Notre Dame de Rouen. The façade of the Gothic Church in France. Photographer: Hippo1947. Licence: SHUTTERSTOCK.

Thursday 12 January 2017

Saint Bernard Of Corleone (1605-1667). Feast Day, Today, 12 January.


This Article was generated by interest
in a Post by VICTIMAE PASCHALI LAUDES



English: Saint Bernard of Corleone.
Polski: Święty Bernard Corleone.
Date: Unknown.
This File: 20 October 2008.
User: Tomasz Wachowski.
Author: Unknown.
(Wikimedia Commons)


"Paradise ! Paradise ! Paradise !

O, Blessed are the Disciplines,

Blissful the Night-Watches !

Blessed the Penances,

the Self-Will sacrificed !

O, the Blessing of Fasting,

and Acts of Obedience !

How great is the
Blessing of Religious Life
well lived ! "

Last words of Saint Bernard of Corleone.




Iona Abbey,
Scotland.
Image: SHUTTERSTOCK

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


Saint Bernard of Corleone, O.F.M. Cap., is a Catholic Saint, who was born in the Town of Corleone, in The Kingdom of Sicily, on 6 February 1605. His name was Filippo Latino, before becoming a Friar. His father was a Shoemaker, and Bernard learned this trade. After the death of his father, he became a Soldier and took up Fencing, becoming skilled in the art.

While in the Army, he displayed a fiery temper and was quick to challenge men to a duel. His only fault, in the words of two witnesses at his Beatification process, was that "he was quick to draw his Sword at the slightest provocation." His life was not noted for its moral content and he had quite a reputation.

Though not particularly Devout, he would defend old people and other helpless and defenseless persons against violence. He frequently made visits to a local Crucifix, and provided that a Lamp be kept burning before it. He was a Devotee of Saint Francis of Assisi.


Illustration: DICCON BEWES

In 1624, when Filippo was nineteen, he became involved in a duel, which cost his opponent his arm. This incident was witnessed by many, and caused an uproar, and Filippo was nicknamed "the Finest Blade in Sicily". To escape from the man's avengers, he sought refuge with The Capuchin Franciscans.

While staying with the Friars, Bernard began to reflect on his past life and to repent of his life of anger and violence. He appealed for admission to The Capuchins as a Lay Brother, and on 13 December 1632, he entered their Novitiate. His Devotion became very severe: Seven times a day he scourged himself, drawing blood; His sleep was limited to three hours a night on a narrow board, with a block of wood under his head; He Fasted for the most part on bread and water. If other food was given to him, he would place the food in his mouth, to whet his appetite, and then take it out, without consuming it.


During his entire Religious Life, he would wear the most-worn Habits available in The Friary and slept in the most uncomfortable Cell in The House. One result of this, was that he suffered from rheumatism for much of his later life. He worked long hours during the day, and had a special concern for the sick, growing into a man known for his gentleness and compassion.

Bernard had a strong Devotion to The Blessed Virgin Mary, and encouraged others in this Devotion. His biographers claim that Mary appeared to him and placed Jesus, as an Infant, in his arms. It is also claimed that She gave him knowledge of the day of his death, four months in advance. He died at Palermo, Sicily, on 12 January 1667, a few weeks short of his Sixty-Second Birthday.

His Funeral Procession was extensive, due to his fame as a Holy Man. Numerous Miracles reportedly occurring at his Grave, and recorded by historians of The Church, promoted the cause of his Beatification by Pope Clement XIII in 1767, and, later, Canonisation by Pope Saint John Paul II in 2001.

The Nineteenth Century.



The 19th-Century.


Our Lady of Sorrows.
Sancta Mater Dolorosa.
English: Seven Swords piercing The Sorrowful Heart of Mary
in the Church of The Holy Cross, Salamanca, Spain.
Español: Iglesia de la Vera Cruz (Salamanca).
Photo: 18 August 2014.
Source: Own work.
Author: Zarateman.
(Wikimedia Commons)

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


In 1817, Pope Pius VII extended, to the whole Church, The Feast of The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady (Feast Day 15 September), which had been observed by The Servites since the 13th-Century.

In 1849, this Pope Instituted The Feast of The Most Precious Blood of Our Lord (Feast Day 1 July) and raised The Feast of The Visitation of Our Blessed Lady (Feast Day 2 July) to that of a Double of The Second-Class, on the occasion of his return to Rome from exile.


