Martyrdom of 350 Martyrs, Disciples of St. Maron
The Story of Maronite Catholics
Friday, July 31, 2015
The Need for a Reinvigorated Monasticism in the US
MONASTICISM AND THE CHURCH
Address of Abbot Schema-Archimandrite Sergius of St. Tikhon's Monastery to the 18th OCA All-American Council
Address of Abbot Schema-Archimandrite Sergius of St. Tikhon's Monastery to the 18th OCA All-American Council
Thursday, July 30, 2015
On the Anniversary of the Repose of St. Vladimir
HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH KIRILL CELEBRATES LITURGY AT THE CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR ON THE DAY MARKING THE MILLENNIUM OF THE DEMISE OF THE HOLY PRINCE VLADIMIR, EQUAL-TO-THE-APOSTLES
MESSAGE BY PATRIARCH KIRILL ON THE OCCASION OF THE MILLENNIUM OF THE REPOSE OF THE HOLY PRINCE VLADIMIR EQUAL-TO-THE-APOSTLES
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill
Pravmir and MosPat
PRIMATE OF UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OFFICIATES AT DIVINE LITURGY IN KIEV LAURA OF THE CAVES ON COMMEMORATION DAY OF HOLY PRINCE VLADIMIR
WHEREIN LIES THE MORAL POWER OF HOLY PRINCE VLADIMIR?
St. John (Maximovich) of Shanghai and San Francisco
Prince Vladimir and the Baptism of Russia: The Blade of Christ’s Grace by Archpriest Andrei Tkachev
It seems that most of us are double-minded and weak-willed, but the Prince-Baptizer was not. Vladimir arose from the baptismal font another person. His lust faded, his cruelty was replaced by the desire to feed the hungry, and his proud and cunning thoughts were supplanted in his soul by the simplicity of the Gospel. In this we ought to imitate the Prince.
Baptism Of Rus': Beast Becomes Man
Source: Vechernyaya Moskva
The baptism of our land occurred one time , but we make the choice to be a person or a beast in every moment of our life.
Vladimir Legoyda
MESSAGE BY PATRIARCH KIRILL ON THE OCCASION OF THE MILLENNIUM OF THE REPOSE OF THE HOLY PRINCE VLADIMIR EQUAL-TO-THE-APOSTLES
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill
Pravmir and MosPat
PRIMATE OF UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OFFICIATES AT DIVINE LITURGY IN KIEV LAURA OF THE CAVES ON COMMEMORATION DAY OF HOLY PRINCE VLADIMIR
WHEREIN LIES THE MORAL POWER OF HOLY PRINCE VLADIMIR?
St. John (Maximovich) of Shanghai and San Francisco
Prince Vladimir and the Baptism of Russia: The Blade of Christ’s Grace by Archpriest Andrei Tkachev
It seems that most of us are double-minded and weak-willed, but the Prince-Baptizer was not. Vladimir arose from the baptismal font another person. His lust faded, his cruelty was replaced by the desire to feed the hungry, and his proud and cunning thoughts were supplanted in his soul by the simplicity of the Gospel. In this we ought to imitate the Prince.
Baptism Of Rus': Beast Becomes Man
Source: Vechernyaya Moskva
The baptism of our land occurred one time , but we make the choice to be a person or a beast in every moment of our life.
Vladimir Legoyda
Helpful to the Dialogue?
ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS AND THE ‘ORTHODOXY’ OF THE NON-CHALCEDONIANS by Protopresbyter Theodore Zisis
It may be difficult to generalize about the Cahlcedonian Orthodox -- perhaps it is the Slavs who are most distant from the Oriental Orthodox.
Related:
“The Hidden Source of Heresy Is Always the Pride of the Human Mind” by Archimandrite Boris (Dolzhenko)
The Memory of the Holy Fathers of the Six Ecumenical Councils
It may be difficult to generalize about the Cahlcedonian Orthodox -- perhaps it is the Slavs who are most distant from the Oriental Orthodox.
Related:
“The Hidden Source of Heresy Is Always the Pride of the Human Mind” by Archimandrite Boris (Dolzhenko)
The Memory of the Holy Fathers of the Six Ecumenical Councils
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Fr. Lombardi on Pope Francis
Father Lombardi, the Mouth of Truth by Sandro Magister
He gives a description of Francis that is very far from the flattering mainstream, and much more credible. On questions like the reform of the curia and diplomacy. But he leaves one open question: does this pope act more by instinct or by strategy?
Fr. Lombardi, head of Holy See Press Office, on how he feels about Pope Francis: "Confused." by Carl E. Olson
The remarks come from a "National Geographic" piece, which posits that Francis was elected by "more progressive cardinals"
He gives a description of Francis that is very far from the flattering mainstream, and much more credible. On questions like the reform of the curia and diplomacy. But he leaves one open question: does this pope act more by instinct or by strategy?
Fr. Lombardi, head of Holy See Press Office, on how he feels about Pope Francis: "Confused." by Carl E. Olson
The remarks come from a "National Geographic" piece, which posits that Francis was elected by "more progressive cardinals"
Giacomo Cardinal Biffi
CWR Blog: Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, in his own words by Alessandra Nucci
Rorate Caeli: Marcello Pera: what an abyss between the Church of Biffi [Benedict XVI] and Galantino [Francis]!
Rorate Caeli: Marcello Pera: what an abyss between the Church of Biffi [Benedict XVI] and Galantino [Francis]!
