The following comes from a Jan. 2 posting on The Eponymous Flower.
The bishop of Springfield in Illinois, Thomas John Paprocki Joseph, gave instructions to return the tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament back into the center of the sanctuary in the churches of his diocese.
Bishop Paprocki, who was appointed in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. wrote the pastoral letter Ars et celebrandi adorandi to his diocese. In it he points to the rich tradition and teaching of the Church for celebration and adoration of the Holy Eucharist.
The bishop outlines the historical development over the past decades and is critical of the displacement of the Blessed Sacrament from the center of the chancel and sometimes even its utter removal from the sanctuary. The places in which the Blessed Sacrament was banished, sometimes are not more than rudimentarily adapted closets. This removal of the Blessed Sacrament to often difficult-to-find side chapels has to come to an end.
“With this in mind, in order that more of the faithful will be able to spend time in adoration and prayer in the presence of the Eucharistic Lord, I direct that in the churches and chapels of our diocese, tabernacles that were formerly in the center of the sanctuary, but have been moved, are to be returned as soon as possible to the center of the sanctuary in accord with the original architectural design. Tabernacles that are not in the center of the sanctuary or are otherwise not in a visible, prominent and noble space are to be moved to the center of the sanctuary; tabernacles that are not in the center of the sanctuary but are in a visible, prominent and noble space may remain.”
The first part refers to churches which were built before the liturgical reform, the other two parts on churches built afterwards.
Bishop Paprocki calls the believers to mind that the proper reverence for the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is to genuflect. The bishop calls the diocese, to spend more time with the Eucharist to promote Eucharistic Adoration and Eucharistic processions through the streets of the parishes.
The Diocese of Springfield is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Bishop Paprocki comes from the Archdiocese of Chicago and in 1978 was ordained a priest there. In 2003 Pope John Paul II. appointed him auxiliary bishop of Chicago under Francis Cardinal George. Pope Francis accepted the Cardinal’s resignation last September 20 for reasons of age at 77 years. The appointment of Blaise Cupich, his successor, is considered one of the most controversial personnel decisions of the Argentine Pope. Msgr. Cupich is considered one of the liberal outsiders in the US episcopate.
Cardinal George recently exercised strong criticism of Pope Francis. Both Chicago and Springfield have an above average number of priestly vocations. Bishop Paprocki is also a promoter of old Rite institutions in his diocese.
To read the original posting, click here.
“The places in which the Blessed Sacrament was banished, sometimes are not more than rudimentarily adapted closets. This removal of the Blessed Sacrament to often difficult-to-find side chapels has to come to an end.”
Your Excellency,
This is an answer to the prayers of many, many Catholics. The faithful in California would like to express their profound gratitude for this encouraging announcement and to also thank you for your leadership. “With God, front and center” in our churches and in our daily lives then all things are possible. Please keep us in your prayers and you can be assured that you are in our prayers. Thank you again, Bishop Paprocki. …. Respectfully yours in Christ!
Totally agree.Now to get Ohio on board.
And Nebraska.
And Virginia.
Catherine, as we have discussed in the past, this is a good example of the canon law that allows the tabernacle to be placed in any of three places, at the pleasure of the Bishop.
…that is why it is such a marked blessing to see Bishop Paprocki choosing to place Our Lord at the focal point of His Church. That is God’s Church. Kind of gives one the impression the his Excellency is using his authority to put God first instead of citing pastoral directives that would make use of closets…. for the benefit of who and what I’ll refrain from saying.
God bless and continue to strengthen the good Bishop to use his authority to promote Christ!
Please name a church where the tabernacle is in a closet.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.
…please get your head out of the sand. St. Martin of Tours parish in San Jose California has Our Lord in a small, sandwich sized box mounted just to the left of the entry door of what serves as an office. Last time I was there, I had to search to find Him. When I went through a side door behind what used to be the altar, I was shown a box to the left of the door I had just entered. It was gold, but that was it. A lay person was working at a desk inside.
Sorry, mous, but if that’s okay by you that’s your issue. But I was and will always be utterly scandalized by that defamation. Especially since what had been a beautiful Church was transformed into what would be more appropriate to a television studio hosting Oprah or Dr. Phil.
If realities have changed at St. Martins – great. But truth be told we all deserve a round chastisement for putting our ‘preferences’ above the reality of God’s Presence.
Thank you for the name of the Church and relaying your experience. What you describe sounds like a reliquary. Was the Church undergoing renovation at the time?
God bless you both, Kristin and Ann Malley,
This is another “anonymous” modern day doubting Thomas who on Judgement Day will be shown the wounds that this type of sacking of altars and churches caused to the Mystical Body of Christ. Anonymous needs to familiarize himself with the Church approved messages of Our Lady of Akita, Japan.
A columnist from a newspaper toured some of these dark broom closets for an article. This man had been interested in becoming a Catholic and he wanted to enroll his children into Catholic school. He was absolutely shocked when the administrators at the Catholic school told him. “Oh, we just wanted to let you know that you don’t have to worry, we will never try to convert your children or anything like that.” This man actually had wanted to learn the faith and he wanted his children to learn the faith. Thanks to the spiritual neglect, laxness or apathy of our own so called “medium Catholic schools, ” this man left the interview extremely disappointed and then set out with his family to find another religion that seemed to believe in itself and to share the good news with his children.
It is as if those in authority in our Catholic schools and churches are now ashamed of teaching the “full truth” and ashamed of having Our Lord located in the most visible and prominent location.
continued from January 7, 2015 at 12:54pm
Father John Hardon SJ warned the faithful that the real assault was going to be on the belief in the Real Presence. One candidate for the diaconate formation program in the Diocese of Orange was immediately dismissed from the program when he questioned the instructor who had just taught the class that it was “cannibalism” to believe that the Blessed Sacrament is actually receiving the Body and the Blood, of Jesus.
