Feast of the Transfiguration of the LORD - O Nata Lux by Thomas Tallis

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

I originally wrote this in 2016.  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, it is the sin of divination. 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, but I see no rodent. 

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

 

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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 alighted. 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

FOR ALL THE SAINTS

1. For all the saints, who from their labours rest,

Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,

Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

2. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;

Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;

Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

3. For the Apostles’ glorious company,

Who bearing forth the Cross o’er land and sea,

Shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:

Alleluia, Alleluia!

4. O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,

Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,

And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

5. For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,

Like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,

Is fair and fruitful, be Thy Name adored.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

6. For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,

Saw the bright crown descending from the sky,

And seeing, grasped it, Thee we glorify.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

7. O blest communion, fellowship divine!

We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;

Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

8. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,

Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,

And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

9. The golden evening brightens in the west;

Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;

Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

10. But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;

The saints triumphant rise in bright array;

The King of glory passes on His way.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

11. From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,

Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,

Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:

Alleluia, Alleluia!

At the Name of Jesus Every Knee Shall Bow

THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS

The Archangel Gabriel told Mary that her Son was to be called Jesus. Joseph, too, was told by an angel; and at the circumcision ceremony, the foster father officially gave the name of Jesus to Mary's Son.

The name means "God saves," and it describes the mission of the divine Child as the Savior of mankind. The redeeming life of this newly named Babe will be climaxed when He is lifted on Calvary above the hosts of men when He rises from the tomb as Redeemer of the human race.

INTROIT Philip. 2:10-11

At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of the Father.

Ps. 8:2. O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is Your name over all the earth!

V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O God, it was You who conferred the name of Jesus upon Your only-begotten Son, the Savior of the world. Grant that by venerating His holy name on earth we may enjoy His presence in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

EPISTLE Acts 4:8-12

In those days, Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them: "Ye princes of the people and ancients, hear. If we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he hath been made whole: Be it known to you all and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, even by him, this man standeth here before you, whole.

" This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved."

GRADUAL Ps. 105:47; Isa 63:16

Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations that we may give thanks to Your holy name and glory in praising  
V. You, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer. From eternity is Your name.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 144:21
My lips shall speak the praise of the Lord; let all men bless His holy name.
Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 2:21

At that time, 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.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 85:12, 5

I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forever. For You, O Lord, are sweet and mild, abounding in kindness to all who call upon You, alleluia!

SECRET

O Most Merciful God, may Your blessing, which gives life to all creation, sanctify the sacrifice we offer in honour of the name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let this act of praise be pleasing to Your majesty and profitable towards our own salvation. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

The Preface for Christmas is said.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 85:9-10

All the nations You have made shall come and worship You, O Lord, and glorify Your name. For great, You are and do wondrous deeds. You alone are God. Alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION

O Almighty and eternal God, who created and redeemed us, graciously hear our petitions. Receive kindly and favourably this saving Sacrificial Victim, which we have offered to Your majesty in honour of the name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Pour out Your grace upon us, that we may rejoice to see our names written in heaven under the glorious name of Jesus, who is the pledge of our eternal predestination. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

A most blessed Michaelmas to all of us - O glorious St. Michael!

O glorious St. Michael, guardian and defender of the Church of Jesus Christ, come to the assistance of this Church, against which the powers of hell are unchained, guard with especial care her august Head, and obtain that for him and for us the hour of triumph may speedily arrive. O glorious Archangel St. Michael, watch over us during life, defend us against the assaults of the demon, assist us especially at the hour of death; obtain for us a favorable judgment, and the happiness of beholding God face to face for endless ages. Amen. 

Today, Sunday, is the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus and there is still

 

Today is the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, it falls on the Sunday after the Octave Day of Christmas and Feast of the Circumcision and before the Epiphany. Today is not the Epiphany.

INTROIT Philip. 2:10-11

At the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of the Father.

Ps. 8:2. O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is Your name over all the earth!

V. Glory be . . . 

COLLECT

O God, it was You who conferred the name of Jesus upon Your only-begotten Son, the Savior of the world. Grant that by venerating His holy name on earth we may enjoy His presence in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. 