Blessed Pope Pius IX, born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti,
who reigned from 16 June 1846 to his death in 1878.
In 1849, this Pope Instituted The Feast of The Most Precious Blood of Our Lord
(Feast Day 1 July) and raised The Feast of The Visitation of Our Blessed Lady (Feast Day 2 July)
to that of a Double of The Second-Class, on the occasion of his return to Rome from exile.
Date: Circa 1878.
Source: Originally from hu.wikipedia
description page is/was here
Author: Unknown (Original uploader was User:Czinitz at hu.wikipedia
(Wikimedia Commons)


The First Vatican Council was presided over by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1870.
Date: 1873.
Source: 1873 book on Blessed Pope Pius IX.
Author: Karl Benzinger.
(Wikimedia Commons)

In 1847, Blessed Pope Pius IX extended to The Universal Church The Feast of The Solemnity of Saint Joseph (Feast Day being The Wednesday after The Second Sunday after Easter), and, in 1870, he declared this Holy Patriarch Protector of The Universal Church.

In 1854, Blessed Pope Pius IX proclaimed The Dogma of The Immaculate Conception of Mary, its Feast Day (8 December) having been already granted to The Whole Church by Pope Clement X in 1708. Pope Leo XIII extended The Vigil of this Feast to The World in 1879.



The 19th-Century.

The Feast of The Sacred Heart (Feast Day being The Friday after The Octave of Corpus Christi), approved by Pope Clement XIII in 1765, was raised in 1889 to the Rank of a Double of The First-Class.

In 1854, Blessed Pope Pius IX Consecrated the Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls, the former Church having been destroyed by fire in 1823, and fixed The Feast of The Dedication as 18 November.



Photogram of the 1896 film
"Sua Santitá Papa Leone XIII",
the first time a Pope appeared on film.
Date: 1898.
This image is available from The United States Library of Congress's
Prints and Photographs Division under the digital ID cph.3a00543
Author: Unknown.
(Wikimedia Commons)

In 1888, Pope Leo XIII, moved by the sad trials which The Church was undergoing, composed a Mass and new Divine Office for The Feast of Our Lady of The Rosary (Feast Day 7 October). He also raised this Feast to the Rank of a Double of The Second-Class.

Similarly, in 1879, Pope Leo XIII raised to the Rank of a Double of The Second-Class The Feast of Saint Joachim, his Patron (Feast Day 16 August), and that of Saint Anne (Feast Day 26 July).



The 19th-Century.


The Saints of this Century are: Saint John Vianney, the Holy Parish Priest (†1859. Feast Day 9 August); Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, a Passionist (†1862. Feast Day 27 February); Saint Theresa of The Infant Jesus, a Carmelite (†1897. Feast Day 3 October); Saint Conrad of Parzham, a Capuchin Lay-Brother (†1894. Feast Day 24 April); Saint Mary-Bernard, of The Sisters of Nevers (Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes, †1879. Feast Day 18 February); Saint Joseph Cottolengo, The Vincent de Paul of Torino (†1842. Feast Day 30 April); Saint John Bosco, Founder of The Salesians (†1888. Feast Day 31 January); Saint Andrew Fournet (†1834. Feast Day 13 May) Founded a Congregation of Daughters of The Cross, and Saint Mary Michael of The Blessed Sacrament (†1865. Feast Day 25 August), another of The Adorers of The Blessed Sacrament.

Gloucester Cathedral. "In The Bleak Midwinter". "The Gloucester Wassail".



The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and The Holy and Indivisible Trinity,
Gloucester, England. Foundation work began on the Church in 1089.
Photo: 2 June 2011.
Source: Own work.
Attribution: Outside of Wikimedia Foundation projects,
attribution is to be made to: 
Saffron Blaze, via http://www.mackenzie.co/
Author: Saffron Blaze.
(Wikimedia Commons)


"In The Bleak Midwinter".
Sung by The Gloucester Cathedral Choir.
Available on YouTube at


The High Altar and Stained-Glass of The Great East Window,
Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucestershire, England.
Photo: 9 July 2014.
Source: Own work.
Attribution: "Photo by DAVID ILIFF.
License: CC-BY-SA 3.0".
Author: Diliff.
(Wikimedia Commons)


"The Gloucester Wassail".
"The Holly and The Ivy".
Regency Christmas.
Made for the HMS Acasta blog. www.hmsacasta.com 
"The Gloucester Wassail" sung by The Waverly Consort.
"The Holly and The Ivy" sung by The Choir of King's College, Cambridge.
Available on YouTube at


The Cloisters of Gloucester Cathedral,
Gloucestershire, England.
Photo: 9 July 2014.
Source: Own work.
Attribution: "Photo by DAVID ILIFF.
License: CC-BY-SA 3.0".
Author: Diliff.
(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

The Cathedral, built as the Abbey Church, consists of a Norman nucleus (Walter de Lacy is buried there), with additions in every Style of Gothic Architecture. It is 420 feet (130 m) long, and 144 feet (44 m) wide, with a fine Central Tower of the 15th-Century rising to a height of 225 ft (69 m) and topped by four delicate Pinnacles, a famous landmark.

