the good catholic mystic: Sep 9, 2010

9.09.2010

Today is the day. I'll be ordained as a Minister in the UCA. "Minister" for us is slightly more than Deacon, slightly less than priest (meaning I have all powers other than absolution and eucharist). I am so excited. It is a solemn day, a joyous day, a day that will be celebrated by myself and my Bishop alone. My friends do know, but this will very much be a private event. I feel in some ways sad because of this, in some ways relieved, in some ways pleased. It is a holy thing and almost I feel it SHOULDN'T be seen by anyone.

Well. Now a new life opens up for me. Of course, the LIFE is one that is lived regardless of vocation, etc.; I know that. But still, for me, it is a fulfillment of my personal identity, an event of such great existential import. I don't mean to be 'collecting' titles or 'states' or 'statuses', but still it is a vocation that is important for me and life-long. I have been soldier, lawyer, now Minister, and eventually priest. I feel very complete, but of course, not 'safe'.

As I shared with my Bishop, who agreed with me, the life of Holy Orders does not bring 'greater salvation', a 'better shot at eternity' or some sort of 'spiritual safety zone'. Quite the reverse, rather. I am far more vulnerable now than ever in my life--both from the vocation itself, from my own internal struggles, and from without. Thanks be to G-d that I have two spiritual directors, and perhaps a third, that are helping to keep me on track.

My only wish is that my family truly understood what this means to me, or could feel joy for me. I feel a little cheated: were I taking orders in a church with a greater official member roster, perhaps i would get more encouragement; at least people would be able to understand what the heck i am doing. As it is, few truly approve and fewer understand what I am doing. The scripture comes to mind: "The Sone of Man has nowhere to lay his head." Ain't it the truth. At least I can give thanks that I live in a land and a time where I am free from overt persecution. And I do know that I am, in reality, joining the ranks of all the priests of all time and of all over the world. So I am in good company, and a host of forefathers and foremothers stand with me.

My blessings to all on this day, and all your prayers are humbly solicited.

p

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peace.

Φ i did not come to bring peace but a sword Φ

Φ he who does not drink my blood and eat my flesh shall not see the kingdom of heavenΦ

Φ i and the father are oneΦ

Φ let the dead bury their own dead Φ

This is why I follow the Christ: Not because he MUST be the Savior in some C.S. Lewis-type analysis: "if he is not lying, if he is not mad, he must be telling the truth." Bah.

Jesus lied all the time: his stories are stories within stories; most of which had nothing to do with what they seem to be talking about and many of which have morals completely opposite to their apparently meaning.

Mad? He obviously was. Have you actually READ the Gospels?

Lord? Well, if you buy that, you do so on pure faith and/or pure experience. There is no reason, in fact that are legion reasons, why you should not.

Yet I say: begin with sincere contemplation; pray to be opened to the world of the spirit: and you sall see for yourself.

pete's profile

I am a Priest. My rite is the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church (HNCC). I am also a fully professed religious with the Companions of St. Dionysius (OSSD).

I am pastor of the nascent Clare of Assisi Parish in Oakland, California, which is beginning it's active ministry in May 2011.

I am Prior of the St. Denys Prioryunder Fr. Abbot +Brian Ouellette, Ph.D, Patriarch of the HNCC, who is also Patriarch of the Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church in exile.

I've been married to my amazing wife Sheryl for 21 years this year; we have three children, Jesse, Gabriel and Isabel--all adopted from Guatemala.

