They don't like the Benedictine Arrangement one bit

Over at Pray Tell someone called Fritz has been discussing the question of orientation at Mass and has suggested that the Benedictine arrangement may be idolatry:

"If I were to put this polemically, which of course I would never do, I would say that identifying the crucifix rather than the Eucharist as the point of orientation skirts the edge of idolatry. This point seems so obvious to me that I wonder what is going on with those who continue to put forward the idea of common orientation toward the crucifix. Could this be a case of a poor idea gaining momentum simply because it has been suggested by an authoritative source (i.e. Pope Benedict)."

There is more here. They don't like it. They don't understand it. Now they are calling it names.

Does anyone know what this deacon is doing?

The Pimpernel is at a loss to know what this deacon is doing. More photos from the liturgy concerned are here. Suggestions in a comment please.

It's nice to know this still happens.

An 'Alleluia' with a difference:

Save the Altar Girls

An endangered species (left)

The times they are a changin'. It seems that liberal liturgists and theologians are so worried about the plight of altar girls in some places that they have started a "Save the Altar Girls" campaign to rescue this endangered species.

"Moves to limit laywomen’s access to the altar threaten to drag the church back into the pre-Vatican II world. One wonders if next the altar rail will return, another barrier between the priests and the people" they whine.

If you want to read more of the drivel being written about all of this go over to America magazine and enjoy. It is a lesson in the bad liturgy and bad theology that has plagued the Church for the past few decades.

But for sure, it's a good sign that these people are worried.

Meantime, why not send a note of appreciation to pastors who keep the tradition of male servers at the altar?

Pray for the leaders of the SSPX

Tomorrow, October 7th, the leaders of the Society of Saint Pius X will meet in Albano, Italy, to discuss their response to the Preamble and Canonical Structure presented by the Holy See on September 14th. The Pimpernel calls all to use the spiritual weapons at their disposal 'Pro Ecclesiae Unitate' be that the rosary, assisting at Mass, offering Mass, praying the Divine Office, other types of prayer, fasting, etc. Grace can win what man does not dare to hope for. To arms!

Remember Thiberville?

It seems that the displaced Abbé Michel of Thiberville, France, continues to have the support of his people and in the best of French traditions is continuing his priestly ministry in spite of his absurd bishop. More information here.

It's all too much for poor boy Bobby

Readers may not have noticed, but poor boy Bobby (Mickens) of the Tablet is obsessed by ritual and liturgical details. He claims not to think they are important, but his obsession with the embroidery of the stole worn by the Pope in Germany yesterday is worthy of old-time scruples. It's nice to know that the illiberal-liberals are still young enough to draw breath. But only for a while. Bobby's rant on the blog of the Pill:

Pope Benedict XVI and his closest liturgical aides -- Mgr Guido Marini, the master of ceremonies, and Mgr Georg Gaenswein, his personal secretary -- pay careful attention to what type of vestments he wears and for which occasions.

So it was interesting to note that on Friday, during an ecumenical prayer service in the former Augustinian church (now Protestant) where Martin Luther was ordained and celebrated his first Mass, the Pope wore a stole that depicted his personal coat of arms topped by the triple-crown tiara. Talk about sending a message! If there is anyone who railed against the imperial papacy, it was surely Luther.

You might remember that much was made of the fact that, upon his election, Benedict XVI was the first pope ever to relinquish the tiara for his coat of arms and replace it with a bishop's mitre. But since Mgr G. Marini was hired he he has worn any number of vestments that include his arms topped with the triple-crown. And, of course, the Pope publicly received a tiara that was given to him as a gift and once hung a tapestry below his window overlooking St Peter's Square showing his papal shield with the tiara.

Aides justify all this is as being part of that "hermeneutic of continuity". But sometimes there is a good reason to throw things out or put them on the shelf for good. Not everything that was deemed necessary in the past is good for the present - or helpful in moving into the future.