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.

English: The Inspiration of Saint Matthew.

Français: L'Inspiration de saint Matthieu.

Artist: Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio

Date: 1602.

Current location: Contarelli Chapel, Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome, Italy.

Source/Photographer: http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/caravaggio/matthew.jpg

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Matthew.

Apostle and Evangelist.

Illustration: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Artist: René 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.

The 24th Regiment of Foot (The South Wales Borderers).

The 24th Regiment of Foot repelling the Zulu attack at Rorke's Drift in January 1879.

Artist: Alphonse de Neuville. (1836–1885).

Painting of The Battle of Rorke's Drift, which took place in Natal, South Africa, during

The Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. De Neuville based the painting on eye witness accounts

and it depicts several events of the Battle occurring at once. Defenders depicted in the painting are:

Lieutenant John Chard (to the Right at the barrier, in pale breeches, with rifle);

Corporal Scammell, of The Natal Native Contingent, incorrectly shown in 

The Uniform of

The 24th Regiment of Foot, or Corporal William Allen (handing cartridges to Chard);

Corporal Ferdinand Schiess (wearing a Bandoleer,

and stabbing a Zulu at the barrier with his Bayonet);

Chaplain George Smith (bearded man handing out cartridges from a haversack);

Acting Assistant Commissary James Dalton (sat in foreground with a wounded shoulder);

Surgeon James Reynolds (attending to Dalton's wound);

Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead (stood in the centre of the painting pointing to his Left);

Private Frederick Hitch (stood behind Bromhead);

Private Henry Hook (carrying Private John Connolly on his back, away from the burning hospital);

Assistant Commissary Walter Dunne (to the Left, holding a Biscuit Box).

(Sources: David, Saul [2005]. Zulu: The Heroism and Tragedy of The Zulu War of 1879

ISBN 9780141015699; Knight, Ian [1996] Rorke's Drift 1879:

"Pinned Like Rats in a Hole". ISBN 9781855325067).

Date: 1880.

Current location: Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Source/Photographer: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/asset-viewer/5AFi-BKNCeU_VA

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Regimental Flag of The 24th Regiment of Foot.

Date: 1896.

Author: Frederick Edward Hulme.

Source: The Flags of the World: Their History, Blazonry, and Associations.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

The South Wales Borderers were a Line Infantry Regiment of The British Army, in existence for
280 years. They first came into existence, as The 24th Regiment of Foot, in 1689. Based at Brecon, Wales, The Regiment recruited from The Border Counties of Monmouthshire, Herefordshire, and Brecknockshire, but were not called The South Wales Borderers until The Childers Reforms of 1881.

The Regiment served in a great many conflicts, including The American Revolutionary War, various conflicts in India, The Zulu War, Second Boer War, and World War I and World War II.

In 1969, The Regiment were amalgamated with The Welch Regiment, to form The Royal Regiment of Wales.

The Regiment were formed by Sir Edward Dering, 3rd Baronet, as Sir Edward Dering's Regiment of Foot, in 1689, becoming known, like other Regiments, by the names of its subsequent Colonels.

British Infantryman of The 24th Regiment of Foot in 1742.

Date: 13 December 2006 (original upload date).

This File: 13 December 2006.

User: Albinoni~commonswiki.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Regiment served under The Duke of Schomberg, during The Williamite War, in Ireland, and then saw action again at The Battle of Schellenberg, in July 1704, and at The Battle of Blenheim, in August 1704, during The War of The Spanish Succession.

The Regiment were part of the amphibious expedition to The Caribbean, and participated in the disastrous British defeat at The Battle of Cartagena de Indias, in March 1741, during The War of Jenkins' Ear. The Regiment were ranked as 24th in The Infantry Order Of Precedence, in 1747, and became The 24th Regiment of Foot, in 1751.

The Regiment took part in The Siege of Fort Saint Philip, in Menorca, Spain, in April 1756, during The Seven Years' War. It was also part of the amphibious expedition against, or descent on, the Coast of France, and participated in the British defeat at The Battle of Saint Cast, in September 1758.

In June 1776, The Regiment was sent to Quebec, Canada, where it subsequently fought American rebels who had invaded the Province during their War of Independence. The Regiment were part of the 5,000 British and Hessian force, under the command of General John Burgoyne, that surrendered to the American rebels in The Saratoga Campaign, in Summer 1777, and remained imprisoned until 1783. In 1782, it became The 24th (The 2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot.

