Ralph Martin on the 'Baptism in the Spirit'

The current issue of the Journal Logos, out of the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, has an article on the so-called 'Baptism in the Holy Spirit' by our friend (and one of my former professors) Ralph Martin, which is also available online:

Ralph Martin, "A New Pentecost? Catholic Theology and 'Baptism in the Spirit'," Logos 14.3 (2011): 17-43.

I am afraid that he disagrees with the interpretation of the experience which I argued for in my undergraduate thesis, or rather I suppose I should say that I disagree with him; but I mention it because he does me the honor of mentioning my humble little work in the pages of his article.

At first I get a mention in an endnote (n. 15, p. 41):

[Yours Truly] also very ably argues in support of Sullivan's position in his article, "The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal: Theological Interpretation of the Experience," in Antiphon 9, no. 2 (2005): 141–65.

Later he gives me an nice block quote (pp. 33-34):

One of the strongest advocates of Sullivan's interpretation admits as much:

"There is also a second possible answer to the question whether the pentecostal experience is essentially a sacramental grace: a highly qualified "yes." If the essence of the pentecostal experience is restricted to a general growth in sanctifying grace, which is always rooted to some extent in baptism then there is no difficulty. The charisms, then, would be non-essential manifestations of the growth, or renewal, of baptismal grace. The pentecostal experience as a whole may legitimately be interpreted as a sacramental grace only if the charisms are clearly distinguished as accidental to the experience." ("Outpouring of the Holy Spirit," 154.)

Happy 1st Birthday, Edmund George!

Edmund has started taking a few steps at a time in the past week or so, and we finally got them on camera!

Solemn Feast of the Assumption

Of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Almighty everlasting God, Who hast taken body and soul into heaven the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Thy Son: grant, we beseech Thee, that by steadfastly keeping heaven as our goal we may be counted worthy to join her in glory. Through the same our Lord...

Apostolic Constitution

of Pope Pius XII

MUNIFICENTISSIMUS DEUS

1 November 1950

42. We, who have placed our pontificate under the special patronage of the most holy Virgin, to whom we have had recourse so often in times of grave trouble, we who have consecrated the entire human race to her Immaculate Heart in public ceremonies, and who have time and time again experienced her powerful protection, are confident that this solemn proclamation and definition of the Assumption will contribute in no small way to the advantage of human society, since it redounds to the glory of the Most Blessed Trinity, to which the Blessed Mother of God is bound by such singular bonds. It is to be hoped that all the faithful will be stirred up to a stronger piety toward their heavenly Mother, and that the souls of all those who glory in the Christian name may be moved by the desire of sharing in the unity of Jesus Christ's Mystical Body and of increasing their love for her who shows her motherly heart to all the members of this august body. And so we may hope that those who meditate upon the glorious example Mary offers us may be more and more convinced of the value of a human life entirely devoted to carrying out the heavenly Father's will and to bringing good to others. Thus, while the illusory teachings of materialism and the corruption of morals that follows from these teachings threaten to extinguish the light of virtue and to ruin the lives of men by exciting discord among them, in this magnificent way all may see clearly to what a lofty goal our bodies and souls are destined. Finally it is our hope that belief in Mary's bodily Assumption into heaven will make our belief in our own resurrection stronger and render it more effective.

43. We rejoice greatly that this solemn event falls, according to the design of God's providence, during this Holy Year, so that we are able, while the great Jubilee is being observed, to adorn the brow of God's Virgin Mother with this brilliant gem, and to leave a monument more enduring than bronze of our own most fervent love for the Mother of God.

44. For which reason, after we have poured forth prayers of supplication again and again to God, and have invoked the light of the Spirit of Truth, for the glory of Almighty God who has lavished his special affection upon the Virgin Mary, for the honor of her Son, the immortal King of the Ages and the Victor over sin and death, for the increase of the glory of that same august Mother, and for the joy and exultation of the entire Church; by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own authority, we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.

45. Hence if anyone, which God forbid, should dare willfully to deny or to call into doubt that which we have defined, let him know that he has fallen away completely from the divine and Catholic Faith.

Feast of St. Lawrence, Martyr

Praise and beauty are before him: holiness and majesty in his sanctuary.

Quench in us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the flame of vice, even as Thou didst enable blessed Lawrence to overcome his fire of sufferings. Through our Lord...

Don't forget to fire up the grill today in honor of St Lawrence!

Fourteen Holy Helpers

Today is the feast day of the fourteen holy helpers, whose numbers includes:

~St. Barbara

~St. Catherine of Alexandria

~St. Margaret of Antioch

~St. Giles

~St. Eustace

~St. Acathius

~St. Cyriacus

~St. Denis

~St. Christopher

~St. Vitus

~St. Pantaleon

~St. Erasmus

~St. Blaise

and...

SAINT GEORGE THE DRAGONSLAYER!!!

Happy secondary name day, Edmund George! Have some dragon cake today.

The Definitive Solution

The ongoing great debate about Vatican II - whether it represents continuity or rupture with Catholic tradition - has just received a contribution from Prof. Thomas Pink of King's College, London, which alters the landscape of the whole question. After going back and forth on this question for the last few years myself, I have to say that, as far as I am concerned, this settles the matter. I think that Prof. Pink has finally shown us all what the Catholic Church actually does and does not teach about religious liberty.

His article: What Is the Catholic Doctrine of Religious Liberty?

With an introduction by the author at Rorate Caeli.