Who are we?

Many major cities throughout the world have a Liturgical Parish where the Thesaurus of Catholic Arts is opened up in a showcase of beauty.  London has the Brompton Oratory, New York has St. Agnes Parish, Athens Greece has St. Dionysios, Salzburg has St. Sebastianskirche, Vienna has Karlskirche and Kapuzinerkirche and St. Paul has its own St. Agnes.  Why shouldn't Minneapolis also have its own Liturgical Parish at Our Lady of Lourdes?

We are a group of Catholics and people devoted to the cultural patrimony of the State of Minnesota going back to France and beyond, to the great cities Rome, Athens and Jerusalem, and the civilization from which they were born. 

Truly, the Catholic Church is a great mother of our history as she is the mother of the nation of France from whence came explorers and traders in the 17th Century.  Our Lady of Lourdes is a symbol of that precious continuity for it is the longest used church building in the City of Minneapolis on the Historic Register since 1934.  It would be astonishing to break these valuable contacts with the past because we do not appreciate its tremendous value toward defining us as what we are.

We're also very eager to point out that this edifice and shrine belongs not only to the present and past generations, but to future generations as well.  We feel it's important that this legacy be handed down to the future in better condition than we left it.

Generally, our purpose is to promote the perennial traditions of Catholic worship, culture and Sacred art throughout the midwest. The scope, while limited geographically, is truly universal, it aspires to transform by exchanging information and education of the laity about the importance of Church architecture and interior design. 

We are interested in gaining and maintaining contact with individuals and organizations devoted to this end with a common goal.  Obviously, some might not share our legitimate aspiration to restore the Liturgy to its sublime patrimony, but you may regard this treasury as a precious thing which needs to be preserved.

There is a real opportunity for many organizations and individuals to benefit and participate as such a cooperation would involve much thoughtful diversity.

Current Events and Journal:

May 23, 2008
Donor Gives $20 Million to Revive a Historic Church] By SEWELL CHAN Published: May 22, 2008 An anonymous donor has come to the rescue of St. Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church in the East Village, saving the building — which has presided over Tompkins Square Park since 1848 — from demolition and making it possible for the structure to be reopened as a parish church. The Archdiocese of New York announced on Wednesday that a donor had come forward with an “unexpected but very welcome gift” of $20 million after a private meeting with Cardinal Edward M. Egan, the archbishop of New York. The gift includes $10 million to restore the building, at 119 Avenue B; $2 million to establish an endowment for the parish “so that it might best meet the religious and spiritual needs of the people living in the community”; and $8 million to support St. Brigid’s School and other Catholic schools in need.

April 22, 2008

Priest and Seminarian Training Workshop

Extraordinary Form of the Mass - 1962 Missale Romanum

Monday, May 19, 2008 – Friday, May 23, 2008

http://www.sanctamissa.org/en/workshop-index.html

April 17, 2008

Parish Renovation Committee Meets at 5:30 this Thursday at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in the Church Basement. 

The Parish has intended for this to be an open process and invites people interested in it to come and see.

We currently have a petition with 34 signatures and could definitely use more. 

Any success would depend on convincing the committee of the wisdom of proceeding with an alternative interior plan.

What is envisioned has been accomplished successfully in other parts of the world, there's no reason it can't happen in Minneapolis.

February 20, 2008

French traditionalists request personal parish in Paris

Paris, Feb. 20, 2008 (CWNews.com) - More than 1,500 Catholics in Paris have signed a petition asking Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois to create a "personal parish" for traditionalists, staffed by priests of the Institute of the Good Sheperd, the daily La Croix reports.

The Institute of the Good Shepherd was established by the Vatican in September 2006 as a "society of apostolic life," with headquarters in Bordeaux. Priests of the institute are allowed to celebrate Mass using the traditional liturgy-- the "extraordinary form"-- exclusively. The priests who were original members of the institute had all previously been members of the Society of St. Pius X, the breakaway traditionalist group.

In his motu proprio broadening access to the extraordinary form of the Latin liturgy, Pope Benedict XVI suggested the creation of "personal parishes" for groups of the faithful deeply committed to the traditional liturgy. Although Cardinal Vingt-Trois has authorized the use of the extraordinary form in existing Parisian churches, the petitioners argue that the establishment of a parish would give traditionalist Catholics an entire local community, enabling them to establish programs in religious education, youth activities, marriage preparation, scouting, and charitable works.

