2008 Saint for the Year Devotion

In both 2006 and 2007 I have helped facilitate a Saint for the Year Devotion, by which participants have a saint chosen for them for the year. It is a devotional activity and each person is asked to pray to the saint in a special way throughout the year. For more information on this devotion, which even St. Faustina participated in, please visit my 2007 Saint for the Year Post. This year I was chosen by St. Julius, feast day on April 12!

This year, however, since I am in seminary, I do not have the time to continue the Saint for the Year Devotion. I hope to resume this devotion in later years.

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New Years Indulgences

If you don't know what an indulgence is or how to get one, please view my Indulgences post.

December 31 Indulgence: A PLENARY INDULGENCE is granted when the Te Deum is recited publicly on the last day of the year. Otherwise a partial indulgence is granted to those who recite the Te Deum in thanksgiving.

January 1 Indulgence: A PLENARY INDULGENCE is granted when the Veni, Creator Spiritus is recited on the first of January or Pentecost.

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Catholic Resolutions 2008

As the year 2007 AD ends this evening, I would like to reflect on my 2007 Catholic Resolutions. The year 2007 was a year of both great joys and great sorrows including my graduation and a week-trip to St. Augustine, Florida along with events such as the death of my great-grandmother, Lucille. This year, 2007, was also the year that I was officially accepted as a seminarian and began to study at seminary. It was the year that I began to make daily Holy hours and I was able to attend Daily Mass. My prayer life has greatly improved - I pray certain prayers daily - prayers that I keep with me in prayer cards. In 2007 I also bought my first cassock and surplice. Yet, in 2007, many of my family members suffered through various illness, some had to spend time in the hospital. So, reflecting on this past year, it was a year of both great positives and great negatives. But, above all, we must be thankful for the gifts of this past year.

2007 Catholic Resolutions:

1) Finish my application process to enter a seminary, get accepted by my diocese, and start at a college seminary in the fall of 2007.
2) Pray the 15 Prayers of St. Bridget each day or as often as possible
3) Find and purchase a Traditional Catholic Prayer Book and a 1962 Roman Missal
4) Attend my first Tridentine Mass
5) Seek to grow spiritually and avoid all of the sins that I have committed often in the past
6) Read classic spirituality books including "Story of a Soul" by St. Therese of Lisieux
7) Read all of the New Testament

2007 Resolution Results:

1) I was accepted by my diocese and began college seminary in August 2007. Yet, I am still seriously discerning a vocation with a Traditional Order like the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. This 2007 Resolution was a complete success

2) Unfortunately, the Prayers of St. Bridget are very long and I did not succeed in praying the prayers daily. I will try again but I think that sometime in the future would be better than now.

3) I have greatly succeeded at this Resolution. I have three pre-Vatican II brevaries (two in English and one in Latin) as well as an Angelus Press Missal. I also now have a Douay Rheims Bible and the rubrics of the Tridentine Mass. These are just a few of the excellent books that I have found in 2007.

4) In September 2007 I attended my first Tridentine Mass on a Sunday and since then I believe that I have attended four other Tridentine Masses - one on the First Friday of December, one on the Immaculate Conception, and one on Lætare Sunday. I also attended one in November. This is all very exciting since I love the Tridentine Mass and would love, one day as a priest, to exclusively celebrate the Tridentine Mass. I hope to continue attending the Tridentine Mass as often as possible while I am at seminary. This resolution was a success.

5) A person can always work to grow more spiritually and reject more sins. I will keep working more on this resolution this year and continue my progress.

6) I have read a few books including St. Augustine's Confessions. But I did not have a chance to yet read The Story of a Soul.

7) I did not succeed in reading all of the New Testament - I was able to read the Gospels but not the Epistles of St. Paul.

