcendent--the political order is not a separate sphere unto itself, as if it could be a source of complete happiness to man, because only God is man's ultimate end.
Living well with others requires justice, but justice is further ordered to friendship. Here Aristotle's account of friendship, given in the Nicomachean Ethics, can possibly be improved. Just as Aristotle did not know of the supernatural end to which man is called, he did not know that the best and highest friendships are rooted in the same supernatural end. The private good of man is not his ultimate end and as it is private, by definition it cannot be shared. Friends must have something else in common, and for Aristotle, the highest friendships were founded upon having virtue (or the pursuit of virtue) in common. This was the basis of the friends' life together. But virtue that is separate from charity is imperfect virtue--for virtue to be perfect it must be ordered to God through charity. So not only are we called to union with God, but also our friendships with others are ordered towards Him.
If one cannot leave, then one must pray for the grace and the heroic virtue to endure the persecution that will come.
Martyrology
The Roman Martyrology - Contents
Speaking of friendship... all in all, it was a good trip to North Carolina--Sarge was very hospitable and generous, and I enjoyed meeting his family and spending time with them. Thank you very much Sarge! I will have to try to write you a real thank-you when I can. I don't think he will be moving to California. That's too bad. I did appreciate the time spent at Bragg and around things military. While I do respect those who are serve in the military, especially the quiet professionals, there are things to be lamented about the state of the U.S. military. I heard some complaints from one of Sarge's friends, through Sarge, about SF being squandered and misused, and not being properly trained but going through finger drills instead. Apparently the Regular Army mentality has seeped into SF and even CAG (if the second-hand complaints are true).
AMERICA'S ARMY: SPECIAL FORCES - HOME PAGE
Needless to say, one can respect the grunts and POGs in the U.S. Army (and those in the other branches) without endorsing the National Government that makes use of them. Now back to states' rights and true American republicanism... some articles for LRC by David Dieteman:
Of Contracts and Constitutions
Three Views of the Constitution
Contra Claremont
Joseph Stromberg archive--gis "The Neo-Unionists’ Rope of Sand" and The Trouble with the Constitution
Is this enough to lure Sarge away from Milwaukee back to PR? I can't but help think of a certain blonde schoolteacher here in California... she was rather cute (and girly) when she asked me to sub for her class. I don't really know anything about her, if she is a Democrat like so many others at her school or if she has a boyfriend. Ha. I don't think there is much of a chance happening. Maybe I can go to PR with Sarge's mother and she can introduce me to a Puerto Ricana. Boricua!
The MD and her family are supposed to be coming up next weekend. Maybe I'll have the opportunity to take the niece to the park so she can go on the slide. (She continues to mention it whenever she talks to me on the phone.) And today is KCC's birthday--Happy Birthday! I haven't gotten a hold of her on the phone yet. Is she celebrating over at Fiddler's Hearth tonight?
(Turns out she was in Chicago having dinner with her husband, who is in Chicago for a business trip. They had dinner at the Brazilian bbq restaurant.)
Sunday, December 16, 2007
The Roman Office
I was re-reading Professor Dobszay's excellent Critical Reflections on the Bugnini Liturgy: The Divine Office last night and came upon his suggestions for the distribution of psalms in a restoration of the Roman Office (p. 24 ff). Maybe this is what I've been looking for--I wonder if his suggestions can be adopted for personal use?
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
The Bugnini-Liturgy and the Reform of the Reform
From Jeffrey Tucker:
Well I already ordered my copies... since they were part of the last 80 that were still available. But now that they're going to reprint the book... ah well!
I'm pleased to present to you, courtesy of the Church Music Association of America, what many consider to be the finest single book on the problem of liturgical transformation and transition between the old and new forms of the Roman Rite. It is Laszlo Dobszay's The Bugnini-Liturgy and the Reform of the Reform. This was published in 2003, and full anticipates the present moment. To pre-answer the inevitable question: yes, a new print edition is coming.
Well I already ordered my copies... since they were part of the last 80 that were still available. But now that they're going to reprint the book... ah well!
Monday, August 27, 2007
The Bugnini-Liturgy and the Reform of the Reform
The Bugnini-Liturgy and the Reform of the Reform, by Laszlo Dobszay
Info on how to get a copy of the book--quantities limited!
Info on how to get a copy of the book--quantities limited!
Saturday, January 20, 2007
The Grand Silence
Some news at NLM about the movie--it will be released on DVD in Canada soon; no news about when and how it will enter the U.S. market. In the comments section readers have expressed disappointment that there was not a lot of footage of the divine liturgy being celebrated. I'm disappointed as well, but on the other hand, I wouldn't want to reduce the divine liturgy to a spectacle.
Also check out
Function and Training: Historical Models of the Church Musician
By László Dobszay
Also check out
Function and Training: Historical Models of the Church Musician
By László Dobszay
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Catching up...
I couldn't access blogs on blogger while I was at home--not sure if it was because of the slow connection or something related to the computer. Lots of good stuff I missed.
At NLM, excerpts from Laszlo Dobszay's discussion of the reform of the Roman office.
The complete essay.
Waiting for the discussion at Small is Still Beautiful to really pick up...
At NLM, excerpts from Laszlo Dobszay's discussion of the reform of the Roman office.
The complete essay.
Waiting for the discussion at Small is Still Beautiful to really pick up...
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