These broom closets and Tabernacle hunts tie right into this non-belief of “cookie worship” and why many were so eager to compromise and then hide Our Lord. It is all the more disgraceful for the new Christ Cathedral to not have the Tabernacle front and center. Wake up sleeping sheep. This was also a terrible example of evangelizing to the Protestants who do not believe in the Real Presence. This is no different than the columnist who was told by Catholic school administrators…. “Don’t worry, we won’t try to convert you or your children. No wonder they are hiding Our Lord because many have inwardly stopped believing even though they outwardly claim to be in “full communion.” St. Christopher is right. Give your hard earned dollars to those Catholic priests and groups who are not ashamed of Our Lord. Do not give one single penny to these wreckovations until Our Lord is honored first.
continued from January 7, 2015 at 1:09 pm
As stated earlier, It IS as if those in authority in our Catholic schools and churches are now ashamed of teaching the “full truth” and ashamed of having Our Lord located in the most visible and prominent location. This same columnist told me that a few years ago when these wreckovations started to take place one young man who wanted to be a priest had contacted him. This young man thought he had a vocation and he attended some meetings in L.A.and he was astounded when the people running the meeting referred to the adoring of the Blessed Sacrament as “cookie worship.” This particular look and see vocation meeting took place in Los Angeles so the ugly as sin Cathedral in L. A. with the hidden Tabernacle fits right in to place if you do not believe in the Real Presence.
The laity will continue to speak up against the Blessed Sacrament being hidden in remote locations and broom closets. One of the most heartbreaking wreckovations with a dark broom closet to hide Our Lord is Holy Trinity church in San Pedro, Ca. St Vincent de Paul in H.B is another church that has the Blessed Sacrament in a dark depressing back room which backs up next to the buried dead in the cemetery.
No one has named a church that actually has the tabernacle in the closet.
I do not appreciate your erroneous judgments concerning my post.
I do not doubt anything about the Catholic Faith.
I do doubt things that are said by a disgruntled former Catholic, however that was not the reason for my query. I would really like to know. I looked up the parish that Ann Malley referred to. They have a picture in their brochure of the congregation raising their hands in blessing over a group of people. How about that?
I am familiar with the messages of Our Lady of Akita and ponder them often. I do not know where you live but being ashamed of the full truth of the Faith and having Our Lord located in the most visible and prominent location does not describe any Catholic Church that I have ever attended.
I can see from how you reacted to my post that your have quite the imagination. This can lead you to sin, as it has this time. I forgive you, of course. I hope you will pray for the grace to avoid this sin in the future.
There was no renovation underway, Anonymous. And the man behind the desk lamented the situation with me, commenting on the sad aspect of the Tabernacle. That and the wreckovation that left him with no aisle down which to escort his daughter on her wedding day.
Please, when seeking details in future, try giving the benefit of the doubt to posters. There is no basis for making stories up or attempting to make things sound worse than what they are. There is no need. And that is the truly sad part.
Anonymous writes, “I can see from how you reacted to my post that you have quite the imagination. ” = I can see from how you responded what former governor Frank Keating meant.
The victims of the horrifically evil sex abuse scandals did not imagine their abuse. The laity did not imagine the multimillion dollar payouts. The laity did not imagine the findings of the Jon Jay study. The laity did not imagine the truthful comments made by former governor Frank Keating. The laity is NOT imagining the reason why the Tabernacles were removed from front and center or hidden in the first place.
Taken from the New York Times
”I make no apology,” said Mr. Keating, who compared some bishops to ”La Cosa Nostra”, suggesting that they were continuing to cover up the extent of molestation by members of the clergy. His comments drew immediate condemnation from the archbishop of Los Angeles, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony. The church, Keating said in the resignation letter, is a home to Christ’s people. It is not a criminal enterprise, Mr. Keating said. ”It does not condone and cover up criminal activity. It does not follow a code of silence. My remarks, which some bishops found offensive, were deadly accurate. I make no apology. To resist grand jury subpoenas, to suppress the names of offending clerics, **to deny, to obfuscate, to explain away;** that is the model of a criminal organization, not my church.”
Please scroll down and read and PONDER juergensen’s entire January 7, 2015 at 12:35 pm post below.
Jesus ,in the tabernacle is “In a closet” in St. Catherinen’s of Laguna Beach church, California for many years now. You would not find it if you went looking.
Actually it is in a converted confessional fit for only two comfortably and no sanctuary lamp when I was there.
You sound like someone who never missed the tabernacles disappearing, like many of us have.
Not a good sign at all Bob One. It was far more important for you to have the memory of your ego honored instead showing honor to the memory of Our Lord. Californians are praising this faithful Bishop for honoring God and for speaking up against relegating Our Lord to broom closets. Shame on you for once again calling it a “pleasure” for some bishops to hide Our Lord in these dark and out of the way closets. If it is a “pleasure” for some bishops to use Canon Law to hide Our Blessed Lord from his own flock Bob, then something is very wrong, especially when they do not use Canon Law to stop the profanation of the Blessed Sacrament when giving Holy Communion to obstinate pro-abort politicians.
Come on Catherine, this little “pleasure of the Bishops” thing has been going on for a long time. You really have to take the opportunity to lighten up once in a while. For those who know your history of batting me over the head and shoulders about “pleasure”, I’m sure they saw the jest of my comment. :)
Bob One, what you may have thought of as “jest” is not what others read.
It is rarely possible to be “cute” is the limited space available to those posting on someone else’s site.
SAM the same goes for Catherine.
No jest, Bob One. Not considering the ‘make it easy’ mode of your other posts.
Excellent+++ So good to have Our Lord. Back where He belongs…Jesus is the King and
He deserves the highest place and respect and we need Him to always be the center of our lives.
