Looks like "non placet" for odd Mass of the Neo-Catechumenal Way

Neo-catechumenal Mass

Although in January it nearly received the "placet," without Benedict's approval.  Sandro Magister has more here.

Benedict XVI, Ecumenist

Pope Gregory the Great sending St. Augustine of Canterbury to convert England, (Westminster Cathedral)

An underappreciated facet of Benedict's papacy receives perceptive consideration from Sandro Magister.

A Traditionalist for Lourdes

 Our Lady of Lourdes

Can't be bad.  Sandro Magister has more here.

Vatican still pondering odd Mass of the Neocatechumenal Way

 "Kiko" Arguello, co-founder of Neocatechumenal Way

Rumors to the contrary, at the audience with Pope Benedict several days back, the Neocatechumenal Way received approval only for certain intra-Neocat ceremonies, not for their rather odd liturgy.

Pope Benedict took the opportunity to deliver to the gathered Neocat luminaries a short lecture on the "true content of the liturgy."  From this we may fairly infer that Benedict considers the Neocat grasp upon liturgy to be notably deficient.  Sandro Magister has more here.

Hermeneutic of Reform

"Hermeneutic of Reform" performs similar magic on Vatican II

According to Pope Benedict, if you view Vatican II through "hermeneutic of reform" - tinted glasses, it looks much more appealing.   The Lefebvrists have always balked at putting on the magic goggles.  Sandro Magister has more here.

Jesuits may not be renowned for economic percipience

Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Finance Minister of France 1665 AD - 1683 AD

Educated by Jesuits

Especially since they made an idol of social justice back in the 1970s.  Notwithstanding the achievements of Monsieur Colbert, in their long and sometimes glorious history, Jesuit successes in the discipline of Economics have not been numerous.  However,  their views on the Euro crisis, courtesy of Sandro Magister, seem sound.

Well, they sure have a pretty church

"They" are The Community of Jesus, a co-ed community of mostly protestant artists living according to the Rule of St. Benedict on Cape Cod.   Sandro Magister has more.

"Full of Grace"

"Full of Grace: Crowned Madonnas from the Vatican Basilica" is on view now in New Haven, Conn.  No, not at Yale, but at the headquarters of the Knights of Columbus.  Sandro Magister has more here.
I expect the Hicks family will make a visit to New Haven soon.

Benedict's favorite Bach cantata

According to Sandro Magister, it's BWV 140.  Heck, they're all good.

WYD Afterglow

Sandro Magister reflects on Benedict's WYD innovations.  My favorite: silence.

Vatican II - Continuity and Rupture

Courtesy of Sandro Magister, we bring you the latest entry in the debate between traditionalists and innovators concerning the hermeneutic of the Second Vatican Council. 

Historian Enrico Morini argues that the Council should not be regarded as in continuity with tradition.  Nor was it a rupture from tradition.  Instead, it was both.