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Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Photos of The Pontifical Mass









These Photos are courtesy of Jill and Stuart Chessman.
Thank You so very much for sharing these with us!
This Mass was celebrated Sunday Feb 25, 2007 by Bishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Diego California


More Photos to follow tomorrow

Monday, February 26, 2007

Mass with Auxiliary Bishop Cordileone


I attended Mass this Sunday at St Mary's Church in Stamford, Ct. This was quite the memorable experience. The Church was Gothic and quite beautiful. Bishop Cordileone from San Diego Ca. celebrated the Latin Mass according to the 1962 Missal.

A group of us Who attend Sacred Heart in New Haven for the Latin Rite, went to support the parish and Fr. Cipolla who celebrates for us regularly in New Haven as well as his parish here.

There was a full church which included priests, brothers and seminarians, as well as a group of Poor Clare nuns.

A parishoner of St. Mary's came up to us and shook each one of our hands after Mass, and thanked us all for the support. He said that he never saw the Church so well attended.

It is amazing how The Holy Ghost works, isn't it ?

I got to meet the Bishop after Mass and had him bless some objects. I also met a group of wonderful people, and also got to chat with some folks I usually don't get the chance to.

It was wonderful watching the two parishes from Sacred Heart and St. Marys celebrate Mass together . It was done very well by the both communities, who usually don't work together on a regular basis. The altar servers and participants of the Mass did a fantastic job. The choir was superb.

I managed to chat with the woman taking pictures, and asked her to email them to me . So, if and when I receive them I will post them here.

I was certainly well worth the over 1 hour drive for this occasion and special blessing.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Ash Wednesday


Meménto, homo, quia pulvis es, et in púlverem revertéris

In Genesis 3:19 we hear God tell us "for dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return,"

May all of us have a fruitful Lenten Season

Remember if we fail in our goals, just to start back and pick ourselves up and continue to carry the cross.

It can be very difficult and discouraging at times as we try so hard to give up things we enjoy.

It is also difficult to follow a tough regimen of prayer and takes up a lot of free time we have.

Just don't give up and plow along, your soul will surely reap the benefits.

Please Pray for me and I will pray for You

Monday, February 19, 2007

Bishop Salvatore Cordileone Coming to Connecticut



Fr. Richard Cipolla from St. Parish Mary's Parish in Stamford, Ct. says Mass at Sacred Heart Church in New Haven where I attend. This Sunday Fr. Cipolla asked if we would attend St. Mary's for a Solemn Pontifical Mass, celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, according to The Latin rite of the 1962 Missal.

Bishop Salvatore Cordileone is the Bishop of San Diego Ca. and will offer Mass Feb 25, 2007 at 11:30 am

Bishop Cordileone fully supports the Mass of the Latin Rite and he is here to help and support Traditionalists.

The new pastor at St. Mary's Parish is really not in full support of The Latin Mass
This is very upsetting to Fr. Cipolla and we want to encourage and support our wonderful priests who give us so much by offering this Mass for the benefit of our souls. These Traditional Priests are truly very special men.

Please if you live in the area and are able to come and support us, please do
If you cannot attend I ask that you please pray for us. Your support and prayers mean everything.

As we know we are a "Remnant Few" and we must pray for those who do not know the real and true meaning of this Mass that Christ founded, or are too stubborn to acknowledge it, or have been simply brainwashed into the belief that the Novus Ordo is a good thing. I refuse to support this.

It is not a touchy feely kind of faith that we share. It is not the place for hand holding and clapping.
This is not what happened on Calvary, and that is what the Mass represents folks!!!

Sorry for the sarcasm, (well not really) but, I find it ridiculous in watching people come to Mass inappropriately dressed, and conduct themselves improperly, by thinking they are off to the "Social Occasion of the Year", and are so worried about what everyone thinks.
Oh How I can't stand when I see people worrying about what others think. Wake up people. Their is only ONE that you need to worry about!
Oh, and He sees all !
So give Him the respect He deserves and give him His Church back!
Put the statues back and get those hideous tapestrys out of our site!

I really don't care if people don't want to hear this, but it is the truth.
In Fact, I am sick and tired of it . I am tired of them trampling all over Our Lord while He is being taking by the hands of individuals who are not worthy, and to know that He is being dropped on the ground. Every particle is His presence, and He is being walked on daily. We need to kneel in His presence. Sorry but this infuriates me!