Thank God for Bishop Paprockl. We are blessed in the USA by many good shepherds. Many in the world must envy us.
Fantastic news! I go to the Latin Mass as it is traditional and the tabernacle is in the center stage. Only the priest can touch the Holy Body and Bread of Christ.
I hope all churches across the USA change their form.
Great!
Here is a link to Bishop Paprocki’s pastoral letter, “Ars celebrandi et adorandi” directly from his Springfield Diocese web site.
https://dio.org/bishop/pastoral-letters/ars-celebrandi-et-adorandi.html
We should all respectfully ask our own Diocese Bishop to do the same.
(Send your Bishop this link for the actual wording of the entire letter to the Pastoral Letter or a paper copy of the letter with paragraph #23 highlighted.)
Bishop Paprocki’s letter was truly inspired by God. If we ever needed to be close to God and with Eucharistic adoration, it is during these times.
Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi – As we Worship, So we Believe, So we Live.
When one considers what and who Bishop Paprocki replaced, it is proof that miracles still do happen!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts!
May God have mercy on an amoral Amerika and His Church!
Viva Cristo Rey!
Kenneth M. Fisher, Founding Director
Concerned Roman Catholics of America, Inc.
Unfortunately, Bishop Blasé Cupich (now of Chicago) supports giving Holy Communion to those choosing to continue to live in Mortal Sin,
as does Cardinal Donald Wuerl (of Washington DC).
This includes politicians who publically support abortion, and those persons who choose to continue sexual relations with the valid spouse of another.
In addition Cupich has refused to allow his Priests pray the Rosary outside of abortion clinics to save lives.
Wuerl appointed by Pope Francis to the ‘Congregation for Bishops’ in Dec, 2013 oversees the selection of new bishops and their picks usually are confirmed by the Pope.
Whoever is named to this committee has a large say in who should be a new bishop, especially from his home region/country.
Bad appointments – those who throw the ‘Doctrine of the Faith’ under the bus – are bad for this Country, and more importantly are bad for the Salvation of Souls.
(Bishops can eventually become Cardinals and help to pick the next Pope.)
Can’t you say anything good about this wonderful change?
There are 3 separate information stories in this article.
1) Bishop Parocki – “Bishop orders tabernacles front and center”;
https://www.dio.org/bishop/pastoral-letters/ars-celebrandi-et-adorandi.html
2) Appointment and promotion of Abp Blasé Cupich to the Chicago Diocese in Sept, 2014;
https://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-appoints-spokanes-blase-cupich-to-lead-chicago-archdiocese/
3) Cardinal George on Pope Francis: “Why doesn’t he clarify?”.
https://www.lifesitenews.com/static/cardinal-george-on-pope-francis-why-doesnt-he-clarify.html
Cardinal George regarding some statements and actions of Pope Francis” :
” The question is raised, why doesn’t he himself clarify these things?
Why is it necessary that apologists have to bear that burden of trying to put the best possible face on it?
Does he not realize the consequences of some of his statements, or even some of his actions?
Does he not realize the repercussions? Perhaps he doesn’t.
I don’t know whether he’s conscious of all the consequences of some of the things he’s said and done that raise these doubts in people’s minds. ”
https://www.lifesitenews.com/static/cardinal-george-on-pope-francis-why-doesnt-he-clarify.html
You mean no more asking “where’s God?” when you enter a Catholic Church for the first time? Got to love Bishop Paprocki. I pray he is protected from the wolves.
Thank you for acting on grace and commitment to truth.
Yes praise be Jesus Christ!
Bishop Paprocki is one of the theologically sound, traditional, trying-to-do-a-faithful-job-as-bishop, bishops in the USA (particularly so when compared with Abp. Cupich). Unfortunately, Bishop Paprocki is, increasingly, an outlier under the Francis Administration. More in tune with the Pope is the recent announcement in the Philippines that all tabernacles in newly constructed churches must be “outside” the sanctuary.
Go figure! Christ is alive and in the Tabernacle for all Believers. So, to better honor and worship Him, many bishops want to remove Him from the center of the Mass and repose Him where?? That sort of addlepated decision-making is, well, not really Catholic. And, no, simply because certain mostly European churches repose the Host in a separate “chapel” does not support simply removing the Tabernacle to a closet, or to a room called a chapel (where, in many churches, it sits alone with some folding chairs, and no kneelers, to provide space for adorers).
The “New Catholic” Church simply does not want any “Medieval” practice, including something as simple as the centrality of the Tabernacle (where we are required to believe that the confected body of Christ reposes). More and more the American Catholic Church shows its face as a Protestant Church, including through the simply inane recent comments by Cardinal Dolan and other liberals about what Catholics mean about Christmas. Increasingly, there are at least three “branches” of Catholicism being “practiced” in America.
St. Christopher, you are 100% on point. It’s one thing to have a good sized Blessed Sacrament Chapel in a prominent place and fitted with plenty of space and pews for adoration (as is the case in St Peter’s Basilica and many European cathedrals. Bishop Paprocki’s own decree recognizes this and permits the reserved Sacrament, if currently outside the main sanctuary, to remain where it is so long as it occupies “a prominent, visible and notable space”.
It is quite another thing—and wholly unsatisfactory—to relegate the Blessed Sacrament to a formerly side altar or, even worse, to a mere pedestal with a tabernacle on top. For church buildings yet to be constructed I hope that the tabernacle will always be placed in the center of the sanctuary.
AMEN TO THAT caritas!
Finally Our Lord will be front and center in the churches of Springfield. Now, if only this would occur in most dioceses as well!
Meanwhile in the Philippines:
In the Archdiocese of Cebu, the following are no longer allowed.
1 -New Churches must not have their Tabernacles anywhere near the Sanctuary, but only at the side.
2- The Benedictine Altar Arrangement with the crucifix facing the people, not the priest, and with 6 candles for priests, and 7 candles for bishops.
