The Glorious Mysteries and the Holy Family

A belated Merry Christmas!

I took a break from writing for the past few weeks to focus on my family and our trip to California to visit my parents and sisters.  Many thanks to those who have prayed for my dad.  He is now off all antibiotics and does not require open heart surgery at this point.  We're still praying that the next few check-ups and tests show that the infection is completely gone.

Yesterday, I did a late-night Rosary Workout on the treadmill in our hotel as I knew I would be sitting on airplanes all day today.  As I prayed the Glorious Mysteries, I thought about Jesus, Mary and Joseph since it was the Feast of the Holy Family.

As I prayed the first decade, I contemplated Jesus descending to the dead and seeing his foster father, St. Joseph.  Jesus loved him dearly, and I imagined the joy that St. Joseph must have experienced at seeing his beloved foster son and knowing that he would soon enter heaven.   I also pondered Jesus appearing to His beloved Mother after He rose from the dead.  Even though Scripture does not record such a meeting, I'm pretty certain that Jesus put her at or near the top of His list of people to visit after rising from the dead.

During the second decade, I thought of Jesus' and Mary's bittersweet parting before He ascended to heaven.  I imagined the emotions that Mary must have felt knowing that she would be briefly separated from her beloved Son but also knowing that it was time for Him to take His rightful place at the right hand of the Father.  Although I have no concept of what heaven is like, I think it likely that Jesus must have greeted St. Joseph with special attention when He arrived, although Joseph, in his great humility, would never have expected it.  The bond of the Holy Family must have been so very powerful.  It gives us a model for the holiness in our own families.

As I meditated on the third decade, I thought of Mary in the Upper Room, again filled with grace by the Holy Spirit.  At the Annunciation, she was "full of grace," even before the Holy Spirit overshadowed her, multiplying the grace exponentially.  At Pentecost, she received even more grace.  She will bestow it upon us, if only we ask.  I thought of St. Joseph and how his role was to be Mary's protector, while the Holy Spirit is her true spouse.  (For an excellent article covering this somewhat confusing topic, see Catholic Culture's The Holy Spirit and Mary.)

As I ran up an incline with a burst of late-night energy, I prayed the fourth and fifth decades.  During my meditation, it occurred to me that the Holy Family was finally reunited after Mary's Assumption and Coronation.  What a joyful day that must have been!  We are blessed to be able to ask for their heavenly intercession and protection for our own families.

I try to pray the Rosary every day (although I occasionally fall short of this goal), and at times it can almost seem monotonous, which is my own fault.  Yet when I try a fresh perspective like meditating on the Glorious Mysteries through the eyes of the Holy Family, I see the mysteries in a new light.  I am continually amazed by the depth of the Rosary every time I put a little more effort into praying it.  The next time you pray the Rosary, try a new perspective in your meditation and see if that doesn't bring new revelations.  If so, please share them!

A Slice of Rural Southern RV Life on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, when Catholics celebrate the day Mary was conceived in the womb of her mother, St. Anne, free from Original Sin.  Mary is the only person in human history to be granted this gift. 

Many Catholics mistakenly believe that the Immaculate Conception refers to the day Mary conceived Jesus in her womb.  Simple math proves that this could not be correct.  The Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8^th and Christmas on December 25^th.  Mary would have had either the longest, or the shortest, pregnancy in history!  Of course, Jesus’ conception in Mary’s womb is honored on the feast of The Annunciation.  It is celebrated, appropriately, on March 25^th.

Today I had an occasion to call on Mary in her role as the Immaculate Conception.  While we wait for a new house to be built, we are living in our RV, which presents many challenges in the winter.  Although our RV is roomy, cozy and built for four seasons, we can’t keep water outside from freezing.  Since our campground is “down in the holler,” temperatures are often colder than the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, it has been so cold that the water froze inside our hose as well as in the spigot to which it is attached.  We quickly depleted the water in our tank, and I had to find a way to thaw the hose to get more water despite the fact that the temperature was still below freezing.

As is the case in situations where I need help, I mentally searched for a saint who could assist me in getting running water.  I quickly thought of St. Bernadette and the miraculous water in Lourdes.  Then it occurred to me that Mary told St. Bernadette, “I am the Immaculate Conception.”  After praying to both Mary and St. Bernadette, I was confident that I would have running water.  I bundled up and went outside to check the hose.  It was still frozen solid, but I spied another hose we use occasionally, lying under the RV.  It had only a little ice in it, which boiling water quickly removed.  I connected it to the RV and filled the tank, grateful for the heavenly assistance.

