The Psalms: Psalm 39: “Expectans Expectavi”. Christ’s Coming, And Redeeming Mankind.

The Book of Psalms.

The Psalms are called by the Hebrews “TEHILLIM”, that is, Hymns of Praise. The author of a great part of them, at least, was King David. But many are of the opinion that some of them were authored by Asaph, and others whose names

are prefixed in the titles.

“Expectans Expectavi”. 

Christ’s Coming, And Redeeming Mankind.

The following Text is from DOUAY-RHEIMS BIBLE

Unto the end, a Psalm for David himself. 

With expectation I have waited for the Lord, 

and He was attentive to me. 

And He heard my Prayers, and brought me 

out of the pit of misery and the mire of dregs. 

And He set my feet upon a rock, and directed my steps. 

And He put a new Canticle into my mouth, 

a Song to our God. 

Many shall see, and shall fear: 

and they shall hope in the Lord. 

Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord; 

and who hath not had regard to vanities, and lying follies.

Thou hast multiplied Thy wonderful works, O Lord my God: And in Thy thoughts there is no-one like to Thee. I have declared and I have spoken they are multiplied above number. 

Sacrifice and oblation Thou didst not desire; 

but Thou hast pierced ears for me. Burnt 

offering and sin offering Thou didst not require: 

Then said I, Behold I come. In the 

head of the book it is written of me 

That I should do Thy will: O my God, I have 

desired it, and Thy law in the midst of my heart. 

I have declared Thy justice in a great Church, lo, 

I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, Thou knowest it.

I have not hid Thy justice within my heart: I have 

declared Thy truth and Thy salvation. I have not 

concealed Thy mercy and Thy truth from a great Council. 

Withhold not Thou, O Lord, Thy tender mercies from me: 

Thy mercy and Thy truth have always upheld me. 

For evils without number have surrounded me; 

my iniquities have overtaken me, and I was not 

able to see. They are multiplied above the 

hairs of my head: And my heart hath forsaken me. 

Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me, 

look down, O Lord, to help me. 

Let them be confounded and ashamed together, that 

seek after my Soul to take it away. Let them be turned backward and be ashamed that desire evils to me.

“My iniquities”: That is, the sins of all mankind, 

which I have taken upon me.

Let them immediately bear their confusion, 

that say to me: Tis well, tis well. 

Let all that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: And let 

such as love Thy salvation say always: The Lord be magnified. 

But I am a Beggar and Poor: The Lord is careful for me. 

Thou art my helper and my protector: O my God, be not slack.

Kathleen Ferrier Sings Bach: “Erbarme Dich, Mein Gott” (Have Mercy, My God). Saint Matthew Passion.

Kathleen Ferrier sings Bach:

“Erbarme Dich, Mein Gott” 

(Have Mercy, My God).

Saint Matthew Passion.

Available on YouTube

HERE

Kathleen Ferrier sings the aria “Erbarme dich, mein Gott” (“Have Mercy, my God”) from J.S. Bach’s Saint Matthew Passion, recorded live in Vienna on 9 June 1950,

with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, 

conducted by Herbert von Karajan.

Hildegard von Bingen: “O Vis Aeternitatis”.

“O Vis Aeternitatis”.

Composed By: Hildegard von Bingen.

Sung By: Sequentia.

Album: “Canticles Of Ecstasy”.

Available On YouTube

HERE

Stunning. Awesome. Magnificent. This Is Church Architecture As It Should Be.

Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, near the Pantheon, Rome. 

The Contarelli Side Chapel has three Caravaggio 

paintings of the life of Saint Matthew.

Illustration: FR. Z's BLOG

Hildegard von Bingen. “Caritas Abundat In Omnia”. By: Maite Itoiz And Kingdom Of Navarre.

“Caritas Abundat In Omnia”.

Composed By: Hildegard von Bingen. 

Sung By: Maite Itoiz (Soprano) 

and Kingdom Of Navarre.

Available On YouTube

HERE

Caritas abundat in omnia 

de imis excellentissima super sidera 

atque amantissima in omnia 

quia summo regi osculum pacis dedit.

Soprano: Maite Itoiz.

This beautiful chant from Hildegard von Bingen is included in the album “An Ancient Story” from KINGDOM OF NAVARRE (former Elfenthal ensemble).

Gregorian Chant. Sung By: The Choir Of The Monks Of Fontgombault Abbey, France.

Gregorian Chant. Sung by: The Choir

of the Monks of Fontgombault Abbey, France.

