The Way Of The Cross. The Perfect Undertaking For Lent.

“O, Beloved Wood”.

“O, Blessed Nails”. 

“O, Sweet Burden”.

Illustration: PINTEREST

Text is from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,

unless stated otherwise.

Indulgences: One Plenary Indulgence each time; another Plenary Indulgence if Holy Communion is received on the same day, or ten times within the month following that exercise.

If it remained unfinished, Ten Years and Ten Quarantines for each Station visited.

(20 October 1931).

Conditions:

1. To visit each Station, unless it is impossible owing to the crowd.

[Pictures of the fourteen several Mysteries are very useful, but are not indispensable. Wooden Crosses, indicating the fourteen Stations of The Cross, are sufficient and are absolutely required.]

2. To meditate, as best one can, on The Passion of The Saviour.

No vocal Prayers are required. The Popes recommend the recitation of a Pater, an Ave, and an Act of Contrition, at each Station (April 1731).

When The Way of The Cross is made in public, a Verse of “The Stabat Mater” may be sung between each Station.

The Tenth Station.

Jesus Is Stripped Of His Garments.

Versicle: We adore Thee, O, Christ, and we bless Thee.

Response: Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Priest.

Arrived at last at the place of sacrifice, they prepare to crucify Him. His garments are torn from His bleeding body, and He, The Holy of Holies, stands exposed to the vulgar gaze of the rude and scoffing multitude.

Prayer.

O, Lord Jesus. Thou didst endure this shame for our most shameful deeds. Strip us, we beseech Thee, of all false shame, conceit, and pride, and make us so humble, ourselves, voluntarily in this life, that we may escape everlasting ignominy in the world to come.

An Act of Contrition.

O, God, we love Thee with our whole hearts, and above all things, and are heartily sorry that we have offended Thee.

May we never offend Thee any more. O, may we love Thee without ceasing, and make it our delight to do in all things Thy Most Holy Will.

Our Father . . .

Hail Mary . . .

Glory Be To The Father . . .

Have mercy on us, O, Lord. Have mercy on us.

Versicle: May the Souls of the Faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Response: Amen.

This Act of Contrition is to be repeated after each Station.

While passing from one Station to another, a Verse of the “Stabat Mater” is sung or said.

Versicle:

Fac ut árdeat cor meum,

In amándo Christum Deum,

Ut sibi compláceam.

Response:

Sancta Mater, istud agas,

Crucifíxi fige plagas,

Cordi meo válide.

Proceed to The Eleventh Station.

The Wednesday Of The Fourth Week In Lent. The Lenten Station Is At The Basilica Of Saint Paul-Without-The-Walls.

Canterbury Cathedral.

Photo Credit: A. G. Baxter.

lllustration: SHUTTERSTOCK

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,

unless otherwise stated.

Wednesday of The Fourth Week in Lent.

Station at Saint Paul-without-the-Walls.

Indulgence of 10 Years and 10 Quarantines.

Violet Vestments.

English: Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls, Rome.

Deutsch: Rom, Sankt Paul vor den Mauern.

Italiano: Statua di San Paolo di fronte alla

facciata della Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura.

Photo: May 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Berthold Werner

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Station was held at Rome in the great Basilica of Saint Paul, on The Ostian Way. It was natural to assemble near the tomb of The Doctor of The Gentiles on this day, called The Feria of The Great Scrutiny, when they held the The Examination, upon which depended the admission of Catechumens to Baptism.

After the singing of the Introit, which announces the Baptism in which God “will pour on the Souls the water which will cleanse them from all stain,” the Catechumens were exorcised anew, were marked with The Sign of The Cross and received The Imposition of Hands. This water has already purified us.

After having read the Epistle, or the Lessons from the Prophets, Ezechiel and Isaias, who speak of this same purification, “when Souls shall be made White as Snow,” the beginning of The Four Gospels was read to them and The Apostles’ Creed and Pater Noster explained to them. Let us love to read The Gospels, let us often recite The Credo and The Pater Noster.