Yes, maybe this isn't the Christian approach but you know what? I am human too, and I have feelings. They are hurt from the effects of Vatican II , and I am tired of pretending the scars haven't left damage sometimes!

I get tired of being inconvienced and have to attend Mass in the middle of the day. Oh yes, we must be sympathetic to the Traditionalists, and we need to allow them to have their Mass. We are not two years old here!! We can't stand being pacified, but well we have been forced into a corner. You know what they say about being forced into a corner. You come out fighting, and fighting strong and hard. That's what I attend to do. I will not cave in to the beliefs of Vatican II and their Protestant Behaviors.

Well it would be nice to be able to start my day with this Mass like everyone else is allowed to in the Novus Ordo Rite. Sure I am bitter. I would be lying if I said I wasn't.

Ok I have vented now, but I could surely go on. I think I will leave it for another time

To get to the Church from I-95 North it is Exit 8 Atlantic Ave and take the third right

From I 95 South exit 8 Elm St. Take a left at the exit




  • Bishop Cordileone
  • Thursday, February 15, 2007

    The Remnant Asks......

    Michael J. Matt:

    When the Far-left launches a major campaign against traditional Catholics, calling us the country's largest "hate group", it becomes clear that the Novus Ordo revolution has failed and that the only answer to the chaos all around today is a return to Tradition.

    (Note: We're asking readers to join in the fight against this slanderous campaign by encouraging as many websites as possible to link to this article. Please send this link to everyone in your address book, as well.) [Full Article]

    Steve O'Brien:

    A tragic look at "Catholic" Boston--yet another casualty of Vatican II. Plus, were the pilgrims of Plymouth Rock anti-Catholic? [Full Article]

    Wednesday, February 14, 2007

    Valentines Day


    “Love is patient, love is kind…”
    “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated,
    it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
    it does not rejoice over wrong doing but rejoices with the truth.
    It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
    Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.
    For we know partially and we prophesy partially,
    but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
    When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things.
    At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall knowfully, as I am fully known.
    So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. ”

    From The Irish Province Of The Order Of Carmelites

    Shrine of St Valentine, Whitefriar Street Church

    Throughout the centuries since Valentine received martyrdom there have been various basilicas, churches and monasteries built over the site of his grave. Many restorations and reconstructions took place at the site, therefore over the years. In the early 1800s such work was taking place and the remains of Valentine were discovered along with a small vessel tinged with his blood and some other artefacts.

    In 1835 an Irish Carmelite by the name of John Spratt was visiting Rome. He was well known in Ireland for his skills as a preacher and also for his work among the poor and destitute in Dublin’s Liberties area. He was also responsible for the building of the new church to Our Lady of Mount Carmel at Whitefriar Street. While he was in Rome he was asked to preach at the famous Jesuit Church in the city, the Gesu. Apparently his fame as a preacher had gone before him, no doubt brought by some Jesuits who had been in Dublin. The elite of Rome flocked to hear him and he received many tokens of esteem from the doyens of the Church. One such token came from Pope Gregory XVI (1831-1846) and were the remains of Saint Valentine.

    On November 10, 1836, the Reliquary containing the remains arrived in Dublin and were brought in solemn procession to Whitefriar Street Church where they were received by Archbishop Murray of Dublin. With the death of Fr Spratt interest in the relics died away and they went into storage. During a major renovation in the church in the 1950s/60s they were returned to prominence with an altar and shrine being constructed to house them and enable them to be venerated. The statue was carved by Irene Broe and depicts the saint in the red vestments of a martyr and holding a crocus in his hand.

    Today, the Shrine is visited throughout the year by couples who come to pray to Valentine and to ask him to watch over them in their lives together. The feastday of the saint on February 14 is a very popular one and many couples come to the Eucharistic celebrations that day which also includes a Blessing of Rings for those about to be married. On the feastday, the Reliquary is removed from beneath the side-altar and is placed before the high altar in the church and there venerated at the Masses. At the 11.00am and 3.15pm Masses there are special sermons and also a short ceremony for the Blessing of Rings for those about to be married.

    The Shrine

    The Shrine to St Valentine is found on the right hand side of the church as one enters the main body of the church. The casket sits beneath the marble altar in a niche which is protected by an ornate iron and glass gate. Above the altar stands the life-sized statue of the saint set into a marble mosaic alcove. The saint is also barefoot. The casket is wooden and on top bears the papal coat of arms of Gregory XVI along with two large gold plates which have the letter of Cardinal Odescalchi inscribed in English upon them. Between these to plates and beneath the papal crest is a smaller plate with the inscription: This shrine contains the sacred body of Saint Valentinus the Martyr, together with a small vessel tinged with his blood.

    The Reliquary contains some of the remains of St Valentine – it is not claimed that all of his remains are found in this casket. There is also included a small vessel tinged with the blood of the martyr. These are contained within a small wooden box, covered in painted paper and is tied with a red silk ribbon and sealed with wax seals (which is the usual way in which relics are contained within reliquaries). This container is inside the casket which is seen beneath the altar. The outer casket has only been opened on a couple of occasions and then only to verify that the contents are intact. The inner box has not been opened or the seals broken.

    When the Reliquary arrived in Dublin it was accompanied by a letter, in Latin, which reads:

    St Valentine

    We, Charles, by the divine mercy, Bishop of Sabina of the Holy Roman Church, cardinal Odescalchi arch priest of the sacred Liberian Basilica, Vicar General of our most Holy Father the Pope and Judge in ordinary of the Roman Curia and of its districts, etc., etc.

    To all and everyone who shall inspect these our present letters, we certify and attest, that for the greater glory of the omnipotent God and veneration of his saints, we have freely given to the Very Reverend Father Spratt, Master of Sacred Theology of the Order of Calced Carmelites of the convent of that Order at Dublin, in Ireland, the blessed body of St Valentine, martyr, which we ourselves by the command of the most Holy Father Pope Gregory XVI on the 27th day of December 1835, have taken out of the cemetery of St Hippolytus in the Tiburtine Way, together with a small vessel tinged with his blood and have deposited them in a wooden case covered with painted paper, well closed, tied with a red silk ribbon and sealed with our seals and we have so delivered and consigned to him, and we have granted unto him power in the Lord, to the end that he may retain to himself, give to others, transmit beyond the city (Rome) and in any church, oratory or chapel, to expose and place the said blessed holy body for the public veneration of the faithful without, however, an Office and Mass, conformably to the decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, promulgated on the 11th day of August 1691.

    In testimony whereof, these letters, testimonial subscribed with our hand, and sealed with our seal, we have directed to be expedited by the undersigned keeper of sacred relics.

    Rome, from our Palace, the 29th day of the month of January 1836.




    The Legend of Saint Valentine

    The Roman Martyrology commemorates two martyrs named Valentine (or Valentinus) on February 14 which seems to indicate that both were beheaded on the Flaminian Way, one at Rome the other at Terni which is some 60 miles from Rome. Valentine of Rome was a priest who is said to have died about 269 during the persecution of Claudius the Goth (or Claudius II Gothicus). The other Valentine was allegedly Bishop of Terni, and his death is attested to in the Martyrology of St Jerome. Whether there were actually one or two Valentines is disputed. One possibility is that is two cults – one based in Rome, the other in Terni – may have sprung up to the same martyr but that in the mists of time his true identity became confused.

    In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno - the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia. At the time the lives of young boys and girls were strictly separate. However, one of the customs of the young people was name drawing. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl’s name from the jar and they would then be partners for the duration of the festival. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted an entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry. Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II, Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns. Claudius the Cruel was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that the reason was that roman men did not want to leave their loves or families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. Claudius had also ordered all Romans to worship the state religion’s idols, and he had made it a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians. But Valentinus was dedicated to the ideals of Christ, and not even the threat of death could keep him from practicing his beliefs. Valentine and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs and secretly married couples, and for this kind deed Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. He suffered martyrdom on the 14th day of February, in either 269 or 270.

    This is one legend surrounding Valentine’s martyrdom. The second is that during the last weeks of his life a remarkable thing happened. One day a jailer for the Emperor of Rome knocked at Valentine’s door clutching his blind daughter in his arms. He had learned of Valentine’s medical and spiritual healing abilities, and appealed to Valentine to treat his daughter’s blindness. She had been blind since birth. Valentine knew that her condition would be difficult to treat but he gave the man his word he would do his best. The little girl was examined, given an ointment for her eyes and a series of re-visits were scheduled.

    Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked whether his daughter, Julia, might also be brought to Valentine for lessons. Julia was a pretty young girl with a quick mind. Valentine read stories of Rome’s history to her. He described the world of nature to her. He taught her arithmetic and told her about God. She saw the world through his eyes, trusted in his wisdom, and found comfort in his quiet strength.

