ZEPHYRINUS.

Monday, 19 May 2025

Saint Mary The Virgin Church, Combpyne Rousdon, East Devon, England. 13th-Century Church.

Saint Mary The Virgin Church,
Combpyne Rousdon, East Devon. 13th-Century Church.
Text and Illustrations: DEVON CHURCH LAND

A Mediæval Wall Painting, scratched signs against evil, a Saddle-Back Tower Roof, 17th-Century scriptural paintings with Angels and a heartfelt Victorian Altar painting . . . History and people fill this beautiful old Church, as small
as its Parish, resting in a pretty East Devon valley.

Combpyne Rousdon Church of Saint Mary the Virgin has an eye-catching Tower Roof and an ancient structure in a pretty valley.

Saddle-Back Roofs on Mediæval Church Towers are rare enough anywhere in England; here in Devon, only this one exists; they are more popular in Continental Europe.

Taste, snow shedding, Tradition, all these are potential explanations, with snow shedding (look at its steep pitched Roof) likely inching ahead in some areas, but here, in Devon ?

It is very near two major Mediæval Ports; Axmouth and Lyme Regis. So, maybe a traveller brought the style back ?

Stained-Glass Angel,
Combpyne Rousdon Church,
East Devon.

The Parish was landlocked until the 20th-Century, when it merged with Rousdon, to the South; it was also very small and very poor.

“The Parishioners consist, with the exception of two Farmers, solely of poor labourers” — “Western Times Newspaper”, 2 February 1877.

Ultimately, it was probably cheaper to roof the Tower the same as the Nave and Chancel, though that steep Saddle-Back Roof gives extra height to what is, to be fair, quite a short and rough Tower.

The whole Church is small and farmer built; rough, honest, solid, probably on a Saxon footprint, and dating from the 1200s.

There was a dispute about the ownership of the Church, back in 1185, which Pope Urban III got involved in; this place has history.

The Coffin family owned it back in 1166, when it was known as Combe Coffin, and then, in 1278, Sir Thomas de Pyn took over the Manor, which led to the present name change: “Combe” being Devon-ish for “Valley”.

Apart from the “Bonny-Ness” of its ragamuffin structure, the Chancel and Nave probably show the pattern that most Churches in Devon had before they expanded and adapted to taste and Liturgies.

Whilst this darling was probably punched through the Chancel Wall in the 15th-Century, that carved top being a giveaway.

Why? Well, more light seems an obvious reason to us moderns, but more light equalled less heat (glazing, if there was any, being not very windproof), and light is only better if you have things to look at that need light. Books, for example.

Clergy were starting to be more literate and were being told they had to possess certain books, and then there were music books, too. Chanting really taking off in England by this time.

“Better literate” does not mean they were illiterate before, but there were (and still are) different degrees of literacy.

And Country Priests were rising up the scale from functional to technical, especially as books became more and more available and the Church authorities themselves were demanding the Clergy to “upskill”.

There was even a youth opportunity scheme where they gave a Parish to a promising lad, not yet Ordained, and the Parish Tithes were used to pay for that same lad to attend Oxford University for five to seven years; the lad had to rise through the ranks of Clergy: From Sub-Deacon, to Deacon, to Priest, as he studied.

And the evidence shows that this worked; it produced many more educated Priests fit for the times.

A very elegant Chancel Arch.

When Masons get curves right, they so definitely get them “totes au point”, especially when they frame an Altar as enchantingly as here.

It is from the 19th-Century restoration, the original Arch was about three metres (ten feet) higher, which allowed plenty of space for a Rood Loft and Rood Screen, and a painting or statue of Christ on The Cross.

Combpyne Rousdon Sanctuary.

Inside the Chancel, the Sanctuary is a mighty peaceful area, made more so by the age of its surroundings, the original Triple Lancet East Window, and the Piscina of the same age on the Right-Hand wall.

Mary And The Child Jesus.

Whilst this charming Stained-Glass Window, Madonna and Child, is Victorian, and worth every Penny.

Quiet in the Church.

This ancient Church is a charm, full of age and Faith, with fascinating glimpses of people and their lives as they changed through the ages; a little Church containing the World.

A wonder that, and an absolute delight.

Pope Celestine V. Feast Day 19 May. Reigned From 5 July 1294 — 13 December 1294. White Vestments.

English: Painting of Pope Celestine V.
Español: Pintura del Papa Celestino V.
Artist: Giulio Cessare Bedeschini.
Date: 1700.
Source: Museo de l'aquila, Italia.
Author: Giulio Cessare Bedeschini.
(Wikimedia Commons)

Text from “The Liturgical Year”.

