Fr. Goffine in "The Church's Year" for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost

See the Mass readings for this Sunday by clicking here.

The Introit of the Mass is a fervent prayer; which may be said in every necessity and adversity:

INTROIT Bow down thine ear, O Lord; to me, and hear me: save thy servant, O my God, that hopeth in thee: have mercy on me, O Lord, for I have cried to thee all the day. Give joy to the soul of thy servant: for to thee, O Lord, I have lifted up my soul. (Ps. 85) Glory, etc.

COLLECT Let Thy continued pity, O Lord, cleanse and defend Thy Church: and because without Thee it cannot abide in safety, govern it ever by Thy gift. Through, etc.

EPISTLE (Gal. 5:25, 26; 6:1-10) Brethren, If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be made desirous of vain-glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, and if a man be overtaken in any fault, you, who are spiritual, instruct such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so you shall fulfil the law of Christ. For if any man think himself to be something, whereas he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let everyone prove his own work, and so he shall have glory in himself only, and not in another. For every one shall bear his own burden. And let him that is instructed in the word, communicate to him that instructeth him, in all good things.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption: but he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting. And in doing good, let us not fail: for in due time we shall reap, not failing. Therefore, whilst we have time, let us work good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

EXPLANATION This epistle is taken, like that of the Sunday before last, from the epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians, in which St. Paul shows them the insufficiency of the Jewish law, and that they can only be saved by a lively faith in Christ, but now he admonishes them to the performance of good works. You now live, he tells them, in the Spirit, that is, the Holy Ghost animates your heart by His grace, enlightens, confirms, and inflames you, admonishes and teaches you, impels your heart to do good; you must, therefore, also regulate your external conduct accordingly, and in particular devote yourself to the practice of humility and charity, as the foundations of a truly spiritual life. Humility must teach and move you to think little of yourself, to avoid vain glory, and not to confide in your own strength.

But charity should impel you to be meek and compassionate to all, even sinners, to correct them charitably, and lead them back to the path of virtue; since he who is harsh to the erring, despises and treats them roughly, is often permitted by God to fall into the same, nay, even into greater sins. Particularly you must show your charity one for another, that one bears the burdens of the other: that you bear the faults and imperfections of others just as patiently as you wish others to bear with your own imperfections; thus you will fulfil the law of Christ, which commands us to love our neighbor; you will prevent many sins which are occasioned by considering yourself perfect, raising yourself above others, criticizing their failings, and causing disturbance. True glory consists in knowing ourselves, our faults and evil inclinations, and in eradicating them.

Be grateful to those who instruct you in the word of God, and give to them willingly of your earthly possessions. What you sow, you shall reap; if you only follow the dictates of the flesh, do not mortify yourself, do not correct your failings, and indulge your sinful appetites, you will one day reap death, destruction and damnation, whereas, on the contrary, if you follow the dictates of the Holy Ghost, you will reap of the Spirit of life.

Let us obey this doctrine, for it is of interest to us, and impress deeply on our heart that without mortification of body and soul we cannot be saved.

ASPIRATION O, St. Paul! beg of God the grace for me, that I may always walk in humility, and the love of my neighbor, particularly in bearing with his imperfections and failings, and thus fulfil the law of Christ in this as in all things.

GOSPEL (Luke 7:11-16) At that time, Jesus went into a city called Naim: and there went with him his disciples, and a great multitude. And when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold a dead man was carried out, the only, son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a great, multitude of the city was with her. Whom when the Lord had seen, being moved with mercy towards her, said to her: Weep not. And he came near, and touched the bier. And they that carried it stood still. And he said: Young man, I say to thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on them all; and they glorified God, saying: A great prophet is risen up amongst us, and God hath visited his people.

Why did Christ show compassion to this widow?

To convince us that God takes sorrowful and destitute widows under His protection; and is to them a consoler and helper; and to teach us to do the same. Woe, therefore, to those who oppress them and cause them to weep. The tears and cries of widows will ascend to God, who will terribly punish the injuries inflicted upon them. (Exod 22:22, 23)

Christ had still other reasons for compassion, for He saw in this deceased youth the death of sinners, and in the afflicted mother the pain which the Church experiences at the spiritual loss of so many of her children. Should this not also awaken our sympathy since it was the principal cause which moved our Savior to compassion. If we are faithful children of our mother, the Church, it is impossible for us not to share her sorrow, and we would surely not be her children, if we could contemplate without sorrow the multitude who daily die the death of sin, and thus separated from the living body of Christ, hasten to eternal destruction. O let us with the Church unceasingly, ask Jesus, that He raise sinners from their spiritual death, enlighten those in error so that all recognize the truth, find, and walk the path Which leads to life !

Why did Christ say to the widow: Weep not?

He wished to moderate her excessive sorrow, and to teach us that we should not mourn for the loss of our relatives, like the heathens who have no hope of resurrection to eternal life. (Thess. 4:16) Resignation to the will of God, with prayer and good works, will be of more use to the dead than many tears.

What else do we learn from this gospel?

That no one, however young and healthy, will escape death, wherefore we should always be prepared to die.

Instruction concerning death

IF there were locked up in prison several hundred persons, on whom sentence of death had irrevocably been pronounced, yet who knew not the day or hour of their execution; if one after the other, and often he who least expected it, were taken out to be executed; would not each one's heart tremble, whenever the prison door opened? Now the irrevocable sentence of death is pronounced on us all; we are all locked up in our bodies, as in a prison; (Ps. 114:8) one after the other is called hence, yet we do not regard it. We live as though we could live forever; we think only of the body, but for the soul nothing is done, except that we load it with sins and vices.