    One day she asked if God really existed and Valentine assured her that He did. She went on to tell him how she prayed morning and night that she might be able to see and Valentine told her that whatever happened would be God’s will and would be for the best. They sat and prayed together for a while.

    Several weeks passed and the girl’s sight was not restored. Yet the man and his daughter never wavered in their faith and returned each week. Then one day, Valentine received a visit from the Roman soldiers who arrested him and who now destroyed his medicines and admonished him for his religious beliefs. When the little girl’s father learned of his arrest and imprisonment, he wanted to intervene but there was nothing he could do.

    On the eve of his death, Valentine wrote a last note to Julia - knowing his execution was imminent. Valentine asked the jailer for a paper, pen and ink. He quickly jotted a farewell note and handed it to the jailer to give to his blind daughter. He urged her to stay close to God, and he signed it “From Your Valentine.” His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 269 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini (now Porta del Popolo) in his memory.

    When the jailer went home, he was greeted by his little girl. The little girl opened the note and discovered a yellow crocus inside. The message said, “From your Valentine.” As the little girl looked down upon the crocus that spilled into her palm she saw brilliant colours for the first time in her life! The girl’s eyesight had been restored.

    He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome, near the cemetery of St Hippolytus. It is said that Julia herself planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship.

    In 496 Pope Gelasius I named February 14 as Saint Valentine’s Day. On each Valentine’s Day, messages of affection, love and devotion are still exchanged around the world. This could be because of Valentine’s work in marrying couples against the law, or because of the miracle worked for Julia and the message he left other. Others believe that people in medieval times sent love notes during February because it was seen as the mating season of birds and that Valentine’s feast falling in the middle of the month became the principle day for this.

    Compiled from various sources including The New Catholic Encyclopaedia (New York: McGraw Hill. 1967), Butler’s Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints, and from the Encyclopaedia Britannica (London. 1962).

    Relics claimed by other places

    It is quite possible that the Church of Praxedes, in Rome, does have some of the remains of the saint. A relic can be as small as a scraping of bone or a hair from the head of a saint up to the entire, intact body, as with Blessed Pope John XXIII. In early Christian times it was the custom to build churches over the tombs of the martyrs (as with St Peter’s Basilica and St Paul’s Basilica in Rome) but as time went on this became both impossible and impractical. Instead, the faithful placed parts of the body of a saint in the new altar in the church which meant that the whole body was not used. Therefore, the remains of a saint could be found in many places which does not detract from what is found in any one place or the veneration of the saint by the faithful.

    Prayer to St Valentine

    O glorious advocate and protector,
    St Valentine,
    look with pity upon our wants,
    hear our requests,
    attend to our prayers,
    relieve by your intercession the miseries
    under which we labour,
    and obtain for us the divine blessing,
    that we may be found worthy to join you
    in praising the Almighty for all
    eternity: through the merits of
    Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

    Liturgy for the Feast of St Valentine

    Wednesday, February 07, 2007

    Lenten Preparation




    It is that time again when we start to ponder the Lenten obligations we must pursue.
    It is imperative that we join in the sufferings of Christ during this time.
    So is it significant to our well being.

    There are so many ways that we can share in the carrying of the cross. There are those wonderful sweets we love so much and try to give up.
    There are the snacks we like in between meals that we give up.
    There are so many of the good things we enjoy that are fun and entertaining to us as well.
    We can give up television. although for me this is no problem because I haven't watched tv in years now and I don't miss it at all.

    But more importantly, I believe it is not so much what we give up, but what we add to our lives that make sharing in Christ's life much more beneficial to our souls

    We can be kinder to that co-worker that you would much rather wring his or her neck instead.

    We can do without something we enjoy and put that spending towards someone anonymously.
    Maybe someone you know is out of work and a few dollars coming their way couldn't hurt and they wouldn't have to know where it came from.

    Just a smile to a stranger is a small and easy step but goes a long way

    Indulgence detaches us from Christ, we need to become close to Him in order to truly follow His Path

    This means giving up of oneself in several ways.

    We need to increase prayer life, no matter how tired we are and no matter how many times we fall. He picked Himself up and so must we

    So preparation is very important and takes some time to do. May we all have the graces available from Our Lord to find the courage to climb our way to Calvary

    God Bless you all in Your Lenten Preparations and ask God to help us carry those plans out

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