Vigil Of Pentecost. Solemn High Mass. Church Of Saint Anthony Of Padua, Jersey City. Saturday, 23 May 2015. 1900 hrs.

On the occasion of the 13th-Anniversary of the return of The Traditional Latin Mass to Hudson County, New Jersey, a Missa Solemnis for The Vigil of Pentecost will be sung at downtown Jersey City’s historic Saint Anthony’s Church, located at Monmouth Street, between 6th and 7th Streets, on Saturday, 23 May 2015, at 7:00 p.m.

In Honour Of Pope Saint Pius V. Traditional Latin Catholic Mass: Easter Sunday, 1941. Basilica Of Our Lady Of Sorrows, Chicago. Narrated By Mgr. Fulton J. Sheen.

This Article is taken from VICTIMAE PASCHALI LAUDES

It was Posted on 5 May, the Feast Day of Pope Saint Pius V.

English: Interior of Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica and National Shrine,

Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.

Français: Vue intérieure de la basilique Notre-Dame des Douleurs (Our Lady of Sorrows) de Chicago, en Illinois (États-Unis).

Italiano: Il santuario della Madonna Addolorata a Chicago.

Photo: 2 February 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: User:JeremyA.

Permission: © 2008, Jeremy Atherton.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Traditional Latin High Mass: Easter Sunday, 1941.

Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows, Chicago.

Narrated by Mgr. Fulton J. Sheen.

Available on YouTube at

https://youtu.be/R6AOvStZS64.

The Apparition Of Saint Michael The Archangel. Feast Day 8 May.

Roman Text is taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.

Italic Text is taken from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

The Apparition of Saint Michael the Archangel.
Feast Day 8 May.

Greater-Double.

White Vestments.

Saint Michael the Archangel.

Artist: Guido Reni (1575–1642).

Date: Circa 1636.

Current location: Church of Santa Maria della Concezione,

Rome, Italy.

Source/Photographer: The Yorck Project: 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei.

DVD-ROM, 2002. ISBN 3936122202. Distributed by

DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH.

Permission: [1].

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Michael The Archangel Prayer.

Available on YouTube at

https://youtu.be/4wp4Ri5gwuc

The Easter Feasts are those of Angelical Spirits, for The Resurrection "gives joy also to The Angels," says Saint Gregory, "because, in opening Heaven to us, again, it makes up for the losses which their ranks had sustained."

The Feast of the Apparition of Saint Michael, the Chief of The Celestial Hosts, shows forth, in this Paschaltide, all the grandeur of The Saviour's Triumph.

Saint Michael, himself, comes to defend us in battle (Alleluia). He came down from Heaven (Ibid) and appeared in Italy, towards 525 A,D,, under the Pontificate of Pope Gelasius I, in Apulia, on the summit of Monte Gargano, near the Adriatic and the ancient Sipontum.

He requested that a Sanctuary should be erected to him, where God should be Worshipped, in Memory of himself and all The Angels, and this place became celebrated on account of numerous Miracles.

Mass: Benedícite Dóminum.

English: Archangel Michael 

saving Souls from Purgatory.

By Jacopo Vignali. 

17th-Century.

Italiano: Jacopo vignali.

San michele arcangelo libera le anime del purgatorio.

Source: Giovanni Piccirillo (a cura di).

La chiesa dei Santi Michele e Gaetano,

Becocci Editore, Firenze 2006.

Author: sailko.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Michael the Archangel is referred to in The Old Testament and has been part of Christian teachings since the earliest times. Throughout the Centuries, specific Roman Catholic Traditions and views on Saint Michael have taken shape, as recently as the 19th- and 20th-Centuries.

A specific "Prayer to Saint Michael" was promoted by Pope Leo XIII in 1886, and, as recently as 1994, was reinforced by Pope John Paul II, who encouraged the Catholic Faithful to continue to Pray it, saying: "I ask everyone not to forget it and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against forces of darkness."

Saint Michael has specific roles, within Roman Catholic teachings, that range from acting as the chief opponent of Satan to saving Souls at the hour of death. Roman Catholic literature and Traditions continue to point to Saint Michael in contexts as varied as the protection of The Catholic Church, to The Consecration of Russia, by Pope Pius XII and Pope Saint John Paul II.

PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

added by Pope Leo XIII, in 1886, to The Leonine Prayers,

at The Foot of The Altar, after Low Mass.

Pope Leo XIII,

in 1880.

Source: 1880 book on Pope Leo XIII.

Author: Karl Benzinger.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Holy Michael Archangel,

defend us in the day of battle;

be our safeguard against the wickedness

      and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him,

we humbly Pray,

and do thou,

Prince of the Heavenly host,

by the power of God,

thrust down to Hell,

Satan and all wicked spirits,

who wander through the world

      for the ruin of Souls.

Amen.

English: St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery,

Kiev, Ukraine.

Čeština: Chrám svatého Michala v Kyjevě.

Photo: 2005.

Source: Own work.

Author: Dezidor.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Prayer to Saint Michael is an Invocation, used mainly by Catholics, addressed to Michael The Archangel.

Pope Leo XIII added it, in 1886, to The Leonine Prayers, which he had directed to be said after Low Mass, two years earlier. Pope Saint John Paul II referred to The Saint Michael Prayer in his Regina Coeli Address of 24 April 1994, as follows:

"May Prayer strengthen us for the spiritual battle that the Letter to the Ephesians speaks of: 'Be strong in The Lord and in the strength of His Might' (Ephesians 6:10). The Book of Revelation refers to this same battle, recalling before our eyes the image of Saint Michael The Archangel (cf. Revelation 12:7).

Pope Leo XIII certainly had this picture in mind when, at the end of the 19th-Century, he brought in, throughout The Church, a special Prayer to Saint Michael: 'Saint Michael The Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil . . .' Although this Prayer is no longer recited at the end of Mass, I ask everyone not to forget it and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against the forces of darkness and against the spirit of this world."

Please. Don't Tell Me This Is A Modern Catholic Church. Please !!!

Image: BROWNDRESSWITHWHITEDOTS.TUMBLR.COM

Saint Stanislaus. Bishop And Martyr. Patron Saint Of Poland. Feast Day 7 May.

Roman Text is taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.

Italic Text is taken from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.

Saint Stanislaus.
Bishop and Martyr.
Feast Day 7 May.

Double.

Red Vestments.

Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów.

Artist: Stanisław Samostrzelnik (1485–1541).

Date: 1530 - 1535.

Current location: National Library of Poland.

Source/Photographer: Polona.pl.

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: State flag of Poland with Coat of Arms, symbolic version. Based on Image:Flag of Poland.svg and Image:Herb Polski.svg. Note: the Coat of Arms used here is not the official, accurate version. The official one is still not available in vector format.

Polski: Flaga Polski z godłem, wersja symboliczna. Oparta na Image:Flag of Poland.svg i Image:Herb Polski.svg. Uwaga: godło użyte w tej grafice nie jest oficjalne. Oficjalna wersja godła nie jest jeszcze dostępna w formacie wektorowym, stąd zamieszczono poniżej dodatkową wersję tej grafiki w formacie PNG, w której użyto poprawnego wizerunku godła.

Date: 26 June 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Aotearoa, Wanted.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Stanislaus, born in Poland, was made Bishop of Cracow in 1072. He became an object of hatred to King Boleslas II, whom he reproached for his tyranny and dissolute life.

One day, whilst the Saint was saying Mass, the King rushed at him and slew him (Collect). This was in 1079. Saint Stanislaus is the Patron Saint of Poland.

Mass: Protexísti.

Stanislaus of Szczepanów, or Stanisław Szczepanowski, (July 26, 1030 – April 11, 1079) was a Bishop of Kraków, known chiefly for having been Martyred by the Polish king, Bolesław II the Bold. Stanislaus is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church as Saint Stanislaus the Martyr (as distinct from Stanislaus Kostka).

According to tradition, Stanisław was born at Szczepanów, a village in Lesser Poland, the only son of the noble and pious Wielisław and Bogna. He was educated at a Cathedral school in Gniezno (then the capital of Poland) and later, according to different sources, in Paris or Liège. On his return to Poland, Stanisław was ordained a Priest by Lambert II Suła, Bishop of Kraków.

After the Bishop's death (1072), Stanisław was elected his successor, but accepted the Office only at the explicit command of Pope Alexander II. Stanisław was one of the earliest native Polish Bishops. He also became a Ducal Advisor and had some influence on Polish politics.