Is this rational? The body will be food for worms, but the soul (without knowing when) will travel into the house of eternity, to which place she must bring treasures of good works, in order to live happy for ever. Who would, therefore, be so foolish as to care only for the body during life, and neglect the salvation of the soul?

O man, says St. Francis of Sales, (Phil. part 1, chap. 13.) represent to yourself in lively colors, that at your death the world will cease to exist with respect to you. In that last hour the pleasures, the vanities, the riches, the honors, the friendships, and all that was dear to you, will disappear before your eyes as so many shadows. O fool that I am! you will then say, for what trifles and fooleries have I lost all! On the contrary, piety, good works, penance, etc., will appear pleasant to you, and you will exclaim: O, why did I not travel on this blessed road! Then the sins which you now consider as mere trifles, will seem to you like mountains, and all that you thought you had accomplished as, great things, with regard to piety, will seem to you very little.

What terrible fear will then seize your soul, when she must travel alone into the bottomless abyss of eternity which, as St. Bernard says, devours all possible, imaginable ages, and of which St. Gregory says, that we can easier say what it is not than what it is. What terrors will befall her, when she must appear before the tribunal of that God whom she never really loved and honored in her life-time and before whom she must now give the strictest account, and hear an irrevocable and just sentence!

Should not these thoughts make an impression upon you? How can you escape this terrible future? By living now, as you would wish to have lived at the hour of death. Die daily with St. Paul by crucifying the flesh and its lusts and by voluntarily withdrawing your heart from the world, its pomps and vanities, before death will do this by violence.

RESOLUTION O world! because I cannot know the hour, in which I must leave you, I will not be attached to you. O you dear friends and relatives, you, too, I will in future love only with a holy inclination, directed to God, which will not cease with death, but remain forever. O Lord! help me, that I may die totally to myself and the world, and live only for Thee, and partake of eternal happiness.

Instruction on the ceremonies used at funerals

"Behold, a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother, and a great multitude of the city was with her." (Luke 7:12)

Of these people who accompanied the funeral of the youth, we should learn to pay the last honors to the dead, and follow their bodies to the grave. This is a meritorious work, one pleasing to God, if it be not performed from vanity and self-interest, but for love of God and the deceased, with the charitable intention of assisting him by prayers. Therefore those do very wrong, who from worldly motives either omit this good work entirely, or during the funeral procession indulge in idle talk and deny the deceased even a short prayer.

Why is a cross carried before the corpse?

By this is indicated that the deceased during life professed Christ, died believing in Him, and hoping for resurrection through Him.

Why are lighted candles carried before the bier?

To represent the desire of the Church that the deceased through the grace of God may be received into eternal light. This custom is very ancient; wax-candles and torches, together with prayer and great solemnity were made use of at the burial of St. Cyprian who was beheaded for Christ's sake, in the year 258 after Christ. (P. Theodorici Ruinart, Acta Martyrum: Acta SS. Firmi et Rustici)

Why are the coffin and the grave sprinkled with holy water?

In order, as St. Thomas of Aquinas (Lib. iii. art. 21.) remarks, to implore God, on account of the prayers which the Church says when she blesses the water, that the souls of the faithful may be cleansed from all stains, and may receive consolation and refreshment in the tortures which they may still have to suffer.

Why are the body and the grave incensed?

By this the Church indicates that the deceased by his Christian vocation was a good odor of Christ (II Cor. 2:14, 15), and admonishes the faithful that their prayers should ascend like incense to heaven for the deceased.

Why are psalms and other sacred canticles sung?

This is done to remind us of the teaching of St. Paul, (I Thess. 4:12) not to be excessively sorrowful for the loss of the deceased, like the heathens who have no hope of eternal life. We also signify, thereby, that we congratulate the dead for the peace which they now enjoy. (Apoc. 14:13) This custom, as St. Jerome shows, (Ep. 53) is derived from the apostles, who interred St. Stephen, singing psalms and hymns of praise.

Why are the bells rung?

To invite the faithful to the funeral and to pray for the dead who, during lifetime, was called very often by the same bells, prayed with and for us during religious worship, and who is not separated from us by death.

Why are the bodies of the faithful buried with the head towards the East, and those of the priests towards the West?

The faithful are buried towards the East, whence the sun rises, to indicate, that they are waiting for Christ who is called the Orient from on High, (Luke 1:78) and whose voice they will hear at the end of the world, when He calls them to the resurrection; the priests towards the West, as a sign that on the day of judgment they will be placed opposite to the souls confided to them, to give an account of their charge and to bear judgment for or against them.

Why is a cross or monument erected aver the grave?
To show that the deceased was a follower of Christ, the Crucified, to admonish the passers-by to pray for him, and to remind us of the solemn moment of death.

Why is the body laid in consecrated ground?

This is done through reverence for the bodies of the dead which are, by baptism, temples of the Holy Ghost; to show that, even in death, they still belong to the communion of that holy Church, in which they were embodied during life by baptism, and to which they clung in faith even until death; to inspire the surviving with a holy fear lest they profane graves.

Why is the solemn funeral service of the Church denied to heretics?

Because they would not belong to the Church during life, and despised the holy customs and prayers of the Church for the dead. How should the blessing and prayer of the Church be useful in death to one who despised them during life.

