3 Things You Must Do After Every Mass

We should always seek to imitate the saints, who stand before the throne of Almighty God.

Rightfully so, we pay careful attention (or at least we should and must) to what we do before assisting at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  We examine our conscience and go to Confession to receive forgiveness before receiving the august Sacrament of the Altar in Holy Communion.  We also should be praying the prayers to be said either before Mass or before Holy Communion.

Many of us undoubtedly arrive early to pray our Rosaries and even take part in other great devotions.  All of this is most worthy and certainly worthy of recognition.

My concern is not that we are doing too much to prepare for Mass.  Truly, how could we actually prepare enough to receive the Body and Blood of our Savior?  I am concerned that these same people who truly understand the importance of the Holy Sacrifice are neglecting to practice proper devotion after Holy Mass.

Thus, it is with these thoughts in mind that I present to you my post on 3 Things that You Must Do After Every Mass:

1.OFFER AN ACT OF THANKSGIVING

As the priest prays before consuming the Sacred Blood of our Lord, "Quid retríbuam Dómino pro ómnibus, quæ retríbuit mihi? Cálicem salutáris accípiam, et nomen Dómini invocábo. Laudans invocábo Dóminum, et ab inimícis meis salvus ero."  In so doing, he prays, "What return shall I make to the Lord for all he hath given unto me? I will take the Chalice of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. Praising I will call upon the Lord, and I shall be saved from my enemies."

Thus it is the priest who after consuming the Sacred Host renders in this moment of thanksgiving a humble prayer asking only for a further increase of grace.  In this instance, we see the revelation that our Lord Jesus Christ is our gift.  Truly no prayer is more appropriate at this time of thanksgiving than asking for a further increase of grace.  And who better to ask than He who is the fullness of grace.

Also recall that the priest prays silently after the Ite Missa Est (or in Septuagesima through Passiontide the Benedicámus Dómino) the following: "May the homage of my service be pleasing to thee, O holy Trinity; and grant that the sacrifice which I, though unworthy, have offered in the sight of thy majesty, may be acceptable to thee: and through thy mercy win forgiveness for me and for all those for whom I have offered it. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."

With these heartfelt sentiments, we should similarly appropriate our Thanksgiving after Mass.  From what I have seen, Traditional Catholics have remarkable attention during Mass.  This is true with very few exceptions.  In one rare instance of departure from the norm, a traditional priest told the story of how a man from his congregation would customarily leave directly after receiving our Lord in Holy Communion.  That is to say, he left while Communion was still being distributed - before even the Ablutions and the Post Communion.

So, one day, this priest instructed one of his altar servers to follow the man outside to his car while holding a candle the next time he left prematurely.  And, sure enough, the next time it occurred, the altar boy followed the man right to his car.  Undoubtedly more than a little upset, the man asked the priest why this had happened.  The priest replied to the man that he was a tabernacle and the presence of Christ truly was still present with him in those minutes immediately after receiving.

Needless to say, the man discontinued his practice of immediately leaving.  Now I am by no means claiming that Traditional Catholics typically are guilty of such.  However, with most High Masses lasting longer than 1.5 hours and with children fidgeting by the end of the Mass, there does seem to be a lack of attention for those important minutes after the Holy Mass has ended.

Even for those of us who understand the value of a proper Thanksgiving, we must make the conscious effort to make our Thanksgivings worthy.  So if your children are fidgeting, instruct discipline in them so that they remain seated and in prayers of Thanksgiving as well.  Also, do not fear in making your Thanksgiving prayers while kneeling at the Communion rail or even a side altar.  Since our minds frequently wander, having our eyes fixed on a statue of the Good Shepherd, Sacred Heart, or our Lady will help keep our minds and words fixed appropriately on true sentiments of thanksgiving.

There are many prayers which you could say after the Holy Sacrifice.  While you certainly do not need to pray a pre-composed prayer, I do recommend the beautiful prayers after Mass mentioned in the Angelus Press Missal.  These are the ones that I use.  (See page 84 - 86 and 89 - 90).

