Saint Finbarre's Cathedral, Cork, Ireland.

Saint Finbarre's Cathedral,

Cork, Ireland.

Illustration: PINTEREST

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

Saint Finbarre's Cathedral, (Irish: Ardeaglais Naomh Fionnbarra) is a Cathedral of The Church of Ireland, in Cork City, Ireland. It is in The Ecclesiastical Province of Dublin. Begun in 1863, the Cathedral was the first major work of the Victorian architect William Burges. Previously the Cathedral of The Diocese of Cork, it is now one of three Cathedrals in The Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

The current Cathedral is built on the site of at least two previous structures that were Dedicated to Finbarre of Cork.The first dated from the 7th-Century A.D., with works continuing through to the 12th-Century. This building was damaged during The Siege of Cork (1690), and a new structure was built in 1735 - though elements of the earlier Spire were retained.

The Interior of Saint Finbarre's Cathedral,

Cork, Ireland.

Photo: 17 September 2014.

Source: Own work.

Author: The Speckled Bird.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Burges's gift to the Cathedral, the "Resurrection Angel", which was known locally a

the 

"Golden" or "Goldy Angel", on the Pinnacle of the Sanctuary Roof,

Saint Finbarre's Cathedral, Cork City, Ireland.

Photo: 26 April 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Plasmoid.

(Wikimedia Commons)

This structure remained until the 1860s, when a competition for the building of a new, larger Cathedral was held in 1862. In February 1863, the design of the architect William Burges was declared the winner of the competition to build a new Cathedral of Saint Finbarre. His diary records his reaction - "Got Cork !" - whilst the Cathedral accounts record the payment of the winning prize sum of £100. Building work took seven years before the first Service was held in the Cathedral in 1870. Building, carving and decoration continued into the 20th-Century, long after Burges's death in 1881.

The Altar and Sanctuary,

Saint Finbarre's Cathedral,

Cork, Ireland.

Photo: 17 September 2014.

Source: Own work.

Author: The Speckled Bird.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Great West Door,

Saint Finbarre's Cathedral,

Cork, Ireland.

Photo: 17 September 2014.

Source: Own work.

Author: The Speckled Bird.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Nave,

Saint Finbarre's Cathedral,

Cork, Ireland.

Photo: 27 April 2013.

Source. Own work.

Author: Twhelton.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The style of the building is Early-French, Burges's favoured Period and a Style he continued to favour throughout his life, choosing it for his own home, The Tower House, in Kensington. The stipulated price for construction was to be £15,000, a sum vastly exceeded. The total cost came to significantly over £100,000. Burges was "unconcerned" (his own words) in his Letter of January 1877 to The Bishop of Cork: "(In the future) the whole affair will be on its trial and, the elements of time and cost being forgotten, the result only will be looked at. The great questions will then be, first, is this work beautiful, and, secondly, have those to whom it was entrusted, done it with all their heart and all their ability."

Burges oversaw all aspects of the design, including the architecture of the building, the statuary, the Stained-Glass and the Internal decoration. The result is "undoubtedly, Burges's greatest work in Ecclesiastical architecture".

Saint Finbarre's Cathedral,

Cork, Ireland.

Photo: 7 September 2014.

Source: Own work.

Author: Debora Guidi.

(Wikimedia Commons)

National Geographic Magazine Lauds The Blessed Virgin Mary. Deo Gratias. America Will Start Using The "C"-Word (Christmas), Next, Instead Of "Holidays".

This Article is taken from THAT THE BONES YOU HAVE CRUSHED MAY THRILL

The Front Cover of the December 2015 edition of National Geographic Magazine.

Illustration: THAT THE BONES YOU HAVE CRUSHED MAY THRILL

National Geographic Magazine had Our Blessed Lady on The Front Cover, December 2015. Usually, magazines available in newsagents depict women in a rather graceless fashion (it makes more money).

How refreshing it is, then, to see Our Heavenly Queen, Full of Grace, grace such a widely-read magazine.

