The More Obscure Traditional Rites and Usages, No.2

2. The Solemn Banging of Foreheads on St Noggin's Day.

Novice Doppelganger XIII

The Most Rev William Martin Morris DD and Mrs Doubtfire.

Priory Vatican Contrasts

Issue one of a series of contrasts focused on the See of Peter.

#1 Mass celebrated in the Sistine chapel by Benedict XVI, past and present.

The Jaundiced View

For once a Fairfax paper has it right. The nasal spray billboards advertising the treatment for women will be up soon. Beware of those: they're big, they're yellow, they read in red.

But Fairfax's reporter, Arjun Ramachandran, has done his homework this time. Consulting the President of the Australia/New Zealand Urological Society, David Malouf, it was discovered that this treatment for women won't help them much if at all. The treatment doesn't address the physical and sexual dysfunction that women who would be the target market for this stuff often experience.

So it's a kind of sexploitation, once again, by this company. This time as before they're not prepared to correct their jaundiced view.

Lest we forget

God of our fathers known of old
Lord of our far flung battle line
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine -
Lord God of hosts be with us yet
Lest we forget - lest we forget.

The tumult and the shouting dies
The captains and the kings depart
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice
A humble and a contrite heart
Lord God of hosts be with us yet
Lest we forget - lest we forget.

Here in this God-given land of ours Australia,
This proud possession, our own piece of earth,
That was built by our fathers who pioneered our heritage,
Here In Australia, the land of our birth.

God bless Australia, our land Australia,
Home of the ANZACs, the strong and the free,
It’s our homeland, our own land, to cherish for eternity,
God bless Australia, the land of the free.

Here In Australia we treasure love and liberty,
Our way of life, all for one, one for all,
We’re a peace-loving race, but should danger ever threaten us,
Let the world know we will answer the call.

God bless Australia, our land Australia,
Home of the ANZACs, the strong and the free,
It’s our homeland, our own land, to cherish for eternity,
God bless Australia, the land of the free.

Prithee set me up a Prie-dieu

Pilgrims recently sent us an image of a lovely Cardinalatial prie-dieu that was used at SS. Trinita in Rome in the not-too distant past.




If you look closely at the image you will see the coat of arms of the Cardinal it was made for.


It would be wonderful to see something like this, duly gothicised, in St Mary's Cathedral for special occasions like ordinations. Of course, that all depends on the permission of the council of priests, just like the use of Latin in such ordination ceremonies.



*a flip of the amice to Orbis Catholicvs for the picture.

The Parish of St Who's?

We recently drew attention to a disappointing aspect of the glitzy new Archdiocese of Sydney website.



Now we have to report another, drawn to our notice by a disgruntled pilgrim: problems with the maps of the parishes-by-deanery.



Only about half the maps appear to work: if you click on a section of the map of the whole archdiocese, a map of the deanery pops up, showing the parish boundaries and names....but not for the deaneries in the eastern half of the archdiocese (Maybe Sydney pilgrims can tell why the parish boundaries in the east need to be kept secret!).



In those places where the parish names DO appear, there are some very curious spellings (spelling is a problem we're familiar with in Coo-ees!), such as:



Western Deanery: “Sacret Heart” – twice, so at least they're consistent; “St John the Babtist”
Auburn-Bankstown Deanery: “St Joahim’s”



And here's a ripper: Sutherland Deanery: “Our Lady Star of the See” (what a thrill for the Parish Priest!)



And three new saints-
St George Deanery: “St Regina Coeli” and “St Mater Dei” and Ashfield; Canterbury Deanery: "St Immaculate Conception”



And finally - maybe there is some clue here for Gippslanders - City Deanery: “St Francis de Sale.”


Now I'm sure there are no mistakes on the web pages of the Glorious See of Melbourne, and there a certainly none on the website of the Diocese of Armidale!

Priory Contrasts II

St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta. Dedicated in 2003.



