Lent: a time for meditating on the death of Christ - something we are reminded of by the crucifix.
Lent: a time for following Christ in his Passion - something we are reminded of by the Stations of the Cross, especially on Fridays.
Fr Z reports on three dumb ideas for Lent:
- Removing Holy Water and replacing it with sand (explicitly reproved by the CDW)
- Removing the Crucifix (a tradition in the parish, apparently)
- Not celebrating the Stations of the Cross on Fridays (because the priest thinks that it's against Vatican II)
These examples remind me of Christopher Derrick's definition of a liturgist:
A man sent by God so that in times when there is no direct persecution, the people of God may not be denied the opportunity of suffering for their faith.
8 comments:
In the parish where I work we have an interim Pastor, and he is covering the statues NOW, including the Corpus of Christ.
NOW. Not Passiontide.
Any way I can respond to him as an employee? I am not there as a liturgist. While I'm glad to see traditional lenten practices being observed, and he hasn't removed Holy Water, he HAS removed vigil candles and the entire plan he seems to have is very confused.
We must choose our battles and I have no desire to insult our Pastor but he is a bit...condescending in a really weird way that doesn't place him in any (I hate the words) "conservative" OR "liberal" camp.
I fear, though, that whatever he does is going to make it rockier for the priest who IS permanently assigned for his term at this parish!
Dear Father:
I ran into your blog by chance, looking for information on the EF of the Roman Rite. I've found it very interesting and educational, for I'm in seminary. Someday, with God's grace, I'll be a priest.
I hope to read more of you.
Best wishes from Argentina. In Domino,
Ezequiel
Not in the same league - but when I lived in Belfast during the 1980's we used to have dead flowers in church during Lent!
Adoro - as you say, you have to pick your battles. This is all part of the confusion resulting from a "creative" approach to Liturgy.
Diego - great to hear from you. I will pray for you as you prepare for the priesthood.
One presumes you mean stupid rather than without speech.
"...We must choose our battles..."
Yes.
For your consideration, if I may:
Truth is difficult to understand.
How about having a Tea for your Interim Padre and sit back with him and discuss some of the things you learned as a child and how you spent Lent in devotions and so on.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so is a nice sit down.
I am certain your gentle admonishments will be appreciated.
And the Padre will have someone he can trust.
I understand Trust is a rare commodity these days.
Most of all, be Truthful.
May God our Lord in His infinite and supreme goodness be pleased to give us His abundant grace, that we may know His most holy will, and entirely fulfill it.
*
Padre,
A Cristero Nun I have the pleasure to know is gravely ill.
Would you please remember Madre Pili in your prayers?
You are always in ours as well.
Mucho appreciado.
*
Gabriel - yes, it is an American (slang) idiom for stupid.
Pablo - will remember Madre Pili at Mass this morning
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