2008 Catholic Resolutions:

1) Read the entire Bible in 1 year
2) Continue to pray the Rosary daily along with Lauds, Vespers, and Compline
3) Continue to frequently attend the Tridentine Mass
4) Purchase my first biretta
5) Purchase many different books and build up my Catholic library. I would specifically like to buy the Liber Usualis, the Liber Hymnarius, a Summa Theologica, the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel, the Catechism of the Council of Trent, My Catholic Faith by Angelus Press, How Christ Said the First Mass by Meagher, The Holy Mass by Dom Prosper, Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre by Davies, and the Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco, all in Latin if possible
6) Continue to discern a vocation with a Traditional Order and try to save up more money so that, if I am called, I may more easily join one
7) Update "A Catholic Life", specifically include more prayers from the 1962 Missal on each saint's page.
8) Seek to grow spiritually and avoid all of the sins that I have committed often in the past

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Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Angel Montoto

I ask your prayers for the repose of the soul of Angel Montoto, who died August 3, 2004.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Image Source: Photo of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Believed to be in the Public Domain

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Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity

Note: The feasts of the Comites (i.e. St. Stephen, St. John the Apostle, and the Holy Innocents), in addition to St. Thomas Becket, would take precedence over the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity until the 1960 reform of the Missal. In that case, if the Sunday after Christmas is December 26, 27, 28, or 29, the Sunday within the Mass and Office for Octave of Christmas is transferred to December 30th. In the 1962 Missal, the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity displaces any of the saints feastdays and the Comites are reduced to a mere Commemoration, even though their feasts used to be in times past Holy Days of Obligation.

Traditional Propers:

INTROIT Wisdom 18:14-15 While all things were in quiet silence, and the night was in the midst of her course, Thine almighty Word, O Lord, leaped down from heaven from Thy royal throne. -- (Ps.92. 1). The Lord hath reigned, He is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded Himself. V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- While all things were in quiet silence . . .

COLLECT - O almighty and everlasting God, direct our actions according to Thy good pleasure; that in the Name of Thy beloved Son we may deserve to abound in good works: Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost...

EPISTLE 1 Galatians 4: 1-7 Brethren, as long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of all: but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father: so we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, that He might redeem them who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father. Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son; and if a son, an heir also through God.

GRADUAL Psalms. 44: 3, 2 Thou art beautiful above the sons of men: grace is poured abroad in Thy lips. V.: My heart hath uttered a good word, I speak my words to the king: my tongue is the pen of a scrivener, that writeth swiftly.

Alleluia, alleluia. V.: The Lord hath reigned, He is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded Himself. Alleluia

GOSPEL Luke 2:33-40

At that time Joseph and Mary the mother of Jesus were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning Him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His Mother: Behold, this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel: and for a sign which shall be contradicted: and thine own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed. And there was one Anna a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow until fourscore and four years: who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord: and spoke of Him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth. And the Child grew and waxed strong, full of wisdom: and the grace of God was in Him.

OFFERTORY Psalm 92:1,2 God hath establised the world, which shall not be moved: Thy throne, O God, is prepared from of old, Thou art from everlasting.

SECRET - Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the offering made in the sight of Thy Majesty may obtain for us the grace of loving devotion, and the reward of a blessed eternity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost...

PREFACE (Preface of the Nativity) - 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, for through the Mystery of the Word made flesh, the new light of Thy glory hath shone upon the eyes of our mind, so that while we acknowledge God in visible form, we may through Him be drawn to the love of things invisible. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Throne and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:

SPECIAL FORM OF COMMUNICANTES (Communicantes for Christmas) - Communicating, and keeping this most holy day, on which the spotless virginity of blessed Mary brought forth a Savior to this world; and also reverencing the memory first of the same glorious Mary, ever Virgin, Mother of the same our God and Lord Jesus Christ: as also...

COMMUNION Matthew 2:20 Take the Child and His Mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead who sought the life of the Child.

POST COMMUNION - By the working of this Mystery, O Lord, may our vices be cleansed, and our just desires fulfilled. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost.

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Trinitarian Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

Feastday for the Newly Beatified Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War

At the Rite of Beatification held on October 28, 2007, in St. Peter’s Square, Cardinal José Savaira Martins – Prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints – announced that 6 November has been established as the feastday for the Trinitarian Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) as well as for the other 488 martyrs beatified on October 28. This is the largest mass beatification in the history of the Church!