EPISTLE Acts 4:8-12

In those days, Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them: "Ye princes of the people and ancients, hear. If we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he hath been made whole: Be it known to you all and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, even by him, this man standeth here before you, whole.

" This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved." 

GRADUAL Ps. 105:47; Isa 63:16

Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations that we may give thanks to Your holy name and glory in praising You.   

V. You, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer. From eternity is Your name. 

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 144:21

My lips shall speak the praise of the Lord; let all men bless His holy name.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 2:21

At that time, 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. 

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 85:12, 5

I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forever. For You, O Lord, are sweet and mild, abounding in kindness to all who call upon You, alleluia! 

SECRET

O Most Merciful God, may Your blessing, which gives life to all creation, sanctify the sacrifice we offer in honor of the name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let this act of praise be pleasing to Your majesty and profitable towards our own salvation. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . . 

The Preface for Christmas is said. 

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 85:9-10

All the nations You have made shall come and worship You, O Lord, and glorify Your name. For great You are and do wondrous deeds. You alone are God. Alleluia! 

POSTCOMMUNION

O Almighty and eternal God, who created and redeemed us, graciously hear our petitions. Receive kindly and favorably this saving Sacrificial Victim, which we have offered to Your majesty in honor of the name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Pour out Your grace upon us, that we may rejoice to see our names written in heaven under the glorious name of Jesus, who is the pledge of our eternal predestination. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

St Edmundsbury Cathedral Choir - For all the Saints

Christ is King! In the here and now and the hereafter

This last Sunday in October in the real Roman Rite, is the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King. In the modernist rite it was moved to the last Sunday of the liturgical year in just one more of a flurry of liturgical changes issued by Pope Paul VI in his motu proprio Mysterii Paschalis. 

At this time of year in both the traditional and revised liturgy, the Mass begins to focus on the four last things and the eschatological theology that is a reality for humanity. This last Sunday of October was the date chosen for this relatively new Feast, it was instituted by Pope Pius XI in his 1925 encyclical letter Quas Primas in response to growing nationalism and secularism and to the radical and violent anti-Christian secularism of communism. The title of the feast was "D. N. Jesu Christi Regis" (Our Lord Jesus Christ, King) and preceded the Feast of All Saints and then All Souls, intentionally. Christ comes as King, is joined by His holy Saints and then all the Holy Souls, where He reigns for eternity. The last Sunday in October is also known in protestant circles as "Reformation Sunday" and the Pope was providing with clarity, the Social Kingship of Christ in this world through the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and to reject the blasphemy, apostasy and heresy of Martin Luther.

From a few years ago ....

[In this year, 2016, we will witness the very Bishop of Rome himself travelling to Sweden to praise Martin Luther and commemorate the so-called "reformation" but more appropriately, revolution. Luther's actions have led millions of souls to Hell and the secular result is revolution through freemasonry, illuminism, communism and secular humanism.]

Then, in 2019 we have seen the alleged Vicar of Christ close a Synod that saw the worship and bowing down to pagan gods and a destruction of the priesthood by the beginning of the end of celibacy and the ordination of women. The devil has taken over the visible church and papacy.

All coincidental, to be sure. Not with Bergoglio, it is all well-planned.

Liturgically speaking, the sung Proper of the Mass, the Introit, Gradual, Alleluia, Offertory and Communion of both Missals are the same. The Collect, Secret/Super Oblata and the Postcommunion are quite different and Father Z takes these apart and highlights the change emphasis as a result of these changes. 

The scripture readings are different. According to the Roman Missal of 1962, we read an Epistle from the Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians, 1:12-20 while the Gospel is that of St. John 18:33-37. In the Revised Lectionary for the Ordinary Form, we read in Year A for the Lesson, Ezekiel 34:11-12,15-17; the Epistle is from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 15:20-26,28 and the Gospel is from St. Matthew 25:31-46. In Year B, our current year as this is written, we will read the Lesson from the prophet Daniel 7:13-14, the Epistle from the Apocalypse of St. John, 1:5-8 and the Gospel is from St. John, 18:33-37. In Year C the Lesson is II Samuel 5:1-3, the Epistle is St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 1:12-20 (as in the EF, above) with the Gospel from St. Matthew 25:31-46. The Responsory (the correct name for the "Responsorial" psalm) and the Gospel verse vary, if sung from the Graduale Romanum, 1974, they are static as in the Proper referred to above.