St Thomas Aquinas Chapel, California. Dedicated in 2009.

The Younger the Better?

Thou art Kevin

We don't often publish pilgrims' letters, emails and notes word-for-word and we haven't here either. But some of it was too juicy to change.

Archbishop Wilson sent out a pastoral letter the faithful of the Archdiocese and decreed that it be read at every Good Friday liturgy at least in the Cathedral Parish.

It was two pages long and disregarding the content, inappropriate for Good Friday. But when it neared the end, the point of the date was revealed. It was a statement relating the Ecumenism with the Jewish. It re-stated the Vatican sentiment of nearly 12months, without mention the words, banning the Jewish word for God, from being used in liturgical music.

Joking on the way home from Tenebrae that night my father suggested that the word in question might be replaced by something 'like Boris'. I managed to top that thought in seconds, suggesting that Kevin be the replacement instead.

What a grand idea. At least Br Pelagius thought so and didn't pick up our mocking tone at first.

Kevin, I know you are near,
standing always at my side.
You guard me from the foe,
and you lead me in ways everlasting.

and;

Kevin's love will last forever. His faithfulness till the end of time

just to note a few. We think it'll catch on and are sending our suggestions to David Hass.

A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever

The 'completion' of St Mary's Cathedral in Perth continues almost unabated, though it seems that the cost of ugliness has risen a bit and they have just bumped up their appeal from $25.4 to $32.9 million.

What is interesting is that a perusal of the website pages for the new cathedral/gambling house (if the poker table altar is anything to go by!) is that the word 'beauty' does not occur once in reference to the actual new building and interior (there is an off-hand reference to the organ).

May we offer these words of Pope Benedict that may assist future cathedral builders, architects, liturgical consultants, professional liturgists, spin doctors, website people, bishops:

"Everything related to the Eucharist should

be marked by beauty."

(Sacramentum Caritatis)

A Rare and Exclusive Inteview

Just why was Fr Peter Kennedy dismissed from the pastoral office of Administrator of St Mary’s Parish, South Brisbane?

If you were relying on the “news” media for an accurate understanding of why, you might be confused. Here we have the local Brisbane paper, the Courier Mail – and notice how the story gets more confused over time:


Courier Mail 9 February: “unorthodox masses are conducted, women can preach and homosexual couples are blessed.”


Courier Mail 29 March: “for refusing to stop unorthodox practices such as blessing gay couples.”


Courier Mail 19 April: “for unorthodox practices including allowing women and gay couples to perform blessings.”


At least some places tried to tidy up the salient bits in the reportage. Most of the News Ltd press seemed to just “cut & paste”, but this effort is a bit better:


AAP via The Australian, 19 April: “for unorthodox practices such as allowing women and gay couples to take part in liturgies when traditionally these are performed by a priest.”


Back in January the journalist, Trent Dalton, was able to credibly claim that Fr Kennedy had given the Courier Mail a “rare and exclusive interview”. Haven't things changed since then: the now media-friendly Kennedy said yesterday: “The media will come to us for our opinion from now on.” And so they will, whenever they want to misrepresent the Catholic Church. For a little while.

End of an era

Perhaps it was always going to happen. Especially when only one-side came to the negotiation table. It seems that this is what Peter Kennedy always wanted. His own 'church', his own 'rules', his own fan club and his own doctrine.

From The Courier Mail:

Fr Kennedy said the majority of the St Mary's church community would join his congregation.

"Father Ken Howell (the newly appointed St Mary's administrator) will have to rent a crowd," Fr Kennedy said.

"They are in denial that this community will walk down the road and join St Mary's in Exile.

"They came before because we were different. We ran liturgies for the people."

After weeks of mediation, he agreed to step down but maintains the sacking was unjust.

"Our story will not change the church but our story will give hope to all those Catholics who have been treated unjustly," he said.