Prayer to Martyrs:

O God, Who dost gladden us by the annual feast of Thy holy Martyrs, mercifully grant that we who rejoice in their merits may be inspired by their example. Through our Lord

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

Novena to the Magi

Today is the beginning of the Novena to the Magi, in anticipation for the Epiphany of the Lord.

28 December:
O holy Magi! You were living in continual expectation of the rising of the Star of Jacob, which would announce the birth of the true Sun of justice; obtain for us an increase of faith and charity, and the grace to live in continual hope of beholding one day the light of heavenly glory and eternal joy. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

29 December:
O holy Magi! who at the first appearance of the wondrous star left your native country to go and seek the newborn King of the Jews; obtain for us the grace of corresponding with alacrity to every divine inspiration. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

30 December:
O holy Magi! who regarded neither the severity of the season, nor the inconveniences of the journey that you might find the newborn Messiah; obtain for us the grace not to allow ourselves to be discouraged by any of the difficulties which may meet us on the way of salvation. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

31 December:
O holy Magi, who, when deserted by the star in the city of Jerusalem, sought humbly, and without human respect, from the rulers of the Church, the place where you might discover the object of your journey; obtain for us grace to have recourse, in faith and humility, in all our doubts and perplexities to the counsel of our superiors, who hold the place of God on earth. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

1 January:
O holy Magi, who were gladdened by the reappearance of the star which led you to Bethlehem; obtain for us from God the grace, that, remaining always faithful to Him in afflictions, we may be consoled in time by His grace, and in eternity by His glory. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

2 January:
O holy Magi, who, entering full of faith into the stable of Bethlehem, prostrated yourselves on the earth, to adore the newborn King of the Jews, though he was surrounded only by signs of poverty and weakness; obtain from the Lord for us a lively faith in the real presence of Jesus in the blessed Sacrament, the true spirit of poverty, and a Christ-like charity for the poor and suffering. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

3 January:
O holy Magi, who offered to Jesus Christ gold, incense, and myrrh, thereby recognizing Him to be at once King, God, and Man; obtain from the Lord for us the grace never to present ourselves before Him with empty hands; but that we may continually offer to Him the gold of charity, the incense of prayer, and the myrrh of penance and mortification. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

4 January:
O holy Magi, who, when warned by an angel not to return to Herd, traveled back to your country be another road; obtain for us from the Lord, the grace that, after having found Him in true repentance, we may avoid all danger of losing Him again. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

5 January:
O holy Magi, who were first among the Gentiles called to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and who persevered in the faith till your deaths, obtain for us of the Lord the grace of living always in conformity to our baptismal vows, ever leading to a life of faith; that like you we may attain to the beatific vision of that God Who now is the object of our faith. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end..

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Christmas 2007: Urbi et Orbi

Here is the text of Pope Benedict XVI's 2007 Urbi et Orbi Address for Christmas:

“A holy day has dawned upon us.
Come you nations and adore the Lord.
Today a great light has come upon the earth.”
(Day Mass of Christmas, Gospel Acclamation)

Dear Brothers and Sisters! “A holy day has dawned upon us.” A day of great hope: today the Saviour of mankind is born. The birth of a child normally brings a light of hope to those who are waiting anxiously. When Jesus was born in the stable at Bethlehem, a “great light” appeared on earth; a great hope entered the hearts of those who awaited him: in the words of today’s Christmas liturgy, “lux magna”. Admittedly it was not “great” in the manner of this world, because the first to see it were only Mary, Joseph and some shepherds, then the Magi, the old man Simeon, the prophetess Anna: those whom God had chosen. Yet, in the shadows and silence of that holy night, a great and inextinguishable light shone forth for every man; the great hope that brings happiness entered into the world: “the Word was made flesh and we saw his glory” (Jn 1:14).

