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Gluten-Free Hosts And The Cross: Revelatory Suffering In Christianity, Gilbert Perez Jan 2024

Gluten-Free Hosts And The Cross: Revelatory Suffering In Christianity, Gilbert Perez

Obsculta

The body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus are said to be made present by the Eucharist: bread and wine placed on the altar. However, the Roman Catholic Church teaches there is no validity to consecrations with gluten-free Hosts. This article notes the past permissions on gluten-free hosts and explores how present and former practices exhibit the nature of the Crucifixion, humanity’s participation in a world it abuses, and, furthermore, how to remedy this source of exclusion.


Sunday Celebration In The Absence Of A Priest And Women's Role In Presiding, Kristyn Demers Jan 2024

Sunday Celebration In The Absence Of A Priest And Women's Role In Presiding, Kristyn Demers

Obsculta

This essay explores instances of Sunday celebrations in the absence of a priest, specifically within the rural context where the effects of the priesthood shortage are felt most strongly. Additionally, this paper examines the role that women play in the church, especially the rural church, and calls for the church to respond by creating more equitable roles for women within church leadership and ministry.


Homily For Mass Of The Holy Spirit, Dale Launderville Osb Jan 2024

Homily For Mass Of The Holy Spirit, Dale Launderville Osb

Obsculta

This year, the monks of Saint John’s Abbey, the sponsoring religious order of the Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, convened to elect a new abbot, after the retirement of the previous, who had served for twenty years. This homily was given by Father Dale Launderville, OSB at the Mass of the Holy Spirit, which both opened the official election process and was the culmination of a year-long process of discernment and prayer that enable the monks to enter the voting confident of the aid of the Holy Spirit.


To Embody Christ's Image: Queer Presence In Liturgy, Maggie Nadalin Jan 2024

To Embody Christ's Image: Queer Presence In Liturgy, Maggie Nadalin

Obsculta

This paper examines how approaching liturgical issues from a Queer vantage-point in both theory and practice offers a fresh lens for not only understanding liturgy but recognizing the urgent need for Queer-influenced liturgical rites.


Different Forms Of Power In Worship Spaces, Patrick Russell Jan 2024

Different Forms Of Power In Worship Spaces, Patrick Russell

Obsculta

This project examines the importance of power in a worship space. In particular, looking at the historical structures of St. Paul's Cathedral in London and St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, this paper strives to lay out the presence of power inherent in places of worship. While other aspects could be used: power as a political structure, power of shared identity, power of scale, and power as a means of limits are given here for consideration.


Christ In You Is Your Hope Of Glory: Exploring Colossians In The Sunday Lectionary, Maggie Nadalin May 2023

Christ In You Is Your Hope Of Glory: Exploring Colossians In The Sunday Lectionary, Maggie Nadalin

Obsculta

This paper was submitted in the Fall of 2022 as an assignment for LTGY 421: The Liturgical Year and the Word of God, exploring the use of Paul's letter to the Colossians in the lectionary cycle.


Two Churches, One Vision: Sacred Architecture As A Reflection Of Benedictine Values And Liturgical Reform, Katheryn Wethli May 2023

Two Churches, One Vision: Sacred Architecture As A Reflection Of Benedictine Values And Liturgical Reform, Katheryn Wethli

Obsculta

This piece compares the architecture of the worshipping spaces of Saint Benedict's Monastery's Sacred Heart Chapel and Saint John's Abbey Church; presenting how the worshiping spaces uplift their monastic communities’ Benedictine values and demonstrate their monastic call towards evangelizing the Gospel in the modern world, highlighting the liturgical reforms of the mid-20th century.


Incarnate Spirits: The Embodied Roots Of Worship, Henry O. Widdicombe May 2023

Incarnate Spirits: The Embodied Roots Of Worship, Henry O. Widdicombe

Obsculta

Spirituality is “how the Spirit of Jesus enables Christians to grow into fullness with God in this life and in particular historical circumstances.” The role of the community is definitive in shaping the spirituality of an individual and the interior dynamism of spirit is contextualized by incarnate experience. This piece employs the thought of Bernard Lonergan, SJ bolstered with the work of two Lonergan scholars, Ian Bell and Timothy Brunk, on the notion of a “worshipful” pattern of experience.


Blessed, Broken, And Shared, Joseph Penny May 2023

Blessed, Broken, And Shared, Joseph Penny

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This paper seeks to boldly confront the evils of racism while simultaneously pointing to a renewed baptismal ecclesiology and a praxis of radical communion as a way forward. Venturing into the unknown, we will persevere onward to the road less traveled by briefly charting the Catholic Church's historical cooperation with White Supremacy. We will also celebrate the wisdom gleaned from Black and Latin American communities and their seemingly mundane yet deeply sacred rituals.


