Monday, December 09, 2024

Advent Wreath


 

DR Squared: Solemnity Of The Immaculate Conception Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

First Reading:  Genesis 3:9-15, 20
And the Lord God called Adam, and said to him: Where art thou?  10 And he said: I heard thy voice in paradise; and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself. And he said to him: And who hath told thee that thou wast naked, but that thou hast eaten of the tree whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldst not eat?  12 And Adam said: The woman, whom thou gavest me to be my companion, gave me of the tree, and I did eat.  13 And the Lord God said to the woman: Why hast thou done this? And she answered: The serpent deceived me, and I did eat.  14 And the Lord God said to the serpent: Because thou hast done this thing, thou art cursed among all cattle, and beasts of the earth: upon thy breast shalt thou go, and earth shalt thou eat all the days of thy life.  15 I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel. And Adam called the name of his wife Eve: because she was the mother of all the living.
Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
R. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: because he hath done wonderful things.

V. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: because he hath done wonderful things.
    His right hand hath wrought for him salvation, and his arm is holy.

V. The Lord hath made known his salvation: he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the     Gentiles.
    He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel.

V. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
    Sing joyfully to God, all the earth; make melody, rejoice and sing.
Second Reading:  Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with spiritual blessings in heavenly places, in Christ:  As he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unspotted in his sight in charity. Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of children through Jesus Christ unto himself: according to the purpose of his will:  Unto the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he hath graced us in his beloved son. In whom we also are called by lot, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his will. That we may be unto the praise of his glory, we who before hoped in Christ:
Gospel Reading:  Luke 1:26-38
And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren:  Because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Ora Pro Nobis



As patroness of the United States of America under this title, we are under her care. On this feast day, let us pray for the welfare of our country, that we may continue to be "one nation, under God".
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone that fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly to you, O virgin of virgins, my mother; to you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer them. Amen.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux

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Originally posted 12/8/2005.
Re-posted 12/8/2006.
Re-posted 12/8/2009.
Re-posted 12/8/2011.
Re-created with new image 12/8/2015.
Re-posted 12/8/2016.
Re-posted 12/8/2017.
Re-posted 12/8/2018.
Original and re-created posts combined and edited 12/8/2020.
Re-posted 12/8/2021.
Re-posted 12/8/2022.
Re-posted 12/8/2023.

Sunday, December 08, 2024

DR Squared: Second Sunday of Advent (Year C)

First Reading:  Baruch 5:1-9
Put off, O Jerusalem, the garment of thy mourning, and affliction: and put on the beauty, and honour of that everlasting glory which thou hast from God. God will clothe thee with the double garment of justice, and will set a crown on thy head of everlasting honour. For God will shew his brightness in thee, to every one under heaven. For thy name shall be named to thee by God for ever: the peace of justice, and honour of piety. Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand on high: and look about towards the east, and behold thy children gathered together from the rising to the setting sun, by the word of the Holy One rejoicing in the remembrance of God. For they went out from thee on foot, led by the enemies: but the Lord will bring them to thee exalted with honour as children of the kingdom. For God hath appointed to bring down every high mountain, and the everlasting rocks, and to fill up the valleys to make them even with the ground: that Israel may walk diligently to the honour of God. Moreover the woods, and every sweet-smelling tree have overshadowed Israel by the commandment of God. For God will bring Israel with joy in the light of his majesty, with mercy, and justice, that cometh from him.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 126 (125):3; V. 1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7.
R. The Lord hath done great things for us: we are become joyful.

V. When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion, we became like men comforted.
     Then was our mouth filled with gladness; and our tongue with joy.

V. Then shall they say among the Gentiles: The Lord hath done great things for them.
     The Lord hath done great things for us: we are become joyful.

V. Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as a stream in the south.
    They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

V. Going they went and wept, casting their seeds.
     But coming they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves.  
Second Reading:  Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Always in all my prayers making supplication for you all, with joy; For your communication in the gospel of Christ from the first day until now. Being confident of this very thing, that he, who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus. For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge, and in all understanding:  That you may approve the better things, that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ, Filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Gospel Reading:  Luke 3:1-6
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Iturea, and the country of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilina; Under the high priests Annas and Caiphas; the word of the Lord was made unto John, the son of Zachary, in the desert. And he came into all the country about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of penance for the remission of sins; As it was written in the book of the sayings of Isaias the prophet: A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled; and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight; and the rough ways plain; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Saturday, December 07, 2024

DR Squared: Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop And Doctor Of The Church

First Reading:  Ephesians 3:8-12
To me, the least of all the saints, is given this grace, to preach among the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ, And to enlighten all men, that they may see what is the dispensation of the mystery which hath been hidden from eternity in God, who created all things:  That the manifold wisdom of God may be made known to the principalities and powers in heavenly places through the church, According to the eternal purpose, which he made, in Christ Jesus our Lord:  In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Responsorial Psalm:  Ps 89 (88):2; V. 2-3, 4-5, 21-22, 25 and 27
R. The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever.

V. The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever. I will shew forth thy truth with my mouth to generation           and generation.
     For thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up for ever in the heavens: thy truth shall be prepared in them.

V.  I have made a covenant with my elect: I have sworn to David my servant:
     Thy seed will I settle for ever. And I will build up thy throne unto generation and generation.

V. I have found David my servant: with my holy oil I have anointed him.
    For my hand shall help him: and my arm shall strengthen him.

V. And my truth and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
    He shall cry out to me: Thou art my father: my God, and the support of my salvation. 
Gospel Reading:  John 10:11-16
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep. But the hireling, and he that is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and flieth: and the wolf catcheth, and scattereth the sheep:  And the hireling flieth, because he is a hireling: and he hath no care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know mine, and mine know me. As the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep. And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.
The reading from the USCCB can be found here.

Friday, December 06, 2024

DR Squared: Friday Of The First Week Of Advent (Year I)

First Reading:  Isaiah 29-17-24
Is it not yet a very little while, and Libanus shall be turned into charmel, and charmel shall be esteemed as a forest? And in that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and out of darkness and obscurity the eyes of the blind shall see. And the meek shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For he that did prevail hath failed, the scorner is consumed, and they are all cut off that watched for iniquity:  That made men sin by word, and supplanted him that reproved them in the gate, and declined in vain from the just. Therefore thus saith the Lord to the house of Jacob, he that redeemed Abraham: Jacob shall not now be confounded, neither shall his countenance now be ashamed: But when he shall see his children, the work of my hands in the midst of him sanctifying my name, and they shall sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall glorify the God of Israel:  And they that erred in spirit, shall know understanding, and they that murmured, shall learn the law.
Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 27 (26):1; V. 1, 4, 13-14
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation

V. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
    The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?