Why does not the Church permit criminals and suicides to be buried on consecrated ground?

In order to express her horror for the crimes perpetrated by them, and to deter the faithful from committing similar actions.

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Cardinal George Will Be Succeeded by Bishop Blase Cupich

BREAKING NEWS: Cardinal George Replacement Will Be Succeeded by Blase Cupich of the Diocese of Spokane, Washington.

Three pieces of immediate interest to this blog's readers:

1. Back in 2002, Bishop Cupich severely restricted the Latin Mass community in his diocese of Rapid City by locking them out of their Church during the Triduum.  Source: Rapid City Journal

2. Bishop Cupich had in Spokane prohibited priests and others from praying outside of abortion clinics and severely hurt the pro-life cause.  Source: The Orate Fratres

3. He has not celebrated the Traditional Latin Mass.

4. He has destroyed architectural treasures that were financed and built by Catholic immigrants who willingly gave their treasures to the Church - only to have their buildings destroyed in the name of modernism (example: Seminary Chapel of St. Turibius Destroyed by Blase Cupich)

Prayers are very much in order.

While some may praise Bishop Cupich’s appointment, I’m skeptical.  The Catholic Church is not a democracy.  We believe the Church to be God’s instrument on earth, although led by imperfect people.  Committed Catholics like me want a traditional Church to take root in Chicago.  We want the Latin Mass.  We want traditional doctrine.  We want charitable works to help the poor, marginalized, and sinners.  I pray that Bishop Cupich be a force for what is truly good – not another modernist who waters down Catholic Dogma to make friends.

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Pray for the Ordination of Rev. Mr. Jamey Rigi

The USA District Office is happy to announce the forthcoming priestly ordination of Rev. Mr. Jamey Rigi at Immaculate Conception Church in Post Falls, Idaho on September 20th, Ember Saturday. Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais will perform the ordination during the celebration of a solemn Pontifical Mass.

The faithful are cordially invited to attend this important occasion in the life of our priestly society and further details will be announced in the near future. In the meantime, please keep deacon, Mr. Jamey Rigi, in your prayers.

Extending now to 589 priests (and then 590 as of September 20th), the Society of St. Pius X continues to push forth fruit as a living branch of the Roman Catholic Church.

Source: SSPX.org

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September Ember Day Fast Reminder

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.

Be sure to check out the Ember Day Manual if you are unfamiliar with this devotion.

Ember Days this September: September 17, 19, & 20.

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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Devotion to the Sorrowful Mother

This meditation is offered today in honor of the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Richard of St. Victor says: “In martyrs, the intensity of their love mitigated their sufferings, but with Mary it was different; the more she loved, the more she suffered, and the greater was her martyrdom.” To her was wanting that great support which the martyrs enjoyed in their sufferings.

During their torments, they directed their inward gaze toward Our Lord, by whose grace and love they were strengthened and consoled. The flames of the love of Jesus cooled the fires of torture, softened the strokes of the scourges, and blunted the sharpness of the sword. But in her anguish, where could Mary turn her gaze as she stood beneath the Cross? Upon Jesus? Ah, it was precisely the sight of her divine Son that caused her the most intense suffering. Her one consolation at the sufferings of her Son was the knowledge that through His death we would be redeemed.

She offered her Son willingly for our salvation; yes, the sacrifice she made in union with Him was so great that St. Alphonsus says, “Two hung upon one Cross.” St. Thomas wrote that omnipotence itself could not invent a “greater greatness.” It was necessary that Mary’s sorrows should correspond to her holiness, for the sufferings and tribulations of the saints always keep pace with their sanctity.

The picture of Mary filled with sorrow on Calvary teaches us that on earth pain is the twin sister of love.

– “Devotion to the Sorrowful Mother”

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Indulgences for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Note: All is taken from the Raccolta

Chaplet of the Five Wounds

At the prayer of the Congregation of Discalced Clerks of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ here in Rome, in the Retreat of SS. John and Paul, Pope Leo XII, of holy memory, by a decree of the S. Congr. of Indulgences, dated Dec. 20, 1823, granted the following Indulgences to all the faithful who, being contrite of heart, shall say with devotion the Chaplet of the Five Wounds of our Divine Redeemer, Jesus Christ, at the same time meditating upon them.

i. An indulgence of one year, to be gained once a day by saying this chaplet.

ii. A plenary indulgence (besides the above partial Indulgence) three times a year, that is on any one Friday in March, on the Feast of the Invention, and of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, or on any one day in the octave of these feasts, to all who shall have practised the devotion of saying this Chaplet at least ten times each month provided that on the aforesaid day, being truly penitent, having confessed and received the Holy Communion, they shall pray according to the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff. The Sovereign Pontiff Pius IX., by a decree of the S. Congr. of Indulgences, dated August 11, 1851, extended this Plenary Indulgence to the feasts of this Nativity, Circumcision, and Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ, the feasts of His Most Holy Name, Easter Sunday, the Ascension, Corpus Christi, and the Transfiguration, or any one day in the octaves of these feasts, on the same conditions as above.

iii. An indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines to all who shall say this Chaplet from Passion Sunday to holy Saturday inclusive; and the plenary indulgence, when they fulfil the Paschal precept. The condition of gaining all these Indulgences is, that the Chaplet used should be blessed by the most reverend the Father-General of the said Congregation, or by some other priest of the Congregation to whom the General has communicated the faculty received by him in virtue of the above-named decree; after they have been blessed, they cannot be sold or lent, or given away to others, &c., for the purpose of communicating to them the Indulgences, according to the general decrees of the S. Congr. of Indulgences, dated Feb. 6, 1657, June 5, 1721, and Feb. 9, 1820.

