"In the earthly liturgy we take part in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the holy city of Jerusalem toward which we journey as pilgrims, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, a minister of the holies and of the true tabernacle; we sing a hymn to the Lord's glory with all the warriors of the heavenly army; venerating the memory of the saints, we hope for some part and fellowship with them; we eagerly await the Savior, Our Lord Jesus Christ, until He, our life, shall appear and we too will appear with Him in glory." This is a passage from the Second Vatican document Sacrosanctum Concilium which was promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1963. As we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Vatican II, it is a good time to revisit the documents as so much of what they say has been distorted over the years. I found this passage to be so beautiful and inspiring. It is also aspirational. It makes you want to see each Eucharistic celebration in the way that this passage describes. Can you imagine the ultimate Mass with Jesus sitting at God's right hand? The imagery in this brief passage is just the beginning. Start your Holy Week celebration by revisiting our Church's guiding documents. As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, now is a good time to focus on the beauty of Mass and commit ourselves to attending the Easter Triduum.
Pope Saint John Paul II , a towering figure of the 20th century, was a staunch critic of socialist ideologies. He recognized the inherent flaws in systems that sought to control economies and societies through centralized planning and state ownership. The pontiff's teachings offered a prophetic warning against the dangers of such regimes, which often led to oppression, poverty, and the erosion of individual freedoms. Recently, a conference organized by the Catholic Association of Propagandists in Spain brought together prominent figures who echoed the concerns raised by the late Pope. Bishop José Ignacio Munilla of Orihuela-Alicante boldly declared socialism an "enemy of the cross," highlighting its incompatibility with Christian values. He emphasized the need for a spiritual renewal, urging individuals to embrace the cross as a path to true happiness and fulfillment. French philosopher Fabrice Hadjadj also addressed the challenges posed by modern society, warning ag...
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