Fr Aidan Nichols lays out plan to save Catholic Church in England

Damian Thompson of the UK Telegraph reports:

The Domican theologian Fr Aidan Nichols – Holy Smoke readers’ choice to succeed Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor at Westminster – has just published an ambitious plan to revive the wretchedly moribund English Catholic Church.

His new book The Realm: An Unfashionable Essay on the Conversion of England suggests that the bishops should vigorously convert people to Roman Catholicism. I can already hear the snooty splutters ("How reactionary! How inappropriate!") from the episcopal HQ at Eccleston Square, various bossy "trained liturgists" – and, of course, the Bitter Pill.

Now there's a novel idea. The Church? Evangelize?! How scandalous.

The title doesn't appear to be available in the U.S. at present. UK orders for now.

Dominican Leaders rebuke problematic proposal of Dutch Dominicans

Dominicans in The Netherlands (which today made AmP news for having one its chapels converted into a "modern and stylish apartment") today received a firm rebuke from their leaders in Rome:

World leaders of the Dominican order have issued a correction to three Dutch Dominican theologians who issued a popular pamphlet arguing that parish communities could celebrate the Eucharist without a priest, the French newspaper La Croix reporters.

The Dominican officials criticize the Dutch theologians for promoting views that contradict fundamental Church doctrines, according to La Croix. But the report issued from Rome stops short of disciplinary action against the theologians involved in the Dutch pamphlet.

... The report from Rome, dated January 23, does not call for disciplinary action against the Dominicans responsible for the pamphlet. But it directs the Dutch Dominicans to publicize the response in all the parishes where the original pamphlet was circulated last year-- as many as 1,500 parishes.

Personally, I wish these sort of disputes were settled the way things were done back at the University of Paris in the 13th century - public debate between chosen masters where they would employ their best arguments.

Or, in place of that, a cage match with hard-bound copies of the Summa.

The final paragraph leaves something to be desired, however:

The author of the Roman response, the French Dominican Hervé Legrand, does express some sympathy for the Dutch Dominican theologians on one issue: the question of priestly celibacy. On that issue "there must be a debate," the document says, noting that "the current situation for priests is not the only one possible."

Actually, the current situation for priests *is* the only one possible in the Roman rite.

But at least this is some progress.

Now to address the far more serious causes of the vocations crisis in Europe....

To provide an informative counter-point on this issue and related ones, see In the Light of the Law today:

In the course of answering some questions about "presiders" at liturgies, Fr. Edward McNamara, LC, made an interesting, but I think controvertible, statement: "Only an ordained minister can, strictly speaking, preside at any liturgical act." That sounds inconsistent with the language used in several authoritative sources.

...

Obviously [well, not to some Dominicans in The Netherlands. - AmP], certain liturgies can only be presided over by the ordained [i.e., Mass! - AmP]. Even in those liturgies that can be led by laity, however, ordained presiders, being more closely configured to Christ the High Priest, bring to their role a greater disposition for liturgical ministry, they offer a more perfect sign of our communion with one another under a hierarchic governance, and they are usually permitted a greater degree of solemnity in the celebration of the liturgy than are lay celebrants.

[Read the rest.]

Hint: The Book of Blessings!

Exclusive: Advance photos and summary of Dominican diaconate ordination

As I mentioned previously, this past Saturday I was able to attend an ordination of seven Dominican friars to the transitional diaconate. The Mass was held in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception here in DC, and was celebrated by Archbishop Emeritus of Louisville, Thomas Kelly, O.P.

Here is a picture of the seven newly-ordained deacons (vested in gold).

Here is a photo of the ordination Mass taken by a professional photographer:

And here is a Flickr set of 20 more pictures of the event which capture it well. (Just to be cruel, I'm barely visible in one of the pictures. Props to the first person to spot me, that is, if Where's Waldo? is your idea of fun.)

Anyway, as you can see from the photos, it was a beautiful and reverent celebration.

