Advent And Christmas. 2020.

Advent 2020 begins on

Sunday, 29 November 2020.

The Lady Chapel,

Westminster Cathedral.

Photo: June 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Gryffindor

(Wikimedia Commons)

“Advent”.

Available on YouTube at

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The Westminster Cathedral Web-Site

is HERE.

Westminster Cathedral.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

“The New-Born King”.

Westminster Cathedral.

1985.

Available on YouTube at

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Advent And Christmas. 2020.

Advent 2020 begins on

Sunday, 29 November 2020.

York Minster.

Photo: 31 July 2014.

Source: Own work.

Author: Diliff

Attribution: "Photo by DAVID ILIFF.

License: CC-BY-SA 3.0".

(Wikimedia Commons)

The York Minster Web-Site is HERE.

York Minster.

Illustration: THE PRESS

York Minster

Advent and Christmas 2018.

Available on You Tube at

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

"Love's Pure Light".

The Blessed Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus.

Artist: Kathy Lawrence.

Illustration: PINTEREST

"Alma Redemptoris Mater".

For Six Voices.

Composed by Diego Ortiz.

Sung by: Cantar Lontano.

Director: Marco Mencoboni.

Available on YouTube at

https://youtu.be/iVT9sxyr2I0

ALMA REDEMPTORIS MATER

Alma Redemptoris Mater,

quæ pervia cæli Porta manes,

et stella maris, succurre cadenti,

Surgere qui curat, populo:

tu quæ genuisti,

Natura mirante,

tuum sanctum Genitorem,

Virgo prius ac posterius,

Gabrielis ab ore,

Sumens illud Ave,

peccatorum miserere.

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

Star of the Deep, and Portal of the Sky !

Mother of Him Who thee from nothing made,

Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid;

Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee,

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

"Alma Redemptoris Mater"

(Simple Tone).

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

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

"Alma Redemptoris Mater".

Composer: Tomás Luis de Victoria

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

Sung by:

Ensemble Plus Ultra.

Director: Michael Noone.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

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

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

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

"Alma Redemptoris Mater".

For Four Voices.

Composer: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

(1525 – 1594).

Sung by:

The Choir of Merton College, Oxford.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

La Médaille Miraculeuse. The Miraculous Medal. The Medal Of Our Lady Of Graces. Feast Day, Today, 27 November. In The Diocese Of Brooklyn, United States Of America.

La Médaille Miraculeuse.

The Miraculous Medal.

Illustration: FACEBOOK RICHARD HAWKER

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

The Miraculous Medal (French: Médaille Miraculeuse), also known as The Medal of Our Lady Of Graces, is a Medal, the design of which was originated by Saint Catherine Labouré following her Apparitions of The Blessed Virgin Mary in Rue du Bac, Paris, France, and made by a Goldsmith, Adrien Vachette.

According to the Teaching of The Catholic Church, the use of Sacramentals, such as this Medal, prepare people to receive Grace and dispose them to co-operate with it.

Catherine Labouré stated that, on 19 July 1830, The Eve of The Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, she woke up after hearing the voice of one child calling her to the Chapel, where she heard The Virgin Mary say to her: “God wishes to charge you with a mission. You will be contradicted, but do not fear; you will have the Grace to do what is necessary. Tell your Spiritual Director all that passes within you. Times are evil in France and in the World.”

On 27 November 1830, Catherine reported that The Blessed Mother returned during evening Meditations. She displayed herself inside an oval frame, standing upon a globe. She wore many rings, set with gems, that shone rays of light over the globe.

Around the margin of the frame, appeared the words: “Ô, Marie, conçue sans péché, priez pour nous qui avons recours à vous” (“O, Mary, conceived without sin, Pray for us who have recourse to thee”). As Catherine watched, the frame seemed to rotate, showing a circle of twelve stars, a large letter M surmounted by a Cross, and the stylised Sacred Heart of Jesus Crowned with Thorns and Immaculate Heart of Mary pierced with a Sword.

