I’m a big fan of the organic development of the liturgy. I think it’s often very important to keep things that started out serving a practical purpose but eventually developed into part of the liturgy itself, taking on a theological meaning in the process. (For example, the dismissal: Ite, Missa est or Flectamus genua or the amice.) These details, even if they don’t seem necessary any more, still have their theological meaning and also connect us with the past.

I wonder sometimes whether the “extra-liturgical” things that have become common would, given a few centuries, ever be codified as part of the liturgy itself.

If things continue to develop without intervention, would the rubrics eventually include an instruction for the deacon to turn to the people after the announcements and give a monition to show a sign of appreciation for the choir? Relatis notitiis, diaconus ad populum conversus dicit Plaudite choro et sequitur plausus.) Would there be a vesting prayer for the wireless microphone? Would the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion be required to process into the sanctuary in discreet groups, each group indicating to the congregation that X more are still needed, until all positions are filled?

Interesting thoughts.

So, I presided at a Communion service this morning. I preached a short homily basically about the difference between the service and Mass and the necessity of the priesthood/Eucharist for the existence of the parish community.

I really wanted to avoid having to preach on the Gospel reading for today:

Jesus said to them in reply,
“Have you not read what David did
when he and those who were with him were hungry?
How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering,
which only the priests could lawfully eat.

I nearly had a wreck when I drove past the Rolla Technical Institute this morning. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw this sign and seriously considered applying.

When there is to be a children’s liturgy of the word at Solemn Mass, a subdeacon, vested in tunicle but without maniple, processes in before the priest, deacon, and subdeacon. At a Sung Mass or a Low Mass, a lector may take the place of the subdeacon.

After the collect, the subdeacon of the children’s liturgy removes his tunicle and vests in a cope.

When the subdeacon of the Mass approaches the priest with the Epistularium, the other subdeacon approaches with the Epistularium ad parvulos. Both subdeacons kneel next to one another and receive the priest’s blessing.

As the subdeacon of the Mass turns to his proper place, the subdeacon of the children’s liturgy proceeds to the altar rail, accompanied by an acolyte with lighted candle.

When they reach the altar rail, the children of the parish who lack the use of reason approach two by two (bini et bini) and genuflect. They remain standing in formation as the subdeacon of the children’s liturgy leaves the sanctuary with the acolyte.

The priest turns, having begun the epistle at the altar, turns and gives a blessing.

The children genuflect with the subdeacon and proceed to the place where the children’s liturgy is to be held.

What do you think of when you think of Ipsissima Verba?

Here are the top ten searches according to Alexa.com that lead people to my website:

Some strike me as a bit … strange. By far (according to the server logs for years now) most people who come to this blog are searching for a translation of the phrase “Quid est veritas?” Maybe I should make a special page for them. I could have the main page see what people searched for, and then have it conditionally redirect to an explanation that this is a blog but that “Quid est veritas?” means “What is truth?”

Check out these hilarious product names from Peru. I could hear the other patrons of the tiendas talking about me, the American tourist, who walked into the shop and started snapping photos, but it was worth it.

Nick obtained a copy of a satirical piece from prior times. I’ll translate it (from Latin), and maybe transcribe it later.

My translation:

Quaeritur: Reverend brother, how many sacraments are there in the Roman Catholic Church?

Resp.: There are eight sacraments, namely: Baptism, Confirmation, etc. … the last is the Sacred order of canons (in the vernacular, Monsignors).

Quaeritur: When and with what words did Christ institute this sacrament?

Resp.: He instituted it on Mount Olivet when he said to his disciples: “Sleep and rest awhile.”

Quaeritur: What qualities are required to receive this sacrament?

Resp.: These three qualities are required:
a) advanced age (aetas superadulta, which can refer to super-marriageable age);
b) pre-eminence of the body (praestantia corporis);
c) poverty of spirit.

Quaeritur: Is every quality necessary for validity or only for liceity in receiving the sacrament?

Resp.: To clarify: The first two are only for liceity, because they are often dispensed from. But the third is absolutely required for validity, because it can never be dispensed from.

Quaeritur: Is this renowned sacrament a sacrament of the living or of the dead?

Resp.: It is clearly a sacrament of the living, for it is required that the subject upon whom it is conferred is in already in the good graces (in gratia) of his Bishop or superior.

Quaeritur: Does this sacrament confer a character?

Resp.: Not at all. On the contrary, it removes all character.

Quaeritur: What are the duties of monsignors?

Resp.: The duties of monsignors are enumerated in the Apocalypse of St. John the Apostle, namely: to stand before the throne and, like the four animals, to say always, “Amen! Amen!”

Quaeritur: With what words and ceremonies does the bishop grant the dignity of monsignor?

Resp.: The bishop says: Receive a mantle (mantellus) to wear secundum ventum [Literally "following the wind." In its literal sense, it means "when it is windy," but figuratively it means "according to your whims."]

Quaeritur: What are the privileges of this sacrament?

Resp.: In the celebration of Mass, monsignors can say four times: “Lord, I am not worthy,” etc.

Estoy esperando en el aeropuerto ahora, and I just got coffee at Starbucks. I just wanted black coffee, and their menu lists “el cafe del dia” (sorry no accents, I’m too lazy).

Here’s how it went down:

Starbucks employee: Que quieres a tomar? [What do you want to drink]

I: Que es el cafe del dia? [What is the coffee of the day?]

SE: Cafe del dia? Cual talla? [Coffee of the day? What size?]

I: (emphatically) Que es? [What is it?]

SE: What size?

I: Que es el cafe del dia? [What is the coffee of the day?]

SE: What size (indicating the different sizes)

I: Alto, por favor. [Tall, please.]

Here’s a bad joke I came up with just now:

Q: What did Pontius Pilate say when St Thomas Aquinas asked him to prove Christ’s divinity?

A: “I find no cause in him” (John 18:38).

If you haven’t seen it yet, you may want to check out Garfield Minus Garfield, a website that a friend of mine pointed out to me today.