Each weekday, you'll find a new question and answer. Check back for the new question and scroll down to see previous day's entries! Let us know what you think - - or question! -- by emailing us at tcanswer@osv.com.
Updated Rite of Marriage?
Q. Has the Rite of Marriage been updated since 1969? I’m assuming not, but something just happened recently regarding the Rite and I can’t remember what it was nor can I find it online.
K.R., Huntington, Ind.
A. Here’s a reply from TCA columnist Father Francis Hoffman, J.C.D.:
Yes, the Rite of Marriage has been updated since 1969. A new edition was published in 1991 in Latin, and it is up to each Episcopal Conference to translate this Editio typica altera into the vernacular. The edition was recently released in Italian, but the ICEL translation into English has not yet been approved by the bishops.
On November 17, 2004, the USCCB unanimously approved additions to the Marriage Ritual used for the Hispanic Catholic community. These additions incorporate customs that are traditional in Mexico and other Latin American countries, such as the monedas and the lasso.
The monedas or arras are 13 symbolic gold coins that the groom gives the bride as a sign that he will share all his wealth with her. Thirteen represents Christ and the twelve Apostles.
The lasso is just that: a white cord to tie the spouses together. Tradition suggests that the lasso be draped over the shoulders of the spouses as they kneel, and it is twisted into a figure eight symbolizing infinity and eternity. The symbolism is so charming and powerful that I’ll bet Anglo couples in the U.S. will soon be wanting them, too!
Pope’s Mailing Address?
Q. I would appreciate it if you could please give me the mailing address and proper greeting when a person writes to the Holy Father. I realize the letter will be filtered by someone and the pope may not even read it, but it still gives me pleasure and satisfaction to write to him.
R.J.B., via email
A. Here’s the Holy Father’s mailing address. You would address him as “Your Holiness” or “Most Holy Father.”
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
00120 Via del Pellegrino
Citta del Vaticano / VATICAN CITY
The Pope’s email address (for English correspondence) is benedictxvi@vatican.va.
Tithing?
Q. I tithe, but I heard it said that we’re to tithe off the amount we make before we get taxed on it, not what we actually bring home. Is this correct? Also, is that 10% amount that we tithe supposed to go entirely to the Church, or can it be divvied up between the Church, the poor box, and any charitable organizations also — or are those in addition to our obligated giving?
D.N., Savannah, Ga.
A. The Church holds as one of her precepts (commandments): “You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.” According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this means that “the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability” (CCC 2043).
Beyond this general obligation, the Church as a whole formally offers no detailed rules. A few American bishops have published guidelines for their particular dioceses, suggesting that a portion go to the local parish, a portion to the diocese, and a portion to charitable causes.
Some would argue that the Old Testament commandments to give a tithe (the literal meaning of “tithe” is 10 percent) still hold for God’s people today. (See, for example, Malachi 3:8–10, where God tells His people through the prophet Malachi that they are “robbing” Him by failing to give Him a tithe.) Nevertheless, the Church has concluded that the principle of generous giving, rather than the exact fraction, has continued under the New Covenant.
We should keep in mind that in many cases where the Law under the Old Covenant gave way under the New Covenant to a new obligation for God’s people, the new obligation was more demanding than the old, not less. (See, for example, Matthew 5:21–48.)
We should also recall that when Jesus reprimanded the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees for making tithes even of their herbs while neglecting “weightier matters,” He didn’t tell them that the tithe was of no account; He said, “These you should have done, without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23). He also spoke approvingly of the impoverished widow who gave God her last two small coins (see Luke 21:2).
Let me share from my personal experience. God has been so very generous to me and my family that I’ve always desired to be generous in response. Ever since I became a Christian 37 years ago, I’ve been committed to give back to the Lord (some to the Church, some to charitable concerns) 10 percent of my gross income (that is, before taxes or any other expense). When my wife and I married almost 30 years ago, we agreed that this was the right thing to do, and we’ve so always tithed as a minimum, though much of the time we’ve given 15 percent.
