UGLY DUCKLINGS
The Gift in the Box, part 3

So I'm discovering that my friend Donna isn't the only one chronicling this topic. Debra Saunders chimes in during her Townhall.com column today.

As the Web site about-face.org notes, "'The Swan' is one more way women and girls will get the message that they are not good enough unless they go to extremes to fit into an increasingly narrow ideal (and even then ... not everyone will win this beauty pageant!). It's alarming that cosmetic surgery is becoming 'normal' through media messages, and 'The Swan' is the worst perpetrator yet."

Some message: The key to inner harmony is in outer packaging.

"When you think of 100 years ago," Bruin noted, "the way women bettered themselves was to learn piano, learn to sketch," maybe cross-stitch. Women bettered themselves, that is, by improving their minds.

But in today's skin-deep, no-wait world, self-improvement means seeing a plastic surgeon. Nip and tuck.

The storybook swan is meant to assure awkward children that a beautiful being dwells inside them and that they will grow into that person. TV's "The Swan" is the shortcut, and it only applies to people with a ticket to a plastic surgeon. Girls don't grow into beautiful women; doctors make them beautiful.

A DRAFT TRANSLATION OF THE NEW MASS

is available here in the form of jpeg images. Each image contains one page of the Liturgy in Latin and in English. Click on the links below and images will open in a new window. The new draft translation of the Mass in English, said to be more faithful to the original Latin text, is being circulated among the bishops for their comments. The new translation has been described as "elegant" by Cardinal George Pell, who is chairman of the Vox Clara Committee - the advisory committee to the Congregation for Divine Worship which advises in the assessment of english translations world-wide .

For background on Liturgiam Authenticam, some catching up is in order.

The first thing I noticed different was a slight rewording of the Act of Penitence.

I confess to Almight God
And to you, my brothers and sisters
That I have sinned exceedingly
In my thoughts and in my words....etc.

And that's just for starters. But remember, this is only a draft. There's also a series of interviews on the subject that you can read here as well.

So what’s this new translation like? Well at the moment when the priest says, ‘The Lord be with you’, the congregation responds, ‘And also with you’. But in future, if the Vox Clara committee has its way, they’ll say, ‘And with your spirit’, which is actually quite pretty, and it will also bring the English mass into line with what’s said in churches in France and Germany and Italy and Spain. The old Tridentine rite in Latin had a particular fondness for triple repetitions of certain phrases, and this is also back, ‘Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa ’ returns as ‘Through my fault, through my fault, through my exceeding fault.’

The creed changes from being a communal profession of faith (‘We believe in one God’) to a personal profession of faith (‘I believe in one God’).

And while many people were anxiously expecting the return of a lot of the older gender-specific language, in the main that doesn’t seem to have happened.

Some of the implications of the new translation aren’t immediately obvious. What will become of the last 30 years of modern Catholic church music when so many of the words have been changed? And what of the implications for the Ecumenical Movement? For years now, the various liturgies of the Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Uniting Churches have been on a quiet path towards convergence, so that more and more the language of the big public prayers is common to all. But now the Vatican could be about to step back from all of that.

AN APOLOGY FOR MEL?

I won't hold my breath, but it certainly would appear they owe him one. Rabbi Daniel Lapin writes in Toward Tradition about the lack of outbreaks of anti-semiticm stemming from TPOTC.

With perhaps one in five Americans already having seen it, "The Passion" continues to rack up attendance records. Would you like to hear an amazing statistic? In spite of dire warnings by some Jewish groups, no American Jews wending their way homewards from the synagogue have been set upon by crucifix-wielding Christians intent on wreaking revenge for the death of Jesus.

I am not being sarcastic. This truly is an amazing statistic. According to Boston police reports, the Oliver Stone-Quentin Tarantino 1994 "Natural Born Killers" inspired several imitation murders including a firefighter killed by a man who claimed to be fascinated by the film.

Nathaniel White claimed that "Robocop" showed him how to kill five women and one girl in a year-long murder spree. Four young gunmen embarked on a killing spree, murdering four after watching the TV movie "Helter Skelter", a film about the Manson murders. The annals of American crime are filled with instances of the unbalanced and the demented acting out silver screen slashing extravaganzas.

Back in February, when "The Passion" was released, would anyone have been willing to guarantee that out of millions of theater-goers, not one lunatic would emerge with mayhem on his mind? I would have offered no such guarantee. Yet, nothing of the sort happened. What did happen is that several criminals were inspired to confess their crimes and submit to trial and incarceration after experiencing "The Passion".

Even the most hostile critic must concede that just as depraved films stimulate degenerate imitation, so do uplifting films stimulate noble behavior. That is certainly what has been happening with "The Passion". Wouldn't it be uplifting and even noble were the Jewish groups who earlier had insulted "The Passion", its maker, the Gospels that inspired it, and indeed all Christians, now to issue an apology?

VATICAN SAYS NO TO CHURCHES USED AS MOSQUES

From AsiaNews.it

WHY I LOVE THE LINCOLN DIOCESE...

...has much to do with our Bishop. This article is almost a month old, but it took me awhile to find it.

On April 6, 2004, Bishop Fabian W. Bruskewitz, D.D., S.T.D., of the Lincoln, Ne. diocese, stated through his office to this writer that his diocese would deny Holy Communion to any manifest, persistent, obstinate sinner.

Referring to canon 915, Bruskewitz said, "We agree completely with Archbishop Raymond Burke in the action he has taken and we would take the same action in the diocese of Lincoln with regard to manifest, persistent, obstinate sinners, including politicians, regardless of which diocese they are from."

Bishop Bruskewitz of Lincoln in May 15, 1996 issued a successful diocesan synodal law, still enforced today, which carries an automatic penalty of excommunication. Informing all Catholics in his diocese of the list of dissenting organizations whose activities are contrary to the Catholic Faith, Bruskewitz has literally 'cleaned house.' Until today, however, it was unknown if he would deny the Eucharist to any manifest, persistent, obstinate sinner.

AND NOW, FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

Time for a bit of levity.

According to this test, I scored a 10: Up There With Einstein.

Also:


Utinam barbari spatium proprium tuum invadant!
"May barbarians invade your personal
space!"
You are highly confrontational and possibly in a
bad mood. You would have sworn in this quiz,
if I had made it an option.


Which Weird Latin Phrase Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

PREPARE THE DUCT TAPE...

and get ready to wrap it around my head so it doesn't explode.

I promised myself I would stay off the Death March topic for the next few days, but after reading this quote today, there is no way I could. Please indulge me for a moment, but after reading this quote from Terry Mattingly's column, I have to ask myself: "What planet am I on?"

"God stands with all of us, regardless of where we stand," said the Rev. Mark Pawlowski of Planned Parenthood, reading from the "My Pro-Choice Credo" liturgy.

"When women choose to have abortions they are acting with integrity, aware of compassion and in realization of their own wisdom. To doubt the integrity, compassion or wisdom of women is to insult women and offend God."

This statement has so many things wrong with it, I do not know where to begin. No, "Rev." Mark. To rationalize your participation in a mockery of God is an insult and offense to humanity.

I think I'll reread St. Augustine's prayer below and attempt to memorize it by the end of the day. Perhaps then I'll be able to put away the duct tape.

THE END OF THE WEEK

After a too-long week of busy-ness and bad news...of hustle and bustle and not pausing to rest...

Because I believe others may need to hear the words as well....I join them in this prayer, courtesy of Eutychus Fell.

Watch, O Lord (St. Augustine)

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give Your angels and saints charge over those who sleep.
Tend Your sick ones, O Lord Christ.
Rest Your weary ones.
Bless Your dying ones.
Soothe Your suffering ones.
Pity Your afflicted ones.
Shield Your joyous ones, and all for Your love's sake. Amen.

THE MINOR LOSS
Baby clothes and too-long hugs
sleepless nights and crocheted rugs
some sympathy, some gratitude
a single oafish platitude
from one who knows not what to say:
“It wasn’t really alive, eh?”
Bluebottle kiss.
The mark is missed.
She quickly turns away.

NIP & TUCK
The Gift in the Box, part 2

More today from Barbara Phillips at the OpinionJournal.com concerning the "plastic reality" that is becoming all too common on TV and in life. I suffered verbal abuse from schoolmates as well...the bitter hateful things that kids say to each other...and had a self-esteem issue or two, but NEVER could I fathom the pain one must feel to go under the knife.

Late last month, Rod Rohrich, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, noted in a press release that "the new wave of plastic-surgery reality television is a serious cause for concern. Some patients on these shows have unrealistic and, frankly, unhealthy expectations of what plastic surgery can do for them. I have witnessed plastic surgery disasters where someone tried to look like someone else."

MYTH MEETS REALITY

Abortion Statistics - Decision to Have an Abortion (U.S.)