3- Tabernacle veil
https://thepinoycatholic.blogspot.com/2015/01/what-is-happening-to-you-cebu.html
It is up to Philippinos (and others) to contact their own Bishops, and state they want the Tabernacles to be “front and center”.
The same is true of all Countries and their lay Catholics. Laity can no longer remain silent. As is stated in the CCC it is our “duty”.
CCC: ” 907 In accord with the knowledge, competence, and preeminence which they possess, [lay people] have the right and even at times a duty
to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church,
and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons. ”
We must contact each of our own Bishops regarding Tabernacles being front and center.
If only Pope Benedict had remained in office we would have had more quality bishops of this caliber appointed
A Shepherd leading his flock,,,,finally , a little Light . God bless you Bishop Paprocki
Hooray!!! Bishops pay attention. Now, please put back the altar rails and face the altar, then retract the “indult ‘insult'” of communion in the hand. (Get rid of the sappy crap music also, keep it sacred during Mass.)
At minimum:
1) partial Altar Rails should be restored or constructed so that Catholic Churches can serve all Catholics – including those who wish to kneel when receiving the Lord.
Kneeling is in the Bible (Philippians 2:10, and permitted in GIRM for the Ordinary Form of the Mass while receiving Holy Communion.
2) All Seminaries must require teaching both the OF and EF Masses to all the students to serve the needs of all Catholics.
3) “The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition” must become the major required text for all Seminaries and all Religious Orders in the USA only after Sacred Scripture.
Dan, i can’t say i agree with you on everything, but i’m altogether with you in getting rid of “sappy crap music” which detracts from a holy Eucharistic celebration and is often to inner-directed and self-absorbed. I cite one “hymn” which begins: “WE are here to tell OUR STORY; WE are here to BREAK THE BREAD…..” Whoever wrote that, I submit, doesn’t understand that the Mass in not a Rotary Club lunch (no offense to Rotarians!).
Everyone!! Speak with your money — no more money — None — to any diocese whose bishop insists in a Kumbaya Church. Tabernacle in front, preferably altar rails, positive responses for the TLM to be scheduled, happy to give communion to those kneeling (and encourage at least genuflecting) — all of that.
Send along a letter to your bishop if you withhold or, better yet, re-direct your money. And, copy the USCCB, and Pope Francis. They will go nuts.
St. Christopher,
In most Novus Ordo churches. not even the priests genuflect during the
“Credo”!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts!
May God have mercy on an amoral Amerika and His Church!
Viva Cristo Rey!
Kenneth M. Fisher
The purpose is not to make anyone go “nuts”.
The purpose in contacting your own Diocese Bishop is for bringing the Faithful closer to God.
It is none of the Pope’s business unless there are abuses that the Bishop refuses to correct.
It is none of the USCCB’s business, the USCCB doe not head up any Diocese in the USA.
Cause for joy for the diocese of Springfield and the Church as a whole…very encouraging to say the least.
I can only hope and pray that our Ohio churches do the same.
May Our Lord continue to bless Bishop Paprocki with abundant graces! He’s already responded to a very important one.
God Bless you, Bishop Paprocki, and thank you!!! Finally, we have a Bishop who is taking a FIRM stand on this. I am very much looking forward to seeing the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle restored to the most prominent place in the Sanctuary in my Church. I have been praying to the Holy Family and for the intercession of the late Father John Hardon, S.J., of The Real Presence Association, who may (hopefully) one day be canonized a Saint for his efforts in restoring proper respect and placement of the the Blessed Sacrament! When the Blessed Sacrament is returned to the proper place in the Sanctuary, it should be done with a special ceremony to indicate the sacredness and importance of the Blessed Sacrament. I think that belief n the Real Presence has been weakened in recent years by many Catholics due to the apparent lack of proper attention or direction shown by some priests, and others!
Patricia Walsh
I sure hope Bishop Thomas Tobin of Rhode Island follows suit!!!
Nancie and others, did you contact your Diocese Bishop about this ?
Did you provide you Bishop a copy of Bishop Paprocki’s pastoral letter to your Bishop ?
Bishops need to respectfully hear from the Faithful within their Diocese.
Contact info is usually on the Diocese web site.
Bishops are not mind-readers.
Let’s see… the original date of Bishop Paprocki’s letter to his diocese is June 22, 2014. Cyril Koob posted it to his blog on January 2, 2015. Better late than never, I guess. I notice the last sentence of #23 states: “. . . tabernacles that are not in the center of the sanctuary but are in a visible, prominent and noble space may remain.” Sounds like a pretty subjective requirement to me. But after visiting the parishes’ website links from the Wikipedia page and viewing the photos, it looks like most of them are doing a good job.
Tarcissius, all Catholic Churches (of the Roman/Latin rite) in each Diocese are required to adhere to the directives of the Diocese Bishop.
Bishop Paprocki’s directive is very clear to all the Faithful of at least average intelligence.
Generally speaking, time for Nebraska and the rest ofAmerica to get on board as well. But remember folks, this took a long time to occur so it will be a long time to “fix. ” Similar to the Holy Mass. Even the prayer, “Lord I am not worthy…” is still not quite correct. A good step nevertheless. Pax et bonum to all.
I am relieved our Lord is not present until consecration. people laugh and talk on the way in to Mass and dress like its a beach luau
This is due to lack of instruction and requirements by the Diocese Bishop and Parish Priests.
Our Lord is present in the center of the main altar in the Roman Catholic Parish Sanctuaries that reverently practice the traditional sacraments, prayers, and say the Tridentine Latin Mass. You can find them in North America and other continents in a Latin Mass Directory if you type traditio in your search engine/browser.
God bless Bishop Paprocki for doing this.
