tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68174724987623591122024-03-13T13:46:26.031-04:00Ars bene moriendiA blog about living well, in truth and virtue, so as to die well.Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.comBlogger458125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-81692447279839276162022-12-31T10:47:00.001-05:002022-12-31T10:47:47.020-05:00Te Deum & Feast of St. Sylvester<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<em>Te Deum laudamus!</em><em></em><br />
<br />
Merry Christmas on this Seventh Day of the Octave of Christmas!<br />
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On this last day of the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty Two, it is right to recall the blessing of the past year, and, of course, to pray or chant the great <strong><em>Te Deum</em></strong>.<br />
<br />
There is actually a plenary indulgence for praying this great prayer of Thanksgiving on the last day of the year, under the usual conditions: "The Te Deum. PLENARY INDULGENCE when recited publicly on the last day of the year. Otherwise a partial indulgence is granted to those who recite the Te Deum in thanksgiving." Cf., <a href="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_doc_20020826_enchiridion-indulgentiarum_lt.html" target="_blank">Enchiridion indulgentiarum</a><br />
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The <em>Te Deum</em>:<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="2" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 555px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #af0000;">T</span><span style="color: #af0000;">E DEUM</span> laudamus: te Dominum confitemur.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #af0000;">O</span><span style="color: #af0000;"> GOD</span></span>, we praise Thee: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Everlasting Father, all the earth doth worship Thee.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi Caeli et universae Potestates;</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To Thee all the Angels, the Heavens and all the Powers,</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim incessabili voce proclamant:</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">all the Cherubim and Seraphim, unceasingly proclaim:</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts!</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pleni sunt caeli et terra maiestatis gloriae tuae.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy glory.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus,</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The glorious choir of the Apostles,</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus,</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the wonderful company of Prophets,</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the white-robed army of Martyrs, praise Thee.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Te per orbem terrarum sancta confitetur Ecclesia,</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Holy Church throughout the world doth acknowledge Thee:</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Patrem immensae maiestatis:</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the Father of infinite Majesty;</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium;</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thy adorable, true and only Son;</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tu Rex gloriae, Christe.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">O Christ, Thou art the King of glory!</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem, non horruisti Virginis uterum.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thou, having taken it upon Thyself to deliver man, didst not disdain the Virgin's womb.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tu, devicto mortis aculeo, aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thou overcame the sting of death and hast opened to believers the Kingdom of Heaven.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thou sitest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Iudex crederis esse venturus.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni: quos pretioso sanguine redemisti.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We beseech Thee, therefore, to help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in everlasting glory.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>V.</b> Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine, et benedic hereditati tuae.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>V.</b> Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thine inheritance!</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>R.</b> Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>R.</b> Govern them, and raise them up forever.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>V.</b> Per singulos dies benedicimus te.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>V.</b> Every day we thank Thee.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>R.</b> Et laudamus nomen tuum in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>R.</b> And we praise Thy Name forever, yea, forever and ever.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>V.</b> Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>V.</b> O Lord, deign to keep us from sin this day.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>R.</b> Miserere nostri, Domine, miserere nostri.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>R.</b> Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>V.</b> Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>V.</b> Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, for we have hoped in Thee.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify; width: 254px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>R.</b> In te, Domine, speravi: non confundar in aeternum.</span></td><td style="text-align: justify; width: 255px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>R.</b> O Lord, in Thee I have hoped; let me never be put to shame.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here is an account of the prayer:<br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14468c.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: Te Deum</a><br />
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Here is the Gregorian Chant setting of the <em>Te Deum</em>:<br />
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Here is a setting of the <em>Te Deum </em>by Franz Josef Haydn, his <em>Te Deum</em> for Maria Theresa, one of many magnificent settings of this prayer by different composers:<br />
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<img height="256" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Sylvester_I_and_Constantine.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<em>Pope St. Sylvester I with the Emperor Constantine</em>.<br />
<br />
Today is also the Feast of Pope St. Sylvester I, the Roman Pontiff during the period of Emperor Constantine I "the Great." St. Sylvester sat in the Chair of St. Peter from AD314, immediately following the Edict of Milan, until his death in 335. Thus, he was the Pontiff for not only the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325, but also the construction and dedication of the Basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Peter's, and St. Paul's in Rome. He is one of the first non-martyrs to be venerated as a saint, and guided the Church through a remarkable era.<br />
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For more on Pope St. Sylvester I, visit:<br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14370a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Sylvester I</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/pope-saint-sylvester-i/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: Pope St. Sylvester</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customschristmas6.html" target="_blank">Seasonal Customs (Fisheaters): St. Sylvester</a><br />
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Merry Christmas and live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-44691602406222799922022-12-29T11:06:00.001-05:002022-12-29T11:06:32.242-05:00Feast of St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop & martyr<br />
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<em>Martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket, ca. 1250, at the Walters Art Museum.</em><br />
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Today is the Fifth Day of the Octave of Christmas and is the Feast of St. Thomas Becket, Martyr and Archbishop of Canterbury, a champion of those in the Church that would resist the overreach of secular power into the sacred realm.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In AD1154, King Stephen of England died, and the
young son of Queen Matilda, Stephen's rival, succeeded him as King Henry II (reigned 1154-1189). He ruled <st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region> and, thanks to his marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine, about half of <st1:country-region w:st="on">France. He appointed a good friend,</st1:country-region> Thomas Becket, Chancellor of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When a vacancy in the see of Canterbury opened in 1162, King Henry II had Thomas Becket named to the post. The king had high hopes of his friend's ability to conform Church policy to that of the crown.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Henry II wanted complete submission of the
clergy – but Thomas Becket refused, along with the other English bishops. Nevertheless, in a show of good faith, the Archbishop agreed that the
bishops would abide by the customs of the Kingdom in good faith.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The King, however, demanded in January 1164 that the bishops sign the <b>“Constitutions
of Clarendon”</b> which, among other things, made clergy subject to royal
courts, made travel out of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place>
by clergy subject to royal approval, and designated that vacant diocesan monies should
go to the crown! Pope Alexander III (reigned 1159-1181) condemned
the problematic parts of these Constitutions in August 1164. Archbishop Becket refused to approve of these royal measures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Henry went after Becket, and began to
trump up charges to break him. The
Archbishop, for the sake of safety, departed for <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> in November 1164. King Henry then wrote to King Louis VII (reigned 1137-1180) of France asking that he give no comfort to
Becket, who "<i>was"</i> Archbishop of Canterbury. King Louis replied asking, “who <i>was</i> Archbishop of Canterbury – who deposed him?”
For he, the King of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
had no power “to depose the least of the clerks in my realm.” Louis VII welcomed the Archbishop [Interesting to note is that Louis VII had earlier been married to Eleanor of Aquitaine; a union that was annulled]. Both the Pope and the French king supported <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">St. Thomas</st1:place></st1:city>, but the exile
continued, and for some years.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> By July 1169, Pope Alexander III demanded that King Henry II allow Archbishop Becket be allowed to return to his see and to England.
Henry II ignored this command – and even crowned a son illegally that
spring of 1170.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pope Alexander III threatened
immediate interdict that summer of 1170 if Henry did not reconsider.
Henry did, then, finally gave way, stating that the “thief shall have peace” on July
21 1170. For his part, Louis VII, ruing the departure of the good Archbishop: “if only
ours!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That winter, four knights of King Henry would overhear him lamenting, "who will rid me of this meddlesome priest." Whether the king intended them to take his words so literally is a matter of some debate. What is not a matter of debate is that these men proceeded to Canterbury Cathedral to kill the Archbishop.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>On 29 December 1170</b>, the famous deed occurs: <b>Thomas Becket was cut down at the altar of his cathedral of Canterbury</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The King, to his credit, responded on News
Year’s day, 1171 with wails of lamentation and repentance. The Pope forbid him to enter a church on Holy
Thursday. King Henry II went
on a barefoot pilgrimage to the tomb of Becket in 1174 with a hair shirt, and
was flogged by bishops, an abbot, and eighty monks. He was never the same again – he was a
haunted man.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The murderers repented,
too, and went to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:city>
to beg the pope’s forgiveness – all joined the Knights Templar and died on
Crusade.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Henry II’s family was a
wreck – in 1173 his sons rebelled against him with the help of his wife,
Eleanor. He captured her in that same
year, and would keep her in prison for the next eleven years (to 1185).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When the schism of Henry VIII took place some centuries later, they made a particular point of visiting the tomb of St. Thomas Becket, and not for edifying purposes.</span><br />
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For more on St. Thomas, you might consult these links:<br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14676a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Thomas Becket</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-thomas-becket-99" target="_blank">Catholic News Agency: St. Thomas Becket</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/saint-thomas-a-becket/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: St. Thomas Becket</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customschristmasx.html" target="_blank">Seasonal Customs (Fisheaters): St. Thomas Becket</a><br />
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In Italy, the city of Mottola has as its patron none-other-than St. Thomas Becket. Recently, they discovered a couple of relics of the saint: <a href="http://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2017-12/relics-of-st-thomas-becket-discovered-in-italy.html" target="_blank">Vatican News: Relics of St Thomas Becket discovered in Italy</a><br />
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Interestingly, that city no longer has its own bishop and diocese -- since 1818 it is part of the Diocese of Castellaneta -- but there is a titular bishop of that title of Mottola (Motula in Latin). The current title-holder is the apostolic nuncio to Zambia and Malawi in Africa, Archbishop Gianfranco Gallone. Cf., <a href="http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/d3m59.html" target="_blank">Catholic Hierarchy: Titular Diocese of Motula</a><br />
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Merry Christmas & Live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-70094092672165976042022-12-28T07:00:00.000-05:002022-12-28T07:00:00.169-05:00Feast of the Holy Innocents<br />
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<em>The Massacre of the Innocents by Giotto, ca. AD1304.</em><br />
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Today, 28 December, is the fourth day of the Octave of Christmas, and the Feast of the Holy Innocents -- Childermas. They are recalled in the <em>Gospel of St. Matthew</em>, Chapter 2:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">13...behold an <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel of the Lord</a> appeared <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05154a.htm">in sleep</a> to <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08504a.htm">Joseph</a>, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05329b.htm">Egypt</a>: and be there until I shall tell you. For it will come to pass that <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07289c.htm">Herod</a> will seek the child to <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07441a.htm">destroy</a> him. <span class="verse">14</span> Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05329b.htm">Egypt</a>: and he was there until the death of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07289c.htm">Herod</a>: <span class="verse">15</span> That it might be fulfilled which the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm">Lord</a> spoke by the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12477a.htm">prophet</a>, saying: Out of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05329b.htm">Egypt</a> have I called my son. <span class="verse">16</span> Then <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07289c.htm">Herod</a> perceiving that he was deluded by the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09527a.htm">wise men</a>, was exceeding <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01489a.htm">angry</a>: and sending <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07441a.htm">killed</a> all the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07419a.htm">menchildren</a> that were in <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02533a.htm">Bethlehem</a>, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09527a.htm">wise men</a>. <span class="verse">17</span> Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08334a.htm">Jeremiah the prophet</a>, saying: <span class="verse">18</span> A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12630a.htm">Rachel</a> bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.</span><br />
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On this day, then, we recall those that shed their blood on account of one who would kill the Christ. They did not will this particular end, and hence are not martyrs in the normal sense of that term, but they nonetheless died for Christ, as it were.<br />
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It is also a good day to ponder the number of innocents who have their blood shed each day -- particularly heinous is the crime of abortion. May we pray that those Herods that seek their own "good" in the destruction of others might repent.<br />
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For more on the Holy Innocents of Bethlehem, these links are most helpful:<br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07419a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: Holy Innocents</a><br />
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<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/holy-innocents/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: Holy Innocents</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customschristmas5.html" target="_blank">Seasonal Customs (Fisheaters): Holy Innocents</a><br />
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Worth a moment is this traditional carol focusing on the Holy Innocents, the Coventry Carol. Fr. Z. has a splendid article on this beautiful carol: <a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/2017/12/28-dec-childermas-they-were-the-churchs-first-blossoms-holy-innocents/" target="_blank">Fr. Z.: Childermas</a><br />
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Here is a wonderful recording of the same:<br />
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Merry Christmas & live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-47685215822515026422022-12-27T08:27:00.001-05:002022-12-27T08:27:23.225-05:00Feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist<img height="400" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/GRM_Inv._J-3182.jpg/800px-GRM_Inv._J-3182.jpg" width="391" /><br />
<i>St. John and the Eagle, by Vladimir Borovikovsky</i><br />
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Today, 27 December, is the third day of the Christmas Octave, and the Feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist!<br />
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He, the brother of St. James, was one of the sons of Thunder, and was known as the "Beloved" Apostle. He, with St. Peter and St. James had a prominent role as one of the leading Apostles. Of course, St. John is also notable for having been entrusted with the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Crucifixion: "Behold your mother." He wrote not only the Holy Gospel according to St. John, but three Epistles and the book of Revelation. The last of the Apostles to die, and the only one to actually escape martyrdom (though it was not from a lack of trying on persecutors' part).<br />
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For more on St. John, you might check out these links:<br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08492a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. John the Evangelist</a><br />
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<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-the-apostle/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: St. John the Apostle</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customschristmas4.html" target="_blank">Seasonal Customs (Fisheaters): Feast of St. John</a><br />
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Merry Christmas and live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-50924797368425853032022-12-26T08:19:00.001-05:002022-12-26T08:19:34.363-05:00Feast of St. Stephen, protomartyrIn the British Commonwealth today is Boxing Day, as folks used to receive their Christmas boxes from their employers on this day.<br />
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<em>The Stoning of St. Stephen by Bernardo Daddi, ca. 1324AD.</em><br />
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Today, 26 December, is, more importantly, the Feast of St. Stephen, the proto-martyr and deacon, and the second day of the Christmas Octave. This year, it is also the Sunday in the Octave of Christmas. I'll discuss the Holy Family on its traditional date...<br />
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In Acts 6:5 we read of his appointment as a deacon. We next find him disputing with the Jews.<br />
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The <em>Acts of the Apostles</em>, in Chapter 7, notes that the Jews reacted to the rather direct words of St. Stephen thus:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="verse">54</span> Now hearing these things, they were cut to the heart: and they gnashed with their teeth at him. <span class="verse">55</span> But he, being full of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07409a.htm">Holy Ghost</a>, looking up steadfastly to <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07170a.htm">heaven</a>, <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15477a.htm">saw</a> the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06585a.htm">glory</a> of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm">God</a> and <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08374c.htm">Jesus</a> standing on the right hand of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm">God</a>. <span class="verse">56</span> And he said: Behold, I <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15477a.htm">see</a> the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07170a.htm">heavens</a> opened and the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14144a.htm">Son of man</a> standing on the right hand of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm">God</a>. <span class="verse">57</span> And they, crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears and with one accord ran <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15446a.htm">violently</a> upon him. <span class="verse">58</span> And casting him forth without the city, they <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14308a.htm">stoned</a> him. And the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15677a.htm">witnesses</a> laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10675a.htm">name</a> was <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11567b.htm">Saul</a>. <span class="verse">59</span> And they <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14308a.htm">stoned</a> <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14286b.htm">Stephen</a>, invoking and saying: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08374c.htm">Lord Jesus</a>, receive my <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14220b.htm">spirit</a>. <span class="verse">60</span> And <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06423a.htm">falling on his knees</a>, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm">sin</a> to their charge: And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm">Lord</a>. And <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11567b.htm">Saul</a> was consenting to his death.</span><br />
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For more on Saint Stephen, follow these links:<br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14286b.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Stephen</a><br />
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<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/saint-stephen-the-martyr/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: St. Stephen the Martyr</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customschristmas3.html" target="_blank">Seasonal Customs (Fisheaters): St. Stephen the Deacon</a><br />
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From that last link, we have this splendid reflection on St. Stephen:<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">By St. Fulgentius of Ruspe (b. 468)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yesterday we celebrated the birth in time of our eternal King. Today we celebrate the triumphant suffering of His soldier. Yesterday our King, clothed in His robe of flesh, left His place in the Virgin's womb and graciously visited the world. Today His soldier leaves the tabernacle of his body and goes triumphantly to heaven. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our King, despite His exalted majesty, came in humility for our sake; yet He did not come empty-handed. He gave of His bounty, yet without any loss to Himself. In a marvelous way He changed into wealth the poverty of His faithful followers while remaining in full possession of His own inexhaustible riches. And so the love that brought Christ from heaven to earth raised Stephen from earth ot heaven; shown first in the King, it later shone forth in His soldier. His love of God kept him from yielding to the ferocious mob; his love for his neighbor made him pray for those who were stoning him. Love inspired him to reprove those who erred, to make them amend; love led him to pray for those who stoned him, to save them from punishment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love, indeed, is the source of all good things; it is an impregnable defense, and the way that leads to heaven. He who walks in love can neither go astray nor be afraid: love guides him, protects him, and brings him to his journey's end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My brothers, Christ made love the stairway that would enable all Christians to climb to heaven. Hold fast to it, therefore, in all sincerity, give one another practical proof of it, and by your progress in it, make your ascent together.</span></div>
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Merry Christmas & live well!</div>
Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-22294573818047330672022-12-24T18:21:00.001-05:002022-12-24T18:21:38.857-05:00Merry Christ Mass!<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Lorenzo_Lotto_017.jpg"><img alt="File:Lorenzo Lotto 017.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Lorenzo_Lotto_017.jpg/460px-Lorenzo_Lotto_017.jpg" height="600" width="460" /></a><br />
<em>The Nativity by Lorenzo Lotto, AD1523.</em><br />
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Merry Christmas! On this day a Saviour is born unto us! <em>Puer natus in Bethlehem</em>!<br />
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For more on the history and customs of this great feast and solemnity:<br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03724b.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: Christmas</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customschristmas2.html" target="_blank">Fisheaters: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day</a><br />
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<a href="fisheaters: Christmas Season Overview" target="_blank">Fisheaters: Christmas Season Overview</a><br />
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<strong><em>On this day, members of the Angelic Warfare Confraternity, which is under the patronage of St. Thomas Aquinas, can gain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions</em></strong>: <a href="http://www.angelicwarfareconfraternity.org/" target="_blank">AW Confraternity Official Site</a><br />
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On a high feast as this, this blogger can hardly equal the great words of Scripture and men greater than himself. So, for your edification, I present the Nativity account from the Gospel According to St. Luke, the entry from the Golden Legend of Blessed Jacobus de Voragine, OP, and the commentary on the feast by Dom Gueranger.<br />
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From the Gospel of St. Luke, Chapter 2:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And it came to pass that in those days there went out a decree from <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02107a.htm">Caesar Augustus</a> that the whole world should be enrolled. <span class="verse">2</span> This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14399a.htm">Syria</a>. <span class="verse">3</span> And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="verse">4</span> And <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08504a.htm">Joseph</a> also went up from <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06341c.htm">Galilee</a>, out of the city of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10725a.htm">Nazareth</a>, into <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08544a.htm">Judea</a>, to the city of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04642b.htm">David</a>, which is called <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02533a.htm">Bethlehem</a>: because he was of the house and <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05782a.htm">family</a> of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04642b.htm">David</a>. <span class="verse">5</span> To be enrolled with <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15464b.htm">Mary</a> his espoused wife, who was with child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="verse">6</span> And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered. <span class="verse">7</span> And she brought forth her <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06081a.htm">first born son</a> and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes and laid him in a <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04488c.htm">manger</a>: because there was no room for them in the inn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="verse">8</span> And there were in the same country shepherds watching and keeping the night watches over their flock. <span class="verse">9</span> And behold an <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel of the Lord</a> stood by them and the brightness of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm">God</a> shone round about them: and they feared with a great fear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="verse">10</span> And the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel</a> said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06636b.htm">good</a> tidings of great <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07131b.htm">joy</a> that shall be to all the people: <span class="verse">11</span> For, this day is born to you a Saviour, who is <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10212c.htm">Christ the Lord</a>, in the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02533a.htm">city of David</a>. <span class="verse">12</span> And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04488c.htm">manger</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="verse">13</span> And suddenly there was with the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel</a> a multitude of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07170a.htm">heavenly</a> army, praising <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm">God</a> and saying: <span class="verse">14</span> "<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06583a.htm">Glory to God in the highest</a>: and on earth peace to <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09580c.htm">men</a> of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06636b.htm">good</a> <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15624a.htm">will</a>."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And it came to pass, after the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angels</a> departed from them into <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07170a.htm">heaven</a>, the shepherds said one to another: "Let us go over to <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02533a.htm">Bethlehem</a> and let us see this word that has come to pass, which the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm">Lord</a> has showed to us."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="verse">16</span> And they came with haste: and they found <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15464b.htm">Mary</a> and <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08504a.htm">Joseph</a>, and the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08374c.htm">infant</a> lying in the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04488c.htm">manger</a>. <span class="verse">17</span> And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. <span class="verse">18</span> And all that heard wondered, and at those things that were told them by the shepherds. <span class="verse">19</span> But <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15464b.htm">Mary</a> kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. <span class="verse">20</span> And the shepherds returned, <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06585a.htm">glorifying</a> and praising <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm">God</a> for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cf., <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/luk002.htm" target="_blank">Gospel According to St. Luke, Chapter 2</a></span><br />
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Next, I present an entry from <em>the Golden Legend</em> of Blessed Jacobus de Voragine, OP, a 13th century bishop on the Nativity of Christ. This is a lives of the Saints and the Liturgical Year commentary from 1275AD:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here followeth the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When the world had endured five thousand and nine hundred years, after Eusebius the holy saint, Octavian the Emperor commanded that all the world should be described, so that he might know how many cities, how many towns, and how many persons he had in all the universal world. Then was so great peace in the earth that all the world was obedient to him. And therefore our Lord would be born in that time, that it should be known that he brought peace from heaven. And this Emperor commanded that every man should go into the towns, cities or villages from whence they were of, and should bring with him a penny in acknowledgment that he was subject to the Empire of Rome. And by so many pence as should be found received, should be known the number of the persons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Joseph which then was of the lineage of David, and dwelled in Nazareth, went into the city of Bethlehem, and led with him the Virgin Mary his wife. And when they were come thither, because the hostelries were all taken up, they were constrained to be without in a common place where all people went. And there was a stable for an ass that he brought with him, and for an ox. In that night our Blessed Lady and Mother of God was delivered of our Blessed Saviour upon the hay that lay in the rack. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At which nativity our Lord shewed many marvels. For because that the world was in so great peace, the Romans had done made a temple which was named the Temple of Peace, in which they counselled with Apollo to know how long it should stand and endure. Apollo answered to them that, it should stand as long till a maid had brought forth and borne a child. And therefore they did do write on the portal of the Temple: Lo! this is the temple of peace that ever shall endure. For they supposed well that a maid might never bear Bethlehem, there may ye find him wrapt in clouts. And anon, as the angel had said this, a areas multitude of angels appeared with him, and began to sing. Honour, glory and health be to God on high, and in the earth peace to men of goodwill. Then said the shepherds, let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing. And when they came they found like as the angel had said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And it happed this night that all the sodomites that did sin against nature were dead and extinct; for God hated so much this sin, that he might not suffer that nature human, which he had taken, were delivered to so great shame. Whereof S. Austin saith that, it lacked but little that God would not become man for that sin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In this time Octavian made to cut and enlarge the ways and quitted the Romans of all the debts that they owed to him. This feast of Nativity of our Lord is one of the greatest feasts of all the year, and for to tell all the miracles that our Lord hath showed, it should contain a whole book; but at this time I shall leave and pass over save one thing that I have heard once preached of a worshipful doctor, that what person being in clean life desire on this day a boon of God, as far as it is rightful and good for him, our Lord at the reverence of this blessed high feast of his Nativity will grant it to him. Then let us always make us in clean life at this feast that we may so please him, that after this short life we may come unto his bliss. Amen</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Source.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Golden Legend or Lives of the Saints. Compiled by Jacobus de Voragine, Archbishop of Genoa, 1275. First Edition Published 1470. Englished by William Caxton, First Edition 1483, Edited by F.S. Ellis, Temple Classics, 1900 (Reprinted 1922, 1931.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This chapter is from: Volume 1: Nativity</span></div>
Cf.: <a href="http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/goldenlegend/GL-vol1-nativity.asp" target="_blank">Medieval Sourcebook: Golden Legend Nativity</a><br />
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Finally, from <em>the Liturgical Year</em> by the splendid Dom Gueranger:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>"The Mystery of Christmas"<br />from Dom Gueranger's "The Liturgical Year"</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everything is Mystery in this holy season. The Word of God, whose generation is before the day-star, is born in time -- a Child is God -- a Virgin becomes a Mother, and remains a Virgin -- things divine are commingled with those that are human -- and the sublime, the ineffable antithesis, expressed by the Beloved Disciple in those words of his Gospel, THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, is repeated in a thousand different ways in all the prayers of the Church: -- and rightly, for it admirably embodies the whole of the great portent which unites in one Person the nature of Man and the nature of God.<br /><br />The splendour of this Mystery dazzles the understanding, but it inundates the heart with joy. It is the consummation of the designs of God in time. It is the endless subject of admiration and wonder to the Angels and Saints; nay, is the source and cause of their beatitude. Let us see how the Church offers this Mystery to her children, veiled under the symbolism of the liturgy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="The Nativity, by the Master of Salzburg" border="0" src="http://www.fisheaters.com/christmastidesidepic.jpg" height="353" hspace="8" style="text-align: right;" vspace="8" width="250" /><br />The four weeks of our preparation are over -- they were the image of the four thousand years which preceded the great coming -- and we have reached the twenty-fifth day of the month of December, as a long desired place of sweetest rest. But why is it that the celebration of our Saviour's Birth should be the perpetual privilege of this one fixed day; whilst the whole liturgical Cycle has, every year, to be changed and remodelled in order to yield to that ever-varying day which is to be the feast of his Resurrection -- Easter Sunday?<br /><br />The question is a very natural one, and we find it proposed and answered as far back as the fourth century; and that, too, by St. Augustine, in his celebrated Epistle <i>to Januarius</i>. The holy Doctor offers this explanation: We solemnise the day of our Saviour's Birth, in order that we may honour that Birth, which was for our salvation; but the precise day of the week on which he was born, is void of any mystical signification. <i>Sunday</i>, on the contrary, the day of our Lord's Resurrection, is the day marked in the Creator's designs, to express a mystery which was to be commemorated for all ages. St. Isidore of Seville, and the ancient Interpreter of Sacred Rites who, for a long time, was supposed to be the learned Alcuin, have also adopted this explanation of the Bishop of Hippo; and our readers may see their words interpreted by Durandus, in his <i>Rationale</i>.<br /><br />These writers, then, observe that as, according to a sacred tradition, the creation of man took place on a Friday, and our Saviour suffered death also on a Friday for the redemption of man; that as, moreover, the Resurrection of our Lord was on the third day after his death, that is, on a Sunday, which is the day on which the Light was created, as welearn from the Book of Genesis -- 'the two Solemnities of Jesus' Passion and Resurrection,' says St. Augustine, 'do not only remind us of those divine facts; but they moreover represent and signify some other mysterious and holy thing.'<br /><br />And yet we are not to suppose that because the Feast of Jesus' Birth is not fixed to any particular day of the week, there is no mystery expressed by its always being on the twenty-fifth of December. For firstly we may observe, with the old Liturgists, that the Feast of Christmas is kept by turns on each of the days of the week, that thus its holiness may cleanse and rid them of the curse which Adam's sin had put upon them. But secondly, the great mystery of the twenty-fifth of December, being the Feast of our Saviour's Birth, has reference, not to the division of time marked out by God Himself, but to the course of that great Luminary which gives life to the world, because it gives light and warmth. Jesus, our Saviour, the Light of the World, was born when the night of idolatry and crime was at its darkest; and the day of his Birth, the twenty-fifth of December, is that on which the material sun begins to gain his ascendancy over the reign of gloomy night, and show to the world his triumph of brightness.<br /><br />In our <i>Advent</i>, we showed after the Holy Fathers, that the diminution of physical light may be considered as emblematic of those dismal times which preceded the Incarnation. We joined our prayers with those of the people of the Old Testament; and with our holy mother the Church we cried out to the Divine Orient, the Sun of Justice, that he would deign to come and deliver us from the twofold death of body and soul. God has heard our prayers; and it is on the day of the Winter Solstice -- which the Pagans of old made so much of by their fears and rejoicings -- that He gives us both the increase of the natural light, and him who is the Light of our souls.<br /><br />St. Gregory of Nyssa, St. Ambrose, St. Maximus of Turin, St. Leo, St. Bernard, and the principal liturgists, dwell with complacency on this profound mystery, which the Creator of the universe has willed should mark both the natural and the supernatural world. We shall find the Church also making continual allusion to it during this season of Christmas, as she did in that of Advent.<br /><br />'On this the Day which the Lord hath made,' says St. Gregory of Nyssa, 'darkness decreases, light increases, and Night is driven back again. No, brethren, it is not by chance, nor by any created will, that this natural change begins on the day when he shows himself in the brightness of his coming, which is the spiritual Life of the world. It is Nature revealing, under this symbol, a secreet to them whose eye is quick enough to see it; to them, I mean, who are able to appreciate this circumstance of our Savious's coming. Nature seems to me to say: Know, O Man! that under the things which I show thee Mysteries lie concealed. Hast thou not seen the night, that had grown so long, suddenly checked? Learn hence, that the black night of Sin, which had reached its height by the accumulation of every guilty device, is this day stopped in its course. Yes, from this day forward its duration shall be shortened, until at length there shall be naught but Light. Look, I pray thee, on the Sun; and see how his rays are stronger, and his position higher in the heavens: learn from that how the other Light, the Light of the Gospel, is now shedding itself over the whole earth.'<br /><br />'Let us, my Brethren, rejoice,' cries out St. Augustine, 'this day is sacred, not because of the visible sun, but because of the Birth of him who is the invisible Creator of the sun... He chose this day whereon to be born, as he chose the Mother of whom to be born, and he bade borh the day and the Mother. The day he chose was that on which the light begins to increase, and it typifies the work of Christ, who renews our interior man day by day. For the eternal Creator having willed to be born in time, his Birthday would necessarily be in harmony with the rest of his creation.'<br /><br />The same holy Father, in another sermon for the same Feast, gives us the interpretation of a mysterious expression of St. John the Baptist, which admirably confirms the tradition of the Church. The great Precursor said on one occasion, when speaking of Christ: He must increase, but I must decrease. These prophetic words signify, in their literal sense, that the Baptist's mission was at its close, because Jesus was entering upon his. But they convey, as St. Augustine assures us, a second meaning: 'John came into this world at the season of the year when the length of the day decreases; Jesus was born in the season when the length of the day increases. Thus there is mystery both in the rising of that glorious Star, the Baptist, at the summer solstice; and in the rising of our Divine Sun in the dark season of winter.'<br /><br />There have been men who dared to scoff at Christianity as superstition, because they discovered that the ancient Pagans used to keep a feast of the sun on the winter solstice. In their shallow erudition they concluded that a Religion could not be divinely instituted, which had certain rites or customs originating in an analogy to certain phenomena of this world: in other words, these writers denied what Revelation asserts, namely, that God only created this world for the sake of his Christ and his Church. The very facts which these enemies to the true Faith are, to us Catholics, additional proof of its being worthy of our most devoted love.<br /><br />Thus, then, have we explained the fundamental Mystery of these Forty Days of Christmas, by having shown the grand secret hidden in the choice made by God's eternal decree, that the twenty-fifth day of December should be the Birthday of God upon this earth. Let us now respectfully study another mystery: that which is involved in the place where this Birth happened.<br /><br />This place is Bethlehem. <i>Out of Bethlehem</i>, says the Prophet, <i>shall he come forth that is to be the Ruler in Israel</i>. The Jewish Priets are well aware of the prophecy, and a few days hence will tell it to Herod. But why was this insignifant town chosen in preference to every other to be the birth-place of Jesus? Be attentive, Christians, to the mystery! The name of this City of David signifies <i>the House of Bread</i>: therefore did he, who is <i>the living Bread come down from Heaven</i>, choose it for his first visible home. <i>Our Fathers did eat manna in the desert and are dead</i>, but lo! here is the Saviour of the world, come to give life to his creature Man by means of his own divine Flesh, which is meat indeed. Up to this time the Creator and the creature had been separated from each other; henceforth they shall abide together in the closest union. The Ark of the Covenant, containing the manna which fed but the body, is now replaced by the Ark of a New Covenant, purer and more incorruptible than the other: the incomparable Virgin Mary, who gives us Jesus, <i>the Bread of Angels</i>, the nourishment which will give us a divine transformation; for this Jesus himself has said: <i>He that eateth my flesh abideth in me, and I in him</i>.<br /><br />It was for this <i>divine transformation</i> that the world was in expectation for four thousand years, and for which the Church has prepared herself by the four weeks of Advent. It has come at last, and Jesus is about to enter within us, if we will but <i>receive him</i>. He asks to be united with each one of us in particular, just as he is united by his Incarnation to the whole human race; and for this end, he wishes to become our <i>Bread</i>, our spiritual nourishment. His coming into the souls of men at this mystic season has no other aim than this union. He comes <i>not to judge the world, but that the world may be saved by him, and that all may have life, and may have it more abundantly</i>. This divine Lover of our souls will not be satisfied, therefore, until he have substituted himself in our place, so that we may live not we ourselves, but he in us; and in order that this mystery may be effected in a sweeter way, it is under the form on an Infant that this Beautiful Fruit of Bethlehem wishes first to enter into us, there to <i>grow</i> afterwards <i>in wisdom and age before God and men</i>.<br /><br />And when, having thus visited us by his grace and nourished us in his love, he shall have changed us into himself, there shall be accomplished in us a still further mystery. Having become one in spirit and heart with Jesus, the Son of the heavenly Father, we shall also become sons of this same God our Father. The Beloved Disciple, speaking of this our dignity, cries out: <i>Behold! what manner of charity the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called, and should be the Sons of God? </i>We will not now stay to consider this immense happiness of the Christian soul, as we shall have a more fitting occasion, farther on, to speak of it, and show by what means it is to be maintained and increased.<br /><br />There is another subject, too, which we regret being obliged to notice only in a passing way. It is, that, from the day itself of our Saviour's Birth even to the day of our Lady's Purification, there is, in the Calendar, an extraordinary richness of Saints' Feasts, doing homage to the master feast of Bethlehem, and clustering in adoring love round the Crib of the Infant-God. To say nothing of the four great Stars which shine so brightly near our Divine Sun, from whom they borrow all their own grand beauty -- St. Stephen, St. John the Evangelist, the Holy Innocents, and our own St. Thomas of Canterbury: what other portion of the Liturgical Year is there that can show within the same number of days so brilliant a constellation? The Apostolic College contributes its two grand luminaries, St. Peter and St. Paul: the first in his Chair of Rome; the second in the miracle of his Conversion. The Martyr-host sends us the splendid champions of Christ, Timothy, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, Vincent, and Sebastian. The radiant line of Roman Pontiffs lends us four of its glorious links, named Sylvester, Telesphorus, Hyginus and Marcellus. The sublime school of holy Doctors offers us Hilary, John Chrysostom, and Ildephonsus; and in their company stands a fourth Bishop -- the amiable Francis de Sales. The Confessor-kingdom is represented by Paul the Hermit, Anthony the conqueror of Satan, Maurus the Apostle of the Cloister, Peter Nolasco the deliverer of captives, and Raymond of Pennafort, the oracle of Canon Law and guide of the consciences of men. The army of defenders of the Church deputes the pious King Canute, who died in defence of our Holy Mother, and Charlemagne, who loved to sign himself 'the humble champion of the Church.' The choir of holy Virgins gives us the sweet Agnes, the generous Emerentiana, the invincible Martina. And lastly, from the saintly ranks which stand below the Virgins -- the holy Widow -- we have Paula, the enthusiastic lover of Jesus' Crib. Truly, our Christmastide is a glorious festive season! What magnificence in its Calendar! What a banquet for us in its Liturgy!<br /><br />A word upon the symbolism of the colours used by the Church during this season. White is her Christmas Vestment; and she employs this colour at every service from Christmas Day to the Octave of the Epiphany. To honour her two Martyrs, Stephen and Thomas of Canterbury, she vests in red; and to condole with Rachel wailing her murdered Innocents, she puts on purple; but these are the only exceptions. On every other day of the twenty she expresses, by her white robes, the gladness to which the Angels invited the world, the beauty of our Divine Sun that has risen in Bethlehem, the spotless purity of the Virgin-Mother, and the clean-heartedness which they should have who come to worship at the mystic Crib.<br /><br />During the remaining twenty days, the Church vests in accordance with the Feast she keeps; she varies the colour so as to harmonize either with the red Roses which wreathe a Martyr, or with the white Amaranths which grace her Bishops and her Confessors, or again, with the spotless Lilies which crown her Virgins. On the Sundays which come during this time -- unless there occur a Feast requiring red or white or, unless Septuagesima has begun its three mournful weeks of preparation for Lent -- the colour of the Vestments is green. This, say the interpreters of the Liturgy, is to teach us that in the Birth of Jesus, who is the flower of the fields, we first received the hope of salvation, and that after the bleak winter of heathendom and the Synagogue, there opened the verdant spring-time of grace.<br /><br />With this we must close our mystical interpretation of those rites which belong to Christmas in general. Our readers will have observed that there are many other sacred and symbolical usages, to which we have not even alluded; but as the mysteries to which they belong are peculiar to certain days, and are not, so to speak, common to this portion of the Liturgical Year, we intend to treat fully of them all, as we meet with them on their proper Feasts.</span>---</div>
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From: <a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customschristmas1.html" target="_blank">Fisheaters: Christmas Season Overview</a><br />
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Merry Christmas, don't forget to keep the Mass in Christmas, and live well!</div>
Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-21640258120959310752022-12-21T06:00:00.002-05:002022-12-21T06:00:00.171-05:00Feast of St. Thomas and a Solstice<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahe20XBzC3yg7dCgUIa_MeEfYT5SYd6t91_fYub2uOC95LfTmRndLw5hyica8zw-KyLmNiflpaP9aRg06W00Mn_bpnOmeQnbRYbt9wlquDYkqb5PM0AguGroo0oM2CZAghJ9BXemMjp89/s1600/Caravaggio_-_The_Incredulity_of_Saint_Thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="798" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahe20XBzC3yg7dCgUIa_MeEfYT5SYd6t91_fYub2uOC95LfTmRndLw5hyica8zw-KyLmNiflpaP9aRg06W00Mn_bpnOmeQnbRYbt9wlquDYkqb5PM0AguGroo0oM2CZAghJ9BXemMjp89/s400/Caravaggio_-_The_Incredulity_of_Saint_Thomas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<em>The Incredulity of St. Thomas by Caravaggio (+1610).</em><br />
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Today is traditionally the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, famous for his incredulity at the Resurrection of Christ, but, ultimately for his confession of Faith, "My Lord and My God." He is known to have gone East to preach the Gospel, so it is appropriate that the O Antiphon of this 21 December day is "<i>O Oriens</i>!"<br />
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<dd style="background-color: white; color: dimgrey; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><em>O Oriens,</em></dd><dd style="background-color: white; color: dimgrey; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><em>splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae:</em></dd><dd style="background-color: white; color: dimgrey; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><em>veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.</em></dd><dd style="background-color: white; color: dimgrey; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><em><br /></em></dd><dd style="background-color: white; color: dimgrey; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></dd><dd style="font-size: 14.85px;">O Morning Star,</dd><dd style="font-size: 14.85px;">splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:</dd><dd style="font-size: 14.85px;">Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.</dd><br />
[For more on the O Antiphons including that of today, cf. <a href="http://thoscole.blogspot.com/2019/12/o-antiphons-of-advent-vespers.html" target="_blank">Ars bene moriendi: O Antiphons of Advent Vespers</a>]<br />
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Tradition has St. Thomas associated with the city of Edessa, and, then, India, where he was martyred in the first century. He is thought to have done much of his work in the area of the modern Indian state of Kerala in the southwest (Malabar coast), and then been martyred at Mylapore in Tamil Nadu in the Southeast. Indeed, the ancient community of Christians in southern India are known as the Thomas Christians. The Syro-Malabar (<a href="http://www.syromalabarchurch.in/" target="_blank">Syro-Malabar Church Official Website</a>) and Syro-Malankar Catholic Churches (<a href="http://www.catholicate.net/" target="_blank">Syro-Malankar Church Official Website</a>) are derived from these communities, and have their center in the state of Kerala, India. Below is a splendid chart of the derivation of the branches of the St. Thomas Christians:<br />
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Here is a link to the Church of San Thome in Mylapore, Tamil Nadu, which is part of the city of Chennai (Madras), built over the tomb of St. Thomas: <a href="http://www.santhomechurch.com/" target="_blank">San Thome Church Official Website</a><br />
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The Old Catholic Encyclopedia notes the following of St. Thomas:<br />
<span style="color: black;">"<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Little is recorded of St. Thomas the Apostle, nevertheless thanks to the </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08438a.htm"><span style="color: black;">fourth Gospel</span></a><span style="color: black;"> his </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11727b.htm"><span style="color: black;">personality</span></a><span style="color: black;"> is clearer to us than that of some others of the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01626c.htm"><span style="color: black;">Twelve</span></a><span style="color: black;">. His name occurs in all the lists of the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14389b.htm"><span style="color: black;">Synoptists</span></a><span style="color: black;"> (</span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/mat010.htm#vrs3"><span style="color: black;">Matthew 10:3</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/mar003.htm#vrs18"><span style="color: black;">Mark 3:18</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/luk006.htm"><span style="color: black;">Luke 6</span></a><span style="color: black;">, cf. </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/act001.htm#vrs13"><span style="color: black;">Acts 1:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">), but in </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08438a.htm"><span style="color: black;">St. John</span></a><span style="color: black;"> he plays a distinctive part. First, when </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08374c.htm"><span style="color: black;">Jesus</span></a><span style="color: black;"> announced His intention of returning to </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08544a.htm"><span style="color: black;">Judea</span></a><span style="color: black;"> to visit Lazarus, "Thomas" who is called Didymus [the twin], said to his fellow disciples: "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (</span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/joh011.htm#vrs16"><span style="color: black;">John 11:16</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Again it was St. Thomas who during the discourse before the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14341a.htm"><span style="color: black;">Last Supper</span></a><span style="color: black;"> raised an objection: "Thomas saith to him: Lord, we </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm"><span style="color: black;">know</span></a><span style="color: black;"> not whither thou goest; and how can we </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm"><span style="color: black;">know</span></a><span style="color: black;"> the way?" (</span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/joh014.htm#vrs5"><span style="color: black;">John 14:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">). But more especially St. Thomas is remembered for his incredulity when the other Apostles announced </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12789a.htm"><span style="color: black;">Christ's Resurrection</span></a><span style="color: black;"> to him: "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe" (</span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/joh020.htm#vrs25"><span style="color: black;">John 20:25</span></a><span style="color: black;">); but eight days later he made his act of </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05752c.htm"><span style="color: black;">faith</span></a><span style="color: black;">, drawing down the rebuke of </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08374c.htm"><span style="color: black;">Jesus</span></a><span style="color: black;">: "Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed" (</span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/joh020.htm#vrs29"><span style="color: black;">John 20:29</span></a></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">)</span>."</span><br />
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For more on this great Apostle to the East, you might follow these links:<br />
<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/saint-thomas-the-apostle/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: St. Thomas the Apostle</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14658b.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Thomas the Apostle</a><br />
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<em>The position of the Earth today, the Winter, or Southern, solstice.</em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[</span></em><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113521]</span></em><br />
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Today, at 4:47PM EST is also the Winter solstice -- when the Sun reaches its southernmost point on the ecliptic and is directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn. Thus, for the Northern Hemisphere, today is the shortest day of the year. On the bright side, however, the length of days now increase until the summer solstice in late June.<br />
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Thus, with Christmas, the light increases, as with the Nativity of St. John the Baptist it decreases: "<em>illum oportet crescere me autem minui" (John 3:30). </em>Christ is, indeed, the light of the world -- <i>Veni, O Oriens</i>!<br />
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Live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-86269401739057032532022-12-17T10:08:00.001-05:002022-12-17T10:08:45.605-05:00O Antiphons of Advent Vespers<br />
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<em>Christ the High Priest, from the Ghent altarpiece, 1432AD.</em><br />
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Today, 17 December, we begin the final days of the Advent season leading to Christmas, and, happily, we begin the days of the great "O" antiphons of Vespers. These antiphons, which would be chanted before and after the <em>Magnificat</em> at Vespers each day, are the inspiration for the wonderful Advent hymn, <em>Veni, Veni Emmanuel</em>; O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Each antiphon presents an invocation of Christ under a different title. Taking the first letter of the title of each day starting on 23 December and proceeding to the 17th, these antiphons, in Latin, spell: <em>ERO CRAS</em>. Tomorrow, I come. This site gives an excellent overview: <a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customsadvent10.html" target="_blank">Fisheaters: O Antiphons</a><br />
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I present here the antiphons in their order for your edification and consideration over these next few days, followed by a link to the text of Advent Vespers from the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary:<br />
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<b><u>17 DECEMBER</u></b><br />
Today's antiphon, inspired by Ecclesiastes 24:5 and Wisdom 8:1, is:<br />
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<dd><em>O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti,</em></dd><dd><em>attingens a fine usque ad finem,</em></dd><dd><em>fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia:</em></dd><dd><em>veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae</em></dd><br />
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<dd><br /></dd><dd>O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,</dd><dd>reaching from one end to the other mightily,</dd><dd>and sweetly ordering all things:</dd><dd>Come and teach us the way of prudence</dd><br />
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Here is a link to an excellent reflection on the antiphon for today: <a href="http://wdtprs.com/JTZ/o_antiphons/o_ant_17_dec.htm" target="_blank">WDTPRS: 17 December Antiphon</a><br />
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Chanted, it sounds thus:<br />
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<b><u>18 DECEMBER</u></b><br />
The 18 December antiphon, inspired by Exodus 3:2, and 20:1, is:<br />
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<dd><em>O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel,</em></dd><dd><em>qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,</em></dd><dd><em>et ei in Sina legem dedisti:</em></dd><dd><em>veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.</em></dd><br />
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<dd></dd><dd>O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,</dd><dd>who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush</dd><dd>and gave him the law on Sinai:</dd><dd>Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.</dd><br />
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Here is a link to an excellent reflection on the antiphon for today: <a href="http://www.wdtprs.com/JTZ/o_antiphons/o_ant_18_dec.htm" target="_blank">WDTPRS: 18 December Antiphon</a><br />
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Here is a video of that in Gregorian chant:<br />
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<b><u>19 DECEMBER</u></b><br />
On 19 December antiphon, inspired by Isaiah 11:10, is:<br />
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<dd><em>O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum,</em></dd><dd><em>super quem continebunt reges os suum,</em></dd><dd><em>quem Gentes deprecabuntur:</em></dd><dd><em>veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.</em></dd><br />
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<dd><br /></dd><dd>O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;</dd><dd>before you kings will shut their mouths,</dd><dd>to you the nations will make their prayer:</dd><dd>Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.</dd><br />
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Here is a link to an excellent reflection on the antiphon for today: <a href="http://www.wdtprs.com/JTZ/o_antiphons/o_ant_19_dec.htm" target="_blank">WDTPRS: 19 December Antiphon</a><br />
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The chant is here:<br />
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<b><u>20 DECEMBER</u></b><br />
The 20 December antiphon, inspired by Isaiah 22:22, Revelation 3:7, and Luke 1:79, is:<br />
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<dd><em>O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel;</em><br />
<em>qui aperis, et nemo claudit;</em></dd><em> claudis, et nemo aperit:</em><br />
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<dd><em>veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris,</em><br />
<em>sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.</em></dd><br />
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<dd>O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;</dd><dd>you open and no one can shut;</dd><dd>you shut and no one can open:</dd><dd>Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,</dd><dd>those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.</dd><br />
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Here is a link to an excellent reflection on the antiphon for today: <a href="http://wdtprs.com/JTZ/o_antiphons/o_ant_20_dec.htm" target="_blank">WDTPRS: 20 December Antiphon</a><br />
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This video presents the Gregorian chant setting:<br />
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<b><u>21 DECEMBER</u></b><br />
The 21 December antiphon is, inspired by Psalm 106:10:<br />
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<em>O Oriens,</em></dd><dd><em>splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae:</em></dd><dd><em>veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.</em></dd><br />
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<dd><br /></dd><dd>O Morning Star,</dd><dd>splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:</dd><dd>Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.</dd><br />
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Here is a link to an excellent reflection on the antiphon for today: <a href="http://wdtprs.com/JTZ/o_antiphons/o_ant_21_dec.htm" target="_blank">WDTPRS: 20 December Antiphon</a><br />
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Here is a video of the chant:<br />
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<b><u>22 DECEMBER</u></b><br />
The 22 December antiphon, inspired by Haggai 2:3 and Ephesians 2:14 & 20, is:<br />
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<dd><em>O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum,</em></dd><dd><em>lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum:</em></dd><dd><em>veni, et salva hominem,</em></dd><dd><em>quem de limo formasti.</em></dd><br />
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O King of the nations, and their desire,</dd><dd>the cornerstone making both one:</dd><dd>Come and save the human race,</dd><dd>which you fashioned from clay.<br />
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Here is a link to an excellent reflection on the antiphon for today: <a href="http://wdtprs.com/JTZ/o_antiphons/o_ant_22_dec.htm" target="_blank">WDTPRS: 22 December Antiphon</a><br />
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The Gregorian chant can be heard here:<br />
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<b><u>23 DECEMBER</u></b><br />
The 23 December, and most famous, antiphon, inspired by Isaiah 7:14 and 33:22, is:<br />
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<dd><em>O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster,</em></dd><dd><em>exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum:</em></dd><dd><em>veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster</em></dd><br />
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O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,</dd><dd>the hope of the nations and their Saviour:</dd><dd>Come and save us, O Lord our God.<br />
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Here is a link to an excellent reflection on the antiphon for today: <a href="http://wdtprs.com/JTZ/o_antiphons/o_ant_23_dec.htm" target="_blank">WDTPRS: 23 December Antiphon</a><br />
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Here is the Gregorian chant of the antiphon:<br />
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<b><u>VESPERS!</u></b><br />
This link will take you to the text of the next of the liturgical hours of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, <em>Vespers</em>, the Evening hour, for the Advent Season: <a href="http://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/LittleOffice.htm" target="_blank">Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary</a><br />
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The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary is thought to date to St. John Damascene (+749), and has been used by such individuals as King St. Louis IX of France, St. Antoninus of Florence, St. Vincent Ferrer, St. Frances of Rome, and Queen Mary Stuart of Scotland. It is a wonderful devotion, about which you can read more here: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09294a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: Little Office of Our Lady</a><br />
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Live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-83192842305692728462022-12-12T08:01:00.002-05:002022-12-12T08:01:27.705-05:00Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas<br />
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<em>The Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe.</em><br />
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Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe -- a unique title of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as she appeared in Mexico to St. Juan Diego. The miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, is justly famous. She first appeared to St. Juan Diego on 9 December 1531, that day of December now being his feast, and it was today, 12 December 1531, that St. Juan opened his tilma full of roses for Bishop Zumarraga of Mexico City, revealing the miraculous image pictured above.<br />
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While the Spanish, under Hernan Cortes, had subdued the Aztec Empire with the capture of Tenochtitlan on 14 August 1521, few Mexicans converted to Catholicism until this 1531 appearance of Our Lady. The appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe was a crucial turning point in the evangelization of the New World -- and remains a deeply seated devotion in the Catholics of the Americas. The devotion spread even to the Old World, though, with an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe even being present at the Battle of Lepanto against the Turk in AD1571!<br />
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Today, then, is a great feast and occasion of joy for Catholics, in general, the Americas, more particularly, and Mexico most especially!<br />
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<em>The "Ancient" Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I will not picture the new one on my page out of consideration for the reader.</em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[</span></em><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">By Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41473263]</span></em><br />
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For more information on the feast, you might note: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07043a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: O.L. of Guadalupe</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customsadvent6.html" target="_blank">Fisheaters: Our Lady of Guadalupe</a><br />
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<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/our-lady-of-guadalupe/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: Our Lady of Guadalupe</a><br />
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Here is a link to the website of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City: <a href="http://virgendeguadalupe.mx/" target="_blank">Basilica of Guadalupe</a><br />
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It is certainly interesting, as well, to note the connection in name with the older devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe coming from the Spanish monastery in Extremadura. It was to this Our Lady of Guadalupe that King Alfonso XI of Castile and Leon credited the Christian victory at the Battle of Salado in the AD1340 against the Islamic armies of Grenada and their Marinid allies. Further, it was to this Virgin of Guadalupe that Christopher Columbus credited the safe return of his first voyage, coming in thanksgiving to the monastery after his return from the discovery of the New World -- with the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe named for the Blessed Virgin under this title by Columbus.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEw75Lqtgj6HuAJTnxpvBO-7UBN5vS4y6CuE7fC_rAtK4GYAfRYFyKsixGXv7DuylnWnF1b6n3dxpvUNCBGFRVm4VqOwzwEhud7Lfwfh58PK4754XBTRleAjnjMM4aC6pgUjtqrMOe3sJ/s1600/Virgenguadalupe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="337" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEw75Lqtgj6HuAJTnxpvBO-7UBN5vS4y6CuE7fC_rAtK4GYAfRYFyKsixGXv7DuylnWnF1b6n3dxpvUNCBGFRVm4VqOwzwEhud7Lfwfh58PK4754XBTRleAjnjMM4aC6pgUjtqrMOe3sJ/s400/Virgenguadalupe.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<em>Our Lady of Guadalupe of Extremadura, Spain.</em><br />
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Read more about the "other" Virgin of Guadalupe here: <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/665" target="_blank">Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe</a><br />
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Live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-24047682027280802142022-12-08T06:00:00.000-05:002022-12-08T06:00:00.161-05:00Solemn Feast of the Immaculate Conception<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEKvnJceZQF5jdt3Vp5iS1Om9nw1wyEWnb_2thFyrANX325Qv6h3p6o0wMBhfKf7AvAY6cUpquHlLJbyyqxADaOm1cdQE8thB_3fWz2MWeurZmr2cXrRIpUGTZeFBJby0h2IfY8WvC5rI/s1600/Annunciazione_-_Lanfranco_%2528Catinari%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="677" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEKvnJceZQF5jdt3Vp5iS1Om9nw1wyEWnb_2thFyrANX325Qv6h3p6o0wMBhfKf7AvAY6cUpquHlLJbyyqxADaOm1cdQE8thB_3fWz2MWeurZmr2cXrRIpUGTZeFBJby0h2IfY8WvC5rI/s640/Annunciazione_-_Lanfranco_%2528Catinari%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<em>Annunciation by Lanfranco, 1616AD. </em><em>This image is found in the Church of San Carlo ai Catinari in Rome, Italy. This blogger was struck by the work when he first saw it in person. </em></div>
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Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception -- the Patronal Feast Day of the United States of America, and a Holy Day of Obligation.
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On this day we celebrate that the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, was conceived without the stain of Original Sin by a unique privilege. Indeed, how could the Christian even contemplate for a moment and suppose that the Mother of Christ, Our Divine Lord, would be created less perfect than Eve?<br />
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"<em>Ave, gratia plena</em>!" was the Angelic greeting to Our Lady, who was ever without sin, the opening line, too, of the Ave Maria, a setting of which, with the use of a double choir, by Tomas Luis de Victoria (+1611), I present here:<br />
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The collect of the day fittingly encapsulates what this feast means: "<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">O God, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, didst prepare for Thy Son a worthy habitation, we beseech Thee, that as Thou didst preserve her from every stain by the foreseen death of this, Thy Son, so Thou wouldst grant that we also being cleansed from guilt by her intercession, may come to Thee</span>."<br />
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<em>Magnificat Madonna by Sandro Boticelli, painted in the 1480sAD.</em></div>
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Here is an article giving a history of the feast, doctrine, and other details: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07674d.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: Immaculate Conception</a><br />
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For yet more on the feast and its customs, you should note: <a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customsadvent5.html" target="_blank">Fisheaters: Feast of the Immaculate Conception</a><br />
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The Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was solemnly proclaimed by Blessed Pope Pius IX (reigned 1846-1878) in 1854AD with his Apostolic Constitution, <i>Ineffabilis Deus</i>, which I present here in whole:<br />
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<center>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: large;">
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION</span></h1>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>
Ineffabilis Deus</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Apostolic Constitution issued by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854.</span></center>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God Ineffable -- whose ways are mercy and truth, whose will is omnipotence itself, and whose wisdom "reaches from end to end mightily, and orders all things sweetly" -- having foreseen from all eternity the lamentable wretchedness of the entire human race which would result from the sin of Adam, decreed, by a plan hidden from the centuries, to complete the first work of his goodness by a mystery yet more wondrously sublime through the Incarnation of the Word. This he decreed in order that man who, contrary to the plan of Divine Mercy had been led into sin by the cunning malice of Satan, should not perish; and in order that what had been lost in the first Adam would be gloriously restored in the Second Adam. From the very beginning, and before time began, the eternal Father chose and prepared for his only-begotten Son a Mother in whom the Son of God would become incarnate and from whom, in the blessed fullness of time, he would be born into this world. Above all creatures did God so loved her that truly in her was the Father well pleased with singular delight. Therefore, far above all the angels and all the saints so wondrously did God endow her with the abundance of all heavenly gifts poured from the treasury of his divinity that this mother, ever absolutely free of all stain of sin, all fair and perfect, would possess that fullness of holy innocence and sanctity than which, under God, one cannot even imagine anything greater, and which, outside of God, no mind can succeed in comprehending fully.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Supreme Reason for the Privilege: The Divine Maternity</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And indeed it was wholly fitting that so wonderful a mother should be ever resplendent with the glory of most sublime holiness and so completely free from all taint of original sin that she would triumph utterly over the ancient serpent. To her did the Father will to give his only-begotten Son -- the Son whom, equal to the Father and begotten by him, the Father loves from his heart -- and to give this Son in such a way that he would be the one and the same common Son of God the Father and of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was she whom the Son himself chose to make his Mother and it was from her that the Holy Spirit willed and brought it about that he should be conceived and born from whom he himself proceeds.<sup>[1]</sup></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Liturgical Argument</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Catholic Church, directed by the Holy Spirit of God, is the pillar and base of truth and has ever held as divinely revealed and as contained in the deposit of heavenly revelation this doctrine concerning the original innocence of the august Virgin -- a doctrine which is so perfectly in harmony with her wonderful sanctity and preeminent dignity as Mother of God -- and thus has never ceased to explain, to teach and to foster this doctrine age after age in many ways and by solemn acts. From this very doctrine, flourishing and wondrously propagated in the Catholic world through the efforts and zeal of the bishops, was made very clear by the Church when she did not hesitate to present for the public devotion and veneration of the faithful the Feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin.<sup>[2]</sup> By this most significant fact, the Church made it clear indeed that the conception of Mary is to be venerated as something extraordinary, wonderful, eminently holy, and different from the conception of all other human beings -- for the Church celebrates only the feast days of the saints.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And hence the very words with which the Sacred Scriptures speak of Uncreated Wisdom and set forth his eternal origin, the Church, both in its ecclesiastical offices and in its liturgy, has been wont to apply likewise to the origin of the Blessed Virgin, inasmuch as God, by one and the same decree, had established the origin of Mary and the Incarnation of Divine Wisdom.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ordinary Teaching of the Roman Church</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These truths, so generally accepted and put into practice by the faithful, indicate how zealously the Roman Church, mother and teacher of all Churches, has continued to teach this doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin. Yet the more important actions of the Church deserve to be mentioned in detail. For such dignity and authority belong to the Church that she alone is the center of truth and of Catholic unity. It is the Church in which alone religion has been inviolably preserved and from which all other Churches must receive the tradition of the Faith.<sup>[3]</sup></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The same Roman Church, therefore, desired nothing more than by the most persuasive means to state, to protect, to promote and to defend the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. This fact is most clearly shown to the whole world by numerous and significant acts of the Roman Pontiffs, our predecessors. To them, in the person of the Prince of the Apostles, were divinely entrusted by Christ our Lord, the charge and supreme care and the power of feeding the lambs and sheep; in particular, of confirming their brethren, and of ruling and governing the universal Church.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Veneration of the Immaculate</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our predecessors, indeed, by virtue of their apostolic authority, gloried in instituting the Feast of the Conception in the Roman Church. They did so to enhance its importance and dignity by a suitable Office and Mass, whereby the prerogative of the Virgin, her exception from the hereditary taint, was most distinctly affirmed. As to the homage already instituted, they spared no effort to promote and to extend it either by the granting of indulgences, or by allowing cities, provinces and kingdoms to choose as their patroness God's own Mother, under the title of "The Immaculate Conception." Again, our predecessors approved confraternities, congregations and religious communities founded in honor of the Immaculate Conception, monasteries, hospitals, altars, or churches; they praised persons who vowed to uphold with all their ability the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God. Besides, it afforded the greatest joy to our predecessors to ordain that the Feast of the Conception should be celebrated in every church with the very same honor as the Feast of the Nativity; that it should be celebrated with an octave by the whole Church; that it should be reverently and generally observed as a holy day of obligation; and that a pontifical Capella should be held in our Liberian pontifical basilica on the day dedicated to the conception of the Virgin. Finally, in their desire to impress this doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God upon the hearts of the faithful, and to intensify the people's piety and enthusiasm for the homage and the veneration of the Virgin conceived without the stain of original sin, they delighted to grant, with the greatest pleasure, permission to proclaim the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin in the Litany of Loreto, and in the Preface of the Mass, so that the rule of prayer might thus serve to illustrate the rule of belief. Therefore, we ourselves, following the procedure of our predecessors, have not only approved and accepted what had already been established, but bearing in mind, moreover, the decree of Sixtus IV, <sup>[4]</sup> have confirmed by our authority a proper Office in honor of the Immaculate Conception, and have with exceeding joy extended its use to the universal Church.<sup>[5]</sup></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Roman Doctrine</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now inasmuch as whatever pertains to sacred worship is intimately connected with its object and cannot have either consistency or durability if this object is vague or uncertain, our predecessors, the Roman Pontiffs, therefore, while directing all their efforts toward an increase of the devotion to the conception, made it their aim not only to emphasize the object with the utmost zeal, but also to enunciate the exact doctrine.<sup>[6]</sup> Definitely and clearly they taught that the feast was held in honor of the conception of the Virgin. They denounced as false and absolutely foreign to the mind of the Church the opinion of those who held and affirmed that it was not the conception of the Virgin but her sanctification that was honored by the Church. They never thought that greater leniency should be extended toward those who, attempting to disprove the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, devised a distinction between the first and second instance of conception and inferred that the conception which the Church celebrates was not that of the first instance of conception but the second. In fact, they held it was their duty not only to uphold and defend with all their power the Feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin but also to assert that the true object of this veneration was her conception considered in its first instant. Hence the words of one of our predecessors, Alexander VII, who authoritatively and decisively declared the mind of the Church: "Concerning the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, ancient indeed is that devotion of the faithful based on the belief that her soul, in the first instant of its creation and in the first instant of the soul's infusion into the body, was, by a special grace and privilege of God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, her Son and the Redeemer of the human race, preserved free from all stain of original sin. And in this sense have the faithful ever solemnized and celebrated the Feast of the Conception."<sup>[7]</sup></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Moreover, our predecessors considered it their special solemn duty with all diligence, zeal, and effort to preserve intact the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God. For, not only have they in no way ever allowed this doctrine to be censured or changed, but they have gone much further and by clear statements repeatedly asserted that the doctrine by which we profess the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin is on its own merits entirely in harmony with the ecclesiastical veneration; that it is ancient and widespread, and of the same nature as that which the Roman Church has undertaken to promote and to protect, and that it is entirely worthy to be used in the Sacred Liturgy and solemn prayers. Not content with this they most strictly prohibited any opinion contrary to this doctrine to be defended in public or private in order that the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin might remain inviolate. By repeated blows they wished to put an end to such an opinion. And lest these oft-repeated and clearest statements seem useless, they added a sanction to them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Papal Sanctions</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All these things our illustrious predecessor, Alexander VII, summed up in these words: "We have in mind the fact that the Holy Roman Church solemnly celebrated the Feast of the Conception of the undefiled and ever-Virgin Mary, and has long ago appointed for this a special and proper Office according to the pious, devout, and laudable instruction which was given by our predecessor, Sixtus IV. Likewise, we were desirous, after the example of our predecessors, to favor this praiseworthy piety, devotion, feast and veneration -- a veneration which is in keeping with the piety unchanged in the Roman Church from the day it was instituted. We also desired to protect this piety and devotion of venerating and extolling the most Blessed Virgin preserved from original sin by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, we were anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace in the flock of Christ by putting down arguments and controversies and by removing scandals. So at the instance and request of the bishops mentioned above, with the chapters of the churches, and of King Philip and his kingdoms, we renew the Constitutions and Decrees issued by the Roman Pontiffs, our predecessors, especially Sixtus IV,<sup>[8]</sup> Paul V,<sup>[9]</sup> and Gregory XV,<sup>[10]</sup> in favor of the doctrine asserting that the soul of the Blessed Virgin, in its creation and infusion into the body, was endowed with the grace of the Holy Spirit and preserved from original sin; and also in favor of the feast and veneration of the conception of the Virgin Mother of God, which, as is manifest, was instituted in keeping with that pious belief. So we command this feast to be observed under the censures and penalties contained in the same Constitutions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"And therefore, against all and everyone of those who shall continue to construe the said Constitutions and Decrees in a manner apt to frustrate the favor which is thereby given to the said doctrine, and to the feast and relative veneration, or who shall dare to call into question the said sentence, feast and worship, or in any way whatever, directly or indirectly, shall declare themselves opposed to it under any pretext whatsoever, were it but only to the extent of examining the possibilities of effecting the definition, or who shall comment upon and interpret the Sacred Scripture, or the Fathers or Doctors in connection therewith, or finally, for any reason, or on any occasion, shall dare, either in writing or verbally, to speak, preach, treat, dispute or determine upon, or assert whatsoever against the foregoing matters, or who shall adduce any arguments against them, while leaving them unresolved, or who shall disagree therewith in any other conceivable manner, we hereby declare that in addition to the penalties and censures contained in the Constitutions issued by Sixtus IV to which we want them to be subjected and to which we subject them by the present Constitution, we hereby decree that they be deprived of the authority of preaching, reading in public, that is to say teaching and interpreting; and that they be also deprived ipso facto of the power of voting, either actively or passively, in all elections, without the need for any further declaration; and that also, ipso facto, without any further declaration, they shall incur the penalty of perpetual disability from preaching, reading in public, teaching and interpreting, and that it shall not be possible to absolve them from such penalty, or remove it, save through ourselves, or the Roman Pontiffs who shall succeed us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"We also require that the same shall remain subject to any other penalties which by us, of our own free will -- or by the Roman Pontiffs, our successors (according as they may decree) -- shall be deemed advisable to establish, and by the present Constitution we declare them subject thereto, and hereby renew the above Decrees and Constitutions of Paul V and Gregory XV.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Moreover, as regards those books in which the said sentence, feast and relative veneration are called into question or are contradicted in any way whatsoever, according to what has already been stated, either in writing or verbally, in discourses, sermons, lectures, treatises and debates -- that may have been printed after the above-praised Decree of Paul V, or may be printed hereafter we hereby prohibit them, subject to the penalties and censures established by the Index of prohibited books, and ipso facto, without any further declaration, we desire and command that they be held as expressly prohibited."<sup>[11]</sup></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Testimonies of the Catholic World</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All are aware with how much diligence this doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God has been handed down, proposed and defended by the most outstanding religious orders, by the more celebrated theological academies, and by very eminent doctors in the sciences of theology. All know, likewise, how eager the bishops have been to profess openly and publicly, even in ecclesiastical assemblies, that Mary, the most holy Mother of God, by virtue of the foreseen merits of Christ, our Lord and Redeemer, was never subject to original sin, but was completely preserved from the original taint, and hence she was redeemed in a manner more sublime.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Council of Trent</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Besides, we must note a fact of the greatest importance indeed. Even the Council of Trent itself, when it promulgated the dogmatic decree concerning original sin, following the testimonies of the Sacred Scriptures, of the Holy Fathers and of the renowned Council, decreed and defined that all men are born infected by original sin; nevertheless, it solemnly declared that it had no intention of including the blessed and immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, in this decree and in the general extension of its definition. Indeed, considering the times and circumstances, the Fathers of Trent sufficiently intimated by this declaration that the Blessed Virgin Mary was free from the original stain; and thus they clearly signified that nothing could be reasonably cited from the Sacred Scriptures, from Tradition, or from the authority of the Fathers, which would in any way be opposed to so great a prerogative of the Blessed Virgin.<sup>[12]</sup></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Testimonies of Tradition</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And indeed, illustrious documents of venerable antiquity, of both the Eastern and the Western Church, very forcibly testify that this doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the most Blessed Virgin, which was daily more and more splendidly explained, stated and confirmed by the highest authority, teaching, zeal, knowledge, and wisdom of the Church, and which was disseminated among all peoples and nations of the Catholic world in a marvelous manner -- this doctrine always existed in the Church as a doctrine that has been received from our ancestors, and that has been stamped with the character of revealed doctrine. For the Church of Christ, watchful guardian that she is, and defender of the dogmas deposited with her, never changes anything, never diminishes anything, never adds anything to them; but with all diligence she treats the ancient documents faithfully and wisely; if they really are of ancient origin and if the faith of the Fathers has transmitted them, she strives to investigate and explain them in such a way that the ancient dogmas of heavenly doctrine will be made evident and clear, but will retain their full, integral, and proper nature, and will grown only within their own genus -- that is, within the same dogma, in the same sense and the same meaning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Interpreters of the Sacred Scripture</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Fathers and writers of the Church, well versed in the heavenly Scriptures, had nothing more at heart than to vie with one another in preaching and teaching in many wonderful ways the Virgin's supreme sanctity, dignity, and immunity from all stain of sin, and her renowned victory over the most foul enemy of the human race. This they did in the books they wrote to explain the Scriptures, to vindicate the dogmas, and to instruct the faithful. These ecclesiastical writers in quoting the words by which at the beginning of the world God announced his merciful remedies prepared for the regeneration of mankind -- words by which he crushed the audacity of the deceitful serpent and wondrously raised up the hope of our race, saying, "I will put enmities between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed"<sup>[13]</sup> -- taught that by this divine prophecy the merciful Redeemer of mankind, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was clearly foretold: That his most Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary, was prophetically indicated; and, at the same time, the very enmity of both against the evil one was significantly expressed. Hence, just as Christ, the Mediator between God and man, assumed human nature, blotted the handwriting of the decree that stood against us, and fastened it triumphantly to the cross, so the most holy Virgin, united with him by a most intimate and indissoluble bond, was, with him and through him, eternally at enmity with the evil serpent, and most completely triumphed over him, and thus crushed his head with her immaculate foot.<sup>[14]</sup></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This sublime and singular privilege of the Blessed Virgin, together with her most excellent innocence, purity, holiness and freedom from every stain of sin, as well as the unspeakable abundance and greatness of all heavenly graces, virtues and privileges -- these the Fathers beheld in that ark of Noah, which was built by divine command and escaped entirely safe and sound from the common shipwreck of the whole world;<sup>[15]</sup> in the ladder which Jacob saw reaching from the earth to heaven, by whose rungs the angels of God ascended and descended, and on whose top the Lord himself leaned'<sup>[16]</sup> in that bush which Moses saw in the holy place burning on all sides, which was not consumed or injured in any way but grew green and blossomed beautifully;<sup>[17]</sup> in that impregnable tower before the enemy, from which hung a thousand bucklers and all the armor of the strong;<sup>[18]</sup> in that garden enclosed on all sides, which cannot be violated or corrupted by any deceitful plots;<sup>[19]</sup> as in that resplendent city of God, which has its foundations on the holy mountains;<sup>[20]</sup> in that most august temple of God, which, radiant with divine splendors, is full of the glory of God;<sup>[21]</sup> and in very many other biblical types of this kind. In such allusions the Fathers taught that the exalted dignity of the Mother of God, her spotless innocence and her sanctity unstained by any fault, had been prophesied in a wonderful manner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In like manner did they use the words of the prophets to describe this wondrous abundance of divine gifts and the original innocence of the Virgin of whom Jesus was born. They celebrated the august Virgin as the spotless dove, as the holy Jerusalem, as the exalted throne of God, as the ark and house of holiness which Eternal Wisdom built, and as that Queen who, abounding in delights and leaning on her Beloved, came forth from the mouth of the Most High, entirely perfect, beautiful, most dear to God and never stained with the least blemish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Annunciation</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When the Fathers and writers of the Church meditated on the fact that the most Blessed Virgin was, in the name and by order of God himself, proclaimed full of grace<sup>[22]</sup> by the Angel Gabriel when he announced her most sublime dignity of Mother of God, they thought that this singular and solemn salutation, never heard before, showed that the Mother of God is the seat of all divine graces and is adorned with all gifts of the Holy Spirit. To them Mary is an almost infinite treasury, an inexhaustible abyss of these gifts, to such an extent that she was never subject to the curse and was, together with her Son, the only partaker of perpetual benediction. Hence she was worthy to hear Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, exclaim: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."<sup>[23]</sup></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mary Compared with Eve</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hence, it is the clear and unanimous opinion of the Fathers that the most glorious Virgin, for whom "he who is mighty has done great things," was resplendent with such an abundance of heavenly gifts, with such a fullness of grace and with such innocence, that she is an unspeakable miracle of God -- indeed, the crown of all miracles and truly the Mother of God; that she approaches as near to God himself as is possible for a created being; and that she is above all men and angels in glory. Hence, to demonstrate the original innocence and sanctity of the Mother of God, not only did they frequently compare her to Eve while yet a virgin, while yet innocence, while yet incorrupt, while not yet deceived by the deadly snares of the most treacherous serpent; but they have also exalted her above Eve with a wonderful variety of expressions. Eve listened to the serpent with lamentable consequences; she fell from original innocence and became his slave. The most Blessed Virgin, on the contrary, ever increased her original gift, and not only never lent an ear to the serpent, but by divinely given power she utterly destroyed the force and dominion of the evil one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Biblical Figures</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Accordingly, the Fathers have never ceased to call the Mother of God the lily among thorns, the land entirely intact, the Virgin undefiled, immaculate, ever blessed, and free from all contagion of sin, she from whom was formed the new Adam, the flawless, brightest, and most beautiful paradise of innocence, immortality and delights planted by God himself and protected against all the snares of the poisonous serpent, the incorruptible wood that the worm of sin had never corrupted, the fountain ever clear and sealed with the power of the Holy Spirit, the most holy temple, the treasure of immortality, the one and only daughter of life -- not of death -- the plant not of anger but of grace, through the singular providence of God growing ever green contrary to the common law, coming as it does from a corrupted and tainted root.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Explicit Affirmation . . .</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As if these splendid eulogies and tributes were not sufficient, the Fathers proclaimed with particular and definite statements that when one treats of sin, the holy Virgin Mary is not even to be mentioned; for to her more grace was given than was necessary to conquer sin completely.<sup>[24]</sup> They also declared that the most glorious Virgin was Reparatrix of the first parents, the giver of life to posterity; that she was chosen before the ages, prepared for himself by the Most High, foretold by God when he said to the serpent, "I will put enmities between you and the woman."<sup>[25]</sup>-unmistakable evidence that she was crushed the poisonous head of the serpent. And hence they affirmed that the Blessed Virgin was, through grace, entirely free from every stain of sin, and from all corruption of body, soul and mind; that she was always united with God and joined to him by an eternal covenant; that she was never in darkness but always in light; and that, therefore, she was entirely a fit habitation for Christ, not because of the state of her body, but because of her original grace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. . . Of a Super Eminent Sanctity</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To these praises they have added very noble words. Speaking of the conception of the Virgin, they testified that nature yielded to grace and, unable to go on, stood trembling. The Virgin Mother of God would not be conceived by Anna before grace would bear its fruits; it was proper that she be conceived as the first-born, by whom "the first-born of every creature" would be conceived. They testified, too, that the flesh of the Virgin, although derived from Adam, did not contract the stains of Adam, and that on this account the most Blessed Virgin was the tabernacle created by God himself and formed by the Holy Spirit, truly a work in royal purple, adorned and woven with gold, which that new Beseleel<sup>[26]</sup> made. They affirmed that the same Virgin is, and is deservedly, the first and especial work of God, escaping the fiery arrows the the evil one; that she is beautiful by nature and entirely free from all stain; that at her Immaculate Conception she came into the world all radiant like the dawn. For it was certainly not fitting that this vessel of election should be wounded by the common injuries, since she, differing so much from the others, had only nature in common with them, not sin. In fact, it was quite fitting that, as the Only-Begotten has a Father in heaven, whom the Seraphim extol as thrice holy, so he should have a Mother on earth who would never be without the splendor of holiness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This doctrine so filled the minds and souls of our ancestors in the faith that a singular and truly marvelous style of speech came into vogue among them. They have frequently addressed the Mother of God as immaculate, as immaculate in every respect; innocent, and verily most innocent; spotless, and entirely spotless; holy and removed from every stain of sin; all pure, all stainless, the very model of purity and innocence; more beautiful than beauty, more lovely than loveliness; more holy than holiness, singularly holy and most pure in soul and body; the one who surpassed all integrity and virginity; the only one who has become the dwelling place of all the graces of the most Holy Spirit. God alone excepted, Mary is more excellent than all, and by nature fair and beautiful, and more holy than the Cherubim and Seraphim. To praise her all the tongues of heaven and earth do not suffice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Everyone is cognizant that this style of speech has passed almost spontaneously into the books of the most holy liturgy and the Offices of the Church, in which they occur so often and abundantly. In them, the Mother of God is invoked and praised as the one spotless and most beautiful dove, as a rose ever blooming, as perfectly pure, ever immaculate, and ever blessed. She is celebrated as innocence never sullied and as the second Eve who brought forth the Emmanuel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Preparation for the Definition</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">No wonder, then, that the Pastors of the Church and the faithful gloried daily more and more in professing with so much piety, religion, and love this doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mother of God, which, as the Fathers discerned, was recorded in the Divine Scriptures; which was handed down in so many of their most important writings; which was expressed and celebrated in so many illustrious monuments of venerable antiquity; which was proposed and confirmed by the official and authoritative teaching of the Church. Hence, nothing was dearer, nothing more pleasing to these pastors than to venerate, invoke, and proclaim with most ardent affection the Virgin Mother of God conceived without original stain. Accordingly, from ancient times the bishops of the Church, ecclesiastics, religious orders, and even emperors and kings, have earnestly petitioned this Apostolic See to define a dogma of the Catholic Faith the Immaculate Conception of the most holy Mother of God. These petitions were renewed in these our own times; they were especially brought to the attention of Gregory XVI, our predecessor of happy memory, and to ourselves, not only by bishops, but by the secular clergy and religious orders, by sovereign rulers and by the faithful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mindful, indeed, of all these things and considering them most attentively with particular joy in our heart, as soon as we, by the inscrutable design of Providence, had been raised to the sublime Chair of St. Peter -- in spite of our unworthiness -- and had begun to govern the universal Church, nothing have we had more at heart -- a heart which from our tenderest years has overflowed with devoted veneration and love for the most Blessed Virgin -- than to show forth her prerogatives in resplendent light.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That we might proceed with great prudence, we established a special congregation of our venerable brethren, the cardinals of the holy Roman Church, illustrious for their piety, wisdom, and knowledge of the sacred scriptures. We also selected priests, both secular and regular, well trained in the theological sciences, that they should most carefully consider all matters pertaining to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin and make known to us their opinion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Mind of the Bishops</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Although we knew the mind of the bishops from the petitions which we had received from them, namely, that the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin be finally defined, nevertheless, on February 2, 1849,<sup>[27]</sup> we sent an Encyclical Letter from Gaeta to all our venerable brethren, the bishops of the Catholic world, that they should offer prayers to God and then tell us in writing what the piety an devotion of their faithful was in regard to the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God. We likewise inquired what the bishops themselves thought about defining this doctrine and what their wishes were in regard to making known with all possible solemnity our supreme judgment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We were certainly filled with the greatest consolation when the replies of our venerable brethren came to us. For, replying to us with a most enthusiastic joy, exultation and zeal, they not only again confirmed their own singular piety toward the Immaculate Conception of the most Blessed Virgin, and that of the secular and religious clergy and of the faithful, but with one voice they even entreated us to define our supreme judgment and authority the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin. In the meantime we were indeed filled with no less joy when, after a diligent examination, our venerable brethren, the cardinals of the special congregation and the theologians chosen by us as counselors (whom we mentioned above), asked with the same enthusiasm and fervor for the definition of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Consequently, following the examples of our predecessors, and desiring to proceed in the traditional manner, we announced and held a consistory, in which we addressed our brethren, the cardinals of the Holy Roman Church. It was the greatest spiritual joy for us when we heard them ask us to promulgate the dogmatic definition of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mother of God.<sup>[28]</sup></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Therefore, having full trust in the Lord that the opportune time had come for defining the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, which Holy Scripture, venerable Tradition, the constant mind of the Church, the desire of Catholic bishops and the faithful, and the memorable Acts and Constitutions of our predecessors, wonderfully illustrate and proclaim, and having most diligently considered all things, as we poured forth to God ceaseless and fervent prayers, we concluded that we should no longer delay in decreeing and defining by our supreme authority the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin. And thus, we can satisfy the most holy desire of the Catholic world as well as our own devotion toward the most holy Virgin, and at the same time honor more and more the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord through his holy Mother -- since whatever honor and praise are bestowed on the Mother redound to the Son.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Definition</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wherefore, in humility and fasting, we unceasingly offered our private prayers as well as the public prayers of the Church to God the Father through his Son, that he would deign to direct and strengthen our mind by the power of the Holy Spirit. In like manner did we implore the help of the entire heavenly host as we ardently invoked the Paraclete. Accordingly, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, for the honor of the Holy and undivided Trinity, for the glory and adornment of the Virgin Mother of God, for the exaltation of the Catholic Faith, and for the furtherance of the Catholic religion, by the authority of Jesus Christ our Lord, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own: "We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful."<sup>[29]</sup></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hence, if anyone shall dare -- which God forbid! -- to think otherwise than as has been defined by us, let him know and understand that he is condemned by his own judgment; that he has suffered shipwreck in the faith; that he has separated from the unity of the Church; and that, furthermore, by his own action he incurs the penalties established by law if he should are to express in words or writing or by any other outward means the errors he think in his heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hoped-For Results</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our soul overflows with joy and our tongue with exultation. We give, and we shall continue to give, the humblest and deepest thanks to Jesus Christ, our Lord, because through his singular grace he has granted to us, unworthy though we be, to decree and offer this honor and glory and praise to his most holy Mother. All our hope do we repose in the most Blessed Virgin -- in the all fair and immaculate one who has crushed the poisonous head of the most cruel serpent and brought salvation to the world: in her who is the glory of the prophets and apostles, the honor of the martyrs, the crown and joy of all the saints; in her who is the safest refuge and the most trustworthy helper of all who are in danger; in her who, with her only-begotten Son, is the most powerful Mediatrix and Conciliatrix in the whole world; in her who is the most excellent glory, ornament, and impregnable stronghold of the holy Church; in her who has destroyed all heresies and snatched the faithful people and nations from all kinds of direst calamities; in her do we hope who has delivered us from so many threatening dangers. We have, therefore, a very certain hope and complete confidence that the most Blessed Virgin will ensure by her most powerful patronage that all difficulties be removed and all errors dissipated, so that our Holy Mother the Catholic Church may flourish daily more and more throughout all the nations and countries, and may reign "from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth," and may enjoy genuine peace, tranquility and liberty. We are firm in our confidence that she will obtain pardon for the sinner, health for the sick, strength of heart for the weak, consolation for the afflicted, help for those in danger; that she will remove spiritual blindness from all who are in error, so that they may return to the path of truth and justice, and that here may be one flock and one shepherd.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let all the children of the Catholic Church, who are so very dear to us, hear these words of ours. With a still more ardent zeal for piety, religion and love, let them continue to venerate, invoke and pray to the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, conceived without original sin. Let them fly with utter confidence to this most sweet Mother of mercy and grace in all dangers, difficulties, needs, doubts and fears. Under her guidance, under her patronage, under her kindness and protection, nothing is to be feared; nothing is hopeless. Because, while bearing toward us a truly motherly affection and having in her care the work of our salvation, she is solicitous about the whole human race. And since she has been appointed by God to be the Queen of heaven and earth, and is exalted above all the choirs of angels and saints, and even stands at the right hand of her only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, she presents our petitions in a most efficacious manner. What she asks, she obtains. Her pleas can never be unheard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Given at St. Peter's in Rome, the eighth day of December, 1854, in the eighth year of our pontificate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pius IX</span><br />
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<hr />
<br />
FOOTNOTES<br />
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<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Et quidem decebat omnino, ut perfectissimae sanctitatis splendoribus semper ornata fulgeret, ac vel ab ipsa originalis culpae labe plane immunis amplissimum de antiquo sepente triumphum referret tam venerabilis mater, cui Deus Pater unicum Filius suum, quem de corde suo aequalem sibi genitum tamquam seipsum diligit, ita dare disposuit, ut naturaliter esset unus idemque communis Dei Patris et Virginis Filius, et quam ipse Filius, Filius substantialiter facere sibi matrem elegit, et de qua Siritus Sanctus voluit et operatus est, ut conciperetur et nasceretur ille, de quo ipse procedit.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">2. Cf. Ibid., n. 16.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">3. Cf. St. Irenaeus, Adv. Haereses, book III, c. III, n. 2.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">4. C.A. Cum Praeexcelsa, February 28, 1476; Denz., n. 734.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">5. Decree of the Sared Cong. of Rites; September 30, 1847.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">6. This has been the constant care of the Popes, as is shown by the condemnation of one of the propositions of Anthony de Rosmini-Serbati (cf. Denzinger, nn. 1891-1930). This is how the 34th proposition runs (Denzinger, n. 1924): "Ad praeservandam B. V. Mariam a labe originis, satis erat, ut incorruptum maneret minimum sesmen in homine, neglectum forte ab ipso demone, e quo incorrupto semine de generatione in generationem transfuso, suo tempore oriretur Virgo Maria." Decree of the Holy Office, December 14, 1887 (AAS 20, 393). Denz. n. 1924.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">7. Apost. Const. Sollicitudo Omnium Ecclesiarum, December 8, 1661.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">8. Apost. Const. Cum Praeexcelsa, February 28, 1476; Grave Nemis, September 4, 1483; Denz., nn. 734, 735.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">9. Apost. Const. Sanctissimus, September 12, 1617.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">10. Apost. Const. Sanctissimus, June 4, 1622.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">11. Alexander VIII, Apost. Const. Sollicitudo Omnium Ecclesiarum, December 8, 1661.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">12. Sess. V, Can. 6; Denz. n. 792. Declarat tamen haec ipsa sancta Synodus, non esse suae intentionis, comprehendere in hoc decreto, ubi de peccato originali agitur, beatam et immaculatam Virginem Mariam Dei genitricem, sed observandas esse constitutiones felicis recordationis Sixti Papae IV, sub poenis in eis constitutionibus contentis, quas innovat.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">13. Gn 3:15.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">14. Quo circa sicut Christus Dei hominumque mediator, humana assumpta natura, delens quod adversus nos erat chirographum decretia, illud cruci triumphator affixit; sic Sanctissima Virgo, Arctissimo et indissolubili vinculo cum eo conjuncta, una cum illo et per illum, sempiternas contra venenosum serpentem inimicitias exercens, ac de ipso plenissime triumphans, illus caput immaculato pede contrivit.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">15. Cf. Gn. 6:9.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">16. Cf. Gn 28:12.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">17. Cf. Ex 3:2.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">18. Cf. Sg 4:4.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">19. Cf. Sg 4:12.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">20. Cf. Ps 87:1.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">21. Cf. Is 6:1-4.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">22. Cf. Lk 1:28.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">23. Ibid., 42.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">24. Cf. St. Augustine: De Natura et Gratia, c. 36.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">25. Gn 3:15.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">26. Cf. Ex 31:2.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">27. Cf. Ibid., n. 19ff.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">28. Cf. Ibid., n. 27ff.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">29. Declaramus, pronuntiamus et definimus doctrinam quae tenet beatissimam Virginem Mariam in primo instanti suae conceptionis fuisse singulari Omnipotentis Dei gratia et privilegio, intuitu meritorum Christi Jesu Salvatoris humani generis, ab omni originalis culpae labe praeservatam immunem, esse a Deo revelatam, atque idcirco ab omnibus fidelibus firmiter constanterque credendam. Cf. Denz., n. 1641.</span></li>
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This text from: <a href="http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius09/p9ineff.htm" target="_blank">Papalencyclicals.net: <i>Ineffabilis Deus</i></a><br />
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Live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-92172001868791606012022-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:002022-12-07T06:00:00.169-05:00Feast of St. Ambrose, Doctor & Bishop of Milan<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img height="400" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Francisco_de_Zurbar%C3%A1n_032.jpg" width="193" /></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">St. Ambrose, by Francisco de Zurburan</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today, 7 December, is the feast of the great Latin Doctor of the Church and Bishop of Milan, St. Ambrose (+397)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">His election as Bishop of Milan, Italy, in 374 was a surprising turn of events for a mere catechumen, but the wisdom of the decision was certainly vindicated. The able civil administrator proved a diligent, erudite, and competent bishop and a bulwark against the Arian heresy. On 7 December 374, he was installed as bishop, and exercised his episcopal duties until his death in 397.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">St. Ambrose is rightly famous for two events, in particular, aside from his election:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In 387, he baptized a brilliant convert to Christianity, St. Augustine of Hippo, at the Easter Vigil. These two of the four original Latin Doctors of the Church will forever be linked for the brilliant of their writings and sanctity of their lives as bishops.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img height="400" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Anthonis_van_Dyck_005.jpg/800px-Anthonis_van_Dyck_005.jpg" width="301" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>St. Ambrose barring Theodosius from Milan Cathedral by Anthony van Dyck</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The second event came in 390, and pictured above. An imperial governor had been murdered in Thessalonica, and the Emperor Theodosius "the Great," a baptized Catholic, massacred a stadium full (7,000) of in revenge. The Bishop of Milan, St. Ambrose rebuked the emperor, requiring him to do months of public penance before being readmitted to Holy Communion. In a great contrast to what might have happened at the beginning of the century, this Emperor heeded the correction and repented! It is reported that Theodosius said of Ambrose: "I know of no bishop worthy of the name, except Ambrose."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For more on this great bishop and doctor, you might note:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01383c.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Ambrose of Milan</a><br />
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<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/saint-ambrose-of-milan/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: St. Ambrose of Milan</a><br />
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This site offers the full texts of some of his works, in English translation. You find him in his alphabetical place: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/" target="_blank">NewAdvent: Fathers of the Church</a><br />
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For a bit on the Ambrosian liturgy of Milan, you might note: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01394a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: Ambrosian Liturgy and Rite</a> and <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01389a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: Ambrosian Chant</a><br />
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One of this blogger's favorite churches in Rome, Italy, is named for St. Ambrose, along with another, later, Bishop of Milan, St. Charles Borromeo: Santi Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso: <a href="http://www.arciconfraternitasantiambrogioecarlo.it/arciconfraternitasantiambrogioecarlo/index.php?lang=en#" target="_blank">Archconfraternity of Saints Ambrose and Charles</a><br />
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Live well!</div>
Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-46811989014545764562022-12-06T06:00:00.001-05:002022-12-06T06:00:00.169-05:00Feast of St. Nicholas, Bishop<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuXBhe1motomfxC7kyJLMMDk2EbkUvRz7en3PMQn3qkOHcfn4K6-3BDRV_FYgqDRggspDW70NKoyooLaTAJqi3UnLkK-hAntM3sNCAlRzvXxi9HXGBmyCIQfYj53ENX0Dk-ufnTOEsjhy/s1600/Saint_Nicholas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="181" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuXBhe1motomfxC7kyJLMMDk2EbkUvRz7en3PMQn3qkOHcfn4K6-3BDRV_FYgqDRggspDW70NKoyooLaTAJqi3UnLkK-hAntM3sNCAlRzvXxi9HXGBmyCIQfYj53ENX0Dk-ufnTOEsjhy/s400/Saint_Nicholas.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Saint Nicholas, </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_icon" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Russian icon">Russian icon</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> from first quarter of the 18th century (</span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kizhi" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Kizhi">Kizhi</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Monastery">monastery</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karelia" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Karelia">Karelia</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">)</span></i></div>
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Today is the feast of the great St. Nicholas, Bishop and Confessor. St. Nicholas was Bishop of Myra (now Demre), in Asia Minor (now Turkey), who died in the year of Our Lord, around 346.<br />
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Despite what has been done to disfigure who St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, was, we can certainly recall this great saint on his feast, and seek the intercession of this patron saint of children. Indeed, in historical fact, he both existed, and was a great wonderworker -- as he is today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUx3N54zsK9o3kBeCZogg9Za7GSc07hx_0CN8o8LMc2C-K2bMk8H6VBv0c83Xxh-1HpCKBVSrVAuVYaEW3GFxHizNhObtJtcnTQF5bdn2is_UFQ5fpLnm4O3eaDku__dqXF0Mb_tuvAgG/s1600/800px-Gentile_da_Fabriano_063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUx3N54zsK9o3kBeCZogg9Za7GSc07hx_0CN8o8LMc2C-K2bMk8H6VBv0c83Xxh-1HpCKBVSrVAuVYaEW3GFxHizNhObtJtcnTQF5bdn2is_UFQ5fpLnm4O3eaDku__dqXF0Mb_tuvAgG/s400/800px-Gentile_da_Fabriano_063.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The dowry for the three virgins (Gentile da Fabriano, c. 1425, </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinacoteca_Vaticana" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Pinacoteca Vaticana">Pinacoteca Vaticana</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, Rome)</span></i></div>
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It is said that, after returning from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, St. Nicholas was made bishop of Myra. He was imprisoned during the persecution of Diocletian, and released with the rise of the Emperor Constantine I.<br />
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Perhaps the origin of the idea of St. Nicholas bringing gifts down the chimney is this story from the account of the Life of St. Nicholas in the Golden Legend:<br />
"<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And it was so that one, his neighbour, had then three daughters, virgins, and he was a nobleman: but for the poverty of them together, they were constrained, and in very purpose to abandon them to the sin of lechery, so that by the gain and winning of their infamy they might be sustained. And when the holy man Nicholas knew hereof he had great horror of this villainy, and threw by night secretly into the house of the man a mass of gold wrapped in a cloth. And when the man arose in the morning, he found this mass of gold, and rendered to God therefor great thankings, and therewith he married his oldest daughter.<br /><br />And a little while after this holy servant of God threw in another mass of gold, which the man found, and thanked God, and purposed to wake, for to know him that so had aided him in his poverty. And after a few days Nicholas doubled the mass of gold, and cast it into the house of this man. He awoke by the sound of the gold, and followed Nicholas, which fled from him, and he said to him: Sir, flee not away so but that I may see and know thee.<br /><br />Then he ran after him more hastily, and knew that it was Nicholas; and anon he kneeled down, and would have kissed his feet, but the holy man would not, but required him not to tell nor discover this thing as long as he lived</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">.</span>"<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You can read the entire passage here: <a href="http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/goldenlegend/GL-vol2-nicholas.asp" target="_blank">Medieval Sourcebook: The Golden Legend: St. Nicholas</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8TlGy02yJsUlv24n5-voF4Vjf2uzxRpusiUIZbKfJgzHSR30e3q8HXfzpYXNvfVFDq-EMYgMpxOMa91k4QDPUKxI8BrwNkdHlusN338WrF5PZoy2tJSSrXcxQBce-dLiYP2tLIFRLfIj/s1600/St._Nicholas_Bari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8TlGy02yJsUlv24n5-voF4Vjf2uzxRpusiUIZbKfJgzHSR30e3q8HXfzpYXNvfVFDq-EMYgMpxOMa91k4QDPUKxI8BrwNkdHlusN338WrF5PZoy2tJSSrXcxQBce-dLiYP2tLIFRLfIj/s320/St._Nicholas_Bari.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>The Basilica of San Nicola in Bari, Italy.</em></div>
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In AD1087, the major relics of St. Nicholas were transferred to Italy and the city of Bari, where they rest today. It seems that they didn't get everything, for later, in the First Crusade, Venetian sailors gathered what remained and brought them to Venice, where those are now housed. It seems recent scientific research has confirmed that both Bari and Venice have portions of the same skeleton, confirming the 11th century account: <a href="http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/relics-in-the-lido-of-venice/" target="_blank">St. Nicholas Center: Bones of St. Nicholas in the Lido</a><br />
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Here is a link to the Church in Bari, Italy, where the major tomb of St. Nicholas is found today -- it is from this tomb that the miraculous "manna" continues to pour forth:<br />
<a href="http://www.basilicasannicola.it/home/aree.php?lingua_id=2&area_id=26" target="_blank">Basilica of St. Nicholas, Bari, Italy</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7j2Cdcb5aytyt92xbilOOYIB3roEcJY3jfsNjtgWIi5D8iu0jGt7nM2gz_zL-e2kb3C84I2_FVgG9CJ57cd5FlzEqDLAk-XjaJOK2FfE8fFsMcKsu-T1rP1FKhNo8-jERxE38HOAoHPl/s1600/San_Nicol%25C3%25B2_%2528Venice%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="800" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7j2Cdcb5aytyt92xbilOOYIB3roEcJY3jfsNjtgWIi5D8iu0jGt7nM2gz_zL-e2kb3C84I2_FVgG9CJ57cd5FlzEqDLAk-XjaJOK2FfE8fFsMcKsu-T1rP1FKhNo8-jERxE38HOAoHPl/s320/San_Nicol%25C3%25B2_%2528Venice%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<em>Church of San Nicolo al Lido in Venice, Italy.</em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[</span></em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>By Didier Descouens - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42306590</i></span><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl_0eY8gdPYH1-ePQk0bENluqEJWDGGp1XshtS_gIcdfbgWmZbckKSUdbvX9UpHOzHWzUnDG-UA8VqroPl5U6Sl4p3RyPemBKKuTm58Wja7LnGz8IHuv-fGM-QIDkJjxQ9cDlPo-G-aS3/s1600/skeleton-bari-lido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="294" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl_0eY8gdPYH1-ePQk0bENluqEJWDGGp1XshtS_gIcdfbgWmZbckKSUdbvX9UpHOzHWzUnDG-UA8VqroPl5U6Sl4p3RyPemBKKuTm58Wja7LnGz8IHuv-fGM-QIDkJjxQ9cDlPo-G-aS3/s320/skeleton-bari-lido.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
<em>A splendid chart that shows where the relics of St. Nicholas ended up -- the bones colored black are the more famous, and rest in Bari, Apulia, Itay, while the white are in Venice.</em><br />
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Further, here is a link to some customs associated with this great feast day:<br />
<a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customsadvent3.html" target="_blank">Fisheaters: Feast of St. Nicholas</a><br />
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For more on St. Nicholas, you might note:<br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11063b.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Nicholas</a><br />
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<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/saint-nicholas-of-myra/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: St. Nicholas</a><br />
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Finally, a page dedicated to promoting knowledge of the saint: <a href="http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/home/" target="_blank">St. Nicholas Center</a><br />
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Live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-1365881597411629992022-11-30T06:00:00.001-05:002022-11-30T06:00:00.160-05:00Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5D25P-i0_zQOiY3A6eOG52mjNzHDnp2NVhX_tGJly4cb2_zfb0N5tqLjx7c8DtIheD0bn9PIA-CbZmFo0cRWpLCOMTlvzli6OQlY10xsLrivYSua2wsDEih_ptBD3cdVM1GBCRAIw4I6/s1600/800px-Andreas_San_Giovanni_in_Laterano_2006-09-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5D25P-i0_zQOiY3A6eOG52mjNzHDnp2NVhX_tGJly4cb2_zfb0N5tqLjx7c8DtIheD0bn9PIA-CbZmFo0cRWpLCOMTlvzli6OQlY10xsLrivYSua2wsDEih_ptBD3cdVM1GBCRAIw4I6/s640/800px-Andreas_San_Giovanni_in_Laterano_2006-09-07.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<em>Statue of St. Andrew by Camillo Rusconi in the Cathedral of St. John Lateran, Rome, Italy.</em><br />
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Today is the feast of the great St. Andrew the Apostle -- first called by Our Divine Lord, brother of St. Peter, one-time disciple of St. John the Baptist, and patron of Scotland and Russia. Of course, we can't neglect to note that the Patriarch of Constantinople is the successor of St. Andrew the Apostle.<br />
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St. Andrew was born at Bethsaida, was, like his brother a fisherman. He also followed St. John the Baptist, which led him to Christ -- Whom St. Andrew brought his brother, St. Peter to see. When the Apostles went forth to preach the Gospel, St. Andrew is thought to have preached in Cappadocia, Bithynia, Byzantium (where he appoint the first Bishop, St. Stachys), finally being martyred during the reign of Nero in Achaia. Tradition has him crucified on a cross shaped like an "X," hence the flag of Scotland -- the St. Andrew's Cross.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQa7CaJ-wa25dwBk7W5df_GPrBxQfDxxaLL8ssUABb56OLNrmO-Am-JXJjbsrNAfqwgCZKdIHIfc1v233IZh24_UJ_VYwm9uBw3sCuNrsugZ5K-1vqqyJJp9W5PHqb5Es4MxNMTjnRsxbI/s1600/1024px-Flag_of_Scotland.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="1024" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQa7CaJ-wa25dwBk7W5df_GPrBxQfDxxaLL8ssUABb56OLNrmO-Am-JXJjbsrNAfqwgCZKdIHIfc1v233IZh24_UJ_VYwm9uBw3sCuNrsugZ5K-1vqqyJJp9W5PHqb5Es4MxNMTjnRsxbI/s320/1024px-Flag_of_Scotland.svg.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<em>The Flag of Scotland -- the St. Andrew's Cross.</em><br />
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His relics have ended up, by various twists of history, in several major locations: Patras, Greece; the Cathedral of Amalfi, Italy; the Cathedral of St. Mary's in Edinburgh, Scotland.<br />
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You can read a bit about the life of St. Andrew at these sites:<br />
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<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01471a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Andrew the Apostle</a><br />
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<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/saint-andrew-the-apostle/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: St. Andrew the Apostle</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1c0L6KltXF35BB0A-VVB0TMpySfRPrwv3SDeSTUaPz4aaiPSjwZB9T_MuRh0UjPfqr2941AAylzu-WitX10et0fvyfkNDyYzE_OFo5sWbh2BfO1uE_nhj_JkctZjFFOI4S6EhwXD9olN/s1600/800px-Sant_Andrea_della_Valle_Roma_adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1c0L6KltXF35BB0A-VVB0TMpySfRPrwv3SDeSTUaPz4aaiPSjwZB9T_MuRh0UjPfqr2941AAylzu-WitX10et0fvyfkNDyYzE_OFo5sWbh2BfO1uE_nhj_JkctZjFFOI4S6EhwXD9olN/s640/800px-Sant_Andrea_della_Valle_Roma_adjusted.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
<em>The Facade of Sant'Andrea della Valle in Rome.</em><br />
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One of this blogger's favorite Churches in Rome, Italy, is that of Sant'Andrea della Valle on the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, a Theatine Church where Pope Pius II (AD1458-1464) and Pope Pius III (AD1503), both of the family Piccolomini, are buried. It is also the burial place of St. Giuseppe Maria Tomasi (+AD1713), a Theatine Cardinal (<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/saint-joseph-mary-tomasi/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: St. Joseph Mary Tomasi</a>) The Church was constructed in its current form from 1590-1650. Here is the website of the Church: <a href="http://www.sant-andrea-roma.it/jmla15/english" target="_blank">Sant'Andrea della Valle</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EmQI0l0IoroCgyarIPI0Vcj3pGTGyTDWuAiB0cNwcBDu3kp2L41gBB4geNum0U9REhSKekJpXDT75MtX54LhtI5T5jXvZqbwf95YEHDApdUXA7IjYl_QX3uGME6zYdF8ABcO8rp1lA_P/s1600/Lazio_Roma_SAndreaValle1_tango7174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EmQI0l0IoroCgyarIPI0Vcj3pGTGyTDWuAiB0cNwcBDu3kp2L41gBB4geNum0U9REhSKekJpXDT75MtX54LhtI5T5jXvZqbwf95YEHDApdUXA7IjYl_QX3uGME6zYdF8ABcO8rp1lA_P/s1600/Lazio_Roma_SAndreaValle1_tango7174.jpg" /></a></div>
<em>The interior of the Church of Sant'Andrea della Valle in Rome.</em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[</span></em><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">By Tango7174 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12159267]</span></em><br />
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Today is also the traditional day to begin the St. Andrew's Novena, reciting the following prayer fifteen times a day until Christmas:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;">Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment at which the Son of God was born of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight in Bethlehem in the piercing cold. At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, to hear my prayers and grant my desires. <i>(Mention your intentions here) </i>Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother.</span><br />
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Live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-75048847563444869392022-11-26T18:00:00.000-05:002022-11-26T18:00:00.175-05:00The Season of Advent<em></em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3IaPhB7cmEVBEIpadeZe0PGEY3d9j-xgYFFPaOxzaP1fMkbEsuND7GE2quAVaJAZQioc6V_zJdsLrS22ZBRxXzVKWNFksMpKAqYPU1wWsUW8PdkB536V_bsJ_UW4sYyt2M19zGUwR5BT/s1600/Paolo_de_Matteis_-_The_Annunciation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="524" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3IaPhB7cmEVBEIpadeZe0PGEY3d9j-xgYFFPaOxzaP1fMkbEsuND7GE2quAVaJAZQioc6V_zJdsLrS22ZBRxXzVKWNFksMpKAqYPU1wWsUW8PdkB536V_bsJ_UW4sYyt2M19zGUwR5BT/s400/Paolo_de_Matteis_-_The_Annunciation.jpg" width="348" /></a></div>
<em>The Annunciation by Paolo de Matteis, 1712AD.</em><br />
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<em>Ad te levavi animam meam. To Thee have I lifted up my soul. (Introit of the First Sunday in Advent, Ps. 24:1)</em><br />
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Much could be said of the season of preparation for the high feast of Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of our Divine Lord, Jesus Christ. One might note, initially, that it is not the Christmas season, which begins on 25 December, but a season of preparation, and, dare I suggest it, a modicum of penance.<br />
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The introduction to the season of Advent in my hand missal admirably describes this time:<br />
"<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The liturgical texts used during the four weeks of the season of Advent remind the faithful of the ‘absence of Christ.’ The Collects of Advent do not end with, ‘through our Lord Jesus Christ,’ as during the rest of the year. In a spirit of penance and prayer we await the Mediator, the God-Man, preparing for His coming in the flesh, and also for His second coming as our Judge. The Masses for Advent strike a note of preparation and repentance mingled with joy and hope; hence, although the penitential purple is worn and the Gloria is omitted, the joyous Alleluia is retained. The readings from the Old Testament contained in the Introit, Gradual, offertory, and Communion of the Masses, taken mostly from the prophecies of Isaias and from the Psalms, give eloquent expression to the longing of all nations for a Redeemer. We are impressed by repeated and urgent appeals to the Messias: ‘Come, delay no longer.’ The Lessons from St. Paul urge us to dispose ourselves fittingly for His coming. The Gospels describe the terrors of the last Judgment, the Second Coming, and tell of the preaching of St. John the Baptist ‘to prepare the way of the Lord.’</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In Advent, the Greek Church celebrates particularly the ancestors of Our Lord – all the Patriarchs and Prophets of the Old Testament, but especially Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Latin Church also mentions them often in this period. In the Breviary, many texts are taken from Isaias (Introit of the second Sunday, Communion of the Third Sunday).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The idea of Advent is ‘Prepare you for the coming of Christ.’ Therefore the very appeals of the Patriarchs and the Prophets are put in our mouths in Advent. Prepare for the coming of Christ the Redeemer, who comes to prepare us for His Second Coming as Judge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When the oracles of the Prophets were fulfilled and the Jews awaited the Messias, John the Baptist left the desert and came to the vicinity of the Jordan, bringing a baptism of penance to prepare the souls for the coming of Christ. The world took him to be the Messias, but he replied with the words of Isaias: ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: prepare ye the way of the Lord.’</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">During Advent we make straight for Christ the way to our souls – and behold, our Lord will come at Christmas</span>.”<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Remarks are abstracted from <em>The Daily Missal and Liturgical Manual</em>, from <em>Editio Typica of the Roman Missal and Breviary, 1962. </em>(Baronius Press Limited, London, 2004, in conjunction with the Fraternal Society of St. Peter, www.baroniuspress.com)</span></span>"<br />
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So, this is a season of longing, and preparing for, the coming of the Saviour -- both more immediately at Christmas, at the end of our own lives, and more remotely, at the end of the world with His second coming.<br />
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This link gives you some contemporary directives on the observance of the season of Advent: <a href="http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent/liturgical-notes-for-advent.cfm" target="_blank">USCCB: Liturgical Notes for Advent</a><br />
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This article gives some more of the history and context of this great season: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01165a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: Advent</a><br />
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This link will take you to a delightful page featuring some customs and observances traditional to the Advent season: <a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customsadvent1.html" target="_blank">Fisheaters: Advent</a><br />
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Here, at the same site, is a bit more about the custom of Advent wreathes: <a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customsadvent2.html" target="_blank">Fisheaters: Advent Wreath & Candles</a><br />
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I close with one of the great hymns of this season, <em>Creator alme siderum</em>, Creator of the Stars of Night, which I present here; first its text, then a recording:<br />
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<table border="1" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td class="lnum">1</td><td class="lyrics">Creátor álme síderum,<br />
Aetérna lux credéntium,<br />
Jésu, Redémptor ómnium,<br />
Inténde vótis súpplicum.</td><td class="engray" width="200">Creator of the starry skies! / Eternal Light of all who live! / Jesus, Redeemer of mankind! / An ear to Thy poor suppliants give.</td></tr>
<tr><td class="lnum">2</td><td class="lyrics">Qui daémonis ne fráudibus<br />
Períret órbis, ímpetu<br />
Amóris áctus, lánguidi<br />
Múndi medéla fáctus es.</td><td class="engray" width="200">When man was sunk in sin and death, / Lost in the depth of Satan's snare, / Love brought Thee down to cure our ills, / By taking of those ills a share.</td></tr>
<tr><td class="lnum">3</td><td class="lyrics">Commúne qui múndi néfas<br />
Ut expiáres, ad crúcem<br />
E Vírginis sacrário<br />
Intácta pródis víctima.</td><td class="engray" width="200">Thou, for the sake of guilty men, / Causing Thine own pure blood to flow, / Didst issue from Thy virgin shrine / And to the corss a Victim go.</td></tr>
<tr><td class="lnum">4</td><td class="lyrics">Cújus potéstas glóriæ,<br />
Noménque cum prímum sónat,<br />
Et caélites et ínferi<br />
Treménte curvántur génu.</td><td class="engray" width="200">So great the glory of Thy might, / If we but chance Thy name to sound / At once all heaven and hell unite / In bending low with awe profound.</td></tr>
<tr><td class="lnum">5</td><td class="lyrics">Te deprecámur, últimæ<br />
Mágnum diéi Júdicem,<br />
Armis supérnæ grátiæ<br />
Defénde nos ab hóstibus.</td><td class="engray" width="200">Great Judge of all! in that last day / When friends shall fail and foes combine, / Be present then with us, we pray, / To guard us with Thine arm divine.</td></tr>
<tr><td class="lnum">6</td><td class="lyrics">Vírtus, hónor, laus, glória,<br />
Déo Pátri cum Fílio,<br />
Sáncto simul Paráclito,<br />
In sæculórum saécula.</td><td class="engray" width="200">To God the Father, and the Son, / All praise and power and glory be: / With Thee, O holy Comforter! / Henceforth through all eternity.</td></tr>
<tr><td class="lnum">**</td><td class="lyrics">Amen.</td><td class="engray" width="200">Amen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here is the plainchant version of that hymn:<br />
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Live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-6422231726029364222022-11-25T09:18:00.000-05:002022-11-25T09:18:57.153-05:00GA State Holiday: Lee's Birthday Observed<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQplsg6JVmcDVd1jHFErRUgua9eeC88iv9J0iBvr8evei3UfLWqebUcpn-f7G1PO-S_WKLd0btlGukWlVO_OVc3TnUORqREPkOX7BoUT6UftXru_Q87n2I0qQ-onKz1XwWpkG8w5YrYLm/s1600/220px-Robert_E_Lee_in_1863.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="220" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQplsg6JVmcDVd1jHFErRUgua9eeC88iv9J0iBvr8evei3UfLWqebUcpn-f7G1PO-S_WKLd0btlGukWlVO_OVc3TnUORqREPkOX7BoUT6UftXru_Q87n2I0qQ-onKz1XwWpkG8w5YrYLm/s400/220px-Robert_E_Lee_in_1863.png" width="256" /></a></div>
<i>Lee in 1863, while Commanding the Army of Northern Virginia</i><br />
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One of the great military leaders in the history of the United States is General Robert E. Lee (+AD1870) of Virginia. On 19 January 1807, Lee was born at Stratford Hall, in Westmoreland County, Virginia.<br />
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In the state of Georgia, today, the Friday after Thanksgiving, is a state holiday: the observance of "19 January." It is now listed without specific reference to Robert E. Lee, whose birthday it was to commemorate.<br />
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In the state code of Georgia discussing those days to be designated state holidays, it notes in <b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">O.C.G.A. § 1-4-1, </b>"<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">the Governor shall include at least one of the following dates: January 19, April 26, or June 3.</span>" Currently, 19 January, Lee's Birthday, and 26 April, Confederate Memorial Day, are both on the calendar, though under the title "state holiday" without explanation of the significance of the date, while 3 June, the Birthday of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, is not.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibK7brSqPf4cWoKEwFUhCXEYidbEVdP-xOxFbus4sJWE_IfHEmVY8ZDZnCnW6IkrtfJYRRgMgE-N0iWs0Q4X95-Xkj5B4rTvYyBnMXooZt9lgcOnx_fIb6VVYwUWnUDQeoQr4n6Y4RUrNG/s677/Lee+State+Holiday.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibK7brSqPf4cWoKEwFUhCXEYidbEVdP-xOxFbus4sJWE_IfHEmVY8ZDZnCnW6IkrtfJYRRgMgE-N0iWs0Q4X95-Xkj5B4rTvYyBnMXooZt9lgcOnx_fIb6VVYwUWnUDQeoQr4n6Y4RUrNG/s320/Lee+State+Holiday.jpeg"/></a></div>
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The governor's proclamation of state holidays for 2022 can be found here:<br />
<a href="https://team.georgia.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2022-State-Holidays-memo-12.22.21.pdf" target="_blank">Georgia State Holidays: 2022</a><br />
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For the sake of comparison, here is the same document from 2015, which reflects how the day has been noted each year prior:<br />
<a href="http://team.georgia.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2015-GA-State-Holidays.pdf" target="_blank">Georgia State Holidays: 2015</a><br />
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Who, then, was Confederate General Robert E. Lee?<br />
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His father a leader in the American Revolution, "Light Horse" Harry Lee, and his mother a member of the distinguished Carter family of Virginia, Lee certainly had notable bloodlines.<br />
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More than this, however, was his own talent and character. Lee's remarkable military career is well known, with his great victories in command of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, such as that at Second Manassas and Chancellorsville, renowned. He was loved by his men, feared and respected by his foes, gracious in victory and humble in defeat.<br />
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This speaks to his character. Lee was a devout Episcopalian, who took his faith, and, in particular, his duties, very seriously. Indeed, just as duty might be said to partly define what a gentleman is, so it defined Robert E. Lee. There are any number of stories that attest to his great sense of duty and honor.<br />
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It was this sense of duty that caused him to remain loyal to his home state of Virginia with the coming of the war, despite the fact that he was no zealot for secession. When offered command of the armed forces of the Commonwealth of Virginia, his speech to the Convention at Richmond on 23 April 1861 was brief, but very much in character:<br />
"Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention: Deeply impressed with the solemnity of the occasion on which I appear before you, and profoundly grateful for the honour conferred upon me, I accept the position your partiality has assigned me, though I would greatly have preferred your choice should have fallen on one more capable. Trusting to Almighty God, an approving conscience, and the aid of my fellow citizens, I will devote myself to the defense and service of my native State, in whose behalf alone would I have ever drawn my sword."<br />
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After the war, he would serve as President of Washington College, now Washington & Lee University, in Lexington, Virginia, where he is buried.<br />
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Here is a short biography of Lee:<br />
<a href="http://www.civilwarhome.com/CMHLee.htm" target="_blank">Civil War Home: Lee</a><br />
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<i>Lee in 1869, while President of Washington College (now Washington & Lee University) in Lexington, Virginia.</i><br />
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On this anniversary of his birth, you might be interested in "virtually" visiting a few of the sites associated with General Lee.<br />
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He was born at Stratford Hall, Westmoreland County, Virginia:<br />
<a href="http://www.stratfordhall.org/" target="_blank">Stratford Hall Official Site</a><br />
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He lived for many years with his wife, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, (great-granddaughter of Martha Custis Washington by the first lady's first husband) at the Arlington House, in the county now named for it. This home is on a magnificent bluff overlooking Washington, DC, and was, of course, seized by the federal government to be used as a cemetery, now Arlington National Cemetery. The Lee family was later reimbursed for what was determined to be wrongful seizure. The house itself is now designated as the Robert E. Lee Memorial:<br />
<a href="http://www.nps.gov/arho/index.htm" target="_blank">Arlington House: Robert E. Lee Memorial</a><br />
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In Georgia, Fort Pulaski in Chatham County near Savannah, was actually partially designed by a young army engineer, Robert E. Lee:<br />
<a href="http://www.nps.gov/fopu/learn/historyculture/robert-e-lee.htm" target="_blank">Robert E. Lee at Fort Pulaski</a><br />
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Finally, Robert E. Lee is buried in the chapel of Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia:<br />
<a href="http://chapelapps.wlu.edu/" target="_blank">Lee Chapel</a><br />
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May each of us have the character to act with honor and devotion, even in the face of crisis and hardship.<br />
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Deo vindice!<br />
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Live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-56182370630614542842022-11-25T09:17:00.001-05:002022-11-25T09:17:37.421-05:00Feast of St. Catherine of AlexandriaToday is the feast of the great virgin and martyr, St. Catherine of Alexandria! This great saint of the early 4th century was long an object of great veneration and devotion, is one of the "Fourteen Holy Helpers" and is patron saint of philosophers, maidens, apologists, those that work with wheels, and students, among others.<br />
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<i>St. Catherine of Alexandria by Caravaggio</i><br />
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Tradition has it that St. Catherine was a young lady during the persecution of Diocletian, as it was carried out under the psycho Maximinus II Daia, in Egypt. Her martyrdom account highlights her brilliant debate with her pagan persecutors, the attempt to break her on a wheel, and finally her beheading in around 305AD in Alexandria, Egypt.<br />
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As on of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, St. Catherine was immensely popular in the Medieval period, especially, and a great number of chapels and sites were named in her honor. Indeed, she was on of the saints that appeared to St. Joan of Arc in 15th century France.<br />
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For more details, you might consult:<br />
<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/saint-catherine-of-alexandria/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: St. Catherine of Alexandria</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03445a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Catherine of Alexandria</a><br />
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This site also includes an account of many of the charming customs of the day:<br />
<a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customstimeafterpentecost14.html" target="_blank">Fisheaters: St. Catherine of Alexandria</a><br />
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For more on the Fourteen Holy Helpers as a group, you might note<br />
<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/fourteen-holy-helpers/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: Fourteen Holy Helpers</a><br />
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Here is a simple list of those fourteen saints:<br />
<a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/lists.html#helpers" target="_blank">Fisheaters: Fourteen Holy Helpers List</a><br />
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Worthy of note, finally, is the great monastery bearing the name of St. Catherine on the Sinai peninsula of Egypt, pictured below:<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[By Joonas Plaan - https://www.flickr.com/photos/masterplaan/2943447419/sizes/l, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5709086</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span><br />
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Founded during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century, the monastery is one of the oldest working monastic houses in the world, and houses the second largest library of codices and manuscripts in the world.<br />
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Perhaps you might visit the website of this Orthodox monastery? <a href="http://www.sinaimonastery.com/" target="_blank">Official Website of St. Catherine's Monastery</a><br />
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Live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-68467448945759072602022-11-23T06:00:00.001-05:002022-11-23T06:00:00.154-05:00Feast of Pope St. Clement I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<em>The Martyrdom of Pope St. Clement I</em><br />
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Today is the Feast of the great Successor of St. Peter, Pope St. Clement I (Bishop of Rome around the years AD92-99). He was the third successor of St. Peter, and he is often pictured with an anchor, a reminder of his manner of death.<br />
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You can read more about St. Clement at these sites:<br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04012c.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: Pope St. Clement I</a><br />
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<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/pope-saint-clement-i/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: Pope St. Clement I</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGiXSLXPpJMFX9lzkBj8bM8_bZLNq0ui0ibG7KAVWE8pSdVexWjbnNgWXZgpZ7rebSc_W6l88ZJRm7tooEAmx7qWGvxJNhLNaNjsSC3n-PfV6Ep2P2jeiuiK44MuGS3P8mc7vS2AsB8WJ/s1600/800px-Interior_of_San_Clemente%252C_Rome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGiXSLXPpJMFX9lzkBj8bM8_bZLNq0ui0ibG7KAVWE8pSdVexWjbnNgWXZgpZ7rebSc_W6l88ZJRm7tooEAmx7qWGvxJNhLNaNjsSC3n-PfV6Ep2P2jeiuiK44MuGS3P8mc7vS2AsB8WJ/s400/800px-Interior_of_San_Clemente%252C_Rome.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<em>Interior of the Basilica of San Clemente, Roma.</em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[</span></em><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">By Sixtus - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=707711]</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: black;">St. Clement is buried in the Romanesque Basilica named for his in Rome -- sitting between the Coloseum and St. John Lateran. The Basilica is remarkable for its multiple layers: the Basilica built around AD1100 on top of a 4th century Church which sits on first century structure. San Clemente's official website is here: </span><a href="http://www.basilicasanclemente.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Basilica of San Clemente</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Finally, the letter of Pope St. Clement to the Corinthians is worthy of note. This authentic letter, one of the oldest extant Christian writings aside from the New Testament, is a remarkable witness to the Apostolic origin of the structure of the Catholic Church and her hierarchy. St. Clement I addressed the Corinthians, with authority, while St. John the Apostle was yet alive, and makes direct mention of the different Orders. I present the letter here part, with those aspects, authority, and succession, as highlights. For the full text, follow the link at the end:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><u>Pope St. Clement I of Rome, Letter to the Corinthians</u></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Chapter
1. The Salutation. Praise of the Corinthians Before the Breaking Forth of
Schism Among Them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">The
church of God which sojourns at Rome, to the church of God sojourning at
Corinth, to them that are called and sanctified by the will of God, through our
Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, from Almighty God through Jesus
Christ, be multiplied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Owing,
dear brethren, to the sudden and successive calamitous events which have
happened to ourselves, we feel that we have been somewhat tardy in turning our
attention to the points respecting which you consulted us; and especially to
that shameful and detestable sedition, utterly abhorrent to the elect of God,
which a few rash and self-confident persons have kindled to such a pitch of
frenzy, that your venerable and illustrious name, worthy to be universally
loved, has suffered grievous injury. For who ever dwelt even for a short time
among you, and did not find your faith to be as fruitful of virtue as it was
firmly established? Who did not admire the sobriety and moderation of your
godliness in Christ? Who did not proclaim the magnificence of your habitual
hospitality? And who did not rejoice over your perfect and well-grounded
knowledge? For you did all things without respect of persons, and walked in the
commandments of God, being obedient to those who had the rule over you, and
giving all fitting honour to the presbyters among you. You enjoined young men
to be of a sober and serious mind, you instructed your wives to do all things
with a blameless, becoming, and pure conscience, loving their husbands as in
duty bound; and you taught them that, living in the rule of obedience, they
should manage their household affairs becomingly, and be in every respect
marked by discretion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Chapter
2. Praise of the Corinthians Continued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Moreover,
you were all distinguished by humility, and were in no respect puffed up with
pride, but yielded obedience rather than extorted it, and were more willing to
give than to receive. Acts 20:35 Content with the provision which God had made
for you, and carefully attending to His words, you were inwardly filled with
His doctrine, and His sufferings were before your eyes. Thus a profound and
abundant peace was given to you all, and you had an insatiable desire for doing
good, while a full outpouring of the Holy Spirit was upon you all. Full of holy
designs, you did, with true earnestness of mind and a godly confidence, stretch
forth your hands to God Almighty, beseeching Him to be merciful unto you, if
you had been guilty of any involuntary transgression. Day and night ye were
anxious for the whole brotherhood, 1 Peter 2:17 that the number of God's elect
might be saved with mercy and a good conscience. You were sincere and
uncorrupted, and forgetful of injuries between one another. Every kind of
faction and schism was abominable in your sight. You mourned over the
transgressions of your neighbours: their deficiencies you deemed your own. You
never grudged any act of kindness, being "ready to every good work."
Titus 3:1 Adorned by a thoroughly virtuous and religious life, you did all
things in the fear of God. The commandments and ordinances of the Lord were
written upon the tablets of your hearts. Proverbs 7:3 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Chapter
3. The Sad State of the Corinthian Church After Sedition Arose in It from Envy
and Emulation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Every
kind of honour and happiness was bestowed upon you, and then was fulfilled that
which is written, "My beloved did eat and drink, and was enlarged and
became fat, and kicked." Deuteronomy 32:15 Hence flowed emulation and
envy, strife and sedition, persecution and disorder, war and captivity. So the
worthless rose up against the honoured, those of no reputation against such as
were renowned, the foolish against the wise, the young against those advanced
in years. For this reason righteousness and peace are now far departed from
you, inasmuch as every one abandons the fear of God, and is become blind in His
faith, neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part
becoming a Christian, but walks after his own wicked lusts, resuming the
practice of an unrighteous and ungodly envy, by which death itself entered into
the world. Wisdom 2:24 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Chapter
5. No Less Evils Have Arisen from the Same Source in the Most Recent Times. The
Martyrdom of Peter and Paul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">But
not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come to the most recent spiritual
heroes. Let us take the noble examples furnished in our own generation. Through
envy and jealousy the greatest and most righteous pillars [of the church] have
been persecuted and put to death. Let us set before our eyes the illustrious
apostles. Peter, through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous
labours; and when he had at length suffered martyrdom, departed to the place of
glory due to him. Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient
endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity, compelled to flee,
and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he gained the
illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the
whole world, and come to the extreme limit of the west, and suffered martyrdom
under the prefects. Thus was he removed from the world, and went into the holy
place, having proved himself a striking example of patience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Chapter
7. An Exhortation to Repentance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">These
things, beloved, we write unto you, not merely to admonish you of your duty,
but also to remind ourselves. For we are struggling on the same arena, and the
same conflict is assigned to both of us. Wherefore let us give up vain and
fruitless cares, and approach to the glorious and venerable rule of our holy
calling. Let us attend to what is good, pleasing, and acceptable in the sight
of Him who formed us. Let us look steadfastly to the blood of Christ, and see
how precious that blood is to God which, having been shed for our salvation,
has set the grace of repentance before the whole world. Let us turn to every
age that has passed, and learn that, from generation to generation, the Lord
has granted a place of repentance to all such as would be converted unto Him.
Noah preached repentance, and as many as listened to him were saved. Jonah
proclaimed destruction to the Ninevites; Jonah iii but they, repenting of their
sins, propitiated God by prayer, and obtained salvation, although they were
aliens [to the covenant] of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Chapter
42. The Order of Ministers in the Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">The
apostles have preached the gospel to us from the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus
Christ [has done so] from God. Christ therefore was sent forth by God, and the
apostles by Christ. Both these appointments, then, were made in an orderly way,
according to the will of God. Having therefore received their orders, and being
fully assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and established in
the word of God, with full assurance of the Holy Ghost, they went forth
proclaiming that the kingdom of God was at hand. And thus preaching through countries
and cities, they appointed the first fruits [of their labours], having first
proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons of those who should
afterwards believe. Nor was this any new thing, since indeed many ages before
it was written concerning bishops and deacons. For thus says the Scripture in a
certain place, "I will appoint their bishops in righteousness, and their
deacons in faith."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Chapter
57. Let the Authors of Sedition Submit Themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">You
therefore, who laid the foundation of this sedition, submit yourselves to the
presbyters, and receive correction so as to repent, bending the knees of your
hearts. Learn to be subject, laying aside the proud and arrogant
self-confidence of your tongue. For it is better for you that you should occupy
a humble but honourable place in the flock of Christ, than that, being highly
exalted, you should be cast out from the hope of His people. For thus speaks
all-virtuous Wisdom: "Behold, I will bring forth to you the words of my
Spirit, and I will teach you my speech. Since I called, and you did not hear; I
held forth my words, and you regarded not, but set at naught my counsels, and
yielded not at my reproofs; therefore I too will laugh at your destruction;
yea, I will rejoice when ruin comes upon you, and when sudden confusion
overtakes you, when overturning presents itself like a tempest, or when
tribulation and oppression fall upon you. For it shall come to pass, that when
you call upon me, I will not hear you; the wicked shall seek me, and they shall
not find me. For they hated wisdom, and did not choose the fear of the Lord;
nor would they listen to my counsels, but despised my reproofs. Wherefore they
shall eat the fruits of their own way, and they shall be filled with their own
ungodliness. Proverbs 1:22-33 …For, in punishment for the wrongs which they
practised upon babes, shall they be slain, and inquiry will be death to the
ungodly; but he that hears me shall rest in hope and be undisturbed by the fear
of any evil."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Chapter
59. Warning Against Disobedience. Prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">If,
however, any shall disobey the words spoken by Him through us, let them know
that they will involve themselves in transgression and serious danger; but we
shall be innocent of this sin, and, instant in prayer and supplication, shall desire
that the Creator of all preserve unbroken the computed number of His elect in
the whole world through His beloved Son Jesus Christ, through whom He called us
from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge of the glory of His name,
our hope resting on Your name which is primal cause of every creature,—having
opened the eyes of our heart to the knowledge of You, who alone "dost rest
highest among the highest, holy among the holy," Isaiah 57:15 who
"layest low the insolence of the haughty," Isaiah 13:11 who
"destroyest the calculations of the heathen," who "settest the
low on high and bringest low the exalted;" who "makest rich and
makest poor," 1 Samuel 2:7 who "killest and makest to live,"
Deuteronomy 32:39 only Benefactor of spirits and God of all flesh, who
beholdest the depths, the eye-witness of human works, the help of those in
danger, the Saviour of those in despair, the Creator and Guardian of every
spirit, who multipliest nations upon earth, and from all made choice of those
who love You through Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, through whom You
instructed, sanctify, honour us. We would have You, Lord, to prove our help and
succour. Those of us in affliction save, on the lowly take pity; the fallen
raise; upon those in need arise; the sick heal; the wandering ones of Your
people turn; fill the hungry; redeem those of us in bonds; raise up those that
are weak; comfort the faint-hearted; let all the nations know that You are God
alone and Jesus Christ Your Son, and we are Your people and the sheep of Your
pasture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Chapter
64. Blessings Sought for All that Call Upon God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">May
God, who sees all things, and who is the Ruler of all spirits and the Lord of
all flesh—who chose our Lord Jesus Christ and us through Him to be a peculiar
Titus 2:14 people—grant to every soul that calls upon His glorious and holy
name, faith, fear, peace, patience, long-suffering, self-control, purity, and
sobriety, to the well-pleasing of His name, through our High Priest and
Protector, Jesus Christ, by whom be to Him glory, and majesty, and power, and
honour, both now and for evermore. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Chapter
65. The Corinthians are Exhorted Speedily to Send Back Word that Peace Has Been
Restored. The Benediction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Send
back speedily to us in peace and with joy these our messengers to you: Claudius
Ephebus and Valerius Bito, with Fortunatus; that they may the sooner announce
to us the peace and harmony we so earnestly desire and long for [among you],
and that we may the more quickly rejoice over the good order re-established
among you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, and with all
everywhere that are the called of God through Him, by whom be to Him glory,
honour, power, majesty, and eternal dominion, from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Source.</strong> <span id="srctrans">Translated by John Keith.</span> From <span id="srcwork">Ante-Nicene Fathers</span>, <span id="srcvolume">Vol. 9.</span> <span id="srced">Edited by Allan Menzies.</span> (<span id="srcpublisher">Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co.,</span> <span id="srcyear">1896.</span>) <span id="kk">Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight.</span></span><br />
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For the full text, follow this link: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1010.htm" target="_blank">New Advent: Letter of St. Clement to the Corinthians</a><br />
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Live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-42328088347642592802022-11-22T19:07:00.001-05:002022-11-22T19:07:40.304-05:00Feast of St. Cecilia of Rome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJov30s9TRLdhu7-tb6cJVcfhlc1f5_4_Jmt3ujx7LR-Ifo1raU0YoqvdHzvWj-rg_KaRTjH3L6R3YABtElJ89VnnE0LpUUbxBmVqYoV3YNmHM1jevyzw8YbBLre8JLjcazz_x5oHgrQP/s1600/Domenichino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJov30s9TRLdhu7-tb6cJVcfhlc1f5_4_Jmt3ujx7LR-Ifo1raU0YoqvdHzvWj-rg_KaRTjH3L6R3YABtElJ89VnnE0LpUUbxBmVqYoV3YNmHM1jevyzw8YbBLre8JLjcazz_x5oHgrQP/s400/Domenichino.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
<em>St. Cecilia by Domenichino (+1641).</em><br />
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St. Cecilia of Rome, martyred during the pontificate of Pope St. Urban I (Bishop of Rome, AD222-230), is justly famous as the patroness of Music, for her remains found incorrupt over a thousand years after her death, and for the wonderful basilica dedicated to her in Rome.<br />
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St. Cecilia was a member of a noble Roman family, who managed to convert her husband, Valerianus, and brother-in-law, Tiburtius, who had been pagans. She would be condemned to death all the same. Tragically, when she was being executed, the executioner failed to sever her head in three strikes, leaving her to linger for three days. She is reputed to have sung, as she could, in those days before she died, and hence her patronage of musicians.<br />
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Here are a couple of links to accounts of the life of St. Cecilia:<br />
<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/saint-cecilia/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: St. Cecilia</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03471b.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Cecilia</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/scecilia.htm" target="_blank">Butler's Lives of the Saints: St. Cecilia</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEAjxv15hBUBy9rciFpJrQvAKQ2E43P2eigg8cSvnbRcg8kBml1K4l_N_xukc5gmhmfgDzOo8Qr5fkuC3k1AQSBYEW6rKrk_UJmRVwZbs4cPxdQa5etI1IX0JxRzFXUo-fI8Jk3A2tf6X/s1600/CeciliaMaderno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="800" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEAjxv15hBUBy9rciFpJrQvAKQ2E43P2eigg8cSvnbRcg8kBml1K4l_N_xukc5gmhmfgDzOo8Qr5fkuC3k1AQSBYEW6rKrk_UJmRVwZbs4cPxdQa5etI1IX0JxRzFXUo-fI8Jk3A2tf6X/s400/CeciliaMaderno.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<em>The Statue the Martyrdom of St. Cecilia by Stefano Maderno (+1636AD). It is located under the main altar of the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Rome.</em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[</span></em><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">By Dickstracke at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by ТимофейЛееСуда using CommonsHelper., CC BY 1.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18187006]</span></em><br />
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When the tomb of St. Cecilia was opened in 1599AD, around the time of a massive renovation of the Basilica in Trastevere bearing her name, her remains were found to be incorrupt. The scupltor, Stefano Maderno, carved what it was that they saw upon finding the incorrupt saints relics. Notice her hands held in such that there are three fingers extended on one hand, and but one on the other -- an affirmation of her belief in the Holy Trinity.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4gl0LGb2t41auXYAyZHmpzN4CYbEMBznckDmIWEm4F8ttoWggt9-ZSVVJTVbLErbARKuUUEoDmXtCx3ORhDCFq3XPhkUV9cs6MOcDsp6S24sRkvZhETcg599FZLbFxcSmmJS_AybUZe7/s1600/Santa_cecilia_in_trastevere%252C_esterno_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4gl0LGb2t41auXYAyZHmpzN4CYbEMBznckDmIWEm4F8ttoWggt9-ZSVVJTVbLErbARKuUUEoDmXtCx3ORhDCFq3XPhkUV9cs6MOcDsp6S24sRkvZhETcg599FZLbFxcSmmJS_AybUZe7/s400/Santa_cecilia_in_trastevere%252C_esterno_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<em>The facade of the Basilica of St. Cecilia. The facade itself dates to the 18th century.</em><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>[</em><i>By Sailko - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55589227</i><em>]</em></span><br />
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<em>The interior of the Basilica of St. Cecilia in Rome.</em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[</span></em><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">By Dreamword at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2340400]</span></em><br />
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The Basilica in Rome that houses the relics of St. Cecilia and bears her name is located in the Roman neighborhood of Trastevere ("across the Tiber"). Santa Cecilia in Trastevere is a Romanesque-style Basilica that was first constructed in the 5th century, on the site of an earlier Church, and, according to a tradition, the home of St. Cecilia. The church has since undergone a series of renovations and improvements.<br />
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Here is a link to the website of the Church: <a href="http://www.benedettinesantacecilia.it/htm/Basilica.html" target="_blank">Basilica di Santa Cecilia</a><br />
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Finally, here is a splendid piece of Baroque music in honor of the great St. Cecilia from H. Purcell:<br />
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Live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-51423478962713643422022-11-18T08:51:00.000-05:002022-11-18T08:51:49.825-05:00Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Peter & Paul18 November is the feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul in Rome.<br />
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These two great Archbasilicas house the relics of the great Saints and Apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul, the patron saints of Rome. They sit at the Vatican hill just west of the Tiber and on the Ostian Way just south of the city walls, respectively.<br />
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<em>St. Peter's Basilica with the Tiber River and Ponte Sant'Angelo in the foreground</em>.<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[By Rabax63 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59186870</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span><br />
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St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican is perhaps the most famous church in the world. It was constructed on the site of the tomb of St. Peter -- the first Basilica constructed during the reign of the Emperor Constantine. Indeed, the November feast commemorates the dedication of the structure in AD325 by Pope St. Sylvester I. Beginning in 1506 under Pope Julius II, and concluding in 1626, the current structure was constructed.<br />
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<em>An interior view of St. Peter's with the confessio and main altar in the center</em>.<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[By Patrick Landy known as FSU Guy at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7373081</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span><br />
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Here is an article on St. Peter's Basilica: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13369b.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Peter's Basilica</a><br />
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Follow this to the official webpage of the Basilica: <a href="http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_pietro/index_it.htm" target="_blank">Basilica of San Pietro in Vaticano</a><br />
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<em>The facade of St. Paul's Outside the Walls, with the splendid statue of St. Paul -- in Italian San Paulo fuori le mura</em>.<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[By I, Alberto Fernandez Fernandez, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2658277</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span><br />
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St. Paul's Basilica -- St. Paul's Outside the Walls -- is the burial place of St. Paul the Apostle, and home to a Benedictine Abbey. This Basilica, located on the Ostian Way, was, like St. Peter's first constructed during the time of the Emperor Constantine. A fire in the 19th century, however, meant that the majority of the structure was rebuilt and rededicated in 1823. When it was reconstructed, however, it was done in much the same style of its original construction. The Basilica of St. Paul's is famous for its medallions of all of the Popes.<br />
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<em>The interior of St. Paul's. Notice the circular medallions right above the arches -- those picture the various successors of St. Peter.</em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[</span></em><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">By Dnalor 01 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32422029]</span></em><br />
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Here is an article on the Basilica of St. Paul's: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13369a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Paul's</a><br />
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Follow this link to the official website of the Basilica: <a href="http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_paolo/index_en.html" target="_blank">Basilica of San Paolo fuori le mura</a><br />
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Live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-12869610337230859062022-11-11T11:35:00.001-05:002022-11-11T11:35:02.983-05:00Martinmas & St. Martin of ToursIn the United States, today is celebrated as Veterans Day; elsewhere, today is Armistice Day or Remembrance Day. These civil observances this day are derived from the Armistice signed on 11 November AD1918 that ended the First World War. Hence, it is a fitting time to offer prayers and express gratitude to those Veterans that have offered their service to their country in the Armed Forces, especially on the anniversary of the end of that Great War.<br />
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<em>St. Martin and the Beggar by El Greco.</em><br />
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11 November is also the rather ancient feast of St. Martin of Tours -- himself a veteran before he would become a bishop -- who died in AD397. Thus, today is Martinmas!<br />
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St. Martin of Tours was long one of the most beloved saints in the history of the Church, and his life is a remarkable example of virtue in one of the first to be celebrated on the Church calendar as a saint without having been martyred: a "confessor."<br />
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<em>The Charity of St. Martin, by Jean Fouquet.</em><br />
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St. Martin was born a pagan in the area of modern Hungary. He would end up in the Roman army, and, while in Gaul, received baptism at the age of 18. The famous episode of St. Martin dividing his cloak for the beggar took place prior to his baptism! Departing the army, St. Martin would become a monk, receive guidance from the great Doctor of the Church, St. Hilary of Poitiers, and, in the end, become Bishop of Tours. St. Martin, as bishop, was a bulwark against the external attacks on the Church by paganism and those internal from Arianism. More than anything else, St. Martin was known for his "boundless charity to the poor."<br />
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St. Martin, then, would quickly become a widely beloved saint. This next site is a good resource for a few customs of the day, and a wonderful weather prediction of our Medieval forebears; it notes, in part: "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">St. Martin's Feast is considered the first day of Winter for practical purposes, so, alluding to the snows of that season, the Germans say that 'St Martin comes riding on a white horse.' Of course, it might not feel like Winter if one is experiencing a 'St. Martin's Summer' -- the equivalent of an 'Indian Summer.' It is said, too, that one can predict what sort of Winter one will have by the conditions of St. Martin's Day: 'If the geese at Martin’s Day stand on ice, they will walk in mud at Christmas.'</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">The Feast coincides not only with the end of the Octave of All Souls, but with harvest time, the time when newly-produced wine is ready for drinking, and the end of winter preparations, including the butchering of animals (an old English saying is 'His Martinmas will come as it does to every hog,' meaning 'he will get his comeuppance' or 'everyone must die'). Because of this, St. Martin's Feast is much like the American Thanksgiving (celebrated on the 4th Thursday in November) -- a celebration of the earth's bounty. Because it also comes before the penitential season of Advent, it is seen as a mini 'carnivale' with all the feasting and bonfires.</span>"<br />
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<a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customstimeafterpentecost15.html" target="_blank">Fisheaters: St. Martin of Tours (Martinmas)</a><br />
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<em>Statue of St. Martin in St. Martinsville, Louisiana.</em><br />
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Innumerable places and individuals would bear the name of St. Martin -- from St. Martinville, Louisiana, burial place of Longfellow's <em>Evangeline</em>, to the Protestant notable, Martin Luther. It is said that over 400 towns and 4,000 churches have been named for St. Martin in France alone.<br />
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For more on his life you should note:<br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09732b.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Martin of Tours</a><br />
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<a href="http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-martin-of-tours/" target="_blank">Patron Saints Index: St. Martin of Tours</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.bartleby.com/210/11/111.html" target="_blank">Butler's Lives of the Saints: St. Martin of Tours</a><br />
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<em>The Basilica of St. Martin in Tours.</em><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>[</em><i>"Tours, Saint Martin" by Parsifall - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons</i><em>]</em></span><br />
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St. Martin is buried in a grand Basilica bearing his name in Tours, France -- location of the great battle in AD732 when Charles Martel turned back the Islamic invader. You can view the official website of the Church where he is buried here: <a href="http://basiliquesaintmartin.fr/" target="_blank">Basilica of St. Martin</a><br />
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<em>The Tomb of St. Martin in Tours, France.</em><br />
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Perhaps today is the day to revive a few Martinmas customs, and give a toast to our Veterans while we are at it?<br />
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Live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-77852597243541333812022-11-09T06:00:00.001-05:002022-11-09T08:43:22.284-05:00Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran<br />
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<em>The Facade of St. John Lateran by Alessandro Galilei, 1735.</em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[</span></em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>By MrPanyGoff - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52179213</i></span><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></em><br />
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Today is the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Archbasilica in Rome that is, technically, the Cathedral Church of the Pope. It sits in the southeast corner of the old city, just inside the Aurelian walls.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjut0XBRMJrND29Qe0-YVZ6SDUymE724gw3Es-L0EWp_GBvRSYepOjMNLJORo_M5M2aLGKrE4aqo9jyP0fKaumwydXL_HrKtXDExVCm1Vv0noTV-2ukdcGhEO7o9OgmWShkzmuX99w-jAxE/s1600/800px-Lazio_Roma_SGiovanni1_tango7174.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="800" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjut0XBRMJrND29Qe0-YVZ6SDUymE724gw3Es-L0EWp_GBvRSYepOjMNLJORo_M5M2aLGKrE4aqo9jyP0fKaumwydXL_HrKtXDExVCm1Vv0noTV-2ukdcGhEO7o9OgmWShkzmuX99w-jAxE/s640/800px-Lazio_Roma_SGiovanni1_tango7174.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<em>The Interior of St. John Lateran. Enclosed in the Baldachin over the altar are the relics of the heads of Sts. Peter and Paul. Inside the altar itself is the relic of an altar of St. Peter.</em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[</span></em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>By Tango7174 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11955729</i></span><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></em><br />
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The Basilica was originally donated to the Church by the Emperor Constantine sometime in the early 4th century. It was officially dedicated by Pope St. Sylvester in AD324 on this day of 9 November. Originally dedicated to our Holy Savior, it has come to be associated also with St. John the Apostle and St. John the Baptist -- hence its popular name, which also notes its location at the Lateran. From that time, until the Popes took up their temporary residence in Avignon during the 14th century, the Lateran Palace adjacent to the Basilica was the residence of the Pope. Indeed, five Ecumenical Councils of the Church have also been held at the Lateran.<br />
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By title, the head of state of France, since the time of King Henry IV, is the proto-canon of St. John Lateran. I'd rather not say who that is now; let it suffice to know that it is the President of France. For the sake of trivia, I might note that the King of Spain is the proto-canon of St. Mary Major in Rome.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-j8XgEL45zcO3vuSWYxPDajLtlaA-Qf5hiN511pgLRw0LsVSYHNIhYt-O16ZY5fAPFLIfAr60r-RF-gzupaad8Lq5lhTayiTbuyqT1zXBCTXwzWAEaJKUUEkhbMJ9cAs2SV9Uy0CAA2Q/s1600/1280px-Inscription_Ecclesiarum_Mater_San_Giovanni_in_Laterano_2006-09-07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="1280" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-j8XgEL45zcO3vuSWYxPDajLtlaA-Qf5hiN511pgLRw0LsVSYHNIhYt-O16ZY5fAPFLIfAr60r-RF-gzupaad8Lq5lhTayiTbuyqT1zXBCTXwzWAEaJKUUEkhbMJ9cAs2SV9Uy0CAA2Q/s400/1280px-Inscription_Ecclesiarum_Mater_San_Giovanni_in_Laterano_2006-09-07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<em>As the Pope's Cathedral, St. John Lateran is the mother and head Church of Rome and the World!</em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[</span></em><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">By © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2845474]</span></em><br />
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Notably, buried here are Pope Innocent III of the 13th century, Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903, and housed here are the relics of the heads of Sts. Peter and Paul, an altar of St. Peter, and a piece of wood from the table of the Last Supper.<br />
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Here is a link to the official website: <a href="http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_giovanni/index_it.htm" target="_blank">Basilica of San Giovanni Laterano</a><br />
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This goes to the Old Catholic Encyclopedia article on the great Church: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09014b.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: Basilica of St. John Lateran</a><br />
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The gentle reader might also note the plenary indulgence for visiting any cathedral church on this day, from the <i>Manual of Indulgences</i>:<br />
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<span data-offset-key="l5p9-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">"Grant 33 -- Visiting Sacred Places</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="bi5rv" data-offset-key="70ljq-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="70ljq-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="70ljq-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">"§1 A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who visit, and there devoutly recite an Our Father and the Creed,</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="bi5rv" data-offset-key="5nogb-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5nogb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5nogb-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="bi5rv" data-offset-key="8q0nf-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8q0nf-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="8q0nf-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">3° the cathedral church</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="bi5rv" data-offset-key="d1bko-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d1bko-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="d1bko-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">d. on the dedication of the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior [9 November]."</span></div>
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As a final note, on this day 26 years ago, this blogger entered the Roman Catholic Church with his family. <i>Te Deum Laudamus!</i><br />
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Live well!Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-89739742954436312972022-11-08T06:00:00.010-05:002022-11-08T06:00:00.174-05:00Election Day & Catholics<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXflw3JH8mQIKuzBiAQT4Yvd5wganQq9oPEZgI1_9hUm0p9ACbHWNBiXzjRkgpGmpbCAdLRVugynDKlaFYweAW_rPmhPrbR83AEC-dXAxVXwX6zK4G-WhtxwLohzUHik0SPu1vYsBDGr-/s1024/The_County_Election%252C_Bingham%252C_1846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="1024" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXflw3JH8mQIKuzBiAQT4Yvd5wganQq9oPEZgI1_9hUm0p9ACbHWNBiXzjRkgpGmpbCAdLRVugynDKlaFYweAW_rPmhPrbR83AEC-dXAxVXwX6zK4G-WhtxwLohzUHik0SPu1vYsBDGr-/w640-h456/The_County_Election%252C_Bingham%252C_1846.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><em><div style="text-align: center;"><em>The County Election by George Caleb Bingham (AD1846).</em></div></em>
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Elections have long been a part of the American landscape -- long before the Revolution, actually. Drawing upon the customs of England, with her House of Commons, many of the New World English colonies boasted elected assemblies. The oldest, that of Virginia, dated to AD1619, only a few years after the foundation of the colony in 1607.<br />
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Today, 8 November 2022, the voters choose members of their delegation to the United State House of Representatives, those in a third of the states, U.S. Senators of the 3rd Class, in addition to a wide variety of local offices and ballot measures. In this blogger's own home State of Georgia, voters will choose statewide officials, including the Governor, a number of local officials, along with all 236 members of the State General Assembly; that is not to mention a number of other items (including Constitutional Amendments) on the ballot!<br />
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An interesting point of trivia on the matter of American elections -- during the AD1800 Presidential Election, when the Federalist John Adams of Massachusetts ran against Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, "Turnout in Virginia, 25 percent of the eligible electorate, was the highest yet for a presidential or congressional election and was higher than it would be for another thirty years." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(From <em>Old Dominion, New Commonwealth,</em> pg. 156) </span> That was in an era where ownership of property, and being a white male, was required to vote. So, it seems that low voter turnout among the eligible electorate is a tradition in the American Republic! Is 2022 un-American?<br />
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For the voter who is interested in the Art of Dying Well, however, elections are serious exercises with grave moral obligations attached. The <i>Catechism </i>reminds us: "<b style="font-family: sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a4.htm" target="_blank">2240</a></b><span face="sans-serif"> Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one's country</span>"<br />
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The act of voting is, above all, a practical exercise. The voter is given the opportunity to either choose a candidate, or accept or reject a ballot proposal. In so doing, it is, of course, important the the voter know who are what he is voting for or against, and to prepare himself to cast his ballot by research and investigation. Know what will be on your ballot before you arrive to vote!<br />
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That having been said, it is then incumbent upon the voter, well grounded in sound political principles and keenly aware of the ideal, to cast his vote so as to bring about the greatest good practically possible. Choosing the lesser of evils is no way to operate -- we always vote for a candidate or a measure because of the good that we hope results, and any evil must merely be tolerated, not willed.<br />
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Hence, the voter should consider, in the case of candidates, their positions on a range of issues, but most especially those most fundamental to the common good (more on that in a minute). In addition, it is naive to approach an election supposing that an ideal candidate will present himself for selection. Not among fallen men, and not in a society so very confused on so many fundamental positions do we find "ideal" candidates. All will at least advocate the toleration of some grave moral evils. The circumstances of the vote must, as with any moral decision, be weighed, and the practical result of one's vote must be considered. What is the greatest good that can be, practically speaking, brought about?<br />
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Among the great variety of issues facing the politician, there are some that are matters of prudential judgment, but others are simply non-negotiable matters that, as such gross violations of the natural moral law, must be opposed by the faithful Catholic. <u>Catholics, who wish to be worthy of that name, should take care to shun those candidates that would promote or support abortion, euthanasia, same sex marriage, and violations of conscience and the freedom of the Church, in particular.</u><br />
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Recent popes have been quite clear on these particular issues:<br />
In <em>Evangelium Vitae</em>, John Paul II reminds us:<br />
"<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">73. <strong><em>Abortion and euthanasia are thus crimes which no human law can claim to legitimize</em></strong>. There is no obligation in conscience to obey such laws; instead there is a grave and clear obligation to oppose them by conscientious objection. From the very beginnings of the Church, the apostolic preaching reminded Christians of their duty to obey legitimately constituted public authorities (cf. Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:13-14), but at the same time it firmly warned that "we must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). In the Old Testament, precisely in regard to threats against life, we find a significant example of resistance to the unjust command of those in authority. After Pharaoh ordered the killing of all newborn males, the Hebrew midwives refused. "They did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live" (Ex 1:17). But the ultimate reason for their action should be noted: "the midwives feared God" (ibid.). It is precisely from obedience to God-to whom alone is due that fear which is acknowledgment of his absolute sovereignty-that the strength and the courage to resist unjust human laws are born. It is the strength and the courage of those prepared even to be imprisoned or put to the sword, in the certainty that this is what makes for "the endurance and faith of the saints" (Rev 13:10).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the case of an intrinsically unjust law, such as a law permitting abortion or euthanasia, it is therefore never licit to obey it, or to "</span><strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">take part in a propaganda campaign in favour of such a law, or vote for it</span>.</strong>""<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[cf., <a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae_en.html" target="_blank">Pope St. John Paul II: EVANGELIUM VITAE</a>]</span><br />
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Pope Benedict XVI, in a letter noting the great importance of protecting the traditional family, reinforces some of the fundamental principles that have to be remembered by the voter:<br />
"<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In this regard, particular mention must be made of the powerful political and cultural currents seeking to alter the legal definition of marriage. The Church’s conscientious effort to resist this pressure calls for a reasoned defense of marriage as a natural institution consisting of a specific communion of persons...<strong>Defending the institution of marriage</strong> as a social reality <strong>is ultimately a question of justice</strong>, since it entails safeguarding the good of the entire human community and the rights of parents and children alike</span>."<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[cf., <a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2012/march/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20120309_us-bishops_en.html" target="_blank">Pope Benedict XVI: ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI, 9 March 2012</a>]</span><br />
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Do recall this statement from the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith's Consideration, approved by John Paul II in 2003:<br />
"<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When legislation in favour of the recognition of homosexual unions is proposed for the first time in a legislative assembly, the Catholic law-maker has a moral duty to express his opposition clearly and publicly and to vote against it. <b><i>To vote in favour of a law so harmful to the common good is gravely immoral</i></b>.</span>"<br />
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The full text is here: <a href="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20030731_homosexual-unions_en.html" target="_blank">CDF: CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING PROPOSALS TO GIVE LEGAL RECOGNITION TO UNIONS BETWEEN HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS</a><br />
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Finally, with the federal government, and some state governments seeking to coerce individuals in directly paying for intrinsically evil procedures or programs, we should recall the words of Pope Benedict XVI to the American bishops on that subject:<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the light of these considerations, it is imperative that the entire Catholic community in the United States come to realize the grave threats to the Church’s public moral witness presented by a radical secularism which finds increasing expression in the political and cultural spheres. The seriousness of these threats needs to be clearly appreciated at every level of ecclesial life. Of particular concern are certain attempts being made to limit that most cherished of American freedoms, the freedom of religion. <b>Many of you have pointed out that concerted efforts have been made to deny the right of conscientious objection on the part of Catholic individuals and institutions with regard to cooperation in intrinsically evil practices.</b> Others have spoken to me of a worrying tendency to reduce religious freedom to mere freedom of worship without guarantees of respect for freedom of conscience</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span><br />
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Full text: <a href="https://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2012/january/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20120119_bishops-usa.html" target="_blank">Pope Benedict XVI: ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI TO THE BISHOPS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 19 January 2012</a><br />
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I can understand some voting for someone that might be better on particular issues, but who has practically no chance of success; I can also understand others voting for a more deeply flawed candidate who has some legitimate promise and can prevent someone profoundly wrong on key issues from taking office. What is the greater good? I tend toward the latter position. Voting is a practical exercise. At times we must tolerate lesser evils to prevent great ones; all the time willing the good.<div><br /></div><div>Let us pray for our Republic.<br />
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Live, and vote, well!</div>Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-67720259589032277502022-11-04T08:25:00.002-04:002022-11-06T15:55:32.537-05:00Feast of St. Charles Borromeo<img alt="Carlo Borromeo.jpg" height="400" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Carlo_Borromeo.jpg" width="347" /><br />
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Today is the great feast of St. Charles Borromeo (+AD1584), Cardinal and Archbishop of Milan. He is certainly worth a mention!<br />
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Many were skeptical of his appointment to the see of Milan -- his uncle, Pope Pius IV, made the selection, and he was 21 when made Cardinal-Administrator of the diocese, and 25 when finally ordained a bishop (cf., <a href="http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bborrc.html" target="_blank">Catholic Hierarchy: St. Charles Borromeo</a>). Surely this was yet another example of the kind of nepotism that plagued the Church in that era.<br />
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Not so. St. Charles, who led the Archdiocese of Milan, the See of St. Ambrose, from 1561-1584, proved a saintly model bishop. His initiatives touched every part of his administration, form the implementation of the decrees of the Council of Trent, to the care of the poor, to the visitation of his parishes, to the establishment of seminary training for men studying for the priesthood.<br />
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He was also the papal-appointed protector of the Catholic Swiss Cantons, doing a great deal to see to their reform and health.<br />
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His motto: <i>Humilitas</i>.<br />
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<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Milano_Duomo_1856.jpg" /><br />
<b><i>Duomo of Milan, where St. Charles reigned as Archbishop, and where he is now buried.</i></b><br />
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When he died in 1584AD, his was buried in that Cathedral of Milan, the famous Duomo (cf., <a href="http://www.duomomilano.it/en/" target="_blank">Official Site</a>), while his heart would be reserved in the Milanese parish in Rome, S<i>ant'Ambrogio e Carlo </i>on <i>Via del Corso</i> (cf., <a href="http://www.arciconfraternitasantiambrogioecarlo.it/arciconfraternitasantiambrogioecarlo/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">Official Site</a>). He was canonized by Pope Paul V in 1610AD.<br />
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<img height="400" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/San_Carlo_al_Corso_September_2015-11.jpg/800px-San_Carlo_al_Corso_September_2015-11.jpg" width="252" /><br />
<i><b>The interior of the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio e Carlo in Rome -- the heart of St. Charles is reserved behind the altar.</b></i> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">["San Carlo al Corso September 2015-11" by Alvesgaspar - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Commons</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span><br />
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For more:<br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03619a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Charles Borromeo</a><br />
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<a href="http://catholicsaints.info/saint-charles-borromeo/" target="_blank">Catholic Saints Info: St. Charles Borromeo</a><br />
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Let us pray that St. Charles Borromeo intercedes for our bishops!<br />
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Live well!<br />
<br />Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-12756181994230732672022-11-02T06:00:00.002-04:002022-11-02T08:33:57.973-04:00Purgatorio: All Souls' DayAll Souls' Day. On 2 November, the Church observes the great day of All Souls', when our attention turns to the Poor Souls in Purgatory.<br />
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It is on All Souls' that we recall, and pray for, all of those Souls enduring the torments of Purgatory. <em>Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis</em>. Eternal Rest give unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.<br />
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Dante_Domenico_di_Michelino_Duomo_Florence.jpg"><img alt="File:Dante Domenico di Michelino Duomo Florence.jpg" height="481" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Dante_Domenico_di_Michelino_Duomo_Florence.jpg/798px-Dante_Domenico_di_Michelino_Duomo_Florence.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Dore_woodcut_Divine_Comedy_01.jpg"></a><br />
<em>Dante next to the pit of Hell to the left, Florence to the right, and the Mountain of Purgatory behind.</em><br />
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The Old Catholic Encyclopedia has a good, if brief, article on the Feast of All Souls: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01315b.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: All Souls' Day</a><br />
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The Fisheaters site, for its part, has some splendid details, especially of traditional customs: <a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customstimeafterpentecost12ac.html" target="_blank">Fisheaters: All Souls' Day</a><br />
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Of course, the indulgence for the Poor Souls' continues today, through 8 November, for visiting a cemetery; likewise, there is a particular indulgence today, All Souls' Day, for visiting a Church or Oratory and praying for the dead, along with an Our Father and Creed. Note the <em>Enchiridion Indulgentiarum</em>:<br />
"<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">29 Pro fidelibus defunctis </span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">§ 1. <i>Plenaria indulgentia</i>, animabus in Purgatorio detentis tantummodo applicabilis, conceditur christifideli qui </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1<b>°</b> singulis diebus, a primo usque ad octavum novembris, coemeterium devote visitaverit et, vel mente tantum, pro defunctis exoraverit; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2<b>°</b> die Commemorationis omnium fidelium defunctorum (vel, de consensu Ordinarii, die Dominico antecedenti aut subsequenti aut die sollemnitatis Omnium Sanctorum) ecclesiam aut oratorium pie visitaverit ibique recitaverit <i>Pater </i>et </span><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Credo</span>.</i>"</div>
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[cf., <a href="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_doc_20020826_enchiridion-indulgentiarum_lt.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Vatican: Enchiridion indulgentiarum</span></a>]</div>
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The details, in English, are as follows:<br />
<span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;">"§1 A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who,</span><br />
<span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;">1° on any and each day from November 1 to 8, devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only mentally, for the departed;</span><br />
<span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;">2° on All Souls' Day...devoutly visit a church or an oratory and recite an Our Father and the Creed."</span><br />
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Father Zuhlsdorf, on his blog, has a great discussion of these indulgences: <a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/2017/11/2-november-all-souls-indulgences-and-you/" target="_blank">Fr. Z's Blog: All Souls' Day Indulgences</a><br />
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<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Carracci-Purgatory.jpg/300px-Carracci-Purgatory.jpg" /><br />
<i>Image of Purgatory by Carracci.</i><br />
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Looking, then, at Purgatory, as its existence, and recalling the souls detained therein, is the basis of this feast!<br />
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes the teaching on Purgatory as follows:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">III. The Final Purification, or Purgatory</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2N.HTM#$1BV" name="-1BV">604</a></sup></span> The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. the tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2N.HTM#$1BW" name="-1BW">605</a></sup></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2N.HTM#$1BX" name="-1BX">606</a></sup></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2N.HTM#$1BY" name="-1BY">607</a></sup></span> From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2N.HTM#$1BZ" name="-1BZ">608</a></sup></span> The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2N.HTM#$1C0" name="-1C0">609</a></sup></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2N.HTM#-1BV" name="$1BV">604</a></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Cf. Council of Florence (1439): DS 1304; Council of Trent (1563): DS 1820; (1547): 1580; see also Benedict XII, Benedictus Deus (1336): DS 1000.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2N.HTM#-1BW" name="$1BW">605</a></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Cf. <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PZ8.HTM#NTLET.1COR.3.15" target="_blank">⇒</a> 1 Cor 3:15; <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_P121.HTM#CATHL.1PET.1.7" target="_blank">⇒</a> 1 Pet 1:7.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2N.HTM#-1BX" name="$1BX">606</a></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> St. Gregory the Great, Dial. 4, 39: PL 77, 396; cf. <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PVL.HTM#GOSP.MAT.12.31" target="_blank">⇒</a> Mt 12:31.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2N.HTM#-1BY" name="$1BY">607</a></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PEG.HTM#PENT.2MAC.12.46" target="_blank">⇒</a> 2 Macc 12:46.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2N.HTM#-1BZ" name="$1BZ">608</a></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Cf. Council of Lyons II (1274): DS 856.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2N.HTM#-1C0" name="$1C0">609</a></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> St. John Chrysostom, Hom. in 1 Cor. 41, 5: PG 61, 361; cf. <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PEM.HTM#WISDB.JOB.1.5" target="_blank">⇒</a> Job 1:5.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[Original text of the Catechism can be found here: <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2N.HTM" target="_blank">Vatican: Catechism of the Catholic Church</a>]</span><br />
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Likewise, the Old Catholic Encyclopedia has a rather informative article on the subject: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12575a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: Purgatory</a><br />
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Finally, in the Appendix of the Supplement to the <em>Summa Theologiae</em> of St. Thomas Aquinas, there is a discussion of purgatory, including: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/summa/6002.htm" target="_blank">Question 2 on the Souls in Purgatory</a>; <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/summa/7001.htm" target="_blank">Appendix II: on Purgatory</a>. The articles that follow add a few more details.<br />
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Of course, one of the greatest literary works of the West, in this bloggers opinion, the Divine Comedy of Dante. How many other authors have a Papal Encyclical about their work? (cf. Benedict XV, <a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xv/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xv_enc_30041921_in-praeclara-summorum_en.html" target="_blank">In Praeclara Summorum</a>). While not a theological manual, the Divine Comedy does embody a Catholic worldview in his presentation. So, why not go check out the final section of the work that fits with our post? Here is a copy of the Purgatorio, which is my own favorite in the Divine Comedy trilogy: <a href="http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php%3Ftitle=84&Itemid=28" target="_blank">Dante's Purgatorio</a><br />
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Finally, perhaps one of the most brilliant of all Gregorian Chants, is the Sequence for All Souls Day, the <em>Dies Irae</em>:<br />
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Live well, so as to avoid Purgatory, or at least minimize our time there!</div>Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817472498762359112.post-90436930676256483632022-11-01T06:00:00.001-04:002022-11-01T07:58:44.356-04:00Paradiso: All Saints' DayToday is the great Feast of All Saints! On this great Solemnity we celebrate all those that have achieved sanctity and enjoy the Beatific Vision with God in Heaven, even if not canonized. I will first take a look at the historical origin of the feast, then move to a consideration of Heaven.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NeyHbrGxpl4depgb10bp_kxbRlw2VIHaOLFyV4i6pTtqt8ZZQP6MIwR3YnarzzyZnlLhOHTB06RLnjqn_O1mChet9EqbWMLW5JxuA8z8ijCT9ged-6gmd5vBwDQ7PfHuOmQB9PlVPchy/s1600/7a25aa14c45769c10794f644d4345b32.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NeyHbrGxpl4depgb10bp_kxbRlw2VIHaOLFyV4i6pTtqt8ZZQP6MIwR3YnarzzyZnlLhOHTB06RLnjqn_O1mChet9EqbWMLW5JxuA8z8ijCT9ged-6gmd5vBwDQ7PfHuOmQB9PlVPchy/s640/7a25aa14c45769c10794f644d4345b32.jpg" width="515" /></a></div>
<em>A Dore engraving of Dante visiting the Paradiso with Beatrice</em>.<br />
<br />Today is a Holy Day of Obligation this year in the United States for Roman Catholics meaning, in the first place, the typical seriousness of the obligation to attend Mass on Holy Day of Obligation, as articulated by the Catechism of the Catholic Church:<br />
"<span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;">2181 ...the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.</span>"<br />
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The martyrology notes that Pope St. Boniface IV (reigned 608-615AD) instituted the feast for Rome on the occasion of the dedication of the Pantheon as a Church, and the feast was extended to the whole Church and the date fixed for 1 November by Pope Gregory IV (reigned 827-844).<br />
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The Old Catholic Encylopedia has a good, if brief, article on the Feast of All Saints: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01315a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: All Saints' Day</a><br />
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Likewise, the Fisheater's webpage has a brief page on the feast: <a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customstimeafterpentecost12.html" target="_blank">Fisheaters: All Saints' Day</a><br />
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Of course, the indulgence for the Poor Souls' for those that visit a cemetery actually begins today, in anticipation of tomorrow's feast, and lasts through 8 November. From the <em>Enchiridion Indulgentiarum</em>:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">§ 1. <i>Plenaria indulgentia</i>, animabus in Purgatorio detentis tantummodo applicabilis, conceditur christifideli qui </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1<b>°</b><sup>55</sup> singulis diebus, a primo usque ad octavum novembris, coemeterium devote visitaverit et, vel mente tantum, pro defunctis exoraverit.</span>"</div>
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[cf., <a href="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_doc_20020826_enchiridion-indulgentiarum_lt.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Enchiridion indulgentiarum</span></a>]</div>
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Here is that information in English:<br />
<span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;">"§1 A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who,</span><br />
<span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;">1° on any and each day from November 1 to 8, devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only mentally, for the departed;</span><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;">"</span><br />
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The great Father Zuhlsdorf, on his blog, has a great deal of excellent information, too, on this indulgence, and on the topic in general. His site is well worth a visit! <a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/2014/10/action-item-all-souls-day-indulgences/" target="_blank">Fr. Z's Blog: All Souls' & Indulgences</a><br />
<br />Note that this year, 2021, the Apostolic Penitentiary has offered this variation on the indulgences, extending that ability to gain the indulgence for the Poor Souls for the whole month.<div><a href="https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2021/10/28/211028c.html" target="_blank">Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary</a><br />
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Looking, then, at Heaven, it is well to know what it is, what it consists in, and what it is not!<br />
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes the teaching on Heaven as follows:<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">II. Heaven</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1023 Those who die in God's grace and friendship and are perfectly purified live for ever with Christ. They are like God for ever, for they "see him as he is," face to face:<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#$1BN" name="-1BN">596</a></sup></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">By virtue of our apostolic authority, we define the following: According to the general disposition of God, the souls of all the saints . . . and other faithful who died after receiving Christ's holy Baptism (provided they were not in need of purification when they died, . . . or, if they then did need or will need some purification, when they have been purified after death, . . .) already before they take up their bodies again and before the general judgment - and this since the Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ into heaven - have been, are and will be in heaven, in the heavenly Kingdom and celestial paradise with Christ, joined to the company of the holy angels. Since the Passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, these souls have seen and do see the divine essence with an intuitive vision, and even face to face, without the mediation of any creature.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#$1BO" name="-1BO">597</a></sup></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1024 This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity - this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed - is called "heaven." Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1025 To live in heaven is "to be with Christ." the elect live "in Christ,"<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#$1BP" name="-1BP">598</a></sup></span> but they retain, or rather find, their true identity, their own name.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#$1BQ" name="-1BQ">599</a></sup></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For life is to be with Christ; where Christ is, there is life, there is the kingdom.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#$1BR" name="-1BR">600</a></sup></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1026 By his death and Resurrection, Jesus Christ has "opened" heaven to us. the life of the blessed consists in the full and perfect possession of the fruits of the redemption accomplished by Christ. He makes partners in his heavenly glorification those who have believed in him and remained faithful to his will. Heaven is the blessed community of all who are perfectly incorporated into Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1027 This mystery of blessed communion with God and all who are in Christ is beyond all understanding and description. Scripture speaks of it in images: life, light, peace, wedding feast, wine of the kingdom, the Father's house, the heavenly Jerusalem, paradise: "no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him."<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#$1BS" name="-1BS">601</a></sup></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1028 Because of his transcendence, God cannot be seen as he is, unless he himself opens up his mystery to man's immediate contemplation and gives him the capacity for it. the Church calls this contemplation of God in his heavenly glory "the beatific vision":</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How great will your glory and happiness be, to be allowed to see God, to be honored with sharing the joy of salvation and eternal light with Christ your Lord and God, . . . to delight in the joy of immortality in the Kingdom of heaven with the righteous and God's friends.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#$1BT" name="-1BT">602</a></sup></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1029 In the glory of heaven the blessed continue joyfully to fulfill God's will in relation to other men and to all creation. Already they reign with Christ; with him "they shall reign for ever and ever."<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#$1BU" name="-1BU">603</a></sup></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#-1BN" name="$1BN">596</a></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_P12D.HTM#CATHL.1JOH.3.2" target="_blank">⇒</a> 1 Jn 3:2; cf. <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PZI.HTM#NTLET.1COR.13.12" target="_blank">⇒</a> 1 Cor 13:12; <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_P135.HTM#CATHL.REV.22.4" target="_blank">⇒</a> Rev 22:4.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#-1BO" name="$1BO">597</a></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Benedict XII, Benedictus Deus (1336): DS 1000; cf. LG 49.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#-1BP" name="$1BP">598</a></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_P10F.HTM#NTLET.PHI.1.23" target="_blank">⇒</a> Phil 1:23; cf. <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PXM.HTM#GOSP.JOH.14.3" target="_blank">⇒</a> Jn 14:3; <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_P10S.HTM#NTLET.1THE.4.17" target="_blank">⇒</a> 1 Thess 4:17.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#-1BQ" name="$1BQ">599</a></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Cf. <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_P12L.HTM#CATHL.REV.2.17" target="_blank">⇒</a> Rev 2:17.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#-1BR" name="$1BR">600</a></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> St. Ambrose, In Luc., 10, 121: PL 15, 1834A.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#-1BS" name="$1BS">601</a></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PZ7.HTM#NTLET.1COR.2.9" target="_blank">⇒</a> 1 Cor 2:9.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#-1BT" name="$1BT">602</a></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> St. Cyprian, Ep. 58, 10, 1: CSEL 3/2, 665.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM#-1BU" name="$1BU">603</a></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_P135.HTM#CATHL.REV.22.5" target="_blank">⇒</a> Rev 22:5; cf. <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PVY.HTM#GOSP.MAT.25.21" target="_blank">⇒</a> Mt 25:21, <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PVY.HTM#GOSP.MAT.25.23" target="_blank">⇒</a> 23.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[Original text of the Catechism can be found here: <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2M.HTM" target="_blank">Vatican: Catechism of the Catholic Church</a>]</span><br />
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Likewise, the Old Catholic Encyclopedia has a rather informative article on the subject: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07170a.htm" target="_blank">Old Catholic Encyclopedia: Heaven</a><br />
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Finally, in the Supplement to the <em>Summa Theologiae</em> of St. Thomas Aquinas, there is a discussion of heaven: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/summa/5092.htm" target="_blank">Question 92 on the Beatific Vision</a>; <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/summa/5093.htm" target="_blank">Question 93 on the Happiness of the Blessed</a>. The articles that follow add a few more details.<br />
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Of course, one of the greatest literary works of the West, in this bloggers opinion, the Divine Comedy of Dante. How many other authors have a Papal Encyclical about their work? (cf. Benedict XV, <a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xv/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xv_enc_30041921_in-praeclara-summorum_en.html" target="_blank">In Praeclara Summorum</a>). While not a theological manual, the Divine Comedy does embody a Catholic worldview in his presentation. So, why not go check out the final section of the work that fits with our post? Here is a copy of the Paradiso: <a href="http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php%3Ftitle=212&Itemid=28" target="_blank">Dante: Paradiso</a><br />
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Live well, so as to get to Heaven!</div>Thomas Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131807921525108511noreply@blogger.com0