The Nave is massive Norman with an Early-English Roof; the Crypt, under The Choir, Aisles and Chapels, is Norman, as is The Chapter House. The Crypt is one of the four Apsidal Cathedral Crypts in England, the others being at Worcester, Winchester, and Canterbury.

The South Porch is in The Perpendicular Style, with a Fan-Vaulted Roof, as also is The North Transept, The South Transept being Transitional Decorated Gothic. The Choir has Perpendicular Tracery over Norman work, with an Apsidal Chapel on each side. The Choir Vaulting is particularly rich.

The Late-Decorated East Window is partly filled with surviving Mediaeval Stained-Glass. Between the Apsidal Chapels is a Cross Lady Chapel, and North of The Nave are The Cloisters, the Carrels or Stalls, for the Monks' study and writing, lying to the South. The Cloisters at Gloucester are the earliest-surviving Fan Vaults, having been designed between 1351 and 1377 by Thomas de Canterbury.

The most notable monument is the Canopied Shrine of King Edward II of England, who was murdered at nearby Berkeley Castle. The building and Sanctuary were enriched by the visits of Pilgrims to this Shrine. In a Side-Chapel, is a monument in coloured bog oak of Robert Curthose, eldest son of William the Conqueror and a great benefactor of the Abbey, who was interred there. Monuments of Bishop Warburton and Dr Edward Jenner are also worthy of note.

Between 1873 and 1890, and in 1897, the Cathedral was extensively restored by George Gilbert Scott.

Wednesday 11 January 2017

Art Deco. Ol' Blue Eyes. "Fly Me To The Moon".



Illustration: PINTEREST


Frank Sinatra.
"Ol Blue Eyes".
Illustration: PINTEREST


"Fly Me To The Moon".
Sung by: Frank Sinatra.
Available on YouTube at

Pope Saint Hyginus. Martyr. Feast Day, Today, 11 January.


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

Pope Saint Hyginus.
Martyr.
Feast Day 11 January.

Simple.

Red Vestments.


English: Portrait of Pope Saint Hyginus
Papacy 136 A.D. - 142 A.D.
Italiano: Ritratto di it:Papa Igino nella
(Wikimedia Commons)

"At Rome, the Holy Death of Saint Hyginus, Pope, who generously suffered Martyrdom during the persecution of Emperor Hadrian" (Roman Martyrology), perhaps about 142 A.D.

Mass: Státuit.

Tuesday 10 January 2017

The Latin Mass Explained and Demonstrated for Priests.




The Latin Mass Explained and Demonstrated for Priests.
Available on YouTube at

            
  

The Church Of Our Lady of Buda, Hungary. Budavári Nagyboldogasszony-Templom.




English: The Church of Our Lady of Buda.
Hungarian: Budavári Nagyboldogasszony-templom.
Illustration: PINTEREST


The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

Matthias Church (Hungarian: Mátyás-templom) is a Roman Catholic Church located in Budapest, Hungary, in front of The Fisherman's Bastion, at the heart of Buda's Castle District. According to Church Tradition, it was originally built in Romanesque Style in 1015, although no archaeological remains exist.

The current building was constructed in the florid Late-Gothic Style, in the second- half of the 14th-Century, and was extensively restored in the Late-19th-Century. It was the second-largest Church of Mediaeval Buda and the seventh-largest Church of The Mediaeval Hungarian Kingdom.

Flos Carmeli. Flower Of Carmel.


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


Flos Carmeli is a Marian Catholic Hymn and Prayer. Flos Carmeli literally means "Flower of Carmel". In The Carmelite Rite, this Hymn was the Sequence for The Feast of Saint Simon Stock, and, since 1663, for The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It is said to have been written by Saint Simon Stock (1165 - 1265). The Prayer is taken from the first two stanzas of the Hymn.




