Saturday, April 11, 2009

Resound The Hymn

Tonight, all around the world, we hear again the Good News of our salvation. As we keep this vigil, we hear again the words proclaiming to the universe of the most amazing feat in history:

++++++++++

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God's throne!
Jesus Christ, our King is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes forever!

Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God's people!

[My dearest friends,
standing with me in this holy light,
join me in asking God for mercy,
that he may give his unworthy minister
grace to sing his Easter praises.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And also with you.]
V. Lift up your hearts.
R. We lift them up to the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
R. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is truly right
that with full hearts and minds and voices
we should praise the unseen God,
the all-powerful Father,
and his only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

For Christ has ransomed us with his blood,
and paid for us the price of Adam's sin
to our eternal Father!

This is our passover feast,
when Christ, the true Lamb, is slain,
whose blood consecrates the homes of all believers.

This is the night when first you saved our fathers:
you free the people of Israel from their slavery
and led them dry-shod through the sea.

This is the night when Christians everywhere,
washed clean of sin
and freed from all defilement,
are restored to grace and grow together in holiness.

This is the night when Jesus Christ
broke the chains of death
and rose triumphant from the grave.

What good would life have been to us,
had Christ not come as our Redeemer?

Father, how wonderful your care for us!
How boundless your merciful love!
To ransom a slave
you gave away your Son.

O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam,
which gained for us so great a Redeemer!

Most blessed of all nights, chosen by God
to see Christ rising from the dead!

Of this night scripture says:
"The night will be as clear as day;
it will become my light, my joy."

The power of this holy night
dispels all evil, washes guilt away,
restores lost innocence, brings mourners joy;
it casts out hatred, brings us peace,
and humbles earthly pride.

Night truly blessed when heaven is wedded to earth
and we are reconciled with God!

Therefore, heavenly Father, in the joy of this night,
receive our evening sacrifice of praise,
your Church's solemn offering.

Accept this Easter candle,
a flame divided but undimmed,
a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God.

Let it mingle with the lights of heaven
and continue bravely burning
to dispel the darkness of this night!

May the morning Star which never sets
find this flame still burning:
Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead,
and shed his peaceful light on us all,
your Son who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Still Another Merciful Reminder

Tomorrow begins the Novina of Divine Mercy, leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday (the Second Sunday of Easter).

My first post on this, "Jesus, I Trust In You", provides information on this devotion.

During the next nine days, I will post on the specific intentions for that day.

As we are always in need of His mercy, I encourage you to participate.

UPDATE: Due to copyright restrictions, I cannot post the intentions.

Sunday, April 05, 2009

7LW V 4.0

Again for this Holy Week, I will be re-posting my series of meditation upon the "Seven Last Words" Christ spoke from the cross.

If my thoughts are helpful to you as we prepare for the summit of the liturgical year, they would be a bonus. It is the words of our Saviour which should be the focus. More importantly, it is the acts of His passion which speak.

Once again, draw near the foot of the cross to hear the Word.

Friday, April 03, 2009

Santo Subito?

One is already being investigated.

Is this the second needed?

His canonization may be on the fast track, but both will undergo rigorous investigation.

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

No April Fool's Prank

I found this story while visiting CatholicsSingles.com. It is actually dated March 26.

That domain name was already taken by a legit organization, which make it all the more worrisome.

Desiderata is right: "Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery."

Shameful.

UPDATE 04/03/2009: Added story link. Mea culpa.