"Those who have been excluded on grounds of gender or sexual orientation, or just people who have been oppressed by the doctrines and dogmas and regulations and rules of the Catholic Church.

"We are liberated now to speak out about the church. The media will come to us for our opinion from now on."

Ta Da! Yes, we ALL get it down. It has never been about justice, it's always been about Peter Kennedy's face on TV!

The Fairfax media was balanced this time including the following:

However, Father Farrelly said the church community led by Father Kennedy was not as inclusive as he claimed.

He seized on radio comments in which Father Kennedy lashed out at "ultra-conservatives'' who had come into the St Mary's parish and complained about the practices that occurred.

Father Farrelly said the rebel priest had suggested the people complaining were not part of the St Mary's community - suggesting there were "limits to inclusion'' and "you can't be a member of his community if you're an ultra conservative''.

Father Farrelly also hit back at claims traditional church practices were not relevant to modern people. He said such comments denigrated the work of other Catholic priests and parishes who were also working for the community and helping people. He added that everyone was welcome in the church.

Father Farrelly was cautious about commenting about what penalties might be handed down to Father Kennedy for snubbing the Catholic hierarchy and operating his own services without the church's permission.

"It sounds almost like he wants to be ex-communicated,'' he said.

The Priory would like to offer you our own commentary on the photos to be found on that website.

Perhaps next week the sanctuary will be used properly. Perhaps not the altar rails just yet.


Someone is a little confused. Unless it is a sign left over from a pro-life rally?


Oh, we better not skip this part of the Mass.


And we'd better get in one final invalid baptism.


Good to see the marshals out in force.


It's not Rome Sweet Rome, but the militant unionists are more our style.



Let us see what happens next week.

Octave of Easter

Doubting Thomas and Quasimodo.

Carni-Vale

Br Pelagius' discovery of the 'Acceptance Sydney' website has turned up alarming things including images of marchers with a float imitating the Pope-mobile in the Oxford St parade, claims that the early church accepted gays and including things such as 'Madi-Gras' Masses.

Interestingly this note appears on the bottom of the page.

Are you here and don't wish to be?

We endeavour at all times to protect your privacy and seek permission from people before they appear on this website. If however you appear on the website and don't wish to be. Please email the webmaster with your name and contact number and the photo you want removed.

Br Belvedere wondered if he could email in on behalf of God requesting that the photographs of the Eucharist be removed since he appears on the website but does not wish to be.

Br Jasper piped up that perhaps he never emailed in himself because he was never there.

Br Prior scolded, "Now, now, lets not Maher their faith."

For the greater calling

From this palatial college


to this working class town



for the Ordinary-elect Bishop Greg O'Kelly SJ. We wonder what his thoughts are now on accepting a mitre. Is he placing himself in God's Will entirely? Or perhaps a little thought has crept in, wishing he had followed Jesuit tradition and refused episcopal ordination.

Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Heiliger Vater

Watch out for polygamists in Port Pirie

The Cloister knows the new Bishop of Port Pirie, +Greg O'Kelly, to be a good man, who, during his days as a school headmaster, was known to be most lenient when it came to the foibles of man (and woman).The story is told that during a French Night at St Ignatius Riverview a group of wives got up on stage and did the can-can. O'Kelly decided that it might be better if he didn't watch and placed a napkin over his head until the act was over!

It is only fair to warn him,therefore, that there is a serial polygamist on the loose who hails from just outside Port Pirie. We refer of course to the actor Keith Michell who famously played King Henry VIII in the BBC series about the king's six wives. Sightings of him in the area have been few and far between of late, but it's just as well to be forewarned!

Fame At Last!

From the Catholica website comes this ringing endorsement of Coo-ees from the Cloister:

Cooees from the Cloister — conducted by a group of anonymous younger ultra-conservative clergy — seemingly intent on taking on a role akin to liturgical "thought police" for the institutional Church.

