Don't Stop A Beating Heart.

This Article can be read in full at
SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF UNBORN CHILDREN

Illustration: SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF UNBORN CHILDREN

English campaigners welcome new coalition

to fight Abortion extensions in Scotland

London, 4 January 2016: Campaigners in England have welcomed the creation

of a new group formed to fight the extension of Abortion in Scotland. 

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) in England says that the Don't Stop A Beating Heart coalition is crucial to ensuring that the devolution of Abortion law from Westminster to Holyrood doesn't lead to more Abortions. 

Paul Tully, Parliamentary Director of SPUC in England, commented: "Although SPUC is neutral on questions of devolution, we are alarmed by the prospect of The Scottish Parliament voting for laws designed to channel more expectant mothers towards Abortion. Already one in five Scottish babies doesn't survive the womb due to Abortion.

"In The Beginning, God Created Heaven And Earth . . ."

What looks like a pair of Saturn's satellites

is actually a trio upon close inspection.

Illustration: NASA

The following Text is from The Douay-Rheims Bible.

In the beginning, God created Heaven and Earth. And the Earth was void and empty, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and The Spirit of God moved over the waters. And God said: Be light made. And light was made. And God saw the light that it was good; and He divided the light from the darkness. And He called the light Day, and the darkness Night; and there was evening and morning one day.

Obviously, there are certain well-known personages who laugh asininely at the above. They, again obviously, know a thing or two. They know, for example, that the above Text, from The Douay-Rheims Bible, is incorrect. They know, for example, what, in fact, is the case with regard to nature, etc.

They know that NATURAL DEVELOPMENT and NATURAL EVOLUTION is the answer. NATURAL SELECTION decided that the magnificent photo (above) just, sort of, well, happened.

On its own.

All these wonderful things that one sees in The Universe: They all happened on their own. Just per chance. Accidentally, really. Marvellous. You can't believe it. Can you.

But these "experts" assure us that "they" are correct.

The Epiphany Of Our Lord. 6 January.

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

The Epiphany of Our Lord.
6 January.

Station at Saint Peter's.

Indulgence of 30 Years and 30 Quarantines.

Double of The First-Class.
   Privileged Octave of The Second Order.

White Vestments.

God manifests Himself to The Magi by a Star.

Illustration: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Artist: Rene de Cramer.

"Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium".

Used with Permission.

This Feast was kept in The East from the 3rd-Century A.D., and its observance spread to The West towards the end of the 4th-Century A.D. The word "Epiphany" means "Manifestation", and, just as at Christmas, it is the Mystery of God appearing in visible form; only, no longer does He show Himself to the Jews, alone, but, "on this day", it is "to the Gentiles that God reveals His Son (Collect).

In a magnificent vision, Isaias beheld The Church as typified by Jerusalem, whither should flock Kings and Nations, the "multitude of the sea" and the "strength of the Gentiles", coming from afar with countless caravans, singing The Lord's praises and bringing Him Frankincense and Gold (Epistle). "The Kings of the Earth shall Adore Him, all Nations shall Serve Him" (Offertory). In today's Gospel, we see this Prophecy fulfilled.

While at Christmas we extolled the union of Our Lord's Divinity with His Humanity, at The Epiphany we honour the mystic union of Souls with Christ. "This day, a Star led The Wise Men to The Manger; this day, water was turned into wine at the marriage feast; this day, Christ chose to be Baptised by John in The Jordan for our Salvation, Alleluia." [Antiphon for Second Vespers.]

So we read in today's Liturgy, which thus connects this Feast with that of The Octave Day and of The Second Sunday after The Epiphany.

At Saint Peter's, where are the Relics of The Church's first visible Head, The Liturgical Celebration of the entry of the Gentiles into The Church takes place. "In the Adoring Magi," says Saint Leo, "let us acknowledge the first-fruits of our own Calling and Faith; and let us Commemorate, with hearts full of joy, the foundations of this, our Blessed Hope. For, from this moment, we have begun to enter our Heavenly Patrimony."