By: Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.

Volume: 8.

Paschal Time.

Book II.

Our Paschal Season, which has already given us the admirable Doctor of The Church, Saint Leo, brings before us, today, the humble Saint Peter Celestine.

He was, like Leo, Sovereign Pontiff, but no sooner was he Throned on the Chair of Peter than he left it and returned to solitude.

Among the long list of Sainted men who compose the Venerable series of Roman Pontiffs, Our Lord would have one in whose person was to be represented the virtue of “humility”; that honour was conferred on Peter Celestine.

He was dragged from the quiet of his solitude, compelled to ascend the Throne of Saint Peter, and made to hold in his trembling hand the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Holy Hermit, whose eyes had been ever fixed on his own weakness, had then to provide for the necessities of the whole Church. In his humility, he judged himself to be unequal to so heavy a responsibility. He resigned the Tiara, and begged to be permitted to return to his dear Hermitage.

His Divine Master, Christ, had, in like manner, concealed His glory, first in thirty years of hidden life, and then, later on, under the cloud of His Passion and Sepulchre.

The sunshine of the Pasch came; the gloom was dispersed, and the Conqueror of Death arose in all His splendour.

He would have his servants share in His triumph and glory; but their share is to be greater or less, according to the measure in which they have, here on Earth, imitated His humility.

Who, then, could describe the glory which Peter Celestine receives in Heaven, as a recompense for the profound humility which made him more eager to be unknown than the most ambitious of men could be for honour and fame ?

He was great on the Pontifical Throne, and still greater in his solitude; but his greatness, now that he is in Heaven, surpasses all human thought.

The Secrets Of Wells Cathedral. The First Gothic Cathedral In England.

The Secrets Of Wells Cathedral.
The First Gothic Cathedral In England.
Available on YouTube
HERE

Church Of All Saints, Kenton, Devon, England.

The restored 15th-Century Rood Screen and Loft

in the Church of All Saints, Kenton, Devon, England.

Text and Illustrations: DEVON CHURCH LAND

Wealth and beauty do not always step out together, but in this case, in Kenton, they most surely do make for a very happy couple. Kenton Church is a humdinger.

The Parish had extensive fertile farmland, along with a sea coast, now occupied by newer Parishes, along with a River Exe estuary shoreline.

Fishing, salt works, farm products, trade through Exeter into the hinterland, exporting overseas, all added up to loads of money which, back in those Faith-filled days, wandered Churchwards.

Even the name “Kenton”, meaning the Ken Settlement, is an indicator. “Ken” probably comes from the old Britonnic [Editor: Breton, Cornish, and Welsh] Celtic meaning “brilliant, white” and is a possible clue to the age of the salt industry; mind you, the main river that runs through the Parish is called the River Kenn, so the name might refer to clear water.

The Church ? Lush Devon Red Stone interspersed with muted White Beer Stone, the colours of the local soil and the breaking ocean waves, are the first delights, used so well here.

The Nave, Kenton Church, Devon.

The Chancel, Kenton Church, Devon.

Stained-Glass Window,

Church of All Saints, Kenton, Devon.

Saint Pudentiana. Virgin. Feast Day 19 May. White Vestments.

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

Saint Pudentiana.
Virgin.
Feast Day 19 May.

Simple.

White Vestments.

English: Saint Pudentiana.
Detail of a mosaic in the Apse of Santa Pudenziana, Rome.
Deutsch: Pudentiana, Mosaik aus Santa Pudenziana
This File: 25 October 2005.
User: Marcus Cyron
(Wikimedia Commons)

The Nave,
Basilica of Santa Pudentiana, Rome.
Photo: 13 May 2009.
Source: Own work.
Author: Welleschik
(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Pudentiana, in this part of The Cycle, participates in The Triumph of Christ over the Devil, the Flesh, and the World. The daughters of Pudens, a Roman Senator, she and her sister, Praxedes, Consecrated their Virginity to Jesus.

At the death of her father, she distributed all her riches to the Poor, in agreement with her sister, and she was barely sixteen years old when she died, in the Reign of Emperor Antoninus.

Her remains rest in her house, which she had converted into a Church. Her father had received Saint Peter there and she had placed it at the disposal of Pope Pius I, who Celebrated The Holy Mysteries there during “The Persecution”.

This is the “Title-Church” of Pudentiana, where The Station is held on the Tuesday in The Third Week of Lent. [“Title-Churches”, bearing as Title the name of their Founder or Foundress, were the usual Meeting Places of Christians in Rome, and became the first “Parish Churches”.]

Mass: Dilexísti.

