In Chicago for the Summer

This summer, as stated in my Blogger profile, I am living in the Chicago area. Last Saturday I had the privilege of traveling into Downtown Chicago and visiting Loyola University of Chicago, the site of the the Sacred Music Colloquium, which is currently taking place. It was there that I had the opportunity to visit and spend several hours with a long-time reader of my blog who is in attendance. Two other friends of mine are also in attendance at this Colloquium.

If any other readers of my blog are also in the Chicago area this summer, please send me an email so that we can attempt to meet, preferably over lunch.



Image Source: Wikipedia

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Vigil of St. John the Baptist

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

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

Fear not, Zachary; thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John; and he shall be great before the Lord, and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother's womb; and many shall rejoice at his birth. V. (Ps. 20: 2) In Thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in Thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly. v. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Fear not, Zachary...

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

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Website of the Confraternity of the Sacred Heart

I have added a link to the Confraternity of the Sacred Heart to the sidebar, as this organization seems to be part of the goal of A Catholic Life, namely the Restoration of Traditionalism.

Image Source: Pictures of the Pontifical Low Mass on June 18, 2009 at the Church of the Holy Innocents celebrated by Bishop Fernando Rifan.

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Pope Benedict XVI Celebrates Mass Before the Relics of St. Padre Pio

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI leads a Mass during a visit to Padre Pio at Santa Maria delle Grazie in San Giovanni Rotondo. He prayed before the exhumed body of St. Padre Pio and the Mass was said in the presence of his sacred relics.

Image Source (1): Getty Images
Image Source (2): AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito
Image Source (3, 4, 5): (AP Photo/Andreas Solaro, Pool)

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Feastday of St. Aloysius Gonzaga

Today the Church remembers the holy saint, St. Aloysius Gonzaga. See my previous post dedicated in honor to this saint for a brief biography, an appropriate read for his feastday.

"Well done, good servant, faithful in little things, enter into the joy of your Lord" (Antiphon 2, Lauds, Common of a Confessor not a Bishop, 1962 Breviary)

Prayer:

O God, The Giver of heavenly gifts, Who in the angelic youth Aloysius dist unite a wonderful innocence of life with an equal spirit of penance: grant through his merits and prayers, that we, who have not followed his innocence, may imitate his penance. Through our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain

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Pope Benedict XVI Celebrates the Mass in Honor of the Sacred Heart, Vespers

Image Source (Images 1, 2): AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito
Image Source (Images 3, 4, 5): REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito (VATICAN RELIGION)
Image Source (Images 6, 7): Getty Images

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Jade Music: 99 Essential Chants

A Catholic Life is proud to again support the efforts of Jade Music in the promotion of sacred and holy music. I have attended beautiful Masses with outstanding orchestras as well as simple, elegant Gregorian Chant at St. Agnes Parish (St. Paul, Minnesota) for example. And, I am proud to continue promoting sacred music. In the past I have reviewed Anthology: Chants and Polyphony from St. Michael's Abbey, Into Great Silence: Office of the Night, Marriage of the Heavens and the Earth, Into Great Silence: Soundtrack, Oliver Messiaen: Never Before Released. A Catholic Life is pleased to again promote this new offering by Jade Music!

Hi there, Exciting news! On Saturday June 20, one day before Father's Day, we are offering 99 Essential Chants for 99 cents on Amazon.com. The selection includes chant music from around the world that we have been collecting and distributing over the last 20 years! Our first effort with Amazon.com released a few months ago, 99 Perfectly Relaxing Songs, charted #28 on the Billboard Top 200. The entire bundle of 99 Chants is available for 99 cents on June 20 - a perfect gift for Father's Day. Please find our PR below and attached. Also attached is the cover art. I'm happy to answer any questions. Sincerely, Stefan

Please visit Amazon.com for purchasing information. In addition, below is the Press Release about this exciting new offer. View the Press Release They are right now priced at $5.99 but tomorrow lowered to $0.99. Visit the link below on Saturday and take advantage of this outstanding offer!

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Years for Priests

Today, June 19, 2009, begins the Year for Priests, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney, the Curé d'Ars.

In the Vatican, festivities will begin at 17:30 (11:30am, Eastern Standard Time) with the arrival of the Relics of the Saint Curé D’Ars. Pope Benedict will then preside over Vespers at 18:00 (12:00pm, EST). This event will be televised on EWTN (USA), Salt + Light TV (Canada), or any other network that picks up the live feed from Centro Televisivo Vaticano (Vatican TV).

If possible, attend mass on this day and pray for the Pope's intentions on the occasion of the opening of this joyful time!

