The election of the pope is surrounded by ceremony and traditions, honed over the centuries. In 1996, Pope John Paul II changed some of the rules and procedures for the next papal election. The pope, as always, is elected by the College of Cardinals. Only those under the age of eighty may vote. The...
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I am not old enough to remember the Latin Mass. Before Vatican II, was the Mass always in Latin? For many centuries, the Mass was in Latin, but prior to the eighth century, it was not. In the early church, the Eucharist was celebrated in the context of Jewish rituals and prayers, so obviously...
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    . recorded April 10, 2008 I read in the diocesan newspaper that the bishop made an ad limina visit to Rome. What does ad limina mean? The term ad limina is a Latin phrase meaning “to the threshold.” It refers to the pilgrimage that bishops are required to make every five years...
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Having entered the flu season our bishop, along with many other leaders in the church have asked to consider a few of the ritual practices of our liturgy; specifically the issue of exchanging the sign of peace, and sharing from the common cup. Let me begin my remarks by stating clearly that it is...
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Wisdom 7:7-11;  Hebrews 4:12-13;  Mark 10:17-30 (cf. also CCC par. 2052 ff.) Having entered the flu season our bishop, along with many other leaders in the church have asked to consider a few of the ritual practices of our liturgy; specifically the issue of exchanging the sign of peace, and sharing from the common...
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