The Passion of the Whole Christ

~by St. Augustine

Lord, I have cried to you, hear me. This is a prayer we can all say. This is not my prayer, but that of the whole Christ. Rather, it is said in the name of his body. When Christ was on earth he prayed in his human nature, and prayed to the Father in the name of his body, and when he prayed drops of blood flowed from his whole body. So it is written in the Gospel: Jesus prayed with earnest prayer, and sweated blood. What is this blood streaming from his whole body but the martyrdom of the whole Church?

Lord, I have cried to you, hear me; listen to the sound of my prayer, when I call upon you. Did you imagine that crying was over when you said: I have cried to you? You have cried out, but do not as yet feel free from care. If anguish is at an end, crying is at an end; but if the Church, the body of Christ, must suffer anguish until the end of time, it must not say only: I have cried to you, hear me; it must also say: Listen to the sound of my prayer, when I call upon you. Let my prayer rise like incense in your sight; let the raising of my hands be an evening sacrifice.

This is generally understood of Christ, the head, as every Christian acknowledges. When day was fading into evening, the Lord laid down his life on the cross, to take it up again; he did not lose his life against his will. Here, too, we are symbolised. What part of him hung on the cross if not the part he had received from us? How could God the Father ever cast off and abandon his only Son, who is indeed one God with him? Yet Christ, nailing our weakness to the cross (where, as the Apostle says: Our old nature was nailed to the cross with him), cried out with the very voice of humanity: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

The evening sacrifice is then the passion of the Lord, the cross of the Lord, the oblation of the victim that brings salvation, the holocaust acceptable to God. In his resurrection he made this evening sacrifice a morning sacrifice. Prayer offered in holiness from a faithful heart rises like incense from a holy altar. Nothing is more fragrant than the fragrance of the Lord. May all who believe share in this fragrance.

Therefore, our old nature in the words of the Apostle, was nailed to the cross with him, in order, as he says, to destroy our sinful body, so that we may be slaves to sin no longer.

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Changes in Bishops: Provost & Farrell

Today Pope Benedict XVI formally appointed Monsignor Glen Provost to be the third bishop of the Diocese Lake Charles, Louisiana. Since June 2005, the Diocese of Lake Charles has been without a bishop when Bishop Edward K. Braxton became bishop of Belleville, Illinois. Provost has lead Our Lady of Fatima parish in Lafayette since 1998. Photos of Provost are available at the source for this story. (Source)

In addition, Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop Charles Grahmann of the Diocese of Dallas. In July, he offered his resignation upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75. Pope Benedict XVI has named Bishop Kevin Farrell to succeed Grahmann as Bishop of Dallas. Bishop Farrell has served as auxiliary bishop in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. since 2002. (Source)

I am not familiar with either of these bishops. If you are from either of these dioceses, I especially welcome your opinions and comments.

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Stational Church: Tuesday in the Second Week of Lent

Today's Stational Church is the Church of St. Balbina.  For information on this devotion, see the Stational Churches of Lent Homepage. I will post on each Stational Church for Lent. Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

The Station today is at the sanctuary of St. Balbina—a Roman virgin, who lived in the second century and whose remains, along with those of her father, the martyr St. Quirinus, lies under the altar. This church stands on a slope of the Aventine Hill.

St. Balbina followed Christ. To Him she gave her home that it might henceforth be His home where He would "have mercy on His people according to His great mercy and blot out their iniquity" and where they would seek His face, and finding it, "relate all His wonders, and be glad and rejoice and sing praise to the name of the Most High." I seek Your face! Your face, O Lord, will I still seek. Turn not away Your face from me.

Let us pray: Of Thy goodness, we beseech Thee, O Lord. Continue to help us in the observance of this holy fast, that having learned our duties from Thee, we may accomplish them by the help of Thy grace. Through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.

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Words of Inspiration: March 6

"Even if you lacked mortal sins, to go often to Confession would be beneficial counsel. To those who are sorry for what they have done and confess, our kind and generous God not only grants the forgiveness of sins that they need, but even adds more grace" (St. Thomas of Villanova).