A Worship that Appeals to Both Men and Women
Rorate Caeli: FIUV Position Paper: The Traditional Mass and Men
The claim that prayers and lyrics that are overly sentimental and do not strongly assert the truths of the Faith are repugnant to men is probably right. But one could probably find a trend of declining Mass attendance by men in the Roman rite churches after World War II; this is parallel to other churches (i.e. Byzantine) suffering from low attendance, both here in the US and in Europe, despite their maintaining traditional forms of worship. Why has there been a difficulty in retaining males? This is something those in authority need to address. Male converts are more likely to seek out traditional, more reverent forms, with the exception of charismatics and those who participate in some of the new ecclesial movements? But even those can be said to share with traditional forms a more demanding, robust Christianity, even if the theology of the latter groups may be suspect.
The claim that prayers and lyrics that are overly sentimental and do not strongly assert the truths of the Faith are repugnant to men is probably right. But one could probably find a trend of declining Mass attendance by men in the Roman rite churches after World War II; this is parallel to other churches (i.e. Byzantine) suffering from low attendance, both here in the US and in Europe, despite their maintaining traditional forms of worship. Why has there been a difficulty in retaining males? This is something those in authority need to address. Male converts are more likely to seek out traditional, more reverent forms, with the exception of charismatics and those who participate in some of the new ecclesial movements? But even those can be said to share with traditional forms a more demanding, robust Christianity, even if the theology of the latter groups may be suspect.
Two from TAC
News
Dr. John Goyette: Aquinas on Law, Happiness & the Political Common Good
Address at the Seventh Annual Conference on the Social Doctrine of the Church, June 20, 2015
Dr. Gregory L. Froelich: Self-Love and Friendship
Talk from the 2015 West Coast Meeting of the Society for Aristotelian-Thomistic Studies
A short profile on Michael Augros and an interview with him.
Dr. John Goyette: Aquinas on Law, Happiness & the Political Common Good
Address at the Seventh Annual Conference on the Social Doctrine of the Church, June 20, 2015
Dr. Gregory L. Froelich: Self-Love and Friendship
Talk from the 2015 West Coast Meeting of the Society for Aristotelian-Thomistic Studies
A short profile on Michael Augros and an interview with him.
Monday, July 27, 2015
An Effective Use of Social Media?
Have you liked the Jubilee of Mercy Facebook Page? Click on the attached link, and like it now! (remember, just liking this post does not make you like the Jubilee of Mercy Page)
Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Sunday, July 26, 2015
Could Something Similar Be Done Within a Gothic Temple?
I don't think so, but maybe someone can create a virtual design to show that it is possible.
Stunning photos from Svetitskhoveli Mtskheta!
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Monday, July 27, 2015
Bishop Nicholas Samra Visits St. Elias
The Visit of Bishop Nicholas Samra to St. Elias The Prophet Melkite Church in San Jose, July 26, 2015.Wonderful news...
Posted by Our Lady of Fatima Russian Byzantine Catholic Church on Monday, July 27, 2015
Is there anything more seductive to the ear than a sung Semitic language (e.g. Arabic) during Divine Liturgy? I'm not sure if Greek chant can compare, even though the music for Greek chant is Eastern as well.
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Heard Dr. Ray Guarendi tonight for TOT SV -- he did a typical Latin apologetic, "Why Be Catholic?" I think it might have been more beneficial if he had talked about the emotions and their relation to the spiritual life, especially since he mentioned in his talk that one of our current problems is that people think that emotions mean everything (my very poor paraphrase, as I don't remember his exact words at the moment). It would be good to explain how the emotions are good and how they need to be regulated.
The New Armenian Catholic Patriarch
Pope Francis has sent a message of congratulations to the new Armenian Catholic Paticarch of Cilicia, his Beatiude Grégoire Pierre XX Ghabroyan.
Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Saturday, July 25, 2015
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Preserving the Musical Patrimony of the East
A recent congress in Rome dedicated to “Safeguarding the Musical Traditions of Eastern Christianity” focused on ways to keep the Eastern lung strong and healthy in the years to come.
Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Friday, July 24, 2015
Friday, July 24, 2015
New Liturgical Music Book
Cool!
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Friday, July 24, 2015
Related:
"The solution for the “amateur’s pride”—and I worry that such a mindset has become endemic in American Orthodox church music—is to start striving upwards."
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Thursday, July 23, 2015
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Patriarch John X
Fr Chris interviews His Beatitude John X in October at the Antiochian Archdiocese. OCN listeners around the world wish...
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Thursday, July 23, 2015
Metropolitan Tikhon's Address
Read the address presented by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon at the 73rd Annual Commencement exercises at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary on May 23, 2015.
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Thursday, July 23, 2015
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Because the Western Patriarchate is Too Centralized
Headhunters for the Future Bishops by Sandro Magister
With twelve criteria for their selection. Proposed from Australia by Paul A. McGavin, theologian and economist
With twelve criteria for their selection. Proposed from Australia by Paul A. McGavin, theologian and economist
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
St. Elias Antiochian Cathedral
"This is St Elias Cathedral in Ottawa, Ontario in Canada"
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Monday, July 20, 2015
website
Turn the Rest of the Department Over to Orthodoxy
Fordham University has received a generous gift to establish the Father John Meyendorff & Patterson Family Chair of Orthodox Christian Studies!
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Monday, July 20, 2015
Especially when Fordham Theology has been in the news lately for very bad reasons... Theology Chairman’s Same-Sex Wedding Begins ‘Flood’ of Challenges to Catholic Identity
Is There an Icon That is Smaller?
What a small icon! Lord, have mercy on us!
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Monday, July 20, 2015
Saint Andrew Orthodox Church, Patras, Greece
Here are some beautiful photos of Saint Andrew Orthodox Church in Patras, Greece!
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Monday, July 20, 2015
Finding God in Prayer
How do you find God in prayer?