V.  One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of          the Lord all the days of my life.
      That I may see the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple.

V.  I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
     Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.
Gospel Reading:  Matthew 9:27-31
And as Jesus passed from thence, there followed him two blind men crying out and saying, Have mercy on us, O Son of David. And when he was come to the house, the blind men came to him. And Jesus saith to them, Do you believe, that I can do this unto you? They say to him, Yea, Lord. Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith, be it done unto you. And their eyes were opened, and Jesus strictly charged them, saying, See that no man know this. But they going out, spread his fame abroad in all that country.
The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Thursday, December 05, 2024

In Memory Of...

Francis Joseph Rolling
Born: March 24, 1935
Died: December 5, 1991
Requiescat In Pace.

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Originally posted 12/5/2005.
Re-posted 12/5/2008.
Re-posted 12/5/2009.
Re-posted 12/5/2010.
Re-posted 12/5/2011.
Re-posted 12/5/2012.
Re-posted 12/5/2013.
Re-posted 12/5/2014.
Re-posted 12/5/2015.
Re-posted 12/5/2016.
Re-posted 12/5/2017.
Re-posted 12/5/2018.
Re-posted 12/5/2019.
Re-posted 12/5/2020.
Re-posted 12/5/2021.
Re-posted 12/5/2022.
Re-posted 12/5/2023.

DR Squared: Thursday Of The First Week Of Advent (Year I)

First Reading:  Isaiah 26:1-6
In that day shall this canticle be sung the land of Juda. Sion the city of our strength a saviour, a wall and a bulwark shall be set therein. Open ye the gates, and let the just nation, that keepeth the truth, enter in. The old error is passed away: thou wilt keep peace: peace, because we have hoped in thee. You have hoped in the Lord for evermore, in the Lord God mighty for ever. For he shall bring down them that dwell on high, the high city he shall lay low. He shall bring it down even to the ground, he shall pull it down even to the dust. The foot shall tread it down, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy.
Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 118: ; V. 1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a
R. Give praise to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 
V. Give praise to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
    It is good to confide in the Lord, rather than to have confidence in man.
    It is good to trust in the Lord, rather than to trust in princes.

V. Open ye to me the gates of justice: I will go into them, and give praise to the Lord.
     This is the gate of the Lord, the just shall enter into it.
     I will give glory to thee because thou hast heard me: and art become my salvation.

V. O Lord, save me: O Lord, give good success.
     Blessed be he that cometh in the name Lord. We have blessed you out of the house of the         Lord.
     The Lord is God, and he hath shone upon us.
Gospel Reading:  Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock, And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock. And every one that heareth these my words, and doth them not, shall be like a foolish man that built his house upon the sand, And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof. 
The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Wednesday, December 04, 2024

DR Squared: Wednesday Of The First Week Of Advent (Year I)

First Reading:  Isaiah 25:6-10a
And the Lord of hosts shall make unto all people in this mountain, a feast of fat things, a feast of wine, of fat things full of marrow, of wine purified from the lees. And he shall destroy in this mountain the face of the bond with which all people were tied, and the web that he began over all nations. He shall cast death down headlong for ever: and the Lord God shall wipe away tears from every face, and the reproach of his people he shall take away from off the whole earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And they shall say in that day: Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord, we have patiently waited for him, we shall rejoice and be joyfull in his salvation. For the hand of the Lord shall rest in this mountain: 
Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 23 (22):6; V. 1-3a 3b-4, 5, 6
R. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.

V. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing. He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:  He hath converted my soul.

V. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name's sake. For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.

V. Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!

V. And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.
Gospel Reading:  Matthew 15:29-37
And when Jesus had passed away from thence, he came nigh the sea of Galilee. And going up into a mountain, he sat there. And there came to him great multitudes, having with them the dumb, the blind, the lame, the maimed, and many others: and they cast them down at his feet, and he healed them:  So that the multitudes marvelled seeing the dumb speak, the lame walk, and the blind see: and they glorified the God of Israel. And Jesus called together his disciples, and said: I have compassion on the multitudes, because they continue with me now three days, and have not what to eat, and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And the disciples say unto him: Whence then should we have so many loaves in the desert, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus said to them: How many loaves have you? But they said: Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down upon the ground. And taking the seven loaves and the fishes, and giving thanks, he brake, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the people. And they did all eat, and had their fill. And they took up seven baskets full, of what remained of the fragments.
The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Tuesday, December 03, 2024

DR Squared: Memorial Of St. Francis Xavier, Priest

First Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
For if I preach the gospel, it is no glory to me, for a necessity lieth upon me: for woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel. For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation is committed to me:  What is my reward then? That preaching the gospel, I may deliver the gospel without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For whereas I was free as to all, I made myself the servant of all, that I might gain the more. To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I became all things to all men, that I might save all. And I do all things for the gospel's sake: that I may be made partaker thereof.
Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Mark 16:15; V. Psalm 117 (116)
R.  Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

V.  O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

V. For his mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.
Gospel Reading:  Mark 16:15-20
And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover. And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God. But they going forth preached everywhere: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed.
The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Monday, December 02, 2024

DR Squared: Monday Of The First Week In Advent (Year I)

First Reading:  Isaiah 2:1-5
The word that Isaias son of Amos saw, concerning Juda and Jerusalem. And in the last days the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be prepared on the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and all nation shall flow unto it. And many people shall go, and say:  Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths:  for the law shall come forth from Sion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge the Gentiles, and rebuke many people:  and they shall turn their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into sickles:  nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they be exercised any more to war. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 122 (121):1: V. 1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. I rejoiced at the things that were said to me:  We shall go into the house of the Lord.

V. I rejoiced at the things that were said to me:  We shall go into the house of the Lord.
Our feet were standing in thy courts, O Jerusalem.

V. Jerusalem, which is built as a city, which is compact together.
For thither did the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord:

V. the testimony of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord.
Because their seats have sat in judgment, seats upon the house of David.