This chaplet consists of five sets, of five beads each; and at each one of these beads, in memory of the Five Wounds of Jesus Christ, one Gloria Patri is to be said; and at the end of each set of five, one Ave Maria is added in devotion to our Lady's sorrows.

Prayers to the Five Holy Wounds

Pope Pius VII., by a Rescript of time S. Congr. of Indulgences, dated Sept. 29, 1807, granted -

i. The indulgence of 100 days, daily, to all the faithful who shall devoutly recite the following prayers to the Five Sacred Wounds of Jesus Christ.

ii. The plenary indulgence, besides the above partial Indulgence, twice a year, - that is, on the two feasts, first, that of the Invention (May 3), and, secondly, that of the Exaltation, of the holy Cross (Sept. 14), - to all who shall say these prayers at least ten times a month, if, after having Confessed and Communicated on the above-named feast, they shall visit a church, and pray there according to the mind of the Sovereign Pontiff.

iii. The indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines, daily, to those who say these prayers from Passion Sunday to Holy Saturday, inclusive. Plenary on Easter Day, if, after Confession and Communion on that day, they should visit and pray as aforesaid.

THE PRAYERS.

Act of Contrition.

As I kneel before Thee on the cross, most loving Saviour of my soul, my conscience reproaches me with having nailed Thee to that cross with these hands of mine, as often as I have fallen into mortal sin, wearying Thee with my monstrous ingratitude.  My God, my chief and most perfect Good, worthy of all my love, for the many blessings Thou hast ever bestowed upon me; I cannot now undo my misdeeds as I would most willingly; but I will loathe them, grieving greatly for having offended Thee who art Infinite Goodness!  And now, kneeling at Thy feet, I will try at least to compassionate Thee, to give Thee thanks, to ask of Thee pardon and contrition; wherefore with heart and lips I say:

To the first Wound, of the Left Foot.

Holy wound of the Left Foot of my Jesus!  I adore Thee, I compassionate Thee for the most bitter pain which Thou didst suffer.  I thank Thee for the love whereby Thou wast wearied in overtaking me on the way to ruin, and didst bleed amid the thorns and brambles of my sins.  I offer to the Eternal Father the pain and love of Thy most holy humanity, in atonement for my sins, all which I detest with sincere and bitter contrition.

Pater noster. Ave Maria. Gloria Patri.

Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.

To the Second Wound, of the Right Foot.

Holy wound of the Right Foot of my Jesus!  I adore Thee, I compassionate Thee for the bitter pain which Thou didst suffer.  I thank Thee for that love which pierced Thee with such torture and shedding of blood in order to punish my wanderings and the guilty pleasures I have granted to my unbridled passions.  I offer the Eternal Father all the pain and love of Thy most holy humanity, and I pray unto Thee for grace to weep over my transgressions with burning tears, and to enable me to persevere in the good which I have begun, without ever swerving again from my obedience to the commandments of my God.

Pater noster. Ave Maria. Gloria Patri.

Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.


To the Third Wound, of the Left hand.

Holy wound of the Left Hand of my Jesus!  I adore Thee, I compassionate Thee for the bitter pain which Thou didst suffer.  I thank Thee for having, in Thy love, spared me the scourges and eternal damnation which my sins had merited.  I offer to the Eternal Father the pain and love of Thy most holy humanity, and I pray Thee to teach me how to turn to good account my span of life, and bring forth in it worthy fruits of penance, and so disarm the justice of God, which I have provoked.

Pater noster. Ave Maria. Gloria Patri.

Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.

To the Fourth Wound, of the Right Hand.

Holy wound of the Right Hand of my Jesus!  I adore Thee, I compassionate Thee for the bitter pain which Thou didst suffer.  I thank Thee for Thy graces lavished on me with such love, in spite of all my most perverse obstinacy.  I offer to the Eternal Father all the pain and love of Thy most holy humanity, and I pray Thee to change my heart and its affections, and make me do all my actions in accordance with the will of God.

Pater noster. Ave Maria. Gloria Patri.

Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.

To the Fifth Wound, of the Sacred Side.

Holy wound in the side of my Jesus!  I adore Thee, I compassionate Thee for the cruel insult Thou didst suffer.  I thank Thee, my Jesus, for the love which suffered Thy side and heart to be pierced, that so the last drops of blood and water might issue forth, making my redemption to abound.  I offer to the Eternal Father this outrage, and the love of Thy most holy Humanity, that my soul may enter once for all into that most loving Heart, eager and ready to receive the greatest sinners, and never more depart.

Pater noster. Ave Maria. Gloria Patri.

Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.

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7th Anniversary of Summorum Pontificum

Today the Church observes the anniversary of the implementation of Summorum Pontificum, the long-awaited motu proprio of Pope Benedict XVI replacing all former "indults" and freeing the Mass of All Times, the Traditional Latin Mass. No longer would a priest have to ask permission of his bishop to say the Mass as the Mass is to be readily offered and available to all of the Faithful.