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Saturday, July 18, 2015
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Patriarch John X to Visit SVS
Patriarch John will deliver a presentation at St. Vladimir's Seminary on ragic displacement of Middle Eastern Christians and others from their ancient homelands due to civil strife and war.
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Sunday, July 19, 2015
Hellenic College/Holy Cross Presidential Letter
Check it out here!
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Sunday, July 19, 2015
An Interview with Metropolitan Kallistos
In which he talks about Metropolitan Anthony Bloom.
Pravmir: Metropolitan Kallistos: No other Orthodox Has Had That Extent of Influence on the Popular Level
So what interested him was not systems, but persons and their meeting. Not God as a philosophical idea, not God as somehow an explanation for the order that we find in the world round us. I don’t think he spoke much about that. But about the need to meet God personally in our own lives.
Xenia Luchenko, Michael Sarni
Source: http://www.pravmir.com/metropolitan-kallistos-no-other-orthodox-has-had-that-extent-of-influence-on-the-popular-level/#ixzz3gMAGahZZ
Pravmir: Metropolitan Kallistos: No other Orthodox Has Had That Extent of Influence on the Popular Level
So what interested him was not systems, but persons and their meeting. Not God as a philosophical idea, not God as somehow an explanation for the order that we find in the world round us. I don’t think he spoke much about that. But about the need to meet God personally in our own lives.
Xenia Luchenko, Michael Sarni
Source: http://www.pravmir.com/metropolitan-kallistos-no-other-orthodox-has-had-that-extent-of-influence-on-the-popular-level/#ixzz3gMAGahZZ
Radio Notre Dame: Ecclesia Magazine
July 8, 2015
podcast
Émission du Mercredi 08 juillet 2015
10 ans après la mort de Louis Bouyer, regard sur l'actualité et la fécondité du théologien, à l'occasion d'un colloque qui lui était consacré les 10 et 11 octobre à l'Institut Catholique de Paris et aux Bernardins
10 ans après la mort de Louis Bouyer, regard sur l'actualité et la fécondité du théologien, à l'occasion d'un colloque qui lui était consacré les 10 et 11 octobre à l'Institut Catholique de Paris et aux Bernardins. Avec :
Patrick PRETOT, bénédictin, enseignant au Théologicum à l'Institut catholique de Paris et directeur de la revue La Maison-Dieu et Jean DUCHESNE, directeur administratif de l'Académie Catholique de France et exécuteur littéraire du Père Louis Bouyer.
podcast
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Friday, July 17, 2015
Bicentenary of Don Bosco's Birth
To mark the bicentenary of the birth of St John Bosco, founder of the Salesian family, Pope Francis has sent a letter to...
Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Thursday, July 16, 2015
What Would Byzantine Christians Have Added?
Vatican Radio spoke to representatives of the Catholic-Pentecostal dialogue here at the Vatican.
Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Friday, July 17, 2015
Beatification Next?
More on the Heroic Virtue of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptysky.
Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Friday, July 17, 2015
Pope Francis received approved the decrees recognizing the heroic virtue the Servants of God, including Andrey Roman...
Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Friday, July 17, 2015
Vatican publishes decrees of heroic virtues of several Servants of God.
Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Friday, July 17, 2015
Thursday, July 16, 2015
A Rather Modern Icon?
"I got the most I ever have out of studying this Orthodox Study Bible in front of this icon. I heard that this icon is...
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Thursday, July 16, 2015
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
St. Volodomyr
NLM: St Vladimir the Great by Gregory DiPippo
In which he recounts:
Attention, Latin traditionalists: the Byzantine rite, not the Roman.
In which he recounts:
The ancient Slavic chronicles record a famous episode that, when investigating which religion he and his people ought to embrace, Vladimir judged Islam altogether undesirable because of the prohibition on drinking alcohol, saying “Drinking is the joy of all Rus’. We cannot exist without that pleasure.” The envoys sent by him to visit the temples of various neighboring peoples reported that the Bulgar Muslim “bows, sits down, looks hither and thither like one possessed, and there is no happiness among them, but instead only sorrow and a dreadful stench. Their religion is not good.” Their report of the Latin Rite among the Germans was that “we beheld no glory there.” But they described the Divine Liturgy celebrated on a great feast in Constantinople in these terms: “(T)he Greeks led us to the edifices where they worship their God, and we knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth. For on earth there is no such splendor or such beauty, and we are at a loss how to describe it. We know only that God dwells there among men, and their service is fairer than the ceremonies of other nations. For we cannot forget that beauty… If the Greek faith were evil, it would not have been adopted by your grandmother Olga, who was wiser than all other men.”
Attention, Latin traditionalists: the Byzantine rite, not the Roman.
Eastern Christian Books: The Greek New Testament
Eastern Christian Books: The Greek New Testament
Fr. Gignac's book (no CUA Press page yet) should be a good resource for those wishing to learn koine Greek.
Meanwhile, at CUA...
Fr. Gignac's book (no CUA Press page yet) should be a good resource for those wishing to learn koine Greek.
Meanwhile, at CUA...
Another Attempt to Reconcile DH
Vatican II Followed Ottaviani on Church and State by Joseph G. Trabbic
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
What is the "Penitential Way"?
Chiesa: Synod. The Preparatory Document’s Arabian Phoenix
by by Sandro Magister
Everybody says there is one, what it is nobody knows. It is the “penitential way” to communion for the divorced and remarried. The Dominican theologian Thomas Michelet lays bare the contradictions
And how is the notion of "penance" here related to metanoia?
by by Sandro Magister
Everybody says there is one, what it is nobody knows. It is the “penitential way” to communion for the divorced and remarried. The Dominican theologian Thomas Michelet lays bare the contradictions
And how is the notion of "penance" here related to metanoia?
Ninth Annual Summer Patristic Studies
Check this out!
