with the Trinity Dome of the previous post
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
The Proposed Trinity Dome Mosaic
for "America's Catholic Church," the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Apparently, there was a special collection held on Mother's Day 2017 in Roman Catholic dioceses in the United States to help fund the dome.
It is a product of its time but it does represent an attempt by the Latin churches in the United States to re-write American history and re-define American [Catholic] identity.
Is there a single political entity that is the United States? That is the nationalist myth that arose 1865. Then again, only a basilica built in the seat of the Federal Government would pretend to be a national Catholic symbol. And then there is the inclusion of two modern popes...
As for the quality of the mosaic itself -- I don't think it looks very good, but it goes well with what else has been installed in the upper basilica. The depiction of the Most Holy Trinity is uncanonical; did the artist not consult anyone traditional authority on this question? The figures themselves look like the "naturalistic" representations of saints that are done in modern stained glass windows -- they don't look like mosaics at all. Maybe it's because of the distance and the resulting resolution, but I think the mosaic loses something as a result. As for the representation of the "Immaculate Conception," I find that I cannot relate to Western depictions of the Theotokos these days.
Then again, that sort of ambition and desire to create such a large mosaic for a very large temple reflects the triumphalistic hubris of the American [Latin] Catholic Church, which didn't go away with Vatican II. "This was the best they could do, and they thought it was great?"
Perhaps it is a good thing that the Greeks didn't attempt to recreate a version of Hagia Sophia on American soil.
It is a product of its time but it does represent an attempt by the Latin churches in the United States to re-write American history and re-define American [Catholic] identity.
The procession of saints includes, among others, St. Juan Diego (the first canonized male Native American), St. Kateri Tekakwitha (the first canonized female Native American), St. Teresa of Calcutta (an honorary American citizen), St. Francis Cabrini, M.S.C. (the first U.S. citizen to be canonized), St. John Paul II (the first pope to visit the National Shrine), and St. Junípero Serra (declared a saint by Pope Francis at the National Shrine in 2015 for the first canonization ever to take place on American soil).
Is there a single political entity that is the United States? That is the nationalist myth that arose 1865. Then again, only a basilica built in the seat of the Federal Government would pretend to be a national Catholic symbol. And then there is the inclusion of two modern popes...
As for the quality of the mosaic itself -- I don't think it looks very good, but it goes well with what else has been installed in the upper basilica. The depiction of the Most Holy Trinity is uncanonical; did the artist not consult anyone traditional authority on this question? The figures themselves look like the "naturalistic" representations of saints that are done in modern stained glass windows -- they don't look like mosaics at all. Maybe it's because of the distance and the resulting resolution, but I think the mosaic loses something as a result. As for the representation of the "Immaculate Conception," I find that I cannot relate to Western depictions of the Theotokos these days.
Then again, that sort of ambition and desire to create such a large mosaic for a very large temple reflects the triumphalistic hubris of the American [Latin] Catholic Church, which didn't go away with Vatican II. "This was the best they could do, and they thought it was great?"
Perhaps it is a good thing that the Greeks didn't attempt to recreate a version of Hagia Sophia on American soil.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Christopher West
will be in the area in August; time to finally do some extended reading of his work and the original catechetical series by John Paul II? His workshop will be based on his 2013 book Fill These Hearts. (I have probably forgotten he was here back in 2014.)
part 2
part 2
Monday, June 12, 2017
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Saturday, June 10, 2017
What Future for Russian Catholics?
RISU: Feeling Abandoned, Russian Catholics Appeal to the Pope
How much new Russian blood are the Russian Catholic parishes receiving? What is the alternative to "uniatism" for the Russian Catholics?
Then there is the Latin trad perspective on Russia...
De Mattei's double article: "Russia will be Catholic"
How much new Russian blood are the Russian Catholic parishes receiving? What is the alternative to "uniatism" for the Russian Catholics?
Then there is the Latin trad perspective on Russia...
De Mattei's double article: "Russia will be Catholic"
Friday, June 09, 2017
Thursday, June 08, 2017
Wednesday, June 07, 2017
Tuesday, June 06, 2017
Monday, June 05, 2017
Sunday, June 04, 2017
Saturday, June 03, 2017
"Let the Latin churches get their affairs in order first"
NCR: Orthodox not interested in reunion with Rome
Is what Fr. Reese saying really this:Just ignore those backward fuddy-dudies and continue with the revolution!