V. Pray ye for the thing that are the peace of Jerusalem:  and abundance for those who love thee.
Let peace be in thy strength:  and abundance in thy towers.

V. For the sake of my brethren, and of my neighbours, I spoke peace of thee.
Because of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for thee.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 8:5-11
And when he had entered into Capharnaum, there came to him a centurion beseeching him, and saying, Lord my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, and is grievously tormented. And Jesus saith to him:  I will come and heal him. And the centurion making answer, said:  Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed. For I am also a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers; and I say to this Go, and he goeth, and to another, Come, and he cometh, and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. And Jesus hearing this, marvelled, and said to them that followed him:  Amen, I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel. And I say to you that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Issac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven:

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Sunday, December 01, 2024

DR Squared: First Sunday Of Advent (Year C)

First Reading:  Jerimiah 33:14-16
Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will perform the good word that I have spoken to the house of Israel, and to the house of Juda. In those days, and at that time, I will make the bud of justice to spring forth unto David, and he shall do judgment and justice in the earth. In those days shall Juda be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell securely: and this is the name that they shall call him, The Lord our just one.
Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 25(24):1: V. 4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
R.  To thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul. 
V. Let all them be confounded that act unjust things without cause. Shew, O Lord, thy ways to me, and teach me thy paths. 
Direct me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art God my Saviour; and on thee have I waited all the day long. 
V. The Lord is sweet and righteous: therefore he will give a law to sinners in the way. 
He will guide the mild in judgment: he will teach the meek his ways. 
V. All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth, to them that seek after his covenant and his testimonies.
The Lord is a firmament to them that fear him: and his covenant shall be made manifest to them.

Second Reading:  1 Thessalonians 3:13-4:2

And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in charity towards one another, and towards all men: as we do also towards you, To confirm your hearts without blame, in holiness, before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen. For the rest therefore, brethren, we pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us, how you ought to walk, and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more. For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves; Men withering away for fear, and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved; And then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with great power and majesty. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand. And take heed to yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly. For as a snare shall it come upon all that sit upon the face of the whole earth. Watch ye, therefore, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come, and to stand before the Son of man.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here

DR Squared: Introduction

"Ever ancient; ever new."

These words are a description of the workings of the Church since it inception. While they are formed in time, they are timeless. While the appearance may change, the substance remains. While they happen in the moment, they are eternally efficacious.

It is with this in mind I announce a new series of posts which will appear in this infinitesimal corner of the universe. Unlike my series on the "O" Antiphons, the "Seven Last Words", and the "Propers Mediations", this will be the biggest undertaking of my 'blogging career. This series isn't going to last seven days or a year. This is at least a three-year project.

Like some others who post on the internet, I will be presenting the daily readings from the Mass in the Ordinary Form (or Masses, if there are optional celebrations). Unlike them, I will be using a different English translation. Or should I say, the original English translation.

I will be using the Douay-Rheims version of the Bible. A history of its inception can be read here. As the English language has developed over time, the text I present will seem very foreign to you. I chose this translation to give you a different focus on Scripture, to take you away from the familiar, perhaps to give you who practice lectio divina some fresh perspective. There will also be a link to the daily readings as presented on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, so you may compare and contrast the two styles. Since I will offer no thoughts of my own this time, none of what I may discern from these words, it will be incumbent upon you who dwell on these verses to glean whatever meaning the Holy Spirit inspires in you.

Ambitious? Yes. Foolhardy? It's not the first time I have gone where angels may fear to tread. As always, I offer this as a point of departure for your own spiritual edification and encouragement. May you find it useful.

Douay-Rhimes Daily Readings.

DR Squared.

"Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love."

December 2024 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

 Here is the intention for this month when praying the Morning Offering:

For Pilgrims of Hope. We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthens our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

Advent Prayer

O Lovely Infant Jesus, You will abide with me once more.
O that I might prepare for You an agreeable dwelling place in my heart.
Jesus, Almighty Savior, come to my aid!
Bless me, hands of my infant Savior!
May Your love remain in my heart, dear Jesus!
Be born again in me.
Bless me and give me simplicity of heart, humility, and obedience.

St. John Neumann (1811-1860)

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Originally posted 11/26/2005.
Re-posted 11/29/2008.
Re-posted 11/28/2009.
Re-posted 11/27/2010.
Re-posted 11/26/2011.
Re-posted 12/2/2012.
Re-posted 11/30/2013.
Re-posted 11/29/2014.
Re-posted 11/28/2015.
Re-posted 11/29/2016.
Re-posted 12/2/2017.
Re-posted 11/30/2019.
Re-posted 11/29/2020.
Re-posted 11/28/2021.
Re-posted 11/27/2022.
Re-posted 12/3/2023.

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Advent Wreath

Lighting The Way


The calendars turn, both the secular and sacred.

As we begin a new month we also begin a new liturgical year. Deriving from the Sunday nearest to the Feast of St. Andrew, the first Apostle called, we are now called to "prepare the way of the Lord".
Leaving a month in which we recall the Four Last Things and pray for those "marked with the sign of Faith" and those who faith is known only by God, we now enter the season of Advent, where we will count the days until the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated.

We heed the words of St. John the Baptist. While our preparation is not as severe as Lent, it still is a time of penitence. We hear the longing in our hearts for redemption, much as the world did some two millennia ago. Then as now, how we reply and respond is critical. Will we recognize the Christ Child like the shepherd and Magi or just go on what we think is our "merry" way?

As we get ready materially, so also spiritually. Make the time in the hustle and bustle of December to be still, to reflect upon the beginning of the penultimate chapter of  "The Greatest Story Ever Told". Deck the halls, trim the tree, light the candles of the Advent wreath, erect the Creche. Make ready the gifts, not only those we give to others, but also what we can (and should) give to Him.

Yes, the darkness of this time of the year increases.

The four tapers await you.

As well as the Light of the World.

Mediation For Advent

Hail and blessed be the hour and the moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

To be recited 15 times a day from the Feast of St. Andrew's (November 30) until Christmas.

(Fedora Doff to Drew at the Shrine of the Holy Whapping.)