In Honoured Memory of Private James Cooper V.C.,

a Plaque in Warstone Lane Cemetery, Birmingham, England.

Private James Cooper V.C. 1840 – 1882,

2nd Battalion 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot.

Who gained his Country's highest Award for Valour on 7 May 1867,

in The Andaman Islands / Bay of Bengal, and is buried in Warstone Lane Cemetery,

Birmingham, England.

The Regiment were deployed to Egypt in the aftermath of The Battle of Abukir, in March 1801;
The 2nd Battalion was raised in 1804, which suffered heavy losses at The Battle of Talavera,
in July 1809, during The Peninsular War. The vast majority of The 1st Battalion were captured at sea by the French at the Action of 3 July 1810, near The Comoro Islands: The 1st Battalion of The 24th Regiment of Foot had been on The East Indiamen, Astell, Ceylon and Windham, when a French Frigate Squadron captured the last two ships. They were released the following year.

The 1st Battalion took part in The Anglo-Nepalese War, November 1814. The Regiment were deployed to Canada in 1829 and remained there until 1842.

Marble Memorial at Saint John's Church, Jhelum, Pakistan, In Memory of 

the

Soldiers of 

The 24th Regiment of Foot, killed there in July 1857 during The Indian Mutiny.

Date: 15 July 2007 (original upload date).

This File: 30 October 2007.

User: Tonkawa68.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Second Sikh War and The Indian Mutiny.

The Regiment returned to India in 1846 and saw action at The Battle of Chillianwala, in January 1849, where The Regiment fought off the enemy with bayonets, rather than rifles, and 255 of its men died during The Second Anglo-Sikh War.

Meanwhile, five Victoria Crosses were awarded to men of The Regiment, who rescued their colleagues from cannibals on The Andaman Islands, India, in May 1857. Some thirty-five soldiers of The Regiment were killed by mutineers at their garrison in Jhelum, Pakistan, in July 1857, during The Indian Rebellion.

Zulu War.

In 1879, both Battalions took part in The Anglo-Zulu War, begun after a British invasion of Zululand, ruled by Cetshwayo. The 24th Regiment of Foot took part in The Crossing of The Buffalo River on
11 January 1879, entering Zululand. The first engagement (and the most disastrous for the British) came at Isandlwana. The British had pitched Camp at Isandlwana and not established any fortifications due to the sheer size of the Force, the hard ground, and a shortage of entrenching tools.

The 24th Regiment of Foot provided most of the British Force and when the overall Commander, Lord Chelmsford, split his Forces on 22 January to search for the Zulus, the 1st Battalion
(five Companies) and a Company of the 2nd Battalion were left behind to guard the Camp, under the Command of Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Pulleine (Commanding Officer of The 1/24th Foot).

A Zulu force of some 20,000 warriors attacked a portion of the British Main Column, consisting of about 1,800 British, Colonial, and Native Troops, and perhaps 400 Civilians. During the battle, Lieutenant-Colonel Pulleine ordered Lieutenants Coghill and Melvill to save The Queen's Colour —the Regimental Colour was located at Helpmekaar, with G Company. The two Lieutenants attempted to escape by crossing The Buffalo River, where The Colour fell and was lost downstream, later being recovered. Both Officers were killed. At this time, The Victoria Cross (VC) was not awarded posthumously. This changed in the early 1900s when both Lieutenants were awarded posthumous Victoria Crosses for their bravery. The Battle of Isandlwana was dramatised in the 1979 movie "Zulu Dawn".

Battle of Rorke's Drift.

"Zulu".

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

After The Battle of Isandlwana, some 4,000 to 5,000 Zulus headed for Rorke's Drift, a small Missionary Post garrisoned by a Company of The 2/24th Regiment Of Foot, Native Levies, and others, under the command of Lieutenant Chard, Royal Engineers. The Most Senior Officer of The 24th Regiment of Foot present being Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead. Two Boer Cavalry Officers, Lieutenants Adendorff and Vane, arrived to inform the garrison of the defeat at Isandlwana. The Acting Assistant Commissary, James Dalton, persuaded Bromhead and Chard to stay, and the small garrison frantically prepared rudimentary fortifications.

