Universalis, your very own breviary in pixels...

Friday 31 January 2014

Ubi caritas et amor....

In the williteverend whinging over the nolongernew English translation of the Roman Missal, the commentariat at one blog continues to let us know they are Christians by their love, by their love, yes we'll know...
I’d love to know what kind of payoff the various members of VC received from the publishers for their betrayal of the Catholic faithful. What’s the difference between the members of VC and other purveyors of the world’s oldest profession? Beats me…
I feel sorry for the several congregations reported on there who are somehow unable to pronounce "and with your spirit," "hosts," etc., and so have been "silenced."
Lest that be thought facetious on my part, I reiterate, I am genuinely sorry for those parishioners, because their muteness speaks volumes about the quality of the leadership they enjoy in their parishes.
I suppose it is possible that those reporting on these troubling times in their parishes are not leaders, per se, bearing none of the blame, but pew-sitters, who while virtually vocal enough in comboxes, do indeed suffer from some disorder of the throat or vocal cords and are actually silent now, as they would perforce have been with the old translation.

Or they may suffer from selective mutism, and require inebriation, either of the spirit, or the more traditional kind.
Of course, the cure may be worse than the disease.

 Baring the Blame for Their Silence?

Sunday 26 January 2014

A Voice from the Pews...

A most interesting blog on the sad state of parochial music in Roman parishes by the always worth your time Kathy Pluth suggests that it is an odd occurrence for random parishioners in the pew to start up whatever hymn they choose during Mass.

I hope that that is so, that it is indeed rare, although I have lived in two different parishes, (in the US,) where this was liable to happen.

Although in one of them, I guess it was not so very random, it would only ever be O Lord I Am Not Worthy, God Bless America or Let There be Cheese in Church.

I was emboldened to start, on my own... motu proprio? humming the Gregorian Ave Verum once during communion after OLIANW's three verses were finished....
Felt bad about it afterwards.

Sunday 19 January 2014

What jackass...

... decided to market August: Osage County as "hilarious"?
I mean, I know senses of humour differ and all that, but chicken in a biscuit...
I'm very glad that Himself received pre- "awards season" screenings copies of a number of films this year that I would have been spitting mad, had I paid for them.

And it's not that the film is without its merits, but talk about false advertising...

"Sources close to hell report that...."

That, from Damian Thompson, in a witty send up report of a, frankly, castrated new Rite of Baptism.


I do miss having browsing time...