Whiskey Review, Jameson 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey

This Whiskey is a real winner!

I received a bottle of Jameson 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey for Fathers Day, and I am quite thankful for it. This whiskey is not "smooth", this whiskey is "SMOOOOOOTH"! Jameson 12 is a very mellow whiskey that simply tastes great, and is fantastic on the rocks. I will be buying more, and I highly recommend!

DEO GRATIAS!

My little note to Bishop Trautman

Dear Bishop Trautman,
Greetings in Christ Jesus. I am writing this note to ask you to please cease and desist from your opposition to the new, and I might say better, translation of the Novus Ordo missal. The only "Contemporary Relevance" we as Catholics need is accurate translations from the Latin text.

Your Excellency, please believe me when I tell you that we, the lay faithful, are sufficiently intelligent not only to get used to these new translations, but also to understand the doctrine contained within them. I remember some time ago you made a statement to the effect that modern Catholics don't understand terms like "Incarnation". With all due respect, Your Excellency ,if what you said is true, you have indicted yourself along with your brother American Bishops, in failing to adequately teach the Catholic faith to the faithful.

Instead of resisting this good translation that our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI is pleased to give us, why don't you dedicate yourself to fixing the horribly broken catechesis in this country? We, the lay faithful would be far better served by that type of action.


In Christ Jesus,

Name here




DEO GRATIAS!

Champions of Faith DVD

DVD Documentary, Champions of Faith

I was recently sent a copy of a new DVD documentary produced by Catholic Exchange called Champions of Faith, featuring Major League baseball players, managers and coaches who are striving to live their lives as devout Catholics. Champions of Faith features Mike Sweeney, Jack McKeon, Rich Donnelly, Jeff Suppan, David Eckstein and Mike Piazza, and also has comments from players and managers such as Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, Jim Leyland, Darrell Miller, Juan Pierre and others.

Having watched this film, I was quite moved by the stories these players and coaches tell of their fire for the game of baseball; but more importantly, their love of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church. The players and Coaches talk about their lives and careers in the light of the Gospel, and how when it comes right down to it, the Catholic Faith is the most important thing in life. Speaking for myself, I loved this documentary- seeing men who have all the success that the world can give, and yet who know and are living for the things that are from above. These are men who live for the things that the world cannot give, those things that are only found in Jesus Christ and His One, True Church.

The film is very professionally done and has beautiful scenes of Catholic Churches such as the Cathedral of St. Louis and the Mission Basilica of San Diego among others.

I heartily recommend this DVD for everyone, but especially for boys and young men who are fans of Baseball. I watched Champions of Faith with my seven year old son (who is a huge Red Sox and baseball fan), and he loved it. He told me that one of his favorite parts was watching these baseball stars receiving our Lord in Holy Communion. To me, that says it all.

To visit the Champions of Faith Web Site click HERE

To watch the Trailer click HERE

To order a copy click HERE

DEO GRATIAS!

For the Record - Tornielli: "Benedict XVI has signed..."

Taken from Rorate Caeli Blog

For the Record - Tornielli: "Benedict XVI has signed..."

Andrea Tornielli, one of the most respected religious journalists in Italy, confirms in this Sunday's edition of Il Giornale the reports of the past few days, adding some interesting new historical information. We keep our great caution on possible dates and note again the oddity that so much could be apparently known, yet a simple piece of information -- the very title of the document, its first Latin words -- seems to be ignored.

Ratzinger's turning point on the liturgy - All clear for the Ancient Latin Massby Andrea Torniellifrom Rome[Excerpts:]Benedict XVI has signed the text of the "motu proprio" which will render easier the use of the ancient pre-Conciliar Missal in the liturgical celebrations, clarifying that it has never been abolished or prohibited and that it represents instead a richness for the Church. A precedent which has up to now remained secret provides the reasons for this decision, a text which the Cardinals of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith had prepared in November 1982 and that "Il Giornale" is able to reveal. [SEE NOTE]The publication of the "motu proprio" should take place in the next few days, probably even before the beginning of the vacations of the Pontiff.

