[Polycarp]

Have the two years that just passed strengthened this author's argument, or undercut it? Any comments?

[Desdemona]

"We have been participating in a prolonged wake for the losses in beauty, dignity, and reverence that have characterized the liturgy and church architecture since the Council and for the mangling of doctrine. I know of devout Catholics who for years have gone to the earliest Sunday morning Mass possible since there is unlikely to be any music and thus any barbaric music at that hour."

I know a lot of people who do the early Masses, because they can't take the circus the later Masses are - and music ususally isn't mentioned. It was so bad at my parents' parish that the pastor established baby-sitting and not so subtly told parents of young children to take advantage of it.

[Snuffington]

Those of us who have labored in the trenches are most grateful for and appreciative of the reinforcements and new troops the Holy Spirit is raising up for soon we may see the Church the Council envisioned.

Speaking in an admittedly cynical mood... I'd be happy for the "new troops" to revive the Church the Council abandoned.

[Catholicguy]

<> It's all good

I am serious. I know I just used a popular pop culture phrase. But, it is true if used with an eye towards the future. There have been many FAR worse periods of time in the history of the Church. We ought to thank and praise God we are allowed to live during these times. It is EASY to thank and praise the Lord when things are good.

Many of my former friends in the schism routinely make brave and empty chatter about "desiring martyrdom." Yet, the moment a modicum of turmoil arose, they split for safe harbors. Martyrdom is realised by maintaing Unity in Worship, Doctrine and Authority during all times - good and bad - expecially in bad.<>

[Domestic Church]

The Pope has spoken repeatedly about a new springtime for the Church but it might not be as expected. From the article above :"There is a new springtime, a new awakening, begun with a Council that was nearly hijacked."

From the listing on St. Padre Pio who supposedly told Pope JPII that he would be Pope:

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/praeternatural/

"The darkness shall last a day and a night, followed by another day and a night, and another day - but on the night following, the stars will shine again, and on the next morning the sun shall rise again, and it will be springtime…"

The entire section on this prophecy of St. Padre Pio is fascinating as it seems to predict a war between our nation and Iraq.