Most powerful patriarch St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, which has always invoked thee in anxiety and trouble, from the exalted seat of thy glory cast a loving glance upon the whole Catholic world. Let thy fatherly heart be touched at the sight of the mystical spouse and the Vicar of Christ overwhelmed with sorrow and persecuted by powerful enemies.
Oh! by the bitter anguish thou didst experience upon earth, dry the tears of the venerable Pontiff, defend him, liberate him, intercede for him with the Giver of peace and charity, that, all adversity being removed, and all error dissipated, the entire Church may serve God in perfect liberty: Ut destructis adversitatibus et erroribus universis Ecclesia secura Deo serviat libertate. Amen.
Prayer composed by His Holiness Pope Leo XIII, March 4, 1882
Bishop Fellay and the other three bishops who have been associated with the Society of St. Pius X are true servants of the Church. They are at the front of
defending the restoration so sought by Abp. Lefebvre of all things in
Christ and resisting the errors of modernism and ecumenism. How on
earth can anyone look at their priests, seminarians and followers and
say that they aren't Catholic? It makes me weep that the situation of
the SSPX is like this today, but these tears do not come in vain.
Prayers and penance will help end the greatest crisis of faith in the
Church.
INTROIT Psalm 91: 13, 14
The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Lebanon. They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God. 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. Amen.
COLLECT - We beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may be helped by the merits of the Spouse of Thy most holy Mother, so that we cannot obtain of ourselves, may be given to us through his intercession. Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
SECOND COLLECT - Defend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all dangers of mind and body; that through the intercession of the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, together with blessed Joseph, Thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and blessed N. (Here mention the titular saint of the church), and all the saints, mercifully grant us safety and peace; that all adversities and errors being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
THIRD COLLECT - O almighty and eternal God, who hast dominion over both the living and the dead, and hast mercy on all whom Thou foreknowest shall be Thine by faith and good works : we humbly beseech Thee that all for whom we have resolved to make supplication whether the present world still holds them in the flesh or the world to come has already received them out of the body, may, through the intercession of all Thy saints, obtain of Thy goodness and clemency pardon for all their sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
EPISTLE Ecclesiasticus 45: 1-6Beloved of God and men, whose memory is in benediction. He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and showed him His glory. He sanctified him in his faith and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh. For He heard him and his voice, and brought him into a cloud. And He gave him commandments before His face, and a law of life and instruction.
GRADUAL Psalm 20: 4, 5
For thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones. V. He asked life of thee: and thou hast given him length of days for ever and ever.
TRACT
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he hath he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life.
GOSPEL Matthew 1: 18-21
Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for That Which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call His name Jesus. For He shall save His people from their sins
OFFERTORY Psalm 88: 25
And My truth and My mercy shall be with him: and in
SECRET - We render Thee, O Lord, the debt of our service, humbly entreating that Thou wouldst preserve Thy gifts within us through the intercession of blessed Joseph, the Spouse of the Mother of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; on whose holy festival we offer to Thee the sacrifice of praise. Through the same Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
The church of the Transfiguration in Toronto, Canada.
PREFACE (Preface of Saint Joseph) -It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and everlasting God; and magnify Thee with due praise, bless and proclaim Thee blessed Joseph; who, as a just man, was given by Thee to be the spouse of the Virgin Mother of God, and as a faithful and prudent servant, was set over Thy family, that with fatherly care he might guard Thine only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, conceived by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost. Through whom the angels praise Thy majesty, the dominions worship it, the powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts with the blessed seraphim join together in celebrating their joy. With these we pray Thee join our voices also, while saying with lowly praise:
COMMUNION Matthew 1: 20
But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.
POST COMMUNION - Come to our assistance, we beseech Thee, O merciful God; and through the intercession of blessed Joseph Thy confessor, graciously preserve Thy gifts about us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God...
Vexilla
Regis was written by Venantius Fortunatus (530-609) and is considered
one of the greatest hymns of the liturgy. Fortunatus wrote it in honor
of the arrival of a large relic of the True Cross which had been sent to
Queen Radegunda by the Emperor Justin II and his Empress Sophia. Queen
Radegunda had retired to a convent she had built near Poitiers and was
seeking out relics for the church there. To help celebrate the arrival
of the relic, the Queen asked Fortunatus to write a hymn for the
procession of the relic to the church.