And finally, recall the example of the saints.  It is said of St. Aloysius Gonzaga that he used to receive Communion once a week and that he was accustomed to spend three days in preparation before it and three days in thanksgiving after it. How did he manage to do this? Was he all the time prostrated before the Altar or reading a spiritual book? Not at all; he went wherever obedience called him, quietly performing his duties and keeping his heart lifted up to God. He offered up all his actions to Jesus Christ by way of thanksgiving, and he made now and then some short acts of faith, hope and charity, some acts of self-oblation or admiration or supplication. By this means, the angelic youth was enabled to walk continually with God; one Communion was the preparation for another; thus, he constantly advanced in a purity of heart and in love for Jesus Christ.

Truly we have been given grace upon grace.

2. Learn from the Sermon

Traditional Catholics especially are graced with many truly awe-inspiring and theologically deep sermons.  If you are unaware, many great sermons are available for download and listening from Audio Sancto, and Alabama Catholic Resources has other good sermons. Bishop Robert Vasa also has a set of talks available for purchase.

While listening to sermons from these websites online, I have found myself taking notes and making plans to amend my life to be further in line with the sermon's message.  But, how often do any of us take careful notes during or immediately after Mass to record not only the central message of the sermon but also the parts that truly sounded in accord with the desires of our heart?

Although I have never been a fan of bringing pencil and paper to Mass, I do strongly encourage you to pay careful attention to the sermon and then record it immediately after Mass on paper.  Studies have shown that taking notes impresses the subject of the note further in our minds - after all, if it did not, what use would notes be for students?

We Traditional Catholics have been especially blessed with theological sound and inspiring sermons.  Let us not neglect this gift.  Take notes and learn from the sermon.

3. Live the Catholic Faith

Ite Missa Est!  Behold, you are sent forth in the world!  The word missa comes from mittere, to send.  Thus, in this solemn dismissal of the faithful, the Mass eventually took its name.  As the Sacrifice of the Mass is finished, we are sent into the world to our own sacrifice and to prove ourselves sons of God and brothers of the Redeemer.  We are sent to our post on Calvary, to continue the work of Redemption as we "fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ" (1 Col 1:24b).

May we never neglect to offer daily acts of offering and thanksgiving while living daily lives in the state of grace and in Almighty God's service.

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Traditional Mass Propers: Second Sunday after Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday)

Vestments: White


INTROIT
Psalms 32: 5, 6
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord, alleluia: by the word of the Lord were the heavens made, alleluia, alleluia. -- (Ps. 32. 1). Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: praise is comely for the upright. V.: Glory to the Father . . . -- The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord . . .

COLLECT - O God, who, by the humility of Thy Son, didst lift up a fallen world, grant unending happiness to Thy faithful: that those whom Thou hast snatched from the perils of endless death, Thou mayest cause to rejoice in everlasting days. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

EPISTLE
I Peter 2: 21-25
Dearly beloved, Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow His steps who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth. Who when He was reviled, did not revile: when He suffered, He threatened not, but delivered Himself to him that judged Him unjustly: who His own self bore our sins in His body upon the tree: that we, being dead to sins, should live to justice; by whose stripes you were healed. For you were as sheep going astray: but you are now converted to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

GRADUAL
Luke 24: 35
Alleluia, alleluia. V.: The disciples knew the Lord Jesus in the breaking of bread. Alleluia. V.: (John 10. 14). I am the good Shepherd: and I know My sheep, and Mine know Me. Alleluia.

 
GOSPEL
John 10: 11-16

At that time Jesus said to the Pharisees: 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.

 
OFFERTORY
Psalms 62: 2, 5
O God, my God, to Thee do I watch at break of day: and in Thy Name I will lift up my hands, alleluia.

SECRET - May this holy offering, O Lord, always bring to us Thy healing blessing: that what it represents in a Mystery, it may accomplish with power. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

PREFACE (Preface for Easter) - It it truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, at all times to praise Thee, O Lord, but more gloriously especially this day when Christ our Pasch was sacrificed. For He is the Lamb Who hath taken away the sins of the world: Who by dying hath destroyed our death: and by rising again hath restored us to life. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:

 
COMMUNION
John 10: 14 I am the good Shepherd, alleluia: and I know My sheep, and Mine know Me, alleluia, alleluia.

POST COMMUNION - Grant unto us, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that having received the grace of a new life, we may ever glory in Thy gift. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

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Catechism of St. Pius X on the Resurrection of Christ

Catechism of St. Pius X:

1 Q: What are we taught in the Fifth Article: He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead?

A: The Fifth Article of the Creed teaches us that the Soul of Jesus Christ, on being separated from His Body, descended to the Limbo of the holy Fathers, and that on the third day it became united once more to His Body, never to be parted from it again.