Asked why some of the gems did not shed light, Mary reportedly replied: “Those are the Graces for which people forget to ask.” Sister Catherine then heard The Virgin Mary ask her to take these images to her Father Confessor, telling him that they should be put on Medallions, and saying: “All who wear them will receive great Graces.”

Sister Catherine did so, and after two years of investigation and observation of Catherine's ordinary daily behaviour, the Priest took the information to his Archbishop without revealing Catherine's identity. The request was approved and Medallions were designed and produced through a Goldsmith, Adrien Vachette.

The Chapel, in which Saint Catherine experienced her Visions, is located at The Mother House of The Daughters of Charity in Rue du Bac, Paris. The incorrupt bodies of Saint Catherine Labouré and Saint Louise de Marillac, a Co-Founder of The Congregation Of The Daughters Of Charity Of Saint Vincent De Paul, are interred in the Chapel, which continues to receive daily visits from Catholic Pilgrims, today.

Pope John Paul II used a slight variation of the reverse image as his Coat-of-Arms, The Marian Cross, a plain Cross with an M underneath the Right-Hand Bar (which signified The Blessed Virgin at The Foot of The Cross when Jesus was being Crucified).

The following Text is from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.

Our Lady Of The Miraculous Medal.
   Feast Day 27 November

      (in The Diocese of Brooklyn, New York).

Greater-Double.

White Vestments.

IN THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

Our Blessed Lady, appearing in the year 1832 to Catherine Labouré, a Sister of Charity, showed her the pattern of Medal now universally known as “The Miraculous Medal”, because of the many wonders which it has pleased Almighty God to work by its means in His Church.

Among these is the marvellous Conversion, in Rome, in 1842, of the Jew, Alphonse Ratisbonne.

Mass: Erit quasi signum.
The Nicene Creed: Is said or sung.

English: Fr. Ratisbonne in 1865.

Français: Cdv du Père Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne en 1865.

Date: 1865.

Source: Cdv ancienne.

Author: Unknown.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is from Wikipedia.

Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne, N.D.S., (May 1, 1814, Strasbourg, Alsace, France - May 6, 1884, Ein Karem, Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem, Ottoman Empire) was a French Jew who Converted to Catholicism and became a Jesuit Catholic Priest and Missionary. He later was a Co-Founder of The Congregation Of Our Lady of Sion, a Religious Congregation dedicated to the Conversion of Jews to The Catholic Faith.

Saint Peter Of Alexandria. Bishop And Martyr. “The Seal Of The Martyrs”. Whose Feast Day Is, Today, 26 November.

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

Saint Peter Of Alexandria.
   Bishop And Martyr.
   Feast Day 26 November.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

Saint Peter of Alexandria.

CNA file photo.

Illustration: CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

"At Alexandria," says The Roman Martyrology, "the birth in Heaven of Saint Peter, Bishop of that City, who, resplendent with The Light of Every Virtue, was beheaded by order of The Emperor Maximinus in 311 A.D."

Mass: Statuit. Of a Martyr.

THE END OF THE SANCTORAL CYCLE.

The following Text is from CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

By: Benjamin Mann.

Denver, Colorado. 25 November 2012 / 09:45 a.m. (CNA/EWTN News).- Local Commemorations of the 4th-Century A.D. Martyr, Saint Peter of Alexandria, will take place on 25 November and, also, on 26 November. Although his Feast Day in The Western Tradition (on the latter date) is no longer a part of The Roman Catholic Church’s Universal Calendar, he remains especially beloved among Catholic and Orthodox Christians of The Egyptian Coptic Tradition.

Tradition attests that the Egyptian Bishop was the last Believer to suffer death at the hands of Roman Imperial authorities for his Faith in Christ. For this reason, Saint Peter of Alexandria is known as "The Seal of The Martyrs".

He is said to have undertaken severe Penances for the sake of The Suffering Church during his lifetime, and written Letters of encouragement to those in prison, before going to his death at the close of "The Era of The Martyrs."

Both the date of Peter’s birth, and of his Ordination as a Priest, are unknown. It is clear, however, that he was chosen to lead Egypt’s main Catholic Community in 300 A.D., after the death of Saint Theonas of Alexandria.

