The Inspired Traditionalist: December 2005

Saturday, December 31, 2005

Gregorian Chant SHOULD come Back

I found this interview with Monsignor Miserachs quite righteous. Gregorian chant and the Latin Mass should be part of every parish community. Our priests should do at least one Mass weekly for the faithful and we should all do more than just pray for this. We can write letters as well and make known our feelings. Also, don't stop at one letter. Periodically send them so they are forced to act. It is our right and we should stand up for ourselves and for Jesus who deserves the reverence that goes along with this Mass.
Date: 2005-12-24
Gregorian Chant: a Thing of the Future?
Interview With President of Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 24, 2005 (ZENIT.org).- Gregorian chant has been unjustly abandoned and its place in the life of the Church should be recovered, says a Vatican aide. Monsignor Valenti Miserachs Grau made this declaration at a recent encounter organized by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments at the Vatican. Monsignor Miserachs has been president of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music since 1995. This Spanish musician, who has composed more than 2,000 pieces, is also the canonical chapel director of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. ZENIT interviewed him about the state of Gregorian chant.
Q: On a day in the Vatican dedicated to chant you have asked that Gregorian chant be recovered and the proposal was well applauded. Does this mean that there is a consensus on its recovery?
Monsignor Miserachs: I believe that this means that there is a general opinion that coincides on the necessity of recovering Latin and Gregorian chant, which is the chant proper to the Church. Gregorian chant has been abandoned and left to concert halls and CD's when its proper place was and is the liturgy.
Q: In the 21st century, does it seem logical to you that Church music be not exclusively Gregorian chant?
Monsignor Miserachs: I think that new musical products, in the majority of cases, have not learned or have not been able to root themselves in the tradition of the Church, thus dragging in a general impoverishment. It is incomprehensible, especially in the Latin countries, that Latin and Gregorian chant has been pushed aside in the last 40 years. Latin and Gregorian chant form part of tradition -- and they have been amputated. It is like cutting the roots … Forgetting Gregorian has created the conditions for the proliferation of new musical products that sometimes don't have sufficient technical quality. Those that do have it can be used along with Gregorian, why not?
Q: Why is the capacity of the faithful to learn Latin melodies not appreciated?
Monsignor Miserachs: It was thought that they were incapable, but this was wrong. Before, people knew how to sing the basic songs in Latin. Today, it seems that efforts are being made to make them unlearn what they knew. It is obvious that we cannot propose they learn the entire repertoire, which contains 5,000 pieces. In liturgical chant the assembly does not have to be the only protagonist. A certain order must be kept. The people should sing their part and the rest should be done by the choir, the chanter, the psalmist and obviously the celebrant. To launch Gregorian chant in the assembly again, we could begin remembering the Pater Noster, the Kyrie, the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei. If they were invited, given the music and then properly trained, the people would be completely capable of following and singing easy Gregorian melodies, even if it were the first time they heard them. Just as the repertoire of Gregorian chant is learned, so also other songs in living languages can be learned. I obviously am referring to those that are worthy of being beside the Gregorian repertoire.
Q: Is sufficient attention given to the question of sacred music in the Church?
Monsignor Miserachs: No. For some time, we have insisted on this point. Our institute does its job, but it is only an academic institution, not a normative body and it thus has no say in these affairs. A Vatican body is needed that would directly oversee the matters of sacred music. John Paul II stated that the musical aspect of liturgical celebrations cannot be left to improvisation or to the free will of the people. It should be confided to a concerted direction and the respect for certain norms. Authorized indications are awaited and this concerns the Church of Rome, the Holy See

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

St John the Evangelist

Today is the Feast of St. John the Evangelist. St. John was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of St. James the Greater St. Peter, James, and John had the most prominent positions of all the Apostles. It was these three who were present for the Transfiguration and Christ's Agony in the Garden of Gethsemani. Peter and John were the two who prepared for the Last Supper, John was described as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" sat next to Our Lord, with his head on Christ's chest. St. John went with Peter to the palace of the high priest after Jesus was arrested and who stayed with Christ during the Crucifixion. After the Resurrection, it was St. John and St. Peter among the Apostles who ran to the empty tomb after being told by St. Mary Magdalen that He had risen. After the Ascension and Pentecost, St. John accompanied St. Peter when the lame man was healed in the Temple, being thrown into prison with St. Peter, and preached with St. Peter in Samaria.When Herod Agrippa was in power and the Apostles were scattered, he is said to have gone to Asia Minor for a time, returning to Jerusaleum and taking part in the "Council of Jerusalem". Under the reign of Domitian, he was banished to the Greek island of Patmos near the coast of Turkey, where he was granted the vision of the Heavenly Jerusalem. During the reign of Trajan, he returned to Ephesus where he lived to a very old age. He was the only one of the Apostles who wasn't martyred.