“God is light”, says Saint John, “and in him is no darkness at all” (1 Jn 1:5). In the Book of Genesis we read that when the universe was created, “the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” “God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” (Gen 1:2-3). The creative Word of God is Light, the source of life. All things were made through the Logos, not one thing had its being but through him (cf. Jn 1:3). That is why all creatures are fundamentally good and bear within themselves the stamp of God, a spark of his light. Nevertheless, when Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, the Light himself came into the world: in the words of the Creed, “God from God, Light from Light”. In Jesus, God assumed what he was not, while remaining what he was: “omnipotence entered an infant’s body and did not cease to govern the universe” (cf. Saint Augustine, Sermo 184, No. 1 on Christmas). The Creator of man became man in order to bring peace to the world. For this reason, during Christmas night, the hosts of angels sing: “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to those whom he loves” (Lk 2:14).

“Today a great light has come upon the earth”. The Light of Christ is the bearer of peace. At Midnight Mass, the Eucharistic liturgy begins with this very chant: “Today true peace has come down to us from heaven” (Entrance Antiphon). Indeed, it is only the “great” light manifested in Christ that can give “true” peace to men: that is why every generation is called to welcome it, to welcome the God who in Bethlehem became one of us.

This is Christmas – the historical event and the mystery of love, which for more than two thousand years has spoken to men and women of every era and every place. It is the holy day on which the “great light” of Christ shines forth, bearing peace! Certainly, if we are to recognize it, if we are to receive it, faith is needed and humility is needed. The humility of Mary, who believed in the word of the Lord and, bending low over the manger, was the first to adore the fruit of her womb; the humility of Joseph, the just man, who had the courage of faith and preferred to obey God rather than to protect his own reputation; the humility of the shepherds, the poor and anonymous shepherds, who received the proclamation of the heavenly messenger and hastened towards the stable, where they found the new-born child and worshipped him, full of astonishment, praising God (cf. Lk 2:15-20). The little ones, the poor in spirit: they are the key figures of Christmas, in the past and in the present; they have always been the key figures of God’s history, the indefatigable builders of his Kingdom of justice, love and peace.

In the silence of that night in Bethlehem, Jesus was born and lovingly welcomed. And now, on this Christmas Day, when the joyful news of his saving birth continues to resound, who is ready to open the doors of his heart to the holy child? Men and women of this modern age, Christ comes also to us bringing his light, he comes also to us granting peace! But who is watching, in the night of doubt and uncertainty, with a vigilant, praying heart? Who is waiting for the dawn of the new day, keeping alight the flame of faith? Who has time to listen to his word and to become enfolded and entranced by his love? Yes! His message of peace is for everyone; he comes to offer himself to all people as sure hope for salvation.

Finally, may the light of Christ, which comes to enlighten every human being, shine forth and bring consolation to those who live in the darkness of poverty, injustice and war; to those who are still denied their legitimate aspirations for a more secure existence, for health, education, stable employment, for fuller participation in civil and political responsibilities, free from oppression and protected from conditions that offend against human dignity. It is the most vulnerable members of society – women, children, the elderly – who are so often the victims of brutal armed conflicts, terrorism and violence of every kind, which inflict such terrible sufferings on entire populations. At the same time, ethnic, religious and political tensions, instability, rivalry, disagreements, and all forms of injustice and discrimination are destroying the internal fabric of many countries and embittering international relations. Throughout the world the number of migrants, refugees and evacuees is also increasing because of frequent natural disasters, often caused by alarming environmental upheavals.

On this day of peace, my thoughts turn especially to those places where the grim sound of arms continues to reverberate; to the tortured regions of Darfur, Somalia, the north of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia; to the whole of the Middle East – especially Iraq, Lebanon and the Holy Land; to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, to the Balkans and to many other crisis situations that unfortunately are frequently forgotten. May the Child Jesus bring relief to those who are suffering and may he bestow upon political leaders the wisdom and courage to seek and find humane, just and lasting solutions. To the thirst for meaning and value so characteristic of today’s world, to the search for prosperity and peace that marks the lives of all mankind, to the hopes of the poor: Christ – true God and true Man – responds with his Nativity. Neither individuals nor nations should be afraid to recognize and welcome him: with Him “a shining light” brightens the horizon of humanity; in him “a holy day” dawns that knows no sunset. May this Christmas truly be for all people a day of joy, hope and peace!