"Zulu".

Final Attack.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

The Zulus first attacked at 4:30 p.m. Throughout the day, the garrison was attacked from all sides, including rifle fire from the heights above the garrison, and bitter hand-to-hand fighting often ensued. At one point, the Zulus entered the hospital, which was stoutly defended by the wounded inside, until it was set alight and eventually burnt down. The battle raged on into the early hours of 23 January, but, by Dawn, the Zulu Army had withdrawn. Lord Chelmsford and a Column of British Troops arrived soon afterwards.

The garrison had suffered fifteen killed during the battle (two died later) and eleven defenders were awarded The Victoria Cross for their distinguished defence of The Post, seven Victoria Crosses going to Soldiers of The 24th Foot. The Stand at Rorke's Drift was immortalised in the 1964 Movie "Zulu".

"Zulu".

Final Appearance and Salute Scene.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

"Zulu".

1964.

Full Movie.

Available on

DAILY MOTION.COM

Third Anglo-Burmese War and Second Boer War.

The Regiment was not fundamentally affected by The Cardwell Reforms of the 1870s, which gave it a Depot at The Barracks, Brecon, Wales, from 1873, or by The Childers Reforms of 1881 – as it already possessed two Battalions, there was no need for it to amalgamate with another Regiment.

Under The Reforms, The 24th Regiment Of Foot had its name changed, and became The South Wales Borderers on 1 July 1881. This, understandably, led to The Regiment having close links with South Wales. The 2nd Battalion was deployed to Burma and saw action in November 1885 during The Third Anglo-Burmese War. The 2nd Battalion then arrived in Cape Colony South Africa, in early February 1900, and saw action at The Battle of Elands River in September 1901 during The Second Boer War.

A 3rd (Militia) Battalion, formed of the former Royal South Wales Borderers Militia, was embodied in January 1900, and the following month embarked for Service in South Africa, arriving in Cape Town on the SS Cheshire in March 1900. A 4th (Militia) Battalion, formed of the former Royal Montgomery Rifles, was embodied in May 1900 and disembodied in December the same year.

In 1908, The Volunteers and Militia were re-organised Nationally, with the former becoming The Territorial Force and the latter The Special Reserve; The Regiment now had one Reserve Battalion and one Territorial Battalion.

First World War.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sidney John Wilkinson, 10th Battalion, The South Wales Borderers,

Killed-in-Action during The First World War.

Lt-Colonel Wilkinson was educated at Wellington School. He received his Commission to

The West Yorkshire Regiment in 1900 and served in The Second Anglo-Boer War.

In 1910, he achieved the Rank of Captain. As Lieutenant-Colonel, he transferred to

The Welsh Regiment and, subsequently, to The South Wales Borderers.

Lt-Colonel Wilkinson was Posted to The Western Front in 1915. He was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded The Distinguished Service Order in January 1916.

He was Killed-in-Action on 7 July 1916 during The Battle of the Somme.

He is Commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial.

Faces of the First World War.

Find out more about this First World War Centenary Project at www.1914.org/faces.

This image is from IWM Collections.

An excellent Regimental History and an essential component of every library of The Zulu War.

Illustration: LEONAUR

Regular Army.

The 1st Battalion landed at Le Havre as part of 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, with The British Expeditionary Force, in August 1914, for Service on The Western Front. The 2nd Battalion landed at Laoshan Bay China, for Operations against the German Territory of Tsingtao, in September 1914, and saw Action at The Siege of Tsingtao in October 1914. After returning home in January 1915, The 2nd Battalion landed at Cape Helles, as part of 87th Brigade, 29th Division, in April 1915; it was evacuated from Gallipoli in January 1916 and landed at Marseille, France, in March 1916, for Service on The Western Front.

The Queen's Colour.

2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot

(The South Wales Borderers).

Date: 13 September 2013.

Source: Own work.

Author: Wally Wiglet.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Territorial Force.

1/1st Brecknockshire Battalion landed in Bombay, India, as part of 44th (Home Counties) Division, in October 1914, and moved to Aden in December 1914, before returning to Bombay in August 1915.

New Armies.