"Flos Carmeli".
Available on YouTube at



"Flos Carmeli".
Available on YouTube at



Flos Carmeli, vitis florigera, splendor caeli, virgo puerpera singularis.
Mater mitis sed viri nescia Carmelitis esto propitia stella maris.

Radix Iesse germinans flosculum nos ad esse tecum in saeculum patiaris.
Inter spinas quae crescis lilium serva puras mentes fragilium tutelaris.

Armatura fortis pugnantium furunt bella tende praesidium scapularis.
Per incerta prudens consilium per adversa iuge solatium largiaris.

Mater dulcis Carmeli domina, plebem tuam reple laetitia qua bearis.
Paradisi clavis et ianua, fac nos duci quo, Mater, gloria coronaris. Amen.

Alleluia.



FLOWER of Carmel, Tall vine-blossom-laden; Splendour of heaven,
Childbearing, yet maiden. None equals thee.

Mother so tender, Whom no man didst know, On Carmel's children
Thy favours bestow. Star of the Sea.

Strong stem of Jesse, Who bore one bright flower, Be ever near us
And guard us each hour, who serve thee here.

Purest of lilies, That flowers among thorns, Bring help to the true heart
That in weakness turns and trusts in thee.

Strongest of armour, We trust in thy might: Under thy mantle,
Hard press'd in the fight, we call to thee.

Our way uncertain, Surrounded by foes, Unfailing counsel
You give to those who turn to thee.

O gentle Mother, Who in Carmel reigns, Share with your servants
That gladness you gained and now enjoy.

Hail, Gate of Heaven, With Glory now Crowned, Bring us to safety
Where thy Son is found, true joy to see. Amen.

Alleluia.

Monday 9 January 2017

How Many Of These Do You Remember ?

Mass For The Sunday Within The Octave Of The Epiphany.


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

Mass For The Sunday Within The Octave Of The Epiphany.

Semi-Double.

White Vestments.

[In 2017, this Mass is Celebrated on Monday, 9 January.
due to The Feast of The Holy Family taking precedence on
Sunday, 8 January 2017.]


Artist: Rene de Cramer.
"Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium".
Used with Permission.

From twelve-years-old, a Jew was bound each year to keep The Three Feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. In The Liturgy for Christmastide, the whole of Our Lord's childhood is put before us and today we see Him in the Temple, where, for the first time, He shows the Jews that God is His "Father" (Gospel).

"It was by no accident," says Saint Ambrose, "that this Child, Who, even according to the flesh, was full of Wisdom and Grace of God, forgetting His human parents, should wish to be found after three days in the Temple.


"By this, He intimated that, three days after The Triumph of His Passion, He, Who was believed to be dead, should rise again and so offer Himself as the object of our Faith, seated on a Heavenly Throne in Heavenly Glory. The truth is that, in His case, there is a two-fold birth; the one by which He is begotten by The Father, the other by which He is born of a Mother.

"The first is wholly Divine; by the second, He humbles Himself to take our nature" (Third Nocturn). This "Man sitting upon a High Throne, Whom a multitude of Angels Adore, singing together" (Introit) is, therefore, that Divine Child, Who is shown to us in today's Gospel.


"Sitting in the midst of the doctors, who "were astonished at his wisdom and answers", Moreover, since, "as God hath delivered to everyone the measure of Faith" (Epistle), Christian Souls form but "one body in Christ" (Epistle), they ought to be penetrated with the wisdom of Him who, far from "conforming Himself to the maxims of this World," reforms "and rules human life according to The Will of God" (Epistle).

"Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business ?" said the young boy, Jesus. This wholly supernatural wisdom, whose guiding principles exceed, without destroying, those of the natural order, is beyond our unaided powers. While seeking to curb our flesh by the mortification which such wisdom enjoins, sacrificing, at times, even the most lawful affection, in pursuance of a Divine Call which draws children from their parents' side, the plans of Almighty God must needs remain for us hidden Mysteries to be accepted without being completely understood.


"They understood not the word that He spoke unto them" (Gospel). Following Mary, who "kept all these words in her heart" (Gospel), let us meditate on the sublimity of Jesus' words and actions in the Temple. Like this Child, Whose whole life at Nazareth is summed up in the one word "subjection" (Gospel), let us grow in wisdom so that always we may "perceive what we ought to do," and in strength "to fulfil the same" (Collect).

Mass: In excélso.
Second Collect: Of The Epiphany (if during The Octave).
Creed: If during The Octave.
Preface: Of The Epiphany (if during The Octave).
Communicantes: If during The Octave.