The Article, which features Marian Shrines, new and old, recognised and unrecognised, is entitled 'How The Virgin Mary Became The World's Most Powerful Woman' and it can be read HERE.

'Thou art beautiful, above the sons of men: Grace is poured abroad in thy lips; therefore, hath God Blessed thee for ever.'

Let's Pray that more magazines, more and more, look to Mary as the full expression of womanhood and the true model of beauty and strength,'for charm is deceptive and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears The Lord is to be praised.'

Have You Got Your "Tandry Whigs" ? Soft Buns Served On Saint Andrew's Day, 30 November.

This Article can be found at MEDIEVAL HISTORIES

Detail of a Calendar Page for December, with a bas-de-page scene of men sledging and warming themselves by a fire, from The Golf Book (Book of Hours, Use of Rome), Workshop of Simon Bening, Netherlands (Bruges), circa 1540, Additional MS 24098, f. 30r. © British Library. Source: Pinterest.

Illustration: MEDIEVAL HISTORIES

Tandry Whigs are soft buns served on Saint Andrew’s Day on 30 November. The modern version has Mediaeval roots. Here is a recipe.

The word Wig, or Whig, probably stems from Old Norse and means ‘soft’; thus, Wigs or Whigs (modern Norse/Danish: Vegger). Originally, it meant buns made of wheat, as opposed to rye or barley.

According to very early murals in Denmark, they were perhaps originally formed as Crosses. Later, they became buns softened with eggs and butter or lard. Because of the soft dough, they often had an oval or trapezoid form. As anyone knows, who is used to working with dough made of wheat, water yeast, it is best to mix it to a structure akin to porridge and then let it stand around for a day or a day and a half. The the dough may be spilled onto a floured surface and gently cut into buns, which, as often as not, end up looking like Whigs or Verger, oblong soft buns.

Illustration: MEDIEVAL HISTORIES

According to some reports “Tandry", "Tandra" or "Tandrew” cakes, or Whigs, were enjoyed on The Feast Day of Saint Andrew (30 November).

In the 18th-Century, Tandry (Tandra) cakes turned into a kind of slightly-sweetened bun, made of a plain dough of flour, eggs, sugar, butter and water mixed with yeast. To this, was added currants and lemon peel.

Saint Andrew's Day was also a Traditional day for squirrel hunting. After the animals had been pelted, they were probably stewed with onions, roots, apples and thyme.

"The Last Supper" in Belling Church, Denmark. The mural, from 1496, shows a table spread with

the two common types of daily bread marketed in Late-Mediaeval Denmark – the oblong

"Vegger" (wheat) and the three-cornered "Skonrogger" (sifted rye). © Hans A. Mosbach.

Illustration: MEDIEVAL HISTORIES

RECIPE.

Sourdough-starter.

Half a litre of water is mixed with 10 gr of fresh yeast, and as much flour as it takes to make mixture like a thick porridge. It gets tastier if half the flour is whole-grain, but, in The Middle Ages, people would have wished to get it as sifted and soft as that which was served at Court. Cover it with a cloth and let it stand in a warm kitchen for a day and a night.

Dough.

Mix the Sourdough with a litre of water and circa 1,5 kilos of flour. (For the healthy, but non-Mediaeval version, 1/3 whole grain and 2/3 normal flour). To this should be added 7 tsp. salt.

Work the wet and sticky mixture slowly with your hands, then let it stand around for a bit. Keep coming back during the next two hours and repeat the procedure with wet hands, until it is less sticky. Cover the bowl with a cloth or a wrap and keep it cool until evening.

Heat up the oven, including the baking-tray to 230 – 250 C. Gently toss the dough out onto a floured table or surface and fold it carefully once, until it forms an oblong mass. Now it should be possible to cut the Whigs by using a floured dough-cutter.

Place them on a baking sheet. When the oven is warm, place or drag the baking sheet onto the hot baking-tray. Give them ten minutes, until brown, and then another five minutes at 200 C.