Every Parish Priest says Mass for the people of his Parish.

Mass: Ecce advénit.

Preface: For The Epiphany. [Said throughout The Octave.]

Communicantes: For The Epiphany. [Said throughout The Octave.]

Solemnity of The Epiphany.

In Countries where The Epiphany is not a Holiday of Obligation, The Solemn Celebration may be observed (and The Indulgences gained) on the following Sunday.

One Sung Mass may be Celebrated as on The Feast itself, the others being of The Feast of The Holy Family, with Commemoration and Last Gospel of The Sunday. The same Commemoration and Last Gospel are said in The Mass of The Solemnity, unless there be also a Sung Mass of The Holy Family.

The Eighteenth Century.

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

18th-century.

English: Washington Crossing the Delaware.

Leutze's depiction of Washington's attack on the Hessians,

at Trenton, on the morning of 26 December 1776.

Français: Washington traversant le Delaware.

Українська: Вашингтон перетинає Делавар.

Artist: Emanuel Leutze (1816–1868).

Date: 1851.

Current location: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York United States of America.

Source/Photographer: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

(Wikimedia Commons)

Pope Clement XIII.

The practice of The Forty Hours Devotion,

which goes back to the 16th-Century or 17th-Century,

was regulated by Pope Clement XIII in 1765.

Illustration: AD IMAGINEM DEI

Pope Innocent XIII.

Artist: Unknown.

Date: 18th-Century.

In 1721, Pope Innocent XIII granted the extension to the whole World

of The Feast of The Holy Name of Jesus (now fixed on

2 January or The Sunday before Epiphany).

Source/Photographer: from en:Wikipedia.

This File: 4 June 2013.

User: Bede735c.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Pope Benedict XIII.

In 1726, Pope Benedict XIII Consecrated The Basilica of Saint John Lateran, which had been restored, and caused this event to be Commemorated every year by The Feast of The Dedication of The Arch-Basilica of Our Saviour (9 November). In the following year, he extended The Feast of The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady to the whole Church, which is kept on The Friday in Passion Week.

This File: 4 June 2013.

User: Bede735c.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint John Baptist de la Salle Founded the very useful and prosperous Institute of The Christian Schools. († 1719. Feast Day 15 May.)

In 1716, The Feast of The Holy Rosary (7 October) was extended by Pope Clement XI to the Universal Church to Commemorate the fresh defeat of The Turks at Peterwardein by The Holy Roman Emperor, Charles VI.

In 1721, Pope Innocent XIII granted the extension to the whole World of The Feast of The Holy Name of Jesus (now fixed on 2 January, or the Sunday before Epiphany).

18th-century.

In 1726, Pope Benedict XIII Consecrated The Basilica of Saint John Lateran, which had been restored and caused this event to be Commemorated every year by The Feast of The Dedication of The Arch-Basilica of Our Saviour (9 November). In the following year, the same Pope extended to the whole Church The Feast of The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady, which is kept on The Friday in Passion Week. [Editor: Please Note: The following is from CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA There are two Feasts of The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady: They are The Friday before Palm Sunday (a Major Double) and The Third Sunday in September (a Double of The Second-Class).]

Saint Pompilius Pirotti († 1756. Feast Day 15 July) was a Clerk Regular of The Pious Schools.

Saint Alphonsus of Liguori († 1787. Feast Day 2 August) established The Congregation of The Most Holy Redeemer. The writings of thy Holy Doctor did much to repair the harm done by Jansenist rigorism.

18th-century.

Saint Paul of The Cross († 1775. Feast Day 28 April) Founded The Institute of The Passionists.

The practice of The Forty Hours Devotion, which goes back to the 16th-Century or the 17th-Century, was regulated by Pope Clement XIII in 1765.

At the end of this Century of unbelief, the revolutionary tempest burst forth. Several Martyrs of that period have been Beatified.

Vigil Of The Epiphany. 5 January.

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

Vigil of The Epiphany.
5 January.

