Stational Church: Third Sunday of Lent

Today's Stational Church is the Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls. 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 stational Mass brings us to another basilica, St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, erected by the Emperor Constantine in the year 330. As the basilica is near the Verano cemetery and above ancient catacombs, where the bodies of the martyred St. Lawrence, St. Stephen and St. Justin were laid to rest, the penitential character of the Lenten Station takes on particular significance.

On this day, the catechumens of old were taken to the tomb of St. Lawrence, the illustrious deacon whose "eyes were ever towards the Lord." Today, they had to decide whether they were "for Christ or against Him." If for Him, then "all fornication and uncleanness, covetousness, obscenity, foolish talking, gossip must be laid aside," "for no fornicator, or unclean or covetous person has inheritance in the kingdom of Christ Jesus."

We have made our decision years ago. On the day of our baptism, we renounced Satan, his pomps and his works. "Heretofore we were darkness," but by the waters of baptism "were made light in the Lord."

If we are not keeping our baptismal oath, then "the last state of that man becomes worse than the first, for the unclean spirit will return into the house from whence he came, together with seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and dwell there." The result will be a scattering, a breaking up of the supernatural life, a separation from Him who is our blessed hope in this life and our eternal joy in the next.

Let us pray: Pluck my feet out of the snare. Look upon me and have mercy on me for I am alone and poor. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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Words of Inspiration: March 11

Today's Words of Wisdom are taken from the Greatest Theologian in the history of the Catholic Church - St. Thomas Aquinas:

"Hold firmly that our Faith is identical with that of the ancients. Deny this and you dissolve the unity of the Church."

"If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever."

"The Church has ever proved indestructible. Her persecutors have failed to destroy her; in fact, it is during time of persecution that the Church grows more and more, while the persecutors themselves and those whom the Church would to destroy, are the very ones who come to nothing."

"Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures."

"There is but one Church in which men find salvation, just as outside the ark of Noah it was not possible for anyone to be saved."

"To convert somebody go and take them by the hand and guide them."

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Papal Document to be Released on Tuesday!

I just saw this on a message board:

Papal document on Eucharist due March 13

Vatican, Mar. 6, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict’s apostolic exhortation on the Eucharist will be released on Tuesday, March 13, the Vatican has announced.

The new papal document, entitled Sacramentum Caritatis, summarizes and concludes the deliberations of the Synod of Bishops, which met in October 2005 to discuss the Eucharist.

The apostolic exhortation will be introduced to the press at a briefing hosted by Cardinal Angelo Scola of Venice, who was the relator general for the Synod assembly; and Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, the secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops.

The Synod of Bishops met in October 2005 to discuss the theme, “The Eucharist: Living Bread for Peace in the World,” with 256 bishops from 118 countries participating in the discussions. In a break from the usual practice, the Synod fathers made public an “unofficial” list of the 50 propositions approved at the conclusion of their deliberations. Ordinarily the propositions remain confidential, to be used by the Pope in preparing an apostolic exhortation on the topic of the Synod's deliberations. But Pope Benedict approved the public release of the conclusions from this assembly.

During a February 22 meeting with priests in Rome, Pope Benedict had said that the release of his apostolic exhortation was imminent.

CWNews goes on to think out loud what the rest of us are thinking about:

Some Vatican sources have suggested that the unveiling of the apostolic exhortation could clear the way for another long-awaited papal document: a motu proprio allowing wider use of the pre-conciliar liturgy. In announcing the release of Sacramentum Caritatis, the Vatican press office made no mention of that other document

There is a page at the Vatican's website for Sacramentum Caritatis.

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Stational Church: Saturday in the Second Week of Lent

Today's Stational Church is the Basilica of Sts. Marcellinus and Peter.  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 Station is in the basilica founded by St. Helen on the Via Lavicana, in which were buried the bodies of St. Marcellinus, priest, and St. Peter, exorcist, martyred at Tome during the Diocletian persecution. Their names are mentioned in the Roman Canon of the Mass.

