The Purification Of The Blessed Virgin Mary. Feast Day, Today, 2 February.

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

The Purification of The Blessed Virgin Mary.
   Feast Day 2 February.

Double of The Second-Class.

White Vestments.

Purification of The Blessed Virgin Mary.

Illustration: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Artist: René de Cramer.

"Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium".

Used with Permission.

With The Feast of The Purification, ends The Sanctoral Cycle of The Season after Epiphany. It is one of the oldest Feasts of Our Lady and, in Rome in the 7th-Century A.D., it ranked only after The Assumption in importance. The Feast is kept on 2 February, because Mary, wishing to obey The Mosaic Law, had to go to Jerusalem forty days after The Birth of Jesus (25 December - 2 February) to offer the prescribed sacrifice [The Church has instituted for Christian mothers the fine Ceremony of "Churching".]. Mothers were to offer a lamb, or, if their means did not allow, "two doves or two young pigeons".

The Blessed Virgin Mary took with her to Jerusalem The Infant Jesus, and The Candlemas Procession recalls the journey of Mary and Joseph ascending to the temple to present "The Angel of The Covenant" (Epistle, Introit) as Malachy had Prophesied.

"The wax of the candles signifies The Virginal Flesh of The Divine Infant," says Saint Anselm, "the wick figures His Soul and the flame His Divinity."

The Purification to which The Mother of The Saviour was not obliged to conform, as her Motherhood was beyond ordinary laws, is not placed in the foreground of The Liturgy and The Presentation of Jesus is the principal object of this Feast.

If this Solemnity is considered as belonging to The Season of Christmas, Jesus will be seen manifested by Simeon as The God Who "shall illumine the Gentiles with His Light and shall be The Glory of the people of Israel" (Gospel); and if, as belonging to The Season after Epiphany, we shall Adore Jesus in the accomplishment of this Prophecy, either at The Marriage Feast at Cana, where He commences to "manifest His Glory" (Gospel of The Second Sunday after Epiphany), or in the midst of the multitude, when He spreads The Light of His Doctrine (Gospel of The Fifth and Sixth Sundays after Epiphany).

We may read The Fourth Prayer of The Blessing of Candles in order to understand the symbolism of The Lamp of the Sanctuary and the Candles Blessed on this day, and to know the right use to be made of them by the bed of the dying, during storms, and in the perils to which may be exposed "our bodies and Souls on land and on the waters" (First Prayer of The Blessing of Candles).

If The Feast of The Purification falls on a Privileged Sunday, it is Transferred to the following day; nevertheless, The Blessing of The Candles takes place before The Sunday Mass.

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

Mass: Suscépimus, Deus.
Gloria: Is said.
Credo: Is said.
Preface: Of Christmas.

The Blessed Candles should be held lighted in the hand during the Gospel and also from the Sanctus to the Communion.

Saint Ignatius Of Antioch. Bishop And Martyr. Feast Day 1 February.

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

Saint Ignatius.
   Bishop and Martyr.
   Feast Day 1 February.

Double.

Red Vestments.

English: The Parish Church of Saint John the Baptist, Italy. Painting of

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who suffered Martyrdom by being mauled by Lions.

Italiano: Agna, chiesa parrocchiale di San Giovanni Battista: interno

 dipinto raffigurante Sant'Ignazio di Antiochia sbranato dai leoni.

Date: 11 August 2015.

Source: Own work.

Author: Threecharlie

(Wikimedia Commons)

The affirmation of The Divinity of Jesus, founded on the wisdom of His Words and the Miracles of His Life, is the object aimed at in The Season after Epiphany, which ends tomorrow. Saint Ignatius of Antioch (not to be confused with Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556. Feast Day 31 July)), illustrious for his teaching, corroborates these different testimonies by his Martyrdom, one of the most glorious in history.

This Third Successor of Saint Peter at Antioch (Gradual) was condemned to the wild beasts during the Persecution of Emperor Trajan and sent in chains to Rome. The Introit and Epistle sum up the sentiments of his heart. "Let fire, Cross, beasts, and all the torments of the devil come upon me, so long as I enjoy Jesus Christ."