Over those years, we’ve certainly had our share of difficult financial times, with seasons of unemployment, medical bills, college tuition, and other stiff challenges. But we’ve always kept tithing (10 percent) as a minimum for our giving, and Our Lord has never let us down. In the end, we always come out all right.
As an old Bible teacher I once knew used to say, “You can’t out-give God.”
Inauguration Day Prayer?
Q. Catholics were deeply and even bitterly divided in the recent presidential elections. But even those of us who vehemently opposed Barak Obama’s candidacy must now pray for him as the new leader of our nation. Can you suggest a prayer for this Inauguration Day?
K.L., Chicago, Ill.
A. Here’s one from Catholic Prayers for Every Day and All Day, Leonard Foley, O.F.M., ed. (St. Anthony Messenger Press).
A Prayer for Government Officials
Merciful Lord, bless our country. Enlighten with your grace the President of these United States and all who bear office with the President, that in all things we may be governed in justice and equality. Grant us not only such outward prosperity as is your will, but, above all things, such faith, hope and charity that your name will always be glorified in our midst. Amen.
Here’s “A Prayer for the Nation” from the same book:
Almighty God, you have given us this good land for our heritage. We humbly ask you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable endeavor, sound learning and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties and fashion into one united people the multitude brought here out of many nations and tongues. Endow with the Spirit of wisdom those to whom in your name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to your law we may show forth your praise among the nations on earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble do not allow our trust in you to fail. Amen.
For additional prayers, click here. To request a free OSV Prayer card for our Nation, click here.
Papal Emblems?
Q. Our Cathedral flies a papal flag. Can you tell me the significance of the symbols on the flag?
J.J., via email
A. Here’s a reply from TCA columnist Father Ray Ryland, Ph.D., J.D.: The present papal flag with white and gold colors dates from the pontificate of Pope Pius VII in 1808. On it are depicted two large keys, symbols of the authority over the Church entrusted by Christ to Peter and his successors (see Mt 16:19).
Above the keys is the papal tiara, a crown of three coronets topped by a cross and an orb. Traditionally, each pope received this tiara at his coronation and wore it for certain solemn, non-liturgical occasions, such as papal ceremonial processions. Pope Paul VI was the last pontiff to wear it.
Each pope has his own distinctive coat of arms as well. Pope Benedict has chosen to retain the episcopal coat of arms he used as Archbishop of Munich and Freising. An image on the left is that of the “Moor of Freising.” That crowned head has appeared on the coat of arms of Freising at least since the early fourteenth century. On the right is a figure of the “Bear of Corbinian.”
St. Corbinian was sent as a missionary bishop to proclaim the gospel in Bavaria in the early eighth century. A legend has it that when Corbinian was on the road to Rome, a bear killed his pack mule. So Corbinian made the bear carry the pack the remainder of the trip, then freed him when they reached Rome.
The pope has added certain features to his episcopal coat of arms. The two large keys in the background are the same as those in the papal flag, a symbol of Petrine authority. A sketch of the Holy Father’s pallium has also been added.
New to the coat of arms is a pilgrim’s seashell, emblem of the pilgrims traveling the Way of Santiago to the Shrine of St. James in Spain. The scallop is also an ancient symbol of Christian baptism.
The most interesting, and perhaps significant, feature of Pope Benedict’s coat of arms is that he has removed the papal tiara and substituted a bishop’s mitre. Commentators have speculated that Pope Benedict ordered the mitre for his coat of arms to emphasize the necessity of collegiality among the bishops, of which he is the chief bishop. (He of course is also Vicar of Christ with universal jurisdiction over the Church.)
We should perhaps note that that the Pope cannot share responsibility with bishops who will not accept and carry out that responsibility. In recent decades on a number of occasions the Vatican has had to intervene in situations in this country and elsewhere when local bishops did not fulfill their duties.
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