The Bishop in Black

I was trying to remember the last time I saw a bishop vested in black: I am not sure I ever have, before yesterday.

At +Campbell's arrival in the Church, before Mass, we sang Ecce sacerdos magnus; and continued with the Christus vincit as he prayed before the Blessed Sacrament, and then proceeded to the Sanctuary and vested for Mass.

The Mass was a Requiem for Remembrance Day; a Low Mass in the traditional Roman rite, and the bishop said his Latin very well, which was impressive. He also preached well - off-the-cuff, I was told. He took the Lesson from Maccabees as his theme, and stressed the importance of the traditional practice of offering sacrifice for the dead, including the supreme, unbloody Sacrifice of the Mass.

At the Offertory, we sang a responsory from the Matins for the Dead: Credo quod Redemptor meus vivit. This was where the limitations of a two-man Schola started to show, as my voice was giving way (I have a lingering cold...). However, we got away with it.

Mass proceeded largely in silence, with Fr Millar as MC assisting the bishop (and carrying his candle - again something I have not seen for a long time).

At Holy Communion we sang (or to be more accurate, Jonathan sang, with occasional support and some croaks from me) O Sacrum Convivium, and then Adoro te devote.  After Mass, we sang the solemn Salve Regina, and then a vernacular hymn: Help Lord the souls that thou hast made.

After Mass, the bishop greeted people as they left, so we were able to kiss his ring and thank him for his support. He said a few kind words about the singing (very kind, in the circumstances) saying that the chant had taken him back 50 years. 

So remember him in your prayers: a sacerdos magnus indeed!

Of Your Charity...

Of your charity, pray for the repose of the soul of Fr Frans Van der Lugt.

Here is what Aid to the Church in Need have posted today:

Aid to the Church in Need is appealing for prayers after Fr Frans Van der Lugt SJ, who was overseeing the charity’s aid for Christians in Homs Old City, Syria was shot dead. Fr Frans had been looking after 89 Christians trapped in the Old City who were sheltering in an old monastery – but the number dropped to 20 in February 2014 after a three-day truce between warring sides allowed people to leave the city. First reports stated that the priest was beaten and shot in the head twice. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr Frans, and remember in your prayers all those caught up in the Syrian conflict.

Requiescat in pace.  Amen.

All Soul's Day

Today is All Soul's Day.

Today - and for the whole of November - do not forget about indulgences. It is a great act of charity to speed souls through Purgatory, and I hope and pray people will do the same for me in due course.

All indulgences are subject to the usual conditions  (sacramental confession, holy Communion and prayers for the Holy Father's intentions).

Indulgenced Acts for the Holy Souls (h/t Catholic Culture)

A partial indulgence can be obtained by devoutly visiting a cemetery and praying for the departed, even if the prayer is only mental. One can gain a plenary indulgence visiting a cemetery each day between November 1 and November 8. These indulgences are applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory.

A plenary indulgence, again applicable only the Souls in Purgatory, is also granted when the faithful piously visit a church or a public oratory on November 2. In visiting the church or oratory, it is required that one Our Father and the Creed be recited.

A partial indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, can be obtained when the Eternal Rest (Requiem aeternam) is prayed. This can be prayed all year, but especially during the month of November.

This is the Introit for the Mass for the Dead in the Extraordinary Form.

Of your charity...

Of your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of Michael Docherty, the father of Fr Michael Docherty, whose requiem Mass is today.

Requiescat in pace.

Liverpool - To Die For...

A few further thoughts on the Liverpool Funeral Mass controversy.

Helping to clarify this to someone who’d missed the point on Twitter, @PartTimePilgrim tweeted:

Opposition I've seen focuses on three issues.
1. The idea that a lay-led Funeral Service is as good as a Funeral Mass. It is not.
 2. The suspicion that there /are/ enough priests in Liverpool to have Funeral masses for those who die.
3. The un-Catholic nature of the Archdiocesan Planning a Funeral leaflet.