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Christmas Day

The Lord has come. It is the birthday of Our Savior. This child started His life with a promise to all of us, for all generations, to the end of the world. What kind of bithday gift can we give Him? Certainly nothing can compare to what He has given to us. As we give each other gifts today, remember the gift we give to Jesus. Give this gift with all the enthusiasim that you would give a gift to a special person in your life. Give Him your heart. This is what He asks for, for His birthday present. give Him honor and glory and your love. He likes to give presents to so go ahead and ask Him for a present and make it the best present you could receive today. That would be the graces to love Him more and more each day.

Happy, Happy Birthday to My Lord and Savior!!
I love You!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Christmastide Dec 24-Jan 13th

Christmastide
This is the true Christmas Season. Soon most people will be putting away things. All the Christmas music will stop and people will be worried about returning those unwanted gifts. True Catholics will just begin.Christmastide officially ends on January13th. The Octave of the Epiphany, but the celebration of the events of Christ's life as a child don't end until Candlemas on 2 February. This is similiar to the Lenten season that beginson Ash Wednesday when we commemorate Christ in the desert for 40 days, and after Easter we celebrate for 40 days until the Ascension, after Christmas we celebrate the Child Jesus for 40 days until Candlemas.
The celebration is as follows
Christmas 25 th The birth of Our Lord
Feast of the Holy Innocents December 28th. Herod slaughters baby boys in order to kill the Christ Child
Feast of the Circumcision. January 1st
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. Sunday January 2nd.
Feast of the Epiphany.January 6th. Christmas liturgically ends with the Octave of the Epiphany.
Feast of the Holy Family Sunday after Epiphany Jan. 8th.
Candlemas February 2nd. Forty days after giving birth, Mary goes to the Temple to be purified Christmas unofficially ends with Candlemas.

Monday, December 19, 2005

4th week in Advent

The collect for the fourth week in advent
Pour forth thy power, O Lord, and come: Assist us by that mighty power, so that by thy grace and merciful kindness we may swiftly receive the salvation that our sins impede: Who livest and reignest with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Sunday, December 18, 2005

4th Sunday in Advent

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Today is the third of the "O" Antiphons. Christ the King, the Lord! Divine Wisdom, Adonai, the powerful God, is at the same time man with flesh and blood of the house of Jesse, the father of King David. Truly, the right of kingship has now passed from the house of David. "He shall rule from sea to sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth. Before Him the Ethiopians shall fall down and His enemies shall lick the ground. The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents: the kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall serve Him" (Ps. 71:8-11). To Him God has said, "Thou art My Son. . . . I will give Thee the Gentiles for Thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for Thy possession" (Ps. 2:7 f.).
3rd O Antiphon:
A standard to the peoples, Before whom kings are mute, To whom the nations will appeal,
COME To deliver us, Delay, please, no longer. "Come to deliver us and tarry not." The world cries out for Christ its King, who shall cast out the prince of this world (John 12:31). The prince of this world established his power over men as a result of original sin. Even after we had been delivered from the servitude of Satan through the death of Christ on the cross, the prince of this world attempts to exercise his power over us. "The devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour" (I Pet. 5:8). In these trying times, when faith in Christ and in God has largely disappeared, when the propaganda of a pagan culture is broadcast everywhere, and the forces of evil and falsehood rise up to cast God from His throne, who does not feel the power of the devil? Does it not appear that we are approaching that time when Satan will be released from the depths of hell to work his wonders and mislead, if possible, even the elect? (Apoc. 20:2; Matt. 24:24.)
"Come, tarry not." Observe how thoroughly the world of today has submitted to the reign of Satan. Mankind has abandoned the search for what is good and holy. Loyalty, justice, freedom, love, and mutual trust are no longer highly regarded. Establish, O God, Thy kingdom among us, a kingdom established upon truth, justice, and peace. "Come, tarry not." "Thy kingdom come."