Exodus 17:10-13

reading list

1. The Bible: a Biography by Karen Armstrong

2. Islam by Karen Armstrong

3. Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time by Karen Armstrong

4. The Battle for God by Karen Armstrong

5. Creation Myths by Marie-Louise von Franz

6. Symbols of Transformation by C.G. Jung

7. Aion by C.G. Jung

8. The Aion Lectures by Edward F. Edinger

9. Answer to Job by C.G. Jung

10. Transformation of the God-Image by Edward F. Edinger

11. Ego and Archetype by Edward F. Edinger

12. The Middle Platonists by John Dillon

Judaism

1. The Works of Philo: Complete and Unabridged Translated by C.D. Yonge

2. An Introduction to First Century Judaism by Lester L. Grabbe

3. The Torah: a Modern Commentary Published by The Union of American Hebrew Congregations (This is the best Torah and Commentary that I have been able to find)

4. The Seventh Telling by Mitchel Chefitz (this novel will give you an idea of what I believe a priest/rabbi should be, as well as a compelling story of spiritual transformation)

5. The Thirty-Third Hour by Mitchel Chefitz (a wonderful introduction to the discipline of Mishnah and the beauty of Judaism, and a sequel to the previous novel.)

6. Judaism as Philosophy: the method and message of the Mishnah by Jacob Neusner

7. How to Read the Bible by James L. Kugel

8. The Bible as it was by James L. Kugel

9. Neoplatonism and Jewish Thought edited by Lenn E. Goodman (you will have to look around to find a reasonably priced copy. I purchased mine for 17.00. If you can’t get this one, we can find something else.)

Christianity and Gnosticism (with an eye towards Sethianism)

1. The Gnostic Scriptures by Bentley Layton (a wonderful work, but it is not a complete translation of the Sethian tests from the Nag Hamadi. Pay special attention to the definition of Gnosis as acquaintance.)

2. The Nag Hamadi Scriptures International Edition edited by Marvin Meyer (this is the most up to date, and complete translation of the Nag Hamadi plus some. It is also the easiest to read.)

3. Ancient Gnosticism: Traditions and Literature by Birger A. Peterson (this is the best introduction to the Classical Gnostics)

4. Gnosticism and Christianity in Roman and Coptic Egypt edited by Birger A. Pearson

5. Gnosticism, Judaism, and Egyptian Christianity by Birger A. Pearson

6. The Gnostic Religion by Hans Jonas (very out of date, but still an important read)

7. Gnosis: the Nature and History of Gnosticism by Kurt Rudolph (also out of date, but an important read)

8. What is Gnosticism by Karen King (there has been a move among some scholars to cast aside the term Gnosticism, this book deals with this issue.)

9. Rethinking Gnosticism: an Argumanet for Dismantling a Dubious Category by Michael Allen Williams (a very good book dealing with Gnosticism as a category. I disagree with his conclusions, but still a good book.)

10. The Secret Revelation of John by Karen King (one of the only well done studies of a single Sethian text. I love this book.)

11. Sethian Gnosticism and the Platonic Tradition by John D. Turner

12. Neoplatonism and Gnosticism edited by Richard T. Wallis

13. The Thirteenth Apostle: What the Gospel of Judas Really Says by April DeConick

14. Celsus on the True Doctrine: A Discourse Against the Christians translated by R. Joseph Hoffmann

Bernard McGinn – The Foundations of Mysticism, The Growth of Mysticism, The Flowering of Mysticism, and The Harvest of Mysticism.

