Happy feast day to my benevolent sister in Christ (and one of this blog’s patrons) St Therese of Lisieux. Thanks for always being there for me during difficult times.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, our “Little Flower” of Carmel, pray for us!

… when he descended into Hades after His death on the Cross.

quia et Christus semel pro peccatis mortuus est iustus pro iniustis ut nos offerret Deo mortificatus carne vivificatus autem spiritu in quo et his qui in carcere erant spiritibus veniens praedicavit qui increduli fuerant aliquando quando expectabat Dei patientia in diebus Noe cum fabricaretur arca in qua pauci id est octo animae salvae factae sunt per aquam

(Because Christ also died once for our sins, the just for the unjust: that he might offer us to God, being put to death indeed in the flesh, but enlivened in the spirit, In which also coming he preached to those spirits that were in prison: Which had been some time incredulous, when they waited for the patience of God in the days of Noe, when the ark was a building: wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. )

1 Pet 3:18-20

Well it doesn’t pay to slack around or engage in mundane activities since, as Christians, these days are focused primarily on commemorating our redemption from perpetual condemnation. So, here’s something I want to share concerning these sacred days–courtesy of my good friend Carlos Antonio Palad of Rorate Caeli:

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1) It is better to attend the liturgical actions of the Sacred Triduum than to go on pilgrimage to various churches. The ideal is to be able to do both, but if one must choose between attending the liturgical actions of these holiest days, and going on Visita Iglesia, the former is the better choice. The sacred liturgy is the official worship of the Church and is far superior and more pleasing to God than our private devotions, and it is through the liturgy that we enter upon the spirit of the season. If our goal in these holiest days is to be more conformed to Christ, then what better way to do so than to attend the liturgy and receive the Eucharist, by which our union to the Body of Christ is made more intense and complete?

By the way, the “Siete Palabras” is NOT a liturgical service, but a merely devotional one. If you have to choose between that and the Veneration of the Cross and Communion, please prefer the Veneration of the Cross and Communion.

2) When you go to confession and the priest does not mention the words of absolution when “absolving” you, gently but firmly insist that he recite at least the basic words of absolution (“I absolve you from your sins”). It is my personal experience that some priests use invalid formulae when giving sacramental absolution especially when there are many people, and since it is our spiritual welfare and salvation as Christ’s faithful that is endangered by this practice (which renders confession invalid), it is our duty to protest (but with charity). If the priest does not give you valid absolution, then you should repeat your confession to another priest. Remember: your eternal salvation might be at stake. God forbid that anyone who has something serious in his conscience should die after an invalid confession.

3) The Visita Iglesia is a much-misunderstood practice. It originated with Catholics visiting seven churches on Maundy Thursday to adore the Blessed Sacrament in the “altars of repose”. Traditionally, the number seven comes form the fact that, as of the year 1900, there were seven major churches in Intramuros – San Agustin (Augustinians), San Nicolas (Recoletos), San Ignacio (Jesuits), Santo Domingo (Dominicans), Nuestra Senora de Lourdes (Capuchins), San Francisco (Franciscans) and Manila Cathedral.

Obviously, the ideal time for Visita Iglesia is Maundy Thursday evening. If the Visita Iglesia is done this evening, then the focus should be on the Eucharist – after all, the Eucharist is especially placed in altars of repose during Maundy Thursday precisely so we will adore the Blessed Sacrament. If the Visita Iglesia is done on Good Friday morning (which is also possible), the Way of the Cross is more appropriate. In our devotions, let us not forget the meaning of the day and the mysteries of Christ commemorated on that day.

4) There is no substitute for fasting and abstinence on Good Friday, not even self-flagellation, rolling on the ground, having oneself literally crucified or walking in procession barefoot. God desires our obedience, not our self-willed penances. Other penances may be substituted for abstinence on the Fridays of Lent, but Good Friday is different, it and Ash Wednesday being the days of penance par excellence. Fasting means eating only one full meal a day (which itself should not equal more than one normal full meal – some people eat enough for three meals during this ‘one full meal’!), and two meals that do not equal a full meal, plus no snacks or merienda (although energy drinks, juices, coffee, chocolate and milk are fine). Abstinence means not eating meat – and that includes white meat or chicken meat (some people rationalize that meat refers only to red meat, or beef and pork).