Semi-Double.
   Privileged Octave of The Second-Class.

White Vestments.

God manifests Himself to The Magi by a Star.

Illustration: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Artist: Rene de Cramer.

“Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium”.

Used with Permission.

For the third time, an Angel appeared to Joseph (Gospel). He told him to return to Palestine, for Herod had just died in dreadful torment, such as Heaven reserves for those who persecute. His son, Archelaus, on ascending the throne, put to death three thousand of his subjects. ["An Angel of The Lord appeared to him (Joseph) in his sleep, saying: "Joseph, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife" (Gospel of The Vigil of Christmas.) "An Angle of The Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: "Fly into Egypt, and be there until I shall tell thee." (Gospel of The Holy Innocents.)

Joseph feared for Jesus, and it was under these circumstances that he was once more told in a dream to retire to Nazareth. ["Nazareth", in Hebrew, means "The Flower of Galilee", owing to the beauty of the site on which the town is built.]

Vespers: Commemoration of The Vigil: Puer Jesus. Versicle: Notum fecit Dóminus, allelúia. Responsory: Salutáre suum, allelúia. And Commemoration of Saint Telesphorus: Antiphon: Iste sanctus. Versicle: Glória.

Mass: For The Sunday within The Octave of Christmas.

Gospel: Defúncto Heróde.

Commemoration: Of Saint Telesphorus.

Third Collect: Of The Blessed Virgin Mary.

Preface: For Christmas.

Missa Cantata. The Epiphany. On Wednesday, 6 January 2016. 1930 hrs. Saint Mary's, Chislehurst, Kent.

News just in from THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY

Holy Mass.

Think about this at The Consecration, next time you're at Mass.

Found on discipleofkreia.tumblr.com

Illustration: PINTEREST

Missa Cantata.

The Epiphany.

Wednesday, 6 January 2016.

1930 hrs.

St Mary's Church,

28, Crown Lane,

Chislehurst,

Kent BR7 5PL.

Saint Mary's Church Web-Site is at ST. MARY'S CHURCH, CHISLEHURST

Saint Mary's Catholic Church,

Chislehurst, Kent,

during the Funeral of Emperor Napoleon III of France,

Wednesday, 15 January 1873.

Illustration: THE CHISLEHURST SOCIETY

Emperor of France, Napoleon III's Catafalque,

Saint Mary's Church, Chislehurst, Kent,

Wednesday, 15 January 1873.

Illustration: THE CHISLEHURST SOCIETY

The Funeral Procession of Emperor Napoleon III of France

approaches Saint Mary's Church, Chislehurst, Kent,

on 

Wednesday, 15 January 1873.

Illustration: THE CHISLEHURST SOCIETY

Solemn High Mass (Usus Antiquior). Feast Of The Epiphany. 6 January 2016. 1330 hrs. Saint Francis Xavier Church, Hyannis, Massachusetts.

Illustration: NEW LITURGICAL MOVEMENT

This Article is taken from NEW LITURGICAL MOVEMENT

The first Solemn Mass (Usus Antiquior) to be Celebrated on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, since The Second Vatican Council, will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 6 January 2016 (Feast of The Epiphany), at Saint Francis Xavier Church, 347 South Street, Hyannis, Massachusetts.

SFX Hyannis offers The Traditional Latin Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation;

eight-and -a-half years Post-Summorum Pontificum, it is the only Parish on The Cape, and, indeed, in The Diocese of Fall River, to do so.

The Web-Site of Saint Francis Xavier Church, Hyannis, is SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER

Octave Of The Holy Innocents. 4 January.

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

Octave of The Holy Innocents.
4 January.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

Massacre of The Innocents.

Artist: Matteo di Giovanni (1435–1495).

Date: 1488.

Current location: National Museum of Capodimonte, Naples, Italy.

Source/Photographer: The Yorck Project: 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei. DVD-ROM, 2002. 

ISBN 3936122202. Distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH.

Permission: [1].