The Church As Polis, Amy Wen Apr 2022

The Church As Polis, Amy Wen

Obsculta

This paper aims to name a growing rift between belief and ethic in contemporary American society. It suggests the concept of liturgy as ‘primary theology’ and a liturgical anthropology as the solution to this rift. The paper picks up on voices from Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions to highlight an ecumenical approach in retrieving a Christian worshiping anthropology.


Reclaiming Rights To The Rites Of The Anointing, Kelly Olson Apr 2022

Reclaiming Rights To The Rites Of The Anointing, Kelly Olson

Obsculta

This submission is a paper written in response to the discussion of Jesus’ healing ministry restoring ethnomedical health of a community through healing particular individuals thus representing the need to reintegrate the marginalized within the body of the community and the utilization of the Rite of the Anointing as a communal sacrament to renegotiate the individual in the community amid circumstances contributing to the migration to the periphery creating discord and illness. I have used the diverse and global impact of the pandemic to illuminate imbalanced health of communities and the urgency with which we must respond through sacramental theology.


Eucharist, Kenosis & Ignatius Of Antioch's Johannine Ecclesiology, Jayan Koshy Apr 2022

Eucharist, Kenosis & Ignatius Of Antioch's Johannine Ecclesiology, Jayan Koshy

Obsculta

An anti-hierarchical ethos has been assumed in John’s Gospel by much modern biblical scholarship. The Johannine community functions, especially for non-episcopal communions, as an emblem of “flat” ecclesiology in the early Church, defying the Synoptic emphasis on apostolic ministry. However, recent scholarship destabilizes this consensus, drawing on figures associated with John in early tradition to present alternative Johannine ecclesiologies. Andrew Byers, for instance, seeks to harmonize Ignatius of Antioch’s high theology of the episcopacy with the theology of John’s Gospel. Building on Byers’ work, this essay argues that the Johannine tradition is not only compatible with Ignatius, but even supplies …


Liturgical Signs And Gestures, Chinh Nguyen Op Apr 2022

Liturgical Signs And Gestures, Chinh Nguyen Op

Obsculta

Fully, consciously, and actively participating in the sacred liturgy was one of the goals of the renewal of the liturgy called for by the Second Vatican Council. This paper explores the question, how do we enter in? The answer is there are many ways to help the faithful take part in the sacred action of the liturgy. One of the best ways is understanding what we are doing or celebrating in the Sacred Liturgy of the Church. The practical way is comprehension of the meaning of the liturgical gestures.


Christ, Be Our Light: An Epiphany Encounter, Marie T. Racine Osb Jul 2021

Christ, Be Our Light: An Epiphany Encounter, Marie T. Racine Osb

Obsculta

Can hymn singing during liturgy affect the worshipping community’s life in the world? This paper proposes that singing the hymn Christ, Be Our Light by Bernadette Farrell during the liturgy of the Feast of the Epiphany can help transform the hearts of the worshipping community and compel its members to the social action highlighted in the hymn. An examination of the theology of the Feast through the lens of its proper prayers, a theological and literary analysis of the lyrics and analysis of the musical setting of the hymn reveal a strong connection between hymn and Feast. A theology of …


In Defense Of Doubt(Ing Thomas), Meghan Stretar Jul 2021

In Defense Of Doubt(Ing Thomas), Meghan Stretar

Obsculta

Here is a fresh (somewhat satirical and sarcastic, New Yorker Shouts and Murmurs-inspired) interpretation about the importance of Thomas's doubt and a defense of having doubt in light of faith.


We Come From The Same Body: Reflecting On The Feasibility Of Women's Participation In Liturgical Services From The Perspective Of Susan A. Ross’S Feminist Theology, And Reflecting On The Practice Of Relevant Theories In The Diocese Of Hong Kong, Wong Kwan Yau Jul 2021

We Come From The Same Body: Reflecting On The Feasibility Of Women's Participation In Liturgical Services From The Perspective Of Susan A. Ross’S Feminist Theology, And Reflecting On The Practice Of Relevant Theories In The Diocese Of Hong Kong, Wong Kwan Yau

Obsculta

In this paper, I discuss the relationship between feminism and women’s liturgical service in the church from three aspects. In the first part, I will give a general description about the development of women’s social status, hoping to show that how women have always struggling to survive and strive for reasonable treatment in societies dominated by men. In the second part, I will turn to the work of Susan A. Ross, a Catholic feminist theologian, and show how from a feminist perspective, women can serve the church with men with their unique circumstances and advantages, and at the same time, …


Lectio Of Surprises, Kathleen A. Cahalan May 2020

Lectio Of Surprises, Kathleen A. Cahalan

Obsculta

This is a short piece I wrote for Saint Paul Monastery’s Benedictine Center on lectio divina. It was posted on their blog in November 2019. I lead their School of Lectio Divina, a 6-day silent retreat, and wrote this piece about my own lectio practice. It included 3 pictures, which could not be uploaded in the document in this format. I’m happy to send them to you if you want this piece


Loops, Jessika Satori May 2020

Loops, Jessika Satori

Obsculta

Imagine God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Mother Mary and a few of the saints in modern corporate attire placed in a modern corporate setting. The protagonist is waiting for the outcome of today’s discussion by the Holy Ones.