**********

Originally posted 12/1/2005.
Re-posted 11/29/2008.
Re-posted 11/28/2009.
Re-posted 11/27/2010.
Re-posted 11/26/2011.
Re-posted 12/2/2012.
Re-posted 11/30/2013.
Re-posted 11/29/2014.
Re-posted 11/28/2015.
Re-posted 11/30/2016.
Re-posted 11/30/2017.
Re-posted 11/30/2018.
Re-posted 11/30/2019.
Re-posted 11/30/2020.
Re-posted 11/30/2021.
Re-posted 11/30/2022.
Re-posted 11/30/2023.

Thursday, November 28, 2024

2024 Thanksgiving Day Card


May your Thanksgiving Day be full of love and laughter. May it be a time of being truly grateful for all the blessings God has bestowed upon you. May you see an even more abundance of blessings in the time to come

Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody!

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Royal Hymn

In honor of the Feast of Christ the King, I present excerpts of the hymn Christus Vincit as it was chanted at the 2010 CMAA Winter Chant Intensive. (In case you want to know what I look like, I am the first one in the front pew with the rest of the men.)



The text and translation is courtesy of The Parish Book of Chant.

**********

Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!

Exaudi, Christe.

Benedicto, Summo Pontifici, in unum populos doctrina congreganti caritate: Pastori gratia gregi obsequentia.

Salvator mundi, Tu illum adjuva.
Sancta Maria, Tu illum adjuva.
Sancte Petre, Tu illum adjuva.
Sancte Paule, Tu illum adjuva.
Sancte Benedicte, Tu illum adjuva.

Rex regum! Rex noster! Spes nostra! Gloria nostra!

Magistratibus et omnibus concivibus nobiscum orantibus: cordis vera quies votorum effctus.

Auxilium christianorum, Tu illos adjuva.
Sancte Michael, Tu illos adjuva.
Sancte Benedicte, Tu illos adjuva.

Ipsi soli imperium, laus et jubilatio per infinita saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Tempora bona habeant! Tempora bona habeant redempti Sanguine Christi.

Feliciter!

Pax Christi veniat! Regnum Christi veniat! Deo Gratias! Amen.

++++++++++

Christ conquers! Christ reigns! Christ commands!

Give ear, O Christ!

To the Supreme Pontiff [Benedict], who gathereth into one all peoples through doctrine, in charity: let there be dignity for our Shepherd, and obedience for his flock.

O Saviour of the world, grant him assistance.
Holy Mary,...
Holy Peter,...
Holy Paul,...
Holy Benedict,...

King of Kings! Our King! Our hope! Our glory!

To the magistrates and all fellow citizens praying with us: let the effect of their devotions be true rest for the heart.

O help of Christians, grant them assistance.
Holy Michael,...
Holy Benedict,...

Let all power, praise, and jubilation be to Him alone, through endless ages to ages. Amen.

May they have prosperous times! May they have prosperous times by the redemptive Blood of Christ!

Joyously!

Let the Peace of Christ come! Let the Reign of Christ come! Thanks be to God! Amen.

++++++++++

Originally posted 11/20/2011.
Re-posted 11/25/2012.
Re-posted 11/23/2014.
Re-posted 11/22/2015.
Re-posted 11/20/2016.
Re-posted 11/26/2017.
Re-posted 11/25/2018.
Re-posted 11/24/2019.
Re-posted 11/22/2020.
Re-posted 11/21/2021.
Re-posted 11/20/2022.
Re-posted 11/26/2023.

With Royal Diadem

The original text was written by Matthew Brown in 1851 and altered by Godfrey Thring twenty years later. The tune, DIADMATA, was composed by George Elvey. This is a somewhat all encompassing representation of the many titles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

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1. Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark! how the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own!
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.

2. Crown Him the Virgin’s Son,
The God Incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won
Which now His brow adorn:
Fruit of the mystic Tree,
As of that Tree the Stem;
The Root whence flows Thy mercy free,
The Babe of Bethlehem.

3. Crown Him the Lord of Love:
Behold His hands and side;
Rich wounds yet visible above
In beauty glorified:
No angel in the sky
Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye
At mysteries so bright.

4. Crown Him the Lord of peace,
Whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease,
And all be prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end,
And round His pierced feet
Fair flowers of glory now extend
Their fragrance ever sweet.

5. Crown Him the Lord of years,
The Potentate of time.
Creator of the rolling spheres,
Ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
For Thou hast died for me;
Thy praise shall never, never fail
Throughout eternity.

**********

Originally posted 11/26/2023.

With Full Heart And Voice

Anther gem from the pen of Charles Wesley. The tune was composed by John Darwall. Although more appropriate for Ascension, this is another fitting tribute to close the liturgical year.

++++++++++

Rejoice, the Lord is King:
Your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing,
And triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Savior, reigns,
The God of truth and love;
When He has purged our stains,
He took his seat above;
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail,
He rules o'er earth and heav'n;
The keys of death and hell
Are to our Jesus giv'n:
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope!
Our Lord and judge shall come
And take His servants up
To their eternal home:
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Christus Rex



1. To Jesus Christ, our Sov'reign King,
Who is the world's salvation,
All praise and homage do we bring,
And thanks and adoration.

Refrain:  Christ Jesus Victor, Christ Jesus Ruler!
Christ Jesus, Lord and Redeemer!

2. Thy reign extend, O King benign,
To ev'ry land and nation,
For in Thy kingdom, Lord divine,
Alone we find salvation.

(Refrain)

3. To Thee and to Thy Church, great King,
We pledge our hearts' oblation,
Until before Thy throne we sing,
In endless jubilation.

(Refrain)

From the 2 Hearts Network, here is a link to prayers specifically about our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

**********

Originally posted 11/25/2007.
Re-posted 11/21/2010.
Re-posted 11/25/2012.
Re-posted 11/24/2013.
Re-posted 11/23/2014.
Re-posted 11/22/2015.
Re-posted 11/20/2016.
Re-posted 11/26/2017.
Re-posted 11/25/2018.
Re-posted 11/24/2019.
Re-posted 11/22/2020.
Re-posted 11/21/2021.
Re-posted 11/20/2022.
Re-posted 11/26/2023.


Friday, November 22, 2024

Another Musical Saint


As today is the Memorial of St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr and patron saint of musicians, I thought it would be appropriate to introduce you to another female saint who also made a significant contribution to the treasury of sacred music.