2 Q: What is here meant by hell?

A: Hell here means the Limbo of the holy Fathers, that is, the place where the souls of the just were detained, in expectation of redemption through Jesus Christ.

3 Q: Why were not the souls of the Holy Fathers admitted into heaven before the death of Jesus Christ?

A: The souls of the holy Fathers were not admitted into heaven before the death of Jesus Christ, because heaven was closed by the sin of Adam, and it was but fitting that Jesus Christ, who reopened it by His death, should be the first to enter it.

4 Q: Why did Jesus Christ defer His own resurrection until the third day?

A: Jesus Christ deferred His own resurrection until the third day to show clearly that He was really dead.

5 Q: Was the resurrection of Jesus Christ like the resurrection of other men who had been raised from the dead?

A: No, the resurrection of Jesus Christ was not like the resurrection of other men who had been raised from the dead, because He rose by His own power, while the others were raised by the power of God.

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SSPX Doctrinal Agreement or Not?

In a letter dated April 17, 2012, the Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X Bishop Fellay responded to the request for clarification that had been made to him on March 16 by Cardinal William Levada concerning the Doctrinal Preamble delivered on September 14, 2011. 

As the press release dated today from the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei indicates, the text of this response “will be examined by the dicastery (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) then submitted to the Holy Father for his judgement”

I will post updates as they surface and are confirmed.

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Traditional Latin Mass In Honor of Blessed Karl of Austria in Aliquippa, PA

Traditional Latin Mass In Honor of Blessed Karl of Austria

Sunday, 29 April 2012, 2:00 PM

St. Titus Church
952 Franklin Avenue
Aliquippa, PA 15001

Celebrant: Canon Jean-Marie Moreau of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest

Veneration of the Relic of Blessed Karl

Free Luncheon and Conference after Mass on the life of Blessed Karl and his cause for sainthood.
Speaker: Brother Nathan Cochran, OSB, Delegate to the USA/Canada, Emperor Karl League of Prayers for Peace Among Nations

Sponsored by:
Knights of Columbus Woodlawn Council 2161
Traditional Latin Mass Guild

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Happy 85th Birthday to our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI

Happy 85th Birthday to our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI! If you have not read his "Introduction to Christianity" considering purchasing at least a special summary of the text. 

Check out the summary on "Introduction to Christianity" now in honor of our Holy Father's Birthday and upcoming anniversary of election as the Head of the Universal Church (which is April 19th).

And let's be sure to keep him in prayer on this important milestone.

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The Oath Against Modernism vs. The "Hermeneutic of Continuity"

It can hardly be denied that the years following Vatican II have led to internal turmoil in the Church with grave consequences for the Church on Earth.

Some of you may have not yet read Mr. Vennari's piece entitled The Oath Against Modernism vs. The "Hermeneutic of Continuity." Since this piece quite succinctly illustrates the key distinction in Pope Benedict XVI's pontificate from a Traditionalist's views, it is well worth the read.  Emphasis below in bold.  This is from Catholic Family News:

The term “Hermeneutic of Continuity” came into vogue with the ascension of Pope Benedict XVI.

On December 22, 2005 in his speech to the Roman Curia, Pope Benedict XVI laid out what would be the program of his pontificate. Usually a Pope will do this in his first encyclical, but informed commentators at the time observed that Pope Benedict appeared to lay out the program for his pontificate in this December 22 address, and not his first encyclical.

In this speech, it is clear that the pivotal principle that would be the program for his pontificate is the Second Vatican Council.[1]

However, says the Pope, there has been a problem with the Council. Too many in the Church, he laments, approach the Council through a “hermeneutic of rupture”; and a “hermeneutic of discontinuity” with the past. (“Hermeneutic” basically means, “interpretation”. Thus, Pope Benedict says, many Catholics have approached the Council with an interpretation of rupture with the past.)

The proper way to approach the Council, he insists, is through a “hermeneutic of continuity”. His basic claim — and this has always been his claim as Cardinal Ratzinger — is that Vatican II did not constitute a rupture with Tradition, but a legitimate development of it. We can find this legitimate development if we approach the Council through a hermeneutic — an interpretation — of continuity.

This gives the impression to many that Pope Benedict XVI plans a restoration of Tradition in the Church.

But this is not the case. Yes, Pope Benedict issued the Motu Proprio freeing the Tridentine Mass. This was a matter of justice for which he deserves credit, and it is something we could have guessed he would do, even based on his statements as Cardinal Ratzinger.

But the hermeneutic of continuity does not signal a return to Tradition. Rather, it is another attempt, first and foremost, I believe, to save Vatican II.

Vatican II is still his pivotal principle. The so-called “hermeneutic of continuity” approach will give us nothing more than a new synthesis between Tradition and Vatican II — a synthesis between Tradition and Modernism — which is not a legitimate synthesis.

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Catholicism in the Classical Period of Music

This article continues where Catholicism in the Baroque Period of Music left off.

By 1750, the style of music produced by the world's greatest composers began to shift noticeably.  Prior to this time, the composer was typically employed by a member of a royal family or the Holy Church.  Composers produced beautiful and uplifting music that transcended even themselves.

Yet, by 1750 the composer was now being seen as a celebrity in his own right.  By this time it was not uncommon for the composer to be a traveling entertainer across Europe and even the greater civilized world.  And with the transformation in image and style, so too the music shifted from primarily religious to secular music.

However, the secular music of the time still stands in stark contrast to the so-called "music" of the present era.  At least the music of the Classical composers could rightfully be said to still seek the Good, True, and Beautiful.  And many composers still found time to compose great musical treasures for the Church.  The Classical period lasted until approximately 1830.

Below is a summary of several key figures from the Classical period and with them, selections of music appropriate for a Catholic's ears.

JC Bach and CPE Bach - Assorted Works

The father of both JC Bach and CPE Bach was none other than the famous Baroque composer JS Bach.  JS Bach had over 20 children, many of which became musicians and went on to compose pieces in the Classical Period (1750 - 1830) that would also become quite famous.   CPE Bach (b 1714 - d 1788) wrote over 50 orchestral pieces and over 100 chorale pieces. 

Below is his Magnificat in D Minor.



Joseph Haydn- Assorted Works

Were it not for the following two composers, Joseph Haydn (b 1732 - d 1809) may have become the most renowned composer of the Classical period.  Over the course of his life, he composed 50 piano sonatas, 20 operas, and 104 symphonies.  Some of Haydn's most famous pieces include his Symphony #45 (Farewell Symphony), Symphony #94 (Surprise Symphony), Symphony #101 (Clock Symphony), and his 104th Symphony, one of the Lond Symphonies and his last one written.

He is often called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet" because of his important contributions to these musical forms. 

It is inspiring to note that despite living in this Enlightenment period, Haydn was a devout Catholic who often turned to his rosary when he had trouble composing, a practice that he usually found to be effective. He normally began the manuscript of each composition with "in nomine Domini" ("in the name of the Lord") and ended with "Laus Deo" ("praise be to God"). 

Below is his The Heavens are Telling from the the Oratorio The Creation as sung by King's College, Cambridge.



Mozart and Beethoven- Assorted Works

What really could be said to add to the works of either Mozart or Beethoven?  Both are considered the two most well known composers in history.  Each has composed such a monumental number of pieces that to attempt a brief overview would do them both a great dishonor.  I simply wish to provide one video featuring Mozart's Coronation Mass and a second one featuring his Requiem Mass.  Both are among the great gems he has left to the Church.  May they be played for the honor of God in the context of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass widely and often!

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Easter 2012 Urbi et Orbi

Image Source: Getty Images

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Rome and throughout the world!

“Surrexit Christus, spes mea” – “Christ, my hope, has risen” (Easter Sequence).

May the jubilant voice of the Church reach all of you with the words which the ancient hymn puts on the lips of Mary Magdalene, the first to encounter the risen Jesus on Easter morning. She ran to the other disciples and breathlessly announced: “I have seen the Lord!” (Jn 20:18). We too, who have journeyed through the desert of Lent and the sorrowful days of the Passion, today raise the cry of victory: “He has risen! He has truly risen!”

Every Christian relives the experience of Mary Magdalene. It involves an encounter which changes our lives: the encounter with a unique Man who lets us experience all God’s goodness and truth, who frees us from evil not in a superficial and fleeting way, but sets us free radically, heals us completely and restores our dignity. This is why Mary Magdalene calls Jesus “my hope”: he was the one who allowed her to be reborn, who gave her a new future, a life of goodness and freedom from evil. “Christ my hope” means that all my yearnings for goodness find in him a real possibility of fulfilment: with him I can hope for a life that is good, full and eternal, for God himself has drawn near to us, even sharing our humanity.