English: Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls, Rome.

With its length of 432 feet, this Basilica ranks eleventh

among the largest Churches in the World.

Français: Basilique Saint-Paul-hors-les-Murs, Vatican.

Avec sa longueur de 131,66 mètres, cette Basilique se classe

au 11è rang parmi les plus grandes églises au monde.

Photo: September 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Tango7174

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Gospel tells us of the healing of the man, blind from birth, who was sent to wash himself in The Pool of Siloe. This is another symbol of Baptism and of the instructions preceding it, which conveyed to the Gentiles the Supernatural Light of which they were deprived, and gave Penance from the defilements which have unfortunately stained our Baptismal innocence, and God will make our Souls White as Snow.

Aware that Fasting is, for The Just Man, a means of increasing his Merits, and, for The Guilty, of obtaining forgiveness for his sins (Collect), let us with courage mortify our bodies so that we may enjoy more readily the things that are of Heaven.

Mass: Cum sanctificátus.
Preface: Of Lent.

English: Statue of Saint Paul.

Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the Walls, Rome.

Italiano: Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura a Roma.

Photo: July 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Alberto Fernandez Fernandez.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

The Papal Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls, (Italian: Basilica Papale di San Paolo fuori le Mura), is one of Rome's four ancient Major Basilicas or Papal Basilicas, which are: The Basilicas of Saint John Lateran; Saint Mary Major; Saint Peter's; Saint Paul-without-the Walls. James Michael Harvey was named Arch-Priest of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls Basilica in 2012.

The Basilica was Founded by the Roman Emperor, Constantine I, over the burial place of Saint Paul, where it was said that, after the Apostle’s execution, his followers erected a Memorial, called a "cella memoriæ". This first edifice was expanded under Emperor Valentinian I in the 370s A.D.

In 386 A.D., Emperor Theodosius I began erecting a much larger and more beautiful Basilica, with a Nave and four Aisles, with a Transept; the work, including the mosaics, was not completed until Pope Leo I's Pontificate (440 A.D. – 461 A.D).

English: Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls, Rome.

Polski: Bazylika św. Pawła za Murami.

Italiano: Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura a Roma.

Photo: June 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: [Piofol[1]]

(Wikimedia Commons)

In the 5th-Century A.D., it was larger than the Old Saint Peter's Basilica. The Christian poet, Prudentius, who saw it at the time of Emperor Honorius (395 A.D. – 423 A.D), describes the splendours of the Monument in a few expressive lines. As it was Dedicated also to Saints Taurinus and Herculanus, Martyrs of Ostia in the 5th-Century A.D., it was called the Basilica trium Dominorum ("Basilica of The Three Lords").

Under Pope Gregory the Great (590 A.D. – 604 A.D.), the Basilica was extensively modified. The Pavement was raised to place the Altar directly over Saint Paul's tomb.

English: The mosaic on the façade of the

Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls.

Italiano: Il grande mosaico della facciata della

basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura.

Photo: March 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Luca Camellini

(Wikimedia Commons)

In that period, there were two Monasteries near the Basilica: Saint Aristus's, for men, and Saint Stefano's, for women. Masses were Celebrated by a special Body of Clerics, instituted by Pope Simplicius. Over time, the Monasteries' and Basilica's Clergy declined; Pope Saint Gregory II restored the former and entrusted the Monks with the Basilica's care.

As it lay outside the Aurelian Walls, the Basilica was damaged in the 9th-Century A.D., during The Saracen invasions. Consequently, Pope John VIII (872 A.D. – 882 A.D.) fortified the Basilica, the Monastery, and the dwellings of the peasantry, forming the Town of Joannispolis (Italian: Giovannipoli), which existed until 1348, when an earthquake totally destroyed it.

English: The Cloisters.

Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls, Rome.

Deutsch: Kreuzgang der Basilika San Paolo fuori le Mura. Blick vom Säulengang in den Innenhof.