The Saintly Example of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre

It is at this time that I wish to especially remember Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who resisted the Second Vatican Council's false propositions of ecumenism, religious liberty, and the altering of the Mass of All Times. It is through his witness and the formation of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X (SSPX) that the Mass of All Times has spread. And, I will venture to say that without Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre's role, the Traditional Latin Mass would have been at last forgotten and no organized resistance to the change would have existed.

Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre

It is Archbishop Lefebvre who has been slandered in recent years. The cause of canonization of his saintly mother has long been forgotten. Instead, in the words of Bishop Bernard Fellay during a sermon in Paris following Archbishop Lefebvre's death said, "Archbishop Lefebvre has gone, but the Mass is saved, the Catholic priesthood is saved..." Because of his resistance to all of changes affecting all of the Sacraments, the Society of St. Pius X is largely responsible for Pope Benedict XVI's issuance of the motu proprio and then the clear declaration that the Bishops of the Society of St. Pius X consecrated by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre are not excommunicated.

In the words of Father Franz Schmidberger at the Requiem Mass of Archbishop Lefebvre, "The work of the Archbishop on this earth is accomplished. Now begins his ministry as intercessor in eternity. He has given everything he could give...the miracle of a new generation of priests."

Archbishop Lefebvre only wished to teach that which he himself was taught in seminary. He wished to hand on the Catholic faith as taught and celebrated for the past centuries. And his resistance has directly led to the establishment of the Ecclesia Dei Commission and the motu proprio, Summorum Pontificum. I highly encourage the reading of Apologia Pro Marcel by Michael Davies as well as Open Letter to Confused Catholics and The Mass of All Times.

Mortal Remains of Archbishop Lefebvre

"I will finish with my testament. I would like that it be an echo of the testament of Our Lord: a New and Eternal Testament...the heritage that Jesus Christ gave us, His Sacrifice, His Blood, His Cross. I will say the same for you: for the glory of the Holy Trinity, for love of the Church, for the salvation of the world: keep the Holy Sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus Christ! Keep the Mass forever!" (Archbishop Lefebvre, 23rd September 1979)

"Amen, amen I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice; and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy" (John 16:20)

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50% off My Ebook: How to Create a Catholic Blog, 2nd Edition

The 2nd Edition of my Ebook has been released! To celebrate, I'm offering it for 50% off for a limited time only.

Here is what a few Catholic writers and/or bloggers have said:

“Love it or hate it, the internet is a powerful tool which, in the rights hands, can be employed for the glory of God. I cannot but help think that having just launched myself into the blogosphere, the fact that a copy of ‘How to Create a Catholic Blog’ landed in my inbox was nothing but providential. This is a clearly written and highly informative ‘beginner’s guide’ to everything one needs to know, not just about creating a blog but how to make a successful and engaging blog. Matthew provides a wealth of information on maintaining it, marketing it, and even on how to make money on it. In 50 pages, he takes us by the hand and leads us through the desperately daunting digital world of the blog, makes sense of it and turns us into experts. The author patiently explains the meaning of such mysterious terms as RSS and Atom, which it seems, are not names of space shuttles, but two different types of web feeds. Matthew is both extremely knowledgeable and generous in the information which he has shared with us. This, I think, will be an invaluable source to anyone who has aspirations to join the fast growing network of Catholic bloggers.”

Dr. Bella D’Abrera, Catholic Author and Historian

“Matthew walks us through very practical tips to successful blogging and creating a blog "from the ground up". The content is shared in a won't-make-you-fall-asleep format and with plenty of personality. Perhaps one of my favorite aspects of the book is the fact I know Matthew to be an avid blogger with multiple sites to his credit. Therefore, the tips that he shares all come from personal experiences and not from third party research. This ebook was a great help to me in helping me understand what it takes to create a successful blog and all of the behind the scenes work involved in blogging. I love that it is geared for the Catholic Blogger, so he gives you all of the tools and tips for blogging in general as well as creating a Catholic atmosphere to your blog. If you are thinking about blogging or have a blog that might need tweaking, this is the book for you!”

Erika Drain, President - Catholic Bloggers Network 

“From the first page Matthew informs and encourages potential bloggers…I highly recommend this book for evangelizing, and even as a possible mechanism for adding a bit of income where it might be needed. ‘Creating a Catholic Blog’ will be an interesting and effective book for anyone who wishes to blog or wants to improve their blogging skills.”

John Bowden, Administrator – St. Blog’s Directory

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Growth of the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of El Paso

I received this following email update and wish to pass it along.  Praying for this group is a good intention:

 After 1045 days of consecutive prayers, including many rosaries, novenas, penances, sacrifices, letters, tears and petitions to numerous ecclesial authorities (up to and including the Apostolic Signatura), the Diocese of El Paso finally established a Traditional Latin Mass parish in the City of El Paso. The previous bishop had abruptly destroyed our parish life back on September 20, 2011 when he transferred Fr. Michael Rodriguez to the furthest extremity of the diocese, about 250 miles away. On 1 Aug 2014 our current bishop entrusted Immaculate Conception parish downtown to the the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. This is one of the oldest parishes in the city and for a time actually served as the 'cathedral' before St. Patrick was built. It still has its original high altar and a communion rail. It is quite a beautiful with a choir loft, saint statues, and one row of stained glass windows. It seats approximately 275 people. If you wish to see what the Church looks like, you can actually watch the video of a Solemn High Nuptial Mass which Fr. Rodriguez offered there back in Dec 2013 (Video Link Here). The FSSP has since sent two priests, Fr. John Shannon and Fr. Kevin O'Neill, who are offering the TLM daily (twice on most days). The parish is still in its very initial stages of growth. The parish still lacks a lot of the basic liturgical resources to carry out normal parish life (e.g. vestments, monstrance, thurible, processional candles, crucifix, etc...), but over the weeks and months to come this place will surely flourish (with many prayers and sacrifices of course). Nevertheless, the 10AM Sunday Mass has been quite full the past three Sundays, even standing room only on the first Sunday Mass. The priests then added a second to take on some of the overflow.

