Christmas Prayers for the Poor Souls in Purgatory

The above image of Holy Mass is of a Tridentine Catholic Mass for Christmas Mass at Midnight.

As Catholics, we know that Purgatory exists. Those in purgatory, however, may be helped by our prayers. I don't want to explain the whole doctrine now though, so please see the link for more information. As Scripture states, "It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins" (2 Mac 12:46)

Christmas is a special time for us to in particular remember the Poor Souls. May the Infant King have mercy on them and free them from their punishment and admit them into Heaven with him. To this end, I ask that everyone pray the following prayers for the relief of the Poor Souls this Christmas:

(5) Apostle's Creed
(1) Hail Holy Queen
(1) Our Father
(1) Glory Be
(1) Requiem Aeternam

In an approved apparition by the Church, Our Savior, Jesus Christ, gave St. Gertrude the Great this prayer which we should add to our daily prayers throughout the entire year:

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus Christ, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, for those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

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American Cancer Society Supports Planned Parenthood

The American Cancer Society is not considered a pro-life organization for the following reasons:

1. Support for human embryonic stem cell research
2. Grant funding at facilities known prominently for human embryonic stem cell research
3. Grant funding for morally questionable research
4. Grant funding to Planned Parenthood
5. Referrals to Planned Parenthood as a health information/education resource
6. Donations to the Lance Armstrong LiveStrong Global Cancer Campaign (see entry for LiveStrong)
7. Failure to acknowledge the link between previously induced abortion and risk for breast cancer
8. Suggested fertility options, including IVF, embryo freezing, egg/sperm donation, and surrogacy

From: American Life League

Catholics have other options for charities.  See my post: Top 10 Charities for Traditional Catholics.

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Reflection by Theophilus for Ember Saturday of Advent

Recall that today, being the Saturday of the Advent Ember Days, is a day of fasting and abstinence. Ember Days are days favored for priestly ordinations, prayer for priests, first Communions, almsgiving and other penitential and charitable acts, and prayer for the souls in Purgatory. Note that medieval lore says that during Embertides, the souls in Purgatory are allowed to appear visibly to those on earth who pray for them.

Because of the days' focus on nature, they are also traditional times for women to pray for children and safe deliveries.

To Autolycus Book I, Chapters V and VI
By Theophilus, Bishop of Antioch, ca. A.D. 160

For as the soul in man is not seen, being invisible to men, but is perceived through the motion of the body, so God cannot indeed be seen by human eyes, but is beheld and perceived through His providence and works. For, in like manner, as any person, when he sees a ship on the sea rigged and in sail, and making for the harbour, will no doubt infer that there is a pilot in her who is steering her; so we must perceive that God is the governor [pilot] of the whole universe, though He be not visible to the eyes of the flesh, since He is incomprehensible. For if a man cannot look upon the sun, though it be a very small heavenly body, on account of its exceeding heat and power, how shall not a mortal man be much more unable to face the glory of God, which is unutterable? For as the pomegranate, with the rind containing it, has within it many cells and compartments which are separated by tissues, and has also many seeds dwelling in it, so the whole creation is contained by the spirit of God, and the containing spirit is along with the creation contained by the hand of God. As, therefore, the seed of the pomegranate, dwelling inside, cannot see what is outside the rind, itself being within; so neither can man, who along with the whole creation is enclosed by the hand of God, behold God. Then again, an earthly king is believed to exist, even though he be not seen by all; for he is recognised by his laws and ordinances, and authorities, and forces, and statues; and are you unwilling that God should be recognised by His works and mighty deeds?

Consider, O man, His works -- the timely rotation of the seasons, and the changes of temperature; the regular march of the stars; the well-ordered course of days and nights, and months, and years; the various beauty of seeds, and plants, and fruits; and the divers species of quadrupeds, and birds, and reptiles, and fishes, both of the rivers and of the sea; or consider the instinct implanted in these animals to beget and rear offspring, not for their own profit, but for the use of man; and the providence with which God provides nourishment for all flesh, or the subjection in which He has ordained that all things subserve mankind. Consider, too, the flowing of sweet fountains and never-failing rivers, and the seasonable supply of dews, and showers, and rains; the manifold movement of the heavenly bodies, the morning star rising and heralding the approach of the perfect luminary; and the constellation of Pleiades, and Orion, and Arcturus, and the orbit of the other stars that circle through the heavens, all of which the manifold wisdom of God has called by names of their own. He is God alone who made light out of darkness, and brought forth light from His treasures, and formed the chambers of the south wind, and the treasure-houses of the deep, and the bounds of the seas, and the treasuries of snows and hail-storms, collecting the waters in the storehouses of the deep, and the darkness in His treasures, and bringing forth the sweet, and desirable, and pleasant light out of His treasures; "who causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: He maketh lightnings for the rain;" who sends forth His thunder to terrify, and foretells by the lightning the peal of the thunder, that no soul may faint with the sudden shock; and who so moderates the violence of the lightning as it flashes out of heaven, that it does not consume the earth; for, if the lightning were allowed all its power, it would burn up the earth; and were the thunder allowed all its power, it would overthrow all the works that are therein.

