Ceremonial Notes: High Mass for Christ the King

The last Sunday of October is the traditional observance of the Feast of Christ the King, and provided here are some ceremonial notes and rubrics article related to the Eucharistic Procession commonly held to honor the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ, per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Click here to read their ceremonial notes.

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Bishop Fellay on Our Lady of Fatima & the Crisis in the Church

Bishop Fellay recently spoke about Our Lady of Fatima and her message and its relation to the crisis in the Church. The SSPX's Superior General gave a conference entitled "Our Lady of Fatima and the Crisis in the Church" on Saturday, October 12, during the 2013 Angelus Press Conference.

A 2-part audio of Bishop Fellay's conference is now available on the Society's website:

1. Our Lady of Fatima and the Crisis in the Church: Part 1 
2. Our Lady of Fatima and the Crisis in the Church: Part 2

Summary of Part 1:

1. Overview of the 3 secrets of Fatima.
2. The text of the Third Secret.
3. The Third Secret has 2 parts; only 1 has been published proofs.
4. Why wasn't the Third Secret fully revealed?
5. Dire Fatima predictions: how to understand.
6. The prophecies of Fatima and Akita are the same.

Summary of Part 2:

1. The Third Secret concerns a "touchy" matter for the Church.
2. Sister Lucy: "It's all in the Apocalypse, chapters 8-13".
3. Third Secret concerns the Antichrist... and more.
4. Pope Francis' Act of Entrustment, not Consecration.
5. Fulfilling the Fatima message, prayer and penance.
6. The Son of Perdition may already be among us.
7. Dealing with the crisis.
8. God's coming chastisement... and Providence.
9. The necessity of devotion to Our Lady.

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Paul VI: "Liberal Cardinal Elected Pope"

Sometimes a caption says it all: Newspaper from 1963 on Pope Paul VI's election: "Liberal Cardinal Elected new Pope."

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St. Edward the Confessor, King of England

SemiDouble (1955 Calendar): October 13

As summarized by the Catholic Encyclopedia:

King of England, born in 1003; died 5 January, 1066. He was the son of Ethelred II and Emma, daughter of Duke Richard of Normandy, being thus half-brother to King Edmund Ironside, Ethelred's son by his first wife, and to King Hardicanute, Emma's son by her second marriage with Canute. When hardly ten years old he was sent with his brother Alfred into Normandy to be brought up at the court of the duke his uncle, the Danes having gained the mastery in England. Thus he spent the best years of his life in exile, the crown having been settled by Canute, with Emma's consent, upon his own offspring by her.

Early misfortune thus taught Edward the folly of ambition, and he grew up in innocence, delighting chiefly in assisting at Mass and the church offices, and in association with religious, whilst not disdaining the pleasures of the chase, or recreations suited to his station. Upon Canute's death in 1035 his illegitimate son, Harold, seized the throne, Hardicanute being then in Denmark, and Edward and his brother Alfred were persuaded to make an attempt to gain the crown, which resulted in the cruel death of Alfred who had fallen into Harold's hands, whilst Edward was obliged to return to Normandy. On Hardicanute's sudden death in 1042, Edward was called by acclamation to the throne at the age of about forty, being welcomed even by the Danish settlers owing to his gentle saintly character. His reign was one of almost unbroken peace, the threatened invasion of Canute's son, Sweyn of Norway, being averted by the opportune attack on him by Sweyn of Denmark; and the internal difficulties occasioned by the ambition of Earl Godwin and his sons being settled without bloodshed by Edward's own gentleness and prudence.

He undertook no wars except to repel an inroad of the Welsh, and to assist Malcolm III of Scotland against Macbeth, the usurper of his throne. Being devoid of personal ambition, Edward's one aim was the welfare of his people. He remitted the odious "Danegelt", which had needlessly continued to be levied; and though profuse in alms to the poor and for religious purposes, he made his own royal patrimony suffice without imposing taxes. Such was the contentment caused by "the good St. Edward's laws", that their enactment was repeatedly demanded by later generations, when they felt themselves oppressed.