In Bordeaux, the Institute of the Good Shepherd welcomed about 100 Catholics for Ash Wednesday ceremonies at St. Éloi parish, La Croix reported; the pastor, Father Philippe Laguérie, says that 600 people regularly attend Mass there. The affiliated school has 80 students. Father Laguérie expects the community to grow, and looks forward to establishing a similar traditionalist parish in Paris.

After years of conflict with archdiocesan officials in Bordeaux, Father Laguérie reports that "a mutual respect has been born," and relations are markedly improved.

Meanwhile the Institute of the Good Shepherd has seen explosive growth in its clerical ranks. The group numbered just 5 priests and a handful of seminarians when it was canonically established in 2006; today there are 19 priests and 35 seminarians, with 4 deacons to be ordained this Saturday, February 23, at the basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome

February 19, 2008 

1,500 Sign Petition to have the Immemorial Rite in Paris

February 16, 2008

Missa Solemnis - Minneapolis Star and Tribune

Among the worshippers on a recent Friday was Ann Swanson, 28, who was there with her children. "I've noticed a lot of people my age here," she said, going on to explain that the mass "appeals to me because it is so centered on God. Some elements of the modern mass distract from that, but this is entirely focused on the Eucharist, which is the center of our faith."

NB. how the Tabernacle in this picture is covered by a veil.  The symbology of the veil is very typographical and carries us back beyond the mists of ancient times to the days of the Temple when almighty God appeared to His people through the high priest.

February 11, 2008

Live Video Cam at Lourdes

You may also write a petition for Our Lady and may she hear your pleas.

February 9,2008

Holy Father Speaks on Justice

Rorate Caeli

January 28, 2008

The Curia Rises Up and Strikes Three Blows: Chiesa

What is expressly poignant about this article is that the Holy Father is taking serious steps to ensure the defense of the Catholic Faith and the profound dignity of the Church's worship.

He used the ancient high altar, facing to the East as Christians must when they pray, as we always have prayed.

This is a pretty clear indication of what he might expect to see if he were to preside at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.

It's the legacy that was left to us by our ancestors in Faith and it's the legacy we should foster and cherish here by simply using the 30s floor plan in a true rennovation of this most French and most Catholic parish.

January 20, 2008

relevant radio

A great French Saint:

Christina Borges is Development Director for the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, (a society of apostolic life based in the Archdiocese of Florence, which uses the liturgical books of the Traditional Latin Rite and staffs several churches in the United States). Previously she worked ten years for EWTN and was Regional Manager for Europe.

January 5, 2007

Not all renovations are bound to happen, some are prevented because the laity and interested people become outraged at the proposals.  Sometimes Rome steps in and prevents a thieving, corrupt prelate from destroying a Church as was the case when Archbishop Rembert Weakland of destroying his Cathedral by hiring hip architects to make it look up-to-date as this article, Rome Hits the Breaks, by Michael Rose from 2001 tells.

What does the Church say about Renovation?

Opera Artis
Congregation for the Clergy - April 11, 1971

Circular Letter on the Care of the Church's Historical and Artistic Heritage

cf Father Fessio's Adoremus Journal

Works of art, the most exalted expressions of the human spirit, bring us closer and closer to the divine Artisan (1) and with good reason are regarded as the heritage of the entire human family.(2)

The Church has always held the ministry of the arts in the highest esteem and has striven to see that "all things set apart for use in divine worship are truly worthy, becoming, and beautiful, signs and symbols of the supernatural world."(3) The Church through the centuries has also safeguarded the artistic treasures belonging to it.(4)

Accordingly, in our own times as well, bishops, no matter how hard pressed by their responsibilities, must take seriously the care of places of worship and sacred objects. They bear singular witness to the reverence of the people toward God and deserve such care also because of their historic and artistic value.

It grieves the faithful to see that more than ever before there is so much unlawful transferal of ownership of the historical and artistic heritage of the Church, as well as theft, confiscation, and destruction.