"The grain of wheat must die in order to bring forth much fruit" (Gospel). And Saint Ignatius, on hearing the roaring of the Lions, exclaimed "I am the wheat of Jesus Christ: May I be ground by the fangs of wild beasts and become a bread agreeable to my Lord Jesus Christ" (Communion).

He was Martyred at Rome between 110 A.D., and 118 A.D. His name is mentioned in The Canon of The Mass (Second List).

Let us, like this Saint, die to the World, and to ourselves, as a testimony that it is Jesus Who lives in us (Alleluia).

Mass: Mihi autem.

Amalarius Of Metz (Circa 780 A.D. - 850 A.D.). Ninth-Century A.D. Liturgist And Partisan Of King Louis The Pious.

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

English: Flower garden in Thionville, France.

The Synod of Thionville (German: Diedenhofen) was held in 835 A.D.,

and Amalarius replaced Agobard at this Synod.

Lëtzebuergesch: Zu Diddenuewen.

Date: 10 October 2005 (original upload date).

Source: Own work. Transferred from lb.wikipedia

Author: Johnny Chicago at lb.wikipedia

(Wikimedia Commons)

Amalarius of Metz (circa 780 A.D. - 850 A.D.), also known as Amalarius Symphosius or Amalarius Fortunatus, was a Liturgist and partisan of King Louis the Pious throughout his tumultuous reign.

In 831 A.D., Amalarius travelled to Rome to meet Pope Gregory IV and arrange a new Frankish Liturgy. In 835 A.D., he replaced Agobard at The Synod of Diedenhofen (Thionville). During Agobard's exile (circa 834 A.D.) he was responsible for administering The Diocese of Lyon. He implemented Liturgical reforms.

He wrote extensively on The Mass, including The Liber Officialis, and was involved in the great Mediæval debates regarding Predestination.

We must rely on his enemy, Florus of Lyon, for an account of Amalarius' condemnation on the accusation of Heresy, at Quierzy, 838 A.D., which banned some of his works. Nevertheless, his writings form a good portion of our current documentation of the 9th-Century Liturgies of The Western Church.

While the exact date of his death is not known, it is believed that it happened around 850 A.D. in Metz.

English: Printed Antiphonary (circa 1700).

It is open at Vespers of Easter Sunday.

(Musée de l'Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris).

Amalarius of Metz, a great Liturgist, tried to introduce his new Antiphonary

when he governed the Diocese of Lyons, but met with strong opposition

from the Deacon, Florus.

Français: F. Montacier / Antiphonaire de la Charité / Musée de l'Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris / Hôtel de Miramion (Paris, France). Recueil de chants liturgiques, 18e siècle (env. 1700), parchemin.

Date: 9 September 2006.

Source: Own work.

Author: ignis

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is taken from THE CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA
(dated 1907).

A Liturgical writer, born at Metz, in the last quarter of the 8th-Century A.D.; died about 850 A.D. He was formerly considered a different personage from Amalarius of Trèves (Trier), but, of late, owing to the researches of Dom Morin, the opinion seems to prevail that, about 811 A.D., Amalarius of Metz became Bishop of Trèves, which Diocese he relinquished after two years to act as Envoy to Constantinople. Hence, he is regarded as author of the works once attributed to Amalarius of Trèves.

He was for some time a disciple of Alcuin. After returning to France from Constantinople, he would appear to have assisted at important Synods at Aix-la-Chapelle and Paris. Later, he was sent by Louis le Débonnaire as Ambassador to Pope Gregory IV, at Rome, this being probably his second visit to The Eternal City. Later, he governed The Diocese of Lyons during the exile of Agobard, and there tried to introduce his new Antiphonary, but met with strong opposition from the Deacon, Florus.

When Agobard was restored to his See, both he and Florus attacked the writings of Amalarius and succeeded in having him censured at a Synod, held at Kiersy in 838 A.D., for his opinion concerning the signification of the parts of The Divided Host at Mass. Finally, Amalarius was involved in the Theological controversies on Predestination, raised by Gottschalk.