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Stational Church: Monday in the Second Week of Lent

Today's Stational Church is the Church of St. Clement. For information on this devotion, see the Stational Churches of Lent Homepage. I will post on each Stational Church for Lent. Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

This stational church is built above the very house of the third successor of St. Peter, whose name is found in the Roman Canon — St. Clement. This parish church of Rome established in the fifth century is a most faithful example of the old Roman basilicas. Under the high altar are the remains of the martyr, Ignatius of Antioch, as well as, St. Clement.

Sts. Clement and Ignatius are true heroes, as their martyr-blood became the "seed of Christians." Clement and Ignatius—kindness and fire—symbols of Him, who is kindness to men of good will, though their sins be red as scarlet; kindness and forgiveness to all, who in the spirit of Daniel, turn to Him and pray: "We have sinned, we have committed iniquity, O Lord, against all Thy justice. Let Thy wrath and Thy indignation be turned away, I beseech Thee, from Thy city Jerusalem and from Thy holy mountain … for it is not for our justification that we present our prayers before Thy face, but for the multitude of Thy tender mercies."With St. Clement we will offer "the Sacrifice of propitiation and praise. May it render us worthy of God's protection."

Let us pray: Grant we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that Thy family, while afflicting the flesh by fasting from food, may follow justice and abstain from sin. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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Stational Church: Second Sunday of Lent

Today's Stational Church is the Church of St. Mary in Dominica. For information on this devotion, see the Stational Churches of Lent Homepage. I will post on each Stational Church for Lent. Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

In the Piazza della Navicella (which gets its name from the fountain built around the marble model of a ship) is the Church of St. Mary in Dominica—an ancient church founded around the year 600.

The purpose of this Holy Season is to transfigure us. The transfiguration of Christ, the Head, is the beginning and source of the transfiguration of His Body, the Church, and of every member of the Church.

The stational protectress today is our glorious Mother herself—Sancta Maria in Dominica—the grandest "transfiguration" accomplished by Christ, the Savior. To her maternal love and prayers we commend ourselves and so keep this second Sunday of Lent that we may merit to hear also from her lips: "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."

Let us pray: O God, who sees that we have no power whatever from ourselves, keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities, which may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts, which may hurt the soul. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Dom Gueranger writes of this stational Church:

The Station at Rome is in the church of St. Mary in Dominica, on Monte Celio. Tradition tells us that in this basilica was the diaconicum of which St. Laurence had charge, and from which he distributed to the poor the alms of the Church.

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Living Lent: The Second Sunday by Cardinal Rigali

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The Lost Tomb of Jesus?

I did not want to add any additional publicity to this blasphemy, but in light of recent news and in hopes that this post will help combat this new heresy, I have decided to write on the program that will air tomorrow on the Discovery Channel. This program is called the "Lost Tomb of Jesus".

The blasphemous "Lost Tomb of Jesus" is a documentary produced by James Cameron, director of the motion-picture Titanic and others. This documentary claims that archaeologists have found the bones of the family of Jesus including Jesus, Mother Mary, Mary Magdalen (again falsely claimed to be his wife), and a child who they claimed was Jesus's son! All of this is blasphemy against all the Catholic Church has represented for over 2000 years! Also, note that the tomb is not a new discovery - it was discovered 30 years ago in Jerusalem.

The problem is that people will never find the remains of Jesus, Mary, or Jesus's son. First, Jesus never had a son! Secondly, Mary and Jesus are now in Heaven body and soul. Our Lord ascended into Heaven forty days after His Resurrection. Mary was assumed body and soul into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. The doctrines of the Ascension and Assumption have been cornerstones of Christian belief since the time of the Apostles!

An inscription at the tomb is claimed to read in Aramaic: "Jesus the son of Joseph". However, experts including Richard Bauckham, David Mavorah and Amos Kloner have responded by asserting the name of Jesus was common in archaeological inscriptions. Kloner, professor of archaeology at Bar-Ilan University in Israel who wrote the original excavation report on the site, has said, "I published all the details in...1996, and I didn't say it was the tomb of Jesus' family." Even some secular scholars are not backing the ridiculous claims of the documentary.

A very extensive rebuttal of this heresy is available at Extreme Theology. Secondly, I am not going to waste my time and watch this program. I have written The Discovery Channel and complained about this program. I ask others to do likewise.

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Bishop Cordileone Celebrates Tridentine Mass

This photo from the blog, "The Inspired Traditionalist", is of Bishop Salvatore Cordileone of the Diocese of San Diego, California celebrating a Tridentine Mass on Februrary 25, 2007, at St Mary's Church in Stamford, Ct.

