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. 

SBN 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.

Always Remember The Four Last Things.

The last photograph of The Titanic.

1912.

Illustration: PINTEREST

Musée De La Visitation, Moulins, France.

Illustration: MUSÉE-VISITATION

From NEW LITURGICAL MOVEMENT
of 13 September 2012.

Our Post from yesterday, about the Liturgical treasury of the French Cathedral of Le Puy-en-Velay, resulted in the following being brought to our attention, which shows The Visitation Museum in Moulins, France, where "nearly ten thousand Chalices, Chasubles, and silk Liturgical items have been produced and preserved by The Sisters of The Visitation of Holy Mary."

Sacred Silk and other displays of

The Visitation Museum, France.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

Magnificent embroidery skills on display at

MUSÉE DE LA VISITATION

The  following Text from MUSÉE-VISITATION

The Museum of The Visitation is a private organisation run by the Association "Regard sur la Visitation", whose goals are: Safeguarding and promoting the artistic and Religious heritage of the Monasteries of The Order of The Visitation; create and maintain a Museum, in Moulins, France, dedicated to The Order of The Visitation and its heritage.

To achieve its objectives, the Museum relies on a Scientific Committee consisting of historians, researchers and professionals in the Museum World. Eighty-seven Monasteries of The Sainte Marie Visitation Order, settled in nineteen Countries of Europe, Middle East, North and South America, decided to save their artistic patrimony by deposing some masterpieces into The Museum of Moulins, France. Moulins is the City where Sainte Jeanne de Chantal Fremyot, the Co-Foundress of The Order, died.

Superb needlework on display at

MUSÉE DE LA VISITATION

Year after year, the number of pieces has increased considerably and now it exceeds 8,000. Encompassing a period that extends from the 15th- to the 21st-Century, these pieces relate the history and the patrimony of a Monastic Order which was present in France (160 Foundations) and which extends all over the World.

"All Heart" — Burning Love of The Sacred Heart.

http://visitationspirit.org/2013/06/o... -- "Behold this Heart that has so greatly loved people." 

These words of Jesus Christ to the humble Sister Margaret Mary Alacoque, Centuries ago, are echoed in the beautiful Vestments, Liturgical objects, and other artifacts at a special exhibit displayed  in 2013 at The Musée de la Visitation, Moulins, France.

The Museum hosted "A tout coeur," (All Heart), an exhibition of works of art and love centered around The Devotion to The Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Order the book (in French) on The Museum's Sacred Heart exhibit at http://www.visitationspirit.org/allheart.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

The Collection is as various as the furniture and objects necessary for life in a Community. Some pieces have prestigious origins; Relics of famous Saints, donations of illustrious or Royal people. Others are the fruits of the patient work of The Visitandines, women having left society for a life of Prayer, following The Rules defined by their Co-Founder, Saint Francis de Sales.

You can hear the interview of Gérard Picaud, administrator of the Museum, by Elodie Courtejoie from Canal Académie.

Chasubles on display.

Illustration: MUSÉE DE LA VISITATION

Octave Of Saint John. Apostle And Evangelist. Today, 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: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Artist: Rene de Cramer.

"Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium".

Used with Permission.

Vespers: Antiphon: Iste est. Versicle: Valde.
Mass: In médio.
Creed: Is not said.
Preface: Of The Apostles.

"Ave Maria". Olga Szyrowa (Soprano). Pasja (Passion of the Christ). 2004.

"Ave Maria".

Olga Szyrowa (Soprano).

Pasja (Passion of the Christ).

2004.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

It would be extremely interesting if any of our Polish or Russian Readers could shed some light on the career of Olga Szyrowa, please.

Zephyrinus has received several requests for information on this wonderful Soprano, but, unfortunately, there is no information available on the Internet.

So, help, please, from our Polish and Russian Readership.

Please leave information in the Comments Box.

The Seven Corporal Works Of Mercy. Plus, 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 

reads:

"Die Hungrigen speisen",

"Feed The Hungry".

Photo: 31 October 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Ammodramus.

