Romanesque (Part Five).

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.

English: Durham Cathedral, England, 

has decorated masonry Columns, 

alternating with Piers of clustered Shafts 

supporting the earliest pointed High Ribs.

Català: Catedral de Durham.

Photo: 13 August 2010.

Source: Own work. 

"I had to pay a £15 fee for a daily photo permit."

Author: Oliver-Bonjoch.

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: The Papal Basilica of the Minster of Saint Martin's, Bonn, Germany.

The Bonn Minster (German: Das Bonner Münster) is one of Germany's oldest Churches, having been built between the 11th- and 13th-Centuries. At one point, this Church served as the Cathedral for the Archbishopric of Cologne. However, the Minster is now a Papal Basilica.

Deutsch: Bonner Münster.

Photo: 7 July 2010.

Source: Own photograph. Originally uploaded to File:BOMUE00.jpg.

Author: Hans Weingartz.

Permission: CC-BY-SA-3.0-DE.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Because of the massive nature of Romanesque walls, Buttresses are not a highly significant feature, as they are in Gothic architecture. Romanesque buttresses are generally of a flat, square, profile, and do not project a great deal beyond the wall. In the case of Aisled-Churches, Barrel Vaults, or Half-Barrel Vaults over the Aisles, helped to buttress the Nave, if it was Vaulted.

In the cases where Half-Barrel Vaults were used, they effectively became like Flying Buttresses. Often, Aisles extended through two Storeys, rather than the one Storey which is usual in Gothic architecture, so as to better support the weight of a Vaulted Nave. In the case of Durham Cathedral, Flying Buttresses have been employed, but are hidden inside the Triforium Gallery.

The Arches used in Romanesque architecture are nearly always semi-circular, for openings such as doors and windows, for Vaults and for Arcades. Wide doorways are usually surmounted by a semi-circular Arch, except where a door with a Lintel is set into a large Arched recess and surmounted by a semi-circular "Lunette" with decorative carving. These doors sometimes have a carved Central Jamb.

English: Autun Cathedral (French: Cathédrale Saint-Lazare d'Autun) is a Roman Catholic Cathedral, and a national Monument of France, in Autun. Famous for its Cluniac inspiration and its Romanesque sculptures, by Gislebertus, it is a highlight in Romanesque art, in Burgundy, 

and is the Seat of the Bishop of Autun. 

Français: Cathédrale Saint-Lazare - Ville d'Autun, France.

Photo: 4 June 2006.

Source: Own work.

Author: MarcJP46.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Narrow doors and small windows might be surmounted by a solid stone Lintel. Larger openings are nearly always Arched. A characteristic feature of Romanesque architecture, both ecclesiastic and domestic, is the pairing of two Arched windows or Arcade openings, separated by a Pillar or Colonette, and often set within a larger Arch. Ocular windows are common in Italy, particularly in the Facade Gable, and are also seen in Germany. Later-Romanesque Churches may have Wheel Windows or Rose Windows with Plate Tracery.

There are a very small number of buildings in the Romanesque style, such as Autun Cathedral, in France, and Monreale Cathedral, in Sicily, in which pointed Arches have been used extensively, apparently for stylistic reasons. It is believed that, in these cases, there is a direct imitation of Islamic architecture. At other Late-Romanesque Churches, such as Durham Cathedral, the pointed Arch was introduced as a structural device in Ribbed Vaulting. Its increasing application was fundamental to the development of Gothic architecture.

English: Autun Cathedral, France.

Français: Cathédrale Saint-Lazare - Ville d'Autun, France.

Photo: 5 June 2006.

Source: Own work.

Author: MarcJP46.

(Wikimedia Commons)

An Arcade is a row of Arches, supported on Piers or Columns. They occur in the interior of large Churches, separating the Nave from the Aisles, and in large secular interior spaces, such as the Great Hall of a Castle, supporting the timbers of a Roof or Upper Floor. Arcades also occur in Cloisters and Atriums, enclosing an open space.

Arcades can occur in Storeys or Stages. While the Arcade of a Cloister is typically of a single Stage, the Arcade that divides the Nave and Aisles, in a Church, is, typically, of two Stages, with a third Stage, of window openings, known as the Clerestory, rising above them. 

Arcading on a large scale generally fulfils a structural purpose, but it is also used, generally on a smaller scale, as a decorative feature, both internally and externally, where it is frequently "Blind Arcading", with only a wall or a narrow passage behind it.

English: The Facade of Notre Dame du Puy, Le Puy-en-Velay, Auvergne, France, 

has a more complex arrangement of diversified Arches: 

Doors of varying widths; Blind Arcading; Windows and Open Arcades.

Le Puy Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy) is a Roman Catholic Cathedral, and a national Monument of France, in Le Puy-en-Velay, Auvergne. It has been a centre of pilgrimage, in its own right, since before the time of Charlemagne, as well as forming part of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Since 1998, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the "Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France". It is the Seat of the Bishop of Le Puy.