Sunday 8 January 2017

Original Portrait Of Charles Dickens’ Wife Found Beneath Cover-Up.


Text and Illustration from FINE BOOKS AND COLLECTIONS


Catherine Dickens.

The Charles Dickens Museum in London reported that it discovered an original portrait of Catherine Dickens, wife of Charles Dickens. In a curious twist, the painting was discovered by X-ray beneath the portrait many believed to be the original. As it turns out, the original painting was extensively over-painted, perhaps after a botched attempt to clean it.

The Museum was gifted the portrait in 1996 and has treasured it for twenty years as one of only two paintings of Catherine in the Museum’s collection.

In May of 2016, however, some gaps in the painting’s provenance were discovered, raising concerns about its authenticity. During cataloging of the Museum’s art holdings, concerns were raised about the way the paint was handled in some places, which seemed amateur. The original painter, Daniel Maclise, was unlikely to have painted in such a manner.

The remainder of this Article can be read at FINE BOOKS AND COLLECTIONS

Feast Of The Holy Family. Sunday Within The Octave Of The Epiphany. "Jesus, Mary And Joseph Hallowed Family Life."


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

Feast of The Holy Family.

Sunday within The Octave of The Epiphany.

Greater-Double.

White Vestments.


[EDITOR: WHEN FAMILY LIFE IS UNDER ATTACK FROM ALL QUARTERS, NOWADAYS, LET US CONTINUALLY PRAY TO THE HOLY FAMILY FOR SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, AND HELP.]



The Holy Family.
Artist: Rene de Cramer.
"Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium".
Used with Permission.

"Is it not fitting," says Pope Leo XIII, "to Celebrate The Royal Birth of The Son of The Supreme Father, of The House of David and the Glorious Names of that ancient Line ?" Yet, it is more consoling for us to call to memory the little house at Nazareth and the humble life lived there; thus Celebrating The Hidden Life of Our Lord.



"The Feast of The Holy Family".
Available on YouTube at

For there, The Divine Child received His training in Joseph's humble trade; there, hidden and sheltered, He grew up and showed Himself ready to share the toil of a Carpenter's life. "Let the moisture," he seemed to say, "trickle over my limbs before they are drenched with the torrent of My Blood, and the pain of this labour shall go to stone for the sins of men."

Close to The Divine Child is His Tender Mother; close to Joseph stands his devoted wife, happy to relieve their toil and suffering by her loving care. O Thou, Who wast not free from toil and care and Who hast known adversity, come to the aid of the unfortunate, crippled by poverty and struggling against the difficulties of life" (Hymn for Matins).


In this lowly dwelling at Nazareth, by practising the domestic virtues of charity, obedience, mutual help and regard, Jesus, Mary and Joseph hallowed family life (Collect, Epistle, and Gospel). There, too, they constantly found joy and peace in Recollection and Prayer in Common.

May The Great Christian Family practise here on Earth The Virtues of The Holy Family, so meriting a life in Their Blessed Company in Heaven (Collect).

Pope Benedict XV, being desirous of securing for Souls The Blessings flowing from Meditation on The Virtues of The Holy Family and from their imitation, extended this Feast to The Universal Church, fixing its observance for The Sunday in The Octave of The Epiphany.


When this Sunday happens to be The Octave Day of The Epiphany, The Feast of The Holy Family is kept on the day before.

When The Feast is observed on a Sunday, every Parish Priest Celebrates Mass for the people of his Parish.

Mass: Exsúltat gáudio.
Commemoration: Of The Sunday within The Octave of The Epiphany..
Commemoration: Of The Octave of The Epiphany.
Gospel: Cum factus esset. As on The Sunday within The Octave of The Epiphany.
The Creed: Is said.
Preface: Of The Epiphany.
Communicantes: Of The Epiphany.
Last Gospel: The Gospel of Saint John.


The Sunday within The Octave of The Epiphany being now occupied by The Feast of The Holy Family, The Mass of The Sunday within The Octave of The Epiphany is Celebrated on a Week-Day.

If The Feast of The Holy Family falls on any date from 7 January to 11 January, The Mass of The Sunday within The Octave of The Epiphany is Celebrated on the following day, Monday (8 January to 17 January). [Editor: This is what will happen this year (2017).]

If The Feast of The Holy Family falls on 12 January, The Mass of The Sunday within The Octave of The Epiphany is not Celebrated at all, for want of a free day.