St. Hildegard of Binden (c. 1098-1176) was a Benedictine abbess and polymath. Her contributions in many other fields, both sacred and secular, lead to her becoming the fourth female Doctor of the Church in 2012. A truly remarkable woman, no matter in what time she may have lived.

Enjoy this presentation of her chant.

Monday, November 11, 2024

Veteran's Day Acknowledgement


My two brothers are veterans of the Air Force. I have other relatives who have served in various branches of the military. I personally owe them a debt of gratitude for their service to the country. To all other veterans, that gratitude, while not as personal, is nonetheless heartfelt.

Our active military personnel take the following oath (those in the National Guard take a similar oath which includes obeying orders from their state's Governor):
I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
For those who preserve our freedom, we salute you!

NOTE: I gave a Fedora Doff to a Facebook friend who posted a video on my wall which I had placed here in 2010. I no longer have that link.

**********

Originally posted 11/11/2010.
Re-posted 11/11/2011.
Re-posted 11/11/2012.
Updated and edited 11/11/2013.
Re-posted 11/11/2014.
Re-posted 11/11/2015.
Re-posted 11/11/2016.
Re-posted 11/11/2017.
Re-posted 11/11/2019.
Re-posted 11/11/2020.
Re-posted 11/11/2021.
Re-posted 11/11/2022.
Re-posted 11/11/2023.

Saturday, November 02, 2024

The Sequestered Sequence

Of all the sequences removed during the revision of the Mass, this is the one I think is the most sorely missed. While it is still found in the Liturgy of the Hours (in a similar format as Ut Queant Laxis) for both All Souls Day and the last week before Advent begins, its impact when it was part of funeral Masses and Masses for the Dead cannot be overstated. It is a poignant reminder of the Four Last Things and why we on earth cannot take for granted the state of the soul of the deceased (or ours).

The Latin is from the 1962 Roman Missal; the English translation (1849) is courtesy of William Josiah Irons.

Dies iræ, dies illa,
Solvet sæclum in favilla:
Teste David cum Sibylla.

Quantus tremor est futurus,
Quando judex est venturus,
Cuncta stricte discussurus!

Tuba, mirum spargens sonum
Per sepulchra regionum,
Coget omnes ante thronum.

Mors stupebit, et natura,
Cum resurget creatura,
Iudicanti responsura.

Liber scriptus proferetur,
In quo totum continetur,
Unde mundus iudicetur.

Iudex ergo cum sedebit,
Quidquid latet, apparebit:
Nil inultum remanebit.

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?
Quem patronum rogaturus,
Cum vix iustus sit securus?

Rex tremendæ maiestatis,
Qui salvandos salvas gratis,
Salva me, fons pietatis.

Recordare, Iesu pie,
Quod sum causa tuæ viæ:
Ne me perdas illa die.

Quærens me, sedisti lassus:
Redemisti Crucem passus:
Tantus labor non sit cassus.

Iuste Iudex ultionis,
Donum fac remissionis
Ante diem rationis.

Ingemisco, tamquam reus:
Culpa rubet vultus meus:
Supplicanti parce, Deus.

Qui Mariam absolvisti,
Et latronem exaudisti,
Mihi quoque spem dedisti.

Preces meæ non sunt dignæ:
Sed tu bonus fac benigne,
Ne perenni cremer igne.

Inter oves locum præsta,
Et ab hædis me sequestra,
Statuens in parte dextra.

Confutatis maledictis,
Flammis acribus addictis,
Voca me cum benedictis.

Oro supplex et acclinis,
Cor contritum quasi cinis:
Gere curam mei finis.

Lacrimosa dies illa,
Qua resurget ex favílla
Iudicandus homo reus:
Huic ergo parce, Deus:

Pie Iesu Domine,
Dona eis requiem. Amen.

++++++++++

Day of wrath! O day of mourning!
See fulfilled the prophets' warning,
Heaven and earth in ashes burning!

Oh, what fear man's bosom rendeth,
when from heaven the Judge descendeth,
on whose sentence all dependeth.

Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth;
through earth's sepulchers it ringeth;
all before the throne it bringeth.

Death is struck, and nature quaking,
all creation is awaking,
to its Judge an answer making.

Lo! The book, exactly worded,
wherein all hath been recorded:
thence shall judgment be awarded.

When the Judge his seat attaineth,
and each hidden deed arraigneth,
nothing unavenged remaineth.

What shall I, frail man, be pleading?
Who for me be interceding,
when the just are mercy needing?

King of Majesty tremendous,
who dost free salvation send us,
Fount of pity, then befriend us!

Think, good Jesus, my salvation
cost thy wondrous Incarnation;
leave me not to reprobation!

Faint and weary, thou hast sought me,
on the cross of suffering bought me.
shall such grace be vainly brought me?

Righteous Judge! For sin's pollution
grant thy gift of absolution,
ere the day of retribution.

Guilty, now I pour my moaning,
all my shame with anguish owning;
spare, O God, thy suppliant groaning!

Thou the sinful woman savedst;
thou the dying thief forgavest;
and to me a hope vouchsafest.

Worthless are my prayers and sighing,
yet, good Lord, in grace complying,
rescue me from fires undying!

With thy favored sheep O place me;
nor among the goats abase me;
but to thy right hand upraise me.

While the wicked are confounded,
doomed to flames of woe unbounded
call me with thy saints surrounded.

Low I kneel, with heart submission,
see, like ashes, my contrition;
help me in my last condition.

Ah! that day of tears and mourning!
From the dust of earth returning
man for judgment must prepare him;
Spare, O God, in mercy spare him!

Lord, all pitying, Jesus blest,
grant them thine eternal rest. Amen.

The Church Suffering


Le Jour des Morts (1859)
by William-Aldophe Bougueareau (1825-1905)
The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.

Wisdom 3:1-9

The last on the list of the seven Spiritual Works of Mercy is to pray for the dead. The month of November is devoted to doing that, as many parishes have a "Book of the Dead" and remember "those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith." Fish Eaters also has an article describing other practices to free souls from Purgatory.

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Requiem aeternam dona ei (eis) Domine; et lux perpetua luceat ei (eis).
Requiescat (Requiescant) in pace. Amen.

++++++++++

Eternal rest grant unto him/her (them), O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him/her (them).
May he/she (they) rest in peace. Amen.

