‘Memoirs of a Happy Failure’ cover design by Marylouise McGraw. / null
New York City, N.Y., Jan 25, 2022 / 15:00 pm (CNA).
Editor’s note: Catholic intellectual Alice von Hildebrand, whose husband was the late Catholic philosopher Dietrich von Hildebrand, died Jan. 14 at the age of 98. Revered as a “tigress” in defense of objective Truth and the Catholic Church, von Hildebrand appeared more than 80 times on EWTN and contributed many outstanding essays over the years to Catholic News Agency. Some of those CNA essays are referenced in the homily below, given by Father Gerald E. Murray at von Hildebrand’s funeral Mass on Jan. 22 at her parish, Holy Family Church in New Rochelle, New York.
“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.” — Letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Romans 5:1-2
As we join together in prayer at this Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of our beloved friend and mentor Alice von Hildebrand, known as Lily to her friends, we pray that she who had such deep faith in the truth who is our Lord Jesus Christ, that she who radiated the peace that God bestows on those who love Him, may now see the fulfillment of her hope, sharing in the glory that God bestows on His good and faithful servants who have received the supreme gift of the beatific vision, seeing God face to face.
Before the body of a deceased Catholic is brought to the parish church for the Requiem Mass, the Church offers this prayer at the wake: “O Lord, we commend to you the soul of your servant Alice, that having departed from this world, she may live with you. And by the grace of your merciful love, wash away the sins that in human frailty she has committed in the conduct of her life.” Lily asked for Masses to be offered for her soul. She was very conscious of the need that sinners have to seek God’s pardon. In December of 2016 she told a friend: “You know, I have lived a long life. I will tell you a secret. I am ready for it to be over. I think I have done what God wanted me to do. If I died tomorrow, I think I would be grateful. Also, I am a coward: I am afraid of what is coming. I pray for the younger generation. I think we are coming back around in history when people will be killed for their faith. If you are there when I am on my deathbed remind me to say, forgive me my sins, thank you to God and I love you. Have you ever thought about the words you will say on your death bed? Of course, not; you are too young but for me it is very close.” She was only off by five years in predicting her departure from this vale of tears. Those five years, indeed all her 98 years on earth were a gift from God both to Lily and to all those who loved her. Her gratitude to God for all He did for her in this life never wavered, but rather grew stronger. She marveled at her long life as she marveled at everything that God did for her.
In August of 2017 Lily told a friend: “I love the story of Abraham, how Isaac asked him on the way to the mount where God had told him to sacrifice his son, ‘but where is the sacrifice?’ and Abraham responded, ‘God will provide.’ That is how I feel about my death — God will provide the right people and the right circumstances.” The Lord did indeed provide for her as Holy Mass was celebrated in her apartment, and she received the Anointing of the Sick and the Apostolic Pardon, on January 13th. She went to the Lord that very night, shortly after midnight.
Her death brings to an earthly close a truly amazing life. Born in 1923, her journey through this world into the world to come took her in 1940 from her native Belgium to New York, in flight from the Nazi invaders. Her first home here was at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel with her aunt and uncle. Little did she know then that she would spend 38 years at a nearby secular school, Hunter College, teaching philosophy. It was her love of books and learning that led her to Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart and then to Fordham University, where she studied philosophy under the guidance of the brilliant and courageous Dietrich von Hildebrand, who had fled Munich for Vienna when Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party took power in Germany. His writings against the Nazis put him at the top of the Gestapo list of people to be arrested when the German army marched into Austria. He escaped on the last train out of Vienna and made his way to New York, where he resumed his work as a philosopher and as a Catholic writer and speaker who inspired his students and friends with a deep love of Christ, of the Church and, in particular, of the Church’s sacred liturgy.
Lily soon became his secretary, and after von Hildebrand’s wife Margarete died in 1957, he asked her to marry him in 1959. They eventually moved to New Rochelle and were members of this parish of the Holy Family. My family were also parishioners here. I remember as a grammar schoolboy wondering who this couple was as they sat a few pews ahead of our family at Sunday Mass. I was to find out, to my great benefit, a few years later, when I decided to enter the seminary to study for the priesthood. I discovered the greatness of these two philosophers who defended all that is worth defending so that man may live at peace with himself, with others and with God.
