The New Gasparian

The New Gasparian

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A journal dedicated to the life and mission of St. Gaspar del Bufalo, and to a life lived in response to the call and the cry of the Most Precious Blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our on-going mission is to share good news of hope and communion.

Wednesday, December 17, 2003

The Cup

In 1996, the U.S. bishops' Committee on the Liturgy published the following in its newsletter:

"Since 1985, the [bishops'] Liturgy Secretariat has contacted the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta on a regular basis to request their latest advisories concerning the possible health risks associated with drinking from a common communion cup. In a June 1996 letter to the Secretariat, the CDC stated that 'there is a theoretical risk of transmission of some agents that are present in oral secretions, particularly the respiratory viruses, such as those that cause the common cold. In contrast, the theoretical risk of transmitting hepatitis B, tuberculosis or human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] by this means is exceedingly low.'

"The CDC is 'not aware of any specific episodes or outbreaks of illness that have been associated with the use of a common communion cup,' though 'such occurrence would be difficult to detect and to distinguish from respiratory or other forms of person-to-person contact.'

"In summary, the CDC has not recommended to the Catholic Church that it abandon the practice of drinking from the cup because of potential health risks."

Thanks to Precious Blood Companion Maureen who assisted with finding this material.

posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. on 1:08 PM link
. . .

Third Wednesday of Advent
Readings: Genesis 49: 2, 8-10; Matthew 1: 1-17

St. Gaspar encouraged his followers to be “a mystic in your room.” “The basic truth of asceticism,” Kathleen Norris writes in Dakota, “is that it is . . . a radical way of knowing exactly who, what, and where you are, in defiance of those powerful forces in society - alcohol, drugs, television, shopping malls, motels - that aim to make us forget.”

Forget what? During this Gaudete week when our liturgical journey of Advent embraces joy, we may have forgotten that self knowledge is the first step in the spiritual journey. Norris would want you “not only to know where you are, but to learn to live what you find there.”

I heard a PhD, who is an associate, describe contemplative prayer as prayer that comes from the deep concerns of your life - those moments when you attempt to live what you find, what comes to you. On your knees you beg God’s purposes become known. Not my will, but Thine is the prayer of the mystic, the ascetic, the prayer that leads to transformation.

Ah, transformation! Is that what the secular side of this season has had us forget? Ephemeral joy and excitement offer Precious Blood People occasion to contemplate the true joy of love for others in the words of Gaspar: “I wish to give my life in order to diffuse more love for the Blood of Jesus in the world.” The depth of joy in this call for transformation is offered in the words of Pope John Paul II: “The Precious Blood of Jesus speaks to us of the greatest joy of all: knowing that we are loved by God!”

As Precious Blood People the call of this week of Advent is for the contemplation of true joy.

Do the Holy Father’s words speak to me?
Am I constricted by the shallow secular concerns of this holy season?

Reflection by: Rev. Denny Kinderman, C.PP.S. (Cincinnati Province)

posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. on 9:57 AM link
. . .

HOME

ARCHIVE

Conversations That Matter

A Lifeline for Marriages
A Peer Ministry for Priests

Contact us

Who is St. Gaspar?
His life and mission

Who is St. Maria de Mattias?
Canonized May 18, 2003

What is Precious Blood Spirituality
Why Blood?
Blood, Sacred Blood

Our Mission Statement
Province of the Pacific

Meet Fr. Keyes
Need a Parish Mission? The Interview

What is a Precious Blood Missionary?
Our Profile

Pray With Us
The Seven Offerings
Precious Blood Chaplet
To St. Gaspar
Maria's Canticle

Our International Website:
Missionaries of the Precious Blood

What the Pope said to us:
Pope John Paul II
Blessed John XXIII

Precious Blood Leadership Conference
PBLC

What is a Precious Blood Companion?
Our Lay Associates

A Gasparian ListServe
The Gaspar List

Gaspar's advice
on prayer
on courage
on humility
The Wine Cellar
On being swamped
What is a Mission?
On the Virgin Mary
We are not monks, but..

Articles
International Symposium
Blood, Sacred Blood
Lectio Divina
Eucharistic Devotion
Morning Prayer
Precious Blood Chaplet
7 Offerings
The Rosary
St. Ignatius
Renew the Heart
Advent
Music Ministry

<< # St. Blog's Parish ? >>

< chicago blogs >

at Chicago, Midway Airport

The WeatherPixie

In My Spare Time...

Ever New
Flos Carmeli
Joan of Bark
From the Anchor Hold
The Journey
Karl Kohlhase
Fr. Bryce Sibley
Fr. Jim Tucker
Fr. Thomas Dowd
To Love, Honor and Blog
John DaFiesole
Mark Shea
Peter Nixon
The Curt Jester
Ut Unum Sint
Deo Omnis Gloria
Mike Roesch
In Pectore
Robert Diaz
Recovering Choir Director
Improvised
Patrick from the Choir
The Liberal Side

Important Links

The New American Bible
The Catechism
The Vatican
Bishop's Site
Today's Readings
Liturgy of Hours
Vatican Radio
Catholic News Service The Tablet

My Bloginality is ISTJ!!!

Oakland, CA Airport

Dublin,Ireland

. . .