First Thursday of the Month: Plenary Indulgence Available

For the faithful, a plenary indulgence can be obtained on the opening and closing days of the Year for Priests, on the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean-Marie Vianney, on the first Thursday of the month, or on any other day established by the ordinaries of particular places for the good of the faithful.

To obtain the indulgence the faithful must attend Mass in an oratory or Church and offer prayers to "Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest, for the priests of the Church, or perform any good work to sanctify and mould them to his heart."
The conditions for the faithful for earning a plenary indulgence are to have gone to confession and prayed for the intentions of the Pope.

Source: Zenit

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Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and recall Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth. The event is recorded in Luke 1:39-57. Feeling the presence of his Savior, John leaped within the womb of his mother Elizabeth upon Mary's arrival; John was then filled with the grace of God.

The Feast of Visitation was first commemorated in the beginning of the 13th century, when St. Bonaventure recommended it, and the Franciscan chapter adopted it. The Francisian breviary spread it to many churches, but it was only universally adopted in the 14th century, when Urban VI extended it.

See my prior posting on this Feast.

Prayer:

Bestow upon Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of Thy heavenly grace: that as the childbearing of the Blessed Virgin was the beginning of our salvation, so the solemn feast of her Visitation may bring us an increase of peace. Through our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

Image Source: Unknown

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Substitute for a Subdeacon at a Solemn Mass

A reader of "A Catholic Life" asked me whether or not a non-ordained male could serve as a subdeacon at a Solemn Mass. After doing some research in "The Celebration of Mass: A Study of the Rubrics of the Roman Missal" by Rev. J B O'Connell, I found the following on page 398:

Only a priest may act as a substitute for a deacon but a cleric in minor orders or at least tonsured may, for a reasonable cause (see S.R.C. 4181), act as substitute for a subdeacon (See S.R.C 2002, 2525, 2965, 3525, 3832, 4181). He may wear the alb and tunicle but not the maniple. During the Mass he may do all that a subdeacon does except:

(a) wipe the chalice and pour the water at the Offertory
(b) touch the chalice again after having brought it to the altar, until after the ablutions
(c) uncover and cover the chalice during Mass
(d) wipe the chalice after the ablutions, although he may arrange and veil it, and carry it to the credence (S.R.C 4181)

S.R.C = Decrees of the Congregation of Sacred Rites

Image Source: Unknown, Found via the blog Munda Cor Meum

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Feast of the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Today, according to the Traditional Catholic Calendars of 1962 and previous, is the Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. After Vatican II, this feastday was combined with Corpus Christi. In the 1969 Calendar, Corpus Christi is officially called the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. However, for those Catholics who like to follow the Traditional Calendar, today is a day to especially remember the price of our salvation - the Blood of Jesus Christ. Today we remember His blood spilt not only on the Cross but also in the Circumcision, Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, Scourging at the Pillar of Flagellation, and the Crowning with Thorns.

See the History on this Feast.

Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

V/ Lord, have mercy.
R/ Lord, have mercy.

V/ Christ, have mercy.
R/ Christ, have mercy.

V/ Lord, have mercy.
R/ Lord, have mercy.

V/ Jesus, hear us.
R/ Jesus, 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.

R/ for ff: save us.

Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father,
Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God,
Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament,
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony,
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging,
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns,
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross,
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation,
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness.
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls,
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy,
Blood of Christ, victor over demons,
Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs,
Blood of Christ, strength of Confessors,
Blood of Christ, bringing forth Virgins,
Blood of Christ, help of those in peril,
Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened,
Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow,
Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent,
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying,
Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts,
Blood of Christ, pledge of eternal life,
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory,
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor,

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world.
R/ spare us, O Lord

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
R/ graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
R/ have mercy on us.

You have redeemed us, O Lord, in your Blood.
R/ And made us, for our God, a kingdom.

Let us pray. Almighty and eternal God, you have appointed your only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world, and willed to be appeased by his Blood. Grant we beg of you, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation, and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life, so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

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Reciprocal Links

A Catholic Life has updated the list of "Other Catholic Blogs" in the sidebar, and I wish to add additional links to the list.

If you have a blog that links to A Catholic Life, then please let me know. I want to link to those blogs who provide links to A Catholic Life. So, please add a link to this blog in your sidebar and then comment below. I am especially interested in finding other traditional-focused blogs with an emphasis on the Traditional Liturgy; it will especially be my pleasure to link to these type of blogs.

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The Education of an American Dreamer by Peter G. Peterson

I have just read "The Education of an American Dreamer" by Peter G. Peterson, the Former US Secretary of State under President Nixon. Peterson held several positions including his earliest job in marketing before eventually becoming the CEO of Bell & Howell, at that time a major US camera company. Peterson's determination and success in the Chicago area led to President Nixon offering him a $42,500 a year job (several millions less) where he focused on economics before becoming Secretary of State. Peterson's resolve brought him from the rural, impoverished life of Nebraska to MIT and then Northwestern (Chicago). Peterson is truly an example of achieving the American Dream.

A good, interesting read, especially for those old enough to remember politics and business around the time of President Nixon and thereafter.

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Ordinations at the Seminary of Wigratzbad for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP)

His Excellency Bishop Babel Bishop Athanasius Schneider, O.R.C. conferred the Holy Orders.

Image Source: Henri de Villiers (Schola Sainte Cécile)/NLM

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Ordination of 8 Men at Econe, Switzerland Seminary for the Society of St. Piux X (SSPX)

These ordinations occur after similar ordinations around the world including the ordination of several men in Winona, Minnesota (USA) and in Germany.
















Image Sources: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (SWITZERLAND RELIGION)
Image Source for last two images: Getty Images

The names of the newly ordained:

Source: La Porte Latine

Also, in addition to these seven, a man was also ordained for the Capuchins, making the total eight.

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Pallium Presented by Pope Benedict XVI during Solemn Mass

Archbishop of Detroit, Allen Henry Vigneron (above two images)

Algerian Archbishop Ghaleb Moussa Abdalla

Archbishop of St. Louis, Robert James Carlson

Archbishop of New Orleans, Gregory Michael Aymond

Archbishop Philip Naameh of Ghana

Spanish Archbishop Braulio Rodriguez Plaza

Image Sources: REUTERS/Tony Gentile (VATICAN) & (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

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Double of the I Class of Sts. Peter and Paul

Today is the Double of the I Class Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul! Alleluia! Let us pray the Hymn from Lauds of the 1962 Breviary for this Feast. In addition, please see my previous post in honor of Sts. Peter and Paul.

1. Peter, blest Shepherd, hearken to our cry,
And with a word unloose our guilty chain;
Thou! who hast power to ope the gates on high
To men below, and power to shut them fast again.

2. Lead us, great teacher Paul, in wisdom’s ways,
And lift our hearts with thine to heaven’s high throne;
Till faith beholds the clear meridian blaze;
And sunlike in the soul reigns charity alone.

3. Praise, blessing, majesty, through endless days,
Be to the Trinity immortal given;
Who in pure unity profoundly sways
Eternally alike all things in earth and heaven.

Source: Copyright Benziger Brothers, 1922. Online Edition Copyright David M. Cheney, 2006.

Prayer:

O God, Who hast made this day holy by the martyrdom of Thine Apostles Peter and Paul: grant that Thy Church may in all things follow the precepts of those through whom she received the beginnings of the Faith. Through our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

Image Source: Unknown, Believed to be in the Public Domain

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