Forty Hours' Devotion. Our Lady Of The Rosary, Blackfen. Thursday, 12 June 2014, 2000 hrs - Saturday, 14 June 2014, 1030 hrs.

The following is taken from the Forty Hours' Devotion Newsletter of Our Lady of The Rosary Catholic Church, Blackfen, Kent (Web-Site http://www.blackfencatholic.org/).

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

Monstrance.

Photo: 2004-10-18 (original upload date).

Source: Own work (zelf gemaakt).

Originally from nl.wikipedia; description page is/was here.

Author: Original uploader was Broederhugo at nl.wikipedia.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Forty Hours' Devotion began in the 16th-Century, as a response to the excesses of the "Carnival"; it soon developed a universal appeal, which included the Solemn Prayer for Peace.

Pope Clement VIII established particular procedures for the devotion, which, in large part, we are following, these days.

The Forty Hours' Devotion.

Available on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/h9B_gmY23ZU

After the Second Vatican Council, the devotion fell into disuse in many places, where it had previously been a major part of Catholic life. In more recent years, however, it has seen a revival, along with other expressions of Catholic devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist.

Following the Letter Summorum Pontificum of [then] Pope Benedict XVI, there is no longer any scruple about following the Traditional practices related to the Devotion.

The "Forty Hours", in most cases, are not exactly equal to Forty Hours. The principal characteristic is that the Devotion continues over three days.


THE FIRST NIGHT.

Thursday, 12 June 2014.

2000 hrs (8 p.m.)
Solemn High Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form).
Mass of Exposition.
With Procession and Litany of the Saints.

The first night sees the Solemn Mass of Exposition, which is followed by a Procession of The Blessed Sacrament within the Church, rather as is the custom on Maundy Thursday. After the Procession, the Litany of the Saints is sung, in order to beg the intercession of the Saints for all our needs.

The Blessed Sacrament is then left Solemnly exposed on the High Altar, with at least twenty candles lit in honour. At all times, there should be people watching in the Church, and, when possible, one or more Clerics in the Sanctuary, vested in Cassock and Surplice.

THE SECOND DAY.

Friday, 13 June 2014.

1000 hrs (10 a.m.)
English Mass.
With Hymns.

2000 hrs (8 p.m.)
Missa Cantata (Sung Latin Mass) (Extraordinary Form).
At the Lady Altar.

We have Masses in both the newer and the older Form of the Roman Rite. These Masses are Celebrated at the Lady Altar, at the side of the Church, rather than the High Altar, where The Blessed Sacrament is exposed.

THE THIRD DAY.

Saturday, 14 June 2014.

1030 hrs (1030 a.m.)
Missa Cantata (Sung Latin Mass) (Extraordinary Form).
Mass of Reposition.
With Liturgy and Procession.

After the second night, the Final Mass is celebrated at the High Altar, followed, this time, by the Litany, first, and the Procession, afterwards. Thus concludes this great expression of Devotion to Our Eucharistic Lord, who is present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, in The Most Holy Sacrament.

According to the rules for Indulgences, set out by Pope Paul VI, anyone may gain a Plenary Indulgence, once a day, by spending half an hour in Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament. During The Forty Hours, many people spend a whole hour in Adoration.

To gain the Indulgence, one must Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father (by saying, for example, the Our Father and the Apostles' Creed, or the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be), one must receive Holy Communion, and one must make a Sacramental Confession. The Parish Priest will be happy to hear Confessions at any time he is in the Church, as well as the usual advertised times.

The Forty Hours is a great Blessing for the Parish. The Parish Priest encourages all Parishioners to make full and generous use of the opportunity for gaining many Graces for ourselves, our Parish, our Deanery and for the whole Church.

Ember Wednesday After Pentecost.

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

Ember Wednesday after Pentecost.
Station at Saint Mary Major.

Indulgence of 30 Years and 30 Quarantines.
Semi-Double.

Red Vestments.

THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST.

Illustration: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Illustration taken from Saint Andrew's Daily Missal, 1952 Edition,

with the kind permission of Saint Bonaventure Press.

Basilica of Saint Mary Major

(Santa Maria Maggiore), 

Rome, Italy.

[Editor: The Stational Church for

Ember Wednesday 

after Pentecost Tuesday.]

Date: 7 January 2006 (original upload date).

Source: Transferred from en.wikipedia

Author: Original uploader was JACurran at en.wikipedia

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: Interior of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major

(Santa Maria Maggiore), 

Rome, Italy.

[Editor: The Stational Church for

Ember Wednesday 

after Pentecost Tuesday.]

Deutsch: Rom, Basilika Santa Maria Maggiore, Innenansicht.

Photo: 13 May 2003.

Source: Own work.

Permission: (CC-BY-SA 3.0).

Author: Dnalor 01.