Saturday, December 17, 2005

"O" Antiphons, start Dec 17th

The "O" Antiphons start on Dec 17 and carry through to Dec .23 rd. There are 7 Antiphons altogether and said for 7 days before Christmas Eve
The "O Antiphons", also called the "Greater Antiphons" are prayers that come from the Breviary's Vespers during the Octave before Christmas Eve, called the "Golden Nights." Each Antiphon addresses Jesus with a title which comes from the prophecies of Isaias and Micheas and whose initials, read backwards, form a composition for the Latin "Ero Cras" which means "Tomorrow I come."

Those titles for Christ are: Sapientia, Adonai, Radix Jesse, Clavis David, Oriens, Rex Gentium, Emmanuel.

Sapientia- meaning Wisdom
Isaias 11:2-3
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness. And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord, He shall not judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor reprove according to the hearing of the ears.
Isaias 28:29
This also is come forth from the Lord God of hosts, to make his counsel wonderful, and magnify justice

Adonai-means Lord of Israel
Isaias 11:4-5
But he shall judge the poor with justice, and shall reprove with equity the meek of the earth and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. And justice shall be the girdle of his loins and faith the girdle of his reins.
Isaias 33:22
For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king: he will save us.

Radix Jesse-means Root of Jesse
Isaias 11:1
And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root.
Isaias 11:10
In that day the root of Jesse, who standeth for an ensign of the people, him the Gentiles shall beseech, and his sepulchre shall be glorious. Micheas 5:1
Now shalt thou be laid waste, O daughter of the robber they have laid siege against us, with a rod shall they strike the cheek of the judge of Israel.

Clavis David-means Key of David
Isaias 22:22
And I will lay the key of the house of David upon his shoulder and he shall open, and none shall shut and he shall shut, and none shall open.
Isaias 9:6
For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace.

Oriens-means Radiant Dawn
Isaias 9:2
The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen
.
Rex Gentium-means King of all nations and the Gentiles
Isaias 9:7
His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace He shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom to establish it and strengthen it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth and for ever, the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaias 2:4
And He shall judge the Gentiles, and rebuke many people and they shall turn their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into sickles nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they be exercised any more to war.

Emmanuel-God is with us
Isaias 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and His name shall be called Emmanuel.
One is prayed each evening at Vespers time. To pray the O Antiphons as in the Divine Office, begin with the Antiphon, then pray the Magnificat and repeat the Antiphon.

December 17
O Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence.
December 18
O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm.
December 19
O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at whom the kings shall shut their mouths, Whom the Gentiles shall seek, come to deliver us, do not tarry.
December 20
O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.
December 21
O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
December 22
O King of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof. O Corner-stone, that makest of two one, come to save man, whom Thou hast made out of the dust of the earth.
December 23
O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God.

O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL !

Friday, December 16, 2005

Sale of Church

I was reading in The Remnant News an article written by Steve O'Brien on The Holy Trinity Church in Boston.
www.remnantnewspaper.com/
The sale of this church has been in the works for some time now and this is so devasting to hear. It is such a beautiful church and it is a sin to see it destroyed. I wonder how some people can live with themselves to destroy such a beautiful place of worship. Unfortunately this is happening to make money and I find this disgusting. I posted an article in Sept about another church that was slated for destruction. The Immaculate Conception Preservation fighting for their church as well. Please take the time to view the pictures of these churches. Holy Trinity Church has some beautiful pictures from Holy week. See what beautiful structures they are and please pray for the people who attend the Latin Mass in this community. Moreover for the souls who will have to answer to God for this sin.
Holy Trinity Church Boston
www.holytrinitygerman.org/
www.immaculateconceptionpreservationfund.org

Christmas Novena

Chris

tmas Novena

This Novena starts 9 days before Christmas, starting on Dec 16th and going to Dec 24th.

Some are still saying the Novena that Started from Nov 30th and is continuing through until the 24th of Dec.