· 25.5% of women deciding to have an abortion want to postpone childbearing
· 21.3% of women cannot afford a baby
· 14.1% of women have a relationship issue or their partner does not want a child
· 12.2% of women are too young (their parents or others object to the pregnancy)
· 10.8% of women feel a child will disrupt their education or career
· 7.9% of women want no (more) children
· 3.3% of women have an abortion due to a risk to fetal health
· 2.8% of women have an abortion due to a risk to maternal health

So how many women’s lives have been saved by abortion?

Only about 3% of abortions since 1972 were reported to be “due to a risk to maternal health.” A reasonable person would recognize that not all of those cases represent a lethal risk. But let’s say they did. That means that nearly 45 million babies were butchered to save the lives of about 1.3 million women.

And oh, by the way, abortion was legal in all 50 states prior to Roe v. Wade in cases of danger to the life of the woman.

SAY WHAT?

Perhaps these abortionists should thank their mothers that they weren't aborted. You would think... but the truth is FAR more bizarre. Here's a quote of Maxine Waters, as pointed out by National Review's The Corner.

There were a good number of “Say What” moments at the March this weekend. Some of the most telling were at the pre-rally the night before, filled with music and ranting aimed at modern-day bra-burner wannabe college students and their nostalgic feminist mothers. One of the most bizarre though, came from Maxine Waters. After sending a civil message to the president (George W Bush, go to hell! And while you’re at it, we want you to take Ashcroft with you. And don’t forget Rumsfeld. And please carry along Condi Rice.”), Waters told the rallied, “I have to march because my mother could not have an abortion.”

THE GIFT IN THE BOX

In an unlinked column written recently by a good friend of mine who writes for The Mississippi Press, she chronicles hers and a co-worker's attempt at getting accepted for ABC's "Extreme Makeover"; something I admit I'd never heard of until recently. Towards the end of her article Donna reveals some startling statistics:

According to The New York Times, the success of plastic surgery shows like "Swan," "Extreme," and "Famous Face" is in keeping with the national increase in surgical procedures.

In a recent article they toss out startling statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons: 8.7 million cosmetic plastic surgeries were performed in 2003 -- a 32 percent increase from 2002.

Fox News reported that last year alone 220,000 plastic surgery procedures
were performed on teens.

We've become fixated on the wrapping, forgetting the gift in the box.

8.7 million??? 220,000 on TEENS??? I don't know whether to laugh or cry. What is it that blinds people to the beauty within them?

SIXTY-SEVEN PERCENT

Thank goodness for scientists like physicist Stephen Unwin.

A scientist has calculated that there's a 67-percent chance that God exists. With the help of a 200-year-old formula normally used to calculate the occurrence of catastrophic events, physicist Stephen Unwin has come up with his remarkable conclusion.

Dr Unwin, who now works as a risk assessor in Ohio, says his theory starts from the assumption that God has a 50/50 chance of existing, and then he factors in the evidence both for and against the notion of a higher being.

So there ya go. There's a 2/3 chance that God does in fact exist. Pascal's Wager is an even better bet now thanks to Dr. Unwin.

Another curious argument of Pascal's is that which is known as the argument of the wager. God exists or He does not exist, and we must of necessity lay odds for or against Him.

If I wager for and God is -- infinite gain;
If I wager for and God is not -- no loss.
If I wager against and God is -- infinite loss;
If I wager against and God is not -- neither loss nor gain.

In the second case there is an hypothesis wherein I am exposed to the loss of everything. Wisdom, therefore, counsels me to make the wager which insures my winning all or, at worst losing nothing.

A PEEK AT THE UGLINESS WITHIN, part 2

I hate to keep referring back to last weekend's Death March, but we have an opportunity to see the real side of these people, and folks, it's ugly. Matt Abbott in his latest "Straight Guy with the Catholic Eye" column documents one priest's stand on that day. (The original article can be found by clicking on this link.)

Father Reynolds stood for hours this afternoon on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, in front of the Navy Memorial. Other members of the clergy and pro-life activists were spread out along the same block. Almost nonstop, he made the sign of the cross with his right arm while speaking to the marchers offering blessings and prayers.

The response was nothing short of satanic. Father Reynolds was cursed at and flipped off by hundreds of marchers, many of whom sported Kerry stickers. Many other marchers mocked the sign of the cross. Some denounced God while others denied His existence.

Marchers screamed at the top of their lungs against the priest. He was repeatedly accused of being a child molester by those who support the murder of children.

One woman walked up to the priest and stood just on the other side of the police-manned fence separating the sides. She made the sign of the cross, but finished by thrusting her hips forward at the priest while she dramatically grabbed her crotch.

A REMARKABLE WOMAN...

...was St. Catherine of Siena, whose feast day we celebrate today.

Everything comes from love, all is ordained for the salvation of man, God does nothing without this goal in mind. --Saint Catherine of Siena

from On Divine Providence by Saint Catherine of Siena: Eternal God, eternal Trinity, you have made the blood of Christ so precious through his sharing in your divine nature. You are a mystery as deep as the sea; the more I search, the more I find, and the more I find the more I search for you. But I can never be satisfied; what I receive will ever leave me desiring more. When you fill my soul I have an even greater hunger, and I grow more famished for your light. I desire above all to see you, the true light, as you really are.

I have tasted and seen the depth of your mystery and the beauty of your creation with the light of my understanding. I have clothed myself with your likeness and have seen what I shall be. Eternal Father, you have given me a share in your power and the wisdom that Christ claims as his own, and your Holy Spirit has given me the desire to love you. You are my Creator, eternal Trinity, and I am your creature. You have made of me a new creation in the blood of your Son, and I know that you are moved with love at the beauty of your creation, for you have enlightened me.

Eternal Trinity, Godhead, mystery deep as the sea, you could give me no greater gift than the gift of yourself. For you are a fire ever burning and never consumed, which itself consumes all the selfish love that fills my being. Yes, you are a fire that takes away the coldness, illuminates the mind with its light and causes me to know your truth. By this light, reflected as it were in a mirror, I recognise that you are the highest good, one we can neither comprehend nor fathom. And I know that you are beauty and wisdom itself. The food of angels, you gave yourself to man in the fire of your love.

You are the garment which covers our nakedness, and in our hunger you are a satisfying food, for you are sweetness and in you there is no taste of bitterness, O triune God!

A PEEK AT THE UGLINESS WITHIN, part 1

George Neumayr of The American Spectator writes further of the cold meanness that exists within the leaders of the pro-abort camp. Just a small sampling of it follows. I recommend it be read in its entirety.

On Fox's Hannity and Colmes this week, Sean Hannity asked Patricia Ireland, former head of the National Organization for Women, about the placards reported in "Among the Pagan Ladies" on Monday. Hannity: "They were holding up signs, 'If only Barbara Bush had a choice.' 'Barbara chose poorly,' was another one. 'The Pope's mother had no choice.'"

Ireland didn't apologize for the placards. She just rationalized them: "You do understand, Sean, that that was a small minority of signs."

Hannity: "Well, why aren't you condemning it?"

Ireland: "There is a deep anger."

There you have it. Anything goes with this group because "there is a deep anger." I have a question for this ilk however. What about MY deep anger? What about our sides anger, dismay and sadness over their callous and completely inhumane attitude towards ending a life? To use the language of the liberal: Don't our feelings count? Or just theirs?

What about the unborn's feelings?

NOW PLAYING ON BROADWAY

One of my favorite writers, Peggy Noonan, reviews a new production on Broadway, and discovers something unsettling about our present culture...

An important moment in the plot is when a character announces she is pregnant, and considering having an abortion. In fact, she tells her mother-in-law, she's already put $5 down with the local abortionist. It is a dramatic moment. And you know as you watch it that when this play came out in 1960 it was received by the audience as a painful moment--a cry of pain from a woman who's tired of hoping that life will turn out well.

But this is the thing: Our audience didn't know that. They didn't understand it was tragic. They heard the young woman say she was about to end the life of her child, and they applauded. Some of them cheered. It was stunning. The reaction seemed to startle the actors on stage, and shake their concentration. I was startled. I turned to my friend. "We have just witnessed a terrible cultural moment," I said. "Don't I know it," he responded.

And I can't tell you how much that moment hurt. To know that the members of our audience didn't know that the taking of a baby's life is tragic--that the taking of your own baby's life is beyond tragic, is almost operatic in its wailing woe.

But our audience didn't know. They reacted as if abortion were a political question. They thought that the fact that the young woman was considering abortion was a sign of liberation. They thought this cry of pain was in fact a moment of self-actualizing growth.

Afterwards, thinking about it, I said to my friend, "When that play opened that plot point was understood--they knew it was tragic. And that was only what, 40 years ago." He said, "They would have known it was tragic even 25 years ago."

And it gave me a shiver because I knew it was true.