An unfortunate reality is the rupture of dates, never asked for or anticipated by the Council Fathers, but nonetheless, accepted.

Pope Paul VI's argument change has some sense to it, Perfectly so, if it had not already existed on the calendar on the Last Sunday of October. Christ, comes as King at the end of time symbolized by the end of the Church year. However, Pope Pius XI had a reason for instituting this feast and if he believed that it was the eschatological dimension that was necessary to associate with it, he would have done so. That eschatological event is the Gospel for the Last Sunday after Pentecost regardless and it flows directly into that of the First Sunday of Advent so the debate is moot, it is there. The feast was instituted to tell us, now, in this secular world that Christ is King of the Social Order in the here and now, not just in that which is to come.

In the last paragraph of Father Z's article while finding it hard to "find fault" with the new prayers he goes on to write that 

"The change of placement of the feast and the change of theology of the prayers probably reflect the soft approach to Communism adopted by Rome in those years, called ostopolitik." 

When we compare the prayers, there is a clear reduction of emphasis on "triumphant language and imagery " It was as if "the writers of the newer prayers did not want to give the impression that Christ was to be accepted as Lord and King by political entities in this earthly existence." 

A contemporary John Henry Newman, the founder of the London Oratory and prolific hymn-writer, Father Frederick William Faber, Cong. Orat. wrote that:

"All change is bad from its very nature. It is full of evil; it unsettles and disturbs; it is full of the world; it is the very spirit of the world; and nothing worse can be said of it." 

It is truly unsettling that one Pope would come along only 45 years later and change what a previous Pope had instituted  This is what we have endured - a tinker, tinker mentality that had nothing to do with the Second Vatican Council or its Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.

Somebody around the Vatican thought that they had a better idea and they convinced a Pope that it was, just like the Octave of Pentecost. Yet, even to this  day, there are those who still attempt to uncrown Him. 

Now we have "Francis" a man who by his very action most particularly seen these last few weeks has dethroned Christ. Remember this friends, as Paul VI undid in one moment the simple act of changing this feast, know that in one day, one holy pope will undo all the error, blasphemy, words and works of this Bergoglio.

Christ Vincit, Christus Regnat, Christus Imperat!

FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

O HEART, Thou Ark of Law divine,

Not that of former slavery,

But mercy, grace, and clemency,

That now with justice do combine,

O Heart, Thou Sanctuary pure

Of new and lasting Covenant,

With fitter veil than that was rent,

A Fane more holy to endure,

Thy Charity was ever keen

For piercing by an open blow,

That, venerating, we might know

The wounds afflicting Love unseen.

Within this Icon of His Love,

A bloody, mystic Sacrifice,

To offer each did Christ suffice

As Priest and Victim from above.

And who would neither love requite,

Redeemed, the Lover yet reject,

Nor in that Sacred Heart select

Eternal dwellings filled with Light?

So honour in supernal strain

The Parent, Son, and Spirit sage,

To Whom belong in every age

Unbounded glory, might, and reign.

Amen.

FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE

The heart stands for love. The human heart of Jesus stands both for His human love and for the infinite love of His divine Person. His love was not just a shimmering, dreamy softness; it was wisely strong and true to its eternal purposes. Despite the anguish of Gethsemane, His love yielded His human life to crucifixion. His love had all the majesty and fullness of God, a height and a depth that make paltry the wisdom of men. Every mystery of His life, every miracle, sermon, and kindness, was a new revelation of divine love that enlightens and warms mankind.

INTROIT Ps. 32:11, 19

The thoughts of His heart stand through all generations, to deliver their souls from death, and keep them alive in spite of famine.

Ps. 32:1. Rejoice in the Lord, you just; praise befits the upright.