The first reading was very appropriate considering the fact that there were seven candidates, viz., Acts Chapter 6:1-7, which tells the story of the first seven deacons to be ordained by the apostles in the early church.

My favorite off-the-cuff moment took place after the solemn presentation and election of the candidates. Once Fr. John Langlois, the Student Master of the Dominican House of Studies had read the names of the seven candidates and declared them fit for ordination, and Abp. Kelly had recited the formula acceptance and acknowledgement, he went on to add, "So John, really - are they ready?". Fr. Langois was quick to respond, "Oh yes, they are."

Abp. Kelly went on to say that, having lived in the community of Dominican friars at the Priory of the Immaculate Conception for many months, he would happily vouch personally for each one of the candidates.

And in related news, their new $18M Academic Center and Theological Library is quickly taking shape:

The roof panels have since arrived and are now being fitted to the visible steel lattice work.

update: The Dominican Friars now have another slideshow of images available for viewing.

[photo credit: Kristian Grabosky, All Rights Reserved.]

[photo credit: Dominican Vocations Blog, All Rights Reserved.]

Attending a Dominican transitional diaconate ordination at the Basilica today

From the Dominican Friars vocations blog:

On Saturday, January 12, seven of our brothers will be ordained to the Diaconate at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The program for the ordination Mass is available by clicking here [PDF]. The brothers to be ordained are: Br. Peter Hoàng Ðo, O.P., John Son Thanh Hoàng, O.P, Br. John Gregory Schnakenberg, O.P., Br. Vinod Bruno Mary Shah, O.P., Br. Joseph Anthony Giambrone, O.P., Br. Jacob Thomas Petri, O.P., and Br. Jonah Francis Pollock, O.P. Please pray for these brothers as they prepare for their ordination.

The announcement graphic:

I certainly can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning!

Please keep these men in your prayers today.

Video: 1964 Dominican Vocations Film

What better way to start your day?

Some of these clips were filmed at the Dominican House of Studies, where I attend classes and work now:



Excerpts from "And the world looks at us", a 1964 Dominican Province of Saint Joseph vocation film written by Fr. Dominic Rover, O.P., and narrated by Dana Elcar. The original film was 28 min in length. The scenes included here were filmed at St. Stephen Priory in Dover, MA, the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, D.C., and St. Dominic Church, Washington, D.C. From the archives of the Dominican Theological Library at the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, D.C. - DHS Priory YouTube Channel

Of course, this isn't just history.

Advent with the Dominican Friars: Part Two

As I menioned before, the Dominican Friars in Washington DC are producing a series of articles and videos entitled "The Mystery of Advent" to help us prepare for Christmas.

If you missed it, the first week reflections are here.

Now, the second written reflection and the accompanying video reflection by Br. Anthony Giambrone, O.P. are available on the Dominican Friars blog here.

Video: Advent with the Dominican Friars: Part One (The Meaning of Advent)

Catholic Exchange introduces this video (I blogged about the same story here):

Welcome to the video portion of Catholic Exchange's new free Advent study, "Renewing the Mystery of Advent", produced by a team of Dominican Friars from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. and St. Vincent Church and Priory in New York City. Each week on Thursday we will feature front-page article along with a video presentation by Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, OP, a Dominican Friar of the Province of St. Joseph.

You can watch or download the video at the Dominican friars blog. The accompanying article is here.

Advent with the Dominican Friars: Part One (The Meaning of Advent)

As blogged last week, the Dominican Friars in Washington DC are producing a series of articles and videos entitled "The Mystery of Advent" to help us prepare for Christmas.

Today the first reflection was posted on Catholic Exchange (with video to follow shortly) by Br. John Chrysostom Kozlowski, O.P. Do take a moment and read:

"Once again Advent is upon us. Our churches will be draped in purple; our priests will wear violet vestments; the Advent wreath will be blessed and lit; "O come, O come Emmanuel" will be sung as we begin the time of preparation for our Lord's coming.

