Author: Fr. Neil Xavier O’Donoghue
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Is God a “Tourist Attraction”?
I imagine that many readers are already familiar with the photographs of some of England’s ancient cathedrals that have recently been retrofitted with more “relevant” contemporary attractions. Our forebearers went to these Cathedrals to visit the relics displayed there and they formed an important part of the social fabric of the day, but today the…
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Altar Trays: The New Liturgical Abuse?
One of my pet hates is to see extra things placed on the altar. I strongly believe that the altar should not be cluttered. While the altar is one of the principal symbols in a church, before being a symbol or a sacred object, it is a functional piece of furniture. It is meant to hold…
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RNJB versus ESV
Having a pastorally friendly liturgical translation is one of my favourite hobby horses. I hope American and Canadian readers will forgive me if I make another reference the edition of the Lectionary for Mass that is in use in Ireland, England & Wales, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand. I have already posted on this blog…
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Are there things we ought not bless?
I was struck by an articleat Catholic News Agency that reported how the Russian Orthodox Church is considering ending their practice of blessing large weapons including nuclear bombs: Last month, a committee on ecclesial law met in Moscow and recommended ending the practice of blessing missiles and warheads, and suggested that priests should instead bless only…
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Revised New Jerusalem Bible Lectionary for Sundays of Easter
What if the Revised New Jerusalem Bible were to be used in a new lectionary? Here’s how that could look.
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Liturgical Inculturation in the Amazon: Not So Fast
Inculturation is a difficult process.
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Lead Us Not Into Translation!
English speakers need to start reflecting on whether we should advocate for a change in the translation.
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They have taken my Ascension and I do not know where they have put it.
A few years ago Anthony Ruff posted on the merits of transferring the feast of the Ascension from the traditional fortieth day after Easter to the following Sunday. While I can see the logic of transferring it to a Sunday (and also the practical issue that many parishes face of people simply not turning up on…
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Data Protection and the Seal of Confession
I have posted before about the conditions in Ireland, particularly about the challenges of having most of our liturgical catechesis taking place within a school system that is under Catholic patronage (or management), but today with the added challenge that many of the teachers do not regularly practice Catholicism and many of the children receiving…