Advent (Part Four).

Text taken from The Liturgical Year by Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.

(Translated from the French by Dom Laurence Shepherd, O.S.B.)

Advent. Volume 1. St. Bonaventure Publications, www.libers.com

Originally published 1949.

Republished by St. Bonaventure Publications, July 2000.

Unless otherwise stated, Illustrations are taken from UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

which reproduced them, with the kind permission of St. Bonaventure Press, from 

The Saint Andrew Daily Missal, 1952 Edition.

Saint Thomas, Apostle. 
Feast Day 21 December.
Double of the Second Class.
Red Vestments.

This much is certain, that, by degrees, the custom of Fasting so far fell into disuse, that when, in 1362, Pope Urban V endeavoured to prevent the total decay of the Advent penance, all he insisted upon was that all the Clerics of his court should keep Abstinence during Advent, without in any way including others, either Clergy or Laity, in this law.

Saint Charles Borromeo also strove to bring back his people of Milan to the spirit, if not to the letter, of ancient times. In his Fourth Council, he enjoins the Parish Priests to exhort the Faithful to go to Communion on the Sundays, at least, of Lent and Advent; and afterwards addressed to the Faithful themselves a Pastoral Letter, in which, after having reminded them of the dispositions wherewith they ought to spend this holy time, he strongly urges them to Fast on the Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at least, of each week in Advent.

Finally, Pope Benedict XIV, when Archbishop of Bologna, following these illustrious examples, wrote his eleventh Ecclesiastical Institution for the purpose of exciting in the minds of his diocesans the exalted idea which the Christians of former times had of the holy season of Advent, and of removing an erroneous opinion which prevailed in those parts, namely, that Advent concerned Religious only and not the Laity.

Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist.

Feast Day 27 December.

Station at Saint Mary Major.

(Indulgence of 30 years and 30 Quarantines)

Double of the Second Class with Simple Octave.

White Vestments.

He shows them that such an opinion, unless it be limited to the two practices of Fasting and Abstinence, is, strictly speaking, rash and scandalous, since it cannot be denied that, in the laws and usages of the Universal Church, there exist special practices, having for their end to prepare the Faithful for the great Feast of the Birth of Jesus Christ.

The Greek Church still continues to observe the Fast of Advent, though with much less rigour that that of Lent. It consists of forty days, beginning with 14 November, the day on which this Church keeps the Feast of the Apostle, Saint Philip. During this entire period, the people abstain from flesh-meat, butter, milk, and eggs; but they are allowed, which they are not during Lent, fish and oil.

Fasting, in its strict sense, is binding only on seven out of the forty days; and the whole period goes under the name of Saint Philip's Lent. The Greeks justify these relaxations by this distinction: That the Lent before Christmas is, so they say, only an institution of the Monks, whereas the Lent before Easter is of Apostolic institution.

The Saint Andrew Daily Missal is obtainable from CARMEL BOOKS

The Traditional Catholic Book Store.

Address:

Carmel Books, Blackford House, Andover Road, Highclere, 

Newbury, Berkshire, England RG20 9PF. Tel: (01635 255340).
E-Mail: enquiries.carmelbooks@gmail.com

PART FIVE FOLLOWS

Francisco Guerrero (1528-1599). Spanish Renaissance Composer. Motet For Six Voices From Missa Maria Magdalene.

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,

unless otherwise stated.

English: Francisco Guerrero (1528-1599).

Español: Retrato tomado de Francisco Pacheco, (1564-1644) 

El libro de descripción de verdaderos retratos, ilustres y memorables 

varones, [Sevilla, s.n., s.a.]- Real Academia de la Historia (Madrid). 

Signatura: 1/736. Date: 1599.

Source: Descripción de verdaderos retratos de ilustres y 

memorables varones, Sevilla, s. d., 1599.

Author: Francisco Pacheco (1564–1644).

(Wikimedia Commons)

Francisco Guerrero's 

Motet for Six Voices from

"Missa Maria Magdalene"

by The Tallis Scholars.

Available on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/I16dXgk0Y14

Francisco Guerrero (1528 – 1599) was a Spanish composer of the Renaissance. He was born, and died in, Seville, Spain.

