"Ecce Homo".
"Behold The Man".
Artist: Antonio Ciseri (1821–1891).
Date: 1860-1880.
Source: http://www.most-famous-paintings.org/Ecce-Homo-large.html
Author: Antonio Ciseri (1821–1891).
(Wikimedia Commons)
Friday 25 March 2016
Good Friday. The Scourging At The Pillar.
The Flagellation Of Our Lord Jesus Christ
(The Scourging At The Pillar).
Date: 1880.
Artist: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905).
This File: 24 April 2005.
User: Thebrid.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Annunciation Of The Blessed Virgin Mary. Feast Day 25 March.
Roman Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.
The Annunciation.
Artist: Paolo de Matteis.
Date: 1712.
Current location: Saint Louis Art Museum,
Missouri, United States of America.
Source/Photographer: Saint Louis Art Museum official site.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Flos Carmeli
(Flower of Carmel)
Image: THE CIRCLES OF MARY CARE
Image: ZEPHYRINUS
Gabriel told Mary to name her Son, Jesus, meaning "Saviour". Many Christians observe this event with The Feast Of The Annunciation on 25 March, nine full months before Christmas, the Ceremonial Birthday of Jesus. According to Luke 1:26,, The Annunciation occurred "in the sixth month" of Elizabeth's pregnancy with John the Baptist. Irenaeus (circa 130 A.D. - 202 A.D.), of Lyon, regarded The Conception of Jesus as 25 March, coinciding with The Passion.
Our Lady of Ushaw,
Durham, England.
Photo: April 2010.
Source: Own work.
Author: Zephyrinus.
The Annunciation has been a key topic in Christian Art, in general, as well as in Marian Art in The Catholic Church, particularly during The Middle Ages and The Renaissance.
Image: ZEPHYRINUS
Image: ZEPHYRINUS
The following Text is taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.
The Annunciation Of The Blessed Virgin Mary.
Feast Day 25 March.
Double of The First-Class.
White Vestments.
25 March is, indeed, The Anniversary of The Ordination of Christ as Priest, for it is by the Anointing of The Divinity that He has become Supreme Pontiff, Mediator between God and man.
.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*)
English: Innocence.
Français: L'Innocence.
Русский: "Невинность", картина Виллиама Бугро.
И маленький ребёнок, и ягнёнок — символы невинности.
Artist: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).
Date: 1893.
Source/Photographer: http://www.illusionsgallery.com.
(Wikimedia Commons)
"Standing on the threshold of Divinity" [Saint Thomas], since she gave to The Word of God the Flesh to which He was hypostatically united, The Virgin has always been honoured by a super-eminent Veneration, that of Hyperdulia.
"The Virgin With Angels".
Artist: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).
Date: 1900.
Current location: Petit Palais, Paris.
Source/Photographer: Art Renewal Center.
Copied from The English Wikipedia to Commons.
(Wikimedia Commons)
To 25 March, will correspond, nine months later, 25 December, the day on which will be manifested to the world the Miracle as yet only known to Heaven and to The Humble Virgin.
Since the Title of Mother of God makes Mary All Powerful with her Son, let us have recourse to her intercession with Him (Collect), so that, by the Merits of His Passion and Crucifixion, we may have a part in The Glory of His Resurrection (Postcommunion).
Every Parish Priest Celebrates Mass for the people of his Parish.
Mass: Vultum tuum.
Lenten Station At The Basilica Of The Holy Cross-In-Jerusalem. Good Friday.
Roman Text is taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.
unless otherwise stated.
Good Friday.
Station at Holy Cross-in-Jerusalem.
Double of The First-Class.
English: Basilica of The Holy Cross-in-Jerusalem,
Rome, Italy.
Rome, Italy.
Italian: Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.
Latin: Basilica Sanctae Crucis in Hierusalem.
Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Rome).
One of the masterpieces of the "barochetto romano" by
Pietro Passalacqua and Domenico Gregorini, from 1743.
Photo: February 2006.
Source: facade, s. croce in gerusalemme.
