thank you, Duchess of Cambridge!

I love it. : )

hat tip: Kate Middleton for the Win

I’ll watch the highlights

A lot of people asked me if I’m going to wake up early tomorrow.   I’m sort of jealous of my friends that live in Hawaii.  They can catch at least the beginning of the wedding before heading to bed.

No, I’m not waking up to watch the wedding.  Like I told my mom — it’s like a sporting event.  At the time, you feel like you should lose sleep watching the game/match/race.  But in the end, you might as well go to bed.  You can see the score in the morning.

So I’m not going to lose sleep over it.  I’ll check out the highlights for the next month when everyone continues to talk about her dress, the flowers, the procession, and the color of the Queen’s hat.

I’m basically interested in two things — her dress and the music.  (Anglicans have good music.)  The music question was pretty much answered here: Music for the Wedding Service.  And really, this website answers almost any question you might have, minus the dress: www.officialroyalwedding2011.org

As for Sunday — well, I’ll be waking up early to watch the beatification of John Paul II.  That’s different. : )

the ultimate blognic

I still haven’t heard about Msgr. Ganswein.  I was sort of hoping that the Pope would comment on my blog:

I miss Rome.  The reason I expressed a desire to have a “real” blog last week was because I am jealous of the bloggers attending the conference for bloggers at the Vatican next Monday.

When I first heard about the blog conference in the Vatican, I thought Hm, that would be fun.   And then I wished my blog was worthy so that I could attend.

And then the Vatican released the invitee list.  …  I became insanely jealous.  Granted, I don’t have the money to jump on a plane at this short notice.  And I have to work on Saturday.  And I don’t have a place to stay in Rome.  And I had already decided not to join the millions of people in Rome for the beatification.  I fought the crowds and slept in the street for his funeral, someone else can be at his beatification.

But none of that mattered.   I suddenly wished my blog would turn from a Wendy’s-review into a wildly popular, witty social commentary on the Church and the world.   And after that happened, a time-machine would appear so that I could go back and submit my name and blog for the guest list.

Alas, I won’t be at the Vatican blog conference.  And I suppose that’s okay.

Instead of spending my time being insanely jealous, I should probably concentrate on more important things, like the presentation I am giving tomorrow at the National Association of Diaconate Directors meeting.   And the whereabouts of Msgr. Ganswein.

PS Please say a prayer for my talk!

Happy Pasquetta*!

*Easter Monday : )

Christ is Risen!

He is Risen!

One last taste of our choir — this was our prelude this morning– just before the rousing “Jesus Christ is Risen Today!” with trumpets!!

Happy Easter, all!  Remember– the Easter octave lasts for eight days, and each day is supposed to be celebrated like today!  Eight Easters!

Papal groupies?

I love being home.  I’m sure you could chalk it up to a combination of home cooking, familiarity, no responsibility, and family.   But I think what I love most of all is just sitting and talking with my parents.  They’re pretty cool people.

I’m sure Mom is ready for me to go back, just so she can get work done.  We tend to get off track a lot and just end up talking about everything under the sun.  Today after dinner, the three of us just stayed at the dinner table and talked and talked.  It was lovely.

During Christmas and Easter, it’s tradition for us to watch the liturgies from the Vatican.  So while we were making dinner tonight, Easter Vigil with the Holy Father was on, and we were commenting on things.  I also love hanging out with my mom because we think about the same things and care about the same things.

Like the Papal MCs.   When I was commenting that there was a new MC I didn’t recognize, I realized how funny that sounded.  I paused and then asked her, “Do you think anyone else cares about Papal MCs?”

She said I should pose the question on my blog. Ha!

We don’t know the Papal MCs’ names, of course, but we know their faces and we have names for them.  I think at this point, we can assume… we’re not normal.

They’re not all MCs, I suppose — they’re servers — but they’re priests, so it seems strange to just call them servers.   They’re like mini MCs, because each one seems to have a group they’re in charge of.  The official Papal MC is Father Guido Marini, and I had the privilege of being in the small congregation at a Mass he celebrated for a group of young people a few years ago.  I was excited just to be in his presence — when he walked in the door, dressed in a black cassock with his black briefcase, it was like a movie star had entered.  Okay, well, I didn’t scream and faint or anything.  But I got excited in my pew to myself.

He’s always at the Pope’s side during liturgies.  He’s his shadow.

Then there’s the MC we’ve nicknamed “Mom’s MC” – I guess just because he’s her favorite (I’m telling you, only we would have favorite MCs).

We have decided he’s American.  He accompanied the Holy Father frequently during his trip to America.  I’m not sure if that’s why we decided he’s American.  And I’m not sure why he’s Mom’s favorite.  But today during the Mass, when I noticed the new MC, Mom commented, “I haven’t seen my MC in awhile.”

See, I’m telling you… we’re not normal.