Serve them with stew, made from rabbit, hare or squirrel, cooked with roots and herbs in a mixture of apple-juice and broth.

Saint Andrew The Apostle. Feast Day, Today, 30 November.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,

unless otherwise stated.

Saint Andrew.

Apostle.

Feast Day 30 November.

Double of The Second-Class.

Red Vestments.

Saint Andrew.

Apostle.

Illustration: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Artist: Rene de Cramer.

“Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium”.

Used with Permission.

The Feast of Saint Andrew has been kept since the 4th-Century A.D., on 30 November.

Saint Andrew was both an Apostle and a Martyr. The Collect tells us that he was called to govern and teach The Church; and the Epistle and the Gospel deal with the Vocation off him who was the first among The Apostles to know Jesus Christ.

When he was called, he immediately left his nets to become a fisher of men (Gospel), and "his sound hath gone forth into all the Earth to Preach the Gospel of Peace" (Epistle). After the coming of The Holy Ghost, he Preached in Palestine, and then in Scythia, Epirus and Thrace.

"But all have not obeyed the Gospel" (Epistle), and Saint Andrew ere long became The Apostle of The Cross. The priests of Achaia describe his Martyrdom at Patras. He died on that special form of Cross which has ever since been called after him, and "The Lord received his Sacrifice in the odour of sweetness" (Alleluia).

His body, having been first taken to Constantinople, was, in 1210, moved to the Cathedral at Amalfi, in the Kingdom of Naples. In 1462, his head was placed by Pope Pius II in the Basilica of Saint Peter, his brother. His name is inscribed in The Canon of The Mass (First List). Saint Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland.

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

Let us, with Saint Andrew, follow Christ even to The Cross.

Mass: Mihi autem.

During Advent, a Commemoration of The Feria is made on every Saint's Day by The Collects of the preceding Sunday. (Ember Days have Proper Collects.)

THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL

THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL

Available (in U.K.) from

CENACLE CATHOLIC BOOKS

Available (in U.S.A.) from

ST. BONAVENTURE PUBLICATIONS

Gregorian Chant. Available For Your Parish Choir. Now. Together With Free Downloads and Free Music Scores.

The following Article can be found in full at GREGORIAN CHANT HYMNS

"Adore Te Devote".

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

and also available for a free download, together with its Score,

at GREGORIAN CHANT HYMNS

The Roman Catholic Church has a rich Tradition of Hymns, and other devotional Chants, that have been used for Centuries on Feast Days and at The Liturgy of The Hours (The Divine Office found in The Breviary). Many recent Hymnals retained a few Hymns (e.g., Adoro te Devote, Ave Maria) in either Latin or translated versions; therefore, some Hymns continue to be sung in The Liturgy. Many beautiful Hymns have gradually been forgotten, yet are still sung in Monasteries and fondly remembered by older generations.

A renewed interest in Chant has been followed by an increase in teaching of Chant Hymns to Choirs and Congregations. Contributors to this Web-Site are Schola Directors, who are riding this wave of enthusiasm. We have benefited from, and are grateful to, others, who created Web-Sites with free music and audio downloads, especially for The Mass Ordinaries and Propers.

When teaching, we observed that Choristers were very interested in, and easily learned, Hymns, but we also noted a lack of easily-accessible free downloads. We also learned that recordings are a very effective way of teaching both Choristers and the Congregation.

Vigil Of Saint Andrew. Apostle. 29 November.

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

Vigil of Saint Andrew.
Apostle.
29 November.

Simple.

Violet Vestments.

Madonna and Child,

Saint Peter, 

Saint John the Baptist,

Saint Joseph, Saint Paul.

Now begins

"The Sanctoral Cycle"

or

"The Proper of The Saints".

Saint Andrew.

Apostle.

Illustrations: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Artist: Rene de Cramer.

"Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium".

Used with Permission.