Author: Anthony M. from Rome, Italy.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Lenten Station is at the Basilica, which, in Rome, represents Jerusalem, whose name it bears. It is Consecrated to Our Redeemer's Passion and contains earth from Calvary, some important fragments of The True Cross, and one of The Nails used in The Crucifixion of Our Lord.
On this day, the Anniversary of Our Saviour's Death, The Church gives her Temples an appearance of Desolation, and clothes her Ministers in the Garb of Mourning.
THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS.
The first part of today's Liturgy recalls the gatherings that took place in the Synagogues on the Sabbath Day. The first Christian communities, composed as they were of convert Jews, took these assemblies as their model, at the same time subjecting them to necessary modifications, especially by early associating them with The Liturgy of The Eucharistic Sacrifice.
On this day, the Anniversary of Our Saviour's Death, The Church gives her Temples an appearance of Desolation, and clothes her Ministers in the Garb of Mourning.
THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS.
The first part of today's Liturgy recalls the gatherings that took place in the Synagogues on the Sabbath Day. The first Christian communities, composed as they were of convert Jews, took these assemblies as their model, at the same time subjecting them to necessary modifications, especially by early associating them with The Liturgy of The Eucharistic Sacrifice.
Santa Croce in Gerusalemme,
Rome, Italy.
Painting by Corrado Giaquinto, from 1744.
Rome, Italy.
Painting by Corrado Giaquinto, from 1744.
"The Virgin presents Saint Helena and Emperor Constantine to The Trinity".
Photo: February 2006.
Author: Anthony M. from Rome, Italy.
(Wikimedia Commons)
It is in The Mass of The Catechumens, that these are told that the Mercies of God are soon to descend on The Christian People, just as chastisement will fall on the faithless nations, Ephraim and Juda; for, at the very moment when the multitude of The Children of Israel will be offering the Paschal Lamb (Second Lesson), the Jews will be putting to death The Lamb of God on The Cross. This Death is described for us in The Story of Our Lord's Passion according to Saint John.
Meanwhile, the Acolytes spread a single Altar-Cloth upon the Altar. The Celebrant and the Ministers, having finished Praying, go up the steps to the Altar, which the Celebrant kisses, as usual, in the middle, afterwards going to the Epistle side. After this, a Reader, in the place where the Epistle is read, begins The First Lesson in The Tone of The Prophesies.
Portrait of Pope Urban VIII.
Artist: Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680).
Date: Circa 1625.
Current Location: Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome.
Note: Housed in the Salon of Pietro da Cortona of the Palazzo Barberini.
Source/Photographer: Villas et palais de Rome de Carlo Cresti et Claudio
Rendina, photographies de Massimo Listri, traduction de l'italien par
Jean-Philippe Follet. Paris : Mengès, novembre 1998, p. 308.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Pope Urban VIII (Papacy 1623 - 1644)
A large piece of The Cross was taken from
Santa Croce-in-Gerusalemme, Rome,
to Saint Peter's Basilica, on the instructions of
Pope Urban VIII, in 1629.
THE PASSION OF OUR LORD ACCORDING TO SAINT JOHN.
The drama of The Passion is universal and, in one sense, will end only with The World, itself, for all men, by their sins, have taken a share in The Death of Christ. Jesus was bound to triumph through those very atoning sufferings, by which He became The Victim of every passion which shall agitate The Human Race until The End of The World.
For He has atoned for the pride of those who share the Hatred of Truth, which turned the Jews into murderers: The Avarice of those who are possessed by the demon of greed, which drove Judas to sell his Master; the lust of all who indulge in sensual delights, like Herod, who mocked Jesus and sent Him back to Pilate; the cruelty of those who love to cause suffering, like the Soldiers who struck Our Lord and insulted Him; and the cowardice of all who leave the path of duty, like The Apostles, who forsook Him, to Whom they owed everything.
Our Lord's Passion is the whole of humanity, hurling itself upon its Divine Healer, and yet cured by Him; yet, also, it is The Anointed of God, The King of Martyrs, Who, in face of all the generations who persecute Him, and before The Whole World, offers to His Father a Supreme Token of Submission, that of Blood, itself.