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2014 Patron Saint for the Year Devotion

UPDATE: RESULTS ARE IN.  SCROLL DOWN TO SEE!

UPDATE 2: Thank you to the 214 people who participated in this devotion.  As of now the drawings for 2014 have closed.  Thank you again and I'll be in contact with you in December 2014 regarding the 2015 Patron Saint of the Year Devotion

I am very pleased to again be a facilitator for the Patron Saint of the Year Devotion.  I have been part of this annual tradition since 2006 and have helped coordinate devotions for hundreds of families.  It is my pleasure to now be part of the 2014 Patron Saint of the Year Devotion.

You can read about the past devotions at the following posts:

• 2006 Saint for the Year Devotion
• 2007 Saint for the Year Devotion
• 2008 Saint for the Year Devotion
• 2010 Saint for the Year Devotion 
• 2011 Saint for the Year Devotion 
• 2012 Saint for the Year Devotion
• 2013 Saint for the Year Devotion

Again, I would like to take a few minutes to explain the devotion, which has its roots in St. Faustina.

When will the saints be drawn?  This year I will start the drawing of saints on the Octave Day of Christmas after the 10 AM Solemn High Mass and the recitation of both the Veni Creator Spiritus and the Litany of Saints.  Saints will be emailed starting that afternoon and thereafter.

What is the Saint for the Year Devotion? Here is my post on this from years past to clarify the matter. This is from the person that draws all of the saints. I don't draw the saints. I will merely pass on your name or screenname to her so that she will draw a saint for you. Also, I will pass on the name of any of your family or friends that would like to participate. This isn't superstition. St. Faustina did the same thing!

Last year hundreds of people received saints to be their special patron, and there were miraculous connections. It was truly amazing. We pray that this year the Holy Ghost will again work so that all participants receive a saint that they will be able to pray to for aid throughout the entire year:

Saint for the Year

I want to tell you about the practice of picking a saint at random to be your “holy protector” for the year. Actually, the saint is the one who chooses us though. The tradition of letting a saint “pick you,” is not a new one. St. Faustina wrote about it in her diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul. The excerpt is below.

“There is a custom among us of drawing by lot, on New Year's Day, special Patrons for ourselves for the whole year. In the morning during meditation, there arose within me a secret desire that the Eucharistic Jesus be my special Patron for this year also, as in the past. But, hiding this desire from my Beloved, I spoke to Him about everything else but that. When we came to refectory for breakfast, we blessed ourselves and began drawing our patrons. When I approached the holy cards on which the names of the patrons were written, without hesitation I took one, but I didn't read the name immediately as I wanted to mortify myself for a few minutes. Suddenly, I heard a voice in my soul: ‘I am your patron. Read.’ I looked at once at the inscription and read, ‘Patron for the Year 1935 - the Most Blessed Eucharist.’ My heart leapt with joy, and I slipped quietly away from the sisters and went for a short visit before the Blessed Sacrament, where I poured out my heart. But Jesus sweetly admonished me that I should be at that moment together with the sisters. I went immediately in obedience to the rule.”Excerpt from Divine Mercy in My Soul, the Diary of St. Faustina"

I have a container full of names ... I will be glad to pick out the name for you and send you the name if you prefer. I am so excited by my saint(s) ... I already picked mine. Well, I should say that they picked me ... I have Saints Marcus and Marcellianus ... they are twin brothers who were sent to prison before their death. St. Sebastian visited them continually in prison and helped keep their faith alive. They are buried near St. Felix and are specifically honored in Spain.

