DOCSLIB.ORG

Explanation of the Thesis of Bishop Guérard Des Lauriers

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

EXPLANATION OF THE THESIS OF BISHOP GUÉRARD DES LAURIERS by Most Reverend Donald J. Sanborn _________________________________________ The theological problem of the papacy the indefectibility and infallibility of the Church after Vatican II prevent us from saying that the pope has promulgated false teachings, false liturgy, evil Anyone familiar with the traditional disciplines, etc. If Benedict XVI has done these movement knows that it has undertaken a things, say the sedevacantists, he cannot be the resistance to the changes of Vatican II. He also pope. To this they add the argument that Benedict knows that there are different levels or manners of XVI is a public heretic, and therefore a non- resisting. Catholic. But a non-Catholic cannot be the pope. The weakest resistance is that of the Indult Some sedevacantists are opinionists, since they Mass, together with the congregations which have say that the question of whether Benedict XVI is permission to use the traditional Mass, such as the the pope or not is an open one, a question of mere Fraternity of St. Peter. I shall refer to this whole theological opinion. One could go either way on it section of the traditional movement as the legitimately, saying either that he is the pope or he indultists. Indultists accept Vatican II and its many is not. There are many opinionists in the Society changes as Catholic and legitimate, but merely of Saint Pius X, where it is well known and prefer the traditions of the Catholic Church tolerated that sedevacantist priests among them because they are “better.” They clearly have no leave out the name of Benedict XVI in the canon problem with the papacy of Benedict XVI, since of the Mass. Nonetheless, they must make public they reduce their resistance to mere preference, profession of his papacy. In other words, they are and do not see any defection from Catholic Faith, secret sedevacantists, and this is made possible morals, or discipline in Vatican II or Benedict only by opinionism. XVI. Another distinction among sedevacantists is Next in line are the lefebvrists, the Society of that of totalists and material-formalists. The totalists Saint Pius X. They do see defection from Catholic say that Benedict XVI is not pope in any way, that Faith, morals, and discipline in Vatican II and is, he has neither the papal jurisdiction nor even a Benedict XVI. Consequently, they have valid election to be pope. The material-formalists established a parallel apostolate against the will of say that he is not the pope because he lacks the the person they claim is the Holy Father, and have jurisdiction, but that he is in possession of a valid been excommunicated by him. They naturally election to the papacy, and is in the position to have, therefore, a theological problem to solve become the pope. concerning the papacy. They solve it in this way. They say that while Benedict XVI is the pope, Where is the truth? they will not obey him in anything which runs contrary to Catholic Faith, morals, or discipline. Indeed, this array of answers to the problem They make appeal to Tradition, something which of Vatican II and Benedict XVI must be they say is beyond and above the Roman Pontiff. bewildering to the average lay person who merely Then come the sedevacantists. They too see wants to preserve his faith and practice his defection from Catholic Faith, morals, and Catholic religion. discipline in Vatican II and Benedict XVI. They This bewilderment should not lead the lay object, however, to the solution of the lefebvrists, person, or even certain priests, for that matter, to because it is incompatible with Catholic teaching a spirit of bitterness over the inability of priests to concerning the Church. Sedevacantists hold that 1 agree. Nor should he mock something because he Dominicans and Jesuits disagreed quite fiercely does not understand it. over issues of theology, nothing prevented them All of the priests and lay people, I believe, in from working together and living in peace as all of the categories which I described above, have members of the Mystical Body. a sincere desire to preserve Catholic Faith, morals, In this article, I will give the reader the and discipline. They would all love to wake up simplest presentation possible of the thesis of Bp. from a bad dream and find out that Vatican II Guérard des Lauriers concerning the papacy after never took place. They would all like to see Vatican II. It takes some thought to understand Vatican II go. In this sense, they are all united. it. One of the complaints against it is that it is too They are divided in matters which demand a difficult to understand, and is far-fetched, too theological explanation of what they are doing. theological. This is not a legitimate complaint, Faced with the necessity to resist Vatican II and however, since the same may be said of nearly its changes, one must offer a coherent explanation, every theological explanation of every dogma. The in accordance with Catholic dogma and theology, dogma of the Trinity, for example is simple: there of why it is a good idea that we are resisting. are three Persons in one God. But the theological It is clear that there is a substantial difference explanation of how there are three Persons in one among the three general categories of resistance, God is extremely involved and difficult. For (1) the indultist, (2) the lefebvrist, and (3) the theology must respect two things which are sedevacantist. To resist Vatican II merely because apparently contradictory: the unity of divine of preference is too weak for the lefebvrists (at essence and the trinity of Persons. If a lay person least at this point) and the sedevacantists. The were to read an explanation of the Trinity in a lefebvrists differ from the sedevacantists in this seminary textbook, he would close the book after a way: the lefebvrists say that we have no right to few paragraphs. judge Benedict XVI, whereas the sedevacantists So here, the lay person should not say, “I don’t respond that to consider his New Mass, his understand it; therefore it can’t be true.” There are teaching, and his universal disciplines as false and many things which are very difficult to understand evil, which the lefebvrists do, logically leads to in Sacred Theology, but which are nonetheless Ratzinger’s non-papacy. absolutely true. This article, however, does not concern the The “thesis” of Bp. Guérard des Lauriers, as it differences among the indultists, lefebvrists, and has come to be called, is an explanation which sedevacantists. I have discussed these at length in respects the two demands of Catholic dogma: (1) other places. It concerns the differences among that he who promulgates false doctrine, false sedevacantists. worship, and evil disciplines cannot be the Roman Let it be stated, first of all, that there is a Pontiff; (2) that there must be an uninterrupted substantial unity of position among the line of legitimate successors of St. Peter from St. sedevacantists: that Benedict XVI is not the pope, Peter himself to the Second Coming of Christ. and that his name does not belong in the canon of the Mass. All agree on this point, and it is How to find the truth essential, for it removes from the Church the stain of defection from Christ, which would be the case As I stated above, the thesis is merely a if Ratzinger were a true pope. theological explanation of Catholic dogma. The differences among sedevacantists are Therefore to determine whether or not it is true, found in the explanation of how and why he is not one must first know and understand the Catholic the pope. These are not differences of Catholic dogmas which it is explaining. I will set forth, dogma, but differences of theological explanation consequently, the Catholic dogmas concerning the of things which pertain to Catholic dogma. Such Church and the papacy which must be respected differences — of theological explanation of in any explanation of the situation of papal dogmas — have always existed in the Church. authority after Vatican II. I will also expound Most notable is that between the Dominicans and some truths which are theologically certain, that is, the Jesuits over the working of grace in the soul. theological conclusions which are admitted by all, There are many others. While each contends that as well as some other truths drawn from both his position is true, and the other false, each also philosophy and common sense. Having done these affirms that it is not a heresy to affirm one or the things, I will proceed to an explanation of the other theological explanation. So just as thesis, and finish by some questions and answers. 2 grant, permit what would turn to the detriment of the The demands of Catholic dogma soul’s salvation, to the contempt and harm of a sacrament instituted by Christ?” 6 I. The Catholic Church is infallible. By IV. It is impossible that he who officially the assistance of Christ, the Church is infallible in teaches doctrines contrary to Catholic faith the preservation and exposition of the deposit of and morals, or who approves or even revelation. This quality of the Church is expressed permits a false liturgy or evil disciplines for in the words of Christ, Thou art Peter, and upon this the whole Church, could be the Roman rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall Pontiff. This is merely the obvious corollary from 1 not prevail against it,” and in the words of St.
Recommended publications
  • Pope Benedict XVI's Invitation Joseph Mele