Français: Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy, Le Puy-en-Velay, Haute-Loire, France.

La bildo estas kopiita de wikipedia:fr. La originala priskribo estas.

Photo: 20 October 2005.

Source: Own work.

Author: GIRAUD Patrick.

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire - France).

Cloisters of Notre Dame du Puy Cathedral (XIIth-Century).

Français: Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire - France),

cloître de la cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy (XIIe siècle).

Photo: 22 June 2003.

Source: Own work.

Author: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In Romanesque architecture, Piers were often employed to support Arches. They were built of masonry, and square, or rectangular, in section, generally having a horizontal moulding, representing a Capital, at the springing of the Arch. Sometimes, Piers have Vertical Shafts attached to them, and may also have horizontal mouldings at the base level.

Although basically rectangular, Piers can often be of highly complex form, with half-segments of large, hollow-core, Columns on the inner surface supporting the Arch, or a clustered group of smaller Shafts, leading into the mouldings of the Arch.

Piers that occur at the intersection of two large Arches, such as those under The Crossing of the Nave and Transept, are, commonly, cruciform in shape, each Arch having its own supporting rectangular Pier at right angles to the other.

Malmesbury Abbey, England, 

has hollow-core Columns, 

probably filled with rubble. (Gothic vault)

An inside picture of what remains of 

Malmesbury Abbey (Wiltshire, England). 

Picture by R Neil Marshman (c)2006. {{gfdl}} 

category:pictures by RN Marshman

(Wikimedia Commons)

Columns are an important structural feature of Romanesque architecture. Colonnettes, and attached Shafts, are also used structurally and for decoration. Monolithic Columns cut from a single piece of stone were frequently used in Italy, as they had been in Roman and Early-Christian architecture. They were also used, particularly in Germany, when they alternated between more massive Piers. Arcades of Columns, cut from single pieces, are also common in structures that do not bear massive weights of masonry, such as Cloisters, where they are sometimes paired.

English: The Nave, Mainz Cathedral, Germany, 

has rectangular Piers and possibly the earliest example of an 

internal elevation of three Stages. (Gothic vault).

Deutsch: Wandaufriss des Langhauses des Mainzer Doms.

Photo: 1/6/05.

Source: de.wikipedia.org.

Author: de:Benutzer:Moguntiner.

Permission: GFDL.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, 

has large Drum Columns, 

with attached Shafts 

supporting a Barrel Vault.

Side Aisle and Gallery 

of the Cathedral.

Photo: 16 September 2006.

Source: Own work.

Author: Georges Jansoone.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In Italy, during this period, a great number of antique Roman Columns were salvaged and re-used in the interiors and on the Porticos of Churches. The most durable of these Columns are of marble and have the stone horizontally bedded. The majority are vertically bedded and are sometimes of a variety of colours. They may have retained their original Roman Capitals, generally of the Corinthian, or Roman Composite style. 

Some buildings, like Santa Maria in Cosmedin, and the Atrium, at San Clemente, in Rome, may have an odd assortment of Columns, in which large Capitals are placed on short Columns and small Capitals are placed on taller Columns to even the height. Architectural compromises of this type are seen where materials have been salvaged from a number of buildings. Salvaged Columns were also used to a lesser extent in France.


PART SIX FOLLOWS.

Memento Mori. Remember Dear Christian, You Have But One Soul To Save, One God To Love And Serve, One Eternity To Expect . . . Pray Without Ceasing.

Taken from the Blog  TRANSALPINE REDEMPTORISTS

Reine De Paix Et De Clémence. Queen Of Peace And Clemency.

Taken from the Blog, HOLY CARD HEAVEN

We Pray, Dear Holy Mother, 

For Peace In Syria And The Middle-East.

Queen of Peace and Clemency.

Reine De Paix Et De Clémence.

His Holiness, Pope Francis, Urges Everybody To Continue Saying Prayers For Peace In Syria And The Middle East.

His Holiness,

Pope Francis.

Image: Wikipedia.

Vatican Radio today reports that His Holiness, Pope Francis, urges everybody to keep praying for Peace in the Middle East, saying the search for Peace is a long one that requires patience and perseverance.

Speaking during his Angelus address, the Pope also condemned the proliferation of wars and conflicts and questioned whether they were wars about problems or commercial wars to sell arms on the black market.

His remarks came just hours after thousands of people attended a prayer vigil in Saint Peter’s Square, Rome, on Saturday evening, as part of the events for the special day of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria and the world.


In addition, Fr. Finigan, Parish Priest, Our Lady of the Rosary, Blackfen, has the following Article on the Blackfen Parish Web-Site, OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

Prayers and fasting for Syria and the Middle East

Pope Francis has said:

“I wish to make add my voice to the cry which rises up with increasing anguish from every part of the world, from every people, from the heart of each person, from the one great family which is humanity: it is the cry for peace! 

It is a cry which declares with force: we want a peaceful world, we want to be men and women of peace, and we want in our society, torn apart by divisions and conflict, that peace break out! War never again! Never again war! Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected. [...]