He may have previously been in charge of Alexandria’s well-known Catechetical School, an important centre of Religious Instruction in The Early-Church. Peter’s own theological writings were cited in a later 5th-Century A.D. dispute over Christ’s Divinity and Humanity.

In 302 A.D., the Emperor Diocletian and his subordinate, Maximinus, attempted to wipe out The Church in the territories of The Roman Empire. They used their authority to destroy Church properties, imprison and torture Believers, and eventually kill those who refused to take part in pagan ceremonies. As The Bishop of Alexandria, Peter offered Spiritual Support to those who faced these penalties, encouraging them to hold to their Faith without compromise.

Saint Sylvester. Abbot. Feast Day 26 November.

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

Saint Sylvester.
   Abbot.
   Feast Day 26 November.

Double.

White Vestments.

Saint Sylvester receives Holy Communion

from The Hand of Our Lady (see, below).

Artist: Claudio Ridolfi.

Date: 1632.

Illustration: VULTUS CHRISTI

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

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

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

Mass: Os justi. (Of Abbots).
Commemoration: Saint Peter of Alexandria. (From The Collects of The Mass: Státuit).

The following Text is from VULTUS CHRISTI

Communion from The Hands of Our Lady.

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

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

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

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

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

Claudio Ridolfi painted the episode in 1632.

Saint Catharine Of Alexandria. Virgin And Martyr. Patroness Of Philosophers, Scholars, Orators, Lawyers. Feast Day 25 November.

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

Saint Catharine of Alexandria.
   Virgin and Martyr.
   Feast Day 25 November.

Double.

Red Vestments.

Note: "Catharine" can also be spelled "Catherine".

Saint Catharine of Alexandria.

Image: ALL SAINTS

"The illustrious Virgin, Catharine," says The Roman Breviary, "was born at Alexandria. Having, from youth, combined the study of the liberal arts with the ardour of Faith, she soon rose to high perfection, both in Doctrine and in Holiness, and, at the age of eighteen, she surpassed the most learned.

"She rebuked the Emperor Maximian for tormenting the Christians, and he, filled with admiration for her learning, assembled from all parts the most learned men, to bring her over from The Faith of Jesus to the worship of idols. The contrary happened, for several were converted to Christianity by the cogency of her arguments."

Maximian then ordered her to be scourged with rods and with whips weighted with lead. Then he had her tied to wheels armed with sharp swords. But the machine broke down and the tyrant caused her to be beheaded.

She died about 310 A.D.

Saint Catharine of Alexandria is one of the FOURTEEN AUXILIARY SAINTS

Christian philosophers, scholars, orators and lawyers honour her as their Patroness.

Mount Sinai, where the body of Saint Catharine was carried by Angels, is also the place where God's ministering Angels brought His Law to Moses.

Let us, with The Church, invoke the intercession of Saint Catharine, so that we may reach Jesus, The Law-Giver of our Souls (Collect).

Mass: Loquébar.

Portrait of Catharine of Alexandria.

Artist: Bernardino Luini

Date: 16th-Century.

Source: National Art Museum of Azerbaijan

Author: Bernardino Luini (1485–1532).

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is taken from "The Liturgical Year",

by Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.

Book VI.
Volume 15.

Saint Gertrude The Great, from her very infancy, felt a special attraction towards the glorious Virgin, Saint Catharine. As she was desirous of knowing how great were her merits, Our Lord showed her Saint Catharine seated on a throne, so lofty and so magnificent, that it seemed her glory was sufficient to have filled The Courts of Heaven, had she been its sole Queen; while, from her Crown, a marvellous brightness was reflected on her devout clients [Legatus divinæ pietatis, iv. 57].

It is well-known how The Maid of Orleans (Saint Joan of Arc), entrusted by Saint Michæl to the guidance of Saint Catharine and Saint Margaret, received aid and counsel from them during seven years; and how it was, at Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois, France, that she received her sword.