Christ on The Cross ! What a model of death to all our sins, of resistance to every temptation, of warfare against all evil-doers, and of the testimony which we, in our turn, ought to render to God, even, if necessary, at the cost of our very life.
English: Coat-of-Arms of Pope Urban VIII.
Français: Armoiries du pape Urbain VIII : d'azur à trois abeilles d'or posées 2 et 1.
Source du blasonnement : http://www.araldicavaticana.com/purbano08.htm.
Date: August 2008.
Source: Own work.
Author: Odejea.
(Wikimedia Commons)
THE SOLEMN PRAYERS.
In the second part of today's Liturgy, we have a relic of Prayers which were also a feature of the primitive gatherings previously mentioned. Of these Prayers, the only trace existing in The Roman Mass is the Oremus, said before The Offertory.These Liturgical Prayers show us that the effects of Our Lord's Death extend to all necessities of The Church and of The Human Race. They even foresee The Conversion of The Deicide Race, who will one day recognise that Jesus is The Messias.
Imaginary portrait of Pope Gregory I.
(After Carlo Saraceni (1579–1620))
or Workshop of Carlo Saraceni.
Date: Circa 1610.
Current Location: Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome.
Source/Photographer: Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome;
User Gerald Farinas on en.wikipedia
This Image: July 2007.
User: Helix84.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Pope Gregory I (Papacy 590 A.D. - 604 A.D.).
Ordered the construction of the Basilica's Museum.
THE ADORATION OF THE CROSS.
This Ceremony owes its origin to a custom which prevailed at Jerusalem in the 4th-Century A.D., of Venerating, on this day, The Wood of The True Cross. Meanwhile, the Improperia, or "Tender Reproaches" of Christ to His people, to whom He had done nothing but good, were sung in Greek, which language was still partly in use in The Mass of every day.
When the Prayers are finished, the Celebrant takes off the Chasuble and he unveils The Cross, singing the words: "Ecce Lignum Crucis" ("Behold The Wood of The Cross"). Thence begins The Adoration of The Cross, by the Celebrant, Ministers and the people, during which The Choir sing "The Reproaches".
THE MASS OF THE PRE-SANCTIFIED.
Good Friday, being The Anniversary of Our Lord's Death, there stands out before The Whole World The Blood-Stained Throne of The Cross, from which The God-Man Reigns. The Church does not Celebrate The Holy Mass, which is The Memorial of That Of The Cross; she contents herself with consuming The Sacred Species, previously Consecrated; which, in The Greek Rite, is the daily practice during Lent, except on Saturdays and Sundays. From this, comes the name "Mass of the Pre-Sanctified", since The Offerings are Sanctified (Consecrated), previously.
VESPERS FOR GOOD FRIDAY.
There follows Vespers, which are the same as for Vespers on Maundy Thursday.
THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL
THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL
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Thursday 24 March 2016
The Denial Of Saint Peter. Maundy Thursday.
English: The Denial of Saint Peter.
Polski: Zaparcie się św. Piotra.
Artist: Caravaggio (1573–1610).
Date: Circa 1610.
Current location: Metropolitan Museum of Art,
New York City, U.S.A.
Source/Photographer: Scan.
Photo: May 2011.
User: Masur.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Taking Of Christ. Maundy Thursday.
English: The Taking of Christ.
Deutsch: Die Festnahme Christi.
Artist: Caravaggio (1573 - 1610).
Date: Circa 1598.
Current location: National Gallery of Ireland,
Dublin, Ireland.
Notes: English: Also known as "The Judas Kiss".
Notes: Deutsch: Auch bekannt als „Der Judaskuss“. Es existieren mehrere zeitgenössische Kopien des Werkes, unter Anderen die in Odessa befindliche und zwischenzeitlich gestohlene VersionFile:Caravaggio - Taking of Christ - Odessa.jpg.
