Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Whit Embertide


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)

Whit Ember Days this Year: June 11, 13, and 14

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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Friday, June 6, 2014
Holy Mass Said on D-Day

Today is the 70th anniversary of the massive D-Day invasion that began to turn the tide against the Nazis.  Photo: Holy Mass on the beach after the D-Day invasion.
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Tuesday, June 3, 2014
June Devotions for the Sacred Heart

June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; by tradition and practice, the Church encourages all to meditate on the Sacred Heart, the "fount of life and holiness." Pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart as often as you can!

"... Cor Iesu, vita et resurrectio nostra, miserere nobis! (Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us!)"

"Let us remember that the Heart of Jesus has called us not only for our own sanctification, but also for that of other souls. He wants to be helped in the salvation of souls" (St. Padre Pio)

The Month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Therefore, I recommend the following posts for the month of June. Some of my posts pertain especially to the Sacred Heart and some are recommend because of coming feastdays this month.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
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Thursday, May 29, 2014
Traditional Mass Propers: Feast of the Ascension of Christ


 Vestments: White

INTROIT
Acts 1:11
Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up to heaven? Alleluia! He shall come in the same way as you have seen him going up to heaven, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Ps. 46:2. O, clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with the voice of exultation. V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT - O Almighty God, we firmly believe that Your only-begotten Son, our Redeemer, ascended this day into heaven. May our minds dwell always on this heavenly home. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE
Acts 1:1-11
In the former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach, Until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And eating together with them, he commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, "which you have heard"(saith he) "by my mouth. For John indeed baptized with water: but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence." They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel?" But he said to them: "It is not for you to know the time or moments, which the Father hath put in his own power: But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth." And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments. Who also said: "Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come as you have seen him going into heaven."

ALLELUIA
Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 46:6 God ascends His throne amid shouts of joy, the Lord is taken up with the sound of trumpets. Alleluia! V. Ps. 67:18-19. The Lord is in Sinai, in the holy place; ascending on high, He has led captivity captive. Alleluia!



GOSPEL
Mark 16:14-20

At that time, Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were at table: and he upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe them who had seen him after he was risen again. And he said to them: "Go ye into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall he condemned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents: and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay their hand upon the sick: and they shall recover." And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God. But they going forth preached every where: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed.

OFFERTORY
Ps. 46:6
God ascends His throne amid shouts of joy, the Lord is taken up with the sound of trumpets, alleluia!!

SECRET - Accept, O Lord, the gifts we offer to celebrate the glorious ascension of Your Son. May Your mercy free us from our present dangers and lead us to eternal life. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION
Ps. 67:33-34
Sing to the Lord, who ascends above the heaven of heavens to the East, alleluia!

POST COMMUNION - Almighty and merciful God, grant that this Sacrament, which we have received in this visible sacred Rite, may bring us Your invisible help. Through Our Lord . . .
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Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Minor Rogation Days May 26 - 28, 2014


This year the Minor Rogation, the days leading up to Ascension Thursday, are May 26-28 inclusive. Today is the last day of the Minor Rogation, a day which should be a day of fasting.

I greatly encourage people to observe these days and spend time praying the Litany of Saints not only for a bountiful harvest but also for mercy and repentance. Today is also a day we could fast or at least abstain from meat as penance to implore the mercy of God during our present chastisement. In more ancient times, Rome enjoined abstinence from meat on everyone these days. Other places, like the Churches in Gaul where Rogation Days originated, required fasting. Fasting was championed as well by St. Charles Borromeo in Milan.