Then there’s the MC I have decided is from Spain.  He is near the Holy Father during the big Vatican liturgies a lot — Easter, Christmas, etc.

Then there’s the MC that we call my MC.  It’s because he once touched me on the shoulder, during the Palm Sunday liturgy when I was carrying a huge palm in the procession and we didn’t really know where we were going– he touched me on the shoulder and motioned where I should go.  It seems he’s often in charge of all the extraneous people during the liturgy — not just the palm-bearers, but the lectorers, the people coming into the Church (tonight), etc.

When I saw him and he tapped me on the shoulder, I got so excited because I recognized him from the Papal election!  He was the crucifer:

So there’s the rundown of the Papal servers.  I know, I know, we’re strange.

But the real question we have here is — did Msgr Ganswein get to go home for Easter?  He’s the Papal secretary, and we’ve missed him the past few days.  I was worried something was wrong, and then Mom told me that he probably got to go home at Easter, since the Pope didn’t have a lot of official visits, paperwork, all of that.  I’m still concerned, so if anyone has information on his whereabouts, please let me know.

O, My People!

O My people, what have I done to you, how have I offended you?  Testify against me!

I led you out of Egypt from slavery to freedom, but you have led your Savior, and nailed Him to a cross.

Hagios OTheos, Hagios ichyros,
Hagios athanatos eleison himas.
Holy is God, Holy and Strong,
Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us.

For forty years in safety, I led you through the desert, I fed you with my manna, I gave you your own land, but you have led your Savior, and nailed Him to a Cross.

Hagios O Theos, Hagios ichyros,
Hagios athanatos eleison himas.
Holy is God, Holy and Strong,
Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us.

O what more would you ask from me? I planted you, my vineyard, but sour grapes you gave me, and vinegar to drink, and you have pierced your Savior and pierced Him with a spear.

Hagios OTheos, Hagios ichyros,
Hagios athanatos eleison himas.
Holy is God, Holy and Strong,
Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us.

For you scourged your captors, their first born sons were taken, but you have taken scourges and brought them down on Me.

O My people, what have I done to you, how have I offended you? Answer me.

From slavery to freedom I led you, drowned your captors. But I am taken captive and handed to your priests.

O My people, what have I done to you, how have I offended you? Answer me.

Your path lay through the waters, I opened them before you, my side you have laid open and bared it with a spear.

O My people, what have I done to you, how have I offended you? Answer me.

I led you, held securely, My fire and cloud before you, but you have led your Savior, hands bound to Pilate’s court.

O My people, what have I done to you, how have I offended you? Answer me.

I bore you up with manna, you bore me down and scourged me. I gave you saving water, but you gave me soured wine.

O My people, what have I done to you, how have I offended you? Answer me.

The kings who reigned in Canaan, I struck way before you. But you have struck my crowned head, and struck it with a reed.

O My people, what have I done to you, how have I offended you? Answer me.

I gave you a royal scepter but you gave me a thorn crown.  I raised you up in power, but you raised me on the Cross.

Agios o Theos, Agios ischyros,
Agios athanatos eleison imas.
Holy is God, Holy and Strong,
Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.

I forgot-

I forgot to mention that today is Spy Wednesday, named for today’s Gospel, which revealed Judas planning his betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver and looking for a chance to turn him over to the Sanhedrin.

Last night we had wicked storms pass through the area, and while my apartment complex wasn’t affected, the area not far from me was without power this morning.  So when I arrived at church for 6:30 Mass, the door was propped open and the entire chapel was dark.  We had Mass entirely by candlelight (and, well, a flashlight at times too!).   Father didn’t say a word — I guess what was he going to say?  ”Hey, the power’s out, everyone.”  Duh. — He just celebrated Mass like it was the most normal thing in the world.

It was a really powerful way to begin Spy Wednesday.  In the darkness, awaiting the events of the Triduum.

starting the Triduum off right

I just got back from choir practice, where we practiced for the entire Triduum.  It’s an understatement to say my home parish has one of the best home-grown, non-professional choirs in the country.  I am always amazed at the sound the comes from the choir loft.

And while we generally sing the same songs every Triduum, it doesn’t matter because they’re just so beautiful.  The only sadness this year is that we aren’t singing Durufle’s Ubi Caritas this year (so go listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwR_dM-1MlU).

As a sneak preview for tomorrow’s liturgy:

The opening song is Firmly I Believe and Truly (tune: Nashotah House)  This is an amazing, amazing hymn.  I wish I could find a recording of it online — it never fails to give me chills.  The tune is Anglican, but the words are from Bl. John Henry Newman.  [Liza, you can have the tune -we got the composer : )]  Here are the words:

1. Firmly I believe and truly
God is three, and God is One;
And I next acknowledge duly
Manhood taken by the Son.

Refrain: Sanctus fortis, Sanctus Deus,
de profundis oro te,
Miserere, judex meus,
parce mihi Domine.