4th (Service) Battalion landed in Gallipoli, as part of 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division, in July 1915; it was evacuated from Gallipoli in January 1916 and moved to Egypt, and then to Mesopotamia. 5th (Service) Battalion (Pioneers) landed at Le Havre, France, as part of 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division, in July 1915, for Service on The Western Front.

6th (Service) Battalion (Pioneers) landed at Le Havre, as part of 76th Brigade, 25th Division, in September 1915, for Service on The Western Front. 7th (Service) Battalion and 8th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, as part of 67th Brigade, 22nd Division, in September 1915, for Service on The Western Front, but moved to Salonika, Greece, in October 1915.

10th (Service) Battalion (1st Gwent) and 11th (Service) Battalion (2nd Gwent) landed at Le Havre as part of 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, in December 1915, for Service on The Western Front. 12th (Service) Battalion (3rd Gwent) landed at Le Havre as part of 119th Brigade, 40th Division, in June 1916, for Service on The Western Front. Welsh Poet and Language Activist, Saunders Lewis, Served in The 12th Battalion during The First World War.

The Seven-Button Tunic for The 24th Regiment of Foot (South Wales Borderers),

circa 1879, which was worn for "Home Service".

All the features 

of the Jackets are the same as the originals.

All the Lace and Linings are to original grade specification.

Price includes Sword/Belt Hook support. These superb Replicas are made

with 

Military Grade Wool. Unfortunately, Collar Badges are currently unavailable.

Illustration: PIPE BAND WEAR SHOP

Inter-War.

The 1st Battalion embarked for Ireland, in June 1920, to maintain order during The Irish War of Independence, and to Waziristan, in February 1937, in connection with disturbances on The Frontier. Meanwhile, the 2nd Battalion was deployed to Palestine, in 1936, returning home at the end of the year.

Second World War.

The 1st Battalion, as part of 10th Indian Infantry Division, were sent to Iraq to quell a German-inspired uprising in November 1941. The Battalion saw subsequent service in Iran. The Battalion sustained enormous casualties in Libya, near Tobruk, when they lost around 500 Officers and Men, captured or killed during a General Retreat.

The Battalion found itself cut off when the German Forces outflanked them. The Commanding Officer, Lt.-Col. F. R. G. Matthews, decided to attempt to escape around the enemy and break through to British Lines. It turned into a disaster, with only four Officers and around one hundred Men reaching Sollum. To the surprise of the survivors, the Battalion was ordered to disband in Cyprus, and the remnants of the Battalion were transferred, with the exception of a small Cadre that returned to The United Kingdom, to 1st Battalion, The King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster). A few months later, the Battalion was re-formed from the Cadre and 4th Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment

Upon the outbreak of The Second World War, in September 1939, 2nd Battalion was serving in Derry, Northern Ireland, under command of Northern Ireland District, having been there since December 1936. In December 1939, the Battalion left Northern Ireland and was sent to join 148th Infantry Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division, a Territorial Formation. In April 1940, the Battalion was again transferred to the newly-created 24th Guards Brigade (Rupertforce), and took part in The Norwegian Campaign, and were among the first British Troops to see Action against The German Army in The Second World War.

Boxed Figure: The 24th Regiment of Foot.

Illustration: MONKEY DEPOT

The Norwegian Campaign failed, and The 24th Guards Brigade (Rupertforce) had to be evacuated. Casualties in The Battalion, however, had been remarkably light, with only thirteen wounded and six killed, and two Distinguished Conduct Medals (DCMs) had been awarded.

The 2nd Battalion returned to The United Kingdom, and, on 7 December 1941 (the day The United States entered The War), transferred to 37th Independent Infantry Brigade (re-designated

7th Infantry Brigade the day after).

On 1 March 1944, The Battalion were transferred to the newly-created 56th Independent Infantry Brigade, alongside which were 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment and 2nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, and trained for The Invasion of Normandy.

50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division

(also known as The Tyne Tees Division).

Date: 28 May 2015.

Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30071791

Author: Mliu92.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division was an Infantry Division of The British Army that saw distinguished Service in The Second World War. Pre-War, the Division was part of The Territorial Army (TA) and the two Ts in The Divisional Insignia represent the three main rivers of its recruitment area, namely the Rivers Tyne, Tees and Humber.

