Office of Lauds: Feast of Ss Peter and Paul

Today is the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul (Double of the I Class with Octave).  Today is a holy day of obligation in the universal Church.  In England and Wales the feast is observed as a holy day of obligation while in the United States and Canada, it is not. In Malta it is a public holiday.  This is the day of the liturgical year on which those newly created metropolitan archbishops receive the primary symbol of their office, the pallium, from the pope.

Now I know in very deed, that the Lord hath sent His Angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. (From the introit of the day's Mass, Acts, 12. 11)
[Click to listen to it chanted]

Lauds
The first part of Lauds is in the Ordinary
Ant.    Petrus et Joánnes * ascendébant in templum ad horam oratiónis nonam.	Ant.    Peter and John * went up together into the temple at the ninth hour, being the hour of prayer.
Psalmus 92.  Dominus regnavit Dóminus regnávit, decórem indútus est: * indútus est Dóminus fortitúdinem, et præcínxit se. 2  Etenim firmávit orbem terræ, * qui non commovébitur. 3  Paráta sedes tua ex tunc: * a sæculo tu es. 4  Elevavérunt flúmina, Dómine: * elevavérunt flúmina vocem suam. 5  Elevavérunt flúmina fluctus suos, * a vócibus aquárum multárum. 6  Mirábiles elatiónes maris: * mirábilis in altis Dóminus. 7  Testimónia tua credibília facta sunt nimis: * domum tuam decet sanctitúdo, Dómine, in longitúdinem diérum.	Psalm 92.  Dominus regnavit The Lord hath reigned, and hath put on glorious apparel; * the Lord hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength. 2  For he hath stablished the round world, * that it cannot be moved. 3  Thy throne is prepared from of old : * thou art from everlasting. 4  The floods have lift up, O Lord, * yea, the floods have lift up their voice. 5  The floods have lift up their waves, * with the noise of many waters. 6  The waves of the sea are mighty, * glorious is the Lord, who dwelleth on high. 7  Thy testimonies are become exceeding credible: * holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever and ever.
Ant.    Petrus et Joánnes ascendébant in templum ad horam oratiónis nonam.	Ant.    Peter and John went up together into the temple at the ninth hour, being the hour of prayer.
Ant.    Argéntum et aurum * non est mihi : quod autem hábeo, hoc tibi do.	Ant.    Silver and gold * have I none, but such as I have, give I thee.
Psalmus 99.  Jubilate Jubiláte Deo, omnis terra: * servíte Dómino in lætítia. 2  Introíte in conspéctu ejus, * in exsultatióne. 3  Scitóte quóniam Dóminus ipse est Deus: * ipse fecit nos, et non ipsi nos. 4  Pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus: * introíte portas ejus in confessióne, átria ejus in hymnis: confitémini illi. 5  Laudáte nomen ejus: quóniam suávis est Dóminus, in ætérnum misericórdia ejus, * et usque in generatiónem et generatiónem véritas ejus.	Psalm 99.  Jubilate O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: * serve the Lord with gladness, 2  And come before his presence * with a song.. 3  Be ye sure that the Lord he is God; * it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves. 4  We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture : * O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be ye thankful unto him. 5  Give praises unto his Name: for the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting; * and his truth endureth from generation to generation.
Ant.    Argéntum et aurum non est mihi : quod autem hábeo, hoc tibi do.	Ant.    Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, give I thee.
Ant.    Dixit Angelus ad Petrum : * Circúmda tibi vestiméntum tuum, et séquere me.	Ant.    The Angel said unto Peter : * Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