In the 12th-Century and the 13th-Century, the Crusaders of The West experienced the powerful assistance of The Alexandrian Martyr; and, on their return from The East, they introduced her cultus, which soon became extremely popular.

English: Catholic Church of Saint Catharine, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Русский: Санкт-Петербург, Россия. Невский проспект.

Католическая церковь св. Екатерины.

Photo: 1 June 2012.

Source: Own work.

Author: A.Savin.

(Wikimedia Commons)

An Order of Knighthood was founded to protect the Pilgrims visiting her Holy Body on Mount Sinai. Her Feast was raised to the Rank of First-Class and, as observed, was a Holyday of Obligation by many Churches.

She was honoured as Patroness by Christian philosophers, scholars, orators, and attorneys. The Senior Advocate was called “Bastonier”, because it was his privilege to carry her Banner, while Confraternities of young girls were formed under the invocation of Saint Catharine, whose Members vied with one another in their zeal for adorning her venerated image.

She was classed among The Helping Saints (Auxiliary Saints. There being Fourteen Auxiliary Saints), as being a Wise Counsellor; and was claimed as Patroness by various Associations, merely on account of their experience of her powerful Intercession with Our Lord. Her betrothal with The Divine Child, and other scenes from her legend, furnished Christian Art with many beautiful inspirations.

English: Cathedral of Saint Catharine (Se Cathedral), Goa, India.

Portuguese: Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina.

Konkani: Bhagevont Katerinachi Katedral.

Photo: 16 August 2012.

Source: Own work.

Author: Abhiomkar

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina, known as Se Cathedral, is the Cathedral of The Latin Rite Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, and The Seat of The Patriarch of the East Indies.

Located in Old Goa, India, the largest Church in India is dedicated to Saint Catharine of Alexandria. It is one of the oldest and most celebrated Religious Buildings in Goa and is one of the largest Churches in Asia.

The holy and learned Baronius regretted that, even in his day, the Acts of the Great Oriental Martyr (Saint Catharine) were open to discussion on certain points, which were eagerly seized upon by the extreme critics of the succeeding Centuries, in order to lessen popular devotion towards her.

There remains, however, this glory to Christian Virginity, that, in the person of Saint Catharine, it was honoured by pupils and masters and became the guiding spirit in the development of human thought during the Centuries, illustrated by such brilliant Suns of Learning as Albert the Great, Thomas Aquinas, and Bonaventure.

“Blessed are the Clean of Heart, for they shall see God.” Methodius, a Bishop and Martyr of the 3rd-Century A.D., thus speaks in his “Banquet of Virgins”: “The Virgin must have a very great love of Sound Doctrine; and she ought to hold an honourable place among the wise.”

THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL

THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL

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Saint Chrysogonus. Martyr. Whose Feast Day Is, Today, 24 November.

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

Saint Chrysogonus.
   Martyr.
   Feast Day 24 November.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

English: Saint Chrysogonus on horseback.

Français: Saint Chrysogone d'Aquilée à cheval.

Italiano: San Crisógono a caballo.

Artist: Michele Giambono (1400–1462).

Date: Circa 1450.

Collection: San Trovaso (Dedicated to Saints Gervasius and Protasius)

is a Church in the Sestiere, or neighbourhood, of Dorsoduro, Venice, Italy.

Photo: 22 May 2017.

Source: Own work.

Photographer: Didier Descouens

This File is Licensed under The Creative Commons Attribution

-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

(Wikimedia Commons)

“The birth in Heaven,”, says The Roman Martyrology, “of Saint Chrysogonus, Martyr, who, after having been long in chains, and in prison for The Faith of Christ, having endured these torments with the greatest fortitude, was taken to Aquileia, Italy, by Order of Emperor Diocletian, and there beheaded and thrown into the sea. Such was his glorious Martyrdom.”

Saint Chrysogonus is mentioned in The Canon of The Mass, and, in his Church at Rome, is held The Station on Monday in Passion Week.

Mass: In virtúte.

Basilica of Saint Chrysogonus,

Trastevere, Rome, Italy.

Photo: September 3006.

Source: Own work.