May today's stational saints, not brothers in the flesh, but in spirit, obtain for us the gift of gratitude both for our holy calling—God's free gift—as well as for the grace of conversion, our homecoming to the Father. For the remainder of our life may "the unspotted law of the Lord, which converts souls, and the testimonies of our faithful Lord fill us with such wisdom that we shall show forth the glory of God, and declare the works of His hands."

Let us pray: Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, a saving virtue to our fast; that the chastisement of the flesh, which we have taken upon us may bestow new life to our souls. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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Raymond Arroyo to sign books on March 15

I have recently received Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality edited by Raymond Arroyo, and I hope to being reading it soon. Raymond Arroyo will be signing books in DC on March 15, 2007. Father Neuhaus will be there, and EWTN will be taping the event. If anyone attends, I would be very interested in hearing about the event.

Book Discussion will begin at 7 PM with book signing to follow by Raymond Arroyo and Father Neuhaus.

Location:

Pope John Paul ll Cultural Center
3900 Harewood Road, NE
Washington, D.C.

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Fr. Lawrence Novak's Christmas Mass Homily

Fr. Lawrence Novak (SSPX) gave an excellent homily at Christmas Mass in 2004. His main theme applies to Lent as well. Christmas and Lent are very similar - namely, Our Lord came down from Heaven to go to the Cross. Even as a child, Our Lord knew that He was to mount that Cross for our salvation. The theme of the homily is simply thus: "He came to pay a debt He didn't owe because we owed a debt we couldn't pay"

   

 Parts from that Mass:

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Stational Church: Friday in the Second Week of Lent

Today's Stational Church is the Church of St. Vitalis. 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:

Mother Church points today to the "Great Friday" on which our High Priest and Redeemer obtained for us eternal redemption. She takes us today to the church of St. Vitalis—father of the holy martyrs, Gervase and Protase. For his loyalty to Christ, St. Vitalis was first buried up to the waist in an old cistern and then stoned to death.

Here at the altar of this martyr — his name means "full of life" — Holy Mother Church directs our attention to the life-giving death of the Savior. In four weeks we will celebrate the life-begetting Passion of Christ. Pointing to this great mystery, the Church prays that we continue to prepare for it; that the holy fast may chasten us and make our hearts pure, so that when the vintage time of the Paschal solemnity arrives, the divine householder may not be obliged to say: "I looked that my vineyard should bring forth grapes, and it has brought forth thorns."

May St. Vitalis, who drank so abundantly of the sacred winepress of the Lord's Passions, accompany us today to the Eucharistic Banquet in which this most Holy Passion is rendered present and the fruits thereof applied to our souls. Here all of us will become "Vitales"—living members of Christ—the Fountain of all life and holiness. 

Let us pray: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that cleansed by this holy fast, we may be brought by Thee with pure hearts to the holy season, which is to come. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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Tridentine Mass in Saint Louis, Missouri

Several weeks ago, I posted that the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest will offer Solemn High Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis on March 7, 2007. I am happy to report that Rome of the West has pictures posted of the Mass!

View the photos.

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Sister Sara Butler Now Against Womens' Ordination

This is an excerpt from The Journal News. Above all, Catholics cannot believe that women should be ordained because it is not possible (Ordinatio Sacerdotalis).

Polls generally show that 50 percent to 60 percent of Roman Catholics in the United States believe that women should be eligible for the priesthood.

Sister Sara Butler understands this impulse - because she once felt the same way. In 1978, she headed a task force of the Catholic Theological Society of America that came out in support of female priests.

But as she continued her work as an increasingly prominent theologian, her thinking began to change. Now, in a new book - "The Catholic Priesthood and Women: A Guide to the Teaching of the Church" - she attempts to explain the underpinnings of the all-male priesthood to doubters and skeptics who think the way she used to.

"The tradition is traced to the will of Christ, not to decisions made by the church," Butler said last night at St. Joseph's Seminary, where she has taught for four years.

The church's teachings must be better explained, she said, because many Catholics see the all-male priesthood as a symbol of patriarchal power and sexism, and many more who stay silent are probably befuddled.

"Their confidence in the church's teaching authority has been badly eroded," she said.

Several hundred priests, nuns, seminarians and lay visitors greeted Butler with sustained applause, a measure of their respect for her and their approval of the church's position.

Critics of the all-male priesthood were in short supply.