The date of his death has not been determined with certainty, but it must have been shortly after the year 850 A.D. The works of Amalarius treat chiefly of Liturgical subjects. His most important, and also his long, Treatises, are entitled "De ecclesiasticis officiis" and "De ordine antiphonarii." The former is divided into four books, in which, without observing a strict, logical order, he treats of The Mass, The Office, different Benedictions, Ordinations, Vestments, etc., giving an explanation of the various Formularies and Ceremonies, rather than a scientific exposition of The Liturgy.

The first book explains The Liturgical Seasons and Feasts, from Septuagesima to Pentecost, and especially The Ceremonies of Holy Week. The second book treats of the times for conferring Holy Orders, of the different Orders in The Church and of The Liturgical Vestments. The third book contains a few Preliminary Chapters on Bells, The Choir, etc., a Treatise on the different parts of The Mass, Celebrated Pontifically, according to The Roman Rite, and some Chapters on special subjects, e.g. Advent, The Mass for The Dead, etc.

The fourth book deals principally with The Divine Office, explaining its integral parts and The Offices peculiar to certain Liturgical Seasons or Feast Days, but it contains a few Supplementary Chapters on Obsequies for The Dead and subjects already treated.

In the "De ordine antiphonarii", he explains the arrangement of The Divine Office and the variations for the different Feasts, and considers, in particular, the origin and meaning of The Antiphons and Responses; indeed, in this World, he would seem a commentator on his own Antiphonary compiled from The Antiphonaries of Rome and Metz, and a defender of his method of composition.

His "Eclogae de officio missae" contains a description of The Pontifical Mass, according to The Roman Rite, and a mystical explanation of the different parts of The Mass. Several Letters of Amalarius, dealing with Liturgical subjects, have also been preserved. Dom Morin denies the authenticity of The Letter of Amalarius in response to certain questions of Charlemagne concerning Baptism, as well as the "Forma institutionis canonicorum et sanctimonialium,", which is a collection of rules taken from The Decrees of Councils and Works of The Fathers, for Clerics and Nuns living in Community. Unfortunately, his Antiphonary, and also his "Embolis", have not been preserved.

Amalarius seems to have had a strong liking for Liturgical Studies, a liking which was stimulated and fostered by his master, Alcuin. His travels to The East gave him considerable information concerning The Oriental Rites, but his stay in Rome appears to have imbued him with a deep love for The Roman Liturgy and to have greatly influenced his Liturgical Work. There, he made a special Study of Rubrics and Roman Customs; he inquired diligently of Theodore, the Arch-Priest of the Basilica of Saint Peter, concerning the Formularies and Ceremonies in use in Rome, and even sought to obtain Copies of The Liturgical books to take to France.

Living at this time when The Liturgy was changing, when the fusion of The Roman Use and Gallican Use was taking place, he exercised a remarkable influence in introducing the present composite Liturgy, which has finally supplanted the ancient Roman Rite.

He sought to carry out the desire of The Emperor to introduce The Roman Liturgy in order to obtain uniformity, but, at the same time, like Alcuin and other Liturgists of his age, he combined with The Roman Rite whatever he deemed worth preserving in The Gallican Rite, as may be easily seen in his commentary on his own Antiphonary.

The chief merit of his Works consists of the fact that they have preserved much accurate and valuable information on the state of The Liturgy at the beginning of The 9th-Century A.D., so that a comparison may easily be made between it and the present Liturgy, to determine what changes have occurred and to trace the development that has taken place.

The most serious defect in his writings is an excessive mysticism, which led him to seek far-fetched, and even absurd, symbolical origins and meanings for Liturgical Formulas and Ceremonies, but the fault may be in a measure excused, since it was common to all Liturgical writers of that time. He may also have used more liberty in composing, changing, and transposing Liturgical Texts than Ecclesiastical authority in later ages would permit, when the necessity of unity in The Liturgy was more imperatively felt.

In spite of these faults, he exercised great influence on the development of the present Roman Liturgy, and his Works are very useful for the study of the history of The Latin Liturgies.

Saint John Bosco (1815 - 1888). Confessor. Feast Day, Today, 31 January.

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

Saint John Bosco.
   Confessor.
   Feast Day 31 January.

Double.

White Vestments.

English: Portrait of Saint John Bosco.

Română: Don Bosco la Torino în 1880 (fotografie originală).

Date: 1880.