They are two separate Novena's ( see my post on the Christmas Novena back in November for reference to this one)

December 16: O Shepherd that rulest Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep, come to guide and comfort us.
One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be

December 17: O Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence
One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.

December 18: O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm
One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be

December 19: O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at Whom the kings shall shut their mouths, Whom the Gentiles shall seek, come to deliver us, do not tarry.
One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be

December 20: O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.
One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be

December 21: O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death
One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be

December 22: O King of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof. O Corner-stone, that makest of two one, come to save man, whom Thou hast made out of the dust of the earth
One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be

December 23: O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God
One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be

December 24: O Thou that sittest upon the cherubim, God of hosts, come, show Thy face, and we shall be saved.
One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

St John of The Cross

He was born in Spain in 1542, John gave up wealth, and comfort when he married a weaver's daughter and was disowned by his family. St. John's life of sacrifice followed by his great love ofGod.
John went hungry in the middle of the wealthiest city in Spain. At fourteen, John took a job caring for hospital patients who suffered from incurable diseases and madness. It was out of this poverty and suffering, that John learned to search for beauty and happiness not in the world, but in God.
After John joined the Carmelite order, Saint Teresa of Avila asked him to help her reform movement. John supported her belief that the order should return to its life of prayer. But many Carmelites felt threatened by this reform, and some members of John's own order kidnapped him. He was locked in a cell and beaten three times a week by the monks. There was only one tiny window high up near the ceiling. His love and faith in God was what kept him going . He had nothing left but God. It was there in that cell that he found peace and joy in Christ
After nine months, St John escaped and creeping past the guard.
Maybe we should all find our " Little Cell" to find the peace and joy that Christ has to offer to us
St John found no bitterness in his treatment, but instead God's grace. May he be an example for all of us to endure our pains and sufferings and find joy. Especially at this time in Advent when we should be preparing for the joyful Child's coming
Prayer:
Saint John of the Cross, in the darkness of your worst moments, when you were alone and persecuted, you found God. Help me to have faith that God is there especially in the times when God seems absent and far away. Amen

3rd week in Advent

The collect for the third week in advent
We beseech thee to listen to our prayers, O Lord, and by the grace of thy coming enlighten our darkened minds: Thou who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen

Continue your prayers and Novenas. Don't forget the Joy that this Advent Season brings.
Joyful mysteries of the Rosary are good to incorporate

Monday, December 12, 2005

Our lady of Guadalupe

Today's Feast remembers Our Lady's appearance to St. Juan Diego, and as she is Patroness of Americas, particularly Mexico. The miraculously blooming roses found by the now-Sainted Juan Diego were "Castilian Roses" (also called "Damascus Roses"), or Rosa damascena, which didn't grow in Mexico .
After the conquest, the Spanish rule of the natives was so severe that a bloody revolt was imminent. Bishop Zummaraga prayed for Our Lady to intervene to prevent an uprising, to reconcile the Spanish and the natives and to bring peace. It is believed that he asked that he would receive roses native to his homeland of Castile Spain as a sign that his prayer would answered.
On December 9, 1531, Our Lady appeared to Saint Juan Diego who was a recently converted Catholic. She asked him to go to the Bishop and request him to build a church for her on the barren hill of Tepeyac that is now part of Mexico City. Our Lady wanted to show her merciful love to all of her children. The prudent Bishop asked Juan to ask the Lady for a sign. Juan did so and Our Lady promised to give him the sign.
On December 12, Our Lady again appeared to Juan on Tepeyac Hill and told him to pick the Castilian roses which miraculously appeared there and bring them to the Bishop as a sign for him to believe her request. Juan gathered the roses into his tilma and brought them to the Bishop.
Juan opened the tilma to show them and, to everyone's astonishment, the Image of Our Lady appeared on it. The Bishop then built the church as Our Lady had requested and nine million natives were converted to the one, true faith within the next nine years. Human sacrifice ended in Mexico forever. Our Lady of Guadalupe, means Crusher of the stone serpent.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