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Friday, July 10, 2015
"The Chapel at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology"
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Friday, July 10, 2015
As It Should Be
Beautiful photo sent to us with this caption: "From Romania with love!"
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Tuesday, July 14, 2015
George writes: Hello! This is the Altar of my church, in Milcoveni, Caras-Severin, Romania. God bless all of us!
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Monday, July 13, 2015
St. Nicholas of Japan on Buddhism
St. Nicholas of Japan on Buddhism by Deacon Giorgi Maximov (print)
Monday, July 13, 2015
A New Understanding of Anselm
Silverio Rebelo, Le Sacrifice du Christ chez Saint Anselm de Cantorbery, Le noveau visage du Cur Deus Homo, Irenikon, LXXXVII, 2014, 5-46
Summary of Silverio Rebelo:
"The Sacrifice of Christ according to Saint Anselm of Canterbury - A New Look at the Cur Deus Homo." According to the current interpretation of the Cur Deus Homo, Anselm explained the redemptive function of the sacrifice of the Cross in accordance with the basic perspective of the theory of vicarious satisfaction, the classic design of a legal-term replacement of the work of Christ. However, a closer examination reveals a theology of redemption of a very different type, deeply rooted in the patristic tradition, whose basic idea is that the sacrifice of Christ is a life-giving event. According to this interpretation of the mediation of Christ, faith allows believers to share in the perfection of his obedience unto death, which becomes the basis of their life of obedience to God. This leads to a veritable revolution in the understanding of the relationship between God and humanity: the sacrifice of Christ is not a condition of the grace of God for humankind, but a work that renews their way of living, and is an expression [of] God's unconditional will to save."
The article contains a discussion of merit in CDH 2.19 - is this the source of Aquinas's teaching on merit re: Christ's redemptive work in ST III? Or is it mediated by other sources? From a completely unrelated work? Wholly "original"?
The dominant understanding of Anselm's teaching among Latins, transmitted in academic settings, is probably familiar to those who have studied Latin theories of atonement. It is a representation put forth even by Joseph Ratzinger and Louis Bouyer. I assume that both read Anselm's CDH, either in Latin or in translation, so that their representation is confirmed by their reading of the primary source and not based solely on secondary sources. So why did the theological giants of yesteryear fail to get Anselm right (assuming this revised understanding of Cur Deus Homo is the correct one)? Did they lack access to the requisite scholarship for properly understanding how the terms satisfaction and honor were being used by Anselm, definitions that could not be uncovered until they were situated within the historical and theological culture in which they were used? Was it a problem of translation (and the interpretation that precedes translation)?
Summary of Silverio Rebelo:
"The Sacrifice of Christ according to Saint Anselm of Canterbury - A New Look at the Cur Deus Homo." According to the current interpretation of the Cur Deus Homo, Anselm explained the redemptive function of the sacrifice of the Cross in accordance with the basic perspective of the theory of vicarious satisfaction, the classic design of a legal-term replacement of the work of Christ. However, a closer examination reveals a theology of redemption of a very different type, deeply rooted in the patristic tradition, whose basic idea is that the sacrifice of Christ is a life-giving event. According to this interpretation of the mediation of Christ, faith allows believers to share in the perfection of his obedience unto death, which becomes the basis of their life of obedience to God. This leads to a veritable revolution in the understanding of the relationship between God and humanity: the sacrifice of Christ is not a condition of the grace of God for humankind, but a work that renews their way of living, and is an expression [of] God's unconditional will to save."
The article contains a discussion of merit in CDH 2.19 - is this the source of Aquinas's teaching on merit re: Christ's redemptive work in ST III? Or is it mediated by other sources? From a completely unrelated work? Wholly "original"?
The dominant understanding of Anselm's teaching among Latins, transmitted in academic settings, is probably familiar to those who have studied Latin theories of atonement. It is a representation put forth even by Joseph Ratzinger and Louis Bouyer. I assume that both read Anselm's CDH, either in Latin or in translation, so that their representation is confirmed by their reading of the primary source and not based solely on secondary sources. So why did the theological giants of yesteryear fail to get Anselm right (assuming this revised understanding of Cur Deus Homo is the correct one)? Did they lack access to the requisite scholarship for properly understanding how the terms satisfaction and honor were being used by Anselm, definitions that could not be uncovered until they were situated within the historical and theological culture in which they were used? Was it a problem of translation (and the interpretation that precedes translation)?
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Carl Olson on Deification
His response to a perhaps well-meaning but rather ignorant Latin (or a troll):
Edit> The corrected paragraph:
Not only is it not new, divinization is a key concept in the New Testament, in both implicit and more obvious forms. In addition, it is a huge, huge theme in the entirety of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The most obvious example is par. 460:
The Word became flesh to make us “partakers of the divine nature”: “For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God.” “For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.” “The only–begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods.”
Another great example is in the section on "grace":
Grace is a participation in the life of God. It introduces us into the intimacy of Trinitarian life: by Baptism the Christian participates in the grace of Christ, the Head of his Body. As an “adopted son” he can henceforth call God “Father,” in union with the only Son. He receives the life of the Spirit who breathes charity into him and who forms the Church.
Taking cues from the CCC, I think it is usually best to describe divinization as partaking in the divine nature (cf. 2 Pet. 1:4), or being made children of God, drawing on the teaching of the Apostle John: "See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are..." (1 Jn. 3:1).
But this isn't simply a matter of "mystical theology"; it is Catholicism 101. Which is probably why it is mentioned explicitly in the very first line of the CCC: "God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. ..." Which continues by stating: "To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life."