FOR PARENTS OF THE LI'L ONES AT CHURCH

Jackie Zimmerer, writes an open letter on Catholic Exchange about how quickly our times on Sunday's with our children will come and go:

It's strange how seeing other Moms with their young children brings back so many poignant memories. Please believe me when I say that your kids' behavior bothers you more than it does me. I know how hard it is to convince the youngsters to sit still and be quiet for a whole hour. But I'm also old enough to know another secret: like my children before them, your babies are just one of God's ways of teaching their parents patience. The funny thing is, I don't find your delightful little distractions a disturbance the way my own children disturbed me when committing the same offenses. More often than not I'm amused when your little ones wriggle and squirm, chatter and cry, clap, sing and sometimes sleep. Those little ones are just acting on the same feelings we all have at one time or another at church: the only difference is that, as adults, we've had our objections socialized into a more quiet place in our hearts while they make their lack of willingness to be quiet or still one minute longer known to all. Adults and small children…we're really not that different.

Your children are a joy, not a bother.

THE FIVE MYTHS OF THE VATICAN
Vatican correspondent says misperceptions are result of ‘lazy popular journalism’

And what are they?

The myth of singlemindedness
The myth of absolute control
The myth of Vatican secrecy
The myth of Vatican wealth
The myth of careerism

NAOMI'S DAUGHTER

Michelle Malkin writes of Ashley Judd lending her "softer, gentler and more glamorous" face on the pro-abort movement. Malkin contrasts Ashley nicely with her mother, Naomi:

One wonders what Ashley's mom, beloved country singer Naomi Judd, must have thought of her daughter traipsing around with abortion rights militants. Naomi has spoken eloquently for years about how she firmly rejected abortion as an unwed teen and repeatedly witnessed the miracle of life as a labor and delivery nurse. "I've seen ultrasounds . . . you know that those babies are real," she told TV talk show host Sally Jesse Raphael in 1998.

A few years later, Naomi faced off against Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., on ABC's Politically Incorrect and argued for an eminently reasonable 24-hour waiting period before abortions. Drawing on her nursing experience, Naomi advocated full disclosure of the risks and consequences of abortion — including the use of ultrasound to give women the "whole picture." Sen. Mikulski growled that it was an "insult" to think that women didn't know what they were doing. Naomi responded that famous abortionist Bernard Nathanson, co-founder of the National Abortion Rights Action League, only disavowed his profession after witnessing abortion procedures filmed through ultrasound technology.

"Oh, my God in heaven, this is a living human being in its mother's womb," Naomi quoted Nathanson confessing. "(H)e was devastated at what he had done."

THE LATIN MASS

I've never been able to attend a Latin Mass, despite my desire to do so. My schedule hasn't allowed me to...yet. But it's still high on my list of things to do. I think I love the music the most. The Gregorian chants. At St. John's, we will use the Latin responses now and then: the Sanctus, Agnus Dei, etc. It took me awhile to learn the Latin, but I now love to sing the Latin responses. There's a beauty, mystery and sacredness about them.

The Greenville (S.C.) News online has a nice article on one church at which the Latin rite is used.

You can also print out your own copy of the Ordinary of the Mass: 1962 edition of the Tridentine Ordo.

"In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti."

Although the congregation of about 100 isn't filled with Latin scholars, everyone knows that means, "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Many worshippers follow along in a Latin-English missal to get the translation.

It's not only the language that is different in this liturgy. Among the more visible changes is the priest facing the altar rather than the congregation when consecrating the bread and wine — the ancient tradition which puts the focus on offering the sacrifice to God.

A MUSLIM WHO ACTED IN MEL GIBSON'S "PASSION"

How the Film Moved Abel Jafri. An interview.

THE LIST OF 28

This Catholic News Service article lists 28 grave abuses against Eucharist. A nice overview of the recently released "Redemptionis Sacramentum" ("The Sacrament of Redemption").

FINALLY!

Someone says what has needed to be said all this time. Phil Lucas at the News Herald of Panama City, Florida, gets it right.

Let’s recap the Crusades. Muslims invaded Europe and when they reached sufficient numbers they imposed their intolerant religion upon Westerners by force. Christian monarchs drove them back and took the battle to their homeland. The fight lasted a couple of centuries, and we bottled them up for 1,000 years.

Now, a millennium later, Muslims have expanded forth again. Ask France. Ask England. Ask Manhattan. Two-and-a-half years ago fanatical Muslims laid siege to us. We woke up to the obvious. Our president announced it would be a very long war, then took the battle to the Islamic homeland. Sound familiar?

SOME HEALING STEPS...

...can be found here. This is worth printing and saving, or passing on to others. They'll thank you for it later.

AN EYEWITNESS TO THE MARCH

I only wish I had time to write my thoughts on the tragedy that is this topic in America. For now, I'll leave it up to Annie as she continues her thoughts from yesterday. God bless her and the others for their silent protest in the face of the hatred. I really encourage you to read through the entirety of her post...it's amazing.

One of our men holding the I REGRET LOST FATHERHOOD signs was a lone, 22-year-old college fellow, handsome as a movie star, quiet and reflective. The pain was so evident on his face. He’d come to the group all by himself. Said little to anyone. Perhaps his buddies wouldn’t understand or had already laughed at him for missing his little boy or girl who he’d never know. We only learned his story at the very end of the day, walking back to the hotel, as he offered to carry my friend’s tripod and camera case. My heart just broke.

MOTHER

"...if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?" - Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, at the National Prayer Breakfast, Washington D.C., on February 5th, 1994, to an audience that included President Bill and Hillary Clinton.

FEAST OF THE DAY

St. Peter Armengol was born in Catalonia, Spain around the year
1238. During his youth, he ran off and joined a group of bandits
leading a life of poor morals. This lifestyle did not last for Peter, one
day when the group was preparing to ambush a group of travelers
Peter recognized his father in the group, went to him, and begged
forgiveness.

Peter's reconciliation with his father poured out into his whole life and
began to convert his soul. After a time of discernment, Peter decided
that the best thing for him to do was to enter a monastic community.
Peter joined the Order of Mercedarians who were devoted to the
redemption of captives. Peter applied his whole being to the works of
the order and made many personal and physical sacrifices to
promote the mission of the order.

St. Peter is considered a martyr for the faith because of the sacrifice
he made in working to fulfill his duties. Once when the Order could
not raise money to ransom a group of children, Peter offered himself
in exchange for them. Peter was hanged and left to die. When his
body was found and taken down, he was found to be still alive. For
the rest of his life Peter took a less active role in the community and
died in the year 1304 as a result of the torture and wounds he
received for sacrificing himself in place of the children.

SPRINGER: THE OPERA?

Yes, it's true. Hey, I love to write fiction, but I'm not this good. Coming to Broadway in the Fall of 2005.

The production, which won the Olivier Award (the British equivalent of the Tony Award) for best musical, features tap-dancing Ku Klux Klansmen, rude language and a never-ending parade of lowlifes and freaks. In the musical, Springer is shot at the end of the first act and gets dragged down to hell.

The real-life Springer saw the show last November in London and praised the production while distancing himself from the Jerry portrayed in it. "It's a persona, and they did it remarkably well," he said. "As an opera, it's perfect."

JESUS & THE POP CULTURE

The new king of pop culture...indeed.

"Now it's Jesus. He walks on water, is faster than a speeding bullet and flies. He's our superhero."

Gary Stern, of the NYJournalNews, also covers the phenomenon, focusing on The Passion, the "Left Behind" series, and The DaVinci Code:

In the film "The Passion of the Christ," which has grossed more than $360 million, he is the Jesus of traditionalist Roman Catholic Passion plays, beaten and bloodied as he endures the Stations of the Cross.

In "Glorious Appearing," the final book of the "Left Behind" series, which made its debut last month as the nation's best-selling novel, he is the Jesus of the fundamentalist rapture, riding from heaven on a white horse to vanquish the armies of the Antichrist.

In "The Da Vinci Code," a literary phenomenon that has sold some 7 million copies, Jesus doesn't appear at all. But readers learn that he was mortal, married, a dad and a feminist, and that the Catholic Church concocted his divinity.

For Joyce Donahue, an education official with the Catholic Diocese of Joliet, Ill., who wrote a debunking of the "Left Behind" series that is being used nationally by Catholic bishops, the success of the three projects is the result of Catholics and others not knowing what to believe.

"Let's face it, the culture is substituting for us because we haven't done our jobs," Donahue said. "People can't tell the truth from fiction. Catholics might believe 'Left Behind' because they haven't been taught how to interpret Scripture. People say 'The Passion' is exactly as it happened even though it puts words in Jesus' mouth and Pontius Pilate's mouth that aren't in the Gospels. Our Catholic-light education has turned out people who don't understand their faith."

THE NY TIMES VS. MEL GIBSON

Pete Bart of Variety writes of the vicious pursuit and hounding of Mr. Gibson by the "paper of record."