(Wikimedia Commons)

"The Gift of Fortitude is a permanent power, which the Holy Ghost communicates to our will, to assist us in overcoming the difficulties which might deter us in the practice of what is right." [Reverend M. Meschler, S.J.]

The Ember Days always fall during the Octave of Pentecost. The Church then offers up to God the first-fruits of the new Season, and Prays for the Priests, who, on the coming Saturday, are about to receive the Holy Ghost in the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

The Station on Ember Wednesday was always held at Saint Mary Major. It was at the feet of the Blessed Virgin, whom the Holy Ghost filled with His Grace in the Cenacle, that the newly-Baptised gathered together.

The Liturgy reminded them of the Miracle of Pentecost (Lesson) and the marvels wrought by the Apostles, as a result of which the number of those who believed in the Lord was greatly increased (Epistle).

Moved by the Holy Ghost, the Catechumens also believed in Jesus; they turned to Him, and Jesus gave them to eat of the Bread that would make them live for ever (Gospel).

Let us implore the Divine Consoler to enlighten us always, more and more, and to place us in full possession of the Truth (Collect).

Pope Leo XIII On Devotion To The Holy Ghost.

This Article can be found on VULTUS CHRISTI

Invoke the Holy Ghost

We ought to pray to and invoke the Holy Ghost, for each one of us greatly needs His protection and His help. The more a man is deficient in wisdom, weak in strength, borne down with trouble, prone to sin, so ought he the more to fly to Him who is the never-ceasing fount of light, strength, consolation, and holiness.

The Forgiveness of Sins

And chiefly that first requisite of man, the forgiveness of sins, must be sought for from Him: “It is the special character of the Holy Ghost that He is the Gift of the Father and the Son. Now the remission of all sins is given by the Holy Ghost as by the Gift of God” (Summ. Th. 3a, q. iii., a. 8, ad 3m). Concerning this Spirit the words of the Liturgy are very explicit: “For He is the remission of all sins” (Roman Missal, Tuesday after Pentecost).


Sweet Guest of the Soul

How He should be invoked is clearly taught by the Church, who addresses Him in humble supplication, calling upon Him by the sweetest of names: “Come, Father of the poor! Come, Giver of gifts! Come, Light of our hearts! O, best of Consolers, sweet Guest of the soul, our refreshment!” (Veni Sancte Spiritus). She earnestly implores Him to wash, heal, water our minds and hearts, and to give to us who trust in Him “the merit of virtue, the acquirement of salvation, and joy everlasting.” Nor can it be in any way doubted that He will listen to such prayer, since we read the words written by His own inspiration: “The Spirit Himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings” (Rom 8., 26).

The Pledge of Our Inheritance

Lastly, we ought confidently and continually to beg of Him to illuminate us daily more and more with His light and inflame us with His charity: for, thus inspired with faith and love, we may press onward earnestly towards our eternal reward, since He “is the pledge of our inheritance” (Eph 1, 14). . . .


With the Blessed Virgin Mary

Unite, then, Venerable Brethren, your prayers with Ours, and at your exhortation let all Christian peoples add their prayers also, invoking the powerful and ever-acceptable intercession of the Blessed Virgin. You know well the intimate and wonderful relations existing between her and the Holy Ghost, so that she is justly called His Spouse. The intercession of the Blessed Virgin was of great avail both in the mystery of the Incarnation and in the coming of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles. May she continue to strengthen our prayers with her suffrages, that, in the midst of all the stress and trouble of the nations, those divine prodigies may be happily revived by the Holy Ghost, which were foretold in the words of David: “Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created, and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth”( Psalm 103:30).

Pope Leo XIII
Encyclical, Divinum Illud Munus
9 May 1897

Tuesday After Pentecost.

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

Tuesday after Pentecost.
Station at Saint Anastasia's.

Indulgence of 30 Years and 30 Quarantines.
Double of the First Class.

Red Vestments.

THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST.

Illustration: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Illustration taken from Saint Andrew's Daily Missal, 1952 Edition,

with the kind permission of Saint Bonaventure Press.

Basilica of Sant'Anastasia,

[Editor: The Stational Church for Pentecost Tuesday.]

Rome, Italy.

Photo: 4 June 2006.

Source: Own work.

Author: FlagUploader (User:Panairjdde).

(Wikimedia Commons)

"The Gift of Counsel is a light given by the Holy Ghost, by means of which our practical intellect sees and judges rightly both what should be done in individual terms and the best means to do it." [Reverend M. Meschler. S.J.]

The Church continues to address herself to the new-born children she has acquired through Baptism. In former times, she brought them together on this day in the Church of Saint Anastasia, where also was celebrated the Mass at Dawn on Christmas Day.

The Introit reminded them of the great Blessing of their Christian calling.

Through the Sacrament of Baptism, the power of the Holy Ghost had come down upon them and had purified their hearts (Collect), for "the Holy Ghost is Himself the remission of sins" (Postcommunion).