Stanisław's major accomplishments included bringing Papal Legates to Poland, and re-establishment of a Metropolitan See in Gniezno. The latter was a pre-condition for Duke Bolesław's coronation as King, which took place in 1076. Stanisław then encouraged King Bolesław to establish Benedictine Monasteries to aid in the Christianisation of Poland.

The Church Of The Holy Innocents, New York. Solemn High Mass. Tuesday, 12 May 2015, 1800 Hrs. Lectures By Martin Mosebach And Professor Luc Perrin, 1930 Hrs.

Basilica Of Saint-John-Before-The-Latin-Gate. San Giovanni a Porta Latina. Feast Day 6 May.

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

Saint-John-Before-The-Latin Gate.
Feast Day 6 May.

Greater-Double.

Red Vestments.

English: Basilica of Saint-John-Before-The-Latin-Gate

Italiano: San Giovanni a Porta Latina.

Français: Facade de l'Église San Giovanni a Porta Latina.

Photo: July 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: LPLT.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Jesus had promised James and John, sons of Zebedee, that they should drink the chalice of His Passion, so as to participate in the triumph of His Resurrection (Gospel).

The Emperor Domitian caused John to be brought to Rome and condemned him to be plunged into a cauldron of boiling oil.

But Saint John, by a striking Miracle, came forth from this torment more healthy and vigorous than before. A Sanctuary was built on this spot near The Latin Gate and Dedicated to The Holy Apostle.

There is held The Station on Passion Sunday.

Mass: Protexísti.

English: The Nave of the Basilica of Saint-John-Before-The-Latin-Gate, Rome.

Français: Nef de l'église San Giovanni a Porta Latina à Rome.

Photo: July 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: LPLT.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is taken from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

San Giovanni a Porta Latina (Italian: "Saint-John-Before-The-Latin-Gate") is a Basilica Church in Rome, Italy, near the Porta Latina (on the Via Latina) of the Aurelian Wall. It is currently the Titular Church of Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, former Archbishop of Kraków.

According to Tertullian, as quoted by Saint Jerome, in the year 92 A.D., Saint John the Evangelist survived Martyrdom at Rome, under the Emperor Domitian, by being immersed in a vat of boiling oil, from which he emerged unharmed. He was later exiled to the island of Patmos.

This event was Traditionally said to have occurred at The Latin Gate (located on the Southern portion of The Roman Wall). The nearby Chapel of San Giovanni in Oleo is said to be on this very spot. The event was referred to in The Roman Martyrology, which was begun in the 7th-Century A.D., when already there was a Celebration of the event. A Feast Day in The Roman Calendar also Celebrated the event until 1960, when Pope Saint John XXIII removed most Second Feasts of a single Saint.

English: Frescoes in the Apse of the Basilica of 

Saint-John-Before-The-Latin-Gate, Rome.

Français: Fresques de l'abside de l'église San Giovanni a Porta Latina de Rome.

Photo: November 2008

.

Source: Own work.

Author: LPLT.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Tradition for the building of the Basilica of Saint-John-Before-The-Latin-Gate places its construction during the Pontificate of Pope Gelasius I (492 A.D. - 496 A.D.). This is consistent with the oldest of the roof tiles, which have the imprint of a taxation stamp for the Ostrogoth King and Ruler of Italy, Theodoric the Great (Reigned 493 A.D. -526 A.D.). One of these ancient roof tiles is now used in the Basilica as a Lectern.

In the 8th-Century A.D., the Basilica was restored by Pope Adrian I, and later the Bell-Tower and Portico were added, and, at the end of the 12th-Century, the Basilica was re-Consecrated by Pope Celestine III. In the 16th- and 17th-Centuries, a Baroque Ceiling and other Baroque features were added to the Interior.

In 1940-1941, the Baroque features were removed and the Basilica was returned to a more primitive simplicity. This last renovation was carried out by the Rosminian Fathers, who, in 1938, were given care of the Basilica and the nearby building, where they opened the Collegio Missionario Antonio Rosmini, which houses their International House of Studies.

Columns in the Nave of

Saint-John-Before-The-Latin-Gate, Rome.