Psalmus 62.  Deus, Deus meus Deus, Deus meus, * ad te de luce vígilo. 2  Sitívit in te ánima mea, * quam multiplíciter tibi caro mea. 3  In terra desérta, et ínvia, et inaquósa: * sic in sancto appárui tibi, ut vidérem virtútem tuam, et glóriam tuam. 4  Quóniam mélior est misericórdia tua super vitas: * lábia mea laudábunt te. 5  Sic benedícam te in vita mea: * et in nómine tuo levábo manus meas. 6  Sicut ádipe et pinguédine repleátur ánima mea: * et lábiis exsultatiónis laudábit os meum. 7  Si memor fui tui super stratum meum, in matutínis meditábor in te: * quia fuísti adjútor meus. 8  Et in velaménto alárum tuárum exsultábo, adhæsit ánima mea post te: * me suscépit déxtera tua. 9  Ipsi vero in vanum quæsiérunt ánimam meam, introíbunt in inferióra terræ: * tradéntur in manus gládii, partes vúlpium erunt. 10  Rex vero lætábitur in Deo, laudabúntur omnes qui jurant in eo: * quia obstrúctum est os loquéntium iníqua.	Psalm 62.  Deus, Deus meus O God, thou art my God; * to thee do I watch at break of day. 2  My soul hath thirsted for thee, * my flesh also in many different ways. 3  In a barren and dry land where no water is: * so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, that I might behold thy power and thy glory. 4  For thy mercy is better than the life itself : * my lips shall praise thee. 5  Thus will I bless thee as long as I live : * and I will lift up my hands in thy Name. 6  My soul shall be filled as with marrow and fatness, * and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips. 7  If I have remembered thee in my bed, I will think upon thee in the morning : * because thou hast been my helper. 8  And under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice, my soul hath hung upon thee; * thy right hand hath upholden me. 9  But they have sought my soul in vain, they shall go down into the nether parts of the earth : * they shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be a portion for foxes. 10  But the king shall rejoice in God; all they also that swear by him shall be commended; * for the mouth of them that speak wicked things shall be stopped.
Ant.    Dixit Angelus ad Petrum : Circúmda tibi vestiméntum tuum, et séquere me.	Ant.    The Angel said unto Peter : Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
Ant.    Misit Dóminus * Angelum suum, et liberávit me de manu Heródis, allelúja.	Ant.    The Lord hath sent * his Angel , and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, alleluia.
Canticum trium Puerorum Benedicite, omnia opera   Dan. 3, 57-88 et 56 Benedícite, ómnia ópera Dómini, Dómino: * laudáte et superexaltáte eum in sæcula. 2    Benedícite, Angeli Dómini, Dómino: * benedícite, cæli, Dómino. 3    Benedícite, aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes virtútes Dómini, Dómino. 4    Benedícite, sol et luna, Dómino: * benedícite, stellæ cæli, Dómino. 5    Benedícite, omnis imber et ros, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes spíritus Dei, Dómino. 6    Benedícite, ignis et æstus, Dómino: * benedícite, frigus et æstus, Dómino. 7    Benedícite, rores et pruína, Dómino: * benedícite, gelu et frigus, Dómino. 8    Benedícite, glácies et nives, Dómino: * benedícite, noctes et dies, Dómino. 9    Benedícite, lux et ténebræ, Dómino: * benedícite, fúlgura et nubes, Dómino. 10  Benedícat terra Dóminum: * laudet et superexáltet eum in sæcula. 11  Benedícite, montes et colles, Dómino: * benedícite, univérsa germinántia in terra, Dómino. 12  Benedícite, fontes, Dómino: * benedícite, mária et flúmina, Dómino. 13  Benedícite, cete, et ómnia, quæ movéntur in aquis, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes vólucres cæli, Dómino. 14    Benedícite, omnes béstiæ et pécora, Dómino: * benedícite, fílii hóminum, Dómino. 15    Benedícat Israël Dóminum: * laudet et superexáltet eum in sæcula. 16    Benedícite, sacerdótes Dómini, Dómino: * benedícite, servi Dómini, Dómino. 17    Benedícite, spíritus, et ánimæ justórum, Dómino: * benedícite, sancti et húmiles corde, Dómino. 