The Gospel tells us that it was Saint John the Baptist, who, whilst fulfilling his mission of preparing Souls for the coming of Our Lord, pointed out The Messias to his Disciple, Andrew, The latter immediately went to Jesus and became one of His followers.

If The Feast of Saint Andrew (30 November) falls on a Monday, The Mass of The Vigil is said on the previous Saturday, but the Commemoration of Saint Saturninus is made on the Sunday. The same rule holds good for the other Vigils, with the exception of that of Christmas.

If The Feast of Saint Andrew falls on a Sunday, it is Transferred to the first free day.

Mass: Dóminus secus.
The Gloria is never said at Masses with Violet Vestments.
If Advent has not begun, Second Collect: Saint Saturninus. Third Collect: Concéde.
If Advent has begun, Second Collect of The Feria. Third Collect: Saint Saturninus.

THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL

THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL

Available (in U.K.) from

CENACLE CATHOLIC BOOKS

Available (in U.S.A.) from

ST. BONAVENTURE PUBLICATIONS

"Papal Critics Threatened With Excommunication", Said Life Site News. How Many Catholics Have Been Excommunicated In The Last Year For Criticising The Pope ?

Illustration: CLIPART PANDA

Further to the reported News Item, last year (see, below), it would be interesting to ask the question (and, God Willing, get an answer):

HOW MANY CATHOLICS HAVE BEEN EXCOMMUNICATED,

IN THE LAST YEAR,

 FOR CRITICISING THE POPE ?

Let's see how long it is

before an answer is forthcoming

from "relevant authorities".

LAST YEAR'S ARTICLE IS REPRODUCED, HEREWITH.

This story appeared last year in LIFE SITE NEWS

Archbishop Fisichella, President of The Pontifical Council for New Evangelisation.

"Papal critics threatened with Excommunication, as Year of Mercy begins", says Life Site News.

Update: Respected Canonist, Ed Peters, has responded to Archbishop Fisichella's remarks. Read about that here.

December 7, 2015 (Voice of the Family) – Archbishop Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for New Evangelization, has stirred controversy by suggesting that some criticisms of Pope Francis might result in automatic excommunication.

Archbishop Fisichella made his remarks at a Vatican press briefing while explaining how Pope Francis’s new “Missionaries of Mercy” will operate. The 800 “missionaries” will have the power to absolve from penalties previously reserved to the Holy See.

In reference to Canon 1370, which imposes automatic excommunication for “physical violence”against the Roman Pontiif, Archbishop Fisichella said:

I would say that we need to understand well ‘physical violence,’ because sometimes words, too, are rocks and stones, and therefore I believe some of these sins, too, are far more widespread than we might think.

Archbishop Fisichella’s comments will be interpreted by many as an attempt to silence faithful Catholics who are deeply concerned by the direction currently being taken by those who hold offices at the highest levels of the Church.

Read the full Article on this story at LIFE SITE NEWS

Zephyrinus says: It will be most interesting to get to the bottom of this story and find out if the alleged threats are, in fact, real.

Or, will there now be the usual "misunderstood" quotes, allied with "obfuscation", with a heavy dose of "I can't actually recall saying that", etc, etc.

IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL

FOR EVERYBODY IF THIS QUESTION

IS ANSWERED CLEARLY,

QUICKLY, AND HONESTLY.

The Book Of Ruth: “Whither Thou Goest, I Will Go. And, Where Thou Goest, I Will Lodge. Thy People Shall Be My People,. And Thy God, My God”.

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

Illustration from
CHRIST MY COVENANT

Ruth (Hebrew: רוּת, Modern Rut Tiberian Rūθ), is the main character in The Book of Ruth in The Hebrew Bible.

Ruth was a Moabitess, who married into the Hebrew family of Elimelech and Naomi, whom she met when they left Bethlehem and relocated to Moab, due to a famine. Elimelech and his two sons died, leaving Naomi and her two daughters-in-law as widows.

When Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, Ruth decided to go with her, despite the fact that Orpah, Naomi's other daughter-in-law, went back home.

Ruth famously vowed to follow Naomi in the following passage:

"  Entreat me not to leave thee,

   or to return from following after thee:

   for whither thou goest, I will go;

   and where thou lodgest, I will lodge:

   thy people shall be my people,

   and thy God my God:

   Where thou diest, will I die,

   and there will I be buried:

   the LORD do so to me, and more also,

   if ought but death part thee and me. "

   (Ruth 1:16-17, King James Version)

"Ruth in the Fields"

by Merle Hugues, 1876.

Illustration: BIBLE-PEOPLE

"Whither Thou Goest".

Sung by Perry Como.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

Ruth went to glean in the fields, where she met Boaz. At the instigation of Naomi, she forced Boaz to declare his intentions regarding Ruth by slipping into the threshing floor at night, uncovering his feet, and lying at his feet (Ruth 3:8), in the Mosaic tradition of having the nearest relative be the kinsman redeemer (Leviticus 25:25-55).

Boaz indicated his desire to marry her, and called Ruth a "woman of noble character". After overcoming the obstacle of having a relative with a stronger claim (per the Mosaic requirements in Deuteronomy 25:7-9), Boaz married Ruth, and they had a son, named Obed.

The genealogy, in the final Chapter of the Book, explains how Ruth became the Great-Grandmother of David: Boaz begot Obed, Obed begot Jesse and Jesse begot David (Ruth 4:17). She is also, thus, the ancestor of Joseph (husband of Mary and foster-father of Jesus), and is one of the five women mentioned in The Genealogy of Matthew (along with Tamar, Rahab, Bathsheba, and Mary).

I Bet You Didn't Know That Westminster Bridge Will Make You Green With Envy.

Westminster Bridge, London,

circa 1910. It is the third Bridge built over The River Thames, after London Bridge

and Putney Bridge. The current Westminster Bridge is the third Bridge to built at Westminster.

It was built in 1739-1750. I bet you didn't know that. Richard Butters saved to Bygone Times In England. The current Bridge, by Thomas Page, in 1862, is painted Green, to match

the Leather Seats in The House of Commons, Westminster.

Illustration: PINTEREST

First Sunday Of Advent. 27 November 2016.

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

First Sunday of Advent.

Station at Saint Mary Major.

Stational Indulgence of 10 years
and 10 Quarantines.

Privileged Sunday of The First-Class.

Semi-Double.

Violet Vestments.

"See the fig tree and all the trees: When they now shoot forth their fruit,

you know that Summer is nigh; so you also, when you shall see these things

come to pass, know that The Kingdom of God is at hand".

Illustration: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Artist: Rene de Cramer.

"Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium".

Used with Permission.



The First Sunday of Advent.
Available on YouTube at
YOU TUBE

At Christmas, Jesus will be born into our hearts, for at that time the Anniversary of His Birth will be Celebrated. He refuses nothing to the Prayer of The Church, His Spouse, and thus He will grant to our Souls the same Graces which He gave the Shepherds and the Three Kings.

Christ will come again, also, at the end of time, to "condemn The Guilty to the flames, and to call The Just with a loving voice to Heaven" (Hymn for Matins).

The whole of today's Mass is a preparation for this double Advent of Mercy and Justice. Some parts of it can be applied equally to either (e.g., the Introit, Collect, Gradual, Alleluia), while others refer to our Divine Redeemer's lowly birth, and others, again, (e.g., the Epistle and Gospel), to His coming in the splendour of His power and majesty.

Liturgy for the First Sunday of Advent.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

The same welcome will be given to us by Our Lord when He comes to Judge us, as we give to Him now, when coming to redeem us. Let us prepare for the Christmas Feast by Holy Prayers and aspirations and by reforming our lives, that we may be ready for that last great assize, upon which depends the fate of our Soul for all Eternity. And all this with confidence, for those "who wait upon the Lord will never be confounded" (Introit; Gradual; Offertory).