Let us pray for peace in Syria and throughout the world, that the prayers of people of faith may encourage leaders of nations and peoples to abandon warfare and violence and to turn to peaceful dialogue to resolve differences.”

On Saturday, we had prayers at Benediction, the Mass for Peace and Reconciliation in the evening, and the Archbishop’s Bidding Prayer for peace. 

Since you may have missed this call to prayer and fasting, I encourage you to Please respond to the Holy Father’s leadership by offering your own prayers, penances, and works of charity for this important intention.

Mass in Saint Cuthbert's Chapel, Ushaw College, Durham, England.

Mass in Saint Cuthbert's Chapel,
Ushaw College,
Durham, England,
during a Latin Mass Society Training Week 
for Priests and Servers, April 2011.
Photo: Latin Mass Society 
http://www.lms.org.uk/

A Very Shoddy Piece Of So-Called "Journalism".

Fr. Ray Blake, Saint Mary Magdalen, Brighton, has been under attack by a so-called "journalist" in his local paper, The Argus.

There is a very good Article concerning this attack (reproduced, below), and Fr Blake's equally good response, on Mac's Blog MULIER FORTIS

Fr Blake has asked that his response be published and Zephyrinus is delighted to do so, herewith.

MULIER FORTIS writes:

A cheap and nasty distortion of one of Fr. Ray Blake's blogposts has been doing the rounds of the mainstream media - obviously some people think the traditional media "Silly Season" is still up and running, and can't find anything better to do than rehash a poorly-written and even more poorly-researched blurb (I hesitate to call it an article) from a local rag.

Fr. Ray Blake.

As the piece has been picked up by a few different sources, I am reposting Fr. Blake's response (as he asked on his blog.)

Fr. Ray Blake wrote:

"I was saying that the poor, the really poor, turn our lives upside down. I know the local paper pays peanuts and expects its journalists to create stories in order to get onto the news networks but this is just a malicious and deliberate misrepresentation.

"It is very interesting to see what a disreputable journalist can do with a few carefully chosen adjectives. I didn't 'condemn', 'complain', 'blast' etc, and I am pretty certain that some of his other quotes are not my words, especially not, 'test my holiness', I don't speak like that, 'only God is Holy'. Though I admit in an informal moment I might question the marriage of the parents of someone who disrupts the worship of an entire congregation, especially if they consistently steal from the church or other poor people.

"It is interesting to see how an unscrupulous journalist can so easily put an entirely different slant on a simple theological reflection, presumably even basic Christian concepts are beyond the comprehension of some.

"Well, journalists are obviously as messy as the poor; except unscrupulous journalists can do more damage. Perhaps Mr Gardner might like to help on our soup run, it doesn't have to be 365 day a year, once a week would be fine, providing he treats our clients with respect, or maybe he could take Jason or Daryl or Pawel or Dawn out for a cup of coffee or a meal, or just come a clear up the next time someone comes in and vomits or bleeds all over my kitchen because he is drug or has been beaten up.

"Maybe next time I run out of money I could tap him for a few quid when some vulnerable 17 year old girl needs to top up her phone to speak to her mum because her boyfriend has beaten her up or she needs a roof over head because she is sleeping in a tent and it is just few degrees above zero and she is vulnerable, or maybe the next time I am arranging a child's funeral and someone comes to the door in need of someone to talk because they are suicidal I can send them round to Bill's place so he can spend a couple of hours listening to them.

Here, to, I am neither complaining, blasting, lambasting or anything else, just asking. "I understand Mr Gardner's little piece has been syndicated internationally, perhaps kind readers might, if possible post my response." 

Fr. Blake is charitable enough to ask his readers to pray for the journalist who was attacking him, and for all in the media.

An excellent critique of the shoddy item in the Argus has already been written by Caroline Farrow. I really cannot improve upon it, so I recommend you go and read it for yourselves.

Romanesque (Part Four).

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.

Cathedral of Saint Peter 

and Church of Our Lady,

Trier, Germany, at night.

Photo: 18 December 2004.

Source: Own work.

Author: Benutzer:Josef Thiel.

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: Cathedral of Saint Peter 

and Church of Our Lady,

Trier, Germany.

Deutsch: Trierer Dom.

Photo: 10 June 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Berthold Werner.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The system of Monasticism, in which the Religious become Members of an Order, with common ties and a common rule, living in a mutually-dependent Community, rather than as a group of Hermits living in proximity, but essentially separate, was established by the Monk, Benedict, in the 6th-Century.

The Benedictine Monasteries spread from Italy throughout Europe, being always, by far, the most numerous in England. They were followed by the Cluniac Order, the Cistercians, Carthusians and Augustinian Canons. In association with the Crusades, the Military Orders of the Knights Hospitaller and the Knights Templar were founded.