I had just enough time to wash the dishes before heading out to watch my son’s swim meet and then take him to Boy Scouts.  During the Scout meeting, I headed to the gym, not to work out as usual, but to take a long hot shower.  By the time I returned home, the water would be frozen again, and I needed to save the precious water in the tank for morning.

As I stood under the hot water, I heard the voices of a bevy of young swim team girls as they converged into the shower room. 

Girl #1:  Jasmine, do you have a pool in your back yard?

Jasmine:  No, but we’ve got a creek.

Girl #1:  A creep?

Jasmine:  No!  A creek. C-R-E-E-K.  My daddy says he’s going to make us a pool in the creek next summer.

Girl #2:  Every time my daddy says he’s goin’ to do somethin’ awesome, he never does.

Girl #1:  Hi Brittany!  How come you’re always the last one in the shower?

Brittany:  I don’t know.

Girl #2:  Well, who do you talk to since everyone's done?

Brittany:  I don’t  know.  Myself, I guess.  I just like to sing too.

(I was never treated to Brittany’s singing since Girl #1 thoughtfully lingered to talk to her for a few minutes so she wouldn't be left alone.)

Girl #1:  Brittany, are you going to church tonight?  (Southern Baptists go to church on Wednesday nights.)

Brittany:  I don’t know.

Girl #1:  Well if I don’t see you at church, then I’ll see you tomorrow!  Bye!

Brittany:  See ya!  Bye!

I like to think that the Blessed Mother enjoyed eavesdropping on this delightful, innocent girl talk as much as I did.

The Power of Prayer

I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend and that Advent has not caught you by surprise. Can you believe that we're already 3 days into Advent? What are your plans during this holy season? I enjoy the daily readings and meditations in the Magnificat Advent Companion which my generous mother buys for the whole family each year.  I also ordered a Daily Meditations booklet and CD from Belmont Abbey College.  The gorgeous artwork alone is worth the cost of the set.  I'm currently attending a weekly Bible study, taught by my wonderful pastor.  Of course we light our Advent candles each night during dinner, and I'd really like to make a Jesse Tree with my children.  If you have any interesting Advent practices, please leave a comment and share them.

I received some wonderful news!  My dad, who was in the ICU recently with an infection so serious that I flew home to see him, just saw his doctor yesterday.  Apparently, the antibiotics are curing his infection and he longer seems to need surgery.  He will rest at home and should be able to return to work at the beginning of next year.  Many thanks to those of you who prayed for him.  My family is famous for our prayer chains, and we had people all over the US and around the world praying for him.  Studies show that prayer can have a remarkable impact on illness and recovery.  Perhaps during Advent we can all pray for sick people who have no one to pray for them. 

My Journey Home

I forgot to post the information about my Journey Home appearance on EWTN, but I have been a bit distracted as my dear dad is in intensive care, clear across the country. He has the same infection that resulted in open heart surgery and an artificial heart valve 11 years ago. He has been feeling better, but I would very much appreciate your prayers for his speedy recovery, without additional surgery.

I was honored to be a guest on The Journey Home to tell the story of my "reversion" to Catholicism. For many years, I was a lukewarm Catholic, despite being raised in a very devout Catholic home.

The show will also air on EWTN on Thursday, Nov 11th at 2:00 pm ET and Saturday at 11:00 pm ET. If you don't have EWTN or can't watch the show, I've posted the youtube video below.

Sorry for the break

I apologize for the long break in posts, but I needed to leave the Latin Mass article up for awhile since the link was posted in my parish paper.  (If you're looking for the Latin Mass article, it's on the Oct 21st entry, below)

Before I resume my "Minute Meditations" on the Rosary mysteries, I wanted to share this wonderful video I came across.  It's just over 3 minutes, but is so interesting and inspiring:

Missa Cantata in Mayberry

Today's post is an extension of an article I wrote for my diocese newspaper, the Catholic News Herald.   If you are visiting my blog for the first time, welcome!  You may also be interested in the Rosary "Minute Meditations" series I'm writing for the month of October.  You can find them below this entry or in the Archives, at right.  If you would like to receive updates, please subscribe through the links on the right-hand column.  I always welcome comments!  You can leave one at the end of the post.