Choeur des moines de l’abbaye

Notre Dame de Fontgombault.

Available on YouTube

HERE

Saint Anicetus. Pope And Martyr. Feast Day, Today, 17 April. Red Vestments.

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

Saint Anicetus.
   Pope and Martyr.
   Feast Day 17 April.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

The Martyrdom of Pope Anicetus.

Frescoes by Antonio Circignani, called Pomarancio.

Chapel of Sant'Aniceto e Beata Vergine della Clemenza,

Palazzo Altemps, Roma.

Date: 20 April 2001.

Source: Own work.

Author: Torvindus

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Paschal Cycle surrounds The King of Martyrs, Whose triumph it celebrates, with a bevy of Saints who "followed Him bearing their Crosses and who, having lost their lives for His sake," found the life of which Jesus, Risen Again, is the model (Gospel).

Saint Anicetus, Invested with full Sacerdotal power (Introit), succeeded Pope Saint Pius I as Pope. He governed The Church from 150 A.D. to his death in 168 A.D. and took such a part in The Sufferings of Christ (Epistle) that, although he did not shed his blood for The Faith, he was given the Title of Martyr.

He preserved his flock from the heresies of Valentinus and Marcion and "filled with The Consolations of Jesus, he was enabled, in turn, to console those who suffered" (Epistle). The great Saint Polycarp came to him at Rome to confer especially about the date of the Celebration of Easter, for, by the coincidence of this Feast with that of the Jews, it was right to claim that the Mysteries of The Death and Resurrection of Jesus had realised, and taken the place of, the immolation of the Jewish paschal lamb.

"Let us rejoice for the annual Solemnity of Blessed Anicetus" (Collect). This Feast reminds us of the date when, after having died with Christ on Earth, this Holy Martyr went to share The Glory of His Resurrection in Heaven.

Mass: In Paschaltide. Protexisti.
Mass: Out of Paschaltide. Sacerdotes Dei.

The Psalms: Psalm 2. “Quare Fremuerunt”. The Vain Efforts Of Persecutors Against Christ And His Church.

Text is from “The Psalms And New Testament”.

Douay-Rheims version.

Translated From The Latin Vulgate.

Diligently compared with The Hebrew, Greek,

and other Editions in divers languages.

The New Testament.

First published by The English College at Rheims, 1582 A.D. And The Psalms. From The Old Testament. First published by The English College, at Douay, 1609 A.D.

With annotations and references.

The whole revised and diligently compared with

The Latin Vulgate by The Servant of God,

Richard Challoner, 1749-1752 A.D.

Published by The Baronius Press, London MMVII.

The Baronius Press Web-Site and Shop can be accessed HERE

The Book of Psalms.

The Psalms are called by the Hebrews “TEHILLIM”, that is, Hymns of Praise. The author of a great part of them, at least, was King David. But many are of the opinion that some of them were authored by Asaph, and others whose names

are prefixed in the titles.

“Quare Fremuerunt”.

The Vain Efforts Of Persecutors

Against Christ And His Church.

Why have the Gentiles raged,

and the people devised vain things ?

The Kings of the Earth stood up,

and the Princes met together,

against The Lord, and against His Christ.

Let us break their bonds asunder:

And let us cast away their yoke from us.

He that dwelleth in Heaven shall laugh at them:

And The Lord shall deride them.

Then shall He speak to them in His anger,

and trouble them in His rage.

But I am appointed King by Him over Sion,

His holy mountain, preaching His commandment.

The Lord hath said to me:

Thou art my son,

this day have I begotten thee.

Ask of Me,

and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance,

and the utmost parts of the Earth for thy possession.

Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron,

and shalt break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

And now, O ye Kings, understand:

Receive instruction, you that judge the Earth.

Serve ye The Lord with fear:

And rejoice unto Him with trembling.

Embrace discipline,

lest at any time The Lord be angry,

and you perish from the just way.

When His wrath shall be kindled in a short time,

Blessed are all they that trust in Him.

Perkins (Chauffeur), I Suspect, Has Been At The Brandy Bottle, Again !!!

“Perkins !!!”

“I am not going to Sunday Mass in that”.

“Take it back”.

“You and I need to talk !!!”

Illustration: HEMMINGS

Our Lady’s Words: “I Am The Immaculate Conception”. Sermon By: Fr. Timothy Finigan.

Our Lady’s Words: “I Am The Immaculate Conception”.