Yielding to the entreaty of his nobles, he accepted as his consort the virtuous Editha, Earl Godwin's daughter. Having, however, made a vow of chastity, he first required her agreement to live with him only as a sister. As he could not leave his kingdom without injury to his people, the making of a pilgrimage to St. Peter's tomb, to which he had bound himself, was commuted by the pope into the rebuilding at Westminster of St. Peter's abbey, the dedication of which took place but a week before his death, and in which he was buried.

 St. Edward was the first King of England to touch for the "king's evil", many sufferers from the disease were cured by him. He was canonized by Alexander III in 1161. His feast is kept on the 13th of October, his incorrupt body having been solemnly translated on that day in 1163 by St. Thomas of Canterbury in the presence of King Henry II.

Traditional Matins Reading:

Edward, surnamed the Confessor, nephew to St. Edward king and martyr, was the last king of the Anglo-Saxon race. Our Lord had revealed that he would one day be king, to a holy man named Brithwald. When Edward was ten years old, the Danes, who were devastating England, sought his life; he was therefore obliged to go into exile, to the court of his uncle the duke of Normandy. Amid the vices and temptations of the Norman court, he grew up pure and innocent, a subject of admiration to all. His pious devotion towards God and holy things was most remarkable. He was of a very gentle disposition, and so great a stranger to ambition that he was wont to say he would rather forgo the kingdom than take possession of it by violence and bloodshed.

On the death of the tyrants who had murdered his brothers and seized their kingdom, he was recalled to his country, and ascended the throne to the greatest satisfaction and joy of all his subjects. He then applied himself to remove all traces of the havoc wrought by the enemy. To begin at the sanctuary, he built many churches, and restored others, endowing them with rents and privileges; for he was very anxious to see religion, which had been neglected, flourishing again. All writers assert that, though compelled by his nobles to marry, both he and his bride preserved their virginity intact. Such were his love of Christ and his faith, that he was one day permitted to see our Lord in the Mass, shining with heavenly light and smiling upon him. His lavish charity won him the name of the father of orphans and of the poor; and he was never so happy as when he had exhausted the royal treasury on their behalf.

He was honoured with the gift of prophecy, and foresaw much of England’s future history. A remarkable instance is, that when Sweyn, king of Denmark, was drowned in the very act of embarking on his fleet to invade England, Edward was supernaturally aware of the event the very moment it happened. He had a special devotion to St. John the evangelist, and was accustomed never to refuse anything asked in his name. One day St. John appeared to him as a poor man begging an alms in this manner; the king, having no money about him, took off his ring and gave it to him. Soon afterwards the saint sent the ring back to Edward, with a message that his death was at hand. The king then ordered prayers to be said for himself; and died most piously on the day foretold by St. John, the Nones of January, in the year of salvation 1066. In the following century Pope Alexander III enrolled him, famous for miracles, among the saints. Innocent XI ordered his memory to be celebrated by the whole Church with a public Office, on the day of his Translation, which took place thirty-six years after his death, his body being found incorrupt and exhaling a sweet fragrance. 

The tomb of St. Edward the Confessor, which contains his incorrupt body. He is the only Saint buried in Westminster Abbey and one of the few that were not destroyed by Henry VIII.  Read more on St. Edward from Nobility.org.

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Blessing of the Cornerstone at Our Lady of Sorrows

In the past I had written about my visit to Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat Center in Phoenix, AZ and I also mentioned the need to support the construction of a new Church at Our Lady of Sorrows.

I'm pleased to report that progress continues for them and that the blessing of the cornerstone took place on October 5th of this year.

As the Society's website states:

The next day (Saturday, October 5) saw another important ceremony, the blessing of the church's cornerstone. Though as a symbolic piece this cornerstone does not have the same structural import as the roof trusses, nonetheless it has a far more religious significance. THE cornerstone (or in Latin lapidis angularis) is of course Our Lord Jesus Christ, "the stone the builders rejected" and thus crucified Him, of Who a church building itself represents.