Photo: May 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: LPLT.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The main entrance to the Basilica is fronted by a small Square, with a 100-year-old Cedar Tree and an 8th-Century Well-Head, nearly reproducing the aspect of the Basilica that would have been seen at the re-Consecration by Pope Celestine III in the 12th-Century.

The Portico (or Porch) of the Basilica is supported by four re-used Classical Columns (each of a different marble) supporting five Arches. The Main Door is framed with a simple mosaic of Red and Green Porphyry.

The Well-Head, from the time of Pope Adrian I, has a double row circular design around its barrel, and a Latin inscription completely around its crown: IN NOMINE PAT[RIS] ET FILII ET SPI[RITUS SANT]I - "In the name of The Father, of The Son, and of The Holy Ghost" - and a quote from the Prophet Isaiah: OMN[E]S SITIE[NTES VENITE AD AQUAS] -  "All you who are thirsty come to the water", and the name of the stone-carver - EGO STEFANUS - "I am Stephen".

English: One of the oldest of the roof tiles from 

Saint-John-Before-The-Latin-Gate, Rome,

which has the imprint of a taxation stamp for the Ostrogoth King and Ruler of Italy, Theodoric the Great (Reigned 493 A.D. -526 A.D.). This ancient roof tile is now used in the Basilica as a Lectern.

Français: Lutrin de l'Église San Giovanni a Porta Latina de Rome.

Photo: July 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: LPLT.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Interior of the Basilica is divided into three Naves, divided by two rows of Columns, on which rest semi-circular Arches. The two Columns closest to the Sanctuary are of White Marble with deep fluting. The other Columns are of various types of Marble and Granite, capped with a diverse collection of Ionic Capitals. The Central Nave terminates with a half-hexagon Apse. Each of the three sides of the Apse opens with a large window filled with Honey-Coloured Onyx.

Occupying the ledge of the Central Window is a carved wooden Crucifixion Scene, including Saint John the Evangelist and The Blessed Virgin Mary. In front of the Altar, is a mosaic Pavement in Cosmatesque-style. The geometric pattern of Red and Green Porphyry, framed in White Marble (as well as re-used fragments of White Marble with Latin lettering), is thought to have been created before the 12th-Century. Inserted in the front step of the Altar, is the Titulus of the Basilica, of ancient origin, discovered during the renovations of 1940: "TIT. S. IOANNIS ANTE PORTAM LA[TINAM]" - "Saint John before the Latin Gate".

In 1913-1915, recently-discovered frescoes were restored above the High Altar. After this work, another search along the face of the Central Nave revealed the presence of a full circle of Mediaeval frescoes. The restoration of these frescos was completed with the full restoration of the Basilica in 1940-1941. The Central Nave is decorated with about fifty scenes representing the Old and New Testaments, from the Creation of the World to the glorious Apocalypse of the New Jerusalem. The frescoes were executed by several artists under the direction of one master.

Adoration. Thanksgiving. Atonement. Petition.

Image: FR. Z's BLOG

The Sacrifice of The Mass is offered for Four Ends:

Adoration;

Thanksgiving;

Atonement;

Petition.

Pope Saint Pius V (1504 - 1572). Confessor. Feast Day 5 May.

Roman Text is taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.

Italic Text is taken from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,

unless otherwise stated.

Saint Pius V.

Pope and Confessor.

Feast Day 5 May.

Double.

White Vestments.

Deutsch: Porträt des Papst Pius V.

English: Pope Saint Pius V.

Artist: El Greco (1541–1614).

Date: Circa 1600 - 1610.

Current location: Private collection, Paris.

Source: The Yorck Project: 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei.

DVD-ROM, 2002. ISBN 3936122202. Distributed by

DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH.

Permission: [1].

(Wikimedia Commons)

Pius, born at Bosco, in Lombardy, Italy, entered at the age of fourteen into the Order of Preachers (The Dominicans).

As Bishop, Cardinal and Pope (Introit, Epistle, Communion), he put to profit the talents entrusted to him by God (Gospel).

His Pontificate, although short, was one of the most glorious of the 16th-Century. Protestantism had proclaimed the Reformation and Islam threatened the West. To remedy the ills, under which Christendom groaned, Pope Saint Pius V enforced obedience to the Decrees of the Council of Trent, published a new edition of the Missal and Breviary and obtained, by the Prayers he asked for, the glorious victory won by the Christian forces at Lepanto in 1571.

