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@Contra Mundum@ Volume XXIV, Issue 1 August 2021 The Congregation of St. Athanasius A Parish of the Archdiocese of Boston Serving the of the Chair of St. Peter https://congregationstathanasius.com COVID-19 UPDATES As of the weekend of June 19/20, 2021 the dispensation from the Sunday obligation has been lifted in the Archdiocese of Boston. (The dispensation was lifted in the Ordinariate of the Chair of St Peter several months ago.) The obligation does not apply if you are ill or have been exposed to Covid-19. You may choose not to receive . More Covid-19 update information is on page 3 and on our website under Worship. THE PROFOUNDLY SUPERNATURAL CHARACTER HE MONTH OF AUGUST in our . is the head T is bathed in the glorious of this Body, and from this head rays of Our Lady’s Assumption flows the supernatural life which into Heaven. This doctrine of unites us into a single whole, just the Faith was only given the of- as the soul which is the principle ficial seal of dogmatic infallibility of life unites and animates all of sixty seven years [nearly seventy the parts which form a single liv- one years - Ed.] ago by Pope Pius ing organism. XII. But the definition enshrined By the time you have finished in Munificentissimus Deus, which this sentence, around fifty million was proclaimed at St Peter’s with of the cells of your body will have all the splendour and majesty of died and been replaced (or so the the old papal ceremonies on 1st trusting Provost read recently in November 1950, was really a for- a scientific journal). The truth is mality. It was the definitive recog- that our cells are dying and be- nition of a belief that Christians ing replaced all the time, and yet had held since the beginning. The we retain a continuity of memory was proclaiming that the the stormy seas of history through- and identity throughout a lifetime. Blessed Virgin’s Assumption had out the ages, with the successors of Similarly, as the centuries roll on, always been part of Her memory the fisherman at Her helm. She is generations of Catholics die and of events and belongs to the De- the Bride of Christ, born from Our are replaced within the Church posit of Faith which was entrusted Lord’s pierced side on the Cross just on earth, while all the time the to the Apostles. as Eve was formed from the side of Church retains Her own continu- We have been given many ways Adam as he slept in the garden. She ity of memory and identity. This of describing the Church, each is united indissolubly to Her Divine means that when a dogma is pro- of which helps us to understand Spouse and waits to greet Him when claimed, She is not teaching any- a different aspect of Her nature He returns to earth in Glory at the thing new. All She is saying is that and mission. She is the Barque end of time. She is also the Mysti- She was there when Our Lady of Peter, the divinely appointed cal , into which we was taken into Heaven, that She vessel of salvation traversing are incorporated as living members witnessed it happening through Page 2 Contra Mundum the eyes of the Apostles and that If after the Resurrection and As- Our Lady’s Assumption has sub- She has treasured that precious cension of Our Lord we were left lime implications for us then, and memory ever since. Dogmas are in any doubt about the final desti- also for the Church as a whole. proclaimed with papal authority nation of our own human bodies, The Church on earth is called the in order to clarify confusion and the Blessed Virgin’s Assumption Church Militant because we confute error, and, for the edifica- must dispel any doubt. Bodies do constantly struggle against temp- tion of the faithful and the glory not just exist in a state, they exist tation and sin in our own hearts of , to ensure and promote au- in a place. In Heaven there are al- and against evils in the world thentic devotion to the Mysteries ready two bodies that we know of, around us. At times it might seem of salvation. Our Lord’s and Our Lady’s. This that evil is gaining ground, both makes Heaven a real place. And because of our own failures and This is certainly not to say that there is place there for our bodies due to public scandals within the the magnificent promulgation of as well as our souls. Church which inflict horrific dam- Munificentissimus Deus was es- age on Her credibility and mis- sentially a ‘non-event’. Heaven The Immaculate