(Wikimedia Commons)

Vespers: Antiphon: Hi sunt. Versicle: Heródes.

Mass: Ex ore infántium.

Gloria in excelsis: Is said.

Alleluia and Versicle after The Gradual: Are said.

Ite Missa est: Is said.

Creed: Is not said.

Preface: For Christmas.

Octave Of Saint John. Apostle And Evangelist. 3 January.

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

Octave of Saint John.
Apostle and Evangelist.
3  January.

Simple.

White Vestments.

Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist.

Illustration: LITURGIA LATINA

Vespers: Antiphon: Iste est. Versicle: Valde.

Mass: In médio.

Creed: Is not said.

Preface: Of The Apostles.

Feast Of The Holy Name Of Jesus. 3 January.

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

Feast of The Holy Name of Jesus.
Sunday occurring between 1 January and 6 January,
   otherwise on 2 January.

Double of The Second-Class.

White Vestments.

In the Name of Jesus, let every knee bow,

of those that are in Heaven (Angels),

on Earth (men), and under the Earth (devils).

Illustration: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Artist: Rene de Cramer.

“Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium”.

Used with Permission.

The Church, having made known to us The Incarnation of The Divine Son, now unfolds to us the Glories of His Name.

Among the Jews, a child received his name at the Rite of Circumcision. For this Feast, The Church uses the same Gospel as that of The Circumcision, emphasising the latter part which records that "His Name was called Jesus" (Gospel) as God "did bid that His Name be called Jesus" (Collect). The name means "Saviour" and we read: "There is no other name under Heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved" (Epistle).

The origin of this Feast goes back to the 16th-Century, when it was already observed by The Franciscan Order. In 1721, during the Pontificate of Pope Innocent XIII, its observance was extended to the whole Church.

If we wish to "see our names written in Heaven under the Glorious Name of Jesus" (Postcommunion), that name must be often on our lips, here below.

An Indulgence of Twenty Days may be gained by all who bow the head with reverence when speaking or hearing The Names of Jesus and Mary, while Pope Pius X granted 300 Days to those who piously Invoke Them with the lips, or at least in the heart.

If The Feast occurs on a Sunday, every Parish Priest Celebrates Mass for the people of his Parish.

Mass: In nómine Jesu.

Preface: For Christmas.

The Seven Corporal Works Of Mercy. And The Seven Spiritual Works Of Mercy.

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

The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy, by The Master of Alkmaar,

made for the Church of Saint Lawrence, in Alkmaar, Netherlands.

Artist: Master of Alkmaar.

Date: Circa 1504.

Current location: Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Credit Line: Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

Source/Photographer: www.geheugenvannederland.nl

(Wikimedia Commons)

Stained-Glass Window in the Nave of Saint Bonaventure's Church, Raeville, Nebraska, United States of America. Seven of the eight Nave Windows depict The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy. The German inscription at the bottom of this one reads "Die Hungrigen speisen", "Feed The Hungry".

Photo: 31 October 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Ammodramus

(Wikimedia Commons)

Feed The Hungry.

Give Drink To The Thirsty.

Clothe The Naked.

Shelter The Homeless.

Visit The Sick.

Visit Those In Prison.

Bury The Dead.

Stained-Glass Window in the Nave of Saint Bonaventure's Church, Raeville, Nebraska, United States of America. Seven of the eight Nave Windows depict The Corporal Works of Mercy. The German inscription at the bottom of this one reads "Die Durstigen tränken", "Give Drink To The Thirsty".

Photo: 31 October 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Ammodramus

(Wikimedia Commons)

Admonish Sinners.

Instruct The Ignorant.

Counsel The Doubtful.

Comfort The Sorrowful.

Bear Wrongs Patiently.

Forgive Injuries.

Pray For The Living And The Dead.

I Got Life.

Illustration: GOOGLE IMAGES

"I Got Life".

Nina Simone.

Available on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/L5jI9I03q8E.

Octave Day Of Saint Stephen. First Martyr. Today, 2 January.