(Wikimedia Commons)

THE SEVEN CORPORAL

WORKS OF MERCY.

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 reads:

"Die Durstigen tränken",

"Give Drink To The Thirsty".

Photo: 31 October 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Ammodramus.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The January 2016 Online Issue of THE PORTAL,

the monthly review of The Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham,

has an Article on The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy,

by Auntie Joanna (Joanna Bogle). It can be found at THE PORTAL

Pray For The Dead.

One of The Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy.

Illustration: FAITHPUB

THE SEVEN SPIRITUAL

WORKS OF MERCY.

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

YOU TUBE

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.

A Very Happy And Prosperous New Year To All Readers Of This Blog. "Big Ben" Strikes Again.

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

YOU TUBE

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 16 ton (16.3-tonne) Hour Bell, cast on 6 August 1856, in Stockton-on-Tees, by John Warner and 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.

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)

The Bell was re-cast 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.

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

YOU TUBE

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 sittest 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 Sainte 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.

Saint Sylvester. Pope And Confessor. Feast Day, Today, 31 December.

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

Saint Sylvester I.
Pope and Confessor.
Feast Day 31 December.

Double.

White Vestments.

English: Pope Saint Sylvester I and Emperor Constantine.

San Silvestro Chapel at Santi Quattro Coronati, Rome, Italy.

עברית: דוד שי מאשדוד הוא היה הסילבסטר הוא היה מרביץ ליהודים ושובר להם את הרגליים

Date: 1247.

Author: Unknown Mediaeval artist in Rome, Italy.

(Wikimedia Commons)

If 31 December falls on a Sunday, The Mass of The Sunday within The Octave of The Nativity of Our Lord is said, with a Commemoration of Saint Sylvester.

The Church reproduces in her Liturgy all phases of The Life of her Divine Founder.

When only just born, The Infant God is persecuted by Herod: The Church, still in her cradle, sends to Heaven her First Martyr in the person of the Deacon, Stephen, and her First Twenty-Five Popes die Martyrs.

English: The Oratory of Saint Sylvester,

at the Basilica Santi Quattro Coronati, Rome, Italy.

Italiano: Roma, Santi Quattro Coronati: oratorio di S. Silvestro.

Photo: 21 May 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Lalupa.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Returned from Egypt, Jesus grows in age and wisdom at Nazareth, where the years pass in quietness: Under the Pontificate of Sylvester I (314 A.D. - 345 A.D.), The Church, after three hundred years of Persecution, begins to enjoy liberty, which is her greatest boon.

She spreads in The Roman Empire, and The Council of Nicea (325 A.D.) establishes triumphantly, against Arius, The Doctrine of The Divinity of The Saviour, of which The Liturgy of The Season of Christmas is full.

At The First Council of Nicea, The Breviary tells us, The Catholic Faith on the subject of The Divinity of Christ was explained by three hundred and eighteen Bishops; Arius and his sect being condemned. At the request of The Fathers, Sylvester confirmed again this Council in a Synod held at Rome, and in which Arius was condemned again.

English: "Christ in Glory" fresco

in the Oratory of Saint Sylvester,

at the Basilica Santi Quattro Coronati, Rome, Italy.

Italiano: Roma, Santi Quattro Coronati: oratorio di S. Silvestro -

storie di Costantino e Silvestro (XIII sec.).

Photo: 21 May 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Lalupa.

(Wikimedia Commons)

According to the legend of The Breviary, Sylvester decreed also that the Bishop alone should consecrate the Chrism; that, in the administration of Baptism, the Priest should anoint with The Holy Oils the crown of the head of the person being Baptised; that Deacons should wear the Dalmatic and have a Maniple of linen on the left arm; and, finally, that The Sacrifice of The Mass should be offered up upon an Altar Cloth of linen.

He fixed also a certain period for those who should receive Holy Orders, during which they must exercise successively their Order in The Church, before being raised to a higher degree.

Sylvester ruled The Church twenty-one and a half years. He was buried in the Cemetery of Priscilla on The Salarian Way.

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

English: Emperor Constantine, suffering from leprosy,

dreams of Saints Peter and Paul.