    Pope Benedict XVI's Invitation Joseph Mele

    Duquesne University Duquesne Scholarship Collection Electronic Theses and Dissertations Summer 2008 Homiletics at the Threshold: Pope Benedict XVI's Invitation Joseph Mele Follow this and additional works at: https://dsc.duq.edu/etd Recommended Citation Mele, J. (2008). Homiletics at the Threshold: Pope Benedict XVI's Invitation (Doctoral dissertation, Duquesne University). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/919 This Immediate Access is brought to you for free and open access by Duquesne Scholarship Collection. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Duquesne Scholarship Collection. For more information, please contact [email protected]. HOMILETICS AT THE THRESHOLD: POPE BENEDICT XVI‘S INVITATION A Dissertation Submitted to The McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts Duquesne University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for The degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Joseph M. Mele May 2008 Copyright by Joseph M. Mele 2008 HOMILETICS AT THE THRESHOLD: POPE BENEDICT XVI‘S INVITATION By Joseph M. Mele Approved Month Day, 2008 ____________________________ ____________________________ Name of Professor Name of Professor Professor of Professor of (Dissertation Director) (Committee Member) ____________________________ ____________________________ Name of Professor Name of Professor Professor of Professor of (Committee Member) (Committee Member) ___________________________ ____________________________ Name of Dean Name of External Reviewer Dean, The McAnulty
  • The Virtue of Penance in the United States, 1955-1975