Virgin is the sion. The Assumption points us forbid. In an increasingly sceptical New Eve because the obedience of to that glorious moment when the world it shot like a bolt of divine Her fiat to the Angel Gabriel at the Church Militant on Earth will be lightning across the firmament. Annunciation ushers in the invin- perfected and glorified as She is In an age when Christians might cible reversal of the dreadful con- subsumed into the Church Trium- be tempted to reduce the role of sequences of Eve’s disobedience phant in Heaven. Meanwhile, we the Church to social activism, when she consented to the tempta- ask the of Our Lady the solemn declaration of the As- tion of a fallen angel. Death is the Assumed into Heaven to help sumption is a powerful reminder result of Adam and Eve’s sin. The us in the task of beautifying the of the profoundly supernatural Incarnate Word, conceived in Our robes of the Bride of Christ with character of our religion. It raises Lady’s womb at the moment when our virtues. our hearts and mind to Heaven. She uttered the words “Be it done The Provost Our Lady’s Assumption body and unto me according to Thy word,” has overcome death in His Res- soul into that realm of everlasting ¶ This article appeared in the August, urrection, and with the promised bliss, where She reigns as Queen 2018 (Vol 95, No. 1167) issue of The reunion of our souls and bodies at over the Angels and , also Oratory Parish Magazine, a publication the end of time will come the full- brings Heaven much closer to us. of the Brompton (London) Oratory. ness of salvation.

THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Sunday, August 15, 2021 & at 11:30 AM Solemn Evensong & Benediction at 5:00 PM Music by Loyset Compère, Peter Philips, and Thomas Tallis Under the direction of Dr. Janet E Hunt Contra Mundum Page 3

SHORT NOTES MUSIC NOTES And although vaccines are mostly Ñ Contra mundum begins its 24th working, immuno-compromised year of publication with this issue. people remain at risk of virus The previous editors were breakthroughs even when fully Burt and Stephen Cavanaugh. The vaccinated. current editor is Susan Russo. The Since we do not know who at- first ten years of issues have been Our longtime organist Jim Reedy tending Mass is fully vaccinated bound in two volumes and are is taking time off this summer (and who is not) you should con- available for purchase. and expects to return to the organ sider continuing to wear a mask bench in the fall. Meantime, we and practice social distancing if have engaged Michael Zadig to you feel safer doing so. (At the serve as organist during this peri- distribution of communion, the od. Michael is known to many of celebrant will continue to use you, and was organist for a Sun- hand sanitizer and wear a mask.) day Mass in June, 2020. These guidelines recognize that Ñ A sign-up list for Sunday flow- We have begun singing the Fifth Mass is a public event ers is available for each week dur- Communion Service (1940 Hym- and must be safe for all people, ing the growing season. You may nal #747-749) with the “Old Scot- and not a cause of concern or anx- bring florist arrangements or bring tish Chant” Gloria (#739) during iety. Health protocols will contin- cut flowers (maybe from your own the next few months. The com- ue to change as the virus changes garden) to place in our vases. poser, Leo Sowerby, was an im- and as we know more about it. Select main altar or Marian altar, portant church musician and com- And remember, the 1918 flu pan- or both! We will all enjoy the color. poser in the mid-20th century. demic lasted two years. Ñ Speaking of flowers, the Many thanks to Dr. Janet Hunt church’s property manager, for directing the special music of- George Gannon, spends consid- fered at Evensong and Benedic- erable time and money planting tion on July 25th. (This was our flowers and tending the pots and first Sunday Evensong since the beds on church grounds. Your con- Covid lock down began in March tributions to help defray the cost 2020.) Dr. Hunt is also arranging may be made payable to Boston music for our next Evensong and Organic Turf, and sent to George Benediction on the Solemnity of Gannon Jr at 40 Franclaire Dr., the Assumption, August 15th. West Roxbury, MA 02132. Ñ A year’s-mind Mass for Mary COVID PROTOCOL Alma Parker will be offered Satur- UPDATES (continued) day, August 14th. She was the wife Although concerns about Co- of the late