Beginning the College Seminary

Update (May 22, 2009):After a period of discernment, I have come to realize that I will not continue on in seminary formation. Due to irreconcilable differences with the Novus Ordo seminary as well as modern practices in the Church, I have decided to leave the seminary and pursue an undergraduate degree in accounting. I ask for your prayers. I will continue to strongly support and promote the Traditions of the Church through my blog and Internet apostolate, now more than ever before.

Update (March 24, 2008):

Greetings and Peace to all of you! I pray that the Triduum was a blessed and holy experience for all of you. Thank you for your continued prayers. From March 14 - 24, 2008, I am on Easter Break, and I have been able to make some additional posts during that time. I hope that you continue to enjoy my blog. I will keep posting while at seminary when I am allowed to do so.

Please scroll down for more recent posts.

Update (December 23, 2007):

First semester has ended and I have successfully and safety arrived back home from seminary. I am not able to post on the Internet many of my details at seminary, but I have sent out around six emails during the first semester detailing many of my endeavors. Thank you to everyone for your continued prayers. And thank you to everyone that has donated so far to me through PayPal. Your donations are a great help! I do appreciate them highly!!

For the next few weeks I will be home and therefore able to post on my blog. This post will appear at the top of the blog at an advanced date. Please scroll down for new posts as they are written.

Original Post (August 24, 2007):

Finally, the day has arrived as I prepare to follow the Lord Jesus Christ on the holy path to the priesthood. I will start at my seminary on August 25, 2007. As mandated under holy obedience of my superiors, blogging and posting on Internet forums is prohibited for seminarians. Therefore, blogging will end on August 24, 2007. This will be my last post on "A Catholic Life" until, most likely, the summer of 2008. In the following months, this blog will remain online to be used as a reference. Many of the best posts to be used as reference are listed under "Catholic Categories" in the sidebar. I ask you, all of my readers, to please leave my blog listed in your sidebars and on your feeds' lists. Also, new comments will continue to be emailed to me, so please continue to comment on posts on this blog. This blog will not end; it shall only remain dormant as required under obedience.

Thankfully, I can still use email while in the seminary. If you have been a reader of this blog please email me and ask to be put on my Google Contact List. Many of you have already requested to be added to my contact list and you are on the list. With the list, I will be able to email a unlimited group of people with the click of a single button. I plan on using the group to email readers updates on my life and requests for prayers. I do not plan to use the group in order to send out news or articles that I would have written for my blog.

Therefore, if you are a person that I know has read my blog - either because you are a Catholic blogger or have written me before - let me know if you want to receive emails from me. I do not want people to sign up in order to obtain personal information. That is why I will add your name to the Google Contact's List only if I have heard from you before or you are a Catholic blogger.

Today marks a great change in my life. I am leaving my old life and beginning anew. This truly is a wonderful time, and your prayers will be greatly appreciated. Below are some topics that I would like to address before I temporarily leave this blog.

Paypal Donations

Many of my readers have been EXTREMELY kind and donated to me through Paypal. You can still continue to send me donations while I am at seminary. Although my tuition, room/board, and food expenses are covered, I still need money to buy college supplies such as clothing, books, calculators, etc as well as liturgical garments. As a seminarian, I am also forbidden to have a job while I am in school. Therefore, donations would be greatly appreciated. However, I must also state that such contributions would not be tax-deductible. To contribute, please click on the PayPal Donate Icon in the sidebar. Thank you in advance for your generosity as it is extremely appreciated.

Prayer Requests

To request prayers, please leave your intention and name under my post entitled Creating a Prayer List.

Promoting the Tridentine Mass

Over the past few years I have sought to promote and encourage the Tridentine Mass according to the Rite of 1962 on this blog. It is my hope that my work has helped bring souls closer to Christ Jesus through, what some have rightfully called, the Mass of Ages. The Tridentine Latin Mass truly is the most beautiful thing this side of Heaven. I ask my readers to continue to pray for more Tridentine Masses and to help the Traditional Movement in any possible way - whether by financial assistance, prayers, etc.

For an excellent tutorial on how to celebrate the Tridentine Mass according to the Rite of 1962, visit Sancta Missa. I highly encourage my readers to pass along this link to interested priests.

If you have any questions/concerns relating to the proper celebration of the Tridentine Latin Mass, please do not hestiate to email me. I do not presume to be an expert, but if I am not able to find the answer, I will definitely try to find someone who does.