**********

Originally posted 11/2/2006.
Re-posted 11/2/2008.
Re-posted 11/2/2009.
Re-posted 11/2/2010.
Re-posted 11/2/2012.
Re-posted 11/2/2013.
Re-posted 11/2/2014.
Re-posted 11/2/2015.
Re-posted 11/2/2016.
Re-posted 11/2/2017.
Re-posted 11/2/2018.
Re-posted 11/2/2019.
Re-posted 11/2/2020.
Re-posted 11/2/2021.
Re-posted 11/2/2022.
Re-posted 11/2/2023.

Friday, November 01, 2024

November 2024 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when praying the Morning Offering:
For Anyone Who Has Lost A Child. We pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community and receive peace and consolation from the Holy Spirit.
(UPDATE:  11/30/23) A reflection for this intention can be found here.

Invoking The Church Triumphant

One of the eight approved litanies for public recital, the Litany of Saints, use in various itineration throughout the Church's liturgies, is one of Her most powerful prayers. 

Earth asks Heaven for its help in this valley of tears.

How very appropriate for not only today, but every day.

(Additional saints may be added in the appropriate category.)

(This particular wording comes from the website of Ascension Press, with editorial adjustments.)

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V. Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ have mercy on us. 
V. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us, 
R. Christ, graciously hear us.
 
V. God, the Father of heaven,
R. Have mercy on us. 
V. God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
R. Have mercy on us. 
V. God, the Holy Spirit,
R. Have mercy on us. 
V. Holy Trinity, One God, 
R. Have mercy on us.

V. Holy Mary,
R. Pray for us. (Repeat after each invocation.)
Holy Mother of God,  
Holy Virgin of virgins, 

Saint Michael, 
Saint Gabriel,  
Saint Raphael,
All ye holy angels and archangels,  
All ye holy orders of blessed spirits,  

Saint John the Baptist,  
Saint Joseph, . 
All ye holy patriarchs and prophets.  

Saint Peter,  
Saint Paul,  
Saint Andrew,  
Saint James,  
Saint John,  
Saint Thomas,  
Saint James,  
Saint Philip,  
Saint Bartholomew.  
Saint Matthew,  
Saint Simon,  
Saint Thaddeus,  
Saint Matthias,  
Saint Barnabas,  
Saint Luke,  
Saint Mark,  
All ye holy apostles and evangelists,  
All ye holy disciples of our Lord.  
All ye holy Innocents,  

Saint Stephen,  
Saint Lawrence,  
Saint Vincent,  
Saints Fabian and Sebastian,  
Saints John and Paul,  
Saints Cosmas and Damian,  
Saints Gervase and Protase, 
All ye holy martyrs, 

Saint Sylvester, 
Saint Gregory, 
Saint Ambrose, 
Saint Augustine.  
Saint Jerome,  
Saint Martin,  
Saint Nicolas,  
All ye holy bishops and confessors, 
All ye holy doctors, 

Saint Anthony, 
Saint Benedict, 
Saint Bernard,  
Saint Dominic,  
Saint Francis,  
All ye holy priests and levites,  
All ye holy monks and hermits. 

Saint Mary Magdalen,  
Saint Agatha, 
Saint Lucy,  
Saint Agnes, 
Saint Cecily,  
Saint Catherine, 
Saint Anastasia, 
All ye holy virgins and widows, 
V. All ye holy men and women, Saints of God,
R. Make intercession for us.

V. Be merciful,
R. Spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
V. From all evil,
R. O Lord, deliver us. (Repeat after each invocation.) 
From all sin,
From Thy wrath,  
From a sudden and unprovided death,  
From the snares of the devil,  
From anger, and hatred, and all ill will, 
From the spirit of fornication,  
From lightning and tempest, 
From the scourge of earthquake.  
From pestilence, famine and war,  
From everlasting death, 

Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, 
Through Thy coming, 
Through Thy nativity,  
Through Thy baptism and holy fasting, 
Through Thy Cross and Passion, 
Through Thy death and burial, 
Through Thy holy Resurrection,  
Through Thine admirable Ascension, 
Through the coming of the Holy Spirit the Paraclete,
In the day of judgment, 

V. We sinners,
R. We beseech Thee, hear us. (Repeat after each invocation.) 
That Thou wouldst spare us, 
That Thou wouldst pardon us,  
That Thou wouldst bring us to true penance, 
That Thou wouldst govern and preserve Thy holy Church 
That Thou wouldst preserve our Apostolic Prelate, and all ecclesiastical orders in holy religion, 
That Thou wouldst humble the enemies of Thy holy Church, 
That Thou wouldst give peace and true concord to Christian kings and princes, 
That Thou wouldst grant peace and unity to all Christian people, 
That Thou wouldst bring back to the unity of the Church all those who have strayed away, and lead to the light of the Gospel all unbelievers, 
That Thou wouldst confirm and preserve us in Thy holy service, 
That Thou wouldst lift up our minds to heavenly desires, 
That Thou wouldst render eternal blessings to all our benefactors, 
That Thou wouldst deliver our souls, and the souls of our brethren, relations and benefactors, from eternal damnation, 
That Thou wouldst give and preserve the fruit of the earth,  
That Thou wouldst give eternal rest to all the faithful departed, .
That Thou wouldst graciously hear us We beseech Thee, hear us. Son of God,

V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Spare us, O Lord. 
V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord. 
V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Have mercy on us.

V. Christ hear us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us. 
V. Lord, have mercy on us. 
R. Christ, have mercy on us. 
V. Lord, have mercy on us.

Our Father.. (silently)…. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.
 
Psalm 69
Deign, O Lord, to rescue me; O Lord, make haste to help me. Let them be put to shame and confounded who seek my life. Let them be turned back in disgrace who desire my ruin. Let them retire in their shame who say to me, "Aha, aha!" But may all who seek Thee exult and be glad in Thee, And may those who love Thy salvation say ever, "God be glorified!" But I am afflicted and poor; O God, hasten to me! Thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, hold not back!

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
V. Save Thy servants.
R. Who trust in Thee, O my God.
V. Be a tower of strength for us, O Lord,
R. Against the attack of the enemy.
V. Let not the enemy prevail against us.
R. And let not the son of evil dare to harm us.
V. O Lord, deal not with us according to our sins.
R. Neither requite us according to our iniquities.
 