by jupiter! more reading

Essential Reading

by Father Bryan on 13 Feb 2010, 01:39

The following is an essential reading list for those entering under the Christian School. This list will be added to as time goes on so be sure to check back from time to time.Note: Items in red are most important and considered necessary for those entering the Christian priesthoodScriptureThe Holy Bible (NAB and NKJV)The Apocryphal Old Testament – Edited by H.F.D. SparksThe Apocryphal New Testament – J.K. ElliottNew Testament Apocrypha Volume 1 – Edited by Wilhelm SchneemelcherNew Testament Apocrypha Volume 2 – Edited by Wilhelm SchneemelcherThe Lost Bible – by J.R. PorterLost Books of the Bible - William HoneGreat Events of Bible Times: A Fascinating Visual Journey Back to the People and Places of the Bible - Metzer, Goldstein FergusonThe Lost Scriptures – by Bart D. EhrmanThe Complete Gospels – Edited by Robert J. MillerThe Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English – Translated by Geza VermesThe Dead Sea Scrolls: A New Translation – Michael Wise, Martin Abegg, Jr. & Edward CookThe Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament Volumes 1 & 2 – Edited by R.H. CharleshttpThe Other Bible - Edited by Willis BarnstoneThe Gnostic Scriptures: Ancient Wisdom for the New Age - Translated by Bentley Layton (Don't let the terrible New Age name and cover mislead you, as it's a great book)The Nag Hammadi Scriptures (The International Edition) - Edited by Marvin MeyerThe Gnostic Bible - Edited by Willis Barnstone & Marvin MeyerTheologyA Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs – Edited by David W. BercotLost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew – by Bart D. EhrmanCatechism of the Catholic ChurchDocuments of the Christian Church – Edited by Henry Bettenson & Chris MaunderBiblica: The Bible Atlas: A Social and Historical Journey Through the Lands of the BibleThe Portable Seminary: A Master’s Level Overview in One Volume – Edited by David HortonJesus and the Lost Goddess: The Secret Teachings of the Original Christians – by Timothy Freke & Peter GandyMisquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why – Bart D. EhrmanThe Gnostic Gospels – by Elaine PagelsLiberating the Gospels: Reading the Bible with Jewish Eyes – by John Shelby SpongIn Search of Paul: How Jesus’ Apostle Opposed Rome’s Empire with God’s Kingdom – by John Dominic Crossan & Jonathan L. ReedLiving Buddha, Living Christ – Thich Nhat HanhJesus & Buddha: The Parallel Sayings – Edited by Marcus BorgGnosticism, Judaism, and Egyptian Christianity - by Birger A. PearsonSethian Gnosticism and the Platonic Tradition - by John D. TurnerAncient Gnosticism: Traditions and Liturature - by Birger A. Pearsonhttp://jdt.unl.edu/lithist.html

Essential Reference Gnosis - by Kurt RudolphA Dictionary of Gnosticism – by Andrew Phillip SmithA Guide to the Sacraments – by John MacquarrieWho are the Independent Catholics? - by John P. Plummer and John R. MabryDead Sea Scrolls: Their History and Myths Revealed – by John DeSalvo, Ph.D.Guide to the Dead Sea Scrolls - by Craig A. EvansPraxisA Prayer Book for Orthodox Christians – Translated from the Greek by the Holy Transfiguration MonasteryThe Liturgy of the Hours in East and West: The Origins of the Divine Office and Its Meaning for Today – by Robert TaftGnostic Tarot: Mandalas for Spiritual Transformation - by Lee IrwinTheological PhilosophyThe Philokalia: The Complete Text – Edited by G.E.H. Palmer, Philip Sherrard, Kallistos Ware.The Desert Christian: The Sayings of the Desert Fathers – by Benedicta WardThe Collected Works of St. Theresa of Avila Volumes 1-3 – Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D. & Otilio Rodriguez, O.C.D.Entering the Silence: The Journals of Thomas Merton – edited by Jonathan MontaldoLight and Peace: Instructons for Devout Souls to Dispel Their Doubts and Allay their Fears – by R.P. Quadrupani, Barnabite

Praxis For those Entering Priesthood Under the Christian School {note: the seminarian would do well to invest in all titles in Red}

[Western Rite]The Sacramentary (1985) - by Catholic Book Publishing Corporation The Rites of the Catholic Church Volumes I and II (1991) - by the Liturgical PressLectionary For Sunday Mass I and II (1998) - by Catholic Book Publishing CorporationLectionary for Mass {for weekdays} Years I, II, and III (2002) - by the Liturgical PressLectionary for Mass: Common of Saints : Ritual Masses, Masses for Various Needs and Occasions, Votive Masses, and Masses for the Dead - by the Liturgical PressRoman Ritual I (1946): Sacraments and Processions - Translated by Reverend Philip T. WellerRoman Ritual II (1946): Christian Burial, Exorcisms, Reserved Blessings, Etc. - Translated by Reverend Philip T. WellerRoman Ritual III (1946): The Blessings - Translated by Reverend Philip T. Weller

[Eastern Rite]Service Book (1996) of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic Church - by the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese