It has been a few months since I last posted a blog.  I have a few ideas that I haven't worked out but I am working.  I don't know if whatever I finally work out will express what I want to convery as well as this 20 minute video that Jim Caviezel's Tribute to the Virgin Mary.  It is a wonderful video and is well worth spending a few minutes watching.

If one prays the Rosary then what Mr. Caviezel says about feeling that Mary intercedes with God and that God will answer ones prays, sometimes in a round about way, is understood.  As I watched the video and heard him share the feeling he felt I thought of an old Mario Lanzo song that I feel a connection with, "I Walk with God".  I often find myself hearing a few lines that I fancy and find comfort with;

"I walk with God.  He takes my Hand.
 I talk with God.  He'll Understand." 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq9reKWDdXo

The Irish Penal Rosary

The Irish Penal Rosary (Irish: An Paidrín Beag) was a single-decade rosary used during penal times in Ireland, when any form of Roman Catholic religious practice and its religious objects were forbidden. This version of the rosary is easily hidden, allowing Catholics to pray with less fear of being detected.
The pink is a single decade Saint Agatha Rosary the patron saint of women fighting breast cancer and other types of cancers facing women. 
The blue and green are specific chaplets for the Novena to Saint Jude, one of the original twelve apostles. He is the patron saint of helpless causes. Saint Jude's Hospital was founded in 1962 by actor Danny Thomas and a few close friends. Saint Jude's Hospital is not affiliated with any religious group. He founded it on the premise that "no child should die in the dawn of life". No child is ever turned away and no family ever receives bill. It cost about $2.5 million a day to operate. 
St. Jude patients with ALL ( Acute lymphoblastic leukemia) have a survival rate of 94%, the best worldwide outcome for this disease. It usually affects children 2-5 years of age. Survival for children increased from under 10% in the 1960s to 90% in 2015, mostly due to research done at Saint Jude's and a few other fantastic hospitals that treat children.

 

Solemnity of The Annunciation of Our Lord

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Solemnity Of The Annunciation Of The Lord

On March 25^th Catholics in The United States celebrate The Solemnity of The Annunciation of Our Lord. Most refer to this feast simply as The Annunciation and frequently reflect while praying the first decade of the Joyful Mysteries while saying their Rosary.

This special feast is referenced in The Holy Gospel of Luke;

Luke 1 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

26 And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28 And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29 Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.

30 And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.

31 Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever.

33 And of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man?

35 And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36 And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren:

37 Because no word shall be impossible with God.

38 And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA) Public Domain

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The Presentation

The Presentation

The Presentation, also referred to as The Purification and is sometimes called Candlemas is the subject of this blog post. This article will deal with the Presentation and Purification with reference to their Biblical origins. Candlemas is more of a traditional Christian feast not often called or referred to as such by people today. I do not intend to write about Candlemas, though I could, but instead refer you to a site that narrates the nice story and takes one off into a few intriguing tangents. 

https://www.showerofrosesblog.com/2008/01/preparing-for-candlemas.html

The Feast of The Presentation is celebrated on February 2^nd, forty days after Christmas. While saying The Rosary it is the fourth decade of the Joyful Mysteries, recognizing The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple in obedience to the law of God.

I enjoy praying The Rosary. For me the enjoyment is reading the Biblical verse or other literature associated with the Mystery. Sometimes there is sacred music association with the Mystery. Luke 2: discuses Mary and Joseph bringing Jesus to the Temple to make the required presentation and sacrifice for their first born son. Often one sees a picture of Joseph holding a small cage with two doves. I've always taken this as another part of Joseph's role in The Holy Family, the father presenting the gift's to God.

Meditating of The Rosary is not just a simple few minutes on each Mystery and then moving on. It is a lifetime of learning a little more about the incident and what it was like for Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and in the case of The Presentation Simeon and Anna. As The Book of Luke describes the occasion as a very happy one but Simeon then mystifies Mary and Joseph with his dire prophecy of the sorrow Mary and her beautiful baby will encounter with her journey through life with the suffering adult Jesus. The foundation for The Presentation and obedience to the law of God laid out in the Book of Leviticus: 12. The law deals specifically with the rite circumcision of a male child and timing of purification of a woman after childbirth. Mary and Joseph were presenting themselves to the Temple to fulfill their obligation and make the required sacrifice.

The rest of the story is better told by Luke:2

21 And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:
23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:
24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons:
25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.
26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,
28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:
29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;
30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:
32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted;

35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity.
37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day.
38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.
39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.
41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch,
42 And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast,
43 And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not.
44 And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance.
45 And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers.
48 And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father's business?
50 And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart.
52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA) Public Domain

There are a few good musical selections that are a direct correlation to The Presentation. An unusual and extremely beautiful composition written by Sergei Rachmaninoff; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh4UTdyansM.
Vesper's was one of Rachmaninoff's two favorite compositions and this movement was the only piece he requested to be played at his funeral.

Another good piece is by a French group, Taize, called Nunc Dimittis. This is from the Latin Vulgate Book of Luke.
A YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkVoRt73-4U.
29 Nunc dimittis servum tuum Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:

30 quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum,

31 quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:

32 lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel. Biblia Sacra Vulgata (VULGATE) by Public Domain

And the English translation:29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;

30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:

32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA) Public Domain

A beautiful renidition, in English, sung by St. John's Choir, Cambridge, England.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc9a3hB99ZQ

Sir Charles Stanford blends four voices; tenor, soprano, alto and bass and creates a magnificent piece of music to pay homage to this Joyful Mystery.

An aid to help one learning to say The Rosary, or remembering the Mysteries, can be found here: http://www.how-to-pray-the-rosary-everyday.com/support-files/pocket-rosary-booklet-1.pdf

This is a free one page sheet that can be made into a small 8 page booklet that fits nicely in a child's small hand or pocket. It's also handy for us that have a distant memory of childhood and need a little nudge every now and then to remember.
Disclaimer: the copyright is held by “how-to-pray-the-rosary-everyday.com”. I have no affiliation or claims to this or any other benefits from this site. 

The Symbolism of The 3 Christmas Masses

The Symbolism of The 3 Christmas Masses
copied from: www.catholiccompany.com/

December 20, 2017 By Gretchen Filz 5 Comments

Next to Easter, Christmas  is the holiest day of the year. And just as we celebrate Easter as a Triduum  of connected liturgies (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil), so at Christmas we have something like a triduum of Masses.

There are three Masses celebrated on Christmas Day: one at midnight, one at dawn, and one during the day. Each Mass is distinct and highlights a different aspect of the Christmas story.

MIDNIGHT: THE ANGELS’ MASS

According to tradition, Jesus was born in Bethlehem at midnight. (This tradition is recalled in the beautiful St. Andrew Christmas Novena.) The Church celebrates the first Christmas Mass at midnight to honor the very hour that our Savior came into the world to save us. The darkness at midnight also parallels humanity’s condition of spiritual darkness as the world awaited the radiant birth of the promised Messiah.

The Responsorial Psalm proclaims the joyful tidings of the Angel: “Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.” The Gospel reading for this Mass tells the first part of the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke, when Baby Jesus is born and the Angels herald the Good News to the shepherds tending their flocks. Therefore this Midnight Mass is traditionally referred to as “The Angel’s Mass.”

Gospel Reading for the Midnight Mass (Luke 2:1-14)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I proclaim to you good news of great joy: today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

. . . And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth  to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

DAWN: THE SHEPHERD’S MASS

The second Christmas Mass is celebrated at dawn. Sacred Scripture draws a parallel between Christ and the sun; as the sun begins to rise over the darkness of the land, it calls to mind how Jesus, the Light of the World, dispelled the darkness of sin and death at His birth.

The Responsorial Psalm highlights this theme: “A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.” The Gospel reading for this Mass continues the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke. After the Angel announces the Good News to the shepherds, the shepherds hasten to Joseph and Mary to worship the Christ Child. The shepherds then joyfully proclaim the Good News to others. Therefore Christmas Mass at Dawn is traditionally referred to as “The Shepherd’s Mass.”

Gospel Reading for the Dawn Mass (Luke 2:15-20)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

CHRISTMAS DAY: THE KING’S MASS

The final Christmas Mass is celebrated in the fullness of daylight, signifying that the promised Son of God has now been revealed to the whole world.

The Responsorial Psalm for this Mass declares this by saying: “All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.” The Gospel reading is a call for all people and nations to worship the newborn King of Kings. Therefore this Mass is traditionally referred to as “The King’s Mass.”

Gospel Reading for the Day Mass (John 1:1-18)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.'” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena

St. Andrew Christmas Novena

The Feast Day of Saint Andrew, The Apostle, is celebrated on November 30^th . Unlike most novenas which are said for nine days or nine weeks this one is said for twenty-five days. One would start it on November 30^th,  Saint Andrews' Feast Day and continue to say it during the Advent season up till and including Christmas Eve, December, 24^th. It is known by a few different names; Saint Andrew's Novena, The Christmas Novena or the Advent Novena.

It is believed to have originated in either Ireland or Scotland over a hundred years ago. There are beads specifically for this novena consisting of fifteen beads connected in a loop onto a Saint Andrew medal.

It is a very simple one prayer repeated fifteen times over the course of a day. It is convenient to break it up into three segments such as before each meal or morning, mid day and night time. 

Some believe that reciting this prayer fifteen times a day until Christmas Eve that whatever favor requested will be granted. I prefer to think of it as a way to prepare ones heart and spirit to welcome the baby Jesus into the world. The spirit of Christmas is about the coming of Christ, Our Savior. 

THE PRAYER

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God,to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

Although Many Times

The opening paragraph of QUAMQUAM PLURIES an ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII given on August 15th, 1889 is as relevant today as the day it was issued. Encyclicals are known by the opening lines, written in Latin, as this one became known. A literal translation of QUAMQUAM PLURIES into English is Although Many Times.

This encyclical is rather short, just seven paragraphs, which is directed at the subject of a devotion to Saint Joseph. The opening paragraph is what I find so significant today as it was 130 years ago.

“ Although We have already many times ordered special prayers to be offered up in the whole world, that the interests of Catholicism might be insistently recommended to God, none will deem it matter for surprise that We consider the present moment an opportune one for again inculcating the same duty. During periods of stress and trial - chiefly when every lawlessness of act seems permitted to the powers of darkness - it has been the custom in the Church to plead with special fervour and perseverance to God, her author and protector, by recourse to the intercession of the saints - and chiefly of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God - whose patronage has ever been the most efficacious. The fruit of these pious prayers and of the confidence reposed in the Divine goodness, has always, sooner or later, been made apparent. Now, Venerable Brethren, you know the times in which we live; they are scarcely less deplorable for the Christian religion than the worst days, which in time past were most full of misery to the Church. We see faith, the root of all the Christian virtues, lessening in many souls; we see charity growing cold; the young generation daily growing in depravity of morals and views; the Church of Jesus Christ attacked on every side by open force or by craft; a relentless war waged against the Sovereign Pontiff; and the very foundations of religion undermined with a boldness which waxes daily in intensity. These things are, indeed, so much a matter of notoriety that it is needless for Us to expatiate on the depths to which society has sunk in these days, or on the designs which now agitate the minds of men. In circumstances so unhappy and troublous, human remedies are insufficient, and it becomes necessary, as a sole resource, to beg for assistance from the Divine power.”