    The Virtue of Penance in the United States, 1955-1975

    THE VIRTUE OF PENANCE IN THE UNITED STATES, 1955-1975 Dissertation Submitted to The College of Arts and Sciences of the UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree Doctor of Philosophy in Theology By Maria Christina Morrow UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON Dayton, Ohio December 2013 THE VIRTUE OF PENANCE IN THE UNITED STATES, 1955-1975 Name: Morrow, Maria Christina APPROVED BY: _______________________________________ Sandra A. Yocum, Ph.D. Committee Chair _______________________________________ William L. Portier, Ph.D. Committee Member Mary Ann Spearin Chair in Catholic Theology _______________________________________ Kelly S. Johnson, Ph.D. Committee Member _______________________________________ Jana M. Bennett, Ph.D. Committee Member _______________________________________ William C. Mattison, III, Ph.D. Committee Member iii ABSTRACT THE VIRTUE OF PENANCE IN THE UNITED STATES, 1955-1975 Name: Morrow, Maria Christina University of Dayton Advisor: Dr. Sandra A. Yocum This dissertation examines the conception of sin and the practice of penance among Catholics in the United States from 1955 to 1975. It begins with a brief historical account of sin and penance in Christian history, indicating the long tradition of performing penitential acts in response to the identification of one’s self as a sinner. The dissertation then considers the Thomistic account of sin and the response of penance, which is understood both as a sacrament (which destroys the sin) and as a virtue (the acts of which constitute the matter of the sacrament but also extend to include non-sacramental acts). This serves to provide a framework for understanding the way Catholics in the United States identified sin and sought to amend for it by use of the sacrament of penance as well as non-sacramental penitential acts of the virtue of penance.
  • The Holy Father's Motu Proprio on the “Old” Mass: What Does It Mean For

    The Holy Father's Motu Proprio on the “Old” Mass: What Does It Mean For

    The Holy Father’s Motu Proprio On the “Old” Mass: recover and restore the fullness of our authentic Catholic tradition in our worship, because only in doing so can we remain fully grounded in the What Does It Mean for Us? Faith as it has come down to us from the Apostles. by Fr. Robert Johansen What should I do about this? On July 7, Pope Benedict XVI promulgated an Apostolic Letter Well, firstly, if you’re not familiar with the Extraordinary form of the Motu Proprio, titled “Summorum Pontificum”, in which he greatly Mass, or with our Latin tradition, take a little time to start getting broadened the circumstances under which the “Old” Mass, that is, the familiar with them. Without doubt, many articles, workshops, and “pre-Vatican II” Mass, could be celebrated. A Motu Proprio is a letter conferences about these things will be forthcoming. Take advantage of issued by the Holy Father “on his own initiative” for the good of the the opportunity to read the articles and attend some of the workshops. whole Church, and has the force of both legislation and teaching. This The more you understand our Catholic Faith the more fully you can live document promises to be of great importance to the lives of all Catholics, it! not only for its provisions for the celebration of the Classical Roman Second, be patient! It will take some time to work out how this will be Rite, but for the understanding of the Church’s liturgy that it advances. implemented and lived out in every diocese and parish.
  • Henri Le Saux)

    Henri Le Saux)

    THE CHURCH OF ABHISHIKTÅNANDA (HENRI LE SAUX) A Thesis Submitted to the University of Stirling for the Degree of Master of Philosophy in the Faculty of Human Sciences April 2009 Enrico Beltramini Religious Studies 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................................................. 6 DECLARATION AND COPYRIGHT ......................................................................................................................... 7 Declaration .................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Copyright ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7 PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND DEDICATION ..................................................................................... 8 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Interreligious Dialogue or Intercultural Dialogue ...................................................................................................... 10 Henri Le Saux
  • Fiestas and Fervor: Religious Life and Catholic Enlightenment in the Diocese of Barcelona, 1766-1775

    Fiestas and Fervor: Religious Life and Catholic Enlightenment in the Diocese of Barcelona, 1766-1775