St Michael and St John's and St Mark's

OK, now we’ve finished with a post-Easter backlog of Cloister paperwork, let’s consider the fresh episcopal appointments in Bathurst and Port Pirie.

Firstly, Bathurst (a See we have studied at some depth).





We note the continuing Victorianisation of the Church in New South Wales, with the appointment of Fr. Michael McKenna. I thought the words of “welcome” from the Diocesan Administrator, Fr Pat O’Regan, were, umm, interesting:

“For what seems a long time, the Diocese has been praying that God would send us a good, holy and pastoral bishop. [Ah, yes, a “pastoral” bishop: that’s code for someone who is a bit vague on matters of doctrine and Church order. In some quarters it also means someone who favours the ordination of women, the end of celibacy, the re-employment of droobs like Paul Collins, and maybe even the encouragement of persons such as the pastor of Coonamble. But let’s move on.] We give thanks and ask God's continual blessing upon his ministry of oversight within our Diocese. Bishop-elect McKenna brings to our Diocese a unique set of experiences [code for “none of his experiences have any relevance for Bathurst because he’s not from here”] which include growing up in a country diocese, [meaning “this guy is coming here from Melbourne but we hope he does not bring any of Melbourne with him: he won’t understand us because he left the Victorian countryside ages ago] as well as a very broad range of experiences of both the local and universal Church."[Meaning “he’s a smarty-pants city slicker but we’ll numb him into submission”]"I am sure that his vast experience will be called upon as he seeks to respond to the many pastoral challenges facing the diocese at this time; having fewer priests; times of drought and the changing nature of our social fabric to name but a very few, all call for a deep pastoral and hope filled response


Good luck to Bishop-Elect McKenna. He doesn’t need any advice from the Cloister, but still we’d suggest a careful reading of any archived correspondence between his predecessors and a certain secondary school. He also might want to consider a Visitation to a certain former convent complex.

Now: Port Pirie.



Hardly anyone outside South Australia and the occidental fringe of Victoria are aware that Port Pirie exists. We compliment the Nuncio on even having heard of it, let alone having processed a new bishop. Bishop O’Kelly will take with him the goodwill of many former pupils of the great Jesuit colleges of Australia. After all those years in South Australia, it seems appropriate that the J’s finally have one of their own in charge of a diocese. What WILL be really interesting is to see who – if anyone - replaces Doctor O’Kelly as Auxiliary in Adelaide.

Port Pirie

Port Pirie filled.... no rush for Sale though.

Bathurst

Well, Bishop-Elect McKenna of Bathurst: God Bless and Good Luck!

Art Wars - Easter II

My contribution to the war:

Noli Me Tangere
Fra Angelico

Victimae paschali laudes
immolent Christiani

Agnus redemit oves:
Christus innocens Patri
Reconciliavit peccatores.

Mors et vita duello conflixere mirando,
Dux vitae mortuus, regnat vivus.

Dic nobis Maria, quid vidisti in via?
Sepulcrum Christi viventis,
Et gloriam vidi resurgentis:

Angelicos testes, sudarium et vestes.
Surrexit Christus spes mea:
Praecedet vos in Galilaeam.

Credendum est magis soli
Mariae veraci
Quam Judaeorum
Turbae fallaci.

Scimus Christum surrexisse
a mortuis vere:
Tu nobis, victor Rex, miserere.
Amen. Alleluia.

Breaking News

Stay tuned to The Priory and The Cloister as we bring you updates on the news that the Dioceses of Port Pirie and Bathurst are set to be filled.

Bishop Gregory O'Kelly SJ, currently auxiliary of Adelaide is to move west and Fr Michael McKenna is set to move north from his position in Fitzroy.

Thanks to the pilgrim who alerted us to this fact so late in the evening and it does beg the question, why wasn't Sale announced at the same time?

Sealed with a kiss

Before people start comparing Archbishop Timothy Dolan to the Legionaries of Christ founder Fr Marcial Marciel or the former Bishop of the Diocese of San Pedro now Paraguayan President Fernando Armindo Lugo Méndez, it is his MOTHER.