If you have never heard of the Tridentine Latin Mass, please do some research. My main page with information on the Tridentine Latin Mass can be found in my sidebar's categories section under the title Tridentine Latin Mass.

Goodbye

I leave you with a few beautiful images to view over the next few months. These are images of the type of priest that I desire to become. I am not sure whether I will become a priest or if, after this period of discernment, I will feel called to the married life and end up raising a Traditional Catholic family. I will continue to update readers through email and, when allowed to do so, on this blog.

Concerning these photographs, I have posted most of these previously on my blog, so you can find the sources by looking through my archives. Many of them are from the excellent blog, Hallowedground. I find these beautiful images to be sources of joy when I think about the dignity of the Roman Catholic Priesthood. I hope that my readers will also find these images to be beautiful.

In Jesus and Mary,

Seminarian Matthew

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Tridentine Latin Mass in Diocese of Joliet: October 6, 2007

I received this information directly from the contact person, whose email address is listed below. I was also sent a .doc file of a flyer promoting the event with the below mentioned information. If you would like a copy of the flyer, please email me. Please help promote this Tridentine Latin Mass.

There will be a Tridentine Latin Mass offered in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary by Fr. Andreas Hellmann of the Institute of Christ the King. The Mass will be here:

October 6, 2007 - 7 PM
St. Rose of Lima Church
486 W. Merchant St.
Kankakee, IL

Mass will be preceded by a mile-long rosary procession with the statue of Our Lady, and her crowning upon arrival at St. Rose Church.

Procession starts from:

St. Martin of Tours
953 S. 9th Ave
Kankakee, IL

Procession begins at 6 PM (Bring flowers and a votive candle for Our Lady)

Intentions:

Public reparation for sin
To mitigate the punishments due sinful humanity
For our hierarchy and all consecrated souls
For the intentions of all participants
Thanksgiving for Summorum Pontificum

Contact information: doctorvici[at]hotmail.com

If there is a huge attendance at the Mass, then there is a chance that this diocese will have a regularly celebrated TLM again. Please attend if you can. If you are unable to do so, please pass this information on to anyone you think would be interested.

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Archbishop Diarmuid Martin celebrates Tridentine Latin Mass

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin celebrated a Traditional Latin Mass in St Audoen's church, Dublin, in 2005. This footage is compiled by Kieron Wood.

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Should Applause Take Place During Mass?

Q: Should Applause take place during Mass?

No, applause is not proper during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for any reason except at Ordination Masses. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a solemn occassion, and applause is not proper for the Mass, which is the Sacrifice of Calvary.

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (future Pope Benedict XVI): "Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment."

Pope St. Pius X: "It is not fitting that the servant be applauded in His Masters House".

Hab. 2:20: "But the Lord is in His holy temple, silence before Him, all the earth!"

Zeph. 1:7: "Silence in the presence of the Lord your God!"

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The Errors of Protestantism

An Earnest Plea to Protestants from Pope Pius IX's Apostolic Letter, Iam vos omnes, September 13, 1868:

"With all our hearts, we await the return of wandering children [i.e., Protestants] to the Catholic Church with open arms, to welcome them with infinite love in the house of the Heavenly Father and to be able to enrich them with His inexhaustible treasures. Precisely on this much-desired return to truth and communion with the Catholic Church depends...the salvation of each of them."

If you are a member or are considering joining any of these denominations, please read the material below. This concerns your very salvation.

• Can Non-Catholics Be Saved
• The Errors of Protestant "Reformers"
• Protestant Worship is a Mortal Sin
• Faith Alone? Is that What Christ Taught?
• Sola Scriptura Is Not Biblical
• What's Wrong with Martin Luther?

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Tridentine Latin Mass Resource List

Called the Mass of the Ages, the Most Beautiful Thing This Side of Heaven, the Tridentine Latin Mass, the Usus Antiquor, and most recently, the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, this Mass truly is one of the most beautiful forms of worship for the Catholic Church.

This post is a means to provide links to some of my many posts on this topic.  Since the Traditional Mass is at the very heart of living a traditional Catholic life, nearly all of my posts will touch on this topic. Please browse by the tag of Traditional Latin Mass in addition to visiting these posts linked below.

What is the Tridentine (Traditional) Latin Mass?