The 50th Division was one of two British Divisions (the other being 3rd Infantry Division) to land in Normandy, on D-Day, 6 June 1944, where it landed on Gold Beach. Four men of the Division were awarded The Victoria Cross during the War, more than any other Division of The British Army during The Second World War.

2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, had the distinction of being the only Welsh Battalion to take part in The Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944, landing at Gold Beach, under command of 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division and fought in The Battle of Normandy, under command of 7th Armoured Division for a few days in June 1944, before reverting to 50th Division.

Afterwards, 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, enjoyed a short rest, and, on 22 September 1944, moved to join the rest of 21st Army Group fighting in Belgium. In October 1944, shortly after the failure of Operation Market Garden, the Division was sent to garrison 'The Island', the area of land between Arnhem and Nijmegen, where it remained throughout the Winter of 1944.

The last major Action for the 2nd Battalion was in April 1945, when, with the rest of the Division, they fought in The Second Battle of Arnhem. The Battalion ended its War in Germany, and remained there, as part of The Occupation Forces, until 1948, when it returned home.

6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, Served in The Burma Campaign, with 72nd Infantry Brigade, 36th British Infantry Division, previously a Division of The British Indian Army before being re-designated The 36th British Division.

The Band of The 1/24th Regiment of Foot, photographed in 1878 in South Africa,

played cheery, morale-boosting melodies as The Regiment marched to

The Killing Fields of Zululand.

Out of the entire Band, only two Bandsmen survived.

Illustration: WWW.1879ZULUWAR.COM

Post-War.

1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, were deployed to Palestine to deal with the volatile uprising there in October 1945, and then moved to Cyprus, in April 1946. The 2nd Battalion was disbanded in May 1948 as a consequence of Defence Cuts implemented shortly after The Second World War.

The Regiment deployed to The Sudan in March 1949 and became part of the Occupation Force in Eritrea, a former Italian Colony that was ruled by a British Military Administration, in January 1950. The Regiment arrived in Brunswick, West Germany, as part of British Army of The Rhine (BAOR), in January 1953, and was then deployed to Malaya, in December 1955, as part of the response to The Malayan Emergency.

The Regiment's conduct during The Malayan Emergency compelled Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templer, a distinguished British Officer and a man who was instrumental in the defeat of the Communist Terrorists during The Emergency, to state that: "There has been no better Regiment in Malaya during the ten years of The Emergency and very few as good".

The Regiment were Posted to Minden, Germany, in June 1959, and returned home three years later. It arrived at Stanley Fort, in Hong Kong, in November 1963, to perform Internal Security Duties. It returned home to Lydd, in Kent, in June 1966, before deploying to Aden, in January 1967. The Regiment were amalgamated with The Welch Regiment, to form The Royal Regiment of Wales (24th/41st Foot), in June 1969.

The Vigil Of Saint Matthew. Apostle And Evangelist. 20 September.

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

The Vigil Of Saint Matthew.
   Apostle And Evangelist.
   20 September.

Simple.

Violet Vestments.

English: The Inspiration of Saint Matthew.

Français: L'Inspiration de saint Matthieu.

Artist: Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio

Date: 1602.

Current location: Contarelli Chapel, Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome, Italy.

Source/Photographer: http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/caravaggio/matthew.jpg

(Wikimedia Commons)

In order to honour the high dignity of The Apostles (Secret), The Church prepares us for their Feasts by a Vigil. She therefore Commemorates on this day Saint Matthew by special Collects and by The Last Gospel of The Mass in which Saint Luke relates the call of this Apostle.

A Galilean by birth, his name before his conversion was Levi; he was a publican. This profession was that of a collector of The Roman Taxes and was very odious to the Jews, who were thus reminded of their dependence.

Generally harsh and greedy, the publican was considered by the Pharisees to be the type of the sinner. Wherefore The Church shows us Jesus as the healer of Souls, whom He calls to Penance (Gospel).

Mass: Ego autem.

Saint Eustace And His Companions. Martyrs. Feast Day 20 September.

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

Saint Eustace And His Companions.
   Martyrs.
   Feast Day 20 September.

Double.

Red Vestments.

English: Saint Eustace.

Français: Saint Eustace.

Русский: Евстафий Плакида.

Date: 17th-Century.