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Vocation Retreat: Brothers of Saint John

Situtated in Princeville, Illinois, the Brothers of Saint John are opening their doors to young men interested in experiencing the monastery from March 30 - April 1, 2007. Visit their website and click on "Events" to see the option to download the flyer about this Vocation Retreat.

Here is what I received in email:

The Brothers would like to open our doors to young men who are interested in having a weekend experience in a monastery. We will welcome them to join our rhythm of prayer, fraternal charity, silence and study (search for truth)... The weekend monastic experience begins with vespers at 5:30 pm Friday the 30th of March and concludes on Sunday, April 1st. Space in the cloister is limited. If you are interested you may call Br. John Luke at (309) 385-1193 ext 216. Come and see!

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Updates on Me and My Vocation

I wanted to post an update on my vocation and information on some things that I have done lately.

Last Monday night I attended another discernment meeting for the priesthood sponsored by my diocese. With Eucharistic Adoration, Dinner, Vespers, and a spiritual talk, it was enjoyable. I am still certain that I want and am being called to serve as a priest, and I enjoy attending the meetings each month. At the end of this month I will complete another important step to becoming an official seminarian - the final step. Hopefully I can be an official seminarian for my diocese in April. All prayers are very much appreciated!

In addition, I have proudly completed one of my 2007 Catholic Resolutions by purchasing a 1962 Catholic Missal. I have been searching for one for months, and I recently found one available through the Internet for only $35. I was very excited when I received it on my doorstep today. I must say - it is a wonderful missal. For information on this missal, check out Our Lady of the Rosary Library. Now I hope to find a parish sometime in the future and attend my first Tridentine Mass!

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Video: Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist

Please take note how traditional the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist (in Ann Arbor, MI) are. It seems that the only convents experiencing growth are traditional ones that wear the traditional habits. I especially was amazed at the beautiful high altar visible in the last parts of the film.

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Stational Church: Thursday in the Second Week of Lent

Santa Maria in Tratevere, Rome Italy (c) A Catholic Life Blog 2016

Today's Stational Church is the Church of St. Mary in Trastevere. 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 heart of Transtiber, in a beautiful Romanesque square stands the church of St. Mary. On the spot of this church, shortly before the birth of Christ, oil gushed out of the ground. Mary carried Christ "the Anointed One" (reference to the oil) in her arms.

The Mother of God is today's stational leader to Christ, the Light of the world. We fly to your patronage, Holy Mother of God. Do present our humble prayers to Him, whom you did bring forth, the King that rules heaven and earth. Help us, good Mother, that He may keep us away from the broad road, which leads to darkness and perdition and take us on the narrow but sure way to eternal light and life.

It is Thursday, four weeks from the great Eucharistic Thursday. May today's Eucharistic action give us light to see the right way and strength to follow it. And Christ is the "Way," and Mary, our leader to this "Way"—Per Mariam ad Jesum!

Let us pray: Grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the help of Thy grace, that being duly intent on fasts and prayers, we may be delivered from enemies of soul and body. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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Stational Church: Wednesday in the Second Week of Lent

Today's Stational Church is the Church of St. Cecilia in Trastevere. 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 heart of Transtiber Rome, entered by way of a Baroque gateway portal and a cheerful courtyard, towers the splendid church of St. Cecilia, in which is buried St. Cecilia, the virgin-martyr. In the fifth century, this church was one of the most celebrated churches in Rome.

On Ash Wednesday, the church was St. Sabina, the martyr-matron. On Wednesday of the first week of Lent, we visited St. Mary Major. On this third Wednesday, it is again a woman—the virgin-martyr and "glory of the early Church," St. Cecilia, who leads us to "the Son of Man, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

One reason why Christians often are lacking in joy and holy enthusiasm is their lack of purity. We know how the flesh lusts against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. The two cannot live in the same house. One of the two must go. St. Cecilia knew no compromise. Her baptismal garment was never stained by impurity.

Let us pray: O God, the restorer and lover of innocence, turn towards Thee the hearts of Thy servants; that being inflamed with the fervor of Thy Spirit, they may be found both steadfast in faith and fruitful in good works. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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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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