From All Over

The celing of the gallery in Louvre, Paris from "Left-footer"
Hehe.. ugly!

The residence of Benedict XVI from "the Pinoy Catholic"
Simplicity with beauty. So orderly.

Lego Cathedral with pews and other details from "the Hermeneutic of Continuity"
Awesome!

Losing Heart in the Digital Continent

Fr. Ray Blake had noticed the silence in the blogosphere. Pope Benedict XVI encouraged the evangelization of the digital continent and the need to put a heart into it. Bloggers and Facebook pages were really active because it was indeed a big mission field. Homilies and addresses of BXVI were posted to elucidate on so many things. Although he wasn't dramatic, his call was edifying. It was a call to greatness. There was a sense of universality in his pontificate- rich and poor, western and eastern, young and old. I am totally biased.

Is the digital continent losing heart?

The Catholic STAND was clearer then. Pro-life against pro-abortion and so on in different issues and teachings. Suddenly, it became defend Francis vs correct Francis. Many excellent writers opted out because the confrontation leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Then, there was the renunciation of BXVI that brought on so much emotions, but there was also that oneness of "we are Catholics, this is significant". It was a high and reached its CLIMAX during the conclave but soon after that was a low. Although, Francis was popular most especially with the mainstream media, it was a "Francis High" and not a "Catholic High".

Then, there was that inner TURMOIL among Catholics. The pope is pope is pope. Just remain Catholic. I had reservations from the very start and asked a priest if it's okay not to like the pope. He gave me the levels or degrees as to what is permissible and what could translate to dissent or excommunication.

There is also the unacknowledged sense of WAIT and SEE. Holding our breath though something seems ominous. Political leaders are in place to enact the abortion and same-sex agenda across the world. The bishops and cardinals had been acting like brutes who hate catholicism. The Moslems are on active mode to bring about their end times scenario. There is a SILENCE with deep foreboding amongst Catholics but keenly watching every bit of what's happening.

In the micro level, there is also the financial WOES, THREAT of war and calamity, ANGST over corruption, abuse, and the constant bombardment of all the negatives.

You hear so many people getting tired and LOSING STEAM.

The digital continent is also SETTLING DOWN, facebook has evolved into pages and less of that connection for family and friends. Although many will still hold on to their account, no one would spend so much time on it. Twitter with its simple platform remains to be the arena or public forum.

Well, spurts will still come. Catholics will still need to be in the digital continent. A reprieve, perhaps, but getting ready for the next chapter.

Reactions to Pope's Restrictions on FI's TLM

Rorate Cæli reported the Pope's restrictions on the Latin Masses officiated by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. Although, I don't attend EF Masses, I was saddened that somehow it will hold back the propagation of the TLM which of yet has not flourished. Its presence would certainly bring back the solemnity and sacredness of the Holy Mass in the Novus Ordo and bring Jesus as the Center and Source of the Mass.

I have not read Fr. Z's article on this but it seems, he got more passionate reactions than the Pope's actuation. It surely did for Ars Orandi, I find Ars Orandi a beautiful website that posts the Collect of the Day. Another reaction and a sobering one was from Australia Incognita.

Dr. Taylor Marshall also wrote about the TLM and FI and advised readers not to go to Traditionalists' blogs like Rorate Cæli. Somehow, I like the Traditionalists' blogsites, even the satirical ones. They don't gloss over Church events and personalities. They critique or praise when warranted. And to me, it shows their conviction of the True Church that remains holy and fount of truth not because of its members but because of its founder - Jesus Christ.