18    Benedícite, Ananía, Azaría, Mísaël, Dómino: * laudáte et superexaltáte eum in sæcula. (Fit reverentia:) 19    Benedicámus Patrem et Fílium cum Sancto Spíritu: * laudémus et superexaltémus eum in sæcula. 20  Benedíctus es, Dómine, in firmaménto cæli: * et laudábilis, et gloriósus, et superexaltátus in sæcula. Hic non dícitur Glória Patri, neque Amen.	The Song of the Three Holy Children Benedicite, omnia opera   Dan. 3, 57-88 and 56 O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * praise him, and magnify him for ever. 2  O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * O ye Heavens, bless ye the Lord. 3  O ye Waters that be above the Firmament, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. 4  O ye Sun and Moon, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Stars of Heaven, bless ye the Lord. 5  O ye Showers and Dew, bless ye the Lord: * O ye winds of God, bless ye the Lord. 6  O ye Fire and Heat, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Winter and Summer, bless ye the Lord. 7  O ye Dews and Frosts, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Frost and Cold, bless ye the Lord. 8  O ye Ice and Snow, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Nights and Days, bless ye the Lord. 9  O ye Light and Darkness, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Lightnings and Clouds, bless ye the Lord. 10  O let the Earth bless the Lord; * yea, let it praise him, and magnify him for ever. 11  O ye Mountains and Hills, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Green Things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord.  12  O ye Wells, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Seas and Floods, bless ye the Lord. 13  O ye Whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Fowls of the Air, bless ye the Lord. 14  O all ye Beasts and Cattle, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord. 15  O let Israël bless the Lord; * praise him, and magnify him for ever. 16  O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. 17  O ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, bless ye the Lord: * O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless ye the Lord. 18  O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever: (During the following verse, all bow:) 19  Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Ghost; * let us praise him and magnify him for ever. 20  Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven; * and to be praised and exalted above all for ever. Here is not said Amen or Glory be.
Ant.    Misit Dóminus Angelum suum, et liberávit me de manu Heródis, allelúja.	Ant.    The Lord hath sent his Angel , and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, alleluia.
Ant.    Tu es Petrus, * et super hanc petram ædificábo Ecclésiam meam.	Ant.    Thou art Peter, * and upon this rock I will build my Church.
Psalmus 148.  Laudate Dominum Laudáte Dóminum de cælis: * laudáte eum in excélsis. 2  Laudáte eum, omnes Angeli ejus: * laudáte eum, omnes virtútes ejus. 3  Laudáte eum, sol et luna: * laudáte eum, omnes stellæ et lumen. 4  Laudáte eum, cæli cælórum: * et aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, laudent nomen Dómini. 5  Quia ipse dixit, et facta sunt: * ipse mandávit, et creáta sunt. 6  Státuit ea in ætérnum, et in sæculum sæculi: * præcéptum pósuit, et non præteríbit. 7  Laudáte Dóminum de terra, * dracónes, et omnes abyssi. 8  Ignis, grando, nix, glácies, spíritus procellárum: * quæ fáciunt verbum ejus: 9  Montes, et omnes colles: * ligna fructífera, et omnes cedri. 10  Béstiæ, et univérsa pécora: * serpéntes, et vólucres pennátæ: 11  Reges terræ, et omnes pópuli: * príncipes, et omnes júdices terræ. 12  Júvenes, et vírgines : senes cum junióribus laudent nomen Dómini: * quia exaltátum est nomen ejus solíus. 