Present for this ceremony, was from his residence in Chicago, Illinois, Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, those previously mentioned out-of-town and in-town clergy and religious, as well as the Benedictine monks of Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery who came from Silver City, New Mexico. Approximately 300 faithful were also in attendance.

Inscribed on the cornerstone's facade were these words:

Our Lady of Sorrows Church     October 5, 2013 
Stabat iuxta crucem Jesu mater eius
(There stood at the cross of Jesus, His mother).

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First Screening of Lefebvre the Movie

On Sunday, October 13, the first public screening of the English language version of the documentary film, Archbishop Lefebvre: The Documentary, will be given as the conclusion of the Angelus Press Conference.

Few churchmen led as influential lives in the 20th century as did Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre — an intelligent, faithful, and devout bishop with the heart of a missionary, this feature-film-length documentary captures and present him on screen as never before.
Shot on location throughout the world, the documentary contains exclusive interviews with those who knew him: friends, family, missionary faithful, seminarians, priests, bishops, as well as authors and historians.

Any Catholic interested in the story of the Church in the 20th Century, or in the life of the Church today will want to watch and own this documentary on one of the Church's most fascinating prelates.
Stay tuned for more documentary info!

Watch the trailer for the Archbishop Lefebvre documentary >
See where this movie will be playing near you >
Pre-order it now on DVD (release date: 12-1-2013) >

Source: SSPX Website

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Fisher More College: A Traditional Catholic College

Taken from the website:

“The College of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More was refounded three years ago as a traditional Catholic College starting almost from zero. In the first year there were five students, in the second year twenty, now in the third year over forty. This College is unique in the world, as it is the only College that is fully accredited to issue the B.A. degree in Liberal Arts and is at the same time fully traditional Catholic, with the Traditional Latin Mass on campus daily, Confession, the rosary, vespers, terce and compline. It accepts traditional Catholic professors and students. Its aim is to help rebuild the Catholic Church, so that young men and women will become the salt of the earth in our society and will pass on the Faith of all time to future generations. The College of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More occupies a unique place in the struggle of traditional Catholics to retain and pass on their Faith, because young men and women who have emerged from traditional Catholic high schools or who have been homeschooled ABSOLUTELY NEED the formation provided by this College before they confront the neo-pagan world we live in. It is too much to expect that those who complete high school education as teenagers will remain unscathed in all cases if exposed to the intellectual and moral dangers of largely anti-Christian higher education.

As with all initiatives, funds are needed to get started. The magnificent campus building, formerly the convent of Our Lady of Victory, was built in 1909 and is in need of renovation. Until the number of students has reached the economically viable figure of at least 120, operating costs must be subsidised and we need help now. Finally, our students in many cases come from large families of traditional Catholics that need scholarships to enable them to send their children, many of them homeschooled, to our College.

The new founders and professors of our College have shown themselves to be highly courageous in undertaking the initiative of founding a truly Catholic College of this kind. We are calling on you to support this College, which is a beacon on the hill and offers great hope for a Catholic future. This is an initiative that is truly deserving of support.”

 You may donate to the organization and learn more by clicking here.

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Catechism of the Council of Trent Online

CatechismClass.com is offering a great promotion.

Simply enroll in their Adult Education Program and contact the organization afterwards to request a FREE PDF of the Catechism of the Council of Trent.  The 346-Page Document is available to all enrolled students in the CatechismClass.com at absolutely no additional charge.

The Catechism of the Council of Trent, in addition to numerous other documents and supporting materials, is used in the organization's best selling Adult Education Program.

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Feast of St. Francis Borgia

SemiDouble (1955 Calendar): October 10

St Francis Borgia is nicknamed "the 2nd founder of the Jesuit Order." May he intercede today for this order to be restored from the heresy that has plagued it over the past century. And may we learn to imitate him and despise earthly goods for the love of God.  The rich and the poor alike must have a detachment to earthly goods (i.e. prefer nothing before God). This is essential and it is the foundation of the spiritual life as taught in an Ignatian retreat.

