Interesting essay by Phillip Campbell. I think he is absolutely correct that the Novus Ordo has destroyed so much of the traditional symbolism, but I think that people today are sick of the modernist rationalism and are hungry for symbolic explanations. Its why you see people turning to astrology and tarot and Jungian psychology. It’s why people today, especially the young, flock to the Latin mass.
I agree. But I would add this, which a friend wrote to me:
"There is no stopping symbolism. We are symbolic creatures. The Novus Ordo is replete with symbolism! The priestly vestments made from the same fabric as a child’s Halloween costume, the carpet on the floors, the old ladies distributing communion—these are all symbols. The microphone is an especially powerful symbol. One can symbolize on purpose or one can symbolize by an unconscious inner necessity, but there will be symbols. I once saw a strange structure in front of a church, so strange that I stopped walking to stare at it and think about it: I eventually grasped that it was intended as a symbol of a bell tower--not a bell tower, but a symbol of a bell tower, pointing to the fact the whole building in front of me was a symbol of a church.
By way of addition: the symbolism of the Mass, rooted as it is in the symbolism of Scripture itself, is simply a reflection of reality. The world around us is symbolic through and through. The victory of nominalism contributed to our disconnect from the world’s symbolism, with the consequent push toward a literal-onlyism in Biblical scholarship, but what finally sealed us inside our self-contained secular cosmos was a lack of love. We learned to enjoy the creature instead of using it, and so our minds came to a rest in the creature and did not press through to the One who is to be enjoyed."
Well, about the Pope's writings and quotes that you find reprinted here and there, my brain shuts off and I can't read any of it. I'm sure his encyclical on the Sacred Heart is good, but my will and brain refuse to move forward. I'd rather read something by one of the saints.
Yes. I have frequently said - though many criticize me for this - that when you have a renegade pope, you should avoid his writings and certainly not quote them, even if there are "good bits." The reason is simple: his entire pontificate and magisterium are infected with modern errors, and when we cite him approvingly, we seem to put a mantle of agreement over the entire thing. Or we could lend support to that attitude. I realize people can quote this or that document at me about how we have to respect the pope's magisterium but the fact is, this pope has lost the allegiance of believing Catholics, and unless and until he renounces his errors and makes reparation for his crimes, we are justified in remaining in a state of suspended assent.
So right. I'd rather not waste my time reading something from a Pope who doesn't have the desire to follow the will and teachings of Our Lord. Everything is suspect.
In regards to figuring out Pope Francis and the synod and anything else published by our clergy and theologians today, if you can just mentally switch off the concept of a "Living Magisterium" of which this concept was created and this expression coined (much like the Hermeneutics of Continuity) very recently, and ignore all the recent "Living Magisterial" teachings, and do as Dr. K suggests, stick with pre-1800 writings from the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, you will find peace amid this current rolling catastrophe.
Would like to take this opportunity comment on your description of the Communist party practice of ignoring, suppressing, and/or denying facts and information that it doesn’t want to acknowledge, which I heard during your guest appearance on the Urbi et Orbi broadcast.
The description reminded me of the habits of a certain dysfunctional family I know; and also of the behavior of certain individuals about whom I wonder if the term “narcissist” applies. I don’t know because it’s not my field.
In any case, I think I hear echoes in the characteristics of the three groups; echos of the devil’s music.
Yes, any time you have an extreme attachment to an idea despite realities that contradict it, you are in the presence of an ideology; and the only way it can continue to function is by not only ignoring, but actively destroying or suppressing contrary evidence. This is the method Communists in the Soviet Union had polished to perfection, until the facade collapsed. The same can be seen among modern Catholic liturgists, who will say the Novus Ordo was a huge success right to the moment when the last mainstream parish is being boarded up and locked, and when all the young people are going to the Latin Mass instead.
Where Luce is concerned, by all means, embrace your inner crank!
Absolutely!