In the Sacrament of Confirmation, they had, like the Disciples of Samaria of old, been filled with the power of the Spirit (Epistle).

In the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist, they had eaten the Bread of Angels (Offertory).

So, like faithful sheep of the Divine Shepherd (Gospel), they entered the fold, that is the Church, by Him who is "the door" of the fold, and hearkened always to the teaching of the Holy Ghost (Alleluia) imparted to them by the Ministers of the Church.

Let us Pray to God that our Souls may be renewed in the Holy Ghost (Postcommunion).

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

An Evening Of French, German, And English, Organ Music. Saint Mary's Catholic Church, Chislehurst, Kent.

The 7 Gifts Of The Holy Ghost.

Roman Text, Illustrations and Captions, are taken from Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.

Roman Catholics are advised to note that this Article is taken from Wikipedia and, if they have any doubts about the veracity of any of the content, herein, they should liaise with their Parish Priest in the first instance.

English: Church of the Holy Spirit in Munich, Germany. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: 

Spirit of Holy Fear. Painter: Peter Horemans (1753).

Deutsch: Heilig-Geist-Kirche (München) - Sieben Gaben des Heiligen Geistes: 

Der Geist der Gottesfurcht. Maler: Peter Horemans (1753).

Latina: Spiritus timoris Domini.

Photo: May 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: Hermetiker.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost are an enumeration of Seven Spiritual Gifts originating with Patristic authors, later elaborated by five Intellectual Virtues and four other groups of ethical characteristics.

The Seven Gifts are: Wisdom; Understanding; Wonder and Awe (Fear of the Lord); Counsel; Knowledge; Fortitude; Piety (Reverence).

The source of the enumeration of "Seven Gifts" is often given as Isaiah 11:2-3. The term "Holy Ghost" does not appear, but the "Spirit of the Lord." In the Hebrew Saint Petersburg Codex text, only three Spirits, with two characteristics each, totalling six, are mentioned, and Fear is mentioned twice in a concluding comment.

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots, a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him — the Spirit of Wisdom and of Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and of Power, the Spirit of Knowledge and of the Fear of the Lord — and he will delight in the Fear of the Lord. — NIV.

Later Christian usage conforms to the Latin Vulgate, which takes the list from the Septuagint. In the Septuagint, the first "Spirit of.. Fear of the Lord" is "Spirit of... Godliness" (πνεῦμα ..εὐσεβείας), the second "Fear of the Lord" is Fear of the Lord (πνεῦμα φόβου θεοῦ).

English: Gian Lorenzo Bernini - Dove of the Holy Spirit (circa 1660). Stained Glass. 

Throne of Saint Peter. Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican, Rome.

Italiano: Gian Lorenzo Bernini - La colomba dello Spirito Santo 

(circa 1660, trono di San Pietro, basilica di San Pietro, Vaticano).

Date: Circa 1660.

Source: Istorija umetnosti, Gianlorenzo Bernini.

Author: Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680).

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Seven Latin terms are:

Sapientia;

Intellectus;

Consilium;

Fortitudo;

Scientia;

Pietas;

Timor Domini.

In Mediaeval Christianity

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost are one of several works in Mediaeval Christian devotional literature, which follow a Scheme of Seven.

The Seven Gifts were often represented as Doves in Mediaeval texts and especially figure in depictions of the Tree of Jesse, which shows the Genealogy of Jesus. In many such depictions, the Doves encircle a bust of Christ.

English: Church of the Holy Spirit in Munich, Germany. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: 

Spirit of Wisdom. Painter: Peter Horemans (1753).

Deutsch: Heilig-Geist-Kirche (München) - Sieben Gaben des Heiligen Geistes: 

Der Geist der Weisheit. Maler: Peter Horemans (1753).

Latina: Spiritus sapientiae.

Photo: May 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: Hermetiker.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Roman Catholicism

Roman Catholicism teaches that Initiates receive these Seven Gifts at Baptism, and that they are strengthened at Confirmation, so that one can proclaim the Truths of the Faith: "The reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of Baptismal Grace."[88]. For "by the Sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptised] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Ghost. Hence, they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the Faith by word and deed."[89] (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1285).

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost.

Understanding: In Understanding, we comprehend how we need to live as followers of Christ. A person with Understanding is not confused by the conflicting messages in our culture about the right way to live. The Gift of Understanding perfects a person's speculative reason in the apprehension of Truth. It is the Gift whereby self-evident principles are known, Saint Thomas Aquinas writes.

Counsel (Right Judgment): With the Gift of Counsel/Right Judgment, we know the difference between right and wrong, and we choose to do what is right. A person with Right Judgment avoids sin and lives out the values taught by Jesus.

English: Church of the Holy Spirit in Munich, Germany. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: 

Spirit of Piety. Painter: Peter Horemans (1753).

Deutsch: Heilig-Geist-Kirche (München) - Sieben Gaben des Heiligen Geistes: 

Der Geist der Frömmigkeit. Maler: Peter Horemans (1753).

Latina: Spiritus pietatis.

Photo: May 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: Hermetiker.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Fortitude (Courage): With the Gift of Fortitude/Courage, we overcome our fear and are willing to take risks as a follower of Jesus Christ. A person with Courage is willing to stand up for what is right in the sight of God, even if it means accepting rejection, verbal abuse, or physical harm. The Gift of Courage allows people the firmness of mind that is required both in doing good and in enduring evil.

Knowledge: With the Gift of Knowledge, we understand the meaning of God. The Gift of Knowledge is more than an accumulation of facts.

Piety (Reverence): With the gift of Reverence, sometimes called Piety, we have a deep sense of respect for God and the Church. A person with Reverence recognises our total reliance on God and comes before God with humility, trust, and love. Piety is the Gift whereby, at the Holy Ghost's instigation, we pay worship and duty to God as our Father, Saint Thomas Aquinas writes.

English: Church of the Holy Spirit in Munich, Germany. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: 

Spirit of Strength. Painter: Peter Horemans (1753).

Deutsch: Heilig-Geist-Kirche (München) - Sieben Gaben des Heiligen Geistes: 

Der Geist der Stärke. Maler: Peter Horemans (1753).

Latina: Spiritus fortitudinis.

Photo: May 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: Hermetiker.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe): With the Gift of Fear of the Lord, we are aware of the glory and majesty of God. A person with Wonder and Awe knows that God is the perfection of all we desire: perfect knowledge, perfect goodness, perfect power, and perfect love. This Gift is described by Saint Thomas Aquinas as a fear of separating oneself from God. He describes the Gift as a "filial fear," like a child's fear of offending his father, rather than a "servile fear," that is, a fear of punishment. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom (Prov 1:7) because it puts our mindset in correct location with respect to God; we are the finite, dependent creatures, and He is the infinite, all-powerful Creator.

Wisdom: It is the capacity to love spiritual things more than material ones.

Relation to the Seven Virtues

Saint Thomas Aquinas says that four of these Gifts (Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel) direct the intellect, while the other three Gifts (Fortitude, Piety, Fear of the Lord) direct the will toward God.

In some respects, the Gifts are similar to the Seven Virtues, but a key distinction is that the Virtues operate under the impetus of human reason (prompted by Grace), whereas the Seven Gifts operate under the impetus of the Holy Ghost; the former can be used when one wishes, but the latter operate only when the Holy Ghost wishes. In the case of Fortitude, the Gift has, in Latin and English, the same name as a Virtue, which it is related to, but from which it must be distinguished.

English: Church of the Holy Spirit in Munich, Germany. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: 

Spirit of Understanding. Painter: Peter Horemans (1753).

Deutsch: Heilig-Geist-Kirche (München) - Sieben Gaben des Heiligen Geistes: 

Der Geist der Einsicht. Maler: Peter Horemans (1753).

Latina: Spiritus intellectus.

Photo: May 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: Hermetiker.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In Summa Theologica II.II, Saint Thomas Aquinas asserts the following correspondences between the Seven Capital Virtues and the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost:

The Gift of Wisdom corresponds to the Virtue of Charity;

The Gifts of Understanding and Knowledge correspond to the Virtue of Faith;

The Gift of Counsel (right judgment) corresponds to the Virtue of Prudence;

The Gift of Fortitude corresponds to the Virtue of Courage;

The Gift of Fear of the Lord corresponds to the Virtue of Hope;

The Gift of Reverence corresponds to the Virtue of Justice.

English: Church of the Holy Spirit in Munich, Germany. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: 

Spirit of Counsel. Painter: Peter Horemans (1753).

Deutsch: Heilig-Geist-Kirche (München) - Sieben Gaben des Heiligen Geistes: 

Der Geist des Rates. Maler: Peter Horemans (1753).

Latina: Spiritus consilii.

Photo: May 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: Hermetiker.

(Wikimedia Commons)

To the Virtue of Temperance, no Gift is directly assigned; but the Gift of Fear can be taken as such, since Fear drives somebody to restrict himself from forbidden pleasures.

The Rev. Brian Shanley contrasts the Gifts to the Virtues in this way: "What the Gifts do, over and above the Theological Virtues (which they presuppose), is dispose the agent to the special promptings of the Holy Ghost in actively exercising the life of the Virtues; the Gifts are necessary for the perfect operations of the Virtues, especially in the face of our human weakness and in difficult situations."

Whit Sunday. Pentecost. The Holy Ghost. The Source Of All Graces. La Source Des Grâces.

Illustration: HOLY CARD HEAVEN