The Ember Days and Rogation Days have been replaced in the new calendar with "Days of Special Prayer" for various worthy intentions. One of these is "Communications" - something of interest to bloggers and blog readers.There is a major "lead-in" to this. In the autumn, the Holy Father announces the theme; on the feast of St Francis de Sales (24 January), he issues a message; and then the World Communications Day itself is celebrated on the Sunday before Pentecost.
Pope Benedict has just announced the theme for next year's World Communications Day:
New Technologies, New Relationships. Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship.Is it really too far-fetched to suggest that he is at least partly thinking of blogging? Respect, dialogue and friendship - there are some themes on which we can each examine our conscience.
In the new rite, Bloggers' Sunday is easy enough to observe. You can have a Bidding Prayer:
Let us pray for all bloggers that they may blog with respect, dialogue, and friendship. Lord hear us...or something along those lines.
But what are we to do with the usus antiquior which is not exactly ignored by Catholic bloggers generally? Perhaps we could use the minor rogations since they are only a few days before "World Communications Day". During the procession with the Litany of the Saints, it would not be overly disruptive to sprinkle people's laptops and mobiles with lustral water. It might even be appropriate to revive the idea of "beating the bounds" by hitting the electronic devices with a stick. There is plenty of room for "mutual enrichment" here.
Characteristically, the old rite model would be more down to earth, the purple vestments reminding us of the contrition and penance required for all those snippy comments.
8 comments:
For a Usus Antiquior prayer, what about the “Oratio ante Colligationem” composed by Fr Z?
It can be found on the “Variae Occasiones” section of the
Thesaurus Precum Latinarum
Very funny Fr. Tim. I suppose we could all link up via skype!
Need we some Latin prayers? :)
I saw earlier this week a "10 commandments for bloggers", originating from evangelical Christians.
One commandment was to keep the Sabbath holy, by desisting from blogging on a Sunday ...
Hmmmm.
According to the 1985 editio typica of the Caeremoniale Episcoporum both Ember Days and Rogations still, in theory, exist.
They have a chapter to themselves: Caput XIV De Rogationibus et Quattuour Anni Temporibus; although there are only four paragraphs Nos 381 -384.
Very good.. but I think you raise a really good point here, Fr Tim.. one which I have spent some time reflecting upon, actually.
We have all loved unleashing the power of the Blogosphere, but I know that I do not always keep my comments in check. I contribute more than my quota of sniping and carping on occasions (not necessarily here, you understand. I wouldn`t dare.) And, it is not a bad thing to stand back and remember that this new found freedom needs to be tempered by responsibility as well.
What I found, while thinking about this, this week, is that in the heat of the moment, the snippy comment which is fired off ( so easy, isn`t it ? press a button. no-one sitting in front of you to counter it. Aim. Fire.), actually begins to take root in one's heart. So, if the comment is coming from a sinful root (e.g. hatred, anger, jealousy, pride) it actually makes that sin start to become a reality and to take root in the person. Words being powerful and taking effect, and all that.
SO, despite the fun post - it has been a moment of revelation for one person, anyway. I have set myself some new blogging rules, and thank-you....
The power of the Blogosphere is real.
I agree with you, Bernadette and I think that the Holy Father's messages about communications should be a subject for meditation and prayer on the part of those who use the media. Sometimes it sounds a bit obvious but when I start to ponder what he says, it can become a bit uncomfortable and help to re-direct my thoughts about what to post and what not to post.
Anglicans still have Ember Days & Rogation.
Do bloggers realise that for the next two weeks Anglicans and Roman Catholics are praying the same collects/opening prayers?
http://tinyurl.com/3t9fbm
Blessings
Fr Bosco
www.liturgy.co.nz
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