“Saint Praxedes and Saint Pudentiana
collecting The Blood of The Martyrs”.
Artist: Giovanni Paolo Rossetti (1621).
Basilica of Santa Pudenziana, Rome.
Photo: 13 April 2010.
Source: Own work.
Author: Georges Jansoone (JoJan).
(Wikimedia Commons)

Pope Saint Celestine V. Confessor. Feast Day, Today, 19 May. White Vestments.

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

Saint Peter Celestine.
Pope and Confessor.
Feast Day 19 May.

Double.

White Vestments.

Among all the Pastors to whom Jesus lovingly committed the care of His Church, Saint Peter Celestine is the one who most particularly shows forth the virtue of humility, the foundation of all Holiness [Rule of Saint Benedict. Chapter Seven] according to Saint Benedict, his father in God.

Born in 1221, he retired into the desert when hardly adolescent (Gospel), and his virtues soon drew disciples round him. Such was the origin of The Branch of The Benedictine Order, known since under the name of "The Celestines", from the name which Saint Peter took when he became Pope in 1294.

At the age of seventy-two, he had to leave his sweet solitude, received full Sacerdotal power (Introit, Epistle) and occupied The Chair of Saint Peter (Communion), which had been vacant twenty-seven months. Raised to this eminent dignity, he thought himself incapable of bearing such a burden, and, "placing humility above that elevation" (Collect), he voluntarily resigned the highest dignity.

Saint Peter Celestine.
Pope and Confessor.
Available on YouTube
HERE

He ended his days in contemplation, which his Soul craved for, and he died on 19 May 1296.

Following the example of Saint Peter Celestine, let us despise the honours of this World, in order to attain possession of the rewards promised to the humble (Collect).

Mass: Státuit.
Commemoration: Saint Pudentiana, by the Collects of The Mass: Dilexísti.
Gospel: Ecce nos reliquimus.

Sunday, 18 May 2025

Saint Venantius. Martyr.

English: Saint Venantius is hung upside-down over a fire,

and then thrown to the lions. Wall mural from Saint

Venantius Church, Horgenzell, Germany.

Deutsch: Filialkirche St. Venantius, Pfärrenbach,
Gemeinde Horgenzell. Wandgemälde im Kirchenschiff: Venantiuslegende.
Date: 18 April 2006.
Source: Own work.
Author: Andreas Praefcke
(Wikimedia Commons)

Text from “The Liturgical Year”.
By: Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.
Volume 8.
Paschal Time.
Book II.

The Martyr of today carries us back to the persecutions under the Roman Emperors. It was at Camerino, Italy, that Venantius bore his testimony to The True Faith; and the devotion wherewith he is honoured by the people of those parts has caused his Feast to be kept throughout The Church.

Let us, therefore, joyfully welcome this new champion, who fought so bravely for our Emmanuel.

Let us congratulate him upon his having the privilege of suffering Martyrdom during the Paschal season, all radiant as it is with the grand victory won by life over death.

The account given by the Liturgy of Saint Venantius is a tissue of Miracles. The omnipotence of God seemed, on this and many other like occasions, to resist the cruelty of the executioners in order to glorify the Martyr.

It served also as a means of converting the bystanders, who, on witnessing these almost lavish Miracles, were frequently heard to exclaim, that they, too, wished to be Christians, and embrace a Religion which was not only honoured by the superhuman patience of its Martyrs, but was so visibly protected and favoured by Heaven.

Exeter Cathedral (Cathedral Church Of Saint Peter). The Longest Uninterrupted Mediæval Vaulted Ceiling In The World. (Part Five).

Astronomical Clock in Exeter Cathedral.

Photo: 10 January 2017.
Source: Own work.
Author: DeFacto
(Wikimedia Commons)

Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.

Since the above list was compiled in 1921, research among musicologists has revised how some of the instruments are called in modern times. Using revised names, the list should now read from left to right gittern, bagpipe, shawm, vielle, harp, jew's harp, trumpet, organ, citole, recorder, tambourine, cymbals.[1

The Exeter Cathedral Astronomical Clock is one of the group of famous 14th- to 16th-Century Astronomical Clocks to be found in the West of England. Others are at Wells, Ottery St Mary, and Wimborne Minster.

The main, lower, dial is the oldest part of the Clock, dating from 1484.[5] The Fleur-de-Lys-tipped hand indicates the hour (and the position of the Sun in the sky) on a 24-hour analogue dial.

