Saint Mark And Saint Marcellianus. Martyrs. Feast Day, Today, 18 June. Red Vestments.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

Saint Mark And Saint Marcellianus.
   Martyrs.
   Feast Day 18 June.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

Saint Mark and Saint Marcellianus.

Illustration: CATHOLICSAINTS.INFO

Brothers by birth, Mark and Marcellianus were brothers especially because they generously shed their blood for the sake of Christ (Alleluia). Persecuted for their Faith, like the Prophets and the Apostles (Gospel), they were arrested under Emperor Diocletian and were nailed by the feet to a post, where they remained hanging.

The Holy Ghost, Who filled their hearts with the Holy Love of God and the hope of an Eternal reward, sustained them in their torments (Epistle) and protected them in their tribulations (Introit). “Never”, they exclaimed, “have we enjoyed such delights as those we feel in suffering for Jesus Christ.”

After a day and night of suffering, they were pierced with arrows, in 286 A.D., and their Souls, “delivered like the sparrow from the bird-catcher’s net” (Offertory), entered for ever “into the Kingdom which had been prepared for them from the beginning of the World” (Communion).

On this day, The Anniversary of the Heavenly Birth of these two Holy Martyrs, let us ask God, through their Intercession, to deliver us from all the ills that threaten us (Collect).

Mass: (In Paschaltide): Sancti tui.
Mass: (Out of Paschaltide): Salus autem.
Rest of the Mass is Proper to the Feast.

Saint Ephrem. Deacon. Confessor. Doctor Of The Church. Feast Day 18 June. White Vestments.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

Saint Ephrem.
   Deacon.
   Confessor.
   Doctor of The Church.
   Feast Day 18 June.

Double.

White Vestments.

English: Roumanian Icon of Saint Ephrem-the-Syrian.

Français: Photo d'une icône roumaine de St Ephrem le Syrien (diacre et docteur de l'Eglise dit "La Harpe de l'Esprit" ou encore "La cithare de Marie"), icône écrite par une sœur orthodoxe près d'Oradea en avril 2005, prise de vue par Geoffroy Blanc (le propriétaire de l'icône).

Date: 7 June 2006 (original upload date).

Source: Transferred from fr.wikipedia

Transferred to Commons by 

User:Bloody-libu using CommonsHelper

Author: Original uploader 

was Troubageoff at fr.wikipedia

(Wikimedia Commons)

Newly-excavated Church of Saint Jacob (`Idto d-Mor Y`aqub),

in Nisibis, Turkey, where Saint Ephrem taught and ministered.

Photograph by Gareth Hughes

Photo: 12 April 1999.

Source: Own work assumed (based on Copyright claims).

Author: Garzo assumed (based on Copyright claims).

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Ephrem was born in Nisibis, Mesopotamia, and was one of the Lights of The Church (Gospel). His father, a pagan priest, cast him out of his home. He then went as a Hermit in the desert and was Ordained Deacon of Edessa (Communion).

Led by The Holy Ghost to Caesarea, in Cappadocia, he there met Saint Basil. In order to refute the numerous errors which were being spread by the prayers and canticles of the Heretics, he wrote poems and Christian Hymns, celebrating the Mysteries of The Lives of Christ, The Blessed Virgin Mary, and The Saints. That is why he is called "The Harp of The Holy Ghost". He always had a great devotion to Our Lady.

He died at Edessa in 375 A.D., under the Emperor Valens. Pope Benedict XV proclaimed him a Doctor of The Universal Church (Collect).

Let us ask God, through the intercession of Saint Ephrem, to defend His Church against the snares of error and wickedness (Collect).

Mass: In médio.
Commemoration: Saint Mark and Saint Marcellianus. Martyrs.

“Missa Papæ Marcelli”. Composer: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Sung By: The Tallis Scholars. Director Of Music: Peter Phillips.

“Missa Papæ Marcelli”.

Composer: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.

Sung By: The Tallis Scholars.

Director of Music: Peter Phillips (conducting).

Available on YouTube

HERE

“Missa Papæ Marcelli”.

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina 

(circa 1525 – 2 February 1594).

Sistine Chapel ceiling fresco painting by Michelangelo (between 1508 and 1512) is displayed on the right side 

of the video and the music on the left. 

On Saturday, 28 April 1565, by order of Cardinal 

Vitellozzi, all the singers of the Papal Chapel were 

gathered together at his residence. 

Cardinal Borromeo was already there, together 

with all the other six Cardinals of the Papal Commission. 

Palestrina was there as well . . . they sang three 

Masses, of which the “Pope Marcellus Mass” 

(“Missa Papæ Marcelli”) was the last.

The greatest and most incessant praise was given 

to the third Mass, which was extraordinarily acclaimed 

and, by virtue of its entirely novel character, astonished 

even the performers themselves. 

Their Eminences heaped their congratulations on the Composer, recommending to him to go on writing in that style and to communicate it to his pupils. — Quoted in Taruskin, Richard, and Weiss, Piero. Music in the Western World: 

A History in Documents. Schirmer, 1984, p.142. 

One of Palestrina’s most important works, 

the “Missa Papæ Marcelli” (“Pope Marcellus Mass”) has 

been historically associated with erroneous information involving the Council of Trent. 

According to this tale (which forms the basis of Hans 

Pfitzner’s Opera “Palestrina”), it was composed in order 

to persuade the Council of Trent that a draconian ban 

on the polyphonic treatment of text in Sacred Music 

(as opposed, that is, to a more directly intelligible 

homophonic treatment) was unnecessary. 

However, more recent scholarship shows that this 

Mass was in fact composed before the Cardinals convened 

to discuss the ban (possibly as much as ten years before). 

Historical data indicates that the Council of Trent, as an Official Body, never actually banned any Church Music and failed to make any ruling or official statement on the subject. 

These stories originated from the unofficial points-of-view 

of some Council attendees, who discussed their ideas 

with those not privy to the Council’s deliberations. 

Those opinions and rumours have, over Centuries, 

been transmuted into fictional accounts, put into print, 

and often incorrectly taught as historical fact. 

While Palestrina’s compositional motivations are not known, he may have been quite conscious of the need for intelligible text; however, this was not to conform with any doctrine of the Counter-Reformation, because no such doctrine exists. 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

From notes of Peter Philllips 

(Director of Music. The Tallis Scholars) © 2007.

The story of the “Missa Papæ Marcelli” is difficult to fix in fact. 

The myth holds that the Cardinals attending the Council of Trent were about to decide that singing Polyphony in Church Services was unacceptable, for reasons ranging from the inaudibility of the texts to the complaint that Polyphony was too sensuous and too intellectualised (quite a complaint !). 

There was a move to re-instate Plainchant 

as the only permissible Church Music. 

One of the leading figures in the debate was the man who became Pope Marcellus II in 1555, and it is probable, given the title of the eventual composition, that Marcellus asked Palestrina to write a piece which would show the World that part-music could be both concise and musically valuable. 

Certainly in two of its movements—the Gloria and Credo—the “Missa Papæ Marcelli” has a precision of word-setting which was innovative, though the other three movements are much more elaborate, and the second Agnus Dei possibly the most mathematically complex movement Palestrina ever wrote. 

The evidence is rather confused, then, though it is 

surely significant that the syllabic style of the Gloria 

and Credo was recognised at the time as being novel.

When the Mass came to be published in 1567, it was 

prefaced with the words “novo modorum genere” 

(broadly speaking “a new form of expression”).

“Song Of Songs”. Composed By: Palestrina. Sung By: The Sixteen.

“Song Of Songs”.

Composed By: Palestrina.

Sung By: The Sixteen.

Available On YouTube

HERE

Absurd Victorian Occupations.

Hospital Stops Abortions After Every Single Doctor Signs Pledge Refusing to Do Them. You See. It Can Be Done !!!

Illustration: LIFE NEWS

Please note: This Article is a Re-Post from 2016.

This Article can be read in full at LIFE NEWS

INTERNATIONAL STEVEN ERTELT 31 MAY 2016 | 11:23AM WARSAW, POLAND

A hospital in Poland has stopped doing ABORTIONS, after every single Physician there signed a pledge refusing to do them.

This good news is a lesson for The United States and other Countries where ABORTION is legal — that getting Doctors to stand up for Life and The Hippocratic Oath is a method of protecting Women and unborn Children.

Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica Of The Nativity Of Saint Mary, Milan, Italy. Basilica Cattedrale Metropolitana Di Santi Maria Nascente, Milano. (Part Six).

English: Milan Cathedral.

Italiano: Milano - Duomo.

This File: 30 January 2014.

Source: Own work.

This file is licensed under the

Creative Commons Attribution-

Share Alike 3.0 Unported Licence.

User: Чаховіч Уладзіслаў

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless stated otherwise.

After the accession of Carlo Borromeo to the Archbishop’s Throne, all Lay Monuments were removed from the Duomo. These included the tombs of Giovanni, and Filippo Maria Visconti, Francesco I and his wife Bianca, Galeazzo Maria, which were taken to unknown destinations.

However, Borromeo’s main intervention was the appointment, in 1571, of Pellegrino Pellegrini as Chief Engineer — a contentious move, since to appoint Pellegrino, who was not a Lay Brother of the Duomo, required a revision of the Fabbrica’s statutes.

Borromeo and Pellegrini strove for a new Renaissance appearance for the Cathedral, that would emphasise its Roman / Italian nature, and subdue the Gothic Style, which was now seen as foreign.

English: The Nave, Milan Cathedral.

Italiano: Interno del Duomo di Milano.

Photo: 13 January 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Giovanni Dall'Orto.

As the façade still was largely incomplete, Pellegrini designed a “Roman” Style, with Columns, Obelisks, and a large Tympanum.

When Pellegrini’s design was revealed, a competition for the design of the façade was announced, and this elicited nearly a dozen entries, including one by Antonio Barca.[12]

This design was never carried out, but the interior decoration continued: During 1575-1585, the Presbytery was rebuilt, while new Altars and the Baptistry were added. The wooden Choir Stalls were constructed by 1614 for the High Altar by Francesco Brambilla.

Milan Cathedral.

Date: 1870s.

English:

Giacomo Brogi (1822-1881) - “Milan - The Cathedral”. Catalogue # 3818a.

Italiano: Giacomo Brogi (1822-1881) - “Milano - 

La Cattedrale”. Numero di catalogo: 3818a.

(Wikimedia Commons)

PART SEVEN FOLLOWS.

“The Miracle On The Vistula”: When Our Lady Saved Poland (And The World) From The Scourge Of Communism.

 

English: State flag of Poland with Coat-of Arms, 

symbolic version. Based on Image:Flag of Poland.svg 

and I-age:Herb Polski.svg.

Note: the Coat-of-Arms used here is not the official, 

accurate version. The official one is still not available in vector format, hence the alternative image in PNG format below, featuring the correct Coat-of-Arms.

Polski: Flaga Polski z godłem, wersja symboliczna. Oparta na Image:Flag of Poland.svg i Image:Herb Polski.svg. Uwaga: godło użyte w tej grafice nie jest oficjalne. Oficjalna wersja godła nie jest jeszcze dostępna w formacie wektorowym, stąd zamieszczono poniżej dodatkową wersję tej grafiki w formacie PNG, w której użyto poprawnego wizerunku godła.

Date 26 June 2007

Source: Own work.

Author: Aotearoa, Wanted

(Wikimedia Commons)

“Miracle On The Vistula”: When Our Lady Saved The World

From Communism. In 1920, in the face of Soviet aggression, Catholic Poland stood alone.

The following Text is from EWTN

LEFT: The Black Madonna of Częstochowa.

RIGHT: A Polish 120 mm Artillery piece 

during The Battle of Warsaw in 1920.

The Article is taken from, and can be read in full at,
Fr. Timothy Finigan's Twitter thingy at

TWITTER, FR. TIMOTHY FINIGAN

In 1920, in the face of Soviet aggression, Catholic Poland stood alone.

K.V. Turley, 2 June 2021.

The first victim of the Soviet Union’s international socialist crusade was Catholic Poland. By the spring of 1920 Poland was under attack from the Soviet Red Army.

At the national Marian shrine of Częstochowa candles were lit and desperate prayers intoned beside the icon of the Black Madonna. The intercession of Our Lady of Częstochowa was never more needed.

On 20 May 1920, the newly-created Red Army crashed through the Polish frontier with one intention: to destroy all before it.

Bolshevik leaders meeting in Moscow for the Second Congress of the Communist International had already begun to prepare plans for a Communist-inspired world revolution starting with the nations of Central and Western Europe. Lenin had ordered that Warsaw be taken without delay.

 
Now the Red Army raced toward Warsaw, advancing to the banks of the Vistula River that flows through Poland from the Baltic to the southernmost part of the land. For the Poles, all looked lost — especially as their pleas for help to the Western powers went unheeded. Prime Minister Lloyd George told the British Parliament that Poland had to accept “her fate.”

Now only a miracle could save Poland.

On 5 August 1920, sensing the urgency of the situation, Pope Benedict XV exhorted all to Pray for “God’s mercy for Poland … to join all the faithful in imploring the Most High God that through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary may save the Polish Nation from her final defeat and may turn away this new plague from Europe.”

With no military aid offered from abroad, Poland’s leader, General Piłsudski, realized that this might be his nation’s last stand. After spending a night in prayer, Piłsudski began to assemble soldiers — as many as could be spared for a major assault on the Soviet left flank. The plan appeared foolhardy, an imprudent last-ditch attempt at survival.

 
On 10 August 1920, the British government sent a telegram to the Polish government urging it to surrender to the Soviets to avoid annihilation. Instead, Piłsudski began to handpick his favourite Military Divisions to join those assembling near Lublin for the proposed counter-attack scheduled to begin on 17 August 1920.

Opposing him stood a 100,000-strong Red Army, soldiers filled with revolutionary fervour, ready to destroy Warsaw and all those whom they found there.

On 12 August 1920, Piłsudski prepared to leave Warsaw to join his strike force aiming to counter-attack the Soviets. As he departed, Piłsudski turned to his wife Aleksandra saying, “It is in the hands of God.”

On 13 August 1920, the Soviets attacked Warsaw. Meeting little resistance, they captured the outer suburbs in the South-East and North-West of the City. Everywhere, it appeared Polish forces were in flight. The Soviet artillery unleashed a devastating bombardment upon all those now left in central Warsaw.

Warsaw began to take on a surreal appearance. The City was swollen with terrified refugees, with people camped out in public parks next to hastily-prepared and wholly-inadequate defences.

A special train carrying almost the entire foreign diplomatic corps left the Capital bound for Poznan. One of the few foreigners who remained was Poland’s then-Papal Nuncio, Cardinal Achille Ratti, the future Pope Pius XI.

Ratti organised a Perpetual Prayer for deliverance and, with Monstrance held high, he led a Eucharistic Procession through Warsaw’s streets as the Soviet shells rained down.

Polish Generals, seeing that Warsaw could not hold out until relief from Piłsudski’s flanking manoeuvre arrived, urgently telegraphed him: “Attack !”

Piłsudski was shocked to hear the rapid deterioration of conditions in the Polish Capital, but agreed to launch his assault.

On the morning of 15 August 1920, the Feast of The Assumption, wave upon wave of Soviet soldiers continued to attack Warsaw. Yet, that morning, from within the City, Polish forces managed somehow to stem their advance.

And then, against all odds, they began to retake ground that the Red Army had won. The Soviets started to wonder how the Polish Army, which they had seen defeated for many weeks, had begun to fight back with fresh heart against a superior foe.

A Soviet counter-attack ensued, but it was futile. The Red Army was unable to vanquish the defending Poles. In fact, as the day of 15 August 1920 progressed, Polish soldiers seemed to become bolder in counter-attacking.

Strange rumours began to circulate in Warsaw. Some claimed that, in the sky above the Polish lines, had appeared The Black Madonna of Częstochowa.

While the Poles fought with a new resolve, the Soviets, curiously, lost theirs. One Russian rifleman was later to comment that, by the afternoon of 15 August 1920, “the moment had come when, not only individual units, but the whole mass of the Army suddenly lost faith in the possibility of success against the enemy. It was as though a cord that we had been stretching since the [invasion] had suddenly snapped.”

To relieve Warsaw and to break the Soviet advance, the counter-attack had begun with Piłsudski at its head. Expecting to discover a significant Soviet force at any moment, the charging Poles were surprised to find their path mysteriously clear.

As they advanced further, they found themselves all but unopposed. Piłsudski was worried that the Soviets were setting a trap — that they were planning to encircle his men with a superior force once they had advanced sufficiently and escape was impossible.

Yet for almost two days, Polish forces raced onward, brushing aside what few Bolshevik units they encountered. Piłsudski could not believe his eyes.

On the night of 17 August 1920, Polish forces finally made contact with significant concentrations of Soviet troops. But the Soviets were taken unawares by the sudden appearance of this major Polish force.

The outcome for the Red Army was catastrophic: Many were killed, including large numbers of high-ranking officers. On the banks of the River Vistula, the Polish strike effectively eliminated the massed Soviet troops, as well as disrupting their communication lines, thus preventing incoming Soviet reserves from reaching Warsaw.

In the days that followed, the seemingly invincible Red Army slouched back Eastward, whence it had come. On hearing of what had happened on the banks of the River Vistula, Lenin declared that the Army had suffered an “enormous defeat” and promptly put on hold his plans for a bloody World revolution.

Meanwhile, Poles returned to the shrine of Częstochowa. Again, candles were lit, once more to cast a faint glow upon the enigmatic face of The Black Madonna.

* * * * * * *

Many years later, Pope Saint John Paul II wrote:

“You know that I was born in 1920, in May, when the Bolsheviks marched toward Warsaw. And that’s why, since my birth, I have carried the great debt toward those who died fighting against the aggressor and who won, giving their lives for their Country …

“Then … Communism appeared as very strong and dangerous. It seemed that the Communists would conquer Poland and would march to Western Europe, that they would conquer the World.

“But it did not happen.

“The Miracle on The Vistula — the victory of Marshal Piłsudski in the battle against The Red Army — stopped the Soviets”. 

What Are Ember Days ? “Fasting Days And Emberings Be, Lent, Whitsun, Holyrood, Lucie”. Even A Shorter Mnemonic: “Lenty, Penty, Crucy, Lucy”.

Illustration: THE MISSIVE

This Article, dated 13 March 2019, is taken from, and can be read in full at, THE MISSIVE

In the most recent edition of “Meménto”, we included the following Article by FSSP Quincy Pastor and former Superior General Fr. Arnaud Devillers, who explains the history of The Ember Days and their place in The Liturgical Calendar.

By Fr. Arnaud Devillers, FSSP.

What are Ember Days ? 

Ember Days are three days (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) set apart in each of the four Seasons for Fasting, Abstinence and Prayer. 

Tied to the Seasonal Cycles of farming and harvesting, the purpose of Ember Days is to render thanks to God for the gifts of Creation and to ask His help in using them well. 

Since 1966 [Editor: Post-Vatican II, of course], the Fasting and Abstinence are no longer prescribed, but still encouraged.

What is the origin of Ember Days ? 

Pin-pointing the exact date may be challenging, but what is certain is that they originated in Rome within the first Centuries of The Church. 

Pope Saint Leo the Great (Mid-5th-Century A.D.) has left a series of beautiful Sermons for these days, and he thought they had been instituted by the Apostles. 

The “Liber Pontificalis” dates their institution to Pope Saint Calixtus (218 A.D. - 225 A.D.), though they were more probably instituted by Pope Siricius (384 A.D. - 399 A.D.).

Illustration: THE MISSIVE

In her early days, The Church in Rome was confronted with a number of pagan religious nature festivals. 

Outstanding among them was the threefold Seasonal observance of prayer and sacrifices to obtain the favour of the gods upon sowing and harvest.

The first of these Seasonal celebrations occurred at various dates between the middle of November and the Winter Solstice. It was a time of prayer for successful sowing (“Feriæ Sementivæ”: Feast of Sowing).

The second festival was held in June for the grain harvest (“Feriæ Messis”: Harvest Feast).

The third festival came before the Autumnal Equinox (September) and was motivated by the grapes harvest (“Feriæ Vindimiales”: Feast of Wine).

As the Roman Empire became officially Christian, The Church tried to Sanctify these Seasonal festivals. The first regulations mention only “Three Seasons”. Eventually, The Church added a fourth Prayer Period (in March).

This change seems to have been motivated by the fact that the year contains four natural Seasons [Editor: Spring; Summer; Autumn; Winter], and also by the mention of four Fasting Periods in The Book of Zechariah (8:19).

At about the same time, each period was extended over the three Traditional Station Days (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday). 

While the Station Fast, at other times was expected, but not strictly prescribed, this Seasonal observance imposed Fasting by obligation. 

The Eucharistic Sacrifice was Offered after having Fasted the whole of Saturday and having performed a long Vigil Service of Prayers and Readings, lasting the greater part of the night.

FSSP Ordinations,

Ember Saturday of Pentecost, 

26 May 2018.

Illustration: THE MISSIVE

In 494 A.D., Pope Gelasius I prescribed that the Sacrament of Holy Orders be conferred on Ember Saturdays. Thus, the Prayer and Fasting of Ember Week acquired added importance, for Apostolic Tradition demanded that Ordinations be preceded by Fast and Prayer (Acts 13:3).

Not only did the candidates, themselves, Fast and Pray, for a few days in preparation for Holy Orders, but the whole Clergy and People joined them to obtain God’s Grace and Blessing upon their Calling. 

Thus, Embertides became like Spiritual Exercises for all, similar in thought and purpose to our modern Retreats and Missions. 

Ember Days have been used at times as Special Prayers by the Faithful for Vocations to the Priesthood and for the Sanctification of Priests.

Why are they called “Ember Days” ? 

The words have nothing to do with embers, or, ashes. It may be from the Anglo-Saxon “Ymbren”, meaning a circle, or, revolution; or, more likely, it may be a corruption of the Latin “Quatuor Tempora” [Editor: “Four Seasons”, or, “Four Times”] through Dutch, Danish or German (“Quatember”).

What are the dates of Ember Days ? 

They have fluctuated throughout history. The Ember Days of Lent were not originally linked to the First Week of Lent, but to the First Week in March. 

Francis Mershman, in the Catholic Encyclopedia (1908), affirms: “They were definitely arranged and prescribed for the Entire Church by Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085) for the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, after 13 December (Sancta Lucia) [Editor: Feast Day of Saint Lucy], after Ash Wednesday, after Whitsunday, and after 14 September (the Exaltation of The Holy Cross).” 

This was expressed in the old English rhyme:

“Fasting Days and Emberings be,

Lent, Whitsun, Holyrood, Lucie”.

Or, a shorter mnemonic:

“Lenty, Penty, Crucy, Lucy”.

Since the publishing of the Catholic Encyclopedia, the dates have changed again. 

According to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Missal (1962):

The Advent Ember Days are the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, of the Third Week of Advent;

The September Ember Days are the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, of the Third Week of September;

Ember Days remind us of a time when Society was mostly rural. 

In our Urban Society. nowadays, the connection between Ember Days and the Cycle of sowing and harvest does not speak to most of us any longer. 

However, the association of Ember Days and Ordinations could give a new purpose to Ember Days as voluntary Days of Penance by Clergy and Faithful, together, to, not only Confess and atone for sins of the past, but, also, to Pray for more Vocations to the Priesthood and the Sanctification of the Clergy.

Norman And Saxon. 1100 A.D.

Anglo-Saxon Warriors.

Picture Credit: REALM OF HISTORY

Illustration: IMAGINING HISTORY

“My son”, said the Norman Baron, 

“I am dying, and you will be heir 

To all the broad acres in England 

that William gave me for share 

When he conquered the Saxon at Hastings, 

and a nice little handful it is. 