Meanwhile: Joint Committee Of Orthodox And Catholic Bishops Convenes, Talks About Unity and Pastoral Issues (via Byz, TX)
Is what Fr. Reese saying really this:Just ignore those backward fuddy-dudies and continue with the revolution!
Meanwhile: Joint Committee Of Orthodox And Catholic Bishops Convenes, Talks About Unity and Pastoral Issues (via Byz, TX)
Friday, June 02, 2017
Thursday, June 01, 2017
Has it made a difference in Denver?
Changing the order of Sacraments in 2015...
NCReg: Making Benedict XVI’s Dream Come True in Denver by Peter Jesserer Smith
NCReg: Making Benedict XVI’s Dream Come True in Denver by Peter Jesserer Smith
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
50 Years of Catholic Charismatics
NCReg: Catholic Charismatic Renewal Marks 50 Years With Rome Celebration
The May 31-June 4 jubilee focuses on Holy Spirit.
The May 31-June 4 jubilee focuses on Holy Spirit.
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Monday, May 29, 2017
How Useful for Prayer?
Even if one can make use of statues in prayer and liturgy*, could one pray with a statue depicting Christ or His saint smiling? (As opposed to making a pious gesture or a quick devotional prayer?) I don't think so.
"Does the Latin tradition have a problem with the use of images in prayer?"
*Can one use statues for the same amount of time as one can use two-dimensional images? I think because of their depth, the matter of the statues would eventually become distracting.
"Does the Latin tradition have a problem with the use of images in prayer?"
*Can one use statues for the same amount of time as one can use two-dimensional images? I think because of their depth, the matter of the statues would eventually become distracting.
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Accurate?
Orthodox Christianity: Christ is Risen! Part 7a. Subtle Differences Between East and West
Dr. Jeannie Constantinou
Before continuing with her discussion of 1 Corinthians in her seventh and last podcast on Christ’s Resurrection, Dr. Jeannie Constantinou discusses some of the subtle differences between the Eastern and Western understandings of doctrine.
Dr. Jeannie Constantinou
Before continuing with her discussion of 1 Corinthians in her seventh and last podcast on Christ’s Resurrection, Dr. Jeannie Constantinou discusses some of the subtle differences between the Eastern and Western understandings of doctrine.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
St. Gennadios Scholarios
I was wondering if there was a local cult to this patriarch of Constantinople, but then was reminded that some regard him as having been canonized, so I had to double-check.
Perhaps it is time to promote his cult and have more icons of him painted.
Perhaps it is time to promote his cult and have more icons of him painted.
Friday, May 26, 2017
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Orthodox Choir of Monastery Kovilj
"Orthodox Latin-Greek Western Rite Chant" - I don't think the Latin comes in until after a minute or so...
Dale Ahlquist on the Chesterton Option
The Dispatch
Plenty of economic localism -- but is it enough? Even Catholics are clueless with respect to community-formation.
Plenty of economic localism -- but is it enough? Even Catholics are clueless with respect to community-formation.
The Patristic View of Sex or Marital Relations
Was there a consensus?
James Brundage, Law, Sex, and Christian Society in Medieval Europe
Google Books
Mentioned here by someone who is not particularly orthodox, iirc.
Still, is some sort of revision necessary, not for the basic precepts regarding our sexual powers, but with respect to our attitudees and understanding of the virtues pertaining to those powers and marital relations?
The conjugal act: as God originally intended or a concession to the Fall?
Infants and children may need sensible signs of affection and touch by parents for their emotional/mental health and to flourish, and this may be true of adults to an extent that we may not realize. Would we say that this is merely concupiscence, our desire to touch and to be touched? In so far as it is non-rational, maybe some would. (Concupiscence is not just a condition of the sexual appetite but of the appetite for nutrition as well, and what else? Hunger, indeed.) A consequence of the fall, an increased animality or manifestation of the "sensitive" aspect of the soul? Maybe, maybe not. But a real feature of human beings in this world, nonetheless. So why wouldn't it be the case with how men and women, or husbands and wives relate to one another? Is something to be condemned or criticized or merely permitted because it is "too" carnal, or not "spiritual" enough? What if there is a natural teleology to certain acts of touch that we may be tempted to dismiss because we think we shouldn't need them?
James Brundage, Law, Sex, and Christian Society in Medieval Europe
Google Books
Mentioned here by someone who is not particularly orthodox, iirc.
Still, is some sort of revision necessary, not for the basic precepts regarding our sexual powers, but with respect to our attitudees and understanding of the virtues pertaining to those powers and marital relations?