One of the most central themes in the lives of Dietrich and Alice von Hildebrand was the crucial importance of reverence if man is to order his life properly and fruitfully in this world.
Lily wrote extensively about matters of faith in various Catholic publications in the years that followed her retirement in 1984 from teaching at Hunter College. Reverence was a central topic. Let me cite three passages from her articles.
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“The curse of modern men is that so many of them have lost their sense for wonder and gratitude. Boredom is a punishment for irreverence. Alas, our mind-boggling technological progress has brought with it the curse of taking things for granted and assuming with blind stupidity that there is nothing we cannot know — nothing that he cannot master. Having a small gadget in his hand, one feels that he is the master of the universe. He can click on a button and have the world at his fingertips. Regretfully, we never hear homilists say a word about the sin of being ‘blasé.’ It is a sin because it is a consequence of ingratitude — because it is a fruit of pride and metaphysical arrogance. Every sin brings with it its own punishment.” (“Reverence: The Mother of All Virtue,” Catholic News Agency, April 26, 2016.)
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“What is ‘reverence?’ It is an uplifting and joyful feeling of awe, a response that man is called upon to give to God’s creation which clearly points to the Creator; it is an ever renewed and grateful discovery of the mysteries of being; it is an overcoming of one’s moral blindness preventing us from perceiving the glories of the universe that we live in. It is a joy to perceive how marvelous it is ‘to be,’ and consequently, should make us respond with horror at abortion, willingly and brutally denying existence to others (for I doubt that abortionists would have chosen to be aborted themselves had they had a chance of doing it.) They deny life to others, not to themselves. We all should tremble with respect at perceiving a little creature making its dramatic entrance into our world.” (Ibid.)
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“Irreverence is spreading through modem society like a cancer. It is metastasizing and has infected virtually every facet of our everyday life. The authentic meaning of ‘culture’ refers to a refinement, an elevation, a spiritualization of everyday life —that is, it aims to put the seal of the Spirit on our daily activities. Today, however, the word ‘culture’ refers to whatever has been most recently produced. We have forgotten that true culture elevates; it does not drag down. I dare say that much of what we see today is an anti-culture. It certainly cannot be read as a sursum corda (Lift up your hearts) — a call to look upward, triggering gratitude in our souls. It was typical of Plato’s genius that he would warn us that one of the main aims of education is to train a child to ‘love what is lovable, and hate what is mean and ugly.’ This is the antidote to the disease of irreverence that is ravaging our society and sickening our culture. When will we avail ourselves of it?” (“The Disease of Irreverence,” New Oxford Review, June 2011.)
Lily’s love for the truth was a fruit of her love for Christ, who is the Truth. She did not speak about Catholicism in the classroom at Hunter, a secular school. She taught philosophy not theology. But her students who heard about the existence of objective truth in her classes were free to ask themselves questions about the origin of truth. And that led a good number of them to seek answers beyond philosophy. Lily recounted one incident that occurred shortly before she retired:
“Not long ago, in my ‘Introduction to Philosophy’ course, I was discussing truth. I gave my students the classical argument against subjectivism and relativism, namely, that whenever one tries to deny objective truth one must simultaneously claim that one’s own statement is itself true, really and objectively. Suddenly, a male student raised his hand, rose (a most unusual occurrence), and said in a strong, clear voice: ‘I object, Professor, to your spreading Roman Catholicism in this classroom.’ There followed a moment of great tension and my thoughts rushed to God for help. Then I said quietly: ‘I’m afraid that you are guilty of an anachronism.’ Since the student in question did not know what it meant, I explained: ‘The argument I have been using is taken from Plato who lived some four centuries before the birth of Christ. He can hardly be called a Roman Catholic. This should answer your objection.’ I then proceeded with my teaching. Some 16 months later I received a phone call just as I was about to leave for the university, where I was scheduled to proctor exams for the evening. The person who was calling, a former student, said she urgently wanted to see me. I told her that this was not possible since I was to be on duty the whole evening and, furthermore, it was my last day at the university until the fall term. She started to cry over the phone and insisted that she had to see me immediately. Surmising that her problem was truly serious, I contacted a friend of mine who agreed to proctor in my stead.