Disregarding the warnings and legislation of the Holy See, (5) many people have made unwarranted changes in places of worship under the pretext of carrying out the reform of the liturgy and have thus caused the disfigurement or loss of priceless works of art.

In some places church buildings no longer serving their original purpose are in such a state of neglect that grave harm is being done to the local ecclesiastical heritage and works of art.

In its responsibility for the administration of the artistic patrimony of the Church,(6) this Congregation has taken cognizance of these facts and circumstances. It therefore urges the conferences of bishops to lay down regulations applying to this extremely important matter.

Meanwhile the Congregation rightfully issues the following reminders and decrees.

1. "In commissioning artists and choosing works of art that are to become part of a church, the highest artistic standard is to be set in order that art may aid faith and devotion and be true to the reality it is to symbolize and the purpose it is to serve." (7)

2. Works of art from the past are always and everywhere to be preserved so that they may lend their noble service to divine worship and their help to the people's active participation in the liturgy. (8)

3. Each diocesan curia is responsible for measures to ensure that, in conformity with the norms set by the local Ordinary, rectors of churches, after consultation with experts, prepare an inventory of places of worship and of the contents that are of artistic and historical importance. This is to be an itemized inventory that lists the value of each entry. Two copies are to be drawn up, one to be kept by the church and the other by the diocesan curia. It would be well for another copy to be sent by the curia to the Vatican Library. The inventory should include notations on changes that have taken place in the course of time.

4. Mindful of the legislation of Vatican Council II (9) and of the directives in the documents of the Holy See,(10) bishops are to exercise unfailing vigilance to ensure that the remodeling of places of worship by reason of the reform of the liturgy is carried out with the utmost caution. Any alterations must always be in keeping with the norms of the liturgical reform and may never proceed without the approval of the commissions on sacred art, on liturgy, and, when applicable, on music, or without prior consultation with experts. The civil laws of the various countries protecting valuable works of art are also to be taken into account.

5. Attending to the norms of the Directory Peregrinans in terra on the pastoral ministry in tourism,(11) local Ordinaries are to make sure that holy places and objects of celebrated artistic merit are made more accessible to all; they bear witness to the Church's life and history. Nevertheless even sacred edifices of artistic value remain places of worship and tourists must not in any way disturb the liturgical celebrations.

6. Should it become necessary to adapt works of art and the treasures of the past to the new liturgical laws,(12) bishops are to take care that the need is genuine and that no harm comes to the work of art. The norms and criteria in no. 4 of this document are also to be followed. When it is judged that any such works are no longer suited to divine worship, they are never to be given over to profane use. Rather they are to be set up in a fitting place, namely, in a diocesan or interdiocesan museum, so that they are accessible to all who wish to look at them. Similarly, ecclesiastical buildings graced by are are not to be treated with neglect even when they no longer are used for their original purpose. If they must be sold, buyers who can take proper care of them are to be given preference (see CIC can. 1187).

7. Precious objects [like altars], especially votive offerings, are not to be disposed of without permission of the Holy See, in keeping with CIC can. 1532. The penalties in can. 2347-2349 continue to apply to those transferring ownership of such objects unlawfully; such persons cannot be absolved until they have made restitution for the losses incurred. Petitions submitted to obtain the permission in question are to state clearly the decision of the commissions on sacred art, on liturgy, and, when applicable, on music, as well as the opinion of experts. In each instance, the applicable civil laws are to be respected.

This Congregation has full confidence that sacred works of art will everywhere be treated reverently and safeguarded and that in their efforts to promote new works in keeping with the mentality of every age the bishops will use those works to aid the faithful's active and effective participation in the liturgy.

Endnotes

1 See Sacrosanctum Concilium art. 122.

2 See Pius XII, Discorsi e Radio messagi, Ed. pol. Vat., v. 15, 448. SC Clergy, General Directory on the Pastoral Ministry in Tourism: Acta Apostolicae Sedis 61 (1969) 366.