Fr James Parker, (first vid-19 are substantially lessened, married Catholic Priest, 1982) and cases are rising again globally, in was greatly involved in the early the United States, and in Massa- THE FEAST OF THE days of the Pastoral Provision. chusetts. The highly-contagious TRANSFIGURATION Ñ Year’s-mind Masses were of- Delta variant now accounts for Friday, August 6, 2021 fered in July for parishioners Helen more than half of new U.S. in- Mass is celebrated in the Smith, Bruce Rand, and our good fections. As of July 6th, 59% of Form in St Theresa of friend Fr George G Greenway, Jr. Bostonians were fully vaccinated. Ávila Church at 8:30 AM Page 4 Contra Mundum THE POWER OF RAYER IS THE OFFERING Its only art is to call back the P in spirit that has done away souls of the dead from the very with the sacrifices of old. What journey into death, to give strength good do I receive from the mul- to the weak, to heal the sick, to tiplicity of your sacrifices? asks exorcise the possessed, to open God. I have had enough of burnt prison cells, to free the innocent offerings of rams; and I do not from their chains. Prayer cleanses want the fat of lambs and the blood from sin, drives away temptations, of bulls and goats. Who has asked stamps out persecutions, com- for these from your hands? forts the fainthearted, gives new What God has asked for we learn strength to the courageous, brings from the . The hour will travelers safely home, calms the come, he says, when true worship- tion from Christ. How much waves, confounds robbers, feeds ers will worship the Father in spir- greater then is the power of the poor, overrules the rich, lifts it and in truth. God is a spirit, and . No longer does up the fallen, supports those who so he looks for worshipers who are prayer bring an angel of comfort are falling, sustains those who like himself. to the heart of a fiery furnace, stand firm. We are true worshipers and true or close up the mouths of lions, All the angels pray. Every crea- priests. We pray in spirit, and so of- or transport to the hungry food ture prays. Cattle and wild beasts fer in spirit the sacrifice of prayer. from the fields. No longer does pray and bend the knee. As they Prayer is an offering that belongs it remove all sense of pain by come from their barns and caves to God and is acceptable to him: it the it wins for others. But they look up to heaven and call is the offering he has asked for, the it gives the armor of patience to out, lifting up their spirit in their those who suffer, who feel pain, offering he planned as his own. own fashion. The birds too rise who are distressed. It strengthens and lift themselves up to heaven: We must dedicate this offering the power of grace, so that faith they open out their wings, instead with our whole heart, we must fat- may know what it is gaining from of hands, in the form of a cross, ten it on faith, tend it by truth; keep the Lord, and understand what it and give voice to what seems to it unblemished through innocence is suffering for the name of God. and clean through chastity, and be a prayer. crown it with love. We must escort In the past prayer was able to bring down punishment, rout What more need be said on the it to the altar of God in a proces- duty of prayer? Even the Lord sion of good works to the sound armies, withhold the of himself prayed. To him be hon- of and hymns. Then it will rain. Now, however, the prayer or and power for ever and ever. gain for us all that we ask of God. of the just turns aside the whole anger of God, keeps vigil for its Amen. Since God asks for prayer of- enemies, pleads for persecutors. Tertullian fered in spirit and in truth, how can Is it any wonder that it can call ¶ Tertullian (c155-c200) was a convert he deny anything to this kind of down water from heaven when it in middle age to Catholicism. He was a prayer? How great is the evidence could obtain fire from heaven as famous ecclesiastical writer and his most notable work was Apologeticus. He later of its power, as we read and hear well? Prayer is the one thing that and believe. advocated Montanism, an early form of can conquer God. But Christ has , but the Church in Car- Of old, prayer was able to rescue willed that it should work no evil, thage avoided schism over the issue, and from fire and beasts and hunger; and has given it all power over it died out by the 6th Century. This excerpt even before it received its perfec- good. is from