Monday, March 24, 2008
Christ is Risen!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Good Friday
O Deus Ego Amo TeO God, I love thee, I love thee -
Not out of hope of heaven for me
Nor fearing not to love and be
In the everlasting burning.
Thou, thou, my Jesus, after me
Didst reach thine arms out dying,
For my sake sufferedst nails and lance,
Mocked and marred countenance,
Sorrows passing number,
Sweat and care and cumber,
Yea and death, and this for me,
And thou couldst see me sinning:
Then I, why should not I love thee,
Jesu, so much in love with me?
Not for heaven's sake; not to be
Out of hell by loving thee;
But just the way that thou didst me
I do love and I will love thee;
What must I love thee, Lord, for then?
For being my king and God. Amen
Gerard Manley Hopkins
Labels: Feast Day
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Holy Thursday
Lord, we thank you for your gifts of the Eucharist and the priesthood. We pray that you bless our priests, who represent you on this earth. Make them more profoundly aware of the grace that you pour out through them when they minister the sacraments, and help them to fall more deeply in love with you after each and every Mass that they celebrate. AmenLabels: Feast Day
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Lourdes 150th Anniversary
Monday, February, 11 is the 150th Anniversary of Mary's first apparition at Lourdes to St. Bernadette. During this time, the Pope has granted a special indulgence. Here are the details:Pilgrims who visit any public sanctuary, shrine or other worthy place dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes may receive the indulgence Feb. 2-11. Feb. 11 is the day the first of 18 apparitions occurred and is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Feb. 2 is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
Cardinal Stafford said that to obtain the special indulgence one must fulfill the normal requirements set by the church for all plenary indulgences; these include the person going to confession within a reasonably short period of time, receiving the Eucharist and praying for the intentions of the pope, all in a spirit of total detachment from the attraction of sin.
Here is a description February 11, 1859 from EWTN:
It was very cold on February 11, 1858, the day that was to mark the beginning of such an extraordinary series of events at the rock of Massabeille. When Bernadette returned from school her mother gave her permission to go down by the river to pick up driftwood and fallen branches. Toinette Marie, aged nine, and Marie Abadie, aged twelve, a neighbor's child, went with her. When the three girls reached the Massabeille, the two younger ones took off their wooden shoes to wade across an icy mill-stream which here joined the river. Bernadette, more sensitive, hung behind. Standing alone beside the river, she had started to remove her stockings when she heard a noise like a sudden rush of wind. Looking up towards the grotto she saw some movement among the branches, then there floated out of the opening a golden cloud, and in the midst of it was the figure of a beautiful young girl who placed herself in a small niche in the rock, at one side of the opening and slightly above it. In the crannies around this niche grew stunted vines and shrubs, and in particular a white eglantine. Bernadette, staring in fascination, saw that the luminous apparition was dressed in a soft white robe, with a broad girdle of blue, and a long white veil that partially covered her hair. Her eyes were blue and gentle. Golden roses gleamed on her bare feet. When the vision smiled and beckoned to Bernadette, the girl's fear vanished and she came a few steps nearer, then sank reverently to her knees. She drew her rosary from her pocket, for, in moments of stress, she habitually said her beads. The mysterious being also had a rosary, of large white beads, and to quote Bernadette's own account: "The Lady let me pray alone; she passed the beads of the rosary between her fingers, but said nothing; only at the end of each decade did she say the Gloria with me." When the recitation was finished, the Lady vanished into the cave and the golden mist disappeared with her. This experience affected Bernadette so powerfully that, when the other girls turned back to look for her, she was still kneeling, a rapt, faraway look on her face. They chided her, thinking she had passed the time praying to escape the task of gathering fuel. Tying up their twigs and branches into faggots, they started for home. Too full of her vision to keep quiet about it, before they had gone far Bernadette burst out with the whole wondrous story; she asked the girls to say nothing at home. But Toinette told Madame Soubirous that same evening, and soon the news spread further.
Labels: Feast Day
Thursday, November 01, 2007
All Saints
"The glorious company of the apostles praise Thee.The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise Thee.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise Thee.
All Thy saints and elect with one voice do acknowledge Thee,
O Blessed Trinity, one God!"
-- Feast of All Saints (November 1), Antiphon at Lauds. from the Te Deum
Labels: Feast Day
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Our Lady of the Rosary
The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary was originally established as the Feast of Our Lady of Victory by Pope Pius V in 1572. The Feast was established to commemorate the victory of the Christian forces, under the command of Don Juan of Austria, over the Turkish forces in the Battle of Lepanto. This was the first decisive naval victory of the Christian forces over the Turks and prevented the Turks from taking full control of the Mediterranean. Perhaps the biggest effect of the victory was the confidence it gave Christians that Turkish victory in battle was not inevitable. 
The victory in the Battle of Lepanto is attributed to the intercession of Our Lady. Pope Pius V urged all Christians to pray the rosary for success in battle. This paining by Paolo Veronese depicts the saints imploring Mary for victory. EWTN gives these details:Knowing that the Christian forces were at a distinct material disadvantage, the holy pontiff, St. Pope Pius V called for all of Europe to pray the Rosary for victory. We know today that the victory was decisive, prevented the Islamic invasion of Europe, and evidenced the Hand of God working through Our Lady. At the hour of victory, St. Pope Pius V, who was hundreds of miles away at the Vatican, is said to have gotten up from a meeting, went over to a window, and exclaimed with supernatural radiance: "The Christian fleet is victorious!" and shed tears of thanksgiving to God.
What you may not know is that one of three admirals commanding the Catholic forces at Lepanto was Andrea Doria. He carried a small copy of Mexico's Our Lady of Guadalupe into battle. This image is now enshrined in the Church of San Stefano in Aveto, Italy. Not many know that at the Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Spain, one can view a huge warship lantern that was captured from the Moslems in the Battle of Lepanto. In Rome, look up to the ceiling of S. Maria in Aracoeli and behold decorations in gold taken from the Turkish galleys. In the Doges' Palace in Venice, Italy, one can witness a giant Islamic flag that is now a trophy from a vanquished Turkish ship from the Victory. At Saint Mary Major Basilica in Rome, close to the tomb of the great St. Pope Pius V, one was once able to view yet another Islamic flag from the Battle, until 1965, when it was returned to Istanbul in an intended friendly token of concord.
Labels: Feast Day
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
The Prayer of Saint FrancisO Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace!
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, harmony;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light, and
Where there is sorrow, joy.
Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved
as to love; for it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Labels: Feast Day
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Feast of the Guardian Angels
My good Angel, Thou comest from heaven; God has sent thee to take care of me.
Oh, shelter me under thy wings.
Lighten my path, direct my steps.
Do not leave me, stay quite near me
and defend me against the spirit of evil.
But above all come to my help in the last struggle of my life.
Deliver my soul so that with thee it may praise,
love and contemplate the goodness of God forever and ever.
Amen
Labels: Feast Day
Back on track
While I've been settling into my new job and finally getting my life back to some sort of routine, blogging has been slow - actually practically non-existent - and I've missed some major feast days such as the Feast of the Archangels on September 29, which also happens to be the beginning of the Lepanto Novena. The Lepanto Novena ends on October 7, the anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto and the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary because it was through her intercession that the battle was won. The Blue Boar, a neat blog devoted to G.K. Chesterton, our Lady, home brewing, inns, Distributism, good literature, the lost art of Catholic drinking, and other crucial elements of Catholic culture, has the details:Nine days from now is October 7, the anniverary of the Battle of Lepanto, fought on October 7, 1571, in which a Catholic fleet commanded by Don John of Austria defeated a Turkish fleet bent on invading the Italian peninsula. It was one of the most significant naval battles in history, and the victory of the Catholic Holy League has always been attributed to the intercession of our Lady. Every man in the Holy League was issued a rosary, which they prayed fervently. And in the churches of Rome and throughout Italy, at the behest of Pope St. Pius V, thousands of Catholics gathered to pray their rosaries for deliverance from the Turk threat.
Our lady heard their prayers, and the Christians won the day. In honor of that, October 7 is commemorated as the feast of the Holy Rosary. And we in the Chestertonian community mark the nine days from today to October 7 with a novena, in which we offer thanksgiving for our Lady's intercession and, this year, pray for the intention of the defeat of the powers of darkness.
The blog is also reproducing Chesterton's great poem Lepanto. Check The Blue Boar for ongoing coverage of the Novena and other great posts.
h/t Fumare
Labels: Feast Day
Monday, October 01, 2007
Feast Day of St. Thérèse of Liseux
Prayer In honour of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus of the Holy Face and to beg favours through her intercession.
O Father in Heaven, Who through St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus of the Holy Face, dost desire to remind the world of the Merciful Love that fills Thy Heart, and the childlike trust we should have in Thee, humbly we thank Thee for having crowned with so great glory Thine ever faithful child, and for giving her wondrous power to bring unto Thee, day by day, innumerable souls who will praise Thee eternally.
St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus of the Holy Face, remember thy promise to do good upon earth, shower down thy roses on those who invoke thee and obtain for us from God the graces we hope for from His infinite goodness.
(here mention your requests)
Labels: Feast Day
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Feast of St. Blase
Today is the Feast of St. Blase, bishop and martyr. St. Blase was martyred in his episcipal city of Sebastea, Armenia, in 316. Legend has it that as St. Blase was being dragged off to prison, a mother brought him her young son who had a fish bone stuck in her throat. At Blase's command, the chid was able to cough up the bone. Thus, St. Blase became the patron of those with throat ailments. Annually, Catholics in the United States receive a special blessing of their throats (usually on the Sunday closest to the feast) in which the intercession of St. Blase is invoked to protect against all throat ailments. “Through the intercession of St. Blase, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”
Labels: Feast Day
Monday, January 08, 2007
The Baptism of the Lord
Jesus' public life begins with his baptism by John in the Jordan. (Lk 3:23; Acts 1:22). The Baptist hesitates, but Jesus insists and receives baptism. Then the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes upon Jesus and a voice from heaven proclaims, "This is my beloved Son.'(Mt 3:13-17) This is the manifestation ("Epiphany") of Jesus as Messiah of Israel and Son of God. (CCC 535)
Labels: Feast Day
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
St. Nicholas
I used to live in Holland where St. Nicholas' feast day is a huge affair. The Saint arrives in Holland from Spain around the middle of November to great fanfare. For the next several weeks he travels around the country checking to see if the children have been good. On his feast day, the Saint leaves gifts including the traditional chocolate initial letter. Children sing song while waiting for the Saint. This is perhaps the most traditional:
Sinterklaas kapoentje,
Gooi wat in mijn schoentje,
Gooi wat in mijn laarsje,
Dank je Sinterklaasje!
Saint-Nicolas Little Rascal,
Put something in my little shoe,
Put something in my little boot,
Thank you little Saint-Nicolas!
Labels: Feast Day
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Feast of St. Andrew
Today is the Feast of St. Andrew, the patron of fishermen, Scotland, Greece and Russia. St. Andrew was the first Apostle called by Christ to follow him. It was Andrew who brought the news to his brother Peter, "We have found the Messiah, that is to say, the Christ."The Sunday closest to the Feast of St. Andrew is the First Sunday in Advent.
Beginning on the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle until Christmas Day, the Christmas Anticipation Prayer should be prayed 15 times a day. This beautiful, meditative prayer focuses our attention on central event of Christmas and helps us to prepare spritually for the birth of Christ.
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment
In which the Son of God was born
Of the most pure Virgin Mary,
at midnight,
in Bethlehem,
in the piercing cold.
In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God,
to hear my prayer and grant my desires,
[hear mention your request]
through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ,
and of His blessed Mother. Amen.
Labels: Feast Day
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Feast Day of St. Cecilia
St. According to popular history, Cecilia was a young woman of noble birth. Though she vowed virginity, her parents married her to a young noble named Valerian. Valerian honored Cecilia's vow and became Christian himself, along with his brother. Both Valerian and his brother were discovered to be Christians and martyred. St. Cecilia buried her husband and his brother and thus was also discovered to be a Christian. She was locked in her bathroom to be suffocated by steam. However, she emerged unharmed and so was next beheaded. The first stroke failed to sever her head from her neck and she lived three days. She is buried in the Catacomb of Callistus outside of Rome.St. Cecilia is the patron saint of music and is often pictured playing an organ.
Collect:Lord of mercy,
be close to those who call upon you.
With St. Cecilia to help us
hear and answer our prayers.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Labels: Feast Day
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
The Presentation of the Virgin Mary
According to tradition, Mary was brought by her parents to the temple at the age of three and consecrated to the service of God. This feast is celebrated in both the Western and Eastern churches.
Collect:
Eternal Father,
we honor the holiness and glory of the Virgin Mary.
May her prayers bring us
the fullness of your life and love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who
lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Labels: Feast Day
Friday, November 17, 2006
Feast Day of St. Elizabeth of Hungary
When I first moved back to Worcester, I organized a young adult group. We took St. Elizabeth of Hungary as our patron. The daughter of the king of Hungary, Elizabeth was married at 14 to a German prince. She was known for her charitable work with the sick and the poor. Her husband was also very religious, but worried about her contact with the poor. Therefore, he forbade her from taking bread to the poor. But, Elizabeth still tended to the poor. One day, while she was bringing bread to the poor, Elizabeth encountered her husband. He looked under her mantle to see what she was carrying, but the bread had turned to roses. Elizabeth was widowed at a young age when her husband was killed in the crusades. She cared for her three children and entered religious life as a third order Franciscan. Therefore, Elizabeth, who had embraced both the vocation of married life and the vocation of religious life was extremely suitable to be our patron. Elizabeth died at the age of 24.
Collect:
Father,
You helped Elizabeth of Hungary
to recognize and honor Christ
in the poor of this world.
Let her prayers help us to serve our brothers and sisters
in time of trouble and need.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Labels: Feast Day
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Feast of St. Albertus Magnus
St. Albertus Magnus was one of the Church's greatest intellects. Teacher to St. Thomas Aquinas, he was renowned for an experise in biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geography, metaphysics, mathematics, biblical studies, and theology. Now that's well rounded! Collect:
God Our Father,
you endowed St. Albert with the talent
of combining human wisdom with divine faith.
Keep us true to his teachings
that the advance of human knowledge
may deepen our knowledge and love of you.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Labels: Feast Day
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Feast of All Saints
The glorious company of the apostles praise Thee.
The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise Thee.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise Thee.
All Thy saints and elect with one voice do acknowledge Thee,
O Blessed Trinity, one God!
-- Feast of All Saints (November 1), Antiphon at Lauds from the Te Deum
Labels: Feast Day
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Happy Feast Day of St. Francis
Happy Feast Day to all my fellow Franciscan University Alums!Collect:
Father, you helped Saint Francis to reflect the image of Christ through a life of poverty and humility. May we follow your Son by walking in the footsteps of Francis of Assisi, and by imitating his joyful love. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Have an Italian party with Mostaccioli - tradition has it that St. Francis requested Frangipane cream or Mostaccioli (almond biscotti) on his deathbed. Women for Faith and Family has a receipe. Enjoy!
Mostaccioli - An Italian almond pastry
1 pound blanched almonds
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon, or 1 teaspoon vanilla
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
Approximately 1 cup of flour
Chop the almonds very fine or coarsely grind in a blender
In a bowl combine the nuts, honey, cinnamon, and egg whites. Mix thoroughly. Gradually stir in enough flour to form a thick paste.
On a lightly floured surface, knead the paste until smooth and stiff. Roll out to about 1/4 inch. Cut into diamond shapes, about 2 1/2 inches long. Place the diamonds on a lightly buttered and floured baking sheet. Let dry for 1 to 2 hours.
Bake in a preheated 250°F oven for 20-30 minutes or until set. Do not let brown.
Yield: about 3 dozen
Labels: Feast Day