The Monasteries, which sometimes also functioned as Cathedrals, and the Cathedrals that had bodies of Secular Clergy, often living in Community, were a major source of power in Europe. Bishops, and the Abbots of important Monasteries, lived and functioned like Princes. The Monasteries were the major Seats of Learning, of all sorts. Benedict had ordered that all the Arts were to be taught and practised in the Monasteries. Within the Monasteries, books were transcribed by hand, and few people outside the Monasteries could read or write.

English: Basilica of Saint-Sernin, Toulouse, France.

Français: Basilique Saint-Sernin de Toulouse.

Photo: 7 July 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: PMRMaeyaert.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In France, Burgundy was the centre of Monasticism. The enormous and powerful Monastery at Cluny was to have lasting effect on the layout of other Monasteries and the design of their Churches. Unfortunately, very little of the Abbey Church at Cluny remains; the "Cluny II" re-building of 963 A.D., onwards, has completely vanished, but we have a good idea of the design of "Cluny III" from 1088–1130, which, until the Renaissance, remained the largest building in Europe. However, the Church of Saint Sernin, at Toulouse, 1080 – 1120, has remained intact and demonstrates the regularity of Romanesque design with its modular form, its massive appearance and the repetition of the simple arched window motif.

One of the effects of the Crusades, which were intended to wrest the Holy Places of Palestine from Islamic control, was to excite a great deal of religious fervour, which, in turn, inspired great building programmes. The Nobility of Europe, upon safe return, thanked God by the building of a new Church or the enhancement of an old one. Likewise, those who did not return from the Crusades could be suitably commemorated by their family in a work of stone and mortar.

Español: Basílica de Santiago, Galicia, Spain.

English: Basilica of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.

Photo: 7 February 2005.

Source: Own work.

Author: Vasco Roxo.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Crusades resulted in the transfer of, among other things, a great number of Holy Relics of Saints and Apostles. Many Churches, like Saint-Front, Périgueux, had their own home-grown Saint, while others, most notably Santiago de Compostela, claimed the remains and the patronage of a powerful Saint, in this case one of the Twelve Apostles. 

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain, became one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Europe. Most of the pilgrims travelled the Way of Saint James on foot, many of them bare-footed as a sign of penance. They moved along one of the four main routes that passed through France, congregating for the journey at Jumièges, Paris, Vézelay, Cluny, Arles and Saint Gall, in Switzerland. They crossed two passes in the Pyrenees and converged into a single stream to traverse North-West Spain. 

Along the route, they were urged on by those pilgrims returning from the journey. On each of the routes, Abbeys, such as those at Moissac, Toulouse, Roncesvalles, Conques, Limoges and Burgos, catered for the flow of people and grew wealthy from the passing trade. Saint-Benoît-du-Sault, in the Berry Province, is typical of the Churches that were founded on the pilgrim route.

Like many Castles built by Crusader Knights, 

the Inner Fortress of Krak des Chevaliers, Syria, 

was mainly constructed in this period, 

with the Outer Walls being added later.

Photo: 26 December 2007 (upload date).

Source: Own work.

Author: Jerzy Strzelecki.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The general impression given by Romanesque architecture, in both ecclesiastical and secular buildings, is one of massive solidity and strength. In contrast with both the preceding Roman and later Gothic architecture, in which the load-bearing structural members are, or appear to be, Columns, Pilasters and Arches, Romanesque architecture, in common with Byzantine architecture, relies upon its walls, or sections of walls, called Piers.

Romanesque architecture is often divided into two periods, known as the "First Romanesque" style and the "Romanesque" style. The difference is chiefly a matter of the expertise with which the buildings were constructed. The First Romanesque employed rubble walls, smaller windows and un-vaulted roofs. A greater refinement marks the Second Romanesque, along with increased use of the Vault and Dressed Stone.

Castle Rising, Norfolk, England, shows flat Buttresses and reinforcing

at the corners of the building, typical in both Castles and Churches.

Castle Rising Castle is a ruined Castle, situated in the village of Castle Rising,

in the English County of Norfolk. It was built about 1138 by William d'Aubigny,

1st Earl of Arundel, who also owned Arundel Castle.

Much of its Square Keep, surrounded by a defensive Mount, is intact.

It is currently owned by Lord Howard of Rising, a descendant of William d'Aubigny.

The walls of Romanesque buildings are often of massive thickness, with few, and comparatively small, openings. They are often double shells, filled with rubble.

The building material differs greatly across Europe, depending upon the local stone and building traditions. In Italy, Poland, much of Germany, and parts of the Netherlands, brick is generally used. Other areas saw extensive use of limestone, granite and flint. The building stone was often used in comparatively small and irregular pieces, bedded in thick mortar. Smooth ashlar masonry was not a distinguishing feature of the style, particularly in the earlier part of the period, but occurred chiefly where easily-worked limestone was available.

PART FIVE FOLLOWS.

Servers' Training Day.

Image from the 

Cantius Web Store at 

www.cantius.org

There will be a Servers' Training Day on Saturday, 12 October 2013, at Saint Augustine's Church, Darlington, County Durham DL3 7RG, England.

