May 31, 2015, Sunday, Feast of the Most Holy Trinity — The Glory of God Before All Else There is a Benedictine community in Ireland called Silverstream Priory in County Meath. The Prior today sent out a reflection on his country and the Catholic faith which seemed worth sharing.. . (link) Restoring Ireland to Christ Sunday, 31 May 2015 In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity, from Whom is all authority and to Whom, as our final end, all actions both of men and States must be referred . . . . Thus begins the Constitution of Ireland. It is fitting that we recall these words today, on this feast of the Most Holy Trinity. All actions both of men and States must be referred to the Most Holy Trinity: an extraordinary affirmation, and one that we do well to ponder today. Over the past fortnight, events in Ireland have generated discussions, commentary, and lamentations among the clergy and laity alike. A sorrow hangs over the land. I am hearing groaning and witnessing tears. Amidst all of this, there is scant reference to the Most Holy Trinity, the wellspring and model of all inter–personal, familial, and societal relations. Some have spoken of the end of Catholicism in Ireland, noting the fulfillment of what Father D. Vincent Twomey, S.V.D. in 2003, had already described and analysed in his prophetic book, The End of Irish Catholicism. Others have described feeling something like unto what Ezekiel experienced when he witnessed the Glory of God departing from the temple. “And the glory of the Lord went forth from the threshold of the temple” (Ezekiel 10:18). You will recall that on March 19th, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI addressed a Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland. The letter was a lifeline extended to the Church in Ireland. Like all the writings of Pope Benedict XVI, the letter, although it addressed a painful reality fraught with shame, was serene, luminous, and full of hope. It was, at once, a challenge, an opportunity, and a grace. Five years later, one wonders if the letter ever reach those to whom Pope Benedict XVI addressed it. Was the letter delivered? If it was delivered, into whose hands did it fall? Was the letter read at all? If it was read, was it taken to heart? Did the challenge provoke any response? Was the opportunity seized? Was the grace welcomed? I am put in mind of Our Lord’s parable about the sower and the seed: Behold the sower went forth to sow. And whilst he soweth some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and ate them up. And other some fell upon stony ground, where they had not much earth: and they sprung up immediately, because they had no deepness of earth. And when the sun was up they were scorched: and because they had not root, they withered away. And others fell among thorns: and the thorns grew up and choked them. And others fell upon good ground: and they brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and some thirtyfold. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:3–9) The reality remains that, twelve years after Father Twomey’s book, and five years after the letter of Pope Benedict XVI, the Church in Ireland finds herself in a crisis from which, not a few are saying, she will not emerge. People of goodwill are attempting to identify the root of Ireland’s spiritual pathology. Some would argue that it has to do with the cultural shift away from immutable objective values, and the consequent spiraling down into the tyranny of relativism. Others would wish for an Irish Savonarola to rouse sleepy consciences, denounce vice, and spearhead moral reform. Still others would wish for a new rising of intellectual insurgents and articulate theologians capable of appealing to reason: teachers of the true faith gifted with eloquence; orthodox catechists; zealous apologists; a new Frank Duff and a new Fulton J. Sheen. I would identify a different pathology and propose a different remedy. Allow me, if you will, to relate a fact communicated to me not a fortnight ago. Two men well known to me attended Holy Mass — it was a Sunday — at a national shrine here in Ireland. They returned disheartened by the manner in which the Holy Sacrifice was celebrated: the rushed pace of the sacred rites, the breezy disregard of the rubrics, and a general impression of liturgical minimalism. What shocked them most, however, was this: although the Mass was that of a Sunday in Paschaltide, the priest arbitrarily, and in flagrant violation of what the Roman Missal prescribes, omitted the Gloria of the Mass.