The 12th-Century South Tower, Exeter Cathedral, where the twelve Bells hang. Note the 14th-Century Crocketed Buttresses against the South Wall of the Nave.
Photo: 19 December 2006.
Source: From geograph.org.uk
Author: Derek Harper
(Wikimedia Commons)

The numbering consists of two sets of Roman numerals I to XII. The Silver Ball and inner dial shows both the age of the Moon and its phase (using a rotating Black Shield to indicate the Moon’s phase). The upper dial, added in 1760, shows the minutes.[5]

The Latin phrase “Pereunt et imputantur”, a favourite motto for Clocks and Sun-Dials, was written by the Latin poet Martial. It is usually translated as “they perish and are reckoned to our account”, referring to the hours that we spend, wisely or not. The original clockwork mechanism, much modified, repaired, and neglected, until it was replaced in the Early-20th-Century, can be seen on the floor below.

The door below the Clock has a round hole near its base. This was cut in the Early-17th-Century to allow entry for the Bishop’s cat to deter vermin that were attracted to the animal fat used to lubricate the Clock mechanism.[5]

Cathedral Church of Saint Peter
(Exeter Cathedral) dating from 1400.
Photo: 18 July 2006.
Source: Own work.
Author: Peter_Glyn
(Wikimedia Commons)

The Library began during the Episcopate of Leofric (1050–1072) who presented the Cathedral with sixty-six books, only one of which remains in the Library: This is the Exeter Book (Exeter Cathedral Library MS 3501) of Anglo-Saxon poetry.[16] Sixteen others have survived and are in The British Library, The Bodleian Library or Cambridge University Library.

A 10th-century Manuscript of Hrabanus Maurus’s “De Computo” and Isidore of Seville’s “De Natura Rerum” may have belonged to Leofric, also, but the earliest record of it is in an inventory of 1327. The inventory was compiled by the Sub-Dean, William de Braileghe, and 230 titles were listed. Service books were not included and a note at the end mentions many other books in French, English and Latin, which were then considered worthless.

In 1412–1413, a new Lectrinum was fitted out for the books by two carpenters working for forty weeks. Those books in need of repair were repaired and some were fitted with chains. A catalogue of the Cathedral’s books, made in 1506, shows that the Library, furnished some ninety years earlier, had eleven desks for books and records over 530 titles, of which more than a third are Service books.[17]

PART SIX FOLLOWS.

Sacraments ? Sacramentals ? What Is The Difference ?

The Seven Sacraments Altarpiece.
Artist: Rogier van der Weyden (1399 — 1464).
Date: 1445.
Collection:
Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.
Source/Photographer: Web Gallery of Art.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia, unless stated otherwise.

A Sacrament is a Christian Rite which is recognised as being particularly important and significant.[1]

There are various views on the existence, number and meaning of such Rites. Many Christians consider the Sacraments to be a visible symbol of the reality of God, as well as a channel for God’s Grace.

Many denominations, including The Catholic Church, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist, and Reformed, hold to the definition of Sacrament formulated by Augustine of Hippo: “An Outward Sign of an Inward Grace, that has been instituted by Jesus Christ.[2][3][4][5]

Council of Trent in Santa Maria Maggiore Church,
Trent, Italy.
The Council of Trent defined the Seven Sacraments.
Date: Late-17th-Century.
Source/Photographer:
Staatliches Hochbauamt Donauwörth,
Heiligenlexikon; transfered from de Wikipedia.
Permission: PD art
Author: Unknown.
(Wikimedia Commons)

Illustration: CHURCH OF SAINT AGNES, MINNESOTA

The following Red Text is taken from
Google AI Overview, which states that:
“AI responses may include mistakes”.

The IHS symbol in Religion is a Christogram, representing Jesus Christ. It’s an abbreviation of the Greek name of Jesus (ΙΗΣΟΥΣ, Iēsous), transliterated as IHS.

While originally signifying “Iēsous”, it has been interpreted in various ways, including “Iesus Hominum Salvator” (“Jesus, Saviour of Mankind”) and “In Hoc Signo” (“By this sign”).

Sacraments are Sacred Rituals instituted by
Jesus Christ that confer Grace and are essential
for a Christian’s relationship with God.

Sacramentals, on the other hand, are objects or actions
used by The Church to promote devotion and
spiritual growth, but do not confer Grace, directly.

The Council of Trent, the 19th-Ecumenical Council of
The Catholic Church, was held in three sessions
from 1545 to 1563 in Trent, Italy.

It was convened by Pope Paul III in response to the
Protestant Reformation and aimed to address both internal abuses within The Church and clarify Catholic doctrine
in contrast to Protestant beliefs.

It is considered a pivotal event in the Counter-Reformation, shaping the Catholic Church’s response to the
Reformation and solidifying its identity.