Source: Unknown.

Author: Unknown.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint John Bosco was born on 16 August 1815 at Becchi, Piedmont, Italy. Even in early youth he had a great influence on children; and, while still a young shepherd, his future mission was revealed to him in a vision of thousands of lambs and sheep gathered round him.

He was brought up by a Saintly mother, Margaret Bosco, and, later, under the care of the Parish Priest of Castelnuovo, near Asti. He afterwards entered the Seminary of Chieri. After his Ordination, he settled down in Turin, where he was "all to all" (Breviary) and "through his confidence in God" (Breviary) achieved great works in spite of the most fierce opposition.

His wish to help young boys and girls, especially of the poorer classes, led him to Found, in 1852, The Congregation of The Salesian Fathers, and, in 1872, that of The Daughters of Our Lady, Help of Christians (Collect).

Don Bosco.

Date: 1865-1868.

Source: Turin.

Author: Unknown.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Full of zeal for Souls and for the Propagation of The Faith (Martyrology), he established the foreign missions. Comparing him to Abraham, The Church sings: "Against hope, he believed in hope, that he may be made father of many Nations, according to that which was said to him" (Communion).

Dom Bosco guided young people as their "father and master" (Collect) with such wisdom and prudence that The Church compares him to Solomon: "His heart was as large as the sand that is on the sea-shore" (Introit), "a golden heart like that of a mother, for the poorest among the poor" (Pope Pius XI).

Like Saint Francis of Sales, whose name Saint John Bosco gave to his Order [Editor: The Salesians], he did everything in a Spirit of Divine Charity, forgetting himself and working for The Glory of God and the salvation of Souls (Introit, Collect, Alleluia, Offertory, Secret).

In the same way as this great Doctor of The Church [Editor: Saint Francis de Sales], Saint John Bosco was inspired by the doctrine of Saint Paul (Epistle) and by the example of Christ, Who was meek and humble of heart; he practised and preached Holy Joy, kindness, thanksgiving (Epistle, Postcommunion), goodness, meekness, and humility (Gospel).

In difficult circumstances, he defended the interests of The Church and often "helped the Roman Pontiff" (Breviary) by his influence on Sectarian Statesmen. Thanks to him, the effects of Anti-Religious laws in Italy were often mitigated.

This Holy Man died in 1888, when 73 years of age. He was Canonised by Pope Pius XI on Easter Sunday 1934, and his Feast extended to The Universal Church in 1936.

His Religious Family is carrying on his work, so that, on 3 December 1933, Pope Pius XI could describe it as numbering: 19,000 Religious; 1,430 Houses of Education; eighty Religious Provinces; Thousands of Churches, Chapels, Boarding Schools and Boys' Clubs; seventeen Territories in The Mission Field; hundreds of thousands of pupils, and about a million Old Pupils; about as many Co-operators, who, after his own expression, "lengthen his arm".

In Heaven, Saint John Bosco Prays for them and for those who have recourse to his intercession (Postcommunion).

Mass: Dedit illi.

The following Text and Illustrations are from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia, unless otherwise stated.

John Bosco (Italian: Giovanni Melchiorre Bosco; 1815 – 1888), popularly known as Don Bosco, was an Italian Roman Catholic Priest of The Latin Church, educator and writer of the 19th-Century. While working in Turin, where the population suffered many of the effects of industrialisation and urbanisation, he dedicated his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth.

He developed teaching methods based on love, rather than punishment, a method that became known as the Salesian Preventive System. A follower of the Spirituality and Philosophy of Saint Francis de Sales, John Bosco dedicated his works to him, when he founded The Salesians of Don Bosco, based in Turin.

Saint John Bosco Parish Church, Makati City, Philippines.

Photo: 18 May 2012.

Source: Own work.

Author: Ramon FVelasquez

(Wikimedia Commons)

Together with Maria Domenica Mazzarello, he Founded The Institute of The Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians, a Religious Congregation of Nuns dedicated to the care and education of poor girls.

In 1876, John Bosco Founded a Movement of Laity, The Association of Salesian Co-operators, with the same Educational Mission to The Poor. In 1875, he began to publish The Salesian Bulletin. The Bulletin has remained in continuous publication, and is currently published in fifty different editions and thirty languages.