It is all too common that Catholics unfamiliar with the Church’s Traditions may think that the Traditional Latin Mass is simply the same as the standard Novus Ordo Mass, albeit said in Latin and with the priest having his “back to the people.” It is, after all, simply called the “Latin Mass” by many traditionalists. This is completely false. The Tridentine Mass is about much more than Latin - it is about the very prayers themselves which are said. The Novus Ordo Mass vastly differences from the Tridentine Mass in dozens of ways. Read how here.

For an English explanation of the Latin Mass, click here.  For the English/Latin texts of the Mass, including the actual prayers and much more, please purchase a 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal.

Basic Information on the Mass:

• Why have a Mass for a deceased loved one?
• What graces do I receive at Mass?
• Common Questions on the Eucharist and the Mass
• A Prayer for Before & After Mass

Basic Information on the Tridentine Mass:

• What Should I Do For My First Time At A Latin Mass?
• Traditional Sunday Latin Mass Readings and Prayers

Videos of the Tridentine Latin Mass:

• The Mass of the Ages Trilogy
• FSSP Instructional DVD
• Series of Explanatory Videos on Youtube
• Video Meditation on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross

Latin Mass Locations:

• Traditio Mass Directory (PDF including all societies and groups but details are often outdated and need independently verified)
• SSPX USA Mass Locations (MAP)
• Latin Mass Directory (Always updated but doesn't list independent or SSPX locations)
• Latin Mass Locator (Includes SSPX, FSSP, ICKSP, Diocesan but no independent chapels)

Recommended Reading on the Mass and Liturgy and Liturgical Year:

• Roman Missal in Latin and English by Rev. F. X. Lasance
• Know Your Mass by Fr. Demetrius Manousos, O.F.M
• The Church's Year by Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine
• An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine by John Henry Cardinal Newman
• Calvary and the Mass by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
• How Christ Said the First Mass by James Luke Meagher
• The Mass of All Time by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre
• Explanation of the Holy Mass by Dom Prosper Gueranger, OSB
• How to Understand the Mass by Dom Gasper Lefebvre, OSB
• Christ Acts Through the Sacraments by Father A.M. Roguet, OP
• Treasure and Tradition: The Ultimate Guide to the Latin Mass by Lisa Bergman
• The Latin Mass Explained by Msgr. George Moorman
• The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass by Father Michael Mueller

Recommended Reading on the Crisis in the Modern Church:

• Catechism of the Crisis in the Church by Fr. Matthias Gaudron
• The Great Facade: Vatican II and the Regime of Novelty in the Roman Catholic Church by Christopher Ferrara and Thomas E Woods, Jr.
• Open Letter to Confused Catholics by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre
• Against the Heresies by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre
• Iota Unum: Study of the Changes in the Catholic Church in the 20th Century by Romano Amerio
• Love in the Ruins: Modern Catholics in search of the ancient Faith by Anne Larson
• Old Errors and New Labels by Archbishop Fulton J Sheen
• Peace of Soul by Archbishop Fulton J Sheen
• The Restoration of Christian Culture by John Senior
• SSPX: The Defence by Kennedy Hall

Traditional Altar Server Resources:

• How to Serve the Traditional Latin Mass: Comprehensive Resource List

Learning Latin:

• Cursus Linguae Latinae Vivae
• Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin by Leo F. Stelten
• Book: Latin I by Henle (recommended text)
• Latin Study
• Thesaurus Precum Latinarum (Latin Prayers)
• Latin Prayers (with audio)

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EWTN: Live “Tridentine” Mass on September 14, 2007

EWTN to Televise Live Tridentine Mass Celebrated by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter

DENTON, Nebraska – AUGUST 17, 2007 – For the first time in its 26 year history, Mother Angelica’s Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) will be broadcasting a live Solemn High Mass at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama on September 14, 2007 at 8:00AM EST. EWTN has asked for the assistance of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, an international Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right, to help celebrate this "extraordinary" form.

This past July 7th, Pope Benedict XVI affirmed the beauty and importance of the Tridentine Mass by issuing Summorum Pontificum, a papal document encouraging and confirming the right of all Latin Rite priests to use this more ancient use of the Mass starting September 14th. The Tridentine Mass was the normative liturgy experienced by Latin Rite Catholics prior to the Second Vatican Council.