For more photos see the Inspired Traditionalist at the original and second post. For those photos and more as well as explanations of the Mass, see The New Liturgical Movement.

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Words of Inspiration: March 3

"We must avoid any exercise that has a hint of greatness and show, because there we often find pride, all the more dangerous when it is covered up and secret. On the contrary, works that are considered by people to be vile and low and of little value and dignity, are highly valued and are of great merit in the sight of God" (St Mary Magdalene de Pazzi).

"The patient and humble endurance of the cross whatever nature it may be is the highest work we have to do" (St Katharine Drexel).

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Stational Church: Saturday in the First Week of Lent

Image Source: St. Peter's Basilica in March 2016 (c) A Catholic Life Blog

Today's Stational Church is at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.  For information on this devotion, see the Stational Churches of Lent Homepage. I will post on each Stational Church for Lent. Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

In the past, people used to prepare with prayer and fasting throughout the night before coming to this Station, which takes place in the major church of Christendom, at the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles.

It was at this Station that the Pope consecrated priests, joining to the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist that of the Ordination of Priests. The monumentality of the Basilica and the columned square, which embraces the vast crowds like immense arms, is only a framework to the great light, which from here radiates to all the world.

St. Peter, rock of the Church, bearer of the keys of God's Kingdom, great priest of Jesus Christ, holy shepherd of His flock, bless those who are called to be fishers of men.

Let us pray: Direct our actions, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by Thy inspiration and further them with Thy continual help; that every prayer of ours may begin always from Thee and through Thee likewise be ended. Through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.

Dom Gueranger remarks on this day's Stational Mass:

The Station is in the basilica of Saint Peter on the Vatican, where the people were wont to assemble towards evening, that they might be present at the Ordination of the priests and sacred ministers. This day was called Twelve-Lesson-Saturday, because, formerly, twelve passages from the holy Scriptures were read, as upon Holy Saturday. The Mass, during which the Ordinations were given, was celebrated during the night; so that by the time it was over, the Sunday had begun. Later on, the Ordination Mass was said early on the Saturday, as we now have it; but in memory of the ancient practice, the Gospel for Saturday is repeated on the Sunday. The same is observed on the Saturday in the Advent Ember week; because the Ordination Mass of that season was also anticipated.

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Stational Church: Friday in the First Week of Lent

Today's Stational Church is at the Church of the Twelve Apostles.  For information on this devotion, see the Stational Churches of Lent Homepage. I will post on each Stational Church for Lent. Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

Today we find ourselves at the Basilica dedicated to the Apostles and in particular to the Saints Philip and James the Minor, whose bodies are enclosed in a precious marble urn located under the main altar in the crypt.

Today, thirty-eight days before Easter, the Church reads to us the account of the cure of a man sick for thirty-eight years. This miracle occurred at the pool of Bethsaida. The merciful Jesus healed body and soul of this friendless sufferer. After the cure, Jesus said to him: "Behold thou art made whole; sin no more, lest some worse thing happen to thee."

This sick man is a picture of the world, especially of the pagan world—a world in a state of utter helplessness, laden with sin, steeped in despair, with no one to help it but Him who is "the expectation of all nations and their Savior." The Church entrusts us today to the Holy Apostles. In their company we will celebrate the healing mysteries. In their presence we will answer the question of the king of Apostles: "Will thou be made whole?" "I will, Lord. Save Thy servant, O my God that trusts in Thee. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer."

Let us pray: Be gracious, O Lord, unto Thy people, and even as thou make them devoted to Thee, so mercifully revive them with Thy kind assistance. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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Cardinal Biffi: Ecumenism Downplays Christ

This is another article I found on Catholic World News:

Excesses of ecumenism and a tendency to downplay the Cross of Christ reflect the spirit of the Antichrist, Cardinal Giacomo Biffi warned Pope Benedict XVI and the leaders of the Roman Curia.

In a meditation preached during the Lenten Retreat for Vatican leaders this week, the outspoken Italian cardinal cited the vision of the Russian philosopher Vladimir Soloviev. “The Antichrist presents himself as a pacifist, ecologist, and ecumenist,” he said.