OK now ... here are a couple of immediate ironies in regard to these saints ... I have a SPECIAL place in my heart for twins! As a child, I LOVED reading the story about St. Sebastian. I had a children's book of saints and I think I wore out the pages on St. Sebastian! Felix is my grandfather's name! Silvia, our exchange student, is from Spain! I am so excited to have these two saints to walk through 2006 with me! I'm looking forward as to where and how they will intercede for me.

Please pass this message on through your blogs and/or email distribution lists, letting all of the Catholic blogsphere have the chance to participate. I only ask that you give me your email address so that I may contact you when your saint is drawn. Usually within one to two days I can email you about your saint.

So, please either make sure your email address is in your profile or please leave it below in the comment box when you ask to participate. If you wish to remain anonymous, please leave your initials instead of your name.  And, if you would prefer to email me directly and not write your email address in the comment box, please send an email entitled "Saint for the Year 2013" to acatholiclife [at] gmail.com

So, comment below and pass this message on throughout the entire Catholic Blogsphere!

Support

I handle the planning, marketing, and drawing for this devotion each year without any cost. Please take a minute and if you are a supporter of this devotion, please consider leaving us a free will donation. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps me continue working on this devotion and spreading it further and it helps keep A Catholic Life online.

Please - a donation of only $2.00 is appreciated and helpful!  If each of you contributed only $2.00 I would be able to cover some of the most important updates this blog needs.

Results:

Name	Saint
Susanne M.	St. Maria Goretti
Amelia G	St. Hyacinth feastday 9/11
Alma R	St. Thomas Aquinas feastday 3/7
Evangeline	St. Gertrude Comensoli
Antoniette	St. Romanus feastday 8/9
Andy M	St. Perpetuus feastday 4/8
Michael	St. Catherine feastday 11/25
Matthew	St. Hilary feastday 1/14
Max	St. Nazarius feastday 7/28
Cory L	St. Guilia Salzano
Diane K	St. Bertha feastday 7/4
Kathy L	St. Marius feastday 1/19
Elizabeth C	St. Eligius feastday 12/1
Elynne W	The Guardian Angels
Cathleen	St. Ephrem the Syrian
Edmund	St. Theodulus feastday of 5/3
Carla	St. Augustine of Canterbury
Anna	St. Elizabeth feastday of 7/8
Larry	St. Lupicinus feastday of 2/28
Betty	St. Ladislas feastday of 6/27
Perry	St. Caius feastday of 4/22
Fran T	St. Fabian feastday 1/20
GentleHeart64	St. Didacus feastday 11/3
Kathy G	St. Mary of the Cross
Karleen	St. Hyacinth feastday 8/17
Guy C.	St. Cajetan feastday 8/7
Terry	St. Tarasius feastday 2/25
John	St. Bede feastday 4/10
Joseph	St. Agnes
Heidi M	St. Plutarch feastday 6/28
ABG	St. Romanus feastday 8/9
JL	St. John Francis Regis
Anna B	St. John Leonard feastday 10/9
Bill	St. Ambrose
Julie	St. Ladislas feastday of 6/27
Scott	St. Hyacinth feastday 8/17
Blake	St. Ludger feastday 3/26
Jonathan A	40 Martyrs of Sebaste
James A	St. Eventius feastday 5/3
Ron A	St. Thomas of Canterbury
Jessa	St. Abraham feastday 3/16
Jessa's sister M.	Seven Holy Brothers feastday 7/10
Jessa's  sister L.	St. Camillus of Leilis feastday 7/18
Jessa's  future husband	St. Theodore Guerin
Jessa's  dad and mom	St. Barbara feastday 12/4
Joe	St. Philogonius feastday 12/20
Monica	St. John Baptist de Rossi
Laura	St. Jerome
Amy	St. Marcellinus feastday 6/2
Judy	St. Jerome
Joan	St. Frances Cabrini
Anonymous	St. Alphonsus Liguori
Kathy R	St. Hospitius feastday 5/21
Lisa E	St. Martin de Porres
Lisa B	St. Theodore Guerin
Michael Y	St. Paternus feastday 4/15
Mariah	St. Julia feastday 5/22
Monica M.	St. John Gualbert feastday 7/12
Cynthia V	St. Medard feastday 6/8
N Alan Anderson	St. Paul the Apostle
Rosalinda L	St. Methodius feastday 7/7
Lujan	St. Albert the Great
Enrico	St. Helena feastday 8/18
Joy	St. Perpetuus feastday 4/8
Pancreatius	St. Edward feastday 10/13
Filip	St. Rufina feastday 7/10
Anna	St. Luigi Guanella
Serv	St. Anthony Claret feastday 10/23
Va Family	St. Ludger feastday 3/26
Vi Family	St. Crescentia feastday 6/15
Leissue Claim	St. Hyacinth feastday 8/17
Leissue Home	St. Filippo Smaldone
Leissue Doc	St. Joseph Calasanctius feastday 8/27
Ramzi	St. Barbatus feastday 2/19
Pam	Seven Holy Brothers feastday 7/10
Noah	St. Willibrord feastday 11/7
Noella	Our Lady under the title "Our Lady of the Rosary"
Kate	St. Crescentia feastday 6/15
Paul W	St. Perpetuus feastday 4/8
Unknown	St. Marcellinus feastday 6/2
Cathy T	St. Barachisius feastday 3/29
Ray	St. Josaphat feastday 11/14
Rosie	St. Caspar
Cristian	St. Alpohnsa of the Immaculate Conception
Nicolaus	St. Bede feastday 4/10
Elena	St. Quintin feastday 10/31
Pablo	St. Tarasius feastday 2/25
Ruth	Seven Holy Servite Founders
Dan & Kristin S.	St. John Leonard feastday 10/9
Sandy	St. Anthony of the Desert
Brandon	St. George Preca
Rachel	St. Paul of the Cross
Sue	St. Bernardo Tolomei
Rebecca	St. Joseph the Foster Father of Jesus Christ
Clare	St. Peter of Alacantara feastday 10/19
Mark	St. Rafael Guizar Valencia
Jess	St. Bernard feastday of 8/20
Lucy L	St. Frumentius feastday 10/27
Lucy E	St. Andrew the Apostle
Sonya B	St. Melchior
Susan	St. Chrysenthus feastday 10/25
Madalena	Our Lady under the title "Our Lady of the Rosary"
A. Dawn M. Anderson	St. Julius feastday 4/12
Lois F	St. Albinus feastday 3/1
Gemma D	St. Paul the Apostle
Barry M.	St. Frei Galvao
Susan M.	St. Perpetuus feastday 4/8
Erin M.	St. Mary of the Cross
Alex M.	St. Philogonius feastday 12/20
Elly M.	St. Edward feastday 10/13
Anna M.	St. Francis Xavier feastday 12/3
Evelyn M.	St. John the Apostle
Tim W	St. Catherine Laboure feastday 11/28
Steve	St. Bernardine of Siena feastday of 5/20
Toni	St. Ethelreda feastday of 6/2
Stephanie	St. Soter feastday of 4/22
Christine	St. Mary feastday of 3/16
Butch	St. Arcangelo Tadini
Ken	St. Paul the 1st Hermit
John	St. Elizabeth feastday of 7/8
Lenore	St. Barnabas feastday 6/11
Baby #1	St. Matthias
Dan	St. John Joseph of the Cross feastday 3/5
Baby #2	St. Bernard feastday of 8/20
Christopher	St. Hilary feastday 1/14
Craig V	St. Edward feastday 10/13
Vangie M.	St. Louis IX
Lisa	St. Anthony Zaccaria feastday 7/5
Franciscus Carmelo	The Guardian Angels
Sequoia S	St. Gregory Barbarigo
Aimee	St. Damien Joseph de Veuster
Jay	St. Thomas Apostle
Cameron	St. Ludger feastday 3/26
Liam	St. Albert the Great
Callie O.	The Holy Innocents
Anonymous	St. Ethelreda feastday of 6/2
Anonymous' son Patrick	St. Teresa feastday 10/15
Lisa	St. Felix of Valois
Bill	St. Cornelius feastday 9/16
Christopher	St. Abachum feastday 1/19
Sarah	St. Eusebius feastday 8/14
John	St. Quintin feastday 10/31
Monica	St. Dominic feastday 8/4
Caroline	St. Leocadia feastday 12/9
Bekki	St. Andrew Avellino feastday 11/10
Cindy	St. Marcellus feastday 1/6
Lila	St. Basil the Great
Dustin	St. Boniface
Hailey	St. Damien Joseph de Veuster
Janet G	St. Andrew the Apostle
Seppy P	St. Felicitas feastday 3/6
Pete R	St. Eligius feastday 12/1
fwkoes	St. John of Avila
Lucy D	St. Victor feastday 7/12
Roger	St. Eusebius feastday 12/16
Demi	St. Frances Cabrini
Renee M	St. Anthony Zaccaria feastday 7/5
Chistine M	St. Bridget feastday 10/8
Catherine	St. Mary dei Pazzi feastday 5/29
Tony M	St. Martha feastday 1/19
Michelle	St. Polycarp
Rick	St. Donatian feastday 5/24
Sean	St. Benjamin feastday 3/31
Derek	St. Marie Eugenie of Jesus Milleret
Dorothy	St. Hyacinth feastday 9/11
Mark L	St. James feastday 7/25
Pete S	St. Donatian feastday 5/24
Jon H	St. Cyril feastday 7/7
Cynthia H.	St. Martha feastday 1/19
John R.	St. Anthony of the Desert
Lisa S.	St. Melchior
Nanette	St. Caspar
Dalleys	St. Victorian feastday 1/12
Christina B	Seven Holy Brothers feastday 7/10
John M. R.	St. Rafael Guizar Valencia
Judi S.	St. Euphrasia feastday 3/13
Sharon K	St. Callistus feastday 10/14
Michael C	40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Heather	St. Peter feastday 6/29
M Porter	St. James feastday 7/25
Debbie	St. Vincent feastday 1/22
Joe	The Guardian Angels
Thomas	St. Margaret feastday 6/10
David	St. Cyril feastday 7/7
Stephanie	St. Camillus of Leilis feastday 7/18
abjeschke089	St. Stanislaus feastday 5/7
Cheryl	St. Marcellinus feastday 4/20
Jacob	St. Cyril of Alexandria
Alicia	St. Silverius feastday 6/20
Alicia's Mom	St. Porphyrius feastday 2/26
Barb	St. Veronica of Milan feastday 1/13
Jim	St. Acacius feastday 5/8
Nathalie C	St. Evodius feastday 5/6
Gorraiz Family	St. Abachum feastday 1/19
Pamela M	St. Stanislaw Soltys
Danielle R	St. Jerome
Please-eaileron	St. Theodore Guerin
Denise G	St. Camillus of Leilis feastday 7/18
Kathy S	St. Simon feastday 10/28
Michael V	St. Anthony Zaccaria feastday 7/5
Liz	St. Eleuthenus feastday 9/6
Ayden	St. Anne feastday 7/26
Sean. Jr	St. Veronica of Milan feastday 1/13
Barbara	St. Daria feastday 10/25
Daryl	St. Fabian feastday 1/20
Jeanie	St. Eventius feastday 5/3
Lawrence	St. Peter of Alacantara feastday 10/19
Erika	St. Barbara feastday 12/4
Jared S	St. Januarius
Mark	St. Veronica feastday 7/12
Kay	St. Edward feastday 10/13
Ross	St. Gregory feastday 1/4
Carol	St. Marcellinus feastday 4/20
Lawrence	St. Marcellus feastday 10/30