The Shoemaker, Meghan E. Stretar May 2020

The Shoemaker, Meghan E. Stretar

Obsculta

Storytelling has always captivated my attention and strikes me as being an incredible tool in which to deepen the understanding of the Gospel message. This piece begins “once upon a time there was a man named Herschel...”. Herschel is an imaginary character born out of the imagination of my childhood priest. He is brought back to life in this homily written for Christ the King Sunday.


Brother John, August Turak May 2020

Brother John, August Turak

Obsculta

Recipient of the prestigious $100,000 Templeton Prize, Brother John is the true story of a magical Christmas encounter between the author, going through a midlife crisis, and an umbrella wielding Trappist monk. Uplifting, deeply moving, and set in the magnificent Trappist monastery of Mepkin Abbey, Brother John leads us to the redemptive power of an authentically purposeful life.


Who Shall Be Welcome In God’S Tent: Disrupting The Liturgical Legacies Of White Supremacy To Promote The Flourishing Of The Body Of Christ, Andrew Remick May 2019

Who Shall Be Welcome In God’S Tent: Disrupting The Liturgical Legacies Of White Supremacy To Promote The Flourishing Of The Body Of Christ, Andrew Remick

Obsculta

No abstract provided.


The Community God Intended For His Children, Andrew Remick May 2018

The Community God Intended For His Children, Andrew Remick

Obsculta

This essay reviews the design and context of Rachel Ellis’s portrayal of the Communion of Saints created in 2003-2004 as part of the rebuilding and expansion of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta, Australia, in suburban Sydney. Her contemporary rendition of this ancient Christian tradition invites pilgrims visiting the Cathedral to contemplate the universal call to holiness anew through its depiction of an intergenerational and multicultural assembly journeying together as a holy community toward Christ's light. A virtual tour of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is available at https://parracatholic.org/st-patricks-cathedral-virtual-reality/ and https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Zxh9H7REqwb&play=1&utm_source=4&utm_source=4


The Intimacy Of The Cross: Kenotic Love In Hans Urs Von Balthasar And Sufjan Stevens, Kellen Troxell May 2018

The Intimacy Of The Cross: Kenotic Love In Hans Urs Von Balthasar And Sufjan Stevens, Kellen Troxell

Obsculta

This essay discusses how von Balthasar describes the relationship between the Father and the Son and how this has implications for the relationship between Christ and the Church. In addition, the author uses “To Be Alone With You” by Sufjan Stevens in order to further examine the implications of this relationship.


Homily: On The Transfiguration, James Voeller Ofm May 2018

Homily: On The Transfiguration, James Voeller Ofm

Obsculta

The glorious event of the Transfiguration prepared the apostles in advance for the passion of Christ. This Gospel narrative in Mark has implications for vocational service. The present reflection is an exhortation for those who preach to “wake up the world”.


Known Yet Unknowable: The Compatibility Of Imageless Prayer And Images, Stephanie Falkowski May 2017

Known Yet Unknowable: The Compatibility Of Imageless Prayer And Images, Stephanie Falkowski

Obsculta

No abstract provided.


A Prophetic Reminder Amid Division, Tom Lindner May 2017

A Prophetic Reminder Amid Division, Tom Lindner

Obsculta

No abstract provided.


The Place Of Psalms In Liturgy, Elizabeth Pike May 2016

The Place Of Psalms In Liturgy, Elizabeth Pike

Obsculta

The General Instruction to the Roman Missal calls psalms particularly “suited to the liturgy,” and the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops acknowledges the Psalter as being “the basic songbook of the liturgy.” However, in churches today, aside from the Responsorial Psalm, hymns are generally substituted for the other places for psalmody normative to the liturgy. This paper examines biblical, historical, liturgical, and theological arguments for making greater use of the psalms in liturgical music today .


Mass Of Mercy: A Chant Mass For Contemporary Worship, Joel S. Kumro May 2015

Mass Of Mercy: A Chant Mass For Contemporary Worship, Joel S. Kumro

Obsculta

No abstract provided.


Theological Aesthetics And Performatism In The Aestheticization Of The Roman Catholic Liturgy, Audrey Seah Jul 2014

Theological Aesthetics And Performatism In The Aestheticization Of The Roman Catholic Liturgy, Audrey Seah

Obsculta

No abstract provided.


Retrieving Ember Days, Roger Pieper Jun 2014

Retrieving Ember Days, Roger Pieper

Obsculta

No abstract provided.