A Letter from Hell by Claire

I am sending this letter out (link at the bottom) and hopefully as long as it is, you will read it thoroughly and hopefully obtain the good message.
A friend sent me this and I beleive it was meant to be shared for a reason. I have to say that it is an intense letter if you have never heard of it and please understand that it is sent in Love.
I send you this letter not to upset you. I know it is very disturbing, but the reality of this should be a reminder that there is truly a Hell and we need to remind ourselves of the alternatives if we turn from God.
This can help us keep on our certain path even when we find the distractions of the world getting in the way of ourselves and Our Savior.
So, if we are tempted by our own faults that we can be more aware , if we ponder on this letter in times we are tempted, and control ourselves. I believe God is merciful if we just obey His commands. This should also be a reminder for us to be constant in our prayer. We are not put on this earth for ourselves, but to honor and glorify Our King. In faithfully doing this we find true happiness here on earth with Him. No other pleasure here on this earth can compare to the pleasure He gives to us. Don't go searching for wordly pleasures to satisfy you-they won't. So when you go to turn that television on to relax and satisfy yourself, know that nothing can give you more peace than to put yourself in the presence of Our Lord God. It is only in Our Savior of the World that came down to save us from sin that we find the peace and comfort of true saving grace.
And when we have to focus on family friends and work, make sure we offer this all up in prayer to our Father. Make our actions a prayer to Him.
As for our fallen away family members, this may be a way of reminding ourselves to increase our prayer for them, because we know not when He shall return. Ask God for the graces to help us in our words and if not maybe if they see our good action may this help turn their hearts towards Him.
He wants us to focus on Him and His Love for us. Always know that we have a choice. Please make the right one. For even though this letter was only a dream it was a true "wake up" call as well.

http://www.geocities.com/vicarium/letter.htm

3rd Sunday in Advent

Gaudette Sunday
On the third Sunday in Advent, Gaudete Sunday. We light the rose candle. Gaudete comes from the beginning Latin Antiphon, "Gaudete in Domino semper iterum dico, gaudete, ("Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice") On this day, rose-colored vestments are worn.
"Rejoice the Lord is nigh." The Lord will come again in His glory to lead them into His kingdom. Veni ("Come") is also of the conclusion of the Apocalypse of St. John "Come, Lord Jesus," the last words of the New Testament
.
The first reading is taken from the book of Isaia 35:1-6, 10.
The second reading is from the letter of James 5:7-10.

The Gospel is from St. Matthew 11:2-11. John the Baptist, the man who prepared the people for Christ's as an example that we should follow. John prepared himself by a life of self-mortification and penance. He told the people that they should turn away from sin. Four of the twelve Apostles became followers of Christ because his example.We need to prepare ourselves for Christ's coming by turning away from sin, and by the mortifications. We are all quite capable of making sacrifices as an offering to God.We can give to the poor at this time of the year by gifts store bought or by just giving away something that you already have that you don't use. What about those old Christmas trees you may have stored away in the attic that you don't use. A family may be going without a tree and would be so very grateful. The spirit of giving does not have to cost a dime, just some thought and planning.
In repenting for our sins, this allows us to welcome Christ with a clean heart.We should visit the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Jesus came to save sinners. Let us not forget this and always be so grateful for His coming.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Yes, Virginia There is a Savior

I want to share this piece that was written by my Aunt Cathy.

Yes, Virginia, There is a Savior

His Father sent Him to earth over 2,000 years ago to become the Savior of the world. His name is Jesus Christ and He is the reason for the Christmas season.

As a youth, Jesus worked at His earthly father’s carpenter trade. He went to temple to learn from the elders and soon became a teacher and theologian, quoting from the Old Testament, which was like the Bible of His time.

Jesus was a miracle worker who raised Lazarus from the dead, fed the 5,000 gathered to hear Him with 5 loaves of bread and 2 small fish, healed the sick, cast out demons, and calmed a raging sea.

He was a storyteller who taught us in parables such as The Mustard Seed, The Good Samaritan, The Prodigal Son, and The Ten Virgins with lamps, five of whom were wise and five who were foolish.

Jesus walked with fishermen and taught them to become fishers of men. He preached the Good News of Salvation, taught about the kingdom of heaven, showed us humility, stressed the importance of forgiveness, and taught that faith can save us.

The last labor of love Jesus Christ performed on earth was at Golgotha where He lay down on a cross, was crucified and shed His blood for all humanity. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gave His life for His sheep, a true Savior who practiced what He preached.