Photo: October 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: W.W.Thaler, Herbert Weber, Hildesheim.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In 937 A.D., when Saint Odo of Cluny came to Rome, Alberic II of Spoleto, Patrician of Rome, entrusted the Monastery and Basilica to his Congregation and Odo placed Balduino of Monte Cassino in charge. Pope Gregory VII was Abbot of the Monastery and, in his time, Pantaleone, a rich merchant of Amalfi, who lived in Constantinople, presented the Bronze Doors of the Basilica Maior; the Doors are inscribed with Pantaleone's Prayer that the "Doors of Life" may be opened to him.

English: Territorial Abbot's Coat-of-Arms.

Pope Martin V (Papacy 1417 - 1431) entrusted the Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls to the Monks of the Congregation of Monte Cassino. It was then made an Abbey Nullius (Territorial Abbey). The Coat-of-Arms of a "Territorial Abbot" are distinguished by a Green Galero, with Twelve Tassels, and a Gold Crozier, with a Veil attached.

Polski: Herb opata. Piotr Jaworski, PioM; 19 V 2005r., POLAND/Poznań.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Pope Martin V entrusted the Basilica to the Monks of the Congregation of Monte Cassino. It was then made an Abbey Nullius. The Abbot's jurisdiction extended over the Districts of Civitella San Paolo, Leprignano, and Nazzano, all of which formed Parishes. But the Parish of San Paolo in Rome is under the jurisdiction of the Cardinal Vicar.

English: Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls, Rome.

Français: Basilique Saint-Paul-hors-les-Murs, Vatican.

Perspective du transept.

Photo: September 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Tango7174

(Wikimedia Commons)

The graceful Cloisters of the Monastery were erected between 1220 and 1241. From 1215 until 1964, the Basilica was the Seat of the Latin Patriarch of Alexandria.

On 15 July 1823, a fire, started through the negligence of a workman who was repairing the lead of the roof, resulted in the almost total destruction of the Basilica, which, alone of all the Churches of Rome, had preserved its primitive character for one thousand four hundred and thirty-five years.

It was re-opened in 1840, and re-Consecrated in 1855 in the presence of Blessed Pope Pius IX and fifty Cardinals. Completing the work of reconstruction took longer, however, and many Countries made their contributions. The Viceroy of Egypt sent Pillars of alabaster, the Emperor of Russia the precious malachite and lapis lazuli of The Tabernacle.

The work on the principal façade, looking toward The River Tiber, was completed by the Italian Government, which declared the Church a National Monument. On 23 April 1891, an explosion at Porta Portese destroyed the Stained Glass.

The Cloisters,

Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls, Rome.

Source: Pierers Universal-Lexikon, 1891.

Scanned by --Immanuel Giel 12:37, 1 Jun 2005.

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: The Cloisters.

Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls.

Deutsch: Kreuzgang.

Basilika Major San Paolo fuori le Mura, Rom.

Photo: 2005.10.11.

Source: Own work.

Author: W.W.Thaler Herbert Weber, Hildesheim.

(Wikimedia Commons)

On 31 May 2005, Pope Benedict XVI ordered the Basilica to come under the control of an Arch-Priest and he named Archbishop Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo as its first Arch-Priest.

The covered Portico that precedes the facade is a Neo-Classicist addition of the 19th-Century reconstruction. The 20th-Century Door includes the remains of the "leaves" from the original Portal, executed by Staurachius of Chios, around 1070, in Constantinople, with scenes from The New and Old Testaments. On the Right, is The Holy Door, which is opened only during the Jubilees.

English: Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls.

The Tabernacle of The Confession.

Italiano: Basilica di San Paolo fuori le mura.

Ciborio di Arnolfo di Cambio.

Polski: Bazylika św. Pawła za Murami w Rzymie - 

grób św. Pawła, przykryty gotyckim baldachimem.