As a Vatican II-era child, I had no recollection of attending Latin Mass (known as the Tridentine Mass or Mass in the Extraordinary Form), so I was very curious about the recent revival of this ancient form of the liturgy.  I hoped for the opportunity to attend a Latin Mass and finally found one several years ago while on vacation.  I was instantly struck by the reverence and the formality of the Extraordinary Form.  As I followed along in the Latin-English missal, a simple question came immediately to mind:  Why on earth isn't the Ordinary Form a closer translation?  I think that the upcoming changes are a positive step in that direction.  In fact, I think it’s worthwhile to buy a copy of the Latin-English missal even if you never intend to attend a Latin Mass.  The beautiful prayers included in the booklet alone are worth the price.

Last year, my husband got a job in a little town called Mount Airy in the Appalachian foothills of North Carolina.  I was surprised to discover that it was also known as "Mayberry" since it is Andy Griffith's boyhood home and the inspiration for that idyllic small town.  I was even more surprised to discover that Mount Airy was home to more Quakers than Catholics!  There’s a Baptist church on every corner, but only one small Catholic Church, named in honor of the Holy Angels. 

I knew I had found the right parish when I learned that Holy Angels pastor, Father Eric Kowalski, offers Latin Mass every Sunday at noon.  Once a month, a Schola (Gregorian Chant choir) sings the Missa Cantata (“Sung Mass”).  We occasionally attend Mass in the Ordinary Form, but even my children prefer the Latin Mass.  My non-Catholic husband notes that although he can’t understand the words, he has an appreciation for the solemn reverence of the Extraordinary Form.

When I was recently hired as a freelance writer for the diocese newspaper, the first article I proposed to my editor was one on the Latin Mass in our parish.  Father Kowalski graciously offered his assistance and suggested that I interview those who attend the Latin Mass regularly.  He even allowed me to take a few photographs during Mass.

Everyone I interviewed praised Father Kowalski to the skies, and rightly so, expressing sincere gratitude for his generosity and commitment to offering Mass in the Extraordinary Form every Sunday.  Not only does he have to pray the Mass in a language he doesn’t use every day, but he also has to prepare two separate homilies as the readings and Gospels are different for each form.

Father Kowalski had no idea that he would be offering Mass in the Extraordinary Form when he was assigned to Holy Angels in 2001.  One of his first projects was to renovate the beautiful granite chapel, built in 1921.  He discovered gorgeous hardwood floors under layers of carpet and tile, not realizing that he was improving the acoustics so that one day in the future the Schola could “make the walls sing.” 

Father often states that offering Mass in the Extraordinary Form has changed him personally.  “If you’re not careful, when you offer Mass [in the Ordinary Form], it’s very easy to make it about yourself.  With the Extraordinary Form, the ritual itself takes all of that away because you’re focused on the meaning behind certain gestures.  It’s not about the quip or the funny joke.  It’s about you offering the sacrifice In Persona Christi, standing before God and realizing your own unworthiness.”

The first group I interviewed was the Schola, led by Winston-Salem resident and attorney Robin Shea, who showed me the unique musical notations of the Gregorian Chant on her ipad.  Yes, there’s an App for that!  (It’s called “Liber Pro” if you’re interested.)  She was first introduced to Gregorian Chant when she was “volunteered” to learn it for the Latin Mass offered at the Wake Forest campus chapel.  Sue Harmer-Sommer, of Kernersville, also volunteered and serves as the group’s Latin pronunciation expert as she studied Latin and Gregorian Chant in school.  Patricia Donadio completed the group and jokes that the most difficult aspect is getting along with the other two ladies. 

When the Wake Forest Latin Mass was discontinued, the trio kept practicing, hoping to find another venue for their talents.  They discovered that Father Kowalski was offering the Extraordinary Form in Mount Airy and quickly volunteered to bring the Missa Cantata to Mayberry, much to Father’s delight and relief.  As he stated, “When the Schola is singing, I’m offering my prayers.  It fits seamlessly, unlike the Ordinary Form where everything is blocked.   It flows and it’s a very intimate moment with God.”  

Robin agrees. “The music is really beautiful and adds so much reverence to the Mass. I’ve been praying the whole time and didn’t even realize it.”  Robin would love to add more members to the Schola.  (If you're interested, you can talk to her after Mass.)

If you do attend the Latin Mass in Mount Airy, you’ll likely be welcomed by Sid Cundiff.  He drives from Winston-Salem every Sunday to serve as an usher.  He’s also the informal “communications officer” and keeps an email list to update anyone interested in the Extraordinary Form in the state of North Carolina.  You can add your name to his list by emailing sidcundiff@gmail.com  

Sid points out that Mass in the Extraordinary Form has three important characteristics.  It is serious, it is a solemnity and it is holy.  He is quick to add that he is not opposed to the Ordinary Form or that it lacks these characteristics, but that the Extraordinary Form is more focused on these three aspects of liturgy and “that something out of the ordinary is being done.”