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

Octave of Saint Stephen.
First Martyr.
2 January.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

The Martyrdom of Saint Stephan.

Illustration: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Artist: Rene de Cramer.

“Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium”.

Used with Permission.

Mass: Sedérunt príncipes (as on The Day of The Feast, with the exception of the following):

Collect: Omnípotens sempíterne Deus.

Creed: Is not said.

Preface: For Christmas.

Update On Fr Finigan. The Heart Operation Was A Success. Deo Gratias. Please Maintain Prayers And Masses. The Hermeneutic Of Continuity Now Begins A Long Convalescence.

by Orchard Lake

Pinned from

flickr.com

Illustration: PINTEREST

Fr Finigan opens his Leaving Present

("Build Your Own Minor Basilica")

prior to leaving Blackfen in 2014.

Author: Zephyrinus.

A Very Happy And Prosperous New Year To All Readers Of This Blog.

The Elizabeth Tower,

at the North End of The Palace of Westminster, London.

Big Ben is the nickname of the Great Bell of the Clock,

located in The Elizabeth Tower,

which rings out the chimes.

Photo: 11 August 2014.

Source: Own work.

Author: Diego Delso.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Big Ben Strikes Twelve.

Happy New Year.

Available on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/E9wWBjnaEck.

The main Bell, officially known as The Great Bell, is the largest Bell in the Tower and part of the Great Clock of Westminster. The Bell is better known by the nickname "Big Ben".

The original Bell was a sixteen ton (16.3-tonne) Hour Bell, cast on 6 August 1856, in Stockton-on-Tees, by John Warner & Sons. The Bell was named in honour of Sir Benjamin Hall, and his name is inscribed on it. However, another theory, for the origin of the name, is that the Bell may have been named after a contemporary heavyweight boxer, Benjamin Caunt. It is thought that the Bell was originally to be called Victoria, or Royal Victoria, in honour of Queen Victoria, but that an MP suggested the nickname during a Parliamentary debate; the comment is not recorded in Hansard.

Since the Tower was not yet finished, the Bell was mounted in New Palace Yard. Cast in 1856, the first Bell was transported to the Tower on a trolley, drawn by sixteen horses, with crowds cheering its progress. Unfortunately, it cracked beyond repair while being tested and a replacement had to be made.

The Bell was recast on 10 April 1858, at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, as a 13½ ton (13.76-tonne) Bell. This was pulled 200 ft (61.0 m) up to the Clock Tower’s Belfry, a feat that took eighteen hours. The Bell is 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m) tall and 9 feet (2.74 m) diameter. This new Bell first chimed in July 1859. In September 1859, it, too, cracked when hit by the hammer, a mere two months after it officially went into service.

According to the foundry's manager, George Mears, Denison had used a hammer more than twice the maximum weight specified. For three years, Big Ben was taken out of commission, and the hours were struck on the lowest of the Quarter Bells, until it was re-installed. To make the repair, a square piece of metal was chipped out from the rim, around the crack, and the Bell given an eighth of a turn, so the new hammer struck in a different place.

Big Ben has chimed with a slightly different tone, ever since, and is still in use today, complete with the crack. At the time of its casting, Big Ben was the largest Bell in the British Isles until "Great Paul", a 16¾ ton (17 tonne) Bell, currently hung in Saint Paul's Cathedral, was cast in 1881.

Whenever Big Ben is out of service, for repair or maintenance, its replacement is Great Tom, which is hung in the nearby Saint Paul's Cathedral.

Engraving of the second 'Big Ben',

taken from The Illustrated News of the World,

4 December 1858.

Date: 14 November 2009 (original upload date).

Source: Transferred from en.wikipedia;

Transferred to Commons by User:Igitur using CommonsHelper.

Author: Original uploader was Jack1956 at en.wikipedia.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Month's Mind. A High Mass Of Requiem At Saint Anthony Of Padua Church, New Jersey. Saturday, 2 January 2016. 1100 hrs.