Details:

Point of Contact: David O'Neill at david-oneill3@sky.com

Date: Saturday 12th October 2013 Feast of St Wilfred (Diocesan Saint).

Venue: St Augustine's Church, 30 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington DL3 7RG.

Starting Time: 1000 hrs.

Lunch: 1200 hrs.

Mass: Missa Cantata at 1400 hrs.

Celebrant: Very Rev. Fr. Michael Brown, LMS Northern Chaplain.

Ordinary of Mass: Sung by The Rudgate Singers of York.

Proper of Mass: Sung by Schola Sancti Baedae of Jarrow.

Please advise if coming & bring packed lunch. Drinks will be provided

If you need more information, please contact David O'Neill (Latin Mass Society Rep) on 

david-oneill3@sky.com

Ave Verum Corpus. Mozart.

Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,

unless otherwise stated.

Monstrance.

Photo: 2004-10-18 (original upload date).

Source: Own work (zelf gemaakt).

Originally from nl.wikipedia; description page is/was here.

Author: Original uploader was Broederhugo at nl.wikipedia.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Ave Verum Corpus.

Available on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/6KUDs8KJc_c.

The Text is in Latin, and reads: 

Ave verum corpus, natum de Maria Virgine,

Vere passum, immolatum in cruce pro homine,

Cujus latus perforatum fluxit aqua et sanguine.

Esto nobis praegustatum mortis in examine. 

O Jesu dulcis, 

O Jesu pie, 

O Jesu, fili Mariae.

A translation into English is: 

Hail, true Body, 

born of the Virgin Mary,

who having truly suffered, 

was sacrificed on the Cross for mankind,

whose pierced side flowed with water and blood.

May it be for us a foretaste [of the Heavenly banquet] in the trial of death.

O sweet Jesus, 

O pious Jesus, 

O Jesus, son of Mary.

Ave Verum Corpus is a short Eucharistic Hymn that has been set to music by various composers. It dates from the 14th-Century and has been attributed to Pope Innocent VI.

During the Middle Ages, it was sung at the Elevation of the Host, during the Consecration. It was also used frequently during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Hymn's title means "Hail, True Body", and is based on a poem deriving from a 14th-Century Manuscript from the Abbey of Reichenau, Lake Constance.

The poem is a meditation on the Catholic belief in Jesus's Real Presence in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and ties it to the Catholic conception of the redemptive meaning of suffering in the life of all believers.

Miserere Mei Deus.

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,

unless otherwise stated.

Fifteen candles on the Tenebrae "hearse".

The candles are extinguished, one by one,

during the course of the Service.

Deutsch: Triangel Leuchter (Tenebrae-Leuchter) 

im Mainzer Dom.

English: Tenebrae "hearse" (candelabrum), 

used during Holy Week, Mainz Cathedral.

Photo: 9 April 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: Bhuck.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Miserere Mei Deus.

Available on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/zC0o723hb0M.

Miserere, (full title: Miserere mei, Deus, Latin for "Have mercy on me, O God") by Italian composer Gregorio Allegri, is a setting of Psalm 51 (50) composed during the reign of Pope Urban VIII, probably during the 1630s, for use in the Sistine Chapel during Matins, as part of the exclusive Tenebrae Service on Holy Wednesday and Good Friday, of Holy Week.

The Miserere is written for two Choirs, one of five and one of four voices, and is an example of Renaissance polyphony surviving to the present day. One of the Choirs sings a simple version of the original Miserere Chant; the other, spatially separated, sings an ornamented "commentary" on this. 

The piece is an example of the stile antico or prima pratica; however, its constant use of the dominant seventh chord, and its emphasis on polychoral techniques, certainly put it out of the range of prima pratica; a more accurate comparison would be to the works of Giovanni Gabrieli.

The Tenebrae Service, where the Miserere would be sung, normally began at around 3 A.M. During the Ritual, candles would be extinguished, one by one, save for the last candle, which remained alight and was then hidden. Allegri composed his setting of the Miserere for the final act within the first Lesson of the Tenebrae Service.

It was the last of twelve falsobordone Miserere settings, composed and chanted at the Service since 1514, and is the most popular: at some point, it became forbidden to transcribe the music and it was allowed to be performed only at those particular Services, thus adding to the mystery surrounding it. 

Writing it down or performing it elsewhere was punishable by excommunication. The setting that escaped from the Vatican is actually a conflation of verses set by Gregorio Allegri, around 1638, and Tommaso Bai (also spelled "Baj"; 1650–1718) in 1714.

Agnus Dei, Qui Tollis Peccata Mundi.

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,

unless otherwise stated.

Bishop Athanasius Schneider O.R.C.,

celebrating Traditional Latin Mass

in Tallinn, Estonia.

Photo: 10 December 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: Marko Tervaportti.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Agnus Dei, 

Qui Tollis Peccata Mundi,

Miserere Nobis.