That’s a pretty good summary, and I just want to explore each in a little more depth.

1: Is a lay-led Funeral Service is as good as a Funeral Mass?  

This was what originally incensed me (terrible pun only half intended): the Herald quoted Archbishop Kelly as saying ‘the service they provide is “of the best quality” and was not seen by Catholics as “second-class”.’

I wrote a fair bit about this aspect in my first post on the subject, but would add this (which I wrote about in a comment on the Herald site).  

I think a large part of the problem here lies with the impoverished understanding of the Mass.  Once a priest got up early every day and offered the Sacrifice of the Mass.  

Perhaps some of his flock were there, perhaps they were all still in bed.  Nonetheless, he knew he had done something of inestimable value for the salvation of their souls (and his) and the conversion of the world.

Now he may say a 10.00 am Mass, the success of which is judged by the numbers who attend; and which may, apparently to everyone's complete satisfaction, be substituted with a lay-led service (which may be better attended as Mrs Cannybody's friends will all turn up...)

My contention is that such a decline in the valuing of the Mass seriously erodes vocations: current and future.

If that is part of the problem which has led to declining vocations, Liverpool's proposed solution exacerbates, rather than relieves, it.

2 Are there enough priests in Liverpool to have Funeral Masses for those who die?

I think that may depend on how high a priority it is considered to be, compared with other activities. Late last night, I tweeted: I dare bet a substantial sum that when ++Kelly dies, more than one priest from Liverpool will have time for his Funeral Mass.#cynicalme? 

That wasn’t a dig at Archbishop Kelly, so much as pointing out that when priests (or any of us) deem something important enough, we make time for it.  And I hope and pray that many priests turn up for Archbishop  Kelly’s Funeral Mass when he is called to his final reward. And that at least one is prepared to make time for my Requiem Mass, too.

My concern is that the tenor of the Liverpool leaflet, and Archbishop  Kelly’s reported comments, suggest that the provision of Masses, as opposed to lay-led services, is not seen as important.

Others have even suggested that there are those who welcome the withdrawing of priests from this ministry, as it gives laymen - and particularly lay women - more space to operate.

There’s also the risk of a sort of apartheid system: bishops, priests, deacons, EMHCs, parish worthies... will get Funeral Masses; the disposessed, friendless, alienated, (according to the leaflet, one criterion is how many Catholic chums you’ve got) will have lay-led services.

3. The un-Catholic nature of the Archdiocesan Planning a Funeral leaflet

A number of bloggers, such as Ttony have highlighted that the Leaflet is at odds with official Church documents.  

Certainly, when I read it, I thought it lacked any sympathy with those Catholic Instincts, whose absence I was lamenting in my first post on the subject, and my earlier post about Liverpool.

I have just noticed that the Order of Christian Funerals says:

‘When no priest is available, deacons, as ministers of the word, of the altar, and of charity, preside at funeral rites. 
When no priest or deacon is available for the vigil and related rites or the rite of committal, a layperson presides.’ 

Notice that only deacons (not laity, as proposed by the Liverpool leaflet) are authorised to stand in for (non-available) priest at the main funeral rites. Lay people are only allowed to lead ‘the vigil and related rites or the rite of committal.’

Throughout, the Order makes it clear that a Funeral Mass is the norm; anything else only as a serious exception, as I highlight here. The Liverpool leaflet strikes a very different note - could be one, could be the other, nothing to worry about...

If I were a bishop implementing such a change out of necessity, I would be stressing the difference, apologising for the crisis, assuring the faithful that every effort would be made...