Here is a prayer you can pray daily for all priests throughout the world:

Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord,
Keep them, for they are Thine -
Thy priests whose lives burn out before Thy consecrated shrine.
Keep them, for they are in the world,
Though from the world apart;
When earthly pleasures tempt, allure -
Shelter them in Thy heart.
Keep them, and comfort them in hours of loneliness and pain,
When all their life of sacrifice
For souls seems but in vain.
Keep them, and O remember, Lord,
They have no one but Thee,
Yet they have only human hearts,
With human frailty.
Keep them as spotless as the Host,
That daily they caress;
Their every thought and word and deed,
Deign, dearest Lord, to bless.

Our Father... Hail Mary...

Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for them.

Imprimatur: +D. Cardinal Dougherty, Archbishop of Philadelphia.

Related Posts:

• World Day of Prayer for Priests (2007)
• 44th World Day of Prayer for Vocations (2007)
• World Day of Prayer for Priests (2009)
  

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World Day of Prayer for Priests

Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and as such, it is also recognized as the World Day of Prayer for Priests. Remember to pray for priestly and religious vocations today in a most earnest manner, and pray for the sanctification of our clergy. Worthy of special notice, today marks the beginning of the Year for Priests (June 19, 2009 - June 19, 2010), which has been chosen by Pope Benedict XVI himself, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney. A special indulgence for priests and one for the faithful is also available this year:

For the faithful, a plenary indulgence can be obtained on the opening and closing days of the Year for Priests, on the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean-Marie Vianney, on the first Thursday of the month, or on any other day established by the ordinaries of particular places for the good of the faithful.

To obtain the indulgence the faithful must attend Mass in an oratory or Church and offer prayers to "Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest, for the priests of the Church, or perform any good work to sanctify and mould them to his heart."
The conditions for the faithful for earning a plenary indulgence are to have gone to confession and prayed for the intentions of the Pope.

Source: Zenit

In honor of today being the World Day of Prayer for Priests, please see the following past posts related to today.

Related Posts:

• World Day of Prayer for Priests (2007)
• 44th World Day of Prayer for Vocations (2007)

Prayer for Priestly Vocations:

O Lord, God of power and majesty, you said that the harvest is great but the laborers are few. Send forth, we beseech thee, laborers into your vineyard to forgive sins, celebrate the Eucharist, baptize, and above all make us a people worthy of thee. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.

Image Source 1: Unknown
Image Source 2: Believed to be in the Public Domain, Priests from 1932

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Pope Bendict XVI meets with the President of Malta, George Abela

Image Sources: REUTERS/Tony Gentile (VATICAN RELIGION POLITICS)

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Letter to Mrs. Clinton from Fr. Chris: Part II

Fr. Chris Terhes has made a new press release: Greek-Catholics Ask U.S. Secretary of State Clinton and European Union to Help End Religious Cleansing in Romania.

Related Posts:

• Letter to Mrs. Clinton from Fr. Chris (May 2009)
  

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Corpus Christi Procession: Birmingham Oratory, England

Mrs. Jackie Parkes MJ of the blog Catholic Mom of 10 was kind enough to send A Catholic Life the following images of today's Corpus Christi Procession through streets of Birmingham England. In these images is Fr. Paul Chavasse, Provost of the Birmingham Oratory.

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Corpus Christi Procession: Mary Immaculate Queen, Rathdrum Idaho

I am very thankful to have been sent these beautiful images of a procession that took place earlier today.

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The Sanctification of Sunday

(Image by Mateusz Szymkiewicz)

How Should Sunday be Sanctified?

The Third Commandment explicitly forbids servile work on the Holy Day. Yet, the Church further commands that all Sundays – and all other Holy Days of Obligation – are mandatory days of Mass attendance and required days to refrain from servile works. Missing Mass on one of these days without a grave reason – illness, inability to reasonably obtain transportation, et cetera – is therefore a mortal sin. And, if one were not able to attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for a good reason, one should still read the Missal for that day and pray the prayers from the Liturgy (e.g. Collect, Gradual, Communion).

Yet Sunday is also a day in which to participate in communal Rosary, Vespers, and Benediction services. Sunday is the day on which the Faithful should be most willing to read Catholic newspapers, books, and magazines. See the Top 10 Sunday Activities for Catholics.

In times past there was a distinction made of days of double versus single precept. Days of double precept required both hearing Mass and refraining from servile works, whereas days of single precept were working holy days permitting work but still requiring Mass attendance.

What are the Holy Days of Obligation?

§1. Sunday, on which by apostolic tradition the paschal mystery is celebrated, must be observed in the universal Church as the primordial holy day of obligation. The following days must also be observed: the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Epiphany, the Ascension, the Body and Blood of Christ, Holy Mary the Mother of God, her Immaculate Conception, her Assumption, Saint Joseph, Saint Peter and Saint Paul the Apostles, and All Saints.