We are blessed in our area to have several churches where the Blessed Sacrament can be adored in the tabernacle, which is front and center of the altar or front and to the side of the altar, during the day or even at night, or in a fairly large adoration chapel outside the church when the church is not open. Some of those churches have been vandalized but precautions have been taken so most can stay open at least part of the time.
I agree Anne T God bless him!
If Catholics do NOT contact their own Diocese Bishop, and provide him with Bishop Paprocki’s pastoral letter (with #23 highlighted),
“Tabernacles front and center” will not happen within your Diocese.
https://www.dio.org/bishop/pastoral-letters/ars-celebrandi-et-adorandi.html
Here is a link regarding BEHAVIOR at the OF Mass, by Bishop Foys of the Covington Diocese in KY – in full accordance with GIRM.
https://www.praytellblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-Pastoral-Letter-with-Decree-Bulletin-Insert.pdf
You may want to consider sending this to your Bishop as well.
It is important to note that there are good Bishops left in the USA – true Shepherds who want to lead their flocks to Heaven, not merely wolves.
I also agree with the Anonymous posting above of: January 6, 2015 at 10:48 am regarding Seminary training.
An unpublished manuscript I have written was rejected by 2 Catholic Publishers and now a third is looking at it. The title is “The Heart and Essence of the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.” I show from the text itself how EXTRAORDINARY the Traditional Latin Mass really is. In this mss I quote from the CCC , paragraph # 1138: “The tabernacle is to be situated ‘in churches in A most trustworthy place, etc.’ ” The last 7 words are taken from Pope Paul’s encyclical,” Mysterium Fidei,” This excellent document was buried in the dust bin long ago. The original document was written in LATIN. In Latin there are no definite (‘the) or indefinite (‘a’) articles. When translating into English, the translator must add the articles for a good translation. The translator of the CCC used an indefinite article – “A most worthy place.” If he were an AUTHENTIC Catholic, he would have translated – “THE most worthy place.” The reason being that all tabernacles were in the center of the altar facing east BEFORE VATICAN II. Vatican II LESSONED AND WATERED DOWN THE FAITH. This is clearly evidenced by the diabolical ABUSE of the universal talking in church, which never existed before Vatican II. “But yet the Son of Man, when He comes, shall he find, do you think, FAITH on earth?” Lk 18:8. As a footnote we also have a terrific bishop, Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, OR. He stated PUBLICALLY last year that “he would that all his priests and seminarians learn to say (offer) the Traditional Latin Mass.
Jerry Schindler January 7, 2015 at 5:30 am
A very insightful and heartfelt post, Jerry. I also agree heartily with your premise of the importance of the humble part of speech, the article…like the difference of ‘an’ angel of the Lord to ‘the’ angel of the Lord. Also, word placement is so important, as in Isaiah “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah does not say “Here I am”…for the Lord is the great I AM. I can’t tell you how many people get that wrong and it’s incredibly important. Anyway, thank you, Jerry, and I hope your book is published soon.
Prayers for the publication of your book, Jerry. You may want to turn to independent publishing. Parties lines are deeply entrenched in mainstream publishing venues – much like fiction works, publishers are intent not so much on getting the truth out there, but rather what is popular and will turn a profit. It’s a business to make money.
God bless
Does your book have an imprimatur?
Jerry,
1) Vatican II “lessened and watered down the Faith?” That’s just absurd! Clearly, you have not read the documents of that Sacred Council. It was two decades of bad priestly selection and formation, along with almost non-existent catechesis that has “lessened and watered down the Faith.” I should know, I grew up during that time and was sadly a recipient of that mess, until I took study of the Faith into my own hands as an adult.
2) The abuse of talking in Church, which I agree is wrong, but certainly NOT diabolical (get a grip), has absolutely nothing to do with Vatican II. It has everything to do with the fact that those who do so have no regard for their Lord or for what is about to take place. Its purely a matter of respect.
I can see why you are having difficulty finding a publisher.
Anonymous, VII documents willfully misinterpreted or taken in a liberal sense, which is not clearly forbidden in the documents themselves, is what led to the non-existent catechesis and the sub zero formation of priests beginning in seminary.
Your seeming understanding of the Faith while negating the open door of VII in perverting it or, let’s say, not mentioning the harder aspects for want of appearing harsh and un-pastoral is no understanding at all.
Jerry’s book seems to be one that would address these root causes and not work in a vacuum as your approach would indicate. Sadly, many today who would give said imprimatur are similarly hopeful in their thinking that the diabolical disorientation (It’s not always Linda Blair spewing vomiting) was just some fluke and not the reality of Mother Church – under the dominion of pop-song driven clerics – not feeding Her own children. So yes, while talking itself isn’t diabolical, having multiple generations of ‘Faithful’ behave in such a manner as to demonstrate their disbelief in Our Lord’s Presence in the Blessed Sacrament or perhaps just getting cozy with Jesus to point of disregarding the reality that He is God is certainly diabolically disordered.
I can see why you need to find a credible ‘teacher’ to help in your pursuit to learn the Faith.
No disrespect intended, but this proves that the attention span of the average American, even if he or she is Catholic, is totally screwed. This is being treated as though it’s a new story, when it was old news 6 months ago. The story was originally published on Courageouspiest.com back in June the 24th, 2014, as well as other blogs and websites.
Another thing, Bishop Paprocki clearly is NOT really ordering the tabernacle to be placed in the center of every Church, he made an exception, which of course will be exploited by the liberals, and who will not be disciplined for their actions.
Same old story,, which is why I don’t get excited by these kinds of stories. There is ALWAYS an exception to the rule.
Ho hum, eh? “I think we are in rats’ alley
Where the dead men lost their bones.
“What is that noise?”
The wind under the door.
“What is that noise now? What is the wind doing?”
Nothing again nothing.
