September - St. Augustine Catholic

world news
the top-10 Catholic News
events this month
1
Pope Benedict proclaims June 2008 - June 2009 to
be the year of St. Paul. The year is in celebration of the
2,000th anniversary of the saint’s birth.
2
President Bush vetoed the Stem Cell Research
Enhancement Act of 2007. Bush said, “Our conscience
calls us to pursue the possibilities of science in a manner that
respects human dignity and upholds our moral values.”
4
3
More than
120,000
people have
already registered
for next
year’s World
Youth Day. The
event will be
held July 15-18,
2008 in Sydney,
Australia.
Benedict XVI re-established the requirements
for electing a pope. A two-thirds majority of cardinalelectoral
votes will always be required for the election of a pope.
5
The Vatican Library is to be closed for a threeyear
restoration project. Experts have determined
that the restoration of the 16th-century building can no longer
be delayed. The library is home to the most ancient known
manuscript of the Bible, the Codex Vaticanus.
6
U.S. Bishops support Senate Resolution 224 to
advance the peace process. A two-state solution
and an end to violence is the way forward for Israelis and
Palestinians, say U.S. bishops.
7
The Chinese government is ready for “constructive
dialogue” with the Vatican. This statement came
after the publication of Benedict XVI’s letter to Catholics in
that country. In his letter, the pope expressed his love for
and closeness to Chinese Catholics and his support in the
tribulations they frequently face.
8
U.S. bishops will give $628,000 to 51 programs
benefiting the church in Africa. The gifts will support
pastoral activities including formation of seminarians and
clergy, Catholic education, youth ministry, catechesis and social
communications.
9
Pope Benedict urges G-8 Summit leaders to give
aid to the neediest countries. The pope issued an
appeal to the leaders participating in the G-8 summit to keep
their promises to fight against poverty, particularly through
education and especially in Africa.
10
The Vatican has awarded the highest medal
for work in health care. Bishop Thomas Williams
received the Good Samaritan medal for his care and love for
the sick.
Is the Latin Mass back?
Catholics
over the age
of 50 may
remember
when Mass was in Latin,
the priest’s back facing
the congregation. Of the
many changes brought
about by the Second
Vatican Council, the
most visible were those
Pope Benedict XVI
to liturgy. For many
people, Vatican II meant that “the Mass changed.”
The older form of the Mass, commonly called the Tridentine Mass,
uses the Roman Missal of Pope St. Pius V, the latest edition of which
was promulgated in 1962 by Blessed John XXIII.
After Vatican II, a new Roman Missal was promulgated by Pope
Paul VI. It allowed for liturgical celebration in the vernacular and the
position of the priest to change so that he faced his congregation.
Extraordinary Form (1962) Ordinary Form (2007)
Includes 1% of Old Testament
in its lectionary readings
Includes 17% of New
Testament in its lectionary
readings
Begins with prayers at the foot
of the altar prayed privately by
priest and server
One eucharistic prayer: the
Roman canon
Faithful usually receive
Communion in the form of the
host alone
Last Gospel and prayers to
St. Michael the Archangel
included in the closing rites
Preserves prayers and rites of
1570 with some changes
Only clerics or “altar boys”
perform liturgical ministry
Includes 14% of Old.
Includes 71% of New
Testament.
Begins with a greeting and
communal penitential rite
Nine eucharistic prayers, the
first of which is the Roman
canon
Allows for a wider distribution
of Communion under both
species
Closing rites include Prayer
after Communion, blessing
and dismissal
Simplifies prayers and rites
in the light of contemporary
research and understanding
Restores lay liturgical
ministries and encourages
careful differentiation of roles
10 St. Augustine Catholic September 2007