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I've posted pictures on my Seminary website of the softball game played by the college men earlier today. It was a great way for us to release a bit of the pressure that's been building up coming into finals week, and it was a fun way to end our series of intramural games (including Soccer, Volleyball, Tag Football, Ultimate Frisbee, etc.).

During the game, one of the few hawks that are living in and around the Seminary caught a bird, and Charlie, a fellow college seminarian, took a picture of the hawk in a tree:

Many people who wish to reject the Catholic Church's teachings on sex and marriage (and women's equality and dignity) refer to chapter 5 of the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, where Paul writes, "Wives, be subject to your husbands," and say the Church's beliefs are founded upon years and years of patriarchal tradition. It is useful, then, to look at St. Paul's letter a little more closely, and to discuss what exactly the Catholic Church teaches concerning women in marriage.

The context of the above quote is important for a deeper understanding of what St. Paul actually means:

"Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.

While reading through many different Catholic works, certain ideas and words often make me say, "Wow! That's pretty cool!" I had a moment like this a few days ago when reading the following from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Number 275. So I thought to myself, "Why not post it on my blog? I'm sure other people would be interested in hearing this as well." And now I will post this on my blog for you:

A bow signifies reverence and honor shown to the persons themselves or to the signs that represent them...

A bow of the head is made when the three Divine Persons are named together and at the names of Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the Saint in whose honor Mass is being celebrated.

DeathRoe.com, a Pro-Life website I've previously mentioned, has gone live this past week. Check it out!

They have a wealth of useful Pro-Life facts, many cool parts of the site, and a forum where you can discuss all things Pro-Life.

...Happy Easter!

Last night, the Semiarians attended the Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis with Archbishop Burke as the main celebrant. At the Mass of the Lord's Supper (pictures here), we celebrate the institution of the Holy Eucharist and of the Priesthood, and we commemorate the Washing of the Feet (see John chapter 13).

I was unable to take any pictures at Tenebrae because of the darkness (only one candle was lit for much of the service, and only emergency lighting was on in the Cathedral, but I will copy here the description of Tenebrae from the booklet we receieved for the service:

Concerning the Service of Tenebrae: