Book Review - Rome Sweet Home

The journey of a man, and his wife from being a staunch Catholic-hating Presbyterian to becoming a devout and loving Catholic. 

Since ages I wanted to get my hands on this book, being a cradle Catholic, conversion stories have always fascinated me. This was one of those books that I kept hearing about on and off during my readings of other bloggers and converts, a book about which I had only heard praises. A book which I just couldn’t wait to read.

 

So when I finally spotted the title a month back my happiness was unending, I immediately bought the book. I devoured the book in two days, lapped everything up that it had to offer.

 

Scott and Kimberly Hahn have written their conversion story in the most candid and heartfelt way, their unabashed honesty and their clarity of thought is what makes the book so captivating. While reading the book it feels like they are actually sitting across the room talking to us. In their simplicity in writing, the miraculous power of God is portrayed, one can’t help but connect the proceedings in the Hahns lives with the Divine Intervention of God. The story is not only of Scott and Kimberly, and how they found the way back home, it is also of God the Father, Jesus, Mary and other saints and how they nudged and guided them back home. It is a journey of hope and despair, cheers and tears, human follies and divine wisdom but above all, its a journey back home,

 

The book may not answer all your questions on Catholicism, it is not going to explain to you the theological aspect of every Catholic tradition, neither will it turn you into a Catholic enthusiast in a day. But the book will surely show you the way, to discover your own way back home, the book will definitely give you the inspiration to delve deeper and to get inside your Faith, to know the Faith and know how to defend it.

This book is a must read of all Catholics who are struggling to believe the Church Doctrines and for those who are despairing and doubtful of their conversion to Catholicism.

The Mass is not about fancy words added on whim

…it is deeply rooted in Scripture.

 

 

The words the priest speaks during a mass aren’t words written by some old spiritual man of some old forgotten days. The Holy Mass (and the missal therein) draws deeply from the Bible, some verses are taken as is, others are derivations but it all has one single root, The Holy Scriptures. Let us go through a regular mass and see where these words come from. The text of the missal is in normal font, the biblical references are in hyperlink:

 

Sign of the Cross

All make the Sign of the Cross as the Priest says.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Mt 28:19)

The people reply:

Amen. (1 Chr 16:36).

Greeting

Then the Priest greets the people:

Either: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2Cor 13:14)

Or: Grace to you and peace from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Or: The Lord be with you. (Ruth 2:4)

The people reply:

And with your spirit.

Penitential Act

The Priest invites the faithful to the Penitential Act.

Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, (James 5:16) and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

A brief pause for silence follows, and then one of the following Penitential Acts:

All say:

I confess to almighty God

and to you, my brothers and sisters,

that I have greatly sinned,

in my thoughts and in my words,

in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,

And, striking their breast, they say:

through my fault,

through my fault,

through my most grievous fault;

therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,

all the Angels and Saints,

and you, my brothers and sisters,

to pray for me to the Lord our God.

 

The absolution by the Priest follows:

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. (1Jn 1:9) Amen.

 

The Kyrie

The Priest or another minister says invocations naming the gracious works of the Lord to which he invites the people to respond, as in the example below:

You were sent to heal the contrite of heart:

Lord, have mercy.

The people reply:

Lord, have mercy.

 

The Gloria

When indicated this hymn is either sung or said.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. (Luke 2:14)

We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you,

we give you thanks for your great glory,

Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

you take away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, (Jn 1:29)

receive our prayer;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father,( Mt 26:64, Acts 2:33, Rom 8:34, Col 3:1)

have mercy on us.

For you alone are the Holy One, (Lk 4:34)

you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High, (Lk 1:32)

Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

The Collect

The Priest says:

Let us pray.

And all pray in silence with the Priest for a while. Then the Priest says the Collect prayer, at the end of which the people acclaim:

Amen.

The Liturgy of the Word

First Reading

To indicate the end of these readings, the reader acclaims:

The word of the Lord.

All reply:

Thanks be to God.

Psalm

After the First Reading the psalmist or cantor sings or says the Psalm, with the people making the response.

Second Reading

On Sundays and certain other days there is a second reading. It concludes with the same responsory as above.