3 Sacrosanctum Concilium art. 122.

4 See La Legislazione ecclesiastica sull'Arte, Card. C. Costantini, ed., "Fede e Arte" 5 (1957) 359ff. SC Council, letters on this subject, especially 30 Dec. 1952: Acta Apostolicae Sedis 45 (1953) 101-102; Regolamento relativo al prestito di opera d'arte di propriet· della Santa Sede: Acta Apostolicae Sedis 57 (1965) 677ff. GIRM ch. 5, "Arrangement and Furnishing of Churches for the Eucharistic Celebration" nos. 253-280.

5 See Consilium, Letter of the president, 30 June 1965, no. 8; Sacred Congregation of Rites, Inter oecumenici ch. 5, nos. 90-99; GIRM nos. 257ff.

6 See Paul VI, Ap. Const. Regimini Ecclesiae Universae no. 70: Acta Apostolicae Sedis 59 (1967) 911-912.

7 See General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 254.

8 See Sacrosanctum Concilium art. 124.

9 See Sacrosanctum Concilium art. 44, 45, 46, 126.

10 See Sacred Congregation of Rites, Instr. Eucharisticum Mysterium no. 24.

11 See Acta Apostolicae Sedis 61 (1969) 373-376.

12 See GIRM no. 254.

January 3, 2007

There will be a meeting this Thursday, January 3, 2008 after the 5:15pm Mass.  If anyone has any concerns, all are welcome to the meeting. Our Lady of Lourdes Parish

January 4, 2008

Many Me-Tings

The meeting was interesting.  I had a discussion with one of the board members outside of the Church afterwards.  He was a very urbane gentleman of mid-fifties age driving a humble station wagon with a campaign bumper sticker for a long-dead but popular politician (in some circles).    He's the kind of man you'd expect to be looking down his pince-nez at Le Monde or Figarro while waiting for the ligh rail on a chilly morning, or perhaps listening to a famous, heavily subsidized with taxmoney, news program, breathlessly disappointed about the Iowa democratic caucus results.  I could go on about this guy all night.  He's a nice man.

The meeting was a bit more interesting than the November meeting I attended where the board members discussed the three unsatisfactory plans and perseverated about where to put a supine marble statue of a vogue angel.

They certainly weren't going to permit any more unplanned interruptions.

It was interesting too that the chairman called for small groups next week. Small groups are good for consensus building and making board members feel good about the decision that has already been made and how best to sell it to those who will suffer the consequences of the decision.

But back to the urbane gentleman in the parking lot outside the Church.  It was surprising that he'd never heard of Brompton Oratory. "Never heard of Brompton Oratory?"  I tisk tisked, "that's quite the place to go if you want to "Gather" and listen to Mozart." 

It was even less surprising that his car featured a bumper sticker with the word "Wellstone" written on it.  Paul Wellstone was, before his untimely and tragic death, a pro-abortion politician who voted against the partial birth abortion ban.

Despite, but perhaps because of his apparent late enthusiasm for the long dead pro-abortionist,  he did, however, say something interesting in that the current parish project will continue to be true to the more recent, but unhappy, renovation which brought people in from all corners of the Twin Cities because they wanted stronger sense of a  church "feeling";  being a nice man, he probably appearances are important, ok?  Are the appearances of Catholicism enough?

Unwittingly, he is perhaps suggesting that his conception of a church as something like a catholic experience vs. an experience of the Catholic Faith.

I'm rather concerned about the process for selection of board members at Our Lady of Lourdes.

Do they have to have a rudimentary knowledge of the essentials of the Catholic Faith?

Father Froehle, the current pastor, was rector of the St. Paul Seminary when it underwent a renovation similiar to the one undergone by Our Lady of Lourdes.  The Seminary Chapel's high altar was obliterated by an ex-Priest named James Moudry.  It's a very poingant memory of mine to have held in my hands one of the high altar's  fragments as evidence for the crime.

The board is also presently concerned about input from people outside of the Parish; but what if the people in the Parish, making the decisions, are outside of the Church?  I can only imagine that this renovation will proceed apace.  

Rome Hits the Brakes

Responding to a complaint by lay Catholics, the Vatican asks an American archbishop to suspend renovations of his cathedral.

By Michael S. Rose

Sep. 27, 2001

Contact:

If you have any information of interest, comments, or wish to sign the petition for authentic renovation of this important treasure please contact:

Cyril Koob at ckoob@juno.com or 612-722-7180.

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