From his Memoirs, here gathered by the prolific Joseph Shaw. The widely published Bouyer was in on the process from the start of Vatican 2. He refers to the concilium, or commission, charged with concretizing liturgical reform according to guidelines given by council’s document. Italics are added here.

Wrote Bouyer:

I should not like to be too harsh on this commission’s labours. It numbered a certain number of genuine scholars and more than one experienced and judicious pastor. Under different circumstances they might have accomplished excellent work. Unfortunately, on the one hand a deadly error in judgment placed the official leadership of the committee in the hands of a man who, though generous and brave, was not very knowledgeable: Cardinal Lercaro. He was utterly incapable of resisting the manoeuvres of the mealy-mouthed scoundrel that the Neapolitan Vincentian, Bugnini, a man as bereft of culture as he was…

By Ann Barnhardt:

Every Mass could be your last on earth. Between today and the next Mass, it may become impossible to ever go to Mass again. We simply cannot take it for granted any longer.

Every sacramental Communion could be your Viaticum. You might not survive to receive Holy Communion again. Remember this possibility. Be conscious of it.

As war is upon us, we must live with death present in our minds, “keep death daily before our eyes” as St. Benedict put it.

Pray the Fourth Glorious Mystery of the Rosary, the Assumption of Our Lady into heaven, and remember its fruit: the grace of a happy, holy, provided death. If you stay in a state of Grace and contemplate each reception of the Eucharist as possibly your Viaticum, then even in the chaos of war, a good, holy death can be possible.

Simply:MEMENTO MORI.Remember your death.

. . . anniversary of Benedict’s decree enabling him and other Anglican priests and congregations to cross the Tiber en masse.

… the eleventh Anniversary of Anglicanorum coetibus, the first successful initiative in the field of Christian Unity since, I think, some Eastern Rite Christians in India entered into Full Communion with the See of S Peter in the 1930s. (Orthodox may, of course, see things differently!) Or have I forgotten somebody …

God bless our former Holy Father Joseph Ratzinger; and I ask your prayers for the Three Ordinariates. And for all who are in the process of joining them

And those who are contemplating doing so.

I shall write a little more about the Anglican Patrimony on November 9, dies obitus [death date] of John Richards, First Bishop of Ebbsfleet.

I love this guy, a Brit of much learning and wit. And if there were…