Gospel

The assembly stands to sing the Gospel Acclamation to welcome the Gospel. They remain

standing in honour of the Gospel reading, the high point of the Liturgy of the Word.

At the ambo the Deacon, or the Priest says:

The Lord be with you.

The people reply:

And with your spirit.

The Deacon, or the Priest:

A reading from the holy Gospel according to N.

He makes the Sign of the Cross on the book and, together with the people, on his forehead, lips, and breast.

At the same time the people acclaim:

Glory to you, O Lord.

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

After the proclamation of the Gospel the congregation is seated.

The Homily

At the end of the Homily it is appropriate for there to be a brief silence for recollection. The congregation then stands.

The Creed

On Sundays and Solemnities, the Profession of Faith or Creed will follow. During Lent and Easter Time, especially, the Apostles’ Creed may be used.

 

The Prayer of the Faithful (Bidding Prayers)

After each intention there is a pause while the faithful pray. The minister says:

Lord, in your mercy.

All reply:

Hear our prayer.

The Priest concludes the Prayer with a collect. When the Liturgy of the Word has been completed, the people sit.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

The Offertory

When he has received the bread and wine for the celebration, the Priest offers prayer of blessing quietly at the altar. Sometimes these prayers are said aloud. If the priest says the prayers aloud the assembly’s acclamation each time is

Blessed be God for ever.

The Priest completes additional personal preparatory rites, and the people rise as he says:

Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God,

the almighty Father.

The people reply:

May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good

and the good of all his holy Church.

Then the Priest says the Prayer over the Offerings, at the end of which the people acclaim:

Amen.

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

Extending his hands, the Priest says:

The Lord be with you.

The people reply:

And with your spirit.

The Priest, raising his hands, continues:

Lift up your hearts.

The people:

We lift them up to the Lord. (Lam 3:41)

The Priest, with hands extended, adds:

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

The people:

It is right and just.

The Priest continues with the Preface.

The renewal of all things in Christ

The following Preface is said in Masses that have no proper Preface, and for which a Preface related to a specific liturgical time is not indicated.

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord. In him you have been pleased to renew all things, giving us all a share in his fullness. For though he was in the form of God, he emptied himself and by the blood of his Cross brought peace to all creation. Therefore he has been exalted above all things, and to all who obey him, has become the source of eternal salvation. And so, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominions, and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven, we sing the hymn of your glory, as without end we acclaim:

The Priest concludes the Preface with the people singing or saying aloud:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest. (Is 6:3; Mk 11:9-10).

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. (Mt 21:9)

Hosanna in the highest.

The Priest alone recites:

To you, therefore, most merciful Father, we make humble prayer and petition through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord: that you accept and bless these gifts, these offerings, these holy and unblemished sacrifices, which we offer you firstly for your holy catholic Church. Be pleased to grant her peace, to guard, unite and govern her throughout the whole world, together with your servant N. our Pope and N. our Bishop, and all those who, holding to the truth, hand on the catholic and apostolic faith.

Remember, Lord, your servants (N. and N.) and all gathered here, whose faith and devotion are known to you. For them, we offer you this sacrifice of praise or they offer it for themselves and all who are dear to them: for the redemption of their souls, in hope of health and well-being, and paying their homage to you, the eternal God, living and true.

In communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, and blessed Joseph, her Spouse, your blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, (James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Jude; Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian) and all your Saints; we ask that through their merits and prayers, in all things we may be defended by your protecting help. (Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

Therefore, Lord, we pray: graciously accept this oblation of our service, that of your whole family; order our days in your peace, and command that we be delivered from eternal damnation and counted among the flock of those you have chosen. (Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

Be pleased, O God, we pray, to bless, acknowledge, and approve this offering in every respect; make it spiritual and acceptable, so that it may become for us the Body and Blood of your most beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the day before he was to suffer, he took bread in his holy and venerable hands, and with eyes raised to heaven to you, O God, his almighty Father, giving you thanks, he said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body, which will be given up for you.

In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took this precious chalice in his holy and venerable hands, and once more giving you thanks, he said the blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying: Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me. (Mt 26:26-28)

After the words of Consecration the priest says:

The mystery of faith.