Prayer from the Rogation Mass of the ancient Gallican rite:

It is from thee, O Lord, we receive the food, wherewith we are daily supported; to thee also do we offer these fasts, whereby, according to thy command, we put upon our flesh the restraint from dangerous indulgence. Thou hast so ordered the changes of seasons, as to afford us consolation: thus the time for eating gives nourishment to the body, by sober repasts; and the time for fasting inflicts on them a chastisement pleasing to thy justice. Vouchsafe to bless and receive this our offering of a three days' penitential fast; and mercifully grant, that whilst our bodies abstain from gratification, our souls also may rest from sin. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect of the Rogation Mass:

Mercifully grant us our requests, O Lord, that the consolation we receive in our grievous troubles may increase our love for You.
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Sunday, May 25, 2014
Traditional Mass Propers: Fifth Sunday after Easter


Vestments: White


INTROIT
Isa. 48:20
Declare it with the voice of joy and let it be heard, alleluia! Announce it to the ends of the earth: the Lord has delivered His people, alleluia, alleluia! Ps. 65:1-2. Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing a psalm to the glory of His name; proclaim His glorious praise. V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT - O God, the source of all good, grant us Your inspiration that we may have proper thoughts, and Your guidance that we may carry them into practice. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE
James 1:22-27
Beloved: But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if a man be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he shall be compared to a man beholding his own countenance in a glass. For he beheld himself and went his way and presently forgot what manner of man he was. But he that hath looked into the perfect law of liberty and hath continued therein, not becoming a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work: this man shall be blessed in his deed. And if any man think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue but deceiving his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation and to keep one's self unspotted from this world.

ALLELUIA
John 16:28

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Christ has risen and has given light to us, whom He redeemed with His Blood. Alleluia! V. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again I leave the world and go to the Father. Alleluia!


GOSPEL
John 16:23-30

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "Amen, amen, I say to you: if you ask the Father any thing in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto, you have not asked any thing in my name. Ask, and you shall receive; that your joy may be full. "These things I have spoken to you in proverbs. The hour cometh when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs, but will shew you plainly of the Father. In that day, you shall ask in my name: and I say not to you that I will ask the Father for you. For the Father himself loveth you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world: again I leave the world and I go to the Father." His disciples say to him: "Behold, now thou speakest plainly and speakest no proverb. Now we know that thou knowest all things and thou needest not that any man should ask thee. By this we believe that thou camest forth from God."

OFFERTORY
Ps. 65:8-9, 20
Bless the Lord our God, you nations; loudly sound His praise. he has given life to my soul, and has not let my feet falter. Blessed be the Lord who has not refused my prayer nor His mercy to me, alleluia!

SECRET - Accept the prayers and offering of the faithful, O Lord, and let our love and devotion lead us to the glory of heaven. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION
Ps. 95:2
Sing to the Lord, alleluia! Sing to the Lord, and bless His name; announce His salvation day after day, alleluia, alleluia!

POST COMMUNION - Grant that we, who have been fed at Your Heavenly Banquet, O Lord, may desire only what is right and that we may fulfill these holy desires. Through Our Lord . . . 


Commentary on this Sunday from Dom Gaspar Lefebvre, OSB, 1945, adapted and abridged:

The liturgy continues to sing of the Risen Christ and exhorts us in this Rogation week to unite ourselves to His prayer, in which He asked almighty God that through His ascension, His Humanity might share in the glory which as God, He had possessed from all eternity (Offertory). We too shall someday share this glory which He has obtained, since He has freed us from sin by the efficacy of His blood (Introit, Alleluia, Communion).

In contrast to the man who beheld himself in a glass and presently forgot what manner of man he was, we must look into the perfect law of liberty and constantly put it into practice (Epistle). And since at His departure Christ has left us a consolation in the power to pray "in His name", "that our joy may be full", ask of God through our Lord, that we may not remain without fruit in His knowledge, and that believing that He "came out from God", we may merit to enter with Him into His Father's Kingdom.

St. Augustine says: “He who thinks of Jesus Christ as he ought to think of Him, this man prays in His name and obtains what he asks, if he asks nothing contrary to his eternal salvation… In Christ’s name we must ask for whatever helps us to win perfect spiritual joy… To ask for anything else is to ask nothing, for everything is but as nothing when compared with so great a good.”The liturgy continues to sing of the Risen Christ and exhorts us in this Rogation week to unite ourselves to His prayer, in which He asked almighty God that through His ascension, His Humanity might share in the glory which as God, He had possessed from all eternity (Offertory). We too shall someday share this glory which He has obtained, since He has freed us from sin by the efficacy of His blood (Introit, Alleluia, Communion).

In contrast to the man who beheld himself in a glass and presently forgot what manner of man he was, we must look into the perfect law of liberty and constantly put it into practice (Epistle). And since at His departure Christ has left us a consolation in the power to pray "in His name", "that our joy may be full", ask of God through our Lord, that we may not remain without fruit in His knowledge, and that believing that He "came out from God", we may merit to enter with Him into His Father's Kingdom.

St. Augustine says: “He who thinks of Jesus Christ as he ought to think of Him, this man prays in His name and obtains what he asks, if he asks nothing contrary to his eternal salvation… In Christ’s name we must ask for whatever helps us to win perfect spiritual joy… To ask for anything else is to ask nothing, for everything is but as nothing when compared with so great a good.”
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Monday, May 19, 2014
Feast of St. Peter Celestine

Double (1955 Calendar): May 19

There are actually two canonized popes with the name of Celestine - St. Celestine I who reigned from 422 to 432 and St. Celestine V who reigned in 1294.  Today's feast of St. Peter Celestine refers to Pope St. Celestine V.

St. Peter Celestine was Pope for five months from 5 July to 13 December 1294, when he resigned. He was also a monk and hermit who founded the order of the Celestines.  It is noted that he is one of only a few popes to have ever resigned from office.  

On December 13, 1294, clothed in full pontifical vesture, he read before the Cardinals this act of his great renunciation:
“Inspired by many legitimate reasons, desiring a more humble state and a more perfect life, fearing to compromise my conscience and seeing my weakness and incapacity, considering the malice of men and yearning for the rest and spiritual consolation I enjoyed before I was raised to this position, I, Celestine V, Pope, do hereby freely and voluntarily renounce the Sovereign Pontificate and abandon the dignity and position to which I was raised.”
In 1313, St. Peter Celestine was canonized and since then no pope has ever again taken the name of Celestine. Upon his resignation, he was imprisoned by his successor, Pope Boniface VIII, and died after nine months alone in a tower.

His entry in the Martyrologium Romanum for 19 May reads as follows:
At Castrum Fumorense near Alatri in Lazio, the birth of Saint Peter Celestine, who, when leading the life of a hermit in Abruzzo, being famous for his sanctity and miracles, was elected Roman Pontiff as an octogenarian, assumed the name Celestine V, but abandoned his office that same year and preferred to return to solitude.
To mark the 800th anniversary of St. Peter Celestine's birth, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed the Celestine year from 28 August 2009 through 29 August 2010.

Collect:

O God, who hast raised blessed Peter Celestine to the supreme Pontificate, and also taught him to prefer the virtue of humility, mercifully grant that following his example, we may despise the things of this world, and so merit to attain those rewards which Thou hast promised to the humble of heart.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal 
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Sunday, May 18, 2014
Latin Names for Sundays in the Roman Rite

Unfortunately in the past fifty years Catholics have all but forgotten that each Sunday of the Liturgical Year has a special name, taken from the first words of the Introit from the Proper Prayers for the Mass that day.

For your edification, I present the Latin names for these Sundays.  Some of these names (e.g. Laetare Sunday) are more common than others.  You may find the proper prayers on my separate page dedicated to the Traditional Mass Propers by clicking here.

Note: The Class distinction listed below is from the 1962 Rubrics.