Source/Photographer: Web Gallery of Art
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Taking of Christ, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin. Caravaggio's application of the chiaroscuro technique shows through on the faces and armour, notwithstanding the lack of a visible shaft of light. The figure on the extreme right is a self-portrait.
Lenten Station At The Papal Arch-Basilica Of Saint John Lateran. Maundy Thursday.
Roman Text is taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.
Italic Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.
Maundy Thursday.
Station at Saint John Lateran.
Plenary Indulgence.
Double of The First-Class.
White Vestments at Mass.
English: Papal Arch-Basilica of Saint John Lateran.
Latin: Archibasilica Sanctissimi Salvatoris
et Sanctorum Iohannes Baptistae et Evangelistae in Laterano
Omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput.
Italiano: Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, Roma.
Polski: Bazylika św. Jana na Lateranie (znana jako Bazylika Laterańska),
Photo: September 2005.
Source: Own work.
Author: Stefan Bauer, http://www.ferras.at.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Lenten Station was formerly held at Saint John Lateran, which was originally called The Basilica of Saint Saviour.
The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday is full of memories of The Redemption. It formerly provided for the Celebration of Three Masses:
The First Mass for The Reconciliation of Public Penitents;
The Second Mass for The Consecration of The Holy Oils;
The Third Mass for a Special Commemoration of The Institution of The Holy Eucharist at The Last Supper.
This last Mass is the only one that has been preserved, and, at it, the Bishop, attended by twelve Priests, seven Deacons and seven Sub-Deacons, Blesses The Holy Oils in his Cathedral Church.
Side-Chapel in The Basilica of Saint John Lateran.
San Giovanni-in-Laterano is the Cathedral Church of Rome.
Photo: October 2008.
Source: Own work.
Author: Maros M r a z (Maros).
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Church, endowed with the power of laying down the conditions necessary for the validity of The Sacrament of Penance, required, in the first Centuries A.D., that, after open Confession of sins of public notoriety, described by The Fathers of The Church as Capital Sins, The Absolution should be preceded by the complete fulfilling of the "Satisfaction" or "Penance".
Hence, The Rite of The Reconciliation of Penitents, who, on Maundy Thursday, received The Sacramental Absolution of the sins for which they had done Public Penance during Lent. To this may be traced The Easter Confession following The Forty Days' Penance.
The Coffered Ceiling of the
Basilica of Saint John Lateran,
Rome, Italy.
Basilica of Saint John Lateran,
Rome, Italy.
Photo: March 2010.
Source: Own work.
Author: Grenouille vert.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Sinners, who had undergone a course of Penance, were granted on this day “the abundant remission of their sins”, “which were washed away in The Blood of Jesus”. Dying with Christ, they were “cleansed of all their sins, and, clad in the nuptial robe, they were admitted once more to the banquet of The Most Holy Supper”.
The Blessing of The Holy Oils.
This Blessing took place with a view to the Baptism and Confirmation of the Catechumens during Easter Night. The Bishop exorcised the Oil, Praying God “to instil into it The Power of The Holy Ghost”, so that “The Divine Gifts might descend on those who were about to be Anointed”.
Before the Prayer "Per quem haec omnia", there used to be a Form of Blessing of the good things of the Earth, with mention of their different kinds (fruits, milk, honey, oil, etc), of which we still find examples in The Leonine Sacramentary. Of this Form, there remains nothing in The Canon of The Mass, except The Conclusion, which, on Holy Thursday, retains its natural meaning, since it immediately follows The Blessing of The Holy Oils.
Side-Chapel in The Basilica of Saint John Lateran.
Photo: 2005-07-06.
Source: Flickr.com.
Author: Eugenia and Julian.
Original Photo: [1].
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Holy Chrism, which is The Matter of The Sacrament of Confirmation, is the noblest of The Holy Oils, and The Blessing of it takes place with greater pomp, after the Clergy have Communicated. It is used for The Consecration of Bishops, in The Rite of Baptism, in The Consecration of Churches, Altars and Chalices, and in The Baptism or Blessing of Bells.