13  Conféssio ejus super cælum et terram: * et exaltávit cornu pópuli sui. 14  Hymnus ómnibus sanctis ejus: * fíliis Israël, pópulo appropinquánti sibi.	Psalm 148.  Laudate Dominum O praise ye the Lord from the heavens: * praise ye him in the height. 2  Praise him, all ye Angels of his: * praise him, all his host. 3  Praise ye him, O sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light. 4  Praise him, all ye heavens of heavens, * and ye waters that are above the heavens, praise the Name of the Lord. 5  For he spake the word, and they were made; * he commanded, and they were created. 6  He hath established them for ever, yea, unto ages of ages : * he hath set forth a law, and it shall not pass away. 7  Praise the Lord from the earth, * ye dragons and all deeps; 8  Fire and hail, snow and ice, wind and storm, * fulfilling his word; 9  Mountains and all hills; * fruitful trees and all cedars; 10  Beasts and all cattle; * creeping things and flying fowls; 11  Kings of the earth, and all people; * princes, and all judges of the world; 12  Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the Name of the Lord: * for his Name only is exalted. 13  His praise is above heaven and earth : * and he shall exalt the horn of his people. 14  A hymn unto all his saints : * even unto the children of Israel, a people that draw nigh unto him.
Ant.    Tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram ædificábo Ecclésiam meam.	Ant.    Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.
STAND
Capitulum           Act. 12. 1-3. Misit Heródes rex manus ut afflígeret quosdam de Ecclésia.  Occídit autem Jacóbum fratrem Joánnis gládio.  Videns autem quia placéret Judæis, appósuit ut apprehénderet et Petrum. R.  Deo grátias.	The Little Chapter        Acts 12. 1-3. Herod the King stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the Church.  And he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.  And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. R.  Thanks be to God.
HymnusBeate Pastor, Petre, clemens áccipe Voces precántum, criminúmque víncula Verbo resólve, cui potéstas trádita Aperíre terris cælum, apértum cláudere.	The Hymn To Peter, shepherd good, was first by thee assigned By apostolic word to loosen or to bind; And him thou didst empower, by thy divine decree, The heavenly gate to shut or open wide and free.
Egrégie Doctor, Paule, mores ínstrue, Et nostra tecum péctora in cælum trahe ; Veláta dum merídiem cernat fides, Et solis instar sola regnet cáritas.	By holy lore may Paul, thy Church's Doctor, teach Our earth-bound souls to strive the heavenly goal to reach: Till that which perfect is shall shine with fuller glow, And that be done away which here in part we know.
Sit Trinitáti sempitérna glória, Honor, potéstas atque jubilátio, In unitáte, quæ gubérnat ómnia, Per univérsa sæculórum sæcula.  Amen.	Now to the Trinity eternal glory sing; All honour, virtue, might, and hymns of gladness bring; He rules the universe in wondrous Unity, And shall, through all the days of vast eternity.  Amen.
V.  Annuntiavérunt ópera Dei. R.  Et facta ejus intellexérunt.	V.  They shall say, This hath God done. R.  For they shall perceive that it is his work.
Ad Bened. Ant:  Quodcúmque * ligáveris super terram, erit ligátum et in cælis ; et quodcúmque sólveris super terram, erit solútum et in cælis : dicit Dóminus Simóni Petro.	Ant. on Bened:  Thus said the Lord unto Simon Peter : * Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
BENEDICTUS	THE BENEDICTUS
Oremus. Deus, qui hodiérnam diem Apostolórum tuórum Petri et Pauli martyrio consecrásti : da Ecclésiæ tuæ, eórum in ómnibus sequi præcéptum; per quos religiónis sumpsit exórdium.  Per Dóminum.	Let us pray. O God, who didst hallow his day by the martyrdom of thine holy Apostles Peter and Paul, grant unto thy Church, whose foundations thou wast pleased to lay by their hands, the grace always in all things to remain faithful to their teaching.  Through.

