Tuesday 25 November 2014
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.
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)
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 (Saint Joan of Arc), 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, 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.
(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.
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, 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.'
Available (in U.K.) from
Available (in U.S.A.) from
The Sistine Chapel Ceiling. An Artistic Vision Without Precedent. (Part One).
Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.
Section of The Sistine Chapel Ceiling.
This File: 2 September 2013.
User: Amandajm.
(Wikimedia Commons)
English: Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Українська: Сикстинська каплиця.
Date: 4 травня 2010.
Source: власне фото (by Qypchak).
Author: Мікеланджело; Michelangelo.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Libyan Sibyl,
Date: 1508-1512.
From the Ceiling of The Sistine Chapel.
Source: CGFA.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Ceiling is that of The Sistine Chapel, the large Papal Chapel, built within The Vatican between 1477 and 1480 by Pope Sixtus IV, whose namesake The Chapel is. It was painted at the Commission of Pope Julius II. The Chapel is the location for Papal Conclaves and many important Services.
The Ceiling's various painted elements form part of a larger scheme of decoration within The Chapel: Including the large fresco, The Last Judgment, on the Sanctuary Wall, also by Michelangelo; Wall Paintings by several leading painters of the Late-15th-Century, including Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Pietro Perugino; and a set of Large Tapestries, by Raphael, the whole illustrating much of the Doctrine of The Catholic Church.
Sistine Chapel.
The Hands of God and Adam,
from "The Creation of Adam"
(above and below)
Fresco by Michelangelo,
Date: 1509.
Source/Photographer: Web Gallery of Art[1]
Author: Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564).
The complex design includes several sets of individual figures, both clothed and nude, which allowed Michelangelo to fully demonstrate his skill in creating a huge variety of poses for the human figure, and have provided an enormously influential pattern book of models for other artists ever since.
Pope Julius II was a "Warrior Pope", who, in his Papacy, undertook an aggressive campaign for political control, to unite and empower Italy under the leadership of The Church. He invested in symbolism to display his temporal power, such as his procession, in the Classical manner, through a Triumphal Arch in a chariot, after one of his many military victories. It was Julius who began the rebuilding of Saint Peter's Basilica in 1506, as the most potent symbol of the source of Papal power.
Portrait of Pope Julius II.
Painter: Raphael (1483–1520).
Current location: National Gallery, London.
Source/Photographer: National Gallery, London.
(Wikimedia Commons)
PART TWO FOLLOWS
Monday 24 November 2014
Father Christmas Comes Home To Saint Walburge, Preston, Lancashire, England.
This Article, in full, can be read at REGINA
Divine Mass at The High Altar,
Saint Walburge,
Preston, England.
Illustration: REGINA
By Michael Durnan.
Canon Altiere is a newly-Ordained Priest with the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP) at the new Shrine of Saint Walburge, in Preston, a historically-Catholic town in Northern England. A year ago, however, Saint Walburge’s fate hung by a thread. Though a most beloved landmark – and a centre of Faith going back 150 years — changing demographics had rendered its future very uncertain.
Abbe Baudouin Chaptal de Chanteloup, Canon Francis Altiere,
Canon Amaury Montjean (from The Dome of The Home) and Abbe Guillaume Fenoll
Illustration: REGINA
Now this young Priest, ordained in August by Cardinal Raymond Burke, is entrusted with the daily administration of this new Shrine. A senior confrere, not far away in New Brighton, helps keeps an eye on things, and two Seminarians are an indispensable help, says Canon Altiere, in this look at how things are going in Preston’s wonderful new Christmas gift.
“OUR PRINCIPAL MISSION IS TO MAKE
SAINT WALBURGE’S A HOUSE OF PRAYER.
Already The Divine Office, The Church’s continual “Sacrifice of Praise,” is Celebrated daily in the Church. In addition to Daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, we sing the Offices of Lauds, Vespers and Compline every day.”
Illustration: REGINA
“GIVEN OUR EMPHASIS
ON THE SOLEMN CELEBRATION
OF THE SACRED LITURGY,
WE NEED TO RAISE MONEY
FOR THE SACRISTY
as time goes on, especially since hardly
any of the original Vestments remain.
Someday, we hope to be able to restore
the Church to its original glory:
Stencilled East Wall;
Marble Communion Rails, etc.”
The Web-Site of Saint Walburge's Church is at
The address is:
The Shrine Church of Saint Walburge,
Weston Street,
Preston,
Lancashire,
England PR2 2QE.
Telephone: 07894 559284.
E-Mail: preston@icrsp.org
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
who 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."
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.
Available (in U.K.) from
Available (in U.S.A.) from
PART TWO FOLLOWS
Ave Maria. Olga Szyrowa (Soprano). 2004. Pasja / The Passion Of The Christ. How Not To Love You, Maria (Diana Navarro - "Mare Mine" In Latin And Spanish).
+(from+In+Caelo+et+in+Terra+Blog).jpg)
Illustration: IN CAELO ET IN TERRA
"Ave Maria".
Olga Szyrowa (Soprano).
Pasja / The Passion of the Christ.
2004.
Available on YouTube at
Ave Maria performed by the Russian opera singer, Olga Szyrowa.
The soundtrack comes from the Polish movie, Prowokator (1995).
Composer of all songs for the movie is Michał Lorenc.
"How Not To Love You, Maria".
(Diana Navarro - "Mare mine" in Latin and Spanish).
Album: "24 Rosas" (Diana Navarro, 2007)
Available on YouTube at
Sunday 23 November 2014
The Church Of The Holy Innocents, New York, Is Now Saved. Deo Gratias.
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Illustration: THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS
Illustration: THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS
There was a highly-successful Petition to Save Holy Innocents Church.
See the Video on YouTube that contributed to the Saving Of Holy Innocents Church.
Available on YouTube at
It might be a good thing to write to Cardinal Dolan,
to thank him for Saving Holy Innocents Church, New York.
You can write to the Cardinal at this address:
His Eminence
Timothy Cardinal Dolan,
Cardinal Archbishop of New York,
1011 First Avenue,
New York NY 10022,
United States of America.
His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan,
Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York.
Date: 19 May 2009.
Source: ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY DOLAN (13)
Uploaded by gugganij.
Author: Cy White from Milwaukee, Milwaukee.
(Wikimedia Commons)
|
English: Coat-of-Arms of U.S. Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan,
Archbishop of New York.[1]
Español: Escudo de armas del cardenal estadounidense Timothy Michael Dolan,
Arzobispo de Nueva York.
Blazon:
Arms impaled. Dexter: Argent; upon a saltair between four crosses Gules a mill-sail of the field. Sinister: Azure, upon a fess Argent a crown Gules between two scrolls Proper; in chief two crescents, the one to dexter of the second, the one to sinister Or; in base another crescent of the last.
Date: 17 January 2013.
Source: Own work.
Author: SajoR.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Consider The Lilies Of The Field, How They Grow: They Labour Not, Neither Do They Spin. But I Say To You, That Not Even Solomon In All His Glory Was Arrayed As One Of These.
Text from Saint Matthew,
Chapter 6,
Douay-Rheims Version.
Field of Lilies.
Tiffany Studios.
Circa 1910.
Photo: May 2006.
Source: I took this photo at the Richard H. Driehaus Gallery
of Stained Glass, on the Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Author: Daderot.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Behold the birds of the air,
For they neither sow,
Nor do they reap,
Nor gather into barns,
And your heavenly Father feedeth them.
Are not you of much more value than they ?
And which of you by taking thought,
Can add to his stature one cubit ?
And for raiment why are you solicitous ?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;
They labour not, neither do they spin.
But I say to you,
That not even Solomon in all his glory,
Was arrayed as one of these.
And if the grass of the field,
Which is today,
And tomorrow is cast into the oven,
God doth so clothe:
How much more you,
O ye of little faith ?
Saturday 22 November 2014
The Blessed Virgin Mary. Queen Of Heaven. Queen Of The Angels.
English: Crowning of The Virgin Mary in Heaven
by The Holy Trinity.
Español: Coronación de la Virgen.
Deutsch: Die Krönung Marias.
Artist: Diego Velázquez (1599–1660).
Date: Circa 1645.
Current location: Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain.
Source/Photographer: https://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/
(Wikimedia Commons)
Friday 21 November 2014
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.
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.
Available (in U.K.) from
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Thursday 20 November 2014
King Saint Louis IX (1214-1270). A Man With A Hair-Shirt. Grand Exhibition In Paris To Celebrate His 800th-Anniversary.
This Article, on the Grand Exhibition in Paris, France, celebrating the 800th-Anniversary of
King Saint Louis IX of France, can be read in full at MEDIEVAL HISTORIES
Illustration: MEDIEVAL HISTORIES
By Pierre-Yves le Pogam and Christine Vivet-Peclet (Eds)
Editions du Patrimoine Centre des monuments nationaux 2014
ISBN-10: 2757703412
ISBN-13: 978-2757703410
Image: MEDIEVAL HISTORIES
Review by Karen Schousboe.
Full Review is available at MEDIEVAL HISTORIES
This is a real Coffee-Table book, obviously meant to be perused during lazy afternoons in Winter-time. In this sense, the book lives up to one of the characteristics of the life and times of King Saint Louis IX. If people could afford it – and the French Royal Family obviously could – exquisite and delicate art was at their fingertips, in the form of incredibly-detailed ivory sculptures, glazed windows and, not least, covers and illuminated Manuscripts. Now, we can peruse renderings of all these delicacies for the paltry sum of €45.
A barefoot King Saint Louis IX carries The Crown of Thorns to Paris,
and instals it at Sainte Chapelle.
Illustration: MEDIEVAL HISTORIES
Sainte Chapelle,
Paris, France.
King Saint Louis IX carried The Crown of Thorns to Sainte Chapelle
Photo: 14 October 2005.
Source: Own work.
Author: Didier B (Sam67fr).
(Wikimedia Commons)
"Dies Irae". The Sequence In A Requiem Mass.
"Dies Irae".
The Sequence in a Requiem Mass
(Mass for the Dead).
Available on YouTube at
The Hymn dates from at least the 13th-Century, though it is possible that it is much older, with some sources ascribing its origin to Saint Gregory the Great († 604 A.D.), Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 - 1153), or Saint Bonaventure (1221-1274).
It is a Mediaeval Latin Poem, characterised by its accentual stress and its rhymed lines. The metre is trochaic. The Poem describes the Day of Judgment, the Last Trumpet summoning Souls before the Throne of God, where the Saved will be delivered and the Damned cast into Eternal Flames.
The Hymn is best known from its use as a Sequence in the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass (Mass for the Dead, or Funeral Mass). It also continues to form part of the Traditional Liturgy for All Souls' Day (Feast Day 2 November). An English version is found in various Anglican Communion Service Books.
The Hymn is best known from its use as a Sequence in the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass (Mass for the Dead, or Funeral Mass). It also continues to form part of the Traditional Liturgy for All Souls' Day (Feast Day 2 November). An English version is found in various Anglican Communion Service Books.
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