The people continue, acclaiming:

Either:

We proclaim your Death, O Lord,

and profess your Resurrection

until you come again.

Or:

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,

we proclaim your Death, O Lord,

until you come again. (1Cor 11:26)

Or:

Save us, Saviour of the world,

for by your Cross and Resurrection

you have set us free.

Then the Priest alone continues:

Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the blessed Passion, the Resurrection from the dead, and the glorious Ascension into heaven of Christ, your Son, our Lord, we, your servants and your holy people, offer to your glorious majesty from the gifts that you have given us, this pure victim, this holy victim, this spotless victim, the holy Bread of eternal life and the Chalice of everlasting salvation. Be pleased to look upon these offerings with a serene and kindly countenance, and to accept them, as once you were pleased to accept the gifts of your servant Abel the just, the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith, and the offering of your high priest Melchizedek, a holy sacrifice, a spotless victim. In humble prayer we ask you, almighty God:

command that these gifts be borne by the hands of your holy Angel to your altar on high

in the sight of your divine majesty, so that all of us, who through this participation at the altar

receive the most holy Body and Blood of your Son, may be filled with every grace and heavenly blessing. (Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

Commemoration of the Dead : Remember also, Lord, your servants N. and N., who have gone before us with the sign of faith and rest in the sleep of peace. Grant them, O Lord, we pray, and all who sleep in Christ, a place of refreshment, light and peace. (Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

To us, also, your servants, who, though sinners, hope in your abundant mercies, graciously grant some share and fellowship with your holy Apostles and Martyrs: with John the Baptist, Stephen,

Matthias, Barnabas, (Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia) and all your Saints; admit us, we beseech you, into their company, not weighing our merits, but granting us your pardon, through Christ our Lord. Through whom you continue to make all these good things, O Lord; you sanctify them, fill them with life, bless them, and bestow them upon us.

At the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer the Priest takes the chalice and the paten with the host and, raising both, he alone says:

Through him, and with him, and in him,

O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory and honour is yours,

for ever and ever. (Rom 11:36)

Amen.

The Communion Rite

The eating and drinking together of the Lord’s Body and Blood in a Paschal meal is the culmination of the Eucharist. The themes underlying these rites are the mutual love and reconciliation that are both the condition and the fruit of worthy communion and the unity of the many in the One.

The Lord’s Prayer

The congregation stands and the Priest says:

At the Saviour’s command

and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Together with the people, he continues:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. (Mt. 6:9-13)

The Priest alone continues, saying:

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ

The people conclude the prayer, acclaiming:

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. (Mt 6:13)

Then the Priest alone says aloud:

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, (Jn 14:27)

look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever.

The people reply:

Amen.

The Priest adds:

The peace of the Lord be with you always. (Jn 20:19)

The people reply:

And with your spirit.

The Deacon, or the Priest, adds:

Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

And all offer one another the customary sign of peace: a handclasp or handshake, which is an expression of peace, communion, and charity.

Breaking of the Bread

During the breaking of the host the following is sung or said:

(Jn 1:29)

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,

grant us peace.

After the Lamb of God, the people kneel.

Invitation to Communion

After his private prayers of preparation the Priest genuflects, takes the host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice says aloud:

Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. (Rev 19:9)

And together with the people he adds once:

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. (Mt 8:8)

Communion

After the priest has reverently consumed the Body and Blood of Christ the communicants come forward in reverent procession, and make a preparatory act of reverence by bowing their head in honour of Christ’s presence in the Sacrament. They receive Holy Communion standing.

The Priest says:

The Body (Blood) of Christ.

The communicant replies:

Amen.

After the distribution of Communion, if appropriate, a sacred silence may be observed for a while, or a psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may be sung.

Prayer after Communion

Then, the Priest says:

Let us pray.

All stand and pray in silence. Then the Priest says the Prayer after Communion, at the end of which the people acclaim:

Amen.