Sermon by Fr. Timothy Finigan. “A Day With Mary” at the Church of Our Lady of The Rosary, Blackfen, London.

Saturday, 15 February 2014.

Available on YouTube

HERE

The Sedia Gestatoria Of Pope Pius IX. Donated By The Catholics Of Naples.

The Sedia Gestatoria Of Pope Pius IX. 

Donated By The Catholics Of Naples.

All Illustrations: LITURGICAL ARTS JOURNAL

This Article was written by John Paul Sonnen for 

“Liturgical Arts Journal”, which can be read in full
HERE.

Over the years, more than one version of the Sedia Gestatoria was created. That being said, the most popular version was possibly the one that belonged to Blessed Pope Pius IX [Editor: “Pio Nono”]. 

It was donated to him in 1871 by the Clergy and people of Naples in the twenty-sixth year of his Pontificate. 

It saw service for many years from 1871-1978. The last Pope to make use of it was Pope John Paul I.

The Sedia Gestatoria was designed with great thought and included a built-in step for persons to kneel in obeisance. Two long pieces of wood were inserted, one on either side, for the designated “Sediari” men to carry it in balance and unison. The rich Crimson Velvet and Golden Filigree tool-work make for a regal appearance.

Of course, it had a Liturgical role as well. Always elegant in appearance, it accoutred the Papal Liturgies with noticeable and impressive elegance. 

At such Liturgies, all who gather should be especially rapt in God through the contemplation of Celestial things. When people visit the Vatican to Worship with the Pope, their minds should be so raised to God, transfixed and enraptured and aided by the beauty and Solemnity of the Rites and their trappings.

Below are images of two other similar versions that were also used:

A Little Levity To Lighten Your Day . . .

Accommodation At Walsingham.

Traditional Pontifical Vespers With Robert Cardinal Sarah At The Cathedral Basilica Of Philadelphia. Friday, 21 November 2025.

Text and Illustrations: DURANDUS INSTITUTE

Traditional Pontifical Vespers with Cardinal Sarah 

at the Cathedral Basilica of Philadelphia.

Friday, 21 November 2025.

Available on YouTube

HERE

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

A once-in-a-lifetime event with the 

Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship.

Friday, 21 November 2025.

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul,

1723 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.

The Durandus Institute Web-Site can be found

HERE

“Fantasia On A Theme Of Thomas Tallis”. Composer: Vaughan Williams.

“Fantasia On A Theme Of Thomas Tallis”.

Composer: Vaughan Williams.

BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Davis, 

at Gloucester Cathedral, where, in 1910, it was played and conducted for the first time by the Composer, 

Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Available On YouTube

HERE

Text: BING

Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis is a One-Movement String Orchestral Work that re-imagines a 16th-Century English theme with lush, modal harmonies and innovative orchestration.

Text: WIKIPEDIA

Composed in 1910, the Fantasia was commissioned for the Gloucester Three Choirs Festival and premiered at Gloucester Cathedral, conducted by Vaughan Williams, himself, alongside Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius. 

The work marked a turning point in Vaughan Williams’ career, establishing his distinctive voice and cementing his reputation in England and Europe. 

The theme originates from Thomas Tallis, a Renaissance Composer, specifically from the third of nine Psalm tunes in the 1567 Psalter, which Vaughan Williams discovered while editing the 1906 edition of The English Hymnal.

Kathleen Ferrier. “What Is Life ?” And, “Art Thou Troubled ?”

Kathleen Ferrier.

“What Is Life ?”

and

“Art Thou Troubled ?”

Available on YouTube

HERE

Recorded in 1946.

Kathleen Ferrier ~ much beloved English Contralto ~ 

born on 22 April 1912, in Lancashire, England, 

and died 8 October 1953. 

Two favourites first heard on my grandmother’s knee.

Audio with photo montage.

A Little Levity To Lighten Your Day . . .

Narcissism !!!

How Did This Painting Survive The English Reformation ?

How Did This Painting Survive 

The English Reformation ?

Available on YouTube

HERE

In this video, Alan Barton gives a tour of Saint 

Mary’s Mediæval Church, Thornham Parvam, Suffolk.

It is a small, simple, Church that contains a 

masterpiece, a Mediæval Altarpiece, a panel 

painting called the Thornham Parva Retable. 

Dating from the 1330s, the painting miraculously 

survived the English Reformation and the Dissolution 

of the Monasteries in the reign of King Henry VIII.