If you are not familiar your saint, I encourage you to research online and even pick up a copy of Father Hugo Hoever's "Live of the Saints," from which I read daily.  While the book does not include saints canonized in recent years, it is something that I am highly recommending.  You may find information on your saint on my page dedicated to the saints: http://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2005/09/saints.html and here is a prayer to honor any saint: http://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2006/01/prayer-to-venerate-any-saint.html

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Mark Your Calendars: Advent Ember Day Fasting

Although Ember Days are no longer considered required in mainstream Roman Catholicism following Vatican II, they can - and should - still be observed by the Faithful. In fact, many Traditional priests encourage the Faithful to observe the days. Ember Days are set aside to pray and/or offer thanksgiving for a good harvest and God's blessings. If you are in good health, please at least fast during these three days and pray the additional prayers. Remember the words from the Gospel: "Unless you do penance, you shall likewise perish" (Luke 13:5).  Ember Days are days of fasting and partial abstinence.

Ember Days this December: 18, 20 and 21

From New Advent:

Ember days (corruption from Lat. Quatuor Tempora, four times) are the days at the beginning of the seasons ordered by the Church as days of fast and abstinence. They were definitely arranged and prescribed for the entire Church by Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085) for the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after 13 December (S. Lucia), after Ash Wednesday, after Whitsunday, and after 14 September (Exaltation of the Cross). The purpose of their introduction, besides the general one intended by all prayer and fasting, was to thank God for the gifts of nature, to teach men to make use of them in moderation, and to assist the needy. The immediate occasion was the practice of the heathens of Rome. The Romans were originally given to agriculture, and their native gods belonged to the same class.