Advent
First Sunday of Advent
1 Cl. Purple Missa 'Ad Te Levave'
Second Sunday of Advent
1 Cl. Purple Missa 'Populus Sion'
Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
1 Cl. Rose Missa 'Gaudete'
Wednesday/Friday/Saturday of Advent Embertide (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday after the Third Sunday -- Gaudete Sunday -- of Advent)
2 Cl. Purple Missa 'Rorate Coeli'/Missa 'Prope es Tu'/Missa 'Veni'
Fourth Sunday of Advent
1 Cl. Purple Missa 'Rorate Coeli'
Christmastide
Vigil of Christmas
1 Cl. Purple Missa 'Hodie Scietis'
Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas)
1 Cl. with Octave White First Mass at Midnight: Missa 'Dominus Dixit'
Second Mass at Dawn: Missa 'Lux Fulgebit'
Third Mass During the Daytime: Missa 'Puer Natus Est'
Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of Our Lord
1 Cl. White Missa 'Dum Medium'
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (the Sunday after Jan. 1, or Sunday after the Octave Day of the Nativity, or Jan. 2, or the Sunday between the Octave Day of the Nativity and the Epiphany)
2 Cl. White Missa 'In Nomine Jesu'
The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ
1 Cl. White Missa 'Ecce Advenit'
First Sunday after Epiphany (Feast of the Holy Family)
2 Cl. White Missa 'Exsultat Gaudio'
Time after Epiphany
Second Sunday after Epiphany
2 Cl.. Green Missa 'Omnis Terra'
Third Sunday after Epiphany
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Adorate Deum'
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Adorate Deum'
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Adorate Deum'
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Adorate Deum'
Septuagesima
First Sunday of Septuagesima (Septuagesima Sunday)
2 Cl. Purple Missa 'Circumdederunt Me'
Second Sunday of Septuagesima (Sexagesima Sunday)
2 Cl. Purple Missa 'Exsurge'
Third Sunday of Septuagesima (Quinquagesima Sunday)
2 Cl. Purple Missa 'Esto Mihi'
Lent
Ash Wednesday
1 Cl. Purple Missa 'Misereris Omnium'
First Sunday of Lent (Quadragesima Sunday)
1 Cl. Purple Missa 'Invocabit Me'
Wednesday/Friday/Saturday of Lenten Embertide (Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the First Sunday of Lent)
2 Cl. Purple Missa 'Reminiscere Miserationum Tuarum'/Missa 'De Necessitatibus'/Missa 'Intret Oratio'
Second Sunday of Lent
1 Cl. Purple Missa 'Reminiscere Miserationum'
Third Sunday of Lent
1 Cl. Purple Missa 'Oculi Mei'
Fourth Sunday of Lent ("Laetare Sunday" or "Rose Sunday")
1 Cl. Rose Missa 'Laetare'
Fifth Sunday of Lent (Passion Sunday, which begins the two weeks of Passiontide)
1 Cl. Purple Missa 'Judica Me Deus'
Friday after Passion Sunday (Feast of the Seven Sorrows)
Com. White Missa 'Sabant Juxta'
Sixth Sunday of Lent and Second Sunday of Passiontide (Palm Sunday, which begins Holy Week)
1 Cl. Red Missa 'Domine Ne Longe'
Spy Wednesday (the Wednesday of Holy Week)

Purple Missa 'In Nomine Jesu'
Maundy Thursday (the Thursday of Holy Week. The three days called the "Sacred Triduum" begin now)
1 Cl. White Missa 'Nos Autem'
Good Friday (the Friday of Holy Week)
1 Cl. Black Mass of the Presanctified (not a true Mass, but a Communion Service using pre-sanctified Hosts)
Paschaltide
Holy Saturday (Eastertide begins with the Vigil Mass)
1 Cl. Purple No Mass, but an Easter Vigil Service which begins the Easter Season
Easter Sunday
1 Cl. with Octave White Missa 'Resurrexi'
Monday in Easter Week
1 Cl. White Missa 'Introduxit'
Tuesday in Easter Week
1 Cl. White Missa 'Aqua Sapientiae'
Wednesday in Easter Week
1 Cl. White Missa 'Venite'
Thursday in Easter Week
1 Cl. White Missa 'Victricem Manum Tuum'
Friday in Easter Week
1 Cl. White Missa 'Eduxit Eos Dominus'
Saturday in Easter Week
1 Cl. White Missa 'Eduxit Dominus'
First Sunday after Easter ("Low Sunday" or "Quasimodo Sunday" or "Divine Mercy Sunday")
1 Cl. White Missa 'Quasi Modo'
Second Sunday after Easter