    FIESTAS AND FERVOR: RELIGIOUS LIFE AND CATHOLIC ENLIGHTENMENT IN THE DIOCESE OF BARCELONA, 1766-1775 DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Andrea J. Smidt, M.A. * * * * * The Ohio State University 2006 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Professor Dale K. Van Kley, Adviser Professor N. Geoffrey Parker Professor Kenneth J. Andrien ____________________ Adviser History Graduate Program ABSTRACT The Enlightenment, or the "Age of Reason," had a profound impact on eighteenth-century Europe, especially on its religion, producing both outright atheism and powerful movements of religious reform within the Church. The former—culminating in the French Revolution—has attracted many scholars; the latter has been relatively neglected. By looking at "enlightened" attempts to reform popular religious practices in Spain, my project examines the religious fervor of people whose story usually escapes historical attention. "Fiestas and Fervor" reveals the capacity of the Enlightenment to reform the Catholicism of ordinary Spaniards, examining how enlightened or Reform Catholicism affected popular piety in the diocese of Barcelona. This study focuses on the efforts of an exceptional figure of Reform Catholicism and Enlightenment Spain—Josep Climent i Avinent, Bishop of Barcelona from 1766- 1775. The program of “Enlightenment” as sponsored by the Spanish monarchy was one that did not question the Catholic faith and that championed economic progress and the advancement of the sciences, primarily benefiting the elite of Spanish society. In this context, Climent is noteworthy not only because his idea of “Catholic Enlightenment” opposed that sponsored by the Spanish monarchy but also because his was one that implicitly condemned the present hierarchy of the Catholic Church and explicitly ii advocated popular enlightenment and the creation of a more independent “public sphere” in Spain by means of increased literacy and education of the masses.
  • What Are "Indults" and "Dispensations"?

    What Are "Indults" and "Dispensations"?

    NINTH IN A SERIES ON CANON LAW What Are "Indults" Fr. Francis G. Morrisey, OMI, and "Dispensations"? PhD, JCD anon law, like the health care profes­ acts. Singular administrative acts are not the Editor's Note: Leaders sion itself, lays claim to its own unique same as acts of administration that are com­ jargon. But whereas medical acronyms monly or routinely performed by administra­ of Catholic health care C and abbreviations can be translated into tors. Rather they are acts, executed by one organizations differ terminology that the nonprofessional can who possesses the appropriate executive understand, oftentimes a canonical con­ authority, that impact the juridic status of an from leaders of other- cept has no corresponding counterpart in individual or of a juridic person. A singular than-Catholic ones in everyday English. Part of this ambiguity is administrative act may take the form of a due to the fact that canon law, which is decree, regulation, response to a request, that their work is rooted in theology, is only analogous to granting of a privilege, or dispensation. civil law. In addition, legal comparisons are Although executive authority is vested in the bound by both civil law oftentimes tenuous pope and bishops, others (priests, leaders of and the canon law of between canon law, religious communities, and lay women and which is based on men) share in this power through the particu­ the Catholic Church. Roman law, and the lar offices they hold in the church or by dele­ Because this is so, Anglo-Saxon system gation. Singular administrative acts are signifi­ of law that underpins cant since ecclesiastical law does not rely on leaders of Catholic M our American judi­ jurisprudence.
  • Volume LVI July-August 2020 Archbishop of Hartford Most Rev

    Volume LVI July-August 2020 Archbishop of Hartford Most Rev

    Members Most Rev. Leonard P. Blair, Chairman Volume LVI July-August 2020 Archbishop of Hartford Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley Archbishop of Oklahoma City CDF Responds to Questions on the Baptismal Formula Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila Archbishop of Denver Most Rev. Joseph M. Siegel The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Bishop of Evansville responded to two questions regarding the sacramental Most Rev. Christopher J. Coyne formula used for Baptism; the response was approved Bishop of Burlington Most Rev. John T. Folda June 24, 2020 and publicly released on August 6. Bishop of Fargo Baptisms attempted with the formula “N., we baptize Most Rev. Daniel E. Garcia you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Bishop of Monterey Most Rev. Timothy C. Senior Holy Spirit” are invalid, and affected persons must be Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia baptized in forma absoluta, not conditionally. Most Rev. Daniel H. Mueggenborg Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle In addition to the response, the Congregation released a Consultants Doctrinal Note that emphasizes the profound Right Rev. Gregory J. Polan, OSB significance of the sacramental formula of Baptism and Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation that reiterates the negative consequences of attempts to Right Rev. Jeremy Driscoll, OSB modify it. The note reinforces the principle that Jesus Christ himself baptizes through Abbot of Mount Angel Abbey Rev. James W. Bessert the words and actions of the minister: “When celebrating a Sacrament, the Church in Rev. Ryan T. Ruiz fact functions as the Body that acts inseparably from its Head, since it is Christ the Sr.
  • Directory of Policies and Procedures for Deacons Is Issued Under the Authority of the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix

    Directory of Policies and Procedures for Deacons Is Issued Under the Authority of the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix

    DDiirreeccttoorryy ooff PPoolliicciieess aanndd PPrroocceedduurreess ffoorr DDeeaaccoonnss RRoommaann CCaatthhoolliicc DDiioocceessee ooff PPhhooeenniixx with Change Pages thru September 2010 revised & approved by Bishop Olmsted Sept 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction 4 1.1 Issuing Authority 4 1.2 Applicability 4 1.3 Background 4 2.0 Mission Statement of the Diaconate of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix 6 2.1 Scriptural Basis 6 2.2 Mission Statement 6 2.3 Implementation 6 3.0 Structure of the Diaconate in the Diocese of Phoenix 7 3.1 Organization Chart 7 3.2 Deacon Council 8 3.3 Deacon Personnel Board 8 3.4 Office of the Diaconate 8 3.4.1 Introduction 8 3.4.2 Director of Office of the Diaconate / Director of Deacon Personnel 9 3.4.3 Associate Director of Formation 10 3.4.4 Coordinators 11 3.5 Committees 11 3.6 The Deacon 11 3.6.1 General Norms 11 3.6.2 Duties 13 3.6.3 Bi-Ritual Deacons 13 3.6.4 Extern Deacons 13 4.0 Deacon Policies 14 4.1 Assignment and Ministry 14 4.1.1 General 14 4.1.2 Title 14 4.1.3 Attire 14 4.1.4 Faculties 16 4.1.5 Decree of Appointment 16 4.1.6 Post-Ordination Supervised Ministry and Formation 16 4.1.7 Length of Assignment 18 4.1.8 Changes in / Review of Assignment 18 4.1.9 Ministry Evaluation 19 4.1.10 Leaves of Absence 19 4.1.11 Sabbaticals 20 4.1.12 Incardination/Excardination 21 4.2 Continuing Education 21 4.2.1 Introduction 21 4.2.2 Policy 22 4.3 Spiritual Life 24 revised & approved 2 by Bishop Olmsted Sept 2010 4.4 Married Deacons 25 4.4.1 Introduction 25 4.4.2 Marriages Experiencing Difficulty 25
  • Summorum Pontificum

    Summorum Pontificum

    The Holy See POPE BENEDICT XVI APOSTOLIC LETTER GIVEN MOTU PROPRIO SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM ON THE USE OF THE ROMAN LITURGY PRIOR TO THE REFORM OF 1970 The Supreme Pontiffs have to this day shown constant concern that the Church of Christ should offer worthy worship to the Divine Majesty, “for the praise and glory of his name” and “the good of all his holy Church.” As from time immemorial, so too in the future, it is necessary to maintain the principle that “each particular Church must be in accord with the universal Church not only regarding the doctrine of the faith and sacramental signs, but also as to the usages universally received from apostolic and unbroken tradition. These are to be observed not only so that errors may be avoided, but also that the faith may be handed on in its integrity, since the Church’s rule of prayer (lex orandi) corresponds to her rule of faith (lex credendi).” [1] Eminent among the Popes who showed such proper concern was Saint Gregory the Great, who sought to hand on to the new peoples of Europe both the Catholic faith and the treasures of worship and culture amassed by the Romans in preceding centuries. He ordered that the form of the sacred liturgy, both of the sacrifice of the Mass and the Divine Office, as celebrated in Rome, should be defined and preserved. He greatly encouraged those monks and nuns who, following the Rule of Saint Benedict, everywhere proclaimed the Gospel and illustrated by their lives the salutary provision of the Rule that “nothing is to be preferred to the work of God.” In this way the sacred liturgy, celebrated according to the Roman usage, enriched the faith and piety, as well as the culture, of numerous peoples.
  • Rite of Confirmation, So That the Unity of Christian Initiation May Be Shown in Its True Light

    Rite of Confirmation, So That the Unity of Christian Initiation May Be Shown in Its True Light

