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A corporal work of mercy.
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Tuesday, 21 February 2023

The latest on the traditional Latin Mass from the tag team of Bergoglio and Roche

Yesterday, February 20, Pope Francis received Cardinal Roche in audience. This morning the Vatican issued the minutes of the meeting translated below by Edward Pentin:


It seems to contradict the authority of the motu proprio. Essentially, the bishop is in charge but he is really not. It also seems to enforce after 15 months, the regulations and dubia responses by Cardinal Roche.

Wednesday, 15 February 2023

What is Arthur Cardinal Roche-clip up to?

"Brazen self-confidence."

This is the man that wants to persecute faithful Catholics who desire to worship God as their ancestors. 

Will Pope Francis allow this manipulation of him? After all, it is making him look bad.

Of course, the most likely answer is the most obvious.

They are in cahoots!

https://wdtprs.com/2023/02/an-article-at-cwr-and-a-twitter-thread-seek-to-uncover-a-serious-concern/

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2023/02/13/liturgical-double-standards-and-the-hermeneutic-of-rupture/

https://twitter.com/holysmoke/status/1625767871744774144




Father Eagle Pfan and his liturgical abuse

On Candlemas, 2015, I wrote a blog post that is the second most-read blog post with nearly 40,000 direct hits, even more than Rosicagate. It was about a priest in Seattle defaming the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the worship of the Seattle Seahawks.

Vox Cantoris: Behold, the Tabernacle of Seattle Seahawks 12

It's hard to believe, but it has happened once again. 

Catholic Priest wears NFL vestments to celebrate Mass on Super Bowl Sunday - LifeSite (lifesitenews.com)


Oh look, Father Eagle even convicted himself with a video. What a diabolical narcissist. 





The Pastor


From: Vox Cantoris [mailto:voxcantoris@rogers.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2023, 8:00 AM
To: 'fr.michael@holyspiritweb.org'; 'fr.joseph@holyspiritweb.org'
Subject: Help me, I'm desperate
Importance: High
 

To know what kind of diabolical narcissism and idiocy you possess that would cause you to do such a blatantly blasphemous and abusive thing? 

Enjoy the publicity. 

Repent, lest Jesus cast you into the outer darkness!

Vox Cantoris

Tell me again how the Latin Mass is a problem?

Oh, what is this? They made their YouTube private?



Tuesday, 14 February 2023

Has Pope Francis been "manipulated" into promulgating Traditionis custodes?"

Infovaticana, an Italian website has published an article citing Gerhard Cardinal Müller that Pope Francis was manipulated to attack the traditional liturgy. It's been previously reported by Dr. Peter Kwasniewski that Andrea Grillo has had influence in this matter. Having it
confirmed by 
Cardinal Müller is quite astounding. 

Can we dare hope that Pope Francis will realize the manipulation and soften his heart and be a shepherd and father to all the flock, including those smelly sheep on the peripheries? 


Francis manipulated into promulgating Traditionis custodes, says Cardinal Müller

Members of the St. Anselm Athenaeum and others convinced the Holy Father that the Traditional Mass is "divisive" and encouraged him to restrict it until its virtual demise, Cardinal Gerhard Müller argues in his recently published book "In Good Faith."

The decision to promulgate Traditionis custodes, the motu proprio with which Francis abrogates the liberation of his predecessor's Traditional Mass reached in Summorum Pontificum, was "unexpected and for traditionalists it has been like receiving a slap in the face," says Cardinal Gerhard Müller, former prefect for the Doctrine of the Faith, in his recent book "In Good Faith." "The prohibition to attend this form of liturgy has created chasms, has caused suffering. It would have been more useful to distinguish between the substance of the sacraments which derive from Christ through the Apostles, and are essential, and the liturgical form which exists in various rites in the Church", where there are up to 23. 

Müller blames this decision on the pressure of "some professors of the San Anselmo Athenaeum, who approached the Pope and conditioned him for their own interest. Of them I know some according to whom the only legitimate liturgical form is the conciliar, all other forms should disappear, although the Council has broadened the horizons in a harmonious unity on the essential". 

What Benedict wanted with Summorum Pontificum was "to facilitate the unity and progressive inclusion of traditionalists. Years later, under the current pontificate, a group of advisers of Francis went to lament maintaining that Benedict XVI with that measure had taken a false step, causing further divisions and that, to rebalance the situation, it was better to return everything to how it was before. In short, they manipulated Francis," says the Cardinal.

Saturday, 11 February 2023

Francis Leo, new Archbishop of Toronto

Pope Francis has today appointed a new Archbishop of Toronto, Bishop Frank Leo [Catholic-Hierarchy]. Archbishop Designate Leo will replace Thomas Cardinal Collins whose resignation was accepted. Archbishop Leo, 51, was only consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal in September 2022. Yes, Montreal! Given the history of the Maple Leafs and Habs, there is much one could say about this.

Bishop Frank Leo was on someone's radar but was not one for the obvious ones. Rumours have been MacGratten from Calgary, Smith from Edmonton, or Bolen from Regina and he is one of the youngest Archbishops appointed to Toronto since Michael Power. Rejoice, my fellow that it was not one of these nor our former or current Auxiliaries!

Archbishop Leo has an enormous task ahead of him. Many Toronto priests are demoralized, and many have been "canceled" by the Collins regime. Others have been "thrown under the bus" of political correctness and media mobs.  The decision by Thomas "No Mass for You" Collins to throw our lot in with the government and the "virtuous public health officials" has devasted Mass attendance and parish sustainability. The hollowing out of the faith in many old neighbourhoods of Toronto will leave Bishop Leo with the dirty work of closing dozens of churches. Bishop Leo comes into a cesspool within the Chancery. He will need every grace from the Holy Spirit and the intercession of the Blessed Mother to deal with it.  

The Marian logo on his miter and his crozier is a good sign rather than the wooden stick carried by Collins. His letter below is beautiful and may it indicate for us a renaissance for the Church in Toronto. 



Greetings Message to the People of God in the Archdiocese of Toronto from Archbishop-designate Most Rev. Francis Leo

11 February 2023, Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

Praised be Jesus Christ. 

I am reaching out to you all to convey my heartfelt greetings on the occasion of my appointment by the Holy Father to serve this beloved archdiocese as its archbishop and servant leader. I am deeply humbled by Pope Francis’ confidence and am profoundly grateful to him. I am very eager to get to know you all personally. Relying on the Lord’s unwavering assistance to fulfill the mission with which I am being entrusted, I place my hope in our Heavenly Father’s bountiful mercies as He journeys with all of us along the path of the Kingdom. I am also following in the footsteps of Thomas Cardinal Collins and in continuity with the committed, strong and selfless episcopal ministry he has provided for many years and for which we owe a huge debt of gratitude. 

Strikingly, it was the Annunciation scene that came to my mind and heart when the Apostolic Nuncio notified me of the appointment. I thought of the Blessed Mother, her amazement and questioning, her trust and her availability to join forces with the Holy Spirit in bringing about the Incarnation; in accepting to play her unique role in the Lord’s loving and saving plan; to be a humble instrument in the hands of our loving and saving God. Upon learning of the Holy Father’s decision to appoint me, I too was asked to utter my own personal and ecclesial Fiat – and I have done so with all my heart. 

My ministry among you as a Shepherd in Christ will no doubt provide copious occasions to share our faith, to walk together in holiness, to foster ecclesial communion, and to bring Christ to others in new ways. Together with Mary, each is invited to bring the presence of Jesus to life within our manifold communities. Our profound attachment to the Lord, remaining firmly rooted in His teachings and those of His Bride the Church, will enable us to sow seeds of enduring hope and be builders of bridges for that unity the Lord desires of us. 

I will open my heart and mind to listen to you, to hear from you, and I will do my best to be for you an example of Christ the Good Shepherd. I trust that the Lord Jesus will open up new horizons before us, will accompany us with his grace, and allow us to experience abundant life. To my brother bishops, to the priests and deacons, seminarians, women and men in consecrated life and lay faithful engaged in ministry in the archdiocese, I look forward to engaging in close collaboration with you as we build up the Body of Christ, working out of our diverse vocations and charisms. As we abide in His love and walk with hope and authenticity, let us be reminded that it is Christ who is our Chief Shepherd and guides us all to the fullness of truth and life. 

In embracing this new “calling within the calling” and so taking up the senior leadership role in the Archdiocese of Toronto, I truly believe that I stand to learn much from you: the very People I will strive to love and to serve, to empower and to inspire, to guide and to lead. As you know, I hail from the great city of Montreal and am the son of immigrant parents. My varied experiences in parish ministry and school chaplaincy, as a seminary formator and university lecturer, my years in the Holy See’s diplomatic service, my service at the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and most recently as auxiliary bishop, vicar general and moderator of Montreal’s curia – these have been for me incredible graces beyond all telling and helped prepare me, through Divine Providence, for this new office of leadership and service in the midst of the ecclesial community. I will bring to this ministry all that I am and all that I have. 

To those who are near and actively engaged in the life of our Church, as well as to those who are more distant or struggle to choose her as their “spiritual home” - know that you are in my prayers daily and I will endeavour to be a loving pastor, a devoted father, a dedicated brother and an encouraging witness for you. In the immense and beautiful diversity of this archdiocesan family made up of parish communities and religious houses, educational institutions, health care and social services, ecclesial movements and associations, women, men and children, the elderly and the young, persons living on the margins, those with means and the needy, families of all walks of life, cultures, languages and traditions, and those persons in search for meaning, hope, healing and love, whatever your situation may be – know this: the door of my heart and that of our archdiocese are open to you. 

As a committed community of faith in the Risen Lord Jesus, we know, nonetheless, that we will inevitably face difficulties and trials. The key, however, is to remember that we are never alone. If we accept to come together in order to encourage and support, challenge and lift each other up, not only will we know the joy of belonging to the Lord and be pleasing to Him, we will likewise be blessed with new dynamism, heartfelt fellowship, and a sense of family in the Eucharistic faith community. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is our most treasured gift; the Kingdom we seek is one of justice and peace; the path is that of holiness and fidelity. I delight in the Spirit with you, as with one heart and one soul we will endeavour to share this gift, to seek this Kingdom and its righteousness, and to walk humbly along this path. 

Please remember me in your prayers so that I may faithfully serve the Lord in and through serving you. We are God’s beloved children and with Him all things are indeed possible. 

May Saint Michael the Archangel, our patron saint, defend us always and protect us everywhere. 

Yours sincerely in Jesus with Mary, 

+Francis Leo 

Archbishop-designate of Toronto

Wednesday, 8 February 2023

Voris and the SSPX

I have refrained from any comment because Michael Voris once came to my aid. It was when Thomas J. Rosica, CSB, attempted to sue me and my family into poverty. Voris gave advice, sound advice I should add, and a vehicle to create pressure against the derelict Rosica.

However, the continuous attacks on the Society of St. Pius X have come to the point of being pathological. Whatever issues of sexual perverts or incorrect procedures are not the issue. They had no more and very many fewer than other orders. One is too many. We know that. But the continuing attack at this time, in particular, is repugnant without merit and justice.

He needs to stop.

Tuesday, 7 February 2023

Bishop Schneider on Crisis, Disobedience, & the SSPX | A Michael Matt I...

Listen carefully to the good Bishop's words. He has words here for priests who must disobey and yet, must also fall under the authority of a bishop. I expect if the worst happens, the Society of St. Pius X will need to develop a system of affiliation. Bishop Schneider also indicates other, perhaps retired bishops. May God guide us all.

Holding my tongue for the sake of the 204%

There is a lot going on. I should have something to say. I do and I don't. I am, in prudence, restraining. It is not easy but I need to keep my own peace at this time. You know that to which I refer. 

Father Zuhlsdorf has something good to say today for all of us, particularly about you seminarians out there. I know you read this blog so urge you to read his comments and take them seriously. 

To the others who read this blog in the Chancery, and I know you do, will you allow the little flock, even if some of them be nasty, crabby to be put out of the house? Do these smelly sheep not deserve your attention?

To you over in Rome,  yes, you read this blog too, you who blame bloggers for all the ills and profess that we know nothing about liturgy do you really think you are going to win this? You have the power, but you won't have it forever. Maybe not even for one more year. Your end is coming, it won't be pretty. Your eternity will be severe. You will have deserved it all. 

Some people think that the problem is this blog and other blogs and Taylor Marshall. No, the problem is that people came awake and sensed something was wrong. They began to look and if this blog was part of that awakening, then I am humbled. It is not about lace and incense, it is about doctrine and devotion and truth and stopping what is coming, but they can't and they know it. In fact, their attack will only cause the "disease" to grow. They can't have that and they are too ideological to accept it.

Here is the reality. The community where I chant the Mass and conduct the choir has grown by 204% since June 2020 when the China Virus lockdowns ended for the first time. Yes, you read that correctly:

204%

Do you think these people are going back to what they left and just forgetting what they found?

To the Pastors that read this blog. How has your parish fared since June 2020? 

Thursday, 2 February 2023

Punxsutawney Phil or Wiarton Willie - pretty poor pagan substitutes for the real Light of lights

I originally wrote this in 2017. My view has not changed - the groundhog ritual is a mockery of Candlemas. The groundhog is afraid of the light and goes back into his hole. Our friends in Wiarton and Punsutanawney are looking for light in all the wrong places. 

Today is Candlemas, the official end of the Christmas Season according to ancient tradition. The Christmas cycle ends today. While the pagan secularists are out celebrating a couple of rodents, be they in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania or Wiarton, Ontario, we Catholics are blest to know that the groundhog is but a beautiful creature of God, it is not a god that can predict
anything. Even in jest, it is a mockery of the One True God and His First Commandment - to even joke that 
an animal can predict the weather, other than by its Creator growing it a longer coat. I see the groundhog ritual as a satanic mockery of Christ and the Blessed Mother, not just an old pagan practice. Of course, it's just a little fun in the midst of winter, except we need to look deeper. If the rodent sees the sun, he goes back into his hole. Satan sees the Light of Christ, which he runs from. Candlemas is just one more example of how the pagan secular world has perverted Catholic feasts and traditions, from All Hallows to Christmas and St. Valentine and the Easter bunny. How many Catholic churches today celebrate the feast with a procession or a sung liturgy? How many Catholics even know what the Feast is and its culmination of the Christmas cycle?

This poem from Germany seems to be the origin of the weather prediction. 

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.
For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until May.

This feast - solemnity recalls the day when our Blessed Mother - Mary being a Jewess and forty days after giving birth to her first-born Son, the Messiah; presented herself in the Temple as Orthodox Jewish women still do today for a mikvah, or Purification. In the Roman Missal of 1962, they actually changed the name to the Presentation of the Lord, which it is of course. Prior to that, it was the Purification of Mary. Common folk, not liturgists, called it Candlemas because, "we bless candles" as Father Z says, and we receive blest candles and take them home. Father Hunwicke has some thoughts on this and how "purification" does not fit with our modern sensibilities of a woman being, "unclean."


Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the temple on this day. The Holy Spirit had revealed to the just and devout Simeon that he should not die before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. In the temple the old man glimpsed Jesus in Mary's arms and blessed God, knowing that at last he had seen the Savior, "a light of revelation to the Gentiles and a glory of Thy people Israel."
But only after the Savior's Passion and Crucifixion would the light win for men the final victory over bodily and spiritual death. Simeon therefore said to Mary, the co-redeemer of mankind, "Thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:35). May we, too, after having shared the redemptive sufferings of Christ attain the final grace of presentation in the holy temple of God's glory.
(from a Missal introduction to today's Mass)

What the Novus Ordo took from you:

Blessing of Candles

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray. O Holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, who hast created all things out of nothing, and by Thy command hast caused this liquid to become perfect wax by the labor of bees: and who, on this day didst fulfill the petition of the righteous man Simeon: we humbly entreat Thee, that by the invocation of Thy most holy Name and through the intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin whose feast is today devoutly observed, and by the prayers of all Thy Saints, Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bless and sanctify these candles for the service of men and for the health of their bodies and souls, whether on land or on sea: and that Thou wouldst hear from Thy holy heaven, and from the throne of Thy Majesty the voices of this Thy people, who desire to carry them in their hands with honor, and to praise Thee with hymns; and wouldst be propitious to all that call upon Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

R. Amen. 

Let us pray. O almighty and everlasting God, who on this day didst present Thine only-begotten Son in Thy holy temple to be received in the arms of holy Simeon: we humbly entreat Thy clemency, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bless and sanctify and to kindle with the light of Thy heavenly benediction these candles, which we, Thy servants, desire to receive and to bear lighted in the honor of Thy Name: that, by offering them to Thee our Lord God, being worthily inflamed with the holy fire of Thy most sweet charity, we may deserve to be presented in the holy temple of Thy glory.

Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

R. Amen. 

Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, the true Light who enlightenest every man that cometh into this world: pour forth Thy blessing upon these candles, and sanctify them with the light of Thy grace, and mercifully grant, that as these lights enkindled with visible fire dispel the darkness of night, so our hearts illumined by invisible fire, that is, by the splendor of the Holy Spirit, may be free from the blindness of all vice, that the eye of our mind being cleansed, we may be able to discern what is pleasing to Thee and profitable to our salvation; so that after the perilous darkness of this life we may deserve to attain to neverfailing light: through Thee, O Christ Jesus, Saviour of the world, who in the perfect Trinity, livest and reignest, God, world without end.

R. Amen. 

Let us pray. O almighty and everlasting God, who by Thy servant Moses didst command the purest oil to be prepared for lamps to burn continuously before Thee: vouchsafe to pour forth the grace of Thy blessing upon these candles: that they may so afford us light outwardly that by Thy gift, the gift of Thy Spirit may never be wanting inwardly to our minds.

Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

R. Amen. 

Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, who appearing on this day among men in the substance of our flesh, wast presented by Thy parents in the temple: whom the venerable and aged Simeon, illuminated by the light of Thy Spirit, recognized, received into his arms, and blessed: mercifully grant that, enlightened and taught by the grace of the same Holy Ghost, we may truly acknowledge Thee and faithfully love Thee; Who with God the Father in the unity of the same Holy Ghost livest and reignest, God, world without end.

R. Amen. 

The Distribution of Candles

Ant. A light for the revelation of the Gentiles: and for the glory of Thy people Israel.

Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word in peace.

Ant. A light for the revelation of the Gentiles: and for the glory of Thy people Israel.

Because mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.

Ant. A light for the revelation of the Gentiles: and for the glory of Thy people Israel.

Which Thou hast prepared, before the face of all peoples.

Ant. A light for the revelation of the Gentiles: and for the glory of Thy people Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

Ant. A light for the revelation of the Gentiles: and for the glory of Thy people Israel.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Ant. A light for the revelation of the Gentiles: and for the glory of Thy people Israel.

 

Ant. Arise, O Lord, help us and deliver us for Thy Name's sake.

We have heard, O God, with our ears: our fathers have declared to us.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Ant. Arise, O Lord, help us and deliver us for Thy Name's sake.

Let us pray.

We beseech Thee, O Lord, hearken unto Thy people, and grant that by the light of Thy grace, we may inwardly attain to those things which Thou grantest us outwardly to venerate by this yearly observance. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen

The Procession

V. Let us go forth in peace.

R. In the Name of Christ. Amen.

Ant. Adorn thy bridal-chamber, O Sion, and welcome Christ the King: with loving embrace greet Mary who is the very gate of heaven; for she bringeth to thee the glorious King of the new light: remaining ever a Virgin yet she bearest in her arms the Son begotten before the day-star: even the Child, whom Simeon taking into his arms, declared to the peoples to be the Lord of life and death, and the Saviour of the world.

Ant. Simeon received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord; and when they brought the Child into the temple, he took Him into His arms, and blessed God, and said: Now dost Thou dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, in peace.

V. When His parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him into His arms.

V. They offered for Him to the Lord a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons: * As it is written in the Law of the Lord.

V. After the days of the purification of Mary, according to the law of Moses, were fulfilled, they carried Jesus to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord. * As it is written in the Law of the Lord.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

R. As it is written in the Law of the Lord.

Followed by the Mass.

 INTROIT Ps. 47:10-11

We have received Your kindness, O Lord, within Your temple. As Your name, O God, is known to the ends of the earth, so also shall Your praise be voiced to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is just in all things.

Ps. 47:2. Great is the Lord, and worthy of all praise in the city of our God, upon His holy mountain.

V. Glory be . . . 

COLLECT

Almighty and Eternal God, we humbly ask that we may be presented to You with purified souls just as Your only-begotten Son was presented this day in the temple after He had taken on the substance of our flesh. Through Our Lord . . . 

LESSON Mal. 3:1-4

Thus says the Lord God: Behold I send my angel, and he shall prepare the way before my face. And presently the Lord, whom you seek, and the angel of the testament, whom you desire, shall come to his temple. Behold, he cometh, saith the Lord of hosts. And who shall be able to think of the day of his coming? and who shall stand to see him? for he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller's herb: And he shall sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall refine them as gold, and as silver, and they shall offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice. And the sacrifice of Juda and of Jerusalem shall please the Lord, as in the days of old, and in the ancient years, says the Lord almighty. 

GRADUAL Ps. 47:10-11, 9

We have received Your kindness, O Lord, within Your temple. As Your name, O God, is known to the ends of the earth, so also shall Your praise be voiced to the ends of the earth.

V. As we had heard, so we have seen in the city of our God, upon His holy mountain.

V. The old man bore the Child, but the Child was the old man's King; Allelúja. 

The candles are held lighted during the Gospel, and from the Sanctus to the Communion.

 GOSPEL Luke 2:22-32

At that time, when the days of Mary's purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: As it is written in the law of the Lord: "Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord": And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons"

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. 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. 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, He also took him into his arms and blessed God and said, "Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace: Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel." 

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 44:3

Grace is poured out upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever and for all ages. 

SECRET 

O Lord, graciously hear our prayers and in Your mercy help us so that our offering may be worthy of Your majesty. Through Our Lord . . . 

The Preface for Christmas is said. 

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Luke 2:26

Simeon received an answer from the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord Our God, may this sacred rite, which You instituted to protect us in our new life of grace, bring us healing now and forever through the intercession of the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary. Through Our Lord . . .


In the great Responsory to the Antiphons during the Procession, we sing, repeatedly after each verse:

After the days of Mary 's purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord

 

aa


Our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph went up to Jerusalem "according to the law of Moses." They followed the Law, and they loved the Law. They did not mock the Law, they did not feel that the Law kept them from grace. They were not "rigid." They were not "hiding" anything.

A few weeks ago, right after Epiphany and for the first time, the Creche and Christmas Tree in St. Peter's Square were removed. It was then, after all, "Ordinary Time." As I sit and write this, the Christmas Tree, (cut ourselves in early December and left outside until the 23rd) is still alit. It actually has new growth, never losing its water supply and tricked into thinking it was Spring, it is only now starting to drop a few needles. The house is still decorated with the manger and holly and boxwood and pine. Fox and I will still use our Christmas mugs for this morning's coffee. Tonight, for Vespers followed by Holy Mass, it will be lit for the last time until next Christmas, the Lord willing. 

Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word in peace; Because my eyes have seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.
Here is an old poem giving insight into the beautiful tradition when our ancestors would mark the changing of time and seasons and think of simpler things, and God.


1. Down with the rosemary and bays,
Down with the mistletoe ;
Instead of holly, now up-raise
The greener box, for show.

Refrain:
Thus times and seasons oft do shift; each thing his turn doth hold ;
New thoughts and things now do succeed, as former things grow old.

2. The holly hitherto did sway ;
Let box now domineer
Until the dancing Easter day,
Or Easter's eve appear. Refrain

3. Then youthful box which now hath grace
Your houses to renew ;
Grown old, surrender must his place
Unto the crisped yew. Refrain

4. When yew is out, then birch comes in,
And many flowers beside ;
Both of a fresh and fragrant kin
To honour Whitsuntide. Refrain

5. Green rushes, then, and sweetest bents,
With cooler oaken boughs,
Come in for comely ornaments
To re-adorn the house. Refrain