V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O God, through Your mercy we possess the treasures of Your love in the Sacred Heart of Your Son, the same Sacred Heart which we wounded by our sins. May our honor, devotion, and love make reparation to Him for our faults. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Eph. 3:8-12, 14-19

Brethren: To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

GRADUAL Ps. 24:8-9

The Lord is kind and just, therefore He shows even the erring the way.

V. He guides the humble in justice, He teaches the meek His way.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Matt. 11:29

Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your souls. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 19:31-37

At that time, the Jews, since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness--his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth--that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken." And again another Scripture says, "They will look on him whom they have pierced."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 68:21

My heart dreaded reproach and misery, and I looked for someone to sympathize with Me, but there was none. I sought for someone to comfort Me, and I found none.

SECRET

O Lord, behold the love in the heart of Your beloved Son, which no tongue can describe. Because of that love, accept our gift as an offering in atonement for our sins. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 19:34

One of the soldiers opened His side with a lance, and immediately there came out blood and water.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord Jesus, let the Blessed Sacrament fire us with a holy fervor, that we may experience the sweetness of Your loving Heart and learn to prefer the things of Heaven to those of earth; who lives and reigns with God the Father . . .

Thank you Mary. Thank you for saying, "Be it done unto me according to thy word."

All Saints and All Souls

Divine Mercy image and theology? Where are His wounds?

This post will no doubt be controversial to many. It is not my intent to offend. I am not stating that Sister Faustina is not a Saint nor that she did saw an apparition of whom she thought was Jesus.

NOTA BENE: Tuesday, April 10. I was correct, it was controversial and some found it offensive; and yet, there are many who agree with me. I put this devotion in the same place as Medjugorje. I don't believe either but if God brings good out of what was a fraud, then that is His perfect will. The fact is, there was a reason it was banned and a Polish Pope who undid it not just be enshrining it but by having it unbanned decades earlier, to be studied. When I first saw the image, I saw the Polish flag and still do. You can believe that it was a real apparition, but it is in the realm of private devotion. It has debased Fatima and the Sacred Heart.

How ironic is it that on a Sunday where in the Gospel of the Mass we recall the actions and words of St. Thomas the Apostle where he literally places his fingers in the wounds in the hands and sides of the Lord Jesus and then proclaims, "My Lord and my God," we find the day has been co-opted by the cult of Divine Mercy and a Jesus who has no wounds.

Think of two hymns. That Eastertide With Joy Was Bright; -- "He showed to them His hands, His side, where yet those glorious wounds abide. Alleluia."  Think of the great Advent hymn, Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending, "Those dear tokens of His passion, still, his dazzling body bears, ... with what rapture, gaze we. on those glorious scars."

The Venerable Saint Bede (commenting on Luke 24) taught that Christ kept His scars. 

First and chiefly for Christ’s own glory. Christ “wears [His scars] as an everlasting trophy of His victory.”

Second, these scars confirm the hearts of the disciples in the faith in His Resurrection. The scars increase our faith.

Third, Christ retained his scars so “that when He pleads for us with the Father, He may always show the manner of death He endured for us.” They have propitiatory signification in Heaven!

Fourth, Christ kept His scars so “that He may convince those redeemed in His blood, how mercifully they have been helped, as He exposes before them the traces of the same death.” This reveals that He is the Divine Mercy of God!

Fifth, Christ will appeal to His wounds so that during the Judgment Day “He may upbraid them with their just condemnation.” The holy wounds will silently sentence the damned to Hell.

It has always been the teaching of the Church that Christ's glorious wounds remain. 

When Our Blessed Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque she testified of the visibility of His wounds.

Did Sister Faustina see Our Lord Jesus?

If she did, where are His wounds?

She was apparently so insistent with the painter, how did she not insist on the presence of His wounds?

Why has "Divine Mercy" been allowed to surpass the Most Sacred Heart?

O Mary, thy perfumes are a garden of delights.

Homily by St. Germain, Patriarch of Constantinople.