The distinction between discussing and deploying may seem pained, but the Times has found its entire experience with Mel Gibson to be a painful one. Prior to its release (and prior to anyone on the paper seeing it), the Times declared "The Passion" an outrage and threat to social harmony. After its release, the Times quoted the predictions of unnamed power brokers in Hollywood that Gibson would be blackballed by the film community, his career ruined.

THE MARCH IN THREE WORDS

She was there...

The March, in three words: "viciously, mercilessly abusive." The amount of verbal aggression and abuse hurled at me personally, by women and men, of all ages, for carrying the I REGRET MY ABORTION sign, well, I thought that I was ready for it.

I wasn't. Not even close.

I consider myself fairly far along on the "healing" and "public-appearances" scales. We stood, all 500 of us in the Silent No More Awareness groups, in total silence as planned, for over five hours, not replying or saying one word to anything that was said or done to us, and I do mean anything.

But nothing prepared me for literally mobs of livid people screaming the most hateful vicious snide things at me personally. We were spit on, and had an egg hurled at us from the marchers. There were two groups of Satanists. And the signs. Like the guy who held a handmade sign, "BABY KILLER" with an arrow pointed downward at himself. If not for the riot police, we would have been mobbed. There was that much viciousness. People broke through the riot police's invisible line just to come up in my face and hurl insulting words. There were not enough police to form a complete line, so they would run up to me, shout out their abuse, and run back before the policeman or woman got to stop him/her. And I said nothing to anyone, just held my sign.

PERHAPS BECAUSE THEY KILLED 'EM ALL?

March For Abortion Attracts Lower Numbers Than Expected.

Though organizers expected as many as one million people in Washington today to march in support of abortion, police estimated that only a quarter of that number actually attended the pro-abortion rally. While media outlets varied in their description of the numbers, some estimated that only "tens of thousands" participated.

So much for one million. The "Roe Effect" in action this weekend.

ME TOO, MR. PRESIDENT

"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever." -- Thomas Jefferson

THE DEATH MARCH

I saw the footage, and all that was missing was the John Williams music that played whenever Darth Vader was on the screen. I wouldn't know where to begin, so I'll just post the links to others who express themselves better.

"Reproductive freedom" - that's cute. I call it murder.

George Neumayr of The American Spectator has the best of the bunch. Want to see hate?

Sunday's "March for Women's Lives" made maximum usage of euphemism, invoking "choice" whenever marchers meant killing. They, for example, used placards to convey the lament that Barbara Bush hadn't killed her son in the womb. "If Only Barbara Bush Had Choice," read one sign. "Barbara Chose Poorly," read another. Marchers were also disappointed that the Pope's mother hadn't killed him in the womb. "The Pope's Mother Had No Choice," said a sign.

The repulsive heretic Francis Kissling of the sham "Catholics for Free Choice" named the Pope as "the worst enemy of choice." Kissling called the vile event on the national mall a "sacred place," the "place to be, not the churches."

Conor Dugan responds to Ellen Goodman's hysteria.

Newsday runs a surprisingly fair piece, yet still prints the hysteria of some, which is not altogether a bad thing. Take Whoopi, for instance:

Comedian and actress Whoopi Goldberg held a wire hanger as she spoke to the crowd. "This is what life was like before choice," she said, a reference to women who used hangers and other crude instruments to end pregnancies before the courts deemed abortion legal. "We need to stop the attack on women's rights and women's reproduction, not only here but all around the world."

From the Independent Women's Forum, which claims no stance on the issue of abortion:

In a word, I saw the face of pro-choice America. And I hate to sound catty, gals, but, from the 70-year-old Gloria Steinem and the ancient Frances Kissling of Catholics for a Free Choice down to the grim gaggles of tongue-pierced, shaved-headed, Birkenstock-footed coeds, it’s one old, ugly, or old-and-ugly-both face. As The Other Charlotte, who was also on the street this weekend, e-mailed to me: "The most attractive marcher I’ve seen in the ’hood was a pug dog wearing a sign that read, ’Another pug for choice.’" The pro-choice movement is not a youth movement. The few teenage girls in evidence on the streets were in the firm tow of their activist mothers. Scarcely a single one of those hundreds of thousands of marchers was in the slightest danger of getting pregnant.

Terry Mattingly posts his insights. I had no idea that NARAL now has their own "chaplain".

Kathryn Jean Lopez writes of the anger at the march. More and more from the evidence it seems the meeting was less about choice, and more about politics. Specifically, we hate Bush, Bush is a threat (big yawn) and we need to elect Kerry. Typical.

"I wish Barbara Bush had had choice available to her." That was a snippet of an ongoing conversation — and it was characteristic of more than one — overhead last night on an Amtrak train from Washington, D.C., to New York City. The train was filled with March for Women's Lives participants.

And that was characteristic of the whole weekend. At a pre-march rally on Saturday night at the D.C. Armory by RFK Stadium, California congresswoman Maxine Waters told George W. Bush to "go to hell."

FROM TODAY'S DIVINE OFFICE...

Sound familiar?

From the first apology in defence of the Christians by Saint Justin, martyr
The celebration of the Eucharist

No one may share the Eucharist with us unless he believes that what we teach is true, unless he is washed in the regenerating waters of baptism for the remission of his sins, and unless he lives in accordance with the principles given us by Christ.

We do not consume the eucharistic bread and wine as if it were ordinary food and drink, for we have been taught that as Jesus Christ our Saviour became a man of flesh and blood by the power of the Word of God, so also the food that our flesh and blood assimilates for its nourishment becomes the flesh and blood of the incarnate Jesus by the power of his own words contained in the prayer of thanksgiving.

The apostles, in their recollections, which are called gospels, handed down to us what Jesus commanded them to do. They tell us that he took bread, gave thanks and said: Do this in memory of me. This is my body. In the same way he took the cup, he gave thanks and said: This is my blood. The Lord gave this command to them alone. Ever since then we have constantly reminded one another of these things. The rich among us help the poor and we are always united. For all that we receive we praise the Creator of the universe through his Son Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit.

On Sunday we have a common assembly of all our members, whether they live in the city or the outlying districts. The recollections of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as there is time. When the reader has finished, the president of the assembly speaks to us; he urges everyone to imitate the examples of virtue we have heard in the readings. Then we all stand up together and pray.

On the conclusion of our prayer, bread and wine and water are brought forward. The president offers prayers and gives thanks to the best of his ability, and the people give assent by saying, “Amen”. The eucharist is distributed, everyone present communicates, and the deacons take it to those who are absent.

The wealthy, if they wish, may make a contribution, and they themselves decide the amount. The collection is placed in the custody of the president, who uses it to help the orphans and widows and all who for any reason are in distress, whether because they are sick, in prison, or away from home. In a word, he takes care of all who are in need.

We hold our common assembly on Sunday because it is the first day of the week, the day on which God put darkness and chaos to flight and created the world, and because on that same day our saviour Jesus Christ rose from the dead. For he was crucified on Friday and on Sunday he appeared to his to his apostles and disciples and taught them the things that we have passed on for your consideration.

MEANWHILE, IN MY OWN BACKYARD...

Or as The Curt Jester refers to it, more of The Secular Inquisition.

No Prayers At Nebraska School Events: Private Christian Schools Must Comply

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Events sponsored by the Nebraska School Activities Association shouldn't begin with prayer -- even if they take place at private Christian schools.

That's what the association told Nebraska schools.

NSAA Executive Director Jim Tenopir said he received complaints about prayers that were read over public address systems before a football playoff game and a basketball game.

He said if a public prayer takes place at an association-sponsored event, the offending school could lose its host privileges.

Officials at Lutheran and Catholic schools across Nebraska said they may be unable to comply with the ban on prayers before activities.

MORE NEWS FROM THE POLKA MASS FRONT

In a post a few days ago I mentioned a book coming out by the Polka Priest. Well just in time ZENIT posts on this very subject. Be sure to read a few paragraphs down where he mentions the Disco Mass. I'm not making that up. Disco.

ROME, APRIL 20, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum.

Q: This past summer, my parish had a Polka Mass. I didn't feel it was right to go to this Mass, since I don't know how I would be able to associate Polka music with anything other than dancing. Isn't the music at Mass supposed to elevate one's spirit to God? Does a polka do that? And is that a legitimate form of liturgical music? -- T.L., Johnstown, Pennsylvania

A: We have dealt previously with the general principles involved in liturgical music (see (Nov. 11 and Dec. 23). From those I believe that it is fairly clear that music usually associated with dancing or other profane activities (at least in a Western context) should not be admitted into the Mass.

I was rather surprised to hear that Polka Masses were still going on -- I had thought that they had gone out in the '70s along with a host of other similar fads.

Perhaps the principal difficulty with such things is not so much the music in itself, which like many human elements in the liturgy may have different meanings in different cultures and in different epochs, but the idea that the Mass needs some sort of a theme in order to enhance its significance or relevance.