§2. With the prior approval of the Apostolic See, however, the conference of bishops can suppress some of the holy days of obligation or transfer them to a Sunday.

1983 Code of Canon Law: Canon 1246

In 1642, Pope Urban VIII reduced the number of holy days of obligation (not including Sundays) to approximately 36 days. Nearly all nations were granted dispensations in the ensuing years from certain days and there was little uniformity. 

In 1911, Pope St. Pius X reduced the number to 8 and in 1917, the Code of Canon Law (1917) increased the number to the ten days still universally observed.

However, differences continued to prevail. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops moved the Epiphany and the Feast of the Body and Blood of our Lord to Sundays, reducing the number to six days: Ascension, Assumption, All Saints, Immaculate Conception, and Christmas. Yet, many dioceses still move Ascension Thursday to the following Sunday, which does not coincidence with Traditionalist Catholics who observe Ascensiontide, leading up to Pentecost Sunday. Furthermore, in 1998 the U.S. bishops decided that when the solemnities of Mary the Mother of God (January 1), Assumption (August 15), or All Saints (November 1) fell on a Saturday or Monday, the obligation to attend Mass does not remain. The Diocese of Honolulu in 1992 even reduced their observed Holy Days to merely two days: Christmas and the Immaculate Conception.

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Feastday of St. Anthony of Padua

Today is the Feastday of St. Anthony of Padua. Please see my 2006 Post on St. Anthony for more information applicable to today, including prayers, readings, a brief biography of St. Anthony, and an explanation of the meaning behind the above image.

Prayer:

May the votive solemnity of blessed Anthony, Thy Confessor and Doctor, O God, give joy to Thy Church: that she may ever be defended by spiritual aid and become worthy of everlasting joys. Through our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

Readings:

"Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak. We are full of words but empty of actions, and therefore are cursed by the Lord, since he himself cursed the fig tree when he found no fruit but only leaves. It is useless for a man to flaunt his knowledge of the law if he undermines its teaching by his actions."

"The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ."

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain

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Pope Benedict XVI Celebrates Corpus Christi

Image Sources: REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito

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Corpus Christi Procession Videos

Video from San Secondo d'Asti Catholic Church in Guasti, CA (2008).

Video from Saint Francis de Sales Oratory, in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA (2007).

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Novena of Confidence to the Sacred Heart

In prepartion for the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart on June 15, the following Novena is prayed from June 6 - 14. Even if though it is after June 6, it is never too late to pray!

Novena:

O Lord, Jesus Christ, To Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention...(mention your request) Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires. . . Let Thy Sacred Heart decide. . . I count on It. . . I trust in It. . . I throw myself on Its mercy. . . Lord Jesus! Thou wilt not fail me. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy love for me. Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom Come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one. Take it, place it in Thy Sacred Heart. When the Eternal Father sees it covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it. It will be no longer my prayer but Thine, O Jesus. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee. Let me never be confounded. Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)

Related Posts:

• Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart (Prayer)
• Home Enthronement to the Sacred Heart
• Devotion to the Sacred Heart (2006 Post includes links to encyclicals and prayers for this month. Worthy of bookmarking during this month.)
• Daily Offering to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the Dying (Prayer)
• Solemnity of the Sacred Heart

Artist Source: Adolfo Simeone

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Vocational Prayer Request

Dear Matthew,

Hello, could I please ask that you pray for me this week, and if you know anyone else who is willing to pray too. I've my assessment on [removed for privacy] which will decide if I get into Seminary or not. Thanks very much in advance and God bless you,

in Christ,
[Anonymous]

I ask readers to please keep him in your prayers this week. And, for anyone requesting prayers, please see the list of links to various religious congregations that accept online prayer requests: Creating A Prayer List.

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Breaking News: Bishop Fellay Received in Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Last Friday

His Excellency Bishop Bernard Fellay (FSSPX/SSPX) was received last Friday at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This is certainly part of the doctrinal talks set to take place between the Holy See and the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X. Rorate Caeli has reported on this.

Pray for the success of these doctrinal talks!

Related Posts:

• SSPX Bishops are Not Excommunicated (January 2009)
• Pray for the Canonization of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre (February 2009)
• Sermon by His Excellency Bishop Williamson during a Confirmation Mass (April 2008)
  

Image Source: Copyrighted image via Wikipedia

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Trinity Sunday

Please see my post Trinity Sunday (2006) for my reflection and brief presentation on this central mystery of our Faith.