On the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, holier than the Saints, higher than the heavens, more glorious than the Cherubim, more honourable than the Seraphim, and the most worshipful thing that the hands of God have made. Hail, O dove, bearing in thy beak the olive-branch of peace that telleth us of salvation from the spiritual flood, Gen. viii. 10, n, dove, blessed omen of a safe harbour, whose wings are of silver, and thy feathers of gold, shining in the bright beams of the Most Holy and Light-giving Spirit. Ps. lxvii. 14. Hail, thou living garden of Eden, planted towards the East by the right hand of the Most Merciful and Mighty God, wherein do grow to His glory rich lilies and unfading roses, for the healing of them that have drunk in death from the blighting and pestilential breezes of the bitter West, Gen. ii. 8, 9; Eden, wherein hath sprung that Tree of life, Whereof if any man eat he shall live for ever. Gen. ii. 9; iii. 22. John vi. 52. Hail, stately Palace of the King, most holy, stainless, purest, House of the Most High God, adorned with His Royal splendour, open to all, filled with Kingly dainties; Palace wherein is that spiritual bridal chamber, not made with hands, nor hung with divers colours, in the which the Eternal Word, when He would raise up fallen man, wedded flesh unto Himself, that He might reconcile unto the Father them who had cast themselves away.

Hail, O rich and shady Mountain of God, whereon pastured the True Lamb, Who hath taken away our sins and infirmities, Hab. iii. 3; Isa. liii. 4; John i. 29, mountain, whereout hath been cut without hands that Stone which hath smitten the altars of the idols, and become the head-stone of the corner, marvellous in our eyes. Dan. ii. 34; Ps. cxvii. 22, 23. Hail, thou holy Throne of God, thou divinest store-house, thou temple of glory, thou bright crown, thou chosen treasure, thou mercy-seat for the whole world, thou heaven declaring the glory of God. Ps. xviii. 2. Hail, thou vessel of pure gold, made to hold the manna that came down from heaven, the sweet food of our souls, even Christ. Ex. xvi.33; Heb. ix. 4; John vi. 49-51. Hail, O purest Virgin, most praiseworthy and most worshipful, hallowed treasury for the wants of all creatures; thou art the untitled earth, the unploughed field; thou art the vine full of flowers, the well overflowing with waters, Maiden and Mother; thou art the Mother that knew not a man, the hidden treasure of guilelessness, and the clear, bright star of holiness; by thy most acceptable prayers, strong from thy motherly mouth, obtain for all estates of men in the Church that they may continually tend unto Him Who is the Lord, and God, and Maker of thee, and of them, and of all, but of thee the Son also, conceived without man's intervention; obtain this, O Mother, pilot them to the harbour of peace.

Be it thine to clothe God's priests with righteousness, and to make them shout aloud for joy Ps. cxxxi. 9, 16, in approved and stainless, and upright and glorious faith. thine be it to guide in peace the sceptres of orthodox princes, even of princes who put their trust in thee to be the crown of their Majesty, and the Royal Robe of their greatness, and the firm foundation of their dominion, more than in purple, or fine gold, or pearls, or precious stones; thine be it to put under their feet the unfaithful nations, nations that blaspheme thee, and the God That was born of thee; thine be it to keep in meek obedience the people that are under them, according to the commandment of God. Behold, this is thine own city, which hath thee for her towers and her foundations, crown her with victory, gird the house of God with strength, keep undefiled the loveliness of His tabernacles, as for them that praise thy name, be thou their deliverer from strife and bitterness of spirit. Free thou the prisoner, protect the wanderer, and if there be any that hath no refuge, be thou to him a consolation. Stretch forth thine hand and help the whole earth so shall we year by year keep this and all thy feasts, and at last be found with thee in Christ Jesus, Who is Lord of all, and verily our God. To Him, with the Holy Father, Who is the Fountain of Life, and the coeternal Spirit, Three Persons and One Substance, even as there is one Kingdom, be glory and strength, now and for ever. Amen.

Octave of Pentecost - Paul VI wept, and we've been weeping ever since!

Veni Sancti Spiritus. The ethereal chant of the Sequence for Pentecost Sunday which is proper to the Mass in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite as well as the Extraordinary Form.

Was this sung in your parish in the Ordinary Form (OF); even in English as you can find at the link above? 

Was it even just read after the Second Reading and before the Alleluia? 