The conjugal act: as God originally intended or a concession to the Fall?
Infants and children may need sensible signs of affection and touch by parents for their emotional/mental health and to flourish, and this may be true of adults to an extent that we may not realize. Would we say that this is merely concupiscence, our desire to touch and to be touched? In so far as it is non-rational, maybe some would. (Concupiscence is not just a condition of the sexual appetite but of the appetite for nutrition as well, and what else? Hunger, indeed.) A consequence of the fall, an increased animality or manifestation of the "sensitive" aspect of the soul? Maybe, maybe not. But a real feature of human beings in this world, nonetheless. So why wouldn't it be the case with how men and women, or husbands and wives relate to one another? Is something to be condemned or criticized or merely permitted because it is "too" carnal, or not "spiritual" enough? What if there is a natural teleology to certain acts of touch that we may be tempted to dismiss because we think we shouldn't need them?
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Monday, May 22, 2017
Icons of Sound Project - Trisagion
rehearsal
The Voice of Hagia Sophia
What would a female version of this sound like? Could someone even like Divna Ljubojević pull it off? Perhaps, but would it be as effective and awesome? I think I have heard women trying to hold a note for an extended period of time in Gregorian chant (maybe polyphony?)?
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Saturday, May 20, 2017
I Suppose to Oppose This Is to Be a Rationalist or Modernist
Nothing Superfluous: An Explanation of the Symbolism of the Rite of St. Gregory the Great by Fr. James Jackson, FSSP
Wasn't Fr. Schmemann accused of that because of his work on the liturgy?
A review at Rorate Caeli. I thought I had seen another review somewhere else more recently. Ah right, it was over at Crisis.
Fr. Schmemann, Symbols and Symbolism in the Orthodox Liturgy
The liturgical work of Alexander Schmemann and its significance for the Eastern Orthodox Church
The Liturgy of Life: Alexander Schmemann by Michael Plekon
Misc.
An interview with Roberto de Mattei
http://www.amen.gr/article/he-liturgical-work-of-lexander-chmemann-and-its-significance-for-the-astern-rthodox-hurch
Wasn't Fr. Schmemann accused of that because of his work on the liturgy?
A review at Rorate Caeli. I thought I had seen another review somewhere else more recently. Ah right, it was over at Crisis.
Fr. Schmemann, Symbols and Symbolism in the Orthodox Liturgy
The liturgical work of Alexander Schmemann and its significance for the Eastern Orthodox Church
The Liturgy of Life: Alexander Schmemann by Michael Plekon
Misc.
An interview with Roberto de Mattei
http://www.amen.gr/article/he-liturgical-work-of-lexander-chmemann-and-its-significance-for-the-astern-rthodox-hurch
Friday, May 19, 2017
Thursday, May 18, 2017
I Should Have Waited Instead of Pre-Ordering
CWR Dispatch: Benedict XVI: "With Cardinal Sarah ... the liturgy is in good hands." by Carl E. Olson
A new essay by Benedict XVI will be included in future printings of Cardinal Sarah's new book "The Power of Silence" (Ignatius, 2017).
Benedict XVI's essay
A new essay by Benedict XVI will be included in future printings of Cardinal Sarah's new book "The Power of Silence" (Ignatius, 2017).
Benedict XVI's essay
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
CWR Dispatch: Recent "Seeking Clarity" conference featured lay responses to "Amoris Laetitia, growing confusion by Alberto Carosa
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Monday, May 15, 2017
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Saturday, May 13, 2017
How much is tuition?
Chesterton Academy
CWR Dispatch: How do we teach beauty? by Dale Ahlquist
Chesterton says, “Wherever men are happy, they will build beautiful things.” The modern world is ugly because we are unhappy. The modern world is ugly because we do not love the modern world.
CWR Dispatch: How do we teach beauty? by Dale Ahlquist
Chesterton says, “Wherever men are happy, they will build beautiful things.” The modern world is ugly because we are unhappy. The modern world is ugly because we do not love the modern world.
Interview with Tracey Rowland
CWR: Tracey Rowland's Guide Through the Catholic Academic "Zoo" by Carl E. Olson
"Theology is important because it is all about reasoning about the highest things. It is the one thing a person doesn’t want to get wrong in life because it affects one’s eternal destiny."
"Theology is important because it is all about reasoning about the highest things. It is the one thing a person doesn’t want to get wrong in life because it affects one’s eternal destiny."
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