In the Eastern Churches (both Catholic and Orthodox) the theme of divinization is very clear and upfront, especially in the Divine Liturgy. And yet Eastern Christians, in my experience, don't fall into pantheism or monism or polytheism, in large part because the reality of divinization is clearly articulated within an Incarnational and Trinitarian framework, in which the distinction between God and man is very confused [sic -- I suspect this is a typo], even while the union of God and man in the Person of Jesus Christ is continually proclaimed and articulated. One problem, it seems to me, is that far too many Catholics view Catholicism as a religion of morality and works rather than appreciating that those things flow first from the reality of Who God is and what he calls us to be.
I say it is a theme that needs to be emphasized far, far more often, which is why I am the co-editor, with Fr. David V. Meconi, SJ (editor of HPR), of a detailed study of divinization that will be published by Ignatius Press early next year, and will include chapters by Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Fagerberg, Fr. Hofer, and several others, with a Foreword by Dr. Scott Hahn.
Edit> The corrected paragraph:
In the Eastern Churches (both Catholic and Orthodox) the theme of divinization is very clear and upfront, especially in the Divine Liturgy. And yet Eastern Christians, in my experience, don't fall into pantheism or monism or polytheism, in large part because the reality of divinization is clearly articulated within an Incarnational and Trinitarian framework, in which the distinction between God and man is not confused, even while the union of God and man in the Person of Jesus Christ is continually proclaimed and articulated. One problem, it seems to me, is that far too many Catholics view Catholicism as a religion of morality and works rather than appreciating that those things flow first from the reality of Who God is and what he calls us to be.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Catholic Academia Run Amok
In more sane times, would we give much attention to those who had just left their apprenticeship? One person's networking is another person's conspiracy. Given the age limits, it could never be a professional guild, but should there be one for academic theologians?
New Wine, New Wineskins
Young Catholic Moral Theologians
2015 Symposium
The blog to which members of the above organization contribute, along with others, still publishes heterodox pieces like this: On Naming God: Gendered God-Talk in Laudato Si’ by Emily Reimer-Barry, who is apparently a member of good standing in Catholic Theological Society of America and the Society of Christian Ethics.
If you don't police your own, don't complain if your own orthodoxy is called into question (or more importantly, your ability to stand up for it -- that is to say, your credibility and character). Guilt by association? "We're just trying to make a living." Or, "We don't have tenure yet, so we can't doing anything about it?" Rationalizations for cowardice?
If the extremists at Mount Athos saw this article, it would be more evidence why pan-ecumenism is a heresy, since the Latins have fallen into heresy and their bishops do nothing about it or support it. If they do nothing, they show themselves to be emasculated academics hiding behind academic freedom and false charity (aka niceness) who have no moral standing to lecture on moral theology. Return the teaching of theology to saints.
New Wine, New Wineskins
Young Catholic Moral Theologians
2015 Symposium
The blog to which members of the above organization contribute, along with others, still publishes heterodox pieces like this: On Naming God: Gendered God-Talk in Laudato Si’ by Emily Reimer-Barry, who is apparently a member of good standing in Catholic Theological Society of America and the Society of Christian Ethics.
If you don't police your own, don't complain if your own orthodoxy is called into question (or more importantly, your ability to stand up for it -- that is to say, your credibility and character). Guilt by association? "We're just trying to make a living." Or, "We don't have tenure yet, so we can't doing anything about it?" Rationalizations for cowardice?
If the extremists at Mount Athos saw this article, it would be more evidence why pan-ecumenism is a heresy, since the Latins have fallen into heresy and their bishops do nothing about it or support it. If they do nothing, they show themselves to be emasculated academics hiding behind academic freedom and false charity (aka niceness) who have no moral standing to lecture on moral theology. Return the teaching of theology to saints.
The Lake Garda Statement
Rorate Caeli
What version of the Catholic Third Way do they posit between liberalism/capitalism and socialism/collectivism? Hard to say, since they don't say much about it, or the errors to which they are opposed (though some of the signatories have done so in their books). How many of them have tried to run a farm that is as closed an ecological system as possible? Or have examined the foundation of Western economies, cheap energy? Maybe if they had a sufficient knowledge of economics and politics they would not be inveighing against "sustainable development" as if the only understanding of sustainable development was being given by secular humanists who seek population control.
What version of the Catholic Third Way do they posit between liberalism/capitalism and socialism/collectivism? Hard to say, since they don't say much about it, or the errors to which they are opposed (though some of the signatories have done so in their books). How many of them have tried to run a farm that is as closed an ecological system as possible? Or have examined the foundation of Western economies, cheap energy? Maybe if they had a sufficient knowledge of economics and politics they would not be inveighing against "sustainable development" as if the only understanding of sustainable development was being given by secular humanists who seek population control.
Friday, July 10, 2015
Let Us Not Confuse the Goal of the Modern Nation-State with the Common Good, Either
A problem that has yet to be addressed by the bishop of Rome, who remains unaware of it. To make the goal of the modern nation-state the common good, as it is understood in the best of classical and medieval thought, is to justify statism and trespass the limits of political authority. (Because the limits of scale are thereby ignored and justice, which depends upon scale, violated.)
Pope: Let us not “confuse the ‘common good’ with ‘prosperity’”
Pope: Let us not “confuse the ‘common good’ with ‘prosperity’”
And the Assyrian Church?
Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako: The unity of the Church of the East
The Church of the East: There can be only one (Pro Unione)
Chaldean Patriarch gambles on re-establishing “Church of the East”
And a response by Bishop Mar Awa Royel of the Assyrian Church of California: Authenticity in Unity: A Personal Reflection on Present-Day Questions Concerning the Unity of the Church of the East
The Church of the East: There can be only one (Pro Unione)
Chaldean Patriarch gambles on re-establishing “Church of the East”
And a response by Bishop Mar Awa Royel of the Assyrian Church of California: Authenticity in Unity: A Personal Reflection on Present-Day Questions Concerning the Unity of the Church of the East
Cardinal Herranz on Bishop Alvaro del Portillo
Bishop Alvaro del Portillo and the Second Vatican Council by His Eminence Cardinal Julián Herranz
John Senior on the Thomistic Revival
A good counterpoint to Dr. Dennis McInerny's essay. From The Restoration of Christian Culture:
John Senior, The Restoration of Christian Culture (Norfolk, VA: IHS Press, 2008) 73-5.
I think Dr. Senior is probably correct in his presentation of the historical and cultural factors that made Leo XIII's project mostly a non-starter. That period of the the history of the Latin churches deserves a more extensive, scholarly treatment.
A few uncommon and relatively unknown, and old, theologians still study and teach St. Thomas, but he is no longer received as the Common Doctor of the Church. The Summa Theologiae, St. Thomas himself says in the Prologue, is a book "for beginners"; but we have few real beginners anymore. Our schools and colleges turn out advanced technicians in what are called the arts and sciences, but none has the ordinary prerequisites to traditional philosophical and theological study, none with the famous mens sana in corpore sano of the ancients, that is, disciplined in the perception, memory and imagination of reality. To compensate for our failures, seminaries in the decades preceding Vatican II tabulated maxims based upon the Summa as texts for easily testable courses run on principles remotely traceable to Descartes, full of method, and having little to do with reality, less of memory and nothing of imagination or the spirit of St. Thomas. In the great Catholic universities at Rome and elsewhere, the grand old Dominican and Jesuit masters went on lecturing in Latin to students, many from America, who had to get laugh-signals from the graduate assistants when the master cracked a joke because none knew Latin well enough to tell a joke from a scholastic formula. It is hardly surprising that in such universities scholastic formulas became jokes. The only unusual skill you had to master at the Roman colleges, they say, was to read the easy Latin upside down because on oral examinations the professor would read aloud a question from the manual--holding it right there in front of him. If you had the trick of reading upside down you could give the answer word for word to pass with high distinction. Through a gross misunderstanding of docility, students sat on their disengaged intelligences through hours of what to them was gibberish, at the end of which they received gilded Italianate certificates in Canon Law and Theology certifying in reality an education in outlines, "ponies," and tests whose questions had been leaked in advance with answers right in front of them. And with these doctorates, as professors, rectors, and bishops, their graduates occupied positions of authority in Catholic universities and seminaries. Of course there were exceptions, but I think, brutal as it seems, this is a fair description of the general situation.
The results are still visible among the thinning ranks of priests formed before the Council. How else could the postconciliar failure have occurred? I heard a beloved example some weeks ago, whom I shouldn't disparage in any other way -- a good man of the type of whom in terms of piety it is said in the Common for Confessors, Euge serve bone, in modico fidelis! But, explaining the Eucharist to a parishioner who had been scandalized by uninstructed children secreting instead of consuming consecrated Hosts, he said, "Oh, St. Thomas teaches that only the accidents can be touched anyway, not the Body of Christ, which is the substance."
It is better, as Socrates repeatedly said, not to know and know you don't than not to know and think you do.... Theology and philosophy are difficult, exacting sciences; there are few vocations to such studies in any given generation; and even for those with special gifts of intelligence and will, there are still twelve years of prerequisites in elementary and high school.
John Senior, The Restoration of Christian Culture (Norfolk, VA: IHS Press, 2008) 73-5.
I think Dr. Senior is probably correct in his presentation of the historical and cultural factors that made Leo XIII's project mostly a non-starter. That period of the the history of the Latin churches deserves a more extensive, scholarly treatment.
Thursday, July 09, 2015
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Stamford, CT
Just lovely! These photos are from Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church during easter services in Stamford, Connecticut.
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Wednesday, July 8, 2015
website
Benedict XVI on Sacred Music and the Liturgy
Benedict and Francis, a Choir of Two Voices by Sandro Magister
In Paraguay, great music for Pope Francis: that of the Jesuits of the “Reducciones.” And from Castel Gandolfo, Benedict XVI gives an exceptional listener’s guide
In Paraguay, great music for Pope Francis: that of the Jesuits of the “Reducciones.” And from Castel Gandolfo, Benedict XVI gives an exceptional listener’s guide
A Charitable Reading
An Extraordinary turn of events by Joseph Shaw
Francis is confounding those who presented him as an enemy of traditionalism. The movement is actually flourishing thanks to his ‘live and let live’ attitude
Francis is confounding those who presented him as an enemy of traditionalism. The movement is actually flourishing thanks to his ‘live and let live’ attitude
Liturgy and Theosis
Divinization, Liturgy, and Evangelization
July 08, 2015
A new volume of essays shows how the proper context for thinking about divinization is the liturgy, for God has chosen the liturgy as the primary locus for communicating his divine life
Dr. Jared Ortiz
(via Insight Scoop)
July 08, 2015
A new volume of essays shows how the proper context for thinking about divinization is the liturgy, for God has chosen the liturgy as the primary locus for communicating his divine life
Dr. Jared Ortiz
(via Insight Scoop)
Wednesday, July 08, 2015
Dennis McInerny on the Thomistic Renewal
THE RISE & FALL OF THE THOMISTIC RENEWAL — PART I: "The Revivification of Sound Christian Philosophy" (July 7, 2015)
THE RISE & FALL OF THE THOMISTIC RENEWAL — PART II: "A Revival Cut Short" (July 7, 2015)
(via Pertinacious Papist)
THE RISE & FALL OF THE THOMISTIC RENEWAL — PART II: "A Revival Cut Short" (July 7, 2015)
(via Pertinacious Papist)
Tuesday, July 07, 2015
St. John the Forerunner
The Life of St. John the Baptist
From "The Lives of the Saints and Several Lectures and Sermons" compiled and translated by St. Sebastian Dabovich
The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist by St. John Maximovitch
From "The Lives of the Saints and Several Lectures and Sermons" compiled and translated by St. Sebastian Dabovich
The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist by St. John Maximovitch
Two Indispensable Channels
Part of our communion with God is our connection to the saints; chief among them after the Theotokos are Peter and Paul.Listen here: http://bit.ly/1LFsQOt
Posted by Ancient Faith Radio on Thursday, July 2, 2015
Psalm 67
Paschal images abound in this well loved Psalm prophesying the resurrection and ascension of our Lord.Listen here: http://bit.ly/1KzBTjl
Posted by Ancient Faith Radio on Friday, July 3, 2015
Metropolitan Hilarion Meets with Patriarch Bartholomew
METROPOLITAN HILARION MEETS WITH PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW OF CONSTANTINOPLEOn July 5-6, 2015, Metropolitan Hilarion of...