“Do you know nothing? Do you see nothing? Do you remember
Nothing?” …sorry, for some reason your post reminded me a little bit of T.S.Elliot’s “The Wasteland” Heh
Shawn Albert,
1) We all need reminders so that we will contact our own Diocese Bishops.
Further, everyone does not read the same web sites that you do. It is silly for you to think that we do.
Have you contacted your Bishop about all this for your Diocese, if so what did he say in response ? If you have not contacted your Bishop, why not ?
2) The Bishop made no exceptions.
All Tabernacles must be PROMINENT and VISIBLE from the part of the Church where the Mass is normally said, not in another room, or hidden area of the Church, etc.
If you know of any Priests in Bishop Paprocki’s diocese who are defying the Bishop’s order, please let us all know the parish so we can check it out on the internet. Provide a link.
Otherwise quit complaining when you have no proof of anything, in fact I believe that making false statements is called lying.
TED:
1) Ok, I can agree with that, we do need reminders, some of us more than others.
2) So how do you define PROMINENT AND VISIBLE? Some people would say shoved off to the side of the Church would still qualify. In my diocese, that’s where the tabernacle is, shoved off to the side, sure you can see it, and there’s the red candle, but it’s not in the center. Now some parishes do have it in the center, which is as it should be, as the center is where the tabernacle belongs, period
My intent was to point out that this was an old story, nothing new here.. And I’ll complain about what I want to complain about until the day things are put back as they should be.
Shawn Albert, can you not read ?
The Bishop said “prominent and visible”.
He made no exceptions to allow the tablernacle NOT to be prominent and visable from the main part of the Church.
Provide a link to any exceptions in the Springfield, IL Diocese that you are aware of. Put your reputation where your mouth is.
This is what the Bishop said: I direct that in the churches and chapels of our diocese, tabernacles that were formerly in the center of the sanctuary, but have been moved, are to be returned as soon as possible to the center of the sanctuary in accord with the original architectural design. Tabernacles that are not in the center of the sanctuary or are otherwise not in a visible, prominent and noble space are to be moved to the center of the sanctuary; tabernacles that are not in the center of the sanctuary but are in a visible, prominent and noble space may remain.”
He has the right, based on Canon Law, to determine where the tabernacle will be placed. In his Diocese, they are to be in the center of the sanctuary, unless they are in another visible, prominent and noble space. So, there you have it. Two places are allowed in that Diocese. Changes will need to be soon. I’m sure it will take a few years to determine what “soon” means.
To Malley: I read very well. Just because you don’t see the exception doesn’t mean it’s not there. How do you define prominent and visible? I define it as the tabernacle being in the center, period. However as Bob One so helpfully pointed out, Bishop Paprocki stated:
“Tabernacles that are not in the center of the sanctuary or are otherwise not in a visible, prominent and noble space are to be moved to the center of the sanctuary; tabernacles that are not in the center of the sanctuary but are in a visible, prominent and noble space may remain.”
So the Bishop’s own words make it clear that he did NOT in fact order ALL tabernacles to be placed in the center. Read the quote for yourself.
Also, I was unaware I had a “reputation” here. I do have website that isn’t overly well known, and this story is the first one I have commented on at this site……..
Bob One: please see above, as well as the other reply I made further up. Good day to you both.
It is happening in Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon where faith is so lacking.
We are so blessed with such a wonderful bishop….now we are having more parishes with First Friday’s and First Saturday’s as well.
God bless Bishop Paprocki for returning the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ back to the center of the sanctuary. The sodomites in the Church, who hate Christ and the Eucharist, were largely behind the move to remove the tabernacle to where it was out of sight and out of mind.
May God Bless You Bishop Paprocki.We Pray For You As You Restore Our Holy Traditions And Truths Back Into The Church Be Assured Of My Prayers .
Funny, no one seems to notice Doug’s comment that all of the Roman Catholic Parishes practicing tradition, have not strayed from our Lord’s rightful and reverent position in the tabernacle resting on the center of the high altar (not a table) in their sanctuaries, nor wayward closets. Nearly all the novus ordo maintaining vogue disrespectfully strayed away from honoring our Lord in this reverent and rightful manner, and now those that are more conservative, recognizing and complaining of the many ills in the novus ordo are encouraging to bring the tabernacle and our Lord back to their rightful place in the novus ordo. I am sorry to say, you all have a long row to hoe to return the novus ordo back to tradition considering only one of hundreds of modern bishops has taken this step . Considering it took 50 years to dismantle tradition, it’ll probably take 100 years to restore it via the novus ordo — we’ll all be dead. Why waste your time and your breath? Why miss out on worshipping our Lord in the manner He so prescribed in the Mass and 7 Holy Sacraments of all Ages when it exists today? Why not make it easy on yourselves, accept the truth to what has happened in the novus ordo, and pray to Jesus and Mary to show you their way back to His fold where the true faith and tradition is practiced in the Roman Catholic Church?
Dear Bruce, St. Peter’s Basilica is only ONE of the Churches that has never have the tabernacle on the high altar. It wasn’t even common to have the tabernacle on the high altar until the 16th century.
… and yet it was in the 16th century that Protestants pushed forward the notion that Our Lord is not truly present in the Blessed Sacrament in their break with Catholicism. So that could, logically, underscore the ‘pastoral’ necessity of placing God at the forefront of His Church. Signs and symbols are an integral part of how people learn, YFC. That is why practice needs to follow doctrine.
That said, St. Peter’s Basilica is the heart of that which is Catholic so one would assume that those visiting this place would have a firm grasp and adherence to the reality of God’s true Presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
Bruce, it is not that easy. Many of us have family members, including cradle Catholics, who never took Latin or who wanted the Mass in the vernacular. Some people, including Americans cannot even read or cannot read well, so a Missal is not going to be of much help to them. It is too bad that the American English translation was not very good. My opinion, for all its worth, is that it would have been better if the 1962 Missal had been updated a little in the English, and that English used. They have done that somewhat with the Vatican approved Anglican-use liturgy for those coming over to Rome from the Anglicans..
