Work of the People

The Paschal Candle holds a pre-eminent place among all candles used in church, for it is a symbol of Christ and is "the light of Christ, rising in glory," scattering "the darkness of our hearts and minds" (Sacramentary, The Easter Vigil, 12). In the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet), the Paschal Candle is called a "pillar of fire" (reminding us of the Israelites flee from Egypt [Ex 14:21]) that mingles with the lights of heaven and "glows to the honor of God." Contrary to the multitude of Easter lilies that appear in churches during this time, "the Easter Candle is the Catholic Easter symbol" (The Lent Triduum, and Easter Answer Book, Paul J. Niemann). Read more...

The prayers below and more (you'll need Adobe Reader to see the other prayers) come from the Worship Commission for the Lutheran Church of Australia. The prayers are excellent and their website is even better!

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God our Father, we pray:
for new mothers,
coming to terms with both the joys and demands of motherhood;
for pregnant mothers, expectant and wondering, or fearful;
for those mothers who are tired, stressed, ill or depressed; Read more...

As some of you know, I go to school at Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, during the summer months. The Benedictines who live, work, and teach there have always been committed to the arts and especially to exploring how art deepens our relationship with God, the Master Artist.

One way they do this is through the ancient monastic art of Bible making. Saint John's has commissioned a handwritten Bible to illuminate the Word of God for a new millennium. Every time I see a new illuminated page from their Bible, I am amazed at how the artists have given a new perspective to ancient texts. Read more...

This article by Diana Macalintal first appeared in Eucharistic Ministries 249, February 2005.
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This article by Diana Macalintal first appeared in Eucharistic Ministries 227, February 2003.
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This article by Diana Macalintal first appeared in Eucharistic Ministries 227, February 2003.

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This article by Diana Macalintal first appeared in Eucharistic Ministries 249, February 2005.
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One practice that has become somewhat popular is to remove the water from the font or cover the font completely during the Lenten season. While this may be a dramatic sign of thirsting and dryness, this practice does not in fact support one of the main themes of Lent: “Lent is marked by two themes, the baptismal and the penitential. By recalling or preparing for baptism and by repentance, this season disposes the faithful…to celebrate the paschal mystery. The baptismal and penitential aspects of Lent are to be given greater prominence in both the liturgy and liturgical catechesis. Hence, more use is to be made of the baptismal features proper to the Lenten liturgy” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 109). Read more...

This article by Diana Macalintal first appeared in Eucharistic Ministries 239, February 2004.
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This article by Diana Macalintal first appeared in Eucharistic Ministries #246, September 2004.

Revealing the presence of God is an extraordinary task, yet we can do so with simple ordinary actions.

Slow down. Like speeding down the highway, busy-ness and hurriedness prevent us from seeing God in unexpected places. Move slowly as you do your ministry. When the unexpected happens, look for the God hidden in disruptions.
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This article by Diana Macalintal first appeared in Eucharistic Ministries #246, September 2004.



Reverence, which is the synthesis of love and fear.

- Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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This article by Diana Macalintal first appeared in The Valley Catholic, January 2005, the diocesan newspaper of San Jose.

In his letter inaugurating the Year of the Eucharist, Pope John Paul II reminds us to begin at the end:
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This article by Diana Macalintal first appeared in Eucharistic Ministries, #249, December 2004.
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This article by Diana Macalintal first appeared in Eucharistic Ministries, #249, December 2004.
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This article by Diana Macalintal first appeared in Eucharistic Ministries, #249, December 2004.

Let’s face it. Some of our Christmas songs are clichéd, trite and a bit too “sweet.” Yet our musical tradition is full of carols and hymns that, in the words of Environment and Art in Catholic Worship 21, are “capable of bearing the weight of mystery, awe, reverence and wonder which the liturgical action expresses.” Here are some of those songs. Read more...

According to the Church’s General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar:

#39. Advent has a twofold character: as a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s firth coming to us is remembered; as a season when that remembrance directs the mind and heart ot await Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. Advent is thus a period of devout and joyful expectation.
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By Brother John Samaha, S.M.
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2nd Sunday of Advent, Year A

December 5, 2004

Things, events, and news items to keep in mind: Read more...

To Crown the Year: Decorating the Church Through the Seasons
By Peter Mazar, Art by Evelyn Grala
Liturgy Training Publications, 1995 Read more...