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About 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, and so am entering into my 7th year of Sacred Ministry.

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.

You are here: Experts > Religion/Spirituality > Christianity - Catholicism > Catholics > the Resurrection

Catholics - the Resurrection

Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 10/27/2009

Question
Father, I would like to ask your opinion on something. In Scripture, it states that Our lord appeared to Mary Magdalen 1st, after His resurrection, but it doesn't specify that this happened the very instant He was Resurrected. It just says she found His tomb empty and then Jesus appeared.

The reason I'm saying so is because it would appear and make more sense to me that He would appear to His Mother 1st.

Not only that, but it has been maintained through some Mystical writings about Our Lady, that I've come across, that Jesus appeared to His Mother 1st. For instance the Mystical City of God, which says on the back cover, that it has been approved and excepted by the Church.

I'm not disputing the authority of Scripture, nor am I asking you to the same, I'm just curious as to what your perspective is.

Answer
Hi, Gene:
Thanks for the question and observations.
I would have to say that I have encountered pretty much the same writings and traditions to which you refer. I don't believe that this matter is a defined doctrine of the Catholic Church, but it is certainly "worthy of belief"; it is in this sense, I believe, that it is said to be accepted by the Church. I would tend to believe in the matter as "fitting" that Jesus Christ would have appeared 1st to His own Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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