Ember Saturday In September.

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

Ember Saturday in September.

Station at Saint Peter's.

Violet Vestments.

Iona Abbey,

Scotland.

Image: SHUTTERSTOCK

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month of the year, the Jews used to celebrate, at the conclusion of the harvest, The Feast of Tabernacles, and lived during eight days under tents, or huts made of foliage, in remembrance of the nomadic life of the Israelites in the desert (Second Lesson).

This Feast was preceded, on the tenth of the month, by the very solemn Day of Expiation, called Holy (First Lesson). On this day, the High Priest purified himself in the basin which stood before the Sanctuary *, then, taking the blood of the victims, he entered The Holy of Holies and Prayed near The Mercy-Seat (Epistle). [* The Holy Water Stoups in our Churches recall this basin, known as "The Brazen Sea".]

The Saturday in The September Ember Week, formerly the seventh month of the year, recalls this Feast, both of Penance and Joy.

The  Prophets, Micheas, Zacharias, and Daniel, whose writings were read through during the night, or Vigil, preceding the Sunday *, speak in similar terms of the Salvation brought by God to those who atone for their sins and implore His protection amid the dangers that threaten them. [* Formerly, Mass was not said on Saturday morning; but, after a night passed in Prayer and reading the Scriptures, The Holy Sacrifice was offered at dawn. Hence the large number of Collects and Lessons which characterise The Mass of The Saturday in Ember Week.]

The Epistle shows the new alliance which Jesus Christ has established between our repentant Souls and God, by offering to Him, in the real Holy of Holies, which is Heaven, The Blood which He shed upon The Cross to atone for our sins.

In the same way that Jesus delivered the woman whom Satan had bound for eighteen years, and like the gardener mentioned in the Gospel, the Priests heal our Souls, and, by their Prayers and their untiring zeal, ward off from Souls the rigours of Divine Justice, making them produce the sweet fruits of Penance and good works; this Mass is, therefore, eminently suited for an Ordination.

After the Kyrie, The Tonsure is conferred; after The First Lesson are Ordained The Door-Keepers; after The Second Lesson are Ordained The Readers; after The Third Lesson are Ordained The Exorcists; after The Fourth Lesson are Ordained The Acolytes; after The Fifth Lesson are Ordained The Sub-Deacons; after the Epistle are Ordained The Deacons, and, before the last verse of The Tract, are Ordained The Priests.

Mass: Venite, adorémus.

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Saint Thecla. Virgin And Martyr. Feast Day, Today, 23 September.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,

unless otherwise stated.

Saint Thecla.

Virgin and Martyr.

Feast Day 23 September.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

Saint Thecla.

Virgin and Martyr.

Illustration: CATHOLIC HARBOR OF FAITH AND MORALS

"In Lycaonia," says The Roman Martyrology," Saint Thecla, Virgin and Martyr, who, brought to The Faith by The Holy Apostle Paul, at Iconium (Asia Minor), victoriously underwent the torments of flames and wild beasts, under the Emperor Nero". Having recovered, she died in peace at Seleucia.

Mass: Loquébar.

English: Saint Thecla (Mar Takla) Monastery, Ma'loula, Syria.

Français: Vue du monastère de Sainte-Thècle (Mar Takla), Maaloula, Syrie.

Photo: 1 April 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Bernard Gagnon.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is from Wikipedia.

Thecla, or Tecla (Ancient Greek: Θέκλα, Thékla), was a Saint of The Early Christian Church, and a reported follower of Paul The Apostle. The earliest record of her life comes from the ancient apocryphal Acts of Paul and Thecla.

The Acts of Paul and Thecla is a 1st- or 2nd-Century A.D. Text, which forms part of The Acts of Paul, but also circulated separately. According to the Text, Thecla was a young noble Virgin from Iconium, who listened to Paul's "discourse on Virginity", espoused the teachings and became estranged to her fiancé, Thamyris, and her mother. They became concerned Thecla would follow Paul's demand, "one must fear only one God and live in Chastity", and turned to the authorities to punish both Paul and Thecla.