Once again Advent is upon us. Our lives will be swept up in a whirlwind of chaos; we will have to find that perfect present; we will attend any number of pre-Christmas Christmas parties. Our ears will be bombarded with Christmas songs everywhere we go as we begin a three week celebration of Our Lord and Savior's birth.

Which of these images come closer to our experience of Advent? For most of us, the second scenario is probably closer to reality. For most of us, Advent is lived as a time of early celebration of Christmas rather than as spiritual preparation for Christmas. We do not need to celebrate Christmas early because the Church gives us the Octave of Christmas, the Church's eight day celebration of Christmas.

However, all too often, Advent becomes a time for pre-Christmas Christmas celebrations and no one has the energy for eight days of celebration when Christmas comes. When that happens, the distinctive purpose of the Advent season becomes lost and forgotten. Of course, some of us will have office parties and family events that take place before Christmas and it would be in poor taste not to participate. Yet, with some effort, we can reclaim the true meaning of Advent.

[Read the full meditation.]

A truly excellent practical help:

"We promised to offer not only theological but practical points for this period of intense training. Now, there are a number of fine Advent traditions that can help individuals and families prepare. There is the family Advent wreath, the displaying of a nativity scene without the Christ-child until Christmas, and various sorts of meditations that go with these. Advent is a great time for individuals and families to start praying the Rosary — especially the Joyful Mysteries. But when we keep in mind how busy everyone is during this season, there is one Advent practice in particular that we commend to everyone. It is quick and easily carried out by even the busiest shoppers.

The method is to print out a copy of the two prefaces of Advent (they are available here as a .pdf file), and take just one minute a day to read and ponder the appropriate preface — personally praying the first preface during the first part of Advent and the second preface during the second part of Advent. Those who want to make a greater effort to reclaim the meaning of Advent might consider taking a minute to read and meditate upon the appropriate preface before each and every trip to a mall, a store, or a pre-Christmas Christmas party. In this way, the true meaning of Advent will remain with us even during this chaotic time of the year."

To learn more about the Dominican Friars, visit their vocations blog here.

Spend this Advent with the Dominican Friars preparing for Christmas

Here's an exciting offering from the Dominican Friars in collaboration with Catholic Exchange.

Tom Allen, president of Catholic Exchange, explains:

Free Advent Study on the Way!

Realizing that our Christmas joy is in direct proportion to our Advent preparation, we are very excited about sharing with you a free Advent study, consisting of both written materials (downloadable and printable for your convenience) and videos. This series of articles and videos is entitled "The Mystery of Advent."

The "Mystery of Advent" is being produced by a team of Dominican Friars from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. and St. Vincent Church and Priory in New York City. Several of their brothers have become regular contributors to Catholic Exchange, sharing with us the treasures of their in-depth Scripture study and prayerful meditation.

More details from the Dominican Friars Student blog:

Every year Christians bemoan how the true meaning of Christmas gets lost from view in our society. In the midst of December’s consumerist frenzy and politically correct greetings, how does one put Christ back in Christmas?

The Church has a powerful response to the secularization of Christmas. The response is Advent.

The Advent season, when lived to its depths, prepares the heart and mind to celebrate Christ at Christmas. The more consciously Christians enter into what Advent offers, the greater will be their Christmas joy.

[We] are offering a series of articles and videos - titled “The Mystery of Advent."

The series consists of one article and one short video for each week of Advent. The articles will cover the readings and liturgy for each Sunday of Advent, and will appear on the homepage of Catholic Exchange the Thursday before each Sunday. The articles are designed to help one prepare spiritually for the upcoming Sunday Mass. The first article appears on Thursday, November 29. The videos will provide Dominican preaching on the meaning of each Advent week, and will appear each week on the homepage of Catholic Exchange.

We Friars invite everyone to join us this Advent in preparing the way for Christ at Christmas.

[Visiting their blog and bookmarking their RSS feed is an easy way to make that happen.]

I consider this is an excellent instance of using modern technology to meet the special spiritual needs of Catholics during this busy holiday season. I suggest we take the Dominican Friars up on their generous offer!