If The Epiphany (6 January) and its Octave Day (13 January) fall on a Sunday, The Mass of The Holy Family (with The Commemoration of The Sunday within The Octave of The Epiphany, and The Commemoration of The Octave) is said "in anticipation" on Saturday, 12 January, and The Mass of The Sunday within The Octave Of The Epiphany is Transferred to Saturday, 19 January, the only free day. In this case, it is said with the Gloria, but without the Credo, with the Preface, but without the Communicantes of The Epiphany, and with the Gospel "Pastores" (from The Second Mass at Christmas), as Last Gospel.

Saturday 7 January 2017

Latin Mass, Sung By The Saint Ann Choir, Saint Thomas Aquinas Church, Palo Alto, California. 1200 hrs, On Sunday, 8 January 2017.



Illustration: NEW LITURGICAL MOVEMENT

"Sweet Heart Of Jesus".




"Sweet Heart of Jesus".
Sung by: Regina Nathan.
Available on YouTube at

Inside Antarctica’s Catholic Ice Chapel. The World’s Most Southerly Church.



Text and Illustration: CHURCHPOP

Antarctica is an amazing giant Continent at The South Pole. Braving Winter temperatures of over a hundred degrees Fahrenheit below zero, a few thousand people live there at any given time. And, because, like most people, they have spiritual needs, there are a number of Chapels at various government Bases.

It just so happens that the Southernmost Chapel (of any Religion) is a Catholic Chapel at the Argentinian Belgrano II Base (still over 800 miles from The South Pole). And it has a unique attribute: It is carved out of pure ice.

That’s right, it’s in a permanent ice cave.

Friday 6 January 2017

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



Illustration: NASA

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.
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.

Thursday 5 January 2017

Another New Location For The Traditional Mass. High Mass For The Epiphany Of Our Lord. Friday, 6 January 2017. 1900 hrs. At Saint John The Baptist Church, Jersey City.






Saint John the Baptist Church,
3026 John F. Kennedy Boulevard,
Jersey City,
United States of America.
1900 hrs (7 p.m.).
Within walking distance of
the PATH Train Station, Journal Square.
There is a Parking Lot behind
the 
Church on Huron Avenue.

Feast Of The Epiphany: Special Tones For The Chanting Of The Gospel And Proclamation Of The Date Of Easter And The Moveable Feasts For 2017.


Text and Illustrations are taken from NEW LITURGICAL MOVEMENT

Our good friends of The Schola Sainte Cécile have posted two items of interest for the upcoming Feast of The Epiphany; a Special Tone for the Chanting for the Gospel, and the Proclamation of The Date of Easter and of The Movable Feasts, which is Traditionally made after the Gospel, for the year 2017.

The Tone of the latter, also known from its first word as The Noveritis, is basically the same as that of The Exsultet. I have heard this special Gospel Tone at Mass, and it is really quite beautiful.

If you should decide to use these pieces in The Liturgy, you can download them in PDF Format, with some very nice decorations, at the following links: PDF of the Gospel; PDF of the Noveritis.












The following Text is from THE CHANT CAFÉ

The proclamation of the date of Easter, and other moveable Feasts for the forthcoming year, was one of the many things that was a practical necessity in time of old, but is kept within Liturgical use (similar to Candles providing light at Mass). It is something any Parish can use for the forthcoming Feast of The Epiphany.

"Star Of Wonder, Star Of Night . . ."



Illustration: RORATE CAELI


"Star of Wonder, Star of Night".
Available on YouTube at

The famous American Carol, We Three Kings Of Orient Are, was written in 1857 by Rev. John Henry Hopkins. The Minister is reputed to have written the Carol for the General Theological Seminary in New York City,as part of their Christmas pageant.

The Eighteenth Century.


Text is from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.
18th-century.

Leutze's depiction of Washington's attack on the Hessians,
at Trenton, on the morning of 26 December 1776.
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)


English: Portrait of Pope Clement XIII.
Date: 1758.
Current location: Bologna Pinacoteca Nazionale.
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.
Nederlands: Anton Raphael Mengs (1728-1779).
Portret van paus Clemens XIII (1758).
Bologna Pinacoteca Nazionale
Source: Picture taken and uploaded by Paul Hermans.
Author: Anton Raphael Mengs (1728–1779).
(Wikimedia Commons)


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)


Servant of God,
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.
Date of File: 1 February 2013.
Author: Unknown 18th-Century painter.
(Wikimedia Commons)
18th-century.
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 rigour-ism.
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.




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.
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