To my knowledge, Immaculate Conception is the only such diocesan parish in a very large geographical area: from Phoenix to the West, to Albuquerque in the North, and Dallas in the East. On the Feast of the Assumption, I told myself: "Wow, today there will be five Traditional Latin Masses in the City of El Paso, and six within the geographical area of the El Paso Diocese." Then I thought to myself, when is the last time that has happened? Well, I certainly don't know the answer for certain, but I am quite sure that it has never before happened in my lifetime. Thinking in those terms helped me reflect upon how much has been granted by God through many prayers and sacrifices towards the restoration of our Faith. And I was so very grateful to God for it all. I certainly consider this a miracle only possible through great supernatural aid. So I once again profoundly thank all of you who have helped in this effort. Of course, there is still so much work to be done in this recovery and restoration of our Faith in this Diocese and all over the world!

UPDATE REGARDING FR. RODRIGUEZ

Back on 20 Sept 2011, Fr. Rodríguez was assigned as parochial vicar of Santa Teresa in Presidio (El Paso Diocese). This parish also serves three outlying missions: Shafter, Candelaria, and Redford. Sadly, in May 2013, the pastor (administrator) of Santa Teresa announced to his parishioners that he was leaving the priesthood. This left Fr. Rodríguez as the only priest in the area, the closest being about 90 miles away in Alpine, TX. As of 11 July 2014, the bishop assigned another priest as pastor of Santa Teresa and gave Fr. Rodríguez the assignment of Administrator for Sacred Heart Mission in Shafter. Shafter is a "ghost town." It had actually thrived earlier this century when the largest silver mine in Texas was discovered and the town was built to serve the mine. The mine was shut down in 1942 though and now the town has a population of maybe 40 souls. There is no stop sign in the town, no gas station or store of any kind, or any public government building. The Church and cemetery are by far the most notable sites, and there are some old Spanish explorers buried there from the 1600s. Perhaps the most notable historical fact about Shafter is that Venerable Maria de Agreda, a Spanish Conceptionist cloistered nun living in the 17th century, bi-located there and preached the Catholic Faith to the natives before the Spanish missionaries arrived.

Fr. Rodríguez continues to exercise his priestly ministry there and offers the Traditional Latin Mass daily. The nature and circumstances of this mission have thrust him into a quasi-hermetic life, but he enjoys it very much and is very grateful to God and our Blessed Lady for all the graces he has received there over the past three years. He has had more time to study, pray and do penance. Nevertheless, he still finds himself in a difficult situation, since it seems unlikely to me that the bishop will leave him there in that situation for long. In my opinion, the primary source of tension is Father Rodríguez's efforts and commitment to remain fully faithful to our Catholic Tradition in liturgy, doctrine, morals, preaching, and all other aspects of Catholic life. Moreover, the lawsuit filed against him by the previous bishop (very unjustly, even deceitfully, in my view) remains unresolved. Thus, please do keep him very much in your prayers. 

NOVENA UPDATE

Once Immaculate Conception was established as a traditional parish, our continuous novena was concluded (Jul 31) and we also brought to end our praying of the Rosary outside the diocesan chancery (we had done that 3 times a week for the past 1045 days). However, many of the faithful have expressed the desire to continue praying novenas, as this is a very good spiritual practice to develop as a habit. Acknowledging the need for greater flexibility in schedules and prayers, I will only suggest two novenas a month. As part of the spiritual efforts of the St Vincent Ferrer apostolate, we do encourage every one to pray the monthly novena to St. Vincent Ferrer. (The start of the month seems an appropriate enough time to do so, days 1-9 of the month, although any other time is also viable). Please pray it for your particular intentions as well as for the recovery and restoration of the Faith in your diocese and all over the world (as this is the purpose and goal of the St Vincent Ferrer Foundation). 


In the following nine day gap, those who wish to pray another novena on their own may do so easily in that time frame. We have many novenas at our website that you can choose from (http://svfonline.org/archived-novenas/) or from any other good traditional Catholic source.

Each month I will then only suggest one  novena with a particular intention (usually from the 19th through the 27th of the month). Please feel free to add your own intentions as you pray these novenas. These will also be found at the St. Vincent Ferrer website under the main tab PRAYER, and then CURRENT NOVENA.  For this month, I am suggesting a Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help beginning tomorrow (Aug 23-Aug 31).

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Book Review: Peter and the Foreverland

Imagine if Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, and the rest of your favorite characters from the Peter Pan stories were actually actors in an apocalyptic end-of-time saga between God and Satan. Sound interesting? Well, that’s exactly what Jack Sky has done with this first installment of his youth series, Adventures in Peter Pan’s Foreverland - Pirates of the Apocalypse.

You’ll recognize some familiar faces from Catholic history in this fantasy story for children and teens. Peter Pan—actually Saint Peter the Apostle—is aided by a band of angel-fairies, including Prince Michael the Archangel and Tinker Bell, along with a cast of saints in alter egos that you will discover along the journey of this end-times fairy tale.