When we label the Mass we tend to diminish rather than augment its importance. We restrict its universal meaning as Christ's very sacrifice renewed upon the altar and the sacred banquet which forms and increases our union as part of Christ's Mystical Body, the Church.

This is the Church's greatest offering to God and any addition to the Mass itself -- such as "Polka," "Clown," "Disco" (yes, there have been cases) or any similar extraneous element -- reduces its scope and attempts to press it into service for some cause other than the worship of God.

It could be argued that this is done in order to make the Mass more attractive or welcoming to certain groups. I am certain that it is often done in good faith. Yet, I think that 40 years after the Second Vatican Council it is clear that such attempts have failed to fulfill their promises.

The best and most efficacious means of making the Mass meaningful is to teach Catholic truth as to what the Mass is.

To understand the Mass is to grasp the foundation of every other aspect of the Catholic faith as well as to find the strength to live it.

No amount of toying with externals can substitute for a lack of knowledge of the essentials although, when carried out with beauty and fidelity, these externals can prove to be a resource for teaching and confirming the faith in the essentials.

What I term labeling of the Mass, however, should not be confused with legitimate practices such as, for example, when an immigrant group celebrates Mass in their own language and using music from their religious tradition, or when different styles of liturgical music are adopted in accordance with the various congregation's spiritual sensibilities.

Nor does it include the proper use of the many possibilities offered in the missal to adapt the Mass texts to particular situations, such as the use of votive Masses and Masses for Special Necessities such as "For Peace," "For Christian Unity," etc.

These texts serve to specify particular intentions and invocations which the Church, albeit in general terms, already implores from God, in every Mass.

REDEMPTIONIS SACREMENTUM

On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist/

Just released by The Vatican...I'm still reading. It has received a lot of interest by many due to the whole Kerry/Communion question.

Preamble
Chapter I: The Regulation of the Sacred Liturgy
Chapter II: The Participation of the Lay Christian Faithful in the Eucharistic Celebration
Chapter III: The Proper Celebration of Mass
Chapter IV: Holy Communion
Chapter V: Certain Other Matters concerning the Eucharist
Chapter VI: The Reservation of the Most Holy Eucharist and Eucharistic Worship outside Mass
Chapter VII: Extraordinary Functions of the Lay Faithful
Chapter VIII: Remedies
Conclusion

THONGS IN CHURCH?

I was reading an interesting post about dressing for Mass at a new blog, ReVersion 2.0 (I love the name), and Nicole posted an observation she had made while at Mass concerning a 13-year old's choice of attire. What was best, was this post made by a reader:

Here's how the future pope John XXIII handled the problem:

"The Apple of Roncalli's Eye

Angelo Roncalli, papal nuncio to France (and a future pope), was once invited to a formal banquet. His dinner companion wore an extremely low-cut dress, which the prelate pretended not to notice. When dessert was served, however, he selected a plump apple and duly offered it to the woman, who politely declined. "Please take it, madam," he pleaded. "It was only after Eve ate the apple that she became aware of how little she had on."

I concur. Last Saturday, after acolyting a Mass celebrated by our bishop, I stuck around to help our parish wedding coordinator get some heavy candles up near the altar for the wedding photos that were to begin soon. While standing near the lectern, a young, attractive woman came running up the aisle to get the attention of our coordinator. What caught my attention was the black, low cut and very revealing dress that she bounded towards us in. Suddenly, all I could do was stare at the stained-glass windows at the back of our church and walk away.

Wedding season...sheesh.

This reminds me...I have GOT to get my comments feature working on this blog soon.

THE WAR OF WORDS & ABORTION

And still, it continues in the courts...

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- An "abortion" versus a "procedure." A "baby" versus a "pregnancy." "Dismembered" versus "disarticulated." In the three federal courtrooms where a controversial abortion method has been on trial, the gulf between the two sides is so wide that they cannot agree on basic terminology.

But the most maddening line is this:

"There is no such thing as a `partial-birth abortion,'" Gloria Feldt, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, declared outside the courthouse in San Francisco.

Right Gloria. And there's no such thing as air (can't see it), wind (can't see that either). I am actually so red-faced mad at this inane drivel that I can't think of what I had set out to type. Sheesh.

THE DIDACHE ONLINE

While researching the Mass for the series I'm writing, I found mention several times of The Didache, or Teaching of the Apostles. I had never read it, but have begun reading it closely. You can read it online, along with some commentary. It's not terribly long, and very interesting reading.

From the Catholic Encyclopedia:

A short treatise which was accounted by some of the Fathers as next to Holy Scripture. It was rediscovered in 1883 by Bryennios, Greek Orthodox metropolitan of Nicomedia, in the codex from which, in 1875, he had published the full text of the Epistles of St. Clement. The title in the MS. is Didache kyriou dia ton dodeka apostolon ethesin, but before this it gives the heading Didache ton dodeka apostolon. The old Latin translation of cc. i-v, found by Dr. J. Schlecht in 1900, has the longer title, omitting "twelve", and has a rubric De doctrinâ Apostolorum. For convenience the contents may be divided into three parts: the first is the "Two Ways", the Way of Life and the Way of Death; the second part is a rituale dealing with baptism, fasting, and Holy Communion; the third speaks of the ministry. Doctrinal teaching is presupposed, and none is imparted.

UNDERSTANDING THE MASS, part 1

Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. is composing a series of articles on the Mass over at Catholic Exchange. I've been doing the same for eventual release to our parish. I hope to have them finished this summer. For now, enjoy Dr. D'Ambrosio's.

It’s important to know what the Church means by the "sacrifice" of the Mass. The term is easily misunderstood and has caused much strife among Christians.

First of all, Church teaching reiterates what Scripture states very clearly: there is no other sacrifice except the one offered by Jesus on Calvary. Hebrews 10:12 says that Christ "offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins." That sacrifice cannot be repeated. The Mass, therefore, is not a repetition; it is a re-presentation of that sacrifice.

POPE-IN-A-BAG(c)

Jeff Miller over at The Curt Jester has a HILARIOUS parody of Cafeteria Catholicism. Warning: If you have no sense of humor this is not for you. If you are a Cafeteria Catholic you probably won't find it funny either. It includes a link to The Catechism of Protestant Churches, which while reading caused me to snort coffee out of my nose.

THE POLKA MASS

We have one each year at St. John's, and I was finally able to attend it last year. I decided after 5 minutes that I did NOT like this idea at all. And I'm 50% Czech and was weaned on polka music. But not during Mass.

There's a new book out called "Dancing a Polka to Heaven." You can read about the priest who popularized this here.

FIVE YEARS AGO

Columbine affected me personally more than almost any event of my lifetime. I can't explain it, and do not have the time at this very moment. I had meant to write something yesterday, but even after five years, it's too difficult to write about. No, I did not know anyone personally who was there. But weren't we all affected by this?

Dave Cullen has an interesting article on the Columbine killers up over at Slate. In five years I've resisted doing anything that remotely mentions Klebold and Harris, but this article is worth looking at. There is also a link to Cullen's website that has a lot of information as well.

TPOTC WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE

is truly amazing.

A breakdown of countries around the world is here. Amazing to me that Hong Kong has done more than all of China. But I also have read where China's numbers are probably larger since a lot of the people who have seen the movie saw it on pirated VHS and DVDs.

MY REVIEW OF TPOTC FROM 2/26/04

I had meant to have this online much earlier, but had "lost" it for awhile. Having seen the movie twice now, and having the benefit of almost two months perspective, I still stand behind my initial review.

Until tonight, I thought I had seen the most powerful movies the big screen had to offer. Movies like Schindler's List, The English Patient, Dances With Wolves, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. But nothing done before, and quite possible after, can ever compare with the marriage of cinematography, musical scoring, acting and storytelling I bore witness to this evening. Others who know more on this subject than I may not agree with my attempts here, but I did my best.

What began a few years ago as an internet rumor about a little film about the greatest story ever told has become a very real and very major motion picture. Perhaps the only reason it received notice over two years ago was because of the name attached to it: Mel Gibson.

I wanted to sit down in the quiet of my office downstairs and type out a few thoughts on this movie before I attempt to go to sleep. Was the movie worth all of the waiting, the hype, and the controversy? In one word, a resounding "yes!"

I guess the only way I can approach this is by addressing the "controversies" one at a time and debunking them once and for all.

The movie is anti-Semitic.
This is utter nonsense. If the movie is, so are the Gospels. This was attempt #1 to get people to stay away from this movie by critics. It is utterly false. Others have dispelled this notion better than I can, so I won't go much further into it except as to say that I saw no such notion in the film. Remember, except for the Romans, every character is a devout Jew. And there are Jewish heroes besides the main players such as Simon (who helps Jesus carry his cross) and Veronica, who wipes his bloodied face when he fell along the way.