In former times, on this First Sunday of Advent, all the people of Rome made the Station at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, to assist at The Solemn Mass which the Pope Celebrated, surrounded by his Clergy. This particular Church was chosen because it is Mary who gave us Jesus, and because Relics of the Crib, in which The Blessed Mother placed her Divine Child, are preserved in this Church.

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

Sermon for The First Sunday of Advent.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

Mass: Ad te levavi.

The Gloria in excelsis is omitted during Advent, except on Feast Days.

When, on The Ferias of Advent, The Mass of The Sunday is said, the Alleluia and its Versicle are not said, but only the Gradual.

Preface: Of The Most Holy Trinity.

During the week: The Common Preface is said.

The Benedicamus Domino is said instead of Ite Missa Est, as is the rule whenever the Gloria in excelsis is omitted.

During Advent and Lent, on Ember Days, Vigils, and Rogation Days, when a Mass of any Feast is said, Commemoration is always made of The Feria.

For the Commemoration of The Ferias of Lent, the Collect, Secret, and Postcommunion of the preceding Sunday are said, except on Ember Days, which have Proper Prayers.

The Song Of Songs.

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

Head-piece to The Song of Solomon. Canticles 1:4. Vignette with a winged heart with flowers

and a halo of stars standing upon a skull with snake coiling around it and an orb, a glowing

Hebrew inscription in sky above; letterpress in two columns below and on verso. 1796.

Inscriptions: Lettered below image, "P J de Loutherbourg", "J. Landseer Fec" and publication line: "Published Jany. 1796/ by T. M[ ] Fleet St London". Print made by John Landseer.

Date: 1 January 1796.

Source: Photos by Harry Kossuth.

Author: Phillip Medhurst.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Joshua 1:1 in The Aleppo Codex.

Source: http://www.aleppocodex.org

Author: see en:Aleppo Codex;

scanned by http://www.aleppocodex.org

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Song of Songs, also known as The Song of Solomon, The Canticle of Canticles, or, simply, Canticles (Hebrew: שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים Šîr HašŠîrîm; Greek: ᾎσμα ᾈσμάτων asma asmaton, both meaning "Song of Songs"), is one of The Megillot (Scrolls) of The Ketuvim ("The Writings", the last Section of The Tanakh or Hebrew Bible), and The Fifth of The "Wisdom" Books of The Christian Old Testament.

The only piece of erotic literature in The Bible,

this book was regarded by earlier devotees as an allegory of God's love

for His people. The Text is introduced by A.S. Byatt.

Canongate Books.

1 Jan 1999.

Bibles - 48 pages.

GOOGLE BOOKS

Scripturally, The Song of Songs is unique in its celebration of sexual love. It gives "the voices of two lovers, praising each other, yearning for each other, proffering invitations to enjoy". The two are in harmony, each desiring the other and rejoicing in sexual intimacy; the women (or "daughters") of Jerusalem form a chorus to the lovers, functioning as an audience, whose participation in the lovers' erotic encounters facilitates the participation of the reader.

The following Song of Songs Text is from

http://www.mechon-mamre.org/

Song of Songs Chapter 2 שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים

א  אֲנִי חֲבַצֶּלֶת הַשָּׁרוֹן, שׁוֹשַׁנַּת הָעֲמָקִים.	1 I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.
ב  כְּשׁוֹשַׁנָּה בֵּין הַחוֹחִים, כֵּן רַעְיָתִי בֵּין הַבָּנוֹת.	2 As a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
ג  כְּתַפּוּחַ בַּעֲצֵי הַיַּעַר, כֵּן דּוֹדִי בֵּין הַבָּנִים; בְּצִלּוֹ חִמַּדְתִּי וְיָשַׁבְתִּי, וּפִרְיוֹ מָתוֹק לְחִכִּי.	3 As an apple-tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. Under its shadow I delighted to sit, and its fruit was sweet to my taste.
ד  הֱבִיאַנִי אֶל-בֵּית הַיָּיִן, וְדִגְלוֹ עָלַי אַהֲבָה.	4 He hath brought me to the banqueting-house, and his banner over me is love.
ה  סַמְּכוּנִי, בָּאֲשִׁישׁוֹת--רַפְּדוּנִי, בַּתַּפּוּחִים:  כִּי-חוֹלַת אַהֲבָה, אָנִי.	5 'Stay ye me with dainties, refresh me with apples; for I am love-sick.'