Tertullian’s treatise on prayer. Contra Mundum Page 5 A PROOF OF THE TRUTH A REDEMPTIVE T WAS CLEAR think of setting out to FUNCTION TO I through unlearned men do battle with the whole PERFORM that the cross was persua- world? That they were sive, in fact, it persuaded fearful, timid men, the T IS ALSO WORTH consid- the whole world. Their evangelist makes clear; Iering whether man, at his first discourse was not of un- he did not reject the fact coming into the world, had not important matters but of or try to hide their weak- already a redemptive function to God and true religion, nesses. Indeed he turned perform. Man, even now, can do of way of life these into a proof of the wonders to animals: my cat and and future judgment, yet it truth. What did he say of dog live together in my house and turned plain, uneducated them? That when Christ seem to like it. It may have been men into philosophers. was arrested, the others one of man's functions to restore How the foolishness of God is fled, despite all the they peace to the animal world, and if wiser than men, and his weakness had seen, while he who was leader he had not joined the enemy he stronger than men! of the others denied him! might have succeeded in doing so to an extent now hardly imagin- In what way is it stronger? It How then account for the fact able. made its way throughout the world that these men, who in Christ’s and overcame all men; countless lifetime did not stand up to the at- Man is to be understood only in men sought to eradicate the very tacks by the Jews, set forth to do his relation to God. The beasts are name of the Crucified, but that battle with the whole world once to be understood only in their re- name flourished and grew ever Christ was dead—if, as you claim, lation to man and, through man, mightier. Its enemies lost out and Christ did not rise and speak to to God. The tame animal is there- perished; the living who waged them and rouse their courage? Did fore, in the deepest sense, the only war on a dead man proved help- they perhaps say to themselves: 'natural' animal. less. Therefore, when a Greek tells “What is this? He could not save C.S. Lewis me I am dead, he shows only that himself but he will protect us? He ¶ This excerpt is taken from The Prob- he is foolish indeed, for I, whom did not help himself when he was lem of Pain (1940). A current edition is he thinks a fool, turn out to be alive, but now that he is dead he available from Harper Collins. wiser than those reputed wise. So will extend a helping hand to us? MORE AUGUST FEAST DAYS too, in calling me weak, he but In his lifetime he brought no na- shows that he is weaker still. For tion under his banner, but by ut- the good deeds which tax-collec- tering his name we will win over tors and fishermen were able to ac- the whole world?” Would it not complish by God’s grace, the phi- be wholly irrational even to think losophers, the rulers, the countless such thoughts, much less to act multitudes cannot even imagine. upon them? Paul had this in mind when It is evident, then, that if they had Lawrence he said: The weakness of God not seen him risen and had proof Deacon & Martyr is stronger than men. That the of his power, they would not have Tuesday, August 10, 2021 preaching of these men was in- risked so much. deed divine is brought home to Saint John Chrysostom us in the same way. For how oth- ¶ St John Chrysostom (c347-407) was erwise could twelve uneducated Archbishop of Constantinople and known men, who lived on lakes and rivers for his preaching, and his denunciation and wastelands, get the idea for of the abuse of authority. He is one of the Four Greek Doctors of the Church. Hun- such an immense enterprise? How dreds of his exegetical survive, Saint Bartholomew could men who perhaps had never of which this portion of a on 1st Apostle & Martyr been in a city or a public square Corinthians is an example. Tuesday, August 24, 2021 Page 6 Contra Mundum ON THE LOVE OF GOD MARTYRDOM OF respond to love. And when LOVE she has poured out her whole NE DAY SAINT JANE being in love, what is that in spoke the following elo- comparison with the unceas- O quent words, which listeners took ing torrent of that original down exactly as spoken: source? Clearly, lover and Love, soul and Word, bride “My dear daughters, many of and Bridegroom, creature and our holy fathers in the faith, men Creator do not flow with the who were pillars of the Church, OVE