V. Let us pray for a true Sovereign Shepherd.
R. The Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.
V. Let us pray for our benefactors.
R. Deign, O Lord, for Thy name's sake, to reward with eternal life all those who do us good. Amen.
V. Let us pray for the faithful departed. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord;
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.
 
V. For our absent brethren.
R. Save Thy servants, who trust in Thee, my God.
V. Send them help, O Lord, from Thy sanctuary.
R. And sustain them from Zion.
 
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
V. The Lord be with Thee.
R. And with Thy spirit.
 
Let us pray.

O God, Whose property is always to have mercy and to spare, receive our petition, that we, and all Thy servants who are bound by the chains of sin, may, by the compassion of Thy goodness, be mercifully absolved.
 
Graciously hear, we beg Thee, O Lord, the prayers of Thy suppliants, and pardon the sins of those who confess to Thee, that in Thy bounty Thou may grant us both pardon and peace.
 
In Thy clemency, O Lord, show us Thy ineffable mercy, that Thou may both free us from all our sins, and deliver us from the punishments which we deserve for them.
 
O God, Who by sin are offended and by penance pacified, mercifully regard the prayers of Thy suppliant people, and turn away the scourges of Thy anger, which we deserve for our sins.
Almighty, everlasting God, have mercy upon Thy servant N., our Sovereign Pontiff, and direct him according to Thy clemency into the way of everlasting salvation, that by Thy grace he may desire those things that are pleasing to Thee, and perform them with all his strength.
 
O God, from Whom are holy desires, good counsels, and just works, give to Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts be set to keep Thy commandments, and that, being removed from the fear of our enemies, we may pass our time in peace under Thy protection.
 
Burn our desires and our hearts with the fire of the Holy Spirit, O Lord, that we may serve Thee with a chaste body, and with a clean heart be pleasing to Thee.
 
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants and handmaids the remission of all their sins, that, through devout prayers, they may obtain the pardon which they always desired.
 
Direct, we beg Thee, O Lord, our actions by Thy holy inspirations, and carry them on by Thy gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may begin always with Thee, and through Thou be happily ended.
 
Almighty and everlasting God, Thou hast dominion over the living and the dead, and Thou art merciful to all who Thou foreknowest will be Thine by faith and good works; we humbly beg Thee that those for whom we intend to pour forth our prayers, whether this present world still detain them in the flesh, or the world to come has already received them out of their bodies, may, through the intercession of all Thy Saints, by the clemency of Thy goodness, obtain the remission of all their sins.
Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
 
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
V. May the almighty and merciful Lord graciously hear us. 
R. Amen.
V. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen. 

Today's Hymn


The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs 
by Fra Angelico

The words are from the pen of William Walsham How; the tune to which this is sung, Sine Nomine, was composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Note how well this compares to all of today's Readings.

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For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the apostles' glorious company,
who bearing forth the cross o'er land and sea,
shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,
like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,
is fair and fruitful, be thy Name adored.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,
saw the bright crown descending from the sky,
and seeing, grasped it, thee we glorify.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
and win, with them the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
we feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
and singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

++++++++++

All you holy men and women, pray for us.

Where they are, we hope to follow.

**********

Originally posted 11/1/2006.
Re-posted 11/1/2009.
Re-posted 11/1/2011.
Re-posted 11/1/2012.
Re-posted 11/1/2013.
Re-posted 11/1/2014.
Re-posted 11/1/2015.
Re-posted 11/1/2016.
Re-posted 11/1/2017.
Re-posted 11/1/2018.
Re-posted 11/1/2019.
Re-posted 11/1/2020.
Re-posted 11/1/2021.
Re-posted 11/1/2022.
Re-posted 11/1/2023.

Thursday, October 31, 2024

A Scary Quote

From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us! 
Anonymous
Happy Hallowe'en! Save some candy for the kids, OK?

**********

Originally posted 10/31/2007.
Re-posted 10/31/2008.
Re-posted 10/31/2009.
Re-posted 10/31/2010.
Re-posted 10/31/2011.
Re-posted 10/31/2012.
Re-posted 10/31/2013.
Re-posted 10/31/2014.
Re-posted 10/31/2015.
Re-posted 10/31/2016.
Re-posted 10/31/2017.
Re-posted 10/31/2018.
Re-posted 10/31/2019.
Re-posted 10/31/2020.
Re-posted 10/31/2021.
Re-posted 10/31/2022.
Re-posted 10/31/2023.

Monday, October 07, 2024

Lepanto

Battle of Lepanto (c. 1572), 
by Paolo Veronese (1528-1588)

Today's feast commemorates this battle.

Dr. Thursday's favorite poet published this work in 1911.

***********
White founts falling in the courts of the sun,
And the Soldan of Byzantium is smiling as they run,
There is laughter like the fountains in that face of all men feared,
It stirs the forest darkness, the darkness of his beard,
It curls the blood-red crescent, the crescent of his lips,
For the inmost sea of all the earth is shaken with his ships.
They have dared the white republics up the capes of Italy,
They have dashed the Adriatic round the Lion of the Sea,
And the Pope has cast his arms abroad for agony and loss,
And called the kings of Christendom for swords about the Cross,
The cold queen of England is looking in the glass;
The shadow of the Valois is yawning at the Mass;
From evening isles fantastical rings faint the Spanish gun,
And the Lord upon the Golden Horn is laughing in the sun.
Dim drums throbbing, in the hills half heard,
Where only on a nameless throne a crownless prince has stirred,
Where, risen from a doubtful seat and half attainted stall,
The last knight of Europe takes weapons from the wall,
The last and lingering troubadour to whom the bird has sung,
That once went singing southward when all the world was young,
In that enormous silence, tiny and unafraid,
Comes up along a winding road the noise of the Crusade.
Strong gongs groaning as the guns boom far,
Don John of Austria is going to the war,
Stiff flags straining in night-blasts cold
In the gloom black-purple, in the glint old-gold.
Torchlight crimson on the copper kettle-drums,
Then the tuckets, then the trumpets, then the cannon, and he comes.
Don John laughing in the brave beard curled,
Spurning of his stirrups like the thrones of all the world.
Holding his head up for a flag of all the free.
Love-light of Spain - hurrah!
Death-light of Africa!
Don John of Austria
Is riding to the sea.
Mahound is in his paradise above the evening star,
(Don John of Austria is going to the war.)
He moves a mighty turban on the timeless houri's knees,
His turban that is woven of the sunset and the seas.
He shakes the peacock gardens as he rises from his ease,
And he strides among the tree-tops and is taller than the trees,
And his voice through all the garden is a thunder sent to bring
Black Azrael and Ariel and Ammon on the wing.
Giants and the Genii,
Multiplex of wing and eye,
Whose strong obedience broke the sky
When Solomon was king.
They rush in red and purple from the red clouds of the morn,
From temples where the yellow gods shut up their eyes in scorn;
They rise in green robes roaring from the green hells of the sea
Where fallen skies and evil hues and eyeless creatures be;
On them the sea-valves cluster and the grey sea-forests curl,
Splashed with a splendid sickness, the sickness of the pearl;
They swell in sapphire smoke out of the blue cracks of the ground,-
They gather and they wonder and give worship to Mahound.
And he saith, 'Break up the mountains where the hermit-folk can hide,
And sift the red and silver sands lest bone of saint abide,
And chase the Giaours flying night and day, not giving rest,
For that which was our trouble comes again out of the west.
We have set the seal of Solomon on all things under sun,
Of knowledge and of sorrow and endurance of things done.
But a noise is in the mountains, in the mountains, and I know
The voice that shook our palaces - four hundred years ago:
It is he that saith not 'Kismet'; it is he that knows not Fate;
It is Richard, it is Raymond, it is Godfrey at the gate!
It is he whose loss is laughter when he counts the wager worth,
Put down your feet upon him, that our peace be on the earth.'
For he heard drums groaning and he heard guns jar,
(Don John of Austria is going to the war.)
Sudden and still - hurrah!
Bolt from Iberia!
Don John of Austria
Is gone by Alcalar.
St Michael's on his Mountain in the sea-roads of the north
(Don John of Austria is girt and going forth.)
Where the grey seas glitter and the sharp tides shift
And the sea-folk labour and the red sails lift.
He shakes his lance of iron and he claps his wings of stone;
The noise is gone through Normandy; the noise is gone alone;
The North is full of tangled things and texts and aching eyes,
And dead is all the innocence of anger and surprise,
And Christian killeth Christian in a narrow dusty room,
And Christian dreadeth Christ that hath a newer face of doom,
And Christian hateth Mary that God kissed in Galilee,
But Don John of Austria is riding to the sea.
Don John calling through the blast and the eclipse
Crying with the trumpet, with the trumpet of his lips,
Trumpet that sayeth ha!
Domino gloria!
Don John of Austria
Is shouting to the ships.
King Philip's in his closet with the Fleece about his neck
(Don John of Austria is armed upon the deck.)
The walls are hung with velvet that is black and soft as sin,
And little dwarfs creep out of it and little dwarfs creep in.
He holds a crystal phial that has colours like the moon,
He touches, and it tingles, and he trembles very soon,
And his face is as a fungus of a leprous white and grey
Like plants in the high houses that are shuttered from the day,
And death is in the phial, and the end of noble work,
But Don John of Austria has fired upon the Turk.
Don John's hunting, and his hounds have bayed -
Booms away past Italy the rumour of his raid.
Gun upon gun, ha! ha!
Gun upon gun, hurrah!
Don John of Austria
Has loosed the cannonade.
The Pope was in his chapel before day or battle broke,
(Don John of Austria is hidden in the smoke.)
The hidden room in man's house where God sits all the year,
The secret window whence the world looks small and very dear.
He sees as in a mirror on the monstrous twilight sea
The crescent of his cruel ships whose name is mystery;
They fling great shadows foe-wards, making Cross and Castle dark,
They veil the plumèd lions on the galleys of St Mark;
And above the ships are palaces of brown, black-bearded chiefs,
And below the ships are prisons, where with multitudinous griefs,
Christian captives, sick and sunless, all a labouring race repines
Like a race in sunken cities, like a nation in the mines.
They are lost like slaves that swat, and in the skies of morning hung
The stair-ways of the tallest gods when tyranny was young.
They are countless, voiceless, hopeless as those fallen or fleeing on
Before the high Kings' horses in the granite of Babylon.
And many a one grows witless in his quiet room in hell
Where a yellow face looks inward through the lattice of his cell,
And he finds his God forgotten, and he seeks no more a sign -
(But Don John of Austria has burst the battle-line!)
Don John pounding from the slaughter-painted poop,
Purpling all the ocean like a bloody pirate's sloop,
Scarlet running over on the silvers and the golds,
Breaking of the hatches up and bursting of the holds,
Thronging of the thousands up that labour under sea
White for bliss and blind for sun and stunned for liberty.
Vivat Hispania! Domino Gloria!
Don John of Austria
Has set his people free!
Cervantes on his galley sets the sword back in the sheath
(Don John of Austria rides homeward with a wreath.)
And he sees across a weary land a straggling road in Spain,
Up which a lean and foolish knight forever rides in vain,
And he smiles, but not as Sultans smile, and settles back the blade...
(But Don John of Austria rides home from the Crusade.)
G.K Chesterton


**********

Originally posted 10/7/2006.
Re-posted 10/7/2010.
Re-posted 10/7/2011.
Re-posted 10/7/2012.
Re-posted 10/7/2013.
Re-posted 10/7/2014.
Re-posted 10/7/2015.
Re-posted 10/7/2016.
Re-posted 10/7/2017.
Re-posted 10/7/2018.
Re-posted 10/7/2019.
Re-posted 10/7/2020.
Re-posted 10/7/2021.
Re-posted 10/7/2022.
Re-posted 10/7/2023.

Friday, October 04, 2024

About St. Francis of Assisi


New Advent, Catholic Online, and EWTN provide great articles about the very first Franciscan.

And two of his most famous prayers:

++++++++++

O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace!
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, harmony;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light, and
Where there is sorrow, joy.
Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved
as to love; for it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

++++++++++

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. 

Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.

++++++++++

(UPDATE: 10/4/2013): Here is an article stating the first prayer may not be attributed to him.

**********

Originally posted 10/4/2006.
Re-posted 10/4/2011.
Re-posted 10/3/2012.
Re-posted 10/4/2013.
Re-posted 10/4/2017.
Re-posted 10/4/2021.
Re-posted 10/4/2022.
Re-posted 10/4/2023.