In modern Judaism, the Song is read on The Sabbath during The Passover, which marks the beginning of the grain harvest as well as commemorating The Exodus from Egypt. Jewish Tradition reads it as an allegory of the relationship between God and Israel. Christian Tradition, in addition to appreciating the literal meaning of a romantic song between Man and Woman, has read the poem as an allegory of Christ (The Bridegroom) and His Church (The Bride).

English: Church of Santa Caterina del Sasso, Varese, Italy. Fresco showing

a Lily among Thorns, symbolising The Virgin Mary, according to a quotation

from The Song of Solomon.

Deutsch: Santa Caterina del Sasso ( Varese ). Kirche - Fresko: Lilie unter

Dornen als Symbol der Jungfrau Maria nach einem Zitat aus dem Hohen Lied Salomos.

Date: 1 August 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Wolfgang Sauber.

(Wikimedia Commons)

"The Song of Songs".

Artist: Gustave Moreau (1826–1898).

Date: 1863.

Current location: Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon, France.

Source/Photographer: Art Renewal Center

(Wikimedia Commons)

The 0815 hrs Margate To Charing Cross Is Now Arriving At Platform Three. (The Second-Largest Steam Locomotive In The World).

Union Pacific 3985,

Westbound at Sloat, California,

2 September 2005.

Source: UP 39859-02-05 022xxx4rp sloat

Uploaded by PDTillman.

Author: Drew Jacksich

from San Jose, California.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Union Pacific 3985

returns to Cheyenne, Wyoming,

1999.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

Union Pacific 3985, or UP 3985, is a four-cylinder simple articulated 4-6-6-4 Challenger-type Steam Locomotive, owned by Union Pacific Railroad.

It was built in 1943 by The American Locomotive Company of Schenectady, New York. The Locomotive is one of only two of the original 105 Union Pacific Challengers in existence, the other being UP 3977 on static display in North Platte, Nebraska. Before it was stored, it was the largest and heaviest operational preserved Steam Locomotive in the World.

English: Union Pacific Challenger 3985 steams past our front yard

in Alton, Iowa, United States of America.

Deutsch: Dampflok Challenger 3985 in Alton, Iowa, USA.

Photo: 1 October 2008.

Source: originally posted to Flickr as Challenger 01

Author: Mark Evans

(Wikimedia Commons)

Union Pacific Senior Manager of Heritage Operations, Ed Dickens Jr., announced in February 2016 about UP 3985 possibly returning to Excursion Service after the restoration of Union Pacific 4014 is completed.

If the Locomotive is restored and does return to Service, it will become the World's second-largest operating Steam Locomotive after UP 4014.

From First Vespers In Advent (Today) To Second Vespers Of 2 February (Feast Of The Purification Of Our Blessed Lady), The Marian Anthem Is "Alma Redemptoris Mater".

"Love's Pure Light".

The Blessed Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus.

Artist: Kathy Lawrence.

Illustration: PINTEREST

"Alma Redemptoris Mater".

For Six Voices.

Composed by Diego Ortiz.

Sung by: Cantar Lontano.

Director: Marco Mencoboni.

Available on YouTube at

https://youtu.be/iVT9sxyr2I0

ALMA REDEMPTORIS MATER

Alma Redemptoris Mater,

quæ pervia cæli Porta manes,

et stella maris, succurre cadenti,

Surgere qui curat, populo:

tu quæ genuisti,

Natura mirante,

tuum sanctum Genitorem,

Virgo prius ac posterius,

Gabrielis ab ore,

Sumens illud Ave,

peccatorum miserere.