Mad Americans?

In response to Mr Public Opinion's question "Have American Catholics gone completely mad?", the answer is most certainly Yes in NY:

But we really like their new man anyway.

Have American Catholics gone completely mad?

Looking to see how our Catholic cousins across the water were faring in these difficult times, we alighted on this bizarre picture and its accompanying message on their Catholics Online website. In the absence of any further explanation from them, it beggars description!


These are the two things I want you, please, to remember – abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Let me hear you say it: abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done.

The More Obscure Traditional Rites And Usages, No. 1

1. The Solemn Blessing of the Pantry on St WhiteWings' Day

Four more sleeps

No, not to Orthodox Easter but 'till St. Mary's Church is free!

Perhaps it was just that we were busy praying and practicing for the Easter Vigil last weekend, but we didn't notice anything in the News Ltd press about Fr Kennedy's last Easter at St. Mary's South Brisbane. And there was only a small article in the Fairfax media. It is shock none-the-less.

During his address, Fr Kennedy told of how in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus farewells his followers, but the ending is left ambiguous.

"Jesus said `see you in Galilee,' as if to say go back to ordinary life, keep going," he said. [?? that could be one interpretation]

"We have been living the Easter story, all the way through Lent."

"Just like the disciples had years of trials during their time following Jesus, we have had our own."

"We will be going to our own `Galilee'" [I'm sure the Trades & Labor Council building is just as beautiful...]

Fr Kennedy was all smiles and confidence as he spoke to Brisbanetimes.com.au after the service.

"I did get pretty emotional, as I do, from time to time."

"This transition will be a very emotional time."

Only a week out from leaving St Mary's, Father Kennedy was defiant.

"A grave injustice have been done to this community by our own archbishop and have said so to me this morning."

People in Adelaide and Sydney would be confused by the Archbishop's actions because we are doing good things. [A minority perhaps - certainly Broken Bay]

Father Peter Kennedy will conduct his last services at St Mary's next weekend before handing over the keys of the building to Archbishop John Bathersby, who has sacked him for disobedience.

Fr Kennedy will hold his last services at St Mary's church on Sunday April 19, before proceeding to the community's new home at the Trades and Labor Council (TLC) building.

Fr Kennedy said he would like to eventually return to St Mary's.

"The Archbishop is a man and other other bishop wouldn't have done what he has." [Is this the Times fault? Or has Kennedy developed a stutter? Other bishops wouldn't have let you get away with it for so long.]

"So there's the chance we will be back here some day."

When quizzed on whether there would be a "second coming" at the end of the St. Mary's story, Fr Kennedy was coy.

"Who knows," he said with a grin.

Oh Please!!!

Art Wars - Easter

And I get in first.

Resurrection

Dieric Bouts (c. 1455)

St Mary Mac?

The Age is reporting that the family of a bashing victim are crediting his recovery from a coma to the work of Blessed Mother Mary MacKillop.

It is timely news given the unveiling of a new statue of the Founder of the Sister of St. Joseph outside St Francis Xavier's Cathedral. The Southern Cross reports that this was in conjunction with an "historic apology".

He [Archbishop Phillip Wilson] stressed the apology was a follow up to the regret expressed by the dying Bishop Sheil when he revoked his excommunication of Mary in 1872.

Speaking at the recent blessing and dedication of the Blessed Mary MacKillop statue and plaza in Victoria Square, Archbishop Wilson pointed out that the excommunication was, in fact, invalid and that he was “profoundly ashamed of the Bishop’s actions in driving the Sisters out onto the streets”.

“This statue will stand as a sign of our affection and as an act of reparation for what happened so long ago,” he said.


“The centenary year of Mary’s death is a time of great celebration and we want to repair any hurt we have caused in the past in the spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness.”