This Article can be found in full at NEW LITURGICAL MOVEMENT

Illustrations: NEW LITURGICAL MOVEMENT

A Month’s Mind Mass (delayed by Christmas), for the Repose of the Soul of

Emmanuel V. Leemans, will be offered, Saturday, 2 January 2016, 11:00 hrs, at

Saint Anthony of Padua Church, Jersey City (see Poster, above, or Contact Details, below, for more information). The combined Choirs of Cantantes in Cordibus and

The Renaissance Singers will sing the Morales Requiem.

An original setting of In Paradisum, by Emanuel Leemans, will conclude The Liturgy.

Saint Anthony of Padua,

Roman Catholic Church,

457, Monmouth Street,

Jersey City, NJ 07302.

Tel: 201-653-0343.

E-Mail: pastor433@verizon.net

Photo: 23 May 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Jim.henderson.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

A Month's Mind is a Requiem Mass Celebrated about one month after a person's death, in memory of the deceased.

In Mediaeval, and later, England, it was a Service and Feast held one month after the death of anyone, in his or her memory. Bede speaks of the day as "Commemorationis Dies". These "Minding Days" were of great antiquity, and were survivals of the Norse "Minne", or ceremonial drinking to the dead.

"Minnying Days," says Blount, "from the Saxon "Lemynde", days which our ancestors called their "Monthes Mind", their "Year's Mind" and the like, being the days whereon their Souls (after their deaths) were held in special remembrance, and some Office, or obsequies, said for them, as "Obits, Dirges." The phrase is still used in Lancashire, England.

It is still an almost universal practice in Ireland (for Roman Catholics) for the family of the deceased, and close friends, to attend Mass, and take a meal together, on the occasion of the "Month's Mind".

Elaborate instructions for the conduct of the Commemorative Service were often left in Wills. Thus, one Thomas Windsor (who died in 1479) orders that "on my Moneth's Minde there be a hundred children within the age of sixteen years, to say for my Soul," and Candles were to be burned before the Rood (Cross) in the Parish Church and twenty Priests were to be paid by his Executors to sing "Placebo, Dirige", and other Hymns.

In the correspondence of Thomas, Lord Cromwell, one, in 1536, is mentioned at which a hundred Priests took part in the Requiem Mass. Commemorative Sermons were usually Preached, the earliest printed example being one delivered by Saint John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, on Margaret, Countess of Richmond and Derby, in 1509.

Saint Anthony of Padua,

Roman Catholic Church,

457, Monmouth Street,

Jersey City, NJ 07302.

Tel: 201-653-0343.

E-Mail: pastor433@verizon.net

Web-Site: SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA

The Circumcision Of Our Lord And Octave Of The Nativity. Feast Day 1 January.

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

The Circumcision of Our Lord and Octave of The Nativity.

Feast Day 1 January.

Station at Saint Mary's-beyond-the-Tiber.

Indulgence of 30 years and 30 Quarantines.

Double of The Second-Class.

   Privileged Octave Day.

White Vestments.

The Circumcision of Our Lord.

Illustration: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Artist: Rene de Cramer.

“Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium”.

Used with Permission.

In The Liturgy of today, three Feasts are really included.

The first Feast, that which was known in the ancient Sacramentaries as "On The Octave-Day of Our Lord". So The Mass is largely borrowed from those of Christmas.

By the second Feast, we are reminded that it is to Mary, after Almighty God, that we owe Our Lord, Himself. For this reason, formerly a second Mass was celebrated in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, in honour of The Mother of God. Some traces of this Mass remain in the Collect, Secret and Postcommunion, which are the same as in The Votive Mass of The Blessed Virgin Mary. The Psalms at Vespers are also the same as on The Feasts of Our Lady.

The third Feast is The Circumcision, which has been kept since the 6th-Century A.D. Moses commanded that all the young Israelites should undergo this rite on the eighth day after birth (Gospel). It is a type of Baptism, by which a man is spiritually circumcised.