Mother of Christ ! Hear thou thy people's cry,

Star of the Deep, and Portal of the Sky !

Mother of Him Who thee from nothing made,

Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid;

Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee,

Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.

"Alma Redemptoris Mater"

(Simple Tone).

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

Alma Redemptoris Mater (English: Loving Mother of our Saviour) is a Marian Hymn, written in Latin hexameter, and one of four Seasonal Liturgical Marian Antiphons sung at the end of The Office of Compline (the other three Antiphons being Ave Regina Cælorum, Regina Cœli and Salve Regina).

"Alma Redemptoris Mater".

Composer: Tomás Luis de Victoria

(Ávila, Spain, 1548 - Madrid, Spain, 1611).

Sung by:

Ensemble Plus Ultra.

Director: Michael Noone.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

Hermannus Contractus (also called Herman the Cripple, 1013–1054) is said to have composed the Hymn, based on the writings of Saints Fulgentius, Epiphanius, and Irenaeus of Lyon.

The Alma Redemptoris Mater is mentioned in The Prioress's Tale, one of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

It is sung at The Divine Office of Compline, from First Vespers of Advent, until Second Vespers of The Feast of the Purification of The Blessed Virgin Mary (2 February).

"Alma Redemptoris Mater".

For Four Voices.

Composer: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

(1525 – 1594).

Sung by:

The Choir of Merton College, Oxford.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

Saint Sylvester. Abbot. Feast Day 26 November.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,

unless stated otherwise.

Saint Sylvester.

Abbot.

Feast Day 26 November.

Double.

White Vestments.

Saint Sylvester receives Holy Communion from The Hand of Our Lady

(see, below).

Artist: Claudio Ridolfi.

Date: 1632.

Illustration: VULTUS CHRISTI

Saint Sylvester was born of noble parentage at Osimo, in The Marches of Ancona, Italy. Owing to his rare merit, The Canons of the Cathedral of Osimo admitted him to share their dignity. When present, one day, at the funeral of an illustrious man, a relative of his, he was struck by the hideous appearance of the body of  a man who had been so handsome, and exclaimed: "I am, today, what he was, and one day I shall be what he is" (Collect).

He immediately gave up everything (Gospel) and retired into a desert, where he devoted himself to Penance and Meditation (Introit). "Later, he built at Monte Fano," says The Roman Breviary, "a Church in honour of The Holy Father, Benedict, who advised him in a vision to Found a Religious Order, whose Rule and Habit he described to him. It was The Order of The Sylvestrines."

This Branch of The Benedictine Order spread in a short time and already numbered twenty-five Houses in Italy when its Founder died in 1267, at the age of ninety.

Mass: Os justi. Of Abbots.

Commemoration: Saint Peter of Alexandria.

The following Text is from VULTUS CHRISTI

Communion from The Hands of Our Lady.

The most famous Marian prodigy in his life took place when, of a night, The Blessed Virgin appeared to him in a dream and said, “Silvester, dost thou desire to receive The Body of my Son ?”

With trepidation, he answered, “My heart is ready, O Lady; let it be done unto me according to thy word.”

What I find most extraordinary is that Saint Silvester, being a Monk already steeped in The Word of God through the familiar repetition of it in The Sacred Liturgy, answered Our Blessed Lady in two phrases already held and pondered within her Immaculate Heart.

The first phrase, taken from Psalm 107:2  — Paratum cor meum Deus paratum cor meum — “My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready” is the perfect act of preparation for Holy Communion.

The second phrase is Our Blessed Lady’s own acquiescence to The Mystery of The Incarnation, as recorded in Luke 1:30  — Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum — “Be it done to me according to thy word”. Receiving her very own words from the lips of her servant Silvester, The Mother of God gave him Holy Communion.

Claudio Ridolfi painted the episode in 1632.