The movie is too gory.
This is when the critics turned into cartoon caricatures of themselves. Too gory? This from those who glamorize as "gritty and edgy" such movies as Natural Born Killers, Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill? Please.

Do not misunderstand me. This is a very violent film. But here's a news flash for everyone: the flagellation, beating and crucifixion of Christ was a bloody affair. Growing up a Protestant in various churches, I had no idea about the brutality of crucifixion as the messages of love, charity and of course the Resurrection were the main focus. And rightly so. But I have to ask: if you do not suffer, work hard, or struggle to achieve something, does it really mean as much to you afterwards? Does working hard, and saving your money to buy that house or that car make it all the sweeter when you close the sale and take ownership?

Perhaps that's a poor analogy, but my point is this: if we as Christians do not understand the true nature and horror of all that Christ suffered for us, do we appreciate it as much? Are we as thankful? Or do we gloss it over and speak only in empty platitudes to make ourselves feel good when talking about His resurrection, etc.?

The best example I can think of to show that most critics do not have a basic understanding of why Christ died is the critic who wrote that "no man could have endured all that Gibson's Jesus did before being nailed to the cross...he would have expired long before. All this violence left me feeling empty and is totally meaningless." No, the violence perpetrated by the Nazi's against the Jews as dramatized in Schindler's List was empty and meaningless. And the critic is right: no MAN could have survived as long.

This was a hard thing for me to grasp upon my conversion to Catholicism eleven Easter's ago. I, like many critics, thought that there was too much emphasis on suffering and not enough on the ultimate victory. But I have discovered over time how necessary one is in order to have the fullness of the other.

A brief note: I was better prepared for this movie by watching a superb one-man drama of The Passion put on each Easter by a former parishioner at St. John's, Doug Barry. In a few hours of lighting, music and the power of his acting, Doug gives you a glimpse into the horror of Roman flagellation and crucifixion. I think it was because I shed so many tears at his performances that I did not at Mel Gibson's movie. In case you wish to know more (and please forgive the advertisement) click here.

Mel Gibson did this to make money.
Andy Rooney, in a most contemptible, and sad really, "commentary" recently ended it by asking "Mr. Gibson, just how much money ARE you going to make off of the death of Christ?"

An equally as offensive question would be: "Mr. Spielberg, just how much money are you going to make off of the horrors of Auschwitz?"

Get my point? Steven Spielberg made his movie because he had a passion for getting the word out of what happened during that horrible period of history. Is that not what Mel Gibson is doing as well?

Mr. Rooney, and those who agree with him, are grasping at straws. What are they afraid of?

No man could have absorbed all this punishment before being crucified.
I addressed this a little earlier, but also wished to touch on the focus of the film. This movie is about the final twelve hours of Jesus' life on earth. It is not about the Sermon on the Mount (although it is briefly alluded to), his miracles or teachings. Again, I've read too many reviews of people who want only films about his "message of love, peace and understanding." What greater love IS THERE than to lay down your life for those you love? Now, do it for all of humanity. Get the picture?

The movie is out of context and confusing. The focus is all on the suffering.
I will admit that this movie is easier to follow if the viewer has a basic understanding of the Gospels, as well as Jesus' life and ministry beforehand. But once again, I feel this complaint is a red herring by those who don't understand it.

The subtitles make it hard to follow.
While the language of the movie is spoken in languages of Jesus' time, the subtitles work seamlessly, and I believe help to make the experience more authentic. After a few minutes you do not even notice them. Again, a basic familiarity with the Gospels helps.

In the end, we bear witness to the suffering and death of Jesus through the eyes of many, but most effectively those of Mary, Mary Magdalene, the apostle John, Pilate's wife Claudia, and a Roman soldier named Abenader.

While it's true that this is a combination of the Gospels, the writings of German mystic and nun Anne Catherine Emmerich, and Mel Gibson's artistic vision, it is incredibly well done and very powerful. When I cried the most were the times that Jesus made eye contact with those he loved as he suffered: with Peter after being denied three times, with Mary as she runs to him when he falls carrying his cross to Golgotha, and numerous other moments. I felt as if those eyes were looking right into my own.

My wife Janell made the observation as we were driving home that the whipping and beating of Jesus was so hard to take because she "realized that each stripe was applied by me. By all of us." It was that reality, as well as the interplay between Jesus and his mother that were most emotional for me, particularly in one "flashback" scene added by Gibson that is perhaps the most emotionally powerful visual in the entire movie.

One other point I will make. This movie is steeped in symbolism. I will never look at the Mass the same. Or the Stations of the Cross. Or the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. It is there for all to see, from the ripping of his linens with a flashback to the unwrapping of bread before the Last Supper; and to the flashback of his raising the bread in prayer during the Last Supper interspersed with his body, nailed to the cross, being raised and set into place.

This movie was superbly made, cast, and filmed. Quite honestly, Jim Caviezel deserves an Oscar for his portrayal of Jesus, but even more so Mia Morgenstern in her role of Mary. And the role of satan, played by Rosalina Celentano was incredibly effective.

I went to the movie thinking it was one I would only see once, and certainly never own on DVD. But I will see this again in the theatre and will own the DVD. If nothing else as to serve as a reminder for me...of what Christ went through so that I may have what I have. And it is my hope that it serves to remind me to be a better human being. In the end, isn't that what we are all striving for?

Two of the better reviews are here and here. Why? Because they "get it".

NUMBED BY NUMBERS

I cite this article because while skipping through my email, suddenly the vastness of this number hit me: One thousand four hundred fifty-two. Each day. Period.

Think about that for a minute. And that's only a portion of the overall population.

"Afro-American women have been victimized by the abortion industry for profit," Childress said. "Each day 1,452 Black infants are killed for profit and our pulpits and much of our current leadership are silent. Political alliances have caused us to 'sell out' our women and our children."

HOLY CARDS

A fascinating story today on Catholic News Service about holy cards. I love that they are making a "comeback" of sorts. They would be a welcome reprieve from the endless slew of Yu-gi-oh cards that my son likes to keep.

For even more information, check this site out.

If you've grown up Catholic, it's almost a given that at one time or another you've received a holy card. You might have started your collection with one you received for your first Communion, and built it up with cards earned with correct answers in religious education class.

Like scapulars, miraculous medals and little bottles of holy water, holy cards were standard equipment for the pre-Second Vatican Council Catholic.

CELEBRATING A SACRAMENT

Our oldest, Nolan, celebrated First Communion yesterday. It's been a very busy three days leading up to this which is why I've been absent from blogging. I took Friday off to golf in a fundraising tournament to raise money for our school. It was held at beautiful Quarry Oaks, and while getting quite the sunburn, we did enjoy ourselves and managed not to embarrass ourselves on this most difficult course either.

Saturday was MAJOR house and yard cleaning day. I was also privileged once again to acolyte a Mass at St. John's with the Bishop of Lincoln. And then, on to Sunday.

I knew Nolan was excited because our normally quiet and reserved son kept trying to put on his suit and tie HOURS BEFORE we were required to be at the church. Nolan NEVER likes to dress up, but yesterday was a different story. It was a wonderful Mass, and the site of the 52 first communicants, boys in their little suits and girls in their lovely white dresses and veils, brought tears to the eyes of even the most jaded of hearts.

I'll try to write more on this later, as I'm playing catch-up at work after a three day hiatus.

FAITH IN THE DEPTHS OF HELL

Jeff Jacoby writes a very disturbing, yet inspiring column this morning on faith in the most trying of times.

EASTER IN AMERICA

One blogger's reflections on Easter Vigil services in their parish. In the end, I ask myself the same question she does.

It would have been my 11th Easter Vigil since joining the Catholic Church. While we did not travel during the Triduum, we did not attend the Vigil Mass this year....and after reading this, I really really wish we had.

I did make it to last year's at St. John's...my 10th Vigil. I was also fortunate enough to acolyte, and it was very special to me...almost like coming full circle. I love watching the expressions on the confirmande and wonder what mine was like a little over a decade ago.

NEW MEMBERS

I found this online today, posted by a new convert to Catholicism. I post it NOT to slam Methodists (as I used to be one myself), nor to puff us up with pride as Catholics, but as a reminder of what we have in our faith, and to perhaps coax us to gently offer that up to others around us who are seeking what this person found. To answer the call to "Go forth and make disciples."

In addition, another blog, this one anonymous, written by a new convert is All Things Made New. Worth checking out.

I come to the Catholic Church ready to accept the Catechism. I am beyond any rebellious stage in my life and have seen, first hand, the way the Methodist Church bends to breaking under the modern wind while Catholicism seems only to sway. I come ready to pray to the Catholic Saints for intercession, I come ready to learn from their lives because Methodism has no such backdrop to learn from or to use as examples in how to live. Methodism came from Catholicism and the Methodist Church has thrown away 1500 years of living history. I come ready to stand up, politically and personally, for the teachings of the Church. What is my alternative?