Available on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/YjeoPjNXTJA.

In the Mass of the Roman Rite and also in the Eucharist of the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church, and the Western Rite of the Orthodox Church, the Agnus Dei is the invocation to the Lamb of God, sung or recited during the Fraction of the Host. It was a Syrian custom introduced into the Roman Rite Mass by Pope Sergius I (687 A.D. – 701 A.D.).

Based upon John the Baptist's reference, in John 1:29, to Jesus ("Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world"), the text in Latin is: Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

Which means:

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

Pope Saint Pius X. Feast Day 3 September.

HAPPY   FEAST.

Pope Saint Pius X.

Saint Mary's Royal Church, Brussels, Belgium.

Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,

unless otherwise stated.

Saint Mary's Royal Church, Brussels, Belgium.

Photo: 23 August 2011.

Source: http://www.act-design.com/.

Author: Photo by Koert Vermeulen. 

Copyright ACT lighting design.

Permission: CC-BY-SA-3.0.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Mary's Royal Church, Brussels, Belgium.

Reproduced with permission.

More photos by Mike Forbester 

can be seen on his Blog 

RUDGATE RAMBLINGS

and on

FLICKR

The Église Royale Sainte-Marie (French) or Koninklijke Sint-Mariakerk (Dutch) is a Roman Catholic Parish Church located on the Place de la Reine/Koninginneplein in the Brussels municipality of Schaerbeek. 

The Church was designed by Louis van Overstraeten and built in an eclectic style, combining influences from Byzantine and Roman architecture.

Construction began in 1845 and was completed in 1885. The windows were designed and created by the Belgian stained glass artist, Jean-Baptiste Capronnier.

The building received Protected Status (beschermd erfgoed), through a Royal Decree, which was issued on 9 November 1976.

Saint Stephen. King Of Hungary. Feast Day, Today, 2 September.

Text, unless otherwise stated,
 from The Liturgical Year, by Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.
Translated from the French by Dom Laurence Shepherd, O.S.B.

Volume 14.
Time After Pentecost.
Book V.

English: Coat of Arms of Hungary.

Per pale, 

the first, barry, of eight Gules and Argent, 

the second, Gules, on a mount, Vert, a crown Or, 

issuant, therefrom, a double cross, Argent.

In Crest, the Holy Crown of Hungary.

Magyar: Címer: Magyarország.

Címerleírás: A Magyar Köztársaság címere hegyes talpú, hasított pajzs. Első mezeje vörössel és ezüsttel hétszer vágott. Második, vörös mezejében zöld hármas halomnak arany koronás kiemelkedő középső részén ezüst kettős kereszt. A pajzson a magyar Szent Korona nyugszik.

Hivatkozási: A Magyar Köztársaság Alkotmánya - XIV. fejezet - 

A Magyar Köztársaság fővárosa és nemzeti jelképei.

Date: 1 January 2009.

Source: Own work, based on Flags of the World - Hungary - Coat of Arms, The Holy Crown of Hungary, National and historical symbols of Hungary - Arms of the country and Magyar Nemzeti Lap - Magyarország ma használatos címere.

Author: Thommy.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following three paragraphs are from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

The current Coat-of-Arms of Hungary were reinstated on 3 July 1990, 

after the end of Communist rule. The Arms have been used before, 

both with, and without, the Holy Crown of Hungary, 

sometimes as part of a larger, more complex, Coat-of-Arms, 

and its elements date back to the Middle Ages.

The Shield is split into two parts:

The dexter (left side from the viewer's point) features the so-called Árpád stripes, four Argent (silver) and four Gules (red) stripes. Traditionally, the silver stripes represent four rivers: 

Duna (Danube), Tisza, Dráva, and Száva.

The sinister (right side from the viewers point) consists of an Argent (silver) double cross on Gules (red) base, situated inside a small Or (golden) crown, the crown is placed on the middle heap of three Vert (green) hills, representing the mountain ranges Tátra, Mátra, and Fátra.

Hungarian National Anthem.

Available on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/JHG0S75PrD0.

"Out of the eater, came forth meat, and, out of the strong, came forth sweetness [Judges xiv. 14.].

The people with teeth of steel, grinding the nations, gives itself up as food to him, to whom was said: "Kill and eat;" [Saint Peter, in the vision at Joppe, which signified the assimilation of the Gentiles by the Church] the mouth of the Huns, formerly vomiting foam and rage, now distils the honey of Charity.

Such, O Christ, are Thy Miracles; such are Thy Works, O Our God " [Baron. Annal. eccles. Silvestri II. an. 2, Christi 1000].

Thus, does Baronius, on reaching in his history the year of Christ 1000, hail the arrival of the Hungarian Deputies, who came to offer to the Roman Church the suzerainty of their land, and beseech the Vicar of Christ to confer the title of King upon their Duke, Stephen.

Deutsch: Blick über die Donau auf den Burgpalast

auf der Budaer Seite von Budapest, Ungarn.