“Come you nations and adore the Lord.” With Mary, Joseph and the shepherds, with the Magi and the countless host of humble worshippers of the new-born Child, who down the centuries have welcomed the mystery of Christmas, let us too, brothers and sisters from every continent, allow the light of this day to spread everywhere: may it enter our hearts, may it brighten and warm our homes, may it bring serenity and hope to our cities, and may it give peace to the world. This is my earnest wish for you who are listening. A wish that grows into a humble and trustful prayer to the Child Jesus, that his light will dispel all darkness from your lives and fill you with love and peace. May the Lord, who has made his merciful face to shine in Christ, fill you with his happiness and make you messengers of his goodness. Happy Christmas!

© Copyright 2007 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Image Source: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino
Second Image Source: AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, HO
Third Image: CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters

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Holy Christmas Carols

Hark the Herald Angels Sing



Glory to God



Once in Royal David's City

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Back After a Long Absence: The Traditional Latin Mass in Mexico City

Published: December 5, 2007
California Catholic Daily
Republished with Permission

"For first time in more than 40 years, traditional Latin Mass celebrated at Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral; extraordinary form now to be offered once a week

"For more than 400 years, the Tridentine Latin Mass was celebrated at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Mexico City -- until 1965, when all masses in this and all the other Catholic churches around the world began to be celebrated in their respective vernacular languages as part of the Vatican II liturgical reforms. Forty-two years later, on the morning of Nov. 29, on the high altar of the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Latin Mass was once again celebrated at the most important Catholic house of worship in Mexico.

"The traditional mass, which thousands of Catholics in Mexico still long for, was celebrated by Msgr. Rudolf Michael Schmitz, Vicar General and Superior of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, according to the weekly publication of the Archdiocese of Mexico City, Desde la Fe (“From the Faith”).

"The same day, Msgr. Schmitz celebrated Latin masses in three other Mexico City churches of historical and religious significance. The first was at La Profesa, an educational and religious center of the Society of Jesus since 1574. From La Profesa, some of the most daring and fruitful missionary enterprises of Mexico’s evangelization were launched, including into the then-remote areas of Baja California and Sonora. La Profesa was also the center of the famous “La Profesa Conspiracy,” which led to the final victory for Mexico’s independence in 1821.

"Two other Latin masses were celebrated at the Ville de Guadalupe -- one at El Pocito chapel, built in the 17th century on the site where the image of the Virgin Mary was miraculously stamped on Juan Diego’s tunic; the other in one of the lateral chapels inside the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

"For the celebration, Msgr. Schmitz wore the traditional biretta, rochet and cassock. At the altar were six processional candlesticks, with all the sacred ornaments necessary for the Eucharistic consecration.

"At the end of the celebration, Msgr. Schmitz thanked the faithful for their warm welcome, as well as authorities from the Archdiocese of Mexico for making available the high altar of the Metropolitan Cathedral for the celebration.

"As the gestures and forms of the extraordinary form of the Mass differ from the present day liturgy, for many faithful the Tridentine Mass was a little complicated to follow. Msgr. Schmitz explained, “The Mass cannot be completely understood because it is a mystery of faith; but the faithful do not need to understand each and every Latin word to take part in the Mass. Instead they have to get used to the rite, and live it with respect. The Mass, prayed in Latin, has helped in the conversion of many people, especially youth.”

"Rev. Francisco Beccerra, major sacristan of the Metropolitan Cathedral, announced that the traditional Latin Mass will now be celebrated once a week at the cathedral.

"Celebration of the traditional Latin Mass came just two weeks after archdiocesan authorities had indefinitely closed the Metropolitan Cathedral following an attack by a left-wing mob during a Sunday Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Mexico, Cardinal Norberto Rivera.

"The cathedral reopened on Nov. 24 following assurances from Mexico City authorities that they would beef up security around the cathedral. Mexico City police chief Joel Ortega said 46 police officers will be present at the cathedral and four police cars will patrol the surrounding area during Masses. People entering the cathedral are also subject to police searches of any bags they are carrying."

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