More on Pentecost at the Pantheon

Since, prior to the liturgical changes, Pentecost had its own octave I see no reason why I cannot post these a little late! These are some photographs I came by/sent of this year's Pentecost celebration at the Pantheon church in Rome.

Quote of the Day

'I will confess therefore what I know of myself and what I do not know; for what I know of myself I know through the shining of your light; and what I do not know of myself, I continue not to know until my darkness shall be made as noonday in your countenance.'


St Augustine of Hippo

Hans Kung

I came across this story from Rorate Caeli a number of days ago, and I have been considering not commenting on it, but I must ask - what is going through Hans Kung's mind?

I know he has his own version of what Vatican II did and he has a record of disobedience, particularly in doctrinal and moral matters, and has refused every hand of friendship offered by our Holy Father, but surely this takes the proverbial biscuit? Or, perhaps, in a particularly anglicised rendering of romanita that, this really does prende il biscotto. . .

My understanding of it all is that by trying to bring back into the Church the Society of St Pius X (those whom Kung incorrectly calls invalidly ordained) Pope Benedict is causing scandal to the majority of the faithful. In doing this, he is separating himself from them, and risks falling into schism (not sure this works  either, but okay. . .) and in doing this he is inciting disobedience to his authority.

Were this absurd argument to have come from any kind of real Catholic theologian, it would still be bizarre, but, to take Jung's own situation, his own long-standing separation from the magisterial teaching of the Church quite clearly demonstrates, in his own argument, that he cannot count himself among those faithful. He has been quite happy shouting his views about everything from infallibility to women priests for a long time now and this gracious attempt by the Holy Father to bring a group back into the Catholic fold is simply another excuse for him to challenge the rightful authorities within the Church.

He writes,

'Instead of seeking reconciliation with the ultra-conservative, anti-democratic and anti-Semitic Society of St Pius X, the Pope should rather attend to the interests of the majority of Catholics and seek reconciliation with the Reformation Churches and with the whole of ecumenical Christianity.' The Tablet

I will let his spiteful words speak for themselves. But I will ask this question: regardless of however much we might dislike the nasty words of certain individuals within the SSPX (I am thinking of Bishop Williamson here, who if the latest talk is to be believe, won't be coming over anyway!) can we really claim to have more in common doctrinally with Baptists, Lutherans and Anglicans than with a group which is guilty of no material heresy?

Pray for Hans Kung and pray for union.

Quote of the Day

 'Whoever, in the moment of receiving God’s gifts but forgets to fear possible affliction, will be brought low by his presumption. Equally, whoever in the moment of suffering fails to take comfort from the gifts which it has been his lot to receive, is thrown down from the steadfastness of his mind and despairs. 


The two must be united so that each may always have the other’s support, so that both remembrance of the gift may moderate the pain of the blow and fear of the blow may moderate exuberance at receiving the gift. 


Thus the holy man, to soothe the depression of his mind amidst his wounds, weighs the sweetness of the gifts against the pains of affliction, saying If we have received good at the hand of the Lord, shall we not receive evil?'


St Gregory the Great on the Book of Job


Okay this is a bit long for a quote but this rather struck me today from the Office of Readings.

Happy Pentecost!

One of my favourite Pentecost traditions is the practice at the Pantheon, in Rome, whereby red rose petal are dropped through the hole in the dome to symbolise to down pouring of the tongues of fire. And all done to the sound of the Veni Creator Spiritus which I've posted above. Beautiful!

Quote of the Day

'Th Lord promised to send us the Holy Spirit to make us fit for God's purposes. Just as dry flour cannot coalesce into a lump of dough, still less a load, without moisture, so too we, being many, could not become one in Christ Jesus without the water which comes from heaven. And just as dry soil cannot bear fruit unless it receives moisture, so we, who begin with are dry wood, can never bear the fruit of life unless the rain from heaven falls upon our wills.'


St Ireneaus of Lyons

More on outspoken young women. . .

and whilst this one is not a Catholic, as far as I know, she has bravely spoken out in the discussion over the prospect of a redefinition of marriage in the United States. Madeleine McAulay uploaded a youtube video outlining her thoughts on this issue.

The reaction was, to be honest, rather shocking considering they were meant to be written by people campaigning for tolerance. Some of the comments merely demonstrated the kind of moral degeneracy which leads otherwise normal people that intrinsically wrong sexual acts are somehow acceptable.

She later published an article here outlining some of the abuse she has had to deal with.

Madeleine is an impressive, politically active young woman who is certainly on the side of the angels in this debate. So let's all spare a prayer for her.