Posted by Митрополит Иларион Алфеев (Metropolitan Hilarion) on Tuesday, July 7, 2015
John Chryssavgis on Laudato Si'
An Eastern Orthodox Perspective on Laudato Si
A Personal Response, An Ecumenical Reflection by John Chryssavgis
A Personal Response, An Ecumenical Reflection by John Chryssavgis
The 17th Century Chinese “Biretta”
What could have been, the continued development of a Chinese variant of the Roman rite. What would we make of a woman wearing a biretta? (Though there are some who do wear the doctoral version with four peaks, as opposed to the priestly one with three.) Inappropriate? Presumptuous? Even if it is in accord with their rank, but that is the question - should they have been elevated to it in the first place?
The egalitarians will say yes, but they ignore the place of the school in broader political community; and many of these universities do not exist as a part of a political community, as those population centers are no longer political communities. When the industrial age ends, so will the misallocation of resources in academia.
"That said, rumor has it that the Hong Kong Archdiocese is considering reviving the tradition. Wouldn’t that be wonderful!"
Given the loss of the cultural significance of (traditional) hats to Chinese people, why bother? If there were a group of Christian monks who adapted such hats for monastic life, that would be one thing, since a monastery could be a place for the development of a Chinese form of Christianity, but in a fairly Westernized and 'modernized' city like Hong Kong? The Latin diocese of Hong Kong should focus more attention on catechesis.
What could have been, the continued development of a Chinese variant of the Roman rite. What would we make of a woman wearing a biretta? (Though there are some who do wear the doctoral version with four peaks, as opposed to the priestly one with three.) Inappropriate? Presumptuous? Even if it is in accord with their rank, but that is the question - should they have been elevated to it in the first place?
Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Saturday, July 4, 2015
The egalitarians will say yes, but they ignore the place of the school in broader political community; and many of these universities do not exist as a part of a political community, as those population centers are no longer political communities. When the industrial age ends, so will the misallocation of resources in academia.
"That said, rumor has it that the Hong Kong Archdiocese is considering reviving the tradition. Wouldn’t that be wonderful!"
Given the loss of the cultural significance of (traditional) hats to Chinese people, why bother? If there were a group of Christian monks who adapted such hats for monastic life, that would be one thing, since a monastery could be a place for the development of a Chinese form of Christianity, but in a fairly Westernized and 'modernized' city like Hong Kong? The Latin diocese of Hong Kong should focus more attention on catechesis.
Honorary Doctorate for Benedict XVI
Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI received Doctorates honoris causa on Saturday from the Pontifical John Paul II University of Krakow and the Krakow Academy of Music.
Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Saturday, July 4, 2015
Photos
Album 1, 2, 3
Benedict XVI: Without Pope John Paul II, My Theological Journey Would Not Have Been ImaginablePope Emeritus Conferred Honorary Doctorate From John Paul II Pontifical University, Academy of Music of Krakow
Posted by Zenit News Agency on Monday, July 6, 2015
Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI receives honorary doctorates - (Vatican Radio) Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI received Doctorates...
Posted by News.va English on Saturday, July 4, 2015
Monday, July 06, 2015
Cardinal Kasper Still At It
What Jesus Would Say If He Were a Synod Father by Sandro Magister
He too would grant divorce “for hardness of heart.” As in the time of Moses. This is how the monk Innocenzo Gargano reinterprets the words of Jesus on marriage. New developments in the discussion
He too would grant divorce “for hardness of heart.” As in the time of Moses. This is how the monk Innocenzo Gargano reinterprets the words of Jesus on marriage. New developments in the discussion
St. Silouan the Athonite on Love of Neighbor
Even enemies . . .
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Monday, July 6, 2015
A Controversial Canonization for Catholics
Not just Latins, but Byzantine Catholics as well.
St. Alexis Toth was a true beacon of light by his holy example of humility, charity, obedience, and steadfast faith in the face of sustained and vicious opposition.
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Monday, July 6, 2015
Axion Estin
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Virgin Theotokos!
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Monday, July 6, 2015
Fr. Bouyer on Archbishop Lefebvre
The original was written in 1978, the translation is by John Pepino: "The Catholic Church in Crisis"
Sunday, July 05, 2015
The Orthodox Response to Obergefell v Hodges
Same-sex marriage? This is what the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops had to say.
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Thursday, July 2, 2015
A Reminder to Myself
Yes. Lord have mercy!
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Friday, July 3, 2015
Keynote Address of Metropolitan Kallistos at HCHC
His Eminence elaborated on how this “image” is in the image of Christ, the Logos of God, and simultaneously in the image of the Holy Trinity.
