We celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi with a Solemn High Mass last Thursday. I'm happy to report that our Latin is much improved. Even my daughter has memorized many of the psalm tones and can whip out "Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio ..." It was quite a challenge to sing the the long sequence before the proclamation of the Gospel (John 6:56-59). I do encourage all to read it here. It is a hard teaching. What can I say? It is a mystery that our all powerful God humbles Himself to come as a babe and live amongst us. But what's amazing is that He is still here -- in all the tabernacles of the world. He gives Himself to us in the Eucharist. It is His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. This is why Catholics do not receive the Body of Christ unless they are in the state of grace, and this is why non-Catholics are not invited to partake in the Body unless they believe this.
At the end of every Mass, we read the first part of the Gospel of John. We genuflect when the priest reads: and the Word became Flesh.
I cannot explain this very well, because it is a mystery, glorious and wondrous. I am full of thanks that the Lord gives Himself to us so intimately. Perhaps the Msgr. Pope can help in his homily here.
Oh, we went to the Cathedral this Sunday for an exhibition on Eucharistic Miracles. I was floored. So many amazing miracles that show doubting priests and lay-persons that the consecrated Host is the Body of Christ. My favorites were the stories of donkeys, cows and bunnies bowing to their Creator!
Pax Christi+
4 comments:
When I think of what prayer really is, I think it is contemplation of the mysteries.
Not Catholic, but both my kids are passionate about Latin. (They are studying the classical, not church Latin.)
My sister,who went to a Catholic school, sings every Sunday in the choir of a small Catholic church. She loves singing the Latin Mass. There is something magical/mystical about the language.
Mirka, you hit the nail on the head. We have so many different kinds of prayers (thanks, petitions, etc.) but one of the most wonderful is simply to sit and be and contemplate the great mysteries. So neat to hear that your children adore Latin. I've always been fond of languages, so studying it appeals to me.
Bish, almost all religions have a sacred language for worship. I do not know why that is so, but perhaps when things are set apart, they are more meaningful. I'm not sure. I do find that feeling of the heavens opening up when the liturgy is in Latin. I know it's the same Mass if held in English, but the feeling is not the same. Your sister would love our regular High Masses ... our choir is so small, we could use more people. Tell her she's welcome anytime here.
Blessings on you, Vijaya!
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