Saint John Bosco established a network of Organisations and Centres to carry on his work. Following his posthumous Beatification, in 1929, he was Canonised as a Saint in The Roman Catholic Church by Pope Pius XI in 1934.

“Tickets, Please”.

“Tickets, Please”.

Illustration: PINTEREST

Saint Martina. Virgin And Martyr. Feast Day, Today, 30 January.

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

Madonna and Child with Saint Martina and Saint Agnes.

Artist: El Greco (1541–1614).

Date: 1597-1599.

Current location: National Gallery of Art,

Washington, D.C., United States of America.

Source: [1]

(Wikimedia Commons)

Martina of Rome was a Roman Martyr, under Emperor Alexander Severus. She is a Patron Saint of Rome.

She was Martyred in 226 A.D., according to some authorities, more probably in 228 A.D., under the Pontificate of Pope Urban I, according to others. The daughter of an ex-Consul, and orphaned at an early age, she so openly testified to her Christian Faith that she could not escape the Persecutions under Alexander Severus. Arrested and commanded to return to idolatry, she refused, whereupon she was subjected to various tortures and was finally beheaded.

The Relics of Martina were discovered on 25 October 1634, by the painter Pietro da Cortona, in a Crypt of Santi Luca e Martina, situated near The Mamertine Prison and Dedicated to the Saint.[1]

Pope Urban VIII, who occupied The Holy See at that time, had the Church repaired and, it would seem, composed the Hymns which are sung at her Office.

Her Feast Day is 30 January.

The Church of Santi Luca e Martina, Rome.

Photo: March 2006.

Source: Own work.

Author: Panairjdde (FlagUploader).

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: Church of Santi Luca e Martina, Rome.

Architect: Pietro da Cortona

Italiano: Chiesa dei Santi Luca e Martina, Roma. Interno.

Architetto: Pietro da Cortona

This File: 12 February 2006.

User: Torvindus

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.

Saint Martina.
Virgin and Martyr.
Feast Day 30 January.

Semi-Double.

Red Vestments.

The Sanctoral Cycle makes us honour today a Virgin, who, by her constancy in the midst of the most atrocious torments, bore witness before all (Introit) to The Divinity of Christ, her Spouse (Gospel). "I am a Christian," she declares to her executioners, "and I confess Jesus Christ."

The Epistle puts on her lips the words of Wisdom: "Lord, my Saviour, Thou hast become my help and protector." And she, herself, said, in the midst of her sufferings: "I love my Lord Jesus Christ, Who strengthens me."

Saint Martina was beheaded in 228 A.D., and joined in Heaven The Train of Virgins who surround The Divine King (Alleluia). Her Remains rest in a former temple of Mars, transformed into a Church, which bears the name of this Virgin, whose name recalls that of the god of war.

Let us arm ourselves, to defend The Divinity of Jesus, with love of Purity.

Mass: Loquébar.

The following Text is from

"The Liturgical Year", by Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.
Translated from the French by Dom Laurence Shepherd, O.S.B.
Volume 3.
Christmas - Book II.

Available from ST. BONAVENTURE PUBLICATIONS

Saint Martina.
   Virgin and Martyr.
   Feast Day 30 January.

A Fourth Roman Virgin, wearing on her brow a Martyr's Crown, comes today to share the honours given to Saints Agnes, Emerentiana, and Prisca, and offer her Palm to The Lamb.

Her name is Martina, which the pagans were wont to give to their daughters in honour of their god of war [Editor: Mars was the pagans' god of war]. Her Sacred Relics repose at the foot of The Capitoline Hill, in the ancient Temple of Mars, which has now become the beautiful Church of Saint Martina.

The Holy ambition to render herself worthy of Him, Whom she had chosen as her Divine Spouse, gave her courage to suffer torments and death for His sake; so that, of her, as of the rest of The Martyrs, we may say those words of The Liturgy: "She washed her robes in The Blood of The Lamb".

Our Emmanuel is The Mighty God (Isaiah ix 6), The Lord that is mighty in war (Psalm xxiii 8), not, like the Mars of the pagans, needing the Sword to win his battles. He vanquishes His enemies by meekness, patience, and innocence, as in the Martyrdom of today's Saint, whose victory was grander than was ever won by Rome's boasted warriors.