Below are videos of the Tridentine Mass in Edinburgh on Trinity Sunday 2008, for your spiritual edification:

Introit:



Offertory:



Communion:



Conclusion of Mass:

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Whit Embertide

The Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after Pentecost Sunday are known as "Whit Embertide". Traditional Catholics still observe fasting and abstinence during the Whit Embertide. These three days are one of the four occasions when Ember Days occur in the Liturgical Year.

If you are in good health, please join me by fasting and abstaining from meat these days. These days are special days not only to pray for a good harvest but also pray for priestly vocations and the newly ordained. They are days of prayer, fasting, and charity.

Whit Embertide for this year, 2009 AD: June 3, June 5, and June 6.

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Devotion for June: Sacred Heart of Jesus

During the month of June, the Church honors in a special manner the Most Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, during this month, watch A Catholic Life for prayers, devotions, and reflections on the Sacred Heart of our Lord.

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."

Below is a list of previous posts in honor of the Sacred Heart, which are worthy of reading again during this time.

• Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart
• Home Enthronement to the Sacred Heart
• Devotion to the Sacred Heart
• Daily Offering to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the Dying 
• Solemnity of the Sacred Heart

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Book Giveaway: The Evolution of God by Robert Wright

Original Post:

A Catholic Life is pleased to have been given a copy of "The Evolution of God" by Robert Wright, which I am currently reviewing for Hachette Book Group. Please check back in within the next few days because A Catholic Life will be hosting a giveaway of several copies of Professor Wright's new book. Participants will be asked to complete a quiz, which will require searching through previous posts on my blog in order to obtain the answers.

If you are interested, bookmark this blog page as I will update this particular post with information on how to enter within the next few days.

Note: This book giveaway does not constitute A Catholic Life's support for this text and/or the author.

Check back in shortly!

Update: Giveaway Begins!

A Catholic Life has (5) five available copies of "The Evolution of God" available to US/Canada residents only who submit a valid mailing address (no P.O. Boxes).

These copies will be distributed on a first-come first-serve basis. To enter, successfully complete the following quiz by searching through previous posts on my blog. Answers must be submitted to acatholiclife [at] gmail [dot] com. In the subject line enter "Book Giveaway". Include your mailing address in the email.

Have fun!

Quiz:

1) What is the motto of A Catholic Life? To whom is this quotation attributed?

2) What post of mine was featured on Spirit Daily in 2007, which increased my page views that day to 12,071?

3) What is the date that I started my time at the diocesan college seminary? What date did I leave the seminary after a period of discernment?

4) What date did the First Pontificial Nuptial Mass using the Tridentine Mass since Vatican II take place? [Note: I posted a video by Quis Non Amantem on this]

5) What is your favorite post on A Catholic Life? How long have you been a reader of the blog?

Update (June 2, 2009 3:00 PM CDT): 4 Copies Remain!

Update (June 3, 2009 Midnight CDT): 3 Copies Remain!

Update (June 4, 2009 7:00 AM CDT): 3 Copies Remain! The Book Giveaway will end at 7:00 AM tomorrow, June 5, 2009!

Update (June 4, 2009 10:30 PM): 2 Copies Remain!

This Contest is now closed. Thank you to all that have participated.

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Trailer of the film "The Cardinal"

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Aristotle's Children by Richard E. Rubenstein

I recently had to read "Aristotle's Children" by Richard E. Rubenstein for a Medieval Philosophy course at my university. The text was read chapter by chapter throughout the semester, and overall, Rubenstein clearly achieves his goal of outlining the development of Aristotelian thought. Chapters focus on topics such as Aristotle himself, the condemnation of Peter Abelard by St. Bernard, the deep tensions and confrontations between the Franciscans and Dominicans at the University of Paris, St. Thomas Aquinas, the rise of modern Philosophers such as Hobbes, and many others in between these.

While Rubenstein does paint both St. Bernard and another saint in less than saintly light - even portraying them as the antagonists at times, Rubenstein does offer a very easy-to-read and understandable outline of the spread of Aristotelian Philosophy from its origin through its period of being hidden from the Western World and only accessible by the Arabs ultimately up to the time of the modern philosophers. This is a good read for those not accustomed to reading complicated philosophical texts.

If you would like an interesting read and a good guide to the spread of Arisotetlian philosophy, while remembering to remain objective as you read it, then this would be a very good choice.

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Pentecost Sunday at Old St. Patrick's Oratory

As part of my Pentecost Photo Submission Request, the above photos are from Christopher M. of the blog Lost Lambs. These photos are taken at Old St. Patrick Oratory, under the care of the Institute of Christ the King.

Old St. Patrick Oratory
P.O. Box 414237
Kansas City, Missouri 64141-4237

Schedule

Sunday Mass: 8:00 AM and 10:15 AM
Weekday Mass: 6:00 PM
Saturday Mass: 9:00 AM

Confession Times: 30 minutes before Holy Mass.

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