2. And I trust and hope most fully
In that Manhood crucified;
And each thought and deed unruly
Do to death, as He has died.

3. Simply to His grace and wholly
Light and life and strength belong,
And I love, supremely, solely,
Him the holy, Him the strong.

4. And I hold in veneration,
For the love of Him alone,
Holy Church, as His creation,
And her teachings as His own.

5. Adoration ay be given,
With and through the angelic host,
To the God of earth and heaven,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

The entire Mass will be chanted.  At the Washing of the Feet, we’ll chant Ubi Caritas (if we can’t do Durufle, at least we’re chanting it)

Followed by one of my all-time favorites, If Ye Love Me by Thomas Tallis:

(please don’t be distracted by the scene from Fantasia)

Offertory is The Lord is About to Enter His Temple, a gorgeous piece by a Dominican priest, Andre Gouzes.  Once again, I’m sorry I can’t find it online.  (I wish I could record tomorrow night…)

Communion: Christus Factus Est (chant — although some day I want to learn Anerio’s motet)

And Jesu Dulcis Memoria — the chant, followed by de Victoria’s arrangement.

We’ll end, after the Pange Lingua and the Eucharistic Procession, with two songs we have sung for as long as I remember: Stay Here and Keep Watch and Stay With Us.   Jesus remains at the altar of repose until midnight.

I love Holy Thursday.  And I love it at my home parish.  Besides Rome, there’s no place I’d rather be tomorrow night.

Sin, Strength, and the Vicar of Christ

“We have grown accustomed to make a clear distinction between Peter the rock and Peter the denier of Christ –
the denier of Christ: that is Peter as he was before Easter;
the rock: that is Peter as he was after Pentecost, the Peter of whom we have constructed a singularly idealistic image. 
But, in reality, he was at both times both of these. …
And has it not been thus throughout the history of the Church that the Pope, the successor of Peter, has been at once Petra and Skandalon -both the rock of God and a stumbling block?  In fact, the faithful will always have to reckon with this paradox of the divine dispensation that shames their pride again and again.”
  -Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

This was the quote in the Magnificat Mass companion this morning.  Today’s Gospel comes from John’s account of the Last Supper, including Christ’s prophecy of Peter’s denial.  Peter tells Jesus he will lay down his life for Him — and while Jesus doesn’t contradict this (because he will, eventually!), He tells him he will deny him before the morning cock crow.

The timing of this reading, on the Tuesday of Holy Week, is moving this year, since today is the 6th anniversary of Cardinal Ratzinger’s election to the Papacy.  I couldn’t help but think about the man, Joseph Ratzinger, during Mass today.

Is he perfect?  No.  Are we scandalized when we realize he isn’t?  For some reason, yes.  I think of the criticisms against John Paul II — how he handled administrative affairs in the Church, or how he handled the abuse cases, or how he handled Father Maciel.  Was he perfect?  No.   Has a Pope ever been?  No.  We don’t believe in the impeccability of the Pope — that would be ludcrious and naive — especially given our first Pope.

I remember several years ago standing with some priest friends talking about the new scandals that had just come to light.  The newspapers seemed to be treating them with great relish, almost finding joy in scraping up every last piece of dirt they could find about every priest in the surrounding area.  One of my friends commented, “Tomorrow’s headline will be, ‘Breaking news: this just in: First Pope Denies Christ.’”   Although we laughed, I still think of the poignancy of that observation.

Sin in the Church is nothing new.  You don’t leave Jesus for Judas.  Or for Peter, for that matter.

I’ve always found it interesting that the Gospel of Mark, which traditionally was written through the witness of St Peter, does not emphasize the primacy of Peter.  You won’t find “You are Peter…” there, like you will in Matthew 16, nor will you find Christ’s three-fold commission to feed His lambs, like you will in John.  You will find Jesus’ rebuke of Peter (“Get behind me, Satan…), Jesus’ chastisement of the sleeping Peter in the Garden, and Peter’s denial.

When Peter told his story to Mark, he focused on his failures, the times when he was the skandalon, the stumbling block.   We can picture the old man, the weight of the Church on his shoulders, telling Mark about his time with Jesus.  The holy pontiff, having grown in wisdom and the Holy Spirit throughout his years of shepherding the Church, recognizes his weakness, his frailty.  And he knows that he was not given the keys to the kingdom because of his own worthiness, his own strength, or his own leadership ability.

And yet he was given those keys.  And he accepted them, in his weakness.  And he led the Church as Her servant, just as Christ had commanded him to do when He washed his feet.

On Thursday, we will watch our own Peter take off his chasuble, bend down, and wash feet.  And how blessed we are to have a Pope who recognizes strength is not in impeccability, but in service.