The hymn has, thus, a strong connection with the Cross and is fittingly
sung at Vespers from Passion Sunday to Holy Thursday and on the Feast of
the Triumph of the Cross. The hymn was also formerly sung on Good
Friday when the Blessed Sacrament is taken from the repository to the
altar. The text given below is the full text of Fortunatus' hymn, but
verses 2, 4, and 7 are omitted when the hymn is used liturgically. The
last two verses which form the concluding doxology are not by
Fortunatus, but is rather the work of some later poet.
VEXILLA Regis prodeunt;
fulget Crucis mysterium,
quo carne carnis conditor
suspensus est patibulo.1
ABROAD the regal banners fly,
now shines the Cross's mystery:
upon it Life did death endure,
and yet by death did life procure.
Confixa clavis viscera
tendens manus, vestigia,
redemptionis gratia
hic immolata est hostia.
-
Quo vulneratus insuper
mucrone diro lanceae,
ut nos lavaret crimine,2
manavit unda et sanguine.
Who, wounded with a direful spear,
did purposely to wash us clear
from stain of sin, pour out a flood
of precious water mixed with blood.
Impleta sunt quae concinit
David fideli carmine,
dicendo nationibus:
regnavit a ligno Deus.
That which the prophet-king of old
hath in mysterious verse foretold,
is now accomplished, whilst we see
God ruling the nations from a Tree.
Arbor decora et fulgida,
ornata Regis purpura,
electa digno stipite
tam sancta membra tangere.
O lovely and refulgent Tree,
adorned with purpled majesty;
culled from a worthy stock, to bear
those limbs which sanctified were.
Beata, cuius brachiis
pretium pependit saeculi:
statera facta corporis,
praedam tulitque tartari. 3
Blest Tree, whose happy branches bore
the wealth that did the world restore;
the beam that did that Body weigh
which raised up Hell's expected prey.
As we embrace the spirit of Passiontide and reflect upon the Passion of our Lord, I can not help but feel drawn to visit local Catholic cemeteries and pray for the souls of the dead. For that reason, I'm asking you to join me. Take the Pledge to visit a local Catholic cemetery near you this week and pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased.
Our Lord's Passion wrought about our redemption. But we must cooperate with that Passion. As St. Thomas Aquinas explains:
By the Passion of Christ we are freed from the
liability to be punished for sin with the punishment that sin calls for, in two ways, directly and
indirectly.
We are freed directly inasmuch as the Passion of
Christ made sufficient and more than sufficient
satisfaction for the sins of the whole human race.
Now once sufficient satisfaction has been made,
the liability to the punishment mentioned is
destroyed.
We are freed indirectly inasmuch as the Passion
of Christ causes the sin to be remitted, and it is
from the sin that the liability to the punishment
mentioned derives.
Souls in hell, however, are not freed by the
Passion of Christ, because the Passion of Christ
shares its effect with those to whom it is applied
by faith and by charity and by the sacraments of
faith. Therefore the souls in hell, who are not
linked up with the Passion of Christ in the way just
mentioned, cannot receive its effects.
Now although we are freed from liability to the
precise penalty that sin deserves, there is, nevertheless, enjoined on the repentant sinner a penalty
or penance of satisfaction. For in order that the
effect of the Passion of Christ be fully worked out
in us, it is necessary for us to be made of like form
with Christ. Now we are made of like form with
Christ in baptism by the sacrament, as is said by
St. Paul, We are buried together with him by baptism
into death (Rom. vi. 4). Whence it is that no
penalty of satisfaction is imposed on those who
are baptised. Through the satisfaction made by
Christ they are wholly set free. But since Christ
died once for our sins (i Pet. iii. 18), once only, man
cannot a second time be made of like form with
the death of Christ through the sacrament of
baptism. Therefore those who, after baptism,
sin again, must be made like to Christ in his
suffering, through some kind of penalty or suffering
which they endure in their own persons.
If death, which is a penalty due to sin, continues
to subsist, the reason is this : The satisfaction made
by Christ produces its effect in us in so far as we
are made of one body with him, in the way limbs
are one body with the head. Now it is necessary
that the limbs be made to conform to the head.