Traditional Matins Reading:

Francis, fourth Duke of Gandia, was the son of John Borgia and of Joanna of Aragon, grand-daughter of Ferdinand the Catholic. He passed his childhood, in his father’s house, in wonderful innocence and piety; but appeared still more admirable when he showed himself a pattern of Christian virtue and austerity, first at the court of the emperor, Charles V, and afterwards as viceroy of Catalonia. He was charged to convey the body of the empress Isabella to her sepulchre at Granada. Seeing the horrible change in her features, he understood how fleeting are all earthly things, and vowed to renounce everything as soon as possible, and devote himself to the service of the King of kings. From that day forward he made such progress in virtue, that, in the midst of overwhelming occupations, his life was a faithful copy of religious perfection, so that he was called the miracle of princes.

On the death of his wife Eleanora de Castro, he entered the Society of Jesus, that he might be therein more hidden, on account of the vow which closes the door to ecclesiastical preferment. Many princes followed him in embracing a severe manner of life; and Charles V himself did not hesitate to acknowledge that his advice and example had led him to abdicate the throne. Francis devoted himself to the exercises of a penitential life, and macerated his body by fasting, iron chains, a rough Imir-shirt, long and bloody disciplines, allowing himself very little sleep; while at the same time he spared no elfort to conquer himself and to gain souls. His great virtue caused St. Ignatius to appoint him commissary general for Spain; and soon afterwards, against his will, he was chosen by the whole Society third General of the Order. In this position his prudence and holiness endeared him both to Popes and to temporal rulers. He founded and enlarged many houses of his Order, and introduced the Society into Poland, the islands of the Atlantic, Mexico, and Peru, and sent apostolic men into other regions who spread the Catholic, Roman faith by their preaching, their labours, and their blood.

He had a most lowly opinion of himself, always calling himself the sinner. This humility led him to persistently refuse the Roman purple, which was more than once offered him by the Pope. Filled with contempt for himself and the world, he delighted in sweeping away dirt, begging alms from door to door, and serving the sick in the hospitals. He devoted many hours every day to heavenly contemplation, spending sometimes eight or even ten hours in prayer, and genuflecting in adoration a hundred times in the day. He never omitted saying Mass; While he was offering the divine Victim, or preaching, the heavenly ardour which consumed him betrayed itself by the radiance of his countenance. He knew by a heavenly instinct where the most holy Body of Christ, hidden in the Eucharist, was kept. Saint Pius V appointed Francis companion to Cardinal Alessandrino,in an embassy for uniting the Christian princes against the Turks. Although his strength was almost exhausted, he undertook this journey in obedience; but on the way he happily closed his life, as he had wished, at Rome, in the sixty-second year of his age, and in the year of salvation 1572. By St. Teresa, who had often sought his advice, he was called a saint, and by Gregory XIII, a faithful servant of God. Finally, after many great miracles, he was canonized by Clement X.

Collect:

O Lord Jesus Christ, You are the model of true humility and the reward of the humble. Let us share Your contempt for worldly honor, as Your blessed confessor Francis did, so that we may also share with this saint the glory of being Your follower; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

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Pilgrimage to the Holy Relics of Aachen

As reported by the SSPX website:

The Holy Relics of Aachen Germany are exposed only for 10 days once every 7 years.

Few places rank beside Aachen in the history of Christian Europe. Aachen’s Cathedral was built in 790-800 AD as the palace chapel of Charlemagne, King of the Francs and Holy Roman Emperor (born 742; died 814).

Charlemagne was given his final resting place in this cathedral, which was the most distinguished sanctuary in his realm. For nearly 600 years, from 936 to 1531, kings were enthroned on Charlemagne’s throne, after having been anointed and crowned at the main altar.

During the Middle Ages, Aachen became one of Christendom’s most important places of pilgrimage, on a par with Jerusalem, Rome, and Santiago de Compostela. The Aachen pilgrimage, which has been taking place every seven years ever since 1349, is devoted to worshipping the four Holy Relics collected by Charlemagne:

1. the cloak of Our Lady
2. the swaddling clothes of the Infant Jesus
3. the loin clothes worn by Our Lord during His Crucifixion
4. and the cloth where the head of St. John the Baptist was placed after his beheading

These Holy Relics will be officially taken out of the 13th century reliquary and ritually displayed between June 20-30, 2014.