Mark Lambert also highlights how the understanding of the Funeral itself, in the Liverpool leaflet, is at odds with Catholic belief, as expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

--

This is serious stuff: I can only hope that it is cock-up, not conspiracy, and that someone draws it to Archbishop Kelly’s attention.  I am assured he is a good and holy bishop (and he certainly does some good and holy things, like supporting the cause for Blessed Dominic Barberi). So I imagine that when he realises quite what is being done and said in his name, he will be keen to put it right, and assure his flock that their right to a Funeral Mass will be honoured  if at all possible.

What is it about Liverpool?

Some while ago (reflecting on the proposed Methodist 'Ordinations' in Liverpool's Catholic Cathedral) I was lamenting what I saw as a lack of Catholic Instincts in the Archbishop and (presumably) his advisors.

I have been brooding on the recent report in the Catholic Herald about proposals to have lay-led services for the dead in lieu of Funeral Masses.

His Grace Kelly (how I love writing that, btw) has apparently 'formally commissioned 22 lay ministers to celebrate funeral ceremonies.'

It may be that this is a pastoral necessity, as he clearly believes; though I find it hard to imagine anything more important for his priests to be doing than saying Masses for the living and the dead.

But what really made me return to this theme of a lack of Catholic Instincts were his (reported) comments 'that the lay ministers – some of whom are drawn from the roster of Eucharistic ministers, catechists and religious sisters – would receive continuing support and training to ensure that the service they provide is “of the best quality” and was not seen by Catholics as “second-class”.'

How could any lay-led service, even of the best quality (whatever that may mean in this context - to be frank the phrase makes me shudder) not be regarded as "second-class" compared to a Funeral Mass?

The Mass is 'the source and summit of the Christian life,' (CCC 1324) and specifically  "The Eucharistic sacrifice is also offered for the faithful departed who "have died in Christ but are not yet wholly purified," so that they may be able to enter into the light and peace of Christ." (CCC 1371)

Are my instincts wrong to suggest that a Funeral Mass, the sacrifice of Calvary offered by a priest in persona Christi for the repose of the soul of the deceased, is superior, not just as first- is to second-class, but almost infinitely, to any lay-led prayer service, however high quality it may be?

I give notice here and now that when I die I want a sung EF Mass, with the traditional Chant, offered for my eternal repose; and I want people praying for my soul. I will need all the help I can get.

In the meantime, pray for the Archbishop, and for all those who die in Liverpool and are denied a Funeral Mass.

UPDATE

Mulier Fortis blogged about this a while ago - excellently, as you might expect - here.

The Liverpool leaflet Planning a Catholic Funeral can be read here. (H/t Part Time Pilgrim)

UPDATE 2

Ttony makes some important additional points here.

UPDATE 3

Mark Lambert adds powerfully to the debate here.

UPDATE 4

I realise I missed the breaking of this story all together: Reluctant Sinner blogged here, based on this article in the Pill (I make no apology for missing this...) and Fr Simon Henry explains his refusal to comment here.  I will blog more on this soon.

Requiem Mass Offertory

Here is the hauntingly beautiful Offertory of the Requiem Mass.

Please remember the late Phyllis Bowman, whose Requiem was today, in your prayers as you listen to it.

Offertory

Domine Iesu Christe, Rex gloriæ,

libera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum

de pœnis inferni et de profundo lacu.

Libera eas de ore leonis,

ne absorbeat eas tartarus,

ne cadant in obscurum;

sed signifer sanctus Michael

repræsentet eas in lucem sanctam,

quam olim Abrahæ promisisti et semini eius.

Hostias et preces tibi, Domine,

laudis offerimus;

tu suscipe pro animabus illis,

quarum hodie memoriam facimus.

Fac eas, Domine, de morte transire ad vitam.

Quam olim Abrahæ promisisti et semini eius.

Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory,

free the souls of all the faithful departed

from infernal punishment and the deep pit.

Free them from the mouth of the lion;

do not let Tartarus swallow them,

nor let them fall into darkness;

but may the standard-bearer Saint Michael,

lead them into the holy light

which you once promised to Abraham and his seed.