Some people insist on snacking or eating meat because “it is so tiring to go on Visita Iglesia” during Good Friday. This rationalization begs the question: why go on “Visita Iglesia” only to use it as a reason not to practice penance? What is more important: to practice the little penance and self-denial that the Church asks us to do, or to go on “spiritual tourism”, eating and drinking to our heart’s content while hopping from one church to another?

Good Friday is a time for us to think of Christ crucified, not to use Christ as an excuse for our own little pleasures. At present, the Church requires Filipino Catholics to fast and abstain for only two days of the year. Is this too much? Is Christ so distant from our hearts that we cannot even bear to offer these little sacrifices to him? Then why even observe Holy Week? Without the spirit of penance, our Holy Week traditions are meaningless.

5) God is NOT DEAD on Good Friday and Black Saturday. When you hear someone make this claim (especially in and around Quiapo), explain to that person that Christ our God died once, but that He arose from the dead and is forever glorified in heaven. Holy water also doesn’t lose its holiness on Good Friday afternoon. If you buy amulets or practice black magic on Good Friday and Black Saturday as God won’t see your deeds because He is dead, rest assured that God knows what you are doing and will hold you to account for it.

6) Holy Saturday is not an excuse to go back to our sinful lives. Many malls and TV channels “go back to the usual programming” on this day. This is not commendable. We are supposed to be doing two things on Holy Saturday: mourn Christ, who was crucified by our sins, and prepare for the joy of Pascha (Easter). Traditionally, Catholics practiced fasting on Holy Saturday, although it is no longer required by Church law. Easter Sunday is the time for rejoicing, but so that our rejoicing with the Risen Lord will be complete, we must also seek to understand the bitterness of His Passion. For this, Holy Saturday is the perfect time.

Perhaps it does not help that since 1970, the ancient liturgical and devotional traditions of Holy Saturday have been laid aside and forgotten (even though they were never abolished by the Church). It is my prayerful hope that the day will come when such beautiful practices as Tenebrae, the “Mater Dolorosa” sermon and many others will be revived in our parishes and cathedrals to sanctify this day once more. Perhaps the “Soledad or Desolata Procession”, still practiced late at night on Good Friday in a few parishes, could be revived as well and done on Holy Saturday morning, in order to prevent Holy Saturday from turning into a vacuum of idleness.

7) The greatest and most important liturgical celebration of the Sacred Triduum, and of the entire liturgical year, is the Paschal or Easter Vigil. Please make the effort to attend every year or at least once every few years. Yes, it is very long (3-4 hours, depending on the musical settings used and the number of people baptized or confirmed), but it is truly worthwhile. After all, the season is about Christ’s triumph over death. Why observe the triumph, only to be absent from the victory celebration?

8 ) Many priests give their all during Holy Week. Please go out of your way to commend your parish priest once Holy Week is over. I know of priests who weep with joy when they see a lot of people attending the services of the Triduum – it shows just how much the Triduum means to them.

Have a blessed Holy Week Triduum to all.

Not only because he is the primary patron of Ecclesia Dei Society of St Joseph (the Tridentine Mass association I belong to) but because he reminds us all of obedience and utter resignation to God’s will, as he himself personified during Herod’s persecution. His feast day is this coming 19th of March.

The novena for the whole duration of nine days can be found here.

Sancti Ioseph, ora pronobis!