"Most Catholics have not seen this heavenly celebration in over 40 years," said Father Calvin Goodwin, a professor at the Society’s international English-speaking seminary located in Denton, Nebraska. "We are very excited to help EWTN and to support the Holy Father’s call for a wider presence of this form of the Mass. This is a cause for great joy."

Priests and seminarians from Denton, Nebraska will travel to Alabama and provide the celebrant, deacon, subdeacon, preacher, master of ceremonies and altar servers.

About the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter

Established in 1988 by Pope John Paul II, the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter is an international society of Catholic priests entrusted with the preservation and administration of the Catholic Church’s ancient Latin liturgical traditions. Over 120 seminarians are preparing for the priesthood in the Fraternity’s two seminaries in Bavaria, Germany and Denton, Nebraska.

About EWTN

Founded by Mother Angelica, a Poor Clare nun, the Eternal Word Television Network has become the largest religious media network in the world, transmitting programming 24 hours a day to more than 123 million homes in 140 countries and territories on more than 4,800 cable systems, wireless cable, Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), low power TV and individual satellite users.

Contact:

Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary
7880 West Denton Road
Denton, NE 68339 U.S.A.
(402) 797-7700

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Tridentine Latin Mass returns to Holy Rosary Parish in Sacramento

Holy Rosary will celebrate Mass in Latin at 7 p.m. tonight for the first time in nearly 40 years. This is in accordance with Pope Benedict XVI's recent Motu-Proprio Summorum Pontificum, which brought back the Catholic church's 2,000-year-old Latin Mass.

"What's that saying? 'Lost in translation?'" asked Father Uriel Ojeda of Holy Rosary. "Nowadays everything tries to be inclusive. At least having the Latin keeps us unified in a certain way in that if we can't agree on the translation, we can agree of the source."

Traditionally, Mass was celebrated in the church's official language, Latin. In order to modernize things, the 2nd Vatican Council, who met in the 1960s, decided to suppress the long-established, Latin Mass in favor of the vernacular.

...

Father Jerome Lebel, FSSP, from St. Stephen, The First Martyr, Catholic Church in Sacramento, will give the Mass at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on the corner of Walnut and Court Streets.

Source: Daily Democrat Online

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USCCB: Summorum Pontificum

The following article was emailed to me by a blog reader. I was given permission to post it publically:

The USCCB is either quite the entrepreneurial group, or they just wish to provide every single bit of information to US Catholics, or maybe a little of both. An example of this is their publishing website. You can find Church documents like Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) by Pope John XXIII. You can find things broken out between Vatican Documents, Papal Documents, Ecumenical & Interfaith Texts, even Bishops Statements.

What makes this all confusing though is that if you go to sections like "Papal Documents, Pope Benedict XVI" or if you go to "Vatican Documents - Worship" you'll be unable to find the recent document titled "Summorum Pontificum". Why? Here is the official response from Therese Brown of Marketing for USCCB Publishing:

"We have not and will not be planning on publishing this text in printed form. You may find the complete text at the Vatican website or it may be published by someone like the Pauline Sisters."

Pacem in Terris, John XXIII, place your order. Summorum Pontificum, Benedict XVI, no plans to publish...

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Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Assumption has been believed and celebrated since the earliest times of Christianity. Today's feast was celebrated under various names (Commemoration, Dormition, Passing, Assumption) from at least the fifth or sixth century. Homilies concerning the Assumption go back to at least the Sixth Century. However, in order to make it a dogma of the faith meaning all Catholics must believe it, Pope Pius XII dogmatically declared Mary's Assumption into Heaven in 1950:

"... by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own authority, we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory" (Munificentissimus Deus)

[Watch a video of the historic event]

Today is a Holy Day of Obligation as Catholics are required to attend Mass. For more information, see my post from 2005.

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Tutorial on Celebrating the Tridentine Latin Mass

For an excellent tutorial on how to celebrate the Tridentine Mass according to the Rite of 1962, visit Sancta Missa. I highly encourage readers to pass along this link to interested priests.

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Assumption Novena

Pray this daily from August 6 - 14 in preparation for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.