White Missa 'Misericordia Domini'
Third Sunday after Easter

White Missa 'Jubilate Deo'
Fourth Sunday after Easter

White Missa 'Cantate Domino'
Fifth Sunday after Easter

White Missa 'Vocem Jucunditatis'
Outside of Eastertide: Missa "Protexisti'
Ascension Thursday
1 Cl. White Missa 'Viri Galilaei'
Vigil of the Pentecost
1 Cl. Red Missa 'Cum Sanctificatus'
Pentecost Sunday (Whitsunday)
1 Cl. with Octave Red Missa 'Spiritus Domini'
Wednesday/Friday/Saturday of Whit Embertide (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday after Pentecost)
1 Cl./1 Cl./1 Cl. Red/Red/Red Missa 'Deus Dum Egredereris'/Missa 'Repleatur Os Meum'/Missa 'Caritas Dei'
Time after Pentecost
First Sunday after Pentecost (Trinity Sunday)
1 Cl. Green Missa 'Benedicta Sit'
Thursday after Trinity Sunday (Feast of Corpus Christi)
1 Cl. White Missa 'Cibavit Eos' and Procession
Second Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. White Missa 'Factus Est Dominus'
Friday after the Second Sunday after Pentecost (Feast of the Sacred Heart)
1 Cl. White Missa 'Cogitationes Cordis'
Third Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. White Missa 'Respice In Me'
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Dominus Illuminatio Mea'
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Exaudi Domine'
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Dominus Fortitudo'
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Omnes Gentes'
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Suscepimus Deus'
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Ecce Deus Adjuvat'
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Cum Clamarem'
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Deus In Loco'
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Deus in Adjutorum'
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Respice Domine'
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Protector Noster'
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Inclina Domine'
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Miserere Mihi Domine'
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Justus Es Domine'
Wednesday/Friday/Saturday of Michaelmas Embertide (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday after September 14)
2 Cl. Purple Missa 'Exsultate Deo'/Missa 'Laetetur Cor'/Missa 'Venite Adoremus Deum'
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Da Pacem Domine'
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Salus Populi'
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Omnia Quae Fecisti'
Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'In Voluntate Tua'
Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Si Iniquitates Observaveris'
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Dicit Dominus'
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Dicit Dominus'
Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Dicit Dominus'
Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Dicit Dominus'
Twenty-seventh Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Dicit Dominus'
Last Sunday of Pentecost (no matter how many Sundays in Pentecost there are)
2 Cl. Green Missa 'Dicit Dominus'
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Thursday, May 15, 2014
Virtual Tour: Basilica of St. Josaphat

Last month during Passiontide I visited the Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee, a truly beautiful Church and temple of God.

Modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, it features one of the largest copper domes in the world. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated Milwaukee Landmark.

In 1929, Pope Pius XI designated St. Josaphat Church as the third minor basilica in the United States, marking it as a place of pilgrimage, special devotion, and historical significance.  The Church was built by Polish immigrants and shows the ability for all peoples to build places worthy of the presence of God.  How sad that we do not see buildings like this anymore.

For my recommended books on Catholic architecture, click here to view the list.
















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Blessed Bartolo Longo

Just this week the media was abuzz with news of satanists and Harvard students preparing to offer a sacrilegious "black mass."  I chose to avoid this topic as my preference is to focus on the positives.  In the wake of the media attention, hundreds (if not thousands) of Catholics participated in Eucharistic Adoration and reparation for these grave sins.

I wish to present to all of you a true model for the conversion of satanists - Blessed Bartolo Longo.

Blessed Bartolo Longo was a Satanist that was converted by the Rosary and thereafter became a third order Dominican. He was a "High Priest" of the satanists before his conversion no less! But he died a saint, and a Knight of the Holy Sepulcher.

Blessed Longo wrote of his personal struggles with mental illness, paranoia, depression and anxiety. At one point, he noted struggling with suicidal thoughts, but rejected them by recalling the promise of Saint Dominic, "he who propagates my Rosary will be saved." Longo wrote that this promise is what convinced him to encourage public devotion to the rosary.

Say a rosary for the conversion of those who wished this blasphemy, or live in Satanism.  And let us pray for Blessed Longo's intercession.

 The tomb of Blessed Bartolo in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in Pompei.
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