Source: http://days.pravoslavie.ru/Images/im527.htm

Author: Anonymous.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Eustace, also called Placidus, was illustrious at Rome, for his birth, his riches, and his Military valour. "One day," says the Legend, "while he was hunting a stag of extraordinary size, the animal suddenly turned and between its horns was seen a Crucifix."

Called by The Saviour, Eustace henceforth only pursued immortal life and, with his wife and two children, he enrolled himself in The Christian Militia. The Benedictine Abbey of Subiaco possessed for a long time the mountain where, according to Tradition, was shown the spot where the apparition had taken place.

Made a General in the Army by The Emperor Trajan, Eustace returned victorious from an expedition, but, having refused to thank the gods for this triumph, he was arrested and exposed to the Lions with his wife and children. The wild beasts, however, did them no harm.

"They were then shut up in a red-hot brazen bull," declares The Martyrology. "and their Martyrdom was completed by this torture." This was under Emperor Hadrian in 120 A.D.

Saint Eustace is one of The Fourteen Auxiliary Saints (see The Feast Day for 25 July).

Mass: Sapiéntiam.
Commemoration: Of The Vigil of Saint Matthew.

Bishops Revive The Traditional Devotions In Response To Abuse Crisis. The Ember Days Are Returned To Pittsburgh And Madison.

Illustration: FR. Z's BLOG

The following Text is taken from NEW ADVENT

Ember Days (corruption from the Latin "Quatuor Tempora" (four times)), are the days at the beginning of the Seasons ordered by The Church as days of Fast and Abstinence. They were definitely arranged and prescribed for the entire Church by Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085) for the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays after 13 December (S. Lucia), and after Ash Wednesday, after Whitsunday, and after 14 September (Exaltation of The Cross).

The purpose of their introduction, besides the general one intended by all Prayer and Fasting, was to thank God for the gifts of nature, to teach men to make use of them in moderation, and to assist the needy. The immediate occasion was the practice of the heathens of Rome. The Romans were originally given to agriculture, and their native gods belonged to the same class. At the beginning of the time for seeding and harvesting, religious ceremonies were performed to implore the help of their deities: In June, for a bountiful harvest; in September, for a rich vintage; and, in December, for the seeding. Hence, their "feriae sementivae", "feriae messis", and "feri vindimiales".

The Church, when converting heathen nations, has always tried to sanctify any practices which could be utilised for a good purpose. At first, The Church in Rome had Fasts in June, September, and December. The exact days were not fixed, but were announced by the Priests.

The "Liber Pontificalis" ascribes to Pope Callistus (217 A.D. - 222 A.D.) a law ordering the Fast, but probably it is older. Pope Leo the Great (440 A.D. - 461 A.D.) considered it an Apostolic institution. When the fourth Season was added, cannot be ascertained, but Pope Gelasius (492 A.D. - 496 A.D.) speaks of all four Seasons. Pope Gelasius also permitted the conferring of Priesthood and Deaconship on The Saturdays of Ember Week -- these were formerly given only at Easter.

Before Gelasius, The Ember Days were known only in Rome, but, after his time, their observance spread. They were brought into England by Saint Augustine; into Gaul and Germany by The Carlovingians. Spain adopted them with The Roman Liturgy in the 11th-Century. They were introduced by Saint Charles Borromeo into Milan. The Eastern Church does not know them.

The present Roman Missal, in The Formulary for The Ember Days, retains in part the old practice of Lessons from Scripture, in addition to The ordinary two Lessons; for the Wednesdays of Ember Weeks, three Lessons; for the Saturdays of Ember Weeks, six Lessons; and seven Lessons for Ember Saturday in December. Some of these Lessons contain promises of a bountiful harvest for those that serve God.

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

In The Liturgical Calendar of The Western Christian Churches, Ember Days are four separate sets of three days within the same week — specifically, the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday — roughly equidistant in the circuit of the year, that are set aside for Fasting and Prayer.

These days, set apart for special Prayer and Fasting, were considered especially suitable for The Ordination of Clergy. The Ember Days are known in Latin as the "quattuor anni tempora" (the "four Seasons of the year"), or, formerly, as the "jejunia quattuor temporum" ("Fasts of the four Seasons").

The four quarterly periods, during which The Ember Days fall, are called The Embertides.