The third Holy Oil, which is Blessed immediately after, is that of The Catechumens. It is used to anoint the breast, and between the shoulders, of the person to be Baptised, for The Blessing of Baptismal Fonts on Holy Saturday and on The Vigil of Pentecost, at The Ordination of Priests, at The Consecration of Altars, and for The Coronation of Kings and Queens.
English: Choir and Apse in The Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome.
Deutsch: Chorraum und Apsis von San Giovanni in Laterano, Rom.
Photo: September 2005.
Source: Own work.
Author: Stefan Bauer, http://www.ferras.at
(Wikimedia Commons)
The third Holy Oil, which is Blessed immediately after, is that of The Catechumens. It is used to anoint the breast, and between the shoulders, of the person to be Baptised, for The Blessing of Baptismal Fonts on Holy Saturday and on The Vigil of Pentecost, at The Ordination of Priests, at The Consecration of Altars, and for The Coronation of Kings and Queens.
“Oil”, says Saint Augustine, “signifies something great.” Through the ages, and in many a land, it has always played a Mystical and Religious part. Soothing and restoring by its very nature, it symbolises The Healing wrought by The Holy Ghost (Extreme Unction); a Source of Light, it denotes The Graces of The Holy Ghost, which enlighten the heart; flowing and penetrating, it represents The Infusion of The Holy Spirit into Souls (Baptism, Confirmation); softening in its effects, it shows forth The Action of The Holy Ghost, Who bends our rebellious wills and arms us against the enemies of our Salvation.
The Holy Ghost is especially represented by The Olive Oil, according to The Blessings of Oil and of Palms, because The Dove, a symbol of The Holy Ghost, carried an olive branch in her beak; because The Holy Ghost came down upon Christ, The Anointed One; and because the olive branches, cast by the Jews in Our Lord’s path, foreshadowed The Outpouring of The Holy Spirit, which was to be given to The Apostles at Pentecost. The Balm, which is added to The Oil to make The Sacred Chrism, signifies, by its sweet perfume, the good odour of all Christian Virtues. Also, it preserves from corruption - another respect in which it is a Symbol of Supernatural Grace that protects us from the contagion of sin (Catechism of The Council of Trent).
English: Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome, Italy.
With its length of 400 feet, this Basilica ranks fifteenth among the largest Churches in the world.
With its length of 400 feet, this Basilica ranks fifteenth among the largest Churches in the world.
Français: Basilique Saint-Jean-de-Latran, Vatican, située à Rome, Latium, Italie. Avec sa longueur de 121,84 mètres, cette Basilique se classe au 15è rang parmi les plus grandes églises au monde.
Photo: September 2010.
Source: Own work.
Author: Tango7174.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Church, which Commemorates throughout the year in The Holy Eucharist all the Mysteries of Our Lord’s Life, today lays special stress on The Institution of that Sacrament and of The Priesthood. This Mass carries out, more than any other, the command of Christ to His Priests, to renew The Last Supper, during which He instituted His Immortal Presence among us at the very moment His Death was being plotted. The Church, setting aside her mourning today, Celebrates The Holy Sacrifice with joy. The Crucifix is covered with a White Veil, her Ministers are Vested in White, and the Bells are rung at the Gloria in Excelsis. They are not rung again until Holy Saturday.
English: The Tomb of Pope Leo XIII
in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran.
in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran.
Deutsch: Grab Leo XIII.
Photo: May 2007.
Source: Own work.
Author: Berthold Werner.
(Wikimedia Commons)
After The Mass, the Altar is stripped, in order to show that The Holy Sacrifice is interrupted and will not be offered again to God until Holy Saturday. The Priest, therefore, has Consecrated two Hosts, for, on Good Friday, The Church refrains from renewing on the Altar The Sacrifice of Calvary.
On this Holy Thursday, when the Epistle and Gospel describe for us the details of The Institution of The Priesthood and The Eucharistic Sacrifice, let us receive from the Priest’s hands that Holy Victim Who offers Himself upon the Altar, and, in this holy manner, fulfil our Easter Duty.