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Saturday, July 4, 2015
Perhaps video will become available later.
Something else with Metropolitan Kallistos:
Does God suffer when we suffer? This is a must listen!
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Friday, July 3, 2015
Pre-Communion Prayer
I've never come across it before, not in any of the Slavic churches I've visited. The prayer was composed by St. John Chrysostom.
Prayers in Preparation for Holy Communion
Lord have mercy!
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Sunday, July 5, 2015
Prayers in Preparation for Holy Communion
St. Ignatius Brianchaninov on Taking up the Cross
What does it mean? Read this.
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Sunday, July 5, 2015
Saturday, July 04, 2015
CWR Blog: Lessons From the Christian East
The twentieth anniversary of St. Pope John Paul II apostolic letter "Orientale Lumen" is an occasion to reflect on what can be learned from Eastern Catholics
Dr. Adam A. J. DeVille
The twentieth anniversary of St. Pope John Paul II apostolic letter "Orientale Lumen" is an occasion to reflect on what can be learned from Eastern Catholics
Dr. Adam A. J. DeVille
Friday, July 03, 2015
Fr. Timothy Gallagher to Give Two-Day Mission in Santa Cruz
(event)
So Fr. Gallagher has a FB page as well.
Posted by Our Lady of Peace Gift Shop on Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Posted by Our Lady of Peace Gift Shop on Tuesday, June 16, 2015
A Crisis of Saints
"So let us seek the intercession of those who have gone before us, especially the holy spouses Louis and Zelie Martin,...
Posted by Our Lady of Peace Gift Shop on Friday, July 3, 2015
Fr. Nicholas Asks a Question
Nicholas Denysenko: Mary as the Healer of Schism
His talents could be put to better use at a blog other than Pray Tell, but what other blogs about liturgy are there, other than Latin traditionalists ones? There is nothing in the middle, something in the middle that can acknowledge the Latin traditionalists and yet uphold the vision of the best of the 20th century Roman-rite liturgical movement. (Pray Tell is not "centrist.")
His talents could be put to better use at a blog other than Pray Tell, but what other blogs about liturgy are there, other than Latin traditionalists ones? There is nothing in the middle, something in the middle that can acknowledge the Latin traditionalists and yet uphold the vision of the best of the 20th century Roman-rite liturgical movement. (Pray Tell is not "centrist.")
Never Thought I'd Post Something from Commonweal
With approval... there may be something worthy from time to time but it's just not worth the effort to scout it out. Slap Them Sooner: Confirmation & First Communion, Together by Rita Ferrone (via Pray Tell)
Because of two recent posts, both by Thomas Berg, I've removed Mirror of Justice from my blog list that is to the side. I may check on it from time to time for legal commentary and announcements and such, but because of the heterodoxy and liberalism of at least one contributor, and the tacit approval of the others, it no longer deserves an endorsement here. It warrants no more attention or consideration based on authority than any popular heterodox or poorly-reasoned Roman Catholic blogs and websites. The sooner the internet goes away, the better.
Video: Francis Visits Benedict
A video of yesterday's meeting between Pope Francis and Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI.
Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Cardinal Parolin on Laudato Si'
Speaking at a conference organized by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal...
Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Thursday, July 2, 2015
Related:
Comments, reaction and appreciation for Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si. On the Care of Our Common Home’” have been...
Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Thursday, July 2, 2015
The Martins: Saints of the Synod
From the Pontifical Council for the Family: Pope Francis caused great joy to all the faithful with the recent...
Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Friday, July 3, 2015
Would There Be
a Catholic Charismatic movement if the Roman-rite churches had a better teaching of the role of the Holy Spirit in divine adoption and theosis?
Edit.
Pope Francis has arrived!
Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Friday, July 3, 2015
Edit.
Pope greets members of the Renewal of the Holy Spirit - (Vatican Radio) On Friday afternoon in St Peter’s Square, Pope...
Posted by News.va English on Friday, July 3, 2015
Pope Francis: Persecuted Christians Are Our Brothers, Our MartyrsMeets with 30,000 Members of the Charismatic Renewal Movement in St. Peter’s Square
Posted by Zenit News Agency on Friday, July 3, 2015
K. V. Turley Reviews The Smile of a Ragpicker
The Surprising Riches of the Ragpicker
Fr. Paul Glynn's "The Smile of a Ragpicker: The Life of Satoko Kitahara" is an excellent biography of a figure deserving to be better known in the West
Fr. Paul Glynn's "The Smile of a Ragpicker: The Life of Satoko Kitahara" is an excellent biography of a figure deserving to be better known in the West
Thursday, July 02, 2015
More Photos of St. Sava Cathedral
Here are some great photos of St. Sava Orthodox Church in Belgrade, Serbia.
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Thursday, July 2, 2015
Lovely photo from Belgrade, Serbia!
Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Alhambra, Labor Day Weekend
An Announcement about the Canonization by the Serbian Orthodox Church of two missionary Saints of North America scheduled for September 5th, 2015:http://westsrbdio.org/en/events/canonization
Posted by Western American Diocese, Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia on Friday, June 12, 2015
St. Steven's Serbian Orthodox Cathedral
Amin.
St. John is the only known saint who spent a significant portion of his life present here with us on the West Coast. He...
Posted by Orthodoxy and the World on Thursday, July 2, 2015
The sight was unforgettable. St. John stood there with lifted hands, holding a huge golden Cross high above his mitered...
Posted by Orthodoxy and the World on Thursday, July 2, 2015
Расписание всенародного празднования памяти святителя Иоанна, Шанхайского и Сан-Францисского чудотворца 2015С благосло...
Posted by Holy Virgin Cathedral of SF on Monday, June 8, 2015
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