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Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Declared Venerable

Image Source: Facebook Page of Andy Schmalen

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's Cause of Canonization.  On June 28, 2012, the Holy Father officially declared Fulton J Sheen as "Venerable", bringing him one step closer to sainthood.

In a private audience today with prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, Cardinal Angelo Amato, Pope Benedict XVI approved the “heroic virtue” Fulton J. Sheen, thereby officially opening his cause for canonization.

The American archbishop and former bishop of Rochester New York lived from 1895-1979. He was best known his 20 years of evangelical work on radio and television. Before Archbishop Sheen’s cause can advance towards beatification, the Pope must approve at least one miracle attributed to his intercession.

Others honored in the same decree as servants of God include the first prelate of the Personal Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei, Alvaro del Portillo y Diez de Sollano (1914-1994), a Canadian widow and founder of the Handmaidens of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Marie of the Sacred Heart (1806-1885), and American founder of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, Mary Angeline Teresa (1893-1984). There were also a number of martyrs on the list, including 154 martyrs of the Spanish civil war.

Zenit News

CatechismClass.com proudly include excerpts from Sheen's many literary masterpieces, including his Life of Christ, throughout its lessons.

We are all very pleased to celebrate this year the 10th Anniversary of the Opening of his cause.  Please join with us in praying for his canonization.

Heavenly Father, source of all holiness, You raise up within the Church in every age men and women who serve with heroic love and dedication.  You have blessed your Church through the life and ministry of Your faithful servant, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.  He has written and spoken well of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and was a true instrument of the Holy Spirit in touching the hearts of countless people.

If it be according to Your Will, for the honor and glory of the Most Holy Trinity and for the salvation of souls, we ask You to move the Church to proclaim him a saint.  We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen

Imprimatur:

+Most Rev. Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.
Bishop of Peoria

In honor of the life of the Servant of God Fulton J. Sheen, CatechismClass.com is offering 30% off on its summary of Sheen's Life is Worth Living and their series on The Life of Christ. 

Simply enter discount code SheenCause10 and receive 30% off either of these items.  This discount, which is in honor of Fulton J Sheen's Cause of Canonization, will only last for a week!

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Fr. John Berg on Ss Peter and Paul and the Fraternity's Coat of Arms

Today is the Vigil of Ss Peter and Paul.  Here is a recent Letter from the Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, Fr. John Berg, on the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul.  It is worth reading on this day:

This month of June closes with the great feast of Saints Peter and Paul on the 29th. Those who have visited Rome know firsthand the importance to the Eternal City of these two great martyrs. Because the rite we celebrate is truly Roman, this feast has also always held a particular pride of place in the liturgical calendar.

It is, of course, also the principle feast of our Fraternity of St. Peter, and we have considered ourselves fortunate to have such a great intercessor and example in the Prince of the Apostles. The choice of taking on the title of St. Peter for our institute was really a rather audacious one. Just as no Pope has dared to take the name Peter II for two millennia, so too, no institute or religious order has taken the title of the one chosen to be the first Vicar of Christ. But given the circumstances of our inception, our founders were encouraged to choose as our patron the one upon whom Christ chose to build His Church.

Continue reading...

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Fr. Francis Gallagher's (SSPX) 25th Anniversary of Ordination

St. Vincent de Paul Church in Kansas City, MO joyfully celebrated the 25th priestly ordination anniversary of Fr. Francis Gallagher with a Solemn Mass and banquet in the parish hall on Sunday, June 24.

These photos of Fr. Gallagher are from the website of the SSPX.

 May the God of life pour out grace upon him,
may he feel God’s hand upon him
and be strengthened by the things God’s loving presence.

May the Son of God be Lord in all his ways;
may Christ shepherd him,
and in his heart may Jesus receive the praise.

We pray that God’s grace will abound
and that the fullness of Christ’s love
will continue to be shared through him.

May God the Holy Spirit comfort him, and make him strong,
and may in his heart the Spirit of love be a song.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.+

[Adapted from a Celtic blessing.]

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SSPX June 2012 Ordination Photos

On the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday, July 15, 2012, a total of 8 new priests and 12 new deacons were ordained by Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Winona, Minnesota.  Please join me in praying for these priests to always remain close to the Sacred Heart of our Lord.  May they always remain a priest after His Most Holy Heart.  A list of the names of these new priests is available by clicking here.

Image Source: SSPX USA District Website

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First Holy Communions for the SSPX in Phoenix, Arizona & Edmonds, Washington

Please keep this children in your prayers as they have received the Sacred Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in Holy Communion.  May they always remain close to the Sacred Heart of our Lord.

Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds, hide me. Separated from Thee let me never be. From the malignant enemy, defend me. At the hour of death, call me. To come to Thee, bid me, That I may praise Thee in the company Of Thy Saints, for all eternity. Amen.		Anima Christi, sanctifica me. Corpus Christi, salva me. Sanguis Christi, inebria me. Aqua lateris Christi, lava me. Passio Christi, conforta me. O bone Iesu, exaudi me. Intra tua vulnera absconde me. Ne permittas me separari a te. Ab hoste maligno defende me. In hora mortis meae voca me. Et iube me venire ad te, Ut cum Sanctis tuis laudem te in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Phoenix, AR (Our Lady of Sorrows)

Photo Source


Edmonds, Washington (Corpus Christi Church)

 
 Photo Source

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Blessing of a Bonfire for St. John's Eve

The following is an excerpt from the book My Nameday, Come for Dessert containing suggested family prayers for St. John's Eve:

Blessing of a bonfire.  This blessing may be conferred by the priest outside of the church on the vigil of St. John's feast.  A parent may lead the prayer after lighting a family bonfire.

Father:  O Lord God, Father almighty, unfailing ray and source of all light, sanctify this new fire, and grant that after the darkness of this life we may come unsullied to You who are Light eternal. Through Christ our Lord.

All:  Amen.

Family prayers on the vigil.

Father:  I summoned you from your father's house, says the Lord, and made you shepherd of My people

All:  I granted you such renown as comes only to the greatest on earth, and no longer did your enemies trouble you.

Father:  From the writings of St. Ambrose:
Holy Scripture teaches us to praise not only the lives of those whom we honor, but also the lives of their parents.  Then that flawless purity which has been handed down to them as an inheritance will stand out even more clearly in those whom we would praise.  What other intention can the evangelist have had in the passage of the Gospel read today, save that of making John the Baptist renowned for his parents as well as for his miracles, his way of life, his mission and his death?

All:  Our hearts must wait in readiness on the Lord and serve Him only.  Then will He deliver us from our enemies' power.

Father:  Let us pray. Grant, almighty God, that Your household may tread the path of salvation, and by following the counsel of John the Precursor, come safely to Him whose coming he foretold, Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You forever.

All:  Amen.  Christ conquers, Christ reigns!

Image Source: Transalpine Redemptorists at Home

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Vigil of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

As June 24th approaches, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the last of the prophets, similarly advances. Along with solely the sinless Blessed Virgin Mary and our Lord Jesus Christ, the Church remembers the birth of St. John the Baptist. Together, the Church only liturgically celebrates these three holy births.

In the Traditional Catholic Calendar, June 23 is the Vigil of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. From the propers of the Mass for June 23, the Introit occupies a place of importance, expressing comfort and hope:

Fear not, Zachary; thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John; and he shall be great before the Lord, and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother's womb; and many shall rejoice at his birth. V. (Ps. 20: 2) In Thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in Thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly. 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. Fear not, Zachary...

Please see my post from last year and attempt to participate in the ancient tradition of a Bonfire this evening.

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Traditional Propers: Octave Day of the Sacred Heart

 Introit from the Mass of the Sacred Heart, Missa Cogitationes cordis 

Prior to the 1955 reforms, today was the Octave Day of the Sacred Heart.  As previously explained, the Octave of the Sacred Heart was a Privileged Octave of the Third Class.  Pope Pius XII raised the feast to the highest rank, Double of the First Class, and added an octave - that octave was later suppressed in the 1955 reforms under the same Holy Pontiff, which removed all but three octaves.

Octaves were classified into several types. Easter and Pentecost had "specially privileged" octaves, during which no other feast whatsoever could be celebrated. Christmas, Epiphany, and Corpus Christi had "privileged" octaves, during which certain highly ranked feasts might be celebrated. The octaves of other feasts allowed even more feasts to be celebrated.
 

Ever mindful of our past Traditions, let us spiritually unite ourselves this day to the Sacred Heart.
 

Traditional Propers - Octave Day of the Sacred Heart

Vestments: White

INTROIT
Psalm 32: 11, 19
The thoughts of His heart to all generations: to deliver their souls from death and feed them in famine. (Ps. 32: 1) Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just, praise becometh the upright. V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- The thoughts of His heart . . .

COLLECT- O God, who in the Heart of Thy Son, wounded by our sins, dost mercifully vouchsafe to bestow upon us the boundless treasures of Thy love: grant, we beseech Thee, that we who now render Him the service of our devotion and piety, may also fulfill our duty of worthy satisfaction. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth . . .

Attached to the above Collect is an indulgence of 5 years. -- Plenary, under the usual conditions, if this prayer is recited daily during a month. -- P.P.O. n. 233.

EPISTLE
Ephesians 3: 8-19
Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians. Brethren: To me, the least of all the Saints, is given the grace, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ: and to enlighten all men, that they may see what is the dispensation of the mystery which hath been hidden from eternity in God, Who created all things: that the manifold wisdom of God may be made known to the principalities and powers in heavenly places through the Church, according to the eternal purpose which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord: in Whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Whom all paternity in Heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened by His spirit with might unto the inward man, that Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts: that being rooted and grounded in charity, you may be able to comprehend with all the Saints, what is the breadth and length, and height and depth: to know also the charity of Christ which surpasseth all knowledge. That you may be filled unto all the fulness of God. Thanks be to God.

GRADUAL
Psalm 24: 8, 9
The Lord is sweet and righteous: therefore He will give a law to sinners in the way. V. He will guide the mild in judgment: He will teach the meek His ways. Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Matthew 11: 29) Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 19: 31-37

At that time: The Jews (because it was the parasceve), that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath day (for that was a great sabbath day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken: and that they might be taken away. The soldiers therefore came: and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him. But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers, with a spear opened His side, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he knoweth that saw it, hath given testimony: and his testimony is true. And he knoweth that he saith true, that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture might be fulfilled: "You shall not break a bone of Him." And again another Scripture saith: "They shall look on Him Whom they pierced."

OFFERTORY
Psalm 68: 21
My heart hath expected reproach and misery: and I looked for one that would grieve together with me, but there was none: and for one that would comfort me, and I found none.

SECRET - Have regard, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to the inexpressible love of the Heart of Thy beloved Son: so that what we offer may be a gift acceptable to Thee, and an expiation for our offenses.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever. R.Amen.

PREFACE (Preface for the Feast of the Sacred Heart) - 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 will that Thine only-begotten Son, while hanging on the cross, should be pierced by a soldier's spear, that the Heart thus opened, a shrine of divine bounty, should pour out on us streams of mercy and grace, and that what never ceased to burn with love for us, should be a resting-place to the devout, and open as a refuge of salvation to the penitent. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:

COMMUNION
John 19: 34
One of the soldiers with a spear opened His side, and immediately there came out blood and water.

POST COMMUNION - May Thy holy mysteries, O Lord Jesus, impart to us divine fervor: whereby having tasted the sweetness of Thy most loving heart, we may learn to despise earthly things, and to love what is heavenly: Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever.

Sources: Saint Andrew Daily Missal and the Marian Missal , 1945

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Lauds of St. Aloysius Gonzaga

Please join me in praying Lauds this morning in honor of St. Aloysius Gonzaga's whose feastday is today.  St. Aloysius Gonzaga was canonized on December 31, 1726, Rome, Italy by Pope Benedict XIII. His relics are entombed under the altar of Saint Ignatius Church in Rome.

Prayer:

Lauds
V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas. R.  Et osténdit illi regnum Dei.	V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths. R.  And shewed him the kingdom of God.
Ad Bened. Ant:  Euge, serve bone * et fidélis, quia in pauca fuísti fidélis, supra multa te constítuam, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.	Ant. on Bened:  Well done, good and faithful servant: * thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter into the joy of thy Lord.
BENEDICTUS	THE BENEDICTUS
Oremus. Cæléstium donórum distribútor, Deus, qui in angélico júvene Aloísio miram vitæ innocéntiam pari cum pœniténtia sociásti : ejus méritis et précibus concéde ; ut, innocéntem non secúti, pœniténtem imitémur.  Per Dóminum.	Let us pray. O God, the giver of all spiritual gifts, who in the angelic youth of thy blessed Saint Aloysius didst unite a wondrous penitence to a wondrous innocence of life : grant, by his merits and intercession ; that although we have not followed the pattern of his innocence, yet we may imitate the example of his penitence.  Through.

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