This may be a long overdue post on one of my (and this blog’s) patrons but I also believe that nothing is too late especially in that of sharing unto all what this good Father has done to the Church, how he had contributed mainly to theology and moral doctrines, as well as on the general aspects of religious life. Many a saint have been esteemed by their holiness, venerated for their virtues or spiritual contributions and this reverend saint may never be considered as an exception of sorts; however the uniqueness of his journeys has not been short of holy wonder as great was the Grace that transformed lacklustre spirituality into one united unto righteousness’ sake. His wisdom was never confined as well unto earthly inclinations but one directed heavenward, always in the hope of perpetual union with the Almighty. All these St. Augustine was, and his spiritual legacy still extends unto the present.

We all understand that his life had been labourious but never as regarding status or possessions, rather, in terms of his decrepit interior life. Spiritual restlessness had left him almost dissolute until once upon a time God had decided to beckon him towards the Gospel, thereby awakening his zeal to serve the whole of Christ’s Mystical Body. Oh was his life filled with burning love to proclaim the truth of Christ twisted by false preachers of yore that dared challenge orthodox interpretations of Christian belief; such that the entirety of his existence did he dedicate to producing voluminous writings on philosophy and theology: all to illumine everyone’s understanding of this Christ whose Word he had “drunk even from his mother’s milk!” His writings were the primordial evidences of his monumental contributions to the Church of God, masterpieces that have never failed to mesmerise brilliant minds through the ages. Great was St. Augustine’s fame as a holy Bishop that upon his death, a great following of religious communities have adopted his Rule as a standard for their foundations. At present, the Order of St. Augustine–the living legacy of Augustine’s workings in faith–continues to live out the Father’s visions of evangelisation through catechetical and educational means, all for the glory of God in the spirit of this holy man eventually dubbed as “the wisest of the holy and holiest of the wise.”

Oh holy St. Augustine, pray for us!

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By the way: Father Zuhlsdorf of “What Does the Prayer Really Say?” has such a very inspiring post on St. Augustine’s bones. His article can be accessed via this link:

http://wdtprs.com/blog/2008/08/the-bones-of-st-augustine-of-hippo/

• Immaculate Heart of Mary (TLM);
• Queenship of Mary (NO)

It is always to be noted that feasts in the Novus Ordo usually do not coincide with those in the Tridentine Latin Mass, and tomorrow’s celebrations of the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary (in the Novus Ordo) and the Immaculate Heart of Mary (TLM) are concrete examples of such a variation in the said two forms of the Roman Rite. Since I mainly am devoted to the spirituality of the TLM whilst also an attendee in NO masses, this post consists of the Propers and Readings for both Forms.

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The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

INTROIT ¤ Hebrews 4. 16

COLLECT.–Almighty and everlasting God, who in the heart of the blessed Virgin Mary didst prepare a dwelling worthy of the Holy Ghost; grant in Thy mercy, that we who with devout minds celebrate the festival of that immaculate heart, may be able to live accoding to Thine own Heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ . . .

EPISTLE ¤ Wisdom 24. 23-31

GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 12. 6

GOSPEL ¤ John 19. 25-27

OFFERTORY ¤ Luke 1. 46

SECRET.–We who offer to Thy majesty the Lamb without spot, beseech Thee, O Lord, that our hearts may be kindled by the divine fire which in an ineffable manner inflamed the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son . . .

PREFACE
Preface of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

COMMUNION ¤ John 19. 27

POSTCOMMUNION.–Refreshed by those divine Gifts, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord, that by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the solemn feast of whose immaculate heart we now celebrate, we may be delivered from present dangers, and obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost . . .

Memorial of the Queenship of Mary

Reading 1
Ez 37:1-14
The hand of the LORD came upon me,
and led me out in the Spirit of the LORD
and set me in the center of the plain,
which was now filled with bones.
He made me walk among the bones in every direction
so that I saw how many they were on the surface of the plain.
How dry they were!
He asked me:
Son of man, can these bones come to life?
I answered, “Lord GOD, you alone know that.”
Then he said to me:
Prophesy over these bones, and say to them:
Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!
Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones:
See! I will bring spirit into you, that you may come to life.
I will put sinews upon you, make flesh grow over you,
cover you with skin, and put spirit in you
so that you may come to life and know that I am the LORD.
I prophesied as I had been told,
and even as I was prophesying I heard a noise;
it was a rattling as the bones came together, bone joining bone.
I saw the sinews and the flesh come upon them,
and the skin cover them, but there was no spirit in them.
Then the LORD said to me:
Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, son of man,
and say to the spirit: Thus says the Lord GOD:
From the four winds come, O spirit,
and breathe into these slain that they may come to life.
I prophesied as he told me, and the spirit came into them;
they came alive and stood upright, a vast army.
Then he said to me:
Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.
They have been saying,
“Our bones are dried up,
our hope is lost, and we are cut off.”
Therefore, prophesy and say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD:
O my people, I will open your graves
and have you rise from them,
and bring you back to the land of Israel.
Then you shall know that I am the LORD,
when I open your graves and have you rise from them,
O my people!
I will put my spirit in you that you may live,
and I will settle you upon your land;
thus you shall know that I am the LORD.
I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 107:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (1) Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say,
those whom he has redeemed from the hand of the foe
And gathered from the lands,
from the east and the west, from the north and the south.
R. Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.
They went astray in the desert wilderness;
the way to an inhabited city they did not find.
Hungry and thirsty,
their life was wasting away within them.
R. Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.
They cried to the LORD in their distress;
from their straits he rescued them.
And he led them by a direct way
to reach an inhabited city.
R. Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his mercy
and his wondrous deeds to the children of men,
Because he satisfied the longing soul
and filled the hungry soul with good things.
R. Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.

Reading II
Rom 11:13-15, 29-32

Gospel
Mt 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law, tested him by asking,
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
He said to him,
“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

(N.B. I shall post the propers for the NO memorial later)

Fr. Augustine Thompson, OP–a regular contributor to The New Liturgical Movement, and the author of the blog Dominican Liturgy–posted such spectacular snapshots of the recently-celebrated Dominican-rite mass (ad orientem) held at Holy Rosary Church in Portland Oregon. I myself am intrigued at how a Mass in the Dominican Rite is actually celebrated; and based on the pictures featured both at the NLM and at Fr. Thompson’s NLM articles mirror site, some of the features of the EFLR are very much evident, although with slight variations, such as the incensing of the priests during the Preface, the extensive bowing of all serving priests during the Second Confiteor, and the same ministers moving to the altar’s side as the Postcommunion Antiphon is intoned. Most notable as well is that picture depicting the exeunt from the altar and the congregation: all the priests have put on their capuces, thereby as though veiled!

courtesy of the New Liturgical Movement

For the entire article on the said Mass, you may all go to this New Liturgical Movement entry by Mr. Shawn Tribe or Fr. Thompson’s site.

Today we commemorate one of the grandest and highest solemnities in the Church, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into heaven. And as usual, the readings in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite for the said Feast are as follows:

August 15

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

INTROIT

COLLECT.–Almighty and Eternal God, who hast assumed the body and soul of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Thy Son, to celestial glory: grant, we beseech Thee, that always minded toward heavenly things, we may be sharers in the same glory. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

EPISTLE ¤ Judith 14. 22-25; 15.10

GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 44. 11, 12, 14

GOSPEL ¤ Luke 1. 41-50

OFFERTORY

SECRET.–May the offering of our devotion ascend to Thee, O Lord, and through the intercession of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, assumed into heaven, may our hearts inflamed with the fire of love aspire to Thee for ever. Through Jesus Christ our Lord . . .

PREFACE
Preface of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

COMMUNION ¤ Luke 1. 48-49

POSTCOMMUNION.–Having received, O Lord, Thy most saving sacraments, grant, we beseech Thee, that through the intercession and merits of the Blessed Virgin Mary, assumed into heaven, we may persevere to the glory of the resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee . . .

I haven’t posted in a while (especially concerning yesterday’s TLM readings for the 12th week after Pentecost, to which our pastor did a very good job in his homily) as I have been very busy; so now I’ll be posting those pertaining to St. Dominic’s feast day (Introit, Collect & TLM readings) as well as St. John Vianney’s memorial (as culled from the Novus Ordo’s Roman Missal of 2002).