You may be asking yourself, “What of it? Is this not a mere detail in the bigger scheme of things. With all that is going on in Ireland at present, surely there is no need to get worked up over the fact that a priest deprived God and the people of the Gloria at a Sunday Mass”. I would argue that this omission of the Gloria at a Sunday Mass in a national shrine is patently symptomatic of Ireland’s spiritual pathology. One believes as one worships, and one acts as one believes. Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi. Worship is the ground of doctrine, and doctrine shapes morality. The glory of God comes before all else. Pope Benedict XVI, reflecting in 2013 on his experience of the Second Vatican Council said: I find now, looking back, that it was a very good idea to begin with the liturgy, because in this way the primacy of God could appear, the primacy of adoration. “Operi Dei nihil praeponatur” [Let nothing be put before the Work of God]: this phrase from the Rule of Saint Benedict (cf. 43:3) thus emerges as the supreme rule of the Council. Some have made the criticism that the Council spoke of many things, but not of God. It did speak of God! And this was the first thing that it did, that substantial speaking of God and opening up all the people, the whole of God’s holy people, to the adoration of God, in the common celebration of the liturgy of the Body and Blood of Christ. In this sense, over and above the practical factors that advised against beginning straight away with controversial topics, it was, let us say, truly an act of Providence that at the beginning of the Council was the liturgy, God, adoration. One who is dismissive of the liturgical praise of the Most Holy Trinity will, inevitably, slide into a dismissive attitude with regard to Catholic doctrine; and one who is fuzzy about Catholic doctrine will, inevitably, descend into moral relativism and, ultimately, social chaos. The restoration of Ireland to Christ must begin — not in the media, nor in the schools, nor even in the pulpit — but at the altar. Not for nothing have some perceptive wits quipped that to save the liturgy is to save the world. This is, in fact, the teaching of the Second Vatican Council: Every liturgical celebration, because it is an action of Christ the priest and of His Body which is the Church, is a sacred action surpassing all others; no other action of the Church can equal its efficacy by the same title and to the same degree. . . . The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows. (Sacrosanctum Concilium, articles 7 and 10) In making this declaration, the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council were echoing the timeless teaching that Pope Saint Pius X promulgated 112 years ago, at the dawn of the last century: Filled as We are with a most ardent desire to see the true Christian spirit flourish in every respect and be preserved by all the faithful, We deem it necessary to provide before anything else for the sanctity and dignity of the temple, in which the faithful assemble for no other object than that of acquiring this spirit from its foremost and indispensable font, which is the active participation in the most holy mysteries and in the public and solemn prayer of the Church. If the true Christian spirit is not flourishing in Irish society, might this not be because the glory of God has not been put before else? Might it not be because the vertical dimension of Catholicism has been mortally compromised by an approach to the sacred liturgy that offers no piercing through the limitations of time and space into the eternity of God and the unfading beauty of His kingdom? Might it not be because in too many churches there is not a whiff of the fragrance of a lavish love? Might it not be because in too many sanctuaries there is no evidence of a preciousointment poured out without regard for passing concerns? It is no mere liturgical peccadillo to deprive God and His people of the Gloria at Sunday Mass. It is a cheap compromise with relativistic pragmatism, evidence of doctrinal confusion, and a symptom of the prevailing secularism that places the convenience and comfort of men before the praise of the glory of God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Others are free to expound on what they perceive to be the right means by which Ireland will be restored to Christ. I respect their intuitions and honour their zeal. “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 4:15), by placing at the beginning of this glorious restoration, what the Fathers placed at the beginning of the Second Vatican Council, the liturgy, God, and adoration, and what Saint Benedict enjoins upon us in his Holy Rule: Operi Dei nihil praeponatur, “To prefer nothing to the Work of God” (Rule of Saint Benedict 43:3). "In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity, from Whom is all authority and to Whom, as our final end, all actions both of men and States must be referred . . ." Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. ===========================
Sad to hear that silverstream monastery is under CDF (in the vatican) investigation, also garda and irish charity regulator investigation as well. The prior of that monastery who is an American, I think(no proof yet) that he wrote the book - 'in sinu jesu'. Garda investigation relates to sexual assaults and misappropriation of funds as well. Charity regulator relates on misappropriation of funds and also role of directors as well. Bishop of that diocese may have fallen asleep in this as its he who granted the charity to be set up and run etc re silverstream . Some questionable decisions alleged made by the prior (no proof yet) that it was reported to the garda and charity regulator investigations. So he's on sick leave somewhere probably back in the states or in Europe. Its obvious that fans of ND(Novus ordo) mass were glad re this.