It is a meditated decision, following long collegial consultations, which Ratzinger took to recognize the requests of the faithful who remained attached to the ancient liturgy....Already on November 16, 1982, on request of Pope Wojtyla, a meeting presided by Ratzinger, then-Prefect of the former Holy Office, at which also took part Cardinals Baggio, Baum, Casaroli (then Secretary of State), Oddi, and Archbishop [future Cardinal] Casoria, had confirmed that "the Roman Missal in the form in which it remained in use up to 1969, independently of the 'Lefebvre question', should 'be admitted by the Holy See for all Masses celebrated in the Latin language". With two conditions [in the 1982 decision]: the use of the old liturgical books should presuppose the full reception of the norms issued after Vatican II and should not express the suspicion that the latter "were heretical or invalid"; [2] on the public Masses celebrated in Parish churches on Sundays and Feastdays, "the new liturgical calendar" should be observed. All Cardinals unanimously answered in the "affirmative", that is, "yes", to the question of whether the Mass in the ancient rite were licit.

Moreover, at that meeting, a document against liturgical abuses, identified among the reasons "for the current crisis of the Church", was also suggested, as well as, in a remote future, a synthesis "of both missals". That future is today less remote. The decision of Benedict XVI is thus not a step back, but a stage of the liturgical reform willed by the Council and not yet fully accomplished.In the letter of presentation, Benedict XVI will preventively respond to the objections raised against the liberalization of the ancient Missal, that is, the "lack of obedience to the Council" and the "rupture of unity"....

DEO GRATIAS!

Memebers of Una Voce Meet with Pope BenedictXVI- "we can confirm by the words of His Holiness that the Motu Proprio will come soon."

FIUV Meetings in Rome – 200711th/13th June 2007 short preliminary report

Dear Friends,
Leo Darroch, Monika Rheinschmitt and I have just returned from a visit to Rome. On Tuesday 12th June We were received in separate meetings by Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos and Mgr Perl of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei and Archbishop Ranjith of the Congregation of Divine Worship.

On Wednesday morning 13th June we were at the General Audience of Pope Benedict and were granted seats on the "Prima Fila" (="first row"). This gave us the opportunity of having some private words with the Holy Father for a couple of minutes. Conversations with the Holy Father are confidential but we can confirm by the words of His Holiness that the Motu Proprio will come soon.

Both Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos and Archbishop Ranjith were very open and friendly. We gave them some papers about the situation in our countries and said that a great many lay people and priests are waiting patiently, and impatiently, for news from Rome about greater freedom for the traditional liturgy; not only the Mass but all the liturgical books. We gave them each a bound volume of all the public manifestos that have been published around the world in the past few months in support of the Holy Father. We expressed our regret that some bishops conferences had written to Rome against the forthcoming indult but gave our opinion that they had not consulted anyone about their decisions and, in this matter, they did not speak for their people or for many of their priests. We were urged to pray for the Holy Father and the whole Church in these difficult days.


Best regards In Christo Jack P. Oostveen Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce President




DEO GRATIAS!

Motu proprio imminent, Vatican sources confirmVatican, Jun. 15, 2007

(CWNews.com)

- A papal document calling for broader use of the Tridentine liturgy has been completed and signed, and is now being translated and prepared for publication, according to two different Roman news agencies.The motu proprio will be released along with an accompanying letter from Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) to the world's bishops, according to Petrus, an Italian internet site devoted to news about the Vatican.The Italian site quotes Msgr. Nicola Bux, a personal friend of the Holy Father, as saying that the document's publication is "imminent," saying that it is "a question of days." However, the site also suggests that the long-awaited motu proprio will be released as Pope Benedict begins his summer vacation in July.

The I Media news agency reports that Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, confirmed that the document is being readied for publication. According to I Media, a date has been chosen for the release of the motu proprio, but Vatican officials are not ready to disclose that date. One Vatican source told I Media that it might be wise to think in terms of weeks rather than days before publication.