He instituted, on that occasion, the Feast of Our Lady of Victories, which became, later on, the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary.

He died on 5 May 1572, reciting the Hymn of Paschaltide.

Mass: Státuit.

Pope Saint Pius V (17 January 1504 – 1 May 1572), born Antonio Ghislieri (from 1518 called Michele Ghislieri, O.P.), was Pope from 8 January 1566 to his death in 1572. He is venerated as a Saint of the Roman Catholic Church. He is chiefly notable for his role in the Council of Trent, the Counter-Reformation, and the standardisation of the Roman Rite within the Latin Church.

Pius V declared Thomas Aquinas a Doctor of the Church and patronised prominent sacred music composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.

As a Cardinal, Ghislieri gained a reputation for putting orthodoxy before personalities, prosecuting eight French Bishops for Heresy. He also stood firm against nepotism, rebuking his predecessor, Pope Pius IV, to his face, when he wanted to make a 13-year old member of his family a Cardinal and subsidise a nephew from the Papal Treasury.

In affairs of State, Pius V excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I of England for schism and persecution of English Catholics during her reign. He also arranged the formation of the Holy League, an alliance of Catholic States. Although outnumbered, the Holy League famously defeated the Ottoman Empire, which had threatened to overrun Europe, at the Battle of Lepanto. Pius V attributed the victory to the intercession of The Blessed Virgin Mary and instituted the feast of Our Lady of Victory.

Regina Caeli. Queen Of Heaven. The Month Of May Is Dedicated To The Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Blessed Virgin Mary.

Queen Of Heaven.

Image: CALEFACTORY.ORG

English: The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary.

Deutsch: Maria Himmelfahrt, Hochaltar für St. Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venedig.

Français: L'Assomption de la Vierge.

Artist: Titian (1490–1576).

Date: 1516-1518.

Current location: Institution:Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venice, Italy.

Source/Photographer: The Yorck Project: 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei. DVD-ROM, 2002. ISBN 3936122202. Distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH.

(Wikimedia Commons)

"Regina Caeli".

Composed by

Marco Frisina.

Available on YouTube at

https://youtu.be/

The Month Of May Is Dedicated To The Blessed Virgin Mary. Queen Of Heaven And 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/

online-gallery/on-line-gallery/obra/the-coronation-of-the-virgin/

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is taken from CATHOLICCULTURE.ORG

The month of May (Overview - Calendar) is the "month which the piety of the Faithful has especially Dedicated to Our Blessed Lady," and it is the occasion for a "moving tribute of Faith and love, which Catholics in every part of the world [pay] to The Queen of Heaven. During this month of May, Christians, both in Church and in the privacy of the home, offer up to Mary, from their hearts, an especially fervent and loving homage of Prayer and Veneration. In this month, too, the benefits of God's Mercy come down to us from her Throne in greater abundance" (Pope Paul VI: Encyclical on the Month of May, no. 1).

   

Einsiedeln Abbey, Switzerland.

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.

English: Einsiedeln Abbey Church,

Switzerland.

Deutsch: Klosterkirche in Einsiedeln,

Switzerland.

Photo: 29 November 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Roland zh.

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: Interior of Einsiedeln Abbey, Switzerland.

Français: Vue Intérieure.

Photo: 8 August 2011.

Source: Own work.

Author: Caro.ray.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Einsiedeln Abbey is a Benedictine Monastery, in the town of Einsiedeln, in the Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland. The Abbey is dedicated to Our Lady of the Hermits, the Title being derived from the circumstances of its Foundation, for the first inhabitant of the region was Saint Meinrad, a Hermit. It is a Territorial Abbey, and, therefore, not part of a Diocese, which is subject to a Bishop. It has been a major resting point, on the Way of Saint James, for Centuries.

Saint Meinrad was educated at The Abbey School, on Reichenau Island, in Lake Constance, Switzerland, under his kinsmen, Abbot Hatto and Abbot Erlebald, where he became a Monk and was ordained a Priest. After some years at Reichenau, and at a dependent Priory, on Lake Zurich, he embraced an eremitical life and established his Hermitage on the slopes of Etzel Mountain. He died on 21 January 861 A.D., at the hands of two robbers who thought that the Hermit had some precious treasures, but, during the next eighty years, the place was never without one or more Hermits emulating Meinrad's example. One of them, named Eberhard, previously Provost of Strasbourg, erected, in 934 A.D., a Monastery and Church there, of which he became the first Abbot.

English: Nave of the Abbatial Cathedral Saint Mauritius, Einsiedeln,

Canton of Schwyz, Central Switzerland.

Deutsch: Langhaus der Abteikathedrale Sankt Mauritius, Einsiedeln,

Kanton Schwyz, Zentral-Schweiz.

Photo: 29 January 2013.

Source: Own work.

Author: Zairon.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Church was miraculously Consecrated, so the legend runs, in 948 A.D., by Christ Himself, assisted by The Four Evangelists, Saint Peter, and Saint Gregory the Great. This event was investigated and confirmed by Pope Leo VIII and subsequently ratified by many of his successors, the last ratification being by Pope Pius VI, in 1793, who confirmed the acts of all his predecessors.

English: Einsiedeln Abbey, Switzerland.

Deutsch: Kloster Einsiedeln,

Einsiedeln, Switzerland.

Photo: 26 January 2013.

Source: Own work.

Author: Roland zh.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In 965 A.D., Abbot Gregory, the third Abbot of Einsiedeln, was made a Prince of The Holy Roman Empire by Emperor Otto I, and his successors continued to enjoy the same dignity up to the cessation of The Empire at the beginning of the 19th-Century. In 1274, the Abbey, with its dependencies, was created an Independent Principality by Rudolf I of Germany, over which the Abbot exercised Temporal as well as Spiritual jurisdiction. It continued as an Independent Principality until 1798, the year of the French invasion. The Abbey is now what is termed an Abbey Nullius, the Abbot having quasi-episcopal authority over the territory where the Monastery is built.

For the learning and piety of its Monks, Einsiedeln Abbey has been famous for a thousand years, and many Saints and scholars have lived within its walls. The study of Letters, Printing, and Music have greatly flourished there, and the Abbey has contributed largely to the glory of The Benedictine Order. It is true that discipline declined somewhat in the 15th-Century and The Rule became relaxed, but Ludovicus II, a Monk of St. Gall, who was Abbot of Einsiedeln 1526-1544, succeeded in restoring the stricter observance.

English: Choir of the Abbatial Cathedral St. Mauritius, Einsiedeln,

Canton of Schwyz, Central Switzerland.

Deutsch: Chor der Abteikathedrale St. Mauritius, Einsiedeln,

Kanton Schwyz, Zentral-Schweiz.

Photo: 29 January 2013.

Source: Own work.

Author: Zairon.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In the 16th-Century, the religious disturbances, caused by the spread of the Protestant Reformation in Switzerland, were a source of trouble for some time. Zwingli, himself, was at Einsiedeln Abbey for a while, and used the opportunity for protesting against the famous Pilgrimages, but the storm passed over and the Abbey was left in peace. Abbot Augustine I (1600–1629) was the leader of the movement, which resulted in the erection of the Swiss Congregation of the Order of Saint Benedict, in 1602, and he also did much for the establishment of stricter observance in the Abbey and for the promotion of a high standard of scholarship and learning amongst his Monks.

Einsiedeln Abbey,

Switzerland.

Photo: 27 July 2006.

Source: Own work.

Author: Markus Bernet.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Pilgrimages, which have never ceased since the days of Saint Meinrad, have tended to make Einsiedeln Abbey the rival even of Rome, The Holy House of Loreto and Santiago de Compostela, serving as a major stopping point on the Way of St. James leading there. Pilgrimages constitute one of the features for which the Abbey is chiefly celebrated. The Pilgrims number around one million, from all parts of Catholic Europe or even further. The statue of Our Lady, from the 15th-Century, enthroned in the little Chapel erected by Eberhard, is the object of their devotion. This Chapel stands within the great Abbey Church, in much the same way as The Holy House at Loreto, encased in marble and elaborately decorated.

14 September and 13 October are the chief Pilgrimage days, the former being the Anniversary of the miraculous Consecration of Eberhard's Basilica, and the latter that of the Translation of Saint Meinrad's Relics from Reichenau Island to Einsiedeln Abbey, in 1039. The millennium of Saint Meinrad was kept there with great splendour in 1861, as well as that of the Benedictine Monastery, in 1934.

The great Church has been many times rebuilt, the last time by Abbot Maurus between 1704 and 1719. The last big renovation ended after more than twenty years in 1997. The Library contains nearly 250,000 volumes and many priceless Manuscripts. The work of the Monks is divided chiefly between Prayer, work and study. At Pilgrimage times, the number of Confessions heard is very large.

St Meinrad Arch-Abbey,

Indiana,

United States of America.

Photo: 23 June 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Chris Light.

Attribution: Chris Light at en.wikipedia

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Meinrad Arch-Abbey, in Spencer County, Indiana, USA, was founded by Monks from Einsiedeln Abbey, Switzerland on 21 March 1854, and is home to approximately ninety-eight Monks. It is one of only two Arch-Abbeys in the United States and one of only nine in the world.

The Benedictine Community, at Saint Meinrad Arch-Abbey, consists of men who dedicate their lives to Prayer and work. They gather in Community five times a day — for Morning Prayer, Mass, Noon Prayer, Evening Prayer and Compline — to Pray for the Church and the world. Guests often join the Monks in Prayer in the Arch-Abbey Church.

Gregorian Chant is sung in The Canonical Hours of The Monastic Office, primarily in Antiphons, used to sing the Psalms, in the Great Responsories of Matins, and the Short Responsories of the Lesser Hours and Compline. The Psalm Antiphons of The Office tend to be short and simple, especially compared to the complex Great Responsories. In addition, the Monks spend private time reading spiritual and religious material. They live under the Rule of Saint Benedict, the 6th-Century instructions for Community Living, written by Saint Benedict.

This is a representation of the Coat-of-Arms of

Saint Meinrad Arch-Abbey in Saint Meinrad,

Indiana, United States of America.

Blazon: Azure, a Ship with one Sail, Argent, the Mast terminating in a Cross, the Sail charged with the Greek letters Chi Rho, Sable, resting on a Sea Barry Wavy of six, Argent and Azure; on a Chief, Or, two Eagles (Ravens ?) rising to Dexter, Sable. [1].

Date: 6 August 2012.

Source: Own work.

Author: Alekjds.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In 2013, the Community numbered sixty Monks. Attached to the Abbey are a Seminary and a College for about 360 Pupils, who are partially taught by the Monks, who also provide Spiritual Direction for six Convents of Religious Sisters.

In 1854, when the Monastery was again facing suppression, a colony was sent to the United States, from Einsiedeln, to minister to the local German-speaking population and to develop a place of refuge, if needed. Daughter Houses began to be Founded, the first being Saint Meinrad, Indiana, and, in 1881, these were formed into the Swiss-American Congregation, which, in 2013, comprised fourteen Monasteries from Canada, in the North, down to Guatemala, ten of which were directly founded from Einsiedeln. In the Fall of 1887, Einsiedeln Abbey sent eight Novices, and one Professed Monk, to Subiaco, Arkansas. The Reverend Father Gall D'Aujourd'hui, O.S.B., is considered to be the co-founder of Subiaco Abbey and Academy.

English: The Nave,

Einsiedeln Abbey,

Switzerland.

Deutsch: Marienbrunnen, Hauptplatz Kloster Einsiedeln,

Switzerland.

Photo: 26 January 2013.

Source: Own work.

Author: Roland zh.

(Wikimedia Commons)

One of Einsiedeln Abbey's Apostolates is a School (Gymnasium), for the seventh- to twelfth-grades, which has existed in its present form since 1848. It is the continuation of a tradition of education that dates to the Early-Middle-Ages. Its distinguished Alumni include: Gall Morel; Franz Fassbind; Philipp Etter; Hans Hürlimann, and his son, Thomas Hürlimann; Bruno Frick; and Anatole Taubman.

Located in separate Cantons, Einsiedeln Abbey and Fahr Abbey, a Community of Benedictine Nuns, form a Double Monastery, both under the authority of the Abbot of Einsiedeln.

Einsiedeln Abbey's Library contains the Versus de scachis, the earliest mention of Chess in Western Literature.

Einsiedeln Abbey,

Switzerland.

Photo: 27 May 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: Roland zh.

(Wikimedia Commons)