Fresco in The Oratory of Saint Sylvester,

at the Basilica Santi Quattro Coronati, Rome, Italy.

Italiano: Roma, Santi Quattro Coronati, oratorio di S. Silvestro:

Costantino, colpito da lebbra, sogna i santi Pietro e Paolo.

Photo: 21 May 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Lalupa.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

Pope Sylvester I (+ 31 December 335 A.D.), whose name is also spelled "Silvester", was the Head of The Catholic Church from 31 January 314 A.D., to his death in 335 A.D. He succeeded Pope Miltiades. He filled The See of Rome at an important era in the history of The Catholic Church, yet very little is known of him.

The accounts of his Papacy, preserved in The Liber Pontificalis (7th- or 8th-Century A.D.), contain little more than a record of the gifts said to have been conferred on The Church by Emperor Constantine I, but it does say that he was the son of a Roman, named Rufinus.

During his Pontificate, were built the great Churches founded at Rome by Constantine, e.g. the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Saint Peter's Basilica, and several Cemeterial Churches over the graves of Martyrs.

Sylvester did not attend The First Council of Nicaea, in 325 A.D., but he was represented by two Legates, Vitus and Vincentius, and he approved The Council's decision.

Mass: Sacerdótes tui, Dómine.
Second Collect: Of The Octave of The Nativity of Our Lord.
Epistle: Testificor.
Gospel: Sint lumbi.
Creed.
Preface: For Christmas.
Communicantes: For Christmas.

You Know How Some People Like To Illuminate Their House Around Christmas . . .

Seen in Ramsgate Harbour, Kent,

Published with permission of The Skipper.

An Inspiration To All Sacristans. Saint Thérèse Of Lisieux.

Saint Thérèse Of Lisieux as Sacristan.

Illustration: PINTEREST

Sunday Within The Octave Of The Nativity Of Our Lord.

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

Sunday within The Octave of The Nativity of Our Lord.

Semi-Double.

White Vestments.

"The Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us".

Illustration: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Artist: Rene de Cramer.

“Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium”.

Used with Permission.

This Mass is said on the Sunday, if this falls on 29 December, 30 December, or 31 December. In this case, every Parish Priest Celebrates Mass for the people of his Parish.

It is said on 30 December (a weekday), if the Sunday falls on 25, 26, 27, or 28

The Mass tells us that "The Word that came down from Heaven during the night" (Introit) of Christmas is "The Son of God Who has come that we might participate of His heritage and receive the adoption of sons" (Epistle).

Before His coming, man was as "a child, who, during his minority, differeth nothing from a servant" (Epistle). On the contrary, now that The New Law has emancipated him from the tutorship of The Old Law, he is no longer a servant, but a son" (Epistle).

In revealing to us this supernatural filiation of Christ, which affects our Souls more especially at this Season of Christmas, The Liturgy makes The Divinity, under the aspect of Paternity, resplendent in our eyes. Also, the Worship of The Sons of God is summed up in that word that was spoken with Jesus, "Father ! " (Epistle).

The Gospel also discloses to us the glorious mission which the future has in store for this Child, the manifestation of which begins today in the Temple.

"It is the King" (Gradual), "Whose Reign" (Alleluia) "will reach the very depths of the heart" (Gospel). For all, it will be a touchstone, a stumbling block for those who will persecute Him (Communion), a cornerstone "for many in Israel" (Gospel).

Mass: Dum médium.
Second Collect: Of The Octave of The Nativity.
Preface: For Christmas.
Communicantes: For Christmas (during The Octave).

"O Mio Babbino Caro". Maria Callas.

"O mio babbino caro".

From Giachommo Puccini's

"Gianni Schicchi".

Sung by: Maria Callas.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

Chicago’s Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica Will Host First Traditional Latin Mass In Over Forty Years. Friday, 30 December 2016. 1500 hrs.

Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows,

Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.

Photo: 2 February 2008.

Source: thumb|100px|left.

