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| Cardinal Pell preaching in Sydney's magnificent Saint Mary's Basilica |
In his Homily the Sunday before last Cardinal George Pell got to
speaking about commitment in the context of the dearth of vocations in
the recent past and the growth of young unmarried couples living
together, read what His Eminence said:
"It is fascinating to ponder whether the increasing level of prosperity
in Australia over the last fifty years is connected with the decline in
the number of seminarians and young religious and with the increasing
number of young people who live together and are reluctant to commit to
each other permanently and exclusively in the institution of marriage.
Is our example, our easier life style (at least physically) encouraging a
materialism and selfishness, which make it harder for young people to
make commitments which involve explicit sacrifices? We have something to
ponder and pray about here."
As so often, and in his characteristically laconic style, he hits the nail on the head.
Happily, in more recent years, and under His Eminence's leadership, the
Archdiocese of Sydney has enjoyed a continuing growth in the number of
Seminarians, so that it now has a total of 45 at its two seminaries and
studying in Rome. It takes inspiring leadership and the Grace of the
Holy Spirit to get young men to commit their lives to Christ, especially
in this self-centred, materialistic society.
The "preserving of one's options"was much spoken of in military circles
and political circles during Lyndon Johnson's Presidency, mired in the
Vietnam war, where the concept had some validity. Unhappily it spilled
over into the fields of everyday discourse where it became poisonous. In
an era of abandonment of principles and ideals its effect was greatly
destructive.
The return to ideals and commitment, and foregoing self-indulgence on
that account , is essential to re-building the ranks of the clergy and
re-establishing a flourishing Christian society.
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| Beautiful St. Marys Cathedral, flanked by statues of earlier Archbishops - Cardinal Moran (left) and Archbishop Kelly (right). |
I had the privilege of assisting at the Solemn Mass at 10.30 am on that
Sunday in St. Mary’s Cathedral Sydney. It is always an impressive and
deeply affecting experience. On this occasion it was even more so, for
the assembled Parish Vocations Co-Ordinators were to be commissioned,
and the Archdiocesan Vocations Director the inspiring Father Michael De
Stoop, the Rector of the Good Shepherd Seminary Father Tony Percy and a
number of other Seminary Professorial Staff concelebrated with His
Eminence Cardinal George Pell
The entrance procession was long, being augmented by the Seminarians
among the Altar Servers, and proceeded with due deliberation, from the
Sacristy along the side aisle, turned and approached the Altar down the
centre aisle, preceded by two thurifers and the great Processional Cross
and followed by a majestic banner. The choir sang “Lord of All
Hopefulness”to the Traditional Irish melody “Slane” and the fine
Canadian organ over the College Street entrance complemented them
perfectly. When this was completed the Choir sang the Introit “Factus
est Dominus protector meus…’All were vested perfectly with hands
properly joined palm to palm in front of them (no anxious old lady
clutching of fingers) and lastly came His Eminence .No irregularity to
distract, just precise order and obvious devotion on the part of those
processing along, drew together and inspired the congregation, one could
not have better created the atmosphere for a devout celebration of Holy
Mass.
And that was exactly what we assisted at – everything just as it should
be. Cardinal Pell’s homily was characteristically succinct and to the
point, as we have seen above. The Vocations Co-ordinators were
commissioned without any undue distraction – it was the Mass that
mattered. I have seen it appear to be otherwise on some occasions in
another place. But, the reader might say, “That’s OK in the biggest
Cathedral in the Southern Hemisphere with scads of Priests and
Seminarians and a huge choir….what is your point for the rest of
us?”Just this – whether it is in St. Patrick’s in Melbourne or in
St.Peter Chanel’s in Berala(Sydney) or St. Ignatius’ in Toowong
(Brisbane)) – wherever, large or small , or on the bonnet of a Jeep in a
far distant battlefield, it is always possible to do our very best:
Bishop, Priest, Acolytes, people to produce the atmosphere of devotion.
I have seen the good Jesuit Father Greg Jordan at a temporary Altar in a
School Hall with a small but devout group celebrate Holy Mass in such a
way that the memory of it is with me years later and particularly the
recitation of the Sequence for the Feast of Corpus Christi with its
wonderful and noble evocation of the mystery of our redemption.
This very issue of the character of our celebrations of the Sacred
Liturgy is very much at the heart of the life and teachings of the Holy
Father and that fact becomes ever more clear. The great mistake of the
false “spirit of the Council” folk now shuffling out of the sanctuaries,
was to think that it was all about “us”. Whereas it is, and always has
been in truth, all about HIM. Please pray for a true inspiration of
devotion in all who prepare and celebrate the Sacred Liturgy, and that
they may use the coming of the corrected texts for the Order of Mass as
an opportunity to reform and enhance their celebration remembering just
that – “its not about us , it’s about HIM”
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| Pope Benedict XVI concelebrates Holy Mass with Cardinal Pell and others after consecrating the new High Altar of St, Marys Cathedral Sydney in 2008. |
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