Mass: Nos autem.
The Late-Baroque façade of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran
was completed by Alessandro Galilei, in 1735,
after winning a competition for the design.
was completed by Alessandro Galilei, in 1735,
after winning a competition for the design.
Photo: February 2007.
Source: Own work.
Author: Howardhudson.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Immediately after Mass, the Celebrant incenses The Chalice containing The Reserved Host, which is carried in Procession to The Altar of Repose prepared for its reception within the Church. During the Procession, the Hymn Pange Lingua, from The Vespers of Corpus Christi, is sung.
On reaching The Altar of Repose, The Chalice, with The Reserved Host, is placed on it, and, after being incensed, it is placed in the Tabernacle.
Vespers are then said in The Choir.
14th-Century Gothic Baldacchino
in The Basilica of Saint John Lateran,
Rome, Italy.
in The Basilica of Saint John Lateran,
Rome, Italy.
Photo: March 2013.
Source: Own work.
Author: Wiki ktulu.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Vespers for Maundy Thursday.
The Pater Noster and Ave Maria, having been recited secretly, the Vespers are at once begun with the first Antiphon (Psalm CXV. 13. "Cálicem salutaris accípiam, et nomen Dómini invocábo". "I will take The Chalice of Salvation, and I will call upon The Name of The Lord".
The Stripping of The Altars.
At the conclusion of Vespers, the Priest, assisted by his Ministers, proceeds to Strip the Altars, whilst reciting the Antiphon Divisérunt and Psalm XXI (Deus Meus).
"The Divine Saviour applied this Psalm to Himself, by beginning it with a loud cry on The Cross, in order to teach us to continue it in the same sense" (Bossuet).
The Pater Noster and Ave Maria, having been recited secretly, the Vespers are at once begun with the first Antiphon (Psalm CXV. 13. "Cálicem salutaris accípiam, et nomen Dómini invocábo". "I will take The Chalice of Salvation, and I will call upon The Name of The Lord".
The Stripping of The Altars.
At the conclusion of Vespers, the Priest, assisted by his Ministers, proceeds to Strip the Altars, whilst reciting the Antiphon Divisérunt and Psalm XXI (Deus Meus).
"The Divine Saviour applied this Psalm to Himself, by beginning it with a loud cry on The Cross, in order to teach us to continue it in the same sense" (Bossuet).
The Cloisters
at the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano.
at the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano.
Photo: May 2006.
Source: Own work.
Author: Joonas Lyytinen Joonasl
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Washing of The Feet.
After The Stripping of The Altars, the Clergy, at a convenient hour, meet to perform the Ceremony known as The Mandatum. The Prelate, or Priest, puts on, over the Amice and Alb, a Violet Stole and Cope. Then, the Deacon, in White Vestments (as is also the Sub-Deacon) sings the Gospel "Ante diem festum Paschae" in the usual way.
The Officiating Priest then removes his Cope, girds himself with a Cloth, and, assisted by his Ministers, begins the washing of the feet of thirteen Clerics or thirteen poor people chosen for the Ceremony.
It is obvious that the number was originally twelve, in remembrance of The Twelve Apostles. According to a Tradition, the alteration was made by Saint Gregory the Great. This holy Pope, when washing the feet of twelve poor men, noticed one more, of a very beautiful countenance. When he tried to know who he was, after the Ceremony, the mysterious poor man had disappeared. Saint Gregory believed it was an Angel, or Our Lord, Himself. The Official Liturgical Book, known as "The Ceremonial of The Bishops", prescribes the number as thirteen.
The Officiating Priest kneels before each one of them, washes, wipes, and kisses the foot presented, using the Cloth tendered by the Deacon.
Meanwhile, Antiphons are sung.
After The Stripping of The Altars, the Clergy, at a convenient hour, meet to perform the Ceremony known as The Mandatum. The Prelate, or Priest, puts on, over the Amice and Alb, a Violet Stole and Cope. Then, the Deacon, in White Vestments (as is also the Sub-Deacon) sings the Gospel "Ante diem festum Paschae" in the usual way.