Interesting essay by Phillip Campbell. I think he is absolutely correct that the Novus Ordo has destroyed so much of the traditional symbolism, but I think that people today are sick of the modernist rationalism and are hungry for symbolic explanations. Its why you see people turning to astrology and tarot and Jungian psychology. It’s why people today, especially the young, flock to the Latin mass.
I agree. But I would add this, which a friend wrote to me:
"There is no stopping symbolism. We are symbolic creatures. The Novus Ordo is replete with symbolism! The priestly vestments made from the same fabric as a child’s Halloween costume, the carpet on the floors, the old ladies distributing communion—these are all symbols. The microphone is an especially powerful symbol. One can symbolize on purpose or one can symbolize by an unconscious inner necessity, but there will be symbols. I once saw a strange structure in front of a church, so strange that I stopped walking to stare at it and think about it: I eventually grasped that it was intended as a symbol of a bell tower--not a bell tower, but a symbol of a bell tower, pointing to the fact the whole building in front of me was a symbol of a church.
By way of addition: the symbolism of the Mass, rooted as it is in the symbolism of Scripture itself, is simply a reflection of reality. The world around us is symbolic through and through. The victory of nominalism contributed to our disconnect from the world’s symbolism, with the consequent push toward a literal-onlyism in Biblical scholarship, but what finally sealed us inside our self-contained secular cosmos was a lack of love. We learned to enjoy the creature instead of using it, and so our minds came to a rest in the creature and did not press through to the One who is to be enjoyed."
Thank you for sharing. Great points. I never thought of it this way, but it is so true.
Well, about the Pope's writings and quotes that you find reprinted here and there, my brain shuts off and I can't read any of it. I'm sure his encyclical on the Sacred Heart is good, but my will and brain refuse to move forward. I'd rather read something by one of the saints.
Yes. I have frequently said - though many criticize me for this - that when you have a renegade pope, you should avoid his writings and certainly not quote them, even if there are "good bits." The reason is simple: his entire pontificate and magisterium are infected with modern errors, and when we cite him approvingly, we seem to put a mantle of agreement over the entire thing. Or we could lend support to that attitude. I realize people can quote this or that document at me about how we have to respect the pope's magisterium but the fact is, this pope has lost the allegiance of believing Catholics, and unless and until he renounces his errors and makes reparation for his crimes, we are justified in remaining in a state of suspended assent.
Besides, it's not as if we don't know what the Catholic Faith is from a thousand other sources.
So right. I'd rather not waste my time reading something from a Pope who doesn't have the desire to follow the will and teachings of Our Lord. Everything is suspect.
In regards to figuring out Pope Francis and the synod and anything else published by our clergy and theologians today, if you can just mentally switch off the concept of a "Living Magisterium" of which this concept was created and this expression coined (much like the Hermeneutics of Continuity) very recently, and ignore all the recent "Living Magisterial" teachings, and do as Dr. K suggests, stick with pre-1800 writings from the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, you will find peace amid this current rolling catastrophe.
Naturally, though, one has to make a little room for living authors. :-)
Would like to take this opportunity comment on your description of the Communist party practice of ignoring, suppressing, and/or denying facts and information that it doesn’t want to acknowledge, which I heard during your guest appearance on the Urbi et Orbi broadcast.
The description reminded me of the habits of a certain dysfunctional family I know; and also of the behavior of certain individuals about whom I wonder if the term “narcissist” applies. I don’t know because it’s not my field.
In any case, I think I hear echoes in the characteristics of the three groups; echos of the devil’s music.
Yes, any time you have an extreme attachment to an idea despite realities that contradict it, you are in the presence of an ideology; and the only way it can continue to function is by not only ignoring, but actively destroying or suppressing contrary evidence. This is the method Communists in the Soviet Union had polished to perfection, until the facade collapsed. The same can be seen among modern Catholic liturgists, who will say the Novus Ordo was a huge success right to the moment when the last mainstream parish is being boarded up and locked, and when all the young people are going to the Latin Mass instead.
I was quite pleased Trump won and is still winning I hear. I prayed quite a bit for him to win so was very pleased that he did.
Agreed!! : )