O Lord, we offer You

sacrifices and prayers of praise;

accept them on behalf of those souls

whom we remember today.

Let them, O Lord, pass over from death to life,

as you once promised to Abraham and his seed.

Requiem Mass Tract

The Tract replaces the Alleluia verse before the Gospel in Masses of a penitential character (eg during Lent - and, for obvious reasons, in a Requiem Mass).

It follows the Gradual immediately. 

Tract

Absolve, Domine,

animas omnium fidelium defunctorum

ab omni vinculo delictorum

et gratia tua illis succurente

mereantur evadere iudicium ultionis,

et lucis æternae beatitudine perfrui.

Forgive, O Lord,

the souls of all the faithful departed

from all the chains of their sins

and by the aid to them of your grace

may they deserve to avoid the judgment of revenge,

and enjoy the blessedness of everlasting light.

Requiem Mass Gradual

I got a bit ahead of myself. It was deliberate: I specifically wanted to post the In Paradisum as a prayer for, and in honour of, the late Phyllis Bowman.

Then I wanted to show another side to the traditional Requiem Mass, with the Dies Irae.

However, now we go back to nearer the beginning of the Mass, to the Gradual; which is the next thing to be sung after the Kyrie (as there is no Gloria at a Requiem Mass for obvious reasons).

BTW apologies for the odd recording blips in this and the Dies Irae; I can't remember what the problem was, but these were recorded on cassette tape (remember that?) many years ago...

Gradual

Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine :

et lux perpetua luceat eis.

In memoria æterna erit iustus,

ab auditione mala non timebit.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord :

and let perpetual light shine upon them.

He shall be justified in everlasting memory,

and shall not fear evil reports.

Dies Irae

One of the things I lament about the current liturgy is the Requiem Mass.


The new Requiem seems univocal, emphasising only the hope of resurrection, to the extent, sometimes. of almost forgetting that we are there to pray for the deceased, and denying us the right to mourn.  


By contrast, the old seems replete with the whole gamut of relevant human emotions, recognising both our grief, the reality of the four Last Things (Death, Judgement, Hell and Heaven) and the superabundant mercy of God.  


Yesterday I posted the wonderful In paradisum, as an expression of my hope for the repose of the soul of the late, great, Phyllis Bowman.  Today we have the Dies Irae; the great Sequence for the Requiem Mass.  This expresses something else again.  For death was not part of the original plan: Our Lord wept when he encountered it.  God is not just Merciful Redeemer, He is also fearsome judge.  Indeed, fear of the Lord is the beginning (though not the end) of wisdom.


I like this approach to chant, too.  The very ethereal chant of French monks can be hauntingly beautiful.  Too often, however, those who attempt that style ended up sounding like castrati.  Here is the antidote to that problem: masculine chant...


Dies Irae

Dies irae, dies illa

solvet saeclum in favilla:

teste David cum Sibylla.

Quantus tremor est futurus,

quando judex est venturus,

cuncta stricte discussurus!

Tuba mirum spargens sonum

per sepulcra regionum,

coget omnes ante thronum.

Mors stupebit et natura,

cum resurget creatura,

judicanti responsura.

Liber scriptus proferetur,

in quo totum continetur,

unde mundus judicetur.

Judex ergo cum sedebit,

quidquid latet apparebit:

nil inultum remanebit.

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?

Quem patronum rogaturus,

cum vix justus sit securus?

Rex tremendae majestatis,

qui salvandos salvas gratis,

salva me fons pietatis.

Recordare, Jesu pie,

quod sum causa tuae viae:

ne me perdas illa die.

Quaerens me, sedisti lassus:

redemisti Crucem passus:

tantus labor non sit cassus.

Juste judex ultionis,

donum fac remissionis

ante diem rationis.

Ingemisco, tamquam reus:

culpa rubet vultus meus:

supplicanti parce, Deus.

Qui Mariam absolvisti,

et latronem exaudisti,

mihi quoque spem dedisti.