Wherefore since Christ at first had, together with
the grace in his soul, a liability to suffer in his body,
and came to His glorious immortality through the
Passion, so also should it be with us, who are his
limbs. By the Passion we are indeed delivered
from any punishment as a thing fixed on us, but
we are delivered in such a way that it is in the soul
we first receive the spirit of the adoption of sons,
by which we are put on the list for the inheritance
of eternal glory, while we still retain a body that
can suffer and die. It is only afterwards, when
we have been fashioned to the likeness of Christ
in his sufferings and death, that we are brought into the glory of immortality. St. Paul teaches this when he says, If sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Christ: yet so, if we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified with Him (Rom. viii. 17).
As we know by Faith, the souls of the suffering in Purgatory can benefit from the prayers and sacrifices of the souls on Earth who pray and make reparation while in the state of grace. During this Lent, what have you done for the souls of our brothers and sisters in purgatory who suffer because of their sins? They can not pray for themselves but you can free them from their sorrows by making reparation for their sins!
Join me this week by visiting a cemetery near you and praying the Rosary while walking through the cemetery and looking at each and every name on the stones. Or, join me in praying the Office of the Dead at the entrance to a cemetery and then reciting prayers while walking through the cemetery.
INTROIT Psalm 13: 1,2
Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy: deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man, for Thou art my God and my strength. V. Send forth Thy light and Thy truth: they have conducted me, and brought me unto Thy holy hill, and into Thy tabernacles. V. 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. Amen.
COLLECT - Look down in mercy, we beseech Thee, O Lord, upon Thy family; by Thy governance may we be outwardly protected in body; by Thy favor may we be inwardly strengthened in heart and mind. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
EPISTLE Hebrews 9: 11-15 Brethren: Christ being come, a High Priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, neither by the blood of goats or of calves, but by His own blood, entered once into the Holies, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and of oxen, and the ashes of an heifer being sprinkled, sanctify such as are defiled, to the cleansing of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the Holy Ghost, offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse our conscience from dead works, to serve the living God? And therefore He is the Mediator of the New Testament; that by means of His death, for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former Testament; they that are called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance; in Christ Jesus our Lord. .
GRADUAL Psalm 142: 9, 10; Psalm 17: 48-49
Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord: teach me to do Thy will. V. Thou art my deliverer, O Lord, from the angry nations: Thou wilt lift me up above them that rise up against me: from the unjust man Thou wilt deliver me.
TRACT
Often have they fought against me from my youth. Let Israel now say: Often have they fought against me from my youth. But they could not prevail over me: the wicked have wrought upon my back. They have lengthened their iniquities: the Lord, Who is just, will cut the necks of sinners.
GOSPEL John 8: 46-59
At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews: "Which of you shall convince Me of sin? If I say the truth to you, why do you not believe Me? He that is of God, heareth the words of God. Therefore you hear them not, because you are not of God." The Jews therefore answered, and said to Him: Do not we say well, that Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered: "I have not a devil, but I honor My Father, and you have dishonoured Me. But I seek not My own glory; there is One that seeketh and judgeth. Amen, amen, I say to you, If any man keep My word, he shall not see death for ever." The Jews therefore said: Now we know that Thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and Thou sayest: If any man keep My word, he shall not taste death for ever. Art Thou greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? and the prophets are dead. Whom dost Thou make Thyself? Jesus answered: "If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing. It is My Father that glorifieth Me, of Whom you say that He is your God. And you have not known Him; but I know Him. And if I shall say that I know Him not, I shall be like to you, a liar. But I do know Him, and do keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced that he might see My day: he saw it, and was glad." The Jews therefore said to Him: Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast Thou seen Abraham? Jesus said to them: "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham was made, I AM." They took up stones therefore to cast at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple.
OFFERTORY Psalm 118: 17, 107
I will confess to Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: render to Thy servant, I shall live and keep Thy words: enliven me according to Thy word, O Lord.
SECRET - May these gifts, we beseech Thee, O Lord, merit for us the loosening of the bonds of our sins, and draw down upon us Thy bounteous mercies. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God...
PREFACE (Preface of the Holy Cross) - It is 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 didst establish the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross: that whence death came thence also life might arise again, and that he, Who overcame by the tree, by the tree also might be overcome: Through Christ our Lord. Through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the Heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also be admitted while we say with lowly praise:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY...