"See," says Saint Ambrose, "how the whole sequence of The Old Law foreshadowed that which was to come; for circumcision signifies the blotting out of sins. He who is spiritually circumcised, by the rooting up of his vices, is judged worthy of The Lord's favour.

"While speaking of the first drops of His Sacred Blood that Our Redeemer shed for the cleansing of our Souls, The Church emphasises the thought of the cutting out of all that is evil in us". "Jesus Christ . . . gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and cleanse us" (Epistle). "O Lord
. . . cleanse us by these Heavenly Mysteries" (Secret). "May this Communion, O Lord, purify us from sin" (Postcommunion).

Every Parish Priest celebrates Mass for the people of his Parish.

Mass: Puer natus est nobis.

Preface: For Christmas.

Communicantes: For Christmas.

Te Deum. A Plenary Indulgence Is Granted, Under The Usual Conditions, To Those Who Recite It In Public On New Year's Eve.

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

Te Deum Stained-Glass Window,

by Christopher Whall.

Saint Mary-The-Virgin,

Ware, Hertfordshire, England.

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/

barkingtigs/3263493149/

Author: Barking Tigs

(Wikimedia Commons)

"Te Deum".

5th-Century A.D.,

Solemn Monastic Chant.

Available on YouTube at

https://youtu.be/sqwV9l-U8ds

The Latin and English Lyrics,

of the Te Deum, below, are from

THESAURUS PRECUM LATINARUM

Te Deum laudámus:

te Dominum confitémur.

Te ætérnum Patrem

omnis terra venerátur.

Tibi omnes Angeli;

tibi cæli et univérsae potestátes.

Tibi Chérubim et Séraphim

incessábili voce proclámant:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,

Dóminus Deus Sábaoth.

Pleni sunt cæli et terra

majestátis glóriæ tuæ.

Te gloriósus

Apostolórum chorus;

Te Prophetárum

laudábilis númerus;

Te Mártyrum

candidátus laudat exércitus.

Te per orbem terrárum

sancta confitétur Ecclésia:

Patrem

imménsæ majestátis;

Venerándum tuum verum

et únicum Fílium;

Sanctum quoque

Paráclitum Spíritum.

Tu Rex glóriæ,

Christe.

Tu Patris

sempitérnus es Fílius.

Tu ad liberándum susceptúrus hóminem,

non horruísti Vírginis úterum.

Tu, devícto mortis acúleo,

aperuísti credéntibus regna cælórum.

Tu ad déxteram Dei sedes,

in glória Patris.

Judex créderis

esse ventúrus.

Te ergo quǽsumus, tuis fámulis súbveni,

quos pretióso sánguine redemísti.

Ætérna fac cum sanctis tuis

in glória numerári.

[added later, mainly from Psalm verses:]

Salvum fac pópulum tuum, Dómine,

et bénedic hæreditáti tuæ.

Et rege eos,

et extólle illos usque in ætérnum.

Per síngulos dies

benedícimus te.

Et laudámus nomen tuum in sǽculum,

et in sǽculum sǽculi.

Dignáre, Dómine, die isto

sine peccáto nos custodíre.

Miserére nostri, Dómine,

miserére nostri.

Fiat misericórdia tua, Dómine, super nos,

quemádmodum sperávimus in te.

In te, Dómine, sperávi:

non confúndar in ætérnum.

English: Ecumenical Te Deum held at The Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago,

during the celebration of Independence Day 2009 .

Español: Te Deum Ecuménico realizado en la Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago,

durante la celebración de las Fiestas Patrias 2009.

Date: 18 September 2009.

Source: originally posted to Flickr as Eduardo Frei en Te Deum Ecuménico

Author: Eduardo Frei Ruiz Tagle

(Wikimedia Commons)

O GOD, we praise Thee: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.

Everlasting Father, all the earth doth worship Thee.

To Thee all the Angels, the Heavens and all the Powers,

all the Cherubim and Seraphim, unceasingly proclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts!

Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy glory.