This illustrious Virgin, who is one of the Patrons of The City of Rome, is honoured by having her praises sung by one of the Popes. It was Pope Urban VIII who wrote the Hymns which are recited on her Feast Day, and which we subjoin to The Lessons which recount the glorious combats of our Saint.

“In Festo Desponsationis Beatæ Mariæ Virginæ”. “The Espousal Of The Blessed Virgin Mary To Saint Joseph”. Feast Day 23 January.

“In Festo Desponsationis”.

“The Espousal Of The Blessed Virgin Mary To Saint Joseph”.

Feast Day 23 January.

Illustration: Zephyrinus's “Missale Romanum”, dated 1861.

Mass: “Salve, Sancta Parens”.

Commemoration: Saint Joseph.

Commemoration: Saint Emerentiana.

Credo: Is said.

Preface: Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

“et te in Desponsatione”.

English: The Virgin at Prayer.

Français : La Vierge en prière.

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

Description and location: Jungfrun i bön (1640-1650),

National Gallery, London.

Collection: National Gallery, London.

Source/Photographer: Web Gallery of Art

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Joseph,

husband of The Blessed Virgin Mary and Foster-Father of The Infant.

Illustration: THE FEDERALIST

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,

unless stated otherwise.

“The Espousal of The Blessed Virgin Mary”, or, “Marriage of The Virgin Mary”, is a Feast that is Celebrated in certain parts of The Roman Catholic Church among certain Congregations, such as The Oblates of Saint Joseph.

The Feast was removed from many Local Calendars by The Sacred Congregation of Rites. It was formerly generally observed on 23 January.

English: The marriage of The Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Joseph.

Deutsch: Bleiglasfenster in der Stiftskirche Saint-Quiriace in Provins,

einer Gemeinde im Département Seine-et-Marne (Île-de-France), Darstellung:

Geschichte des Joseph, untere Szene rechts: Heirat Josephs und Marias.

Photo: 4 June 2011.

Source: Own work.

Author: GFreihalter

(Wikimedia Commons)

The first definite knowledge of a Feast, “In Honour Of The Espousal of Mary”, dates from 29 August 1517, when, “with nine other Masses In Honour Of Mary”, it was granted by Pope Leo X to The Nuns of The Annunciation, Founded by Saint Jeanne de Valois.

In certain particular Churches, “The Espousals Of The Virgin Mary And Saint Joseph” are honoured with an Office on 23 January. The Oblates of Saint Joseph Celebrate 23 January as The Feast Day of “The Holy Spouses, Mary And Joseph”.

Gaspar Bertoni, Founder of The Stigmatines, chose Mary and Joseph, in the context of their “Espousals”, as Patrons of The Congregation of The Sacred Stigmata.

An Article on The Mass for The Espousal of The Blessed Virgin Mary with Saint Joseph can be found on the Web-Site at THE BRIGHTON ORATORY

Saint Francis De Sales (1567-1622). Confessor. Bishop. Doctor Of The Church. Whose Feast Day Is, Today, 29 January.

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

Saint Francis of Sales.
   Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of The Church.
   Feast Day 29 January.

Double.

White Vestments.

Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622).

From a painting in Heimsuchungskloster, Oberroning, Bayern, Deutschland

(Convent of the Visitation Sisters, Oberroning, Bavaria, Germany).

This File: 18 April 2005.

User: Searobin

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Word Made Flesh makes known to us, by His teachings, the Mysteries of His Divine Wisdom, and, by His Miracles, His eternal love. Saint Francis of Sales (Saint Francis de Sales), a Doctor of the Church, had a share in the knowledge of the Incarnate Word (Gradual), and, like Him, by his gentle Charity (Collect) worked wonders of conversion.

Sent to "preach the word of God to the Calvinists of Chablais, he brought back sixty thousand to the Catholic Faith" (Breviary). Having become the father of the Church at Geneva, and founder of the Order of the Visitation, he shed over this double family (Communion) the rays of his Apostolic zeal and of his gentle holiness.