Before returning to His Father in heaven, Jesus commissioned His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

If only He were here today, I would thank Him, wish Him a very Happy Birthday, and tell Him I joyfully accept His commission.

Happy Birthday, dear Jesus, and - by the way - Merry Christmas!

Cathy Hayes Bagley
December 2005

Friday, December 09, 2005

Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Today we venerate Archbishop Fulton Sheen. I love to watch his program reruns of "Life is Worth Living", and have enjoyed his books. Mostly, what he stood for as a devout Catholic priest, is what I admire the most. He was a true traditonal priest. He knew the importance of the truth in Christ's teaching and did not try to "tweak it" to his own liking. He stood by the solid teaching of our faith and in his own humorous ways made us enjoy his gifts. He certainly was a gift to us. Let us remember him today and pray for his soul. Requiescat in Pace

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Today is a Holy Day of Obligation. We celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. Mary herself is the Immaculate Conception. The day does not refer to Mary's conceiving Jesus by the Holy Ghost, but to the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne, by Mary's father, St. Joachim. What makes her conception immaculate is not that she was conceived by the Holy Ghost as was Our Lord, but that from the moment of her conception, she was filled with grace by God. God knew that Mary would say "yes" to the Angel Gabriel. Nine months from now, on September 8, we will celebrate Mary's birthday. At the moment of Mary's conception in St. Anne's womb, God filled Mary with grace and preserved her from the stain of sin so she might be a pure vessel by whom Christ could enter the world. "Immaculate Conception," Mary 's title reveals that the New Adam saved the New Eve from the stain of original sin in as told in Scripture:
Genesis 3:15 "I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel".
Her crown of 12 stars represent the 12 Tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles, but especially emphasize her purity, and her Immaculate Heart.
The Epistle reading today will be from Proverbs 8:23-25, the Gradual will be Judith 13:23, the Tract will be Psalm 86:1, and the Gospel will be Luke 1:26-28.

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

St Nicholas

The Feast of St. Nicholas, The Wonder Worker
Since the 1968 revision of the Roman Catholic calendar, some ask if he is still really regarded as a Saint.
The Roman Catholic calendar revision did remove forty saints, but not Nicholas. This reformation of the calendar did not remove St. Nicholas from the roster of saints, it only removed his feast from the Roman Liturgical calendar. This means the Feast of St. Nicholas is not obligatory Feast according to Roman Catholic law.
The Papal Court states that "Saints who lost their places or whose feast days were demoted from universal to optional (e.g. Nicholas) in the new edition of the liturgical calendar are still to be venerated as they were before the calendar's updating."
Saint Nicholas is properly called a saint and it is right to celebrate his Feast Day
St. Nicholas is the Saint whom the American's "Santa Claus" was modelled after. In real life, though, St. Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra (Turkey). He was born in Asia Minor in A.D. 260. He had three daughters and had lost all his money and couldn't provide a dowry to marry the oldest off. St. Nicholas came through, tossing a bag of coins through the man's window at night. He did the same for the other two daughters, but the man caught him doing it with the last one. This is why he is represented with 3 gold coins or a bag of coins.
Today is a the day for gift-giving. Some do this on Christmas, some on the Feast of the Epiphany, remembering the gifts the Three Kings gave to Baby Jesus.
Especially, in the Eastern Catholic churches, "St. Nicholas," dressed as a Bishop, hands out presents to the children. Children also put their shoes in front of the fireplace to be filled with candy and presents by morning. This is where the Christmas stockings may have originated from.

Monday, December 05, 2005

2nd week in Advent

The collect for the second week in advent
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the paths of thine Only-begotten Son: that we may worthily serve thee with hearts purified by His coming: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Continue on this week with the Christmas Novena and any other devotions you are practising for the coming of Our Savior. Ask The Holy Ghost to strengthen you and encourage you in your prayers.

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Frappr Map Total

Every once in a while it is good to have some fun. Even if it means making fun of ourselves. Actually what I am about to say is very funny indeed. While I am thinking I am making some friends here, (ha,ha) I am finding out that I am being left out in the dust.....
You see my friend Fr. Tucker has (now get this) 314 as of today......people on his Frappr Map.
Guess how many I have?????
Ok I hope we all need a good laugh here
THREE!!!!!! YES!!!!! I WILL SAY IT AGAIN!!!! ONLY THREE!!!
Fr. Tucker it is not funny :( HELP FELLOW BLOGGERS!!!!

Second Sunday in Advent

On this second Sunday the second purple candle is lit, symbolizing the second week in Advent.

Sunday Readings The first reading is taken from the book of Isaia 11:1-10.
To help us prepare for the coming of Jesus, the prophet Isaia reminds them of, Him who is to come.

The second reading is from the letter of Paul to the Romans 15:4-9. "Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction."

We may ask the Blessed Mother for guidance and strength in our prayers and devotions as we prepare for the coming of the Child Jesus.

The Gospel is from Matthew 3:1-12
As we prepare to welcome Christ at Christmas, John the Baptist has words of advice, "prepare the way of the Lord".

Friday, December 02, 2005

First Saturday

In Our preparation for the coming of Our Lord and Savior we can remember also that this is First Saturday. Mass and the Sacrament Of Reconciliation are a good way to prepare ourselves. Repent of our sins and meditating on the Rosary pleases Our Blessed Mother very much.
We are waiting on the light of the world!
Come, Lord Jesus Come!

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Advent Calendar and Jesse Tree

A newer, 19th century German tradition is that of setting up an Advent Calendar. Advent calendars are calendars, made mostly for kids, to count down the days until Christmas, from Dec 1st to 25 th. There are little doors for each day behind which is something , candy, picture, coin or scripture for the child to reveal on that day.
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A classic Jesse Tree uses symbols to depict the heritage of Jesus Christ and is a very old Advent/Christmas concept. A genealogical tree illustrating the prophecy of Isaias 11:1 "And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse (David's father), and a flower shall rise up out of his root". Some Jesse Trees depict the 28 generations listed in Matthew between Jesse and Jesus. Others depict representatives from that genealogy (Jesse, David, etc.) as do most medieval Jesse Trees. Most modern Jesse Trees use symbols which summarize the Old Testament and show, basically, the history of the world up to Christ (Adam and Eve, Noah Abraham, etc.). A Jesse Tree in the home, is simply a collection of symbols that portray the fact that Jesus has come, as predicted, from the root of Jesse. These symbols can be put on tabletop-sized tree, or on a branch brought in from outside. The symbolic ornaments which can can be storebought or homemade, for example, painted onto wood or wood carved into shapes, linens rounds which are sewn. Some paint on paper, or cut out from cardboard. Some families add ornaments to their Jesse Trees one each day, starting on December 1st to the 25 th . Advent Calendar (24 ornaments);

others add them all at once on December 1st. Whatever works for your family is fine, but whatever you do, and whatever symbols you use, the point should be to show that Christ springs from the root of Jesse, by Isaias prophecy, and with the Infant Christ being held by Mary at the highest point of the tree.

Suggested Symbols for a 24-Day Jesse Tree
December 1
Creation
sun, moon, stars, animals, earth
December 2
Adam and Eve
Tree of Life, man, woman
December 3
The Fall of Man
Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, serpent, bitten apple
December 4
Noah
ark, animals,
December 5
Abraham
knife
December 6
Isaac
bundle of wood, altar, ram
December 7
Jacob
ladder
December 8
Joseph
multi-colored tunic
December 9
Moses
Commandments
December 10
Samuel
lamp, temple
December 11
Jesse
tree stump with flower
December 12
David
harp
December 13
Solomon
temple, scales of Justice
December 14
Joseph
carpenter's tools
December 15
Our Lady
lily, crown of stars, pierced heart, roses
December 16
John the Baptist
scallop shell, locusts, honey, tall slim Cross
The Golden Nights Begin...
December 17
Christ as Sapientia
oil lamp
December 18
Christ as Adonai
crown
December 19
Christ as Radix Jesse
flower
December 20
Christ as Clavis David
key
December 21
Christ as Oriens
rising sun
December 22
Christ as Rex Gentium
scepter
December 23
Christ as Emmanuel
Chalice and Host
Christmas Eve
The Nativity
Mary holding the Infant Jesus, with Star of Bethlehem over them

The Inspired Traditionalist