English: View over the River Danube to Buda Castle,

and the Parliament Building, Budapest, Hungary.

Magyar: A Budai vár látképe Pestről.

Italiano: Il Castello di Buda visto dalla sponda

opposta del Danubio, a Pest.

Photo: 1990s.

Source: Own work.

Author: Túrelio.

Permission: Licensed under CC-BY-SA-3.0.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Let us read the history of the apostolic King, as given in the book of Holy Church.

Stephen introduced into Hungary both the Faith of Christ and the regal dignity.

He obtained his Royal Crown from the Roman Pontiff; and having been, by his command, anointed King, offered his Kingdom to the apostolic See.

He built several Houses of Charity at Rome, Jerusalem, and Constantinople; and with a wonderfully munificent spirit of religion, he founded the Archiepiscopal See of Gran and ten other Bishoprics.

His love for the poor was equalled only by his generosity towards them; for, seeing in them Christ Himself, he never sent anyone away sad or empty-handed.

The following is taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.

2 September. Feast Day of Saint Stephen. King and Confessor.

Semi-Double.

White Vestments.

A descendant of those proud and terrible invaders, the Huns, Stephen was chosen by God to win over his subjects to Christ and His Vicar.

He was given the Baptismal name of Stephen, in consequence of his mother having a vision of the Martyr Saint Stephen, who foretold her that he would convert Hungary, whose first King he became when the Pope had raised the country into a Kingdom.

"Scenes from Hungarian history.

The Virgin Mary in Glory, 

as Protectress of Hungary, 

above Joan Hunyadi and his children,

seated at a table with a Franc".

Author: Hungarian School.

Source: http://www.wikigallery.org/

Permission: Free for non-commercial use. See below.

This image (or other media file) is in the public domain 

because its copyright has expired. 

However - you may not use this image for commercial purposes 

and you may not alter the image or remove the WikiGallery watermark.

This applies to the United States, Canada, the European Union 

and those countries with a copyright term of life 

of the author plus 70 years.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Having married the sister of the Emperor, Saint Henry, he surrounded himself, to govern his Kingdom, with men of tried holiness and prudence. He passed entire nights in the contemplation of Heavenly things (Introit), practised the greatest austerities, and, seconded by the Queen, his pious spouse, gave abundant alms (Epistle) to widows, and Churches.

The greatness of his zeal, for the propagation of the Faith, justly won for him the title of "Apostolic King" or "Apostle of Hungary", and deservedly obtained for him from the Holy See the privilege, transmitted to his successors, to have the Cross borne before him.

Hungarian National Anthem.

Available on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/_N3gfzk-5bw.

He built a large Basilica in honour of Mary, whom he proclaimed Patroness of Hungary.

"His zeal in propagating and strengthening the Faith in his Kingdom earned for him the glory of a Heavenly Crown" (Postcommunion).

He died in 1038, on the "Day of the Great Lady", as the Feast of the Assumption is called by the Hungarians, in virtue of an Edict of the holy King.

The Long List, In September, Of The Martyrs Of The French Revolution. Including Blessed John Du Lau And Companions.

The Long List of September Martyrs of the French Revolution. Blessed John du Lau and Companions.

This Article was taken from the Blog, NOBILITY.ORG

The Massacre at the Abbaye Prison,

near Saint Germain des Pres, Paris, France.

Engraved by Reinier Vinkeles and Daniel Vrydag.

De Profundis.

Out of the depths, I have cried unto Thee, O Lord !

Psalm 129.

Available on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/6m_9L8cQjfk.

Out of the depths I have cried unto Thee, O Lord ! Lord hear my voice.

Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand it ?

For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness,

And by reason of Thy law, I have waited for Thee, O Lord.

My Soul has relied on His word, my Soul hath hoped in the Lord.

From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.

Because with the Lord there is mercy; and with Him plentiful redemption.

And He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

World without end.

Amen.

His Holiness, Pope Francis, Calls For A Day Of Fasting And Prayer For Peace In Syria.

The full Article can be found on the Blog CATHOLICISM PURE & SIMPLE

Photo: CATHOLICISM PURE & SIMPLE

Pope Francis has called for a day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace in Syria, in the entire Mid-East region, and throughout the whole world, to be held this coming Saturday, 7 September 2013. 

Speaking ahead of the traditional Angelus Prayer, with pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter’s Square, today, Pope Francis said: “On [Saturday] the 7th of September, here [in St Peter’s Square], from 7 P.M. until Midnight, we will gather together in Prayer, in a spirit of penitence, to ask from God this great gift [of Peace] for the beloved Syrian nation, and for all the situations of conflict and violence in the world.”

Beata Es Virgo. Diego Ortiz (Circa 1510–1570). By Marco Mencoboni And Cantar Lontano.

Artist: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).

"The Virgin With Angels".

Date: 1900.

Current location: Petit Palais, Paris, France.

Source: Art Renewal Center image.

Copied from the English Wikipedia to Commons.

Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).

(Wikimedia Commons)

Marco Mencoboni and Cantar Lontano

performing Beata es Virgo

by Diego Ortiz.

Available on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/7O2WGAQBkAo.

Alma Redemptoris Mater. An Amazing Performance.

Artist: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).

"The Virgin With Angels".

Date: 1900.

Current location: Petit Palais, Paris, France.

Source: Art Renewal Center image.

Copied from the English Wikipedia to Commons.

Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).

(Wikimedia Commons)

There is a wonderful performance of the Alma Redemptoris Mater on the Web-Site of the
NEW LITURGICAL MOVEMENT.

Why not pop over and let your hearts be moved ?

The Catholic Practice Of The First Saturdays Devotion To The Blessed Virgin Mary.

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.

Artist: Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato (1609–1685).

The Virgin Mary in Prayer.

By Sassoferrato.

17th-Century.

Date: Between 1646 and 1650.

Current location: National Gallery, London.

Source/Photographer: Web Gallery of Art: 
Image. Info about artwork.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The First Saturdays Devotion (or Act of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Blessed Virgin Mary) is a Catholic practice, which, according to the Visionaries, has been requested by the Virgin Mary in several visitations, notably Our Lady of Fátima, and the subsequent Pontevedra apparitions. This Devotion, and the Marian apparitions, have been officially embraced by the Roman Catholic Church.

The Devotion fits with the Catholic Tradition to Venerate the Virgin Mary, particularly on Saturdays, which originated in the scriptural account that, as the Mother of Jesus Christ, Her Heart was to be pierced with a sword, as prophesied during the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple; such sword was the bitter sorrow during the Crucifixion of Jesus (which Catholic Devotees understand as the union of the Immaculate Heart and the Sacred Heart of Jesus -- see Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Apparitions).

Such sorrow is particularly bitterly endured on Holy Saturday, after Jesus was placed in the Sepulchre (before the Resurrection at Easter). Devotees of Fátima believe that the First Saturdays help to console the sorrows of God, Jesus, and the Virgin Mary, for the sins against Her Immaculate Heart.

When Lúcia Santos experienced the Pontevedra apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she heard Her promise to grant great Graces, especially at the hour of death, in particular the salvation of the Soul, for the believer who, for Five Consecutive First Saturdays of the Month (five Saturdays in five months), receives Holy Communion and practices the following exercises as an Act of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Queen of Heaven:

Sacramental Confession.

The Confession can take place days before, or even after, the Holy Communion is received, but the Holy Communion shall be received with dignity, in a state of Grace, keeping in mind that Jesus is physically present in the Eucharist (Transubstantiation). 

The Intention of making Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary may be kept to oneself; it is not necessary to notify the Confessor Priest;

To receive Holy Communion.

The Holy Communion has to be received within the twenty-four hours of the first Saturday of the Month. Attendance at Holy Mass is optional. Receiving Holy Communion, as part of this Devotion, must be consciously intended as an Act of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart.

The Devotee need not tell anyone else, but keep it in mind. To avoid omitting the Intention every Saturday, the General Intention for the Devotion of the Act of Reparation can be mentally or outspokenly stated before starting the First Saturdays (or in between).

If a person has a valid reason not to attend Mass (Masses not available on Saturdays, difficult mobilisation, other major event), the Devotee may consult a Priest about receiving Communion privately, or on another day, with the intention of making this Communion as part of the Devotion;

A Five-Decades Rosary is recited.

The Rosary must also be recited with the intention of making Reparation;

A Fifteen-Minute Meditation is made on the Mysteries of the Rosary.

This Meditation should also be done in an Act of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Rosary Meditations can be done on all fifteen of the Mysteries, or fewer, but must last for fifteen minutes. This Meditation is in addition to the recitation of the Rosary. It can be done alone, or in a group, and with or without the aid of Sacred Scripture.

The activities of the Five First Saturdays Devotions are different from similar Devotions on other days, in that all should be done with the specific intention in the heart of making Reparation to the Blessed Mother for blasphemies against Her, Her name and Her Holy Initiatives.

Sister Lúcia, the only Fátima Visionary to survive into adulthood, reported that the Blessed Mother came to her in her Convent, at Pontevedra, Spain, with the following statement:

Look, my daughter, at My Heart, encircled by these thorns, with which men pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You, at least, strive to console Me, and so I announce: I promise to assist at the hour of death, with the Grace necessary for Salvation, all those who, with the intention of making reparation to Me, will, on the First Saturday of Five Consecutive Months, go to Confession, receive Holy Communion, say Five Decades of the Beads, and keep Me company for Fifteen Minutes, while Meditating on the Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary.

The First Saturdays Devotion had already been an established custom in the Catholic Church. On 1 July 1905, Pope Pius X approved and granted Indulgences for the practice of the First Saturdays of Twelve Consecutive Months in honour of the Immaculate Conception. This practice greatly resembled the reported request of Mary at the Pontevedra apparitions.