A number of Josephite Sisters attending the ceremony wept as the Archbishop made the apology.


Sister Marion Gambin, Leader of the South Australian Province of the Sisters of St Joseph in South Australia, said it was a very moving experience.

“It was very unexpected and quite humbling,” she said.

“We are really very grateful and a lot of the Sisters have expressed their gratitude.”

She said the excommunication had caused much anxiety and many Sisters had ended up homeless.

You can read all about its 'production' on this blog. While it is very interesting, it has given Br Momus some rather silly ideas about whom he can make bronze statues of.

And Archbishop Wilson, apologies were soooo 2008.

Arabian Nights

A Reading from the Tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

Then, taking a jugful of boiling oil, Morgantina poured it over the head of a robber. She then poured the oil over every one of the robbers and, in this way, wiped out the whole band. Then she hid in a corner.
A little later, the leader of the robber band hurried into the courtyard to give the signal to attack. But when he raised the lids, he found to his terror that every one of his men was dead. Horrified, he could not fathom what trap he had fallen into. The robber fled into the night.
Next morning, Morgantina told Ali Baba of her adventure.
"I'll never be able to thank you enough!" exclaimed Ali Baba. "You are an amazing girl. From this second you are no longer a slave, but a free member of this household."

We're wondering in the Cloister whether Fr Kennedy was hiding in one of the oil-jars. Honestly, the Brisbane Chrism Mass just gets odder and odder. Remember this one?

At least Father's shoulder-bag had disappeared this year.

He is not here... He is Risen!

This is the night!

O felix culpa quae talem et tantum meruit habere redemptorem...

Good Friday...

The cross on which hung the Saviour of the world - Let us come worship Him!

Happy Eaxt3r

The WYD inspired social networking site just sent us all a happy easter here in The Priory.

We understand that it is sometimes appropriate to be hip, and Sr. Magdalene likes fluffy ducklings, but perhaps a more 'Catholic' image would have been appropriate.

We are sure the Easter Sunday 'Art Wars' here in The Priory may put forward some more appropriate choices for next year perhaps.

It's Not Just Any Old 'Last Supper'...

The Last Supper has been a favoured subject of art. In the Roman catacombs are representations of meals giving some idea to the surroundings of an ancient dining hall. The sixth century delivers notably a bas-relief in the church at Monza in Italy, a picture in a Syrian codex of the Laurentian Library at Florence, and a mosaic in S. Apollmare Nuovo at Ravenna. But perhaps the most popular is that of Leonardo da Vinci in Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan.

Significant in each is the role of the Christ figure in sharing out the meal. Christ is not represented as part of a larger collective sharing out a meal or an observer but rather He alone makes the offerings and shares out His sacrafice.

As we enter into the Triduum of Easter in every diocese the "Messa Crismale" is celebrated during which the bishop and priests of the diocese renew their promises made at ordination. This is a time to also consider our Lord's institution of the Eucharistic Sacrament and appreciate that it is not the staging point for innovation or grand gestures of temporal engagement.

No doubt innovation has its place but not in the commemoration in our Mass of the Last Supper where it is as welcome in our liturgy as might be a mariachi band!

Coping with fallen leaves

A friend on a local Victorian council recently related how tired he was getting of new residents moving into a particularly leafy area of Melbourne and then demanding that Council chop down trees because either they were spoiling their views or, on one occasion, the resident complained that she was forever having to sweep up fallen leaves!

It would appear that much the same sort of thing has now occurred in the Catholic Church, where one of our newest converts, to wit former British PM Tony Blair, is now intent on bending the Pope's ear with regards to the church's attitude on homosexuality.

Mr Blair says he hopes that the church will start to regard the Bible as being merely metaphorical and that the Pope's "entrenched" attitude towards gays must change, so that they can be seen as equals in the eyes of the Catholic Church.

The moral to all this? If you don't like fallen leaves, don't move into an area full of trees!