The 10 Most Popular Posts of 2019
Who doesn’t like top ten lists? These are the top ten post hits on the blog for this past year. Not all of the posts receiving the hits were necessarily written this year. Apparently, their appeal is enduring.
In addition, for posts that are part of a numbered series (Novena to the Holy Deacons, I’m looking at you), I’ve only listed the top post.
TEN: A Plea for Beauty in the Sacred Liturgy
Posted on 13 January 2019
Superman fights for “truth, justice, and the American way!” We should fight for the three transcendentals: truth, beauty, and goodness.
The transcendentals were known to the Ancient Greeks, but Catholic theologians quickly baptized them into their study of philosophy and theology.
Transcendentals are the timeless …
NINE: Ceremonies Explained for Servers – Again
Posted on 04 December 2019
Now that a copy of Bishop Elliott’s latest book is finally in my hands and shipping from both the publisher and Amazon, it’s time to reprint my initial review, below.
I did some minimal editing for clarity, and I’ve added a note about the illustrations at the end.
As an additional note, I will be revising …
EIGHT: Rorate Mass Resources – in the Ordinary Form
Posted on 12 December 2018
Last year about this time, our parish of Holy Rosary celebrated a Rorate Mass in the Ordinary Form. And what, pray tell, is a Rorate Mass?
The name comes from the opening words of the Entrance Antiphon, Rorate cæli desuper, Latin for “Drop down dew, ye heavens”. The Rorate Mass is a Solemn Votive Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated in Advent. It is traditionally celebrated by candlelight on the high altar, and sung in Gregorian Chant. The sky is dawning just as it finishes. This is to symbolize the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. …
SEVEN: Vesting Prayers
Posted on 29 March 2017 (2018: 6th)
One of my volunteer positions at my parish is that of MC and Altar Server coordinator. Since I started in that position, we’ve made any number of changes. One of the simplest and most profound, though, was the reintroduction of Vesting Prayers.
And what are they? In the immemorial tradition of the Roman Rite, certain prayers were recited while vesting for Mass. Indeed, each vestment had its own specific prayer, that alluded to the symbolic meaning behind that particular vestment.
Such things weirdly fell out of favour following the liturgical reform. …
Six: Hopes and Prayers for a New Pastor
Posted on 08 May 2011 (2016: 2nd; 2017: 3rd; 2018: 5th)
We learned at Mass today that our parish priest, Rev. Carmine Sacco, S.J. is retiring some time this year.
We also learned that the Jesuits have appointed Rev. Gene Delmore, S.J. to succeed him. A quick search revealed that Fr. Delmore is currently serving as associate pastor of Saint Joseph’s in Yakima, and that he is scheduled to leave there in July.
I pray that Fr. Delmore is a good man and a …
FIVE: Novena to the Holy Deacons, Day 1: Saint Stephen
Posted on 29 November 2015 (2017: 5th; 2018: 3rd)
O glorious Saint Stephen, first Martyr for the Faith, filled with compassion for those who invoke you, with love for those who suffer, heavily laden with the weight of my troubles. I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need under your special protection the Joyful Servants, that they may serve faithfully in your love to all. Vouchsafe to recommend it to our Lord Jesus. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted. Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day meet God face to face, and with you and Mary and all the angels and saints praise Him through all eternity.
FOUR: Farewell, Deacon Fish
Posted on 04 November 2019
Effective today, Deacon Jim Fish has resigned his position as Pastoral Coordinator of our parish of Holy Rosary.
Once more, Holy Rosary is without pastoral leadership.
Please, in your charity, pray for our parish.
THREE: Review: Monastic Diurnal at One Year
Posted on 24 July 2015 (2016: 1st; 2017: 1st; 2018: 2nd)
Although I’ve prayed some form of the Divine Office since before my baptism, just over a year ago I began using the Farnborough Monastic Diurnal. It is only at this point that I feel confident enough to review it. …
TWO: Holy Rosary, Transitioning Again: a Plea for the Future of our Parish
Posted on 05 May 2019
My parish of Holy Rosary has been going through a rough year. I’ve restrained myself from speaking too much about it, although I did have numerous posts on the inciting incident: the sudden collapse and then death of our pastor Father Michael Wagner last year. …
ONE: “Close and Raze”
Posted on 27 August 2019
This past weekend, our parish received a letter from the Archbishop of Seattle, His Excellency J. Peter Sartain. In it, he informed us that it was his decision to issue a decree to “close and raze” our parish church of Holy Rosary. …
Quite a few new posts on the list, mixed in with some old stalwarts. The number one post had so many views that it actually broke into the top five posts of all time. Quite a feat.
What was your favorite this year? Any favorites that didn’t make the list?
Thank you to each and every one of my readers. You guys are the best.