COMMUNION 1 Corinthians 11: 24, 25
This is My Body which shall be delivered for you: this is the chalice of the New Testament in My Blood, saith the Lord: do this, as often as you receive it, in commemoration of Me.
POST COMMUNION - Draw near to us, O Lord our God, and with everlasting succour aid those whom by Thy sacrament Thou hast called to newness of life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
For ever and ever.
R. Amen.
The Veiling of Images in Passiontide:
As stated by the National Secretariat for the Liturgy of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference:
Before the liturgical reforms of Vatican II was required to cover, with purple veils, all the crosses and images displayed to the church service. In the Roman Missal of S. Pius V, after the Mass on Saturday preceding the Sunday of the Passion (now Fifth Sunday of Lent), was the heading: "Before the Vespers, cover up their crosses and images which are in the church. The crosses remain covered until the end of the worship of the Cross on Good Friday, and Images to the Hymn of the Angels (Glory to God in Heaven) on Holy Saturday. " See that it was the custom on the last two weeks of Lent, through which it wished to focus the attention of the faithful in the mystery of Christ's Passion. All that could cut into it, as were the images of Saints, was covered.
Such a practice is highly encouraged even in modern Catholic Churches. Traditionalist Catholics and Anglo-Catholics still observe the ancient practice of Passiontide. Quoting from "The Catholic Source Book":
Traditionally, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, one week before Palm Sunday, was called Passion Sunday or Judica Sunday after the first word of the Introit: "Judge me, O Lord..." (see Psalm 43). The veiling referred to the closing words of the Sunday's Gospel, "They picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple" (John 8:59). The Lenten veil expressed the sorrow of the Church at this time.
There is also a particular unique exception that might apply some years when Passiontide falls during March, the month of St. Joseph. By way of exception, the Sacred Congregation of Rites decreed on May 14, 1879, that the images and statues of Saint Joseph may remain UNCOVERED when any part of Passiontide falls in the month of March, which is, of course, dedicated to his honor - even on Good Friday - but ONLY IF the said image(s) STAND OUTSIDE THE SANCTUARY (e.g., the nave).
As I have already posted my reaction as well as that of the Society of St. Pius X to the election of Pope Francis, I will conclude this coverage with an overall traditionalist reaction to this monumental event.
While there are certainly grave errors publicly committed by the Holy Father in his former days as an Archbishop, I prefer not to post those here. I also prefer not to comment on his involvement with the Jews and other faiths as such reactions are scandalous and only cause division.
I feel that the following video succinctly and appropriately summarizes traditionalist reactions. Please take a few minutes to watch:
In his recent article in Slate, Michael Brendan Dougherty expresses these same sentiments when he says:
Liturgical traditionalists (myself included) can only be depressed by this election–it is almost the worst result possible for those of us who think the new liturgy lost the theological profundity and ritual beauty of the Tridentine Mass. Benedict’s liberation of the traditional Latin Mass and revisions to the new vernacular Mass have not been implemented at all in Cardinal Bergoglio’s own diocese. Already some of the small breaks with liturgical tradition at the announcement of his election are being interpreted as a move toward the grand, unruly, and improvisational style of John Paul II; an implicit rebuke of Benedict.
Fr. Christian Bouchacourt, District Superior of South America, on the evening of the Pope’s election:
Cardinal Bergoglio wishes to be a poor man among the poor. He cultivates a militant humility, but can prove humiliating for the Church. His appearance in the loggia of St. Peter’s in a simple cassock without his rochet and mozzetta is a perfect illustration. He is a fine politician… And idealistic apostle of the poverty of the 70’s, he is completely turned towards the people, the poor, but without being a disciple of the theology of liberation.
Very conscious of the dilapidated state of his clergy, he did nothing to fix things. Never has the seminary of Buenos Aires had as few seminarians as today. It is a disaster, as have been the liturgies presided over by the “Cardinal of the Poor.” With him, we risk to see once again the masses of Paul VI’s pontificate, a far cry from Benedict XVI’s efforts to restore to their honor the worthy liturgical ceremonies.
He was firmly opposed to abortion. But while he wrote a beautiful letter to the Carmelites of Buenos Aires against the homosexual “marriage” bill – which was unfortunately voted through in the end – he had a regrettable discourse read during the protest against this bill, in which the name of Our Lord was not pronounced even once, while the Evangelistic pastor who spoke before him to excite the crowd delivered a more courageous discourse… (see DICI #219, July 24, 2010).