Thecla was miraculously saved from burning at the stake by the onset of a storm and travelled with Paul to Antioch of Pisidia. There, a nobleman named Alexander desired Thecla and attempted to take her by force. Thecla fought him off, assaulting him in the process, and was put on trial for assaulting a nobleman. She was sentenced to be eaten by wild beasts, but was again saved by a series of Miracles when the female beasts protected her against her male aggressors. While in the arena, she Baptised herself.

She rejoined Paul in Myra, and travelled to preach The Word of God and became an icon encouraging women to also live a life of Chastity and follow The Word of The Lord. She went to live in Seleucia, Cilicia. According to some versions of The Acts, she lived in a cave there for seventy-two years. Becoming a healer, the Hellenistic physicians in the City lost their livelihood and solicited young men to attack her. As they were about to take her, a new passage was opened in the cave and the stones closed behind her. She was able to go to Rome.

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Saint Linus. Second Pope. Martyr. Feast Day, Today, 23 September.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,

unless otherwise stated.

Saint Linus.

Pope and Martyr.

Feast Day 23 September.

Semi-Double.

Red Vestments.

Coat-of-Arms of The Holy See

with Gold Key in Bend, as described in Donald Lindsay Galbreath,

A Treatise on Ecclesiastical Heraldry (W. Heffer and Sons, 1930), p. 9; Bruno Bernhard Heim, Heraldry in The Catholic Church: Its Origin, Customs and Laws (Van Duren 1978

ISBN 9780391008731), p. 54; Heraldry Society of Great Britain; Michel Pastoureau,

"Keys" in Philippe Levillain, The Papacy: An Encyclopedia

(Routledge 2002 ISBN 9780415922302), vol. 2, p. 891.

Date: 12 December 2007.

Source: Donald Lindsay Galbreath, A Treatise on Ecclesiastical Heraldry

(W. Heffer and Sons, 1930), p. 9;

Bruno Bernhard Heim, Heraldry in The Catholic Church: Its Origin, Customs and Laws

(Van Duren 1978 ISBN 9780391008731), p. 54;

Heraldry Society of Great Britain;

Michel Pastoureau, "Keys" in Philippe Levillain, The Papacy:

An Encyclopedia (Routledge 2002 ISBN 9780415922302), vol. 2, p. 891

Author: F l a n k e r.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Pope Saint Linus.

67 A.D. - 76 A.D.

Successor to Saint Peter as Bishop of Rome.

Illustration: FIND A GRAVE

"At Rome," says The Roman Martyrology, "the triumph of Saint Linus, Pope and Martyr, who immediately succeeded Saint Peter in the government of The Church. He suffered Martyrdom, and was buried on The Vatican, next to The Prince of The Apostles."

The name of Saint Linus is mentioned in The Canon of The Mass, after the names of The Apostles.

Mass: Státuit.
Collects: Of The Mass: Sacerdótes.
Commemoration: Saint Thecla.

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Ember Friday In September.

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

Ember Friday in September.

Station at The Twelve Apostles.

Violet Vestments.

Iona Abbey,

Scotland.

Image: SHUTTERSTOCK

As on the other Ember Fridays during the year, The Station is held at the Church of The Holy Apostles, in Rome.

The Epistle reminds us of the words of the Prophet, Osee, to Israel: "Be Converted to The Lord thy God,  since thy iniquity has caused thee to fall." And Osee announces that The Almighty, seeing the spirit of Prayer and Penance of the Israelites, will heal their bruises and turn away His anger from them.

The Basilica of The Twelve Apostles,

Rome, Italy.

Photo: 20 July 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: SteO153.

(Wikimedia Commons)

A fine harvest of olives, wheat, and wine; that is to  say, the riches of The Autumnal Season, consecrated to God by The September Ember Days; Blessings from on high are thus promised symbolically to The Chosen People.

What God did for repentant Israel, The Saviour did for Mary Magdalen, who, says the Gospel, "was pardoned many sins because she had loved much" (Gospel). And The Church Ordains her Priests during these days of Penance, so that they may repeat throughout the Centuries their Master's example, and pardon those who repent.

Mass: Laetétur cor.

Second Collect: A cunctis.

Third Collect: At the option of the Priest.

Common Preface.

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Saint Maurice And His Companions. Martyrs. Feast Day 22 September.

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

Saint Maurice And His Companions.
Martyrs.
Feast Day 22 September.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

English: Saint Maurice is received by Saint Erasmus, Bishop and Martyr, Patron Saint of The Military and one of The Fourteen Holy Helpers (The Fourteen Auxiliary Saints).

Deutsch: Empfang des Hl. Erasmus durch Hl. Mauritius, Gesamtansicht.

Artist: Matthias Grünewald.

Date: 1517-1523.

Current location: Alte Pinakothek, Munich, Germany.

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

DVD-ROM, 2002. 

ISBN 3936122202. Distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH.

(Wikimedia Commons)

When The Emperor Maximian led his army into Gaul, The Theban Legion composed of 660 soldiers under the command of Saint Maurice, refused to take part in the ceremonies in honour of the gods.

They were massacred out of hatred for the name of Christ, about 286 A.D., at Agaunum, now called Saint Maurice (Valais, Switzerland).

Mass: Intret.

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Saint Thomas Of Villanova. Bishop And Confessor. Feast Day 22 September.

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

Saint Thomas Of Villanova.
Bishop And Confessor.
Feast Day 22 September.

Double.

White Vestments.

Saint Thomas of Villanova.

Artist: Simone Cantarini (1612-1648).

Date: First half of the 17th-Century.

Current location: Pinacoteca Civica, Fano, Italy.

Source/Photographer: fondazionecarifano.it/

Progetti/cantarini/fano_per_cantarini_opere.html

(Wikimedia Commons)

Thomas was born in Spain in the 15th-Century. From his earliest childhood he had the tenderest compassion for The Poor. Having entered The Order of Hermits of Saint Augustine, he was soon made Superior, and, after having refused the Archbishopric of Granada, he was forced to accept that of Valencia.

He thus shared in the Eternal Priesthood of Christ (Introit, Epistle, Gradual, Offertory). He spent on The Poor the large revenues of his Church, and, on the day of his death, in 1555, he gave away his last Penny, and died on a bed which did not even belong to him.

The Church, therefore, Celebrates especially in this Pontiff "his extraordinary Charity towards The Poor" (Collect, Antiphon of The Benedictus).

Mass: Státuit.

Secret: Sancti Thomae.

Postcommunion: Deus fidélium.

Commemoration of Saint Maurice and Companions.

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

Saint Thomas of Villanova O.S.A. (1488–1555) was a Spanish Friar of The Order of Saint Augustine, who was a noted Preacher, Ascetic and Religious Writer of his day. He became an Archbishop, who was famous for the extent of his care for The Poor of his See.

Zephyrinus Pops Up To Town To Visit His Tailor And Have Lunch At His Club.

Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad's 4-4-2, No. 281,

stands at the Monon’s Hammond, Indiana, Railway Station,

ready for the 8:45 a.m. departure on 5 Oct. 1946,

of the 

Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad's

local Train to Cincinnati.

Photo: L.B. Herrin.

Illustration: CLASSIC TRAINS MAGAZINE

Saint Matthew. Apostle And Evangelist. Feast Day, Today, 21 September.

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

Saint Matthew.
Apostle And Evangelist.
Feast Day 21 September.

Double of The Second-Class.

Red Vestments.

Saint Matthew.

Apostle and Evangelist.

Illustration: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Artist: Rene de Cramer.

"Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium".

Used with Permission.

We read in the Gospel, Saint Matthew's own account of his conversion. The Epistle describes the famous vision, where Ezechiel saw four symbolical animals, which, from earliest Centuries, have been recognised as types of The Four Evangelists.

