At the foot of the cross

 

Picture: The Grotto Portland

On Good Friday I wrote about how, only on that day, the Mass is not celebrated. Then, I wrote:

The Church contemplates the historical, once‑for‑all sacrifice, rather than its sacramental re‑presentation in the Mass. Because we are in mourning, the altars are stripped, statues veiled, and the sanctuary lamp – signifying the Real Presence – has already been extinguished since the Blessed Sacrament is typically removed to another place on Holy Thursday evening following the Mass of the Last Supper. It is a day for silence, stillness, and reverence before the mystery of death. The joy of the Resurrection is near, but not yet.

This naturally raises an important question: what, then, is the point of the Mass on the other 364 (or 365) days of the year, and especially on each Sunday? The answer is that the Mass exists to sacramentally make present the one, all‑sufficient sacrifice of Calvary (Hebrews 10:10-14), and to proclaim anew Christ’s death, resurrection, and final coming. It is not a repetition of the sacrifice, but a real participation in it. Through what is technically called the anamnesis, the power and grace of that unique historical event are made present to us here and now. The sacrifice itself is finished—“It is accomplished” (John 19:30)—and yet it is perpetuated in the Eucharist because, as Saint Paul teaches, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Sharing our goods with those in need

 

offertory-procession - Catechist's Journey

It is a good and longstanding custom to offer our thoughts, actions, and prayers to God each day, for ourselves and for the whole world. This offering may be made at any moment, but it is especially fitting at the very beginning of the day. In that sense, it becomes the key that opens the day, just as our final offering and prayers before turning out the light in the evening are the lock that closes it.

Eucharist in the life of Blessed Edmund Rice

The image to the left is that of an Icon of Edmund Rice created by the Irish artist Desmond Kyne, which was unveiled in Liverpool, England, in 1986. Edmund is depicted 'in prayer before the living God. The Star of David and the descending triangle of the Deity direct the viewer towards him, showing Edmund in adoration before the Eucharist, represented in imagery that is both muted and powerful'.

Blessed Edmund Rice (1762–1844), who is remembered today, was a Kilkenny man from the Callan district. Over the course of his life he was a businessman, husband, widower, father of a child with disabilities, advocate for the poor, and the founder of two religious congregations devoted to education: the Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers.

I had the good fortune to be educated at a Christian Brothers' school in Rathfarnham, County Dublin, from 1968 to 1974. Although vocations to the Brothers had begun to decline from the mid‑1960s and, as with other religious orders, there was a significant departure of members from religious life, I was taught by four different Brothers during my schooling.

The dignity of all human life in the Eucharist

Credit here

Earlier today, I had the opportunity to take part in the annual March for Life in Dublin along with some fellow members of the Irish chapter of Rehumanize International. The event, organised by the Pro‑LifeCampaign, seeks to uphold the rights of unborn children and to promote a broader culture of life. This includes support for other vulnerable people at a time when assisted suicide is being introduced in some jurisdictions and openly supported by a significant number of members of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament).

Support for life at every stage - from conception to natural death -  is a key and fundamental part of Catholic Social Teaching as solidarity with the poorest, weakest and most marginalised members of society. I also believe it sits within a wider consistent life ethic that can, and does, find support across a diversity of political and religious viewpoints, including among those who do not profess religious faith.

A real transformation #2

Picture: Bloomberg

In yesterday’s blog, I wrote about the transformation that takes place in the Mass. Scripture and the early Patristic writings –  the testimony of the great teachers of the Church in the centuries following the Resurrection of our Lord –  clearly affirm this reality. In harmony with the Bible and with Catholic tradition, we give our intellectual assent to this essential teaching of the faith.

A real transformation #1

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Saint Athanasius, whose feast is commemorated today, was one of the most significant Christian figures of the fourth century. An Egyptian bishop and theologian, he died in A.D. 373 and is best remembered as the principal defender of Nicene orthodoxy against the Arian heresy, which sought to deny the full divinity of Jesus Christ. He is often described by the phrase Athanasius contra mundum –  ‘Athanasius against the world’ – reflecting his steadfast resistance to both ecclesiastical and imperial pressures in defence of the Catholic faith at a time when Arianism had gained influence throughout the Roman Empire, including among senior clergy.

The dignity of all human work in the Eucharist

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Today is traditionally regarded as the first day of summer in Ireland. Lá Bealtaine, the 1st of May, marks an ancient turning point of the year. Today is also the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, a feast day inaugurated in 1955 by Pope Pius XII in honour of Saint Joseph as a model of human labour and as an inspiration for workers throughout the world.

The choice of date was no accident. Originating in 1886, May Day has had significance in trade union and political calendars ever since. Over time, it became firmly associated with left‑wing, socialist and Marxist movements. In the febrile atmosphere of the 1950s, Christians and Catholics were under pressure to defend social and moral ground that was increasingly being contested by hostile ideologies—particularly, though not exclusively, in Italy, where communist and socialist movements were in the ascendant.