During Advent, everything is dialling back: there are no flowers in our churches, the gloria is omitted during Mass and the colour is purple. The church is preparing for Christ’s coming with Christmas. We sing “Veni, Veni, Immanuel” and the “Rorate Caeli” only during this season. But on Dec. 8 the colour gets bright, the church flares up: it is the Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception. There’s a reason that this Solemnity is on the calendar at the beginning of Advent. It helps us to understand the coming of Christ better. It really helps preparing for Christmas.
A lot of Catholics think, because we are preparing for Christ’s birth, this feast is referring to the Immaculate Conception of Jesus, when the virgin Mary became pregnant of the Holy Spirit. This is not the case. We celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Christ’s mother, the Virgin Mary, also called in the Bible the second Eve. From Catholics to Protestants the general agreement is that Genesis 3:15 refers to the Blessed Virgin giving birth to the one who would crush the snake’s head.
The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all cattle, and above all wild animals; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
This is a transcript of episode 23 of “A Journey into the Land of the Spirit” podcast. Like I promised in the podcast I transcribed the segment about statues and graven images for those who want to refer back to it.
I want to delve deeper in a topic that’s discussed often. As a new Catholic I have to explain this to my friends, who are still Protestant all the time. The most common question I will be asked is “Why do Catholics worship statues?”. And the short answer always is: “Catholics don’t worship statues”.
Their response often is “But you’ve got tons of statues in your churches”, on which I respond, “Sure, be we don’t worship those”. Usually the next comment is “But God forbids making statues, why do you make statues where God forbids you to do so?”. My response to that surprises most Protestants. First I throw back another question: “Why do you keep pictures of your loved ones in your wallet even though you see them every day? You must know by now how they look like?” Then I usually say “But God doesn’t forbid making statues, there are quite a number of Bible passages in which God commands us to make objects for veneration, but that’s something different then worshipping them of course”. Usually that’s the point where my friends are really curious, let me explain where my answer comes from.
Visiting lots of friends, more catechism lessons, Groningen-Leeuwarden has a new bishop, exegesis and hermeneutics: are there differences in the way Catholics and Protestants read and interpret the Bible. Biting the bullet: I will be confirmed in the Catholic Church on August 10th. Why I made that decision in a short time and why I didn’t decide to wait.Why I feel jinxed. Reading more Confessions of St. Augustine.
Easter Vigil 2009 was great! For me, this is one of the most awesome Masses of the whole liturgical year! During Mass I tried to make some pictures with my cell phone, but with the flash switched off. I didn’t want to ruin other people’s devotion. I hope you get an impression how Mass was like, but it’s better to actually be there. But the next opportunity is in 2010, so until then, you’ll have to do with the pictures!
Photo by MacariusIn our cathedral we sing the ‘Solesmes’ version of the Stabat Mater, in my opinion it’s simple but very beautiful. You hear one of our choir members, Sjoukje singing in the front of the cathedral and Mark singing along seated next to me.
When you click on ‘Read more’, you’ll find the lyrics of the chant.
Photo by mollycakesGood morning! I just came back from the cathedral… Last night I spent the night chanting and praying with a number of other fellow parishioners.
It started last night at 9pm with the “Dark Matins” sung in Gregorian by our new Schola: Schola Nova Gregoriana. They just started and this was their first performance and I must say that they really sound good already. It’s very promising. We’re really spoiled to have two full scholas in our parish and one very good choir. After they finished, the All Night Vigil started 45 minutes later. We prayed a full rosary, we listened to a reading from Isaiah 1:1-20, did the Litany of the Holy and Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ; we did the Office of Readings for Good Friday, the second reading bySt. John Chrysostom, who was bishop of Constantinople († 407) and right after that we sung the Stabat Mater, the Solesmes version. I think that’s the most beautiful version I’ve ever sung. Everything was wrapped up by our priest at 7:00 am, by praying Lauds. I really REALLY liked doing it, hoping we have some more All Night Vigils in the coming year!
Mark wearing my mantilla. He’s still claiming he was forced to do it. Too bad you’re a Catholic, Mark, they have free will! You should have considered that before being baptised Protestants on the other hand claim they DON’T have free will…
A while ago I found this short clip in which they explain how hosts are being made. I found it quite interesting. Most interesting of all was the music they were playing in the factory… :nungrin:
Yesterday I wrote the first part of my conversion story, today I want to finish it. After my Confirmation I went to Germany and Austria for my holiday together with my godmother. We started our travels in Kehlheim in Bavaria and we stayed in a Benedictine Abbey in the small village of Weltenburg. Goal of our holiday was walking in the footsteps of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. We stayed literally at the banks of the river Danube. I really LOVED the Benedictine atmosphere over there. After that we continued our travels to Austria, and again we stayed with a religious order. But this time it was a completely different order, they were the Missionaries of St. Peter Claver which is a relatively modern order and they are sisters, not nuns. I really REALLY missed being with the Benedictines, the contrast was rather strong. But it was here where I had a real strong religious experience.
Taquoriaan has decided against going to the birthday party: I haven't had a moment for my self during the last week. I need to refuel for next week. :( [Taquoriaan].
Taquoriaan Getting a shower and thinking over the idea that I am invited for a birthday party tonight. My day was busy already, is this wise? [Taquoriaan].
Taquoriaan Had a great session at the neuropsychologist. I'm a bit bummed though that it caused me to miss the Stations of the Cross this week. :( [Taquoriaan].
Taquoriaan Back inside. Had lunch and an energy boost. Preparing to leave for another appointment and after that Stations of the Cross in the cathedral [Taquoriaan].
During Advent, everything is dialling back: there are no flowers in our churches, the gloria is omitted during Mass and the colour is purple. The church is preparing for Christ’s coming with Christmas. We sing “Veni, Veni, Immanuel” and the “Rorate Caeli” only during this season. But on Dec. 8 the colour gets bright, the church flares up: it is the Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception. There’s a reason that this Solemnity is on the calendar at the beginning of Advent. It helps us to understand the coming of Christ better. It really helps preparing for Christmas.
Last night I spent the night chanting and praying with a number of other fellow parishioners.
Protestants on the other hand claim they DON’T have free will… 
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