Author: Lalupa

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint John Of The Cross (San Juan de la Cruz). Confessor. Doctor Of The Church. Feast Day, Today, 24 November.

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

Saint John Of The Cross.
   Confessor.
   Doctor Of The Church.
   Feast Day 24 November.

Double.

White Vestments.

English: Statue of Saint John of The Cross (Right),

The Chapel of the Convent of The Barefoot Carmelites, Segovia, Spain.

The Statue (Left) is Saint Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi, O.Carm.

Español: Segovia - Convento de los Carmelitas Descalzos,

Capilla de San Juan de la Cruz.

Photo: 19 March 2017.

Source: Own work.

Author: Zarateman

(Wikimedia Commons)

After Commemorating Saint Teresa of Ávila, who reformed The Order of Mount Carmel, The Church, on this day, honours Saint John of The Cross, who gave her his powerful help in this great work. It was through him that Saint Teresa introduced The Primitive Observance among The Friars of Carmel, as she had done for the Nuns.

He was, in the judgement of The Holy See, the equal of Saint Teresa of Ávila in explaining Divine Mysteries.

“John of The Cross,” said Saint Teresa, “was one of the purest Souls in The Church; God endowed him with great treasures of light, and his understanding was replete with the science of Saints.”

Statues of Saint John of The Cross and Saint Teresa of Ávila

in La Plaza de Las Carmelitas, Beas de Segura, Spain.

Photo: 24 May 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Cosasdebeas

(Wikimedia Commons)

Born in Old Castile in 1542, he took the name of “John of The Cross” on entering The Order of The Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. He had a great devotion to The Passion of Our Lord and his most conspicuous virtue was an abnegation so perfect that he sought after suffering and humiliation (Collect).

He often besought God not to let him pass a day without suffering and to permit him to die where he would be unknown to all. His Prayer was fully heard, for the reform of The Order of Carmel caused him many troubles.

Struck down at Ubeda, Spain, by a cruel disease, he died embracing The Crucifix and exclaiming: “Glory to God,” This was in 1591. He was proclaimed a Doctor of The Church by Pope Pius XI and, by Decree of 24 November 1926, his Mass was altered to the present one.

Mass: In médio.

Commemoration: Saint Chrysogonus.

Saint Felicitas. Martyr. Whose Feast Day Is, Today, 23 November.

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

Saint Felicitas.
   Martyr.
   Feast Day 23 November.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

Saint Felicitas with her Seven Sons.

Illustration from The Nuremberg Chronicle,

by Hartmann Schedel (1440-1514).

This File: 2 January 2006.

Source: http://www.beloit.edu/~nurember/book/images/

People/Early_Christian_Medieval/index.htm

User: Chris 73

(Wikimedia Commons)

"At Rome," says The Roman Martyrology, "Saint Felicitas, the mother of seven Martyred sons, who was beheaded after them for The Faith of Christ, by Order of The Emperor Marcus Antoninus." She died in 150 A.D.

Mass: Me exspectavérunt.

Saint Clement I. Pope And Martyr. Feast Day, Today, 23 November.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,

unless otherwise stated.

Saint Clement I.
   Pope and Martyr.
   Feast Day 23 November.

Double.

Red Vestments.

Illustration: TRANSALPINE REDEMPTORISTS

Saint Clement, a successor of Saint Peter, is named third in The Canon of The Mass, after The Apostles.

The Letter of Saint Clement to The Corinthians is one of the most precious documents of the earliest Christian Centuries.

Following the affirmation of Origen, The Roman Breviary confuses this Saint Clement with another Clement, an auxiliary of Saint Paul. Wherefore, the Epistle chosen is that in which The Apostle speaks of the Clement who worked with him for the Gospel and whose name is written in The Book of Life.

On the testimony of The Greek Acts of Saint Clement, dating from the 4th-Century A.D., The Roman Martyrology likewise declares that "relegated to Chersonese during Trajan's persecution, he at last won the glorious Crown of Martyrdom, having been cast into the sea with an anchor attached to his neck." "His body," it adds, "was carried to Rome, under the Pontificate of Pope Nicholas I and Solemnly laid in the Church which had been built in his memory."