Guerrero's early musical education was with his older brother, Pedro. He must have been an astonishing prodigy, for at the age of seventeen he was already appointed maestro de capilla (singing master, i.e. music director) at Jaén Cathedral. A few years later he accepted a position in Seville, Spain. Apparently, during this time, he was much in demand as a singer and composer, establishing an exceptional reputation before his thirtieth birthday; in addition, he published several collections of his music abroad, an unusual event for a young composer.

English: A view of the Cathedral of the Assumption (Jaén Cathedral) 

taken from Saint Catalina's Castle.

Español: Una vista del Catedral de la Asunción de Jaén, 

tomada del Castillo de Santa Catalina.

Photo: 17 October 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Wjmclain.

(Wikimedia Commons)

After several decades of working and travelling throughout Spain and Portugal, sometimes in the employ of Emperor Maximilian II, he went to Italy for a year (1581–1582), where he published two books of his music. After returning to Spain for several years, he decided to travel to the Holy Land, which he finally was able to do in 1589. His adventure included visits to Damascus, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem; on the return trip his ship was twice attacked by pirates, who threatened his life, stole his money, and held him for ransom. His ransom must have been paid, for he was able to return to Spain; unfortunately he had no money, and endured a series of misfortunes including some time spent in debtor's prison; at last his old employer at Seville Cathedral extricated him, and he resumed working for them. 

His book on his adventurous visit to the Holy Land was published in 1590 and was a popular success (it is reasonable to suppose that Cervantes knew it). At the end of the decade, he planned one more trip to the Holy Land but unfortunately he died in the plague of 1599 in Seville, before he was able to depart.

And Simon Peter Answered And Said: "Thou Art The Christ. The Son Of The Living God."

Image and Text: IN CAELO ET IN TERRA

Pope Francis, the 266th Bishop of Rome, cradles the Relics of the first Bishop of Rome, Saint Peter. With this display of Continuity from the time of Christ to today, the Year of Faith was closed yesterday. Looking back, we must also look forward, as we, being Christians, are ever called to do.

As Pope Francis said in his Homily:

“Jesus’ promise to the good thief gives us great hope: It tells us that God’s Grace is always greater than the Prayer which sought it. The Lord always grants more than what He has been asked: you ask Him to remember you, and He brings you into His Kingdom!”

Advent (Part Three).

Text taken from The Liturgical Year by Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.

(Translated from the French by Dom Laurence Shepherd, O.S.B.)

Advent. Volume 1. St. Bonaventure Publications, www.libers.com

Originally published 1949.

Republished by St. Bonaventure Publications, July 2000.

Unless otherwise stated, Illustrations are taken from UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

which reproduced them, with the kind permission of St. Bonaventure Press, from 

The Saint Andrew Daily Missal, 1952 Edition.

Receive, O merciful Father, these holy Sacrifices (Te igitur)

The obligation of observing this Advent, which, though introduced so imperceptibly, had by degrees acquired the force of a sacred law, began to be relaxed, and the forty days from Saint Martin's Day to Christmas were reduced to four weeks.

We have seen that this Fast began to be observed first in France; but thence it spread into England, as we find from Venerable Bede's history; into Italy, as appears from a diploma of Astolphus, King of the Lombards, dated 753 A.D; into Germany, Spain, etc, of which the proofs may be seen in the learned work of Dom Martene, On the ancient rites of the Church.

The first allusion to Advent's being reduced to four weeks is to be found in the 9th-Century, in a Letter of Pope Saint Nicholas I to the Bulgarians. The testimony of Ratherius of Verona, and of Abbo of Fleury, both writers of the 10th-Century, goes also to prove that, even then, the question of reducing the duration of the Advent Fast by one-third was seriously entertained.

Holy Family, Magi, and Shepherds

It is true that Saint Peter Damian, in the 11th-Century, speaks of the Advent Fast as still being for forty days; and that Saint Louis, two centuries later,  kept it for that length of time; but as far as this holy king is concerned, it is probable that it was only his own devotion which prompted him to this practice.