"May your light shine before men, so that, seeing your works, they may glorify your Father Who is in Heaven" (Gospel). It is especially God's goodness which this Saint revealed. "If we must fall into some excess," Saint Francis of Sales would say, "let it be on the side of gentleness".

Saint Francis de Sales.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

"I wish to love him so much, this dear neighbour, I wish to love him so much ! It has pleased God so to make my heart ! Oh !, when shall we be impregnated with gentleness and in Charity towards our neighbour ?"

Saint Francis of Sales died at Lyons, France, in 1622.

Let us remember this Saint's two sayings: "You can catch more flies with a spoonful of honey than with a hundred barrels of vinegar." "What is good, makes no noise; noise does no good."

Mass: In médio.

Coat-of-Arms of Saint Francis de Sales.

Date: 5 December 2013.

Source: Own work.

Reference: File:Franz von Sales Bischofswappen.jpg

Commons Images Used: File:Template-Bishop.svg

Author: Jayarathina

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

Francis de Sales, C.O., T.O.M., A.O.F.M. Cap. (French: François de Sales) (1567 – 1622) was a Bishop of Geneva and is honoured as a Saint in The Roman Catholic Church. He became noted for his deep Faith and his gentle approach to the Religious divisions in his land resulting from The Protestant Reformation. He is known also for his writings on the topic of Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Formation, particularly the Introduction To The Devout Life and the Treatise on The Love of God.

Francis de Sales was Beatified in 1661 by Pope Alexander VII, who then Canonised him four years later. He was declared a Doctor of The Church by Pope Pius IX in 1877.

The Roman Catholic Church currently (in the Novus Ordo Form) Celebrates Saint Francis de Sales' Feast Day on 24 January, the day of his burial in Annecy, France, in 1624. From the year 1666, when his Feast Day was inserted into The General Roman Calendar, until the reform of this Calendar in 1969, it was observed on 29 January, and this date is kept by those who Celebrate The Extraordinary Form of The Roman Rite.

Saint Agnes’ Second Feast (Sanctæ Agnetis Secundo). Feast Day 28 January.

Unless otherwise stated, Text is taken from
“The Liturgical Year”, by Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.
Translated from the French by Dom Laurence Shepherd, O.S.B.

Christmas, Book II.
   Fourth Edition.
   Volume 3.

Saint Agnes.

Artist: Domenichino (1581–1641).

Date: 1620.

Current location: Royal Collection, Windsor Castle, England.

References: The Royal Collection, Windsor Castle

Source/Photographer: Web Gallery of Art

(Wikimedia Commons)

Church of Saint Agnes Outside-the-Walls

(Sant’Agnese fuori-le-mura), Rome, Italy.

Photo taken during a survey of Roman Monuments, 1911 [1].

Date: 1911.

This File: 16 November 2005.

User: Panairjdde

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following three paragraphs are

taken from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

The Church of Saint Agnes Outside-the-Walls 

(Italian: Sant’Agnese fuori-la-mura) is a Titulus Church,

Minor Basilica, in Rome, on a site sloping down from

The Via Nomentana, which runs North-East out of the City,

still under its ancient name.

What are said to be the remains of Saint Agnes are below The High Altar. The Church is over one of the Catacombs of Rome, where Saint Agnes was originally buried, and which may still be visited from the Church. The Church was built by Pope Honorius I in the 7th-Century A.D., and largely retains its original structure, despite many changes to the decoration.

In particular, the Mosaic, in the Apse, of Agnes, 

Pope Honorius and another Pope, is largely in its original condition. The current Cardinal Priest, of the Titulus S. Agnetis Extra mœnia, is Camillo Ruini.

Lazzaro Morelli Statue (1661-1662) of Saint Agnes,

on the Colonnade in Saint Peter's Square, Rome.

[Editor: Lazzaro Morelli (1619 – 1690) was

an Italian Sculptor of The Baroque Period.]

This File: 6 November 2011.

User: Cloudbound

Photo: {{Cc-by-2.0|Photographed by

Richard Stracke in St. Peter's Square}}

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: Saint Agnes.

Spanish: Santa Inés.

Artist: Cesare Dandini (1596–1657).

Source/Photographer: www.pintura.aut.org

(Wikimedia Commons)

Christmas.