    Apostolic Constitution on The Sacrament of Confirmation Paul, Bishop Servant of the Servants of God for an Everlasting Memorial The sharing in the divine nature given to individuals through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. Born anew by Baptism, the faithful are strengthened by the Sacrament of Confirmation and ultimately are sustained by the food of eternal life in the Eucharist. By means of these Sacraments of Christian Initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity. It has rightly been written: ‘The flesh is washed, that the soul may be cleansed; the flesh is anointed, that the soul may be consecrated; the flesh is signed, that the soul too may be fortified; the flesh is overshadowed by the laying on of hands, that the soul too may be enlightened by the Spirit; the flesh is fed on the Body and Blood of Christ, that the soul too may be richly nourished by God.’1 Conscious of its pastoral charge, the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council devoted special attention to these Sacraments of Initiation, prescribing that the rites should be suitably revised and more accommodated to the understanding of the faithful. Since, therefore, the Ordo Baptismi parvulorum, revised at the mandate of the same universal Synod and published at Our command, is already in use, it is now fitting to publish a Rite of Confirmation, so that the unity of Christian Initiation may be shown in its true light. In fact, careful work and study have been devoted in these last years to the task of revising the manner of celebrating this Sacrament.
  • [A Printed Indulgence, Dated 1515, Issued by Albert, Archbishop of Mainz, on the Authority of Pope Leo X

    [A Printed Indulgence, Dated 1515, Issued by Albert, Archbishop of Mainz, on the Authority of Pope Leo X

    [A printed indulgence, dated 1515, issued by Albert, archbishop of Mainz, on the authority of Pope Leo X. The document is blank, and was meant to be filled in and sealed with the seal of the building fund of St. Peter’s, Rome.] [Transcribed and translated by Joseph Goering, 11 June 2008] Albert, by the grace of God and of the Apostolic See archbishop of Mainz and of Magdeburg; administrator of the churches of Halberstadt; primate of Germany; archchancellor of the holy Roman Empire; prince elector of the Brandenburg March; duke of Stettin, Pomerania, of the Cassubens and of the Slavs; Burggraf of Nuremberg, and prince of Rügen, to our beloved in Christ, __________[name]____________, greetings in the Lord. The sincere and fervent devotion that you have shown toward the Roman church and to the fabric of the great work of the basilica of Saint Peter at Rome through your suitable contribution in accordance with our ordinance for its reparation properly moves us to assent to your petitions, especially to those that arise from the fervor of devotion. Thus we are inclined to your devout supplications: That you might be permitted to have a portable altar, upon which [mass may be celebrated] in suitable and respectable places, but without prejudicing the rights of others. And if you should happen to find yourself in places upon which an ecclesiastical interdict has been laid by competent authority, for as long as you shall live you may celebrate mass, or cause it to be celebrated, by yourself or by one of your own priests or by another suitable priest, whether a secular or a regular, at any time of the year except in Easter season, even before daylight (but not too long before), with closed doors and with all excommunicated and interdicted persons excluded, so long as you shall have given no support to the interdicted.
  • Monastic Observances

    Monastic Observances

    monastic wisdom series: number twenty-five Thomas Merton Monastic Observances Initiation into the Monastic Tradition 5 monastic wisdom series Simeon Leiva, ocso, General Editor Advisory Board Michael Casey, ocso Terrence Kardong, osb Lawrence S. Cunningham Kathleen Norris Patrick Hart, ocso Miriam Pollard, ocso Robert Heller Bonnie Thurston monastic wisdom series: number twenty-five Monastic Observances Initiation into the Monastic Tradition 5 by Thomas Merton Edited with an Introduction by Patrick F. O’Connell Preface by James Conner, ocso Cistercian Publications www.cistercianpublications.org LITURGICAL PRESS Collegeville, Minnesota www.litpress.org A Cistercian Publications title published by Liturgical Press Cistercian Publications Editorial Offices Abbey of Gethsemani 3642 Monks Road Trappist, Kentucky 40051 www.cistercianpublications.org © 2010 by Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, microfilm, microfiche, mechanical recording, photocopying, translation, or by any other means, known or yet unknown, for any purpose except brief quotations in reviews, without the previous written permission of Liturgical Press, Saint John’s Abbey, P.O. Box 7500, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321-7500. Printed in the United States of America. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Merton, Thomas, 1915–1968. Monastic observances : initiation into the monastic tradition 5 / by Thomas Merton ; edited with an introduction by Patrick F. O’Connell ; preface by James Conner. p. cm. — (Monastic wisdom series ; MW25) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-87907-025-0 — ISBN 978-0-87907-921-5 (e-book) 1. Cistercians—Rules.