At the beginning of the time for seeding and harvesting religious ceremonies were performed to implore the help of their deities: in June for a bountiful harvest, in September for a rich vintage, and in December for the seeding; hence their feriae sementivae, feriae messis, and feri vindimiales. The Church, when converting heathen nations, has always tried to sanctify any practices which could be utilized for a good purpose. At first the Church in Rome had fasts in June, September, and December; the exact days were not fixed but were announced by the priests. The "Liber Pontificalis" ascribes to Pope Callistus (217-222) a law ordering: the fast, but probably it is older. Leo the Great (440-461) considers it an Apostolic institution. When the fourth season was added cannot be ascertained, but Gelasius (492-496) speaks of all four. This pope also permitted the conferring of priesthood and deaconship on the Saturdays of ember week--these were formerly given only at Easter.

Before Gelasius the ember days were known only in Rome, but after his time their observance spread. They were brought into England by St. Augustine; into Gaul and Germany by the Carlovingians. Spain adopted them with the Roman Liturgy in the eleventh century. They were introduced by St. Charles Borromeo into Milan. The Eastern Church does not know them. The present Roman Missal, in the formulary for the Ember days, retains in part the old practice of lessons from Scripture in addition to the ordinary two: for the Wednesdays three, for the Saturdays six, and seven for the Saturday in December. Some of these lessons contain promises of a bountiful harvest for those that serve God.

From Catholic Culture:

Since man is both a spiritual and physical being, the Church provides for the needs of man in his everyday life. The Church's liturgy and feasts in many areas reflect the four seasons of the year (spring, summer, fall and winter). The months of August, September, October and November are part of the harvest season, and as Christians we recall God's constant protection over his people and give thanksgiving for the year's harvest.

The September Ember Days were particularly focused on the end of the harvest season and thanksgiving to God for the season. Ember Days were three days (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) set aside by the Church for prayer, fasting and almsgiving at the beginning of each of the four seasons of the year. The ember days fell after December 13, the feast of St. Lucy (winter), after the First Sunday of Lent (spring), after Pentecost Sunday (summer), and after September 14 , the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (fall). These weeks are known as the quattor tempora, the "four seasons."

Since the late 5th century, the Ember Days were also the preferred dates for ordination of priests. So during these times the Church had a threefold focus: (1) sanctifying each new season by turning to God through prayer, fasting and almsgiving; (2) giving thanks to God for the various harvests of each season; and (3) praying for the newly ordained and for future vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

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St Padre Pio as the Aged Simeon: An Advent Meditation

Isn’t this picture of the Holy Capuchin Priest striking as realistic and beautiful as he presents the Divine Infant for our veneration? What strength on the one hand and what gentleness on the other! What a contrast between the manly face which is a little rough of the courageous son of Saint Francis and that of the little King of hearts! What a difference between these two right hands that we see: this tiny one which is tendered graciously towards us, and that adult and imposing one which hides its wound and its terrible sufferings under the black mitten and the lace of his alb! On the one hand the strength of a male athlete whose life is but a perpetual and dolorous immolation for God and souls, a fierce combat against sins and the demon (Bluebeard, as he calls him) and the on the other hand, the sweetness and abandon of a peaceful Baby.

But if one penetrates even further in the contemplation of this picture and thinks of Christmas Night, one perceives how goodness and sweetness is also found in the celebrated stigmatist. Loaded with such a noble burden, how lightly he walks, how his heart must be entirely enflamed at the touch of Jesus, so precious and amiable. And faith makes us see in this little Infant of Christmas the Strong God, The Lord of Hosts, Who begins His gigantic course to become one day at His turn cruelly stigmatized and immolated. He who is carried gives to him who carries Him all the strength he has need of to advance in his career of Priest and victim. “The old man carried the Infant, says the liturgy of the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, but the Infant governed the old man.” (The Alleluia verse from the Mass, taken from a profound remark of Saint Augustine).

Meditation on this picture of our Capuchin “Simeon” and of his Heavenly burden will aid us to understand that in the Heart of God and of His Saints, there is as much strength as there is gentleness, as much unction as there is courage. In God and in those who resemble Him, the rigor, the intransigence, in respect to evil and error, doesn’t take away suppleness, goodness and condescension. This is a harmony and equilibrium that often escapes us. Our frailty makes us pass from stiffness to laxity, from hardness to liberality, from willfulness to passiveness, or vice versa.