Three children—Anastasia, Stephen, and Alex—are recruited by Peter to assist in the ongoing battle against Captain Hook (a.k.a., Captain James) and his pirates. Only things are not what they seem to be. Even the pirates don’t realize the true identity of their Captain—the “evil one,” himself.

The story opens with Captain Hook and his band of pirates traveling on the Jolly Roger pirate ship from the “Mainland” to Foreverland Island, the home of Peter Pan. The ship is filled with precious treasure captured from the Mainland, where people no longer believe in the “evil one” and the Captain can apparently capture unwitting souls at will. Captain Hook thinks he can sail right into the heart of Foreverland and take the island from Peter. He has become bold indeed!

But as the story unfolds, it is clear the Captain has more than met his match with Peter, the angels, and their three latest children-recruits. The Captain believes he can kill Peter and secretly bury the pirate treasure in the heart of Foreverland. But his plans are easily defeated by Peter and his friends. Yet, as the novel ends, it is clear this is only the opening salvo in a greater war between God and Satan at the end of time.

Adventures in Peter Pan’s Foreverland is told with a whimsical lightness that younger children will certainly enjoy. It is an interesting read, filled with several humorous scenes. Jack Sky’s clever use of alter egos adds a bit of anticipation as the reader meets several figures from Church history that are sure to please.

Adventures in Peter Pan’s Foreverland - Pirates of the Apocalypse is sure to please young readers, who will easily spot a fun story wherein there is no doubt the good guys will win the day.

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Traditional Mass Propers: 13th Sunday After Pentecost

INTROIT
Ps. 73:20, 19, 23 Advert to Your covenant, O Lord, and forget not forever the lives of the poor. Arise, O Lord, defend Your own cause; and be not unmindful of the cries of those who seek You. Ps. 73:1. O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why is Your anger blazing up against the sheep of Your pasture? V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT - Almighty and Eternal God, deepen our faith, our hope and our charity, so that we may attain what You have promised and love what You have commanded. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE
Gal. 3:16-22
Brethren: To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not: And to his seeds as of many. But as of one: And to thy seed, which is Christ. Now this I say: that the testament which was confirmed by God, the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years doth not disannul, to make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise. Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom he made the promise, being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not of one: but God is one. Was the law then against the promises of God: God forbid! For if there had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise, by the faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe.

GRADUAL
Advert to Your covenant, O Lord, and forget not forever the lives of the poor. V. Arise, O Lord, and defend Your own cause; remember the abuse hurled against Your servants.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 89:1 O Lord, You have been our refuge through all generations. Alleluia!

GOSPEL
Luke 17:11-19
At that time, as Jesus was going to Jerusalem, he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain town, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off. And lifted up their voice, saying: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." Whom when he saw, he said: "Go, shew yourselves to the priests." And it came to pass, as they went, they were made clean. And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice glorifying God. And he fell on his face before his feet, giving thanks. And this was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering, said: "Were not ten made clean? And where are the nine? There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger?" And he said to him: "Arise, go thy way; for thy faith hath made thee whole."

OFFERTORY
Ps. 30:15-16
I have hoped in You, O Lord. I have said, "You are my God; my life is in Your hands."

SECRET O Lord, look with favor upon Your people and their gifts. Let this offering move You to compassion and grant forgiveness for our sins and a speedy answer to our prayers. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION
Sap. 16:20
You have given us Bread from Heaven, o Lord, all delicate and sweet to taste. th.


POST COMMUNION - O Lord, may the reception of Your Sacrament bring us ever nearer to our eternal redemption. Through our Lord . . .

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

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September's First Friday Devotion

Today is the First Friday of September. Because today is the first Friday of the Month, many Catholic parishes will have special Masses today for the First Friday Devotion.

"With foresight, the divine heart of Christ merited and ordered all the favors which we have received, disposing them for each of us in particular. How our hearts would be inflamed with love for so many favors! Consider that they were destined for us by the will of the Father, to be borne in the heart of the Savior, Who earned them for us by His sufferings, above all by His passion." - St. Francis de Sales

Beginning on December 27, 1673, through 1675, Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque asking her to receive Him in Holy Communion on the first Friday of every month and to meditate on His passion from 11:00 PM to 12:00 midnight each Thursday. He also revealed to her twelve promises for all who are devoted to His Sacred Heart; he asked for a Feast of the Sacred Heart to be instituted in the liturgical calendar of the Church. Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque with twelve promises for those devoted to His Most Sacred Heart.

Promises for those devoted to the Sacred Heart:

1. "I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life."
2. "I will establish peace in their homes."
3. "I will comfort them in their afflictions."
4. "I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all in death."
5. "I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings."
6. "Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy."
7. "Tepid souls shall grow fervent."
8. "Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection."
9. "I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored."
10. "I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts."
11. "Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out."
12. "I promise thee in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving the Sacraments; My Divine heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment."

Prayer of Reparation:


O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore thee profoundly. I offer thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of thee the conversion of poor sinners.

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St. Laurence Justinian

Semidouble (1954 Calendar): September 5

Today is the Feast of St. Lawrence Justinian (1381 - 1456), the first Patriarch of Venice. 