Bruce, we can’t join you without going to hell.
What a TRUE SHEPHERD!!!
May this WONDERFUL occurance come to ALL the parishes and Universities, i.e. Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California!!!
BRAVO to this good and faithful Catholic shepherd, Bishop Paprocki! Our Catholic churches originally were all built according to a sacred design, with few variations! Whenever you walked into a Catholic church, in any part of the world, you found the exact, same Latin Mass, and the same, basic sacred building design! And the holy Tabernacle was ALWAYS at the front of the church, usually right in the center of the main altar! The altar rail separated the holy sanctuary, from the rest of the church. When entering a Catholic church, everyone had to be very respectful, and properly dressed— women with a head covering, and wearing a modest dress. We would make the sign of the cross with the holy water, genuflect before the Blessed Sacrament, and observe prayerful silence and respect, in the PRESENCE OF GOD!!! Not only that– but whenever passing by a Catholic church, we would always briefly bow our heads and make the sign of the cross, to respect that GOD IS PRESENT in the Blessed Sacrament, in that church!!
Excuses, excuses, excuses. Most Roman Catholic Missals have the vernacular typed prayers right next to the latin typed prayers. A 3rd grader can follow along with the Tridentine Latin Mass! It is not hard to learn with a little care and feeding. Those near Roman Catholic parishes practicing tradition have the ability now to enjoy the true and valid 7 Holy Sacraments, they don’t have to wait. They can witness the reverence and love the clergy and laity attending those parishes have for God. They don’t have to wait, nor complain about the disconcerting immoral or questionable religious activities going on in their parishes because there shouldn’t be any. Holy clergy won’t allow those disconcerting activities to fester and continue. It is all about pleasing God, not about us. He is all that matters, and God takes care of us according to our needs out of His unconditional love for us. He forgives us when we ask for forgiveness and try to amend our lives, but He is also just, and if we do not welcome Him into our hearts and follow His teachings, we will suffer, and we can only blame ourselves for it.
Bruce, some of us do go to the approved Traditional Latin masses or to the more traditional post Vatican II Masses most of the time, but we cannot force others to go who prefer the Mass in the vernacular. The only one we can change is our self. That is not an excuse, just reality. And that third grader you are talking about probably did not go to a public school. Many children in public school could read it, but some could not. Public schools have a lot of classes for special children with all kinds of learning problems.
Correction: “ourselves”.
The question came up as to whether there is a doubt among CCD posters about the validity of the Mass and other Sacraments since Vatican II. Bruce pretty much confirms the doubt when he says “Those near Roman Catholic parishes practicing tradition have the ability now to enjoy the true and valid 7 Holy Sacraments, they don’t have to wait.” The implication is loud and clear that he questions the validity of the Mass of Paul VI and the Sacraments as administered since Vatican II. This doubt is a seed of heresy.
Both the OF (aka Ordinary Form, Novus Ordo)
and the EF (aka Extraordinary Form, Latin, TLM, Traditional) are HOLY.
The Priest turns bread and wine into the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The only thing that makes a Mass less reverent and spoils it for others is when the officiating Priest and/or Laity do not adhere to:
GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal – Nov 2011 for the OF Mass;
or the 1962 Roman Missal for the EF Mass.
All abuses should be reported to the Diocese Bishop asap.
https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/general-instruction-of-the-roman-missal/
Click on “Table of Contents” at bottom of page.
Just because someone prints anything else, does not make it so.
When someone is blowing smoke (lying to further a personal opinion), ask him or her to provide a link to “Official” (Church) documentation.
We must all challenge falsehoods.
Sometimes even non-Catholics will post just to get people to argue,
Bad behavior during Mass drives many away.
Here is a good Bishop doing his job regarding correct behavior at the OF Mass.
https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/general-instruction-of-the-roman-missal/
Form, matter, and a proper intention are required for a Sacrament to be valid, YFC. Many priests, by their actions/inaction, call into question whether or not they actually have the Faith and/or the intention to do what the Church has always done with regard to Sacraments.
So yes, YFC, there you have it. That is not the same as questioning the validity of the rite of mass – not at all.
As to what is a seed of heresy, look yourself in the mirror. Only it isn’t just a seed anymore.
This is one of the most evil things I have ever read.
“Many priests, by their actions/inaction, call into question whether or not they actually have the Faith and/or the intention to do what the Church has always done with regard to Sacraments.”
Truly diabolical. It is not ever OK to doubt the intention of the priest and to doubt the validity of the Sacrament.
Anonymous, Catholic Answers says basically the same thing that if it a priest does not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and does not intend to consecrate the bread and wine, the Mass is invalid. The only way the congregation would know is if the priest says things that makes one suspect he does not believe in the Real Presence, then the bishop would need to be notified. If it is very clear that a particular priest does not believe in the Real Presence and does not intend to consecrate the bread and wine, one should not receive from him and the bread and wine is not the Body and Blood of Christ. You can surely look it up on the Catholic Answer website, or call in to one of the experts on Immaculate Heart Radio or e-mail the answer forum of EWTN on line if you do not believe me. Also, the Latin rite priest, whether for the Extraordinary or the Ordinary Mass must use a certain type of wine and unleavened bread for the mass to be valid or licit. ( I am not sure which on that one.) Latin Rite priests cannot use leavened bread: Eastern Rite Catholics can.
I am not saying I agree with everything Anne Malley said, just what she said about the intentions of the priest in consecrating and use of valid matter. I am not sure about all the other she said.
If what Anne Malley means by form is that the priest is to use the proper and valid words of consecration according to the approved liturgy books and not use improper and invalid words, such as substituting “in the name of the Creator, Sustainer or Mother” for “in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”, she is quite right.