St. Dominic, Confessor

(White, Double Major)

INTROIT ¤ Ps. 36. 31, 30

COLLECT.–O God, who hast vouchsafed to make Thy Church illustrious by the merits and teaching of blessed Dominic, Thy Confessor: grant that, through his intercession, she may not be deprived of temporal help, and may ever advance in spiritual increase. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost. . .

EPISTLE ¤ II Timothy 4. 1-8
Lesson from the second Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to Timothy.

[St. Paul admonishes Timothy to hold firm the sound doctrine of the Gospel. St. Dominic was also renowned for his orthodoxy and his theological learning.]

Dearly beloved, I charge thee, before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by His coming and His kingdom: preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine. For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables. But be thou vigilant, labor in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill thy ministry. Be sober. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed, and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord, the just Judge, will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love His coming.

GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 91. 13, 14

GOSPEL ¤ Luke 12. 35-40
† Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke.

[Christ admonishes all to watch and to be ready for His Coming.]

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: Let your loins be girt and lamps burning in your hands, and you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding: that when he cometh, shall find watching: amen I say to you that he will gird himself and make them sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open. Be you then also ready, for at what hour you think not the Son of Man will come.

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Memorial St. John Vianney

1st Reading: Jeremiah 28:1-17 (Jeremiah & Hananiah; the Lord’s warning to the latter for prophesying lies)

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 119:29, 43, 79, 80, 95, 102 (Response: Lord teach me your statutes)

Gospel: Mt 14:22-36 (Jesus & his disciples withstanding a squall; Upon Jesus’ beckoning, Peter, driven by faith, walks on the water but soon sinks as he loses confidence)

St. Anne was the spouse of St. Joachim and the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Tradition held that she was childless and had Mary in her old age. In iconography or sacred art she is usually depicted as teaching the little Mary to read from the Scriptures.

(N.B. The Novus Ordo calendar has both St. Anne and St. Joachim in one feast day.)

INTROIT

COLLECT.–O God, who didst vouchsafe to bestow upon blessed Anne such grace, that she was found worthy to become the mother of her who brought forth Thine only-begotten Son: mercifully grant, that we who celebrate her festival, may be helped by her intercession with Thee. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ . . .

EPISTLE ¤ Wisdom: Proverbs 31. 10-31
Lesson from the Book of Wisdom.

[Description of all the necessary duties and virtues of the valiant woman.]

Who shall find a valiant woman? Far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her. The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils. She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands. She is like the merchant’s ship, she bringeth her bread for afar. And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens. She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard. She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm. She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night. She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle. She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor. She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments. She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple is her clothing. Her husband is honorable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land. She made fine linen and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite. Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day. She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of the clemency is on her tongue. She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle. Her children rose up,and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her. Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.

GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 44, 8

GOSPEL ¤ Matthew 13. 44-52
† Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

[The parables of the hidden treasure, of the pearl of great price and of the net cast into the sea.]

At that time, Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable: The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in a field. Which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth the field. Again the Kingdom of Heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls. Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went his way, and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again the Kingdom of Heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together all kind of fishes. Which, when it was filled, they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but they bad they cast forth. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have ye understood all these things? They say to Him: Yes. He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven is like to a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old.

OFFERTORY ¤ Ps. 44. 10

SECRET.–Graciously have regard to this sacrifice, we beseech Thee, O Lord: that through the intercession of blessed Anne, who was mother of her who brought forth Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, it may profit us both unto devotion and salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

PREFACE
The Common Preface

COMMUNION ¤ Ps. 44. 3

POSTCOMMUNION.–We who have been nourished by these heavenly Sacraments, beseech Thee, O Lord our God: that, through the intercession of blessed Anne, whom Thou didst will to be the mother of her who brought forth Thy Son, we may be found worthy to attain to eternal salvation. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .