Traditional Feast of St. Francis de Sales



Today is traditionally the feast of the great Doctor of the Church, St. Francis de Sales.  His feast in the revised calendar fell a few days ago, on 24 January.

St. Francis was the Count of Sales, Bishop of Geneva, and, with St. Jane Frances de Chantal, founder of the Order of the Visitation.  He died in 1622AD.  He was canonized in 1665 by Pope Alexander VII, and named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Blessed Pius IX in 1877.

Indeed, here is the Apostolic Letter, Dives in misericodia Deus, of Pius IX, making him a Doctor of the Church: Blessed Pius IX, Dives in misericodia Deus, Full Text

Here is the good Bishop's entry on the Catholic Hierarchy site:
Catholic Hierarchy: Bishop St. Francois de Sales

St. Francis de Sales is rightly noted as patron saint of Catholic writers, for his works are filled with such sound spiritual advice that is both gentle and challenging.  Indeed, one could hardly recommend a better Catholic writer for those seeking to grow in virtue and love of God!

For more, note:
Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Francis de Sales

Catholic Saints Info: St. Francis de Sales

Here is another biography of the Saint: Lives of Saints (at EWTN): St. Francis de Sales

His master work, arguably, is the Introduction to the Devout Life.  You can find the text here:
Introduction to the Devout Life Full Text

This blogger has the privilege of being a parishioner, and of receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony, at a parish under the patronage of St. Francis de Sales, that of Mableton, Georgia, served by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) in the Archdiocese of Atlanta: St. Francis de Sales Parish Official Site

Live well!

St. Thomas Aquinas, OP: Angelic Doctor

St. Thomas Aquinas by Bartolome Esteban Murillo (+AD1682)

On this day in 1369AD, the relics of St. Thomas Aquinas, Dominican and Doctor of the Church, were solemnly transferred, or translated, to Toulouse, by order of Pope Blessed Urban V.  The Angelic Doctor, as he is known, is the patron saint of Catholic Schools and Scholars.

St. Thomas Aquinas was born at Rocca secca, a town in Italy located between Rome and Naples, son of the Count of Aquino.  He was educated early on by the Benedictine Monks of Monte Cassino, from 1230-1239.  He would be a student at the University of Naples from 1239-1244, there coming into contact with members of the new Order of Preachers.  He would join the order in 1244, much to the dismay of his family, who wished a more exalted position in the Church for their son.  Indeed, he was detained and confined by his own family for a year, finally released in 1245AD when it became clear that his determination to be a Dominican could not be swayed.

From 1245-1248, St. Thomas would be a student of fellow Dominican St. Albert the Great at the University of Paris, and acts as both student and assistant from 1248-1252 at the University of Cologne.  St. Thomas Aquinas was ordained a priest around 1250-1251, and received his Master of Theology in 1256.

He would be a regent Master at Paris from 1256-1259, and then resident in Italy from 1259-1268.  It was during that time, in 1264, that he composed the liturgy for the new Feast of Corpus Christi.  He would return to Paris for a short time, 1268-1272, ending his career in Naples.  St. Thomas Aquinas would die on his way to the Second Ecumenical Council of Lyon, summoned by Pope Blessed Gregory X in 1274.  He died on 7 March 1274AD.

He was canonized in 1323 by Pope John XXII, and named a Doctor of the Church in 1567AD by Pope St. Pius V.

In 1923, Pope Pius XI wrote an entire encyclical letter on the subject of St. Thomas Aquinas, Studiorum Ducem, which you can find here: Pius XI: Studiorum Ducem

For more details, you might note these sites:
Thomas Aquinas: A Doctor for the Ages by Romanus Cessario, OP

Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Thomas Aquinas

Catholic Saints Info: St. Thomas Aquinas

Butler's Lives of the Saints: St. Thomas Aquinas

Here is a site with information on the Church where he is buried in Toulouse: Toulouse: Church of Les Jacobins

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: AW Confraternity Official Site

Have you read some St. Thomas Aquinas lately? The Successors of St. Peter have been rather direct in their recommendation of the Angelic Doctor.   Here are two sites that present the bulk of Aquinas's work:
St. Thomas Aquinas's Works in English

Works of Aquinas

This is a great search engine of his works, too: St. Thomas the Search Engine

If you want to jump straight to a couple works, you might note these, in particular:

You can find the full text of his splendid Summa Theologiae here: Summa Theologiae: Full Text

Also worthy of note, especially in a world of Gentiles, is the Summa Contra Gentiles of St. Thomas, which is concerned with presenting arguments that would be comprehensible for those not Christian: Summa Contra Gentiles: Full Text

St. Thomas Aquinas by Diego Velazquez (+1660)

Here are a few notable quotations on St. Thomas from recent Popes:

POPE LEO XIII – Aeterni Patris (1879)

17…With his spirit at once humble and swift, his memory ready and tenacious, his life spotless throughout, a lover of truth for its own sake, richly endowed with human and divine science, like the sun he heated the world with the warmth of his virtues and filled it with the splendor of his teaching. Philosophy has no part which he did not touch finely at once and thoroughly; on the laws of reasoning, on God and incorporeal substances, on man and other sensible things, on human actions and their principles, he reasoned in such a manner that in him there is wanting neither a full array of questions, nor an apt disposal of the various parts, nor the best method of proceeding, nor soundness of principles or strength of argument, nor clearness and elegance of style, nor a facility for explaining what is abstruse.

18.…Again, clearly distinguishing, as is fitting, reason from faith, while happily associating the one with the other, he both preserved the rights and had regard for the dignity of each; so much so, indeed, that reason, borne on the wings of Thomas to its human height, can scarcely rise higher, while faith could scarcely expect more or stronger aids from reason than those which she has already obtained through Thomas.

21.…while to these judgments of great Pontiffs on Thomas Aquinas comes the crowning testimony of Innocent VI: "His teaching above that of others, the canonical writings alone excepted, enjoys such a precision of language, an order of matters, a truth of conclusions, that those who hold to it are never found swerving from the path of truth, and he who dare assail it will always be suspected of error."

22.…But the chief and special glory of Thomas, one which he has shared with none of the Catholic Doctors, is that the Fathers of Trent made it part of the order of conclave to lay upon the altar, together with sacred Scripture and the decrees of the supreme Pontiffs, the Summa of Thomas Aquinas, whence to seek counsel, reason, and inspiration.

POPE PIUS XI – Studiorum Ducem (1923)

27. Again, if we are to avoid the errors which are the source and fountain-head of all the miseries of our time, the teaching of Aquinas must be adhered to more religiously than ever. For Thomas refutes the theories propounded by Modernists in every sphere, in philosophy, by protecting, as We have reminded you, the force and power of the human mind and by demonstrating the existence of God by the most cogent arguments

28. Accordingly, just as it was said to the Egyptians of old in time of famine: "Go to Joseph," so that they should receive a supply of corn from him to nourish their bodies, so We now say to all such as are desirous of the truth: "Go to Thomas," and ask him to give you from his ample store the food of substantial doctrine wherewith to nourish your souls unto eternal life.

POPE JOHN PAUL II – Fides et Ratio (1998)

43. A quite special place in this long development belongs to Saint Thomas, not only because of what he taught but also because of the dialogue which he undertook with the Arab and Jewish thought of his time. In an age when Christian thinkers were rediscovering the treasures of ancient philosophy, and more particularly of Aristotle, Thomas had the great merit of giving pride of place to the harmony which exists between faith and reason. Both the light of reason and the light of faith come from God, he argued; hence there can be no contradiction between them.

Live well!

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

The Conversion of St. Paul by Caravaggio

Today is the feast day on which we celebrate the conversion of the great persecutor of the Church, Saul, on the road to Damascus.  This, the very same Saul that witnessed, and approved, the martyrdom, of St. Stephen.

The dramatic conversion is described in the Acts of the Apostles, in the 9th chapter:
"9:1 Saul, with every breath he drew, still threatened the disciples of the Lord with massacre; and now he went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters of commendation to the synagogues at Damascus, so that he could arrest all those he found there, men and women, who belonged to the way, and bring them back to Jerusalem.[1]3 Then, on his journey, when he was nearly at Damascus, a light from heaven shone suddenly about him. 4 He fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me? 5 Who art thou, Lord? he asked. And he said, I am Jesus, whom Saul persecutes. This is a thankless task of thine, kicking against the goad. 6 And he, dazed and trembling, asked, Lord, what wilt thou have me do? 7 Then the Lord said to him, Rise up, and go into the city, and there thou shalt be told what thy work is. His companions stood in bewilderment, hearing the voice speak, but not seeing anyone.[2] 8 When he rose from the ground he could see nothing, although his eyes were open, and they had to lead him by the hand, to take him into Damascus.9 Here for three days he remained without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 There was, in Damascus, a disciple named Ananias; to him the Lord called in a vision, Ananias. Here I am, Lord, he answered. 11 And the Lord said to him, Rise up and go to the road called Straight Street; and enquire at the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus, named Saul. Even now he is at his prayers: 12 and he has had a vision of a man called Ananias coming in and laying hands on him, to cure him of blindness. 13 At this, Ananias answered, Lord, many have told me about this man, and all the hurt he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem; 14 and he has come here with authority from the chief priests to imprison all those who call upon thy name. 15 But the Lord said to him, Go on thy errand; this is a man I have chosen to be the instrument for bringing my name before the heathen and their rulers, and before the people of Israel too. 16 I have yet to tell him, how much suffering he will have to undergo for my name’s sake. 17 So Ananias set out; and as soon as he came into the house he laid his hands upon him, and said, Brother Saul, I have been sent by that Lord Jesus who appeared to thee on thy way as thou camest here; thou art to recover thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 And with that, a kind of film fell away from his eyes, and his sight was recovered. He rose up, and was baptized; 19 and now, when he had taken food, his strength returned to him. For some days he lived with the disciples at Damascus, 20 and from the first, in the synagogues, he preached that Jesus was the Son of God. 21 All those who heard it were amazed; Why, they said, is not this the man who brought ruin on all those who invoked this name, when he was in Jerusalem; the man who came here for the very purpose of arresting such people and presenting them to the chief priests?22 But Saul was inspired with ever greater strength, and silenced the Jews who lived at Damascus by shewing them clearly that this was the Christ."
[Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 9]


From enemy of Christ and His Church, to Apostle to the Gentiles; it is hard to imagine a more dramatic account of conversion and grace!  Imagine, too, the grace, mercy, and charity required of the Christian community to accept, and even follow, one that had so lately been guilty of the blood of a martyr!

The Statue of St. Paul in the front of the Basilica of San Paolo fuori le mura, Roma, Italia.

For more on St. Paul, you might note:
Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Paul

Catholic Saints Info: St. Paul

May we, like St. Paul, be open to the grace of conversion!  May we also have the mercy and courage to pray for the conversion of our persecutors, and to accept them if they, like St. Paul, repent!

Live well!

Ghastly Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

"Potential life" according to Justice Blackmun.  This "potential life" looks rather similar after being legally dismembered in the name of "choice."

The Catholic Bishops of the United States of America have declared a day of penance: "In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion." [cf., USCCB Prayer and Worship Resource page]

Why?

On this day in 1973, the United States Supreme Court ruled, 7-2, in the case Roe v. Wade, that the medical procedure of elective direct abortion was protected by the United States Constitution as part of a "Right of Privacy."  Of course, such a right, itself, is not mentioned in the Constitution or its amendments, but the Court, in the words of Justice Blackmun, was confident that it fell under the "...privacy said to be protected by the Bill of Rights or its penumbras."  This, along with the argument that "There has always been strong support for the view that life does not begin until live' birth," gave them the confidence to determine abortion was a Constitutional right.

Here is the text of the opinion of the Court, written by Justice Blackmun: Roe v. Wade, majority opinion

Here is the text of the dissent by Justice Rehnquist, who, along with Justice White, were the two who voted against the ruling: Roe v. Wade, dissenting opinion


In essence, then, this decision, along with that of Doe v. Bolton, meant that the host of state laws protecting human life prior to birth were struck down.  As a result, some 1+ million human lives are, on average, ended each year in the United States, and without legal penalty.

Here are some CDC statistics: CDC Abortion Surveillance

In essence, however, every abortion procedure is a radical act, and results in horrific carnage.  The following site gives a summary of what procedures are done at what stages [please be advised that there are some graphic photos here of dismembered "potential life"]: Life News: Abortion Methods

Legal abortion is a peculiarity that seems to turn its back on both a reasonable understanding of biology and of morality.

Biologically, there can be little doubt at this point that, pace Justice Blackmun, human life does not begin at birth, but there is very clearly a genetically distinct and individual human life prior to that point.  Why does a "right to privacy" protect the violently stopping a human heartbeat without due process of law?

Morally speaking, an unwillingness to consider when life begins, or a callous disregard for whether or not a life has ended, is the triumph of a utilitarian, ends-justify-the-means moral code.  Regardless of the circumstances, how can we condone the intentional and direct destruction of human life, without crime, offense, or due process of law?  What reason can justify the intentional destruction of human life?

The Code of Canon Law, 1983, provides that: "Can. 1398 A person who procures a completed abortion incurs a latae sententiae excommunication."  [cf., Code of Canon Law, 1398 et cetera]

Saint Pope John Paul II wrote an encyclical letter in 1995AD, Evangelium Vitae, on the subject of human life which is worth reading, in full: St. John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae

John Paul notes, in paragraph 20, "To claim the right to abortion, infanticide and euthanasia, and to recognize that right in law, means to attribute to human freedom a perverse and evil significance: that of an absolute power over others and against others. This is the death of true freedom: 'Truly, truly, I say to you, every one who commits sin is a slave to sin' (Jn 8:34)."

Violence against innocents in the name of choice is perhaps the greatest injustice that we witness in our nation today.  What are we doing to protect life?

A past March for Life in Washington, DC [2009].  Somehow a demonstration of such size (this photo hardly does it justice) never merits much coverage in the press! 
[By Marchforlife2009alldotorg.JPG: Eric Martin and Rick Johnsonderivative work: Ferrylodge (talk) - Marchforlife2009alldotorg.JPG, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10227771]

Finally, we must, daily, pray, sacrifice, and do what we can in our community to not only protect those yet born, but work, in charity, to help those either expecting, or raising little ones.

Live well and work that others might live!

Feast of St. Agnes, virgin-martyr

St. Agnes by Domenichino, ca. 1620.

Today is the feast of St. Agnes of Rome, a young martyr, who not only has two significant Churches dedicated to her in Rome, but whose name is in the Roman Canon.  Indeed, 28 January is also known as her "second Feast."  As the Old Catholic Encyclopedia notes: "On her feast two lambs are solemnly blessed, and from their wool are made the palliums sent by the Pope to archbishops."

St. Agnes was a young, about 13 year-old, Christian, who refused to renounce her Faith, or surrender her purity, in the face of a Roman persecution (some sources argue it was the Decian persecution, but the consensus seems to be that of Diocletian).  She was condemned to be taken to a brothel at the Circus of Domitian (now Piazza Navona) in the Campo Marzio, only to be miraculously preserved from rape.  That site was marked and became the basilica of Sant'Agnese in Agone in 1123 (this currently houses the relic of her skull).  That basilica would be magnificently renovated in the 17th century by Baroque artists including Francesco Borromini and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.  Despite the preservation of her purity, she would be executed by her persecutors.  Another basilica was constructed over her grave outside the walls of Rome during the time of the Emperor Constantine, this being Sant'Agnese fuori le mura.

It is worth noting that St. Thomas Aquinas, the 13th century Dominican and Doctor of the Church, had a great devotion to St. Agnes.

Here are a couple links with more about this great martyr for purity:

Golden Legend: On St. Agnes

Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Agnes of Rome

Catholic Saints Info: St. Agnes of Rome

Customs associated with St. Agnes (Fisheaters)

Basilica of Sant'Agnese in Agone on Piazza Navona.

Here are links to the websites of the two Churches in Rome bear her name: Sant'Agnese in Agone on Piazza Navona, the site of her agony at the brothel, and current location of the relic of her skull: Sant'Agnese in Agone official site
and Sant'Agnese fuori le mura, where she is buried: Basilica of Sant'Agnese fuori le mura official site

The interior of Sant'Agnese fuori le mura.
[By Parrocchia di Santa Agnese fuori le Mura - http://www.santagnese.org/galleria_foto.htm, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=821822]

Father Zuhlsdorf had a splendid post from a couple years ago on the blessing of the lambs by the Holy Father on the Feast of St Agnes: Fr. Z's Blog: Francis and the Lambs


Live well, and be pure!

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: 18-25 Jan

Calling of Sts. Peter and Andrew by Duccio di Buoninsegna 


Beginning on 18 January (formerly the feast of the Chair of Peter at Rome), and lasting until the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul (25 January), we observe the week of prayer for Christian unity.  There is a partial indulgence for praying devoutly an approved prayer for Christian unity. 

Here is one such text:
"Almighty and merciful God, who wished to gather the scattered nations into one people through your Son, grant that those who glory in the name of Christians may put aside division and become one in truth and charity, and that all men may be illumined by the true faith and brought together into the fraternal communion of one Church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."

Why is this week so designated?  Historically, 18 January was the feast of the Chair of St. Peter at Rome; that observance was merged with the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter at Antioch celebrated on 22 February in the 20th century (St. Peter was shepherd of both cities at different points...) -- we now celebrate the combined feast on that later, February, date. This historic feast day of St. Peter, however, still marks the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which closes with that of St. Paul!

Here is more about the week of prayer: USCCB: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Another resource for prayers for this week: FSSP: Church Unity Octave

Here is the source for the indulgence information:

11 Hebdomada pro christianorum unitate  Catholica Ecclesia Conditoris sui precem pridie quam pateretur ad Patrem prolatam « ut omnes unum sint » maxime cordi habet et ideo christifideles enixe hortantur ut pro christianorum unitate assidue orent.  § 1. Plenaria indulgentia conceditur christifideli qui aliquot functionibus in hebdomada pro christianorum unitate participaverit et eiusdem hebdomadae conclusioni interfuerit.  § 2.22 Partialis indulgentia conceditur christifideli qui orationem legitime adprobatam pro christianorum unitate devote recitaverit (e.g. Omnipotens et misericors Deus).  Omnipotens et misericors Deus, qui diversitatem gentium in unum populum per Filium tuum adunare voluisti, concede propitius ut qui christiano nomine gloriantur, qualibet divisione reiecta, unum sint in veritate et caritate, et omnes homines, verae fidei lumine illustrati, in unam Ecclesiam fraterna communione conveniant. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Source: Enchiridion Indulgentiarum

Live well!

Octave of Epiphany: Baptism of Our Lord

The Baptism of Christ, by Andrea del Verrocchio and Leonardo da Vinci, c. AD1475.

Today, the Octave day of the Epiphany, is the traditional Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptism.

Thus, St. Matthew in his third chapter:
"13 Then comes Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by you, and you come to me? 15 And Jesus answering, said to him: Allow it to be so now. For so it becomes us to fulfill all justice. Then he allowed him. 16 And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. 17 And behold a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

I would encourage you to read more on this feast here (this is the site from which I copied the hymn below): Fisheaters: Baptism of Christ

Today is also a good time to recall the Sacrament of Baptism, by which we become washed of Original Sin, incorporated into the Body of Christ, His Holy Church, and become sons and daughters of God.  May we preserve our soul, cleansed by Baptism, ever-pure!

For more on Baptism: Old Catholic Encyclopedia: Baptism

So closes the Christmas season proper, and so opens the public ministry of Our Divine Lord.  It is a consolation that while the Christmas season passes, we at least continue to chant the Alma Redemptoris Mater until the Purification or Presentation!

St. Ephraem the Syrian (+373AD), Doctor of the Church, wrote this beautiful hymn, with which I will conclude this post:
"Hymn XIV
Hymn Concerning Our Lord and St. John
By St. Ephraem (d. 373)

Response: Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Thee with joy Heaven and earth worship!

1. My thought bore me to Jordan, and I saw a marvel when there was revealed the glorious Bridegroom Who to the Bride shall bring freedom and holiness.

2. I saw John filled with wonder, and the multitudes standing about him, and the glorious Bridegroom bowed down to the son of the barren that he might baptize Him.

3. At the Word and the Voice my thought marvelled: for lo! John was the Voice; our Lord was manifested as the Word, that what was hidden should become revealed.

4. The Bride was espoused but knew not who was the Bridegroom on whom she gazed: the guests were assembled, the desert was filled, and our Lord was hidden among them.

5. Then the Bridegroom revealed Himself; and to John at the voice He drew near: and the Forerunner was moved and said of Him "This is the Bridegroom Whom I proclaimed."

6. He came to baptism Who baptizes all, and He showed Himself at Jordan. John saw Him and drew back, deprecating, and thus he spake:

7. "How, my Lord, willest Thou to be baptized, Thou Who in Thy baptism atonest all? Baptism looks unto Thee; shed Thou on it holiness and perfection?"

8. Our Lord said "I will it so; draw near, baptize Me that My Will may be done. Resist My Will thou canst not: I shall be baptized of thee, for thus I will it."

9. "I entreat, my Lord, that I be not compelled,-for this is hard that Thou hast said to me, 'I have need that thou shouldst baptize Me;' for it is Thou that with Thy hyssop purifiest all."

10. "I have asked it, and it pleases Me that thus it should be; and thou, John, why gainsayest thou? Suffer righteousness to be fulfilled, and come, baptize Me; why standest Thou?"

11. "How can one openly grasp in his hands the fire that burns? O Thou that art fire have mercy on me, and bid me not come near Thee, for it is hard for me!"

12. "I have revealed to Thee My Will; what questionest thou? Draw near, baptize Me, and thou shalt not be burned. The bridechamber is ready; keep Me not back from the wedding feast that has been made ready."

13. "The Watchers fear and dare not gaze on Thee lest they be blinded; and I, how, O my Lord, shall I baptize Thee? I am too weak to draw near; blame me not!"

14. "Thou fearest; therefore gainsay not-against My Will in what I desire:  and Baptism has respect unto Me. Accomplish the work to which thou hast been called!"

15. "Lo! I proclaimed Thee at Jordan in the ears of the people that believed not and if they shall see Thee baptized of me, they will doubt that Thou art the Lord."

16. "Lo! I am to be baptized in their sight, and the Father Who sent Me bears witness of Me that I am His Son and in Me He is well pleased, to reconcile Adam who was under His wrath."

17. "It becomes, me. O my Lord, to know my nature that I am moulded out of the ground, and Thou the moulder Who formest all things: I, then, why should I baptize Thee in water?"

18. "It becomes thee to know wherefore I am come, and for what cause I have desired that thou shouldst baptize Me. It is the middle of the way wherein I have walked; withhold thou not Baptism."

19. "Small is the river whereto Thou art come, that Thou shouldst lodge therein and it should cleanse Thee. The heavens suffice not for Thy mightiness; how much less shall Baptism contain Thee!"

20. "The womb is smaller than Jordan; yet was I willing to lodge in the Virgin: and as I was born from woman, so too am I to be baptized in Jordan."

21. "Lo! the hosts are standing! the ranks of Watchers, lo! they worship And if I draw near, my Lord, to baptize Thee, I tremble for myself with quaking."

22. "The hosts and multitudes call thee happy, all of them, for that thou baptizest Me. For this I have chosen thee from the womb: fear thou not, for I have willed it

23. "I have prepared the way as I was sent:-I have betrothed the Bride as I was commanded. May Thy Epiphany be spread over the world now that Thou art come, and let me not baptize Thee!"

24. "This is My preparation, for so have I willed; I will go down and be baptized in Jordan, and make bright the armour for them that are baptized, that they may be white in Me and I not be conquered."

25. "Son of the Father, why should I baptize Thee? for lo! Thou art in Thy Father and Thy Father in Thee. Holiness unto the priests Thou givest; water that is common wherefore askest Thou?"

26. "The children of Adam look unto Me, that I should work for them the new birth. A way in the waters I will search out for them, and if I be not baptized this cannot be."

27. "Pontiffs of Thee are consecrated, priests by Thy hyssop are purified; the anointed and the kings Thou makest. Baptism, how shall it profit Thee?"

28. "The Bride thou betrothedst to Me awaits Me, that I should go down, be baptized, and sanctify her. Friend of the Bridegroom withhold Me not from the washing that awaits Me."

29. "I am not able, for I am weak, Thy blaze in my hands to grasp. Lo! Thy legions are as flame; bid one of the Watchers baptize Thee!"

30. "Not from the Watchers was My Body assumed, that I should summon a Watcher to baptize Me. The body of Adam, lo! I have put on, and thou, son of Adam, art to baptize Me."

31. "The waters saw Thee, and greatly feared ; the waters saw Thee, and lo! they tremble! The river foams in its terror; and I that am weak, how shall I baptize Thee?"

32. "The waters in My Baptism are sanctified, and fire and the Spirit from Me shall they receive; and if I be not baptized they are not made perfect to be fruitful of children that shall not die."

33. "Fire, if to Thy fire it draw near, shall be burnt up of it as stubble. The mountains of Sinai endured Thee not, and I that am weak, wherein shall I baptize Thee?"

34. "I am the flaming fire; yet for man's sake I became a babe in the virgin womb of the maiden. And now I am to be baptized in Jordan."

35. "It is very meet that Thou shouldst baptize me, for Thou hast holiness to purify all. In Thee it is that the defiled are made holy; but Thou that art holy, why art Thou to be baptized?"

36. "It is very right that thou shouldst baptize Me, as I bid, and shouldst not gainsay. Lo! I baptized thee within the womb; baptize thou me in Jordan!"

37. "I am a bondman and I am weak. Thou that freest all have mercy on me! Thy latchets to unloose I am not able; Thy exalted head who will make me worthy to touch?"

38. "Bondmen in My Baptism are set free; handwritings in My washing are blotted out; manumissions in the water are sealed; and if I be not baptized all these come to nought."

39. "A mantle of fire the air wears, and waits for Thee, above Jordan; and if Thou consentest to it and willest to be baptized, Thou shall baptize Thyself and fulfil all."

40. "This is meet, that thou shouldst baptize Me, that none may err and say concerning Me, 'Had He not been alien from the Father's house, why feared the Levite to baptize Him?' "

41. "The prayer, then, when Thou art baptized, how shall I complete over Jordan? When the Father and the Spirit are seen over Thee, Whom shall I call on, as priest?"

42. "The prayer in silence is to be completed: come, thy hand alone lay thou on Me. and the Father shall utter in the priest's stead that which is meet concerning His Son."

43. "They that are bidden, lo! all of them stand; the Bridegroom's guests, lo! they bear witness that day by day I said among them, 'I am the Voice and not the Word.' "

44. "Voice of him that cries in the wilderness, fulfil thou the work for which thou camest, that the desert whereunto thou wentest out may resound with the mighty peace thou preachedst therein."

45. "The shout of the Watchers has come to my ears; lo! I hear from the Father's house the hosts that sound forth the cry, 'In Thy Epiphany, O Bridegroom, the worlds have life.' "

46. "The time hastes on, and the marriage guests-look to Me to see what is doing. Come, baptize Me, that they may give praise to the Voice of the Father when it is heard!"

47. "I hearken, my Lord, according to Thy Word: come to Baptism as Thy love constrains Thee! The dust worships that whereunto he has attained, that on Him Who fashioned him he should lay his hand."

48. The heavenly ranks were silent as they stood, and the Bridegroom went down into Jordan; the Holy One was baptized and straightway went up, and His Light shone forth on the world.

49. The doors of the highest were opened above, and the voice of the Father was heard," This is my Beloved in Whom I am well pleased." All ye peoples, come and worship Him.

50. They that saw were amazed as they stood, at the Spirit Who came down and bare witness to Him. Praise to Thy Epiphany that gladdens all, Thou in Whose revelation the worlds are lightened!"

Merry Christmas and live well!

Feast of the Holy Family & Marriage

The Holy Family with the Little Bird, by Bartolome Esteban Murillo, c. 1650AD.

Today is traditionally the feast of the Holy Family -- the Sunday after Epiphany.  In the revised calendar of AD1970, the Feast is celebrated on the Sunday during the Octave of Christmas, or, if there is no Sunday in the Christmas octave, 30 December.  Regardless, it is, in these waning days of the Christmas season, an opportune moment to note something of this great model of family life.

"The special devotion which sets forth the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the model of virtue for all Christian households began in the seventeenth century.  It commenced almost simultaneously in Canada and France: -- the Association of the Holy Family being founded in Montreal in 1663, and the Daughters of the Holy Family in Paris in 1674.  Numerous other congregations and associations under the Patronage of the Holy Family have been established since that time, and they are spread over the world.  The arch-confratenity was established by Bl. Pius IX in 1847.  In 1893 Leo XIII approved a Feast for Canada, and Pope Benedict XV extended the Feast of the Holy Family to the whole Church and ordered its celebration to take place on the Sunday after the Epiphany." [Baronius Press Missal, pg. 244]

It is well to recall the collect of the Feast:
"O Lord Jesus Christ, who, being subject to Mary and Joseph, didst sanctify home life with ineffable virtues; grant that , with the aid of both, we may be taught by the example of Thy Holy Family, and attain to eternal fellowship with them."

While the specific devotion to the Holy Family is of recent origin, certainly the members of the Holy Family, Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph are well worthy of consideration as a family, and, indeed, give us a model of what family life should contain.

It is a wonder to ponder those words of the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, Chapter 2: "51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart."

For more, you would do well to check out this page: Fisheaters: Feast of the Holy Family

A consideration of the Holy Family naturally leads to a consideration of family and the Sacrament of Matrimony.  You might consider the follow inspiring documents:

Arcanum of Pope Leo XIII, 1880

Casti Connubii of Pope Pius XI, 1930

Familiaris Consortio of Pope St. John Paul II, 1981

We should note, too, regarding the definition and place of Holy Matrimony in society, the teaching of recent popes.  Pope Benedict XVI taught, "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...Defending the institution of marriage as a social reality is ultimately a question of justice, since it entails safeguarding the good of the entire human community and the rights of parents and children alike."
[cf., http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2012/march/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20120309_us-bishops_en.html]

From the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith's Consideration, approved by John Paul II in 2003: "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. To vote in favour of a law so harmful to the common good is gravely immoral."
[Cf., http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20030731_homosexual-unions_en.html]



Finally, I leave with you the chapter of the splendid work of St. Robert Bellarmine, Ars bene moriendi (The Art of Dying Well) on the subject of the Sacrament of Marriage:

"CHAPTER XV. THE FIFTEENTH PRECEPT, ON MATRIMONY.

THE sacrament of Matrimony comes next: it has a two-fold institution; one, as it is a civil contract by the natural law; another, as it is a sacrament by the law of the Gospel. Of both institutions we shall briefly speak, not absolutely, but only as regards teaching us how to live well, that so we may die well. Its first institution was made by God in paradise; for these words of God, "It is not good for man to be alone," cannot properly be understood, unless they have relation to some means of propagating the human race.

St. Augustine justly remarks, that in no way does man stand in need of the woman, except in bringing forth and educating children; for in other things, men derive more assistance from their fellow-men than from women. Wherefore, a little after the woman had been formed, Adam divinely inspired said: “A man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife: " and these words our Lord in St. Matthew attributes to God, saying: " Have ye not read, that he who made man from the beginning, made them male and female ? And he said: For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be in one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder." (chap, xix.) Our Lord here attributes these words to God, because Adam spoke them not as coming from himself, but from the divine inspiration. Such was the first institution of Matrimony.

Another institution, or rather exaltation of matrimony to the dignity of a sacrament, is found in St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians: " For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall be two in one flesh. This is a great sacrament: but I speak in Christ and in the Church." (chap. v. 31, 32.) That matrimony is a true sacrament, St. Augustine proves in his book on "A good husband" he says: " In our marriages, more account is made of the sanctity of the sacrament than fecundity of birth: " and in the xxiv. chapter he says again: " Among all nations and people the advantage of marriage consists in being the means of producing children in the faith of chastity: but as regards the people of God, it also consists in the sanctity of the Sacrament." And in his book on " Faith and Works," he says: " In the city of the Lord and in his holy Mount, that is, in his Church, marriage is not only a bond, it is also considered to be a Sacrament." But on this point I need say nothing more. It only remains that I explain, how men and women united in matrimony should so live, that they may die a good death.

There are three blessings arising from Matrimony, if it be made a good use of, viz: Children, fidelity, and the grace of the sacrament. The generation of children, together with their proper education, must be had in view, if we would make a good use of matrimony; but on the contrary, he commits a most grievous sin, who seeks only carnal pleasure in it. Hence Onan, one of the children of the patriarch Juda, is most severely blamed in Scripture for not remembering this, which was to abuse, not use the holy Sacrament.

But if sometimes it happen that married people should be oppressed with the number of their children, whom through poverty they cannot easily support, there is a remedy pleasing to God; and this is, by mutual consent to separate from the marriage-bed, and spend their days in prayer and fasting. For if it be agreeable to Him, for married persons to grow old in virginity, after the example of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph, (whose lives the Emperor Henry and his wife Chunecunda endeavoured to imitate, as well as King Edward and Egdida, Eleazor a knight, and his lady Dalphina, and several others,) why should it be displeasing to God or men, that married people should not live together as man and wife, by mutual consent, that so they may spend the rest of their days in prayer and fasting ? Again: it is a most grievous sin, for people united in matrimony and blessed with children, to neglect them or their pious education, or to allow them to want the necessaries of life. On this point, we have many examples, both in sacred and profane History: but as I wish to be concise, I shall be content with adducing one only from the first book of Kings: "In that day I will raise up against Heli all the hings I have spoken concerning his house: I will begin and I will make an end. For I have foretold unto him, that I will judge his house forever for iniquity, because he knew that his sons did wickedly, and did not chastise them. Therefore have I sworn to the house of Heli, that the iniquity of his house shall not be expiated with victims nor offerings for ever." (chap. iii. 12, & c.) These threats God shortly after fulfilled; for the sons of Heli were slain in battle, and Heli himself falling from his seat backwards, broke his neck and died miserably. Wherefore, if Heli, otherwise a just man, and an upright judge of the people, perished miserably with his sons, because he did not educate them as he ought to have done, and did not chastise them when they became wicked; what will become of those, who not only do not endeavour to educate their children properly, but by their bad example encourage them to sin? Truly, they can expect nothing less than a horrible death, for themselves and for their children, unless they repent in time and do suitable penance.

Another blessing, and that a most noble one, is the grace of the Sacrament, which God Himself pours into the hearts of pious married persons, provided the marriage be duly celebrated, and the individuals are found to be well disposed and prepared. This grace, not to mention other blessings it brings with it, helps in a wonderful manner to produce love and peace between married people, although the different dispositions and manners of each other are capable of sowing discord. But, above all things, an imitation of the union of Christ with the Church makes marriage most sweet and blessed. Of this the Apostle thus speaks in his Epistle to the Ephesians: "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the Church, and delivered Himself up for it, that He might sanctify it, cleansing it by the laver of water, in the word of life, that he might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle." (chap. v. 25, &c.)

The Apostle admonishes women also, saying: " Let women be subject to their husbands, as to the Lord. Because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the Church. Therefore as the Church is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be to their husbands in all things." The Apostle concludes: “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular love his wife as himself, and let the wife fear her husband." If these words of the Apostle be diligently considered, they will make our marriage blessed in heaven and on earth.

But we will briefly explain the meaning of St. Paul s words. .First, he exhorts husbands that they love their wives, " as Christ hath loved the Church." Christ certainly loved His church with a love of friendship, not with a love of concupiscence; He sought the good of the Church, the safety of the Church, and not His own utility, nor His own pleasure. Wherefore, they do not imitate Christ, who love their wives on account of their beauty, being captivated by the love thereof, or on account of their rich dowry or valuable inheritance, for such love not their spouse but themselves, desiring to satisfy the concupiscence of their flesh, or the concupiscence of their eyes, which is called avarice. Thus Solomon, wise in the beginning, but in the end unwise, loved his wives and his concubines, not with the love of friendship, but of concupiscence; desiring not to benefit them, but to satisfy his carnal concupiscence, wherewith being blinded, he hesitated not to sacrifice to strange gods, lest he should grieve in the least his mistresses.

Now, that Christ in His marriage with His Church, sought not Himself, that is, His own utility or pleasure, but the good of His spouse, is evident from the following words: " He delivered himself for it that he might sanctity it, cleansing it by the laver of water in the word of life." This indeed is true and perfect charity, to deliver one’s self to punishment, for the eternal welfare of the Church his spouse. But not only did our Saviour love the Church with a love of friendship, not concupiscence, but also He loved it, not for a time, but with a perpetual love.

For as He never laid aside His human nature which He once assumed, so also He united His spouse to Himself, in a bond of indissoluble marriage. " With a perpetual love have I loved thee," saith He by the prophet Jeremias. This is the reason why marriage is indissoluble among Christians, because it is a sacrament signifying the union of Christ with His church; whilst marriage among the Pagans and Jews, could be dissolved in certain cases. The same apostle afterward teaches women to be “subject" to their husbands, as the Church is subject to Christ. Jezabel did not observe this precept; for as she wished to rule her husband, she lost herself and him, together with all their children. And would that there were not so many females in these days, who endeavour to rule over their husbands; but perhaps the fault is in the men, who do not know how to retain their superiority. Sara, the wife of Abraham, was so subject to her husband, that she called him lord: "I am grown old, and my lord is an old man," & c. And this obedience of Sara, St. Peter in his first Epistle thus praises: "For after this manner holy women also, being in subjection to their husbands, as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord." (chap. iii. 5, 6.) It may appear strange, that the holy Apostles Peter and Paul should be continually exhorting husbands to love their wives, and wives to fear their husbands; but if they be subject to their husbands, should they not also love them? A wife ought to love her husband, and be loved in return by him; but she should love him with fear and reverence, so that her love should not prevent her fear, otherwise she might become a tyrant. Dalila mocked her husband Sampson, though such a strong man, not as a man, but as a slave. And in the book of Esdras it is related of a king, how being captivated with love for his concubine, he suffered her to sit at his right hand; but she took the crown from the King’s head and put it upon her own, and even struck the king himself. Wherefore, we must not be surprised at the Almighty having said to the first woman: “Thou shalt be under thy husband’s power, and he shall have dominion over thee." (Genesis, iii. 1 6.) Hence a husband requires no little wisdom to love, and at the same time rule his wife; to admonish her and teach her also; and if necessary, even correct her. We have an example in St. Monica the mother of St. Augustine; her husband was a cruel man and a Pagan, but yet she bore with him so piously and prudently, that she always was loved by him, and at length converted him to God. (See St. Augustine’s " Confessions)"

Cf., http://goodcatholicbooks.org/pdf/bellarmine_art-of-dying-well.pdf

Live well!

Feast of the Epiphany

Adoration of the Magi by Giotto.

While observed last Sunday in those places where it is transferred, today is traditionally the Feast of the Epiphany -- 6 January.  Today, then, is "little Christmas."  "The word 'Epiphany' means 'manifestation'.  The Church in the Mass, commemorates a triple manifestation of Christ: to the Magi, that is, to the Gentiles; in His Baptism, when the Voice from heaven declared: 'This is My Beloved Son'; and in the miracle of changing water into wine at Cana." [Baronius, Daily Missal, pg. 237]

Of course, on this day it is traditional to focus on the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Their arrival from the East, following a star, is rich with meaning and symbolism.  The gospel of St. Matthew records, in chapter 2:
"1 Jesus was born at Bethlehem, in Juda, in the days of king Herod. And thereupon certain wise men came out of the east to Jerusalem, 2 who asked, Where is he that has been born, the king of the Jews? We have seen his star out in the east, and we have come to worship him. 3 King Herod was troubled when he heard it, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 so that he assembled all the chief priests and learned men among the people, and enquired of them where it was that Christ would be born. 5 And they told him, At Bethlehem in Juda; so it has been written by the prophet: 6 And thou, Bethlehem, of the land of Juda, art far from the least among the princes of Juda, for out of thee will arise a leader who is to be the shepherd of my people Israel. 7 Then, summoning the wise men in secret, Herod questioned them closely upon the time of the star’s appearing. 8 And he sent them on their way to Bethlehem, saying to them, Go and enquire carefully for the child, and when you have found him, bring me back word, so that I too may come and worship him. 9 They obeyed the king, and went on their journey; and all at once the star which they had seen in the east was there going before them, till at last it stood still over the place where the child was. 10 They, when they saw the star, were glad beyond measure;11 and so, going into the dwelling, they found the child there, with his mother Mary, and fell down to worship him; and, opening their store of treasures, they offered him gifts, of gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 Afterwards, because they had received a warning in a dream forbidding them to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by a different way."

The Magi from the East, represent the Gentiles who, like the Jews, would be saved by the incarnation of Jesus Christ.  Their gifts represent the Kingship, Divinity, and finally the sacrifice and death of Christ.

May we, like the Magi, adore the newborn Christ and offer Him worth gifts!

Adoration of the Magi by Bartolome Esteban Murillo, 17th century.

For more on the Epiphany:
Old Catholic Encyclopedia: Epiphany

Fisheaters: Twelfth Night

Fisheaters: Epiphany

Cologne Cathedral, in the Rhineland of Germany.
[By Velvet - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35472522]

As for the three Magi themselves:
"We don't know that from Scripture, but tradition relates that were were three, and that there were three gifts mentioned supports this notion as well. Tradition says, too, that these three men were representative of the three ages of man and of the three "racial types" of man, the three families that descended from Noe's three sons (Sem, Cham, and Japheth). According to tradition, Caspar was the young, beardless, ruddy descendant of Ham who brought frankincense. Melchior was an old, white-haired, bearded descendant of Sem who brought gold. And Balthasar was a bearded black descendant of Japheth, in the prime of his life, who brought myrrh (see the works of the Venerable Bede).

Tradition also has it that the kings were baptized by St. Thomas, and they are considered Saints of the Church. Though their feasts aren't celebrated liturgically, the dates given for them in the martyrology are as follows: St. Caspar on 1 January; St. Melchior on 6 January; and St. Balthasar on 11 January."
[From: http://www.fisheaters.com/epiphanyeve.html]

The relics of the three Magi are reputed to rest in the great cathedral of Cologne in Germany.  You can visit their website here: Cologne Cathedral Official Website

Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral.
[By Arminia - File:Dreikönigsschrein im Dom1.JPG, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2237541]

This link goes to the page specifically on the shrine of the three kings: Shrine of the Three Holy Kings

For more on those three kings, you might note:
Catholic Saint Info: St. Balthasar

Old Catholic Encyclopedia: Magi

Merry Christmas & Live well!