The following Text is taken from, and can be read in full at, FR. Z's BLOG

Bishop Morlino, in his 27 August 2018 Statement, asked The Faithful of The Diocese of Madison to observe The Ember Days as times of reparation for the sins that brought on The Present Crisis. HERE

I read at LIFESITE that Bishop Zubik, of Pittsburgh, which has suffered dreadfully and for a while was a focus of the PA AG Report, has asked The Faithful of that Diocese also to observe The Ember Days.

I am hopeful that this course of events, a return to Tradition and Devotions that work and that have a track record, will bear fruit.

Pittsburgh Bishop Revives Traditional Devotions In Response To Abuse Crisis.

PITTSBURGH, 14 September 2018 (LifeSiteNews) – Traditional Devotions, that have all but vanished from the majority of Catholic Parishes, will be revived in one prominent American Diocese on account of the abuse crisis.

Bishop David Zubik, of Pittsburgh, has announced a “Year of Repentance” in his Diocese that will begin on Sunday, 23 September 2018. Bishop Zubik has asked all Clergy to Fast and Pray for The Purification of The Church “in light of the scandal of sex abuse.”

In service of this Fasting and Prayer, the Bishop has instructed the Priests to observe The Twelve Ember Days of the coming year by abstaining from meat and Praying before The Blessed Sacrament for an hour on those days.

Tradition works.

When Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote to the Irish people, after their world fell apart, he recommended a return to Traditional Devotions.

Maybe he was on to something ?

It is interesting how The Ember Days have been dusted off.

Oh yes . . . there’s more:

In addition, The Bishop of Pittsburgh has asked his Priests to consider leading The Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel after all Masses, a Devotional Practice established in 1884 and discontinued in most Parishes after The Second Vatican Council. Two or three other American Bishops have recently requested its return.

Rather than creep up to it, why not just institute The Leonine Prayers, the whole thing ?

The following Text is from BLOG MY SOUL

The Lenten Ember Days comprise the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of the week following The First Sunday in Lent.

Oh, want to know more about Ember Days ?

The handy shortcut for remembering the holidays that herald The Ember Days is:

“Lucy, Ashes, Dove, and Cross:

Sant Crux, Lucia, Cineres, Charismata Dia
Ut sit in angaria quarta sequens feria.
Which is, for those of us who don’t think in Latin:

Holy Cross, Lucy, Ash Wednesday, Pentecost,
Are when The Quarter Holidays follow.

Saint Januarius And His Companions. Martyrs. Feast Day 19 September.

English: The Martyrdom of Saint Januarius in the Amphitheatre at Pozzuoli.

Italiano: San Gennaro nell'anfiteatro di Pozzuoli.

Artist: Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–1653).

Date: Circa 1636.

Current location: Cathedral in Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy.

Source/Photographer: http://www1.unipa.it/tecla/images/10_pavone_09.jpg

(Wikimedia Commons)

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

Saint Januarius (San Gennaro) and his Companions.
   Martyrs.
   Feast Day 19 September.

Double.

Red Vestments.

"At Pozzuoli, in Campania, Italy," says The Roman Martyrology, "The Feast of The Holy Martyrs, Januarius (San Gennaro), Bishop of Beneventum, Festus (his Deacon), Desiderius (his Lector), Socius, a Deacon of The Church at Misenum, Proculus, a Deacon of Pozzuoli, Eutychius, and Acutius, who, after having been bound with chains, were cast into prison and beheaded, under Emperor Diocletian (305 A.D.).

"The body of Saint Januarius was taken to Naples and honourably buried in the Church where his blood is still preserved in a glass phial. When the phial is placed near the head of The Holy Martyr, the blood liquefies and bubbles as if it had just been shed."

This Miracle, known as The Miracle of Saint Januarius, still takes place. The blood, contained in two glass phials where it is coagulated into a dark-red mass, increases in volume and weight; on liquefying, it becomes bright-red, while the surface is covered with bubbles, wherefore it is said to boil.

The Miracle takes place three times a year: During the Feast of May, lasting nine days, from the First Sunday in the Month; in September, during eight days, from 19 September to 26 September; and on 16 December.

Mass: Salus autem.
Gospel: Sedénte Jesu.

