Father Bryan P. Babick Archives - The Catholic Miscellany

Liturgical orientation

September 12, 2016 Father Bryan P. Babick | The Catholic Miscellany

In recent weeks, liturgical orientation of the worshipping congregation has been in the news. After Pope Francis’ point-man for Liturgy and Sacraments encouraged a rediscovery of priest and people facing east for parts of the […]

Directional origins in the liturgy

August 22, 2016 Father Bryan P. Babick | The Catholic Miscellany

Pope Francis’ Prefect for the Congregation of Divine Worship recently caused a stir when giving a conference asking priests to consider facing in the same direction as the assembly while offering some prayers at Mass. […]

An Eastward controversy

August 3, 2016 Father Bryan P. Babick | The Catholic Miscellany

In July, the head of the Vatican’s Divine Worship department ignited controversy. Robert Cardinal Sarah’s talk focused on Vatican II’s desired achievements with liturgical reforms. Liturgical scholarship, renewal and pastoral theology progressed for over a […]

Landscape with Noah Offering a Sacrifice of Gratitude; Joseph Anton Koch, 1803

De Colores (made of colors)

July 23, 2016 Father Bryan P. Babick | The Catholic Miscellany

An immediately recognizable element in divine worship is the use of differing colors. From vestments to altar cloths, the Liturgy uses color to reflect God’s glory and our own human dispositions. The very first thing […]

Where are the deaconesses?

June 23, 2016 Father Bryan P. Babick | The Catholic Miscellany

In May, Pope Francis indicated his willingness to establish a commission to study deaconesses. He was asked by a religious sister who is a member of the International Union of Superiors General, an organization that […]

Males only?

June 8, 2016 Father Bryan P. Babick | The Catholic Miscellany

Perhaps the last un-shattered “glass ceiling” is female ordination in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Pope Francis recently announced he would establish a commission to investigate the nature of the early Church “deaconess” role. It […]

Easter capstone

May 27, 2016 Father Bryan P. Babick | The Catholic Miscellany

The Scripture readings used from the ascension onward reveal a few contradictions. These purposeful discrepancies are the cornerstone of the Liturgy’s calendar. Luke’s Gospel says that the ascension took place Easter Sunday evening. Luke also […]

Mother May

May 18, 2016 Father Bryan P. Babick | The Catholic Miscellany

Each May, the Church turns its gaze to Mary. From processions to more richly decorated statues, “May” and “Mary” are separated by only one letter for a reason. May had special import in Christian antiquity. […]

Holy floaters

May 2, 2016 Father Bryan P. Babick | The Catholic Miscellany

Occasionally people point out something is floating in the chalice at Mass. No one wants to consume even a holy liquid that has some solid floating inside. The Church sees the Mass as the living […]

The liturgical procession

April 12, 2016 Father Bryan P. Babick | The Catholic Miscellany

The 50 days of Easter are a solemn journey with Christ to glory. This is showcased as each Mass begins with the liturgical procession. In Christianity, processions make imminent sense because the One worshipped is […]