Attribution: © 2008, Jeremy Atherton

Author: Original by w:User:JeremyA

edited version by w:User:Capital photographer

(Wikimedia Commons)

This Article is taken from, and can be read in full at, NEW LITURGICAL MOVEMENT

Chicago’s Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica will host its first Traditional Latin Mass in over forty years at 3:00 pm on Friday, 30 December 2016.

The Mass will be part of the annual Christmas Week Bus Tour of historic Chicago , organised by Prayer Pilgrimages, featured in Extraordinary Faith Episode 4, along with another High Mass, in The Extraordinary Form, at St Mary of the Angels Parish at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, 29 December 2016.

Everyone is invited to both Masses; you do NOT need to be part of The Bus Tour.

Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica is well-known for being the site of the film, narrated by Archbishop Fulton Sheen, The Immemorial Tridentine Mass.

"The Immemorial Tridentine Mass".

The Traditional Latin Solemn High Easter Mass,

described by Venerable Fulton J. Sheen.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

Saint Thomas Of Canterbury. Bishop And Martyr. Feast Day 29 December.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,

unless otherwise stated.

Saint Thomas of Canterbury.
Bishop and Martyr.
Feast Day 29 December.

Double.

Red Vestments.

Canterbury Cathedral,

where Saint Thomas was murdered on 29 December 1170.

Photo: 2006.

Source: http://www.wyrdlight.com

Attribution must say: WyrdLight.com

Author: Antony McCallum: Who is the uploader, photographer,

full copyright owner and proprietor of WyrdLight.com

(Wikimedia Commons)

This miniature, from an English Psalter, presents an account of the murder of Saint Thomas of Canterbury. Three of the four Knights attack the Archbishop, who is kneeling in Prayer

before the Altar. One of the Knights kicks Saint Thomas to the floor, and sends his Mitre flying.

Artist: Anonymous.

Date: Circa 1250.

Current location: Walters Art Museum,

Baltimore, Maryland, 

United States of America.

Credit line: Acquired by Henry Walters.

Source/Photographer: Walters Art Museum.

(Wikimedia Commons)

If 29 December falls on a Sunday, The Mass of The Sunday within The Octave of The Nativity is said, with a Commemoration of Saint Thomas.

The Season of Christmas, by manifesting to us The Divine Filiation of The Child in The Crib, as the Epistle of The Day reminds us, shows that He is a Priest. His Priesthood consists in making The Life of God penetrate our Souls and in defending, even at the cost of His Life, The Divine Rights of this Beloved Spouse.

The Feast of Saint Thomas Becket shows us that, in participating in The Dignity of The Christ Priest, as Archbishop of Canterbury, he knew how to prove himself, like Christ, The Shepherd, who defends His flock against the ravages of the wolf (Gospel).

A Seal of The Abbot of Arbroath, Scotland, showing the murder of Saint Thomas Becket.

Arbroath Abbey was Founded eight years after the death of Saint Thomas and Dedicated to him. Arbroath Abbey became the wealthiest Abbey in Scotland.

Date: Mediaeval Seal. Photo from the 1850s.

Source: Cosmo Innes and Patrick Chalmers (eds.), Liber S. Thome De Aberbrothoc; Registrorum Abbacie De Aberbrothoc, Volume 2, Edinburgi (Bannatyne Club) 1848-1856, front.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Henry II, King of England, wished him (Thomas) to sanction customs contrary to the liberties of The Church. Saint Thomas knew that to make this Divine Society subservient to the secular power would be to violate her very constitution, and so he declared that "as a Priest of Jesus Christ, he would willingly suffer death in defence of The Church of God".

He was slain in his Cathedral by the King's soldiers on 29 December 1170.

Against those who seek to enslave The Church, let us neither employ the craft of politics nor the weapons of warfare, but, after the example "of the glorious Thomas, who fell by the swords of the wicked in the defence of The Church" (Collect), let us know how to withstand them resolutely with all the moral strength that the defence of The Rights of God inspires.

Mass: Gaudeámus omnes in Dómino.
Second Collect: Of The Octave of The Nativity.
Preface: For Christmas.
Communicantes: For Christmas.