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The Anti-Catholic Military

I was reading Dymphna's Well this morning, and I came upon this article that I found worthy to share:

Father Henry Heffernan has been reinstated as a Catholic chaplain for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) after being removed for refusing to accept the NIH's call for a "generic chaplaincy", in which chaplains of various faith backgrounds would hold services for different denominations.

Heffernan was subject to openly anti-Catholic jokes after the priest insisted that only Catholic clergy can administer Catholic sacraments. NIH supervisors bragged about their determination to oust the priest.

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Death and Humiliation

While visiting Overheard in the Sacristy, I found this to be a profound bit of wisdom worth contemplating during Lent:

"All things, even humiliation and death, help to save us."

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Stational Church: Thursday in the First Week of Lent

Today's Stational Church is at the Church of St. Lawrence in Panisperna.  For information on this devotion, see the Stational Churches of Lent Homepage. I will post on each Stational Church for Lent. Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

This church was built in ancient times under the Emperor Valerian on the site of the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence (258). In its harmonious interior, at the end of the nave is a large fresco depicting the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence.

We place all our Lenten petitions in the hands of the "standard-bearer of the Roman Church"-St. Lawrence, to whose prayers and martyrdom is attributed the final triumph at Rome of the Cross over paganism—of light over darkness. May the Holy Deacon, whose heart was filled with Eucharistic fervor, accompany us on this Thursday to the reception of "the bread, which is Christ's flesh for our life for that of the whole world."

Let us pray: Mercifully look down, we beseech Thee, O Lord, upon the devotion of Thy people, that they who are mortified in the flesh by abstinence, may be refreshed in mind by the fruit of good works. We ask this Through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.

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Lack of Posts

I apologize for the lack of posts this week. I have been very sick, so I have not been able to post very frequently. I have slept most of the day and just logged into blogger to post on the stational churches.

I hope to resume frequent postings either this weekend or next week.

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Prayer Request from Darren

Darren from My Catholic Reflections has asked for prayers for a very serious health problem. Please visit his blog and join in a novena.

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Words of Inspiration: February 28

"I would rather die than miss Communion once, unless obedience says otherwise" (St Mary Magdalene de Pazzi).

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Stational Church: Wednesday in the First Week of Lent

Inside St. Mary Major in 2016 (c) A Catholic Life Blog

Today's Stational Church is at the Basilica of St. Mary Major (formerly called the Basilica of Our Lady of the Snows). For information on this devotion, see the Stational Churches of Lent Homepage.

The Importance:

St. Mary Major is important to Christendom for three reasons:

(a) It stands as a venerable monument to the Council of Ephesus (431), at which the dogma of Mary's divine Motherhood was solemnly defined; the definition of the Council occasioned a most notable increase in the veneration paid to Mary.

(b) The basilica is Rome's "church of the crib," a kind of Bethlehem within the Eternal City; it also is a celebrated station church, serving, for instance, as the center for Rome's liturgy for the first Mass on Christmas. In some measure every picture of Mary with the divine Child is traceable to this church.

(c) St. Mary Major is Christendom's first Marian shrine for pilgrims. It set the precedent for the countless shrines where pilgrims gather to honor our Blessed Mother throughout the world. Here was introduced an authentic expression of popular piety that has been the source of untold blessings and graces for Christianity in the past as in the present.

Source: The Church's Year of Grace by Pius Parsch

Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

On the Esquiline Hill, not far from St. Peter in Chains, towers the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

If Grandiose, both in its exterior and in it interior, the Basilica was erected by Pope Sixtus III (432-440), one year after the proclamation by the Council of Ephesus of the dogma of Theotokos—Mary, Mother of God. Before being called "St. Mary Major," the ancient Romans had called it the Basilica Liberii (back to Pope Liberius (352-366). In August 352, Pope Liberius experience a vision of Our Lady and it was She, who traced out the dimensions of this church. Pope Liberius then saw with his own eyes the area of land covered in snow on which the church was to be built.
This Basilica also contains the revered image of the Madonna of St. Luke, called Salus Populi Romani.

How have I kept the first eight days of Lent? Surely, as "the glory of the Lord dwelt upon Sinai" and upon Moses, so the "right hand of His Majesty" was extended over us during the past week.

Let us pray: Graciously look down, O Lord, we beseech Thee, upon the devotion of Thy people, that they, who are mortified in body by abstinence, may be refreshed in mind through the fruit of good works. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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