Tag Archives: Prayers

Blessing Enemies – Or Else

Posted on February 18, 2019 by

“Break thou the arm of the evildoer” (Psalm 10:15). “Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers” (Psalm 35:3). “O God, break the teeth in their mouths” (Psalm 58:6). “Let them be blotted out from the book of the living” … Continue reading →

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Morbid Introspection

Posted on February 14, 2019 by

Dom Mark Kirby is the Prior of the excellent Silverstream Priory (Benedictines), north of Dublin in Ireland. He is also probably (so many of us think) the author of the book In Sinu Jesu…The Journal of a Priest at Prayer, which … Continue reading →

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Candlemas 2019

Posted on February 2, 2019 by

We had a lovely Mass this morning for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord – traditionally known as “Candlemas”, the fortieth day after Christmas, the day when candles are blessed and carried lighted in procession. Also – in … Continue reading →

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The Roman Canon and Children

Posted on January 25, 2019 by

In seminary we were given some sort of vague familiarity (or at least knowledge of) the so-called “Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children” that had been composed as an option for the Novus Ordo at Masses where the majority present … Continue reading →

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Blessings for Ordinary Things

Posted on January 15, 2019 by

The Church has many wonderful blessings to enrich and enhance our daily life. Every priest should have a copy of the 1962 Rituale Romanum, which contains these blessings, many of which were not carried over to the post-conciliar “Book of Blessings”. … Continue reading →

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A Change of Rubrics

Posted on December 30, 2018 by

The Church teaches that the faithful have the right to the liturgy celebrated according to its laws — according to the rubrics — for they express the mind of the Church and are a guarantee of the catholicity of our … Continue reading →

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Coming Up: Blessing of Wine

Posted on December 24, 2018 by

This Thursday, December 27, is the Feast of St. John the Evangelist. And the Roman Ritual gives us a special blessing connected with his feast day: the blessing of wine! I’m happy to share here a PDF that I created with … Continue reading →

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Rorate Mass

Posted on December 16, 2018 by

At the kind instance of a parishioner, I scheduled a Rorate Mass this year. Not only had I never been to one of these Masses; I had not celebrated one either. I did it as a High Mass (Missa Cantata), … Continue reading →

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Ecce, Sacerdos Magnus

Posted on November 29, 2018 by

A great priest passed from this life mid-afternoon today, November 29, 2018, here in Birmingham, Alabama: Fr. Lambert Greenan, O.P., age 101 upon death and having been a priest on this earth for 78 years. Fr. Lambert, né Lawrence, was … Continue reading →

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A Prayer before Preaching

Posted on November 26, 2018 by

The task of preparing to preach is a serious one, upon which depends the spiritual good of the people entrusted to the preacher’s care. All priests are challenged to invest time and prayer into their preaching, carefully preparing what they … Continue reading →

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Where should the priest look during Mass?

Posted on November 25, 2018 by

What is a priest supposed to do with his eyes during the celebration of Mass? The question probably seems trifling and frivolous to many, but the answer to it can greatly affect the experience of those assisting and praying at … Continue reading →

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Praying for the Dead – And A Cautionary Tale

Posted on November 3, 2018 by

Two of the three past/deceased bishops of the Diocese of Birmingham are buried in our courtyard beside the Cathedral of St. Paul. The most recent to be buried there was Bishop David E. Foley, bishop of the diocese from 1994 … Continue reading →

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