The glorious choir of the Apostles,

the wonderful company of Prophets,

the white-robed army of Martyrs, praise Thee.

Holy Church throughout the world doth acknowledge Thee:

the Father of infinite Majesty;

Thy adorable, true and only Son;

and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.

O Christ, Thou art the King of glory!

Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.

Thou, having taken it upon Thyself to deliver man, didst not disdain the Virgin's womb.

Thou overcame the sting of death and hast opened to believers the Kingdom of Heaven.

Thou sitest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.

We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.

We beseech Thee, therefore, to help Thy servants

whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.

Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in everlasting glory.

V. Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thine inheritance!

R. Govern them, and raise them up forever.

V. Every day we thank Thee.

R. And we praise Thy Name forever, yea, forever and ever.

V. O Lord, deign to keep us from sin this day.

R. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.

V. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, for we have hoped in Thee.

R. O Lord, in Thee I have hoped; let me never be put to shame.

"Te Deum laudamus", 

Chorbogen, 1901.

Source: Abbildung in: Die Christliche Kunst, 6. Jg. 1909–1910, VI. Heft (Februar 1910), http://www.archive.org/details/diechristlicheku06geseuoft ,

see Category:Gebhard Fugel (Die Christliche Kunst 1910).

Author: Gebhard Fugel (1863–1939).

(Wikimedia Commons)

Monks of one of the Abbeys of The Solesmes Congregation sing this beautiful Chant. The Te Deum is attributed to two Fathers and Doctors of The Church, Saint Ambrose and Saint Augustine and is one of the most majestic Chants in The Liturgy of The Church.

It is sung in Traditional Seminaries and Monastic Houses at The Divine Office and for Double Feasts of The First-Class, The Nativity, Easter, Corpus Christi, Epiphany, Pentecost and those Feasts which have an Octave. The Solemn Te Deum is sung on all occasions of public Church rejoicing (in Traditional Catholic Churches).

Lithograph of a Te Deum,

Celebrated by Arch-Priest Gratinskij,

Knights Guards Regiment, Moscow,

in the presence of French soldiers.

Paroisse St Evpla.

15 September 1812 (Julian Calendar).

Source: Lithographie ancienne en ma possession, non datée.

Uploaded by Benwik.

Author: Unknown.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Te Deum (also known as Ambrosian Hymn or A Song of The Church) is an Early-Christian Hymn of Praise. The Title is taken from its opening Latin words, Te Deum laudamus, rendered as "Thee, O God, we Praise".

The Hymn remains in regular use in The Catholic Church in The Office of Readings, found in The Liturgy of The Hours, and In Thanksgiving to God for a special Blessing, such as the Election of a Pope, the Consecration of a Bishop, the Canonisation of a Saint, a Religious Profession, the publication of a Treaty of Peace, a Royal Coronation, etc. It is sung either after Mass or The Divine Office or as a separate Religious Ceremony. The Hymn also remains in use in The Anglican Communion and some Lutheran Churches in similar settings.

In The Traditional Office, The Te Deum is sung at the end of Matins on all days when the Gloria is said at Mass; those days are all Sundays outside Advent, Septuagesima, Lent, and Passiontide; on all Feasts (except The Triduum) and on all Ferias during Eastertide. Before the 1962 reforms, neither the Gloria nor the Te Deum were said on The Feast of The Holy Innocents, unless it fell on Sunday, as they were Martyred before The Death of Christ and, therefore, could not immediately attain The Beatific Vision. A Plenary Indulgence is granted, under the usual conditions, to those who recite it in public on New Year's Eve.

In The Liturgy of The Hours, of Pope Paul VI, The Te Deum is sung at the end of The Office of Readings on all Sundays, except those of Lent, on all Solemnities, on The Octaves of Easter and Christmas, and on all Feasts. It is also used, together with the standard Canticles in Morning Prayer, as prescribed in The Anglican Book of Common Prayer, in Matins, for Lutherans, and is retained by many Churches of The Reformed Tradition.