Mirfield Update: The Monastic Church Gets a Redo

Still, She Rings

My latest creation for Hampden-Sydney College.  I wrote the script which was narrated by Lt. Gen. Samuel V. Wilson (US Army-Ret), the 23rd President of Hampden-Sydney.  Shaun Irving '97 of Orrio in Richmond did the filming, editing, and production.



Still, She Rings
by Chad M. Krouse '02

Bounding pass these gates,
generations of boys have entered;
Hailing from the world over
to learn the secrets in store.
To the pride of Garnet and Gray,
legions of men have left,
off to change the world.

Upon these hallowed grounds, the bell rings
bouncing from the greats of old:
Cushing,
Venable,
Cabell,
Morton,
Atkinson,
Bagby.

All roads lead to her,
guarded by the benefactors of past and present.
Her voice carries over the slate rooftops:
“To class, to class!”
To her loyal sons she bids warmly:
“Come home, come home.”

Through every season tolling,
rain or snow you can bet,
Her pledge is true,
set the professor’s standard and the bane of other’s alarms--
Ne’er to be missed,
in haste most go.
Her song is simple,
Her cry is heeded.
And still,
she rings.

Documentary: The Saint of 9/11

Fr. Mychal Judge, OFM (1933-2001)

The Order of Saint Anthony the Great is exploring the life and witness of Mychal Judge, the New York Fire Department Chaplain who died at the World Trade Center on September 11th.  A Franciscan and a priest, Mychal's life was filled with joy, pain, love, and self-giving. 

One of Father Mychal's favorite prayer's sums up his theology:

Lord, take me where you want me to go;

Let me meet who you want me to meet;

Tell me what you want me to say

And keep me out of your way.

The documentary film, The Saint of 9/11, captures both the eternal joy and love of the friar along with inner turmoil that so often accompanies holy people.  Click on the title of the film to watch it, it's worth your time. 

Pope pays tribute to Newman's contributions

The Benedictine Abbey of Fontgombault

Anglican Church of Canada: General Synod 2010

On June 3, the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada opened its triennial meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  You can follow the events of the General Synod 2010 online through the Synod's website.  The communications that come out of the Synod are great.  I followed the 2007 Synod with great interest and I believe it is important to pray for and support our Canadian brothers and sisters while they are meeting in their major legislative body.

Click here for the daily video files.

New Liturgical Movement: Reforming the Reform

Reforming the reform?  Huh?  Well, if you believe that the Second Vatican Council went too far in its *cough* liturgical reform, than the New Liturgical Movement (NLM) blog may be for you.  Actually, I rather like the information, its attention to detail, and of course all the lovely pictures and videos of all things liturgical throughout the church catholic.  If you can stomach it's decided slant towards all things "Benedictine," then you will treasure the wealth of resources compiled together at NLM.  It took this old-hearted Anglo-Catholic some time to discern that Benedictine was not in fact monastic, but referring to Pope Benedict XVI's zeal for the ancient liturgical tradition of the church.  

There has been, for instance, an interesting thread going through the blog considering what liturgical tradition the new Anglican ordinariates will follow and as such examining the Sarum use along with many other English forms.  The trailer above for the Solemn Requiem in the Dominican Rite (which is a religious order!) is an example of the rigor with which this spirit for "reforming the reform" has and continues to build.

Regardless of your position, and take heart, I am an ardent 1979 BCP man myself (with a high ceremonial), NLM is a rather interesting blog to check out from time to time.  

On the Baptismal Covenant

Brother Karekin Yarian, BSG is a member of the Brotherhood of St. Gregory the Great (BSG).  He's an avid blogger and you can find him over at Sandals at the Gate. 

The Last Anchorite Part 2

The Last Anchorite Part 1

After delving into the ancient world of St. Anthony and meeting the present-day anchorite, Fr. Lazarus in James Cowan's book, Desert Father: A Journey in the Wilderness with Saint Anthony, I went searching for more.  I came across a short documentary film (less than 20 minutes), "The Last Anchorite," which I commend to you.  Because of the time constraints on YouTube, the video is divided into two sections.