I think this is a kind of Icon Trads use to show the state of the Church (in a state of collapse and dereliction) within which the perfection of the Old Liturgy is maintained. A kind of statement
They are being listened to more and more. I am amazed how many young people attend the Old Rite Mass and so zealous for it. When i was young the Old Rite was considered old fashioned fuddy duddy, spiderwebs and dying. But now it is fashionable and flourishing. Far from dying , its growth rate is phenomenal. I heard of one Diocese in the USA recently in which the Old Rite is so popular that an entire Diocese has gone over to it. It is very, very beautiful , far, far, far superior to the Novus Ordo. like the first time we drink Whiskey it takes a little getting used to; but once the taste is acquired there is just no turning back.
Can you imagine what spiritual attack this Priest is undergoing right now? He has a very deep spiritual book that is being read world wide --In Sinu Jesu. I am reading it now, it is awesome. He has started a monastery in Ireland, where they are falling away. Satan is crazy livid with anger at this Priest! The poor man is being investigated and condemned . . .assumed guilty before being proved innocent. It reminds me of the Kavanaugh inquest last year. I am praying so hard for the Priest to endure. We have all been there . . .attacked when trying to do the right and moral things God wants of us. It is not easy, but we must persevere. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Oh, I didn't realise!! Wow!! Is that who it is!! World famous indeed, a great mystic. I must try and get down to meet him, it would be a little like meeting Padre Pio when he was alive. I had no idea...and Trad too...amazing.
No wonder they are getting many vocations from all around the world. I understand now. How interesting. I really have to go, see. A Great Work of God.
I hope he is alright, offering up mass, poor man. It's his fellow clergy he would need to watch. When they come for him I guarantee it will be a clerical led lynch mob.
Lets pray for the prior and the priory. I was very impressed by them when I first heard they were in Ireland.
QUOTE="Katfalls, post: 300660, member: 4364"]Can you imagine what spiritual attack this Priest is undergoing right now? He has a very deep spiritual book that is being read world wide --In Sinu Jesu. I am reading it now, it is awesome. He has started a monastery in Ireland, where they are falling away. Satan is crazy livid with anger at this Priest! The poor man is being investigated and condemned . . .assumed guilty before being proved innocent. It reminds me of the Kavanaugh inquest last year. I am praying so hard for the Priest to endure. We have all been there . . .attacked when trying to do the right and moral things God wants of us. It is not easy, but we must persevere. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.[/QUOTE] I visited SIlverstream last winter. The Irish countryside can be very bleak in winter. I felt sorry for the monks. They didn't even have a proper church. I think it was the Prior who celebrated the Mass the day I was there, and he didn't look to be in the best of health. There's an interview on youtube that he did with Christine Niles in 2014. He told her that, in 2005, he had been diagnosed with scleroderma which caused him to develop pulmonary fibrosis. That's what led to his founding the monastery. Here's some info about scleroderma: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scleroderma . He seems to have a severe form of it. God help him. Here's the Christine Niles interview:
Thank you so much for sharing this! I enjoyed every minute of it . . .such a holy man. I will put him on my daily prayer list . . . I visited SIlverstream last winter. The Irish countryside can be very bleak in winter. I felt sorry for the monks. They didn't even have a proper church. I think it was the Prior who celebrated the Mass the day I was there, and he didn't look to be in the best of health. There's an interview on youtube that he did with Christine Niles in 2014. He told her that, in 2005, he had been diagnosed with scleroderma which caused him to develop pulmonary fibrosis. That's what led to his founding the monastery. Here's some info about scleroderma: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scleroderma . He seems to have a severe form of it. God help him. Here's the Christine Niles interview: [/QUOTE]
Yes, and living there can't be good for his health. The place needs a lot of work. I hope and pray that there's no truth to the allegations and that it's all a misunderstanding. I had intended making a return visit before winter sets in and had been checking out their website. Only the shop is open to the public until the covid scare is over so I'll leave it 'til next year.