IS SUFFICIENT itself, same volume; one might as did not die martyrs. Why do you Lit gives pleasure by itself and well equate a thirsty man with the think this was?” Each one pres- because of itself and because of fountain. ent offered an answer; then their mother continued. “Well, I myself itself. It is its own merit, its own What then of the bride’s hope, think it was because there is an- reward. Love looks for no cause her aching desire, her passionate other martyrdom: the martyrdom outside itself, no effect beyond it- love, her confident assurance? Is of love. Here God keeps his ser- self. Its profit lies in its practice. all this to wilt just because she vants and handmaids in this pres- I love because I love, I love that cannot match stride for stride with ent life so that they may labor for I may love. Love is a great thing her giant, any more than she can him, and he makes of them both so long as it continually returns vie with honey for sweetness, ri- martyrs and confessors. I know,” to its fountainhead, flows back to val the lamb for gentleness, show she added, “that the Daughters of its source, always drawing from herself as white as the lily, burn the Visitation are meant to be mar- there the water which constantly as bright as the sun, be equal in tyrs of this kind and that, by the replenishes it. Of all the move- love with him who is Love? No. favor of God, some of them, more ments, sensations and feelings of It is true that the creature loves fortunate than others in that their the soul, love is the only one in less because she is less. But if she desire has been granted, will actu- which the creature can respond to loves with her whole being, noth- ally suffer such a martyrdom.” the Creator and make some sort ing is lacking where everything of similar return however unequal is given. To love so ardently then One sister asked what form this though it be. For when God loves, is to share the marriage bond; martyrdom took. The saint an- all he desires is to be loved in re- she cannot love so much and not swered: “Yield yourself fully to turn; the sole purpose of his love be totally loved, and it is in the God, and you will find out! Divine is to be loved, in the knowledge perfect union of two hearts that love takes its sword to the hidden that those who love him are made complete and perfected marriage recesses of our inmost soul and happy by their love of him. consists. Or are we to doubt that divides us from ourselves. I know The Bridegroom’s love, or rather the soul is loved by the Word first one person whom love cut off the love which is the Bridegroom, and with a greater love? from all that was dearest to her, asks in return nothing but faithful Saint Bernard just as completely and effectively love. Let the beloved, then, love as if a tyrant’s blade severed spirit ¶ St Bernard (1090-1153) joined the from body.” in return. Should not a bride love, Cistercians at Citeaux in 1111. These and above all, Love’s bride? Could monks lived by a new and rigorous re- We realized that she was speak- it be that Love not be loved? vision of the Benedictine Rule. By 1115 ing of herself. When another sis- Bernard was abbot of a second founda- Rightly then does she give up tion at Clairvaux. His spiritual influence ter asked how long the martyr- all other feelings and give her- was felt all over Europe. This extract is dom would continue, the Saint self wholly to love alone; in giv- from his last work, On the Love of God. replied: “From the moment when th ing love back, all she can do is to His feast day is August 20 . we commit ourselves unreserv- Contra Mundum Page 7 edly to God, until our last breath. of Galilee, and Capernaum was THE CONGREGATION I am speaking, of course, of great the Lord’s headquarters during OF SAINT ATHANASIUS souled individuals who keep noth- His Galilean ministry. But Tyre The Revd. ing back for themselves, but in- and Sidon are in Phoenicia, Richard Sterling Bradford, stead are faithful in love. Our Lord which was beyond the bounds of Chaplain does not intend this martyrdom for Israel. These places were con- Saint Lawrence Church those who are weak in love and sidered pagan, and therefore not 774 Boylston Ave. entitled to inherit the promises Chestnut Hill, Mass. perseverance. Such people he lets (Parking lot behind the church) continue on their mediocre way, of the Kingdom of God. so that they will not be lost to him; Sundays 11:30 AM The treatment