A Perfect Lent?

I've never had a perfect Lent. I guess a less than perfect Lent provides lessons in humility I must need.

As an Oblate to Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, I set out my Lenten agenda each year - my bona opera - with the best of intentions. Ultimately I have to ask forgiveness for my missteps, although I do not plan to have them. I keep praying for a perfect Lent.

My bona opera this year includes the following:

1. Working through "The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius" - since the "Exercises" last only 4 weeks, I will read Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina by Michael Casey.
2. Leading one of the "Christ In Our Neighborhood" weekly sessions for the 6 weeks of Lent.
3. Writing poetry based on my Lenten experiences this year. I'm trying to involve people in my parish to participate so I can put together an Anthology, but people are kind of hesitant about writing poetry. 

The only alms I can give this year will have to be donations of useful items, or I will serve in other ways at my parish. (I was laid off from my job last August so I don't have money to give,)

• What are your plans for Lent? 
• Do you look forward to this holy season? 
• Would you be willing to write a poem about your Lenten or Easter experiences and post it here?

"Curmudgeon"

The word "curmudgeon" is normally attached to a "bad-tempered or surly person." I am not either - at least I don't see myself that way at all. I decided on the word as I thought about Andy Rooney, who was indeed a curmudgeon. I loved to watch Rooney when he closed "60 Minutes" with his commentary. As crabby as he could be, he was also amusing.

For this blog, I hope most readers will take the word "curmudgeon" in a lighthearted way, as I did Rooney. I know I'm attempting to attach a new meaning to the word. Forgive me. My next post on Tridentine Latin Mass will fit my idea of a curmudgeonly discussion. Pretty tame, I think.

Please comment.

Tridentine Masses

Yesterday, I sat with five other women at a Church luncheon. We prayed, we chatted, and we ate lasagna with an impossibly huge slice of cheesecake for dessert. (We all agreed that it wasn't the cheesecake that we loved so much, it was the graham cracker crust.)

During a lull in our conversations, I asked if any of them they thought the Tridentine Latin Mass should be offered at more parishes. To a person, they said "yes" enthusiastically and added that attending a Latin Mass made them feel more Holy. Of course, we immediately acknowledged that it would take training more priests in the Latin Rite. We speculated on seminaries that might offer that training, but didn't know of any off hand.

In my opinion, Latin Masses seem more reverent - women with veils, quiet in prayer, walking in soft-soled shoes. I am an Oblate at Prince of Peace Abbey, although time and travel have made it difficult to get to the Oblate meetings. I feel the connection deeply. It's where I go for my Gregorian Chant fixes. Heavenly!.

So, my question to you, my readers (I'm sure I'll have some soon): what do you think about Latin Masses. Should they be offered in more parishes? What is your experience?

Come on...don't be shy! I look forward to your thinking.

What do you think?

For the record, I love the Church. It took me a lifetime to become a Catholic and I treasure my faith more everyday. My strongest influence was the pre-Vatican II Church when I traveled in Europe with my family. I was always pulled toward the churches and cathedrals - my family never understood that part of me. They were supportive, but still never quite understood

As I've settled into the rhythm and thinking of the Church, I've found many "cradle" or long-time Catholics are aware that converts or reverts are the most ardent Catholics. Are you one of those? If so, please post your thoughts here; however, be reverent. This is not a place to post heavy grievances or slam the Church - such posts will be deleted. What would you like your brothers and sisters in Christ to know about your journey into the Church and your experiences since your confirmation? What has surprised you? If you could change a thing or two (but you wouldn't because you're Catholic and you respect the Church), what would it be?