28 January.

Saint Agnes.

Her Second Feast.

Five days after the Martyrdom of the Virgin Emerentiana [Editor: Feast Day 23 January], the parents of the

glorious Saint Agnes visited the tomb of their child

during the night. There to weep and Pray. It was the

eighth day since Saint Agnes’ Martyrdom.

Whilst they were thinking upon the cruel death, which, though it enriched their child with a Martyr's Palm, had deprived them of her society, Agnes suddenly appeared to them: She was encircled with a bright light, and wore a Crown on her head, and was surrounded by a Choir of Virgins of dazzling beauty. On her Right-Hand, there stood a beautiful White Lamb,

the emblem of The Divine Spouse of Agnes.

Turning towards her parents, she said to them: “Weep not over my death: For I am now in Heaven, together with these Virgins, living with Him whom I loved on Earth with my whole Soul.”

It is to Commemorate this glorious apparition that The Holy Church has instituted this Feast, which is called Saint Agnes’ Second Feast (Sanctæ Agnetis Secundo).

Let us Pray to this fervent spouse of The Divine Lamb, that she intercede for us with Him, and present us to Him in this Life, until it be given to us to possess Him face-to-face in Heaven.

Let us unite with The Church in the following Prayer,

which she uses in today's Office:

Antiphon.

Stans a dextris ejus Agnus nive candidior.

Christus sibi Sponsam et Martyrem consecravit.

Versicle.

Specie tua, et pulchritudine tua.

Responsary.

Intende, prospere procede et regna.

Oremus.

Deus qui nos annua beatæ Agnetis

Virginis et Martyris tuæ solemnitate lætificas:

da quæsumus, ut quam veneramur officio,

etiam piæ conversationis sequamur exemplo.

Per Christum Dominum nostrum.

Amen.

Antiphon.

Standing at her Right-Hand,

as a Lamb Whiter than Snow,

Christ Consecrated her to Himself

as His Spouse and Martyr.

Versicle.

With thy comeliness and thy beauty.

Responsory.

Set out, proceed prosperously, and reign.

Let Us Pray.

O God, Who rejoicest us

by the yearly Solemnity of Blessed Agnes,

the Virgin and Martyr: Grant, we beseech Thee,

that we may imitate her life,

to whose memory we pay this honour.

Through Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

The following Text is from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.

The Second Feast of Saint Agnes.
   Virgin and Martyr.
   28 January.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

28 January is the Birthday of Saint Agnes. As it coincided with her "Octave Day", a legend grew, saying that she appeared on this day to her parents Praying at her tomb, surrounded by a "bevy of Virgins" (Introit), resplendent with light.

“On her Right-Hand was a Lamb, Whiter than Snow: It was Christ, Consecrating His union with His Spouse.” [Antiphon of Vespers at The Magnificat].

Mass: Vultum tuum.

Saint Peter Nolasco. Confessor. Whose Feast Day Is, Today, 28 January.

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

Saint Peter Nolasco.
   Confessor.
   Feast Day 28 January.

Double.

White Vestments.

Traditional image of Saint Peter Nolasco, as found in

The Generalate of The Mercedarian Order, as well as on their

Web-Site ORDER OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY OF MERCY

Date: 1840.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:StPeterNolasco.jpg

Author: Unknown Friar.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Jesus has manifested His Divinity by healing both Souls and bodies. Saint Peter Nolasco, impelled by this example of Divine Charity, and by a Heavenly inspiration (Collect) of which Saint Raymund of Pennafort was the instrument, spent all the money he possessed (Gospel) in delivering Christians from the captivity in which their bodies languished among the infidels and their Souls were exposed to great dangers.

The Order of Our Lady of Ransom, Founded with this object, shows how The Kingship of Jesus extends to both the natural and supernatural Worlds. By a special Vow, The Religious bound themselves to become prisoners of the pagans, if necessary for the deliverance of their brethren in Christ (Epistle).

He died in 1256 and was buried with his Cuirass and Sword.

Mass: Justus.
Collect: Deus, qui.
Secret: From The Mass: Os justi.
Postcommunion: From The Mass: Os justi.
Commemoration: The Second Feast of Saint Agnes.