You will encounter the expanse of Mount Colzim where the cave of Saint Anthony rests as well as peek inside Saint Anthony's Coptic Monastery.  Hear the wisdom of Fr. Lazarus.  No commentary, I think, is needed.  

The Monastery of Saint Anthony

Here's an interesting look inside the Coptic Orthodox Monastery of Saint Anthony in Egypt, one of the oldest monasteries in all of Christendom.  Built around 356, the monastery is the burial site of St. Anthony.  The monastery sits at the base of Mount Colzim, the mountain which holds the cave of Abba Anthony.

Extensive renovations have been underway at the monastery for the past 8 years.  The news agency, Zenit, carries an interesting article concerning the renovations at this ancient holy site.  Click here to go read the article.

Hungry For Change: Food, Inc.

The documentary film, Food, Inc., came out this fall and is the work of filmmaker Robert Kenner.  I rented it last night on i-Tunes and was captivated.  Think you know the real source of your food?  Do you know how many products in the grocery store contain corn or corn-related by-products?  Do you realize how few companies are controlling the food sources--from seed to supermarket--in this global economy?  

While I don't think this film will turn you into a vegetarian, it will certainly make you think twice when you are in the check-out line buying food for you or your family.  The film is well made, I think, and covers poultry, pork, beef, corn, and soybeans.  My favorite is the philosopher-farmer in Virginia, you'll know him when you see him!  Join the chase of the "seed nazis" who stop at nothing to protect their patent rights in the farm fields of America.  Be advised, there are some scenes showing how animals are slaughtered, but it's not the end of the world.  Watch it, it's well worth the hour-and-a-half of your time.

The makers of the film have created a website, Hungry For Change, where you can find out more information and ways to make a change in your food.  

Oscar Romero's Cause for Sainthood

Blessed Newman

With one miracle accepted by the Holy See, Cardinal John Henry Newman is scheduled to be beatified by Pope Benedict XVI later this spring during his visit to England.  In order to be elevated to sainthood, one more miracle will need to be attributed to the cardinal and accepted by Rome.   

Monster Sunday School

Lighten up your Lenten journey and enjoy, I did...

Bound for Rome: Swimming the Tiber?

In an unprecedented move, the Vatican has announced today the formation of "Anglican Ordinariates" within the operational structure of the Roman Catholic Church.  Established under a soon-to-be released "apostolic constitution," the new home for disenfranchised Anglicans and Episcopalians will supposedly be allowed to retain Anglican style worship albeit with rigors of Roman theology.  Apparently this is a major move for the Vatican to accept in whole or in part Anglican dioceses, parishes, and clergy into the fold.

Married Anglican bishops who abandoned the Communion will not be allowed to be Roman ordinaries, but somewhere I did read that celibate Anglican bishops and priests would be considered.  I'm guessing, here, that Rome will re-ordain all priests and bishops received in this new manner, since it's been made quite clear that Anglican Orders are not substantiated in Roman eyes.

I must admit that I'm surprised by this.  I learned about this today while attending a Clericus (local clergy gathering) over lunch.  I suppose I stand firmly in the camp that it is quite acceptable to be and remain Anglican which is part and parcel of the worldwide apostolic, catholic church.

Is this really an open arm gesture from Rome inviting full communion?  Does it impair future Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue?  Should we be excited about this?

St. Hildegard, Abbess of Bingen and Mystic

A Collect for St. Hildegard (from Lesser Feasts and Fasts)

God of all times and seasons:  Give us grace that we, after the example of your servant Hildegard, may both know and make known the joy and jubilation of being part of your creation, and show forth your glory not only with our lips but in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

Brother Sun Sister Moon

I recently watched Franco Zeffirelli's movie on the life of Saint Francis, "Brother Sun, Sister Moon." I purchased it on iTunes; it was worth it! Here is the conversion scene. Check the movie out, I highly recommend it!

Altar-ation

A little High Church fun.  Thank you FSSP!

Saint of 9/11

A friend told me about this documentary about Father Mychael.