The discipline of the Churches of the West, after having reduced the time of the Advent Fast, so far relented, in a few years, as to change the Fast into a simple abstinence; and we even find Councils of the 12th-Century, for instance Selingstadt, in 1122, and Avranches, in 1172, which seem to require only the Clergy to observe this abstinence.

The Council of Salisbury, held in 1281, would seem to expect none but Monks to keep it. On the other hand (for the whole subject is very confused, owing, no doubt, to there never having been any uniformity of discipline regarding it in the Western Church), we find Pope Innocent III, in his Letter to the Bishop of Braga, mentioning the custom of Fasting during the whole of Advent, as being at that time observed in Rome; and Durandus, in the same 13th-Century, in his Rational on the Divine Offices, tells us that, in France, Fasting was uninterruptedly observed during the whole of that holy time.

The Saint Andrew Daily Missal is obtainable from CARMEL BOOKS

The Traditional Catholic Book Store.

Address:

Carmel Books, Blackford House, Andover Road, Highclere, 

Newbury, Berkshire, England RG20 9PF. Tel: (01635 255340).
E-Mail: enquiries.carmelbooks@gmail.com

PART FOUR FOLLOWS

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.

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 Catherine 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 divinae pietatis, iv. 57].

It is well known how the Maid of Orleans, entrusted by Saint Michael 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 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 Catherine.

Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Русский: Санкт-Петербург, Россия. Невский проспект.

Католическая церковь св. Екатерины.

Photo: 1 June 2012.

Source: Own work.

Author: A.Savin (userpage · contact).

(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 Catherine 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 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, 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.'

Advent (Part Two).

Text taken from The Liturgical Year by Abbot Gueranger, O.S.B.

(Translated from the French by Dom Laurence Shepherd, O.S.B.)

Advent. Volume 1. St. Bonaventure Publications, www.libers.com

Originally published 1949.

Republished by St. Bonaventure Publications, July 2000.

Unless otherwise stated, Illustrations are taken from UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

which reproduced them, with the kind permission of St. Bonaventure Press, from 

The Saint Andrew Daily Missal, 1952 Edition.

I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord.

Saint Ivo of Chartres, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, and several other Doctors of the 11th- and 12-Centuries, have left us Set Sermons de Adventu Domini, quite distinct from their Sunday Homilies on the Gospels of that Season.

In the capitularia of Charles the Bald, in 846 A.D., the Bishops admonish that Prince not to call them away from their Churches during Lent or Advent, under pretext of affairs of State or the necessities of war, seeing that they have special duties to fulfil, and particularly that of preaching during those sacred times.

The oldest document in which we find the length and exercises of Advent mentioned with anything like clearness, is a passage in the second book of the History of the Franks, by Saint Gregory of Tours, where he says that Saint Perpetuus, one of his predecessors, who held that See about the year 480 A.D., had decreed a Fast three times a week, from the Feast of Saint Martin until Christmas. It would be impossible to decide whether Saint Perpetuus, by his regulations, established a new custom, or merely enforced an already existing law. Let us, however, note this interval of forty, or rather forty-three, days, so expressly mentioned, and consecrated to penance, as though it were a second Lent, though less strict and severe than that which precedes Easter.

John preaching the Baptism of Penance.

Later on, we find the Ninth Canon of the First Council of Macon, held in 582 A.D., ordaining that during the same interval between Saint Martin's Day and Christmas, the Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, should be Fasting Days, and that the Sacrifice should be celebrated according to the Lenten Rite.

Not many years before that, namely in 567 A.D., the Second Council of Tours had enjoined the monks to Fast from the beginning of December till Christmas. This practice of penance soon extended to the whole forty days, even for the laity; and it was commonly called Saint Martin's Lent.

The capitularia of Charlemagne, in the sixth book, leave us no doubt on the matter; and Rabanus Maurus, in the second book of his Institution of Clerics, bears testimony to this observance. There were even special rejoicings made on Saint Martin's Feast, just as we see them practised now at the approach of Lent and Easter.

The Saint Andrew Daily Missal is obtainable from CARMEL BOOKS

The Traditional Catholic Book Store.

Address:

Carmel Books, Blackford House, Andover Road, Highclere, 

Newbury, Berkshire, England RG20 9PF. Tel: (01635 255340).
E-Mail: enquiries.carmelbooks@gmail.com

PART THREE FOLLOWS

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

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.

Pope 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 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, 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.

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 Dominus.

plus Commemoration of Saint Felicitas.

Advent (Part One).

Text taken from The Liturgical Year by Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.

(Translated from the French by Dom Laurence Shepherd, O.S.B.)

Advent. Volume 1. St. Bonaventure Publications, www.libers.com

Originally published 1949.

Republished by St. Bonaventure Publications, July 2000.

Illustrations taken from UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

which reproduce them, with the kind permission of St. Bonaventure Press, from 

The Saint Andrew Daily Missal, 1952 Edition.

"See the fig tree and all the trees; when they now shoot forth their fruit, 

you know that Summer is nigh; 

so you, also, when you shall see these things come to pass, 

know that the Kingdom of God is at hand."

CHAPTER THE FIRST

The History of Advent

The name, Advent, (from the Latin word, Adventus, which signifies a coming) is applied, in the Latin Church, to that period of the year during which the Church requires the Faithful to prepare for the celebration of the Feast of Christmas, the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The mystery of that great day had every right to the honour of being prepared for by Prayer and works of penance; and, in fact, it is impossible to state, with any certainty, when this season of preparation (which had long been observed before receiving its present name of Advent) was first instituted.

It would seem, however, that its observance first began in the West, since it is evident that Advent could not have been looked on as a preparation for the Feast of Christmas, until that Feast was definitively fixed to the 25th of December; which was done in the East only towards the close of the 4th-Century; whereas it is certain that the Church of Rome kept the Feast on that day at a much earlier period.

John sent two of his disciples to Christ.

We must look upon Advent in two different lights: First, as a time of preparation, properly so called, for the birth of our Saviour, by works of penance; and, secondly, as a series of Ecclesiastical Offices drawn up for the same purpose.

We find, as far back as the 5th-Century, the custom of giving exhortations to the people in order to prepare them for the Feast of Christmas. We have two sermons of Saint Maximus of Turin on this subject, not to speak of several others, which were formerly attributed to Saint Ambrose and Saint Augustine, but which were probably written by Saint Cesarius of Arles.

If these documents do not tell us what was the duration and what the exercises of this Holy Season, they at least show us how ancient was the practice of distinguishing the time of Advent by special sermons.

The Saint Andrew Daily Missal is obtainable from CARMEL BOOKS

The Traditional Catholic Book Store.

Address:

Carmel Books, Blackford House, Andover Road, Highclere, 

Newbury, Berkshire, England RG20 9PF. Tel: (01635 255340).
E-Mail: enquiries.carmelbooks@gmail.com

PART TWO FOLLOWS

Bloggers, Tweeters, Facebookers, Commenters, Upholders, Defenders, Readers. All To Gather At Our Lady Of The Rosary, Blackfen, Kent, Saturday, 30 November, 1030hrs. All Welcome.

Do come along, next Saturday, 30 November, 1030hrs, to Our Lady of the Rosary, Blackfen, Kent, for 

Low Mass, 

Benediction, 

Marian Anthem, 

Exposition, 

Confession, 

Presentation and Talk by Dr. Adrian Treloar,

Magnificent Lunch.


The following Article was taken from THAT THE BONES YOU HAVE CRUSHED MAY THRILL

Guild Meeting Announcement: Calling Catholic Bloggers

Preparations are under way for a meeting of The Guild of Blessed Titus Brandsma (TGOBTB), the coalition of Catholic bloggers using the new media to spread the Catholic Faith. This group is not to be confused with A Call to Action That Leads to Schism (ACTATLTS) and it is impossible to be a member of both. You cannot serve God's Church and schism. You'll love one and hate the other. Got it?

Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Blackfen

So, this is a call to those Catholic bloggers out there within the Guild, as well as those bloggers not in the bosom of the Guild, as well as those who comment on blogs or use Twitter (etc) who uphold and defend the Magisterium of Holy Mother Church.

I can now confirm that the Guild will be given a talk entitled, 'Medical Aspects of Miracles: Drawing us Towards Faith' by Dr Adrian Treloar FRCP, MRCPsych, MRCGP. Dr Adrian will discuss some miracles that have happened in Lourdes an explore what we can learn from them. Dr Treloar is a Consultant Senior Lecturer in Old Age Psychiatry

Come to the Guild's meeting at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Blackfen, next Saturday (30th November 2013) to meet, listen and discuss with fellow bloggers as we fight and write together under the banner of the Cross, in defence of Our Lord Christ and His Church and for the Salvation of souls.

It is also only fair that if you wish to come to the Guild's meeting that you inform me, the Chairman, but also Fr Tim Finigan, whose parish will be graciously hosting the meeting, so that he and those who will be kindly hosting us may know how many shall be in attendance.

Email the Chairman at englandsgardens@googlemail.com

Email Fr Tim Finigan at blackfencatholic@gmail.com

The Presentation Of The Blessed Virgin Mary. Feast Day 21 November.

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

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Feast Day 21 November.

Greater-Double.
White Vestments.

English: Presentation of the Virgin Mary (detail).

Titian (1490–1576).

Italiano: Tiziano. Presentazione al Tempio (dettaglio).

Date: 1534 - 1538.

Current location: Accademia of Venice, Italy.

Source: Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice, Italy.

(Wikimedia Commons)

After having Solemnised on 8 September the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, and four days later the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, a name given to her a short time before her Birth, the Cycle celebrates on this day the Presentation in the Temple of the Child of Benediction.

These first three Feasts of Mary's Cycle are an echo of the Christological Cycle which, likewise, celebrates the Birth of Jesus, 25 December, the imposition of His Holy Name, 2 January, and His Presentation in the Temple, 2 February.

English: The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple.

Italiano: Presentazione di maria al tempio.

Artist: Alfonso Boschi.

Date: 17th-Century.

Source: Giovanni Piccirillo (a cura di), 

La chiesa dei Santi Michele e Gaetano, 

Becocci Editore, Firenze 2006.

Author: sailko.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Feast of the Presentation of Mary is founded on a pious tradition, originated by two apocryphal Gospels, which relate that the Blessed Virgin was presented in the Temple of Jerusalem when three years old, and that she lived there with other girls and the Holy Women who had them in their care. Already in the 6th-Century, the event is commemorated in the East and the Emperor Michael Comnenus alludes to it in a Constitution of 1166.

Deutsch: de:Klosterkirche Mariä Himmelfahrt (Dillingen an der Donau) 

der Dillinger Franziskanerinnen in Dillingen an der Donau, 

Fresko mit der Darstellung des Tempelganges Mariens.

English: Fresco of The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Monastery Church of the Assumption, 

Dillingen-on-the-Danube, Bavaria, Germany.

Photo: 26 September 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: GFreihalter.

(Wikimedia Commons)

A French nobleman, Philippe de Maizières, who was Chancellor at the Court of the King of Cyprus, having been sent in 1372 as Ambassador to Pope Gregory XI, at Avignon, related to the Pope with what magnificence the Feast was Solemnised in Greece, on 21 November. His Holiness introduced the Feast at Avignon and Pope Sixtus V introduced it at Rome in 1585. Pope Clement VIII raised it to the Rank of Greater-Double and re-arranged the Office.

Mass: Salve, Sancta Parens.

Saint Elizabeth Of Hungary. Heilige Elisabeth Von Thüringen. Árpád-Házi Szent Erzsébet. 1207-1231. Feast Day 19 November.

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,

unless otherwise stated.

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary.

Feast Day 19 November.

Widow.

Double.

White Vestments.

Magyar: Az Árpád-házi Szent Erzsébet-plébániatemplom Budapesten.

English: Saint Elizabeth Church, Budapest, Hungary.

Magyar: Árpád-házi Szent Erzsébet szobra a templommal.

English: The statue of Saint Elizabeth,

with the Church in the background.

Photo: 19 June 2008.

Source: Made by Pasztilla.

Author: User:Pasztilla aka Attila Terbócs.

