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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January 1, New Year’s Day, has a number of liturgical names celebrating a variety of events. Could you sort some of this out? January 1, New Year’s Day, celebrates newness. Exactly eight days after Christmas, traditionally it celebrates Mary as the mother of God. The Greek word for Mary’s motherhood is “Theotokos” meaning “God-bearer.”...
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When Catholics have been away from the Church, they sometimes are unsure of how to go about returning. They might have questions for which they seek answers. If they have been away a long time, they wonder how the Church of today is different from what they knew. Catholics who have questions about returning...
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What preparations did Pope John XXIII enact during the spring and summer of 1959 to prepare for the ecumenical council? Fifty years ago newly-elected Pope John XXIII announced his desire to convoke an ecumenical council. His announcement encountered a variety of reactions and objections. However, John felt compelled to pursue his Spirit-led desire for...
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As Jesus feeds his followers in this life, John's writing affirms that they will also share the eucharistic table with God for all eternity.
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A friend told me there are special Mass prayers for our president. Why? As we celebrate Independence Day, questions about the relationship between church and state always abound. What is the proper relationship of the church to the state? With a new administration in Washington, this question is as significant as ever. Gaudium et...
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Why was the name for this Sunday changed from Corpus Christi to the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ? The Lectionary revised by Vatican II changed the name of this feast from Corpus Christi, the feast of the body of Christ, to the feast of the Most Holy Body and...
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