APPLAUSE & CHEERS???

While none of us knows what is in Mr. Kerry's heart as that is between himself and God, the fact that he so publicly thumbs his nose at the church he purports to belong to is quite disturbing. Arguments have been made on several blogs that this is really none of our business and nothing to get bent out of shape about, but because he has been so public about it, I feel it IS something to bring to light.

Democrat John Kerry - a pro-choice Catholic whose abortion views have prompted some Catholic leaders to say they want to bar him from Communion - yesterday received the sacrament during Easter Mass in Boston.

"It was a wonderful service," Kerry said after the Mass was celebrated at Boston's Paulist Center by the Rev. John Ardis, who has said he was "inundated" with calls urging him to refuse to give Communion to Kerry.

Applause and cheers from the congregation accompanied Kerry's departure from the church.

St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke and Nebraska Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz say they'd refuse Communion to Kerry. Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley has said all pro-choice officials should voluntarily "refrain" from Communion but has refused to comment on Kerry specifically.

THE DAY AFTER EASTER

Last week, I decided to take the Holy Triduum off from blogging in order to better clear my head and focus my heart on Holy Week. It worked somewhat as I made a conscious effort to distance myself from the news, but I made an interesting discovery: try as one might to get away from the news, it is EVERYWHERE. It pervades all of our means of communications and is almost unavoidable.

On Tuesday night after making the decision to stop blogging for awhile, I went to adoration at St. John's for 30 minutes, and then attended "The Passion of the Christ" for my second time with a good friend of mine. We had both seen the movie the day after Ash Wednesday in a very crowded theater, that while silent, still made it a bit less personal. Plus, the first time you see this movie, your senses are overloaded with the action on the screen causing you to overlook the more quiet moments of reflection in the flashbacks. Not so this time. Doug and I were with about 15 other people that night at 9:45pm, and I found that I caught much more of the symbolism the second time around. And while I didn't weep as much, I still wept and affected greatly by the sacrifice Jesus made for us.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter, of reflection, of prayer, and of family. Having attended Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter masses, I still can smell the incense on my hands after having helped serve as acolyte at noon on Sunday. May it never fade.

A TALE OF TWO CULTURES

The Culture of Death continues its fight being waged in three federal courtrooms across our country, including the one in my own city that I drive past twice each day. Today a doctor testified that a child in the womb can feel pain after 20 weeks.

LINCOLN, Neb. - A type of abortion banned under a new federal law would cause "severe and excruciating" pain to 20-week-old fetuses, a medical expert on pain testified Tuesday.

"I believe the fetus is conscious," said Dr. Kanwaljeet "Sonny" Anand, a pediatrician at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He took the stand as a government witness in a trial challenging the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.

The act, which was signed by President Bush in November, has not been enforced because judges in Lincoln, Neb., New York and San Francisco agreed to hear evidence in three simultaneous, non-jury trials on whether the ban violates the Constitution.

Anand said fetuses show increased heart rate, blood flow and hormone levels in response to pain.

"The physiological responses have been very clearly studied," he said. "The fetus cannot talk ... so this is the best evidence we can get."

The Culture of Life, meanwhile, is shown by the example of this Mexican mother:

The unidentified 40-year-old woman, who lived in a rural area without electricity, running water or sanitation and was an eight-hour drive from the nearest hospital, performed the operation when she could not deliver the baby naturally.

She had lost a previous baby due to labor complications.

"She took three small glasses of hard liquor and, using a kitchen knife, sliced her abdomen in three attempts ... and delivered a male infant that breathed immediately and cried," said Dr R.F. Valle, of the Dr. Manuel Velasco Suarez Hospital in San Pablo, Mexico.

Before losing consciousness, the woman told one of her children to call a local nurse for help. After the nurse stitched the wound with a sewing needle and cotton thread, the mother and baby were transferred and treated by Valle and his colleagues at the nearest hospital.

OFFERING UP SOME PRAYERS

I wish more would follow the example by the city of Detroit.

Detroit police officers held hands and listened to sermons, saying that prayer -- coupled with community involvement -- was the only solution to the city's surge of horrific crimes.

But others -- from national experts to cops who work the city's streets -- said the Police Department was just throwing its hands up in the air.

The department held its first day of prayer, allotting an hour Monday at each of the department's 13 precincts.

JOHN KERRY: CLUELESS & CATHOLIC

Even the NY Times understands this.

Mr. Kerry became combative when told that some conservatives were criticizing him for being a Roman Catholic who supported policies, like abortion rights and same-sex unions, that are at odds with Catholic teaching.

"Who are they?" he demanded of his questioner. "Name them. Are they the same legislators who vote for the death penalty, which is in contravention of Catholic teaching?"

He added: "I'm not a church spokesman. I'm a legislator running for president. My oath is to uphold the Constitution of the United States in my public life. My oath privately between me and God was defined in the Catholic church by Pius XXIII and Pope Paul VI in the Vatican II, which allows for freedom of conscience for Catholics with respect to these choices, and that is exactly where I am. And it is separate. Our constitution separates church and state, and they should be reminded of that."

Mr. Kerry apparently meant John XXIII, as there is no Pius XXIII.

I'm currently reading the 16 documents that are Vatican II. Thus far I've read no such thing as Sen. Kerry claims that says that it's okay to take Holy Communion and vote your conscience and kill babies. Maybe I need to read between the lines a bit more....

WONDERING WHERE THE MOVIE AUDIENCE HAS GONE

In another story from Hollywood, Jack Valenti is retiring as head of the Motion Picture Association of America after 38 years. In an OpinionJournal article today, Michael Medved asks what happened to the audience?

So what happened 38 years ago to drive millions of Americans away from movie theaters? In 1966, Mr. Valenti's Motion Picture Association of America quietly dropped its enforcement of the restrictive old Production Code that Hollywood studios had imposed on themselves since 1930. Then, on Nov. 1, 1968, Mr. Valenti introduced the "voluntary rating system" that continues in force to this day. As he proudly declared in his farewell address to the industry on March 23 of this year: "The rating system freed the screen, allowing movie-makers to tell their stories as they choose to tell them." That new freedom allowed the profligate use of obscene language strictly banned under the Production Code, the inclusion of graphic sex scenes along with near total nudity and, more vivid, sadistic violence than previously permitted in Hollywood movies.

The resulting changes in the industry showed up with startling clarity at the Academy Awards. In 1965, with the Production Code still in force, "The Sound of Music" won Best Picture of the Year; in 1969, under the new rating system, an X-rated offering about a homeless male hustler, "Midnight Cowboy," earned the Oscar as the year's finest film. Most critics, then as now, welcomed the aesthetic shift and hailed the fresh latitude in cinematic expression, but the audience voted with its feet.

And now we have Kill Bill, Vol. 2. Ironic?

REMEMBER, 'THE PASSION' WAS TOO VIOLENT

But "Kill Bill, Vol. 2" is "a brilliant, invigorating work." Get ready for the literal onslaught of rave reviews of this movie to begin, and remember the same reviewing whining about the violence in TPOTC. Agenda? Nahhhhhh....

Doesn't the following make you want to rush out to see this "brilliant" work?

Again the story unfolds in chapters that tell it out of sequence. As the Bride heads for her climactic showdown with Bill, the movie tracks back to the rural Texas chapel where Bill and his gang massacre an entire wedding party and plunge the Bride into a four-year coma. Bill, an unseen though dark presence in the first film save for his hand and voice, is accorded a movie-star entrance: His flute playing draws the Bride from the chapel during wedding rehearsal. In a scene featuring dialogue with triple meanings, the two lovers share a tender -- tender, that is, for cold-blooded killers -- goodbye.

The camera pulls back to a God-like view of the chapel, where slaughter ensues. Then we're jerked back to the deadly hunt for Budd, an ace killer devolved into trailer-trash drunkenness, and eye-patched Elle, still restive for her face-off with the Bride.

The Bride's confrontation with these two nemeses takes a much different tack than the blood-giddy martial wars of the first movie. These sequences play up psychological games and one's worst, most mordant fears involving a snake and a burial while alive. Your flesh crawls and blood freezes.

...and my heart aches for the cinema.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Resolve from now on to keep heaven before your mind, to be ready to forego everything that can hinder you or cause you to stray on your journey there. -- St. Francis de Sales

MUST READ OF THE DAY

Areya Spero in the Wall Street Journal this morning writes an article that for me, is a terrific summary of thoughts I have been unable to express on paper. He is writing about The Passion of the Christ, and how both Jewish and Christians see the same movie, but afterwards describe it such that you'd think they had seen two differing ones. It depends upon point of view.