• Assumption Novena: Day One
• Assumption Novena: Day Two
• Assumption Novena: Day Three
• Assumption Novena: Day Four
• Assumption Novena: Day Five
• Assumption Novena: Day Six
• Assumption Novena: Day Seven
• Assumption Novena: Day Eight
• Assumption Novena: Final Day

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Traditional Propers: Tenth Sunday After Pentecost

Vestments: Green

INTROIT
Psalms 54:17,18,20,23
When I cried to the Lord He heard my voice, from them that draw near to me; and He humbled them, who is before all ages, and remains for ever: cast thy care upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. -- (Ps. 54. 2). Hear, O God, my prayer, and despise not my supplication; be attentive to me and hear me. V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- When I cried to the Lord.

COLLECT - O God, who dost manifest Thine almighty power most chiefly in sparing and showing mercy: multiply upon us Thy mercy: that as we hasten towards Thy promises, Thou mayest make us partakers of the heavenly treasures. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

EPISTLE
I Corinthians 12:2-11
Brethren, You know that, when you were heathens, you went to dumb idols, according as you were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man, speaking by the Spirit of God, saith Anathema to Jesus; and no man can say: The Lord Jesus, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit; and there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord; and there are diversities of operations, but the same God, who worketh all in all. And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto profit. To one indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom; and to another, the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another the grace of healing in the one Spirit; to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, divers kinds of tongues; to another, interpretation of speeches. But all these things one and the same Spirit worketh, dividing to every one according as He will.

GRADUAL
Psalms 16:8,2
Keep me, O Lord, as the apple of Thine eye: protect me under the shadow of Thy wings.1 V.: Let my judgment come forth from Thy countenance: let Thine eyes behold the thing that is equitable.

Alleluia, alleluia. V.(Ps. 64. 2). A hymn, O God, becometh Thee in Sion: and a vow shall be paid to Thee in Jerusalem. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 18:9-14

At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others. Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one was a pharisee, and the other a publican. The pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give Thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers; as also is this publican. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican standing afar off would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven, but struck his breast saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner.2 I say to you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted

OFFERTORY
Psalms 24:1,3
To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul: in Thee, O my God, I put my trust, let me not be ashamed: neither let my enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait on Thee shall be confounded.

SECRET - Let the appointed Sacrifices be offered to Thee, O Lord: which Thou hast granted so to be offered to the honor of Thy Name, that they may themselves become healing remedies unto us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost . . .

PREFACE (Preface of the Most Holy Trinity) - It it truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; Who, together with Thine only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, art one God, one Lord: not in the oneness of a single Person, but in the Trinity of one substance. For what we believe by Thy revelation of Thy glory, the same do we believe of Thy Son, the same of the Holy Ghost, without difference or separation. So that in confessing the true and everlasting Godhead, distinction in persons, unity in essence, and equality in majesty may be adored. Which the Angels and Archangels, the Cherubim also and Seraphim do praise: who cease not daily to cry out, with one voice saying:

COMMUNION
Psalms 50:21
Thou wilt accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and holocausts, upon Thine altar, O Lord.

POST COMMUNION - We beseech Thee, O Lord, our God, that in Thy goodness Thou wilt not deprive of Thine aid those whom Thou dost not cease to renew with Thy divine Sacraments. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity...

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Ad Orientem

"... When a general leads his troops into battle does he face them? When a representative of the people approaches the Ruler on their behalf does he face them? When a priest is going to the Lord on behalf of his people should he face them? When the priest is acting as the intermediary between the people and God he faces the Altar. When he is dispensing the gifts of God, or speaking to the people, he faces the people."

Source: Fr. Joseph Santos of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island. The above mentioned quotation was part of an interview conducted by the "Traditional Latin Mass" blog. For the original source and the segments of the interview, please see the Traditional Latin Mass Blog.

Via A Faithful Rebel

Image Source: The New Liturgical Movement

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Feastday of St. John Vianney

Today is the feastday of St. John Vianney, one of the greatest parish priests in the history of the Church. Read about his life and many of his spiritually-edifying writings in my post from last year.

St. John Vianney, ora pro nobis!!

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On Friday, He Died

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Updated: List of Feastdays

Over the course of the entire summer - and perhaps a few weeks of the Spring - I have worked to completely revise and update my list of Roman Catholic Feastdays. At last, today I was able to finish.

In the course of my editing, I added the entire Calendar of Saints according to the 1955 Calendar, used by many Traditional Catholics. The 1955 Calendar is very similar to the 1962 Calendar, which is also used by Traditionalists. Following this, I individually edited the post on each saint and added the information on the feastday according to both calendars. Since I was only able to work a few hours each day, this project has taken considerable time.