Ron and Libby Boyd attend Latin Mass every Sunday, driving nearly two hours from Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, because it reminds them of their childhood.  As Libby stated, "We were raised in the Latin Mass.  It is solemn and respectful.  It's quiet and you can pray.  We like that atmosphere." 

Holy Angels parishioners Paul and Joan Zomberg attend daily Mass in the Ordinary Form where Paul is a lector.  Paul says that they prefer the Extraordinary Form because "it's more spiritually satisfying."  Joan adds, "We praise God because He is good.  Latin Mass is more about praising God that petitioning God."

Robert and Doris Cross are also Holy Angels parishioners who attend both the Ordinary and the Extraordinary Form of the Mass.  Robert, as a convert, had only seen Latin Mass on TV and was curious about it.  Doris, on the other hand, grew up with the Latin Mass.  She says that she likes the wider range of Scriptures in the Ordinary Form, but the Extraordinary Form "is very focused on being prayerful and quiet and you focus on Jesus.  You can kneel for Communion like we used to do back home."

Gerald and Billy Healy drive from Yadkinville because "they were raised with the Latin Mass and love it."  Billy, a convert for nearly 60 years, declares that at Latin Mass they are "home again."   Their grandson, Patrick Healy, is a Greensboro resident and a grad student studying Chemistry.  He became an altar server for the Latin Mass over 15 years ago and fills in when young trainee Michael Kafant is not available.  Patrick is grateful that Mass in the Extraordinary Form is "close by with a regular schedule." 

Winston-Salem resident Emmanuel Kafant is a convert from the Greek Orthodox Church.  His six adorable, well-dressed children behave perfectly and are so reverent.  Emmanuel drives his family of eight to Latin Mass every Sunday because it expresses "the faith of Catholicism-- what we believe about the Mass, what we believe about the Eucharist-- without any ambiguities.  It's distinctly Catholic."  He's a Belmont Abby College graduate and has been attending Latin Mass since 1991.  His son, Michael, an altar boy, says that Latin Mass and serving in Latin “just feels normal” as that’s all he has known.

Michael Long, also a Winston-Salem resident, found a Latin Missal several years ago in a thrift shop.  He said it's the best dollar he ever spent.  He doesn’t mind the drive to Mount Airy every Sunday because he feels that he “has gone the extra mile and that God has brought me to a very holy time and place.”  Opening his missal, he reads, “Send forth your light and your fidelity to lead me on and to bring me to your holy mount.”  Michael thinks that there is no coincidence that he is driving to Mount Airy.  As he points out, “God has richly provided for this faith community…  Father had the inspiration to restore this chapel and brought back the altar rail [not knowing] that we would bring back this liturgy… The choir members had an inspiration to start studying Gregorian Chant.  I’ve seen the altar boys and where they got their training, and it’s very good training.  God was preparing all these things to happen, and who knew when the time was going to come when the pope would say, ‘Let’s make this more available.’  God had even prepared me through finding this [Latin] missal.”

Indeed!

Notes:

There will be a special Missa Cantata in honor of All Souls Day on Tuesday, November 2nd, at 6:30 pm at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Mount Airy.  During the Mass, the new black vestments will be blessed.

Sid Cundiff provided the following links for more information on the Mass in Extraordinary Form:

Sancta Missa is a highly informative site that is well worth your time to read if you are planning to attend a Latin Mass (or even if you aren't).  You can read the English-Latin Missal online at this link. 

Minute Meditations: The Transfiguration

When I reflect on the Fourth Luminous Mystery, The Transfiguration, I think not only of Jesus changing His appearance to strengthen the resolve of the future leaders of the Church, but also of my own transformation through the power of the Rosary.  I was not always a devout Catholic, despite my solid Catholic upbringing in a very devout family.  I made many mistakes as a young adult, and I mourn for those lost years.  Yet the one relative constant in my life is the Rosary.  I often think of the words of St. Louis de Montfort in his must-read book, The Secret of the Rosary:  

“... Even if you are now on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul to the devil, sooner or later you will be converted. Heaven will amend your life and save your soul if you say the Rosary devoutly every day of your life.” 

I can definitely attest that heaven WILL amend your life if you are devoted to the Rosary.  Over the past few years, I have become aware of sinful practices in my life and have worked to eliminate them, one by one.  Some have come fairly easily and others were fierce battles, but I am slowly but surely trying to live a holier life.  I still have a long way to go, but the Rosary is a powerful weapon.