To see and pray before these remarkable relics, we would like to invite you to join a 12-day pilgrimage for faithful of the Society of St. Pius X visiting Poland, Prague, and Germany. The itinerary includes Krakow, Czestochowa, Auschwitz, Prague, Dettelbach, Wurzburg, Fulda, Bamberg, Rudesheim, Cologne, Aachen, and much more!

In addition to these holy relics, pray before the Holy Infant of Prague, the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, and the relics of the Three Magi. Render homage to St. Stanislaw, St. Hedwig, St. Hyacinth, St. Wenceslas, St. Norbert, St. Boniface, St. Kilian, St. Albert the Great, St. Ursula, St. Cornelius, St. Henry II and St. Kunigunde, and many other saints. Join in Aachen's special jubilee as it marks 1,200 years since the death of Charlemagne in 814 AD.

Travel in the company of other SSPX faithful and an SSPX priest, who will celebrate daily Holy Mass. Do not miss this unique opportunity to gain countless graces and pray before these holy relics, which are exposed only for 10 days every 7 years!

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Traditional Mass Propers: 20th Sunday After Pentecost

INTROIT
All that you have done to us, O Lord, you have done in just judgment, because we have disobeyed Your Commandments; but give glory to Your own name and deal with us in accord with Your bounteous mercy. Ps. 118:1. Blessed are they who are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT - Forget Your anger, O Lord, and grant Your faithful pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from their sins and serve You without fear. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE
Eph. 5:15-21
See therefore, brethren, how you walk circumspectly: not as unwise, But as wise: redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore, become not unwise: but understanding what is the will of God. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury: but be ye filled with the Holy Spirit, Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord: Giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father: Being subject one to another, in the fear of Christ.

GRADUAL
The eyes of all look hopefully to You, O Lord, and You give them food in due season. V. You open Your hand, and fill every living creature with blessing.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 107:2 My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; I will sing and praise You, my glory. Alleluia!

GOSPEL
John 4:46-53

He came again therefore into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain ruler, whose son was sick at Capharnaum. He having heard that Jesus was come from Judea into Galilee, sent to him and prayed him to come down and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Jesus therefore said to him: "Unless you see signs and wonders, you believe not." The ruler saith to him: Lord, come down before that my son die. Jesus saith to him: "Go thy way. Thy son liveth." The man believed the word which Jesus said to him and went his way. And as he was going down, his servants met him: and they brought word, saying, that his son lived. He asked therefore of them the hour wherein he grew better. And they said to him: "Yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him." The father therefore knew that it was at the same hour that Jesus said to him: "Thy son liveth." And himself believed, and his whole house.

OFFERTORY
Ps. 136:1
By the streams of Babylon we sat and wept, when we remembered you, O Sion.

SECRET O Lord, let this sacred rite bring us healing from heaven and cleanse our hearts of all sinfulness. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION
Ps. 118:49-50
Remember Your promise to Your servant, O Lord, by which You have given me hope. This is my solace in my affliction.

POST COMMUNION - O Lord, make us ever obedient to Your Commandments, that we may be deserving of Your heavenly Gifts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

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

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Last Gospels Other Than John 1:1-14

For those Catholics familiar with the Traditional Roman Liturgy, the Last Gospel is a common element of the Mass.  The Last Gospel is the passage from the Gospel according to St. John in chapter 1, verses 1 to 14 inclusive, where Jesus is described as the Word-Man-Flesh. It is so named the Last Gospel because of its place in the Liturgy - namely, at the conclusion of the Mass.

The text of the Last Gospel is perhaps best known for its opening lines: In principio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum... (In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...)

Reading of the Last Gospel by Servus Tuus

But can the Last Gospel change?

Yes.  In one example, the third Mass on Christmas Day there is no Last Gospel recited since the Gospel from the Mass is of John 1:1-14 already. However, this is according to the 1962 rubrics.  Before 1954, the Gospel of the Epiphany would have been used as the Last Gospel.