No? then get out of the Nervous Disordered liturgy and find the traditional Latin Mass where you will be properly nourished and not suffer liturgical banality and abuse any longer. Stop being a liturgical masochist.

We are now in the Octave of Pentecost that was unfortunately lost in the Ordinary Form (OF). An "Octave" is the eight day period following a major feast, a prolongation of that feast. In the traditional, there are three, Christmas, Easter and Pentecost and of course in the OF, only Christmas and Easter. Prior to 1962 there were more including Epiphany. Others included Corpus Christi, Sacred Heart, Sts. Peter and Paul and more of lower rank. 

There is this little story from Father Z.  It seems that he was told this story by an elderly, retired Papal Ceremoniere or a Master of Ceremonies who (according to him) was present at the event about to be recounted.

The Monday after Pentecost in 1970 His Holiness Pope Paul VI rose bright and early and went to the chapel for Holy Mass. Instead of the red he expected, there were green vestments laid out for him. 

He queried the MC assigned that day, "What on earth are these for?  This is the Octave of Pentecost!  Where are the red vestments?"

"Santità," quoth the MC, "this is now Tempus ‘per annum’.  It is green, now. The Octave of Pentecost is abolished."

"Green? That cannot be!", said the Pope, "Who did that?" 

"Holiness, you did."

And Paul VI wept.

And the rest of us have been weeping ever since.

And then there is the Vigil...

More:

http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2011/06/octave-of-pentecost-proposal-for-mutual.html#.VznatfkrK70

Go into all the world, to every creature

The Paschal Mystery is, liturgically speaking, complete. Our LORD ascends to heaven to prepare a place for us. He did so after forty days, not forty-three.

Mark 16:14-20 

14 At length he appeared to the eleven as they were at table: and he upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe them who had seen him after he was risen again. 15 And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues. 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover. 19 And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God. 20 But they going forth preached everywhere: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed.

Homily by Pope St. Gregory the Great29th on the Gospels

I may be allowed to say that the disciples' slowness to believe that the Lord had indeed risen from the dead, was not so much their weakness as our strength. In consequence of their doubts, the fact of the Resurrection was demonstrated by many infallible proofs. These proofs we read and acknowledge. What then assureth our faith, if not their doubt? For my part, I put my trust in Thomas, who doubted long, much more than in Mary Magdalene, who believed at once. Through his doubting, he came actually to handle the holes of the Wounds, and thereby closed up any wound of doubt in our hearts. 

Now confirm to our minds the trustworthiness of the fact that our Lord did indeed rise again from the dead, it is well for us to remark one of the statements of Luke Acts i. 4. "Eating together with them, He commanded them that they should not 1 John xiv. 16, 17 xvi. 7. depart from Jerusalem and a little afterward: "While they beheld, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight." Consider these words, note well these mysteries. After "eating together with them He was taken up." He ate and ascended: that the fact of His eating might show the reality of the Body in Which He went up. But Mark telleth us that before the Lord ascended into heaven, He upbraided His disciples; with their unbelief and hardness of heart. From this I know not why we should gather, but that the Lord then upbraided His disciples, for whom He was about to be parted in the body, to the end that the words which He spoke unto them as He left them might be the deeper imprinted on their hearts. 

When then, He had rebuked the hardness of their heart, what command did He give them? Let us hear. "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." Was the Holy Gospel, then my brethren, to be preached to thing insensate, or to brute beasts, that the Lord said to His disciples: "Preach the Gospel to every creature"? Nay, but by the words "every creature" we must understand man, in whom are combined qualities of all creatures. Being he hath in common with stones, life in common with trees, feeling in common with beasts, understanding in common with angels. If, then, man hath something in common with every creature, man is to a certain extent every creature. The Gospel, then, if it be preached to man only, is preached to every creature.

Any man who would equate this, the "Great Commission," with the Jihad of the Mohammedans, is suffering from a delusion, proffering deception and possibly under some kind of diabolical possession. 

When those Shepherd's fail to "preach the Gospel to every creature," they disobey the very LORD GOD Himself. The very Jesus, that come to earth as man in the womb of the Virgin, lived, taught, suffered, died, arose and ascended. This very Jesus, they defy.

Praised by Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.