English: Basilica of Saint Clement, Rome.

Italian: Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano.

Photo: May 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Berthold Werner

(Wikimedia Commons)

Interior of the Basilica di San Clemente, Rome, Italy.

Photo: March 2006.

Source: Own work.

Author: Sixtus

Permission: GFDL

(Wikimedia Commons)

This Church, where The Station is held on The Monday of The Second Week in Lent, is one of the most interesting in Rome, because it most faithfully represents the ancient Plan of a Roman Basilica. It has, in front, an Atrium, or Courtyard, surrounded by Porticoes, with the Fountain in the centre, where the Faithful cleansed themselves before entering The Holy Building, and which is recalled by our Holy Water Stoups and Baptismal Fonts at the entrance of our Churches.

The Interior comprises three Naves, separated by Columns; the central Nave contains the Ambos, or Pulpits, where the Epistle and Gospel are read. The Lateral Naves were reserved, one for men, the other for women.

The Ceiling of the Basilica of Saint Clement, Rome.

Photo: May 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Berthold Werner

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius bring the body of Saint Clement to Rome.

11th-Century fresco in the Basilica di San Clemente, Rome.

Source/Photographer: Unknown.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Behind the Altar, at the back of the Apse, stands the Bishop's Chair, around which was grouped the Clergy. It is the only Church which gives such a clear account of the distinctions made among Christians.

In the first precinct, were admitted Catechumens and Penitents, who could only be present at the first part of The Mass (from the Introit to the Offertory), thence called Mass of the Catechumens. In the second part were the Faithful, who heard the second part of The Mass (from the Offertory to the end), thence called Mass of the Faithful. In the Apse, was the place reserved for Priests, whence it is called Presbyterium. Christian architecture thus showed forth the hierarchy established by Divine Right in The Church.

Mass: Dicit Dóminus.
Commemoration: Saint Felicitas.

The Divine Holy Mass on The Feast Day of Saint Cécile. From The Church of Saint-Eugène - Saint Cécile, Paris, France.

The Divine Holy Mass

on The Feast Day of Saint Cécile.

From The Church of Saint-Eugène - Saint Cécile,

Paris, France.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

Wells Cathedral's Acts of Remembrance 2020.

Illustration: WELLS CATHEDRAL

Text is from Wells Cathedral's Newsletter.

On Remembrance Sunday, 2020, at 11.00 hrs. Poppy Petals fell from the ceiling of the Nave as The Last Post was played from The South Transept.

A silent vigil was held as an Act of Remembrance by all who were present in the Cathedral for individual Prayer and Reflection.

On Armistice Day, 2020, a similar Act of Remembrance took place at 11.00 hrs, culminating in a moving performance of Elgar's “Nimrod”, given by the Assistant Director of Music, Alexander Hamilton.

The Great West Doors of the Cathedral were opened, and members of the public were free to enter and observe a two-minute silence.

“At the going down of the Sun,

And in the Morning,

We will remember them.”

Wells Cathedral’s Web-Site can be found HERE

Saint Cecilia. Virgin And Martyr. Feast Day, Today, 22 November.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,

unless otherwise stated.

Saint Cecilia.
   Virgin and Martyr.
   Feast Day 22 November.

Double.

Red Vestments.

Saint Cecilia.

Church of Saint Cecilia, Trastevere, Rome.

In the sculpture, by Stefano Maderno (1576-1636),

Saint Cecilia extends three fingers with her Right Hand and one

with her Left Hand, testifying to The Trinity. The sculptor attested that

this was how the Saint's body looked when her tomb was opened in 1599.

Photographed at the Church of Saint Cecilia,

Trastevere, Rome, by Richard Stracke.

Please credit the photographer and the Church.

Date: 26 September 2011 (original upload date).