During an ecumenical meeting, he knelt to receive the blessing of two pastors.
He is a man of consensus, who hates confrontations. He kept his distance from the Catholics who denounced the blasphemous expositions that were held in Buenos Aires.
I have met him 5 or 6 times and he has always received me with benevolence, seeking to grant me what I wished, without going out of his way to overcome obstacles….
Pope Francis began his first full day in office on Thursday with private prayers at a Roman basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary (L'Osservatore Romano, via Reuters)
The Catholic Blogosphere is now abuzz with the words of our new Holy Father, Pope Francis, and these words are worth repeating here: "He who does not pray to the Lord prays to the devil. When we don't proclaim Jesus Christ, we proclaim the worldliness of the devil, the worldliness of the demon."
While the Holy Father's words are powerful, we see in this video a sharp departure from Pope Benedict XVI. Gone is the use of the ad orientem posture in the Sistine Chapel on the beautiful High Altar. Instead a table is used as a low altar.
Friends and readers, join me in praying earnestly that the Faith which our Holy Father preaches may be lived in simplicity and humility while giving to the Lord in the Divine and Holy Liturgy the utmost reverence, respect, and adornment. Please join me in this, our duty, to pray that he resist the wolves who assail him and that he be steadfast in defense of the Most Holy Faith of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Oremus:
"O Mother of Sorrows, as you
held the Body and Blood of your Divine Son upon your breast as His Soul went
down among the dead to free them and grant them the Blessed Vision of His
Divinity, so assist Holy Church as she bears this same Body and Blood on her
altars and entreat your Son to descend again among the dead and free the souls
of departed popes and prelates, and the souls of the departed parents, Jesuit
brethren, friends, and benefactors of Pope Francis that they might be powerful
and grateful intercessors on his behalf that he may be most pleasing to God,
helpful to the faithful, and strong against the enemies of Christ's Mystical
Body on earth, and that he may powerfully aid in the restoration of the sacred
Liturgy to its ancient beauty and integrity. To this end I apply to the Holy
Father's dead the indulgence offered as I pray. Memorare,
etc." (Rorate Caeli)
Many Roman Catholics will be unfamiliar with the Eastern Rite tradition of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. Since I will be attending the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete this evening, I wish to present some background on this emotionally moving pentitental service.
The Great Canon consists of four parts, each divided into nine odes like a regular canon, which is a structured hymn.
However, there are slight differences between the odes of the two
compositions. In the Great Canon, after the refrains "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me," a full prostration is performed. Also, some of the odes have additional refrains and troparia to the author of the canon, St. Andrew of Crete, or St. Mary of Egypt, one of the greatest models of repentance in Christian history.
A basic distinguishing feature of the Great Canon is its extremely broad use of images and subjects taken both from the Old and New Testaments. As the Canon progresses, the congregation
encounters many biblical examples of sin and repentance. The Bible (and
therefore, the Canon) speaks of some individuals in a positive light,
and about others in a negative one—the penitents are expected to emulate
the positive examples of sanctity and repentance, and to learn from and
avoid the negative examples of sin, fallen nature and pride. However,
one of the most notable aspects of the Canon is that it attempts to
potray the Biblical images in a very personal way to every penitent: the
Canon is written in such form that the faithful identify themselves
with many people and events found in the Holy Scriptures.
You may find the text for the Great Canon at the following links in PDF format: As chanted on Monday of the first Week: PDF Format As chanted on Tuesday of the first Week: PDF Format As chanted on Wednesday of the first Week: PDF Format As chanted on Thursday of the first Week: PDF Format As chanted on Thursday of the fifth Week: PDF Format
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Matthew is a Third Order Dominican from Chicago and an expert on Catholicism, with an emphasis on Traditional Fasting. He has written for "A Catholic Life" since 2005. Matthew is a Certified Catechist and is a speaker available to address your next parish or Catholic conference gathering. Matthew spends his leisure time traveling, teaching, writing, and enjoying Catholic culture. He is also a writer for "Catholic Family News" and "The Fatima Center." Please contact Matthew directly regarding advertising requests for A Catholic Life or in regard to speaking engagements.
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