The Officiating Priest then removes his Cope, girds himself with a Cloth, and, assisted by his Ministers, begins the washing of the feet of thirteen Clerics or thirteen poor people chosen for the Ceremony.
It is obvious that the number was originally twelve, in remembrance of The Twelve Apostles. According to a Tradition, the alteration was made by Saint Gregory the Great. This holy Pope, when washing the feet of twelve poor men, noticed one more, of a very beautiful countenance. When he tried to know who he was, after the Ceremony, the mysterious poor man had disappeared. Saint Gregory believed it was an Angel, or Our Lord, Himself. The Official Liturgical Book, known as "The Ceremonial of The Bishops", prescribes the number as thirteen.
The Officiating Priest kneels before each one of them, washes, wipes, and kisses the foot presented, using the Cloth tendered by the Deacon.
Meanwhile, Antiphons are sung.
Photo: 2005.
Source: Own work.
Author: Quinok.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Indulgences for Maundy Thursday.
Pope Pius VII granted a Plenary Indulgence to all who, on Maundy Thursday, perform some Pious Exercise (Reading, Meditation, Divine Office) for one hour in Commemoration of The Institution of The Holy Eucharist, provided that, being truly contrite, they go to Confession and Holy Communion on that day or on any day of the week, following.
He also granted a Plenary Indulgence to all who pay a visit to The Blessed Sacrament at Altars of Repose on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and Pray there for the intention of The Sovereign Pontiff, provided they have been to Confession and that they go to Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday or on Easter Sunday.
THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL
Pope Pius VII granted a Plenary Indulgence to all who, on Maundy Thursday, perform some Pious Exercise (Reading, Meditation, Divine Office) for one hour in Commemoration of The Institution of The Holy Eucharist, provided that, being truly contrite, they go to Confession and Holy Communion on that day or on any day of the week, following.
He also granted a Plenary Indulgence to all who pay a visit to The Blessed Sacrament at Altars of Repose on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and Pray there for the intention of The Sovereign Pontiff, provided they have been to Confession and that they go to Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday or on Easter Sunday.
THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL
THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL
Available (in U.K.) from
Available (in U.S.A.) from
Feast Of The Archangel Gabriel. 24 March.
Text is taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.
Saint Gabriel.
Archangel.
Feast Day 24 March.
Greater-Double.
White Vestments.
Polyptych of The Resurrection: The Archangel Gabriel.
Artist: Titian (1490–1576).
Date: 1522.
Current location: Santi Nazaro e Celso, Brescia, Italy.
Source/Photographer: Web Gallery of Art
(Wikimedia Commons)
Happy Feast of The Archangel Gabriel.
Saint Gabriel was sent to Daniel to enlighten him as to the time when Christ would be born (Epistle), and to Zachary, at the hour in which he offered Incense in the Temple (Offertory), to announce to him the birth of John the Baptist, the Precursor of The Messias (Gospel).
"Only Gabriel, a name that means "Power of God", was found worthy among all the Angels," says Saint Bernard, "to announce to Mary the designs of God with regard to her" (Matins). "He was chosen from among all the Angels," says the Collect, "to proclaim the Mystery of The Incarnation."
With a feeling of Holy Reverence, Saint Gabriel came to The Virgin, who, from all Eternity, had been chosen to be The Mother on Earth of Him, of Whom God is The Father in Heaven. In the words inspired by The Most High, and which The Church desires us to repeat frequently, he said to her: "Hail, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women." [As Saint Thomas Aquinas said of The Blessed Virgin Mary: "She, who stands on The Threshold of Divinity."]
And, seeing that Mary was taken aback by this salutation, the Angel explained that he had come to obtain her consent, her Fiat, that the Great Mystery on which depended the Redemption of Mankind might be accomplished. "I am Gabriel, who stands before God, and I have been sent to speak to thee and to tell thee these good tidings" (Matins).