I then rushed to the university. I hardly had time to take off my coat when the girl who had phoned me came in. I immediately recognized her even though she had never spoken to me personally when she was my student. She had a fine, sensitive face and I had been impressed by her attentiveness and eagerness to listen. To my utter amazement, she told me abruptly that she wanted to become a Roman Catholic. I was so surprised that I was speechless, but I then decided to test her. ‘Why?’ I asked. ‘Your courses convinced me.’ ‘But,’ I responded, ‘I didn’t say a word about religion in my classes; my topic is philosophy.’
‘l know,’ she answered, ‘but do you recall an incident about 16 months ago when a student got up and objected to your refutation of subjectivism and relativism on the ground that you were spreading Roman Catholicism in the classroom? I had been brought up with strong anti-Catholic prejudices. But just when the student spoke out, the grace of God struck me. I suddenly understood that the Roman Catholic Church does stand for the objectivity of truth and that I had been blinded by prejudices.
‘Your course helped me very much and I decided to take another one with you,’ she continued. ‘I heard through another student that you were the wife of a famous Roman Catholic writer, Dietrich von Hildebrand. I rushed to the library and read a couple of his works. Now I am convinced. Please, help me to find a good priest so that I can take instructions in the faith.’
This is how L.C. found her way into the Church. I learned a great lesson through her experience: God is so powerful, so great, that He can use anything for the good.” (“Classroom Conversion,” National Catholic Register, March 20, 1983.)
We give thanks to God for the life of our dear departed friend Lily von Hildebrand. We owe her many debts of gratitude for all that she did for us and for countless others who learned, and will continue to learn, from her example, her writings and her public speeches and media appearances, especially on EWTN. She taught us how to live, and how to die. May she rest in God’s peace, knowing the One who made her, redeemed her, and has now called her to Himself.
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Bishop Martin do you not know that Francis is no longer with us??? Talking about unity and conformity, the Latin Mass DELIVERS ON THIS!! If he hopes to show that he is in dialogue with one or two Mass offerings to the Latin Mass ahearents, his largess is frankly parsonmonius!
Really? Has it escaped the Bishop’s notice that Frances is dead and we have a new Pope? It is not yet apparent that Pope Leo will follow in the footsteps of the late Pope and stamp out the Latin Mass. It might be smarter to sit this one out for a bit. Maybe it has also escaped his attention that the bulk of vocations and conversions have been coming from those with a conservative life perspective. That would be something to encourage I believe. Indeed an excess of enthusiasm for Post Vatican II ideas is largely why the convents and seminaries are empty. Note to the Bishop: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
The Mass prayed reverently and respectfully (albeit not in Latin) is available at Ordinariate churches. For both laity and the priest celebrating the Holy Sacrifice the prayer of the Mass is said facing ‘ad orientem.’ I’m afraid, however, that the Church will have to suffer along with Bergoglian-appointed bishops for awhile.
I recommend to the Catholics living in Charlotte who have a preference for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass prayed in Latin to give NO CONTRIBUTION AT ALL to their parish, diocese and Peter’s Pence, CCHD, CRS, CCUSA, etc. Instead, write a check to a reputable Catholic missionary (and if you don’t know one, I’ll be glad to send you a priest’s name in Guatemala and his bank number to wire money to.)
To seminarians for the Diocese of Charlotte, I’d recommend you give serious consideration to transferring to an orthodox religious order like the Dominicans.
I live in a state where two archbishops in adjoining dioceses “allow” the TLM. I have FOUR beautiful, beautiful churches where I can attend, all in easy driving distance.
It is so cruel and unfair that by the mere chance of geography, Catholics are deprived of the Mass that for centuries every saint, every attendee at Vatican II, etc. went to as if it were something shameful.
Pope Leo has put two modernized “sisters” (one with a degree in psychology) in charge of ALL the orders of monks, brothers, priests, sisters and nuns of the whole planet. Not a good start. If he doesn’t do something about the irrational limiting of the TLM (while not limiting ANY other form, such as the Anglican or Dominican), then my “cautiously optimistic” will turn to something much sadder.
What will the Bishop say when there are crowds of people outside the Chapel who want to get in but can’t because there is no room, while there is PLENTY of room at a Novus Ordo Church?
This is beyond evil. Shame on him
Why now?
I am under the impression that Pope Leo was chosen in large part because he is seen as someone who will restore unity to the Church.
Get with the program, folks!
And he will restore unity to the church by forcing out the conservatives and trads. That was Francis’ idea, and Leo has pledged to advance Francis’ agenda right down the line.