our Lord gives in Fellowship and Coffee in the he never does violence to our free this passage shows was very Undercroft after Mass will.” far removed from the prevailing (Fellowship suspended for now) Finally, the Saint was asked, Jewish idea of the Messiah. The Rectory: whether this martyrdom of love message here is that in God’s eyes 767 West Roxbury Pkwy. could be put on the same level as there is no automatic national pro- Boston, MA 02132-2121 martyrdom of the body. She an- tection. The crime in all these cities Tel/Fax: (617) 325-5232 swered: “We should not worry was not immorality. It was spiritual congregationstathanasius.com about equality. I do think, however, obstinacy. that the martyrdom of love cannot God’s invitation to the Kingdom be relegated to a second place, for through the signs and miracles of love is as strong as death. For the Our Lord had brought no change of martyrs of love suffer infinitely heart. The necessary preparation for more in remaining in this life so the Kingdom of Heaven is , as to serve God, than if they died and Israel had refused the pen- a thousand times over in testimony ance. Pagan cities would not have to their faith and love and fidelity.” refused. Just remember Nineveh’s SATURDAY MASS IN Saint Jane Frances deChantal repentance described in the Book of THE ORDINARIATE ¶ St Jane (1572-1641) was a French reli- Jonah. gious and founder of The Order of the Vis- FORM itation of Holy Mary. When people criti- The final assessment of guilt will Celebrated each week at 8:00 AM cized her she said, “What do you want me be based on the acceptance or rejec- at the Marian altar in St Theresa of to do? I like sick people myself; I’m on tion of the Divine invitation, and Ávila Church, 2078 Centre St, West their side.” Her feast day is August 12th, a Roxbury. Enter the main church via Thursday this year. not on national or ancestral blood- lines. It is as Our Lord Jesus said the pavilion or the St Theresa Avenue See also Contra mundum Volume XV, Is- side doors. sue 1, August 2012. when declaring the faithfulness of His mother. When a woman in CONTRA MUNDUM A CHANGE OF the crowd asserted “Blessed is the The name of our parish paper comes HEART womb that bare thee and the paps from the Latin phrase, “Athanasius which thou hast sucked,” Jesus re- contra mundum,” meaning “Athana- O FULLY APPRECIATE sius against the world.” Our patron plied, “Yea rather, blessed are they the force of this gospel pas- saint stood firmly for the fullness of T who hear the word of God and keep sage [Matthew 11:20-24], a little the faith. Fr. Bradford and the Con- it.” Genealogy doesn’t count. Per- knowledge of the geography of the gregation of Saint Athanasius have sonal assent does. Holy Land is helpful. Several of published this paper monthly since 1998. To receive it by mail, send your the places mentioned by Our Lord Father Bradford address to the editor, Susan Russo, at ¶ A sermon preached in St Theresa of Ávila are within Israel. Chorazin and [email protected] or write to Fr Church on July 18, 2017. Bethsaida are on, or near, the Sea Bradford at the rectory. All issues are on our website under Parish Paper. Page 8 Contra Mundum

St. Lawrence Church 774 Boylston Street (Route 9) Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 Chestnut Hill Parking is in the church parking lot behind the Channing Road Eliot St. Church. Use 30 Reservoir Road, Chestnut Hill Av 02467 for your GPS. e Boylston St. (Rte 9) Directions by Car from the North or South: Lee St. Brookline Route 128 to Route 9. At the signal for Reservoir Reservoir Road, take the right; the Church parking lot is a Reser voir Rd Heath St. short distance on the left. . Directions by Car from Boston: From Stuart/ Kneeland St, turn left onto Park Plaza. Drive for Low 0.2 miles. Park Plaza becomes St James Avenue. ell Lane Drive for 0.3 miles. Turn slight left onto ramp. St Lawrence Church Drive for 0.1 miles. Go straight on Route 9. Drive Heath St. for 3.5 miles. Turn left onto Heath Street. Drive for 0.1 miles. Go straight on Reservoir Road. Drive for 0.1 miles. The parking lot is on your right. Directions by Public Transportation: From Ken- more Square station, board Bus #60, which stops in front of the Church. Alternatively, the Church is a 15-minute walk from the Cleveland Circle sta- tion on the Green Line C branch.

Contra Mundum The Congregation of St. Athanasius 10 St. Theresa Avenue West Roxbury, MA 02132