Would you “Go On Record”?

The Catholic Peace Fellowship has started a new web project, We Go On Record. We Go On Record is an online community and posting site that allows individuals to literally go on record and state their beliefs about war. This is particularly important to individuals that do not believe in war as a morally-acceptable course of action, since if a draft is ever enacted, the local draft board would make a decision about whether or not an individual should go off to boot camp.

Using this website would allow individuals to go back and point to a historical record of their objections to war. If you have issues with the military institution, the use of war in the world and would like to do one more thing to protect yourself in a draft is activated, then you should spend a few minutes on this new website.

Fraternal Order of Deacons?

I wonder, is there a “fraternal society” of deacons? I have heard of various societies for priests, like the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross, an association of diocesan priests who are united to Opus Dei. Priests who join this association are still completely under the jurisdiction of their bishop or religious order.

Is there something similar for deacons? Virtually every permanent deacon is within the jurisdiction of a bishop, but can deacons join free associations?

I think such organizations could be beneficial to men who serve the Church through diaconal ministry.

Welcome Home, Tony!

As is being reported by multiple sources, Mr. Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has swam the Tiber and has formally entered full communion with the Catholic Church.

Blair, formerly a member of the Church of England, had been corrected by the Catholic Cardinal for receiving Catholic communion with his family, who are Catholic and regular Mass participants. There has been much speculation that Mr. Blair would become Catholic after leaving office, fueled a great deal when a formal visit to the Holy Father was one of his final acts as Prime Minister. While he was not prohibited by law to be Catholic while Prime Minister (unlike King or Queen of England), converting to Catholicism was an issue his office did not wish to tackle.

Welcome Home, Tony!

Diaconal Quote of the Week

“Deacons are ordained clergy,” he said, “and, together with priests and bishops, they complete what the Patristic Fathers refer to as the ‘fullness of the church hierarchy,’ or the fullness of holy orders. They are not ‘substitute priests,’ but neither are they ‘glorified altar boys.’ They are ordained ministers, sharing in the Sacrament of Holy Orders with bishops and priests, but they have their own unique vocation, which neither priest nor bishop can or should fulfill.”

The Diocese of Tyler is in the midst of an ordination fest with four diaconal ordinations scheduled for this Advent and Christmas Seasons.
Hat tip to the Deacon’s Bench, a new blog on the street.

a piece i’m surprised i never heard before


This is a beautiful choral version of the Angelus by Biebl. The words, in Latin (the language of the piece) and the English translation:

Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mari
et concepit de Spiritu sancto.
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum;
benedicta tu in muleribus,
et benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesus.
Maria dixit: Ecce ancilla Domini;
fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.
Et verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis.
Sancta Maria, mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis,
nunc et in hora mortis nostr, Amen.

The angel of the Lord made his annunciation to Mary
and she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Mary said: Behold the handmaiden of the Lord.
Let it be unto me according to Thy word.
And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners.
Holy Mary, pray for us,
now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

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