[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZmA_0M40h8]
One of the great things about returning to America as a Catholic is that I now share in all the different Catholic ethnic groups. I’ve loved learning about the Maronites and learning to celebrate the Maronite Divine Liturgy.
A few months ago I was asked to be chaplain to our local Ancient Order of Hibernians. Living in England for twenty five years I was loaded with some anti-Irish prejudice. Tonight that was all wiped. A few of the fellows from the AOH invited me to join them for a concert of Celtic Thunder. I’d never heard of them and didn’t know if I was getting in for Irish dancing or what.
It was a great show in Greenville’s Bi-Lo Center. I know it was a show, but it really seemed to capture the indomitable spirit of the Irish. There was wit, beautiful singing, drums, fiddles, dancing and an irrepressible joie de vivre.
I was also pondering on the way home at how the Catholic countries have managed to retain a joy and poignant lust for life in their cultures which the Protestant Northern European Puritanical countries lost.
At the Reformation out went the fiddles and dancing and singing and festivals and drama and joy. In came the dour, serious, bare and spiritless austerity.
People used to tell me it was just because Italy, Spain and France were warm climates. I doubt it. Medieval, Catholic England had plenty of jollity. It went out when Mao Tse Tudor took over.
Anyhow, I’m on an Irish gig at the moment. I want to read the history of Ireland and come St Patrick’s Day I’ll be wearing the green as an honorary Irishman (if they’ll have me)
Am I reading too much irony here? Something tells me I’m not. Very funny indeed.
I am being sincere. I enjoyed the show and am developing a love for the Irish. Is that allowed?
Nothing wrong with the Irish, we’re the best there is! Glad your coming around.
Hmmm, interesting. You’re on to something with the Catholic countries vs. the Protestant. It’s like the English and the French – Puritans and lusty Latins. Any chance it’s related to birth control or am I overreaching?
“…how the Catholic countries have managed to retain a joy and poignant lust for life in their cultures which the Protestant Northern European Puritanical countries lost?’I’m thinking uncontracepted marriage.
I have to say, Father, your love is “new”; mine is old, and it’s wounded. I always loved them. Not that they care a whit for me or my opinion, but here’s what I’d say to them.Dear Ireland: In your poverty and suffering through the ages, you were beautiful. Your music and poetry, your courage and perseverance, your beautiful land and stone shrines and churches everywhere, but most of all, your steadfast love for our Blessed Mother and for Holy Church. Now you prefer membership in the EU to membership in the Church, you legalize divorce, contraception, abortion–you close nearly all your churches and express public contempt for clergy. You no longer send missionaries to the world; we send missionaries to you. But to no avail. Freedom and prosperity have ruined you. Now you love your pagan gods again–turning to nothing the countless martyrs who preserved your faith by their suffering and death. And you’ve made a god of Irishness. Poverty, starvation, oppression could not destroy you. Freedom has.
Off thread: Fr Dwight, Will you please convey my deep respect & thanks to Fr Newman for all the heat he's taken this wk? It looks like all the links have been pulled so I don't know how else to contact him. What he said makes complete sense in light of the teacching of the Church but I felt badly that even his own chancery didn't support him. I've come to expect that from the media but I still cherish hope for the Body of Christ on earth!
You go, Father! Share the joy–you deserve it, especially after this week. Some of you bloggers here need to encourage Father in his new-found love rather than digging for the negative. Just sayin’…Love Celtic Thunder; they have been on PBS several times.A wise old Catholic lady once told me: JOY = J(esus) O(nly) Y(ou). Only God can truly save us; not politics, nor money, nor ideologies, nor… I have to keep reminding myself of this in these troubled times. Blessings to all
The orange and green text was a nice touch! ^_~
Everyone can be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! And, yes, we’ll have you!
The J-O-Y I was taught was a little Protestant Sunday School song that goes…Jesus and others and you, what a wonderful way to spell joy. Jesus and others and you, in the heart of each girl and each boy. J is for Jesus for he has first place. O is for others you meet face to face. Y is for you in whatever you do. Put yourself last and spell Joy.
Oh, Father, I LOVE that!! Can’t beat the Protestants for song-ditties–gonna remember the J-O-Y one! Thanks and blessings on your (too busy, I’m sure) weekend…
Mao Tse Tudor indeed! Henry VIII was such a !@^&*$#@! Have you read 'Burning to Read' by Simpson?
Oh, Fr. Longenecker,Those J-O-Y song lyrics bring back memories for me too. This is the one I remember best:Jesus loves me! this I know,For the Bible tells me so.Little ones to Him belong;they are weak but He is strong.Yes, Jesus loves me!Yes, Jesus loves me!Yes, Jesus loves me!The Bible tells me so.And this “Joy” one:I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart,Down in my heart, down in my heart.I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart,Down in my heart to stay.
My grandfather, a Murphy, would be very unhappy with the orange and would comment on anyone dumb enough to wear orange in his presence. My family (some) keep alive the memory of the protestant disruption in Ireland by William of Orange in the late 17th century.
How right you are Father.I would like to suggest you an wonderful illustration for what seems to me an obvious reality. There are very few nations divided between Catholicism and reformation. Flanders is one of them. The northern part is protestant and in the Low Countries. The southern part is catholic and belong (for the meantime) to Belgium. A few centuries ago, Flanders was a same country, inhabited by the same people sharing a common religion and a rich folkslife.After the Reformation, the religious divide cut through families, communities and the whole country. Today, as soon as we cross the border, we notice the difference. Joy on the south side, absence of joy on the north side of the border. They are now neighbours, no longer brothers.
Hmm as an Englishwoman I’m not so sure all the typecasting is fair. We are a mixed race – descended from the Celts, Romans, Scandinavians, Norman French (who were originally Vikings), oh, and Irish. English Catholics are grateful for all the priests we’ve been sent over the years. I love Ireland, the real Ireland that is (agreeing with estiel). Sadly, the worldly influence has meant that the awful secularism which infects so much of my country has spread with the increased prosperity. However, times are changing again, and the building boom has stopped – it will be interesting to see if Ireland finds her true soul again, personified by the High Crosses and holy places.
Thank you, Clare. I hate being called ‘negative’ for speaking the truth; the fact is, Ireland broke my heart. No country has suffered more martyrdom for the Church than Ireland. But they have no use for her now. A monk I know was spat on in Shannon Airport recently by a group of Irish youth, because he was wearing a habit. What a difference one or two generations of prosperity can make.
They are ok but not a patch on these fellas for getting the Irish in you singing.http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=9T7OaDDR7i8&feature;=relatedThe Dubliners – In the Rare Old Times
You’ve convinced my husband to join the Hibernians. He’s 100 percent Irish on both sides. Thanks for the post!
Agreed regarding Catholic countries retaining a lust for life. I am thinking, in particular, of Poland. I am Polish-American who had never been to the land of my ancestors until a few years ago. I have never, in my life, known a more celebratory or joyful people.
This 1st generation Irish-American will have and allow you to be “Irish” on St. Patrick’s day and other days too. Yeah Ireland currently has it’s issues sometimes I think they are trying to hard to be like America, but alas it is still a Catholic country, where religion is taught in the national “public” schools.
Okay–been trying to think of it since the beginning of this thread and I can’t remember it. It’s by Hillaire Belloc, referring to the joie de vivre of Catholics, the last line of which is, “…where there’s [always plenty?] of sunshine and good red wine.”
Éstiel,Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine,There’s always laughter and good red wine.At least I’ve always found it so.Benedicamus Domino!
Thanks, Emilio!