Traditional Matins Reading:

Laurence was born at Venice of the illustrious family of the Justiniani, and while still a child was remarkable for the seriousness of his character. He spent his youth in exercises of piety, and then being attracted by divine Wisdom to the chaste espousals of the Word and the soul, he began to think of embracing a religious state. As a prelude to this new warfare, he secretly undertook many bodily austerities, such as sleeping upon bare boards. Sitting, as it were, as judge, he placed the pleasures of the world and the marriage prepared for him by his mother on the one hand, and on the other the austerities of the cloister; then casting his eyes on an image of Christ crucified, he said: ‘Thou, O Lord, art my hope: there thou hast placed thy most secure refuge,’ and he betook himself to the congregation of Canons of St. George in Alga. Here he invented fresh torments, and waged war with even more vehemence than before, against himself, as if against his greatest enemy. So far from allowing himself the least gratification, he would never set foot in the garden belonging to his family nor in his paternal home, except when without a tear he performed the last offices of piety towards his dying mother. He was equally zealous in the practice of obedience, meekness, and especially of humility. He would choose of his own accord the humblest duties of the monastery, and begged his bread in the most crowded parts of the town, seeking rather mockery than alms. He bore insults and calumnies unmoved and in silence. His great support was assiduous prayer, wherein he was often rapt in God in ecstasy. The love of God burnt so brightly in his heart that it kindled a like ardour in the hearts of his companions and encouraged them to perseverance.

Eugenius IV appointed him bishop of his native city. He made great efforts to decline the dignity, but when obliged to accept it, he so discharged its obligations as to win the praise of all. He changed nothing of his former manner of life, practising holy poverty, as he bad ever done, in what regarded his table, his bed, and his furniture. He kept but few persons in his house or service, for he used to say that he had another large family, meaning Christ’s poor. Every one had free access to him at any hour; he helped and consoled all with fatherly charity, even burdening himself with debts in order to relieve the necessitous. When he was asked on whose help he counted in such cases, he answered: ‘On my Lord’s help, and he can easily pay for me.’ And divine Providence always justified his confidence by sending him help in the most unexpected manner. He built many monasteries for nuns, whom he trained with great vigilance to the life of perfection. He devoted himself zealously to withdrawing the ladies of Venice from worldly pomp and vanity of dress, and to the reformation of ecclesiastical discipline and Christian morals. Thus he truly deserved the title of 'honour and glory of prelates,’ which Eugenius IV. applied to him in presence of the cardinals. Nicholas V, the next Pope, translated the Patriarchate from the See of Grado to that of Venice, and proclaimed him first Patriarch.

He was honoured with the gift of tears, and daily offered to almighty God the Victim of propitiation. Once when saying Mass on the night of our Lord’s Nativity he saw Christ Jesus under the form of a most beautiful Infant. Great was his care for the flock entrusted to him; and on one occasion it was revealed by heaven that Venice owed its safety to its pontiff’s prayers and merits. Filled with the Spirit of prophecy, he foretold many events which no human mind could have foreseen; while his prayers often put the devils to flight and healed diseases. Though he had made but little study of letters, he wrote books full of heavenly doctrine and piety. When his last illness came on, his servants prepared a more comfortable bed for him on account of his sickness and old age; but he, shrinking from such a luxury which was too unlike his Lord’s hard death-bed, the cross, bade them lay him on his usual couch. Knowing the end of his life had come, he raised his eyes to heaven, and saying ‘I come to thee, O good Jesus!’ he fell asleep in the Lord on the eighth of January. The holiness of his death was attested by angelic harmonies heard by several Carthusian monks; as also by the state of his body, which during the two months that it lay unburied, remained whole and incorrupt, of a lively colour and breathing a sweet fragrance. Other miracles, worked after his death, also gave proof of his sanctity; on which account, Pope Alexander VIII enrolled him among the saints. Innocent XII assigned for his feast the fifth of September, on which day the holy man had been raised to the pontifical dignity.

Collect: 

O Almighty God, grant that our solemn celebration of the feast of Your confessor bishop Lawrence Justinian may increase our devotion and bring us closer to our salvation. Through our Lord...

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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Feast of Pope St. Pius X

Today is the Feast of His Holiness Pope St. Pius X. This truly exemplary Pontiff is the well chosen patron of the Society of St. Pius X.  May he intercede from heaven in the fight against the modernist heresy.

Visit my prior post dedicated to this champion defender against modernism and pray in a special way for his intercession.  Also read my post on his funeral.

O God, Who to safeguard Catholic faith and to restore all things in Christ, didst fill the Supreme Pontiff, Saint Pius, with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fortitude: grant in Thy mercy: that by striving to fulfill his ordinances and to follow his example, we may reap eternal rewards. Through the same our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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New Website: Catholic365.com

The following story comes to me of this new website.  I did see some articles on the topic of the Traditional Latin Mass - at least from the perspective of someone familiar with the FSSP.  This might be a website to watch

We've launched Catholic365.com and need your help to spread the word.

Catholic365.com is a Catholic focused article and information portal by Catholic writers and bloggers who write about things Catholics are interested in, from a perspective consistent with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. We are striving to spread the word and the Catholic faith by highlighting both the articles and the writers through internet and social marketing campaigns.

We would ask that you take a look at http://www.Catholic365.com and announce the site to your readers and share it with your social media connections. If you see an article that your readers or friends would particularly enjoy, please share that with them too.

We are also looking for more contributing writers. If you, or someone you know, are interested in being a contributing writer, and write articles consistent with the teachings of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, we would love to discuss including your writings on this new site.

If you have any questions or need any additional information just let me know.

Thanks
Joe
Catholic365.com

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