Zephyrinus read about this captivating Church in a wonderful Article on “Once I Was A Clever Boy”; a must-read Blog, and one of Zephyrinus’s favourite Blog reads, available

HERE

“Only You”. Sung By: The Flying Pickets.

“Only You”.

Sung By: The Flying Pickets.

Available on YouTube

HERE

A Little Levity To Lighten Your Day . . .

“Now Is The Winter Of Our Discount Tent”.

(With apologies to Mr. Shakespeare).

Illustration: ANDREW SKURKA

Should Your Church Be Closed For Confession, Ensure That Your Parish Priest (Pastor) Has Your Home Address. “Have Bike, Will Travel”.

Must Try Harder.

Children can be soooooo hard work !!!

Saint Tiburtius. Saint Valerian. Saint Maximus. Martyrs. Feast Day 14 April. Red Vestments.

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

Saints Tiburtius, Valerian, and Maximus.
   Martyrs.
   Feast Day 14 April.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

The Burial of Saint Valerian and Saint Tiburtius.

Artist: Amico Aspertini (1474–1552).

Date: 1504.

Current location: Oratorio di Santa Cecilia, Bologna, Italy.

Source/Photographer: Image from Web Gallery of Art

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Valerian, the husband of Saint Cecilia, Tiburtius, 

his brother, and Maximus, their executioner, who was converted at the sight of their courage, united in 229 A.D. 

their Martyrdom to that of the Crucified Christ and shared 

the Glory of Jesus, Risen Again.

Mass: Out of Paschaltide. Sapiéntiam.
Mass: In Paschaltide. Sancti tui.
Epistle and Gospel of The Mass: Protexisti.

Saint Justin. Martyr. Feast Day 14 April. Red Vestments.

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

Saint Justin.
   Martyr.
   Feast Day 14 April.

Double.

Red Vestments.

English: 

Saint Justin.

Martyr.

Deutsch: 

Justin der Märtyrer (auch: Justin der Philosoph).

Phantasieporträt aus dem 16. Jahrhundert.

Date: 16th-Century.

Source: Saint Justin dans André Thevet,

Les Vrais Pourtraits et Vies Hommes Illustres

Author: André Thévet (1502–1590).

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Church, in the 2nd-Century A.D., had to oppose the errors of pagan philosophers and suffer cruel persecution. But God raised up courageous men, known as the Apologist Fathers, who defended Christian Dogma at the price of their lives.

The most illustrious at that time was Saint Justin,  born at Nablus (Samaria), about 100 A.D. 

As a pagan philosopher, he examined the teaching of the pagan philosophical systems and only found error and false wisdom; for human intelligence rejecting Supernatural Light soon goes astray (Epistle, Gradual).

Saint Justin then studied the Word of The Crucified God and became a Christian. Seeing in reason a precious auxiliary of Faith, he opened at Rome the first school of Christian Philosophy and there taught “the eminent science of Jesus Christ” (Collect).

He became celebrated especially by the two Apologies which he had the courage (Gospel) to address successively to the persecuting Emperors Antoninus and Marcus Aurelius (Introit).

An edict of Antoninus mitigated the persecution. Marcus Aurelius, on the contrary, caused Saint Justin to be scourged and condemned him to death. He died a Martyr on 13 April, about 162 A.D.

“Let us conform to the teaching of the Blessed Martyr, Justin” (Postcommunion) “so that we may remain firm in The Faith” (Collect).

Mass: Narravérunt.
Commemoration: Of the Feria, in Lent.
Commemoration: Of the Holy Martyrs Tilburtius and Companions.

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

Justin Martyr, known as Saint Justin (100 A.D. – 165 A.D.), was an Early-Christian Apologist, and is regarded as the foremost interpreter of the Theory of the Logos in the 2nd-Century A.D. 

He was Martyred, alongside some of his students, and 

is considered a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church, 

the Anglican Church, and the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Most of his works are lost, but two Apologies and a Dialogue did survive. 

The First Apology, his most well-known Text, passionately defends the morality of the Christian Life, and provided various ethical and philosophical arguments to convince the Roman Emperor, Antoninus, to abandon the persecution of the fledgling Sect.

Further, he also indicates, as Saint Augustine did regarding the “True Religion” that pre-dated Christianity, that the “seeds of Christianity” (manifestations of the Logos acting in history) actually pre-dated Christ’s Incarnation. 

This notion allows him to claim many historical Greek Philosophers (including Socrates and Plato), in whose Works he was well studied, as unknowing Christians.