(Wikimedia Commons)

A statue showing the Miracle of the Roses, 

in the Rose Garden, in front of the Neo-Gothic Church 

dedicated to Saint Elizabeth, 

at Roses' Square (Rózsák tere), 

Budapest, Hungary.

English: Flag of the Kingdom of Hungary

between 21 December 1867 - 12 November 1918.

Magyar: A Magyar Királyság

zászlaja 1867. december 21. és 1918. november 12. között.

Date: 6 August 2008.

Source: Own work, based on Flags of the World - Hungary - 

Historical Flags (1867-1918) and Flag of Hungary 1940.svg.

Angels are vectored from Hungary medium coa 1910.png.

Author: Thommy.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Elizabeth of Hungary, Third Order Of Saint Francis (T.O.S.F.), (German: Heilige Elisabeth von Thüringen, Hungarian: Árpád-házi Szent Erzsébet), 7 July 1207 – 17 November 1231, was a Princess of the Kingdom of Hungary, Landgravine of Thuringia, Germany, and a greatly-venerated Catholic Saint.

Elizabeth was married at the age of fourteen, and widowed at twenty. After her husband's death, she sent her children away and regained her dowry, using the money to build a hospital, where she served the sick. She became a symbol of Christian Charity, after her death at the age of twenty-four, and was quickly Canonised.

Elizabeth was the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary and Gertrude of Merania. Her mother's sister was Saint Hedwig of Andechs, wife of Duke Heinrich I of Silesia. Her ancestry included many notable figures of European Royalty, going back as far as Vladimir the Great of Kievan Rus.

Saint Elizabeth, spinning wool for the poor.

By Marianne Stokes (1895).

Current location: Private collection.

Source/Photographer: Own work, user:Rlbberlin.

(Wikimedia Commons)

According to tradition, she was born in the Castle of Sárospatak, Kingdom of Hungary, on 7 July 1207. According to a different tradition, she was born in Pozsony, Kingdom of Hungary (modern-day Bratislava, Slovakia), where she lived in the Castle of Posonium until the age of four.

A Sermon, printed in 1497 by the Franciscan Friar, Osvaldus de Lasco, a Church official in Hungary, is the first to name Sárospatak as the Saint's birthplace, perhaps building on local tradition. The veracity of this account is not without reproach: Osvaldus also transforms the Miracle of the Roses (see below) to Elizabeth's childhood in Sárospatak, and has her leave Hungary at the age of five.

Elizabeth was brought to the Court of the Rulers of Thuringia, in Central Germany, to become betrothed to Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, a future bride who would reinforce political alliances between the families. She was raised by the Thuringian Court, so she would be familiar with the local language and culture.

Slovenčina: Svätá Alžbeta umýva žobráka, scéna z hlavného 

oltára Dómu svätej Alžbety v Košiciach, 2. polovica 15. storočia.

English: Saint Elizabeth washing a beggar. A 15th-Century scene 

from the High Altar of Saint Elisabeth's Cathedral in Košice, Slovakia.

Photo: 23 June 2013.

Source: Own work.

Author: Of.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In 1221, at the age of fourteen, Elizabeth married Louis; the same year he was enthroned as Landgrave Louis IV, and the marriage appears to have been happy. After her marriage, she continued her charitable practices, which included spinning wool for the clothing of the poor. In 1223, Franciscan Friars arrived, and the teenage Elizabeth not only learned about the ideals of Francis of Assisi, but started to live them. Louis was not upset by his wife's charitable efforts, believing that the distribution of his wealth to the poor would bring eternal reward; he is venerated in Thuringia as a Saint, though he was never Canonized by the Church.

It was also about this time that the Priest and, later, Inquisitor, Konrad von Marburg, gained considerable influence over Elizabeth when he was appointed as her Confessor. In the spring of 1226, when floods, famine, and plague wrought havoc in Thuringia, Louis, a staunch supporter of the Hohenstaufen Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, represented Frederick II at the Imperial Diet held in Cremona, Italy. Elizabeth assumed control of affairs at home and distributed alms in all parts of their territory, even giving away State Robes and ornaments to the poor. Below Wartburg Castle, she built a hospital with twenty-eight beds and visited the inmates, daily, to attend to them.

Elizabeth's life changed irrevocably on 11 September 1227, when Louis, en route to join the Sixth Crusade, died of a fever in Otranto, Italy. On hearing the news of her husband's death, Elizabeth is reported to have said, "He is dead. He is dead. It is to me as if the whole world died today." His remains were returned to Elizabeth in 1228 and entombed at the Abbey of Reinhardsbrunn.

Saint Elizabeth Cathedral,

Košice, Slovakia.

Date: July 2009.

Source: Originally posted to 

Flickr as Košice.

Author: Ville Miettinen.

(Wikimedia Commons)

After her death, Elizabeth was commonly associated with the Third Order of St. Francis, the primarily Lay branch of the Franciscan Order, though it is not sure that she actually formally joined them. It must be kept in mind, though, that the Third Order was such a new development in the Franciscan movement, that no one official ritual had been established at that point. Elizabeth clearly had a ceremony of Consecration, in which she adopted a Franciscan Religious Habit in her new way of life.

Very soon after the death of Elizabeth, Miracles were reported that happened at her grave in the Church of the hospital, especially those of healing. On the suggestion of Konrad, and by Papal Command, examinations were held of those who had been healed between August 1232 and January 1235. The results of those examinations were supplemented by a brief vita of the Saint-to-be, and, together with the testimony of Elizabeth's handmaidens and companions (bound in a booklet called the Libellus de dictis quatuor ancillarum s. Elizabeth confectus), proved sufficient reason for the quick Canonisation of Elizabeth on 27 May 1235 in Perugia, Italy, — no doubt helped along by her family's power and influence. Very soon after her death, hagiographical texts of her life appeared all over Germany, the most famous being Dietrich of Apolda's Vita S. Elisabeth, which was written between 1289 and 1297.

English: The Saint Elisabeth Group. Sculpture in wood by Rudolf Moroder, 

polychromed by Christian Delago, in the Parish Church of Urtijëi, 

South Tyrol, Italy. Date: 1900.

Deutsch: Hl. Elisabeth-Gruppe in Holz geschnitzt, 

gefasst von Christian Delago in der Pfarrkirche von St. Ulrich in Gröden 

des Rudolf Moroder entstanden 1900.

Italiano: Gruppo scultoreo di Santa Elisabetta di Ungheria 

scolpito nel legno da Rudolf Moroder, 

policromia di Christian Delago del 1900.

Photo: 20 February 2009.

Source: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder.

Author: Rudolf Moroder Lenert †1914.

(Wikimedia Commons)

She was Canonised by Pope Gregory IX. The Papal Bull declaring her a Saint is on display in the Schatzkammer of the Deutschordenskirche in Vienna, Austria. Her body was laid in a magnificent golden shrine — still to be seen today — in the Elisabeth Church (Marburg). Her remains were removed and scattered by her own descendant, the Landgrave Philip I "the Magnanimous" of Hesse, at the time of the Reformation. It is now a Protestant Church, but has spaces set aside for Catholic worship. Marburg became a centre of the Teutonic Order, which adopted Saint Elizabeth as its Secondary Patroness. The Order remained in Marburg until its official dissolution by Napoleon I of France in 1803.

Elizabeth is perhaps best known for her Miracle of the Roses, which says that, whilst she was taking bread to the poor, in secret, she met her husband, Ludwig, on a hunting party, who, in order to quell suspicions of the gentry that she was stealing treasure from the Castle, asked her to reveal what was hidden under her cloak. In that moment, her cloak fell open and a vision of White and Red Roses could be seen, which proved to Ludwig that God's protecting hand was at work.

The following Text is taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.

Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew, King of Hungary, was given in marriage to Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia. She had three children, Herman, Sophia, and Gertrude. Her husband, who was a Saint, gave her the most entire liberty for her pious exercises and her Charity.

Like the strong women mentioned in the Epistle, she rose in the night to Pray, lavished Alms on the poor, and spun wool herself to make warm garments for them. What most characterised her was her love for the sick and the lepers, whom she cared for with maternal tenderness.

At her husband's death, wishing to renounce everything to acquire at this price the pearl of Eternal Life (Gospel), she put on a dress of course material and entered the Third Order Of Penance of Saint Francis, where she was noted for her patience and humility.

Her brother-in-law, having succeeded to the title of Landgrave, expelled her with her children from the princely Castle of the Wartburg and she, who was called the mother of the poor, could not find a hospitable roof as a shelter. She died at the age of twenty-four in 1231.

Mass: Cognovi.

The Tridentine Mass. Usus Antiquior.

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,

unless otherwise stated.

English: Elevation of the Chalice

after the Consecration 

during a Solemn Mass.

Čeština: Tridentská mše – pozdvihování.

Esperanto: Tridentina meso – hostilevado.

Latina: Missa tridentina – elevatio.

Polski: Msza trydencka - podniesienie.

This File: 13 August 2012.

User: Krepideia.

Attribution: Required attribution text: 

by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, 

available from http://fssp.org.

Source: http://fssp.org/objet/M11280.jpg.

Author: FSSP – Fraternitas Sacerdotalis Sancti Petri.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Tridentine Mass is the form of the Roman Rite Mass contained in the Typical Editions of the Roman Missal that were published from 1570 to 1962. It was the most widely celebrated Mass Liturgy in the world until the introduction of the Mass of Paul VI in December 1969.

In nearly every country, it was celebrated exclusively in Latin, but the use of many other languages was authorised both before the Council of Trent and in the course of the succeeding centuries leading to the Second Vatican Council.

Missale Romanum 

in Croatian Glagolitic script.

The first Croatian printed book.

Printed in 1483.

Source: http://www.croatianhistory.net/gif/1.jpg.

Author: Unknown.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The term "Tridentine" is derived from the Latin word Tridentinus, which means "related to the city of Tridentum (modern-day Trent, Italy)". It was in response to a decision of the Council of Trent that Pope Pius V promulgated the 1570 Roman Missal, making it mandatory throughout the Western Church, excepting those regions and Religious Orders whose existing Missals dated from before 1370.

Image: Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, 

available from http://fssp.org.

[These regions included those in which a variant of the Roman Rite, called the Sarum Rite, was in use for more than the minimum required time. On a few recent occasions, Roman Catholic Prelates have used this variant as an Extraordinary Form of celebrating Mass. But, like most of the other regions and the Orders concerned, the Sarum Rite areas have adopted the Standard Roman Missal. The most important non-Roman Liturgies that continue in use are the Ambrosian Rite, the Mozarabic Rite and the Carthusian Rite.]

Image: Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, 

available from http://fssp.org.

In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI issued a motu proprio, entitled Summorum Pontificum, accompanied by a Letter to the world's Bishops. The Pope stated that the 1962 Edition of the Roman Missal is to be considered as an "Extraordinary Form" (forma extraordinaria) of the Roman Rite, of which the Missal, as revised by Pope Paul VI in 1970, is the Ordinary, Normal or Standard Form. 

As a result, some refer to the 1962 Tridentine Mass as "the Extraordinary Form" of the Mass The 1962 Tridentine Mass is sometimes referred to as the "usus antiquior" (older use) or "forma antiquior" (older form), to differentiate it from the newer form of the Roman Rite in use since 1970.

Nuptial Low Mass

(Traditional Mass Wedding).

Date: 30 November 2006 (original upload date).

Source: Transferred from en.wikipedia; 

transferred to Commons by User:Yoda1893 using CommonsHelper.

Author: Original uploader was Smith2006 at en.wikipedia.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Other names used include Traditional Mass and Latin Mass - though the revised form of the Mass that replaced it has its official text in Latin, and is sometimes celebrated in that language.

In Masses celebrated without the people, Latin Rite Catholic Priests are free to use either the 1962 version of the Tridentine Liturgy, or what is now the "Ordinary" (Normal) Form of the Liturgy. These Masses "may - observing all the norms of Law - also be attended by Faithful who, of their own free will, ask to be admitted." Permission to use the Tridentine Form in Parish Masses may be given by the Pastor or Rector.