Lent

The current Lenten Fast only dates back to 1966.  Prior to that, the Fast was much more intense.  It may surprise you to hear that Catholics fasted ALL 40 days of Lent.  In addition to that, they abstained from meat on all Fridays (as we do now), but also observed partial abstinence on all other days except Sunday.  This meant that meat was only eaten at the main meal of the day.  The other two smaller collations were meatless.  

Pope Benedict XIV said in 1741: “The observance of Lent is the very badge of the Christian warfare.  By it we prove ourselves not to be enemies of Christ.  By it we avert the scourges of divine justice. By it we gain strength against the princes of darkness, for it shields us with heavenly help. Should mankind grow remiss in their observance of Lent, it would be a detriment to God's glory, a disgrace to the Catholic religion, and a danger to Christian souls. Neither can it be doubted that such negligence would become the source of misery to the world, of public calamity, and of private woe.” 

Look at the world around us.  It is a mess.  A total hedonistic culture surrounds us.  Even the Church Herself is in crisis and Her numbers are rapidly decreasing, especially in certain countries like France who is the Eldest Daughter of the Church.  Pope Benedict XIV was right!  We must try to recapture what our forefathers did.  To go from 2 days of fasting to 40 would be difficult, but we can build up to it gradually.  One could add in another day or two of the week to fast, such as Wednesday (because that was the day when Our Lord was betrayed by Judas).  Or once Passiontide or Holy Week arrives, increase your fasting days.  Partial abstinence could easily be added to our meals.  By God’s grace we can reclaim this great tool to achieve self-discipline and ultimately sanctity.  “I can do all these things in Him Who strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:13.

During these 2 ½ weeks of Septuagesima, the Church has been preparing us for Lent.  Already at Mass, we have the violet vestments of penance and the Gloria and Alleluia have been taken away.  Once Lent begins, the organ is no longer played (except at Benediction) and there are no flowers on the altar.  All of these omissions show us the seriousness of this Liturgical Season as we focus on Our Lord’s Passion and Death and all that He suffered to redeem us.

There is one more omission in the pre-1955 that we no longer have.  The Ite, Missa Est at the end of Mass was also taken away and replaced by a simple Benedicamus Domino (Let us bless the Lord.)  This was a further penitential aspect to the Mass.  Anytime the priest wore violet, this was the ending of Mass.  Now we only hear it where there is a procession after Mass which is rare.

Candlemas - The Blessing of the Candles

The feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of my favorite feasts.  It is unlike any other of the Liturgical Year.  One of the key features of this feast is the Blessing of the Candles and the Procession.  Bring your candles to be blessed.  These candles are sacramentals and can be used especially during times of trouble, storms and when the Sacrament of Extreme Unction is being given.

The Blessing of the Candles is one of the three principle Blessings of the Liturgical Year.  The other two are the Blessing of Ashes and Palms on Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday.  There is a unique characteristic of the pre-1955 Blessings that is missing in the 1962 Missal.  The color for all three Blessings is violet.  This gives a continuity and uniformity between these major Blessings.  

In the 1962 Missal, each feast has its own color.  The connection between the three is completely gone.  White is for Candlemas, Violet for Ash Wednesday and Red for Palm Sunday.  

Violet is for penitential times and calling down God's mercy and grace upon us.  Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday already have violet since they are in Lent.  Candlemas is often in the Season of Septuagesima which also has the color of violet.  This continuity of color keeps us focused on the these great sacramentals and the extraordinary graces they give us is we use them.

The symbolism of the Procession around the church with lit candles is very beautiful, as the Light of Christ is to be spread throughout the world. The candles are lit again for the Gospel reading (Luke 2:22-32) recounting the Purification, and finally at the Consecration, as the Light joins us in the Real Presence of the Blessed Sacrament. The Preface of the Nativity right before the Canon is used for the last time of the year, again recalling the birth of Our Savior.

 

Septuagesima

 

Burying the Alleluia

 

It's that time of year again!  In the old calendar, we are moving into a new season in the Liturgical Year this Sunday, Feb 1.  It is Septuagesima Sunday and marks the next 2 1/2 weeks where we transition from the joy of Christmas to the penitential season of Lent.  For those of us who attend the Traditional Latin Mass and follow the traditional calendar, beginning this Sunday, the Gloria and Alleluia will no longer be said during Mass and the priest will wear violet as we prepare for Lent. 

 

Every year on the Saturday before Septuagesima Sunday, we decorate our Alleluias so that we can "bury" them before Sunday.  This Saturday, Jan 31 is the day to get them finished!  The final Alleluias are usually sung at Vespers. 

St John Chrysostom

 

As with all Doctors of the Church, the Credo is prayed at Mass in the pre-1955 Missal.

St. John Chrysostom, pray for us!

Espousal of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph

Although never on the Universal Calendar of the Church, this feast is a beautiful reminder of the marriage of Our Lady and St. Joseph.  It is celebrated by many religious orders who have a particular devotion to the Virgin Mary and/or St. Joseph.  It was also kept in many local places and dioceses. 

I highly recommend the book The Life and Glories of St. Joseph by Edward Healy Thompson, M. A. 

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, save souls!

 

Chair of St. Peter at Rome and the Octave of Christian Unity

 

One of the hallmarks of the change in the calendar of 1960 was the getting rid of the “needless repetition” of feasts.  It was too much to have more than one feast per saint; therefore, one of them had to go.  Here are the ones that were axed:

Jan 2 –- Octave day of St. Stephen

Jan 3 -- Octave day of St. John

Jan 4 --- Octave day of the Holy Innocents

Jan 18 – Chair of St. Peter at Rome (merged with Chair of St. Peter in Antioch on Feb 22)

Jan 28 – Octave day of St. Agnes (commemorating when she appeared to her parents)

3^rd Wed after Easter --- Easter Solemnity of St. Joseph (the papal conclave began on this feast last year!)

May 3 – Finding of the Holy Cross

May 6 – St. John Before the Latin Gate (commemorating his “martyrdom” by being boiled in oil)

May 8 – Apparition of St. Michael the Archangel on Mt. Gargano (Pope Leo XIV was elected on this feast!)

August 17 – Octave day of St. Lawrence 

Today (Jan 18) is one of those feast days: the Chair of St. Peter at Rome.  This feast day was merged with the Chair of St. Peter in Antioch on Feb 22.  Since the feast of the Chair of St. Peter at Rome falls on a Sunday this year, it is the 2^nd Sunday after Epiphany which is the 3^rd Manifestation of the Divinity of Our Lord at the Wedding at Cana.  This feast does not trump the Sunday, but it would be commemorated.  There would also be the Proper Last Gospel of the feast with the Gospel account taken from Matthew 16.

This recently abolished feast has a beautiful history.  It was established in 1558 by Pope Paul IV when the Protestants were casting doubt on the fact that St. Peter travelled to Rome, lived and died there.  In the early 20^th century, as Anglicans converted to the Catholic Faith, many dedicated their lives to pray for true Christian Unity.  In 1909, it was decided to have an Octave for Christian Unity beginning on this feast day and ending on the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul on Jan 25 which is the Octave day. Think about the significance of this for a moment.  What IS true Christian Unity?  It is ONE flock with ONE shepherd.  We are praying for the conversion of all those who are outside the True Faith (i.e. Catholic Faith)!  The greatest convert was St. Paul.  It was through the prayers of St. Stephen as he was being stoned to death that brought about Saul’s magnificent conversion.  This is what we want for all men---their conversion to the Catholic Faith given to us by Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We want them to have the fullness of Truth, not just partial truths.  There is no salvation outside of the Church.  It is a great charity to pray for the conversion of others that they may be saved.  (This in not to be confused with the false ecumenism of today).

 There is a very short prayer for each day of the Octave:

Ant. That they all may be one, as Thou, Father, in me and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that Thou has sent me.

℣. I say to thee, that thou art Peter,
℟. And upon this rock I will build my Church.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst say to Thine Apostles: peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, look not upon my sins, but upon the faith of Thy Church; and vouchsafe unto Her that peace and unity which is agreeable to Thy will: Who livest and reignest God forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Intention to be stated each day during the Octave:  

• 18 January: The union of all Christians in the one true Faith and in the Church
• 19 January: The return of separated Eastern Christians to communion with the Holy See
• 20 January: The reconciliation of Anglicans with the Holy See
• 21 January: The reconciliation of European Protestants with the Holy See
• 22 January: That American Christians become one in union with the Chair of Peter
• 23 January: The restoration of lapsed Catholics to the sacramental life of the Church
• 24 January: That the Jewish people come into their inheritance in Jesus Christ
• 25 January: The missionary extension of Christ’s kingdom throughout the world 

There is a plenary indulgence granted to those who pray the entire Octave---under the usual conditions.

St. Peter, pray for us!

 

Octave Day of the Epiphany

Today is the Octave Day of the Epiphany.  We now focus on the 2nd Manifestation of Our Lord's Divinity:  His Baptism in the Jordan by St. John the Baptist. 

Through His Baptism, He cleassed the waters and prepared them for the Sacrament of Baptism. 

 

7th Day in the Octave of the Epiphany

 

6th Day in the Octave of the Epiphany

Today is the Sunday within the Octave of Epiphany.  

In the Gospel, Our Lord is no longer the little Babe of Bethlehem.  He is growing up and the reading is of the Finding in the Temple. 

 

5th Day in the Octave of Epiphany

 

4th Day in the Octave of Epiphany

 

3rd Day in the Octave of Epiphany

 

2nd Day in the Octave of Epiphany

 

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh represent Our Lord's Kingship, Divinity and Humanity

We can also offer Him our gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh: 

Gold---Alms given to the Poor 

Frankincense --- Special Prayers or Devotions to Him 

Myrrh---Acts of Penance to die to self

Epiphany of Our Lord

 

Today is the great feast of the Epiphany!  This feast is the 3rd greatest in the Liturgical Year coming after Easter and Pentecost! 

The Epiphany celebrates the Manifestation of Our Lord's Divinity first to the wise men (Gentiles), then at the Baptism of Our Lord and finally at the Wedding Feast at Cana where Our Lord worked His first miracle at Our Lady's request.  

Privileged Octaves of the 2nd Class do not give way to any other feast than those of the 1st Class.  The Mass everyday in the Octave is of Epiphany itself, except the Sunday within the Octave (Holy Family).  On the Octave Day which celebrates the Baptism of Our Lord, it is the Mass of Epiphany, except the Collect, Gospel, Secret and Postcommunion are different.  The 2nd Sunday after Epiphany celebrates the 3rd Manifestation of the Wedding Feast at Cana.

Ways to celebrate this feast:

Read The Liturgical Year, Vol.3 by Dom Gueranger every day during the Octave

Attend the Blessing of Chalk, Frankincense and Gold at church and bring some home

Have the three Wise Men arrive at your creche after travelling all 12 days of Christmas

Save a Christmas gift for your children and give it to them on Epiphany or have a family gift

Have an Epiphany party with a King Cake

Make star cookies or a star craft

Have a procession to the manger in your home bringing your gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh

Invite a priest over to give your home the Epiphany Blessing

If a priest cannot come, then the father of the home should chalk the letters over the doorway

Use Epiphany Water to bless yourself and your home often

Crown a statue of the Infant Jesus

Change out the white Christmas candles on your Advent wreath for gold candles.

Meditate on the 3 Manifestations of the Divinity of Our Lord and read their Gospel accounts

Leave up your Christmas decorations at least through the Octave of Epiphany or until Candlemas

                               Praise be to our Infant King!                                                                                   

12th Day of Christmas - Vigil of Epiphany

The feast of the Epiphany is more ancient than the feast of Christmas and it also is of a higher rank.  Epiphany has a Privileged Octave of the 2nd Class, while Christmas has a Privileged Octave of the 3rd Class.  Like all great feasts, it has a Vigil to prepare for the feast.  

"This Vigil is not like that of Christmas, a day of penance.  The Child whose coming we were then awaiting, in the fervour of our humble desires, is now among us, preparing to bestow fresh favours upon us.  This eve of to-morrow's Solemnity is a day of joy, like those that have preceded it/and therefore we do not fast, nor does the Church put on the vestments of mourning.  . . . the colour used is White.  This is the Twelfth day since the Birth of our Emmanuel." 

The Liturgical Year, Volume 2 by Dom Gueranger

Today is also the traditional Solemn Blessing of Epiphany Water.  Attend this Blessing at church and bring home some water to use throughout the year.

O Lord, show us Thy Face and we shall be saved!

 

11th Day of Christmas - Octave Day of the Holy Innocents

Today is the Octave of the Holy Innocents.  Since it falls on Sunday this year, the feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus supersedes it.  However the Holy Innocents would still be commemorated. 

"The Holy Church, which on the Feast is vested in the colour of mourning, and this out of condolence with Rachel's grief, now on the Octave Day clothes herself in the red of her Martyrs, in order to honour these Babes who shed their Blood for Jesus.  Notwithstanding, she is full of tender compassion for those poor Mothers, who suffered such agonies of grief at the sight of the murder of their little ones; she continually allude to them in to-day's Liturgy,"  

The Liturgical Year, Volume 2 by Dom Gueranger

Holy Innocents, pray for us! 

 

10th Day of Christmas - Octave Day of St. John

 While St. John was a martyr by desire though not in deed, he was also a virgin and the Beloved Apostle of Our Lord.  He laid his head on Our Lord's breast at the Last Supper.  It was to this virginal Apostle to whom Our Lord entrusted His Blessed Mother while He was dying on the cross.  St. John wrote his Gospel, three Letters and the Book of the Apocalypse. 

"Nearest to Jesus' Crib, after Stephen, stand John, the Apostle and Evangelist. . . .But next to the sacrifice of Blood, the noblest, the bravest sacrifice, and that which most wins the heart of him who is the Spouse of souls, is the sacrifice of Virginity.  Now just as St. Stephen is looked upon as the type of Martyrs, St. John is honoured as the Prince of Virgins.  Martyrdom won for Stephen the Crown and palm; Virginity merited for john most singular prerogatives, which, while they show how dear to God is holy Chastity, put this Disciple among those who by their dignity and influence are above the rest of men." 

The Liturgical Year, Volume 2 by Dom Gueranger

St. John the Apostle, pray for us! 

9th Day of Christmas - Octave Day of St. Stephen

The feast of St. Stephen dates back to the greatest antiquity.  It is already mentioned at the end of the 3rd century, but was well established by then.  His Octave, though not as old, is already referenced in the 9th century!  

"But how comes it that the Feast of a mere Deacon has been thus honored, whilst almost all those of the Apostles have no Octave?  The rule followed by the Church in her Liturgy is to give more or less solemnity to the Feast of the Saints, according to the importance of the services they rendered to mankind. . . . St. Stephen led the way to Martyrdom; his example inaugurated that sublime witnessing by shedding one's own blood, which is the very strength of the Church, ratifies the truths she teaches to the world, and confirms the hopes of eternal reward promised by those truths.  Glory, then, and honour to the Prince of Martyrs!" 

The Liturgical Year, Volume 2 by Dom Gueranger

St. Stephen, pray for us!

 

8th Day of Christmas - Circumcision of Our Lord

Today is the Octave Day of Christmas where we remember the first blood-shedding 

of Our Lord in His Circumcision eight days after His Birth.  

Why would the 1962 Missal down play this shedding of His Precious Blood?  

The feast is renamed as the Octave of Christmas which is a very generic title.

Is there a Truth that they do not want us to focus on???

On the first day of the year, a plenary indulgence is granted to all who are present at a 

public recitation or chanting of the Veni Creator in church with the 

intention of imploring divine assistance for the new year. 

Most Precious Blood of Jesus, save us!