Photo: May 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Fczarnowski

(Wikimedia Commons)

The new Basilica has maintained the original structure with one Nave and four Aisles. It is 131 metres (432 ft) long, 65 metres (213 ft) wide, 29 metres (97 ft) high, the second-largest Basilica in Rome.

The Nave's eighty Columns and its stucco-decorated Ceiling are from the 19th-Century. All that remains of the ancient Basilica are the interior portion of the Apse with the Triumphal Arch. The mosaics of the Apse, by Pietro Cavallini, were mostly lost in the 1823 fire; only a few traces were incorporated in the reconstruction.

The 5th-Century A.D. mosaics of The Triumphal Arch are original: an inscription in the lower section attests they were done at the time of Pope Leo I, paid for by Galla Placidia.

The subject portrays the Apocalypse of Saint John, with the bust of Christ in the middle, flanked by the twenty-four Doctors of The Church [Editor: Now, thirty-seven Doctors of The Church], surmounted by the flying symbols of The Four Evangelists. Saint Peter and Saint Paul are portrayed at the Right and Left of the Arch, the latter pointing downwards (probably to his tomb). The "Tabernacle of The Confession" of Arnolfo di Cambio (1285), belongs to the 13th-Century.

English: The Cloisters.

Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls.

Deutsch: Säulen des Kreuzgangs.

San Paolo fuori le Mura.

Photo: October 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: W.W.Thaler - H. Weber, Hildesheim

(Wikimedia Commons)

In the old Basilica, each Pope had his portrait in a frieze, extending above the Columns separating the four Aisles and Nave. A 19th-Century version can be seen now. The Nave's Interior Walls were also re-decorated with scenes from Saint Paul's life in two mosaics. The Sacristy contains a fine statue of Pope Boniface IX.

South of the Transept, are the Cloisters, considered "one of the most beautiful of The Middle Ages". Built by Vassalletto in 1205-1241, they have Double Columns of different shapes. Some Columns have inlays with golden- and coloured-glass mosaics; the same decoration can be seen on the Architrave and the inner frame of the Cloisters. Also visible are fragments from the destroyed Basilica and ancient Sarcophagi, one with scenes of the myth of Apollo.

According to Tradition, Paul's body was buried two miles away from the place of his Martyrdom, in the sepulchral area along The Ostiense Way, which was owned by a Christian woman, named Lucina. A Tropæum was erected on it and quickly became a place of Veneration.

English: Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls.

Saint Laurence Chapel.

Français: Basilique Saint-Paul-hors-les-Murs.

Chapelle de Saint-Laurent.

Photo: September 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Tango7174

(Wikimedia Commons)

Emperor Constantine I erected a Basilica on the Tropæum's site, and the Basilica was significantly extended by Emperor Theodosius I from 386 A.D., into what is now known as Saint Paul-without-the Walls. During the 4th-Century A.D., Saint Paul's remains, excluding the head, were moved into a Sarcophagus (according to Church Tradition, the head rests at The Lateran).

Saint Paul's tomb is below a marble tombstone in the Basilica's Crypt, at 1.3 metres (4.5 ft) below the Altar. The tombstone bears the Latin inscription "PAULO APOSTOLO MART" ("to Paul the Apostle and Martyr"). The inscribed portion of the tombstone has three holes, two square and one circular. The circular hole is connected to the tomb by a pipeline, reflecting the Roman custom of pouring perfumes inside the Sarcophagus, or to the practice of providing the bones of the dead with libations.

The discovery of the Sarcophagus is mentioned in the chronicle of The Benedictine Monastery attached to the Basilica, in regard to the 19th-Century rebuilding. Unlike other Sarcophagi found at that time, this was not mentioned in the excavation papers.

On 6 December 2006, it was announced that Vatican archæologists had confirmed the presence of a White Marble Sarcophagus beneath the Altar, perhaps containing the remains of the Apostle. A Press Conference, held on 11 December 2006, gave more details of the excavation, which lasted from 2002 to 2006, and which had been initiated after Pilgrims to the Basilica expressed disappointment that the Apostle's tomb could not be visited or touched during The Jubilee Year of 2000. The Sarcophagus was not extracted from its position, so that only one of its two narrow sides is visible.

English: Saint Benedict Chapel,

Basilica of Saint Paul-without-the-Walls.

Italiano: Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura - 

capella di san Benedetto.

Polski: Bazylika św. Pawła za Murami w Rzymie - 

kaplica św. Benedykta.

Photo: May 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Fczarnowski

(Wikimedia Commons)

On 29 June 2009, Pope Benedict XVI announced that Carbon-14 Dating of bone fragments in the Sarcophagus confirmed a date in the 1st- or 2nd-Century A.D. “This seems to confirm the unanimous and uncontested Tradition that they are the mortal remains of The Apostle Paul”, Benedict announced at a Service in the Basilica to mark the end of The Vatican's Pauline Year in honour of the Apostle. With the bone fragments, archaeologists discovered some grains of incense, and pieces of Purple Linen with Gold Sequins and Blue Linen Textiles.

A curved line of bricks, indicating the outline of the Apse of the Constantinian Basilica, was discovered immediately to the West of the Sarcophagus, showing that the original Basilica had its entrance to the East, like Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The larger 386 A.D. Basilica, that replaced it, had the Via Ostiense (the road to Ostia) to The East and so was extended Westward, towards The River Tiber, changing the orientation diametrically.

Spring Has Sprung In England. “Consider The Bluebells: Even Solomon, In All His Glory, Was Not Arrayed Such As These”. (With Apologies To All The Lilies).

English: Hyacinthoides non-scripta

(Common Bluebell),

Ashridge Forest, Hertfordshire, England.

Français : Jacinthe des bois

(Hyacinthoides non-scripta).

Photo prise à Ashridge Forest,

dans l'Hertfordshire (Royaume-Unis).

Photo: 28 April 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: MichaelMaggs

(Wikimedia Commons)

A rich bed of Bluebells

(Hyacinthoides non-scripta),

Little Chittenden Wood,

Four Elms, Kent, England.

Photo: 16 May 2010.

Source: From geograph.org.uk

Author: Oast House Archive

(Wikimedia Commons)

A Bluebell Wood.

Photo: 26 April 2012.

Source: Bluebell Wood 3

Uploaded by Magnus Manske

Author: Tony Hisgett, Birmingham, England.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Pope John IV (Papacy 640 A.D. - 642 A.D.).

Illustration: “The Lives And Times Of The Popes”,

by Chevalier Artaud de Montor, New York:

The Catholic Publication Society of America, 1911.

Originally published in 1842.

Date: 9 June 2013.

Source: https://archive.org/

details/thelivesandtimes02artauoft

Author: Artaud de Montor (1772–1849).

(Wikimedia Commons)

Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,

unless stated otherwise.

Pope John IV (Latin: Ioannes IV; ☩ 12 October 642 A.D.) was The Bishop of Rome from 24 December 640 A.D. to his death in 642 A.D., aged fifty-five. His Election followed a four-month vacancy in The Papacy at Rome. He wrote to the Clergy of Ireland and Scotland to tell them of the mistakes they were making with regard to the time of keeping Easter, and he condemned Monothelitism as Heresy.

Pope John IV was a native of Iadera, Dalmatia.[1] He was the son of the Scholasticus (Advocate), Venantius. At the time of his Election, he was Archdeacon of The Roman Church, an important role in governing The See.

Pope John was considered "a very cultured man".[2] At his Consecration on 24 December 640 A.D., which followed very soon after his Election, it is supposed that the Election was being confirmed by The Exarch of Ravenna, rather than directly by The Emperor in Constantinople.[3]

While still only Pope-Elect, John, with the other Bishops of The Catholic Church, wrote to the Clergy of Ireland and Scotland to tell them of the mistakes they were making with regard to the time of keeping Easter, and exhorted them to be on their guard against the Pelagian Heresy.