I hope that it is of value to my readers!

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First Friday Devotion

Because today is the first Friday of the Month, many Catholic parishes will have special Masses today for the First Friday Devotion. The priest may choose to offer a Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart or may choose to say the Mass of the day. However, regardless of which propers are used for the Mass texts, we can still - and should - attend Mass today. We can fulfill the First Friday devotion by going to Mass and receiving Holy Communion for nine consecutive Fridays.

Beginning on December 27, 1673, through 1675, Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque asking her to receive Him in Holy Communion on the first Friday of every month and to meditate on His passion from 11:00 PM to 12:00 midnight each Thursday. He also revealed to her twelve promises for all who are devoted to His Sacred Heart; he asked for a Feast of the Sacred Heart to be instituted in the liturgical calendar of the Church. Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque with twelve promises for those devoted to His Most Sacred Heart.

Pray the Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart today

Promises for those devoted to the Sacred Heart:

1. "I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life."
2. "I will establish peace in their homes."
3. "I will comfort them in their afflictions."
4. "I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all in death."
5. "I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings."
6. "Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy."
7. "Tepid souls shall grow fervent."
8. "Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection."
9. "I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored."
10. "I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts."
11. "Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out."
12. "I promise thee in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving the Sacraments; My Divine heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment."

Please remember to pray for the unborn today and make an act of reparation to Our Lord. Remember, it was on Friday that Our Lord died and all Fridays in the year are days of penance.

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Portiuncula Indulgence

What is Portiuncula? The following is an excerpt from Major Life of St. Francis by St. Bonaventure.

" The Portiuncula was an old church dedicated to the Virgin Mother of God which was abandoned . Francis had great devotion to the Queen of the world and when he saw that the church was deserted, he began to live there constantly in order to repair it. He heard that the Angels often visited it, so that it was called Saint Mary of the Angels, and he decided to stay there permanently out of reverence for the angels and love for the Mother of Christ.

He loved this spot more than any other in the world. It was here he began his religious life in a very small way; it is here he came to a happy end. When he was dying, he commended this spot above all others to the friars, because it was most dear to the Blessed Virgin.

This was the place where Saint Francis founded his Order by divine inspiration and it was divine providence which led him to repair three churches before he founded the Order and began to preach the Gospel.

This meant that he progressed from material things to more spiritual achievements, from lesser to greater, in due order, and it gave a prophetic indication of what he would accomplish later.

As he was living there by the church of Our Lady, Francis prayed to her who had conceived the Word, full of grace and truth, begging her insistently and with tears to become his advocate. Then he was granted the true spirit of the Gospel by the intercession of the Mother of mercy and he brought it to fruition.

He embraced the Mother of Our Lord Jesus with indescribable love because, as he said, it was she who made the Lord of majesty our brother, and through her we found mercy. After Christ, he put all his trust in her and took her as his patroness for himself and his friars."

Today the chapel of Portiuncula is situated inside the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels roughly 5 km from Assisi, Italy.

The Indulgence:

"The Portiuncula indulgence is the first plenary indulgence that was ever granted in the Church. There were indeed indulgences at all times, but they were only partial, and only a partial remission of the temporal punishments could be obtained by them. But, as already remarked, he who gains the Portiuncula indulgence is freed from all temporal punishments and becomes as pure as after holy baptism. This was also the reason why Pope Honorius was astonished when St. Francis petitioned for the confirmation of this indulgence, for such an indulgence, up to that time, bad been entirely unknown. It was only after he had come to the conviction that Jesus Christ himself wished it, that he granted the petition of the saint and confirmed the indulgence" (Source)

August 2nd is the feast of Portiuncula. A plenary indulgence is available to anyone who will

1. Receive sacramental confession (8 days before of after)

2. Receive the Holy Eucharist at Holy Mass on August 2nd

3. Enter a parish church and, with a contrite heart, pray the Our Father, Apostles Creed, and a pray of his/her own choosing for the intentions of the Pope.

Please tell every Catholic person you know that remission of the punishment for all sins committed from the day of baptism to the reception of the indulgence is available.

May the Merciful Jesus fill your heart with His gentle peace!

Note: An indulgence is the remission of the temporal punishment due to sin. More information can be found at Indulgences.

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