Key Features and Outcomes:

Doctrinal Clarification:

The Council clarified and defined Catholic doctrines,
such as the role of Faith and good works in salvation,
the Eucharist, and the Seven Sacraments, in response
to Protestant challenges.

Reformation of the Church:

The Council addressed issues of corruption within the
Clergy, including issues like absenteeism and pluralism,
and sought to improve pastoral care and education.

The Latin Vulgate:

The Council declared the Latin Vulgate
as the official Bible for The Church.

Anathema and Excommunication:

The Council issued anathemas, condemning
Protestant doctrines, and specified heretical beliefs
that would lead to excommunication.

Establishment of the Roman Catechism:

The Council commissioned the first Church-wide
Roman Catholic Catechism to aid in teaching of doctrine.

Emphasis on Tradition:

The Council emphasised the importance of both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition as Sources of Revelation.

Impact on the Counter-Reformation:

The Council of Trent is seen as a key component of the
Counter-Reformation, a period of Catholic renewal and
reform that sought to counter the Protestant Reformation.

Sacraments signify God’s Grace in a way that is outwardly observable to the participant.[5]

The Catholic Church, Hussite Church and the Old Catholic Church recognise Seven Sacraments:

Baptism;

Penance (Reconciliation or Confession);

Eucharist (or Holy Communion);

Confirmation;

Marriage (Matrimony);

Holy Orders;

Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction).[6][7]

The Eastern Churches, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodox Church, as well as the Eastern Catholic Churches, recognise these as the Seven Major Sacraments.

A Sacramental is a Sacred Sign, a Ritual Act, or a Ceremony, which, in a certain imitation of the Sacraments, has a Spiritual effect and is obtained through the intercession of The Church.[1]

Sacramentals surround the Sacraments like a wreath and extend them into the everyday life of Christians.

Sacramentals are recognised by The Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Church of the East, the Lutheran Churches, the Old Catholic Church, the Anglican Churches, and Independent Catholic Churches.

In the Bible, Prayer Cloths and Holy Oil are mentioned in reference to Praying for healing.[2][3]

Holy Water is a Sacramental that the Faithful use to recall their Baptism; other common Sacramentals include Blessed Candles (given to the Faithful on Candlemas), Blessed Palms (Blessed at the beginning of the Procession on Palm Sunday), Blessed Ashes (bestowed on Ash Wednesday), a Cross Necklace (often taken to be Blessed by a Pastor/Priest before daily use), a Head-Covering/Mantilla (worn by women, especially during Prayer and Worship), Blessed Salt, and Holy Cards, as well as Christian Art, especially a Crucifix.[4][5]

Apart from those worn daily, such as a Cross Necklace or Devotional Scapular, Sacramentals such as a Family Bible, are often kept on Home Altars in Christian households.[6][7]

Ichthys emblems are Sacramentals applied to vehicles to signify that the owner is a Christian and to offer protection while driving.[8][9]

When Blessed in a Betrothal Ceremony, Engagement Rings become a Sacramental.[10]

“In Paradisum”. “May The Angels Lead You Into Paradise”. The Antiphon From A Requiem Mass.

Saint Benedict Ornate Wall Crucifix.

Image: AMAZON

In paradisum deducant te angeli: in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres, et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem.

Chorus angelorum te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro,

quondam paupere, aeternam habeas requiem.

May The Angels lead you into Paradise:

May The Martyrs receive you at your coming,

And lead you into The Holy City, Jerusalem.

May The Choir of Angels receive you,

and, with Lazarus, who once was poor,

May you have Everlasting Rest.

“In Paradisum”.

By: Gabriel Fauré.

Available on YouTube

HERE

Traditional Latin Requiem Mass.

Illustration: LMS CHAIRMAN

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

“In Paradisum“ (English: “Into Paradise”) is an Antiphon from the Traditional Latin Liturgy of The Western Church’s Requiem Mass.

It is sung by the Choir as the body is being taken out of the Church. The Text of “In Paradisum”, with or without the Gregorian Melody, is sometimes included in musical settings of the Requiem Mass, such as those by Gabriel Fauré and Maurice Duruflé.

English: The Antiphon “In Paradisum”.

Deutsch: Antiphon zur Begräbnisfeier In paradisum deducant te angeli - Zum Paradies mögen Engel dich geleiten.

Date: Mediæval.

Sources:

Graduale Romanum, Solesmes, 1961, p. 109*

The Liber Usualis, Solesmes, 1961, p. 1768

Chants of the Church, Solesmes, 1956, p. 73

Author: Unknown.