Zephyrinus Goes To "The Prettiest Theatre In The Kingdom", Whilst Staying With Friends.

Zephyrinus and friends go to the Theatre.

Illustration: HISTORICAL EMPORIUM

The Grand Theatre, Blackpool, England.

Acknowledged to be The Prettiest Theatre in The Kingdom.

Illustration: PINTEREST

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

The Grand was designed by Victorian Theatre Architect Frank Matcham and was opened in 1894, after a construction period of seven months, at a cost of £20,000, between December 1893

and July 1894.

The project was conceived and financed by local Theatre Manager Thomas Sergenson, who had been using the site of The Grand for several years to stage a Circus. He had also transformed the fortunes of other local Theatres.

Matcham's brief was to build Sergenson "The Prettiest Theatre In The Land". The Grand was Matcham's first Theatre to use an innovative '"Cantilever" design to support the Tiers, thereby reducing the need for the usual Pillars, and so allowing clear views of The Stage from all parts of The Auditorium.

Sergenson's successful Directorship of The Theatre ended in 1909, when he sold the operation to

The Blackpool Tower Company for a considerable profit.

The success of The Grand continued through World War I and on until the 1930s. The Theatre now faced stiff competition from the newly-introduced "Talking Pictures" and the building was operated as a Cinema outside the Summer Tourist Season. This practice continued until 1938 when the nearby Opera House was constructed.

The Grand was able to stay open during World War II, but the Post-War rise in the popularity of Television was probably the cause of the Theatre's dwindling popularity toward the 1960s. The Theatre's programme archives show that, from 1964, The Grand was a Summer Seasonal Venue.

Plans were filed for the demolition of the historic site in 1972, but The Grand had become a

Grade II* Listed Building earlier in the year, thanks to the initiative of Jeffrey Finestone, a member of The Victorian Society. This enabled a group of Theatre Friends to successfully oppose any redevelopment.

The Theatre was unused for three years before an agreement was reached with The Grand's owners, EMI, that a refurbishment of the then unused building would take place if it could be used as a Bingo Hall.

After three years of Bingo use, the group of Friends, now called The Friends of The Grand, with the support of Blackpool Borough Council, negotiated to Lease, and eventually Buy, the Theatre back from EMI over a period of a few years.

The purchase was complete by 1 October 1980 and a refurbishment, achieved partly through voluntary effort, was begun. Finally, on 23 March 1981, The Grand re-opened as a Theatre once again to stage an Old Vic performance of William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, featuring Timothy West and Prunella Scales. The Theatre's return was further confirmed in May of the same year when a Royal Variety Performance was staged in the presence of Charles, Prince of Wales.

The Grand Theatre, Blackpool, England, as it is, today.

Photo: 4 March 2009.

Source: Flickr

Author: Tony Hisgett

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Theatre saw its Centenary in 1994, and a Restoration Project was begun in the 1990s that was completed in 2007 after fifteen years of work and about £3 million of investment.

In 2006, The Grand was named The United Kingdom's National Theatre of Variety. The Title was awarded nationally by Equity who staged an All-Star Gala Performance to celebrate the Theatre's new accolade.

The Friends of The Grand support The Grand Theatre and its programme of events. Formed in 1973, to save the building from demolition, the first Friends were literally "Hands-On". They painted the Dressing Rooms, repaired holes to the Ceiling and helped to get the Theatre into shape.

The interior of The Grand Theatre, Blackpool, England.

Photo: 10 January 2013.

Source: Own work.

Author: Mdbeckwith

(Wikimedia Commons)

Funds were raised in many ways, including Midnight Matinées; all part of the bid to save the Theatre. Early Friends included Violet Carson, Alistair Cooke, Ken Dodd, Leslie Crowther, Timothy West, Prunella Scales, Billy Pearce and Johnnie Casson.

The role of The Friends of The Grand has changed over the years. They now raise funds from subscriptions and social events to finance projects within the Theatre, primarily aimed at enhancing the comfort of the patrons. The Friends have contributed in excess of £750,800 towards projects including the provision of new Carpets, Seating and Technical Equipment. By Autumn 2008, The Friends had contributed almost £250,000 to The Sam Lee Appeal to improve the amenities and to renovate the Theatre Interior.

The Friends are also The Founding Angel of The National Theatre of Variety.