Additionally a superseded Mass (e. g. if a feast of a Saint is superseded by a Sunday) could be commemorated by, among other things, having its Gospel as Last Gospel. 

For example, on September 29, 2013, the Feast of the Archangel Michael superseded the 19th Sunday of Pentecost.  As a result, the Last Gospel could have been changed to Matthew 22:1-14, which is the Gospel of the 19th Sunday of Pentecost, if the older rubrics were used.

"The use of a different last Gospel, called a Proper Last Gospel, occurred before 1955 when the Mass of a Feast superseded (called an "occurrence" in the rubrics) either a Sunday Mass, Vigil or Feria of Lent.

"In 1955, changes were made, under the directive of Pope Pius XII, to Holy Week changes, and also to the ranking of feasts. In these changes is included the elimination of all Proper Last Gospels except for the third Mass on Christmas (when the normal Last Gospel was read at Mass, and the Gospel for the Epiphany was substituted for the Last Gospel) and for Mass on Palm Sunday which did not include the blessing of the Palms (the Gospel read before the procession with Palms was read as the Last Gospel).

"The justification for these changes was that originally the Last Gospel was a private devotion, and while it was acceptable to retain the custom of it being recited at the end of Mass, it's purpose was not to serve as a place for commemoration. Thus to replace it only on Christmas when the normal Last Gospel was said and on Palm Sunday when the Gospel for the Blessing was omitted was logical.

"With the 1960 Code of Rubrics, which incorporated the 1955 revisions into a full Codex, all Proper Last Gospels were eliminated with the exception of Palm Sunday in Masses without the blessing of Palms."

Source for Quoted Portions: Fish Eaters

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Traditional Capuchins of Morgon, France

The traditional Capuchins of Morgon, France are making their first visit to the United States District to introduce the faithful to the Third Order of St. Francis. For a full listing of where they will be visiting and when, please click here.

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How We Are Helped By the Angels

Excerpted from the Catechism of the Council of Trent

By The Angels And the immense advantage springing from the special care and providence of God with regard to men, the execution of which is entrusted to Angels, who by nature hold an intermediate place between God and man, will be clear from a multitude of examples with which Sacred Scripture supplies us in abundance, and which show that in God's goodness it has often happened that Angels have wrought wondrous works under the very eyes of men. This gives us to understand that many and equally important services, which do not fall under our sight, are wrought by our Angels, the guardians of our salvation, in our interest and for our advantage.

The Angel Raphael, the divinely appointed companion and guide of Tobias, conducted him and brought him back safe and sound; saved him from being devoured by an enormous fish; made known to him the extremely useful properties possessed by the liver, gall and heart of the monster; expelled the demon; repressed and fettered his power and prevented him from injuring Tobias; taught the young man the true and legitimate notion and use of matrimony; and finally restored to the elder Tobias the use of his sight.

In the same way the Angel who liberated the Prince of the Apostles, will supply copious material for the instruction of the pious flock regarding the striking fruits of the vigilance and protection of the Angels. The pastor need do no more than depict the Angel lighting up the darkness of the prison, touching Peter's side and awakening him from his sleep, loosing his chains, breaking his bonds, ordering him to rise, to take up his sandals and to follow; and then the pastor will point out how Peter was led forth out of prison by the same Angel, how he was enabled to pass without let or hindrance through the midst of the guard, how the doors were thrown open, and finally how he was placed in safety.

The historical part of Sacred Scripture, as we have already remarked, is full of such examples, all of which go to show the extent of the benefits bestowed by God on man through the ministry and intervention of Angels whom He deputes not only on particular and private occasions, but also appoints to take care of us from our very births. He furthermore appoints them to watch over the salvation of each one of the human race.

This teaching, if carefully explained, will have the effect of interesting and compelling the minds of the faithful to acknowledge and venerate more and more the paternal care and providence of God towards them.