Preces meae non sunt dignae:

sed tu bonus fac benigne,

ne perenni cremer igne.

Inter oves locum praesta,

et ab haedis me sequestra,

statuens in parte dextra.

Confutatis maledictis,

flammis acribus addictis:

voca me cum benedictis.

Oro supplex et acclinis,

cor contritum quasi cinis:

gere curam mei finis.

Lacrimosa dies illa,

qua resurget ex favilla

judicandus homo reus.

Huic ergo parce, Deus:

pie Jesu Domine,

dona eis requiem. Amen.

Days of wrath! O day of mourning,

See fulfilled the prophets' warning;

Heaven and earth in ashes burning.

Oh, what fear man's bosom rendeth

When from heaven the Judge descendeth,

On whose sentence all dependeth!

Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth,

Through earth's sepulchres it ringeth,

All before the throne it bringeth.

Death is struck, and nature quaking,

All creation is awaking,

To its Judge an answer making.

Lo! the book exactly worded,

Wherein all hath been recorded;

Thence shall judgment be awarded.

When the Judge His seat attaineth,

And each hidden deed arraigneth,

Nothing unavenged remaineth.

What shall I, frail man, be pleading,

Who for me be interceding,

When the just are mercy needing?

King of majesty tremendous,

Who dost free salvation send us,

Fount of pity, then befriend us!

Think, good Jesu, my salvation

Caused Thy wondrous Incarnation.

Leave me not to reprobation.

Faint and weary Thou hast sought me,

On the cross of suffering bought me;

Shall such grace be vainly brought me?

Righteous Judge! for sin's pollution

Grant Thy gift of absolution,

Ere that day of retribution.

Guilty, now I pour my moaning,

All my shame with anguish owning;

Spare, O God, Thy suppliant groaning.

Thou the sinful woman savedst;

Thou the dying thief forgavest;

And to me a hope vouch-safest.

Worthless are my prayers and sighing;

Yet, good Lord, in grace complying,

Rescue me from fires undying.

With Thy favoured sheep, O place me,

Nor among the goats abase me,

But to Thy right hand upraise me.

While the wicked are confounded,

Doomed to flames of woe unbounded,

Call me with Thy saints surrounded.

Low I kneel, with heart-submission;

See, like ashes, my contrition;

Help me in my last condition.

Ah! that day of tears and mourning!

From the dust of earth returning

Man for judgment must prepare him.

Spare, O God, in mercy spare him!

Lord all pitying, Jesu blest,

Grant them Thine eternal rest.

Amen.

Phyllis Bowman RIP

I have just learned that Phyllis Bowman, a tireless pro-life veteran, died today.


Of your charity, pray for the repose of her soul.


Requiescat in pace.


Amen.


 In Paradisum

In paradisum deducant te Angeli; in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres, et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem. Chorus angelorum te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem.


May angels lead you into paradise; upon your arrival, may the martyrs receive you and lead you to the holy city of Jerusalem. May the ranks of angels receive you, and with Lazarus, once a poor man, may you have eternal rest.

Just to confound you...

Some people have been suggesting that I only sing in Latin.

So, just to confound you...

This is an astonishingly plaintive melody, it seems to me.

Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison
Kyrie eleison

Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy

Requiem Mass Introit

Earlier today, on Twitter, I mentioned that the Gregorian Chant for the Requiem Mass was stunningly beautiful, but I didn't have time to post a link.

Eileen Blackwell (@12meadow) asked me to post it later, so I had a quick look on Youtube.

I couldn't find a version I liked, so I invited the boys round this evening, filled them with red wine, and...

Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Te decet hymnus Deus, in Sion, et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem. Exaudi orationem meam; ad te omnis caro veniet. Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Eternal rest grant unto         them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. A hymn becomes you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall a vow be repaid in Jerusalem. Hear my prayer; to you shall all flesh come. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.