The Great Antiphon that the Church has us sing before the Magnificat of Vespers on December 17th (the first of the “O” Antiphons) is perfectly adapted to our needs as children of our Seraphic Father and of Padre Pio. Before the image of the Divine Infant, let us repeat it several times with confidence: “O Wisdom, that proceeds from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end, mightily and sweetly disposing all things, come to teach us the way of prudence.”

Source: Written by Fr. Jacques Emily, TOSF chaplain.  If you are interested in joining the Traditional Third Order Franciscans, please contact:

Fr. Jacques Emily, TOSF chaplain
St. Aloysius Gonzaga Retreat House
PO Box 1379 Los Gatos, CA 95031
408-354-7703 tel | 408-354-7369 fax
trad.thirdorderofpenance[at]gmail[dot]com

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Bishop Fellay Launches 4th Rosary Crusade!

 Bishop Fellay's newest letter to friends and benefactors (#81) has just been published!

In his letter, the SSPX's Superior General briefly outlines the state of affairs in the Church, some issues being faced with Pope Francis, as well as the apostolic work that the Society of St. Pius X faithfully continues.

Most importantly, Bishop Fellay has announced a fourth Rosary Crusade with the goal of offering 5 million rosaries to Our Lady for the intentions of:

1. To implore from the Immaculate Heart of Mary a special protection for the traditional apostolate;
2. For the return to Tradition within the Church;
3. For the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary by the consecration of Russia.

2014 Rosary Crusade

January 1 until June 8, 2014

Means:

1) Prayer and penance as asked for at Fatima;
2) Sanctification through the duty of state;
3) Spirit of sacrifice in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

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Video: Mass within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception

A low Traditional Latin Mass, celebrated according to the St. Pius X rubrics (pre 1955 changes) by Fr. Julian Larrabee at St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church, West Chester, Ohio. The school choir sings all the unchanging parts of the Mass. The Mass was celebrated within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception.

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Blessing of Roses on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

As this is a devotion unknown to most Catholics, I wish to share part of a post written last year by the blog Kankakee TLM.  For those interested in participating in this tradition who are in the Chicago area, there will be a 7 PM High Mass on December 12th (The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe) followed by the Traditional Blessing of Roses at the Shrine of Christ the King on Woodlawn Avenue in Chicago.  The Sermon will be in both English and Spanish.

The excerpt:

In 1554 a plague broke out, which quickly claimed the lives of more than 12,000 persons.  A public procession to Our Lady’s shrine was organized, and by the very next day, the death rate began to ebb off, and the plague soon ended.

Other outbreaks of rampant disease occurred in 1633 and 1695, when again, with a procession, and with a novena to our Lady, she put an end to the death-dealing calamities. Many, many other such historical accounts have been recorded, when our Lady, as compassionate Mother has hastened to assist those who with faith and love invoke her aid. She still loves her children and will speedily hasten to come when invoked.  So many can attest to her signal graces!

Last year, the Shrine of Christ the King in Chicago had their first TLM in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Afterwards, Canon Talarico blessed roses for the faithful to take home; we were encouraged to take them to the sick.  These roses were given a traditional blessing:

“…by the sign of the Holy Cross let these roses be endowed with such blessing that the sick to whom they are brought and whose homes they adorn may be healed of their infirmities; and let them drive away in fear and trembling the devil with all his followers, nevermore to molest the people who are Thy servants.”

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Tota Pulchra Es Recording

Tota pulchra es is an old Catholic prayer, written in the fourth century. It is one of the five antiphons for the psalms of Second Vespers for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The title means "You are completely beautiful" (referring to the Virgin Mary). It speaks of her immaculate conception. It takes some text from the book of Judith, and other text from Song of Songs, specifically 4:7

Tota pulchra es, Maria, et macula originalis non est in te. Vestimentum tuum candidum quasi nix, et facies tua sicut sol. Tota pulchra es, Maria, et macula originalis non est in te. Tu gloria Jerusalem, tu laetitia Israel, tu honorificentia populi nostri. Tota pulchra es, Maria.


You are all beautiful, Mary, and the original stain [of sin] is not in you. Your clothing is white as snow, and your face is like the sun. You are all beautiful, Mary, and the original stain [of sin] is not in you. You are the glory of Jerusalem, you are the joy of Israel, you give honour to our people. You are all beautiful, Mary.

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