Any time there is a movie, reading or reference to faith in Jesus as the only means to salvation and heaven, many in the Jewish community become uncomfortable out of a sense of exclusion. As this movie focused only on the episode necessary for such salvation, the crucifixion, it became a target of the uncomfortable. If only, many pleaded, the movie would deal with Jesus' teachings of love, and put the crucifixion "in context." What the critics wanted, in other words, was to minimize that aspect of Jesus' life that dealt with salvation--the uniquely Christian aspect.

It is ironic that so many who themselves do not believe in a literal heaven complain of being locked out of it; that so many who believe salvation, or redemption, is achieved by other means complain of not being saved by that which they reject. This is an insecurity that can be overcome by looking within or by attaching to a belief system where the requirements to heaven are achieved by other means. Jews have such a road, elucidated in their Torah. Besides, Christian salvation theology does not exclude a nonbeliever from full recognition as a human being or citizen.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

We are but travelers on a journey without as yet a fixed abode; we are on our way, not yet in our native land; we are in a state of longing, but not yet of enjoyment. But let us continue on our way . . . so that we may ultimately arrive at our destination. -- St. Augustine

St. Augustine nails EXACTLY my state of mind this past week or so. I've grown so sad to the point of numbness at the news of this world, that I've lost sight of the fact that this is NOT my native land...and I am NOT enjoying this one. I find myself longing for that other place more and more each day. So let us continue...

EXPLAINING SUFFERING

Stan Williams, himself a convert to Catholicism six years ago, writes in the middle of his article about violence and the movie "The Passion of the Christ", very much what I have struggled to explain to lifelong Catholic friends of mine. I have often struggled to relate to others the "why" of how it's taken me so long to struggle and finally to embrace the concept of suffering that Catholics have. It only takes Mr. Williams five short paragraphs.

I think I finally figured it out. Seeing what the suffering Christ went through filled a great void for me as I regard the purpose of suffering for a Christian. As an Evangelical growing up, suffering was often equated with sin. If something bad happened to someone in the church, the gut reaction from the adults and even the pastor seemed to be that the person was being punished for some hidden, unconfessed sin.

Many times, in Evangelical settings, when I would be experiencing difficulty in my life, I was challenged to "get right with God and everything will be all right." This aspect of the Evangelical, and even the Protestant, view of suffering is displayed at the front of every church behind the pulpit. There you will see a cross, an empty cross, void of its suffering Corpus (body of Christ). The empty cross represents Christ's Resurrection. Consequently, there is little emphasis on or contemplation of Christ's suffering; but there is a lot of attention given to Christ's glorious Resurrection.

Yes, there were the occasional communion services, when we were suppose to think about the blood that was shed for our transgressions. But such services only occurred four times a year, and at the large Evangelical, independent church we most recently attended, the wine was actually watered down grape juice. (The Communion Committee claimed they had to water it down to get the juice to flow through a Plexiglas contraption that semi-automatically filled the hundreds of little plastic cups.)

Later, as a Catholic, I came to realize that my sin crucified Jesus. And since I sin at least several times every week, it started to make sense to me that I should weekly (even daily) celebrate the Eucharist, and in the process stare at and contemplate the crucified Christ hanging on the cross above the altar, and ask forgiveness for putting Him through such a Passion. Now, after almost six years as a Catholic, it has gotten to the point where going to Mass does not just seem like a good thing to do, but an absolute necessity.

And to eat His broken body and to drink His blood every week at Mass (cf. John 6), and to taste the sweet potency of the wine's accidents, His real blood, is not just a nice symbolic remembrance, but something that physically gives me more than a "personal relationship with Christ." It gives me an intimate, physical, connection. I become literally, in reality, the body of Christ. And in so being, I go out from Mass to love and serve the Lord, even in the sharing of His Passion, and at times, joining in His suffering.

MEL GIBSON VISITS NUNS

A very cool story about Mel visiting The Little Sisters of the Poor in Louisville.

In a surprise visit, Mel Gibson ate chicken and rice, signed autographs and posed for pictures with residents and staff at the St. Joseph's Home on Poplar Level Road Wednesday. It was all a big surprise for the Little Sisters of the Poor when the Hollywood mogul brought them a private showing of his movie, "The Passion of the Christ." WAVE 3's James Zambroski reports.

"And all of a sudden, this gentleman walks in and mother recognized him right away, it was Mel Gibson," said Sister Gonzague.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Amy posted the following from one of her readers today:

This was written by Bishop Vasa (Eugene, Oregon) in his "The Heart and Mind of Bishop Vasa" column on March 4, 2004:

"As I left Saint Katherine Church in Enterprise the sign on the door caught my eye. It is the most appropriate sign for the inside of a Church door. It simply stated: 'You are now entering the mission field'.

NEXT UP: THE LION KING

The Passion of the Christ is now at #12 all time in domestic dollars, having just passed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

DISCOVERING THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS IN ORLANDO

The Orlando Sentinel published a very nice article about The Divine Office, and it's interesting to note that non-Catholics are embracing this timeless tradition of prayer as well. I began praying the LOTH last year, and my prayer life has been enriched as a result. Available as both a single volumed edition (which contains I believe just the morning and evening prayers, as well as nighttime prayers) OR the 4-volume set (which I picked up one at a time as they each retail for around $35), the LOTH follows the Liturgical Calandar of the church, is a great way to spend time each day in prayer and reflection, AND is also available online. I cannot recommend it enough.

Bonomi is among a growing number of Christians who are discovering a practice that, for centuries, was largely relegated to Catholic monasteries. Now it's showing up in popular books, in Protestant evangelical churches and, of course, on the Internet.

The Hours consist of specific Scripture passages -- drawing heavily on the Psalms -- combined with hymns and traditional prayers for each time of day and each day of the year. (While there are eight specific times for prayer, most lay practitioners pray less often, maybe once or twice a day.)

The Hours predate Christianity, having evolved out of the Jewish practice described in Psalm 119:164: "Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws."

St. Benedict wrote a manual for monks in 525 A.D. that explained the practice of praying the Hours. When the Vatican wrote the first official breviary, or prayer book, in the 11th century, the Hours became popular among literate medieval Christians.

BUSY WEEK

I have been unable to do much in the way of blogging the last few days, by choice and by necessity. The week at work has been a very busy one, with many large projects needing my close attention...hence the necessity. The choice is mine in that I have needed a break from the news of the day, mostly for the benefit of my soul. It is easy to get caught up in the news of the world, so much of which is horribly depressing even to the most optimistic amongst us. Today I'm going to dip my toe in the waters...but not very deeply. So let's begin...

ABC TRIES AGAIN

ABC will air a three-hour documentary, "Jesus and Paul: The Word and the Witness," narrated by Peter Jennings, on Monday. Normally I would dismiss this pretty quickly as I have very little faith in Mr. Jenning's abilities to recognize anything having to do with Christianity, and in my admittedly jaded view see these annual forays as nothing more than a PR ploy by ABC...throwing a bone to the Christians to keep us looking to them for more. However, I may take a peek at this one. The OpinionJournal did.

The narrator returns to the first century with the words: "Jesus was from a town called Nazareth in a lush region known as the Galilee." But the background music reminds viewers that we are living in the 21st century. Instead of the mournful sounds of ancient chant we hear the pounding of drums, the strumming of guitars and the rhythmic beat of Christian rock, with lyrics such as this: "If you were faced with Him in all his glory / What would you ask if you had just one question?" And this: "What if God was one of us?" Again the message seems clear: What began in Nazareth is very much with us today.

Parts of it may be rather silly too...

We also hear from monks who tend holy places marking the sites of memorable events in biblical history (e.g., where Christian tradition believes St. Paul had the vision that led to his conversion) and from Christian clergy, some liberal, some conservative, not all, however, good choices. There is even a humorous interview with a group of Americans about what Jesus looked like. All say he had blue eyes.

So, I'll watch and see for myself I suppose. Anyone else?


GANDHI, SANGER & HUMANAE VITAE

Chronicling a January 1936 meeting between Mohandas Gandhi and Margaret Sanger. The subject of their conversation was contraception. Gandhi was right, and we've been paying the price (as have untold millions upon million of the unborn) ever since.

Gandhi saw in the use of contraception the potential for man’s undoing. The virtue of temperance, or brahmacharya, is needed, he felt, for man to be truly himself and to allow God to work through him. Therefore, contraception, which divorces the sexual act from its natural consequence, divides man, separating him from the meaning of his own actions. For Gandhi, contraception “simply unmans man”: “I suggest that it is cowardly to refuse to face the consequences of one’s acts. Persons who use contraception will never learn the value of self-restraint. They will not need it. Self-indulgence with contraceptives may prevent the coming of children, but will sap the vitality of both men and women, perhaps more of men than of women. It is unmanly to refuse battle with the devil.”


REFINING SILVER

Sent via email by a good friend in Mississippi. I love the analogy.

Malachi 3:3 says: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse that says: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.