I thought the same thing…why now? Maybe he’s new? Trying to establish himself? Any way it goes, Pope Leo needs to address this issue sooner than later.
My thought, too…why now? Is he new? trying to establish or assert himself? Pope Leo needs to do something about this sooner than later or things will only get worse. What’s wrong with providing both forms of the Mass? So much for unity. I
Here comes the Latin, here comes the Latin. There are no empty pews so why cling to the tried and true practices of past… Hint: watering down the brand can be a mistake.
I hear what other posters are thinking and saying, but…we’re not in Charlotte, and we don’t know what has prompted this. I know that some will assume that the Bishop just “hates the Latin Mass” or perhaps he’s just “on a power trip.”
But for all we know, this Latin Mass could be having some negative effect on Charlotte Catholics; e.g., it’s draining good and orthodox Novus Ordo parishes of members, volunteers, and monies, or even more serious, it’s “dividing the Church” into two camps who oppose each other rather than working together to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Division is dangerous for Catholics and may drive them away from “church” entirely.
It could also be driving less traditionally-minded Catholics into the Protestant non-denominational churches that have dynamic preaching (not necessarily deep or “correct” but at least it’s in American English!) and contemporary music, a lively and active youth group, great children’s ministries and clubs, and many opportunities for the members to serve God in various community charitable outreaches.
Just some thoughts, and since I’m not in Charlotte, I could be way wrong about all of them. But I still don’t think we should try to draw conclusions until we know “the full story” from those who live there and know “the rest of the story.”
Mrs. Whitlock – my comment disappeared so I am trying again – apologies if it is duplicated. But I DO know people there. It is a vibrant community and has been for a long time. None of what you say is true.
1) TLM homilies ARE in ENGLISH – just saying otherwise makes the rest of your “speculations” suspect.
2) I go to a Novus Ordo church mostly, but my TLM church has all kinds of clubs, ministries, charitable outreach, and a vibrant youth group.
3) Absolutely NO ONE is being “driven” to a Protestant church because a TLM mass exists, as there are FAR FAR more Novus Ordo churches EVERYWHERE. Why on earth would you say that?
4) Contemporary music is a sticking point. My kids and their friends specifically said they felt “patronized” by having to listen watered down 70s elevator music and pop tunes. They can hear that everywhere, day and night, but the only chance to hear the HUGE variety of beauty handed down through the ages, from medieval chant to Renaissance to Baroque to modern, from Palestrina and de Victoria to the 20th century and Messiaen and more, has been at a TLM.
I am sorry, but these “speculations” are disingenuous.
Benay,
Your Item No. 4 exemplifies my experience. My introduction to the NO was as a young ‘tween.’ All us youngsters were keen at the idea and looked forward with excitement to this new Mass.
Well. Without doubt, we felt ‘played.’ We were embarrassed, chagrined, somehow betrayed, definitely uncomfortable, and we snickered. Row after row of teens in the pews were glancing sideways at one the new row, and snickering. It seemed as if the church, the adults, were trying so very hard to become teens. And FAILING. If you’ve ever seen a middle-aged mother flirting with her teen daughter’s boyfriend, you get the notion.
Yes, some speculations are disingenuous, inane, vapid, boring, stultifying, and downright stunning, reflecting a sad form of stupid.
Protestants don’t have the Eucharist, so if current CINO don’t believe and want more entertainment let them leave (and I’m not judging them in the least) It’s not surprising considering the surveys on what Catholics actually believe. In spirit, they may have already left the church.
There’s also a cease and desist in Detroit: Archdiocese of Detroit: Parishes must cease Traditional Latin Mass celebrations by July 1
Will there be any faith when He returns?
Mrs. Sharon, I have such great respect for your always reasonable presence on these CWR comment pages.
But I feel obliged to remind you that we are talking about the Catholic Mass here.
This is the same Mass that Pope Leo celebrated in Rome upon his election as pope.
The same Mass that’s been said for nearly two thousand years.
Ask yourself: Who could possibly be in favor of suppressing the Catholic Mass?
Answering that question will give you some insight into the spirit that animated the Bergoglian papacy.
Oh, please…if he had more to say, he’d have said it. He explained himself and that’s all he’s going to say and all we need to know.