The Petrus report said that the formal release of the motu proprio would be accompanied by a press conference at which three Vatican officials will introduce the document. Petrus even named the three prelate who will reportedly brief the press: Cardinals Francis Arinze, the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship; Dario Castrillon Hoyos, the president of the Ecclesia Dei commission; and Julian Herranz, the former president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. (End Report)

Is it possible that there are any doubters still out there?

DEO GRATIAS!

This Article is from Rorate Caeli Blog

For the record:

Important news French news agency says "Motu proprio has been signed"

The French religious news agency I.Media, based in Rome, confirms today that the information published yesterday by the Italian papal news website Petrus is for the most part accurate and that the motu proprio liberalizing the Traditional Latin Mass has been signed; details regarding the date of the document and a possible press conference are also explained by the director of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi.

Vatican - Agence I.MEDIA - 15 June 2007The Motu Proprio liberalizing the Tridentine Rite has been signed by Benedict XVI[Main excerpts:]The Motu Proprio which will liberalize the Tridentine Mass has been signed by Benedict XVI and will be published very soon. An explanatory letter addressed to all the Bishops of the world will be joined to the text, Vatican sources close to the dossier have confirmed.... Benedict XVI signed the document "a while ago", [the sources] have confided.... If "a precise date has been chosen" for its publication, it is still kept secret in the Vatican, it has been explained to I.MEDIA.

While it is close, it would seem more prudent "to speak of weeks, instead of days".... Father Federico Lombardi has for his part confirmed the informtion to I.MEDIA, without precising the date of publication. He has not wished to confirm the fact that the document could be presented in a press conference at the Vatican. "I cannot tell things until they are confirmed and may be communicated, which I usually do by way of the Bulletin of the Press Office"....According to some Vatican rumors, the document could be published when Pope Benedict begin his Castel Gandolfo vacation, in late July [Rorate note: the Pope's late summer vacation this year at Castel Gandolfo will begin on July 28]. [The publication of] important and delicate documents [by the Holy See] during summer and vacations has already happened [in the past].

Such was the case of the Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the collaboration of men and women in the Church and in the world, of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, released in late July 2004....

Tip: Le Forum Catholique.

DEO GRATIAS!

Old Latin Mass Makes a Comeback

A story in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on the rise of the traditional Mass.

Old Latin Mass Makes a Comeback
By Tim Townsend
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

And see the great slide show here











Photo: Melinda Scanga (left), of Jefferson County, prays during Latin mass at St. Francis De Sales Oratory. (Dawn Majors /P-D)

DEO GRATIAS!

June 13th, The Feast of St. Anthony of Padua, Confessor and Doctor

Today is the feast of the Great St. Anthony of Padua, Confessor and Doctor of the Church.

St. Anothony was born in Lisbon Portugal and given them name of Fernando at his baptism. Some time after joining the Augustinians he subsequently met a group of the newly founded Order of Friars Minor, who were on their way to preach to the Mohammedans in North Africa. Some time later Fernando witnessed the bodies of these same Franciscan missionaries, now martyrs of the Church being brought back to Europe for burial. This filled Fernando with a great desire to become a Martyr himself by preaching the Truth of Christ to the Muslims, and so he joined the Order of Friars Minor.

Martyrdom not being Gods Will for "Anthony", (the religious name he took when he joined the Franciscans) Anthony lived the life a preacher, teacher and Wonder Worker, mostly in Italy.

Many miraculous stories can be told about Anthony's life, perhaps the most famous of all being the miracle of the Holy Eucharist.

At one time there was a famous heretic in the area where Anthony lived who rejected the Church's teaching of the real presence of Christ in Holy Eucharist.

Our Saint challenged the heretic to starve his donkey for three days and bring him to the town square. Where upon Anthony would also be there with the Blessed Sacrament. After three days of prayer and fasting Anthony took the Blessed Sacrament to the town square, meeting the heretic and his starved donkey there. The people put oats before the Donkey and Anthony stood opposite the oats holding the Blessed Sacrament aloft. The starved Donkey, ignoring the oats walk up to the The Holy Sacrament and knelt down in adoration before it. The heretic being converted on the spot.

To read more about this great saint I reccomend this book St. Anthony Wonder Worker

Blessed be God, in His Angels and in His Saints!




DEO GRATIAS!

PBS Film Crew, In anticipation of the Popes Motu Proprio

PBS responded saying they were at the Tridentine Mass in D. C. in anticipation Of Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming Motu Propio.

Getting film footage for when the MP is promulgated, I suspect.



Thanks to Mr. Ed Snyder for the this information.





DEO GRATIAS!

Our Visit From The Cardinal

We have a Cardinal, that my son and I have taken to calling "Hoyos", that is a regular visitor to our side yard bird feeder. A few photos.

DEO GRATIAS!

PBS film crew at Tridentine Mass in D.C.

A friend of mine who attends the Traditional Mass in Washington D.C. E mailed me that a film crew from PBS was at the mass. He has contacted them to ask the purpose of their visit and will let us know when they respond.

Possible Motu Proprio connection?


DEO GRATIAS!

Motu Proprio News

Over at Wha t Does the Prayer Really say blog Fr. Z has the scoop that the Latin American Bishops have accepted the idea of the impending Motu Proprio. the story can be found Here.

Also, I have heard a very un-confirmed report, or rumor may be more appropriate, that the Vatican has sent the Motu Proprio to all the Bishops of the world in it's Latin form with some kind of cover letter. Again, this is not confirmed by any news source that I am aware of. Take it as you wish.



DEO GRATIAS!

A little help- Por Favor?

To anyone who knows a bit about Catholic Hymns in Espanol, I am looking for the lyrics of the Marian Hymn "O Maria, Madre Mia". Can anyone point me to an online resource for this hymn? Any help is Mucho appreciated.

DEO GRATIAS!

Traddie Author Mosebach wins top German literary award

Books News

Author Mosebach wins top German literary award

Jun 7, 2007, 10:50 GMTDarmstadt, Germany - Author Martin Mosebach was named Thursday as winner of this year's Georg Buechner Prize, Germany's most prestigious literary award.Born in 1951, Mosebach has published novels, stories, and collections of poems, written scripts for several films, opera libretti, theatre and radio plays.

The German Academy for Language and Literature praised him for 'combining stylistic splendour with original storytelling that demonstrates a humourous awareness of history.'Among his works translated into English is The Heresy of Formlessness, a collection of essays on the liturgy and its recent reform told from the perspective of a literary writer.

The book argues for a return to the Tridentine rite of the Mass, which was in use prior to Pope Paul VI's promulgation of the new order of the Mass in 1969.

Other works include The Turkish Woman, The Tremor, The Long Night and Prince of Mist, in which the author examines the motives behind man's eternal search for a meaning.The prize, named after 19th century author Georg Buechner, is worth 40,000 euros (53,600 dollars). It will be presented to Mosebach on October 27.






DEO GRATIAS!

June 6th, Feast of St. Norbert of Xanten Founder of the Order of Premontre (Norbertines)

Lectio from the Office of St. Norbert 2 Tim 2:16 Thus says the Lord: Avoid profane chatter. and I reply: How easy it is to accept the vocabulary and easy mind-frame of the world! Lord, give me the strength to avoid or walk away from bad language, gossip and back-biting.