It was Mary's wish to remain a Virgin, and the Angel of The Lord announced that she would conceive of The Holy Ghost and that she would give birth to a son, to Whom she would give the name of Jesus, that is to say, Saviour.
Mary, then, without hesitating, submitted with the most profound humility: Behold The Handmaid of The Lord: Be it done to me according to Thy word.
And, in that instant, was accomplished the greatest of all Miracles, when God raised unto Himself and into union with Him, The Blessed Fruit of The Womb of The Virgin: "And The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." The Word took upon Him our humanity, our poverty, our nothingness, and gave us in return His Divinity.
The Angel then returned to Heaven.
"Having learned, by the mouth of Gabriel, The Incarnation of The Word, may it be given to us to obtain, by his help, the fruits of that same Incarnation" (Postcommunion).
Pope Benedict XV extended the Feast of Saint Gabriel to the whole Church.
Mass: Benedícite Dóminum.
Mass: Benedícite Dóminum.
Wednesday 23 March 2016
Lenten Sermons: Our Lady Of Lourdes And Healing. "Que Soy L’Immaculado Concepciou". "I Am The Immaculate Conception".
This Article is taken from RORATE CAELI
and relates to Sermons in plain English on Catholic Dogma, Doctrine, and Devotion,
available on AUDIO SANCTO
Statue of The Blessed Virgin
in The Grotto of Massabielle, Lourdes.
Photo: 1 May 2005.
Source: Own work.
Author: © Manuel González Olaechea y Franco
(Wikimedia Commons)
Français: Basilique Notre Dame du Rosaire et Basilique de l'Immaculée Conception au dessus
de la Grotte des Apparitions, et Gave de Pau, à Lourdes, France.
English: The Basilica of Our Lady of The Rosary and The Basilica of The Immaculate Conception, above the Grotto of The Marian Apparitions to Saint Bernadette, at Lourdes, France.
Photo: 15 August 2009.
Source: Own work.
Author: Roland Darré.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Our Lady of Lourdes and Healing.
On 11 February 1858, our Blessed Mother appeared to a 14 year old girl named, Bernadette Soubirous, in a shallow cave or grotto in Lourdes, France, known as Massabielle. All together, the young visionary of Lourdes would have eighteen apparitions of Our Lady. The Mother of God would ask that a Chapel be built there and that Religious Processions be held, as well as Prayers for sinners. When asked to reveal her identity, Our Lady said that she was The Immaculate Conception. And, of course, a wondrous Spring of Water was revealed that still brings miraculous cures to this day.
Certainly, many are familiar with the apparitions at Lourdes and the Miracle of Healing brought to many with corporal infirmities. But Our Lady also brought the Spiritual Healing of her Divine Son. Modern man, infected with the errors of The Enlightenment, The French Revolution, and even Atheism, had sought to perfect the World using material means. Spiritual problems, however, can only be solved through Spiritual solutions. Our Lady provided such solutions from that shallow cave of Massabielle. From this cave . . . this grotto in Lourdes, healing, restoration, and renewal will come to modern man.
On 11 February 1858, our Blessed Mother appeared to a 14 year old girl named, Bernadette Soubirous, in a shallow cave or grotto in Lourdes, France, known as Massabielle. All together, the young visionary of Lourdes would have eighteen apparitions of Our Lady. The Mother of God would ask that a Chapel be built there and that Religious Processions be held, as well as Prayers for sinners. When asked to reveal her identity, Our Lady said that she was The Immaculate Conception. And, of course, a wondrous Spring of Water was revealed that still brings miraculous cures to this day.
Certainly, many are familiar with the apparitions at Lourdes and the Miracle of Healing brought to many with corporal infirmities. But Our Lady also brought the Spiritual Healing of her Divine Son. Modern man, infected with the errors of The Enlightenment, The French Revolution, and even Atheism, had sought to perfect the World using material means. Spiritual problems, however, can only be solved through Spiritual solutions. Our Lady provided such solutions from that shallow cave of Massabielle. From this cave . . . this grotto in Lourdes, healing, restoration, and renewal will come to modern man.
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