But Mary Magdalene, like the other disciples, was to see Jesus rejected by the leaders of the people, arrested, scourged, condemned to death and crucified. It must have been unbearable to see Goodness in person subjected to human malice, truth derided by falsehood, mercy abused by vengeance. With Jesus’ death, the hope of all those who had put their trust in him seemed doomed. But that faith never completely failed: especially in the heart of the Virgin Mary, Jesus’ Mother, its flame burned even in the dark of night. In this world, hope can not avoid confronting the harshness of evil. It is not thwarted by the wall of death alone, but even more by the barbs of envy and pride, falsehood and violence. Jesus passed through this mortal mesh in order to open a path to the kingdom of life. For a moment Jesus seemed vanquished: darkness had invaded the land, the silence of God was complete, hope a seemingly empty word.

And lo, on the dawn of the day after the Sabbath, the tomb is found empty. Jesus then shows himself to Mary Magdalene, to the other women, to his disciples. Faith is born anew, more alive and strong than ever, now invincible since it is based on a decisive experience: “Death with life contended: combat strangely ended! Life’s own champion, slain, now lives to reign”. The signs of the resurrection testify to the victory of life over death, love over hatred, mercy over vengeance: “The tomb the living did enclose, I saw Christ’s glory as he rose! The angels there attesting, shroud with grave-clothes resting”.

Dear brothers and sisters! If Jesus is risen, then – and only then – has something truly new happened, something that changes the state of humanity and the world. Then he, Jesus, is someone in whom we can put absolute trust; we can put our trust not only in his message but in Jesus himself, for the Risen One does not belong to the past, but is present today, alive. Christ is hope and comfort in a particular way for those Christian communities suffering most for their faith on account of discrimination and persecution. And he is present as a force of hope through his Church, which is close to all human situations of suffering and injustice.

May the risen Christ grant hope to the Middle East and enable all the ethnic, cultural and religious groups in that region to work together to advance the common good and respect for human rights. Particularly in Syria, may there be an end to bloodshed and an immediate commitment to the path of respect, dialogue and reconciliation, as called for by the international community. May the many refugees from that country who are in need of humanitarian assistance find the acceptance and solidarity capable of relieving their dreadful sufferings. May the paschal victory encourage the Iraqi people to spare no effort in pursuing the path of stability and development. In the Holy Land, may Israelis and Palestinians courageously take up anew the peace process.

May the Lord, the victor over evil and death, sustain the Christian communities of the African continent; may he grant them hope in facing their difficulties, and make them peacemakers and agents of development in the societies to which they belong.

May the risen Jesus comfort the suffering populations of the Horn of Africa and favour their reconciliation; may he help the Great Lakes Region, Sudan and South Sudan, and grant their inhabitants the power of forgiveness. In Mali, now experiencing delicate political developments, may the glorious Christ grant peace and stability. To Nigeria, which in recent times has experienced savage terrorist attacks, may the joy of Easter grant the strength needed to take up anew the building of a society which is peaceful and respectful of the religious freedom of all its citizens.

Happy Easter to all!

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Book Review: "Union of God: Letters of Spiritual Direction by Blessed Columba Marmion"

With a heartfelt, genuine thankfulness, I wish to thank a friend of mine for having presented me with a copy of "Union with God: Letters of Spiritual Direction" by Blessed Columba Marmion.  In a beautiful expression of Divine simplicity and holiness, Blessed Marmion's words are refreshing to the souls of Catholics and, I might add, should be read by all seeking deeper union with He who is Divinity Itself.

Writing of Don Marmion, Dom Raymond Thibaut writes in the introduction, "He comes before us in the simple light for a very high and very humble human personality, and also in the splendor of that close union with God which was the secret of his fervent and enlightened zeal for souls" (xvii).

The very depth and breath of spiritual advice in this book is far too immense to describe in one blog post.  I would however like to summarize that Blessed Marmion draws from our childlike depends and love towards our Heavenly Father as a central tenet of his advice to souls.  Seek Jesus always - seek His Face through His Commandments and do all for the love of God.  In this is summarized all of Blessed Marmion's advice.

An excerpt from the book is available here: Blessed Columba Marmion on Living a Daily Catholic Life

I rate this book a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.

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