Have you ever attended a Latin Mass? The homilies are in English. Missals are bilingual. The Lectionary readings are read in both Latin and in English. Occasionally the Recessional song is in English.
You say that the Latin Mass could be having a negative effect on Catholics in Charlotte. Seriously, do you expect us to believe that? Do you not believe that a Mass is a Mass is a Mass? HOW, exactly can a Latin Mass be harmful or hurt anyone? The Latin Mass was the dominant form of Catholic worship for over 400 years. You would argue against that history as bearing any fruit?
“e.g., it’s draining good and orthodox Novus Ordo parishes of members, volunteers, and monies,”
So? Then have the Latin Mass offered at those parishes as well.
“It could also be driving less traditionally-minded Catholics into the Protestant non-denominational churches that have dynamic preaching (not necessarily deep or “correct” but at least it’s in American English!)”
The homily is in the vernacular even at Latin Messes. And anybody who would leave the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for shallow and incorrect preaching has a lot more problems than Latin.
“and contemporary music,”
Ah, yes, contemporary music, also known as nauseating tripe.
“a lively and active youth group, great children’s ministries and clubs, and many opportunities for the members to serve God in various community charitable outreaches.”
None of those have anything to do with whether the Mass is in Latin or not.
This makes perfect sense.
An untimely bishop invokes a deceased pope as he suppresses the Catholic Mass.
The Bergoglian legacy is here to stay.
This difference of wanting the Latin mass and leaving the true everlasting church of all ages, the Mystical Body of Christ, to offer up and labor in the eternal Church to build her up, or to leave Christ’s body to join those who CONDEMN and SLANDER the true church and are not in unity with Holy Church. We are called to gather and labor in the Church, not to scatter, and the Holy Spirit flees, YOU ARE NOT TO CONDEMN THE CHURCH AND YOUR BROTHERS, you lack all charity. There is one Christ and one Church now and forever. Do they want the mass in Latin or separate themselves, accepting all the lies there, “only the priest can touch the holy host but you munch it and eat it all up (That is not touching it?). Thank you Lord, you gave us a holy Pope and we will have unity because you are a merciful GOD! Without love you will not enter the Kingdom!
The pope said at the time that he was saddened that the celebration of the extraordinary form was characterized by a rejection of the Second Vatican Council and its liturgical reforms. To doubt the Council, he said, is “to doubt the Holy Spirit himself who guides the Church.”
Aside from the blasphemous premise, the charge was and is unsubstantiated. Bergoglio claimed to have surveyed the bishops, but never released the results, almost certainly because he didn’t find the sort of widespread episcopal opposition he was looking for.
The 1962 Missal should no longer be used. Vatican II mandated that the liturgical books be revised. The bishop made the correct decision. Roman Catholic parishes should be unified in liturgical form: the post-conciliar liturgical form. The new Mass can be celebrated in Latin with Gregorian chant. There is no need for the pre-conciliar Mass, whose ritual expression of post-conciliar ecclesiology is deficient. It should be phased out and eventually discontinued and then formally abrogated.
I guess the Bishop of Charlotte doesn’t consider the Eastern Catholics to be one with us. Not only is his decision foolish, it is vindictive. And I suspect he wants to show Pope Leo that more diocese have implemented Bergoglio’s restrictions, embarrassed as Roche, Cupich et al are that only a minority had done so until now. Oh, the games we play. It’s sad that he made this move after the pope started his papacy with a call to unity. Shame on him.
More outright evil by our lying bishops. They are angry that their illegal immigration money scam is in danger, and now they are lashing out at faithful Catholics wherever they can find them.
I don’t see Pope Leo continuing the suppression of the TLM.
I do see him treading carefully so he doesn’t appear to be the anti-Francis.
I’m sorry , but this entire issue is beyond ridiculous.
Bergoglio said that the different religions throughout the world are all paths to God, in the way different languages are different ways of speaking the truth.
He said it is God’s will that the different religions exist.
And yet he couldn’t tolerate the Catholic Mass as it’s been said for some 1,900 years?
How does that make sense?
And how does the Latin Mass cause anyone to disdain Vatican II? If we want people to see the good in Vatican II, we should have parishes sponsor Vatican II appreciation seminars.
Promoting Vatican II by suppressing the Catholic Mass is like getting people to floss regularly by limiting their ability to watch TV.
Insane.