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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 1/14/2009


Question
I have a glass Christmas angel That clearly does not meet the requirements of the proper materials for sacred images. I had it consecrated to St. Michael the Arcangel. I now know that the priest who did this was only trying to be poloite but I now have this delima of what to do with it. I know it should not be venerated, but It once belonged to my grandmother. What should I do with it?

Answer
Hi, Martin:

Right off hand, I cannot think of a completely satisfying answer due to my own lack of familiarity with a situation such as you describe.
I would also think that the image ought not to be venerated as a sacred image.  I suppose that your question is basically: What is one to do with a non-sacred image that has been blessed?
It would seem to me that the image could be displayed like any non-sacred image as an art piece.  Treating it in a neutral manner would not seem to me to be a matter of sacrilege.  In addition, it probably would be good not to even make mention of the fact that it was ever "blessed" or "consecrated" (even though mistakenly) to St. Michael the Archangel, as this would have the tendency to arouse "wonder" (admiratio), and some degree of scandal toward the Priest who acted perhaps out of somewhat careless and worldly motives in regard to this image for human respect and "politeness."
If you find any specific directives on the matter from some source upon further study and investigation, by all means, please inform me.  I would be interested to know more about the matter myself.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

Expertise

A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

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