Thank you, AnneT, for posting that which is Catholic and defensible. There are many who are so opposed to truth that they call it vile and evil etc because they have no understanding – and no desire to learn or pursue that which is. Or, perhaps, by God’s grace they have never been subject to the scandal of knowing what is right and seeing and being subject to that which is gravely wrong – and damaging.
That’s often why keeping people ignorant is key. Then they’ll accept anything and call truth evil.
God bless
So where is form, matter, and intention lacking so thoroughly in every mass celebrated by Christ’s Church that you feel the need to disassociate yourself from her Church? “Many priests”, even if we accept your premise, do not equal “every priest”, yet you flee “every priest” of the Catholic Church in favor of illicitly ordained priests and those who falsely claim some better form matter or intention.
There’s no accepting or not accepting ‘my’ premise, YFC. It is not fleeing, but seeking and needing the constancy in the fullness of Faith. Navigating the time bombs, the very same you enjoy planting beneath the unsuspecting, is not why I attend mass. Although you likely get a real kick out of the Catch-22 you’ve created with those who encourage your weeding the field.
And, mous, it IS diabolical to have priests present themselves in such a way as to elicit doubt from the faithful – but, mous, that is life. It is stupid, however, to negate reality. But I can see why you might want to psychologically gouge out the eyes of the faithful or cyber shame them for it is easier then to keep them firmly in place. Dollars rolling in. Heresies flying… albeit under the radar.
You purposefully dissemble, “Your Fellow Catholic”: the N.O. and the TLM are “valid” in the sense that attending either meets your weekly obligation. Further, under the “Doctrine of Indefectibility” Catholics are promised that nothing the Church will impart will be inconsistent with sound doctrine, or which could invalidate its sacraments.
The N.O., in its Latin edition of the rite, is said to come within this doctrine. However, in so many parishes, the N.O. is not said as intended, thus compromising the promises of the Doctrine. (Further, the N.O. as implemented was never even anticipated by the Council Fathers, something that an ocean of literature has explained. We are working backwards to correct a “counterfeit” mass, in many respects; happily, Benedict was able to push through a more correct translation of the Missal, for example.)
“Bruce” says nothing about the N.O. being invalid, only not preferred. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with this view. Rather than paraphrase the wonderful Michael Davies, please take a look at the blog, “Ten Comments by Michael Davies About the Novur Ordo Church”. It can be found in the great blog, “Traditional Catholic Priest” and can be found here: https://www.traditionalcatholicpriest.com/2014/02/13/10-comments-by-michael-davis-about-the-novus-ordo-church/
” Courageous Priest of the Year: The Best of 2014 ”
Bishop John Paprocki
https://www.courageouspriest.com/courageous-priest-year-2014
Anomynous, I certainly have no desire to send anyone to hell; rather I hope for the opposite to help souls get to heaven. Can you honestly say the most important fruit of the norvus ordo church is to get people to heaven when it has led millions of souls astray, losing their faith? Look around you 25% of novus ordo catholic attend weekend services! Its around 2% in Europe! It used to be Roman Catholic Churches were packed on sunday morninings, the day of the Lord! Can you explain what has caused this to happen. In my opinion, the void of graces in the modernized novus ordo sacraments and the lack of catholic teaching in the homes and in the novus ordo church.
YFC, So you seem to get satisfaction about calling my doubt a seed of heresey? I guess you are calling me a heretic then? I do firmly believe all of the traditional Roman Catholic Church teachings, doctrine, and dogma, but not the modern encyclicals made since V2 Council. Many of those less than 50 years old modern liberal encyclicals counter 2,000 years of Roman Catholic Church teachings.
My question is do you YFC believe in all of the traditional Roman Catholic Church (RCC) teachings, doctrine, and dogma, or do you as a novus ordo cafeteria catholic just pick and choose what you want to believe and then disgard the rest of God’s laws in you life style?
Of course you might consider me a cafeteria catholic as well as I don’t follow those encyclicals and changes since the V2 council began. So am I so much worse than those 67% of novus ordo types who don’t believe in our Lord’s divine presence body, blood, and soul in the Holy Eucharist? Or those that accept homosexuality, aborhion, euthanasia, or whatever offends God as written in the Holy Bible?
Was Luther a heretic? Are the rest of the protestants heretics? They don’t believe in all RCC teaching! According to RCC history the answer is yes and it explains why the protestants were excommunicated. What has changed since the V2 council?
Bruce, if you reject the “encyclicals and documents since the start of V2”, then you are a heretic, and I take no joy in that. I’m not sure what a “novus ordo type” is, but accepting encyclicals and documents since the start of V2 doesn’t, as you imply, mean rejection of the dogmas or doctrines of the Church. This is perhaps the source of your confusion. I do hope you will stop planting seeds of heresy about the very core nature of our magisterium, our binding ecumenical councils, and our Popes and their promulgations.
YfC, So quick of you to judge. Did not our Lord say not to judge others less you may be judged the same? Note however seeing the difference between right and wrong is not judging. Knowing right from wrong is a matter of morals and values, common sense, honesty, truth, and most important of all actual grace.
RCs, practicing traditional Catholicism are not deceived and see the righteousness of tradition over the errors of liberal Nov us or do protestant ism which is a smorgasbord board of long time protestant practices. For example the Nov us or do service looks like a Lutheran – Anglican – Baptist service. Find out go to a Luther service. It’s as different as night and day to the TLM. The only seeds I plant are to return to the Church our Grandparents were baptized and raised in; that existed 19 centuries before V2.
You know Our Lady said in one of her RCC approved apparitions that even the elect would be deceived. Sadly others on this blog identify the wolves yet follow the pied pipers. You don’t see the truth you judge others based on what you don’t know. I pray for all of us to see God and the truth. Signed a happy Roman Catholic