Marten Pepijn (also spelled Pepyn), an artist at Antwerp painted in a style faithful to the humanists of the preceding generation.St Norbert played a special part in Antwerp ecclesiastical history. In 1124 he overcame the heretic Tanchelm at Antwerp and made the chapel of Our Lady from which the Cathedral was to evolve, the city's parish church. As one might expect, the pious story does not tally entirely with historical reality. Norbert is customarily portrayed as an archbishop or abbot. His attribute is a monstrance containing the Host, as he defended the Eucharist against Tanchelm's disbelief.The saint is dressed here in the habit of the Norbertine or Premonstratensian Order, of which he was the founder. He kneels before a monstrance. A sanctuary lamp - an oil lamp that has to be kept burning by the Holy Sacrament (the consecrated wafers) - is suspended in front of a curtain. The olive branch in the background symbolizes Norbert's message of peace.[source]



This post was lifted from the Crecat Blog

DEO GRATIAS!

Bourbon Review- Elijah Craig 12 Year Old

I recently bought a bottle of Elijah Craig 12 Year Old Kentucky Staight Bourbon Whiskey while on a trip up to Tax Free New Hampshire.

Elijah Craig Bourbon Whiskey is made by Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. Kentucky. One reviewer of this bourbon said-

"Nose: Real bourbon vanilla, with a touch of candy-store sweetness. Palate: Firm, malty, sweet. Some malty fruitiness (apricot?). A suggestion of cilantro. Finish: Licorice. Rooty. Comments: Less structured than might be expected in a 12-year-old, but a perilously drinkable, appetizing bourbon. Rating 7 ¾" -Michael Jackson, Whisky Magazine

As I have said before, I really have not met a Bourbon I don't like. Elijah Craig 12-year-old is a nice bourbon to my taste. A bit hot when had straight, but very drinkable on the rocks or with water. I paid $19.99 for the bottle pictured above and I can say it's well worth the price.


DEO GRATIAS!

A Chaldean priest and three deacons killed in Mosul

Fr Ragheed Ganni, 34, was hit by gunfire in front of the Church of the Holy Spirit. Three deacons, who served as his aides, were also killed.

http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=9442&size=A

How will you celebrate the Motu Proprio?

I have come to the conclusion(not wrongly I pray)that the Motu Proprio freeing up the Ancient Roman Mass is a foregone conclusion at this point, and that the date of it's release is near.

Therefore, I have been giving some thought as to how I and my family will celebrate, since, after all, this will most likely be the single most important Papal act that I will be alive to witness.

That being the case, this is something that must be celebrated well.

On hearing the news, I will say "Praise be to Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd!"

Next, after all the jumping up and down and screaming, then composing myself, I will attempt to sing the Te Deum, with my family if we are together at the time.

Following the Te Deum and all the kissing and hugging, we will open a bottle of Champagne and drink a toast to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI (this will be done with supreme relish).

After the Champagne, we will go to Church to tell our Eucharistic King how grateful we are for His great mercy and goodness in this act of the Pope.

Then we shall go out for dinner(no cooking that night)hopefully with many friends, and eat and drink as on a high feast day.

Finally we will pray the holy rosary in thanks giving to our Lady, who had no mean part in this great grace.

How Will you celebrate the Motu Proprio?

DEO GRATIAS!

Motu Proprio- Big News from the Cardinal Sec. of State!

Everyone,

A traditional Catholic journalist interviewed Cardinal Bertone in Avvenire today:

http://www.avvenire.it/

Here is Mr. Cardinali's question: And at what point is the equally awaited motu proprio that would free up the use of the so-called Mass of Saint Pius V?

Here is Cardinal Bertone's respose:

I believe you will not have long to wait in order to see it published. The Pope personally is interested that this happens. He will explain it in a cover letter, hoping that it receives a serene reception.

Hat tip to my good friend Mr. Ed Snyder, for sending me this news.




*Photo by Photo/Dado Galdieri



DEO GRATIAS!

The Most Blessed Sacrament

I came across this add for an adoration Chapel. The add is nicely done and very touching. The gift of the Blessed Sacrament is so great it is hard to fathom it.

http://www.olgsilvis.net/adoration_flash.htm











DEO GRATIAS!

Terrorists sack and occupy a convent in Baghdad

http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=9427&size=A

Click on the link below and look at the following headlines, and ask why do we not see them in the "mainstream media".


http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&dos=108