About the same time, he condemned Monothelitism as Heresy. Emperor Heraclius immediately disowned the Monothelite document known as the "Ecthesis".

To Heraclius' son, Constantine III, John addressed his Apology for Pope Honorius I, in which he deprecated the attempt to connect the name of Honorius with Monothelitism. Pope Honorius I, he declared, in speaking of “One Will in Jesus”, only meant to assert that there were not two contrary Wills in Him.[3]

Troubles in his native land, caused by invasions of Slavs, directed John's attention there. To alleviate the distress of the inhabitants, John sent the Abbot Martin into Dalmatia and Istria with large sums of money for the redemption of captives.

As the ruined Churches could not be rebuilt, the Relics of some of the more important Dalmatian Saints were brought to Rome. Pope John then erected an Oratory in their honour.[1] It was adorned by the Pope with mosaics, depicting Pope John holding in his hands a model of his Oratory.

Pope John endeavoured, thereby, to convert The Slavs in Dalmatia and Istria to Christianity. Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus claimed that Duke Porga of Croatia, who had been invited into Dalmatia by Heraclius, sent to Emperor Heraclius for Christian teachers. It is supposed that the Emperor, to whom this message was sent, was Emperor Heraclius, himself, and that he sent it to Pope John IV.[3]

Pope John IV was buried in the Basilica of Saint Peter.

The Way Of The Cross. The Perfect Undertaking For Lent.

“O, Beloved Wood”.

“O, Blessed Nails”. 

“O, Sweet Burden”.

Illustration: PINTEREST

Text is from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,

unless stated otherwise.

Indulgences: One Plenary Indulgence each time; another Plenary Indulgence if Holy Communion is received on the same day, or ten times within the month following that exercise.

If it remained unfinished, Ten Years and Ten Quarantines for each Station visited.

(20 October 1931).

Conditions:

1. To visit each Station, unless it is impossible owing to the crowd.

[Pictures of the fourteen several Mysteries are very useful, but are not indispensable. Wooden Crosses, indicating the fourteen Stations of The Cross, are sufficient and are absolutely required.]

2. To meditate, as best one can, on The Passion of The Saviour.

No vocal Prayers are required. The Popes recommend the recitation of a Pater, an Ave, and an Act of Contrition, at each Station (April 1731).

When The Way of The Cross is made in public, a Verse of “The Stabat Mater” may be sung between each Station.

The Ninth Station.

Jesus Falls The Third Time Under The Cross.

Versicle: We adore Thee, O, Christ, and we bless Thee.

Response: Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Priest.

Jesus had now arrived almost at the summit of Calvary; but before He reached the spot where He was to be crucified, His strength again fails Him, and He falls the third time, to be again dragged up and goaded onwards by the brutal soldiers.

Prayer.

O, Lord Jesus. We entreat Thee, by the merits of this Thy third most painful fall, to pardon our frequent relapses and our long continuance in sin; and may the thought of these Thy sufferings make us to hate our sins more and more.

An Act of Contrition.

O, God, we love Thee with our whole hearts, and above all things, and are heartily sorry that we have offended Thee.

May we never offend Thee any more. O, may we love Thee without ceasing, and make it our delight to do in all things Thy Most Holy Will.

Our Father . . .

Hail Mary . . .

Glory Be To The Father . . .

Have mercy on us, O, Lord. Have mercy on us.

Versicle: May the Souls of the Faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Response: Amen.

This Act of Contrition is to be repeated after each Station.

While passing from one Station to another, a Verse of the “Stabat Mater” is sung or said.

Versicle:

Eia Mater, fons amóris,

Me sentíre vim dolóris,

Fac, ut tecum lúgeam.

Response:

Sancta Mater, istud agas,

Crucifíxi fige plagas,

Cordi meo válide.

Proceed to The Tenth Station.