Saint Matthew is represented by the animal with a human face, because he commences his Gospel by tracing the human descent of Jesus. His object in writing this book, which is stamped by true wisdom (Introit), was to prove that Jesus realised the Prophecies relating to the deliverance of Israel and that He is, therefore, The Messias.

After Pentecost, The Apostle Preached The Good News in Palestine and in Ethiopia, where he was Martyred.

The name of Saint Matthew is in The Canon of The Mass, in the group of The Apostles.

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

Mass: Os justi.

Epistle: Similitudo vultus.

Creed.

Preface: Of The Holy Apostles.

Ember Wednesday In September.

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

Ember Wednesday in September.

Station at Saint Mary-Major.

Violet Vestments.

Iona Abbey,

Scotland.

Image: SHUTTERSTOCK

As on other Wednesdays in Ember Weeks, The Station is held at Saint Mary-Major.

The Prophet Amos had foretold in the 8th-Century B.C., the destruction of the Kingdom of Israel and its coming restoration (Lesson). Later on, indeed, Nehemias and Esdras brought back the captives from Babylon and rebuilt Jerusalem.

When this work was completed, they all assembled on the first day of the seventh month, when Esdras read to them The Law of Moses and said: "This is The Holy Day of The Lord, be not sad for The Joy of The Lord is our strength" (Epistle and Communion).

English: Basilica of Saint Mary-Major, Rome,

where The Mass is said on Ember Wednesday in September.

Italiano: Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Roma.

Photo: 23 May 2016.

Source: Own work.

Author: Pierre-Selim Huard.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Wednesday in September Ember Week, which month was formerly, as its name shows, the seventh of the year, recalls this joyous Anniversary, which was a figure of our redemption by Jesus; indeed, the Introit tells us to be thrilled with joy in God our protector.

This joy is accompanied by the spirit of penitence expressed in the Violet Vestments used, and The Church Prays that we, depriving ourselves of bodily nourishment, may also abstain from sins of the mind (Collect). The Gospel, indeed, speaks of the impure spirit, which can only be dispelled by Prayer and Fasting.

Having fallen into sin through our weakness, let us Pray and Fast that God may give a remedy by His merciful help (Collect before the Lesson).

Mass: Exsultáte Deo.

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Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam (For The Greater Glory Of God). Such Majesty. Such Beauty. Such Adoration.

Aachen Cathedral,

Germany.

Such beauty. Such devotion. Such adoration.

Illustration: PINTEREST

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

Aachen Cathedral (German: Aachener Dom), traditionally known in English as the Cathedral of

Aix-la-Chapelle, is a Roman Catholic Church in Aachen, Germany. It is the oldest Cathedral in Northern Europe and was constructed by order of the Emperor Charlemagne, who was buried there in 814 A.D.

For 595 years, from 936 A.D. to 1531, the Aachen Chapel was the Church of Coronation for thirty German Kings and twelve Queens. The Church has been The Episcopal Seat of The Diocese of Aachen since 1802.

Evocative. Beautiful. Memorable.

Snow at Christmas

on The Gwili Railway.

Illustration: GATEPOST PICTURES

Traditional Votive Mass For San Gennaro. Shrine Church Of The Most Precious Blood, New York. Saturday, 24 September 2016.

Illustration: THE SOCIETY OF ST. HUGH OF CLUNY

Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

Januarius (Latin: Ianuarius; Italian: Gennaro), also known as Januarius I of Benevento, was Bishop of Benevento and is a Martyr and Saint of The Roman Catholic and The Eastern Orthodox Churches. While no contemporary sources on his life are preserved, later sources and legends claim that he died during The Great Persecution, which ended with Emperor Diocletian's retirement in 305 A.D.

Januarius is the Patron Saint of Naples, where The Faithful gather three times a year, in Naples Cathedral, to witness the liquefaction of what is claimed to be a sample of his blood, kept in a sealed glass ampoule.