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Prayer for Book Burnings

Note: Burning of heretical works is far from condemned, it is encouraged.  I have encouraged others to do so.  The Church has engaged in and supported the destruction of such works that were previously recorded on the Index of Forbidden Books.

The following prayer was written by me.  I also recommend the prayer of the indulged Prayer for the Printing of Good Books.

 Spanish painting from the 1400s by Pedro Berruguete showing the miracle of Fanjeaux. The books of the heretical Albigensian and those of the Catholics were thrown together into the fire before Saint Dominic. The Catholic books were miraculously preserved, being rejected three times by the flames, while the heretical ones burned.

O Almighty and Eternal God, who by sin art offended and by penance pacified, look with pity and favour upon our actions as the works of heretics and pagans are delivered unto the eternal fires in Thy honor for the good of souls and the protection of the Holy Faith.  May St. Michael the Archangel and all the hosts of heaven intercede for us and may our penance be acceptable in Thy sight.

{Here light the flame}

O infernal works of the evil one which destroy souls and attack the Holy Faith, we condemn you to eternal destruction by this flame.  We condemn you and destroy you in the name + of the Father + and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost.

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Pope Francis to Consecrate World to the Immaculate Heart

In positive news, His Holiness Pope Francis has announced that on October 13th he will consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In honor of this event, please join me in prayer as we honor the Immaculate Heart of the Holy Mother of God and our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Please click here for prayers and devotions.

 

AN ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, and tender Mother of men, in accordance with thy ardent wish made known at Fatima, I consecrate to thee myself, my brethren, my country, and the whole human race.

Reign over us and teach us how to make the Heart of Jesus reign and triumph in us, and around us, as It has reigned and triumphed in thee. Reign over us, dearest Mother, that we may be thine in prosperity and in adversity, in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness, in life and in death.

O most compassionate Heart of Mary, Queen of Virgins, watch over our minds and hearts and preserve them from the deluge of impurity which thou didst lament so sorrowfully at Fatima. We want to be pure like thee. We want to atone for the many crimes committed against Jesus and thee. We want to call down upon our country and the whole world the peace of God in justice and charity.

Therefore, we now promise to imitate thy virtues by the practice of a Christian life without regard to human respect.

We resolve to receive Holy Communion on the First Saturday of every month (or often if not possible every First Saturday) and to offer thee five decades of the Rosary each day, together with our sacrifices, in the spirit of reparation and penance. Amen.

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Image: Communion Visit to the Sick

This is a striking photograph of a 1942 image from LIFE magazine depicting a priest in Quebec taking communion to someone who is sick. He’s being led by an altar boy carrying a candle. 

Notice the people on the step kneeling as the priest approaches with the Blessed Sacrament.  Where has our piety gone?  Have the vast majority of men lost this gift of the Holy Ghost?

Kyrie eleison!

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Traditional Mass Propers: 19th Sunday After Pentecost

INTROIT
"I Am the salvation of the people," saith the Lord. "In whatever tribulation they shall cry to Me, I will hear them; and I will be their Lord for ever." Ps. 77:1. Attend, O My people, to My law; incline your ears to the words of My mouth. Glory be . . .

COLLECT - Almighty and merciful God, graciously shield us from all that is harmful, so that both in body and soul we may be eager to do Your will. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE
Eph. 4:23-28
Brethren: Be ye renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who according in God is created in justice and holiness of truth. Wherefore, putting away lying, speak ye the truth every man with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your anger. Give not place to the devil. He that stole, let him now steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have something to give to him that suffereth need.

GRADUAL
Let my prayer be directed as incense in Thy sight, O Lord. V.: The lifting up of my hands as evening sacrifice..

Alleluia, alleluia. V.(Ps. 104. 1). Give glory to the Lord, and call upon His Name: declare His deeds among the Gentiles. Alleluia

GOSPEL
Matthew 22:1-14

At that time, Jesus spoke to the chief priests and the Pharisees in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son; and he sent his servants, to call them that were invited to the marriage, and they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited: Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come ye to the marraige. But they neglected; and went their way, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise; and the rest laid hands on his servants, and having treated them contumeliously, put them to death. But when the king had heard of it, he was angry; and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers,and burnt their city. Then he saith to his servants: The marraige indeed is ready, but they that were invited were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as you shall find, call to the marraige. And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good; and the marraige was filled with guests. And the king went in to see the guests, and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment: and he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having on a wedding garment? but he was silent. Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen."