Source: Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by

User:ТимофейЛееСуда using CommonsHelper

Author: Dickstracke at en.wikipedia

(Wikimedia Commons)

Born at Rome, of the illustrious family of the Coecilli,, Cecilia, as a child, consecrated her Virginity to God. When she was forced to marry Valerian, a young pagan, she said to him on the night of the wedding: "Valerian, I am placed under the guardianship of an Angel, who protects my Virginity; therefore, do not attempt anything which may bring down on thee God's anger."

Valerian dared not approach her and declared that he would believe in Jesus Christ if he saw the Angel. Cecilia assured him that this was impossible unless he was first Baptised, and sent him to Pope Urban I, who lived hidden in The Catacombs, on account of the persecutions.

Pope Urban I Baptised him and Valerian saw, near his Virginal Spouse, an Angel, brilliant with a Divine Light. Cecilia also instructed Tiburtius, the brother of Valerian, in the Faith of Jesus Christ, and Tiburtius, having been Baptised, also saw Cecilia's Angel. A short time after, both brothers were Martyred under the Prefect Almachius.

The Church of Saint Cecilia, Trastevere, Rome.

The body of The Saint lies beneath The High Altar.

The Station on The Wednesday in The Second Week of Lent is held here.

Illustration: LITURGIA LATINA

Finally, the last-named arrested Cecilia and ordered her to be put to death in her house. This was about 230 A.D.

Her body was discovered in 1599 by Cardinal Sfondrati, just as it was at the moment of her death. Stefano Maderno sculptured a famous reproduction of the body, which is seen under The High Altar of her Church in Rome.

Her house was transformed into a Church, where her body lies. For many Centuries, a number of Virgins of The Order of Saint Benedict have watched over this treasure. The Church is one of the two ornaments of The Trastevere, the other being Saint Mary's. Here is held The Station on The Wednesday in The Second Week of Lent. The name of Saint Cecilia is mentioned in The Canon of The Mass (Second List).

"To the sound of musical instruments," says The First Antiphon at Vespers, "the Virgin Cecilia sang to God in her heart." On this account, she has been chosen as The Patroness of Musicians.

Mass: Loquébar de testimóniis.

"Did You Not Hear My Lady ?". Composer: George Frederick Handel. Sung By: Aled Jones.

Illustration: AMERICAN GALLERY

"Did You Not Hear My Lady ?"

Sung by: Aled Jones.

Composer: George Frederick Handel 

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

“Silent Worship”.

Did you not hear My Lady

Go down the garden singing ?

Blackbird and thrush were silent

To hear the alleys ringing.

Oh saw you not My Lady

Out in the garden there ?

Shaming the rose and lily

For she is twice as fair.

Though I am nothing to her

Though she must rarely look at me

And though I could never woo her

I love her till I die.

Surely you heard My Lady

Go down the garden singing ?

Silencing all the songbirds

And setting the alleys ringing.

But surely you see My Lady

Out in the garden there,

Rivalling the glittering sunshine

With a glory of golden hair.

"Non lo dirò col labbro".

Allessandro's cavatina in act 1 of Tolomeo.

Non lo dirò col labbro

Che tanto ardir non ha.

Forse con le faville

Dell'avide pupille,

Per dir come tutt'ardo,

Lo sguardo parlera.

The song "Silent Worship" is a 1928 adaptation by Arthur Somervell of the aria "Non lo dirò col labbro" from Handel's 1728 opera Tolomeo (Ptolemy). Somervell's English-language adaptation is for voice and piano, and it has remained a popular classic in song recitals and home music-making. Other arrangements of Somervell's translation include voice accompanied by a modern symphony orchestra, and male choir.

"Silent Worship" is featured in the 1996 film adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Emma, where it is sung by Gwyneth Paltrow (as Emma) and Ewan McGregor (as Frank Churchill). Although Somervell's 1928 English adaptation of the 1728 Handel aria was done more than a century after Austen's 1815 novel, the original Italian aria was recorded in Jane Austen's own handwritten songbooks. In the film, Somervell's piano introduction to the song is shortened.

A Little Levity To Lighten Your Day . . .

Germany is now advising people

to stock up on Cheese and Sausages.

This is called

German Wurst.

Illustration: GEO.DE

German Käse.

Illustration: EMSA