But before you go over to rule it 

I want you to understand this:– 

Norman Warriors.

Illustration: MEDIEVAL CHRONICLES

“The Saxon is not like us Normans.

His manners are not so polite.

But he never means anything serious 

till he talks about Justice and Right. 

When he stands like an Ox in the furrow – 

with his sullen-set eyes on your own, 

And grumbles: “This isn’t fair dealing”,

my son, leave the Saxon alone. 

“You can horse-whip your Gascony Archers, 

or torture your Picardy Spears; 

But don't try that game on the Saxon; 

you’ll have the whole brood round your ears. 

“From the richest old Thane in the County 

to the poorest chained Serf in the field, 

They’ll be at you and on you like hornets, 

and, if you are wise, you will yield. 

“But first you must master their language, 

their dialect, proverbs and songs. 

Don’t trust any Clerk to interpret 

when they come with the tale of their wrongs. 

Let them know that you know what they’re saying; 

let them feel that you know what to say. 

Yes, even when you want to go hunting, 

hear ’em out if it takes you all day. 

“They’ll drink every hour of the daylight 

and poach every hour of the dark. 

It’s the sport, not the rabbits, they're after 

(we’ve plenty of Game in the Park). 

Don’t hang them or cut off their fingers. 

That’s wasteful as well as unkind, 

For a hard-bitten, South-Country Poacher 

makes the best Man-at-Arms you can find. 

“Appear with your wife and the children

 at their weddings and funerals and feasts. 

 Be polite, but not friendly to Bishops; 

be good to all poor Parish Priests. 

Say “we,” “us” and “ours”, when you’re talking, 

instead of “you fellows” and “I”.

 Don’t ride over seeds; keep your temper; 

and never you tell ’em a lie !”

From: THE KIPLING SOCIETY

Absurd Victorian Occupations.

 

Saint Vitus. Saint Modestus. Saint Crescentia. Martyrs. Feast Day 15 June. Red Vestments.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Vitus. Saint Modestus. Saint Crescentia.
   Martyrs.
   Feast Day 15 June.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

Martyrdom of Saint Vitus, Saint Modestus, and 

Saint Crescentia, from a 14th-Century Manuscript.

Source: http://saints.bestlatin.net/

gallery/modestus_bnfms.htm

Author: Richard de Montbaston.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Vitus, also called Guy, belonged to an illustrious Sicilian family. His father, learning that he had been Baptised, delivered him to the Judge, Valerian, to be scourged, but he was struck blind.

The Prayers of the Saint obtained his recovery, but did not convert him. Saint Vitus was then saved from his father's cruelty by Saint Modestus, his tutor, and by Saint Crescentia, his nurse, who took him to another part of the country.

There, his Holiness became so famous that Emperor Diocletian had recourse to him to deliver his son, who was tormented by the devil. Guy healed him (Gospel). But, the ungrateful Diocletian, having failed to induce the Saint to Worship the false gods, caused him to be arrested with Saint Modestus and Saint Crescentia.

They were plunged into a cauldron of molten lead and flaming resin and were then quartered. After having tested them like Gold in the furnace (Epistle), God delivered the from all these sufferings (Introit) and rejoiced them by giving them a place at The Heavenly Banquet (Gradual). They died in 303 A.D.

Saint Vitus is one of The Fourteen Auxiliary Saints.

Let us have recourse to Saint Guy (Vitus), to be preserved from the bite of the mad dogs and from the sad disease which bears his name [Editor: Saint Vitus' Dance]. He will obtain for us great docility towards The Holy Ghost, in order that we do good in all Liberty, Humility, and Charity (Collect).

Mass (In Paschaltide): Sancti tui.

Mass (Out of Paschaltide): Multæ tribulationes.

English: Church of Saint Vitus, Libědice, Czech Republic.

Čeština: Kostel sv. Víta (Libědice), Libědice.

Photo: 8 September 2013.

Source: Own work.

Author: Pavel Kinšt

(Wikimedia Commons)