OFFERTORY
Ps. 137:7
If I shall walk in the midst of tribulation, Thou wilt quicken me, O Lord: and Thou wilt stretch forth Thy hand against the wrath of my enemies; and Thy right hand shall save me.

SECRET Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that these gifts, which we offer in the sight of Thy Majesty, may be unto us for salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee . . .

COMMUNION
Ps. 118:4-5
Thou hast commanded Thy commandments to be kept most diligently: O that my ways may be directed to keep Thy justifications!

POST COMMUNION - May Thy healing grace, O Lord, mercifully free us from our perverse inclinations, and make us ever to cleave to Thy commandments. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost . . .

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

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Five New SSPX Brothers

The Feast of St. Michael, September 29th, is a special day for the brothers of the Society of St. Pius X as the Archangel is their particular patron. At St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, also SSPX’s USA Brothers’ Novitiate, the novices made their religious vows during the Solemn Mass.

After a 6-day retreat preached by Fr. Iscarra according to the spirituality of the Desert Fathers, 3 Brothers will make their First vows and 4 others will renew their vows. They are 18 attending the retreat. According to the Statutes written by Archbishop Lefebvre for the SSPX’s brothers, the brothers make their vows for one year, then twice for a three-year period, before being allowed to make their perpetual vows.

The first religious profession takes place after a year of novitiate. Adding to the brothers’ ranks, on the eve of the feast of St. Michael, 2 postulants received the habit (black cassock and plain sash) and became novices, Mr. Curtis became Br. Albert Mary and Mr. Goldade became Br. Philip. The Society St. Pius X number more than 110 Brothers and 15 are presently assigned in the US

Source: SSPX

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Traditional Mass Propers: 18th Sunday after Pentecost

INTROIT
Eccli. 36:18 Grant peace, O Lord, to those who wait for You, that Your prophets may be found faithful. Hear the prayers of Your servant of Your people Israel. Ps. 121.1. I rejoice at the tidings which were told me, "We shall go into the house of the Lord." V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT - O Lord, let Your mercy direct our hearts, for without You we can do nothing to please You. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE
I Cor. 1:4-8
Brethren: I give thanks to my God always for you, for the grace of God that is given you in Christ Jesus: That in all things you are made rich in him, in all utterance and in all knowledge; As the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, So that nothing is wanting to you in any grace, waiting for the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who also will confirm you unto the end without crime, in the days of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

GRADUAL
I rejoiced at the tidings which were told me, "We shall go into the house of the Lord." V. May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your towers.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. The nations shall revere Your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth shall reverence Your glory. Alleluia!

GOSPEL
Matthew 9:1-8

At that time, Jesus entering into a boat, passed over the water and came into his own city. And behold they brought to him one sick of the palsy lying in a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy: "Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee." And behold some of the scribes said within themselves: "He blasphemeth." And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: "Why do you think evil in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee: or to say, Arise, and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins," (then said he to the man sick of the palsy,) "Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house." And he arose, and went into his house. And the multitude seeing it, feared, and glorified God that gave such power to men.

OFFERTORY
Ex. 24:4, 5
Moses consecrated an altar to the Lord, offering holocausts on it, and sacrificing victims. He made an evening sacrifice to the Lord God for an odor of sweetness, in the sight of the children of Israel.

SECRET O God, who allows us to share in Your own divine nature by partaking of this sacrifice, grant that our conduct may be guided by Your revealed truth. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION
Ps. 95:8-9
Bring offerings, and enter his courts; worship the Lord in His holy temple.


POST COMMUNION - We thank You, O Lord, for nourishing us with Your Sacred Gift. In Your mercy, make us worthy of the Sacrament we have received. Through our Lord . . .

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

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