The Concluding Rites

The brief Concluding Rite sends the people forth to put into effect in their daily lives the Mystery of Christ’s Death and Resurrection and the unity in Christ which they have celebrated. Their mission is to witness to Christ in the world and to bring the Gospel to the poor. Any brief announcements to the people follow here. Then the dismissal takes place. Sometimes this takes a more elaborate form than that given below.

Blessing

The Priest says:

The Lord be with you.

The people reply:

And with your spirit.

The Priest blesses the people, saying:

May almighty God bless you,

the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The people reply:

Amen.

Dismissal

Then the Deacon, or the Priest himself, says:

Either: Go forth, the Mass is ended.

Or: Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

Or: Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

Or: Go in peace.

The people reply:

Thanks be to God.

 

Note: The order of mass was take from : http://www.universalis.com/static/mass/orderofmass.htm. Also, these are my own findings and it may not be exhaustive or even accurate. I would welcome feedbacks from those who are more knowledgeable than me in these matters

Awaiting the best time of the year

CHRISTMAS IS HERE!

You might say it is a little to early to shout that, but I really can't wait for 25th of December to dawn. I am already under the influence of 'Christmas Spirit'!


It is indeed the best time of the year, the cold winter, bells chiming, carols being sung, Santa and his gifts, friends, family, cakes, sweets, and the loving and innocent Babe in the manger.


The three kings, and shepherds and angels, Our Lord made a real entrance into this world. No other baby boy must have created such a lot of hype and happiness and political upheaval at his birth.


I am preparing for Christmas, I am preparing for the coming of Christ, I don't want to be like the inn keepers who said no to Mary and Joseph, I want to invite them into my home and into my heart. I want to spread the news and the Christmas cheer about His coming. I want to make sure this time the King gets a royal place to be born in. A clean and loving heart is what would be fitting for Him.


I want to know this young lady who took up such a daring task of delivering the Child of God against all odds. I want to know how did Mary get the guts to say YES and how can I get the same conviction to say it. How did she believe in God's plan and stuck to it till the end, when all I do is try to run away?


It is a marvel and a mystery, this birth that took place more than 2000 years ago, the event still makes people to pause and think, it still ignites the fire of God's love in every heart, it still shows that there is good on earth and it will remain forever. God becoming man, becoming a Baby so pure, frail, innocent. I do not comprehend it in its fullness, this act of kindness, mercy and love of God, but I am glad He was born for me, for you, for all who are alive, for all who are dead and gone, for all who are yet to come.

Merry Christmas!

A Minor Basilica that I couldn't help but adore

When I visited the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount(aka Mount Mary), Bandra, Mumbai; I was filled with an awe. I stood there stupefied in the church compound, jaws dropped, eyes popping out, trying to take in the entire architecture...

The Exteriors

 A quasi-gothic architecture, pointed arches, spires, nave, transcept, ribbed vault.... It was beautiful beyond words.

 More than a 100years old, this Basilica has been a place of worship for people of every religion. In modern day Mumbai, the church takes you back in history of colonial rule under which this church was built.

Standing outside, trying to take in its beautiful form filled me with various emotions, I felt very small and inconsequential, in front of this giant structure, I felt so proud and lucky to be able to see 100+ years of love, worship, faith that exuded from this place. Its majestic appearance was a reflection of the majesty of the Lord it served.

The two spires reminded of the Glory of Christ, the transept and nave, a symbol of the Cross and the divine sacrifice.

The Interiors

 If the exteriors where awe inspiring, the interiors where jaw dropping, the nave, the aisles, the ribbed vault, the choir(as in architecture), the clerestory, the sanctuary, the main altar, the chancel, the cupola....

Ribbed Vault, though not captured clearly

Altar/Scantuary

Cupola

Resurrected Lord

Clerestory

Crucifix within the Chancel

Jesus, on the left of the main altar

Mother Mary

Aisle

Everywhere that I laid my eyes I was filled with wonder, and my heart on its own began a worship of God, before I knew I was engulfed with the power of a presence, beyond time, beyond borders, beyond limit, drawing me closer to a Living God, wondrous and mighty, holy and eternal...
                   
                    I will be back here...

Note: For my lovely friends and readers, who did not follow majority of the architectural terms, I am sorry to have confused you, but I am sure you will agree that this place is awesome.